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      Erik ten Hag really did not help himself with what he said after Man Utd’s draw with Villa, slams BBC pundit

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      ERIK TEN HAG desperately tried to look on the bright side following Manchester United’s drab 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.But Newcastle legend Alan Shearer claims he did not do himself any favours.Erik ten Hag was pleased with his team’s performance against Aston VillaCredit: GettyAlan Shearer claimed the Dutchman ‘doesn’t help himself’ with his commentsCredit: GettyTen Hag praised his team for the result at Villa Park – even though it left them 14th in the Premier League table.He said: “Internal, we are disappointed, we know we have to do better, especially we need to score more, that is the moment in this area after this block of games where we are really short.”All the other areas we are doing really well: four clean sheets, so that tells something about the defending and about the organisation, the defending of defensive transitions. We are doing really well, we are really improving on that point.”Our build-up play is good, we are calm and composed. We are creating chances apart from today. Today we should have created more.”READ MORE ON MAN UTDDiscussing Ten Hag’s post-match comments on The Rest is Football podcast, Match of the Day host Gary Lineker said: “I saw Erik ten Hag saying at the end of the game, ‘that’s a clean sheet, that’s four clean sheets now this season, we’re going in the right direction.'”I just thought, well, if you’ve been struggling a bit like they have and you’ve tried to claim that performance is a step in the right direction…”It’s always a decent point going away to Aston Villa, but it was pretty turgid, wasn’t it?”BBC Sport pundit Shearer then chimed in to say: “In the grand scheme of things, going away to Villa and keeping a clean sheet, you look at it and think, ‘okay, yep, acceptable, good result,’ given their league positions.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”But what he says after the game… I really don’t think he helps himself now and again when he says about ‘we’re going in the right direction.'”They were 13th before the weekend and they’re now 14th!”How would Southgate and Tuchel transform Man Utd flops and who is best for job?Man Utd officials are now understood to be targeting ex-Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel as a potential replacement for Ten Hag.However, they are yet to make contact with him.Earlier this year, Tuchel told United that he was not interested in the job and instead wanted to take a break from management.Man Utd player ratings vs Villa: Evans rolls back the years with Garnacho let downMANCHESTER UNITED eased the pressure slightly on boss Erik ten Hag with a hard-grafted stalemate at in-form Aston Villa.United looked much more solid defensively after Ten Hag rung the changes – though the Red Devils still have just eight points from seven Prem games.Here’s how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated 14th-placed United rated at Villa Park on Sunday.ANDRE ONANA – 7Guilty of sloppy distribution once or twice but his hands were safe enough and he did well to beat away a piledriver from Youri Tielemans to keep United on level terms.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6Managed to contain Jaden Philogene comfortably enough in the first 45 minutes but failed to appear for the second half and was replaced by Victor Lindelof.HARRY MAGUIRE – 6Booked for a high forearm challenge on Ollie Watkins but his afternoon ended at half-time after he appeared to jar his knee defending a corner.JONNY EVANS – 9Handled Ollie Watkins well in the first 45 and showed all his experience to deal with the twin threat of Watkins and Jhon Duran for the final half hour. Rolled back the years with a five-star display to earn his Man of the Match rating.DIOGO DALOT – 7Sat in and rarely got forward but snuffed out the threat of Leon Bailey and was tidy enough. Crucial block to deny Philogene a stoppage time winner.CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 7Used all his experience to plug any gaps in United’s carefully constructed midfield. Dealt with the threat from Morgan Rogers well.KOBBIE MAINOO – 7Nothing flashy from the England midfielder who had his work cut out preventing Youri Tielemans carrying out his magic.ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6Fired in a first-half shot which Emi Martinez dealt with comfortably but shot hopelessly wide a couple of times after the break. Sloppy finishing let him down. BRUNO FERNANDES – 8United’s skipper only played after his red card against Spurs was overturned on appeal.Kept his cool here to avoid a third red card in three games – came closest for United with a free kick which crashed off the Villa crossbar.MARCUS RASHFORD – 7Taken off at half-time in Oporto and taken off after 64 minutes to save himself a second yellow card here! Looked United’s likeliest match-winner after forcing an early save from Martinez before bringing the best out in the Argentine World Cup winner with a sizzling effort which the ‘keeper tipped over. Booked for a foul on Cash.RASMUS HOJLUND – 6Put himself about and was involved in the clash which led to Ezri Konsa limping off. But lacked service and was replaced by Zirkzee just beyond the hour mark. Below par.SUBSMATTHIJS DE LIGT for Maguire (46 minutes) – 5 – Conceded a few fouls in dangerous areas. Still finding his feet.VICTOR LINDELOF for Mazraoui (46 mins) – 6 – First appearance since March but fitted in well as a stand-in right-back. Booked for a foul on Morgan Rogers.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE for Hojlund (64 mins) – 5 – Miles off the pace, failed to make any impact.ANTONY for Rashford (64 mins) – 6 – Brought out the best in Emi Martinez with a curler which was heading for the top bin until the keeper plucked it out of mid-air.CASEMIRO for Mainoo (85 mins) – 6 – Helped see out the match for United. More

