SIR JIM RATCLIFFE could be forced to make a dramatic U-turn on sacking Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.
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.
And Anthony Martial has confirmed that he will be leaving United once his contract expires.
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Hojlund on Prem debut
Rasmus Hojlund has spoken about his debut season in the Premier League.
The Manchester United star came under a lot of scrutiny in the first half of the campaign, but managed to finish the season with 10 goals and two assists in the league.
Speaking to Danish outlet Tipsbladet, he said: “It took me some time to get started in the Premier League, but I think I have come on really well since then. I feel I have found my rhythm.
“It was frustrating leading up to my first goal in the Premier League because I felt there was a lot of focus on it and more energy could have been spent on the fact that I was top scorer in the Champions League [at the time].
“But, of course, I agree it is not very impressive to go 14 Premier League games without scoring your first goal, but I felt I had some bad luck in the league games. Fortunately, it got better.
“When I scored against Aston Villa, I felt like the curse had been lifted a bit. It was a good day because I scored my first goal and we beat a really good team.”
Sutton slams Antony
Chris Sutton has taken aim at Manchester United flop Antony, labelling the £86m winger as a “show pony”.
Antony managed just one goal and one assist in the Premier League this season.
For the outlay on him, in terms of goals and assists they just simply haven’t been there.
He is a show pony.
That’s what he is and I think he’s let Erik ten Hag down.
Chris Sutton
Palace ‘resigned’ to Guehi sale
Crystal Palace are reportedly “resigned” to selling Marc Guehi this summer.
The England centre-back has long been on the transfer list for a number of top clubs and could finally get his move in the coming months.
The Mirror have reported that Palace are ready to let the defender leave with clubs such as Manchester United and Arsenal linked.
It’s also claimed that the Eagles value their star at “around £50m”.
Credit: Getty
Atletico eye Greenwood swap
Atletico Madrid are reportedly considering a shock swap deal to sign Mason Greenwood from Manchester United.
According to the Daily Star, Atletico are willing to swap Joao Felix for Greenwood.
Felix has spent the season on loan at Barcelona.
Atletico have struggled to get the best out of the attacking midfielder since splashing over £110m on him in 2019.
Greenwood has be on loan with Getafe this season, where he won the club’s Player of the Season award this week.
Neville on Ten Hag future
Gary Neville has backed Erik ten Hag to stay on as Manchester United manager after winning the FA Cup.
Despite much speculation around the Dutch gaffer’s future, Neville thinks he has bought himself some more time after securing glory under the Wembley arch.
I think he’s earned the right to go on. It’s not exactly a ringing endorsement but the first consideration when removing a manager is you have the right and better replacement.
Simply there is no outstanding candidate to replace him that would make an immediate and massive upgrade.
If you have the opportunity to appoint someone like Jurgen Klopp, as Liverpool did in 2015, or Pep Guardiola, as City did in 2016, then it makes sense to change.
But there’s no-one out there who will suddenly take this United squad on to another level.
They might do somewhat better but even with Guardiola in charge, this United team wouldn’t win the Premier League.
Gary Neville
Adarabioyo battle
Manchester United continue to face competition for the signing of free agent Tosin Adarabioyo.
The defender, who is out of contract after a spell with Fulham, has been linked with both Newcastle and Man Utd.
And according to Sky Sports, Chelsea have now made an offer to the defender’s camp.
Credit: Getty Lis miss
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta turned down the opportunity to sign Lisandro Martinez from Ajax for a fraction of the price Man Utd paid for the centre-back.
Martinez arrived at Old Trafford in 2022 in a £48.5m deal, and Arteta had been offered the star for tiny fee just 12 months earlier.
Arsenal’s loss has been the gain of the Red Devils as Martinez finally looks to have settled into the demands of the Premier League.
Although Gunners haven’t been missing the Argentine with Arteta’s side boasting the best defence in the Premier League last season.
