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      Jadon Sancho seeing sports psychologist as Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag admits he is baffled by star’s collapse in form

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      THE SIGNS were all there yet nobody appeared to wonder if Jadon Sancho might still be suffering inside.Three managers on, Erik ten Hag is finally trying to get to the bottom of why Manchester United’s £73million signing in July 2021 started badly and fell away.
      Manchester United ace Jadon Sancho has been struggling at Old TraffordCredit: Getty
      Sancho is seeing a sports psychologist to help improve his gameCredit: Getty
      Why he has struggled so badly — to the extent he was well out of contention for England’s World Cup squad — given he was touted as the perfect package.
      Whether, for example, Sancho ever did get over his penalty shootout miss that left him in floods of tears after England’s Euro 2020 final heartbreak against Italy.
      Or later, that he lost his way during the incendiary return to United of Cristiano Ronaldo.
      Ten Hag is trying to get to the bottom of how Sancho, only 17 months after arriving as a superstar signing from Borussia Dortmund, has become the lost soul of Old Trafford.
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      With the help of sports psychologists and fitness trainers, Sancho is working alone to try to find a way back. Ten Hag cannot say when that will be, either.
      He reveals only that he has had a series of discussions with the 22-year-old to try to help him through.
      Instead of being with his team-mates at their training camp in southern Spain last week, Sancho was working alone in the Netherlands with trusted coaches and advisers.
      Ten Hag said: “We didn’t see him for the last games — he wasn’t in the right status, in the right fitness state.
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      “So now he’s on an individual programme and hopefully we’ll see him back soon. Sometimes there are circumstances with fitness and mood. He was good on our pre-season tour but also when the league started he played some good games, like Liverpool, Leicester and Arsenal.
      “After, we got a drop of level and what happens sometimes, you don’t know why or what is causing it.”
      Sancho last played for United on October 14 in a 1–1 draw with Chelsea but has dropped off the radar since.
      Last month, before heading to Ten Hag’s homeland, he took down all his social media accounts.
      We didn’t see him for the last games — he wasn’t in the right status, in the right fitness state.Ten Hag on Sancho
      United sources briefed it was a move aimed at concentrating on his family and the second half of the season.
      The club are now anxious to make clear that there is nothing sinister about his disappearance and that the only plot is to make him the man he was again.
      One who, in the campaign before signing for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, scored 16 goals for Dortmund.
      He left there having hit the net 50 times in 137 games for the German side but has only eight in 52 appearances for United.
      Sancho’s was a name rarely mentioned in the months building up to Gareth Southgate picking his 26-man World Cup squad.
      Having been put on as a sub to take one of those penalties against Italy at Wembley, he has not worn an England jersey since.
      Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag is baffled by Sancho’s collapse in confidenceCredit: Getty
      Ten Hag is not giving up on SanchoCredit: Reuters
      Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka also missed from the spot and all three were subjected to appalling racial abuse from faceless internet trolls.
      Yet Saka and Rashford are now recognised England heroes.
      Too often since signing for United 12, days before that awful experience at Wembley, Sancho has been unrecognisable from the one who lit up the Bundesliga.
      Rashford has re-emerged from under his own shell thanks to the careful guidance of Ten Hag.
      The Old Trafford manager will be hoping that, whatever has damaged Sancho so much, more TLC will have the same result.
      He has only shone intermittently since Solskjaer replaced him with Anthony Martial in a 1-0 win over Wolves on August 29 last year on his first start for United.
      He was so upset that he had to be comforted on the bench by then coach Mike Phelan.
      Just over a week later he was replaced again — this time by Jesse Lingard — and once again he looked miserable.
      No questions were asked, in public at least, as to why it looked like he was carrying the world on his shoulders.
      And his difficult start appears to have been overlooked amid the euphoria of Ronaldo’s return.
      Tellingly, not long before he was hooked for that second time, Ronaldo ridiculed Sancho for not delivering a goalscoring chance for him.
      That was against Newcastle in a 4-1 win when the veteran scored two on his return. It was all about Ronaldo and from all sides.
      Sancho has been unable to replicate his Bundesliga success at Old TraffordCredit: Getty
      As the Second Coming unravelled, Ronaldo would point the finger at far younger team-mates, with Sancho thought to be one of those he condemned for not showing the right attitude.
      Ten Hag intends to get to the bottom of the Sancho mystery to save a Red Devil who has been to hell and is not back yet.
      At least he saw some tell-tale signs that something was going wrong.
      He said: “Most of the time it comes slowly. On the summer tour he played really well, the start of the league he played really well. After the break his performance was lower.
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      “First you observe but then also the stats back it up. In the start of the season he had goals and assists, key moments and key actions, then it became less and less.
      “We want him back as soon as possible — but I can’t give a prognosis of when that will be.” More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘relationship with Jorge Mendes erodes as clubs begin bypassing agent to contact Portugal star’

