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      Erik ten Hag handed unexpected boost as Man Utd boss edges closer to keeping job due to ‘lack of interest’

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      ERIK TEN HAG has allegedly received a boost concerning his Manchester United future.The Dutchman, 54, has seen his side TWICE squander leads in additional time this week to all-but mathematically end their top four hopes.Erik ten Hag is under more pressure after the defeat at ChelseaCredit: AlamyUnited were firstly pegged back by Brentford last weekend before they made unwanted history at Chelsea on Wednesday.United were leading 3-2 on 99 minutes and 17 seconds but still managed to come away from Stamford Bridge with nothing.Noni Madueke was firstly fouled by Diogo Dalot in the area, allowing Cole Palmer to step up and level from the spot.Then Palmer received a short corner and drilled a deflected shot past Andre Onana to secure his hat-trick with a strike on 100 minutes and 39 seconds.READ MORE MAN UTD NEWSThat was the latest a side has ever led in a Premier League match that they have gone on to lose. That setback at Chelsea came in front of new investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe and further increased pressure on Ten Hag – although he insists he will still be in charge next season.However, now I News states that his job “is not thought to be under immediate threat of being sacked” due largely to “a lack of viable, interested alternatives” available.United are currently nine points adrift of the Champions League places but more poor results in their final eight games could force Ratcliffe and his lieutenant Sir Dave Brailsford to make a change.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThey have already allegedly created a list of potential replacements but “several of the top contenders are lukewarm about the prospect of taking over at Old Trafford, given the monumental task at hand”, according to the outlet’s sources.England manager Gareth Southgate and former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann, recently appointed Germany chief for this summer’s Euro 2024 on home soil, are two of the most recent men linked.Man Utd hero Mikael Silvestre explains reason why Sir Jim Ratcliffe should back Erik ten HagBut this update claims a source told them: “Why would Gareth Southgate want to leave the England job for United given the mess they are in?“This is potentially the best generation of talent we have ever had, a group Gareth has helped steer through the system. Why not see where that group can go?”Meanwhile, despite his deal currently only lasting until July, Nagelsmann is believed to be keen on working long-term on his national team’s project.Meanwhile, Zinedine Zidane is believed to have little interest in moving to England while Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi is thought to be Bayern’s top choice to replace Thomas Tuchel. Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim is the favourite to take over from Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.That leaves out-of-work Graham Potter and Brentford’s Thomas Frank “as the two remaining candidates on Ineos’ list” as potential targets.However, this report adds that “little is known about whether either would be keen to replace Ten Hag” but “there is no panic at Ineos”.Inside Ratcliffe’s Man Utd plansEverything you need to know as Sir Jim Ratcliffe takes charge at Manchester United… More

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      Erik ten Hag has ‘no doubts’ he will be Man Utd manager next season despite collapse at Chelsea and Southgate links

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      ERIK TEN HAG has “no doubts” he will still be in charge of Manchester United next season.The heat is on the Old Trafford boss after Thursday’s crushing 4-3 defeat to Chelsea, when his side conceded twice in stoppage time.Erik ten Hag is confident he will be in charge next seasonCredit: ReutersThe defeat left United 11 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa and the club’s new billionaire part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is planning a huge overhaul.England boss Gareth Southgate and ex-Chelsea chief Graham Potter have been heavily linked to take over from Ten Hag.But asked if he believes he will be Ratcliffe’s man next season, Ten Hag replied: “I don’t have any doubts. I’m just focusing on my job, focusing on this project.“I really love to be here and I am enjoying the challenge.READ MORE ON MAN UTD“It will not always go the right way, the results will not always go the way we want but I am sure we are in the right direction and will get where we want to be.”United have appointed ex-Manchester City chief Omar Berrada as their new CEO while Ratcliffe also wants Newcastle guru Dan Ashworth and Southampton’s Jason Wilcox to be part of a new brains trust above Ten Hag.In a Sky Sports interview, the Dutch coach admitted that, as none of the three has arrived at Old Trafford yet, there is a power vacuum, adding: “It is the case at this moment but it should not be an issue.“We have to do that in togetherness, the manager, the coaching, the backroom staff, together with the players to put things right.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERTen Hag says his players are ‘mad and angry’ after harming their chances of Champions League football.United have dropped five points in less than a week by shipping injury-time goals to draw at Brentford and lose at Chelsea.Man Utd and Liverpool’s Worst Ever Transfer XI worth £450mAnd Ten Hag admitted: “In stoppage time this week, we have dropped five points, it’s expensive.“We will be mad, angry and you can take a lot of energy from that.” More

