Tag: Football

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Manchester United’s defence have been harshly affected by injuries this season.

Erik ten Hag’s back line has had 13 separate injury incidents since August.

Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are all battling long-term injuries and are yet to feature this season.

Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof have also both missed game time due to injuries.

The latest casuality for United is Noussair Mazraoui, who has reportedly had minor heart functioning issues this week.

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With various injury prone players, United are looking to the January transfer window to solve their depth issues in defence.

According to TEAMtalk, the Red Devils plan to approach Chelsea full-back Ben Chilwell.

United will reportedly face competition from Atletico Madrid and Juventus for the 27-year-old’s signature.

Chilwell is not a part of Enzo Maresca’s plans at Chelsea and has yet to feature in their matchday squad in the Premier League this season.

After signing a new contract just last year, Chilwell has been abruptly phased out of Chelsea’s squad.

He is almost certainly set to leave Stamford Bridge in 2025 and is valued at €22m, according to Transfermarkt.

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United do not currently have a fit left-back in their senior squad other than U21 star Harry Amass.

However, Ten Hag has halted the 17-year-old’s introduction into first-team football as he believes he is not yet ready for the intensity of the Premier League.

United have deployed Diogo Dalot as a makeshift left-back this season and have even resorted to filling the void with Jonny Evans.

With Shaw’s return date seemingly being pushed further back every week, Ben Chilwell may be a handy temporary solution to United’s left-back issues.

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Image Credits: Manchester United Football Club

Injuries is something that has plagued Manchester United Football Club over the past few seasons.

Defence has arguably been the position that has been most affected by injury.

Leny Yoro got injured in pre-season and has been out for a significant period of time.

The likes of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have been perpetually injured over the past two seasons and has caused the club a headache in that position.

Harry Maguire suffered an injury in United’s last game and will also be missing for a while.

So the last thing that Erik ten Hag needs is another player out injured.

It seems like that is exactly what he has gotten.

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Earlier this week, it was announced that both Kobbie Mainoo and Noussair Mazraoui have withdrawn from international duty with injury.

At the time, there wasn’t any further detail on how serious or how long each injury was.

We now have more detail on one of them.

Noussair Mazraoui has undergone surgery after experiencing heart palpitations.

It is believed to be a minor precautionary corrective procedure rather than anything serious and long term.

The Moroccan international is expected to make a full recovery and should be available for selection with a few weeks.

This likely will require a reshuffle at the back for United.

Diogo Dalot, who has been playing at left back this season, will likely be asked to move to right back while Mazraoui is out.

It will then need to be determined who will cover the left back position.

There are a few options.

Lisandro Martinez could step in there, with Matthijs de Ligt and Jonny Evans potentially playing in the centre back positions.

Or young Harry Amass could be asked to do a job there as a filler.

In any case, it seems that this is a relatively short term injury and Noussair Mazraoui will be back in the squad sooner rather than later.

Wishing Mazraoui the best of luck in his recovery from the procedure.

Man Utd fullback Noussair Mazraoui has successfully undergone a minor precautionary corrective procedure after experiencing palpitations.

This is a relatively common condition as he’s expected to make a full recovery and be available for selection within the next few weeks. pic.twitter.com/B9mr4ql0oc

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 10, 2024

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the rest of Manchester United’s hierarchy met in a committe meeting in London on Tuesday.

One of the major topics of discussion at the offices of INEOS was the future of Erik ten Hag.

Ten Hag has not received any communication from the club regarding his sacking, and is proceeding as normal for United’s game against Brentford after the international break.

The board are still deciding internally how they should proceed with this matter.

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In Tuesday’s meeting, Sir Jim Ratcliffe made specific requests to United’s senior staff, to aid his decision on Ten Hag’s sacking.

The Independent reported that Ratcliffe asked them to detail their approach to every scenario on Ten Hag’s future.

That is, what is the club’s plan if Ten Hag is sacked now and an interim is hired? What if they wait till Christmas? Or next summer?