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO’S relationship with long-time agent Jorge Mendes is believed to be falling apart, according to reports.The Portuguese superstar, 37, succeeded in having his Manchester United contract ripped up last month following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
      Cristiano Ronaldo and Jorge Mendes have had a relationship for nearly 20 yearsCredit: Reuters
      Mendes’ relationship with Ronaldo is thought to be erodingCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Following his departure from Old Trafford, he then concentrated on trying to win the World Cup with Portugal.
      But their quarter-final exit at the hands of Morocco means he flies back from Qatar a free agent in search of a new club.
      Ronaldo has been linked with big offers from Saudi Arabian sides Al Hilal and Al-Nassr.
      But it remains to be seen whether he will take up those offers – with European interest thought to be few and far between.
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      And according to AS, clubs are now bypassing Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, and speaking to the player himself.
      Mendes, 56, has represented Ronaldo ever since he left Sporting Lisbon to join Man Utd in 2003.
      But now he is thought to be less involved in the Real Madrid legend’s dealings.
      And Antero Henrique, head of the Qatar Stars League, is trying to convince Ronaldo to stay in Qatar after experiencing the culture at the World Cup.
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      However, Henrique has reportedly gone straight to the player in an attempt to lure him back to the Middle East – with Mendes thought to be working on an alternative proposal for his client.
      Ronaldo scored just one goal at the World Cup and was dropped after the group stage.
      But he did equal the men’s international appearance record in the defeat to Morocco, earning his 196th cap for Portugal – a career which includes 118 goals. More

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      Erik ten Hag will be privately delighted by Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer exit but who could Man Utd sign to replace him?

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      IT feels like the start of a new season.  The winter World Cup might not have pleased all fans, but there may have been one or two Premier League chairmen and managers who welcomed the break.  
      Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag will have to find a replacement for Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Rex
      The pause might have helped some teams that perhaps struggled before a World Cup ball was kicked. For them, the gap in the season may have acted as something of a circuit-breaker, and the opportunity to press the reset button.  
      For others, the World Cup will have come at an unfortunate time. Take Arsenal for example, who were performing well, sitting top of the Premier League and gaining great momentum.  
      Can they pick-up where they left off? To complicate matters, they’ve now lost star striker Gabriel Jesus, who is expected to be out for a number of months, after sustaining a knee injury whilst away on international duty with Brazil at the World Cup. 
      For Manchester United, the time away should have given Erik ten Hag time to reflect on his first few months in charge and prepare for a hectic second half of the campaign.
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      There’s plenty to play for in the league with a place in the Champions League very much up for grabs. Burnley are the visitors in the next round of the Carabao Cup, while a home draw against Everton in the FA Cup means there’s an all Premier League affair to look forward to.  
      Oh, and have we mentioned Barcelona in the knockout round of the Europa League?  
      One positive to take from the last month is Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure.
      The United manager will no doubt be privately delighted that the dark cloud has moved on, and while United’s two winter friendlies have resulted in two defeats, there will be a sense of relief at Old Trafford (especially amongst some staff members), that the unwanted distraction is no longer present.  
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      Ten Hag should take great credit and strength from how he dealt with the Ronaldo saga, but he’s gone now and it’s time to look forward.  
      Supporters are already looking ahead to the January transfer window and who the club might try and sign. They overspent last summer, so is money available to fill the large Ronaldo shaped hole? 
      To buy a striker that can contribute week-in, week-out, you are probably looking at spending the best part of £100million – the type of money United simply don’t have.  
      With that in mind, we can rule out the permanent transfer of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Atlético Madrid’s Joao Felix. 
      United are talking to Cody Gakpo’s agent to see if they can conclude an unlikely deal this winter.
      The PSV Eindhoven forward was pursued in the summer but the Dutch side will want near double what they asked for in July.
      That is not only because his absence will provide an unwanted disruption to their squad – but also due to how he performed for the Netherlands at the World Cup, scoring three times in five matches.  
      If that’s not doable now, what about a return for Memphis Depay? He struggled during his first spell at Old Trafford but United are desperate for someone to play in those forward positions, and the Barcelona man might feel like he has unfinished business in Manchester.
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      Would Memphis be the long-term solution? Absolutely not, but United need someone in as quickly as possible in January. 
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      Man Utd whiz Zidane Iqbal names his two Old Trafford role models including club legend and forgotten youngster

