Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly prepared to invest £245 million ($300 million) from his personal wealth to overhaul Manchester United’s ageing infrastructure.
Sky News indicates that this substantial contribution is separate from the £1.25 billion he intends to spend to acquire a 25 percent stake in the club.
Importantly, this investment will not add to Manchester United’s existing debt.
The funds will be disbursed in stages, with a significant portion being allocated to the club by the end of this year.
The entire sum is earmarked for the enhancement of the club’s infrastructure and will not be allocated to strengthen the squad.
However, the transformation of Manchester United’s stadium into a world-class facility on par with venues like the Emirates and the Etihad may demand more extensive financial resources.
It is believed that Ratcliffe is open to additional investments to equip Old Trafford with state-of-the-art facilities.
The question remains whether these plans will be disclosed when the takeover is officially announced, a process that might conclude in around 15 days as both parties are currently engaged in negotiations.
It has also been reported that, once the takeover is finalised, Sir Ratcliffe will assume control of sporting matters at the club.
There are rumours that he may appoint the former Tottenham head of recruitment, Paul Mitchell, as the director of football.
This move is aimed at rejuvenating a Manchester United side that has encountered challenges in achieving success under themanagement of Erik ten Hag.
An inquest into the passing ofManchester United and England legend Sir Bobby Charlton revealed that he died from an accidental fall at a care home in Knutsford.
Sir Bobby, who was 86 at the time, passed away on October 21, triggering an outpouring of tributes from the football community.
The inquest, held at Cheshire Coroner’s Court, disclosed that Sir Bobby had been residing at The Willows nursing home in Knutsford, which specialises in dementia care, as reported by BBC Sport.
Jacqueline Devonish, senior coroner for Cheshire, determined that Sir Bobby’s death was accidental.
The inquiry revealed that he struck a window sill and possibly a radiator when he lost his balance while getting up from his chair.
Although Sir Bobby received a full-body examination after the fall, no visible injuries were observed by the staff, who also noted that his mobility appeared unaffected.
Paramedics were summoned to the care home when they later noticed swelling on Sir Bobby’s back, and he was transferred to a local hospital for evaluation before being moved to Macclesfield General.
Sir Bobby, who had been receiving respite care at The Willows since June, passed away five days after the fall.
Football clubs throughout England have held moments of silence in memory of Sir Bobby over the past 10 days, and a funeral service for the 1966 World Cup winner is scheduled to be held at Manchester Cathedral on November 13.
Manchester United also confirmed that over 80,000 fans have signed condolence books for Sir Bobby, who scored 249 goals during his illustrious 17-year playing career at Old Trafford.
Manchester United will reportedly face a setback as goalkeeper Andre Onana has decided to join his Cameroonian national team for the AFCON tournament. This means he will miss several crucial fixtures for his club.
Previously, Onana had stepped away from international football due to a dispute with Cameroon’s head coach, Rigobert Song, resulting in his removal from the 2022 World Cup squad during the tournament in Qatar.
However, the two have resolved their differences, leading to Onana’s return to the national team.
Onana has already made appearances in the AFCON qualifier against Burundi in September and a friendly against Senegal during the October international break.
As per iNews, he has now given his consent to represent the Indomitable Lions in the continental tournament, set to commence on January 13 in the Ivory Coast.
If Cameroon performs well in the tournament and reaches the final, Manchester United will have to do without Onana’s services in four Premier League matches, two FA Cup ties, and a potential Carabao Cup semi-final.
Onana has been steadily settling into his new club and played a crucial role in United’s recent Champions League victory over FC Copenhagen, where he saved an injury-time penalty to secure three points.
He was one of the better performers in the 3-0 derby defeat toManchester City last weekend, too, and his efforts were further acknowledged when he came 23rd in the 2023 Ballon d’Or vote after a brilliant previous season with the Nerrazurri.
Erik ten Hag expresses his unwavering confidence in his ability to reverseManchester United’s fortunes following a challenging start to the season.
Despite suffering their seventh defeat of the season in the recent derby against Manchester City, which occurred within just 14 games, the Dutchman reassures fans in his program notes for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup match against Newcastle United that he firmly believes the team will recover.
“At Manchester United, every game involves high stakes,” Ten Hag wrote in the United Review.
“Every single day, there is pressure on everybody involved with this club, but those demands and standards are a challenge that we must always meet head-on.
“While this has not been the start of the season that we had all hoped for, I am certain that we have the talent and attitude as a collective to move in the right direction.
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.
Jeremy Doku posted on social media after Manchester City’s 3-0 win over rivals United, suggesting that Antony ‘stay calm’. City won the match 3-0 at Old TraffordDoku appeared to goad United and Antony with his ‘Manchester is blue’ and ‘stay calm’ messages after the derby clash, in which tempers had threatened to spill over.
Antony managed to avoid a potential red card after his frustration escalated, resulting in a deliberate foul on the Belgian winger by kicking out at him.
Both Antony and Bruno Fernandes received yellow cards, and earlier in the game, Sofyan Amrabat had also been cautioned for a confrontation involving Phil Foden and Jack Grealish.
The outcome of the derby keptManchester City within two points of the early Premier League leaders, Tottenham.
Meanwhile, Manchester United find themselves in eighth place, closer to the relegation zone than the top of the table, following their fifth defeat in 10 league games.
Following their victory in the Derby, Manchester City has a full week to prepare for the upcoming Premier League match against Bournemouth on November 4.
On the other hand, Manchester United will return to action sooner, facing Newcastle, a team that had previously eliminated City from the Carabao Cup in the fourth round on Wednesday.
On Sunday, City secured a comfortable 3-0 victory, with Erling Haaland scoring twice, including a first-half penalty, and another goal coming from Phil Foden.
Ten Hag has suffered some dismal results as United manager, but when asked whether the latest defeat to Pep Guardiola’s side made it one of his worst days in the job, he said, “Yes.”
He added, “Of course, it is disappointing, but last year we had many highlights. When you lose a derby the way we lose, that is disappointing.
“First half, we had a very good game plan and the execution was also very good. It was toe-to-toe first and it was very similar, but then the penalty changed the moment. Then, in the second half, we chose to become more offensive and it is 2-0 too quickly. From that point on it was a difficult game.”
It is now seven defeats from 14 games in all competitions this season but Ten Hag said he is confident his team is making progress.
“The three games before we won and the spirit is very good,” Ten Hag said. “I think we are on the way up. The start was difficult but now we are on the way up. When injuries are getting back, we will be getting stronger. We have to be patient but I am happy with some injuries coming back and then our side will be stronger.”
Later, Ten Hag reaffirmed his choice to relegate Raphaël Varane and Sergio Reguilón to the bench in favour of Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelöf.
He also defended his decision to substitute striker Rasmus Højlund during the second half, even though the substitution was met with loud jeers from the Manchester United fans at Old Trafford.
“I have to protect Rasmus Højlund and I have to protect the team,” Ten Hag added.
“He is putting so much effort into pressing, going through the transitions, going the long way, and fighting a tough opposition.
