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      Jack Grealish: I’ll be honest with you… I didn’t agree with Gareth Southgate’s shock Euro 2024 decision

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      JACK GREALISH is on a mission to prove a point with England after his Euro 2024 “devastation”.The Manchester City winger felt Gareth Southgate was wrong to leave him out for the tournament in Germany.Manchester City star Jack Grealish disagrees with his England omission at Euro 2024Credit: ReutersFormer England manager Gareth Southgate left Grealish out his squadCredit: AlamyGrealish had the summer free after missing out on Euro 2024Credit: https://www.instagram.com/jackgrealish/Grealish, with partner Sasha Attwood, was devastated to miss out on Euro 2024 with EnglandCredit: instagram/@sasha__rebecca’Interim boss Lee Carsley recalled Grealish last month and started the £100million man – who has just announced he has had a baby girl with partner Sasha Attwood – in wins over Republic of Ireland and Finland.Asked about his Euros axe, Grealish said: “I will be honest with you – I didn’t really agree with it.“You can imagine how I was absolutely devastated. It was one of the most difficult periods of life in terms of football.“It was difficult to just watch the games, especially for someone like me who watches so much football.Read More on Football“I have won a lot of stuff now so, you asked me should I have gone, yes, I still think I should have, but obviously it wasn’t meant to be.“I felt like I didn’t have the best season. If you look at some players in my position, for example Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Jarrod Bowen, they scored a lot of goals.“But I know that my game is not just about goals. I give so much more to the team than goals.“You need a bit of a balance in every position on the pitch and I class myself as quite an experienced player now.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“I’ve played in a lot of big games — Champions League finals and FA Cup finals.”Grealish, 29, scored in the 2-0 win over Ireland in Dublin and hopes to feature against Greece in the Nations League at Wembley on Thursday.Jack Grealish opens up on ‘one of the worst summers of my life’ after scoring against England over former side IrelandThe three-time Premier League winner is feeling “a lot of love” playing for Carsley — a fellow Brummie.And Grealish believes the former Three Lions Under-21s boss has all the qualities to land his new job on a permanent basis.He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “He played me in both games and hopefully I repaid him by scoring in Dublin. It was nice to play in the No10 role.“I wanted to come here and train well and play well. I thank the manager, Lee Carsley, for giving me that chance and having that trust in me. It’s really meant a lot.“Throughout my career, when I’ve played under managers that have shown a trust in me and communicated with me the way he has in the past two camps, it has really helped me.“I’ve felt a lot of love from the manager.READ MORE SUN STORIES“It makes me feel that the manager really does rate me and I can’t speak highly enough of him since I’ve been here.“He gets across to us how he wants us to play and how he wants me to play personally. The younger lads with him at the Under-21s said he is like a proper father figure.”Grealish struggled to watch football during his Euro 2024 omissionGrealish trained hard during the summer to get his England place backGrealish and Sasha announced the birth of Mila this week More

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      Erik ten Hag ‘demanded Man Utd build £200k wall at Carrington as under-fire boss aims to keep training sessions secret’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED manager Erik ten Hag has had a giant £200,000 wall built at Carrington to keep his team’s training sessions a secret.Ten Hag’s United future has plunged into uncertainty amid the club’s worst ever Premier League start that has seen them notch up just eight points in their first seven matches.Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag demanded a giant wall at CarringtonCredit: GettyThe white wall was erected two weeks ago to keep training sessions a secretCredit: GettyHowever, the Dutch tactician, 54, continues to work rigorously and even keeps an eye on the smallest details regarding his team’s wellbeing on and off the pitch.According to The Mail, the ex-Ajax boss demanded that a wall was bult to hide his training sessions from prying eyes and shield his squad from the elements.The white wall was installed two weeks ago at the request of the under-fire manager.This comes after fellow Dutch boss Louis van Gaal ordered diggers and earth movers to be brought in to put up wind breakers at Carrington when he was in charge of United in 2015.Read More on Man UtdVan Gaal famously said at the time: “Wind is not always the friend of the players.”Nevertheless, the cost of the wall has raised eyebrows among club staff after severe cost-cutting measures were brought in by Ineos.They included 250 club employees being laid off.United chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe attended a meeting on Tuesday to discuss Ten Hag’s future, which lasted seven hours.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIneos director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford and United’s sporting director Dan Ashworth also attended the showdown talks in London.However, Ratcliffe offered no insight into the manager’s position as he left via a rear exit.Manchester United vs Aston Villa: Player Ratings BreakdownThis leaves fans no closer to learning whether Ten Hag will still be in charge come their next game against Brentford at Old Trafford after the international break on October 19.Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford following the board meeting at Ineos HQCredit: pa More