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      I’ve been in the Premier League for two years, won almost every trophy in football and had Aguero ask for my shirt

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      JULIAN ALVAREZ only turned 24 a couple of months ago . . . yet he has already won the lot.Last season the forward helped Manchester City win the Treble — and has since added the Super Cup and Club World Cup.Manchester City ace Julian Alvarez has already won everythingCredit: GettyAlvarez was part of Man City’s Treble-winning team last seasonCredit: AFPMan City legend Sergio Aguero has requested Alvarez’s shirtCredit: GettyAnd in the midst of all that, Alvarez was part of the Argentina side that lifted the World Cup in December 2022, adding to the Copa America they won a year earlier.His medal collection will already be envied by footballers past and present, all over the world, and he has only been a professional player for a few years.So the only thing left for the Etihad hero to do now is . . . try to win them all again.And with plenty of years left in his career, the former River Plate star sees no reason why he cannot do it.Read More on FootballAhead of Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace, Alvarez said: “There’s been  a lot of trophies in a short amount of time — but I want to keep growing as a player and  person.“And why not win all the same titles again?“It’s a lot of titles, yes, but I just want to keep doing it.“I will keep training and will keep working for the fans so we can get more pleasure out of winning.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFor now, the gongs he has won are split between Manchester and South America but one day he will put them all together.Smiling, he explained: “Some are in Argentina and some are here with me in the UK.Animated Pep Guardiola berates Jack Grealish at full-time after Man City are frustrated by Arsenal in title showdown “The World Cup one is in Argentina — in a special cabinet.”One person who will certainly be envious of his glittering collection is City’s 260-goal all-time record scorer Sergio Aguero.His fellow Argentine has an impressive array of silverware from an unforgettable decade of success at the Etihad from 2011 until 2021.But the World Cup and Champions League always eluded him.Alvarez has always been in awe of Aguero and sought his advice when the opportunity to sign for Pep Guardiola’s side first arose in 2021.But, recently, Aguero reached out to him for a signed City shirt to give to a good cause.Alvarez, who finally joined City in the summer of 2022 for £14million from River Plate, said: “Kun [Aguero] and I talk a lot — maybe not as much as we used to as he’s outside of football.“He’s doing a lot of streaming now. But we talk when we can.Aguero asked for Alvarez’s signed shirt“Before I moved here I asked him for advice, yes — what to do in Manchester, how is the city.“I used to watch him as a kid, the same as I watched Messi. He’s always been an example for me but especially now I play for City.”The two countrymen missed each other at the Etihad by just 12 months so never got the chance to play up front together.Instead, Alvarez shares striking duties with Erling Haaland, who will surely break Aguero’s records if he stays at the Etihad for the long term.Alvarez dismissed suggestions that he and the Norwegian cannot work together as a pair and insists they can be a formidable duo.He said: “It’s a pleasure to play with him always. We have shown we can play together and give a lot to the team when we do.Alvarez can play with Haaland“I’m used to playing with other strikers — ever since I was a child I have always shared the forward roles with other guys.“But we have demonstrated that we can play together to help the team. We try to work together and I have the feeling we can do it.”Alvarez has generally been in Haaland’s shadow since they arrived at the Etihad almost two years ago.Yet just as he did in the Treble-winning campaign, the Argentine has made a big contribution, scoring 16 times already this term.He said: “I’ve played more this  season — the first year I had to be more patient.  “I’ve played in different positions,  as a nine or ten. But I’m happy to be playing a lot more. It depends, I can adapt to both nine or ten but I would  say that I prefer playing as a nine.“Players here need to be able to adapt to what the manager says and sometimes it can be a bit confusing changing a lot. But you just have to adapt.”Alvarez’s nicknameAlvarez has certainly adapted to life in England and has even brought his boyhood nickname with him to the Premier League.He was dubbed La Arana — the Spider — as a  young player because he looked like he had many legs, such was the speed he moved at. So it makes him smile when it is used as his name is announced after a goal when he is a sub at the Etihad.His ‘Spider’ goal celebration has also been seen regularly by City fans over the past couple of seasons.Alvarez, whose side need maximum points  at Palace to keep the title heat on rivals Liverpool and Arsenal, said: “It was out of nowhere.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We were playing with my brothers and friends. One day they called me Arana — Spider — and now it sticks.“City asked if I wanted to hear that. I said I’d rather it be in Spanish as Arana is my nickname, rather than Spider. I love that I’m still called it.”Alvarez continues to shine at Man City despite playing behind Erling Haaland More