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      MANCHESTER UNITED wonderkid Zidane Iqbal has named his two club idols – including a Red Devils legend and a forgotten youngster. Much is expected of the United academy player who shone during pre-season.
      Manchester United fans are excited about the future of Zidane IqbalCredit: Getty
      Fans were also impressed with his efforts during the club’s friendly win over Spanish side Cadiz last week.
      The 19-year-old is hoping to become the latest star to establish a first-team place at Old Trafford after emerging from their youth system.
      Iqbal’s two idols went on a similar journey by coming through the academy.
      He named the footballers he looked up to as Paul Scholes and Angel Gomes.
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      While both were youth stars for United, one went on to become a club legend while the other is plying their trade at Lille in France.
      Iqbal told the club website: “The coaches mentioned Angel Gomes to me. Look at him now, playing for Lille in the Champions League.
      “They mentioned Paul Scholes but they’re obviously the players who played down and have gone on to do well.
      “Obviously, other players have played down and their careers have not gone as successfully as they wanted it to.
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      “But I knew I could make the situation really good by looking up to players like Scholes and Angel, if they played down.
      “I look at it as a positive, they’re doing it to better you, so that’s what I did and it helped me a lot.”
      Iqbal’s only senior appearance for the club so far came in a Champions League match last season.
      But the midfielder will hope to become an important player for the club like Scholes, who made over 700 appearances across two spells for United.
      Unlike some others, Iqbal has not been sent on loan and could potentially help cover places in the squad if senior players are absent.
      He is not the only promising youngster on the red side of Manchester who is generating excitement.
      Amad Diallo has discovered excellent form on loan at Sunderland in the Championship and has scored five times in the Black Cats’ last seven games.
      Meanwhile, the exciting and feisty Hannibal Mejbri has become a regular at Birmingham in the same division. More

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      Man Utd ‘could have signed Croatia World Cup penalty hero Livakovic for £4.3m but chose Dubravka loan transfer instead’

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      WORLD CUP hero Dominik Livakovic could have signed for Manchester United last summer, according to reports. Livakovic has twice been Croatia’s penalty shootout hero during a stellar World Cup and will be hoping to help them make the final when they take on Argentina later tonight.
      Dominik Livakovic could have signed for a number of Premier League clubs last summerCredit: Rex
      He saved three penalties in the last 16 shootout against Japan before denying Rodrygo to send Brazil crashing out in the quarter-finals.
      And it has now been revealed the 27-year-old could have signed for the Red Devils in the summer for as little as £4.3million.
      According to The Athletic, Livakovic was on the radar of a number of Premier League clubs, including United, Leicester City and Nottingham Forest.
      However, rather than sign the Dinamo Zagreb stopper to provide back-up to David de Gea, they instead went for a loan move for Newcastle’s Martin Dubravka.
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      He joined Tom Heaton among United’s keepers after Dean Henderson went on loan to Forest.
      Forest themselves were close to signing Livakovic for £5.1m before deciding to sign a higher-profile keeper following the departure of Brice Samba.
      Leicester, who struggled with goalkeeper Danny Ward in goal at the start of the season, were also offered Livakovic in the summer.
      But like their Prem counterparts, they went for a cheaper option and signed Alex Smithies on a free transfer.
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      Livakovic is now sure to be on the market for a far higher price than he was previously.
      Indeed, the Croatian’s World Cup exploits are certain to prove influential in him getting a move to a big side.
      Only Poland’s Wojciech Szczesny has more saves than Livakovic and he has registered the best post-shot expected goals to goals allowed value of any goalkeeper at the tournament, with a +3.1 rating.
      This means he has prevented 3.1 more goals than an average keeper would have.
      Erik ten Hag remains in the market for a long-term goalie solution, with doubts remaining over De Gea’s ability to distribute the ball effectively.
      Livakovic’s World Cup numbers in this regard are also noteworthy.
      He ranks among the goalkeepers with the lowest passing lengths at the World Cup.
      Furthermore, he ranks in the top 10 for pass completion among goalkeepers including passes over 30 yards and has a 100 per cent success rate for passes between 15 and 30 yards.
      Such figures may convince United to complete a belated swoop for him. More

