Man Utd: Ten Hag sack claim made as pundit insists Dutchman ‘won’t be near’ Old Trafford next season
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag “won’t be near” the Old Trafford “hot seat next year” after their loss to Chelsea, according to ESPN pundit Craig Burley.
After winning the Carabao Cup during a promising first campaign in charge at Man Utd, things have gone downhill this term and the Red Devils’ hopes of returning to the continent’s top competition are fading.
Burley: Talk of Man Utd making the top four ‘was a pipe dream’
Thursday’s trip to Chelsea represented one of nine matches remaining for sixth-placed Man Utd, who are 11 points behind Aston Villa in fourth and nine behind Tottenham in what could prove a fifth and final qualification spot.
Saturday’s alarming 1-1 draw at Brentford and yesterday’s 4-3 loss to Chelsea provided the latest blows to their Champions League hopes in a poor season that has seen Ten Hag’s men ravaged by injuries.
It is understood that new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS will judge Ten Hag at the end of the season but there are reports that recent performances have not pleased the British billionaire.
And ESPN pundit Burley, who used to play for Celtic and Scotland, doesn’t think Ten Hag will be at Man Utd at the start of next season.
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No, I think it was amazing because of the realizing
Burley said on ESPN: “Erik ten Hag again, I don’t think there’s much debate that Ineos are just going to…
“Talk about the top four, even with a win at Stamford Bridge tonight I think was a forlorn expectation, that that was a pipe dream sort of stuff, they’re never getting anywhere near the top four and he [Erik ten Hag] won’t be near this Manchester United hot seat next year, I don’t think.”
Ten Hag urged his Man Utd team to “make better decisions” in the aftermath of their match against Chelsea with a late double from Cole Palmer defeating the Red Devils.
“We started poor, making individual errors,” Ten Hag said in his post-match press conference. “But I had the feeling we were dominating and we fought ourselves back.
“We were in a winning position with very good football and scoring great goals. Then in stoppage time, we didn’t bring the win over the line.
Ten Hag: You have to do your job, you have to make the right decisions
“You have to do your job, you have to make the right decisions, and we didn’t react quick enough to avoid this situation.
“We dominated the game, especially our wide players were a danger: Garnacho, Antony.
“We have to make better decisions. You saw how we score from counters. We can be such a massive threat and we’ve seen again today an example.
“But we have to read when to keep the ball, especially when you are winning. Keep the ball, pass and move and switch the play instead of giving it way.”
Liverpool trio among five ‘irreplaceable’ stars the title challengers could do without next season
Not long ago it would have been inconceivable to imagine Liverpool without Trent Alexander-Arnold or a Kevin De Bruyne-less Manchester City, but their absences this season haven’t stopped their sides from challenging for the title.
They join three others in this list of players deemed ‘irreplaceable’ last season but the title challengers could do without next term
Trent Alexander-Arnold
No Liverpool player owes a greater debt of gratitude to Jurgen Klopp than Trent Alexander-Arnold. His style of football has allowed a player with extraordinary attacking quality but significant defensive issues to thrive at full-back. Few managers – if any – would have had the bottle to play him there, and though Alexander-Arnold’s ability would presumably have seen him break through in midfield in any case, it almost certainly wouldn’t have come with the same success that’s seen him win every trophy on offer and now has him linked with a move to Real Madrid.
And bizarre though it sounds to suggest the Liverpool lad should consider leaving Merseyside, it may well be a move to suit all parties. He gets to play for Real Madrid and Liverpool get £80m+ of pure profit to spend on other areas of the squad, safe in the knowledge that Conor Bradley has right-back on lock.Related video: Liverpool captain ‘dreading’ Jurgen Klopp exit (ITN)
Obviously I'm a proud dad of four kids and I
The 20-year-old doesn’t have the delivery or passing range of Alexander-Arnold, because literally no-one else does, but he’s quicker, better at dribbling and doesn’t treat defensive work like it’s a pesky distraction from the actual football.
While Alexander-Arnold is a better footballer, Bradley may already be a better full-back, and he’s five years younger than his rival for the position.
Alisson
“Without Caoimh Kelleher, [there is] no chance to be in the position we are,” Klopp said ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Sheffield United, which brought the Irishman level with Alisson on 24 appearances apiece this season.
Kelleher has conceded 27 goals to Alisson’s 21, while the Brazilian has a marginally superior save percentage. But the backup has the better post-shot expected goals minus goals allowed score, which suggests either more luck, a better ability to stop shots, or – most likely – a combination of the two.