Sir Jim wanted a surgical analysis of what would happen if United were to let go of Ten Hag.

He wants to avoid reactionary decisions and considered arguments for and against the Dutchman.

The meeting lasted four hours and no conclusion on Ten Hag’s future was reached, further evidencing the ownership’s delicate approach to the situation.

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Ratcliffe is aware of the disruption that a change in manager could cause and wants to make sure that no doubt is left after a decision is made.

If Ten Hag is sacked, it is thought that Thomas Tuchel is Sir Jim’s favoured replacement, after the pair had positive conversations last summer.

However, United are aware that signing Tuchel midway through the season would be difficult.

They plan to make Ruud van Nistelrooy the interim manager, until the board find a strong candidate for the permanent role.

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If Erik ten Hag is to be sacked, Ruud van Nistelrooy is in line to become Manchester United’s interim manager.

However, United’s hierarchy know that this is only a temporary solution and will look at more experienced managers for the permanent role.

Xabi Alonso and Julian Nagelsmann are being targetted by the club, while interest in Thomas Tuchel has been lingering since summer.

Other names like Thomas Frank and Graham Potter are also potential candidates, however no concrete interest from United has been reported.

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Gareth Southgate has commented on the possibility of replacing Ten Hag at United, after resigning as England manager in July.

Reaching two major tournament finals with the Three Lions, Southgate was certainly England’s most successful manager on paper in decades.

However, being at the helm of a nation that dub themselves the ‘Home of Football’  proved to be too pressurising for him.

When questioned on the links between him and the United job, Southgate dismissed any chance of joining the Red Devils in the near future.

“I won’t coach in the next year, for sure. I’m certain of that.”

“I need to give myself time to make good decisions, it’s an important step and I need time,” he explained.

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United may have to wait until next year to find a permanent manager, as the board are aware that appointing a top coach in the middle of the season is a tall order.

However, a summer 2025 opportunity may be too early for Southgate’s return to management.

Even as a boyhood United fan, Southgate is in no rush to take on the responsibility of being their manager.

11 years ago, some of the best managers in the world were tipped to replace Sir Alex Ferguson.

Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Jurgen Klopp were all linked with a move to Old Trafford before David Moyes’ appointment.

However, recently, elite managers have been scared to touch the club with a 10-foot pole.

Whether this will remain true under INEOS’s reign is yet to be seen.

Gareth Southgate plays down links with Man United job: “I won’t coach in the next year, for sure”.

“I’m certain of that. I need to give myself time to make good decisions, it’s an important step and I need time”, said at ECA via @sistoney67. pic.twitter.com/TYrGP1AlfT

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 10, 2024

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The Glazers sold 25% of their stake in Manchester United to Sir Jim Ratcliffe last December.

In this deal, INEOS Sport assumed control over football operations at the club.

For fans, a large point of contention during the Glazers’ reign was their lack of engagement with fans and their approach to running United.

That is, many believe the family saw the club as a pure business operation, with little concern about the core values underpinning it.

Fans felt neglected, Old Trafford became derelict and any money that went back into United came solely from profits; never out of the Glazers’ pockets.

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With a rough start to life in the INEOS era, Erik ten Hag’s future as manager rests on a knife edge.

United’s new owenrship have expressed nothing but support for the Dutchman in public.

However, two private committee meetings have been held this week and his sacking looks a real possiblity.

In a rare interaction with United fans, Joel Glazer spoke face-to-face with some supporters this week and addressed issues surrounding the club and Ten Hag.

The Athletic’s Andy Mitten spoke on the Talk of the Devils podcast this week and revealed this information.

“I think you’re right, Laurie, about Joel Glazer. That is the first time he has sat face-to-face with with Manchester United fans, because he called in on Zoom last time.”

“So that is significant, and what’s happening now, I mean, I feel like my anger came across in the podcast a week ago. I think I’ve gone through that stage now. I wouldn’t say that I’m resigned, but I didn’t expect United to win at Villa”, he said.