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      Paul Scholes reveals clear reason Man Utd are ‘a MESS’ and namedrops five signings caught up in it

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      PAUL SCHOLES has slammed Manchester United’s transfer business and Erik ten Hag’s tactics after the bore draw against Aston Villa.The Red Devils drew 0-0 yesterday to make it five games without a win.Paul Scholes slammed the club’s recruitment strategyCredit: BT SportThe former Man Utd star also hit out at Erik ten Hag’s tacticsCredit: GettyBoth Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt were criticisedCredit: PATen Hag’s side have picked up eight points from seven Premier League games, which is the the United’s worst-ever start to a season.With the manager set to cling onto his job until after the international break, Scholes hit out at the boss, the players and club chiefs.Despite a £180m summer outlay on Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, Noussair Mazraoui, Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee, the Man Utd legend took aim at the transfer strategy.Scholes ranted to SuperSport: “Zirkzee, what is he? Is he a No9 or a No10? Is he going to get you 20 goals? I don’t think so. READ MORE ON MAN UTD”Rasmus Hojlund does alright – but is he gonna score you 20 goals? I don’t think so.”I think they are relying more on hope than actual proven quality and they spent so much money as well.”It’s a ridiculous amount of money and some of them can’t get in the team.”You think of Ugarte coming into the club, who was supposed to change the midfield, he didn’t play him.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”De Ligt, £50m and he didn’t play him. Jonny Evans has come in at 36-years-old instead of him. “Martinez, Ten Hag brought him into the club. What must he be thinking? Jonny Evans is playing, Harry Maguire started, Victor Lindelof comes on before him. Erik ten Hag really did not help himself with what he said after Man Utd’s draw with Aston Villa, slams BBC pundit “It’s just a recruitment mess really.”Scholes also slammed Ten Hag’s “survival tactics” versus Villa and said a lack of identity is resulting in his new signings struggling.He said: “When you don’t have a style of play and you don’t know how to play, or the way you want to play, it’s very difficult to choose players.”When you don’t have a style of play and it changes from week to week, you’re almost throwing balls in the air and saying: ‘He looks a good player, we’ll try and get him’.”It’s a point for United, going to a tough ground under a lot of pressure. “I never really felt like they went there to try and win the game. It was more of a survival tactic more than anything.”But from everything we said before the game, United were quite tough to play against.”But you have to take into account the midweek fixtures. Villa had a big lift from Bayern Munich, winning that game, big atmosphere.READ MORE SUN STORIES”They struggled to really live up that today. You could see they probably suffered a bit. “For Manchester United, it’s difficult to go away in Europe on Thursday night and it was a tough game against Porto with ten-men, so I think the game probably reflected the midweek that both clubs had.”Man Utd player ratings vs Villa: Evans rolls back the years with Garnacho let downMANCHESTER UNITED eased the pressure slightly on boss Erik ten Hag with a hard-grafted stalemate at in-form Aston Villa.United looked much more solid defensively after Ten Hag rung the changes – though the Red Devils still have just eight points from seven Prem games.Here’s how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated 14th-placed United rated at Villa Park on Sunday.ANDRE ONANA – 7Guilty of sloppy distribution once or twice but his hands were safe enough and he did well to beat away a piledriver from Youri Tielemans to keep United on level terms.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6Managed to contain Jaden Philogene comfortably enough in the first 45 minutes but failed to appear for the second half and was replaced by Victor Lindelof.HARRY MAGUIRE – 6Booked for a high forearm challenge on Ollie Watkins but his afternoon ended at half-time after he appeared to jar his knee defending a corner.JONNY EVANS – 9Handled Ollie Watkins well in the first 45 and showed all his experience to deal with the twin threat of Watkins and Jhon Duran for the final half hour. Rolled back the years with a five-star display to earn his Man of the Match rating.DIOGO DALOT – 7Sat in and rarely got forward but snuffed out the threat of Leon Bailey and was tidy enough. Crucial block to deny Philogene a stoppage time winner.CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 7Used all his experience to plug any gaps in United’s carefully constructed midfield. Dealt with the threat from Morgan Rogers well.KOBBIE MAINOO – 7Nothing flashy from the England midfielder who had his work cut out preventing Youri Tielemans carrying out his magic.ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6Fired in a first-half shot which Emi Martinez dealt with comfortably but shot hopelessly wide a couple of times after the break. Sloppy finishing let him down. BRUNO FERNANDES – 8United’s skipper only played after his red card against Spurs was overturned on appeal.Kept his cool here to avoid a third red card in three games – came closest for United with a free kick which crashed off the Villa crossbar.MARCUS RASHFORD – 7Taken off at half-time in Oporto and taken off after 64 minutes to save himself a second yellow card here! Looked United’s likeliest match-winner after forcing an early save from Martinez before bringing the best out in the Argentine World Cup winner with a sizzling effort which the ‘keeper tipped over. Booked for a foul on Cash.RASMUS HOJLUND – 6Put himself about and was involved in the clash which led to Ezri Konsa limping off. But lacked service and was replaced by Zirkzee just beyond the hour mark. Below par.SUBSMATTHIJS DE LIGT for Maguire (46 minutes) – 5 – Conceded a few fouls in dangerous areas. Still finding his feet.VICTOR LINDELOF for Mazraoui (46 mins) – 6 – First appearance since March but fitted in well as a stand-in right-back. Booked for a foul on Morgan Rogers.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE for Hojlund (64 mins) – 5 – Miles off the pace, failed to make any impact.ANTONY for Rashford (64 mins) – 6 – Brought out the best in Emi Martinez with a curler which was heading for the top bin until the keeper plucked it out of mid-air.CASEMIRO for Mainoo (85 mins) – 6 – Helped see out the match for United. More