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      Ten Hag warns Maguire he’s still way down Man Utd pecking order despite World Cup heroics and can LEAVE club if he wants

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      HARRY MAGUIRE has been told he can fight for his Manchester United place — or leave the club.Erik ten Hag is prepared to give the England defender, 29, the chance to battle his way back into favour at Old Trafford.
      Harry Maguire was brilliant for England throughout the World CupCredit: Getty
      But he was dropped shortly after Erik ten Hag’s arrival at Man Utd and has not been a regular sinceCredit: Getty
      But the Red Devils boss says it will be the England centre-back who chooses where his future lies, as he faces up to returning from starting at the World Cup to sitting on United’s bench.
      Asked if Maguire could go, Ten Hag said: “Only when he doesn’t want to be in these circumstances any more.
      “Until that moment, I am happy with him.”
      Ten Hag dumped Maguire after back-to-back defeats against Brighton and Brentford in United’s first two games of the season.
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      The Dutchman says his £85million man — the most expensive defender on the planet — “performed badly” and lost confidence.
      Not for the first time, Maguire looked like a different animal wearing the white of his country as opposed to the red of his club as he started all five games for the Three Lions.
      But that cuts no ice with the Dutchman who stressed: “I can only battle this after being asked many times if he is good enough.
      “It is clear he is good enough to play at the highest level. Then it is up to him to show that confidence on the pitch and he didn’t show that in all the games.
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      “We want him to bring that back to Manchester with him so he can bring it on the pitch for United. When he is playing with his confidence like now he is a massively important player for us and that is what everyone expects.
      “That’s what Harry expects from himself. He has that high standard, he wants to play at the highest level, he wants to lead the defensive line, so it is up to him.
      “I’m sure he has the potential to play in our style and fit into our system. He had a period in Manchester where he performed badly and then, of course, there are difficulties but when he is confident in himself, he will put that on the pitch.
      “When he is working hard you will get that confidence and you are seeing that with the way he was playing for England.
      “I expect from him, the team knows what they expect from him.
      “If he does that he will be a great player for us.”
      He had a period in Manchester where he performed badly and then, of course, there are difficulties but when he is confident in himself, he will put that on the pitch.Erik ten Hag on Harry Maguire
      Gareth Southgate showed faith in Maguire, who had started only one Prem game in three months after getting the axe following United’s horror show 4-0 defeat against the Bees.
      But he is unlikely to find regular action when he returns to Old Trafford, having been demoted to Ten Hag’s fourth-choice centre-back behind Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof.
      Ten Hag added: “It is up to him to contribute and to play himself back into the team.
      “We have 16-18 players in the squad and that is what you need at the top level if you want to play for trophies.”
      Chelsea and Barcelona have previously shown an interest in Maguire.
      SunSport revealed that Barca enquired about him as part of drawn-out summer negotiations when United tried and failed to sign Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
      But the Red Devils may have to take a hit of up to £40m if they decide to cash in on a player they fought so hard to land from Leicester in 2019.
      Maguire, who has two and a half years left on his deal, believes he proved in Qatar that he belongs at the top level.
      After England’s quarter-final defeat by France, the 53-cap Three Lions star said: “I’ve played every game and I’m proud of my mentality to prove to myself again.
      “I don’t need to prove to others but at the moment, I don’t look at myself.
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      “I look at the team and every time I put this shirt on, I want the team to do well.
      “But I’d have much preferred to have had a bad game against France and gone through.”
      Maguire shortly before flying home from the World Cup after defeat to FranceCredit: Reuters More

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      Man Utd told to go all out for Jude Bellingham transfer as Louis Saha reveals why England man would be perfect fit

