Erik ten Hag is confident that Luke Shaw’s return to action can bring “stability” to Manchester United.
The Dutch manager provided updates on Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund as well.
Ten Hag shared that Luke Shaw, who has completed his rehabilitation from a thigh injury that kept him sidelined for three months, is now prepared for competitive play.
Additionally, Onana has successfully recovered from a groin injury sustained during the World Cup qualifier against Mauritius and is ready to face Everton.
However, the availability of Hojlund remains uncertain.
He recently tweaked his right hamstring during the Luton match, leading to his withdrawal from the Denmark squad for fixtures against Slovenia and Northern Ireland.
Speaking to reporters, Ten Hag said: “Luke Shaw will be available for Sunday; he will be in the squad. You can mention many things. You can mention his physicality, his technical ability, and his leadership; it’s clear.
“For a long time in the season, we didn’t have a left-back. We are very happy he’s back; it’s a good sign. He will help us be more stable; I am sure of that.”
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/49Q2YjRoIN8
When asked about the status of Hojlund and Onana, he added, “Rasmus is a close finish. He’s training; he finished outside. He’s making very good steps and we have to wait until tomorrow before we make a final decision. Andre is okay; he stepped into training today, and he’s good.”
Manchester United is facing ahectic schedule with three games in the upcoming week, beginning with a trip to Merseyside on Saturday. Subsequently, they will embark on a longer journey to Turkey to take on Galatasaray, and upon their return, they will head to Newcastle for another away fixture.
Despite the challenging schedule, Ten Hag assured that his team is well-prepared for the upcoming rigors, and he has already devised a plan to navigate through it.
“Well, we got started today early and then we see how condensed the week ahead is with three away games in six days,” Ten Hag said. “We have to deal with that. We have a plan and have studied for it. We’ve made the players aware that they have to take responsibility. It’s about cooperation.”
Ten Hag has received a boost with the return of Shaw and Onana.
He is optimistic that the Red Devils will capitalise on their comeback, securing maximum points in the next three fixtures to stabilise their position in bothEnglish and European competitions.
Erik ten Hag has received a warning that his tenure as Manchester United manager may not last the season due to ongoing conflicts with both Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane.
Ten Hag is facing challenges this season, with Manchester United currently in sixth place and several players seemingly sidelined.
Notably, Jadon Sancho has been excluded from the first-team squad following a widely publicised dispute with the manager.
Additionally, reports suggest that Ten Hag’s relationship with defender Raphael Varane is severely strained.
Given these issues, Jose Enrique, a former Liverpool star, believes that Ten Hag is at risk of being dismissed before the season concludes. He told Grosvener Sport: “I do not think Erik ten Hag will finish this season at Manchester United. If they do keep him, it will be because they want to stick with a long-term project and they believe that he can change things. But many players within the club are already against him.
“Raphael Varane is against him and Ten Hag has done a couple of things that haven’t gone down well with Jadon Sancho, Antony and Cristiano Ronaldo in the past. All these situations have arisen in a short period of time because he still hasn’t been at the club for that long.”
Manchester United’s dip in form has resulted in a five-point gap behind Tottenham, who currently occupy the fourth position. Enrique does not envision a viable path for the club to secure qualification for the Champions League.
The Spaniard added: “I think he has lost the dressing room. I’m not sure how long Manchester United will keep him, but I don’t think they have any chance of making the top four this season. The players should still go out and perform regardless, but it’s true that when you like the manager you play better for them. You want to win for them as well as for yourself and the fans.”
United return to action this weekend against Everton and will be desperate to get another win under their belt, having beaten Luton 1-0 before the international break.
Reports indicate that Jadon Sancho has been excluded from the WhatsApp group used byManchester United players to receive important messages from coach Erik ten Hag.
This development underscores Sancho’s fall from grace at Old Trafford, where he is no longer in the immediate plans of the team.
As reported by The Sun, the 23-year-old winger is no longer part of the manager’s messaging service.
Additionally, he has been training away from the first team, utilising the academy facilities at Carrington.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dRu2xD3Tqc
Sancho has not featured for Manchester United since August 26, and he was initially left out for a trip to Arsenal in September due to concerns about his commitment in training.
In response to criticism of his perceived lack of effort, he claimed to have been unfairly targeted in Manchester.
Since that time,Erik ten Hag has not reintegrated Sancho into the squad, waiting for an apology that has not materialised.
It is now expected that a deal will be reached in the January transfer window, allowing all parties involved to go their separate ways.
Erik ten Hag has reportedly demanded one-on-one meetings withkey Manchester United players in an attempt to repair broken squad morale.
The Red Devils are gradually descending into abysmal chaos, with on-field performances further going south following two consecutive 3-0 defeats to Manchester City and Newcastle within the span of a week.
In fact, Ten Hag now oversees the club’s worst season start in six decades, as they suffered their eighth loss in the first 15 games of the season.
It has been reported that the Old Trafford dressing room is divided into factions, as Ten Hag has been accused of protecting his “favourites” while “rounding on” others.
As reported by The Sun, the Dutch manager is determined to address internal issues within the squad and is committed to identifying and rectifying any problems, whether they are within the team, his coaching staff, or himself, to tackle the ongoing crisis.
To gain a fresh perspective before the upcoming match against Fulham, he has arranged one-on-one meetings for both Friday and Saturday to engage with the team.
Amidst the widespread discontent within the squad, Scott McTominay has come to the defence of his manager, staunchly supporting Ten Hag’s methods and expressing confidence that positive results will follow in the near future.
It is widely believed that Ten Hag’s position at United is precarious, and a failure to return to the path of victory before the November international break could potentially lead to his dismissal.
Therefore, the significance of the next three games cannot be overstated, starting with an away fixture at Craven Cottage against Fulham on Saturday, followed by a Champions League match against FC Copenhagen, and another league game against Luton Town. These matches are crucial for determining his future at the club.
Furthermore, reports have surfaced indicating thatManchester United is actively exploring potential replacements, with Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim and Zinedine Zidane emerging as frontrunners in the race to take over.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag expressed concern about Antony’s recent performances, stating that the Brazilian winger’s levels have noticeably declined.
Antony played the full 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup match against Newcastle, following a criticised cameo appearance against Manchester City, where he was involved in an incident with Jeremy Doku.
United suffered a 3-0 loss to Newcastle, and Antony struggled to make an impact.
Ten Hag suggested that external distractions might be influencing Antony’s performance on the pitch.
Ten Hag said: “That is also team, first, and the team is not playing well when we don’t bring him the balls and I am also responsible for that.
But obviously, there was also a lot of noise and that dropped his levels. He can do better but all the players can do better.
“Antony is also a fighter; he has the confidence, he is brave and I am confident he will bring the performance that he is the right player for us.”
Following their 3-0 defeat toManchester City in the derby on Sunday, reports have emerged that several Manchester United players raised questions about Erik ten Hag’s tactical decisions.
The Sun has revealed that some players expressed their confusion regarding certain choices made by Ten Hag during the match.
One particular point of contention was the utilisation of Victor Lindelof at left-back, a position he played in earlier this season.
This decision was made because Sergio Reguilon had just returned to the starting lineup after a month-long absence due to injury and illness.
Another concern raised by the players was the positioning of Bruno Fernandes on the right wing, as he struggled to make a significant impact on the game.
Additionally, the impact of substitutions made by Ten Hag, such as Antony and Mason Mount in the second half, was minimal, and this was viewed as an inability to change the course of the game.
As Manchester United now faces a quick turnaround for their Carabao Cup fourth-round clash against Newcastle, there is uncertainty about what changes, if any, Ten Hag will implement.
It is worth noting that Newcastle had previously eliminated Manchester City from the competition this season and will be seeking to avenge their defeat in the February final.
The English international has been gradually improving his form in a Red Devils’ shirt, showcasing impressive performances in recent matches.
Maguire’s strong performance against Brentford was followed by an even more remarkable display against Copenhagen.
He played a pivotal role by scoring the winning goal, which revived United’s hopes in the race to reach the Champions League last-16, following two consecutive defeats against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray.
Tim Sherwood commended Maguire for his resilience and determination to remain at United, even though it was apparent that he wasn’t initially in Ten Hag’s plans.
Sherwood now believes that the Dutch manager should extend an apology to the defender for initially excluding him from his plans.
“Maguire was getting shoved out the door and you could see that the manager was trying to edge him out but he didn’t want to leave. He probably looked around the dressing room, saw how flaky the other players in his position were and decided that he’d eventually get some minutes,” he told William Hill and Footy Accumulators’ podcast, No Tippy Tappy Football.
“As a manager, when you have a player like Maguire who wants to give everything for the cause and leave nothing on the pitch, you can deal with that. The problem is when people go hiding and they don’t want to leave the treatment room because they want to be at 110% for every game they play, but that is never going to happen. I think he will play a lot more now, and I think Erik ten Hag owes him an apology,” he added.
The Old Trafford faithful was heard singing “his head’s f* massiiive, 1, 2, 3, 4”, a song Leicester fans affectionately penned for Maguire after he emerged as their hero on a Champions League night.
“Sherwood believes that the chorus will only grow stronger and louder as the defender will get more minutes in the upcoming matches in the absence of first-choice centre-back Lisandro Martinez.
“I think he’ll play a lot more football now because he’s made the manager realise it’s not all about superstars. Sometimes you need character, heart and personality to play at Old Trafford, and he has all of those. He might not be the greatest, but he’s certainly not the worst,” he said.
“The fans appreciate and recognise that he wants to be back in action for United. You can always turn things around by showing heart and playing for the badge, and that is exactly what he has shown. All of a sudden, he can turn the fans around and if you do turn them around they’ll never forget that,” he added.
Manchester United is facing difficulties in finding a club willing to match Jadon Sancho’s substantial weekly wage of £300,000.