“He is not used to it—three games in a week—so I have to protect him and the team to bring some energy in. We have bench players Mason Mount and [Alejandro] Garnacho; we know he can change games.”
The England international is clearly holding the Red Devils back right now and no longer deserves to be an automatic starter Erik ten Hag probably feels a debt of gratitude towards Marcus Rashford, which is understandable.
The Manchester United forward made sure that the Dutchman’s debut season in the Old Trafford dugout was a successful one by scoring 32 goals across all competitions, as he finally seemed to have come of age.
With the help of first-team strikers’ coach Benni McCarthy, whom Ten Hag hired a month after his own arrival at United, Rashford added a clinical edge to his game that had previously been lacking due to his erratic decision-making in the final third.
More often than not, he was taking his chances and playing the right passes, which helped United clinch a top-four finish and their first trophy in five years in the form of the Carabao Cup.
Rashford earned the right to be the first name on Ten Hag’s teamsheet, and deserved all of the praise that came his way. But just 12 games into the 2023–24 campaign, Rashford has used up all of the credit he had in the bank. Ten Hag has started the 25-year-old in all but one of United’s fixtures – the third-round Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace—and he’s only managed to score once.
Rashford is currently enduring an eight-match barren run in front of goal at club level, with his latest ineffective display coming against Copenhagen in the Champions League. United scraped a 1-0 victory in spite of Rashford’s presence, as he seemed to be doing his best to squander almost every promising attack while shirking his defensive duties.
Still, Ten Hag kept him on for the full 90 minutes.
Rashford still enjoys the manager’s full faith because of his exploits last season, but Ten Hag is wrong to blindly trust that his star man will eventually return to form.
Rashford’s composed finishing was a joy to behold last season, as he scored some brilliant goals from a variety of angles, but he’s regressed dramatically in that department in recent months.
The United Academy graduate is still taking plenty of shots but has a shooting accuracy of just 38.9 percent in the Premier League, which puts him way behind the top marksmen for 2023–24 so far.
The fact that Rashford is missing the target so often suggests he is rushing his execution and attempting to score from unrealistic positions. His wastefulness in possession must also be a great source of frustration for his teammates.
Summer signingRasmus Hojlund has the most reason to complain, having only scored three times since his £72 million ($87 million) switch from Atalanta, despite making a hatful of intelligent runs and getting into great positions. His output would undoubtedly be better if Rashford was playing with his head up and putting a few crosses into the box.
United have struggled to string passing sequences together in general this term, and Rashford must shoulder most of the responsibility for that.He is misplacing simple passes and running down blind alleys week in, week out.
Rashford can be anonymous for lengthy periods, too, and he doesn’t do nearly enough to aid the team’s press when out of possession. Supporters have every right to demand a lot more from a man who is now into his ninth year of senior football at Old Trafford.
There are speculations that Manchester United may consider re-signing David De Gea on a short-term contract to offer competition and backup for Andre Onana, according to The Sun.
Onana could potentially be called up to represent Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations, leaving United without their primary goalkeeper for a six-week period in the upcoming year.
David De Gea, aged 32, remains without a club since his contract with Manchester United expired at the conclusion of the last season.
The former Spain international had a 12-year tenure at Old Trafford, amassing 545 appearances across all competitions.
Although United have acquired Altay Bayindir from Fenerbahce, there are purported concerns about his readiness to step intoOnana’s role.
Former footballer Mesut Ozil, who has played forReal Madrid and Arsenal, praised the performances of Manchester United’s Andre Onana and Harry Maguire in their recent victory over Copenhagen.
In this match, Maguire scored the decisive goal that secured the win, while Onana made a critical penalty save in the 90th minute, helping Manchester United secure their first victory in the UEFA Champions League.
Ozil took to Twitter to assert that these two players, who have faced ongoing criticism, had heroic moments that could silence their detractors.
Many Manchester United fans saw Onana’s penalty save and Maguire’s winning goal as a fitting response to critics, who have often been quick to point out their occasional errors.
Andre Onana delivered an outstanding performance that night, highlighted by his crucial penalty save.
Despite facing an expected goal rate of 1.69, he made four saves and kept a clean sheet.
His performance earned him FotMob’s Man of the Match award, with a rating of 8.4.
The narrow victory elevated Manchester United to third place in their group, trailing second-place Galatasary by one point (4 points to 5).
Bayern Munich led the group with 9 points, while Copenhagen remained at the bottom with 1 point.
Harry Maguire & Andre Onana deserve that – silencing their haters 🤫 #UCL#ManUnited
🔺 Harry Maguire—stripped of the captaincy over the summer 🔺 André Onana—fallen under heavy criticism early in his United career pic.twitter.com/iECZLQ98Uc
Andre Onana and Harry Maguire have been subject to brutal and unpleasant criticism from both Manchester United fans and several individuals alike.
Harry Maguire was stripped of his role by manager Erik ten Hag, losing his role to teammate Bruno Fernandes on July 20, 2023, for his lacklustre form and mistakes, and to make matters worse for the forward, the scoring of his own goals, one in 2020 against Everton and the second in 2022 against Tottenham Hotspur.
West Ham United had a bid for him accepted but the 30-year-old opted to remain at Old Trafford, having slipped to fifth-choice central defender behind left-back Luke Shaw.
Harry Maguire & Andre Onana deserve that – silencing their haters 🤫 #UCL#ManUnited
Consequently, he expressed his discontent with playtime at Manchester United. During an interview with SkySports, he said “I’m not going to sit at Manchester United and play once a month”.
Andre Onana, on the other hand, impressed Manchester United and gained their admiration because of his impressive performances for Inter Milan and Ajax, where he worked with Erik ten Hag, the current United manager.
Known for his agility and penalty-saving skills, United made a move for him to replace David Gea, who was on his way out as a free agent in the summer.
Onana with the save
He helped Inter Milan win the Serie A title in 2022 and Ajax reach the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.
However, his performance since joining Manchester United has been nothing but disappointment, subjecting him to several criticisms by fans, pundits, and even his own manager for his lack of confidence and concentration.
However, last night, October 25, 2023, was a night to silence his ‘haters’ and glorify his team.
While Maguire scored United’s winning goal, Andre Onana on the other hand, saved a penalty against Copenhagen in the Champions League, which secured a vital win for United.
Football Insider has reported thatManchester United has shifted its focus away from potential January transfers for young center-backs such as Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, Goncalo Inacio from Sporting CP, and Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice.
Manchester United is actively seeking a young center-back due to injuries impacting Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez, and there’s the possibility of Harry Maguire departing when the transfer window reopens.
Although these three players have been linked with the club, financial constraints at Old Trafford mean that transfer fees for any of them could reach €60 million or more.
Instead, Manchester United is reportedly considering a move for Uruguayan international Sebastian Caceres, who currently plays for Club America.
Erik ten Hag has expressed his lack of information regarding Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s potential investment in Manchester United.
Ratcliffe and his INEOS-backed consortium are planning to acquire a 25% stake, which would grant them a say in football-related decisions.
