Category: Football

3

Newcastle United are not only concerned about the financial element of Manchester United target, Dan Ashworth’s compensation package to leave the club, but also the impact it could have on their summer transfer plans.

In a flurry of activity over the last week, Ashworth has asked to leave Newcastle, after agreeing a deal with Manchester United to become their new sporting director.

However, the Magpies will not let the former technical director go easily and have reportedly demanded a gigantic compensation package of over £20m, if he is to released out of his contract to start work at Old Trafford this year.

Naturally, the Red Devils have baulked at such a price and believe they can negotiate the fee down. While the formal talks take place, the Englishman has been officially placed on gardening leave.

However, journalist David Ornstein, speaking on the BBC’s Monday Night Club claimed, “the conversations I’ve had today suggest Newcastle are most sensitive about this coming summer window”.

“If they can block off Dan Ashworth from working for Man United and communicating with them during that period then beyond that perhaps things will be okay. The two points I have garnered are that they want the money to be right and they don’t want him working for Man United in this summer window”.

“Beyond that, he wouldn’t be privy to the finer details of the plans, even though he has spoken in the past about how they work on multiple windows in advance so he’ll have an incline but then everyone in this industry knows what everybody else is doing”.

This new information could mean that talk of having to wait to 2026 is not a likelihood but it may mean, regardless of the money United offer, Newcastle could well refuse to release him until the beginning of the new season at the earliest.

The Red Devils of course have experience of this when they lost their Chairman, Peter Kenyon, in October 2003 and he took over at rivals Chelsea the next month as Chief Executive Officer.

According to The Standard, Kenyon “made a significant impact in the transfer market by beating United to the signings of Arjen Robben, Michael Essien and Michael Ballack”.

Newcastle will most likely want to avoid the same scenario.

Having poached Ashworth from Brighton in 2022, they know the talent of the man they are losing and probably fear what he can do with his insight knowledge of their transfer plans.

The 52 year old is one of the most respected men in the business and United legend, Rio Ferdinand, recently stated, “I think he’s the best. He’s so calm, he’s so sure in what he’s doing. He’s so focussed, diligent, he knows the market”.

What is clear is that INEOS have got their man and Ashworth will be the next sporting director of Manchester United. However, recent complications and reports suggest that the Red Devils may have to wait until at least after the summer window to welcome their new recruit into the fold.

Both sets of United fans will be waiting with bated breath to see what happens next as this fascinating story unfolds.

5

Manchester United have chosen Tijjani Reijnders as the primary option to bolster their midfield in this summer’s market.

Casemiro put in a disaster class of a performance on Sunday evening where he missed tackle after tackle, gave the ball away constantly and was lucky to escape a red card, all in the first 45 minutes of action.

The multiple Champions League winner was hooked at half-time as a consequence. United’s depth in midfield is also looking lighter due to Christian Eriksen’s inability to get meaningful minutes and an over-reliance on Scott McTominay, in spite of his goalscoring heroics this season.

Sofyan Amrabat has also failed to have anything like the impact fans believed he would during the summer transfer window, where the signing was massively hyped on social media.

Kobbie Mainoo seems to be the one player holding together the centre of the park at the minute, so it is clear INEOS will want to do something about this during July and August.

Subsequently, Football Transfers assert that “Manchester United are interested in Tijjani Reijnders, with head coach Erik ten Hag making the AC Milan midfielder a top target for the upcoming transfer window”.

Reijnders is described as “versatile” and “can play in various positions, including defensive midfield, central midfield, and attacking midfield”.

At only 25, the Dutch international would also considerably bring down the current age of the midfield department.

As usual, no deal will come cheap for the Red Devils as “sources suggest that AC Milan’s hierarchy will not entertain offers below €60 million for Reijnders, owing to his glowing form at Milan this campaign and the fact his contract runs until 2028”.

The Red Devils were linked to the player back in October where the price tag was only reported to be at €40m, but clearly the Dutchman’s fine form has emboldened Milan to boost up the asking price.

He has already played 33 times this season for the Italian giants, scoring two goals and dazzling Serie A with his dominant midfield displays.

Naturally, the Old Trafford side are not the only club that have Reijnders on their radar, as sources have informed Football Transfers that Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in the player and may use some their windfall from a likely Kylian Mbappe sale to fund such a move for the Netherlands international.

United certainly need to infuse extra quality and youth into their midfield and if Erik ten Hag is still coach by the summer, it is highly likely he would be interested in a Dutch player with Eredivisie experience.

Whether INEOS let him pursue the player is a different question as news has been recently relayed here that the petro-chemicals company don’t plan to give the former Ajax manager anything like the same freedom with transfers as he had in the previous regime.