This is according to reports from the Daily Mail.
Consequently, they may need to continue covering a portion of his wage if he departs in January.
Sancho has yet to issue an apology after publicly alleging that Erik ten Hag lied regarding his exclusion from the lineup ahead of the September 3rd match against Arsenal.
Since then, he has not been included in the squad, remains engaged in an individual training regimen at United’s Carrington training facility, and has limited interaction with his senior teammates.
Time is running out for Sancho to apologise to Erik ten Hag, and there is a growing belief within Manchester United that his tenure at Old Trafford may be coming to an end, as per sources cited by ESPN.
While United are reportedly seeking £60 million for Sancho, who was acquired for £73 million two years ago, they are encountering challenges in finding clubs willing to meet this transfer fee.
Juventus and his former club, Borussia Dortmund, have expressed interest in signing the 23-year-old in January, but they may only be able to secure him on a loan basis.
According to The Mail, Manchester United is open to subsidising a portion of Sancho’s wages if it is the only viable way to facilitate his departure during the winter transfer window.
Jadon Sancho is rapidly running out of time to issue anapology to Erik ten Hag, and there’s a growing sentiment within Manchester United that his future at Old Trafford may already be in jeopardy, sources have informed ESPN.
Despite the passage of time, Sancho has yet to offer an apology after publicly accusing Ten Hag of dishonesty regarding his omission from the lineup before the 3-1 loss to Arsenal on September 3rd.
Ten Hag has requested that the 23-year-old extend his apologies both privately and with a public statement, but so far, Sancho has been hesitant to do so.
Reports suggesting that Sancho had made an immediate apology following the incident, which was not accepted, have been debunked by a source.
According to an individual close to the situation, Ten Hag has not completely ruled out the possibility of reintegrating Sancho into the team.
However, there is a consensus within the club that an apology offered at this point—over a month after his social media post—would not carry the same weight as one delivered during initial discussions with Ten Hag following the Arsenal match.
Sancho is currently following an individual training regimen at United’s Carrington training facility and has minimal interaction with the senior squad.
On Saturday, while the first team prepared for their 2-1 victory over Brentford at Old Trafford, he watched the under-18 team at Carrington.
Sancho, who was signed in a £73 million ($89 million) deal from Borussia Dortmund in 2021, is under contract until at least 2026. Concerns have arisen within the club about the potential financial implications of his departure if a decision is made for him to leave in January.
His market value has significantly declined after two largely underwhelming seasons at United, and few clubs worldwide would be capable of matching his salary, which exceeds £300,000 per week.
Sources have revealed that Sancho’s England teammates, including Harry Maguire, Marcus Rashford, and Luke Shaw, have encouraged him to apologize and begin the process of working his way back into the team.
Nevertheless, there are concerns that the ongoing situation is impacting team morale, and a resolution, one way or another, must be reached sooner rather than later.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag made a generous donation by giving his coat to the club’s charitable foundation to assist families in need during the upcoming winter season.
Ten Hag removed his coat during a press conference on Friday and presented it to the club’s charitable foundation.
The club is asking fans who are going to Saturday’s game against Brentford at Old Trafford to donate coats to help children and families who are struggling to make ends meet this winter. “It’s a great campaign and I hope the fans are very supportive,” Ten Hag said.
A statement from the Manchester United Foundation read: “The Foundation will invest £100,000 in purchasing hats, gloves and scarves, which will be imminently distributed to our participants ahead of the winter period, and is requesting fans to supplement this effort by donating coats at Old Trafford.
All donated coats will leave Old Trafford within days of the Brentford game, to ensure the generosity of supporters can be felt by young people in need as soon as possible.”
During the 2022–23 season, the MU Foundation made a significant and positive difference in the lives of over 25,000 young individuals, focusing its efforts in the most socially deprived areas throughout Greater Manchester. It’s important to note that nearly 250,000 children in the region are currently living in poverty.
Following consecutive home defeats against Crystal Palace and Galatasaray, the manager will be aiming to lead the Red Devils to a return to winningform against Brentford.
Erik ten Hag’s choice to substituteDavid De Gea with Andre Onana has come under scrutiny due to the goalkeeper’s error-prone performances.
Onana, who arrived for a hefty £48 million ($62 million) from Inter, has struggled to make a positive impression and has been responsible for several costly mistakes. His recent blunders were evident as the Red Devils suffered a 3-2 defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League.
Ten Hag has expressed his intention to have a conversation with Onana following his latest disappointing display.
Meanwhile, former Manchester United player Lee Sharpe believes that Ten Hag’s decision to switch goalkeepers may lead to questions being raised.
“I know De Gea took a lot of criticism for some of the mistakes that he was making but he was also, up until last year, the players’ player of the year and the supporters’ player of the year for three years in a row, so he was an incredible goalkeeper. I think the way they brought Onana in and ushered him out of the door was a little bit amateur as well,” he told AGamble.com.
“I think there’s probably a few people that are questioning the decision, and it’s only natural when the replacement comes in and makes more mistakes than the guy that has gone out; you’ve got to question if the recruitment team has made the right decision, and at the moment it’s very dubious if they have.”
Onana’s performances have played a part in Manchester United’s troubling start to the Premier League season, marking their poorest beginning in 34 years.
Furthermore, the Red Devils find themselves in a precarious situation in the Champions League, having suffered defeat in their initial two group stage matches, conceding a total of seven goals in just two games. This places them at the bottom of Group A in the competition.
Looking ahead, Manchester United is set to return to Premier League action on Saturday when they face Brentford at their home ground, Old Trafford.
Onana was in goal when Manchester United faced Galatasaray in their second Group A game at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
Unfortunately, his mistakes proved detrimental to his team’s chances of securing a favorable outcome, as they missed out on three valuable points.
Andre Onana in action during the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester United and Galatasaray at Old Trafford. Photo by Ash Donelon. Source: Getty Images
The Mirror reports that the shot-stopper was at fault for Galatasaray’s equaliser, which was scored by Akturkoglu shortly after Rasmus Hojlund had made it 2-1 for the hosts.
Remarkably, Onana played a significant role in Manchester United conceding a penalty in the final minutes of the second half and in Casemiro receiving a red card.
His performance during the match garnered strong reactions from fans, with opposing supporters using social media to ridicule the Cameroonian international.
However, ten Hag has come out to defend Onana in the wake of yet another dreadful performance.
Speaking after the match, the United boss appeared to absolve his goalkeeper of any blame, adding that he would continue to back him.
“I will encourage him and back him. He’s a great goalkeeper. We have to settle down and look forward,” Metro UK quoted ten Hag as saying.
“The mental errors we make, you cannot allow them at this level. You get punished. This is difficult to control,” he added.
Manchester United has identified two potential reinforcements for their center-back positions in the upcoming January transfer window according to the Daily Mail.
They are reportedly interested in Benfica’s António Silva and Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo as they look to address their ongoing defensive issues.
Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, witnessed his team suffer a 3-2 defeat to Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League at Old Trafford, highlighting the need for defensive improvements.
António Silva, a 19-year-old talent, has been in excellent form for Benfica and was a standout player for the Portuguese side in the previous season’s Champions League.
While he has previously been linked with Paris Saint-Germain, securing his services may not be straightforward, as Benfica is likely to demand his €60 million release clause for any potential transfer.
Jean-Clair Todibo, on the other hand, is another option on Manchester United’s radar.
The 23-year-old, who previously played for Barcelona, has established himself as a dependable defender in Ligue 1, accumulating 91 appearances over the last four seasons.
He recently earned his first cap for the French national team in a friendly match against Germany.
Meanwhile, the paper reports that the future of Harry Maguire continues to be “up in the air,” with the England international struggling to earn a place in Ten Hag’s side.
Erik ten Hag has openly admitted his lack of understanding regarding the reasons behind Manchester United’s extensive goal concession during their unstable beginning to the season.
In the previous Premier League season, United boasted the highest number of clean sheets among all teams. However, in the current season, they have allowed 14 goals in six matches across all competitions.
Their defensive struggles continued as Bayern Munich netted four goals on Wednesday, following two consecutive 3-1 losses to Arsenal and Brighton.
“We have shown that we can do it because last year we had the most clean sheets in the Premier League because we defended very good as a team so we have to get back to those standards,” Ten Hag told a news conference on Friday.
“I am pushing the team and demanding from the team at the start of the season, but they are human beings, not robots so why they are not doing it, I try to find out and I try to get and give the solutions and I try to motivate the players to do the job.”
Erik ten Hag has overseen a disappointing start to his second season as Manchester United manager.
When asked whether he knew the reasons behind this season’s poor defensive record, Ten Hag said “no” but insists it is not because of a lack of “spirit” among the players.
“When you are in a period like we are in, you always, as a manager you are asking yourself these questions,” he said.
“My job is to get them to do the job. You can see if we bounced back like we did in Munich; you can’t say the spirit isn’t right. I think we have other problems than that.”
United have managed to secure just one clean sheet this season, which occurred during a 1-0 victory over Wolves on the opening weekend. In contrast, they have allowed at least two goals in each of their other five matches.
Erik ten Hag, who has been seeking his first win in almost a month, is now directing his attention towards addressing the team’s vulnerable defense as they prepare to face Burnley on Saturday at Turf Moor.
“As a manager you have many tools and I make sure I use them,” he added.
“I will not say all because there are many ways to do it. You have to be creative you have to be innovative, but you can be sure I use many. You do it in groups, in teams, individually, you do it over video, you do it in personal talks. You have many tools to coach to make sure the team is in the right direction.”
Growing discontent is reportedly brewing among severalMan Utd players in response to Erik ten Hag’s post-match criticisms amid the team’s recent string of poor results.
United has now suffered three consecutive losses, marking the first such streak since Ten Hag assumed the managerial role.