Ten Hag currently holds veto power over Manchester United’s player recruitment.
However, the Dutchman stated that he has not been informed of any alterations to the club’s organizational structure.
“I’m not involved in this,” Ten Hag told a news conference on Friday.
“Others in the club are dealing with this, I’m focusing on my team, focusing on the current block and the most important priority is the next game, it’s all about that.”
United will resume after the international break with a trip to the Premier League’s bottom side, Sheffield United, on Saturday.
Casemiro will miss out because of an ankle problem but Sergio Reguilón and Raphaël Varane are set to return.
Ten Hag also confirmed that Victor Lindelöf is available after the defender was caught up in the incident that forced the abandonment of Sweden’s Euro 2024 qualifier with Belgium.
The game was called off at halftime after two Sweden fans were fatally shot in Brussels before kickoff.
“It’s a terrible situation and sad for the victims and the relatives, family and friends of the victims there in Brussels,” Ten Hag added.
“It’s a crazy world. Of course, Victor had a problem; it’s a bad experience. As the captain of theSwedish national team, he had to stay in front and give statements but he dealt with it. He’s exhausted from it. He didn’t sleep overnight.
“He returned and yesterday [Thursday] he was back in training. He dealt with the situation. Our thoughts are with Victor, the victims’ relatives and the victims. Victor has energy and is ready to play this game.”
Borussia Dortmund is reportedly considering offering Jadon Sancho an opportunity to depart Manchester United in January, as per a source cited by ESPN’s Rob Dawson.
Despite Dortmund’s public denial of interest in re-signing their former player following his fallout with United manager Erik ten Hag, an insider has indicated that the German side would be open to a January transfer if the financial terms align.
A short-term loan arrangement, extending until the end of the season, seems most likely.
However, Dortmund would require United to contribute a portion of Sancho’s £300,000-per-week salary.
Jadon Sancho, aged 23, is still held in high regard at Dortmund, having spent four years with the Bundesliga club from 2017 to 2021. He maintains a connection with coach Edin Terzic.
United is prepared to entertain offers for Sancho in the upcoming January transfer window, demonstrating the club’s support for Ten Hag’s commitment to squad discipline.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is eagerly awaiting confirmation of his investment in Manchester United ahead of the January transfer window.
However, there are lingering concerns about the available finances to bolster the squad, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Ratcliffe and his INEOS consortium have put forward a £1.35 billion [$1.643 billion] proposal to acquire a 25% stake in the club, which would also grant them control over the sporting aspects of the business.
Insiders have informed ESPN that Ratcliffe is mindful of potential backlash from supporters, as his deal would allow the unpopular Glazer family to retain ownership.
To mitigate this, there’s a belief that a successful January transfer window could help appease the fans.
Nonetheless, there are worries that financial fair play (FFP) regulations may pose challenges for business operations, especially given the absence of plans to wipe out the club’s debt.
Repaying the debt, which was reported to be close to £1 billion in March, could provide a boost to the transfer budget.
However, with approximately £178 million already committed to player acquisitions prior to the new season, there is currently limited flexibility.
United used their entire summer budget to secure Rasmus Højlund, Mason Mount, André Onana, Altay Bayindir, Sergio Reguilón, Sofyan Amrabat, and Jonny Evans.
In fact, the financial constraints were so tight that Bayindir, Reguilón, and Amrabat could only join the club after Dean Henderson’s permanent move to Crystal Palace was finalised.
The upcoming home game against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League on October 24 is expected to be met with supporter protests, as news of Ratcliffe’s proposed minority investment implies that the Glazers will maintain overall control.
Furthermore, there are growing concerns that high-profile home games scheduled for global broadcasting could become the target of disgruntled fans.
A notable incident occurred in May 2021 when an anti-Glazer protest led to the postponement of United’s Premier League fixture against Liverpool due to fans storming the pitch at Old Trafford.
The Manchester derby against rivals and Premier League champions Manchester City, one of the season’s most significant matches, is slated to take place at Old Trafford on October 29.
Rasmus Hojlund has accused San Marino players of attempting to “destroy his career” with a series of reckless tackles during Denmark’s Euro 2024 qualifier.
The Manchester United striker, who managed to score the opening goal just moments before halftime in Denmark’s 2-1 victory over San Marino, found himself the target of some unsportsmanlike tactics.
It appeared that the opposition’s defenders were making deliberate and dangerous lunges, seemingly aimed at causing harm to Hojlund.
The most egregious incident occurred in the 88th minute when Roberto Di Maio launched a knee-first attack on Hojlund from behind with no apparent intention of playing the ball.
This left the striker visibly angered, and he asserted that the San Marino players were actively trying to put an end to his career.
“The last duel had nothing to do with football,” the United frontman told TV2 after the match. “It ended up being laughable in the end. Such a duel must not just turn into a yellow card. It’s a knee in the back—a straight red card, if you ask me.”
“I think it is disrespectful that they hit and tear,” Hojlund responded.
“I can’t say much other than that I think they are the ones who started, and then the game just went on. They took it to the next level because they had nothing to lose. They thought, ‘Well, fine enough, we might as well try to destroy the career’.”
Hojlund quieted the crowd with his opening goal, a move that seemingly irked San Marino’s Alessandro Tosi and Filippo Fabri. However, he maintains that the subsequent reaction against him was unwarranted and unjustifiable.
Denmark skipper Simon Kjaer was also left furious and compared Di Maio’s challenge to one in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, when Colombian defender Zuniga took down Neymar from behind, which forced him to miss the rest of the tournament.
“I said in the end that it is a clear red card against Hojlund because it is 100 percent deliberate, and I think that there has been a situation with Neymar,” he said. “Exactly the same when he gets a knee in the spine, where he actually breaks his back.”
Kjaer even claimed that he overheard San Marino players discussing how to go after Hojlund.
“It’s dangerous, and they are right next to it,” he added. “After all, I told him [the referee] right on the pitch that now they are going after his knees after the situation down there. I also said to the referee, ‘do you want me to translate now?‘ We also have VAR. You can see all the way down from behind that he is doing it 100 percent deliberately.”
Hojlund will now redirect his attention to club football and is set to make his return to action for Manchester United in a Premier League match againstSheffield United scheduled for this coming Saturday.
British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe secures a deal to oversee the sporting side of Manchester United, Erik ten Hag will be assured of his place in the club’s plans according to reports.
Ratcliffe, the founder of INEOS, a chemicals company, is looking to acquire a 25% stake in the club through a £1.3 billion ($1.58 billion) investment.
Ratcliffe aims to have an influence on the football operations but, as per the source, any proposed changes will not involve replacing Erik ten Hag.
The Dutchman led Manchester United to a third-place finish in the Premier League and secured the Carabao Cup in his first season as manager.
Despite a challenging start to the current campaign, with six losses in 11 games in all competitions, INEOS prefers to retain Ten Hag as the manager.
A crucial board meeting for Manchester United is scheduled for Thursday, during which a potential agreement with Ratcliffe and INEOS could be finalised.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is well aware that his bid to purchase a minority stake in Manchester United may not sit well with fans due to the continued ownership of the Glazer family within the club.
