Tag: Football

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With Manchester United’s recent poor run of form on the back of their disappointing season last year, speculation is once more surrounding Erik ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford, with Fabrizio Romano now weighing in on the situation.

The Dutchman managed to retain his job at the end of last season, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe giving him a vote of confidence. However, once again ten Hag is in a position of relying on the support of the United bosses to keep his job.

It’s been reported recently that the Dutchman has the remaining two games before the international break to get some results to save his job, however, the query is being raised by several ex-players and pundits as to what a win in the next two matches would prove.

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Reports have linked managers like Simone Inzaghi and Graham Potter to the role as potential replacements for ten Hag, but transfer expert Fabrizio Romano is saying something different.

Fabrizio Romano comments on the United manager situation

The journalist has reported that despite these rumours, the United directors are currently still opting to stand by their man and back ten Hag for the foreseeable future.

Speaking on the Here We Go podcast, Romano has announced that the last time United held conversations with another manager was in the summer before extending ten Hag’s contract, keeping him at the club.

The reporter said: “In this moment, Manchester United are not in conversations with any other coach. So we already had some rumours about potential candidates, but I can guarantee that today [Monday], the last conversation Man United board had with a different manager was Thomas Tuchel in the summer.”

He continued: “When they considered changing the manager, they then decided to continue with Erik ten Hag. You remember that Thomas Tuchel was one of the strong candidates for the Manchester United job.

“Then nothing happened there. But since that moment, I think it was end of May, beginning of June. Since that moment, Manchester United have not spoken to any other managers. There are no conversations ongoing.

“And this is showing how Manchester United are still trusting Erik ten Hag. But again, results are going to be important.”

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Manchester United are under pressure now to start getting results after a poor run of form which has lasted since last season.

Over the summer The Red Devils made some impressive signings in the form of Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte.

Whilst Erik Ten Hag is calling for patience for his new signings to settle into the squad, United are already looking at other potential transfer business for January to develop the squad further.

It’s understood that Harry Maguire is now deemed as unneeded at Old Trafford, being highlighted as a priority sale in January.

However, the club are also looking at potential signings, hoping to beat some of their Premier League rivals to their targets.

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GIVEMESPORT are now reporting that United are looking to Fulham defender Antonee Robinson as a solution to their left-back problems.

The left-back is also receiving interest from Chelsea and Liverpool, with The Red Devils keen to snap up the USA international before their rivals land him.

All three clubs look likely to make offers for the defender in 2025, setting up a battle for United if they want to secure his signature.

However, Robinson still has four years on his contract meaning there is no pressure from Fulham to sell their star who was labelled as “insane” by football analyst Ben Mattison. This sits them in a really strong seat for negotiating around their key man.

It’s understood that Fulham want £40 million for the 27-year-old, however, United are unlikely to meet these demands.

It is thought though that his proven experience in the Premier League is a massive selling point for the top three English sides.

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Erik ten Hag secured support from Manchester United’s leadership after leading the team to an unexpected FA Cup final win over Manchester City last season.

However, a disappointing start to the current campaign has placed the Dutch manager under significant scrutiny once more.

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It’s well-known that United’s executives engaged with several prominent managers at the beginning of the summer.

Names like Graham Potter, Gareth Southgate, and Thomas Tuchel were considered before the decision was made to continue with Ten Hag.

The recent 3-0 defeat at home against Tottenham in the Premier League has intensified demands for Ten Hag’s dismissal.

Reports now suggest that the 54-year-old has just two games to turn things around.

The first challenge is an away match against Porto in the Europa League on Thursday night, followed by a challenging trip to Aston Villa in the Premier League three days later.

According to Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Red Devils are looking at Simone Inzaghi as a possible interim replacement. Club officials are exploring the market for potential successors to Ten Hag.

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Meanwhile, the same report also claims that football legend Sir Alex Ferguson has recommended Massimiliano Allegri as his preferred choice to take over at Old Trafford.

Allegri, 57, is currently without a club after being let go by Juventus following a heated touchline confrontation with the club’s sporting director, Cristiano Giuntoli, in May.

