Tag: Football

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Erik ten Hag has once more come under fire by pundits and former coaches alike due to the run of poor performances from Manchester United stretching back to last season.

Ten Hag managed to keep hold of his job at the start of the summer with Sir Jim Ratcliffe standing by the Dutchman, extending his contract.

However, the start of this season has been far from redemption for him with The Red Devils currently sitting in twelfth place in the Premier League.

When asked if he is worried about losing his job, ten Hag responded: “No, I am not thinking about this.”

He continued:  “We all made in togetherness this decision to stay together, as ownership group, leadership group in the summer, also we made the decision, after a clear review, what we have to improve as an organisation and how to construct a squad. We are all there on one page, one boat, the ownership, the leadership group, the staff, players too.”

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Now, one of United’s former coaches who recently departed the club has spoken out about his thoughts on the club’s recent results.

Former coach Benni McCarthy discusses Erik ten Hag and United

Speaking to Portuguese outlet ZEROZERO, Benni McCarthy has expressed that ten Hag “lacks a bit of that fire, that passion”.

The former first-team coach explained: “In modern football, I believe that players want to see a bit more passion in their coach. They need to feel that the coach is with them and willing to fight alongside them.

“Tactically, I feel that Erik is at the top. He lacks a bit of that fire, that passion. That’s where we differ, him and I.”

Ten Hag is currently calling for patience from the fans to allow for the new signings to integrate with the squad fully.

McCarthy went on to discuss the talent that ten Hag has at his disposal, saying: “If some of the Manchester United players had what Bruno (Fernandes) and Diogo (Dalot) have, it would have been easier to achieve good results,”

He continued: “They both trained with incredible concentration, giving everything they had. Some of the others didn’t do the same. This ended up limiting United’s progress because some players weren’t training to the best of their ability. Even in games, the data showed us that some players were at their peak performance and others a little below.”

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Manchester United had a wave of concerns hitting them following the 3-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils have slipped down to twelfth place in the Premier League, with reports claiming that Erik ten Hag now has two games to save his job.

There’s added pressure to the performances with other reports claiming that United risks significant PSR breaches if they don’t qualify for next year’s Champions League by finishing in the top four.

Further to this, United’s captain Bruno Fernandes was handed a red card for his tackle on James Maddison, giving him a three-match suspension, however, this has since been overturned.

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As if this wasn’t enough, ten Hag’s star midfielder, Kobbie Mainoo, was forced off of the pitch with a tweak to his hamstring just before half-time.

Kobbie Mainoo update on hamstring injury

The Golden Boy award nominee was replaced by Mason Mount who in turn was replaced by Amad Diallo thanks to a head injury.

However, there appears to be a glimmer of hope for United fans, with images recently being released of Mainoo taking part in team training at Carrington once more.

United are set to travel to Portugal on Thursday 3rd October to face Porto in their next match in the Europa League.

After a 1-1 draw to FC Twente, Erik ten Hag is desperate to get a better result against the Portuguese side to keep their hopes for the competition alive.

It’s been reported by Manchester Evening News that Mainoo does not look likely to miss any games due to the hamstring injury, giving ten Hag more options to take to Porto.

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Erik ten Hag is once more under the microscope as manager at Old Trafford with Manchester United dropping to twelfth in the Premier League.

The Red Devils fell one place after losing 3-0 to Tottenham Hotspur at home. Next up they’ll be playing fifth place Aston Villa away from home.

However before that, ten Hag and his men are flying to Portugal for a Europa League tie with Porto.

These two games could go one of two ways, either saving the Dutchman’s job at United or pushing him closer to the edge of departing the club.

However, United are lining up his replacement  just in case drastic changes are needed.

Recent reports have claimed that two former Chelsea bosses are in consideration in the form of Graham Potter and Thomas Tuchel, with Gareth Southgate bringing the shortlist to three.

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However, United’s answer to all this may be a lot closer to home.

Manchester United look to assistant manager Ruud van Nistelrooy to replace Erik ten Hag

Jeremy Cross has reported that United are looking internally at assistant manager Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The report continues to expand on this expressing the support of the players around this decision.

Van Nistelrooy recently spoke to TNT Sports about his return to United, saying: “It’s 100% the right decision [to return].”

The former striker continued: “I felt a strong feeling that I want to help build United – little by little – back to where we feel and know where the club should be.

“I was on the managerial track. I managed PSV – an unbelievable experience – and I was in talks with clubs to manage, and I love it.

“I had my staff all ready, and then I had a phone call. I was like, ‘jeez’. I never thought of it as a possibility.

“Erik called me. I said I had to think about it, but I immediately felt, ‘wow’. I started to love the idea.

“Especially the big picture where it’s a new start with the new ownership and leadership. A phase where you start to rebuild and be a part of it.

“I just want to contribute to where the club should be and, little by little, bring it there.

“I hope when they reach it, it will be soon. I want to contribute. I feel a strong feeling that I want to do that.”

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Amidst tough periods, managers often make unconvential changes to their team’s setup in hope of a turn in form.

