ERIK TEN HAG is reportedly interested in signing Tottenham winger Steven Bergwijn when he takes over at Manchester United.
The Dutchman, 52, is on the verge of putting pen to paper at Old Trafford and he is hoping to completely transform the squad.
Manchester United fans also managed to storm the training ground, hold banners and light flares in protest at the ownership of the controversial Glazer family.
But the Red Devils squad could have looked very different this season, as reports suggest United had a contract offer prepared for Kylian Mbappe before he declared his intention to join Real Madrid.
It is also claimed that PSG had agreed a deal to sign Marcus Rashford in the event that Mbappe agreed a switch to Spain last summer.
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More from Tadic
Ajax star Dusan Tadic added that Manchester United incoming manager Erik ten Hag is “tactically” the best.
Ten Hag is the absolute favourite to take over at the United helm.
Ajax star Dusan Tadic added: “Tactically, Erik ten Hag is the best.
“You will know what to do when you are on the pitch all the time”
Tadic on Ten Hag
Ajax star Dusan Tadic reckons Manchester United are getting one of the best coaches on the planet in Erik ten Hag.
Tadic said: “No doubt Ten Hag is one of the best coaches in the world.
“He’s not just showing that this season, he’s shown it for years.
“He is tactically two steps ahead of every opponent.
“He knows exactly what every game needs in order to win. He is amazing really”
Credit: GETTY IMAGES Man Utd list
Manchester United reportedly picked Ajax manager Erik ten Hag from an EIGHT-MAN shortlist but avoided Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino out of fear Real Madrid would pinch him.
That is according to ESPN, who report that United were also keen on Leicester’s Brendan Rodgers.
Spain boss Luis Enrique and Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui were also on the shortlist.
Other candidates included Bayern Munich’s Julian Nagelsmann, Chelsea’s Thomas Tuchel and former Real Madrid tactician Zinedine Zidane
Erik ten Nag
Ajax boss Erik ten Hag stunned Manchester United into giving him the manager’s job following a brutal assessment of the club.
United technical director Darren Fletcher and football director John Murtough flew to Amsterdam last month to interview Ten Hag.
Only now can SunSport reveal the incredible detail of that meeting as the straight-talking Dutchman gave the Red Devils chiefs a no-holds-barred dressing down.
Both Fletcher and Murtough flew back to Manchester in complete shock after Ten Hag laid bare exactly what he feels is wrong with the team.
One high-placed Old Trafford source said: “It was like United were being interviewed by Ten Hag rather than the other way round.”
Ten Hag is said to have “ripped the United set-up apart” criticising mainly the club’s scouting and recruitment policy
The latest Nuz
Benfica star Darwin Nunez has been linked with a move to Manchester United this summer.
However, the striker insists he doesn’t know what the future holds for him.
Nunez recently said: “I really don’t know what’s gonna happen.
“But I’m not gonna speak about my future before the end of the season.
Matic to leave
Manchester United ace Nemanja Matic has announced he will leave the club at the end of the season.
Matic posted on Instagram: “After a great deal of thought, I have decided that this season will be my last with Manchester United. I have informed the board, the manager and the players of my decision.
“It has been a huge honour and a privilege to play for this great club. A big thank you to the fans for their unwavering support.
“I will now give everything until the end of the season to help my team-mates finish as strongly as possible”
Max Aarons interest
Manchester United are keeping tabs on Norwich ace Max Aarons, writes SunSport‘s PHIL CADDEN.
Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are also monitoring Aarons.
The full-back has two years left on his deal with the Premier League strugglers.
But with the 22-year-old’s side facing an uphill fight to remain in the top flight, this could be the time for them to cash in.
Barcelona and Roma have also previously been interested in the England Under-21 international, valued in the region of £20million.
United are assessing their right-back options after Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s patchy form, while Aarons also fits the Gunners’ new blueprint of signing young English stars
More from Chadwick
Chadwick added: “The manager will be the main man, of course, and he’ll be judged on results.
“But hopefully he’ll be able to bring his own environment and culture to the club and help improve these failing players.
“McClaren makes sense as someone who could be a good link between the manager and the players”
Credit: GETTY IMAGES Bring back Mac
Incoming Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag should bring Steve McClaren back with him, according to former player Luke Chadwick.