“But then the game starts, and you go on, go on, and it’s not a bad result, 0-0 against Aston Villa. But, it’s under this huge cloud at the moment of a really poor start to the season, poor results, uncertainty around the manager.”

“The fans, I think there’s very, very little support for Erik ten Hag”, Mitten reported.

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The Glazers have often failed to garner support for managers during their reign at United.

Whether you are Ten Hag in or out, the notion expressed by Sir Jim that they will not adopt a ‘chop and change’ approach to managers is a positive one.

The new ownership are building a long-term project at United and want revolutionise its structure from top to bottom.

Whether Ten Hag will head this project on the field remains unknown.

However, it is clear that Sir Jim and INEOS will not be taking such a reactionary approach like the Glazers.

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This week has been a massive week for Erik ten Hag, with the Manchester United executive committee meeting to decide his fate.

The board have had two meetings in two days, first at Old Trafford, then at Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Knightbrdge office in Central London.

Whilst the meeting was a routine one for the group who meet monthly to discuss club operations, a key agenda item was that of ten Hag’s future at the club.

The group’s second meeting ended at 5 pm on Tuesday 8th October and since then, a decision on ten Hag seems to have been made.

Erik ten Hag remains at Old Trafford

Multiple reports have now confirmed that in the absence of any news of Erik ten Hag being sacked, the result of the meeting is to stand by the Dutchman.

As this was a routine meeting, the discussion held would only become public information if a drastic decision has been made, such as sacking ten Hag.

It’s also understood that no communication has yet been made with ten Hag, with the United boss working on the assumption he’ll be back at Carrington after the international break.

What next for ten Hag?

Although the club have stuck with Erik ten Hag, the pressure isn’t off.

Manchester United are in desperate need of a top four finish in order to qualify for the Champions League next season.

Failing to do so would breach their contract terms with sponsor Adidas, triggering a £10 million penalty, risking breaches with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Despite being in 14th place, United are only six points away from fourth, so with much of the season left to go, it is doable.

However, better results are needed immediately in order to make the Champions League a possibility next year.

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Erik ten Hag has had his fair share of personal problems with Manchester United players.

In his two years at the club, he has publicly fallen out with Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho.

Behind the scenes, Ten Hag reportedly also had issues with Raphael Varane, Zidane Iqbal, Anthony Martial and Casemiro.

Casemiro is the only one of these players that still play for United, which evidences Ten Hag’s ruthless approach to man management.

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Football Insider report that the Dutchman was hostile with another squad member after his signing in 2023.

Erik ten Hag did not speak to Altay Bayindir for two weeks, following his arrival at United.

After Bayindir moved from Fenerbahce in September 2023, Ten Hag did not make the effort to introduce himself or even greet the Turkish goalkeeper.

In his first fortnight as a United player, the 26-year-old only spent time with the club’s goalkeeping coaches, without exchanging a single word with Ten Hag.

Since signing, Bayindir has only made two appearances for United, even struggling for game time in early-round cup fixtures.

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With the pressure on Ten Hag at an all time high as United manager, this news does not bode well for his image.

Combined with his previous altercations with players, these reports only give light the notion that the Dutchman is a poor man manager.

Furthermore, it will do little to increase the fans’ faith in Ten Hag and implies that he may have lost the support of some players a while ago.

United’s hierarchy did not reach a conclusive decision on Ten Hag’s future in their committe meeting yesterday.

However, if new problems continue to appear and old problems are revealed, this will certainly not help Ten Hag’s case.

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Erik ten Hag is facing mounting pressure as Manchester United’s struggles continue with Ruud van Nistelrooy waiting in the wings.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, remembered for his phenomenal goal-scoring exploits at Old Trafford, returned to the club as part of ten Hag’s revamped coaching staff this summer.

This move was seen as more than just a sentimental reunion, it was a strategic decision to bring in a rising managerial talent who knows the club inside out.