However, Ratcliffe harbours hopes that this initial 25% acquisition could pave the way for a potential full takeover down the road. In the interim, the Glazers will retain their majority ownership.
For many fans, there had been high hopes that the Glazers’ 18-year ownership of the club might come to an end when it was first announced in November that the American family was considering selling the club.
However, recent developments revealed that the single offer for 100% control of the club from Sheikh Jassim had been withdrawn. This Qatari businessman withdrew from the process, citing the Glazers’ “fanciful” valuation as a primary reason.
Sheikh Jassim’s final offer fell short of the Glazers’ asking price by about £1 billion, with a total worth of approximately £5 billion.
Should Ratcliffe’s bid be successful, he is expected to unveil ambitious plansfor Manchester United’s future in an effort to ease any supporter unrest.
These plans are likely to encompass proposals for the redevelopment of Old Trafford, potentially increasing the stadium’s capacity from 76,000 to 90,000.
British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe is on the verge of obtaining a significant stake in Manchester United, a move that would grant his INEOS team substantial “sporting influence” at Old Trafford, according to sources informed by ESPN.
An insider familiar with the negotiations informed ESPN that Ratcliffe exhibited a greater degree of strategic acumen in his approach compared to rival bidder Sheikh Jassim, a Qatari billionaire who withdrew his interest in purchasing Manchester United.
His withdrawal followed unsuccessful attempts to secure a complete takeover of the club from the Glazer family, the current American owners.
With Sheikh Jassim no longer in contention to acquire the 20-time English champions, Ratcliffe, the founder of the chemical company INEOS, is now poised to finalise a deal to procure a 25% share from the Glazers, who presently possess a 69% stake in the club.
The remaining shares are held by smaller investors on the New York Stock Exchange.
The remaining shares on the New York Stock Exchange are held by smaller investors.
As part of this arrangement,Ratcliffe, aged 70, is prepared to offer an above-market price in return for gaining control over specific decision-making powers, a privilege typically not associated with a minority investment.
According to an insider, Ratcliffe is willing to pay a sum ranging from £1.3 billion ($1.576 billion) to £1.5 billion ($1.82 billion) for this stake, even though Manchester United’s current market valuation hovers at approximately £2.6 billion.
This impending agreement, expected to be finalised as early as this week, ensures that the Glazers maintain their majority stake in the club.
Harry Maguire has suggested that he could leave Manchester United in January, with the out-of-favour defender not prepared to “play once a month”.
The England international centre-half has slipped down the pecking order at Old Trafford, with the club captaincy being taken off him in the process.
Maguire has taken in just 116 minutes of Premier League football this season, with Erik ten Hag not convinced by what the 30-year-old has to offer.
Maguire saw a transfer speculated on over the summer and admits that he may have to seek a move in the next window. He has said while away on England duty: “I am not going to sit here all my life and play once a month and if it carries on, I am sure myself and the club will sit down and have a chat. I want to play minutes; I want to play football.”
While being overlooked by Ten Hag on a regular basis, Maguire claims his record under the Dutch coach is deserving of more opportunities.
He added: “If you look back on my last 15-20 starts for club and country, I would be happy to sit here and say I’m really happy with my performances. My record under this manager(Ten Hag) speaks for itself. I haven’t started as many games as I would like but my win percentage when I’ve played is ridiculously high.
“Of course, there are times when I could do more and times when I could improve and help the team. I can only do what I’ve been doing when I’ve come into the team—bringing positive performances. But I’m just wanting to help the team; I’m wanting to help the team get out of this position we’re in at the moment.”
In the 2023-24 season, Manchester United’s performance as a team has been erratic, amassing only 12 points from eight games, which positions them in 10th place on the Premier League standings. Furthermore, the Red Devils have encountered consecutive losses in the Champions League, falling to Bayern Munich and Galatasaray.
Manchester United have included Sporting CP center-back Gonçalo Inacio on their shortlist as they continue their quest for a new defender in the January transfer window, as per information from Fabrizio Romano.
United is reportedly planning to dispatch scouts to Portugal to assess the 22-year-old’s abilities. Inacio has recently been linked with Liverpool and Newcastle as well.
The centre of defence has become a top priority for United as the transfer window approaches.
Manager Erik ten Hag has been without Lisandro Martínez for a period, and England international Harry Maguire is yet to completely win over the former Ajax head coach, particularly after a potential transfer to West Ham fell through during the summer.
Inacio is the latest in a series of options being considered by Manchester United.
Reports suggest that they are also exploring potential acquisitions of players like Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice, António Silva from Benfica, and Edmond Tapsoba from Bayer Leverkusen.
Negotiating with Inacio may be a challenge sincehe is under contract until 2027, and Sporting CP has reportedly set a release clause for him at €60 million.
Manchester United players have reportedly expressed their strong displeasure with Erik ten Hag’s treatment of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho.
Ronaldo’s contentious departure from United in November was marked by criticism of Ten Hag, who had sidelined him during the first half of the 2021–22 season.
Ronaldo’s criticism came during an explosive interview with Piers Morgan. Subsequently, he pursued a new challenge outside of Europe by joining the Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
In the same season, United, under Ten Hag, achieved Champions League qualification and secured a League Cup victory.
However, their performance in the 2023–24 season has taken a downturn.
Jadon Sancho found himself excluded from the squad after failing to meet the manager’s training expectations.
In response, the English winger voiced his discontent with Ten Hag on social media.
It has been reported that he will only rejoin the squad upon issuing an apology.
According to former United striker Alan Brazil, who claims to have an inside source at Old Trafford, the dressing room sentiment has turned against Ten Hag. His handling of both of of these star players has been perceived as overly severe by the team.
“This is what I’ve been hearing… from aManchester United player who told someone I know very well,” Brazil said on talkSPORT. “He said the players do not have the manager. They’re not having him at all. By all accounts, they are disgusted by the way he treated Ronaldo, and they say Sancho is a great guy who works his socks off.”
United are reportedly eager to offload Sancho in the winter transfer window, with Ten Hag said to have grown tired of his “disruptive” behaviour.
The 23-year-old has failed to meet expectations since his £72 million ($88 million) transfer to Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2021.
In 55 Premier League appearances, he has managed to score only nine goals. There have been speculations about a possible return to Dortmund, and Juventus is also reportedly considering a move for him.
Following the international break, United is scheduled to resume their season with an away match against Sheffield United in the Premier League on October 21.
Subsequently, Copenhagen is set to visit Old Trafford for a Champions League fixture three days later. However, it appears unlikely that Sancho will be included in either game due to his ongoing standoff with Ten Hag.
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.
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.
Member of Parliament for Assin-North and presidential aspirant for the New Patriotic Party, Kennedy Agyapong, has revealed that he has equitably distributed his assets among his children as a preventive measure against potential disputes when he is no longer alive.
Mr. Agyapong, who has 22 children from 12 different women, disclosed that each of his children has received a house.