Chadwick told Caught Offside: “Steve was at Manchester United when I was there, and he was a fantastic coach,
“He was at the club for one of the most successful periods, he knows the club well and worked under Sir Alex Ferguson for that Treble-winning season.
“He’s a guy with great experience, he’s worked abroad as well with Ten Hag at Twente, and he was at United in a really successful time, so he’s someone who could be ideal to support the new manager”
In for the Kyl
Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe and Manchester United ace Marcus Rashford came close to a sensational transfer swap last summer before the former snubbed the deal.
While Rashford had agreed terms with PSG for a move, United ultimately pulled out of the deal.
That was when Mbappe revealed his intention to join Real Madrid instead.
According to Fabrice Hawkins, the Red Devils even had a contract proposal for the France international ready on the table
Top quality Wijn
Tottenham ace Steven Bergwijn is reportedly incoming Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag’s top target.
Ten Hag tried to sign Bergwijn for his current team Ajax back in January but he ended up staying at Spurs.
And according to the Mail, the 24-year-old is still a name the Dutchman remains interested in as he is closing in on a move to United.
But the Red Devils have found Tottenham notoriously difficult to deal with over the years, ever since they signed Dimitar Berbatov back in 2008
Carrington protests reminder
A group of Manchester United fans gathered outside the club’s Carrington training base to protest against the Glazer family’s ownership.
Supporters converged and let off red flags while holding up banners calling for the controversial chiefs to leave United.
Further demonstrations are also being planned for Saturday’s match against Norwich.
A United supporter group called ‘The 1958’ are rallying fans to make their feelings heard during the weekend.
Following a march, they plan to stand outside the stadium for the first 17 minutes of the clash with the Canaries – to mark the number of years the Glazers have owned the Red Devils
Credit: Eamonn and James Clarke Cavani is Nunez’s “idol”
Darwin Nunez has sparked hopes he could move to Manchester United after calling Edinson Cavani his “idol”.
Fabrizio Romano quoted Nunez as saying: “I really don’t know what’s gonna happen.
“But I’m not gonna speak about my future before the end of the season,” before making his comment on Cavani.
Ironically, he could replace his countryman Cavani at Old Trafford.
The veteran is expected to leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the year, so a new striker is needed especially with their struggles up front this season.
Henderson caught up in Carrington protests
Manchester United goalkeeper was caught up in the fan protest that was held outside Carrington this afternoon.
The protest was peaceful but a few supporters did express their frustration to substitute goalkeeper Henderson.
He was stuck in his car in a queue of traffic stopped temporarily by security as police tried to clear the protest.
Further protests are also expected before and during tomorrow’s Premier League clash against Norwich.
Seven games to go
Manchester United are currently six points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham, with seven games left to play this season.
Here’s a look at the run-in for Ralf Rangick’s side.
Can the Red Devils make up six points in just seven games?
Defeat to Everton last week following dropped points at home to Leicester has certainly made it a mammoth task.
- Norwich (h)
- Liverpool (a)
- Arsenal (a)
- Brentford (h)
- Brighton (a)
- Chelsea (h)
- Crystal Palace (a)
Man Utd likely XI vs Norwich
With Luke Shaw, Fred, Scott McTominay, Edinson Cavani and Raphael Varane all ruled out with injury, here’s how Manchester United could start tomorrow’s clash with Norwich.
Martial set for United return
Manchester United outcast Anthony Martial has revealed he plans to return to Old Trafford in the summer.
Currently on loan at Sevilla, the club are not thought to want to keep the Frenchman beyond the summer.
And Martial told ABC Sevilla: “I see it very complicated to be able to continue at Sevilla. I’m not worried about that right now. I
“I came knowing that it would be six months and then I would surely have to return to Manchester United.
“I’m very happy with the experience of playing in a new club, as big as Sevilla and having minutes again.
“If we manage to be a top four team, we will have achieved the goal and I will be happy for the fans, who have been very good to me since I arrived.”
Credit: Alamy Rangnick provides Varane update
Interim boss Ralf Rangick expects Raphael Varane to be back in action against either Liverpool or Arsenal.
The defender missed last week’s defeat against Everton after picking up yet another knock, and is also sidelined for tomorrow’s clash with Norwich.
