MANCHESTER UNITED boss Erik ten Hag has issued a warning to his players his underperforming players.Meanwhile, The Red Devils will face competition from other Premier League sides for Napoli star Kim Min-jae.
Elsewhere, Donny van de Beek has been linked with a sensational return to former club Ajax.
And we’ve got the very latest on United’s takeover talks.
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Wout better for United than Ron – stats say
United are much BETTER with Wout Weghorst than Cristiano Ronaldo – at least in terms of results.
That is despite the Dutchman barely scoring since arriving at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo, 38, was axed by United in November following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
That left Erik ten Hag without a recognised senior striker in his squad with the Red Devils battling on four fronts.
And he made the shock swoop for Burnley centre forward Weghorst, who in turn cut his loan at Besiktas short to make his temporary switch to Old Trafford.
To say he has struggled for goals would be an understatement – the Carabao Cup winner has managed just two goals in 19 starts and is yet to get one in the Premier League.
But despite Ronaldo hitting the net 11 times in his last 19 starts for the club, the data proves United are a stronger team with the giant Holland international up front rather than the five-time Ballon d’Or winner and record-breaking machine.
In those last 19 starts, Ronaldo helped United to nine wins, three draws and seven defeats.
Over the same period, Weghorst’s return is a whopping 12 wins, four draws and just three losses – a significant improvement.
Though those are across all competitions and include knockout cup games, that would work out as 40 points for Weghorst – 2.11 per game – compared to 30 points or 1.58 per game for Ronaldo.
You should know what I want by now
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has told his under-performing stars they are at the wrong club if they still do not know what he wants from them.
Ten Hag wants to see a reaction in tonight’s clash against Brentford — who gave him a rude 4-0 awakening in the second game of the season.
The Dutch tactician was asked if he was worried some of his players were not getting the message about hunger and motivation.
Ten Hag responded: “When they can’t get it, then they are in the wrong place.”
Credit: Rex
Ten Hag’s five guys
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is ready to put five players on the chopping block this summer – including a favourite of co-owner Joel Glazer.
According to Manchester Evening News, Harry Maguire, Brandon Williams, Alex Telles, Anthony Martial and Eric Bailly will all be up for sale in the summer.
Martial is believed to be Glazer’s favourite and he has intervened to stop the striker being sold previously.
But the 27-year-old, who was signed with high expectations in 2015, has failed to convince over a sustained period and has been increasingly hampered by various injuries.
More from Parker
Manchester United hero Paul Parker added that Luke Shaw is “not a leader”.
Parker added: “Shaw has played a lot of games in the Premier League and a lot of games for his country.
“Way more games than I did, so you would expect more from him but he is not a leader. It is a huge weakness in his game.
“For me it seems like he wants to put his team in jeopardy by the way he conducts himself.
“You should want to die for Man United and it makes me think that he is not a player that should play for Man United, when he is not acting like that.”
Are you Shaw?
Manchester United star Luke Shaw is “petulant” and “can’t be trusted”, claims Old Trafford hero Paul Parker.
Parker told BonusCodeBets: “When Man United are struggling and the results have not gone their way, Shaw has reacted by being petulant and his performances have been very disappointing.
“We are talking about a player who is England’s left full-back so you would expect mature performances and a mature behaviour but you are not getting that from him.
“When I’m watching him I get this playground feeling. He feels like he is the best player on the team and if it’s not going his way he wants to pick up the ball and go home. That’s the way he is and he ends up kicking people.
“Against Liverpool he tried to get a red card in the last 15 minutes. He wanted to get sent off and I got the same feeling against Newcastle.
“If we were going to judge him right now we would ask ourselves the question, what is he doing as England’s left full-back? Because you can’t trust him when things aren’t going his way.”
Eriksen injury status
Manchester United star Christian Eriksen is back in first-team training in a huge boost for manager Erik ten Hag.
Eriksen has been missing since the end of January after he was poleaxed by a reckless challenge by Reading’s Andy Carroll in an FA Cup tie at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag said: “Not for tomorrow but he’s returning on the pitch.
“He’s returned to team training today, so we have to see now how quickly he can make the progress.”
Partey slams Man Utd
Arsenal star Thomas Partey took a surprise swipe at Manchester United on social media.