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      Jurgen Klopp’s surprisingly poor record against Man Utd revealed with Ten Hag having the edge over legendary boss

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      IN the past three years, he experienced an epic Cup defeat, a thumping victory and a full-blown riot at Old Trafford.Jurgen Klopp declared that he had run out of energy when he announced his impending departure from Anfield.Jurgen Klopp has a sketchy record against Manchester UnitedCredit: GettyErik ten Hag is aiming to derail Liverpool’s title bidCredit: PAAnd those visits to Manchester United alone must have drained the German.Klopp said he will not miss grudge matches with United, at least no more than any other game, while stating he has no idea whether he will miss football at all when he takes indefinite leave next month.Tomorrow brings Klopp’s final trip to United’s crumbling old dream theatre, just three weeks after his most recent visit.On that occasion, Old Trafford was a seething bear pit as Erik ten Hag’s men pulled off a stunning 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final victory, with an Amad Diallo winner in the final minute of extra-time.This is English football’s Clasico, a day of fear and loathing, a royal blood feud between our two most historically successful clubs.Popular wisdom has it that Liverpool have lorded it over United in Klopp’s eight years.Sir Jim Ratcliffe stole a classic Fergusonism when he spoke about wanting to knock Manchester City and Liverpool ‘off their perch’.With City, that loftiness is undoubted. But has Klopp truly elevated Liverpool above United throughout his Anfield reign?Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIt may surprise you to read, given the widespread narrative which even Ratcliffe swallowed, but in Klopp’s eight seasons United have finished above Liverpool four times.On Klopp’s ten Old Trafford visits, he has won only twice. In all, the German boasts seven victories, drawing eight and losing five.Erik ten Hag discusses Liverpool v Man UtdSince Ten Hag joined, United have won twice, Liverpool once — yet that was a historic 7-0 humiliation at Anfield a year ago.Only Klopp’s two wins over Ten Hag’s Ajax team in 2020 give the Liverpool boss any reason to be positive when looking at the head-to-head stats with the Dutchman.Klopp has lost more than he has won against United, and only two wins against Ajax give him the head-to-head edge over Ten hagBut the treacle-coated storytelling of Klopp’s long goodbye skews all this.Everton fans will point out he has won fewer English league titles than Howard Kendall or Harry Catterick. Klopp could yet equal those two, given Liverpool lead the table by two points from Arsenal, with City a point further back. First, they must conquer Old Trafford, where recent trips often bordered on the absurd.At the end of the 2020-21 pandemic season, United fans — revolting against owners the Glazers — stormed Old Trafford and forced the fixture to be postponed.The next year, Liverpool eviscerated Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side — leading 4-0 at half-time on their way to a 5-0 win which hastened the end of his United reign.Three weeks ago, one of the greatest-ever United-Liverpool clashes, and an all-time classic FA Cup tie, ended Klopp’s hopes of a farewell ‘quadruple’.Tomorrow, United can inflict another significant wound in Klopp’s farewell tour.And this bats**t-mental United team truly are capable of anything. Ten Hag presides over possibly the least predictable team of the Premier League era.Against Liverpool in the Cup, they trailed after 112 minutes and won.At Chelsea on Thursday, they led after 100 minutes and lost. Without extra-time. Do not bet against another 4-3 win. Or a 7-0 defeat.Either way, Klopp will not park the bus. He doesn’t need to.As he said, Liverpool simply have to play as they did from the 15th minute to 75th minute of last month’s Cup tie, when they were by far the superior team.READ MORE SUN STORIESPerhaps Klopp will leave Old Trafford for the final time on Sunday, with Liverpool’s fans crowing and their team on the verge of equalling United’s record of 20 English titles.But if they do it, they must rewrite recent history. Whatever most people, including Ratcliffe, will have you believe. More