During an interview with Bola Ray, the NPP flagbearer aspirant explained that he made this decision to prevent any scenario where one of his heirs might lay claim to all his properties and dominate the others after his passing.
“I have five wives, so long as you have a child with them, you are indebted to them. And every one of them has a home. Every child of my child has a house because if you don’t do that, one day if you die, one woman can collect everything and leave other kids,” he expressed.
When questioned why he didn’t choose to establish trust funds for his children instead, the lawmaker responded:
“I don’t believe in trust funds. I dish out everyone’s properties to them while I am alive. I don’t want them fighting when I am dead. In that case, no one can bully others for theirs.”
Mr. Agyapong also expressed that although he has distributed his properties to his children, there is a highly enviable one that is acquired in his name.
He also talked openly about the relationships amongst his partners.
“They are not friends but one of them is very tolerant; she allows the others to bring over their children. You know, you have to give them that space, you don’t have to disrespect anybody,” he expressed.
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.
David Beckham has shed light on the conversation that led to Sir Alex Ferguson kicking a boot at his head during their time together at Manchester United in 2003.
Just before Beckham’s departure from United to Real Madrid, tabloid photos surfaced showing the England star with a cut above his left eye.
This injury was a result of Ferguson’s anger following United’s 2-0 loss to Arsenal in the FA Cup fifth round. However, Beckham has now revealed that he shared some responsibility for the incident.
“We walked in the changing room and the boss is fuming,” the United legend said in the newly released Netflix documentary titled Beckham. “I can see it in his face. And when you see the boss’s face like this, you don’t want to be anywhere near him. It is a face that no one can do, trust me.
“[He was f’ing and blinding] and I went back at the boss and said ‘no’ and then I swore. I said the f-word. And then I saw him change, and I was like, ‘S***, I really shouldn’t have said that’. I think I said the f-word too many times.” On the photos of a bandaged Beckham that appeared in the press, Ferguson says, “I think that was stage-managed. It wasn’t even worth a stitch.”
Beckham ended up joining Real Madrid a few months later, although in the documentary he claims he never wanted to leave Old Trafford. “It was my home. My relationship with the boss was always special. We had our moments, but I still loved him,” he said.
Ferguson countered that by saying, “The decision was made; it was better he [Beckham] went. He didn’t need to go. He could have stayed if he wanted. I think he knew it was the right time.”
Beckham was among the world’s elite players back then, and now, two decades later, he’s collaborating with another one. The former England captain serves as a co-owner of the MLS team Inter Miami, which happens to be home to Lionel Messi.
Manchester United are urging fans to help them clamp down on social media accounts that leak team news.
The club is monitoring an account on X, formerly known as Twitter, that is leaking injury updates about Erik ten Hag’s side.
According to The Daily Mail, the account has raised suspicion at United and are investigating the source of the leaks and trying to root out potential moles.
The account recently gave injury updates on Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Sergio Reguilon.
United are concerned that the leaks are giving an advantage to the Red Devils’ opponents and helping them prepare for matches. An insider told The Daily Mail: “Preparation for games these days is so thorough that leaked information about team line-ups and injuries can give the opposition an advantage to exploit.
United fans should be hounding out these accounts that routinely leak this kind of information, and questioning what is their motivation for doing it.”
The clampdown comes amid United’s worst start to a league season since 1989-90, with Ten Hag’s side languishing in 10th position in the Premier League after four defeats in their opening seven games.
The winger had been granted a leave of absence by the club on September 10 after facing accusations of violent behaviour from his former girlfriend, Gabriela Cavallin, along with similar allegations from two other Brazilian women.
Antony, vehemently denying all allegations made against him by these three women, had been staying in Brazil but returned to Manchester on Tuesday.
He voluntarily participated in a five-hour interview with the police on Thursday, and he was subsequently released with no restrictions. Additionally, he provided evidence to support his refutation of the allegations.
Notably, the fact that Antony has not been arrested or charged in either Brazil or the UK has played a role in his reintroduction to the squad. However, the club will continue to monitor the situation closely as long as police investigations persist.
A statement from United on Friday read: “Since allegations were first made in June, Antony has cooperated with police inquiries in both Brazil and the UK, and he continues to do so.
“As Antony’s employer, Manchester United has decided that he will resume training at Carrington, and be available for selection, while police inquiries proceed. This will be kept under review pending further developments in the case.
“As a club we condemn acts of violence and abuse. We recognise the importance of safeguarding all those involved in this situation, and acknowledge the impact these allegations have on survivors of abuse.”
Antony is scheduled to participate in training on Friday and may be in contention to play against Crystal Palace in the upcoming Premier League match on Saturday.
Antony, who was signed by Manchester United from Ajax for a hefty £85 million ($104 million), initially faced allegations of violent behavior from Gabriela Cavallin back in June. At that time, Cavallin filed a police complaint against him in Sao Paulo.
The club remained silent regarding the allegations, and Antony continued with pre-season training and participated in Manchester United’s tour of the United States. He even featured in all four of the team’s opening Premier League matches.
However, his situation took a turn when he joined the Brazilian national team for their World Cup qualifiers in September. He was subsequently removed from the squad after Cavallin gave an interview to the Brazilian website UOL, providing further details about the accusations.
She claimed that Antony had headbutted her and pushed her in one instance, resulting in the dislocation of one of her breast implants.
She also alleged that during the summer of 2022 in Brazil, Antony had threatened to eject her from a moving car, and in May 2023, he had thrown a glass at her, causing a cut to her finger.
In addition to Cavallin’s accusations, businesswoman Ingrid Lana claimed that Antony had invited her to England in September 2022 and had physically assaulted her by grabbing her, pushing her against a wall, and attempting to kiss her.
Another woman, Rayssa De Freitas, asserted that she had filed a complaint with Sao Paulo Civil Police in May 2022, three months before Antony’s transfer to United, alleging that she had been attacked by Antony and required hospital treatment following an altercation in a car after a night out in Brazil.
Manchester United is expected toface criticism for reintegrating Antony into the team, especially in light of concerns expressed by several charities when the allegations initially surfaced.
These organizations urged the club to remove the player from the squad.
The club had previously drawn widespread criticism for considering the return of Mason Greenwood to the squad after charges of attempted rape, assault, and coercive and controlling behavior against the striker were dropped.
Greenwood has since embarked on a loan to Getafe and started in their 2-2 draw against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.
Manchester United forward Antony was reportedly quizzed by police for five hours after returning to England to face assault allegations.
The Brazilian international stands accused by his former girlfriend, Gabriela Cavallin of having subjected her to a series of physical attacks and mental abuse.
Antony denies all of the allegations and has voluntarily handed himself over to police forces in South America and the United Kingdom. He returned to Manchester on Monday, having flown in from Sao Paulo.
Antony made contact with Greater Manchester Police, with The Sun reporting that he left his home in Hale Barns at around 4 p.m. on Thursday afternoon.
His current partner, Rosilene Silva, was alongside him, with the 23-year-old seen leaving the police station in question at 9:30 p.m.