Partey was particularly pleased when United dropped to fifth place after Sunday’s 2-0 loss at Newcastle.
The midfielder appeared in a video by media personality and Red Devils fan Nana Aba Anamoah with whom he was having lunch.
Aba Anamoah asked the Ghana international to send a message to Arsenal fans and that is when he decided to poke fun at United.
Partey said: “Join us in celebration of United’s loss.”
Arsenal star Thomas Partey trolled Manchester United
Man Utd’s mission Kim-possible
Manchester United are interested in triggering the release clause of Napoli star Kim Min-jae, but will have to fend off a lot of competition.
According to Mail Online, United are among three Premier League clubs who are keen on a move for Kim.
The 26-year-old is rumoured to be interested in a move to the Prem and will have plenty of options if his clause is triggered.
The Red Devils are said to be joined in the chase for the South Korea international by Liverpool and Tottenham.
More from Ten Hag
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag defended his players after a dip in form.
Ten Hag said: “I agree we return to old habits but I also know there are fluctuations because people are not robots.
“But we have to act as robots, as machines, we have to expect and demand of our players that they match the standards.
“So, when we are not doing it we are disappointed because that is our job. There is a very strong belief, very strong confidence and passion and togetherness.
“We have shown it in many games and big games, we have shown we can win the games. But you have to do it in every game because that is the demand on Manchester United.”
Wil I never
Arsenal Under-18s boss Jack Wilshere has taken a swipe at Manchester United fans ahead of the FA Youth Cup final.
Looking ahead to the final against either West Ham or Southampton, Wilshere revealed his hope for a full-capacity crowd on April 29.
The 31-year-old head coach referred to last year’s final between United and Nottingham Forest as he took a dig at United fans.
Wilshere said: “I watched the Youth Cup final last year and there was 60,000 there. And I know that our fans are better than Man United fans.”
Ten Hag warning
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has told his under-performing stars they are at the wrong club if they still do not know what he wants from them.
Ten Hag wants to see a reaction in tonight’s clash against Brentford — who gave him a rude 4-0 awakening in the second game of the season.
The Dutch tactician was asked if he was worried some of his players were not getting the message about hunger and motivation.
Ten Hag responded: “When they can’t get it, then they are in the wrong place.”
Credit: Rex
Don his way?
Ajax are keen on bringing Manchester United ace Donny van de Beek back to the club this summer.
Van de Beek is currently sidelined for the remainder of the season with a knee injury picked up in January.
According to Football Insider, the playmaker is set to be one of the names to leave Old Trafford this summer as the Red Devils look to sell as many as eight players.
The same report adds that the Netherlands international’s former club Ajax would be interested in bringing him back to Amsterdam.
The Manchester giants would be prepared to accept a bid of £25million to end the 25-year-old’s disappointing three-year spell at the club.
Man Utd takeover latest
The UK government has raised concerns about Manchester United’s potential buyer Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani amid his bid to take over from the Glazers.
Sheikh Jassim is one of the frontrunners to buy United, with the Qatari banker going up against British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Finnish businessman Thomas Zilliacus.
The takeover process is continuing to drag on, but the Raine Group expected to provide an update in the coming days.
Sheikh Jassim is looking to make a 100 per cent buyout, as well as clearing the club’s debt.
Marcus Rashford change
Former Manchester United coach Neil Ryan claims Marcus Rashford wanted to play as a holding midfielder after suffering a crisis in confidence.
Ryan, who worked with United’s youth team, revealed Rashford wanted to play in the deeper role as he could not “burn past” players.
However, the now England Under-18s manager insisted that the 25-year-old would always be a forward and that his pace would come once he grew more.
Ryan told FourFourTwo: “In the Under-12s and Under-13s he was fantastic and often up against older boys. You didn’t feel that it was effortless like it was with Ravel Morrison.
“Marcus’ attitude and talent always stood out, but aged 14 he had a confidence crisis and wanted to be a holding midfielder. I recall talking to his mother and brothers.
“He spoke about wanting to get on the ball more.He didn’t have the pace then to burn past others because he was still growing, but we always thought he’d be a forward.”
Hugo Ekitike alert
Paris Saint-Germain are tipped to offload Manchester United target Hugo Ekitike after one season.
Ekitike, 20, has also been previously linked with Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan.