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      Nicolas Jackson learns fate after shock footage appeared to show Chelsea star SLAPPING rival in mass brawl vs Forest

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      CHELSEA and Nottingham Forest have been charged over the mass bust-up which overshadowed the climax to their feisty draw.But Blues’ striker Nicolas Jackson is off the hook after he appeared to slap defender Morato during the brawl.Chelsea frontman Nicolas Jackson had been subbed several minutes earlier when he was captured seemingly slapping Forest’s MoratoJackson was at the centre of a major talking pointCredit: SunSportStriker Jackson had been substituted already but joined in the 88th minute fracas as tempers boiled over with each team searching for a late winner.The incident was sparked by Neco Williams shoving Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella as they tussled for the ball near the touchline – with the Spaniard sent clattering into Blues boss Enzo Maresca.It prompted a huge shoving match involving the backroom staff of both clubs.Jackson, wearing a training coat, is then spotted joining in from the bench and appears to lash out with his arm in the direction of Morato.READ MORE TOP STORIESVAR Jarred Gillett saw the flashpoint but did not suggest to take the matter further and the FA are following suit after reading match referee Chris Kavanagh’s report.An FA statement read: “Chelsea and Nottingham Forest have been charged after the mass confrontation at their Premier League fixture on Sunday, 6 October. “It’s alleged that both clubs failed to ensure their players didn’t behave in an improper and/or provocative way around the 88th minute. Chelsea and Nottingham Forest have until Thursday, 10 October, to provide their responses.”Forest’s Williams and Chelsea defender Levi Colwill were booked for their part in the melee. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSChelsea had six or more players booked for the second time this season and will cop an additional £50,000 fine.They will also be without Cucurella and Wesley Fofana for the next match – a trip to Premier League leaders Liverpool – after the pair reached five yellow cards for the season so far.Cole Palmer labelled ‘aura personified’ as Chelsea ace stars in nine-minute Burberry ad without saying a wordBut Maresca insists he has no problems with his side’s disciplinary record.He said: “I like the team, the way they’re fighting. I like the way they are becoming a team. I don’t see any problems with that.“Do I prefer it when something like that happens? I like the team spirit. I don’t see any problem.”“I was in my area, so I was where I had to be.“In terms of emotion, the team is fighting together. Someone tried to kick me, I fell down.“But if you ask me about the team spirit, the way they are fighting together, I’m very happy.”Chelsea player ratings vs Forest: Madueke shines again but hot-head Jackson too busy arguing CHELSEA were held by ten-man Nottingham Forest as frustration filled Stamford Bridge.Noni Madueke cancelled out Chris Wood’s opener but the Blues couldn’t find a winner.And frustrations boiled over with a mass brawl in added time.Here’s how SunSport’s Jack Figg rated the Blues stars.Robert Sanchez – 8Excellent positioning to snuff out Forest counter on hour mark and made two sensational late saves to deny the visitor’s a winner.Malo Gusto – 6Wasn’t able to prevent Nikola Milenkovic’s flick on to set up Wood’s opener but he produced a great block to deny Gibbs-White in the box.Wesley Fofana – 7Forming a good partnership at the back with Colwill. Finally some consistency at centre-half for Chelsea.Levi Colwill – 7Made a huge block to prevent Yates in the first half. John Terry-esque defending.Marc Cucurella – 5Lacked attacking creativity down the left having filled in at centre-back at times. Failed to form much of a threat with Sancho.Moises Caicedo – 6Agonisingly close to getting ahead of Wood to prevent the Forest opener. Took the role as deep-lying midfielder in front of back line.Enzo Fernandez – 5Still looks to be finding his best position under Maresca. Not a natural holding midfielder but denied preferred advanced role by Palmer.Cole Palmer – 6Looked lively when afforded space in the centre but the Chelsea superstar saw a huge chance saved thanks to Matz Sels double save.Noni Madueke – 8Constant threat down the right side with his goal well deserved. But the winger finds himself guilty of making the wrong choice in the final third.Jadon Sancho – 4Largely absent throughout the match with Aina doing a stellar job in keeping the tricky forward quiet. Lacked killer instinct going forward.Nicolas Jackson – 4Apart from pressing, quiet throughout. Slow to react in the box in a frustrating sign of inconsistency after recent goalscoring form. Spent more time arguing with team-mates at points.SubsJoao Felix (for Fernandez 80 mins) – 6Christopher Nkaunku (for Jackson 80 mins) – 6Mykhailo Mudryk (for Sancho 89 mins) -5Pedro Neto (for Madueke 89 mins) – 6Tosin Adarabioyo (for Colwill 90+3 mins) – 5 More