Cavallin has accused Antony of assaulting her on a number of occasions throughout their relationship, with the first attacks taking place in June 2022 while she was pregnant.
She claims to have been left with a head wound and a sliced finger, while also releasing screenshots of abuse directed at her by Antony on WhatsApp.
Two other women have made similar allegations against Antony.
He has been granted indefinite leave by Manchester United as the case continues, with the Premier League club giving him time to address matters away from the field.
Former Portugal and Atletico Madrid winger Paulo Futre has disclosed that Joao Felix was offered to Manchester United and Manchester City before he secured a move to Barcelona.
According to Futre, after Joao Felix’s loan stint with Chelsea concluded this summer, the Portuguese star’s services were presented to various clubs.
However, neither Manchester United nor Manchester City expressed interest in signing the forward.
Additionally, Atletico Madrid explored the possibility of a transfer to Aston Villa, but the player himself rejected the move.
Futre, speaking to Cadena Ser, revealed his concerns when Joao Felix expressed his dream of playing for Barcelona, and he questioned Jorge Mendes, Joao’s agent, about it.
Mendes denied responsibility for Joao’s statements but confirmed that he had discussions with Manchester United, a fact that Futre verified through his connections.
https://youtu.be/6hIYoPdiCpo
Subsequently, Mendes also mentioned talks with Manchester City, which Futre independently confirmed had no interest in acquiring Joao Felix.
“What happened between João and Cholo [Diego Simeone] happens every day in football. It’s something normal. What is not normal is that phenomenal coaches knew that João was a genius (…) he entered their game system, but nobody wanted him.
Neither Arteta, nor Guardiola, nor Klopp, any club… My question is, why? The only team that has wanted him has been Aston Villa. Joao said no when there was an agreement between Atleti and Aston Villa at the beginning of July.”
After facing rejections from thePremier League heavyweights, Joao Felix eventually secured a one-year loan deal with Barcelona on transfer deadline day.
This move to the Catalan giants has turned out to be a boon for the young forward, as he has displayed exceptional form at the beginning of the season.
In his four appearances so far, he has netted three goals and provided two assists.
His next opportunity to shine will come on Tuesday when Barcelona takes on Mallorca in a La Liga match.
Bruno Fernandes’ stunning volley gave Manchester United a much-needed victory as they edged past winless Burnley in the Premier League.
United were in desperate search for inspiration following three straight defeats and received it on 45 minutes courtesy of captain Fernandes, who brilliantly volleyed home a first-time finish from Jonny Evans’ lofted pass.
The sublime strike was worthy of winning any game and gave United their third win from six league games this season, leaving Vincent Kompany’s side bottom of the table with only a point so far.
Burnley played some delightful football in periods and Zeki Amdouni gave the visitors a scare with a free header that was pushed away by Andre Onana at full stretch.
The Burnley frontman had an even better chance when he was played through by Aaron Ramsey, but a low shot cannoned off the foot of the post.
Evans thought he had given United the lead when he headed in a corner, but the effort was ruled out by the video assistant referee (VAR) for Rasmus Hojlund’s block on goalkeeper James Trafford.
Burnley went hunting for an equaliser in the second period and Sander Berge narrowly headed over as United held on for victory.
Manchester United had endured a troubling run, conceding three or more goals in consecutive losses to Arsenal, Brighton, and Bayern Munich. It was crucial for them to secure a positive result to revitalise their struggling season.
The game began with Marcus Rashford’s attempt into the side net just 45 seconds in, suggesting a revitalised side.
However, the overall performance from the Red Devils was mostly lacklustre and sluggish.
Burnley gradually gained momentum after Rashford’s early chance, and they will be left wondering about the result if Amdouni had capitalized on his opportunities in the first half.
Goalkeeper Onana, who had been under scrutiny, made a fantastic save to deny a header from the Swiss striker, who also hit the woodwork following an impressive team move.
The hosts were playing attractive football but were undone by a moment of brilliance from Portuguese midfielder Fernandes just before half-time. The captain, who had previously tested Trafford, eluded his marker and connected with Evans’ precise pass, sending an unstoppable volley into the bottom corner.
Fernandes came close to scoring an even more spectacular second goal in injury time, but Trafford managed to keep his hooked effort out.
Defender Evans, who returned to the club during the summer, made his first start for United since March 2015 and managed to head in a goal, but it was disallowed by VAR.
Notably, Burnley’s plight reminded fans of Evans’ time at Leicester, where they finished in the relegation zone last season.
Burnley, on the other hand, aims to avoid a similar fate, having lost all four of their home games this season and only secured their first victory in the ninth match of the 2021-22 campaign, which ultimately ended in relegation to the Championship.
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.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has suggested that Jadon Sancho’s struggles atManchester United are a result of competition from Marcus Rashford, particularly on the left-wing.
The former Manchester United manager believes that Sancho thrives when playing on the left but has had limited opportunities due to Rashford’s impressive goal-scoring performance, with Rashford being the top scorer for United in all competitions last season.
Solskjaer, who signed Sancho from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2021, has also commented on the harsh criticism directed at Harry Maguire, expressing his belief that such criticism is unjust considering Maguire’s dedication and contributions to the club in recent years.
“Yes, I wanted to sign him [Sancho]. Manchester United will never sign a player the manager doesn’t want,” Solskjaer told The Athletic. “That’s not the case everywhere. Jadon was put up as the No 1 target for the right wing by the scouts and when you look at his talent, I could see why.”Unfortunately, it has not worked out.
“When he arrived, he had to go to hospital and that was a setback as he couldn’t start the first games. He’s immensely talented and we haven’t seen the best of him. I hope we do, but he prefers to play left wing… where Marcus plays.”
He then went on to talk about the abuse of Maguire has faced, adding: “It’s a disgrace that he’s getting so much abuse. I feel sorry for him, but he’s a strong lad and I hope it turns for him. He raised our defence big time when he arrived and lifted the mood around the place.”
Maguire and Sancho were acquired for a total transfer fee exceeding £153 million ($189 million). Both of these English internationals have faced challenges during their time at Old Trafford.
Maguire was frequently linked with a potential departure during the summer transfer window, while Sancho was publicly embroiled in a disagreement with the current manager, Erik ten Hag, regarding his training commitment.
Ghanaian defender Tariq Lamptey received the Man of the Match award following Brighton’s impressive 3-1 victory against Manchester United.
Lamptey displayed sensational form for the Seagulls as they travelled to Old Trafford, securing a win as the English Premier League resumed after the international break.
Notably, Lamptey had been omitted from Ghana’s recent matches against the Central African Republic and Liberia due to his recent return from injury. His return to action took place in the game against Newcastle United just before the international break.
Manager Roberto De Zerbi entrusted the talented 22-year-old right-back with a starting role against Manchester United, and Lamptey delivered brilliantly by providing two assists during the 3-1 triumph.
Brighton initiated the scoring in the first half, courtesy of English-born Ghanaian Danny Welbeck, before Lamptey contributed with an assist for the second goal after halftime, which was expertly finished by Pascal Gross.
