SIR JIM RATCLIFFE could be forced into a dramatic U-turn on Erik ten Hag because of Manchester United fans.
Supporters of the club have made it clear they want the Dutchman – who is subject to an ongoing review – to stay after he led the side to a second trophy in two years, beating Man City to the FA Cup on Saturday.
Meanwhile, United have reportedly held talks with Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Frank – although it is unclear if this took place before or after the cup victory at Wembley.
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McKenna ‘set to sign new Ipswich deal‘
Kieran Mckenna could sensationally be set to stay at Ipswich as he edges closer to a new deal, reports suggest.
According to The Athletic, McKenna will end speculation on his future by committing to a new long-term contract at Ipswich.
The Northern Irishman has led the Tractor Boys to back-to-back promotions.
Consequently, he has become highly coveted by a number of Premier League outfits who are either without a manager or are considering their options.
Ten Hag’s record
Sir Jim Ratcliffe looked more than a little shame-faced when he headed into Manchester United’s dressing room to congratulate his FA Cup winners.
Before Saturday’s victory reports were certain that Ratcliffe and co were going to sach Erik ten Hag.
But after the Pep Guardiola blunder, the Ineo group have been very quiet on the Dutchman’s future.
Ten Hag has won the Red Devils two trophies in two seasons. Most Prem clubs would be delighted to say that they have achieved this too.
Erik ten Hag’s Man Utd record
Here is a look at Erik ten Hag’s record in charge of Manchester United.
Games: 114
Wins: 68
Draws: 15
Losses: 31
Goals scored: 207
Goals conceded: 156
Points per game: 1.92
Honours: EFL Cup x1 (2023), FA Cup x1 (2024)
Guehi chase
Arsenal face serious competition from Man Utd for the signature of Marc Guehi, according to reports.
A report on Team Talk claims the Red Devils have made the Crystal Palace defender a priority signing this summer.
The Gunners have tracked Guehi for two years and could add to their defence in the summer.
Guehi has been picked by Gareth Southgate for England’s Euro 2024 squad.
De Zerbi joins FIVE man shortlist
Ex-Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi has emerged as a potential candidate to succeed Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, according to The Mail.
The report claimed United officials sounded out De Zerbi via intermediaries last week.
The Italian has since been linked with a move to Chelsea, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
With the managerial merry-go-round continuing to spin, Man Utd have also added him to a five-man shortlist in case Ten Hag departs.
Credit: getty Bruno on Ten Hag
Skipper Bruno Fernandes backed his boss who is set to be sacked from Man Utd despite winning the FA Cup 2-1 against local rivals Man City on Saturday.
When quizzed on what Ten Hag had got right tactically, Fernandes told ITV: “Everything. He prepares every game well. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.
“I think you could see it was about being compact and making pressure between the lines.”
Credit: getty Man Utd ‘could be RELEGATED to Conference League’
Manchester United face being relegated to the Europa Conference League despite their FA Cup final triumph, reports suggest.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has bought a 27.7 per cent stake at the Red Devils and made an £88.7m purchase of Ligue 1 side Nice in 2019.
According to L’Equipe, Ineos’ stake has come with a plan to invest a further £245m for infrastructure works which would take their ownership to more than 30 per cent.
And it may cause problems for the Old Trafford outfit under Uefa’s multi-club ownership rules.
Passing this threshold would put Ineos in violation of ownership rules and force one of the teams to be relegated to the Conference League.
Article 5.01 b. of the Uefa regulations states no individual “may simultaneously be involved, either directly or indirectly, in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of more than one club participating in a UEFA club competition.”
They have updated it this season to say a club that is replaced in one competition “may still be admitted to another UEFA club competition (i.e. in descending order: UEFA Europa League or UEFA Conference League) to which the relevant national association has access”.
Frank vs Poch
According to a report by The Telegraph, Manchester United have “held talks” with the representatives of Brentford boss Thomas Frank and newly unemployed Mauricio Pochettino.
Both have been linked to replacing Erik ten Hag at old Trafford if the Dutchman is sacked despite winning the FA Cup on Saturday.
United are going to conduct an end-of-season review this week ahead of making a final decision on the Dutchman’s future.
Ten Hag ‘believes he could still be sacked’
Erik ten Hag “believes he could still be sacked” despite leading the club to FA Cup glory on Saturday, according to ESPN.
United are set to make a season review this week and the Dutchman’s future will not be decided until that has concluded.
Ten Hag has been under immense pressure in recent weeks after the Red Devils had their worst Premier League finish yet but an FA Cup win could lead him to stay at Old Trafford.