We’re by no means suggesting Kelleher is a better goalkeeper than Alisson, who has been a huge part of Liverpool’s success in his six years at the club. But given he’s 31 and Kelleher’s 25, and considering the difference in quality is nowhere near as significant as we were all expecting, Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards may well be tempted by offers for Alisson this summer that they would previously have dismissed out of hand.
Having had a taste of consistent football, Kelleher will surely be gunning for more next season, and Liverpool won’t want to lose a goalkeeper who’s proven he’s a suitable replacement for Alisson no more than two or three years before the Brazilian will likely need replacing.
Andy Robertson
Kostas Tsimikas filled in admirably before Joe Gomez replaced him at left-back and filled in even more admirably. Some may suggest Liverpool have missed some attacking thrust from their left but that’s more to do with a change in style as a result of their midfield overhaul rather an enforced change due to the absence of Robertson.
Liverpool now play football in midfield. Rather than having Georginio Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson as energetic bodies whose primary purpose is to disrupt and give the ball to the full-backs to deliver, Liverpool now have Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai to open up opposition defences. It means having a superior defender in Gomez at full-back makes sense, both in terms of open play and set pieces, where his stature pays dividends.
And that also appears to be Klopp’s thinking, given Robertson started just three of the seven games he was available for having recovered from his shoulder injury, before another knock kept him out of the win over Brighton.
Kevin De Bruyne
He’s obviously still a ridiculously good footballer, with the 20-minute cameo against Newcastle to turn that game on its head, and the four assists he got in the dismantling of Luton in the FA Cup clear evidence of that.
But he’ll be 33 by the start of next season and missing 35 games over the last year through four separate injuries suggests his body may be starting to give up on him. With his contract expiring in 2026, City may well view this summer as a decent opportunity to get a sizeable fee for De Bruyne, whose absence hasn’t been too keenly felt this term, thanks in large part due to Phil Foden’s outstanding form playing in his stead.
Kevin De Bruyne was not happy about being substituted for Man City against Liverpool.
Oleksandr Zinchenko
He was outstanding for much of last season, becoming the extra man in midfield, creating from that role and in general making Arsenal feel far more like a serious team than they had done before. But he was one of their foremost bottlejobs at the end of the campaign and may well have been again had a timely injury not seen him replaced in the starting lineup by Jakub Kiwior.
Reports claim Newcastle and Bayern Munich are keen on making a move for the Ukraine star this summer, and Arsenal are said to be willing to listen to offers of around £33million – roughly the same price they paid Manchester City in 2022.
Liverpool 3-1 Sheff Utd: Reds avoid scare after Bradley OG as Mac Allister inspires win
Liverpool avoided a scare at home to Sheffield United by responding to Conor Bradley’s own goal with crucial finishes from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were by far the better team against Sheffield United but had to sweat for their 3-1 victory, with a top-class strike from Mac Allister with 14 minutes to go giving them control.
The World Cup winner has become a hugely-influential player in the last few weeks playing in a more advanced position – although he started this game as the holding midfielder before moving forward – and his goal had echoes of Steven Gerrard against Olympiacos in 2005.
Whether it proves to be as significant as the one which paved the way for their Champions League win will only be discovered over the next eight games but in the short term it took Liverpool two points clear of Arsenal and three ahead of Manchester City.
With games running out every victory leaves even less margin for error for their rivals, which was why Mac Allister’s goal, an unstoppable strike into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area, was so important after the chasers had both won on Wednesday.
Darwin Nunez’s 18th of the season – courtesy of a mistake from goalkeeper Ivo Grbic – had given the hosts a 17th-minute lead, only for Bradley’s own goal just after half-time to ratchet up the tension.Related video: Klopp on Liverpool injuries and Sheffield Utd preview (Dailymotion)
The classy Mac Allister, one of the most composed players on the pitch, relieved that and substitute Gakpo’s late effort was an added boost to the goal difference which could yet be crucial.
United have conceded 80 goals this season – more than any other top-flight team, with 14 of those coming in the last four outings.
Their first half was indicative of why they are bottom of the league and destined for a swift return to the Championship as a failure to take gilt-edged chances and an inability to avoid mistakes proved costly.
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Sunday’s visitors Brighton scored after 90 seconds but the Blades could have even beaten that when former Liverpool academy graduate Jack Robinson’s long throw was flicked on to James James McAtee at the far post but he shot straight at Caoimhin Kelleher from just a few yards.
Ben Brereton-Diaz then flicked the resulting corner wide and while taking either of those chances may not have been enough for the leakiest side in the top flight it would have at least given them something to cling on to.
Instead they shot themselves in the foot as, after Mohamed Salah had a chip tipped over by Grbic, the United goalkeeper was culpable for the opening goal.
The Croatian dithered too long in clearing a backpass and that was all the invitation Nunez needed to charge him down, with the clearance rebounding off him into an unguarded net.
Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Luis Diaz all had attempts, while Ryan Gravenberch showed his lack of recent game time in shooting weakly at Grbic instead of playing in Nunez.
Deep into additional time Jayden Bogle forced Kelleher into a save low down by his left-hand post and it seemed a brief respite until Gus Hamer outjumped Bradley with his header deflecting off the defender and through the legs of Kelleher in the 58th minute.
Andy Robertson and Harvey Elliott, on his 21st birthday, were already stripped to come on before the goal but the departure of leading scorer Mohamed Salah was a surprise, even more so to the Egyptian who did not make eye contact with Klopp as he departed.
However, the tactical adjustment, also made with one eye on Sunday’s trip to Manchester United, worked as the hosts began to find more room down the sides as Virgil van Dijk had a header palmed wide and Bradley volleyed Elliott’s deep cross into the side-netting.
But it was another botched clearance, this time by Anel Ahmedhodzic, which created the winner as the defender’s attempt to hoist the ball clear of his own penalty area deflected off Diaz to fall invitingly for Mac Allister to rifle home his fourth in five games.
Mac Allister the hit the crossbar with a free-kick before Gakpo finished things off in additional time.
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Big-money Man Utd signing accelerates after selling club line up Arsenal and Liverpool-linked replacements
A fantastic Manchester United move for a centre-back they desperately need appears to have ignited after Juventus began exploring moves for alternatives also wanted by Arsenal and Liverpool, per a report.
The Red Devils simply cannot keep opposing attacks quiet at present, with Erik ten Hag’s side conceding an eye-watering 59 shots combined in their last two matches against Chelsea and Brentford.
Precisely where the blame lays is open to debate. Man Utd don’t possess hard-working forwards, while Casemiro has shown worrying signs of decline in the holding midfield role this season.
Elsewhere, Man Utd’s backline – which has been ravaged by injury – have seen better days.
Jonny Evans and Raphael Varane are both off contract this summer and could depart as free agents. West Ham will make a second attempt to sign Harry Maguire, while reports in Italy claim Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s time is up.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed United will sign a new left-back this summer and talks with Nice to do just that have begun.
A long-term partner for Lisandro Martinez at centre-half is also being eyed, though multiple central defenders may be required if Sir Jim Ratcliffe gets ruthless in an anticipated squad clear-out.
Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite is on United’s radar. Football Transfers recently claimed Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa – who recently won his first and second caps for England – is a wanted man too.Related video: Liverpool face Manchester United in Premier League clash at Old Trafford (Dailymotion)
From outside of the Premier League Man Utd have also been linked with Antonio Silva (Benfica), Leny Yoro (Lille), Jean-Clair Todibo (Nice) and Gleison Bremer (Juventus) to name just four.
Today’s update regards 27-year-old Brazil international Bremer, with Tuttosport reporting Juventus are gearing up for his sale.
READ MORE: The four problem positions Ratcliffe must fix at Man Utd this summer and who might solve their weaknesses
Juventus eye Bremer replacements, as transfer cost detailed
It’s claimed Juventus are beginning to explore the market for alternatives amid the growing sense they may receive a bid too good to refuse from Man Utd.
Bremer’s current contract in Turin contains a release clause worth €60m that becomes active in the summer of 2025.
However, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano revealed there’s a “verbal pact” in place between Bremer and Juventus that will see the Serie A side give serious consideration to a sale this summer. Per Romano, bids in the region of the release fee (€60m) will be considered.
Tuttosport state Juventus won’t sell for less than €70m and ‘Manchester United knows it.’ Nonetheless, it’s suggested the Red Devils are willing to fork out a big fee for the Brazilian and as such, Juventus are sizing up successors.
Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande and Maxence Lacroix of Wolfsburg are both listed in the piece. Diomande is a transfer target at Arsenal, while Lacroix has been linked with Liverpool.
Liverpool’s interest in Lacroix, 23, was at its highest when Jorg Schmadtke was pulling the strings as sporting director.
Schmadtke specialised in Bundesliga signings (Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch), though he is no longer with the Reds having left at the conclusion of the January transfer window.
Diomande, meanwhile, can be signed via a €80m release clause in his Sporting contract. Aside from Arsenal, Chelsea are also known to hold interest in the 20-year-old centre-half and a bidding war may have already erupted.
With Juventus turning their attention to new additions at centre-back, the inference is they’re warming to the idea of cashing in on Bremer.
Given Man Utd’s defensive frailties, the signing of the imposing centre-half to their backline would be most welcome.
The idea of using Mason Greenwood as a makeweight to help lower the cost of signing Bremer is also gathering traction.
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