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      Jadon Sancho told he is ‘far too easy to play against’ and warned he faces being dropped by ex-Chelsea star

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      JADON SANCHO has been warned that he could be dropped by Chelsea if he does not adapt his game.The winger, 24, was accused of being “too easy to play against” after he was watched at the weekend by a former Blues striker.Jadon Sancho struggled to make an impact vs Nottingham ForestCredit: RexSancho went into Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest having laid on an assist in each of his first three appearances for Chelsea.In his latest outing, however, he failed to make much of an impact before being replaced by Mykhailo Mudryk late on.Watching on for The Times was former Blue Tony Cascarino.In his subsequent column, the ex-striker claimed that he had been tasked with specifically watching out for Sancho – and that he came away not overly impressed.READ MORE CHELSEA NEWS”There were no big mistakes, everything was neat and tidy, he played short passes that were accurate,” Cascarino wrote of Sancho’s display. “There was nothing to complain about, or that a pundit could pull apart in analysis on television. “But he’s playing for Chelsea. This is a club that has high expectations of players, especially attacking ones. Being OK, which is what he was, is a problem. “The truth is that he made it easy for Nottingham Forest’s right-back Ola Aina to play against him. “There is no question Sancho is a good player, and his touch is almost always really sound, but he plays such a conservative game.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSTony Cascarino had his say on Sancho’s performanceCredit: The SunSancho has laid on three assists so far this seasonCredit: Getty”He never got into a physical battle with Aina and never tried to take him on. Sancho is not slow but he doesn’t have that burst of acceleration to get at defenders.”Cascarino went on to compare Sancho’s performance with that of Noni Madueke, who scored Chelsea’s equaliser.Former Chelsea manager Potter weighs in on Postecoglou’s ‘shell-shocked’ interview after Brighton’s win over Spurs The former Republic of Ireland international felt that Madueke caused Forest far more problems due to his speed, directness and ability to get to the byline.He then added: “Cristiano Ronaldo, Eden Hazard, Gareth Bale and the other best wingers of recent times at the biggest teams in the Premier League have always wanted to overwhelm the full-back marking them, using power and speed to beat them physically. “Sancho needs to get a bit stronger, and try to develop so that he can have a more significant change of pace. “That will allow him to keep a defender guessing – at the moment, the full-back knows there is very little chance of him trying to get to the byline.”Cascarino also warned that Sancho could be dropped by Chelsea, given the other options they possess.He specifically named Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Mudryk as threats to his place in the starting XI.’A GREAT FEELING’Sancho arrived at Chelsea on a season-long loan deal from Manchester United on transfer deadline day.Enzo Maresca’s side have an obligation to buy Sancho for between £20-25million at the end of the season, provided that they finish in the top 14.Following the Blues’ recent 4-2 win over Brighton, Sancho lifted the lid on how he had been settling in at Chelsea.He said: “Overall, I was just happy to play at Stamford Bridge for the first time as a Chelsea player.”It was a great feeling and I really appreciated the reception I got from the fans.READ MORE SUN STORIES”It was a great feeling [to get a standing ovation from the fans] and my family and friends were in the crowd for the game, so that made it extra special.”I’m happy to have been able to assist for goals in recent games, I’m settling in well here and I just want to keep this momentum going and keep being able to assist my team-mates. Or even get a first goal, that would be nice.”Chelsea player ratings vs Forest: Madueke shines again but hot-head Jackson too busy arguing CHELSEA were held by ten-man Nottingham Forest as frustration filled Stamford Bridge.Noni Madueke cancelled out Chris Wood’s opener but the Blues couldn’t find a winner.And frustrations boiled over with a mass brawl in added time.Here’s how SunSport’s Jack Figg rated the Blues stars.Robert Sanchez – 8Excellent positioning to snuff out Forest counter on hour mark and made two sensational late saves to deny the visitor’s a winner.Malo Gusto – 6Wasn’t able to prevent Nikola Milenkovic’s flick on to set up Wood’s opener but he produced a great block to deny Gibbs-White in the box.Wesley Fofana – 7Forming a good partnership at the back with Colwill. Finally some consistency at centre-half for Chelsea.Levi Colwill – 7Made a huge block to prevent Yates in the first half. John Terry-esque defending.Marc Cucurella – 5Lacked attacking creativity down the left having filled in at centre-back at times. Failed to form much of a threat with Sancho.Moises Caicedo – 6Agonisingly close to getting ahead of Wood to prevent the Forest opener. Took the role as deep-lying midfielder in front of back line.Enzo Fernandez – 5Still looks to be finding his best position under Maresca. Not a natural holding midfielder but denied preferred advanced role by Palmer.Cole Palmer – 6Looked lively when afforded space in the centre but the Chelsea superstar saw a huge chance saved thanks to Matz Sels double save.Noni Madueke – 8Constant threat down the right side with his goal well deserved. But the winger finds himself guilty of making the wrong choice in the final third.Jadon Sancho – 4Largely absent throughout the match with Aina doing a stellar job in keeping the tricky forward quiet. Lacked killer instinct going forward.Nicolas Jackson – 4Apart from pressing, quiet throughout. Slow to react in the box in a frustrating sign of inconsistency after recent goalscoring form. Spent more time arguing with team-mates at points.SubsJoao Felix (for Fernandez 80 mins) – 6Christopher Nkaunku (for Jackson 80 mins) – 6Mykhailo Mudryk (for Sancho 89 mins) -5Pedro Neto (for Madueke 89 mins) – 6Tosin Adarabioyo (for Colwill 90+3 mins) – 5 More

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      Premier League cult hero on brink of being SACKED with board meeting to decide his fate postponed

