Premier League

WORKAHOLIC Erik ten Hag is leaving no page unturned to fix the problems at Manchester United.And that includes regularly staying up until 4am in an attempt to find the tiny details he is missing.Erik ten Hag is feeling the heat as Manchester United managerCredit: Eamonn and James ClarkeBenni McCarthy worked with Ten Hag for two seasonsCredit: GettyTen Hag remains under constant pressure as Red Devils boss.The shock FA Cup final win over Manchester City ensured he kept his job beyond last season.But five matches without a victory following earlier defeats to Brighton and Liverpool mean the Dutchman is just about hanging on again.And that means long, gruelling days at Carrington and at home.READ MORE ON MAN UTDTen Hag’s former assistant Benni McCarthy, 46, revealed just how much work Ten Hag is putting in – joking that it is to the detriment of his marriage with wife Bianca.Asked what is going wrong at Old Trafford, McCarthy, who left in the summer, told SuperSport: “That’s the million-dollar question, that’s the question for everyone. If they knew, they could fix it.”There’s nothing wrong there, it’s just missing [a piece] in the puzzle, I don’t even think they know what it is, they’ve not found that missing puzzle piece. “What is it? Is it the mentality shift? Is it the mindset? Is it working on more specifics? It could be anything. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”When you’re there, you see the work that goes into training and how the players are. I was like, ‘My God, we would ruin any team,’ with the way we trained.”When you are there, you see this is high-level stuff.’He’s done!’ | How woeful tactics & Dalot shocker saw Spurs smash Man Utd to spell end for Ten Hag”We were not fearful of anyone, the team is incredible with quality. Then come matchday, it’s like we get a massive shock in the back.”I can imagine how frustrating it is for Erik because he’s probably one of the hardest-working managers I’ve come across.”His attention to detail, that man goes to sleep at 3am, 4am in the morning.”The analysts get it at all angles, even if he thinks of something at 2am.”I’m sure his wife must be on the verge of divorcing him because that’s his life. It’s non-stop.”He works tirelessly and when you put that much work in, you expect things to go well, but that’s why I’m saying there’s something [that’s not right].”McCarthy worked under Ten Hag during his first two seasons at Old Trafford – with the objective of contending for titles again.He revealed the coaches arrived at Carrington around 7.15am ahead of a meeting 15 minutes later with the manager and his staff to discuss the training session.The players get to the training ground at 8am and soon head for training – likely a warm-up in the gym before going outside on the grass. McCarthy then said the likes of “special” Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Rasmus Hojlund, Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro then stay out for extra training and competitions. Nine managers Man Utd considered before keeping Erik ten HagERIK TEN HAG appears to be safe as Man Utd manager, but the Dutchman edged dangerously close to the sack.Here are nine managers Red Devils chiefs are reported to have considered for the job and what allegedly happened with each.Gareth SouthgateEnjoys plenty of support among Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos chiefs but made clear he wouldn’t talk to any clubs until after Euro 2024. There is yet to be any suggestion that contact was made with the England boss.Kieran McKennaTalks were opened with McKenna’s representatives before the FA Cup final, but the former Man Utd coach opted to sign a new deal with Ipswich after Ten Hag’s Wembley win.Roberto De ZerbiAllegedly sounded out before the FA Cup final with salary expectations discussed. But Ineos chiefs concluded ex-Brighton boss was not the right fit for the project.Thomas FrankBrentford boss met Man Utd representatives the day before the FA Cup final. The Dane also dined with Ratcliffe, Roy Hodgson and Frank Lampard at the launch of a new Ineos car in February.Marco SilvaFulham boss reportedly met Man Utd representatives face-to-face two days before the FA Cup final, around the same time as Ten Hag was conducting his press conference.Mauricio PochettinoFell out of Man Utd’s thinking in the first week of June, despite being a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson.Thomas TuchelMade a very strong impression and came across well during a Monaco meeting. Personal terms were discussed before the ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss decided to step back from the process.Ruben AmorimSporting boss was discussed by the Man Utd hierarchy but did not make the final reckoning.Roberto MartinezPortugal manager was considered in the early stages.After lunch, there was a training debrief among the coaches and then from 2pm, they would use the video analysis to give personal feedback to the players. But despite being popular with the first-team stars, especially Rashford, Fernandes and Casemiro, McCarthy departed in the summer.He has not been afraid to speak his mind with some strong words about his former boss, suggesting Ten Hag “lacks fire”. However, he still backs Ten Hag to be the man to get United ticking again – and suggested only one man would be a better option.Ex-Ajax, Porto, Blackburn and West Ham striker McCarthy added: “People always look for answers like replacing the coach.”Who are you replacing him with? Who else is better than what they have? READ MORE SUN STORIES”You’re not going to get many managers – unless Pep [Guardiola] decides to change from City to United then maybe you might have a change in fortunes. “But other than that I can’t really see there’s better than Ten Hag.”Time could be ticking on Ten Hag’s reign at Old TraffordCredit: GettyThe Dutchman gets in early to prepare for the dayCredit: Eamonn and James ClarkeMcCarthy was at Old Trafford for two years and proved popular with the playersCredit: GettyThe former coach reckons only Pep Guardiola would be a better fit than Ten HagCredit: Sunday Times More

