MANCHESTER UNITED will appoint Eric ten Hag as their new manager, according to reports.
The interview process is said to have come down to a two-horse race between Ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino, with the Ajax boss ultimately winning out.
Amid a mixed season for Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford, Man City legend Shaun Goater has suggested United were tricked by Pep Guardiola’s club into signing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
He said: “It could be a really smart chess move from City, who have already thought a few steps ahead, maybe with one eye on the next summer transfer window.
“And by forcing United’s hand into signing Ronaldo, it’s likely to be one less team who are going to go after a striker this summer.”
Rooney and Ronaldo rift
Cristiano Ronaldo has blasted Wayne Rooney after the Derby boss suggested Man United should flog his former team-mate.
Rooney urged United to get rid of Ronaldo and Paul Pogba ahead of the next season.
Ronaldo caught wind of Rooney’s comments and implied his ex-United comrade was jealous of him.
When Rooney posted a pic of himself on Sky Sports duty on Instagram, Ronaldo quipped: “Two Jealous,” underneath the snap.
Lampard speaks on United game
Everton boss Frank Lampard is looking forward to the Toffees’ next game against Man United.
The Toffees were defeated by Burnley tonight but Lampard insists it will be a different ball game when they face United.
He said: “Manchester United will be a completely different game, with an understanding of the pressure that’s now on it.
“We can’t pretend tonight didn’t happen, we have to be on a good edge against United.
“I don’t need picking up, I’m the one that needs to be picking people up.
“As much as it feels not great tonight, tomorrow you’ve got to focus on Saturday.”
Fab United pick
Man United have reportedly sent scouts to watch Porto midfielder Fabio Vieira.
The Red Devils representatives went to view the attacking midfielder in Porto’s 3-1 victory over Santa Clara recently, according to Record.
And they chose the right time to check Vieira out as he scored twice and won the man of the match prize.
Still Fergie time
Sir Alex Ferguson is netting the equivalent of £235,000 a week — nine years after retiring as Manchester United boss.
Investments, book deals and public appearances, along with £2million for 20 days a year working as a club ambassador, mean the 80-year-old’s income is still on a Premier League level.
Sir Alex — known for United’s “Fergie Time” victories at the end of 90 minutes — has seen the value of his personal companies rise to £40million, as he raked in £12.2million last year alone.
Latest figures for ACF Sports Promotions, the company the Glasgow-born son of a shipbuilder uses for his commercial pay, show his assets rose from £17.5million to £26million in 2021.
In total, he has £39.2million assets in firms registered at Companies House, up from £27million the year before.
Assets in three other companies rose by £3.7million to £13.2million.
Rangnick promotes youngster
Ralf Rangnick has reportedly promoted teenager Alejandro Garnacho into first-team training.
The 17-year-old has been bumped up to train with the big boys ahead of United’s match against Everton this weekend.
It could be one of Rangnick’s last defining acts as Man United boss with Ten Hag set to replace the German this summer.
A closer look at Rene Meulensteen
Rene Meulensteen has been touted as Erik Ten Hag’s potential assistant manager when the Dutchman takes over at Man United in the summer.
The 58-year-old was United’s first team coach from 2007 to 2013.
Since leaving United in 2013, he has travelled around the world in a variety of different roles.
He worked at Anzhi Makhachkala in Dagestan, before briefly taking charge as Fulham manager.
Meulensteen was then appointed as a consultant by the Philadelphia Union in MLS, before a six-month stint as Maccabi Haifa head coach in Israel.
He then spent a season in charge of India’s Kerala Blasters, ahead of taking on his current role as Australia national team assistant manager in 2018.
Ronaldo to Inter Miami?
Man United ‘would gladly sell Cristiano Ronaldo’ this summer, reports claim.
And David Beckham’s Inter Miami are reportedly keen on a shock transfer.
Stefano Benzi told CMIT TV that United’s owners, the Glazers, are concerned they’re not getting bang for their buck from Ronnie.
The Glazers would reportedly be only too happy to part ways with top earner Ronaldo, giving them more dosh to invest in other areas of United’s squad.
And one potential destination that’s becoming increasingly likely is Inter Miami.
Ajax’s Ten Hag compensation
Man United will have to hand Ajax a £2million lump sum in compensation to bring in Ten Hag.