But Rangick is hopeful he will be back for either the mouthwatering clash against Liverpool on Tuesday, or the trip to Arsenal a week tomorrow.
He said: “I think probably with Raphael Varane he’s the one who can hopefully can back for at least one of the next two games against Liverpool or Arsenal.
“With the others, I don’t see them coming back within the next couple of days.”
Enzo Fernandez impresses Utd scouts
Erik ten Hag has been tipped to sign River Plate midfielder Enzo Fernandez after Manchester United scouts watched him in action.
Argentinian outlet Ole claim Red Devils representatives were left impressed by the 21-year-old after he scored in a 2-0 win over Fortaleza on Wednesday evening.
And Ten Hag is claimed to have been given the green light to make a move for Fernandez when he inevitably joins up with the club.
He is under contract at River Plate until 2025, but has a release clause of just £16million, that rises to £20m in the latter stages of the upcoming transfer window.
Reports suggest initial discussions have been held between United and Fernandez’s representatives, with no official offer as of yet.
The club may have to move fast though, with Real Madrid also claimed to have held discussions regarding a move, and Manchester City also interested in his signature.
Credit: AFP Tadic hoping Ten Hag stays
Ajax captain Dusan Tadic has lauded Erik ten Hag, and revealed his desire for the Dutchman to stay at the club.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Dutch Cup final Tadic said: “I hope he stays, he is a great trainer. One of the best in the world.”
Tadic did concede Ten Hag would “fit well” in the Premier League.
The former Southampton man also added: “He is so well informed about our opponents and always knows exactly what a game requires.
“Tactically he thinks two steps ahead of the opponent. You will know what to do when you are on the pitch.
“It is a pleasure to work with him. It is logical that there is interest for the trainer and players of Ajax. That will always be the case.”
Carrington Glazer protest pictured
Here’s a look at the scenes from outside Carrington this afternoon, as a small number of Manchester United fans made their feelings on club owners the Glazers known.
Credit: Eamonn and James Clarke Credit: Eamonn and James Clarke Credit: Twitter @Gerry_Deakin
Shaw set for spell on sidelines
Luke Shaw is likely to miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on his leg.
The left-back has had metal bolts removed that were initially put there following his horror leg-break back in 2015.
Shaw was subbed off against Leicester after feeling pain in his leg, and also missed last week’s match against Everton.
And Rangick admitted it will be “difficult” for Shaw to play again this campaign.
He said: “As it seems, he will be out for another at least four weeks, if not five weeks, so I think for him it will be difficult to be available for one of the remaining seven games.”
Five out injured for Norwich
Manchester United will be without FIVE players for Saturday’s clash against Norwich at Old Trafford.
Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane, Scott McTominay and Edinson Cavani remain sidelined after all missing last week’s match against Everton.
And now midfielder Fred has also been added to the list after he limped off against Goodison Park.
Ralf Rangick also revealed Shaw could now be out for the season after undergoing surgery on his leg.
Rangnick “understands” fan anger
Ralf Rangick says he sympathises with protesters after the Carrington Training Ground was stormed, writes NEIL CUSTIS.
Around 30 disgruntled fans marched past a security barrier and got to the main gates of the facility.
They are unhappy at the Glazer’s ownership of the club and recent results.
Rangnick said: “We all know football is a game of passion and emotions, we can all understand, I can understand our supporters are disappointed with our standing in the table and the performance we showed at Everton, at least after we conceded that first goal.
“But I still believe our supporters are one of the best if not the best in England and as long as they do that protest in a peaceful way and support the team in the stadium, they have a right to express their opinion… I can understand they are disappointed.”
Rangnick speaks on Ten Hag
Unsurprisingly, Erik Ten Hag was on the agenda during Ralf Rangick’s pre-Norwich press conference.
But the United interim boss remained coy on the latest news regarding the Dutchman verbally agreeing to join the club.
Rangnick said: “I don’t know if it’s a done deal. My reply is the same as Erik Ten Hag’s was. My focus is on the game tomorrow.”
He added: “We all know he is a good manager, that he has done a good job at Ajax and also at former clubs, but right now it doesn’t make sense to tell you what I think about any other coach.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