5

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has insisted that Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth is the best option to assume the maiden sporting director role at Old Trafford.

After Sir Jim Ratcliffe received final approval from the Premier League and the FA to complete his 25% partial investment into United, all attention turned towards recruiting a sporting director to lead INEOS’ radical overhaul of operations at the club.

Ashworth is United’s number one target.

A recent report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that the Red Devils finally made a formal approach to the Magpies to declare their interest in Ashworth.

Irked by the continuous links to the 20-time English champions, Newcastle confirmed that they have placed the 52-year-old on gardening leave.

Negotiations are set to commence in an effort to find a compromise that would allow Ashworth to start work at United earlier than his contract permits.

If Newcastle stick to their guns and continue to demand an unrealistic and hefty compensation package, the earliest Ashworth can arrive at United is in the 2026 January transfer window.

Amidst all this, Ferdinand emphasized that Ashworth is an extremely solid choice for Erik ten Hag’s side as he is second to none.

Speaking on his Vibe with Five YouTube channel, the six-time Premier League winner said, “I think he’s the best. He’s so calm, he’s so sure in what he’s doing. He’s so focussed, diligent, he knows the market.”

“Not swayed, I don’t think he gets bullied by agents and stuff like that. We should go back into the archives. I said that Man United should have got him time ago.”

“If I had my choice to take a sporting director it would have been him.”

“I spoke to him at Brighton. People at Newcastle asked me my opinion and I said, I’d go and get him and they went and got him.”

Things are likely to come to a head in the coming days with Ashworth’s future looking increasingly likely to be United-bound.

2

Manchester United survived an onslaught from the opposition to come away with a nervy win despite the game hanging on a knife’s edge.

That is the summary of last night’s victory against Luton Town but the same can be said for the majority of United games this season.

The victories rarely feel “safe” this season and part of it is down to Erik ten Hag going into preservation mode as quickly as possible, as explained in greater detail here.

Now, Rio Ferdinand has pinpointed the other big problem with this squad and it questions Ten Hag more than the players.

Ferdinand said that last night, United made it “like a basketball match” and they need to “start controlling games”.

He said that a staple of all top teams is the ability to play calmly in the opposition half and take the sting out of their momentum.

However, United feel the need to “create a worldie chance or have a shot or something outlandish” that risks losing possession.

The former United man warned the club that “you can’t continue doing that” and Ten Hag’s side will eventually get punished by a more clinical outfit.

He called United a “reckless team” and said “it’s mad” that United don’t ever try to control games with the ball, instead relying on rearguard defensive action to eke out victories.

It has been a common criticism directed at United and is something which Ten Hag is aware of.

The manager has repeatedly stressed the need to be smart and play with more focus to avoid transition opportunities but United keep getting stuck in the same panic patterns.

Next up is Fulham and then away to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, two teams United should be beating, control or not.

Their fragility will be sternly tested when they visit Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on March 3.

13

Bayern Munich are reportedly weighing up the appointment of former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as an interim coach at least until the end of the season.

This comes as intense pressure mounts on current Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel following a 3-2 loss during the weekend against Bochum.

The defeat left the German giants eight points behind Xabi Alonso’s Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen.

It was also a third consecutive loss after they were beaten 1-0 at Lazio in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 last week.

For the first time in 12 years, Bayern are facing a trophyless season.

It’s believed that at the moment, club chiefs are keen on continuing and finishing the campaign with Tuchel at the helm.

After the season comes to an end, the situation can then be re-assessed. Bayern’s primary pick to replace Tuchel is Alonso, who has completely transformed Leverkusen to become one of the most dangerous teams in Europe.

According to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, the legendary Zinedine Zidane is another alternative to permanently fill the role when Tuchel vacates his post.

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🚨News #Zidane: FC Bayern wants to continue with #Tuchel at least until the end of the season – as always reported!

However: The bosses are now taking it game by game. That’s why they are considering a plan B & C in the background.

⚠️ One of the most prominent candidates who… pic.twitter.com/9VyqdW5qk1

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) February 19, 2024

The reliable Plettenberg further states that Solskjaer is also an option for the Bavarian club but on an initial temporary basis.

“News Solskjær: FC Bayern is monitoring the 50 y/o – as a potential interim solution!”

“But the original plan remains: FC Bayern would like to continue with Thomas Tuchel at least until the end of the season!”

“Bayern and Solskjær: Nothing concrete at this stage! The former ManUtd manager is a free agent and ready to take over a new project.”

“Freund, he’s following the way of Solskjær for years.”