The report also mentions that former Chelsea, PSG, and Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel is Allegri’s main competitor for the United job in the long term.

In July, Allegri’s agent, Giovanni Branchini, stated that the passionate former Juventus coach is willing to wait for the right opportunity.

“Allegri is looking for an interesting project to coach with his characteristics, his beliefs that are clear to everyone,” Branchini told Italian outlet Calciomercato.

“I think he has shown something in these years that he loves the job and is willing to wait for an important project.”

Branchini also criticized those who have been vocal against Allegri following his exit from Turin.

“Many people have made a name for themselves criticising Allegri,” he added.

“There are people of average calibre who have found fame in insulting and criticising him that perhaps they wouldn’t have found otherwise.”

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Manchester United made a massive push this summer to rebuild their defence ahead of the new season.

The Red Devils managed to sign Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Leny Yoro whilst offloading Willy Kambwala and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

However, they missed out on their first choice centre-back this transfer window, with United’s plans to make a fresh bid for him next summer.

The man in question is Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite. However, The Daily Mail have reported that United’s plans are in real danger of being hijacked by rivals Liverpool.

This summer United had a second offer of £50 million rejected for Branthwaite rejected by Everton, who want in excess of £70 million for the 22-year-old.

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United are aiming to try again for the defender next summer, having just spent more than £100 million their duo of new centre-backs.

It’s also understood that the priority for the January window is likely to be for a new forward.

However, Liverpool are believed to be strong admirers of Branthwaite and could potentially move for him in January with a higher fee than United offered thanks to the limited signings this summer.

Despite the recent takeover at Goodison Park, it’s understood that Branthwaite is unlikely to sign an extension to his contract, which currently sees him with Everton until 2027. The Toffees are unable to match the £160,000 a week that United offered him, causing him to want to venture elsewhere.

The defender made his first appearance of the season last Saturday after a setback in his recovery from a hernia operation. As a result, with their star defender back on the pitch, Everton secured their first Premier League win in six games at home against Crystal Palace.

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After an eventful summer transfer window, Manchester United is now looking ahead to January and setting plans for the next time the market opens.

It’s already expected that The Red Devils will be making a move for Rosenborg’s young star Sverre Halseth Nypan. United have been impressed by the wonderkid and are looking at signing his next opportunity, with the likelihood that he’ll be instantly loaned back to Rosenborg to see out the rest of the season.

However, new reports have highlighted Dan Ashworth’s key plan for a January sale to not lose out on one of their top stars.

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Dan Ashworth’s plan for January

Reports from Football Insider have claimed that United are “desperate” to sell centre-back Harry Maguire rather than see him leave for free.

The England international arrived at Old Trafford for a mammoth £80 million, so Ashworth is keen to recoup some funds for their defender.

Maguire is set to leave this coming summer at the end of his contract, meaning clubs can begin negotiating for the star to join on a free transfer when his contract ends.

It’s also been reported that United have no interest in activating Maguire’s 12-month extension that is in the contract, keeping him until 2026.

Whilst Ashworth has been working with Sir Jim Ratcliffe to develop a plan for selling the 31-year-old, there are no details yet of where he might end up.

Previously there’s been interest from West Ham United and Newcastle United, but it’s unknown if they’ll still be interested in January.

As such, it’s clear that the signing of Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro has pushed Maguire out of the squad and that whoever is in the manager’s seat come January can cope without Maguire at Old Trafford.

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If the Manchester United manager wasn’t under enough pressure right now after a poor season last year and a rocky start to this season, the pressure is certainly going to ramp up with new reports highlighting a real risk for the club.

Currently, Erik ten Hag is in the hot seat, however, after the recent performances continuing from last season’s terrible form, the Dutchman is at real risk of being sacked.

It’s understood that United have already lined up assistant manager Ruud van Nistelrooy to take the helm if ten Hag is to leave the club.

However, whoever is in charge has a massive challenge ahead of them.

