Man Utd takeover LIVE: Ten Hag in Sancho MIX UP, Sir Jim Ratcliffe faces competition for ‘No.1 target’
SIR JIM RATCLIFFE and Manchester United face competition from Saudi Pro League clubs for highly-rated sporting director Paul Mitchell.The former Tottenham and Southampton chief has been linked with a move to Old Trafford as part of a management shake-up if the British billionaire buys into the club and takes control of football operations.
Meanwhile, United boss Erik ten Hag has dedicated his side’s 2-1 win away at Sheffield United to the late great Sir Bobby Charlton after the club legend passed away at the age of 86.
Elsewhere, Erik ten Hag appeared to confirm Jadon Sancho was back in contention to play for United, though it appears he was saying Sergio Reguilon.
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Ratcliffe faces competition
Manchester United are facing competition from Saudi Pro League clubs for highly-rated sporting director Paul Mitchell.
Mitchell has been linked with a move to United as part of a management shake-up if Sir Jim Ratcliffe buys into the club and takes control of football operations.
But Saudi clubs are also looking at the ex-Tottenham and Southampton chief as they plan the next phase of their recruitment drive.
The 42-year-old left Monaco earlier this year and recently moved back to his native North West, fuelling talk that the Red Devils would be his next port of call.
Mitchell’s record of identifying players with world-class potential like Son Heung-Min, Sadio Mane and Dele Alli, is also attracting attention in the Middle East.
So far, the SPL recruitment has been run centrally, with ex-Chelsea chief Michael Emenalo acting as director of football for the whole league while its clubs spent millions.
Jadon Sancho mix up
There was confusion during Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag’s press conference on Monday as he spoke ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Copenhagen.
Fans thought Ten Hag had confirmed Jadon Sancho was available after mishearing “Sergio” as “Sancho”.
Sancho remains out of contention after his falling out with the Dutch tactician but Sergio Reguilon has returned to fitness.
Yes, we hope, Sergio, he got ill for Saturday.
He was fit, he trained all week last week. Today he will train and we will have to assess if he’s ready.Erik ten Hag
Ten Hag pays tribute to Charlton
Erik ten Hag has paid tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton following his death aged 86.
Speaking ahead of Manchester United’s clash with Copenhagen, he told reporters: “He is a huge inspiration for us every day.
“He is in front of Old Trafford, with Denis Law and George Best [in the statue].
“He is always with us. I am sure it will be even more a very emotional evening.”
Hojlund ‘fired up’ to face old club
Rasmus Hojlund is looking forward to facing his former club Copenhagen on Tuesday night.
The Danish side visit Old Trafford on matchday three in the Champions League.
Hojlund was born in the Danish capital and joined the club’s academy in 2017, spending over four years with Copenhagen before joining Sturm Graz.
Speaking ahead of the match, Erik ten Hag told reporters: “He grew up there at this club and you know he will be highly motivated.
“That’s for me, for the team, but especially of course from him to send that in the right direction, the right balance.”
Credit: Getty
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United confusion
There was confusion at Erik ten Hag’s press conference on Monday as he spoke ahead of their Champions League clash with Copenhagn.
Fans thought the Manchester United manager had confirmed Jadon Sancho was available after mishearing “Sergio” as “Sancho”.
Sancho remains out of contention after his falling out with Ten Hag but Sergio Reguilon has returned to fitness.
“Yes, we hope, Sergio, he got ill for Saturday,” Ten Hag explained.
“He was fit, he trained all week last week. Today he will train and we will have to assess if he’s ready.”
Earps hits back at fan
Mary Earps has hit back at a fan who accused the Manchester United keeper of being “too important” to engage with supporters after her side’s 5-0 win over Everton.
A supporter had taken to social media after the match claiming Earps had failed to stop for her daughter at full-time.
“Thank you Ella Toone & Nikita Parris for stopping to meet my daughter today,” the fan wrote on Instagram. “It’s a shame Mary Earps is far too busy and important to stop for her fans these days!!”
