Premier League

MANCHESTER UNITED chiefs are snubbing agents that they believe are trying to pitch replacements for boss Erik ten Hag, according to reports.The Red Devils manager has recently come under fire for his side’s poor start to the season.
Erik ten Hag’s side defeated Luton 1-0 on SaturdayCredit: Getty
Ten Hag’s men have lost nine of their opening 18 matches in all competitions so far this term.
But they did manage to ease pressure with a 1-0 win over Luton at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Despite United’s desperate run, club chiefs remain behind Ten Hag.
According to ESPN, United bosses are now turning down meetings with agents that they believe are just trying to pitch Ten Hag replacements.
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They add that frustration has been building among club chiefs amid attempts by agents to pitch their clients as a possiblenext boss.
And they even add that a meeting was cancelled with the agent of a “well-known” manager following concerns that it could undermine Ten Hag’s position.
Man Utd fans online appear to be pleased with their board’s stance of backing the 53-year-old.
One wrote: “Smart move by United. It’s crucial to maintain stability and trust in the manager, especially during challenging times.”
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Man Utd stars celebrate Victor Lindelof’s winner against LutonCredit: Getty
While a second posted: “They’re standing by Ten Hag despite the rough patch—loyal bunch, huh? Let’s hope things turn around for them soon!”
A third claimed: “He’s the one to take United back to the top he just needs time.”
And another added: “Sacking ten hag isn’t the solution.”
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is on the verge of sealing a deal to purchase a 25 per cent stake in Man Utd.
The Ineos chief is a big fan of Ten Hag and is set to back the Dutchman.
SunSport revealed that the 71-year-old is poised to hand the former Ajax boss a huge January transfer war chest to bolster his side.
The Red Devils will listen to offers for attackers Antony, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial to clear the way.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is said to be a big fan of Ten HagCredit: PA More

MANCHESTER UNITED’S top signings of all time have been named by football magazine FourFourTwo.And fans quickly noticed that not a single acquisition post-Sir Alex Ferguson made the top 20.
Man Utd have struggled in the transfer market since the days of Sir Alex FergusonCredit: Getty
Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo both make the cutCredit: Getty
The Red Devils have spent over £1.5billion in the last decade, with a large chunk wasted on a number of high-profile flops.
Big-money buys Paul Pogba, Angel Di Maria, Jadon Sancho and Harry Maguire didn’t even get close to making the list of best signings.
While even current skipper Bruno Fernandes missed out, much to many fans’ anger.
In FourFourTwo’s long list, which stretched down to 32, the most recent signing was David de Gea – who was named 23rd, sandwiched between Paul Ince and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
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Noticing the trend, a fan pointed out: “None of them post Sir Alex.”
While a second wrote: “Not a single player in the top 20 since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. It’s such a shame,that’s the main downfall of our club. We can’t even recruit proper players.”

Another added: “No surprise there isn’t one from the last 10 years. We’ve been shocking in the transfer market.”
In at No1 was Captain Marvel himself Bryan Robson.
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Bryan Robson joined Man Utd in 1981Credit: Getty – Contributor