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      Watch as Erik ten Hag and Ruud van Nistelrooy are caught in heated conversation on bench during Man Utd’s draw at Villa

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      ERIK TEN HAG had a heated conversation with his number two Ruud van Nistelrooy against Aston Villa.Manchester United picked up their first clean sheet in four games as they battled to a dull 0-0 draw at Villa Park.Erik ten Hag and Ruud van Nistelrooy were involved in a heated argumentCredit: Sky SportsThe Man Utd boss appeared to dismiss his assistant’s adviceCredit: Sky SportsAn under pressure Ten Hag could be replaced as Man Utd boss by Van NistelrooyCredit: GettyBut Ten Hag still did not cut an easy figure on the touchline and at one point during the match became embroiled in an argument with his compatriot.The Dutchman sat in the dugout as Van Nistelrooy offered advice, but Ten Hag appeared to dismiss his suggestions.Ten Hag gestured with his hand and shook his head and had a puzzled look on his face, clearly not agreeing with his right-hand man.Van Nistelrooy returned to Old Trafford as assistant manager in the summer but will reportedly be offered the top job if Ten Hag is sacked.READ MORE ON MAN UTDTen Hag was given the Porto and Aston Villa matches to avoid the sack and two draws mean he has been given a stay of execution.Fans are calling for him to be axed with United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe refusing to publicly back him, and Ten Hag admits he has no idea if he will be sacked.He said: “I don’t have any idea that is different. Because they should have told me. We communicate very open, very transparent.Most read in Football”I speak continuously with them and just after the game I have to do my job, talk with the players, manage the players and answer questions from you.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMan Utd player ratings vs Villa: Evans rolls back the years with Garnacho let downMANCHESTER UNITED eased the pressure slightly on boss Erik ten Hag with a hard-grafted stalemate at in-form Aston Villa.United looked much more solid defensively after Ten Hag rung the changes – though the Red Devils still have just eight points from seven Prem games.Here’s how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated 14th-placed United rated at Villa Park on Sunday.ANDRE ONANA – 7Guilty of sloppy distribution once or twice but his hands were safe enough and he did well to beat away a piledriver from Youri Tielemans to keep United on level terms.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6Managed to contain Jaden Philogene comfortably enough in the first 45 minutes but failed to appear for the second half and was replaced by Victor Lindelof.HARRY MAGUIRE – 6Booked for a high forearm challenge on Ollie Watkins but his afternoon ended at half-time after he appeared to jar his knee defending a corner.JONNY EVANS – 9Handled Ollie Watkins well in the first 45 and showed all his experience to deal with the twin threat of Watkins and Jhon Duran for the final half hour. Rolled back the years with a five-star display to earn his Man of the Match rating.DIOGO DALOT – 7Sat in and rarely got forward but snuffed out the threat of Leon Bailey and was tidy enough. Crucial block to deny Philogene a stoppage time winner.CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 7Used all his experience to plug any gaps in United’s carefully constructed midfield. Dealt with the threat from Morgan Rogers well.KOBBIE MAINOO – 7Nothing flashy from the England midfielder who had his work cut out preventing Youri Tielemans carrying out his magic.ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6Fired in a first-half shot which Emi Martinez dealt with comfortably but shot hopelessly wide a couple of times after the break. Sloppy finishing let him down. BRUNO FERNANDES – 8United’s skipper only played after his red card against Spurs was overturned on appeal.Kept his cool here to avoid a third red card in three games – came closest for United with a free kick which crashed off the Villa crossbar.MARCUS RASHFORD – 7Taken off at half-time in Oporto and taken off after 64 minutes to save himself a second yellow card here! Looked United’s likeliest match-winner after forcing an early save from Martinez before bringing the best out in the Argentine World Cup winner with a sizzling effort which the ‘keeper tipped over. Booked for a foul on Cash.RASMUS HOJLUND – 6Put himself about and was involved in the clash which led to Ezri Konsa limping off. But lacked service and was replaced by Zirkzee just beyond the hour mark. Below par.SUBSMATTHIJS DE LIGT for Maguire (46 minutes) – 5 – Conceded a few fouls in dangerous areas. Still finding his feet.VICTOR LINDELOF for Mazraoui (46 mins) – 6 – First appearance since March but fitted in well as a stand-in right-back. Booked for a foul on Morgan Rogers.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE for Hojlund (64 mins) – 5 – Miles off the pace, failed to make any impact.ANTONY for Rashford (64 mins) – 6 – Brought out the best in Emi Martinez with a curler which was heading for the top bin until the keeper plucked it out of mid-air.CASEMIRO for Mainoo (85 mins) – 6 – Helped see out the match for United.”We always talk. Every week, I would say every day we talk, so I expect I will speak with them.”I think you said it very good – external noise. Internal, we are disappointed, we know we have to do better, especially we need to score more, that is the moment in this area after this block of games where we are really short.”Erik ten Hag really did not help himself with what he said after Man Utd’s draw with Aston Villa, slams BBC pundit Man Utd are understood to be considering their options with Thomas Tuchel lined up as a potential replacement.Van Nistelrooy could also get the gig but reportedly has doubts about usurping Ten Hag due to his own experience of being betrayed while manager of PSV.The former striker lasted less than a year as manager of the Dutch club as he accused his assistant Fred Rutten and several senior players of conspiring with the club’s directors in the Spring of 2023, before he quit the club prior to the final game of the season. More