In response, Earps said: “I try to ignore comments like these – but after a great win & spending so much time post-game meeting so many of you lovely lot afterwards, it’s hurtful to get home and get tagged in comments like these. Be kind. Happy Sunday. Love Mary x”
De Gea reunites with Fernandes
David de Gea has sent Manchester United fans into meltdown by reuniting with a former team-mate.
The goalkeeper posed for a selfie with Bruno Fernandes as they linked up for their eSports team Rebels Gaming.
De Gea remains without a club after leaving Old Trafford when his contract expired in the summer.
Some United supporters have called for him to return, though, after Andre Onana’s shaky start to the season.
Credit: X / @D_DeGea
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Update on United’s interest in Boey
Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on Manchester United’s reported interest in Sacha Boey.
Both United and Arsenal are amongst the Premier League clubs to have been linked with the Galatasaray full-back in recent months.
However, Romano has now shut down those rumours, with no negotiations over a move currently ongoing.
“We see this link since he joined Stellar agency in the summer, but he’s never been close to a move,” the transfer guru explained.
“There are no negotiations as of now as Galatasaray consider Boey a key player – his price was already around €30m in the summer.”
No Guehi talks yet
Manchester United are yet to hold talks over a potential move for Marc Guehi.
The Crystal Palace star is one of a number of defenders to have been linked with United in recent weeks.
Erik ten Hag is understood to be keen to sign a new centre-back in 2024, with Guehi tipped as a possible target.
However, Fabrizio Romano has revealed that “no concrete talks” have taken place as of yet.
United could miss out on key target
Manchester United face competition to sign Sporting Lisbon defender Goncalo Inacio.
The Portugal international has been a long-term target for the Red Devils.
However, Liverpool are now plotting to hijack the transfer and land Inacio themselves, the Mirror report.
The Reds reportedly scouted the player whilst he was away with Portugal earlier this month.
Credit: Getty
Gullit slams Utd stars for Hojlund service
Ruud Gulllit has slammed Man Utd’s stars for starving Rasmus Hojlund of service.
“I still think you have to get your striker on the scoresheet,” Gullit told Premier League Productions.
“Because if he gets on the scoresheet he gets confidence, then also the rest are looking for him all the time. They don’t look for him as much. And he’s in areas where you can have a look at him.
“You see too many players too eager to score themselves, they’re coming inside, they want to hit the target all the time. I played with [Marco] Van Basten, I always thought if I give it to him it’s a goal, if I hit it then it could be a goal.
“I’d rather give it to him because it’s a definite goal. You know strikers, they’re selfish, they need to score goals. If he’s happy in the team that makes a huge difference for the rest.”
Shearer’s message to Utd’s forward
Alan Shearer has been unimpressed with Man Utd’s forwards this season after they laboured to another win.
Following the Sheffield Utd game, the Match of the Day pundit said: “The manager was right, you have got to find a way to win and they certainly did that.
“But you feel as though, if they want to get in and around the top-four, one thing has to change and that’s the forwards have to chip in more with goals .
“They certainly created chances and they should have put the ball in the back of the net more than they did.”
Reijnders targeted
Man Utd have been linked with a move for Tijjani Reijnders.
According to Calciomercato, the 25-year-old will cost the club around £40million.
The Manchester Evening News claims that the Red Devils want to sign four players next summer.
A new midfielder is a priority. However, Reijnders could be available as soon as January.
Ratcliffe a ‘step in the right direction’
Dwight Yorke believes Sr Jim Ratcliffe’s backing is a step in the right direction.
“Sir Jim Ratcliffe is coming now and he’s bought 25% of the club,” he told Stocklytics.
“It’s hard to comment on the details, but that tells me he won’t be in full control, so at least that’s a quarter of the club in the right direction! It may not have full control, but it gives Ratcliffe enough to get the club to a certain standard.
“You need to win the domestic league to start attracting the best players, and if we don’t do that, we can forget about Mbappe right now. You have to win and show intent to compete against City and Liverpool.”
Javi Guerra chase
Arsenal and Man Utd are locked in a battle for 20-year-old wonderkid Javi Guerra, according to a report.
The Valencia star has a £87.3million release clause in his contract.