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      Premier League should stop expecting managers to behave like monks on the touchline, even players get away with more

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      SUNSPORT’S April Fool’s Day VAR joke had such a ring of truth no one would be too surprised if it happens.Football is in the grip of over-regulation and our fun story on Easter Monday suggested VAR cameras would shortly be pointed at the managers’ box beside the pitch.Premier League managers like Jurgen Klopp can’t be expected to stand idly during matchesCredit: GettyKarren Brady insists managers deserve more lenient rulesCredit: GettyActually it isn’t even called a “box” but a “technical area”, a pompous way of saying not much at all.In this area, managers are expected to behave with the decorum of a monk.“Stand still please, or you’ll get a yellow”, warns a guy in a tracksuit standing guard over some of the greatest men in football.I’m a little over the top here. But when the rules of this area are more stringent than those in the House of Commons, matters have gone awry.Read More on FootballWhat would have been the reaction to Barry Fry at Birmingham?His touchline antics alone were worth the entrance money at St Andrew’s.I had been managing director a few months when we appointed Barry, whose top act was to race down a touchline arms waving, shouting advice and perhaps other things at his players.He is a wonderful character who today, I imagine, would have been manacled in his “technical area” complete with a rag stuffed into his mouth!Most read in FootballBlues fans loved his antics but, inevitably, it was banned.Fair to say it touched on rabble-rousing.Fans spot furious Erik ten Hag’s MELTDOWN on touchline as he screams at Man Utd star during Sheff Utd winAnd it would be ridiculous to allow managers free rein while their players are being told to behave as sportsmen and not incite the more excitable among their followers.But supporters like to see their manager get involved.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe image of Jurgen Klopp all in black grinning or agonising under his black cap is irresistible and his generosity of spirit has made him easily our favourite German.Publicly, managers have reacted mildly to their strange sort of imprisonment.Mikel Arteta has grumbled that three yellows for a ban is two fewer than players face.His stance is that managers are present at all matches whereas players are not, for various reasons.This is rather too sophisticated for most of us but the Arsenal manager has had four bookings this season — once for straying over the line and another time for, he said, “waving at Martinelli”.Two others have ventured beyond three.Touchline anticsItalian Roberto de Zerbi, the Brighton boss, claimed he got a yellow card because “perhaps the fourth official didn’t understand my words”.And Manchester United’s Erik ten Hag got one for protesting a throw-in too strongly.As a player, Vincent Kompany received just three reds in 17 years but he added another as Burnley boss at Chelsea last Saturday.He apologised to officials after the 2-2 draw.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut Kompany also said: “The frustration comes from the fact it’s been a succession of them and these were debatable. I’ll keep saying what I think.”Good on you, Vincent!Unpredictable VARTHE PROFESSIONAL game is fast being played nearly as much in the rulebook as on the pitch — such is the pressure to win.
      The VAR record is good on offsides and line rulings but otherwise unpredictable — making mince meat of handball rulings and no ­better than a ref on free-kicks.
      West Ham’s 4-3 defeat at Newcastle turned on a questionable VAR call that Kalvin Phillips had fouled Anthony Gordon.
      But there is no point complaining as nothing changes and our boss David Moyes could do no more than grimace.
      I have written five letters to PGMOL this season questioning ­decisions. All you get back are ­pictures from the rulebook and ­justifications of the decisions.
      There’s something unbalanced when a manager can cavort when his team scores but cannot protest sensibly at a bad goal given against. More