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Recent reports have emerged saying that United will be at real risk of breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) f they don’t qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Manchester United need Champions League football

Last season The Red Devils only managed a Europa League place thanks to winning the FA Cup, finishing eighth overall. However, the club currently sits in twelfth and will need to finish in the top four to claim a Champions League place.

The Times has reported that United would face a £10 million penalty clause with Adidas for not qualifying for the Champions League which is a stipulation in their contract. The Red Devils would also miss out on millions in broadcasting funds and match-day income from the top European competition.

A further knock on to this is that all the top players want Champions League football, so failing to qualify once more could limit the standard of players wanting to join the club. It would also affect their current squad, with no ability to offer their stars any pay rises.

The report revealed that while United made £93.1 million from Champions League broadcasting and match-day revenue in the 2018/19 season. However, comparing this to the 2022/23 Europa League season, the club only earned £37.5 million.

The annual report reads: “The majority of playing contracts for our men’s first team include step-ups in remuneration which are contingent on participation in the group stage of the Champions League.

“Failure to qualify for any European competition could negatively affect our ability to attract and retain talented players and coaching staff, as well as supporters, sponsors and other commercial partners.”

United declared a loss of £113.2 million for the 2023/24 season, the fifth consecutive year that the club had made a loss. With the club not having made a profit since 2019, the consistent losses are severely putting the club closer and closer to PSR breaches.

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It will cost Manchester United £17.5m to sack Erik ten Hag now.

However, this fee may not deter United from biting the bullet on ten Hag’s contract.

United previously spent £10m in compensation for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure and £19.6m for Jose Mourinho.

With one win in his last six Premier League games and the bookmakers already forming the odds on United’s next manager, ten Hag’s time may be up.

Thomas Tuchel, Gareth Southgate and Graham Potter are some names that could be next in line to the throne at Old Trafford.

However, Dutch outlet, Voetbal Primeur  revealed that United have already selected ten Hag’s successor, should he be sacked.

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Former PSV boss and current United assistant manager Ruud van Nistelrooy is most likely to usurp his Dutch compatriot.

Dutch journalist Valentijn Driessen has reported that van Nistelrooy would be open to the promotion.

“I think Nistelrooy is open to it. And that could be possible because the dream candidate is of course not there”, he said.

He continued to note: “Van Nistelrooy comes from the club and is already well regarded by the players. Someone who has played football at the top, also at United.”

Van Nistelrooy has only coached one senior team in his career but has an impressive record.

He was at the helm of PSV Eindhoven from July 2022 to May 2023.

In that time, he took charge of 50 games, winning 68% of them.

He led his team to 34 wins, eight draws and eight losses, as well as winning the 2022 Johan Cruyff Shield and 2022–23 KNVB Cup.

With a limited portfolio of experience, van Nistelrooy is not an ideal permanent replacement for ten Hag.

However, his solid record in the Eredivisie means he could be well-equipped to fill in as an interim manager for the rest of the season.

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Barcelona is reportedly preparing a substantial bid to secure Manchester United academy graduate for their squad ahead of the next transfer window.

The Catalan giants are keen to bolster their attacking options as they aim to maintain their dominance in La Liga and make a significant impact in European competitions.

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In recent weeks, Barcelona’s scouting team has been actively monitoring talent across Europe.

Their focus has intensified on a player who has been delivering standout performances in Ligue 1, catching the eye of several top clubs with his goal-scoring prowess and versatility on the field.

According to The Sun, Mason Greenwood, currently in exceptional form at Marseille, has emerged as Barcelona’s primary target.

The report states that Barca are ready to make a substantial bid of £60 million for Mason Greenwood, having sent scouts to at least four of his games so far this season.

The 23-year-old forward joined the French club over the summer for around £26 million and has already netted five goals in his first six appearances.

Greenwood’s impressive stint at Marseille follows a season-long loan at La Liga side Getafe, where he gained valuable experience in Spanish football.

Once considered one of Manchester United’s brightest prospects, Greenwood made over 100 first-team appearances by the age of 20.