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🚨🆕 News #Solskjær: FC Bayern is monitoring the 50 y/o – as a potential interim solution!

⚠️ But the original plan remains: FC Bayern would like to continue with Thomas Tuchel at least until the end of the season!

Bayern and Solskjær: Nothing concrete at this stage! The… pic.twitter.com/CTk3TAcXdx

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) February 19, 2024

The Norwegian has been without a managerial job since his Old Trafford sacking in 2021 following a dismal 4-1 loss to Watford that capped off a run of seven losses in 13 matches.

In the United dugout, Solskjaer oversaw 149 matches as permanent manager. He was also in charge of 19 games as caretaker boss after Jose Mourinho was let go just before his appointment.

In his first full season in charge of the Red Devils, Solskjaer masterminded a strong second-place finish in the Premier League.

1

Manchester United have backed plans to regenerate land around Old Trafford.

The BBC reports that the club has called the plans “tremendously exciting”.

The lack of development and funding for work around the Theatre of Dreams has stood in contrast to cross-city rivals, Manchester City, who have carried out extensive work around their stadium in recent years.

In 2011 Manchester city council approved “the Eastlands Regeneration Framework, which was developed to guide a wide range of actions and activities emerging at the Etihad Campus”.

As a result, many Red Devils have felt envious of the development around the Etihad, and the news that United back plans to improve the area around their own stadium will surely be met with delight.

According to the report, “Trafford Council’s 15-year draft masterplan includes proposals to redevelop sites and create 5,000 new homes around Trafford Wharf Road”.

The Manchester Ship Canal and the Imperial War Museum are in the area included in the scheme.

Chief operating officer at Manchester United Collette Roche said the club backed the “ambitious plans”.

Councillors are set to discuss the Trafford Wharfside Development Framework, as the plans are known before a public consultation must take place on the proposals.

The plans have been drawn up “following talks with major landowners in the area, including the Peel Group, Manchester United and Salford City Council”.

The suggested proposal breaks the Trafford zone into five areas, including the zone in which Old Trafford is situated.

Plans for the wider site include new homes, hotels, and shops, and better connections between Trafford Wharfside and Manchester city centre.

Trafford Councillor Liz Patel said the plan offered a “vision for a hugely important area” and signalled “great change over future years”.

Salford City councillor Mike McCusker said the Trafford Wharfside “goes hand in hand” with the ongoing developments at MediaCity in Salford.

United fans will be hoping that the football club’s desire to back such plans means that they will also be open to improving stadium facilities or even be prepared to build a new stadium on adjacent land next to the stadium in the near future.

Finance expert Kieran Maguire and the chief architect on the feasibility project both agree that only a complete rebuild on the adjacent site will allow the club to generate more income and improve the experience of match-going fans.

2

Luke Shaw’s importance to the Manchester United team can be understood in Erik ten Hag’s recent comments about the 28-year-old.

Speaking to Sky Sports before United’s game against Luton Town yesterday the Dutchman claimed, “If Luke Shaw is fit he plays, he adds a new level to Manchester United’s game”.

This sentiment is also echoed by The Athletic , who have pointed out the numerous advantages the Englishman brings to Ten Hag’s United.

“The England left-back is not only their best defender in wide areas, he is also vital to how Ten Hag’s team progress the ball between the two penalty boxes. Shaw’s left-footedness is essential to Ten Hag’s tactics and the Dutchman values the passing angles and defensive orientation this brings”.

According to the American outlet, numerous United players also benefit from the Englishman’s presence as “Ten Hag said that his presence makes Harry Maguire a more viable option at left centre-back. When sharing the left flank with Shaw, Marcus Rashford’s attacking game is also much improved. Rasmus Hojlund is another, with the Dane enjoying the low crosses Shaw plays into the penalty area”.

However, there is a catch. Shaw gets injured a lot. Not as much as he used to, but still too frequently. United fans were relieved when they saw the defender recover from a knock at Villa Park last week to make the first eleven against Luton yesterday afternoon.

However, clearly never 100%, the England international had a torrid afternoon against the raw speed and power of Luton’s Chiedozie Ogbene and had to be subbed off just before the interval with an injury.

United’s left-back situation has been compounded by the fact last season’s solid backup Tyrell Malacia has not played all season owing to a serious injury.

The lack of options has resulted in a revel bag of deputies such as Sofyan Amrabat and most recently Victor Lindelof being tasked to cover unfamiliar terrain.

Therefore, United need a backup defender who can contribute in an attacking sense but also provide the defensive capabilities that a healthy, in-form Shaw brings to the table. Moreover, the potential left-back must be young enough to sit on the bench to deputise for Shaw but also be experienced enough to contribute when called upon.