United confident of double swoop
TalkSPORT have reported that Manchester United are “confident” they can sign both Michael Olise and Jarrad Branthwaite this summer.
They claim that the pair would cost a combined fee of around £100m.
Crystal Palace are said to be holding out for at least £60m for Olise, while Everton are reportedly willing to sell Branthwaite for £40m.
Other reports have suggested that the Toffees value Branthwaite higher, but it’s claimed that Everton’s financial situation could force them into sanctioning a cut-price deal.
Seven stars U25
With Manchester United shifting their transfer policy and aiming to sign stars under the age off 25, SunSport have taken a look at seven stars that the Red Devils could sign this summer.
- Michael Olise
- Jarrad Branthwaite
- Marc Guehi
- Jeremie Frimpong
- Joao Neves
- Benjamin Sesko
- Joshua Zirkzee
Ratcliffe’s plans
Manchester United are shaking up their transfer approach this summer under the ownership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The Ineos chief has implemented five new rules when it comes to signings.
Sell to buy
Manchester United will need to bolster their transfer budget with player sales this summer, according to Sky Sports.
It’s claimed that the Red Devils are keen on signing Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite – who is valued between £60m and £70m.
PSR may help United sign the England defender with suggestion that Everton need to sell one of their main assets before the end of June to stay in line with the financial regulations.
Credit: Getty Rooney’s dream job
Wayne Rooney has said it is his dream to manage Manchester United in the future.
The Red Devils legend has just landed the Plymouth Argyle job after a short break following his terrible 15-game spell as Birmingham City boss.
And the 38-year-old is hoping he can re-track his managerial career as he aims to one day be in the dugout at Old Trafford.
When asked about his dream job by Gary Neville on The Overlap, brought to you by Sky Bet, he said: “My dream is clear. I’ve always said I’d love to manage Everton or Manchester United one day. I’d probably say United.”
Klopp’s Sancho dig
Jurgen Klopp seemed to take aim at Manchester United’s treatment of Jadon Sancho during his farewell Q&A in Liverpool last night.
The outgoing Reds boss seemed to take a dig at United for sending Sancho out on loan after splashing nearly £80m on the player back in 2021.
He said: “If the whole world loses trust and faith in the player, the manager has to be the one behind the player.
“I cannot just buy into that ‘he’s useless’, like other clubs did by the way – buying a player for £80million and then sending him out on loan!”.
Onana ‘untouchable’
Andre Onana is reportedly considered ‘untouchable’ this summer.
The goalkeeper, who arrived at Man Utd for £47m last year, had an up and down first season at Old Trafford.
But the club are keen to keep hold of him going forward and, according to the Manchester Evening News, have decided they will not entertain any bids for the 28-year-old.
PSR rules mean a lot of United’s players are available for transfer this summer.
But Onana joins an exclusive club of ‘untouchables’ including Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Hojlund.
United staff offered exit incentive
Manchester United employees have been offered an early bonus if they resign by next week, according to the Athletic.
The offer is said to be part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s plans to get all employees into the club’s offices and trim down the workforce.
Since Ineos’ takeover the club have announced it will be compulsory for all staff to work in the London or Manchester office by June 1.
And staff were reportedly informed that those who do not wish to return to the office can QUIT and claim their usual annual bonus early for this season instead.
United confident of European spot
Manchester United are reportedly confident that Uefa will not expel them from the Europa League.
There has been concern that the Red Devils will be thrown from the European competition as Uefa regulations prevent a prevent an organisation or person from wielding “decisive influence” over more than one club in the same competition.
The issue is caused by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos’ crucial ownership roles in both OGC Nice and Man Utd.
However, the Guardian have claimed that Ratcliffe and the bigwigs at Old Trafford are confident that they will maintain their place in the Europa League.
Uefa has set a deadline for clubs to satisfy their rules by next Monday.
United face Europa axe
In case you missed it, Manchester United face being axed from the Europa League due to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s stake in French side Nice.