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However, he parted ways with his boyhood club after an internal investigation into his conduct, with serious charges against him being dropped in February 2023.

His move to Marseille has revitalized his career, and his performances have not gone unnoticed by Europe’s elite clubs.

Barcelona has reportedly sent scouts to at least four of Greenwood’s games this season, indicating serious interest in the English forward.

The club believes his skill set and experience in La Liga make him an ideal candidate to enhance their attacking lineup.

Nevertheless, they face stiff competition from other European powerhouses also vying for his signature.

PSG is reportedly among the clubs expressing interest, potentially holding an advantage due to Greenwood’s current satisfaction with life in France.

Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid have also been linked to the forward, but Barcelona’s pursuit appears the most advanced at this stage.

Marseille, sitting third in Ligue 1, faced criticism from local authorities when they signed Greenwood.

Despite this, the club has stood by their decision, and Greenwood has quickly become an integral part of their team. His contributions have been pivotal in Marseille’s strong start to the season.

As the transfer window approaches, Greenwood’s future remains a hot topic. With multiple top-tier clubs eager to secure his talents, his next move could significantly impact the European football landscape.

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After an incredibly rocky start to the season, Erik ten Hag is once more under a lot of scrutiny.

This weekend saw United lose 3-0 to Spurs, knocking them down the league table to twelfth.

United went behind in a matter of minutes, with Spurs scoring just three minutes into the game. This got worse when United’s captain, Bruno Fernandes was shown a red card just before half time.

Ultimately, The Red Devils just didn’t show up. They record a poor expected goals stat of just 1.05, with there being more opportunities after they went down to ten men.

The recent poor start to the season seems to be a continuation from last year’s dire performances, however last year United had a plague of injuries effecting their team selections.

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Now, ten Hag doesn’t have the same problem, but is calling for patience and time for his new signings to settle into the team.

Reporting for The Athletic, Laurie Whitwell has explained: “Privately, those in charge are echoing ten Hag’s sentiments — that altering the infrastructure and working practices at the club was the main priority when INEOS arrived and patience is required to allow that to bed in and see results.”

He continues: “Berrada and Ashworth only went public unequivocally backing ten Hag at the start of this month, so changing course now would be a volte-face and out of keeping for executives who like to be driven by a methodical process.”

Whitwell also added: “the pressure is sure to build on the decision-makers, however, should Porto and Sunday’s trip to Aston Villa provide more of the same, especially as another international break is looming.”

Ultimately, even though the United bosses are sticking by ten Hag currently, big changes in results need to start coming soon in order end the scrutiny around the Dutchman.

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On the back of Manchester United’s 3-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford this weekend, speculation is rising once more around the potential of Erik ten Hag being replaced.

Whilst the United bosses are still standing by ten Hag as they did before the summer when they renewed his contract, there is a general feeling that the United manager needs to start getting results soon.

After the defeat by Spurs, ten Hag spoke about his position, commenting: “We all made it together, this decision to stay together, as an ownership, as a leadership group in the summer.”

He continued: “Also, we made the decision from a clear review of what we have to improve as an organisation and also how we want to construct a squad. All the decision making was in togetherness.”

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These comments indicate a security from the United hierarchy, however, it’s also been reported that the Dutchman has the two remaining games before the international break to get some better results.

Whilst new reports have claimed that Inter Milan’s Simon Inzaghi is being strongly considered as a replacement for ten Hag. given his six trophy wins since joining the Serie A side in 2021, new information has been released about the cost to the club of sacking ten Hag now.

The financial implication of parting ways with Erik ten Hag

Reports from Richard Martin on X have claimed that since the one-year extension of ten Hag’s contract, sacking him now would cost the club £17.5 million. This works out as £7.5 million more than if they’d replaced him before the summer.

Earlier in the year the club made 250 redundancies to save money going forward, however sacking the Dutchman now would cost half of the amount saved from the job losses.

With the club focusing on the financial implications of all their actions, these figures make it even more unlikely that they’ll be making any snap decisions around ten Hag’s future.

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