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      I’m a Premier League star and gave myself a stupid nickname after watching Cool Runnings… it’s still on back of my shirt

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      A PREMIER LEAGUE ace has been performing with a nickname he received from the popular movie Cool Runnings throughout his 17-year career.The Disney film starring John Candy is loosely based on Jamaica’s national bobsleigh team which competed in the 1988 Winter Olympics.A Premier League ace has been carrying a nickname inspired from Cool RunningsCredit: AlamyA defender has been nicknamed after the character Sanka CoffieCredit: AlamyOne of the cast’s most beloved characters was called Sanka Coffie and was played by Doug E. Doug.And a well-known defender, who started his career in Denmark, ended up being named after him.However, the 33-year-old’s case comes with a twist as his own moniker is spelled differently.And it all kicked off during the Dane’s youth years at B.93 in 2000.Read More on FootballThe man in question? Well, it’s none other than Brentford ace Mathias ‘Zanka’ Jorgensen.Jorgensen earned the nickname when he was 10 years old during an awkward car ride that saw his then coach Johan Lange cramming his vehicle in such a way it looked like a bobsleigh. The Denmark international managed to get a set in the front to avoid the unpleasantness at the back.Lange happened to be a huge fan of Cool Runnings and so the rest is history…Most read in FootballZanka previously told BBC Radio Leeds: “My former youth coach had seen the movie ‘Cool Runnings’ and we were coming back from training about 20 minutes from where I was living in Copenhagen and we had to cram a lot of people in the car.“I was sat in front of the passenger seat in what seemed like a bobsleigh and he looked down and said ‘Sanka’ and it just caught on.Why More Penalties Are Being Scored“By the end of high school everyone was calling me ‘Zanka’ and when I signed my first contract at Copenhagen [in 2007] they asked me what I wanted on my shirt.“My mum was saying I could take my dad’s name ‘Jattah-Njie’ or her name Jorgensen and then the sports director said how about Zanka?BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER“It’s more recognisable than Jorgensen as a lot of people are named Jorgensen in Scandinavia.”Jorgensen continues to wear that nickname on the back of his shirt at Brentford and did the same during his two-year stint at Huddersfield until his departure for Fenerbahce in 2019.However, the centre-back is not sure why his moniker is misspelled to this day.Zanka added: “I think it has a Z because I was told it looks cooler. As a 10-year-old, I wanted to be cool and the nickname stuck.”That is none other than Brentford ace Mathias ‘Zanka’ JorgensenCredit: RexZanka still doesn’t know why his nickname is misspelledCredit: Rex More

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      Man Utd have only made TWO mistakes leading to goals this season despite defensive woes – as worst culprits revealed