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      Man Utd ‘lining up Thomas Tuchel to replace Erik ten Hag’ as under-fire Dutchman prepares for crunch talks tomorrow

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly lining up Thomas Tuchel as a potential replacement for Erik ten Hag.The Dutchman’s job has come under threat in recent weeks amid a terrible run of results.Erik ten Hag’s future at Man Utd is in doubtCredit: GettyUnited allegedly want Thomas Tuchel to take overCredit: GettyUnited have endured their worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign with just eight points from seven games.And now Ten Hag finds himself under increasing pressure.Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe refused to publicly back him last week.According to Manchester Evening News, the businessman is already scouting a potential replacement.READ MORE ON MAN UTDAnd Tuchel has emerged as the priority target.Tuchel has been out of work since leaving Bayern Munich in June.He previously spent 20 months in the Premier League managing Chelsea.But earlier this year he told Ratcliffe that he did NOT want the United job.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe Red Devils had been seeking a new manager before Ten Hag’s FA Cup final triumph and considered Tuchel an option.But the German told officials that he instead wanted some time away from management.Manchester United vs Aston Villa: Player Ratings BreakdownIt is currently unclear whether or not his position has changed since then.Tuchel is yet to be contacted by United officials this season.Despite the ongoing speculation around his future, Ten Hag insists he would know if his job was at risk.Following United’s drab 0-0 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday, he said: “I don’t have any idea that is different. Because they should have told me. We communicate very open, very transparent.”I speak continuously with them and just after the game I have to do my job, talk with the players, manage the players and answer questions from you.”We always talk. Every week, I would say every day we talk, so I expect I will speak with them.”I think you said it very good – external noise. Internal, we are disappointed, we know we have to do better, especially we need to score more, that is the moment in this area after this block of games where we are really short.”All the other areas we are doing really well: four clean sheets, so that tells something about the defending and about the organisation, the defending of defensive transitions.”We are doing really well, we are really improving on that point.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Our build-up play is good, we are calm and composed. We are creating chances apart from today. Today we should have created more.”But that area in the box of the opponent, we have to be more ruthless, more clinical, more killing and we have to work on this.”Why NOBODY is the right man to replace Erik ten Hag at Man UtdSunSport’s DAVE KIDD says Erik ten Hag’s time at Man Utd is up… and explains what’s wrong with all the potential candidates to replace him.THIS is a mid-table squad at an underachieving club, with a lot of unwanted players on big money.And Ratcliffe is an instinctive cost-cutter who may not pay top dollar to the next manager.If this club wasn’t called ‘Manchester United’, it wouldn’t be an especially desirable job.The good news for United is that their new sporting director, Dan Ashworth, is a very decent judge of a manager.He has been instrumental in three previous managerial appointments — Gareth Southgate for England, Graham Potter for Brighton and Eddie Howe for Newcastle.None were wildly popular at the time, all were conspicuous successes.Interestingly, Ashworth’s No 1 choice for the Newcastle job was Unai Emery, who turned him down to stay at Villarreal but has since proved that judgment right by excelling at Aston Villa.Emery may well deliver the coup de grace to Ten Hag on Sunday — especially with Bruno Fernandes suspended and Kobbie Mainoo an injury doubt.And the Spaniard would be an excellent fit for United — yet there is next to no chance that he would abandon Villa’s Champions League campaign to take the Old Trafford job, not least because he isn’t a stark raving madman.Howe would be another good candidate to succeed Ten Hag but, although he has become frustrated on Tyneside, the Saudis would surely not allow Ratcliffe to poach Howe, as they reluctantly did with Ashworth.Potter is available but his Chelsea experience and lack of charisma would make him a tough sell.Which brings us to Southgate, who remains close with Ashworth and is an excellent man-manager who was seriously considered by United last spring.Yet, despite having led England to two of their three major finals, Southgate’s reputation for over-caution was only enhanced during the Euros.Mauricio Pochettino, passed over twice by United, is out of the equation having taken the United States job.Thomas Tuchel would be a popular and gettable option but, despite being a fine coach and a very engaging man, he is considered something of a loose cannon.Likewise, Roberto De Zerbi, now at Marseille after his brief Brighton stint sparkled then fizzled out.Kieran McKenna — a gifted former United coach who has won back-to-back promotions with Ipswich Town — is an intriguing candidate but the imminent vacancy may come a year or so too soon.Marco Silva, the extremely under-rated Fulham boss, has been on United’s radar and should not be discounted.Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim, last season’s ‘next big thing’, was passed over by West Ham as well as Liverpool this summer and is not an easy man to pin down.Zinedine Zidane, who has taken over from Alan Curbishley as a 20-1 shot for every Premier League job, is a ‘figurehead’ manager and not an Ashworth type.Ruud van Nistelrooy, the former United goal machine who joined Ten Hag’s coaching team in the summer is the bookies’ favourite. Simply because he’s in the building and he’s Dutch.So, yes, getting rid of Ten Hag is the easy part. More

