Category: Football

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has identified the right back slot as an area in need of further reinforcements. United’s current options have not really impressed the Dutch manager.

Recently, Ethan Laird was confirmed as having secured a season long loan with Queens Park Rangers. And despite the youngster’s move, Aaron Wan-Bissaka is still not guaranteed to feature much under the Dutch boss.

The former Ajax boss likes his full-backs to be comfortable on the ball and ever willing to join the team’s attacks. And Wan-Bissaka is much more suited to the defensive aspect of the role rather than going forward.

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🚨🚨| FC Barcelona are in talks with Manchester United for Sergiño Dest; the club wants €20M for him. They have offered Diogo Dalot in exchange. @sport

— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) August 12, 2022

Diogo Dalot has emerged as the undisputed number one choice for Ten Hag but the Dutchman wants additional competition for the spot.

The Peoples Person had previously reported that Barcelona right-back Sergino Dest had emerged as a target for United with Ten Hag keen on reuniting with the former Ajax defender.

And now Spanish publication SPORT have revealed that the Catalan giants are currently negotiating with the Red Devils for the sale of the American and they are asking for €20 million.

Dalot exchange mooted

The report also mentions that United currently do not want to pay that much and have instead offered Dalot to the Catalan giants. Barca are in favour of a cash-only deal.

Barcelona want to buy an experienced alternative in case Dest does leave. The report might have some truth in it but United offering Dalot’s services in return seems to be quite wide off the mark.

The Old Trafford club had enquired about the 21-year-old during negotiations with Frenkie de Jong. Barca are open to letting the defender leave with multiple clubs after his signature.

The same article also talks of Chelsea’s interest in the full-back. Despite Cesar Azpilicueta renewing his contract, the London club are also interested in Celtic’s Josip Juranovic and are keen to add in that position.

Dest, on his part, does not want to leave the Camp Nou but he is aware of the situation and knows that the amount of minutes he is going to get will be less this season and he does not want to waste his prime years.

Ten Hag wants to fix more pertinent squad issues first, namely improving the midfield and attack before focussing on the right back spot. Time is running out for United to back their manager.

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Cesc Fabregas has opened up about what went on in the tunnel during the infamous brawl in 2004 between Arsenal and Manchester United after the Reds beat the Gunners 2-0.

Fabregas threw a pizza in the melee which hit United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Now, he admits that he was furious after United ended Arsenal’s unbeaten league run of 49 games but says he didn’t mean to hit the legendary manager with his slice of pizza.

Both teams came to blows in the tunnel as Arsene Wenger criticised Ruud van Nistlerooy and the managers exchanged heated words as the players brawled.

In an interview with ITV, Fabregas says he didn’t have the courage to fight so instead launched his pizza down the tunnel.

“We were 49 games unbeaten. They were so competitive but they were very smart people. I was getting a lot of stick as well.”

“I was very frustrated. You’re warming up and didn’t play. You’re annoyed you lost. I just went in quickly to the dressing room and there was some food there, I was starving.”

“I took a slice of pizza and we started hearing noises.”

“The first thing that occurred to me was to throw the pizza because I didn’t have the power or the courage maybe to go into that fight.”

Meanwhile, over on his channel, Vibe with Five, Rio Ferdinand said, “I don’t think he meant to throw it at the gaffer, I think he just dashed it out the door and the gaffer was walking past.”

Ferdinand remembers a security guard having to hold Sir Alex from storming into the changing room.

However in Ferguson’s autobiography published in 2013, he said he didn’t know who threw the pizza and that he was more pre-occupied with the fight in the tunnel and Wenger insulting his players.

18 years on and it’s still a talking point amongst fans and players alike.

 
 

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Early team news has dropped ahead of Manchester United’s second Premier League clash away at Brentford. And unfortunately, some of the problems which were there for the Brighton clash have not changed.

According to Manchester United’s official website, both Anthony Martial and Victor Lindelof have not yet recovered from their injuries and will miss the clash.

Martial’s injury-enforced absence had led to Erik ten Hag having to shuffle his pack and he ended up choosing Christian Eriksen to play the false nine role.

The experiment did not work as the Red Devils fell two goals down at the end of the first half. Cristiano Ronaldo was introduced early in the second half but that did not change United’s fortunes.

It remains to be seen how the Dutch boss lines up for the clash against the Bees on Saturday.

When quizzed about Lindelof and Martial’s chances of playing this weekend, the new boss said, “It’s still the same,” indicating that United will once again need to come up with a solution.

Behind-closed-doors friendly helped

The Red Devils played their second behind-closed-doors friendly this month, this time against Halifax Town.