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      LIVERPOOL legend Dirk Kuyt is facing the the sack as Beerschot manager ahead of a crucial board meeting.Kuyt, 44, took over the Belgian outfit last year while they were playing in the second division and gained promotion at the first time of asking.Liverpool legend Dirk Kuyt could be sacked as Beerschot managerCredit: RexLiverpool hero Kuyt’s future will be decided in a rescheduled meetingCredit: Getty Images – GettyHowever, the Dutch tactician’s success hasn’t continued in the top flight as he is winless and bottom of the table after losing a staggering eight out of 10 matches.According to AD, a board meeting had been booked at Beerschot for Tuesday to discuss the former midfielder’s future.The same report claims that meeting, though, has been postponed at the request of lawyers.Meanwhile, the club’s majority shareholders, who are from Saudi Arabia, are said to be keen on keeping Kuyt in charge for at least the foreseeable future.Read More on FootballHowever, Beerschot’s recent run of results doesn’t make for pleasant reading.Nevertheless, if the ex-Netherlands international leaves then he could be paid the remainder of his contact, which runs until 2026 after penning fresh terms in the summer.Kuyt hasn’t had it easy in Belgium as he complained on Friday after his side’s 2-2 draw at Westerlo about the lack of a training ground.The Belgian side works out at the Olympic Stadium, which is now set to host more games and training.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThat is after the Dutchman deemed the previous training ground unplayable.Kuyt joined Liverpool from Feyenoord in 2006 and went on to amass a total of 71 goals and 41 assists in 285 appearances.‘I’d hate to be Liverpool right now’, say fans after seeing what Bellingham did for Alexander-Arnold on England dutyThe former Den Haag boss won the League Cup and helped the Reds make it to the 2007 Champions League final, which they lost to AC Milan, during his six-year stint at Anfield. More

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      Txiki Begiristain to leave Man City as key Pep Guardiola ally makes decision with manager’s future up in the air