According to the Manchester Evening News, a division is emerging within the dressing room, with some players beginning to suspect that Ten Hag shows favouritism towards certain individuals by refraining from criticising them.
This starkly contrasts with his frequent admonishments to other players.
Furthermore, the report suggests that some players feel they have been unfairly burdened with executing Ten Hag’s tactical instructions and adapting to unfamiliar roles, a situation that arose following Antony’s removal from the squad due to allegations of domestic abuse.
In a recent example, Ten Hag publicly chastised the entire team for affording too much space to Leroy Sane, who scored Bayern Munich’s opening goal in their 4-3 defeat.
This criticism came despite goalkeeper Onana’s glaring mistake, a player who had previously worked under Ten Hag at Ajax.
The Red Devils now face a crucial away match against struggling Burnley as they desperately seek their first away win of the season to rejuvenate their dismal campaign.
Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has acknowledged the challenges of stepping into the shoes of David de Gea, especially after a tough start to the season.
In the English Premier League, the Cameroonian has already conceded 10 goals in five games, including three in a recent loss to Brighton and Hove Albion.
Despite his difficulties, the 27-year-old accompanied the Red Devils to Germany for their UEFA Champions League opener against Bayern Munich in Group A on Wednesday.
Onana started by expressing his delight at being a part of Manchester United and emphasising the unity within the team.
“Replacing David [De Gea] is not something easy. I am trying to do my best,” he said at the pre-match press conference.
The ex-Ajax Amsterdam goalkeeper maintains his confidence that the team will bounce back from their sluggish start, starting with the match in Munich.
“Of course, the start of the season is not what we want. Better days will come, the situation will turn and I am very confident. I know everything will be alright,” he added.
Onana arrived in the summer transfer window from Inter Milan after leading the Italian giants to the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League, as reported by Manchester United’s official website.
Onana gets FIFA best goalkeeper nomination
Sports Brief has previously reported on Morocco’s Yassine Bounou and Cameroon’s Onana being nominated for FIFA’s ‘best goalkeeper award’ after stellar years under review.
The Africans excelled at both club and country and will battle with Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois, Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and Ederson ofManchester City for the award.
Onana, currently a member of Manchester United, guided Inter Milan to the Champions League final, while Bounou played a pivotal role as Morocco achieved a historic feat by reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup.
Sources have informed ESPN thatJadon Sancho’s future at Manchester United is at risk if he does not issue an apology following his public dispute with manager Erik ten Hag.
Sancho has been instructed to undergo solitary training sessions after publicly accusing Ten Hag of being dishonest regarding his omission from the squad in the 3-1 loss to Arsenal prior to the international break.
Discussions have taken place between the two parties at Carrington this week, but Sancho has declined to offer an apology. Consequently, there is no specified timeline for his return to the first-team squad.
ESPN’s sources have indicated that Ten Hag remains resolute in his requirement for an apology, both privately and in a public statement. If Sancho continues to refuse, it is increasingly likely that he will depart the club when the transfer window reopens in January.
A brief statement issued by United on Thursday read: “Jadon Sancho will remain on a personal training programme away from the first team group pending resolution of a squad discipline issue.”
Jadon Sancho has played just 76 minutes in the Premier League so far this season.
Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Ten Hag refused to go into specifics about the situation involving Sancho but did comment on his quest to set standards of discipline since his arrival at Old Trafford.
“There was no good culture before I entered last season, so to set good standards, that is what I did and it is my job to control the standards,” he said.
“Of course, it is never someone who only makes one mistake, it is a whole process before you come to a certain outcome about strict lines. If staff, players or whoever, there is a structure to cross lines, so you have to be strong.”
Sancho is following a precedent at Manchester United, where players have been requested to apologise to Ten Hag in the past.
An example of this is Cristiano Ronaldo, who faced suspension for a match last season after declining to substitute during a 2-0 victory against Tottenham in October.
Ronaldo was allowed back into the squad after expressing remorse for his actions, which included issuing a statement on social media.
Sancho has deleted the social media post in which he accused Ten Hag of making him a “scapegoat for a long time” but has not apologised for the outburst.
According to an ESPN source, part of Sancho’s discontent stems from his perception that he has been treated differently from other squad members. He is also frustrated by the fact that the club entertained offers for him in the last week of the transfer window, even though late interest from Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq did not materialize into a move.
Sancho’s future is further complicated by his substantial contract at Old Trafford.
The 23-year-old is under contract until 2026 and earns more than £300,000 per week, making it challenging to secure a transfer without Manchester United incurring a significant financial loss.
Manchester United has taken disciplinary action by suspending English winger Jadon Sancho from the first team due to behavioural issues.
In an official statement released on Thursday, September 14, 2023, the club announced that the player has been placed on a ‘personal training programme.’
“Jadon Sancho will remain on a personal training programme away from the first-team group, pending resolution of a squad discipline issue.”
Jadon Sancho’s suspension is a consequence of his public response to Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag’s justification for omitting him from the team’s lineup against Arsenal on Saturday, September 3, 2023.
Erik Ten Haag had explained that Sancho was excluded due to subpar performance in training sessions.
Sancho, in his reaction to Ten Haag’s explanation, claimed that he was being unfairly singled out as a “scapegoat.”
He now becomes the second player to face suspension, following Antony, who is currently under investigation for allegations of domestic violence.
Sancho was left out of the United squad for their 3-1 Premier League loss to Arsenal, with Ten Hag attributing his absence to subpar training displays.
In retaliation, the England international initially posted a message on social media accusing his manager of making him a ‘scapegoat’ for the team’s poor start to the season.
This post remained at the top of his profile for over a week, creating tension between him and the manager.
However, on Tuesday evening, Sancho deleted the post, indicating a possible attempt to resolve the dispute and regain his place in the first team.
Ten Hag has faced criticism for handling the situation publicly, with some suggesting he should have addressed Sancho’s conduct privately.
Sancho was linked with a potential last-minute move to the Saudi Pro League, but he ultimately stayed at Old Trafford, reportedly due to United’s insistence on a compulsory purchase clause in any loan deal.
Sancho was spotted at United’s training ground for talks with Ten Hag on Monday.
United did not confirm whether he had trained with the team when contacted by GOAL.
With Antony on leave due to serious allegations of assault (which he denies), a spot on the right wing has opened up, potentially giving Sancho an opportunity to redeem himself.
Ten Hag is expected to discuss the situation in his upcoming press conference on Friday. If the manager and player can resolve their differences, Sancho may return to action against Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.
Erik ten Hag is maintaining his stance on Jadon Sancho’s exclusion from the Manchester United squad, as per sources cited by ESPN. This comes despite the forward’s strong reaction to his manager’s remarks.
Sancho was omitted from the squad for the 3-1 loss to Arsenal on Sunday, with Ten Hag stating afterward that “on his performance in training we didn’t select him.”
But within an hour, Sancho hit back by insisting Ten Hag’s remarks were “completely untrue.”
In a statement posted on X, Sancho added: “Please don’t believe everything you read! I have conducted myself in training very well this week.
“I believe there are other reasons for this matter that I won’t get into, I’ve been a scapegoat for a long time, which isn’t fair!”
Ten Hag was made aware of Sancho’s response on the journey back to Manchester from London on Sunday evening but decided against issuing a clarification to his postmatch comments.
According to sources, he believes he was clear on his reasons for dropping Sancho and is standing by the view that he did not deserve a place in the squad because of his performances in training.
Jadon Sancho was not selected for Manchester United’s Premier League defeat at Arsenal.
The 23-year-old, who moved to Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund in a £73 million ($92m) deal in 2021, has made three substitute appearances so far this season.
Sancho has risked disciplinary action over his social media posts.
Ten Hag has acted quickly to stamp out perceived indiscipline at United in the past.
When Cristiano Ronaldo said in an interview in November 2022 that he “didn’t respect” Ten Hag, the Portugal forward had his contract cancelled by mutual consent before sealing amove to Al Nassr.
In December, Marcus Rashford was dropped to the bench for a game at Wolves after arriving late for a team meeting.
Sources have told ESPN that United are hoping to use extended transfer windows in Turkey and Saudi Arabia to offload Eric Bailly and Donny van de Beek.
The European window closed on Friday with the pair — both out of favour — still at Old Trafford.
Bailly was not part of the squad for the summer tour of the United States and has been training with the reserves.
Manchester United fans find themselves in a split over whom to support as Jadon Sancho responds to Coach Erik Ten Hag’s explanation for omitting him from the match-day squad against Arsenal.
In the aftermath of Manchester United’s 3-1 loss to Arsenal in their league fixture, Ten Hag, clearly disheartened by his team’s performance, shared his thoughts on Jadon Sancho.
He justified his decision to exclude the winger from the squad by pointing to Sancho’s subpar performance during training sessions.
“On his performance on training, we didn’t select him,” Ten Hag said when asked about Sancho’s absence from the travelling squad.
“You have to reach that level every day at Manchester United. You can make choices in the front line, so in this game, he wasn’t selected,” the coach said.
However, in a sharp response on social media, Jadon Sancho denied the claims made by his coach.
“Please don’t believe everything you read! I will not allow people to say things that is completely untrue, I have conducted myself in training very well this week. I believe there are other reasons for this matter that I won’t go into, I’ve been a scapegoat for a long time, which isn’t fair!
“All I want to do is play football with a smile on my face and contribute to my team. I respect all decisions that are made by the coaching staff, I play with fantastic players and am grateful to do so, which I know every week is a challenge. I will continue to fight for this badge no matter what!”
While some believe that Ten Hag was wrong in giving out his player, others defend the coach, claiming that Sancho has not proven himself in matches since joining the Red Devils.
— KWESI PLUG ????????✌️???? (@Kwesi_Plug) September 4, 2023 Scapegoat? We all know your performances are poor, what scapegoat?