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have only made two serious mistakes this season despite a turbulent campaign under Erik ten Hag.United have tumbled to sixth place in the Premier League table with a whopping 11 points separating them from the top four and nine adrift of fifth place, which could lead to Champions League qualification.Manchester United are among the least error-prone Premier League teamsCredit: GettyOnly two mistakes led to goals against Man Utd throughout the seasonCredit: GettyArsenal committed 14 mistakes, six of which led to goalsCredit: GettyChelsea are the second most error-prone team of the Premier LeagueCredit: GettyBrighton have committed the most errors in the Premier League this seasonFans have been left frustrated with another disappointing campaign from the Red Devils that has seen them concede 44 goals in 30 Prem matches due to a calamitous defence.Some have even called for Ten Hag to be sacked after minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe took over sporting operations.However, findings from Opta prove that the Manchester giants are actually among the least error-prone clubs in the English top flight.In fact, United have only committed a total of eight mistakes which have led to shots and goals from the opposition.Read More on Man UtdAnd only two of them actually resulted to a goal specifically all season.The first critical error took place on December 23 during a 2-0 loss to West Ham at the London Stadium.That was when Kobbie Mainoo gave the ball away to Mohammed Kudus who went on to hit the back of the net and seal the win for David Moyes’ side.Then Sofyan Amrabat’s gaffe contributed to Erling Haaland’s goal which capped off a 3-1 win for Manchester City at the Etihad on March 3.Most read in FootballOnly West Ham and Crystal Palace, who have committed the fewest errors so far this season, have done better than United.However, Brighton top the dreaded table with 18 mistakes, eight of which led to goals.Raging Roy Keane once told forgotten Man Utd star ‘you’ll never make it.. you’ll be playing pub league’ in scathing rantChelsea and Tottenham follow with the same total amount but have conceded fewer times than the Seagulls.Relegation strugglers Sheffield United and Luton Town complete the top five.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERBurnley have committed 15 mistakes with Arsenal, Newcastle and Brentford behind them as they produced six errors that led to goals.Wolves complete the top 10 with Fulham, Bournemouth and high-fliers Liverpool as well as City behind them.Nottingham Forest, Everton and Aston Villa have fared just a little worse than United.Ten Hag has full faith in the project currently taking place at Old Trafford and is adamant he will still be United manager next season.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Dutchman told Sky Sports: “I don’t have any doubts. “I’m just focusing on my job, focusing on this process, in this project. I really love to be here, I’m enjoying it. For me it’s a challenge.” More

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      Eddie Howe risks Newcastle wrath as he reveals he does NOT want to fly to Australia for controversial Tottenham friendly

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      NEWCASTLE boss Eddie Howe admits he doesn’t want to fly to Australia for an end-of-season friendly against Tottenham.Toon face Spurs in Melbourne on May 22, just three days after the final Premier League game of the campaign.Eddie Howe is not too keen on travelling down under after the seasonCredit: ReutersBoth clubs are expecting their internationals to be involved despite the Euros being just around the corner.Howe admits the 21,000-mile round trip is not what the players need after an exhausting year, but accepts he has little choice as Newcastle try to boost commercial revenues to navigate FFP rules.He said: “I don’t think it’s something that, being honest, in my position you’re saying ‘I want to go’.“But there are different trains of thought here and I understand the club’s position, so we will back it if the club says we are going.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“Sometimes we are told to do certain things. From a physical perspective, after a long season, it’s not something we would want to do.“But we respect the demands that the club is moving forward very quickly and we have to keep up the pace with everything they want to do.”The Magpies are desperately trying to increase revenues so they don’t have to sell their star players this summer.Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimarares has been linked with PSG while Arsenal are plotting a move for red-hot Swedish striker Alexander Isak.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHowe insists Newcastle need to show they are moving forward to convince them to stay on Tyneside, but accepts they will struggle if rivals offer them huge wage increases.He added: “Finishing in Europe would certainly help but a lot will depend on our ambition and where the club is going to go in the foreseeable future.Sporting Director Dan Ashworth talks about his job at Newcastle United “You set your ambitions not just in terms of talking but in actions, so we need to show to them that we are a club moving forward.“My intention would be to keep Bruno and Isak for as long as we possibly can, but I can never make guarantees.“If a player can double his wages you are already in a difficult position.“Who knows what the future holds but we have to try and make the players feel at home and happy. Hopefully that is enough to keep them here for a long time.” More