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      MANCHESTER City supremo Txiki Begiristain is leaving the Premier League champions.And the imminent departure of sporting director Begiristain will only increase speculation about the future of boss Pep Guardiola.Txiki Begiristain is set to depart the Etihad next summer after 13 yearsCredit: PAManager Pep Guardiola won’t have Begiristain’s assistance next seasonCredit: RexBegiristain, 60, joined City from Barcelona in 2012 and was instrumental in bringing Guardiola to the Etihad in 2015 to spark the most successful period in the club’s history.He has played a key role in identifying and appointing his replacement, who will start in the role in early 2025.The outgoing sporting director will spend six months helping the new man settle in before ending his association with City.The identity of the Etihad’s new football chief has not been revealed.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut Newcastle flop Hugo Viana, who is currently the director of football at Sporting Lisbon, is believed to be in the frame to take over.The Potuguese, who had an underwhelming four years with the Toon after joining for £8million from Sporting in 2002, had been linked with a job working in Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s backroom team at Manchester United.Begiristain was intending to quit five years ago, but stayed on to be part of the push for City to win their first Champions League – which they finally did when completing the Treble in 2022-23.The news comes shortly after positive noises emerged from City about the possibility of Guardiola extending his current deal beyond the end of this season.Most read in FootballGuadiola’s future is not necessarily tied in with that of Begiristain and the club would be very reluctant to say goodbye to the two most important people in their football operation in quick succession.But the prospect of losing key ally Begiristain, especially after a current season which will be dominated by off-field events, will surely be a factor in Guardiola’s decision.FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe pair have known each other for more than 30 years after being team-mates in the Barcelona team that won the club’s first European title in 1992.Begiristain became director of football at the Camp Nou in 2003. Pep Guardiola breaks silence on Phil Foden situation after fans’ conspiracy theory over England star’s absence Under him, Guardiola was given the job of head coach in 2008 and they enjoyed two successful seasons together before Begiristain left in the wake of the departure of president Joan Laporta.Begiristain arrived at City a month after former Barcelona chief executive Ferran Soriano, who has held the same role at the Etihad for 12 years.Their long-term plan to reunite with Guardiola and build a dynasty at the Etihad came to fruition nine years ago.City have won 15 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and the crowns of European and world champions with the three men at the helm.But the club has also found itself at the centre of the biggest row in Premier League history.READ MORE SUN STORIESA hearing is underway into allegations that City broke PL rules more than 100 times in relation to sponsorship deals, player and manager contracts and failure to cooperate with the investigation.City deny all the charges. An initial verdict is expected in the spring, but the saga is unlikely to end there and Begiristain will be gone before everything is resolved.Man City vs the Premier League: Q&ABy Martin LiptonBOTH Manchester City and the Premier League were claiming a win after their legal scrap over Associated Party Transactions.SunSport sifts the claims to try to explain the latest issues.What was the case about?City were furious that Prem bosses brought in new tougher regulations – by the smallest possible majority under League rules – in February. They were aimed at blocking clubs bypassing financial controls by earning “unfair” amounts via sponsorship from a company with the same owners, or selling players on the cheap to teams under the same ownership umbrella.Why were City so upset?The Etihad club argued that the rules were illegal and had been deliberately aimed at them by rivals and were both flawed and politically driven. They also branded the “two thirds support” rule that has been part of Prem regulations since its inception as a “tyranny of the majority”This was an Arbitration Tribunal – explain that?Under Prem rules, any club has the right to ask for Arbitration if they are unhappy about the regulations or due process. The three retired judges heard evidence in June and their full ruling was distributed to the 20 Prem clubs on Monday afternoon.And what did they say?Depending on who you listen to, they either totally vindicated one side or the other. The actual answer is that there were “wins” for both City and the Prem. But it’s your choice which ones meant more.OK, what were City’s wins?Maybe the most important one in terms of the repercussions. That both the new rules and the previous version – brought  in after Saudi Arabia’s PIF bought Newcastle in 2021 –  were “unlawful” as they exclude shareholder loans to clubs in any APT calculations.  