Here are three potential options INEOS could look to bring in during the summer window.

Miguel Gutierrez

The strongest candidate for the role is the 22-year-old Girona left-back. The Spaniard is described as “a tactical marvel, adept at making overlapping and underlapping attacking runs, and knows when to invert into midfield
and involve himself in his side’s smart attacking rotations”.

The defender would certainly fit Ten Hag’s preferred tactics of inverted full backs which Diogo Dalot has been able to perform to such great effect this season.

The Liga player would add youth but also experience in top-level football, playing for an incredibly attractive Girona side. He may not have the defensive acumen of the second option below but would certainly add more to the possession side of the game.

Aaron Hickey

The 21-year-old Scottish fullback had been in impressive form for Brentford before picking up a serious injury at the end of October. The defender is still out of action, after suffering a recent setback but has shown a lot of promise since breaking into the West London team.

According to footballobservatory.com, the fullback is rated as one of the most promising two-way left-backs in the league.

Despite his injury, Hickey fits the INEOS model of young, British and Premier League proven. The youngster would be more than prepared to sit on the bench for a couple of seasons and learn from Shaw, with the view of becoming United’s long-term left-back option.

Destiny Udogie

Another potential option, that would certainly be the hardest to achieve, is that of Tottenham’s youngster, Destiny Udogie.

Rated by footballobervatory.com as one of the best young two-way defenders in world football, he certainly has had an impressive time of it in Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs system.

The young Italian has played 23 times this season, scoring two goals and contributing three assists.

Whilst removing him from Daniel Levy’s clutches may prove impossible, he is certainly an interesting choice to keep an eye on. Furthermore, at only 21 years old, he fits the exact profile of a young, balanced defender, who already has experience of top-flight football in Italy and in England.

5

Manchester United captain Katie Zelem celebrated her 150th appearance for United on Saturday against Arsenal.

Although the result did not go in United’s favour, it was still a cause for celebration as the Oldham-born midfielder became just the second player to reach that milestone after Ella Toone.

Zelem spent her youth days at United’s centre of excellence before leaving for Liverpool in 2013 due to United not having a senior team.

She then went to Juventus for their inaugural season before returning to United in 2018, when the women’s team was set up under manager Casey Stoney.

She became captain in 2019 after Alex Greenwood left and has been an integral part of the squad ever since.

She led the team out as United women played at Old Trafford for the first time, a moment she treasured as a lifelong United fan.

She also captained the side at Wembley Stadium in their first ever FA Cup final.

After qualifying for the Champions League for the first time, Zelem again ticked something off her bucket list as she captained the side against PSG, home and away, in their first taste of European football.

Zelem wasn’t the only player to be celebrating a milestone achievement as Hayley Ladd came off the bench in the 70th minute to mark her 100th appearance for the club, becoming the sixth player to reach a century of appearances.

Ladd joined the side in 2019 for their first season in the WSL and was voted player of the year that year.

Although the Welsh international has been in and out of the squad this year, she has been there for the team when it mattered, scoring three goals in nine games.

United will be back in action in the women’s Super League on March 3rd when the face West Ham away.

4

Manchester United’s captain, Bruno Fernandes, is not the only football player in his family plying his trade in England.

The Portugal international has been a revelation for the Old Trafford side since making his debut in February 2020 and was appointed club captain last summer.

The player has gone on to score 71 goals in 218 appearances for the Red Devils and play in a plethora of positions for numerous managers.

Surprisingly, he has someone very close to him in which he can discuss the finer details of being a footballer in England.

Speaking to FourFourTwo, the United captain’s brother, Ricardo Fernandes claimed, “we’ve got different lives. Bruno’s a professional footballer and I work for the NHS”.

However, Ricardo also plays for Roffey in Division One of the Southern Combination Football League.

“When I was young, my friends and close family probably thought I was the brother who was going to make it, but I didn’t and he did,” Ricardo said.

At a glance, the two players look similar as they “both have dark hair and beards, with a similar build and facial features”.

In addition, the two brothers want to dictate play on the pitch and try and make the difference to their side, albeit to a completely different standard.

Furthermore, the two also have the knack of putting away vital penalties for their side.

Bruno Fernandes has scored an incredible 51 out of his 57 career penalties, but it seems the instincts run in the family.

Ricardo also buried two penalties for Roffey in a great win for his side, who played 60 minutes with ten men on Saturday.

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70′ GOAL ROFFEY!!