The former midfield maestro managed 100 goals in 465 games for United and was a key figure in Ferguson’s revolution despite having arrived a lot earlier.
Robson moved to Old Trafford in a £1.5m switch from West Brom in 1981.
At No2 was Denis Law, the Scot having joined United from Torino in a £115,000 deal in 1962.
The orignal “King of the Stretford End” went on to spend 11 years at the Theatre of Dreams, scoring 237 goals and winning numerous trophies – including the 1968 European Cup.
Legendary Frenchman Eric Cantona – the man who became “King” – made the list at three following his £1m switch from rivals Leeds in 1991.
While all-time leading scorer Wayne Rooney and iconic goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel rounded off the top five.
Former captains Roy Keane and Rio Ferdinand were in at six and seven, with Cristiano Ronaldo at eight for his 2003 switch, rather than his 2021 return.
Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy’s 150 goals in just 219 appearances earned him a place at nine, with full-back Denis Irwin rounding off the top ten.
Double-winning captain Steve Bruce’s 1987 switch from Norwich earned him 11th place, with 1950s icon Tommy Taylor at 12, the forward having tragically died in the 1958 Munich air disaster at just 26.
Gary Pallister was next up at 13, with Edwin van der Sar 14th and Nemanja Vidic 15th.
Brian McClair and Paul McGrath came next at 16 and 17, with Sir Alex favourites Michael Carrick and Patrice Evra 18th and 19th.
Steve Coppell finished off the top 20, having joined from Tranmere in 1975 and stayed for eight years.
FourFourTwo also recently named United’s worst 20 signings, with plenty of post-Ferguson acquisitions making the cut.
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Paul Pogba, Donny van de Beek, Alexis Sanchez, Harry Maguire, Jadon Sancho and Angel Di Maria all made the top ten.
But it was Fergie flop Bebe who came in at No1 for his £7.5m switch from Vitoria in 2010.
Eric Cantona joined from rivals Leeds for just £1mCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Hardman Roy Keane was signed from Nottingham Forest in 1993 for around £3.5mCredit: Getty More

RIO FERDINAND has spoken out on Raphael Varane’s axing and claimed the Manchester United ace’s head must be “scrambled”.The Frenchman has fallen down Erik ten Hag’s pecking order, with veteran Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof preferred to partner the resurgent Harry Maguire.
Erik ten Hag has favoured other defenders over Raphael Varane recentlyCredit: Rex
Rio Ferdinand has opened up on the matter and said Varane’s head must be ‘scrambled’Credit: Alamy
Ferdinand revealed how Jonny Evans who came in as a free agent in the summer has overtaken VaraneCredit: Alamy
Varane, 30, suffered an injury against Nottingham Forest earlier this season that kept him on the sidelines.
But the defender’s battle to win a place back on the Man Utd starting XI has not been going to plan.
The World Cup winner has lost his spot and is now behind Maguire, Lindelof and Evans.
United legend Ferdinand believes the ex-Real Madrid star’s head must be all over the place.
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He said on his Vibe with FIVE Youtube show: “We don’t know. If he’s on the bench, you think he must be fit.
“In my mind, when you’re on the bench you can play – because you could have to come on in the first minute if someone gets injured.
“So if you’re fit enough to travel and get on the bench, you’re fit to play. So I don’t know what the reason is.
“But I know that Varane is waking up and his head has got scramblers going off it in, because he’s thinking ‘I’ve banged out five Champions League medals, I’ve played an integral part in all of those.
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” ‘I’ve played with the best players in the world, I’ve come to Man United and Jonny Evans is starting in front of me.'”
Evans signed a one-year-deal with the Red Devils after leaving Leicester as a free agent at the end of last season.
The ex-West Brom star chose to return to Old Trafford to keep himself fit but ended up impressing Ten Hag during pre-season and the Dutchman wanted to sign him.
Meanwhile, Varane cost United £40million in 2021 having been a key part of Real Madrid’s success.
He made 360 appearances in a decade and won four Champions League and three La Liga’s. 
In the last five league games, Varane has played just 18 minutes.
Despite being benched for the Red Devil’s narrow victory over Luton Town on Saturday, the defender did not play even after Evans’ injury in the United’s loss to Copenhagen.
He has reportedly been told that he was dropped due to tactical reasons.
The French international is said to have accepted the decision from the boss and is ready to fight for his spot.
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Under the manager, there has always been a way back for players who have fallen out of favour.
Maguire is now a regular back in the team despite looking like he would leave in the summer, while Scott McTominay is also starting regularly after looking like he was bound for a move away. More