City also won over their claims that the rulebook prevented them from responding to Prem decisions over whether two proposed deals with Abu Dhabi companies represented “Fair Market Value”, access to the “databank” of comparable deals and the time it took for decisions to be reached.That sounds pretty big. So what about the Prem’s side?The key finding as far as the League is concerned is that the Tribunal backed the concept of APT rules as well as the Fair Market Value tests. Additionally, City’s challenges to the actual decisions on the two proposed deals “failed”. Prem bosses insist the “rulebook has been found to comply with competition and public law standards and is an effective and necessary system”.Is that it, then?Of course not. That shareholder loan issue is a big deal, given that it is believed owners have loaned around £1.5bn at low or preferential rates across the Prem. Those loans will almost certainly have to be calculated at commercial rates now, unless the owners convert them into shares. But the League is convinced the main thrust of the rules remains valid.And what will be the impact on the “115 charges” case?Probably nothing. That is an allegation of breaking the rules, while this matter was City questioning whether one small element of the current rulebook was legitimate. But City are using the same legal team, headed by £10,000 per hour Lord Pannick KC. And the stakes on the bigger case are a great deal higher. More

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      Rio Ferdinand rang Wayne Rooney and asked ‘how are you allowing this?’ about two Man Utd stars’ behaviour

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      RIO FERDINAND once rang up Wayne Rooney to demand answers about the behaviour in the Manchester United dressing room.Ferdinand and Rooney won five Premier League titles together and a Champions League trophy under Sir Alex Ferguson. Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney in 2014Credit: GettyThe England defender left in 2014 but Rooney remained at Old Trafford as captain. Reminiscing on Ferdinand’s podcast, former team-mate Phil Jones said: “Back then, when you look at the dressing room we had…”We had so many incredible, powerful leaders that wouldn’t let anything get in the way of the team’s performance and the team winning.”That winning mentality was so strong and powerful that no one that came in could disrupt that.READ MORE IN football “I think now players maybe don’t have the ability to call people out anymore and the power to tell them, ‘That’s not what we do at this football club… don’t come in here and start acting like that, that doesn’t work here’.”I’m not saying that happens every single day at the club but if we lost a game, we’d have a meeting the next day, not even with the coaches. “The leaders would be saying, ‘this is not good enough’ after one loss.”Ferdinand pointed to a time he furiously phoned Rooney after seeing Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard dancing on social media as the club sat sixth. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe said: “I’ll tell you when it changed, from the outside at least.”I rang Wazza and said, ‘What’s going on here? How are you allowing this?’ And he said, ‘You can’t say nothing man, it’s not the same anymore’.Phil Jones reveals how Sir Alex Ferguson convinced him to sign for Man Utd “He said, ‘It’s not just those two, there would be a big group looking at me like I’m mad if I said anything’.”Lingard and Pogba are both no longer at United. Pogba has had an initial four-year doping ban changed to 18-months, allowing him to continue his football career in March. Meanwhile Lingard – who left United in 2022 – is now playing his football in South Korea with FC Seoul. Jones ended 12 years at Old Trafford in 2023 and announced his retirement a year later – with his eyes now set on coaching. Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba dancing in the Man Utd dressing roomPhil Jones on Rio Ferdinand’s podcastCredit: @philjones_4 More