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Anthony Martial and Victor Lindelöf have both been ruled out of tomorrow’s clash with Brentford 🩹 pic.twitter.com/Ian07wkKhR

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 12, 2022

And the Dutch boss is pleased because these encounters have helped members of his squad, who are short on fitness, to get some valuable minutes under their belt.

“I don’t like them being behind closed doors but it was behind and we needed all the players to get the minutes in the legs, Of course it’s best to get that in the league, but we have a squad and we need the squad,” Ten Hag opined.

Another interesting point made by the former Ajax boss was the fact that he wants two players for each position, something that is clearly lacking in the current squad.

Depth will be of paramount importance as the Old Trafford outfit contend with four competitions as well as the fixture pile-up caused due to the Qatar World Cup.

“We need double positions and of course they can also show their capabilities to me and to the team, and get to the right fitness levels and work hard. That’s the most important thing.”

 

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Manchester United are in the hunt for forward additions, with Erik ten Hag intent on reinforcing his side’s attacking department.

The club have been linked with a host of names, including PSV’s Cody Gakpo and Saša Kalajdžić.

As reported here yesterday, a surprise name that has recently popped is Mauro Icardi.

The 29-year-old, currently at Ligue 1 champions Paris St Germain, is said to be on the way out, with Old Trafford being a likely destination.

The French giants are hell-bent on offloading the striker, as new manager Cristophe Galtier shapes his team.

Both the club and the player are interested in a fresh start – a parting of ways seems inevitable.

TyC Sports reports that both United and Turkish club Galatasaray have expressed their interest in the Argentinian star.

“The former Inter Milan goal scorer has begun training separately from the Paris Saint-Germain squad and welcomes the move to the Red Devils,” the outlet reported.

Icardi’s potential switch to England would be on a loan basis, with an option to buy.

Should United formalize their move for the former Inter Milan striker, they would face competition from Galatasaray, who the player’s wife and agent, Wanda Nara, has already met on three occasions.

What will appeal to most United supporters is that PSG would cover a large part of the player’s salary.

Speaking on Icardi’s future, Galtier recently said, “The club is working side by side with Mauro to find the best possible solution.”

“He had very little playing time and I think the best thing is to relaunch his career in another more favorable place.”
 
 

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Mauro Icardi has been linked with a move to Manchester United this summer.

Paris Saint-Germain are desperate to sell the Argentine and, according to Jason Burt of The Telegraph, they may offer him to United.

The Parisians are looking to shift the player given his lack of contribution relative to his salary, which is around €10m per year. He has two years remaining on his current deal and is valued at £19.8m according to transfermarkt.com.

Icardi has failed to start fifteen league games in a single season since joining the Ligue 1 club, with a mixture of injuries, poor form, and off-field antics all at play in limiting his opportunities.

United do have priors for going for strikers who looked good in 2018 this window however, having recently ended their pursuit of Marko Arnautovic following fan uproar.

Icardi is, at the very least, still regarded as an excellent finisher and an intelligent interpreter of space.

He does, however, offer very little outside of the opposition penalty area.

Even at his peak he was not one to put in a shift defensively and he offered next to nothing from a creative standpoint.

At Inter Milan he was often criticised for his lack of stamina and this deficiency has not improved with the passing of time or the pileup of injuries.

It is unlikely that Manchester United fans would be too happy with what Icardi could bring to the team on the pitch.

Off the pitch, a social media monster currently embroiled in a scandal dubbed ‘Wandagate’ may be a bit too much handle.

With United still looking to add to their attacking ranks before the window slams shut, one would hope the club have other targets in mind.
 
 

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Juan Mata will not be joining Leeds United this summer, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed.

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There’s nothing agreed between Juan Mata and Leeds, despite rumours. He’s appreciated as top professional and person but no talks ongoing as things stand. ⚪️🇪🇸 #LUFC

Also links to Real Oviedo are wide of the mark – Mata will make a decision on future soon. pic.twitter.com/bS6QC4bCQW

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 10, 2022

Leeds were rumoured to be interested in bringing Mata to Elland Road and remain admirers of the Spaniard. However, no formal offer has been submitted.

It is believed Mata is going to make a decision on his future soon, with reports of a move to Real Oviedo also wide of the mark.

Mata was the first signing of the post-Ferguson era at United and is one of only a very few players that has left with any credit in that period.

Known as one of football’s nice guys, United fans would have been left a little disappointed if Mata was to join their bitter rivals from across the Pennines.

Mata managed to assert himself as a bit of a fan’s favourite during his eight year stay at the club – scoring 51 goals in 275 games.

His finest hour in a United shirt undoubtedly came in a 2-1 win at Anfield in 2015.