CHELSEA fans have been left asking “will we ever catch a break?” after their latest injury woe.Mauricio Pochettino has had to deal with numerous player absences this season.
Mauricio Pochettino has had to deal with plenty of injury issues this seasonCredit: Getty
Things have gotten a little better of late, with captain Reece James having returned to action.
There is also hope that summer signings Romeo Lavia and Christopher Nkunku could finally debut after the international break.
In a fresh blow, however, Malo Gusto has pulled out of the France Under-21s squad with an injury.
French outlet L’Equipe claim that the full-back is suffering with a ligament issue in his right knee.
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Gusto, 20, came on for James in the 64th minute of Sunday’s 4-4 draw with Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
He finished the game without appearing to be in physical discomfort.
But an injury detected since has ruled him out of international action.
France Under-21s are managed by Thierry Henry and are set to face Austria later this week.
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Malo Gusto was in action against Manchester City on SundayCredit: Reuters
Reacting to news of Gusto’s injury, one Chelsea fan asked on social media: “Would we ever catch a break?”
While a second wrote: “Hope he would be fit and ready after the international break cuz we need him and james to be very fit cuz its about to be a good season for us.”
A third posted: “Wish him quick recovery.”
And another moaned: “Injuries again.”
The Blues face a tricky trip to Newcastle on November 25.
Chelsea signed Gusto from Lyon in a £31million January deal, before loaning him back to the French side until the end of last season.
He has made nine Premier League appearances for the Blues so far this term, often having to deputise for James. More

COLE PALMER’S England nod is set to land Manchester City a minor windfall.Chelsea’s latest star broke former boss Pep Guardiola’s heart with a dramatic late penalty in Sunday’s 4-4 thriller at Stamford Bridge.
Man City will receive a payout from Chelsea if Cole Palmer makes his England debutCredit: Getty
It was Palmer’s fourth goal for the Blues since completing an initial £40million transfer from City during the summer.
And his fine form has been rewarded with a first call-up to England’s latest senior squad.
Palmer will be hoping to make his debut in Friday’s Euro qualifier against Malta.
Failing that, he will get another chance to play under Gareth Southgate in Monday’s clash with North Macedonia.

And should Palmer get on the pitch in either Group C game, SunSport understands Chelsea will have to give City a small additional payment.
But it will be a modest sum as the total of all the add-ons in the £40m deal was around £2.5m.
The rest of the fee is likely to be made up of Chelsea-related appearances, goals and trophy wins.
Palmer is already becoming a favourite with fans and teammates thanks to his flying start.
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New boss Mauricio Pochettino is particularly enjoying coaching the versatile forward, who can play on either wing or as a No10.
But he’s rejected comparisons between Palmer and former Chelsea playmaker Juan Mata, insisting the new boy is more akin to ex-Man United wide-man Angel Di Maria.
Pochettino said: “Juan Mata? No, he is more Di Maria! You know, the body and the way he moves I think he’s a clever guy who adapts really quickly.
“We are building a team and he was quick to see the situation, take it, show character and personality, and then good performances.
“We are so happy with him, but I think he still needs to improve. It’s special for him to play against his former club and teammates.
“We trust in him. He needs to improve but he’s showing real quality.
“It’s not fair to say it surprised me because he’s now performing and he didn’t play too much at City.
“We are two different clubs, with different ambitions and objectives. Maybe Chelsea fits really well for Cole.” More