Both teams have qualified for next season’s competition after United beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
But Uefa’s ownership rules prevents clubs with the same “decisive influence” from competing together in the same competition.
Ratcliffe and Ineos now have until Monday June 3 to satisfy Uefa that Nice and United can both compete in next season’s Europa League.
Inter in for AWB
Inter Milan have a strong interest in signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka, according to Italian outlet Tutto Mercato.
It’s claimed that the Italian giants see the full-back as a potential replacement for Denzel Dumfries.
However, the report suggests that Wan-Bissaka would cost just £10.2million.
Credit: Alamy Dortmund eye Greenwood
The Daily Mail have claimed that Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund are in the hunt to sign Mason Greenwood.
The 22-year-old, who was today names Getafe’s Player of the Season, is expected to leave Old Trafford permanently this summer – but the club are willing to arrange a loan if needs be.
Dortmund’s sporting director Sebastian Kehl refused to rule out a move for Greenwood in an interview ahead of the Champions League final this weekend.
He said: “I don’t want to talk about any rumours at the moment because it doesn’t make sense. Let’s play the final on Saturday first.
“Of course, we have plans for next season and we have discussed many scenarios but let’s focus on Saturday and then we’ll see how we move on.
Maguire stays home
Harry Maguire has opted against going on holiday in a bid to be fit for Euro 2024.
The Manchester United defender has been named in England’s 33-man provisional squad despite missing United’s last five matches including the FA Cup final.
According to the Daily Mail, Maguire has reported early for international duty ahead of Monday’s friendly against Bosnia & Herzegovina.
He was joined by team-mate Luke Shaw and Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon in arriving early in Middlesbrough as they recover from injury.
Shaw speaks out
Luke Shaw has hit out at critics on social media who have questioned his commitment to Manchester United.
The left-back has been sidelined since February with a muscle injury and missed Saturday’s FA Cup final victory.
In a post on social media, Shaw wrote: “There’s nothing I want to do more than play and win with Manchester United. I don’t normally react to things I see on social media but there’s a lot of people questioning my loyalty to this club and asking how I am fit for England but not United.
“The reality is I am not 100% fit for either right now but I am doing everything I can and constantly working to be. I have been at this club for 10 years through highs and lows and for anyone to question my loyalty is obviously frustrating. I appreciate I haven’t updated you all with my injuries and where I’m at with my recovery but equally the most important thing to me is that we’re supporting the team playing.
“My biggest focus right now is being fit and then whatever happens this summer I will be ready. Thank you for your patience.”
Ten Hag update
There is currently no imminent decision expected on Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United future, according to reports.
Ten Hag has been linked with an Old Trafford exit despite winning the FA Cup on Sunday.
United are currently conducting a review into his two-year tenure as manager.
However, a final decision on his future is not expected soon, reports Rich Fay.
Credit: Alamy Ratcliffe wields axe
Manchester United have reportedly given all their non-playing staff just one week to decide if they want to resign from their jobs.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is looking to cut costs after completing his minority takeover of the club.
According to The Athletic, a mass email has been fired out to all staff members, bar coaches and scouts, insisting they make a decision on their futures within the next week.
United have described it as “voluntary resignation”, but those affected see it more as voluntary redundancy.
Southgate committed
Gareth Southgate remains committed to England amid links with Manchester United.
The Three Lions boss’ current contract expires in December and he is a reported candidate to replace Erik ten Hag if he is sacked.
However, Sky Sports report that Southgate is fully focused on England ahead of this summer’s Euros.
The Red Devils are currently conducting a season review, with Ten Hag’s future remaining unclear.
United transfer blow
Manchester United risk missing out on Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners.
The Red Devils have been strongly linked with a move for the Dutchman this summer.
However, Daniele Longo reports that Juventus have already submitted an opening offer for Koopmeiners.
The Old Lady have tabled a £34million bid with £4million in add-ons, despite Atalanta setting a £43million price tag.
Credit: Alamy
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