According to 90min, Tottenham, Newcastle and West Ham are also said to be keeping tabs on the midfielder.
Lingard’s wage demands
Ex-Man Utd star Jesse Lingard won’t be joining the Saudi revolution.
The former England winger was locked in talks with Al-Ettifaq.
However, according to Ben Jacobs the deal is now off.
Jacobs wrote on X: “Understand Al-Ettifaq will not sign Jesse Lingard. Although club have been impressed by him in training, two players would need to be released to add him.
“This will likely not happen in January. Lingard’s financial demands too high either way. No pre-contract has been offered.”
Loos has no regrets
Rebecca Loos says she has no regrets over her affair with Man Utd legend David Beckham – and admits he even made her “feel special”.
Recalling the night they had sex, Rebecca told The Mail on Sunday: “He singled me out, made me feel special.
“I remember turning to him and saying you’re so lucky, you can have whoever you want.
“And he looked me in the eyes and said, ‘I’ve never done this before’. I thought, ‘Wow’. I mean I foolishly fell for it.”
Ten Hag’s Maguire praise
Erik ten Hag was full of praise for Harry Maguire.
The Dutchman laid down the challenge to the England defender, after he lost his place in the Man Utd line up.
But, he has since responded with some commanding displays.
After the game, ten Hag said, via Fabrizio Romano: “Harry Maguire is playing like we want him to play, dominating his opponent. I am happy with his performances.
“He deserved MOTM award yesterday. He played a really good game, and read the game very well. I am pleased for him.”
Man Utd’s top four odds
Utd’s top four odds via Betfair.
Man City – 1/40Arsenal – 1/5Liverpool – 1/4Tottenham – 5/6Newcastle – 7/5Brighton – 16/5Aston Villa – 7/2Man Utd – 4/1 (were 9/2)Chelsea – 5/1West Ham – 40/1
Utd legend’s grandson scores winner
Lewis Macari followed in the footsteps of his famous grandad to score a screamer on his EFL debut – winning the game and sparking wild scenes.
The 21-year-old is on the books of Stoke, having come through the Potters’ academy.
But after loans at non-league Market Drayton Town and Dundalk, he has now joined Notts County in League Two.
And he delivered the goods on his senior debut for the Magpies.
After replacing Richard Brindley as an early sub away at Gillingham on Saturday, Macari decided the game with a superb strike 12 minutes from time.
Ten hag expect transfer control
Erik ten Hag expects to keep having his say on who Man Utd bring in, despite Jim Ratcliffe buying a stake in the club.
Ratcliffe’s INEOS group is expected to gain control of the football operations at the club.
Currently, ten Hag and the recruitment department have to agree on future signings together.
The Telegraph claims ten Hag doesn’t expect that to change in the future under new ownership.
LaLiga talents scouted
Man Utd scouted two LaLiga talents this weekend, according to reports.
Football Transfers claims that the Red Devils sent representatives to watch Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi and Takefusa Kubo.
The pair were in action in a 1-0 win for their side.
Zubimendi is seen as a longterm replacement for Casemiro, while winger Kubo could come in for out of favour Jadon Sancho, if he leaves the club in Janaury.
McIlroy wants a slice of Utd
Rory McIlroy says he would love to buy a slice of Manchester United and welcomed Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s involvement with his boyhood club.
He said: “Sports team ownership used to be limited to private equity, and people who had a ton of money.
“But now sports stars are becoming more savvy and using their money in the right way.
“I would love to be able to own a tiny percentage of the club I grew up cheering on as a boy.
“I would have loved to have taken 0.00001 per cent of Manchester United when Jim Ratcliffe took 25 per cent.
“And if another opportunity comes my way I will look at it. But it is not something that has come across our table as of yet.
“There is Tom Brady at Birmingham and there are a few golfers -Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas – who invested with the 49ers Group, and they own a tiny slice of Leeds.
“They asked me if I wanted to come on board, and I said as a Man United fan I cannot go anywhere near that.
“Sir Jim has got a great track record and everybody that does support United should be excited by the possibilities if they give him full sporting authority and decisions for the club. As a fan I am excited.” More