Converted again by Fernandes

🔴 0-2 🐗

— Roffey Football Club (@RoffeyFC) February 17, 2024

Speaking on his time growing up with the United star, Ricardo stated, “I think he always looked at me growing up. We have a five-year age gap and he liked to come and play with me and my mates. I had to look after him – I didn’t want my friends kicking my brother if he was nutmegging them! I think that’s how he developed his strong mentality, playing against older opponents”.

Due to the high profile nature of his brother, he claims that it can be challenging to ignore the negative comments he receives on the pitch about his sibling but “you have to leave it”.

Hopefully both Fernandes brothers can finish the season well as we edge closer to the crucial season-defining games that the spring brings.

3

Raphael Varane has comfortably the highest aerial duel win percentage in the Premier League this season – an absolutely vital trait given the profiles of some of his Manchester United teammates.

As referenced by TNT Sports on X (formerly known as Twitter), the 30-year-old’s rate of successful aerial duels stands at an impressive 90%.

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Highest aerial duel win rate in the Premier League this season:

🥇 𝐑𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐕𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐞 – 𝟗𝟎%
🥈 Virgil Van Dijk – 83%
🥉 Kristoffer Ajer – 78%

Rolls Royce Varane 👊 pic.twitter.com/8lphXsI8v8

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 18, 2024

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) and Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford) rank second and third respectively, with 83% and 78%. Interestingly, Varane’s partner in defence yesterday – Harry Maguire – ranks 5th in the league with a success rate of 76%.

The Frenchman possesses a long 6’3 (191cm) frame, which he is expert at utilising to its maximum to ensure he retains a height advantage over most forwards who are forced to cross his path.

While Varane is not necessarily a powerful centre-back – in the mould of Van Dijk or Maguire – he is deceptively strong and wily in his use of subtle contacts to disrupt opposition attackers’ rhythm. And though he is not as fast as his Real Madrid peak, he retains enough speed to be effective in foot races.

An analysis piece by Mark Critchley (The Athletic) before Christmas, following a defensive masterclass by Varane at Anfield, revealed the true value of a player who had appeared to have fallen out of favour at Old Trafford this season.

Varane made fifteen clearances during the hard-fought 0-0 draw against bitter rivals Liverpool (only bettered by Ethan Pinnock (Brentford) at that point of the season). Nine of these were with the Frenchman’s head, while he won all four of his aerial duels with Jurgen Klopp’s men.

The former Merengue was a rock at the heart of Erik ten Hag’s defence at Anfield; as he was yesterday at Kenilworth Road.

Varane made five clearances yesterday – more than double any of his team mates. He also blocked two shots, and made two interceptions and a tackle. The 30-year-old did this while marshalling a defensive unit which endured three enforced changes after just forty-five minutes, with Maguire, Luke Shaw, and Casemiro all being withdrawn either just before, or during, half-time.

Varane’s ability to be dominant in the air, while also being a strong organising influence in defence, are a vital combination for United, particularly when the aerial fragility of some of his team mates is considered.

Despite being desperately unlucky with injuries this season, Lisandro Martinez is undoubtedly Ten Hag’s first choice defender. It’s a similar story for Bruno Fernandes in midfield, while the Dutchman’s front three of Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, and Rasmus Hojlund is locked in at this point of the season.

None of these players are particularly good in the air; in fact, many of them are weak. Martinez, in particular, will always remain vulnerable to high balls in the Premier League, despite Jamie Carragher’s initial assessment of the Argentine aging like milk.

Luke Shaw is strong aerially for a fullback, but his constant issues with unavailability mean his understudy – Tyrell Malacia – would have played far more often this season if not for his own injury issues; and the diminutive Amad Diallo may be the only member of the Old Trafford dressing room who Malacia doesn’t have to look up to.

Neither Diogo Dalot or Aaron Wan-Bissaka are particularly good in the air, despite possessing sizeable frames relative to other right-backs. Similarly, doubts over Victor Lindelof’s physicality will likely follow the Swede as long as he remains in English football.

As such, a player who wins 90% of their aerial duels is, therefore, a vital component of a team who struggle to replicate that type of effectiveness elsewhere on the pitch. Which is why Ten Hag’s choice to drop Varane at various points earlier in the season appear odder with every game.

The Frenchman’s injury concerns are likely to have played a role (justifiably) in this decision, given the Dutch manager probably wanted to rely on the same defensive unit across a string of games, but his value as a defender must be accounted for when United are considering reinforcements this summer.

If the club, as expected, target a new centre-back to play alongside Martinez at the heart of their defence, this recruit must be able to replicate the aerial dominance of Varane (and, to a lesser extent, Maguire) if United are to remain a balanced side.

If the new defender is not strong in the air, the aerial weakness of his new teammates will be further exacerbated, and United will become an easy target from set-pieces and crosses.