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      ‘They should have told me’ says Erik ten Hag as Man Utd boss admits he has no idea whether or not he’ll be sacked

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      ERIK TEN HAG insists the Manchester United hierarchy should have told him by now if they intend to sack him.The Red Devils have endured their worst start to a Premier League campaign with just eight points from seven games.Erik ten Hag insists he would know if his job is in dangerCredit: GettyMan Utd were held to a 0-0 draw against Aston VillaCredit: GettyThey currently sit 14th in the table – 10 points adrift of leaders Liverpool.Fans are now calling for Ten Hag to be sacked, with United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe refusing to publicly back him.But the Dutchman insists he would know if his job was in danger.Pressed on his future following Man Utd’s 0-0 draw with Aston Villa, he said: “So I don’t have any idea that is different. Because they should have told me. We communicate very open, very transparent.Read More on Man Utd”I speak continuously with them and just after the game I have to do my job, talk with the players, manage the players and answer questions from you.”We always talk. Every week, I would say every day we talk, so I expect I will speak with them.”I think you said it very good – external noise. Internal, we are disappointed, we know we have to do better, especially we need to score more, that is the moment in this area after this block of games where we are really short.”All the other areas we are doing really well: four clean sheets, so that tells something about the defending and about the organisation, the defending of defensive transitions.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSMan Utd player ratings vs Villa: Evans rolls back the years with Garnacho let downMANCHESTER UNITED eased the pressure slightly on boss Erik ten Hag with a hard-grafted stalemate at in-form Aston Villa.United looked much more solid defensively after Ten Hag rung the changes – though the Red Devils still have just eight points from seven Prem games.Here’s how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated 14th-placed United rated at Villa Park on Sunday.ANDRE ONANA – 7Guilty of sloppy distribution once or twice but his hands were safe enough and he did well to beat away a piledriver from Youri Tielemans to keep United on level terms.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6Managed to contain Jaden Philogene comfortably enough in the first 45 minutes but failed to appear for the second half and was replaced by Victor Lindelof.HARRY MAGUIRE – 6Booked for a high forearm challenge on Ollie Watkins but his afternoon ended at half-time after he appeared to jar his knee defending a corner.JONNY EVANS – 9Handled Ollie Watkins well in the first 45 and showed all his experience to deal with the twin threat of Watkins and Jhon Duran for the final half hour. Rolled back the years with a five-star display to earn his Man of the Match rating.DIOGO DALOT – 7Sat in and rarely got forward but snuffed out the threat of Leon Bailey and was tidy enough. Crucial block to deny Philogene a stoppage time winner.CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 7Used all his experience to plug any gaps in United’s carefully constructed midfield. Dealt with the threat from Morgan Rogers well.KOBBIE MAINOO – 7Nothing flashy from the England midfielder who had his work cut out preventing Youri Tielemans carrying out his magic.ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6Fired in a first-half shot which Emi Martinez dealt with comfortably but shot hopelessly wide a couple of times after the break. Sloppy finishing let him down. BRUNO FERNANDES – 8United’s skipper only played after his red card against Spurs was overturned on appeal.Kept his cool here to avoid a third red card in three games – came closest for United with a free kick which crashed off the Villa crossbar.MARCUS RASHFORD – 7Taken off at half-time in Oporto and taken off after 64 minutes to save himself a second yellow card here! Looked United’s likeliest match-winner after forcing an early save from Martinez before bringing the best out in the Argentine World Cup winner with a sizzling effort which the ‘keeper tipped over. Booked for a foul on Cash.RASMUS HOJLUND – 6Put himself about and was involved in the clash which led to Ezri Konsa limping off. But lacked service and was replaced by Zirkzee just beyond the hour mark. Below par.SUBSMATTHIJS DE LIGT for Maguire (46 minutes) – 5 – Conceded a few fouls in dangerous areas. Still finding his feet.VICTOR LINDELOF for Mazraoui (46 mins) – 6 – First appearance since March but fitted in well as a stand-in right-back. Booked for a foul on Morgan Rogers.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE for Hojlund (64 mins) – 5 – Miles off the pace, failed to make any impact.ANTONY for Rashford (64 mins) – 6 – Brought out the best in Emi Martinez with a curler which was heading for the top bin until the keeper plucked it out of mid-air.CASEMIRO for Mainoo (85 mins) – 6 – Helped see out the match for United.”We are doing really well, we are really improving on that point.”Our build-up play is good, we are calm and composed. We are creating chances apart from today. Today we should have created more.Manchester United vs Aston Villa: Player Ratings Breakdown”But that area in the box of the opponent, we have to be more ruthless, more clinical, more killing and we have to work on this.”Ten Hag is now behind Man Utd’s two worst starts in Premier League history.Only last season, he took just nine points from the first seven games.That had only been done once before, by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the 2019/20 season.Why NOBODY is the right man to replace Erik ten Hag at Man UtdSunSport’s DAVE KIDD says Erik ten Hag’s time at Man Utd is up… and explains what’s wrong with all the potential candidates to replace him.THIS is a mid-table squad at an underachieving club, with a lot of unwanted players on big money.And Ratcliffe is an instinctive cost-cutter who may not pay top dollar to the next manager.If this club wasn’t called ‘Manchester United’, it wouldn’t be an especially desirable job.The good news for United is that their new sporting director, Dan Ashworth, is a very decent judge of a manager.He has been instrumental in three previous managerial appointments — Gareth Southgate for England, Graham Potter for Brighton and Eddie Howe for Newcastle.None were wildly popular at the time, all were conspicuous successes.Interestingly, Ashworth’s No 1 choice for the Newcastle job was Unai Emery, who turned him down to stay at Villarreal but has since proved that judgment right by excelling at Aston Villa.Emery may well deliver the coup de grace to Ten Hag on Sunday — especially with Bruno Fernandes suspended and Kobbie Mainoo an injury doubt.And the Spaniard would be an excellent fit for United — yet there is next to no chance that he would abandon Villa’s Champions League campaign to take the Old Trafford job, not least because he isn’t a stark raving madman.Howe would be another good candidate to succeed Ten Hag but, although he has become frustrated on Tyneside, the Saudis would surely not allow Ratcliffe to poach Howe, as they reluctantly did with Ashworth.Potter is available but his Chelsea experience and lack of charisma would make him a tough sell.Which brings us to Southgate, who remains close with Ashworth and is an excellent man-manager who was seriously considered by United last spring.Yet, despite having led England to two of their three major finals, Southgate’s reputation for over-caution was only enhanced during the Euros.Mauricio Pochettino, passed over twice by United, is out of the equation having taken the United States job.Thomas Tuchel would be a popular and gettable option but, despite being a fine coach and a very engaging man, he is considered something of a loose cannon.Likewise, Roberto De Zerbi, now at Marseille after his brief Brighton stint sparkled then fizzled out.Kieran McKenna — a gifted former United coach who has won back-to-back promotions with Ipswich Town — is an intriguing candidate but the imminent vacancy may come a year or so too soon.Marco Silva, the extremely under-rated Fulham boss, has been on United’s radar and should not be discounted.Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim, last season’s ‘next big thing’, was passed over by West Ham as well as Liverpool this summer and is not an easy man to pin down.Zinedine Zidane, who has taken over from Alan Curbishley as a 20-1 shot for every Premier League job, is a ‘figurehead’ manager and not an Ashworth type.Ruud van Nistelrooy, the former United goal machine who joined Ten Hag’s coaching team in the summer is the bookies’ favourite. Simply because he’s in the building and he’s Dutch.So, yes, getting rid of Ten Hag is the easy part. More