For Ralf Rangnick, it was the decision to involve academy players like Alejandro Garnacho and Anthony Elanga into his side.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer experimented with his formation, trialling a 3-5-2 setup towards the end of his tenure.

With the pressure mounting on Erik ten Hag, fans and pundits are calling for a change to Manchester United’s approach.

Whether this change is tactical or personnel-related, Ten Hag cannot bury his head in the sand with his current setup.

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Tomorrow, United face Porto away in the Europa League, after an embarrassing 3-0 loss to Spurs on Sunday.

In that game, Mason Mount suffered a head injury and is absent from United’s travelling squad to Portugal.

To replace him, Ten Hag has looked to United’s academy and promoted Dan Gore to the senior squad for tomorrow’s game.

The 20-year-old had an impressive performance for United’s U21s against Hertha in the Premier League International Cup last night, which likely played a part in his step up to the first team.

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After his Premier League debut last season, Ten Hag insisted that Gore was not given the opportunity as a gift, but through his hard work in training.

“I’m not a coach who gives opportunities to players [for no reason], they have to earn it.”

“I don’t hand opportunities to young players. They must consistently prove their worth in training”, Ten Hag said.

Gore is coming off an injury-riddled season but remains one of United’s most exciting academy prospects.

Last week, the attacking midfielder played his first football match in nine months against Doncaster’s U-21s.

With nothing working for United at the moment, it would not be farfetched to see Gore involved in tomorrow’s game, with Ten Hag desperate for a turn in results.

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Manchester United are set to face Porto on Thursday 3rd October in their next fixture in the Europa League.

After a 1-1 draw to FC Twente, Erik ten Hag is desperate to get a better result against the Portuguese side to keep their hopes for the competition alive.

Pressure is on for ten Hag after his run of poor performances leading to scrutiny mounting once more as to whether the Dutchman is the right manager for the job.

Ten Hag needs to start getting results to silence the concerns around his leadership, to secure his job at Old Trafford.

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It’s recently been announced that United need a top-four finish in the Premier League this year in order to qualify for next season’s Champions League. If the club don’t qualify, they’d face a £10 million penalty from sponsors Adidas which is built into their contract, having a knock-on for potential PSR breaches.

With this in mind, the next few games are vital for ten Hag to turn things around, which injuries will only be impeding.

Injury updates ahead of Porto fixture – Maguire, Mainoo and Mount

It’s now been confirmed that Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo are in team training today, making them available for the Porto clash, however, another one of their stars is still in doubt.

Mason Mount came on for an injured Kobbie Mainoo against Tottenham in their 3-0 loss, however, was taken off 40 minutes later due to a head injury.

Now reports are emerging from Steven Railston and Laurie Whitwell that Mount has not featured in training today a precaution around the injury.

The situation has been confirmed as not being concussion, however he might not be eligible to play in this week’s Europa League fixture.

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A loss of league position was not the only repercussion after Manchester United’s 3-0 loss to Spurs.

The expected discourse around Erik ten Hag’s future at the club proceeded accordingly after United’s third loss in the Premier League this season.

To proliferate the pain, United had a huge injury scare during the game.

Ten Hag is currently missing three players in his senior squad due to long-term injuries.

Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Leny Yoro have all been out of action for multiple months.

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On Sunday, a hamstring tweak forced Kobbie Mainoo off before half-time against Spurs.

Prior to the game, Harry Maguire picked up a knock in training and ended up missing the affair.

However, both players were pictured today in United’s training session, which will be a huge relief to fans.

Mainoo has started every league game for the Red Devils this season and has been a silver lining amidst a difficult 2024 for the club.

Behind Matthijs De Ligt and Lisandro Martinez, Maguire has been a reliable option at centre-back for United this season.

De Ligt, Leny Yoro and Victor Lindelof have all suffered injuries, meaning Maguire has, at times, been United’s only fit centre-back on the bench.

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United are winless in their last three games, but travel to Porto in the Europa League tomorrow.

Ten Hag’s men drew 1-1 at Old Trafford to FC Twente in their opening Europa League game last Wednesday.

Reports have revealed that Ten Hag will remain as United’s manager for tomorrow’s game and Sunday’s trip to Villa Park.

With this injury boost and an almost fully fit squad, anything less than a win for will increase the already immense pressure on the Dutchman.

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Ahead of the international break next week, Manchester United still have two fixtures to play, heading to Portugal first to face Porto in the Europa League mid-week, and then Villa Park to face Aston Villa in the Premier League this weekend.

The club are hoping for better results recently with significant pressure around Erik ten Hag only building with each game that passes.

Ahead of these games, United have held an open training session which has given hope to ten Hag and United fans alike.

Thankfully Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire have been seen in the training sessions despite injury concerns, indicating they could well be available to travel to Portugal.

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However, one man that was missing from the team training was Mason Mount. His absence from training is more out of precaution, with the situation has been confirmed as not being concussion. However he might not be eligible to play in this week’s Europa League fixture.

However, these weren’t the only interesting observations at the open training session.