COLE PALMER grew up worshipping Wayne Rooney and has also been mentored by Raheem Sterling.Now the Chelsea star is set to emulate both his heroes after Gareth Southgate handed the in-form forward a first senior England call-up.
Cole Palmer has inflicted more pain on Man City after his late penalty for ChelseaCredit: Reuters
Palmer has revealed his love for City’s fiercest rivals Manchester UnitedCredit: X @UtdGarnaxcho
England new boy Palmer admits he idolises Red Devils legend Wayne RooneyCredit: AFP
Palmer, 21, has been impressive for the Blues and showed nerves of steel to score a last-gasp penalty leveller against former side Manchester City in Sunday’s thrilling 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge.
And that was his fourth successful spot-kick of the season, earning him the nickname ‘Cool Palmer’.
But the attacker — from Wythenshawe in Manchester — admits despite growing up playing for City’s academy, he was a huge fan of United and their 253-goal all-time record scorer Rooney as a kid.
Palmer said: “What a player. When I was growing up I used to watch all the football and the one that sticks in my mind is Rooney.
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“Ever since I was a little kid he has been my footballing hero.”
If selected by boss Southgate, Palmer will get another chance to impress against minnows Malta in England’s dead-rubber Euros qualifier on Friday night at Wembley.
And it is the same iconic stage where Rooney scored many of his 53 goals in 120 Three Lions appearances.
It was only in July that Palmer celebrated a Euros triumph with England’s Under-21s as a fringe player with boyhood club City.
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Palmer chose to leave Pep Guardiola’s remarkable Treble winners in an initial £40million deal on deadline day in September.
Despite netting a belter for City in the Community Shield against Arsenal in August, the Mancunian was left unconvinced by boss Guardiola’s promise of more game time at the Etihad following Jeremy Doku’s £55.5m arrival from Rennes.
Palmer, who can play as a No 10 or on either flank, had believed he could enjoy a breakthrough season with Riyad Mahrez off to Saudi Arabia.
But that all changed when Belgian winger Doku was signed just two weeks later.
City supporters may have thought Palmer would show the same patience and play the waiting game like fellow local lad Phil Foden — who is also in the England senior squad.
Straight-talking Palmer hinted that he had itchy feet at the Premier League champions after last March’s England U21s friendly defeat to Croatia at Fulham’s Craven Cottage.
Palmer, who scored on his Young Lions debut in September 2021 against Kosovo following a delightful Cruyff turn, had only made five starts for City at that point.
None of those had come in the league during a “tough” campaign.
When asked about Foden’s impressive patience, Palmer replied: “You can take inspiration from that — but not everyone is the same.
Palmer showed nerves of steel to net a last-gasp penalty in Sunday’s 4-4 drawCredit: Getty
Palmer made the brave decision to leave Treble winners City for regular actionCredit: AFP
“People have different paths. City’s thing is not to let you go out on loan, which I respect.
“That’s the thing that they do, try to keep you around the first team and learn from the best players. I need a run of games.”
Palmer’s lack of minutes at the Etihad meant that U21 regulars probably saw more of him than fans of his club.
And Guardiola’s insistence last week that he would never block a move for any of his City players has been treated with scepticism by Palmer’s own camp.
After all, in the summer Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva were both denied moves.
But Palmer was allowed to go because Guardiola believed him to be expendable and City wanted the hefty fee to help them with Financial Fair Play compliance.
Since moving south to London, Palmer’s friendship with Sterling, 28, has been key to him settling into his new environment.
Palmer, already close to Sterling from their time at City, was asked about his team-mate in a word association game shown by Sky Sports and he immediately replied with “big brother”.
Some will question why Pep Guardiola let Palmer leave on the cheap should he continue improvingCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Palmer sees Chelsea team-mate Raheem Sterling as a ‘big brother’ figureCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Having the fellow winger waiting for him at Stamford Bridge — after becoming Chelsea’s final signing of the summer window — helped him hit the ground running.
Palmer has now become a star but he admits to needing help from his mum Janet having moved into a new house in Surrey, close to the club’s training ground in Cobham.
He admitted: “I need to learn how to cook and use a washing machine.
“But on the pitch hopefully I will get better and better with each game.”
Insiders at Chelsea say Palmer is a shy lad for whom a football pitch is much more his comfort zone.
He has already described this year as “surreal” — even before his call-up into Southgate’s Three Lions squad in place of injured Tottenham midfielder James Maddison.
Palmer was a man on a mission during last summer’s Under-21 Euros in Georgia, where he started the tournament as back-up to Noni Madueke, now a team-mate at Chelsea.
He took Madueke’s spot and was sensational in a 3-0 semi-final win over Israel.
Palmer kept his place for their triumph over Spain in the final and is now a shining light for Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues at club level.
I need to learn how to cook and work a washing machine… but hopefully I get better and better on the pitchCole Palmer
SunSport understands Chelsea will have to give City a small additional payment if Palmer gets on the pitch for the Group C games against either Malta or North Macedonia three days later.
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But it will be a modest sum as the total of all the add-ons in the deal was around £2.5m.
Thrive on his expected Lions debut in this international window and it will not be long before people start questioning if Guardiola let him go on the cheap. More