PSG landed the striker on loan from Reims last summer.
But although that deal means the reigning French champions have to buy the France Under-20 international at the end of the season, Le Parisien say he will then be transfer-listed.
The Frenchman has, unsurprisingly, struggled to displace Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar up front.
And to many pundits, Ekitike’s form has been a disappointment.
Credit: Getty
Morning, United fans
Brazil striker Vitor Roque has joined Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen on United’s summer wishlist for strikers.
And the Red Devils are considering triggering the £43million release clause of Napoli centre-back Kim Min-jae.
That’s the top transfer gossip ahead of tonight’s home Prem clash with Brentford.
United need just a point to leapfrog Tottenham and Sunday’s conquerors Newcastle to return to third place.
Right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka is back in the squad after illness.
But although Christian Eriksen has resumed full training it’s thought he’s still a week or so away from competitive action.
It’s claimed Nigeria striker Osimhen has indicated he’d be interested in moving to Old Trafford.
That comes as United are rated as frontrunners for his club-mate Kim, ahead of Liverpool and Tottenham.
But Barcelona are said to be ahead of United in the hunt for Athletico Paranaense starlet Roque, 18.
Finally, United will play Borussia Dortmund in Las Vegas on July 30 as part of their USA summer tour.
Piers blasts Ten Hag after Ron’s latest masterclass
Cristiano Ronaldo’s deadly double shows Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag made one of football’s worst blunders EVER, Piers Morgan claims.
And as fans hailed Ronaldo’s display in Al-Nassr’s 5-0 rout of Al Adfalah, one reckoned his second goal proved he has the “the greatest weak foot in the history of this beautiful game”.
United ousted the Portugal legend, 38, in November following his searing verdict in a TalkTV interview with Sun Columnist Morgan over how the club and Ten Hag had treated him.
But now, after a mediocre World Cup and slow start to his career in Saudi Arabia, Ron’s in scorching form again.
He bagged Al-Nassr’s penalty opener and a stunning third goal on Tuesday
Picking up a pass from two-goal strike-partner Talisca, he accelerated into the box and lashed a left-footer inside the far corner.
One enthusiast tweeted: “The greatest weak foot in the history of this beautiful game. 156th weak foot goal for the Greatest of all time.”
And Morgan posted: “Two more goals for @Cristiano so far tonight, including this superb one which once again suggests Ten Hag’s decision to dump him for Wout Weghorst was one of the worst in football history.”
Old Trafford chief Ten Hag has stuck with Weghorst in attack despite the loanee’s lack of goals.
‘Rashford wanted change’
A former Manchester United coach has claimed that Marcus Rashford wanted to place as a holding midfielder after suffering a crisis in confidence.
Neil Ryan, who worked with the youth team at United, revealed that Rashford, 25, wanted to play in the deeper role as he could not “burn past” players.
However, the now England under 18s manager, 48, insisted that Rashford would always be a forward and that his pace would come once he grew more.
He told FourFourTwo: “In the Under 12s and Under 13s he was fantastic and often up against older boys.
“You didn’t feel that it was effortless like it was with Ravel Morrison.
“Marcus’ attitude and talent always stood out, but aged 14 he had a confidence crisis and wanted to be a holding midfielder.
“I recall talking to his mother and brothers.
“He spoke about wanting to get on the ball more.
“He didn’t have the pace then to burn past others because he was still growing, but we always thought he’d be a forward.”
Red Devils to face Dortmund in Vegas
United will play Borussia Dortmund in Las Vegas in July as part of its summer tour of the US, bringing the most famous football club on the planet to the entertainment capital of the world, writes MARTIN BLACKBURN.
The match at the Allegiant Stadium on Sunday July 30, is the second fixture of the Club’s Tour 23 to be announced, with more fixtures and locations to be revealed in the coming weeks.
United have not met the Bundesliga side since a 2016 tour game in China and the pair have only played six competitive matches in their histories, – making this summer’s encounter a rare opportunity for US fans to see two of Europe’s leading football teams go head-to-head.
Last week, United announced a game against Welsh side Wrexham at Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, on 25th July. Tickets for this match have already sold out, with fans eager to see the Red Devils return to the US for the first time in five years.
United Football Director, John Murtough said: “We have worked with the manager and his staff to provide a mix of competitive opponents to play during our tour of the US and we look forward to the match against Borussia Dortmund.