— Lατιf (@iLatif_) September 3, 2023 I like this from Sancho but it’s quiet concerning from the manager and player to be having a go at each other through media/social media
— Aidan Walsh ???? (@AidanWalshMUFC) September 3, 2023 Ten Hag might be the problem
— Mod (@CFCMod_) September 3, 2023
Disrespected Cristiano Ronaldo and slandered his name.
Disrespected De Gea and replaced him with a downgrade in the form of Onana.
Tried to use Maguire as an escape goat but failed.
Now disrespecting Jadon Sancho and telling lies about him.
TEN HAG is a FRAUD.
— ???????????? Ä????????????????™️ ???? (@Lil_Aziiz) September 3, 2023 Erik ten Hag is always looking for a scapegoat every season. Too bad he had to make those silly comments to the press.
— Uncle Wilson. (@iam_wilsons) September 3, 2023 We dey behind you ❤️
Manager Erik ten Hag says the issues faced by Manchester United are not centred around the midfield trio of Bruno Fernandes (28), Mason Mount (24), and Casemiro (31).
This statement comes ahead of their upcoming Premier League match against Nottingham Forest.
United, having accumulated three points from two matches, showcased unconvincing performances in their 1-0 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers and a 2-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur.
Former United captain and pundit Gary Neville remarked that Ten Hag’s choice to position Mount and Fernandes in advanced roles had placed excessive defensive responsibilities on Casemiro.
The latter has also faced criticism for perceived fitness shortcomings.
When asked if United’s midfield configuration was contributing to their difficulties, Ten Hag responded to reporters, stating: “You always have to analyse clinically and that assessment isn’t right.”
“It was about the back and the front. That is why we were so open. Nothing to do with the midfield. We’ve already said that right after the game.
“If you see his numbers, you’ll see Casemiro is fully fit. I don’t have any doubts that (the midfielders) can do it.”
United have been dealt two injury blows in the last week, with Mount and Luke Shaw both being sidelined.
The club’s big-money signing, Rasmus Hojlund, has also been unable to make his debut due to a back injury, with the Danish striker having missed their defeat to Tottenham and win over Wolves.
“Injuries are always disappointing but we can deal with it. Rasmus Hojlund is not available for tomorrow, he came into team training for the first time,” Ten Hag said.
“Next week we expect him to do a full week, so he is very near the squad.”
Shaw’s injury has complicated Ten Hag’s team selection at left back, with backup defender Tyrell Malacia also sidelined due to an injury sustained last season, but the Dutch manager said the club had planned for such a situation.
“(Mason Mount and Luke Shaw) will be absent for some period. Luke will be longer than Mason. Tyrell Malacia will take a few weeks, but we have the solutions in our squad. Definitely,” Ten Hag said.
On Monday, United decided to part ways with Mason Greenwood following an investigation into allegations of attempted rape, with charges against the forward having been dropped in February.
Greenwood said in a statement to British media that he did not do the things he was accused of.
After Harry Maguire‘s proposed transfer to West Ham fell through, Erik ten Hag gave a harsh appraisal of his chances of fighting his way back into his plans.
The England defender has had a difficult 18 months, and as a result, his manager has moved him down the central defensive pecking order behind left-back Luke Shaw.
When Ten Hag abruptly withdrew the 30-year-old of his position as club captain earlier this summer, Maguire seemed to have little chance of recovery.
Later, United and West Ham reached an agreement worth £30 million, but this week’s sale failed because Maguire reportedly wanted to stay at Old Trafford and compete for a starting position.
When asked how much football Maguire could anticipate playing this season, Ten Hag scoffed, “It’s up to him [how much he plays].”
He is aware of what I am capable of. You already know what I expect from a centre half since I’ve been here for a year.
“And he can do it; I’ve told you repeatedly that he has the capacity to do it; he just needs to demonstrate it.”
“Then it comes down to character; he has all the skills to play that role, and it is up to him when the time [opportunity] is there,” the author writes.
We need a strong squad, and Harry is one of our players. With Luke Shaw, we have five strong centre backs, and we need that because we will play 50 to 60 games this season.
“We have a very heavy load to cover because all the players are internationals, so I’m glad Harry Maguire is here.”
Benjamin Pavard, a versatile defender for Bayern Munich, had been linked to a move to United, but Maguire’s continued association with the team seems to have allayed the need for reinforcements.
All of the positions in our team are covered, but since we are Manchester United, we are constantly searching for ways to get better. When the chance arises, we will take advantage in the upcoming two weeks.
As I previously stated, we are constantly looking for opportunities, but I believe our squad is strong. With this squad, we are confident that we can achieve our goals.
Manchester United is determined to pursue the acquisition of Sofyan Amrabat from Fiorentina, as reported by The Sun.
This pursuit of Amrabat comes as a response to Fred’s departure to Fenerbahce, with the Turkish club reaching an agreement in principle for €10 million plus an additional €5 million in potential add-ons.
Fred, 30, is set to undergo a medical examination in Istanbul on Saturday, contingent on finalising personal terms and securing international clearance.
Should the transfer be successful, Manchester United’s manager Erik Ten Hag will be eager to proceed with his strategy of bringing Amrabat to Old Trafford in order to bolster the team’s midfield.
Throughout the summer, Manchester United has engaged in discussions with Fiorentina regarding a potential deal for Amrabat, and they are committed to finalising the agreement.
A partial cause for the delay was linked to Fred’s departure from the club.
Additionally, Juventus has expressed interest in acquiring the 26-year-old Amrabat, who garnered attention during Morocco’s journey to the World Cup semifinals last year.
While Manchester United has accepted a £30 million (€34m/$38m) bid from West Ham for Maguire, the transfer has yet to be finalized.
With this deal nearing completion, Manchester United has reportedly shifted their focus towards Bayern Munich’s versatile defender, Pavard.
According to information from Fabrizio Romano, the Premier League team has engaged in discussions with the Bundesliga champions, although there has been no approval from Bayern Munich for the deal.
Pavard, who primarily plays as a right-back for Bayern, is reportedly keen on leaving the Bundesliga club as he has no intentions of extending his contract, which expires in 2024.
The 27-year-old Frenchman is seen as a suitable replacement for Maguire, with Manchester United aiming to offload Maguire and recoup a portion of the £80 million ($101.9 million) they paid to Leicester City in 2019 – a then-world record fee for a defender.
Notably, Pavard, who is also capable of performing as a centre-back, has reportedly garnered the admiration of Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag.
Manchester United is scheduled to kick off their season on Monday, August 14, against Wolves, while Bayern Munich begins their Bundesliga campaign the subsequent Friday against Werder Bremen.
It remains uncertain whether Maguire and Pavard will still be part of their respective teams when these matches take place.
Everton is keeping a close watch on the developments surrounding Harry Maguire, followingWest Ham’s unsuccessful attempt to secure the services of the center-back, which was turned down by Manchester United.
United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, is striving to make two additional signings to strengthen the team before the summer transfer window concludes.
However, the club’s ability to finalise new acquisitions is contingent upon making sales.
West Ham recently presented a dual offer of £60 million ($77 million) for Maguire and Scott McTominay, but this bid was rebuffed.
According to reports from the Independent, Everton has now entered the scene, closely observing Maguire’s situation following West Ham’s failed bid.
Maguire himself is eager to depart the club in pursuit of more playing time, a crucial factor leading up to Euro 2024.
While the Red Devils have a keen interest in adding midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and Nice center-back Jean-Clair Todibo to their roster, the feasibility of these signings hinges on the revenue generated from their sales.
Manchester United will kick off their 2023–24 Premier League season against Wolves on August 14.
The manager of Manchester United, Erik ten Hag, openly admitted that his team conceded a ‘stupid’ goal against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
Maguire’s costly mistake placed the Red Devils on the defensive from the outset of the match against the Spanish side.
The 30-year-old’s careless pass played Nico Williams in behind the defence, and the teenager capitalised on the opportunity, scoring past Tom Heaton to give Athletic Bilbao an early lead in the match held in Dublin.
“We have shown that this weekend was a good weekend for us. Yesterday I thought it was a very good level, and today I have also seen very good spells. I think the start of the game was also very good, and we should have scored a goal to go up, because it was a great chance from Jadon Sancho,” he told reporters.
“We had some good moments after that as well, and it was stupid how we went down, but as I said, we had a result and we came back, so it was a good weekend for us.”
West Ham have shown interest in signing Maguire during this summer transfer window. However, the initial bid of £20 million made by West Ham was swiftly rejected by the Red Devils.
It remains to be seen whether Manchester United will reconsider their stance on the transfer after witnessing another error from their former captain.
The situation is certainly worth keeping an eye on as the transfer window progresses.
Marcus Rashford has shared that Wayne Rooney is actively encouraging him to surpass his record for the most goals scored at Manchester United.
Wayne Rooney currently holds the top spot as the all-time leading scorer at Old Trafford with a remarkable 253 goals. However, with Marcus Rashford having recently inked a new five-year contract, the 25-year-old forward seems poised to eventually surpass that milestone.
Rashford’s exceptional performance last season, during which he netted 30 goals – his most prolific season yet – propelled his total to 123 goals.
With manager Erik ten Hag seemingly helping Rashford reach his peak potential, it appears more goals are on the horizon for the talented player.
After such a prolific season last term, Rashford believes he could hit 40 goals if he can stay fit in the forthcoming season.
“Before last season, I always said let’s get to 20 – for a winger a good benchmark,” he added. “But this season, I’ve hit 30 so we have to try and push it now and go above and beyond.
“Towards the end of the season, I was struggling with a few injuries, and I probably wasn’t quite at it – that’s when the goals started to dry up a little bit.
“If I can keep that side of it under taps, I feel like I can go on and get 35 or 40.”