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      Micah Richards reveals major Liverpool change ‘different to under Klopp’ that could win them Premier League title

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      MICAH RICHARDS highlighted the change to Liverpool’s tactics since Arne Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp. The Dutchman took over in the summer after Klopp emotionally ended nine years at Anfield. Arne Slot is being backed to win the Prem title with LiverpoolCredit: AlamyLiverpool currently lead the Premier League table with six wins in seven matches after their 1-0 away victory at Crystal Palace. And former Manchester City defender Richards said on Match of The Day: “Against Chelsea and Arsenal next, that’s when we can judge them. “But they look good in a different way to Klopp. Slower build-up but they’re doing well.”Prem legend Alan Shearer backed Slot’s Reds as title challengers. READ MORE IN footballHe said: “They certainly can, absolutely. If they can steer clear of injuries, you’ve seen a couple that they’ve had today. “But I think we’ve seen enough already in the first few games to say that they’ll be strong. It’s been a really good start.”Victory at Palace saw Slot become the first Liverpool manager to win nine of his first ten games in charge of the club. And he said: “It’s actually also quite special if you know how many great managers Liverpool had. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”But I also said last week I think that I hope they don’t only remember me in one, two, three, four, five years only for this. “We are hoping to do more special things than this. And it also says the luck I had that I inherited a very good squad and very good staff to continue getting the results that Jurgen had here as well.”Arne Slot aims dig at Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool boss says ‘I’m a stupid manager if 12.30pm kick offs are more difficult’ More