According to the Daily Mail, Ajax are in line to receive £1.6m from United for Ten Hag.
But the eye-watering sum will likely be stretched to over £2m to cover the cost of Ten Hag’s backroom staff that will follow him to Old Trafford, the report also states.
Carragher on Ten Hag appointment
Jamie Carragher has given Man United’s ‘brave’ decision to appoint Erik Ten Hag as their new manager a thumbs up.
Speaking to CBS after the news broke, Carragher said: “Yeah I think it’s a good decision, I think it’s a brave decision.
“The easy choice would have been Pochettino because he’s been in the Premier League before, so they’ve gone for a manager who’s not been in the Premier League.
“They’ve always gone with the established name if you like in terms of Jose Mourinho, Louis van Gaal. They went with Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer], who was the easy choice.”
Ten Hag’s transfer list
Erik Ten Hag has been handed a list of transfer targets by Man United’s recruitment team ahead of his summer switch to the club.
According to The Mirror, United’s scouting department have been putting together a shortlist of stars they believe will thrive at Old Trafford.
And now, they want Ten Hag to recruit the identified transfer targets when he takes the reins at Old Trafford in the summer.
However, the Dutchman will have the final say on any new players and also be allowed to bring in his own set of stars, the report also states.
Ten Hag’s new assistant manager
Ten Hag will reportedly be accompanied by former Man United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen to the club.
Meulensteen was United’s first-team coach under Sir Alex Ferguson from 2007 to 2013.
And now he’s set to return to the club as Ten Hag’s assistant manager, according to ESPN.
Ten Hag’s charisma fears
Ten Hag failed to impress Man United’s board when he was interviewed by them for the manager role, according to reports.
That’s according to The Independent who claim the Dutchman’s lack of charisma left United’s chief’s to doubt whether he was the right man for the job.
But in the end it didn’t matter as the Red Devils board picked the Ajax boss to take the reins at Old Trafford ahead of several other big names.
Ten Hag’s frank assessment
Erik Ten Hag has told Man United’s board that he needs five years to turn things around at the club.
That’s according to The Independent who claim Ten Hag told the club the first thing that he will fix is the squad’s physical conditioning.
Ten Hag fears that the current United squad isn’t fit enough to win the Champions League and he’s going to need some time to change that, The Independent reported.
Man United’s shortlist
There were quite a few names linked with the Man United job.
Spain boss Luis Enrique and Sevilla’s Julen Lopetegui were also on United’s shortlist.
But it’s Ten Hag who will be tasked with rescuing United – almost a decade after Sir Alex Ferguson’s exit and the club’s last title win.
Ten Hag cost
Man United will have to pay Ajax a huge compensation fee to bring in Ten Hag.
According to Sky Sports, United have been gathering information as to what compensation figure Ajax would be seeking to part ways with Ten Hag.
They state that sources close to Ajax and Ten Hag have suggested that dialogue has taken place over the financial element of a potential move to Old Trafford.
And now that the Dutchman has reportedly been picked as Rangnick’s successor, United will need to cough up his compensation fee to appease Ajax.
Ten Hag pips Poch
Erik Ten Hag narrowly edged Mauricio Pochettino to the Man United job.
PSG boss Poch was the favourite for the Red Devils’ role before his side were knocked out of the Champions League.
But he was overtaken in the running in recent weeks by Ten Hag who’s now be confirmed as United’s new boss, according to reports.
And ESPN claim that some people at Man United still wanted Poch.
But the club’s football director John Murtough, technical director Darren Fletcher, chief executive Richard Arnold, and joint-chairman Joel Glazer all agreed that Ten Hag was the best man for the job.
Ten Hag to be named United’s new boss
Man United are set to unveil Erik Ten Hag as the club’s next manager, according to reports.
The Ajax boss has been heavily linked with the United job over the past few months.
And now, sources in England and Holland claim that the Dutch tactician will be officially named to replace Ralf Rangnick at Old Trafford this summer, ESPN reported.
Simeone on Man United
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has highlighted the main differences between Man United and their rivals Man City.
Simeone said: “United had different characteristics than City. They are more direct, and quicker.
“City are more positional, and in all areas, they manage things well. We have to increase and be better at the good things we did (against United).
“What I like most from teams like City is the effort they have to win the ball back and continue to play attacking.