A new face in first team training

Now Manchester World have reported that academy star Jack Fletcher has joined the first team training ahead of the next two games.

Fletcher has already been identified by club coaches as an academy player with a realistic chance of breaking into the first-team squad.

The son of former United star Darren Fletcher joined The Red Devils to follow in his father’s footsteps, joining from Manchester City last year.

Now, seeing him in first team training could be an indication that he’s soon to get his chance at stepping up to the senior squad.

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This summer, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have adopted a different transfer approach from previous years under the Glazer reign.

Manchester United’s new owners have prioritised present and future financial sustainability in their business.

This maxim has particularly been demonstrated by United beating their rivals to the best academy talents in the world.

United snatched Samuel Lusale from Crystal Palace’s grasp, signing the 17-year-old winger to Carrington’s U18 side last month.

16-year-old Chido Obi-Martin was also lured away from Arsenal, with the striker also leaving London to join United.

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Now, United have turned their attention to another teenage talent.

South American wonderkid Diego Leon is on the club’s radar, as per German journalist Christopher Michel.

The 17-year-old left-back plays for Club Cerro Porteno in the first tier of Paraguayan football and is valued at €1m, according to Transfermarkt.

However, United will have to fight Premier League rivals Manchester City and Arsenal for his signature.

Both clubs are interested in Leon, who has scored two goals in 11 league games this season.

He was recently promoted from CCP’s U20s to their senior team this summer but has already established himself as a regular starter.

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Leon has started 11 of CCP’s 13 league games, who sit 4th in the Paraguayan Primera Division this campaign.

United have three left-backs in their senior squad: Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Harry Amass.

Both Shaw and Malacia each have an unfavourable history with injuries; Shaw has not played for United since February 28 2024, while Malacia has not featured since May 28 2023.

Furthermore, Erik ten Hag has hesitated to give Harry Amass an opportunity to play for United’s first team, leaving him out of their Carabao Cup squad against Barnsley two weeks ago.

If Leon continues his strong form in Paraguay, he may be one to watch as United’s long-term left-back replacement.

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Exclusive: 3 teams from the Premier League show interest in the Paraguayan top talent Diego #Leon. Born 2007, 17 years old, left-back, 11 games this season, 2 goals. #Arsenal, Manchester City #MCI and Manchester United #MUFC are keen on Leon.

— Christopher Michel (@CMoffiziell) October 2, 2024

Manchester United have won one out of their last six Premier League games and sit 12th in the table.

Prior to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking in 2021, his side had one win in their last seven and were 7th in the league.

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On Sunday, Spurs carved open United at Old Trafford to win 3-0 – their first win away win against the Red Devils in four years.

In the aftermath of the result, questions have expectedly been raised about Erik Ten Hag’s future at the club.

Reports have said that he will remain at the helm until at least the upcoming international break, prior to which United face Porto on Thursday and Aston Villa on Sunday.

The players do not expect Ten Hag to be sacked but feel that this outcome may be inevitable.

The Athletic have revealed the details of conversations held between journalist Andy Mitten and various United players after last season’s FA Cup final victory.

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“The words weren’t being recorded. Not one said the manager should absolutely be sacked. And not one said he should absolutely stay”, Mitten explained.

“Yet there were clear issues between players and manager about his style”.

“One of them said, ‘You cannot have teams in the relegation zone like Sheffield United and Burnley coming to Old Trafford and carving us open’, he revealed.

On what was a triumphant day for the club, the players were still not convinced by Ten Hag’s tactical approach.

While they did not seem to have personal issues with Erik ten Hag, their historically poor season impacted the dressing room atmosphere.

Mitten added: “I sensed that all the players respected Erik ten Hag as a person and a coach, but the mood was far from harmonious.”

United fans have seen this movie before with previous managers; the pressure, the speculation and the inside leaks. All roads lead to Rome.

Unless Ten Hag expeditiously turns his side’s form around, it may only be a matter of time before he leaves the club.

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Manchester United face FC Porto next in a crucial Europa League clash.

This fixture is set to take place this Thursday at Porto’s Estadio do Dragao.

After drawing their opening Europa League match against Twente, United will be eager to secure all three points at one of Europe’s more challenging venues.

Porto, despite winning six of their first seven league games this season, also stumbled in their first Europa League outing, losing 3-2 to Bodo Glimt.

However, Porto’s manager, Vitor Bruno, will be confident heading into the match, especially with United under significant pressure.

Erik ten Hag’s side is reeling from a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, and the Dutchman needs to turn things around quickly to keep his job.

A tactical shakeup seems likely, with ten Hag’s current setup struggling to deliver consistent performances.

Both clubs are desperate for a win, with more than just points on the line for United.

This promises to be an intense battle.

Historically, Manchester United and FC Porto have met eight times.

United have won three, Porto have won two, and the remaining three ended in draws.

These fixture have been played over four two-legged ties, both sides are evenly matched, having won two apiece.

Here’s a look back at all previous encounters between Manchester United and FC Porto.

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