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      Ex-Liverpool and England star Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock shows off incredible body transformation after 11 STONE weight loss

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      FORMER Premier League star Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock has shown off his incredible 11-stone weight transformation.The 56-year-old began his weight loss journey back in 2021 after meeting TV personality James Argent.Neil Ruddock has shown off his incredible weight transformationCredit: Marc AsplandThe ex-Premier League star has lost 11-stoneCredit: Marc AsplandRazor ballooned to 27st during the pandemicCredit: Andrew BarrRuddock had ballooned to 27st during the Coronavirus pandemic, which put his health at serious risk.But after meeting Argent – who experienced his own 14st weight loss journey in recent years – he decided to get a gastric sleeve fitted.The former Liverpool star now eats much less and has reduced his alcohol intake.In a recent interview, Ruddock opened up about why he started excessively eating and drinking in the first place.Read More in FootballOn his 28th birthday, the day before 1996 FA Cup final between Liverpool and Manchester United, the ex-defender found out that manager Roy Evans had dropped him from the squad.His dad had purchased 50 tickets so that friends and family could watch him at Wembley.So the realisation that he would not play made Ruddock feel like he had let his nearest and dearest down.He told The Times: “The greatest thing I’ve ever done in life is making my dad proud of me.Most read in Football”Roy just said it was the toughest decision he had to make. It was the toughest decision he’s ever had in management.”You know, I love the man to death, but it wasn’t . . . at the end of the day, I can’t blame him.Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock and wife Leah on being clinically dead during life saving surgery and the support that Robbie Williams has given to him in his recovery”He’s had to make a decision. But I just couldn’t handle it.”I remember ringing my dad in tears. My dad’s in tears as well. I still might want to cry. I want to cry now. My dad’s no longer here any more.”On the day of the final, Ruddock sat in the dressing room and began drinking cans of beer while his team-mates battled it out for the FA Cup.In his new book, Toxic, he explained: “All of a sudden, sport, the thing you have relied on all your life to deliver the good times, is doing exactly the opposite.”The Cup final was the start of a spiral which never ended. The start of mad, bad, sad, glad syndrome.”Until that day I had never ever doubted myself. Never. Not once. Now it was all I did. Anxiety bubbled underneath. I was gone — a volcano waiting to erupt.”Ruddock made 195 Premier League appearances during his career and played for the likes of Liverpool, West Ham, Tottenham, Southampton and Crystal Palace. More

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      Jonny Evans reveals major impact fears for Erik ten Hag’s future is having on Man Utd dressing room