Under the firm leadership of Erik ten Hag, Manchester United appears to be in a favorable position to rekindle their competitive spirit.
Rashford experienced the firm discipline of Ten Hag during the previous season when he was excluded from the starting lineup for a match against Wolves due to arriving late for a team meeting.
Although he later came on as a substitute and scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 win, Rashford disclosed that his tardiness amounted to just one minute.
“I learned from pre-season, a couple of the lads were late and it was important to implement his rules there and then,” said Rashford, who also “100 per cent” agreed with Ten Hag’s decision.
“I wasn’t even that late – I don’t think he was being harsh, late is late – but it was probably about 45 seconds, a minute late.
“I already knew what was going to happen because of the rules he implemented in pre-season.
“I am not going to sit and argue about it, because we’ve got a game to win. There is a time and place to speak to him, but if we win the game nobody really cares.”
Former English International, Gabriel Agbonlahor, has shared his opinion on the incident where Manchester United goalkeeperAndre Onana screamed at Harry Maguire during their friendly against Borussia Dortmund.
According to Agbonlahor, Onana’s reaction towards Maguire was unjustified, as Maguire was not responsible for the mistake that occurred.
Agbonlahor expressed his disapproval of Onana’s actions, suggesting that Maguire was targeted unfairly.
He further questioned whether Onana would behave similarly towards Lisandro Martinez, indicating that such behavior was uncalled for on the football pitch.
“First of all, Harry Maguire did do anything wrong. He played the ball to a midfielder and the midfielder gave it away. And I feel like he is the easy target and I don’t like that from Onana. Are you going to do that to Martinez?
Are you going to rush to him like that? I think Maguire is an easy target and I didn’t like the look of that. I would understand it if it was a big mistake and caused a goal or it was Harry Maguire’s fault then fair enough.
“But I want to see the same energy for every player from him,” he told TalkSports.
Agbonlahor, who feels Onana was picking on Maguire, demanded that the Cameroonian does the same to every player.
“As long as he is doing it to everyone. If Martinez does the same thing he is quite one of the leaders there who do it to everyone. Don’t just see Maguire as he has gone through that phase of life that Man United fans on social media are like leave, leave, leave.
“He is not going to react to that, I think we know Harry Maguire is thinking, keep a low profile and fight for my place. So I didn’t like it and it wasn’t a mistake by Harry Maguire,” he added.
Maguire dropped a pass during the buildup, and Dortmund nearly capitalised. However, Onana stopped Dortmund’s initial shot, and the rebound from Youssoufa Moukoko sailed out for a goal kick.
As soon as the ball was out, Onana ran over to Harry Maguire and yelled at him for giving it away, which almost resulted in a goal.
“I try to talk to them a lot because I know he’s a good player, he is one of the captains of the team. That’s big and he is good with the ball, so I would demand [from] him a lot and he’s a good, great guy,” Onana explained his actions after the game.
Manchester United eventually lost 3-2 in the pre-season game on July 21, 2023, at Allegiant Stadium in USA.
He issued a stark warning to his players ahead of the upcoming season, emphasizing that they cannot lead a luxurious lifestyle if they want to endure the rigorous demands of elite football.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Ten Hag said, “For all the players,
you have to live the right life. Professional football is tough, so in general, our players can’t match the sensational life playing top football.”
“Top football is tough nowadays: 60 games a year in club football, 10 international games.
“So 70 games means that every third or fourth day you have to match the highest physical levels. When you’re not living the right life, you get killed.
“What is important? Sleep, recovery, nutrition. Three key areas and when you don’t do this right, you have a problem. You can’t perform.” So when you ask me about [Marcus] Rashford, the same counts for Raphael Varane and every player. You will not reach the levels when you don’t do the things right.”
The Dutchman explained that he was surprised at the squad’s customs when he took over as United manager last year and had to overhaul their habits. He added: “So I think in general when I came in at Man United, the standards were not righ’t.
That’s true. I demand the highest standards in sleep, recovery and nutrition because that makes the difference if you can perform every third or fourth day. We had to improve.
“That is the demand for every top football player,so at Man United we aredemanding the highest standards.”
The talented player was notably absent from the squad during Atalanta’s pre-season friendly against Bournemouth, signaling the impending deal.
The agreed-upon deal stands at an initial £64 million with an additional £8 million in potential add-ons. Atalanta initially sought a guaranteed sum of £77 million before negotiations settled.
Sky Sports News had previously reported that Hojlund’s preferred destination was Old Trafford, alleviating any worries about interest from PSG in the Danish international. Personal terms were effortlessly finalized, as Hojlund committed to a five-year contract with the option to extend for another 12 months.
Manchester United received a boost when Atalanta secured the signing of Almeria forward El Bilal Toure, further clearing the path for Hojlund’s move.
United’s incoming transfers are nearly complete, and any further arrivals will likely depend on potential departures. Notably, there is interest from other clubs in players like Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, Fred, and Donny van de Beek.
Should any of these players leave, Manchester United is prepared to enter the market to find suitable replacements. The club continues to show strong interest in Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat.
“United are conscious that Hojlund is more potential than the finished article, but believe Erik ten Hag’s coaching could help mould him into an elite player.
“Marcus Rashford may need to play some games as United’s focal point while the 20-year-old adjusts and gains experience. Long-term he is seen as a talent that has the potential to become world class under Ten Hag.
United have now solved the three core squad issues the manager identified: a goalkeeper, forward and dynamic midfielder. This has been done within the budget the club set themselves, which was conditioned by Financial Fair Play regulations.
“Hojlund had made it very clear Old Trafford was his destination of choice, so even though PSG had registered their interest with a take-it-or-leave-it bid, there was no worry or concern at United’s end because they knew the player wanted to join them, they knew they had done a lot of homework on this deal and they have still stayed within their budget.
“United have talked Atalanta down from what they initially wanted. The last asking price was £77m guaranteed. We know that United have gone for £64m guaranteed, so they feel that is a win. We have to stress this is a 20-year-old who is still very inexperienced, so it is quite a hefty price for United to pay.
“But they believe he has got such a high ceiling and that he can progress and become world class under Erik ten Hag, so it’s basically backing their manager’s coaching ability and what the scouts have seen in Hojlund.
“We’re told it wasn’t because of PSG coming into the race that United have elevated their price point; it’s simply because, to get the deal done in time for the player to have enough training sessions with the squad to be ready for the start of the season, they wanted to get an agreement in place.
They feel a compromise has been reached, even though they’ve gone higher than they probably would have liked to.”
Erik ten Hag has acknowledged that Manchester United is making progress in their search for a new striker. However, he refrained from commenting on any potential move for PSG’s Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe is reportedly available for transfer after expressing his decision not to renew his contract at Parc des Princes, making a move away from PSG likely before his anticipated free transfer to Real Madrid in 2024. Al Hilal is said to have linked to a potential £259 million deal for the player.
With Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from Manchester United at the end of 2022 and Wout Weghorst’s failure to meet expectations, the club is in need of a striker.
Although they have successfully recruited Mason Mount from Chelsea and Andre Onana from Inter Milan, the arrival of Rasmus Hojlund at Old Trafford has not materialized yet, with rumored rival interest from PSG.
“We make progress, yeah,” Ten Hag said when asked about United’s attempt to land a forward. “But you know how it works – when we have him, we will tell you directly.
“The only thing I can say is we do everything that’s in our power to get that done. If it was up to me, yeah, as soon as possible. The earlier the better because we have to integrate him in the team, the way of play.
“In an ideal situation, he was already here but you do not always get ideal situations as a manager and you have to deal with the situation.”
When asked if he could be interested in Mbappe, he answered: “We never speak about players who are under contract in other clubs.”
English player with Ghanaian heritage, Kobbie Mainoo, earned high praise from Manchester United’s coach, Erik ten Hag, for his outstanding performance during a pre-season match against Arsenal.
The young talent shone in the number six role, displaying remarkable movement and composure in defensive midfield.
Notably, he impressively won all of his ground duels and completed 23 out of 24 passes, even contributing an assist in the team’s convincing 2-0 victory over Arsenal.
Erik ten Hag was effusive in his compliments for Mainoo’s performance, expressing his intention to provide the promising youngster with more opportunities to showcase his skills on the big stage.
“It’s fantastic. Manchester United are famous for always bringing young players through and he can be one, but we have to see. We have confidence, he’s playing with confidence and I really liked his performance.”
“He showed it, then in the spring he got injured, so we’re really happy there are more youngsters with us now and they’re all doing very good, but I don’t want to raise expectations too high.”
“We have to see, the Premier League is tough, but definitely, you can see, we have some really good young players who can play a role in our squad. But the bar is high.”
As the Red Devils head into the 2023-24 season, Bruno Fernandes has been appointed as the new permanent skipper, taking over from Maguire, who held the captaincy previously.
With Ten Hag’s move to remove the armband from the world’s most expensive defender, it appears that Maguire’s future at Old Trafford is uncertain.
Varane appreciates the manager’s assertiveness, as it demonstrates his clear authority and leadership in the team.
World Cup winner Varane has told ESPN: “He wants a team with character and he’s the leader so he has to show it himself. He’s not scared to take these decisions and take that responsibility. That is what we expect from the manager. He did it so I think, with things like this, you show by example.
He knows exactly what he wants. He’s shown that determination and from the first day we’ve known exactly what we’ve had to do and where he wants to go. It’s all clear for the players and for the team and we have a good connection with the manager.”
Fernandes is one of several leaders in the United camp, with Varane also sitting in that talent pool alongside the likes of Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez.
The Frenchman added on the Red Devils requiring players to step up all over the field: “We need players with character and personality.
If you want to win big trophies you need that kind of character. The difference between a good team and a top team is sometimes something mental. We need to believe, we need determination and the character of the players is something important.”