“They are lovely to watch. They continue evolving because they have great players, but what wakes me up, the important things are Sterling, De Bruyne.
“They’re always active, and never leave a ball lost. All managers want that.”
Romeo shines like Becks
Romeo Beckham laid on THREE assists as he helped Inter Miami’s B team to a 3-3 draw with Philadelphia Union II last night.
Playing for Fort Lauderdale CF, Romeo assisted three goals in the last 20 minutes to help his side nick a useful point.
With his side 2-0 down, he set up Benjamin Cremaschi in the 74th minute, before laying on Shanyder Borgelin’s equaliser in the 81st.
Boubacar Diallo appeared to have won it for Philly in the 88th minute, only for Romeo and Co to produce some late drama.
Golden Balls Jr produced a brilliant cross for Borgelin to turn home deep into stoppage time, grabbing his side a point in the process.
Neville’s son Harvey also featured, playing the full 90 minutes alongside Romeo.
Ronaldo rallies back against critics
Cristiano Ronaldo insists he is ‘so happy and motivated’ at Manchester United as he rallied against his critics.
The former Real Madrid hero said: “I feel so happy and motivated for the rest of the season.
“I will do my best, like all the time – so thank you to them (who voted for me) and see you soon at Old Trafford.”
And on social media the five-time Ballon d’Or claimed he was still far hungrier for team success than personal honours.
He wrote: “Individual achievements are always welcome, but they are worth so much more when they are connected to collective wins.
“There are still many things to fight for until the end of the season and we can never quit on achieving the goals that remain possible and within our reach.
“Let us go for more! Let us fight until our last breath! Let’s go, Devils!”
Mike Dean’s Wenger fear
Mike Dean insists Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson is NOT the ‘scariest Premier League manager ever’.
Instead, the iconic referee insists that award should go to Arsenal favourite Arsene Wenger.
Dean told BBC Sport: “[Scariest manager?] It has to be Arsene when he was at Arsenal.
“I always found it tough, not refereeing Arsenal in general but refereeing Arsenal when he was the manager.
“It was just his presence, he wanted the best for Arsenal all the time, and if he could find any way of getting one over you, he would do.
“Since he has finished football, I have seen him and he has been great. Cross the white line and everyone is different, like referees. We are normal people.”
Trevor Sinclair on Man United
Man United have to undergo a complete squad overhaul before bringing in a new manager.
That’s the opinion of Trevor Sinclair who reckons Jadon Sancho, Paul Pogba, Raphael Varane, and Cristiano Ronaldo all need to go in order for United’s next manager to be successful.
Sinclair told talkSPORT: “It doesn’t matter what manager comes in to Manchester United next if they don’t get their eggs in a row properly and put the people in place that they need to.
“Director of football, philosophy, recruitment, manager, and in that order. [Otherwise] they’re just going to end up with a mismatch of players.
“You look through the side – you’ve got [Paul] Pogba who’s ready to go. Sancho’s come in as a winger – can’t beat a player, not quick enough.
“You’ve got Varane, for me the jury’s still out on him. You’ve got Ronaldo, can’t press, so why are you bringing him into the football club in the first place?”
Mbappe to Man United?
Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit has urged Man United to enter the race to sign Kylian Mbappe.
Petit said: “Maybe there is a club in England. People are talking about Manchester City and Liverpool, but why not Manchester United.
“I know Kylian is very linked to his town, the fans, family and friends – so it’s a huge decision for him.”
A Klaass act
Daavy Klaassen has aimed an incredible insult at Manchester United by questioning why Erik ten Hag would join a club that’s ‘been doing badly for years’.
Klaassen told Voetball Primeur: “He [Ten Hag] has been doing well with us for years.
“Manchester United has been doing badly for years.
“He can also stay. I hope so.”
Chelsea lead Tchouameni transfer hunt
Chelsea are currently leading the transfer race to sign Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, according to reports.
The 22-year-old joined Monaco in 2020 and has since been deemed as one of the most promising stars in French football.
He has made 43 appearances across all competitions this season, scoring three goals and assisting two.
And now he is wanted by some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Manchester United, PSG and Real Madrid have all been linked with the star, but according to Spanish outlet Sport as per SportWitness, Chelsea are currently leading the race for his signature.
The Blues have reportedly been tracking the Frenchman for months and are eager to try and put a deal in place.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