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      Sir Jim Ratcliffe leaves showdown talks over Ten Hag’s future after 8 HOURS without giving update as he uses rear exit

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      SIR JIM RATCLIFFE gave no update on Erik ten Hag’s future following a meeting with Manchester United bosses in London on Tuesday.The Red Devils’ co-owner held over seven hours of talks with club chiefs in the capital following a dismal start to the season.Sir Jim Ratcliffe has held crunch talks with Manchester United bossesCredit: AlamyHe was seen arriving at the London meeting on TuesdayCredit: X formerly Twitter / @itvnewsBut Ratcliffe gave no update on Erik ten Hag’s futureCredit: X formerly Twitter / @itvnewsTen Hag has overseen Man Utd’s worst ever start to a Premier League seasonCredit: GettyHe was seen arriving for the meeting, while Sir Dave Brailsford and sporting director Dan Ashworth were also spotted heading into the building.Man Utd have their worst ever return from the opening seven Premier League games, picking up just eight points and languishing in 14th place.Without a win in five matches in all competitions, Ten Hag heads into the international break with his future uncertain.However, Ratcliffe offered no insight into the manager’s position after the meeting.READ MORE ON MAN UTDThe Ineos chief, 71, left the venue via a rear exit.He then whizzed off in a car with blacked out windows, refusing to stop and answer questions.This leaves fans no closer to learning whether Ten Hag will still be in charge come their next game against Brentford at Old Trafford on October 19.If he is dismissed, he is set for a huge pay-off having penned a one-year extension in the summer.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSRatcliffe’s right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford, right, was also in attendance at the meetingCredit: X formerly Twitter / @itvnewsSporting director Dan Ashworth was also at the showdown talksCredit: X formerly Twitter / @itvnewsHe will be entitled to a £17.5million pay-off, one of the biggest in Man Utd’s history.Ten Hag’s assistant and club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy is favourite to become the next Man Utd boss on an interim basis.‘I broke his glasses’, says Rooney as Man Utd icon lifts lid on tunnel celebrations after winner minutes after red card Former England boss Gareth Southgate, ex-Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel, former Chelsea head coach Graham Potter, Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna and former Liverpool target Ruben Amorim are among the other contenders.Man Utd considered replacing Ten Hag in the summer after the club finished eighth – their lowest-ever position in Premier League history.But a shock 2-1 FA Cup final win over rivals Manchester City, adding to his 2023 Carabao Cup, temporarily saved Ten Hag from the axe.Club officials held talks with Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Frank over replacing the 54-year-old while he travelled to the FA Cup final.Club chiefs also looked for alternatives during an end-of-season review in the summer, with Tuchel allegedly interviewed.But ultimately, United performed a dramatic U-turn in June as Brailsford flew to Ibiza to hold a four-hour meeting at Ten Hag’s home.READ MORE SUN STORIESNow, though, after a nightmare start to the season, the Dutchman’s time could finally be up.And Tuchel has again been mooted as his replacement as the out of work coach seeks a route back into football.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