Mata scored both goals on the day. One of these was a sumptuous bicycle kick to put United two to the good and on the way to an impressive victory.

The performance remains one of United’s finest at Anfield in recent memory, both as a team and individually.

Mata was one of a raft of players released from United this summer, after his contract expired and is yet to be replaced.

A huge end to the transfer window is upon the United hierarchy, with Erik ten Hag in dire need for reinforcements to his threadbare squad, with the season now underway.

 
 

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Manchester United currently have three right-backs in their squad. And Erik ten Hag has decided that Ethan Laird needs a further loan spell in order to be ready to break into the first-team.

Diogo Dalot seems to be The Dutchman’s preferred choice for the role at the moment, though he did not impress in the opening game against Brighton.

And Laird, who had started in the last pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano, has provisionally agreed a loan with Championship outfit Queens Park Rangers according to Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath.

QPR were not the only side who were in for his services. According to the MEN, Preston were also trying to secure the 21-year-old’s services for this season.

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🗞 #mufc had held talks with Watford for Ethan Laird but they could not guarantee games, United want to loan him to get regular minutes. A full agreement is yet to be reached with QPR but discussions are at an advanced stage. [@lauriewhitwell]

— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) August 11, 2022

Prior reports had stated that Watford were close to signing him on a temporary basis. However, the Hornets opted to sign Mario Gaspar from Villareal and cooled their interest.

Laird has spent time away from Old Trafford with MK Dons, Swansea and Bournemouth in the past. Even Ajax were rumoured to be looking at the England U-19 international at one point in the transfer window.

With this loan work?

Laird was a regular under Russel Martin at The Dons. The manager even brought the young full-back to Swansea with him the following season.

An injury suffered in December meant that Laird failed to get back into the side and instead United recalled him from the Liberty Stadium and sent him to promotion-chasing Bournemouth.

But fitness and form issues meant he could not establish himself under Scott Parker. He will be hoping to impress at the London outfit under Michael Beale.

Despite Laird’s move, Aaron Wan-Bissaka is still not guaranteed to remain at Old Trafford. If a suitable alternative emerges, the former Crystal Palace defender might be allowed to move back to his former club who are said to be interested.

Ten Hag believes a loan spell will help in Laird’s development as he needs regular game time at this stage of his career.

The Red Devils are still trying to get a few defenders off the wage bill like Eric Bailly, Axel Tuanzebe, Phil Jones as well as Brandon Williams. The money generated is likely to be used to help Ten Hag get a few more players in before the transfer window shuts.

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After chasing Frenkie de Jong’s signature for over three months, it seems like Manchester United might end up losing the Dutch playmaker to Premier League rivals Chelsea.

This latest revelation comes from SPORT who have acted like Barcelona’s mouthpiece right from when the saga started. They write that the Catalan club have called the Dutch midfielder’s agent Ali Dursun for a face-to-face meeting.

Barca need a solution & fast

The La Liga side are desperate for a solution. They are ware that time is running out for them to register all their new recruits and Xavi wants everyone to be available for their opening La Liga game.

One of the best ways to accelerate the solution is to either force De Jong to take a drastic salary cut or leave. As of now, talks with Chelsea are most advanced as they are ready to pay over €80 million plus they have the added advantage of Champions League football to offer.

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CONFIRMED: Agreement between FC Barcelona and Chelsea for Frenkie De Jong is very close.

~ @gerardromero

— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) August 10, 2022

However, the Netherlands international still prefers to play in Barcelona and both United and Chelsea are yet to convince the player to make the move to England.

United had, earlier in the summer, agreed a a fee of around €85 million with United, including add-ons with the Catalan outfit. Erik ten Hag had personally called up his compatriot in a bid to convince the player of the project in Manchester.

Interestingly, the Camp Nou club are close to agreeing a fee with Manchester City playmaker Bernardo Silva.

FDJ-Barca relation at an all-time low

Barca have informed De Jong’s entourage that a salary cut must be taken in order for the player to remain in Catalunya. However, there is no chance of that happening at the moment according to ESPN.

The decision to let the playmaker leave is purely an economic one and not based on sporting merit, as has been reiterated by Barca president Joan Laporta.

But they have tried to force the issue through a multiple ways, something that has irked De Jong. They have tried to use the Spanish media to paint him as the villain.

United to lose out?

As previously reported, they had even sent a letter to the player which stated that the last contract renewal which he signed back in 2020 and which included clauses of deferred wages and when they were meant to be paid, had alleged irregularities.

All this have turned the heads of Barcelona supporters who even went on to abuse the Dutchman while he was en route to training. The player’s lawyers were forced to complain to FIFPRO and La Liga about Barca’s treatment of the player.