With many speculating he was brought in as a potential interim coach if ten Hag was to be sacked.

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s path to coaching began shortly after he hung up his boots in 2012.

A year later, in 2013, he took his first steps in coaching within the PSV Eindhoven system, where he honed his skills working with the youth teams.

His ability to nurture young talent and his natural leadership saw him quickly progress through the ranks at PSV.

By 2018, he was leading the club’s U-19s, where he built a reputation for instilling attacking, dynamic football.

In 2022, van Nistelrooy was appointed PSV’s first-team manager, a significant leap in his coaching career.

Despite having only one full season in charge, he made an instant impact.

Ruud van Nistelrooy was in charge for 50 game, winning 34 games, drawing 8 and losing a further 8.

This was an exceptional stint for a young manager.

His return to Manchester United is seen as a potentially crucial move, especially as speculation swirls about his future role, possibly stepping in if ten Hag’s tenure faces further difficulties.

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Manchester United have an impressive array of talent in the academy right now, having added to its ranks over the summer.

Young talents like Silva Mexes, James Overy and Cameron Mpofu joined early this summer, with truly impressive talents like Sekou Kone, Chido Obi-Martin and Samuel Lusale joining closer towards the deadline day.

However, United already had a significant amount of talent in the academy anyway.

Players like Amir Ibragimov, Shea Lacey and Bendito Mantato are already making names for themselves in the Under-18s side.

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Now, a truly impressive 14-year-old wonderkid has been promoted to the Under-18’s side.

A huge promotion for JJ Gabriel

News has emerged that United are so impressed with youngster JJ Gabriel that they’ve promoted him to the Under18s side despite only turning 14 this weekend.

The Daily Mail has reported that Gabriel has been making a name for himself in the Under-16s team but was given a chance to step up, training with the Under-18s ahead of their match with Manchester City’s Under-18s side back in April.

This season Gabriel was awarded the Most Valuable Player title at a tournament in Hong Kong since returning from the summer. Whilst there is no rush to get him into Under-18s games, the coaches are impressed with his displays in the more senior training sessions.

The wonderkid’s nickname tells you all you need to know about the potential he holds, being referred to as “Kid Messi” from the skill he possesses.

As such, there was concern that the youngster was being lured away by Barcelona earlier in the year.

Over the summer, the LaLiga side welcomed the United academy star with a tour of Camp Nou, being gifted tickets to a match, given a signed Lamine Yamal shirt and met the squad.

Understandably concern arose that this excessive welcome to the city was a bit much for an Under-14s player on holiday, but thankfully for United, nothing seems to have come of it.

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Erik ten Hag is facing mounting pressure as Manchester United’s struggles continue with Ruud van Nistelrooy waiting in the wings.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, remembered for his phenomenal goal-scoring exploits at Old Trafford, returned to the club as part of ten Hag’s revamped coaching staff this summer.

This move was seen as more than just a sentimental reunion, it was a strategic decision to bring in a rising managerial talent who knows the club inside out.

With many speculating he was brought in as a potential interim coach if ten Hag was to be sacked.

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s path to coaching began shortly after he hung up his boots in 2012.

A year later, in 2013, he took his first steps in coaching within the PSV Eindhoven system, where he honed his skills working with the youth teams.

His ability to nurture young talent and his natural leadership saw him quickly progress through the ranks at PSV.

By 2018, he was leading the club’s U-19s, where he built a reputation for instilling attacking, dynamic football.

In 2022, van Nistelrooy was appointed PSV’s first-team manager, a significant leap in his coaching career.

Despite having only one full season in charge, he made an instant impact.

Ruud van Nistelrooy was in charge for 50 game, winning 34 games, drawing 8 and losing a further 8.

This was an exceptional stint for a young manager.

His return to Manchester United is seen as a potentially crucial move, especially as speculation swirls about his future role, possibly stepping in if ten Hag’s tenure faces further difficulties.

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