Bruno Fernandes has been appointed as the permanent captain of Manchester United, taking over the role just days after Harry Maguire was removed from the position.
The club has officially announced that Bruno Fernandes will lead the team as captain for the upcoming season.
Throughout last season, the midfielder took on the responsibility of wearing the armband on many occasions, as Harry Maguire faced challenges and eventually lost his place in the starting lineup.
Last week,Maguire disclosed that he had been informed by manager Erik ten Hag that he would no longer be the captain of the club.
Erik ten Hag, in explaining Manchester United’s decision to sign Jonny Evans on a short-term deal, emphasized the defender’s “big authority” and “big personality.”
While the announcement of Evans’ re-signing raised some eyebrows, he made a positive impression on the United staff during training sessions after leaving Leicester City at the end of the 2022-23 season.
Evans will now provide assistance to the Red Devils during pre-season, and Ten Hag firmly supports the veteran center-back, believing that his presence can have a significant impact, particularly in guiding and mentoring the younger players.
“Of course I know [about] him for a long time, I know his place was here, was in Manchester. We welcomed him to come and train with us, to work on his fitness, and then I said not all the players are in, the internationals were out still on their break,” the United boss told MUTV.
“So I thought it was a good idea to help each other out. Jonny can work on his fitness, and he can help us out with [our] level.
“We know he’s a very experienced player but also a very good person, big personality, and I think he has a big authority as well and he can help the young players especially in such moments. So it benefits all sides.”
The Northern Irishman is a graduate of United’s academy and spent nine years at Old Trafford, making 198 appearances while scoring seven goals and providing an equal number of assists. In 2015, he left Old Trafford to join West Bromwich Albion.
Evans was named as a substitute for United’s pre-season friendly against Lyon on Wednesday, and will be a part of the club’s upcoming tour of the United States.
The Red Devils will play a string of friendlies against Arsenal, Wrexham, Real Madrid, and Borussia Dortmund during their time in America.
Andre Onana has openly expressed his excitement about joining Manchester United, referring to the transfer as “irresistible” and expressing joy about reuniting with his “master,” Erik ten Hag.
The goalkeeper has already arrived in Manchester to finalize his move from Inter to United.
According to reports, the Red Devils are set to pay €51 million (£43.8m/$57.3m) as the initial fee, with an additional €4 million (£3.4m/$4.5m) in potential add-ons for the Cameroonian shot-stopper.
Before being formally unveiled as a United player, Onana spoke to Gazzetta dello Sport, where he admitted that the move to the Premier League was “irresistible”, but at the same time claimed that he would have been happy to continue at Inter if the transfer had fallen through.
“The important thing is to be honest and always tell people the truth. I am a person who always wants new challenges,” he said. “Playing in the Premier League and for a club like United is irresistible.
All parties wanted this to happen. But what matters is that if I had stayed, I would have been happy because I never had any problems at Inter.”
United have come back with a new offer of €50 million, along with the possibility of an additional €5 million in add-ons.
The player in question is a 27-year-old Cameroon international who previously played under United manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax.
The club has already reached an agreement on personal terms with the player.
Last season, the goalkeeper had an impressive performance for Inter, making 41 appearances across all competitions, including the Champions League final where they were defeated by Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Inter is looking to secure replacements for the goalkeeper position and has set their sights on Bayern Munich’s Yann Sommer and Shakhtar Donetsk’s Anatolji Trubin.
United have been in the market for a new goalkeeper all summer, with David de Gea out of contract and leaving Old Trafford after 12 years of service.
Tottenham striker would be perfect for Erik ten Hag’s side.
The England captain is reportedly closing in on a move to the German champions – while the Red Devils continue to stand still in their striker hunt
After 14 years of loyal service to Tottenham, it looks like Harry Kane will finally be moving onto pastures new this summer.
Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germainare among those to have registered interest in the 29-year-old, but Bayern Munich are currently leading the race for his signature.
It has been reported that the Bundesliga champions have reached an agreement in principle with Kane’s representatives, after seeing an opening £60m ($77m) bid for the forward rejected by Spurs.
Bayern are set to return with an improved offer, and Tottenham may have little choice but to cash in, or else risk losing Kane for free when his contract expires next summer.
For a long time, it seemed as though Manchester United would be Kane’s landing spot if he left Tottenham.
Erik ten Hag has made it clear he is desperate to bring in a new No.9, having seen his side struggle for goals throughout the 2022-23 campaign.
Daniel Levy’s reluctance to sell to a direct rival is no secret, which is why the Spurs chairman reportedly demanded over £100m ($127m) for Kane after United made initial enquiries over his availability earlier this year. And the Red Devils are simply not willing to spend that much.
United haven’t been shy when it comes to shelling out huge fees in the recent past, with the likes of Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, Harry Maguire, Jadon Sancho and Antony all brought in for fees exceeding £70m ($88m).
But they won’t make the same level of investment in Kane – arguably the greatest striker in the history of English football.
Bayern are in the clear to complete a huge coup, and if they do seal a deal for the Tottenham striker, they’ll be genuine Champions League contenders next season. United, meanwhile, are making a huge mistake by standing back and letting it happen.
Still at his peakOne of the reasons United have reportedly baulked at Levy’s valuation of Kane is because of his age, with the Spurs marksman set to celebrate his 30th birthday later in July.
But he hasn’t shown any sign of slowing down on the pitch.In fact, the 2022-23 campaign was probably his best yet in a Tottenham shirt, despite the fact he was leading the line for a disjointed team lacking quality in all other areas of the pitch.
Kane reached the 30-goal mark in the Premier League for the second time in his career, and only finished six goals behind Manchester City’s scoring machine Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot race.
Haaland also won the PFA Player of the Year ahead of Kane, but the Norwegian couldn’t really fail in Pep Guardiola’s set-up.
City stormed to the treble last season, and while Haaland deserves great credit for his finishing, he had world-class providers such as Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish putting chances on a plate for him.
Kane, meanwhile, carried Spurs with his outstanding individual performances.
They ended up in eighth place purely because of his superhuman efforts – and it’s not a stretch to say they would have edged towards the relegation zone without him.There are plenty of great players that have been able to prolong their careers at the highest level well into their thirties in the modern era.
In Kane’s position, the man he could soon replace at Bayern, Robert Lewandowski, won the Pichichi award for the top scorer in La Liga last season as he fired Barcelona to the title in his first season at the club.
The 35-year-old Karim Benzema only finished with four goals fewer than Lewandowski (19) in his final season at Real Madrid, having landed his maiden Ballon d’Or in December on the back of his 44-goal haul the previous campaign.
Both players have looked after themselves physically and showed the discipline necessary to ensure longevity. And so has Kane.
The England international could quite easily make the starting line up for any top club in the world over the next four to five years. United’s caution when it comes to Kane, then, makes absolutely no sense.
There might be cheaper options out there to fill a centre-forward berth, but there is no one better.
Getty/GOALPremier League king”If Harry wants to join Bayern, I’ll drive his f*cking car there myself; anything to protect my Premier League goalscoring record,” Alan Shearer said in a recent article for The Athletic.
Kane currently has 213 Premier League goals to his name, which puts him just 47 behind the former Newcastle and Blackburn forward’s all-time record mark.
If he were to stay at Spurs, Kane would undoubtedly go on to break Shearer’s mark.But if Kane went to United, he could potentially smash it.
Ten Hag’s squad is in far better shape than Tottenham’s after a positive maiden year at Old Trafford for the Dutch coach.
The Red Devils lifted the Carabao Cup and came third in the Premier League to qualify for the Champions League, before suffering defeat to City in the FA Cup final.
Players such as Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Luke Shaw all stepped up their game, while new signings Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez added a new dimension to the team.
Ten Hag could ideally do with a new goalkeeper to replace the declining David de Gea, but their top priority must be to sign a top-quality centre-forward.
If United could prise Kane away from Spurs, they’d be guaranteed title contenders in 2023-24. Kane would be the definition of a transformative signing.
He’s not just Premier League proven – he’s the king of the competition.So often last season, United’s final ball failed to match their slick, incisive build-up play, and that’s because they had no one getting into the right positions.
They also were also the most wasteful side in the league, missing 50 big chances in total.
If they swallowed their pride and forked out on Kane, those issues would be solved. Not least because the England captain is motivated to go past Shearer.“For sure it’s something I want to do.
I think whenever you get close to these types of records, all it does is drive you, to try and achieve them,” Kane told Sky Sports in May. “In a couple of years we will see where I am at and how close I am but now I am this close to it, for sure it is something I would love to achieve.”
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In a surprising turn of events, Manchester United has requested that David De Gea refrain from joining another club, despite his contract coming to an end.
The Red Devils are urging the player to remain with the team as a contingency plan in case they are unable to secure a new first-choice goalkeeper within their limited transfer budget.
Initially, De Gea had been asked to accept a wage reduction from £375,000 to £200,000.
However, even that offer was rescinded as it became evident that manager Erik ten Hag was exploring alternative goalkeeper options.
Manchester United’s pursuit of a new goalkeeper is hindered by their restricted transfer budget and their priority to acquire a new striker.
The club recently made their first signing of the summer, securing Mason Mount for £55 million.
This significant expenditure has depleted nearly half of their available £120 million due to financial fair play regulations.
As a result, Manchester United has been compelled to withdraw from negotiations for Harry Kane, as Tottenham Hotspur demands £100 million for the striker.
Additionally, their pursuit of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, valued at £150 million by the Serie A champions, is also beyond their financial reach.
With the focus now on acquiring a striker, Manchester United has temporarily halted talks to acquire Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana for a fee of £40 million.
David de Gea arrived at Man United as a fresh faced youngsterCredit: Getty
United are desperate to get money in through sales to bolster their transfer kitty to resolve the situation.
All the while De Gea has been left in Limbo on the weekend of his wedding to long term partner Edurne Garcia.