Less than three weeks remain before the transfer window shuts. Some sort of clarity regarding De Jong’s potential next destination is expected within the week. Despite United’s best attempts, if Chelsea manage to land the player, there will be huge fan outrage considering the time spent on a single target.

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Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong is currently embroiled in a tussle with his employers.

The Blaugrana midfielder is owed significant wages by the Spanish giants, a factor which has brought his possible transfer to a standstill.

Amidst uncertainty over the future of the 25-year-old, United’s Premier League rivals, Chelsea have swooped in and are said to not only be willing to match the Red Devils’ offer for the player but also pay off his salary debt.

According to numerous reports today, the United hierarchy has all but given up on a deal for De Jong who they had lined up as the summer marquee signing.

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🚨🇳🇱 #MUFC have all but given up on signing Frenkie de Jong. @JacobsBen

— UtdPlug (@UtdPlug) August 10, 2022

The saga for the former Ajax player has taken another twist today with pictures emerging of his agent arriving for a meeting with Barcelona officials.

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🚨🇳🇱 De Jong’s agents arrive in Barcelona for a meeting with the club. #MUFC @tjuanmarti pic.twitter.com/Gsc8y33NgW

— UtdPlug (@UtdPlug) August 10, 2022

Ali Dursun and Hasan Centikaya are in Spain, with their client’s future suspected to be on top of the agenda.

The situation is made more vital considering the Catalonia club is unable to register their new signings including Robert Lewandowski, unless De Jong agrees to another significant wage cut or completely departs in a permanent move.

A shocking video on social media shows the midfield maestro being verbally abused by Barcelona fans.

In the video, the player is driving away in a hurl of insults from Barca supporters.

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🇳🇱 Frenkie de Jong is being verbally abused by Barcelona fans upon arrival at their training ground. [@sport, @DBR8] 🔴pic.twitter.com/8BMRFdXtL3

— UtdPlug (@UtdPlug) August 10, 2022

In wide sections of the Spanish club’s fanbase, De Jong has been made out to be the villain.

This is because the player has refused to leave, reiterating his wish to remain in Xavi’s side.

With this fresh news, it is mind-boggling why the Netherlands international would still prefer to stay with his current club instead of making a move to England.

There was more bad news in store for Manchester United after the Brighton game as it came to light that some disabled fans were forced to relocate before kick-off due to their usual wheelchair bays being inaccessible.

Many wheelchair bay access routes into the disabled sections of Old Trafford were blocked by temporary seating, remnants from the multiple Womens Euro Championship games held recently.

Many fans took to social media to vent their frustrations and disgust in what must have been a dismal day all round, with one stating. “Joke really is. Even worse than the football today that! Got there and didn’t know what to do. I’ve been told it will be sorted for Liverpool, just hope they keep to their word. Gonna ring up tomorrow.”

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Zayden’s season ticket wheelchair bay gone as United have messed up with the redesign of the Stretford End what was disabled bays are now seats all clumped together even tho his season ticket is exactly where it was last season. Fuming isn’t the word pic.twitter.com/1NsBeoBBHQ

— Benjamin Brazil (@bennymufc) August 7, 2022

Another fan explained: “Fuming isn’t the word, What a mess but it was the 45 minutes that we had no idea what was going on. My son got really upset thinking he was going to miss out on the game. Why no one triple checked the work is beyond me.”

Manchester United have since apologised in a statement to the affected fans and offered a full refund.

The spokesperson for United said: “We understand the significant impact this will have had on the matchday experience for those fans. We have since spoken directly with those affected and offered a full refund for the match which will be processed in the coming days.”

“We also explained that this unfortunate error was isolated, and a result of the section being configured differently for the recent Women’s Euros game – the process is now underway to ensure the correct configuration and this will be completed well ahead of the next home match against Liverpool FC.

“The club reiterates its commitments to improving the matchday experience for all supporters and continuing the positive work completed in collaboration with MUSDA to significantly improve the accessible facilities around Old Trafford over recent seasons.”

United and in particular CEO Richard Arnold have been praised in recent years for improvements to the match day experience for disabled fans, with several enhancements happening around the ground in recent years.

All of which makes it even more disappointing that the club did not facilitate the expected checks to make sure all match going fans get the optimum experience.

This would appear to many to be a basic error by the staff and surely should have been picked up during the pre-game checks that take place.

Hopefully this lack of planning is rectified before the Liverpool game and doesn’t repeat itself.

United Matchday Magazine – the online football programme
Panic stations already. A statement of intent needed. How will Ten Hag respond? The season must truly start on Saturday. Get your Brentford matchday mag now!

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• Instantly delivered to your device with easy and secure online ordering
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