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      MANCHESTER UNITED ace Jonny Evans admitted increasing fears about under-fire manager Erik ten Hag’s future are affecting the players.United are enduring their worst start to a Premier League season having amassed a mere eight points in their first seven matches and saw their winless streak extend to five games.Manchester United ace Jonny Evans confessed fears about manager Erik ten Hag’s future have affected the playersCredit: GettyTen Hag is increasingly under pressure amid Man Utd’s worst ever Premier League startCredit: GettyThe Red Devils played out a goalless draw at Aston Villa in front of club chief Sir Jim Radcliffe, which added pressure on Ten Hag’s volatile situation.And Evans, 36, confessed the uncertainty building up around the Dutch tactician’s future is affecting the dressing room.The experienced centre-back is adamant, however, that the players will have to find a way to shut the noise down.Evans told Sky Sports: “You see the fans at the end, the support they give the team. Read More on Man Utd”They have supported the players massively over the years.“It was great for him [Ten Hag] to see that.”The other night [after the 3-3 draw with Porto] he got a bit emotional, you could see it on him, letting that game slip away.”You could see everyone was running into the ground to get a half decent result.Most read in Football”It does affect the players. It’s on our minds too. “I think the more experience I’ve got in my career I’ve made sure I do everything you do to be ready and give everything I can to the team.”Erik ten Hag bemoans defensive lapses as Man Utd waste flying start in Porto Man Utd player ratings vs Villa: Evans rolls back the years with Garnacho let downMANCHESTER UNITED eased the pressure slightly on boss Erik ten Hag with a hard-grafted stalemate at in-form Aston Villa.United looked much more solid defensively after Ten Hag rung the changes – though the Red Devils still have just eight points from seven Prem games.Here’s how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated 14th-placed United rated at Villa Park on Sunday.ANDRE ONANA – 7Guilty of sloppy distribution once or twice but his hands were safe enough and he did well to beat away a piledriver from Youri Tielemans to keep United on level terms.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6Managed to contain Jaden Philogene comfortably enough in the first 45 minutes but failed to appear for the second half and was replaced by Victor Lindelof.HARRY MAGUIRE – 6Booked for a high forearm challenge on Ollie Watkins but his afternoon ended at half-time after he appeared to jar his knee defending a corner.JONNY EVANS – 9Handled Ollie Watkins well in the first 45 and showed all his experience to deal with the twin threat of Watkins and Jhon Duran for the final half hour. Rolled back the years with a five-star display to earn his Man of the Match rating.DIOGO DALOT – 7Sat in and rarely got forward but snuffed out the threat of Leon Bailey and was tidy enough. Crucial block to deny Philogene a stoppage time winner.CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 7Used all his experience to plug any gaps in United’s carefully constructed midfield. Dealt with the threat from Morgan Rogers well.KOBBIE MAINOO – 7Nothing flashy from the England midfielder who had his work cut out preventing Youri Tielemans carrying out his magic.ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6Fired in a first-half shot which Emi Martinez dealt with comfortably but shot hopelessly wide a couple of times after the break. Sloppy finishing let him down. BRUNO FERNANDES – 8United’s skipper only played after his red card against Spurs was overturned on appeal.Kept his cool here to avoid a third red card in three games – came closest for United with a free kick which crashed off the Villa crossbar.MARCUS RASHFORD – 7Taken off at half-time in Oporto and taken off after 64 minutes to save himself a second yellow card here! Looked United’s likeliest match-winner after forcing an early save from Martinez before bringing the best out in the Argentine World Cup winner with a sizzling effort which the ‘keeper tipped over. Booked for a foul on Cash.RASMUS HOJLUND – 6Put himself about and was involved in the clash which led to Ezri Konsa limping off. But lacked service and was replaced by Zirkzee just beyond the hour mark. Below par.SUBSMATTHIJS DE LIGT for Maguire (46 minutes) – 5 – Conceded a few fouls in dangerous areas. Still finding his feet.VICTOR LINDELOF for Mazraoui (46 mins) – 6 – First appearance since March but fitted in well as a stand-in right-back. Booked for a foul on Morgan Rogers.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE for Hojlund (64 mins) – 5 – Miles off the pace, failed to make any impact.ANTONY for Rashford (64 mins) – 6 – Brought out the best in Emi Martinez with a curler which was heading for the top bin until the keeper plucked it out of mid-air.CASEMIRO for Mainoo (85 mins) – 6 – Helped see out the match for United.United have endured two miserable 3-0 losses at Old Trafford to Liverpool and Tottenham.The Manchester giants have also played out three hapless draws with Crystal Palace, Twente and Porto.United’s board are set to meet on Tuesday to discuss Ten Hag’s future going into the international break.Why NOBODY is the right man to replace Erik ten Hag at Man UtdSunSport’s DAVE KIDD says Erik ten Hag’s time at Man Utd is up… and explains what’s wrong with all the potential candidates to replace him.THIS is a mid-table squad at an underachieving club, with a lot of unwanted players on big money.And Ratcliffe is an instinctive cost-cutter who may not pay top dollar to the next manager.If this club wasn’t called ‘Manchester United’, it wouldn’t be an especially desirable job.The good news for United is that their new sporting director, Dan Ashworth, is a very decent judge of a manager.He has been instrumental in three previous managerial appointments — Gareth Southgate for England, Graham Potter for Brighton and Eddie Howe for Newcastle.None were wildly popular at the time, all were conspicuous successes.Interestingly, Ashworth’s No 1 choice for the Newcastle job was Unai Emery, who turned him down to stay at Villarreal but has since proved that judgment right by excelling at Aston Villa.Emery may well deliver the coup de grace to Ten Hag on Sunday — especially with Bruno Fernandes suspended and Kobbie Mainoo an injury doubt.And the Spaniard would be an excellent fit for United — yet there is next to no chance that he would abandon Villa’s Champions League campaign to take the Old Trafford job, not least because he isn’t a stark raving madman.Howe would be another good candidate to succeed Ten Hag but, although he has become frustrated on Tyneside, the Saudis would surely not allow Ratcliffe to poach Howe, as they reluctantly did with Ashworth.Potter is available but his Chelsea experience and lack of charisma would make him a tough sell.Which brings us to Southgate, who remains close with Ashworth and is an excellent man-manager who was seriously considered by United last spring.Yet, despite having led England to two of their three major finals, Southgate’s reputation for over-caution was only enhanced during the Euros.Mauricio Pochettino, passed over twice by United, is out of the equation having taken the United States job.Thomas Tuchel would be a popular and gettable option but, despite being a fine coach and a very engaging man, he is considered something of a loose cannon.Likewise, Roberto De Zerbi, now at Marseille after his brief Brighton stint sparkled then fizzled out.Kieran McKenna — a gifted former United coach who has won back-to-back promotions with Ipswich Town — is an intriguing candidate but the imminent vacancy may come a year or so too soon.Marco Silva, the extremely under-rated Fulham boss, has been on United’s radar and should not be discounted.Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim, last season’s ‘next big thing’, was passed over by West Ham as well as Liverpool this summer and is not an easy man to pin down.Zinedine Zidane, who has taken over from Alan Curbishley as a 20-1 shot for every Premier League job, is a ‘figurehead’ manager and not an Ashworth type.Ruud van Nistelrooy, the former United goal machine who joined Ten Hag’s coaching team in the summer is the bookies’ favourite. Simply because he’s in the building and he’s Dutch.So, yes, getting rid of Ten Hag is the easy part. More