“As well as gaining valuable playing time, the squad will also be participating in training camps within the best sporting facilities available, giving our players the opportunity to build fitness before the start of the new Premier League season.
“The response we have received from fans since announcing we will be returning to the US has been incredible. We already have a full house for the match in San Diego and I am sure it will be the same for this fixture in Vegas.”
Utd ‘in for Kim’
United are reportedly interested in triggering the £43million release clause of Napoli star Kim Min-jae, but will have to fend off a lot of competition.
The Mail Online has reported that the Red Devils are among three Premier League clubs who are keen on a move for the centre-back.
The 26-year-old is rumoured to be interested in a move to the English top flight and will have plenty of options if his clause is triggered.
United are said to be joined in the chase for the South Korea international by Liverpool and Tottenham.
Kim has been a crucial part of Napoli’s impressive campaign this season.
He has featured 36 times for the club already as they sit 16 points clear at the top of Serie A with a Champions League quarter-final tie with AC Milan to come.
The former Fenerbahce defender joined the Italians in the summer for a modest £16million, but is understood to be valued significantly higher now.
The release clause in his contract – thought to be be 50million euros – would see him leave for below his market value after only one season at the club.
Napoli could try to remove the clause by offering Kim a fresh set of terms despite his recent arrival.
Prem clubs on Hugo alert
PSG are tipped to offload Newcastle target Hugo Ekitike after ONE season.
The French striker, 20, has previously been linked with Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan.
PSG landed the Under-20 international on loan from Reims last summer.
But although that deal means the Ligue 1 leaders have to buy him at the end of the season, Le Parisien sayhe will then be transfer-listed.
Ekitike has, unsurprisingly, struggled to displace Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar up front.
And to many pundits his form has been a disappointment.
Nev stirs up Spurs row
United legend sparked a furious Twitter row with Jermaine Jenas and Jamie O’Hara with his cutting comments about former Tottenham players.
The Sky Sports pundit, 48, took a swipe at his fellow footballers-turned-pundits criticising the club after they blew a lead to draw 1-1 at lowly ten-man Everton on Monday.
Spurs still rose to fourth on goal difference but some ex-Spurs players hit out, especially when caretaker boss Cristian Stellini claimed his team “played a good game”.
Jenas tweeted: “I can’t watch this team anymore ffs.”
And O’Hara raged on talkSPORT before storming out of the studio: “I’m done. Someone save me. I’m done, I am done. Who is this imposter? Has Antonio Conte come back?”
Neville tweeted: “Interesting seeing ex-Spurs players that never got near to Champions League places for years when they played for the club saying they can’t watch this current team now.
“Spurs are in fourth place currently ahead of Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool. Perspective!”
O’Hara said: “Massive fan of Gary Neville so won’t get into a slanging match. I did play for Spurs, grew up at Spurs and a huge fan who cares about the club and seeing the awful football week in week out is hard to watch.
“Everyone is entitled to an opinion and we may be fourth but it’s diabolical.”
Jenas shared a photo of himself playing for Tottenham in the Champions League and captioned it: “… maybe he wasn’t taking about me. Apologies if so @GNev2.”
Victor fancies becoming a Red Devil
Napoli star Victor Osimhen is interested in a move to Manchester United.
According to TeamTalk, the Osimhen is ‘eyeing up’ a move to United in the summer.
This season the striker has excelled in Serie A and has provided plenty of goals in the club’s title charge.
The Nigeria international has registered a staggering total of 25 goals and five assists in 29 appearances.
Red Devils and Barca ‘keen on Roque’
United and Barcelona are regarded as two of the massive European clubs interested in 18-year-old Brazil striker Vitor Roque.
The Athletico Paranaense starlet has notched 10 goals and three assists in 40 games for the Brazilian top-flight club.
It’s claimed he’d prefer a move to Barca.
And that would hardly be a surprise, given that fellow countrymen Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho have also swapped Brazil for the Nou Camp.
Villa ‘in for Henderson’
Aston Villa are the latest Premier League club to be linked with a move to sign Man United’s Dean Henderson.
The goalkeeper is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest, who will be in the hint for his signature should they beat the drop.
But according to Football Insider, the Villans are also interested in signing the internationally capped stopper.
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