Lamptey continued to make his mark by setting up Joao Pedro’s goal, securing Brighton’s third as De Zerbi’s team dismantledManchester United in front of their own supporters.’
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.
Last week, Sancho expressed his frustration towardsManchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, after Ten Hag mentioned that he was omitted from the squad for the Arsenal game due to his training performance.
However, according to The Athletic, United had been growing increasingly concerned with Sancho’s issues related to punctuality.
In response, they implemented a schedule that was set one hour ahead of the regular timing, which initially had some success before Sancho reverted to his previous habits.
The report also highlighted Ten Hag’s exasperation with Sancho’s punctuality and what he perceived as a lack of enthusiasm during training sessions.
Additionally, it noted that several of Sancho’s United teammates had also become frustrated with his performance, as he has not lived up to expectations since his £74 million ($92 million) transfer from Borussia Dortmund in 2021.
During the international break, Sancho took a holiday to New York.
However, in a positive sign, he deleted his earlier social media post in which he criticised Ten Hag.
This deletion is seen as an indication of his willingness to mend his relationship with the manager.
Former midfielder Jesse Lingard, who played for Manchester United and West Ham, has posted a mysterious message on social media, leaving his future uncertain.
Lingard shared this enigmatic message on his Instagram stories following his release by Nottingham Forest when his contract expired during the summer.
“Shoutout to the young people out there who are grinding on a dream that no one thinks is possible. The critics are wrong. You’ll make it happen if you never quit,” he wrote on his Instagram stories.
Nottingham Forest suffered relegation during the summer after spending a year in the Premier League.
Jesse Lingard, who signed a one-year contract with Forest, played a pivotal role in their journey to the Carabao Cup semi-finals last season, contributing two goals.
Nevertheless, he, along with five other players, was released during the summer.
The former West Ham United midfielder is currently without a club and is a free agent, training with David Moyes’ team as he continues his search for his next club.
Manchester United have chosen to include Antony in their Premier League squad, despite the serious assault allegations made against him by three women.
Premier League clubs were required to submit their squad selections for the first half of the season by September 13th, with a maximum of 25 senior players allowed to be named.
Despite previously announcing that the Brazilian winger was taking a leave of absence “until further notice” to address the allegations, Antony’s name remains on United’s squad list.
He was dropped from the recent Brazil squad after being accused of physical assault by his ex-girlfriend, Gabriela Cavallin.
Both Greater Manchester Police and authorities in Sao Paolo are now investigating these allegations.
Antony vehemently denied the accusations in an interview with Brazilian TV channel SBT.
However, United, mindful of previous criticism over their handling of Mason Greenwood’s situation, jointly decided with the player that he should take time away while the allegations are being investigated.
Nevertheless, Antony’s name remains on the 25-man squad list for the first half of the Premier League season, with changes not permitted until January.
Mason Greenwood was greeted with a hero’s welcome upon his arrival at his new club, Getafe, following his season-long loan transfer from Manchester United.
Getafe organised a special event to introduce their latest signing to the fans after he completed his move on deadline day.
Greenwood was met with enthusiastic applause from the supporters at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez. He sported a wide smile as he emerged from the tunnel, stepping onto the pitch donning the team’s blue kit.
Chants of the forward’s name resonated from the stands as he was presented on the field, and he even kicked a ball into the crowd, further igniting the excitement among the fans.
AN INCREDIBLE TALENT WHO WILL WEAR THE DORSAL 12 OF @getafecf
Mason Greenwood will don the No. 12 jersey at Getafe, a change from the No. 11 he wore at Manchester United, as he embarks on a season-long loan stint with the Spanish club. Notably, his contract does not include a purchase option.
In a special unveiling ceremony held at the stadium, Greenwood also expressed his gratitude to the supporters.
“I am very happy to be here,” he said. “I have been training for four or five months, I am getting up to speed and have been training with my team-mates and I feel quite good.
“We take it one game at a time and the next home game is coming in a few weeks and we will try to win and do our best.”
As for his playing debut with Getafe, it remains uncertain since he has not participated in competitive matches since his arrest in January 2022.
In October 2022, he faced charges of attempted rape, assault, and controlling and coercive behaviour, but these charges were subsequently dropped in February
The former girlfriend of Antony, Gabriela Cavallin, has alleged that the Man Utd winger became extremely jealous after she liked posts featuring Neymar.
She has made a series of accusations, including claims of physical and emotional abuse by the Brazilian footballer.
Among these allegations is the assertion that Antony sent Gabriela 13 insulting messages within just one minute.
Additionally, he reportedly reacted with anger when she engaged with social media posts from Neymar’s close friend Gil Cebola, which also involved the Brazilian national team player.
Gabriela is pursuing her case through the appropriate authorities, and Brazilian publication UOL has obtained access to photos, screenshots from mobile phones, and the allegations made against Antony.
When it comes to the Neymar saga, it is claimed that Antony said: “What I don’t understand is that everything Gil Cebola posted about Neymar you liked. Even though it’s an old photo. There’s even a commented photo.”
Gabriela has claimed that Antony said in a series of messages that were sent across the space of just one minute: “I never want to see you in front of me again in my life. Ridiculous. Males can’t see. You’re disgusting. You still leave WhatsApp. Who’s there? What girls? Answer. Synic (sic). Destroyer of lives.”
Antony is said to have posted on another occasion: “It was already you and me. I hope you die, f*ck you. You even left WhatsApp, how disgusting are you really?”
Subsequently, it came to light that Antony attempted to contact Gabriela, although she did not respond.
Audio recordings that have now surfaced purportedly capture Antony apologising for his previous instances of erratic conduct and seeking forgiveness.
However, there are allegations that Antony damaged Gabriela’s phone on two distinct occasions, with witnesses providing evidence to corroborate these claims.
Back in June, Antony issued a statement refuting the allegations made against him after a complaint was filed with the police in Sao Paulo.
Brentford, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, and Roma have all reportedly turned down the opportunity to takeMason Greenwood on loan from Manchester United.
Manchester United recently announced, following an extensive internal investigation, that they would be parting ways with the 21-year-old forward during the upcoming summer transfer window.
Greenwood was given the green light to continue his professional career after the charges of attempted rape, controlling behaviour, and assault against him were dropped in February 2023.
He has been inactive in competitive matches since January 2022, but remains under contract with Old Trafford until 2025.
Manchester United have made the decision to part ways with Mason Greenwood, and they encouraged interested clubs to come forward before the latest transfer deadline on September 1.
After reaching out to several European clubs, a season-long loan deal was eventually agreed upon with La Liga side Getafe.
According to reports from The Athletic, Premier League club Brentford declined the opportunity to secure a deal, as did Bundesliga giants Dortmund.
Roma, where former United manager Jose Mourinho was considering a reunion with Greenwood in Italy, were also linked with interest, but both Roma and Serie A rivals AC Milan decided that a deal did not align with their best interests.
Lazio attempted to arrange a loan package but missed the Italian transfer window deadline, resulting in Greenwood heading to Spain.