MANCHESTER UNITED star Noussair Mazraoui could be back playing by the next international break, according to his Morocco manager.The defender was taken off at half-time against Aston Villa last week after suffering heart palpitations.Noussair Mazraoui could be back by the next international breakCredit: GettyHe underwent a procedure and was expected to be out for a significant period – but he could be back sooner than expected.Mazraoui, 26, will be sidelined for a few weeks as he recovers from surgery and he had to withdraw from the Morocco squad.But a Man Utd source said the full-back has a “relatively common condition” so is expected to make a full recovery.Morocco manager Walid Regragui also has an optimistic outlook and is hopeful to have Mazraoui available for selection at the next international break in November.READ MORE ON MAN UTDRegragui, whose side play Gabon on November 11, said: “Noussair Mazraoui is not suffering from a dangerous illness.“We hope he will be with us in the next camp in November.”Mazraoui has impressed since moving to Old Trafford in the summer and has been ever-present at right-back, making ten appearances.Diogo Dalot could take his place but that would leave United short of a left-back, though Lindelof could continue to fill in at right-back.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSUnited will also be concerned over the fitness of Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho as both were forced to withdraw from international duty.Garnacho has been managing a knee issue which led to him being taken off in a match against Porto ten days ago.Gary Neville explains what happened in Man Utd meeting amid pressure on Erik ten Hag’s job More

WAYNE ROONEY certainly hit the headlines throughout his football career. But a Manchester United goalkeeper claims he was even wilder as a kid before his big breakthrough – and once got sent off for fighting.Wayne Rooney was never afraid to show his aggression on the football fieldCredit: ReutersHe picked up eight red cards as a professional – but was also sent off in youth footballCredit: PA:Press AssociationRooney, now 38, came through the youth ranks at Everton – bursting on to the scene aged 16 with his dramatic winner against Arsenal in 2002. However, he was causing a stir among academy football years earlier. Tom Heaton started out at United while Rooney was breaking records at Everton.And the shot-stopper – now back at Old Trafford towards the end of his career after spells with Cardiff, Bristol City, Burnley and Aston Villa – has vivid memories of facing the young striker. READ MORE ON MAN UTDHeaton, also 38, told ManUtd.com: “I played against him a number of times when he was at Everton.”We were obviously the same age and he was even more wild when he was younger, I think!“I can remember now, we played away, I think we were Under-14s or Under-15s, and him and our centre-half were fighting on the pitch – and I literally mean fighting!“Both got red cards, so I sort of knew of him at the time. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”He was obviously an incredible player with incredible ability, but he also had that fiery temperament, so yeah, [I’ve got] some real interesting memories of him.”Rooney never lacked confidence or aggression on the football field.Wayne Rooney doesn’t hesitate in naming England’s best player as Man Utd legend snubs Jude Bellingham He earned a £27million transfer to Manchester United in 2004 and went on to become the club’s all-time record goalscorer with 253 goals in 559 appearances.The forward and former captain lifted 12 major honours with the Red Devils including five Premier Leagues and the Champions League. But his no-nonsense approach often landed him in hot water with referees, rivals and even his own boss Sir Alex Ferguson. Rooney racked up eight red cards during his playing days, most famously in the 2006 World Cup quarter-finals against Portugal.And he continues to feel the wrath of the officials as a manager.The former Derby, DC United and Birmingham boss is now in charge at Plymouth.And just last weekend, he picked up his first red card as a gaffer. Rooney was furious that Blackburn’s late equaliser was allowed to stand and his comments protesting to the officials led to him being sent off.The ex-England skipper had the last laugh, though, as his Plymouth side snatched a 97th-minute winner.And Rooney revealed he went crazy out of sight in incredible scenes.He told talkSPORT: “Me and the club secretary in the tunnel were celebrating, I broke his glasses celebrating.”So the win was a deserved win, but sometimes it boils over a little bit and that’s the nature of football.”He added: “It was my first time as a manager [getting sent off].”I think as a manager or a head coach, decisions happen on the pitch and looking back, it’s a free kick, so the goal shouldn’t have stood.”In the Championship you don’t have VAR so the officials missed it and your emotions kick in and you know, I’m a passionate person, we want to win.READ MORE SUN STORIES”We worked extremely hard to win the game and to have that taken away by what I feel was a mistake by the officials, I felt was really harsh.”I reacted in a manner in which I shouldn’t have and the red card was deserved.”Rooney made his mark with the winner against Arsenal in 2002Credit: News Group Newspapers LtdHe picked up the first red card of his managerial career last weekendCredit: Rex More

CHELSEA boss Enzo Maresca has been named the Premier League’s Manager of the Month for September.The 44-year-old led his new team to successive wins over Bournemouth, West Ham and Brighton last month.Enzo Maresca has been named the Premier League’s Manager of the MonthCredit: GettyChelsea Women manager Sonia Bompastor was also named WSL Manager of the MonthCredit: GettyHe also took a point from Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.Chelsea now sit fourth in the Premier League table with 14 points from seven games.And the club’s impressive form has seen Maresca take home the coveted Premier League Manager of the Month trophy.The Italian is the first Chelsea manager to win the award since Thomas Tuchel in 2021.Read More in FootballHe told the Premier League: “We had a very good month.”We all need people around us to make things better. I’m very grateful to have all of them.”We are always looking at new things and how we can improve from different football and different countries.”Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer also won a Premier League award for September.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSCole Palmer has been named Player of the MonthCredit: AlamyHe was named Player of the Month after scoring five goals and assisting two.Palmer impressed fans after netting four against Brighton at the Amex Stadium.Cole Palmer labelled ‘aura personified’ as Chelsea ace stars in nine-minute Burberry ad without saying a wordHis season hit another positive note earlier this week when he was named England’s Player of the Year.Chelsea also enjoyed a successful start to the WSL season with new manager Sonia Bompastor.The former Lyon boss won both of her opening two games in England.She claimed the WSL Manager of the Month award this week as a result. More