De Gea, 32, racked up a club record for a goalkeeper of 545 appearances surpassing the previous highest set by 1968 European Cup winning legend Alex Stepney.
He also celebrated February’sCarabao Cup triumph by surpassing treble winner Peter Schmeichel’s clean sheets record for the club as he notched up his 181st shut out.
The Spaniard was in top form that day to keep Newcastle at bay as Manchester United lifted their first trophy in six years.
He finished the season with the golden glove as well after 17 clean sheets in the Premier League. The second time he has won it after keeping 18 in 2017-18.
He was the club’s player of the year three years on the trot too from 2013-16, which probably tells you as much about the club’s travails in that time as his excellence between the sticks.
To think early in his career after being brought to Old Trafford from Atletico Madrid it didn’t look like he was going to reach 45 appearances never mind 545.
Petr Cech’s transfer from Chelsea to Arsenal was hailed by his former captain John Terry, who believed that the 33-year-old goalkeeper would add as many as 15 points per season to his new club.
In May, Cech received the prestigious recognition of being inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame, cementing his status as the most accomplished goalkeeper in the league’s history.
With an impressive tally of 202 clean sheets in the competition, including a remarkable 163 for Chelsea, Cech’s record is expected to endure for generations to come.
But, still a year younger than when Cech made that switch, where would David de Gea rank on the list of goalkeepers to have graced the English game?
In reference to Terry’s quote, some Manchester United fans may cruelly argue the Spaniard has similarly contributed to 15 points – but at his side’s expense.
In a career so far spanning 540 appearances in English football since arriving in 2011, De Gea has made 17 errors leading to goals in the Premier League – the most by any Spanish goalkeeper in the competition’s history.
But given the sheer volume of games, is that a particularly high number?
If this is to prove his final week in English football, his 12-yearstay at Old Trafford will be rather hard to define.
Last season brought the Golden Glove as well as breaking Peter Schmeichel’s clean-sheet record.
When De Gea received the award, Roy Keane – at the forefront of his detractors – told Sky Sports: “United had to improve from last year, they were so bad defensively.
“They’re all patting him on the back. I’d move him on quickly, De Gea. He’s not going to get United back lifting trophies, absolutely not.
United were bound to improve from last year so everyone patting him on the head is ridiculous. It’s his job.”
That much is true, but it is not as if those in front of him have exactly excelled on a consistent basis during a decade-long search for another Premier League title.
Reports suggest that,Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has reportedly compiled a list of 11 players he intends to offload in order to generate funds for the club’s summer transfer pursuits.
Following a promising first season in the Premier League, Ten Hag is anticipated to receive substantial backing from Manchester United in terms of acquiring new signings.
Under Ten Hag’s guidance, the team finally ended their trophy drought of over five years by securing victory in the Carabao Cup in February. Additionally, they achieved a commendable third-place finish in the standings, trailing behind Arsenal and their rivals, Manchester City.
According to The Mirror, Ten Hag is keen to make new signings this summer in a bid to strengthen his squad in preparation for next season.
However, he is equally aware he must trim his current squad to accommodate the players he wants to add to his team.
Ten Hag wants 11 players sold
Reports claim the former Ajax boss has since drawn up an 11-member transfer list of players he is keen to offload in the coming weeks in order to raise over £100million in transfer fees to help transform his squad.
Long-serving defenders Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones have already quit Man United after the expiry of their deals, while goalkeeper David de Gea is likely to depart as well.
Dean Henderson has also been touted to seal a permanent transfer, with United expected to recoup around £25million in a transfer fee from the English shotstopper.
As reported by Manchester Evening News, the duo of Alex Telles and Eric Bailly, who spent last season on loan at Sevilla and Marseille, respectively, are viewed as the ‘must-sells’ by boss Ten Hag.
However, he is equally aware he must trim his current squad to accommodate the players he wants to add to his team.
The same applies to Brandon Williams, who managed just one substitute appearance last season, having fallen down the pecking order following the signing of Tyrell Malacia.
United are also understood to be willing to listen to offers of £10million for academy graduate Anthony Elanga and Hannibal Mejbri.
The trio of Harry Maguire, Donny van de Beek, and Anthony Martial is also not safe, with the three among the most high-profile United players who could be shipped out this summer.
There are reports suggesting thatOle Gunnar Solskjaer could make a return to Manchester United if Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani’s bid is successful.
The potential new owner is interested in offering a role to the retired striker and former manager.
Solskjaer, who was a key player in Sir Alex Ferguson’s successful era in the late 90s and early 2000s, later returned to the club as a manager after the sacking of Jose Mourinho.
During his time as manager, the Norwegian oversaw a mixed period, failing to secure any major trophies but achieving a respectable second-place finish behind Manchester City.
However, he was ultimately sacked in 2021, leading to the appointment of Ralf Rangnick on an interim basis.
Rangnick left at the end of his short-term contract with current boss Erik ten Hag, starting off last summer.
Solskjaer’s role at Manchester United
The Daily Mail now reports that Sheikh Joassim will be willing to give the former boss a role at Old Trafford should his bid be successful.
The Qatari is believed to be among the frontrunners t acquire Manchester United, with current owners Glazer family looking to sell a part or the whole club.
The race is now down to Sheikh Jassim and Britain’s richest man Jim Ratcliffe.
The report indicates that the Qatari Royal is keen on leaving the running of the club to former legends and Solskjaer’s name has been floated as one of the candidates.
It is highly unlikely that the running of the club in this sense will mean a change of managers, with ten Hag having done a splendid job in his first season in charge.
Last month, the revealed that he was interested in getting back to work.
“I’ve got another job in me if it’s the right chance and exciting enough. There are so many clubs, but I’m not going to work just for the sake of working. It has to be something special, a new culture, or a club that really excites me.
Or maybe they will want me back at United in some capacity, who knows?” as quoted by the Mirror.
Mbappe on Sheikh Jassim’s radar
Sports Brief had also reported that even before his dream of acquiring Manchester United goes through, Sheikh Jassim is already plotting big-money moves should he take over as the new owner.
He intends to make some high-profile signings, led by Kylian Mbappe, who despite extending his Paris Saint-Germain contract last year, continues to be linked with a move away.
Real Madrid have always been the perceived option for the 24-year-old, and it will be interesting to see just what lengths Sheikh Jassim would be willing to pursue to see the transfer materialise.
The first-ever all-Manchester FA Cup final will take place this weekend at Wembley under the direction of Pep Guardiola and Erik ten Hag.
We have looked more closely at the City and United managers in preparation for Saturday’s matchup in the capital.
Past meetings
This season’s Premier League encounters are the only times these managers have faced off, with City winning the first encounter 6-3 in October before United came back to win 2-1 at Old Trafford in January.
But while they do not have a huge history of playing against one another, these bosses know each other well.
Guardiola and Pep worked together at Bayern
Ten Hag left Go Ahead Eagles in his homeland in 2013 to become head coach of Bayern Munich II — the reserve team of the perennial Bundesliga champions, who were then managed by Guardiola.
The United boss said the Catalan inspired him, with the pair talking regularly and the Dutchman watching him very carefully.Ten Hag has previously described his training sessions as “a joy to watch”.
Guardiola clearly thinks highly of his cross-city rival, who he said would have made an excellent successor for him at the Etihad before his United appointment was confirmed.
Trophies
Pep Guardiola lifted his fifth Premier League title earlier this month
Guardiola, arguably the greatest coach of this generation, boasts an eye-watering medal haul.
The 52-year-old has won 11 top-flight titles — three LaLiga crowns, three Bundesliga titles and now five Premier League triumphs. Guardiola oversaw a pair of Champions League victories at Barcelona, which he hopes to add to against Inter Milan in June’s Istanbul finale.
Pep has also won domestic trophies aplenty wherever he has been, with Saturday offering the chance to win his second FA Cup.
The freshly-crowned LMA Manager of the Year takes on a man that led Ajax to three Eredivisie titles during his time in Amsterdam, as well as a pair of KNVB Cups and the Johan Cruyff Shield.
Ten Hag’s first silverware as a manager was the Regionalliga Bayern title in 2014, while this season’s Carabao Cup victory was his latest triumph and first at United.
This season
Erik ten Hag will hope to be smiling after the final whistle on Saturday
City are looking to write their name in history by matching United’s 1999 Treble heroes. Guardiola’s side saw off Arsenal’s impressive title charge during an unrelenting end to the season that led them to be crowned with three games to spare — their fifth in six years and third in succession.
Inter stand in their way as City make their second Champions League final appearance on June 10, where they would have the chance to wrap up the Treble, unless Ten Hag’s Red Devils can put a spoke in the wheel at Wembley.
United have improved vastly on last season’s wretched campaign to finish third in the Premier League, securing a Champions League return on the back of ending their six-year wait for silverware.
Ten Hag became just the second manager in the club’s medal-laden history to win a major trophy in his first season at the helm with February’s Carabao Cup triumph against Newcastle.
Erik ten Hag wins Carabao cup
Now comes the chance to add another trophy to the cabinet with a statement victory that would end their neighbours’ Treble dreams.
Erik ten Hag has cautioned the prospective owners of Manchester United about the potential pitfalls of repeating the mistakes made by Chelsea during their ownership transition last summer.
At present, Manchester United is engaged in discussions regarding a possible takeover with their current owners, the Glazer family, who are considering options to either sell the entire club or share control.
Erik Ten hag
The Americans have been under immense pressure from the fans to cede ownership of the club.
Anti-Glazer protests have been a common sight in recent seasons, with many feeling United has stalled in terms of development, as reported by ESPN.
But with new owners comes the risk of clubs losing sight of the bigger picture – if what has happened at Chelsea this season is anything to go by.