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      LOUIS SAHA believes Jude Bellingham is the missing piece in the jigsaw for Manchester United.The 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder is one of football’s most sought-after talents following his World Cup displays for England.
      Bellingham is wanted by European giants and Saha sees whyCredit: Rex
      The former Man Utd striker says his old club should go and get the England starCredit: Getty
      Bellingham has been linked with a move to rivals Liverpool or Manchester City while Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen.
      But former Red Devils striker Saha feels he would be the perfect fit at Old Trafford.
      Saha said: “For quite a few years now Manchester United have lacked energy and fitness and been outrun in matches, which is not normal if you’re trying to return to the top.
      “So that is something Bellingham would be able to bring in.
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      “United would be an incredibly tough team to defend against if they had Bellingham and Bruno Fernandes in midfield, with Casemiro sitting behind as cover for the defenders.”
      Bellingham was the name on everyone’s lips at the World Cup – with Europe’s top clubs already on red alert.
      The 19-year-old was seen as England’s top performer in Qatar and has become one of the most in-demand players in the world.
      Bellingham only signed new long-term contract at Signal Iduna Park back in 2021.
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      But his red-hot form on the global stage was impossible to ignore.
      PSG joined the Prem sides in the £130million race for the midfielder.
      The Ligue 1 champions have even gone public with their admiration for the England star.
      PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi praised the young ace.
      But he concedes it will be a tough transfer battle as “everybody” wants to sign Bellingham.
      Nasser Al-Khelaifi said: “Amazing player, what a player.
      “England are lucky to have him, to be honest. He’s one of the best players in the tournament.
      “Amazing – his first World Cup. He’s calm and relaxed, confident – amazing.
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      “Everybody wants him, I’m not going to hide it.
      “He’s at his club and we have respect, so if we want to talk to him we’ll talk to the club first.” More

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      Man Utd star David De Gea opens up on Erik ten Hag’s training sessions with keeper poised to sign one-year extension

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      LONG-TIME Manchester United servant David de Gea has given a fascinating insight into manager Erik ten Hag’s training sessions and revealed how players are reacting to them.The Dutchman, 52, took over at Old Trafford on a long-term contract in the summer.
      De Gea says United’s stars are training hard under Ten HagCredit: Getty
      The Dutchman’s training sessions have been described as ‘hard’Credit: Reuters
      After a slow start to life under Ten Hag, which included a 2-1 loss to Brighton and a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Brentford, United are well in the hunt for a top-four finish.
      United are sat fifth on 26 points and sit three points off fourth-place Tottenham.
      First-team goalkeeper De Gea has revealed the attention to detail Ten Hag puts into his training sessions.
      The Spaniard, who was denied a World Cup place in Luis Enrique’s squad, also lifted the lid on how United’s stars are fairing on a day-to-day basis on the training pitch.

      Speaking to club media, De Gea said: “I think he has high demands for everyone, there is a lot of information.
      “We are used to playing under him because we are learning a lot of new things as a team.
      ”I think we are enjoying it, we are training really hard with him.
      “They are long training sessions, tactics, everything and I think we are heading the right way.
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      “We are playing really well, as you saw in the last game we showed we can play really well.
      “We are winning games and that is the most important thing.”
      De Gea – who joined United in 2011 – has less than a year left on his contract at Old Trafford.
      However, according to Manchester Evening News, the club plan on triggering a one-year extension, keeping him in Manchester until 2024.
      United are back in competitive action on December 21 against Burnley in the Carabao Cup.
      They head into that game off back-to-back friendly defeats in Spain against Cadiz and Real Betis.
      United are planning to get one last game in behind closed doors before the season restarts.
      The Red Devils will also be a man lighter post-World Cup.
      Cristiano Ronaldo will NOT be returning to the club’s Carrington training ground.
      The legendary footballer, 37, had his contract ripped up after his bombshell interview with SunSport columnist and TalkTV main man, Piers Morgan.
      In that sit-down chat, Ronaldo slammed the club, while also revealing he does not respect Ten Hag.
      Ronaldo endured a horror World Cup campaign shortly after.
      Portugal crashed out in the quarter-finals, losing to surprise package Morocco 1-0.
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      Ronaldo scored just one goal, which came from the penalty spot in the group stage win over Ghana.
      He was also dropped to the substitutes bench for the knockout stages, and may well retire without a World Cup knockout goal, as he will be 41 at the next edition of the tournament. More