Credit: alamy Ten Hag’s future
Manchester United are yet to confirm Erik ten Hag’s future at the club.
Despite winning the FA Cup final on Saturday reports last week confirmed the Dutchman will still head out the exit door.
And at his post-match press conference at Wembley, he said: “if they don’t want me any more then I go anywhere else to win trophies”.
“I am in a project and we are exactly where we want to be,” Ten Hag bristled. “We are on our way to constructing a team for the future.
“I will go with ups and downs. When I took over we were in a mess at United.
“The team is developing, the team is winning and at the end of the day it is about winning trophies and the team also plays to an identity.”
McKenna is still in the running
Kieran McKenna is still in the running to take over from Erik ten Hag.
The Ipswich man is no longer in contention for the Chelsea job, according to The Athletic.
Chelsea look to announce their new manager this week.
With Leicester City’s Enzo Maresca, Brentford’s Thomas Frank and former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi in a three-horse race for the leading role at Stamford Bridge.
Man Utd’s open letter signed off
The letter continued: “We know how much this club means to so many people — in Manchester and around the world. The backing you have given to us, even during times when we fell short of the standards that we set for ourselves, has been unbelievable.
“We understand the sacrifices that you have to make to show this level of support. It does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. We know this season overall has not been good enough and we make no excuses. But we ended it in the best way possible, celebrating a trophy all together.
“We want more days like yesterday. We are excited for the future here. There is so much that we have to achieve together. We will fight to bring Manchester United the success that this special club deserves.”
It then signed off with: “Thank you for your unrivalled support. The 2023/24 Manchester United squad.”
Man Utd’s open letter continued
The emotional letter read: “To every Manchester United fan, we all know that this club is special.
“Yesterday’s game was yet another reminder of that. As we fought to win the FA Cup, the incredible atmosphere you generated inside Wembley helped push us over the line.
“Celebrating all together was beautiful. Fans, staff, players — all united as one. Those memories will live with us forever.
“It was a further reminder that with your support behind us, and the United badge on our chests, we can achieve great things.
“You can be sure that we feel immense pride in representing our football club. This shared passion will drive us forward together, back to where this club belongs.”
Credit: Alamy Man Utd’s open letter to fans
Erik ten Hag and Manchester United’s squad penned an emotional open letter to fans after their FA Cup triumph.
And they admitted that this season was “not good enough” despite talking up the club’s “exciting future”.
Ten Hag, who looked set to be sacked, led his team to a brilliant display to deny Premier League champions Man City a double, double as Utd won 2-1 at Wembley.
They defied all the speculation over the Dutchman’s job to take the lead on half hour when Alejandro Garnacho, 19, pounced on a defensive mix-up between Stefan Ortega and Josko Gvardiol.
United do first piece of business
Manchester United have completed their first sale of the summer.
The Red Devils confirmed the departure of left-back Alvaro Fernandez yesterday.
Benfica have completed the £5million capture of the 21-year-old after triggering the buy option in his loan.
It is understood the deal includes both a buy-back and sell-on clause for United.
Fernandez’s exit comes just hours after United’s FA Cup triumph at Wembley Stadium.
Credit: Reuters Utd legend wants new home
WAYNE Rooney is house-hunting in Britain’s costliest coastal hotspot in the West Country, sources say.
The England and Man United great, 38, and wife Coleen have been eyeing properties in and around the posh Devon resort of Salcombe.
Roo, axed as Birmingham City manager in January, is the new boss of Championship side Plymouth Argyle.
Salcombe, about 25 miles to the east of Plymouth, is a haven for sailors, yachties and surfers and is in the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Homes there average about £1.1million and this month it was named Britain’s most expensive coastal spot.
Mum-of-four Coleen, 38, is said to be keen on having a second family home by the coast — although the family’s Cheshire mansion would remain their principal base as the boys are enrolled in schools there.
Ratcliffe comment
SIR JIM RATCLIFFE looked more than a little shame-faced when he headed into Manchester United’s dressing room to congratulate his FA Cup winners.
A journalist in Wembley’s mixed zone area shouted after him as to whether Erik ten Hag would be in charge of United next week.
There were no smiles or laughs in return — instead, right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford ushered Ratcliffe away from the naughty questioner.
It was reminiscent of Mr Burns and Smithers from The Simpsons.
Because the plan had already been hatched ahead of Saturday’s 2-1 win over Manchester City… and this was all rather awkward.
Read Neil Custis’ view on United’s dilemma in sacking Ten Hag.
Maguire pokes fun at Leeds
HARRY MAGUIRE brutally took aim at Leeds United with a cheeky Instagram post following their play-off final heartbreak.