Chelsea’s lacklustre season
Chelsea’s long-time owner, Roman Abramovich was forced to sell the club after Russia invaded Ukraine early last year.Todd Boehly’s Clearlake consortium won the bid to buy the club.
The American arrived with much promise, picking up from where the oligarch had left off and immediately pumping money into new signings.
However, the club overspent on some players, leaving them exposed in some areas, with the lack of strategy becoming clear as the season progressed.
The Blues are set to record their worst-ever finish in 29 years. Ten Hag is aware and concerned about such a scenario repeating itself in the Northwest.
“You have to do the right things. You can have money but have to spend it in a smart way, and you need to have a strategy behind it – otherwise, the money doesn’t work.
We are now in a good direction – but we can also learn from this season,” the Dutch manager said, as quoted by the Sun.
Ten Hag was speaking ahead of his side’s game against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
The Red Devils would go on to secure a point against Frank Lampard’s beleaguered Blues and secure their spot in Champions League football next season.
Antony goes off injured
In that game,United raced to a 2-0 lead before the break, but winger, Antony was stretched off with a serious-looking injury.
Sports Brief reported the Brazilian came into contact with defender, Trevoh Chalobah and was left screaming in utter agony.
With just one year remaining on his current deal, Rashford, who has been with the club since he was seven years old, is facing an uncertain future.
Although earlier reports claiming he demanded a weekly wage of £500,000 were dismissed by the 25-year-old himself, the negotiations have been protracted and ongoing.
Ten Hag is publicly calm, saying: “I know (it is taking time), but I don’t talk about the process.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag
“This is not important at the moment for me or Rashy. For him, it is to get more goals this season and he is playing a wonderful season and the team is playing a wonderful season.
“We have to get into the Champions League and focus on that. Marcus wants to stay and we want him to stay, so I think we will find each other.”
The uncertainty over United’s takeover process will inevitably lead to concern about their prospects for the summer transfer window.
Ten Hag said: “We do our job in the background and we are working hard but, for now, it is about games, getting into the Champions League and the FA Cup.
“For me, it is about finance and that there is the money available to do the right things.”
United have a big fortnight ahead, with their final three Premier League matches determining whether they will qualify for the Champions League before a first FA Cup final showdown with Manchester City.
Up first is a trip to Bournemouth on Saturday, where United, who could be without the unwell Rashford, will look to put their away struggles behind them.
Eight of the Red Devils’ nine league defeats this season have come on the road, with their last three trips away from Old Trafford yielding just one point between them.
Ten Hag said: “I think there are some reasons. For instance, one thing is clear and that is from the back we have to be better on the ball.
“But we have one opportunity tomorrow to show that we can improve and we definitely have to improve for next season.”
Marcus Rashford
Manchester City are moving ever close to matching United’s achievement of winning the treble, adding an extra edge to the FA Cup final on June 3.
Asked if he is relishing the opportunity to stop City, Ten Hag said: “When we have three games and (the Premier League) is gone, yes, I will enjoy it. Before that, it is not important at all.
“I think we have to keep doing what we have all season, improve every day and improve every game and not look too far ahead. Focusing on the next game is the most important.”
Prince Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe both submitted bids on Friday, the third and likely final deadline for parties to make offers to purchase the Manchester United club and Ten Hag is clueless about where funds going to come from to form the ‘perfect’ squad he needs.
Now that the Glazer family must make a decision, the advancement made during Ten Hag’s first season in command may be jeopardised.
Even the manager is unsure of the financial support for changes, despite the fact that United are on track to finish in the top four and have a chance to add the FA Cup to the Carabao Cup.
Asked if he has been told he has the funds to do what he wants to this summer irrespective of how the takeover process pans out, Ten Hag said: “No, I don’t have. I don’t have influence on that, I don’t have… also I don’t know.
Man Utd manager, Erik ten Hag
Erik ten Hag is in the dark over Manchester United’s summer spending power as the takeover saga rumbles on.
The Old Trafford giants announced in November that the board was exploring strategic alternatives to enhance the club’s growth, with a full sale one option being considered.
Friday was the third, and what is expected to be final, deadline for parties to make offers to buy the club, with Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe both submitting bids.
Now the the Glazer family must decide how they want to proceed — a process that threatens to damage the progress made during Ten Hag’s first season in charge.
United are on course for a top-four finish and have the chance to add the FA Cup to the Carabao Cup but the financial backing for improvements is unclear even to the manager.
Asked if he has been told he has the funds to do what he wants to this summer irrespective of how the takeover process pans out, Ten Hag said: “No, I don’t have. I don’t have influence on that, I don’t have… also I don’t know.
“The only thing what I know is that Man United is one of the biggest clubs and I think it’s among maybe (the) two biggest clubs in the world from a fanbase perspective.
“So, I think this club has to compete for the highest in the world, so Champions League, Premier League.
“But in football you need funds to construct squads because in the end of the day the level from your players makes if you are successful or not.”
Ten Hag says “everyone knows you need funds to construct a squad” and that “high level players cost a lot of money” in elite football.
“I, we see this as a project,” the United boss said. “In a project also it belongs that you are in windows, that you strengthen your squad needs or to make refreshments, so that you get more balance, definitely, and you bring young players in.
“But I think we already have shown and proved that we can beat the best teams in the world, so, yeah, I think we can compete in the Champions League.
“But at the end of the day we want to be in the winter also in the Champions League and we want to compete, and knock them all out, so then we have a way to go.”
United are preparing to take on Brighton in the Premier League on Thursday after beating Aston Villa 1-0 to a backdrop of protests against the Glazers on Sunday.
Ten Hag was seen after the match at Old Trafford picking up a green and gold scarf as he headed down the tunnel game, holding it up before throwing it back to fans.
When asked if it was an act of solidarity with the fans, the United boss said: “No, it was just polite.
“But I know what’s going around, what the symbol of it is, but this matter was just polite.”
Ten Hag, understandably, refrained from publicly criticising his employers at this stage of the season but his desire for clarity on the club’s future is palpable.
Asked how important it is to get the takeover process resolved as soon as possible, Ten Hag said: “Yeah, I think it’s clear what I want but it’s not up to me.
“It’s about others in this club, finally there are the owners and they make the decisions, so it’s not up to me.
“So, I do everything I can and I influence the processes I’m in charge of.”
The “average performing” team has received many enhancements in an effort to rise from sixth to the top four after finishing 13 points behind Spurs the previous season. The ex-Ajax and PEC Zwolle manager has stressed the importance of United returning to theUEFA Champions League as soon as possible.
Last summer, United signed Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro, and Christian Eriksen. In January, they strengthened their lineup even more by bringing in Marcel Sabitzer and Wout Weghorst.
Christian Eriksen asserts that Manchester United allowed themselves to lose “control” of their Premier League matchup with Tottenham.
Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford’s first-half goals had given Erik ten Hag’s team a dominating advantage in North London.
Pedro Porro and HUneg-Min Son were able to salvage a point in the first game under interim manager Ryan Mason, but they were unable to capitalise on their lead.
It is not the first time this season United have allowed themselves to be overrun by an opponent chasing the game, with Eriksen conceding they failed to command the game.
“I think we took a bit of the gas off,” he told BT Sport. “That was our problem. I think it has been [like] that for a few games, where we are sharp and [have not] kept it going.
“I think we lost a bit of energy, a bit of control, and they got belief, and it went the other way. That’s how it goes normally. When you are 2-0 down, anything can change quickly.
“We didn’t have the control to finish them off, [and we] gave them the chance to score the first goal. That gave [them] belief.”
That cushion will likely help them consolidate their top-four spot before too long, but Eriksen cautioned the task must still be completed before it can be celebrated.
“There’s still a few games to go,” he added. “We need to keep going and get the belief back to finish it off. We need to get it over the line.”
Manager Ten Hag echoed the midfielder’s comments, though he refused to apportion blame on Bruno Fernandes for a glaring second-half miss.
The Portuguese, who captained the side in Harry Maguire’s absence through injury, hit the crossbar in a one-on-one situation with Fraser Forster shortly after Porro had pulled one back.
“[We] don’t blame it on one player,” Ten Hag added. “We weren’t clinical enough, and I think we had to score more. The goals we conceded were too easy, and we could have avoided them.”
Erik ten Hag has publicly for the terrible decisions he made during the April 27 match against Tottenham Hotspur.
In front of their own home supporters, Tottenham came back from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Manchester United.
Spurs supporters were expecting another humiliation after their surrender to Newcastle over the weekend, but Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford set United on their way.
After the break, though, January acquisition Pedro Porro drew one back, and Spurs missed a few good chances to either back level or even go ahead.
With United still leading, ten Hag surprised many by withdrawing Sancho and Cristian Eriksen just after the hour mark.
The two were one of the better performers of the night, with Fred and Anthony MArtial taking their place. 10 minutes later, the Dutch tactician followed it up with another dubious change, withdrawing Aaron Wan Bissaka for Tyrell Malacia.
Bissaka is one of the best 1 v 1 defenders in the world and the feeling would be, he needs to be on the pitch when you are protecting the lead.
His replacement, Malacia, was culpable for Spurs’ second goal as he allowed Harry Kane with enormous space to lay it out for Heung-min Son on a platter.
However, Ten Hag defended his ideas despite watching his side drop points again due to partly his changes.
“If you have seen the game, you have seen also in the period after half time we lose control in the game and I prepared the subs already before the 2-1 and you could see that goal coming.
“With Fred, you bring energy, one who can win the ball. On Sunday, he was brilliant. And with Martial, you bring one who can keep the ball and you can have Rashford, Antony and Bruno make runs behind and that was the idea.” as quoted by MEN.
Getty/GOALPremier League king”If Harry wants to join Bayern, I’ll drive his f*cking car there myself; anything to protect my Premier League goalscoring record,” Alan Shearer said in a recent article for The Athletic. 
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