Manchester United is reportedly covering at least £50,000 of his £75,000-a-week salary, in addition to providing a six-bedroom villa for the one-time England international and a private translator.
The Athletic reports that Getafe’s deal forGreenwood includes a break clause that can be triggered in January if all parties decide that the switch has not worked out as planned.
That is standard practice when it comes to loans, with it yet to be determined when Greenwood will be back in action or how he will fare outside of English football.
Sources within Manchester United have indicated to ESPN that the club is not pursuing a potential deal for Tottenham’s midfielder, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
Despite rumors linking the Danish international to a loan move at Old Trafford, the focus for United is currently centered on acquiring a left-back.
This urgency is driven by the injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
Manchester United’s primary target for the left-back position is believed to be Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella.
Alongside their pursuit of a new full-back, the club is actively working on offloading players such as Donny van de Beek, Eric Bailly, and Scott McTominay.
It’s worth noting that even though Erik ten Hag, United’s manager, has a prior connection with Hojbjerg from their time at Bayern Munich II, approximately a decade ago, the sources have confirmed that Manchester United does not have any intention of pursuing the formerSouthampton player.
Micah Richards has strongly criticised Bruno Fernandes for what he deemed a “pathetic” treatment of his fellowManchester United teammate Facundo Pellistri.
At the commencement of this season, the Portuguese midfielder was entrusted with the captain’s armband by Erik ten Hag, following Harry Maguire’s removal from the role of club captain.
However, the Red Devils have encountered a lackluster beginning to the season with Fernandes at the helm. Despite their 1-0 victory over Wolves, their performance took a hit as they suffered a 2-0 defeat in their subsequent match against Tottenham.
During the match against Tottenham, tensions escalated among the United players, leading skipper Fernandes to admonish the young player Pellistri after a promising attack was abruptly halted.
Manchester City legend Richards hit out at Fernandes on The Rest Is Football podcast for losing his cool and stated: “It’s getting embarrassing now.
The young lad Pellistri comes on, Fernandes is trying to get his team playing, and I totally understand why he’s frustrated. Pellistri made a run; Fernandes didn’t see him, so he made a different run, but because he wasn’t where [Fernandes] wanted him to be, he’s going off at Pellistri.
“It’s every time. I saw an interview with him the other day, and he said he needs to be emotional when he performs because it makes him play better. But I feel like his body language on the pitch is disturbing the rest of the team, and it’s just not a good look at all. It’s pathetic at times.”
Fernandes had previously faced criticism for his demeanour, particularly when the team was facing adversity. Graeme Souness, a Liverpool legend, strongly rebuked the player and labelled his conduct as “unacceptable.”
This assessment stems from Fernandes’ display of frustration on the field during a Premier League fixture last season against Liverpool, where United suffered a resounding 7-0 defeat after initially trailing 3-0.
Fernandes is set to return to action asManchester United prepares to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday in a Premier League match at Old Trafford.
Manchester United are currently in the “final stages” of reaching a conclusion regarding Mason Greenwood’s future, as announced by the club on Wednesday.
An initial announcement from United was anticipated before the commencement of the season, but its timing has been postponed.
After criminal charges against Greenwood were dismissed in February, the club initiated its own inquiry, which has now concluded.
A statement issued by United on Wednesday read: “Following the dropping of all charges against Mason Greenwood in February 2023, Manchester United has conducted a thorough investigation into the allegations made against him.
“This has drawn on extensive evidence and context not in the public domain, and we have heard from numerous people with direct involvement or knowledge of the case.
“Throughout this process, the welfare and perspective of the alleged victim have been central to the club’s inquiries, and we respect her right to lifelong anonymity.
“We also have responsibilities to Mason as an employee, as a young person who has been with the club since the age of seven, and as a new father with a partner.
“The fact-finding phase of our investigation is now complete, and we are in the final stages of making a decision on Mason’s future.”
In January 2022, Greenwood faced an initial arrest on suspicion of rape following the circulation of images and an audio file through social media channels.
As a result, he was placed under suspension from both training and matches by Manchester United. Since a 1-0 victory over West Ham on January 22, 2022, he has not participated in any club matches.
United’s statement continued: “Contrary to media speculation, that decision has not yet been made and is currently the subject of intensive internal deliberation. Responsibility ultimately rests with the Chief Executive Officer.
Once the decision is reached, it will be communicated and comprehensively explained to both the club’s internal and external stakeholders.
This has been a difficult case for everyone associated withManchester United, and we understand the strong opinions it has provoked based on the partial evidence in the public domain.
“We ask for patience as we work through the final stages of this carefully considered process.”
The proposed transfer ofHarry Maguire to West Ham for a £30 million ($38 million) deal has fallen through, and as of now, the English player intends to stay at Old Trafford for the upcoming season, sources have informed ESPN.
Harry Maguire is reportedly committed to remaining with Manchester United this summer, as per insiders.
The anticipated move of Maguire to West Ham, valued at £30 million ($38 million), has not materialised, leaving Maguire set to continue his tenure at Old Trafford this season.
Sources have shared that Manchester United is open to receiving offers for the 30-year-old defender.
However, Manager Erik ten Hag has communicated to Maguire that he still has a place within the squad.
According to ESPN’s sources, the club would have needed to secure a replacement for Maguire, but the timing is deemed too late to initiate a search for a new defender.
During the recent 1-0 victory over Wolves, Maguire was listed on the bench but did not make an appearance.
West Ham had displayed interest in acquiring Maguire, but they are now exploring alternative targets.
Last week, Manchester United reportedly accepted West Ham’s offer of approximately £30 million.
The sources also indicated that the club was willing to contribute a portion of Maguire’s contract to facilitate the transfer.
Maguire currently has two years remaining on his contract with Old Trafford, and a move to the London Stadium would have required him to agree to a reduced salary.
Despite being behind Lisandro Martnez and Raphaël Varane in the team’s hierarchy, Maguire reportedly holds the belief that he will receive opportunities to play for Manchester United in the upcoming season.
In light of reports suggesting that defender Harry Maguire is on the brink of finalising a move to West Ham, manager Erik ten Hag has expressed the view that if Maguire lacks the necessary confidence to compete for his spot, he should consider departing Manchester United.
Ten Hag had earlier removed the captain’s armband from Maguire last month, primarily due to the 30-year-old’s limited involvement in the previous Premier League season, having started only eight matches.
This came as central defensive preferences leaned towards Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, and Victor Lindelof.
Recent information from British media has indicated that West Ham and Maguire have reached an agreement worth £30 million ($38.01 million) for the transfer. Maguire, whom United acquired from Leicester City for a record-breaking £80 million in 2019, originally became the world’s most expensive defender.
“He has to fight for his place, and he has the abilities to be a top-class centre-back,” Ten Hag told reporters. “He is the best for England, and I assume he will be the best for us, but he has to prove it.
“When he is not confident enough to go in and fight, then he has to go. He has to make a decision. But I am happy with him… You need high-level players who are maybe not starting, but that can change.”
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.