As if the heartbreak of a fall at the final hurdle wasn’t enough for Leeds fans, they were then trolled online by England star Maguire.
The centre-back posted a sly dig at the Yorkshire club on his Instagram story.
Maguire posted a photo of Southampton fans celebrating their promotion alongside the caption: “Hope everyone is having a fantastic Sunday”.
Being a Man Utd player, Maguire will be well aware of the long-standing rivalry between Leeds and the Red Devils.
Guehi chase
Arsenal face serious competition from Man Utd for the signature of Marc Guehi, according to reports.
A report on Team Talk claims the Red Devils have made the Crystal Palace defender a priority signing this summer.
The Gunners have tracked Guehi for two years and could add to their defence in the summer.
Guehi has been picked by Gareth Southgate for England’s Euro 2024 squad.
Greenwood’s future
Mason Greenwood released a 52-word statement on his future as Getafe fans begged him to stay with a new chant.
Greenwood’s future remains unclear as he enters the final year of his United contract.
But the forward sent a message to fans as he posted a statement on social media.
It read: “Incredibly grateful to the Getafe family and fans for an amazing season.
“Thank you for making me feel welcomed and one of your own. I enjoyed every second, alongside my teammates and club.
“A bitter sweet ending, but it was a pleasure to play for you, I wish you all the best.”
Pep Exit
Erik ten Hag is not the only manager whose future is now up in the air.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola is expected to leave the club when his contract runs out in June 2025.
The club have enjoyed a dominant period under Guardiola – winning six Premier League titles in eight years – but now face huge uncertainty.
Not only because of Pep’s imminent exit but the 115 charges that hang over them.
First bit of business
Alvaro Fernandez has left Manchester United with the club completing their first bit of transfer business for the season.
Fernandez, 21, never made a senior appearance for United having been signed from the Real Madrid academy at 17.
He previously spent time on loan Preston and Granada before moving to Benfica in January – he will join the Portuguese giants on a permanent deal for £5million.
Poch and Frank Talks
Man Utd have reportedly held talks with Thomas Frank and Mauricio Pochettino over the manager’s role.
The Telegraph report does not clarify when the talks were held, however, and it is unclear if this was before or after the FA Cup final – which may have forced Sir Jim Ratcliffe into a rethink over the future of Erik ten Hag.
United also held talks with Kieran McKenna last week – but again, this was before Ten Hag won a second trophy in two seasons.
Squad send open letter
Man Utd players have sent an open letter after the FA Cup win and the end of the season.
It read: “To every Manchester United fan, we all know that this club is special. Yesterday’s game was yet another reminder of that.
“As we fought to win the FA Cup, the incredible atmosphere you generated inside Wembley helped push us over the line. Celebrating all together was beautiful. Fans, staff, players — all united as one.
“those memories will live with us forever. It was a further reminder that with your support behind us, and the United badge on our chests, we can achieve great things.
“You can be sure that we feel immense pride in representing our football club. This shared passion will drive us forward together, back to where this club belongs.
“We know how much this club means to so many people — in Manchester and around the world. The backing you have given to us, even during times when we fell short of the standards that we set for ourselves, has been unbelievable.
“We understand the sacrifices that you have to make to show this level of support. It does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. W
“e know this season overall has not been good enough and we make no excuses. But we ended it in the best way possible, celebrating a trophy all together. We want more days like yesterday.
“We are excited for the future here. There is so much that we have to achieve together.
“We will fight to bring Manchester United the success that this special club deserves. Thank you for your unrivalled support.
“The 2023/24 Manchester United squad.”
‘Amazing’
Veteran defender Jonny Evans also wants Ten Hag to keep his job, revealing: “He’s been amazing for me, I can only thank him for that.
“I have a good relationship with him, I hope he stays.”
Asked how all the players would feel if Ten Hag is axed, Evans, 36, added: “I don’t know. You’ll have to ask everyone that.
“Since I came back in the summer he’s had no problems trusting in me.
“You want that from the manager, to show that belief in you. He did that.”
Fans to save Ten Hag?
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been rattled by fan power as Manchester United delay a public announcement on Erik ten Hag’s future, writes Neil Custis.
New part-owner Ratcliffe had decided to replace the Dutch boss – with Kieran McKenna, Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel, Gareth Southgate, Thomas Frank and Graham Potter all in the frame.
But United supporters’ vociferous support for Ten Hag in the wake of Saturday’s stunning 2-1 FA Cup Final victory over champions Manchester City has left Ratcliffe and his Ineos chiefs in a spin.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
