Erik ten Hag deserves to be given more time by Manchester United, where off-pitch disruption has hampered the Dutchman's attempts to instil his preferred style.  

That is the view of former Netherlands international Urby Emanuelson, who worked with Ten Hag at Utrecht and believes he can achieve long-term success under the Jim Ratcliffe regime. 

Ten Hag is under pressure amid an underwhelming second campaign at Old Trafford, with United suffering an early Champions League exit and languishing 11 points adrift of the Premier League's top four.

United's total of 12 Premier League defeats this season is their joint-most in a single campaign (with 2013-14 and 2021-22), while Ten Hag's side have also been criticised for a perceived lack of off-the-ball organisation.

Only bottom club Sheffield United (560) have faced more shots than the Red Devils' 554 in the Premier League this season, while their expected goals against (xGA) figure of 58.2 is also the third-highest in the competition.

While Ten Hag recently said he has "no doubts" over his future, Gareth Southgate, Graham Potter and Gary O'Neil have been touted as possible successors if Ratcliffe – who recently acquired a minority stake in the club from the Glazer family – makes a change.

Emanuelson, though, thinks Ten Hag deserves more time.

"I worked with him at FC Utrecht in the last few seasons of my career, and I have to say he's an amazing coach in the way he can prepare a team. It's amazing," he told Stats Perform.

"I think he's doing well at Manchester United. It's difficult to be a coach of Manchester United, especially in the period they are in with that club.

"You know there are a lot of things going on in Manchester, so it's not easy not to be a coach there and I think he's doing well.

"Of course, you cannot win everything because the Premier League is a tough league, but he's trying to get his team ready. He's trying to let the club, or at least the team, grow to a different level than where they were at."

United are major outsiders in the race for Champions League qualification after being pegged back in an entertaining 2-2 draw with Liverpool last Sunday.

    With seven games to play, they sit 11 points adrift of Tottenham in fourth and Aston Villa in fifth, with England potentially receiving an additional spot through UEFA's coefficient rankings.

Emanuelson has not given up hope of the Red Devils making it, saying: "I just hope he finishes the season in a good way and they end up in the top four. I wish him all the best. 

"I have a good relationship with him, and I just hope he gets the time he needs to turn things around, and I hope he will get the results he wants."

Man United defender Raphael Varane out for ‘next few weeks’ with muscle injury

Manchester United’s absentee-hit defence will be without Raphael Varane for the next few weeks due to a muscle injury.

A disappointing second season for the Red Devils under Erik ten Hag has been punctuated by a variety of fitness issues, with the backline hit particularly hard.

United have been without an out-and-out left-back for much of the season due to injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, while their problems at centre-back are now stacking up.

Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof are laid low, with Varane and Jonny Evans absent from the squad for Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool after injuries sustained at Chelsea last Thursday.

The pair will be absent again at Bournemouth on Saturday, with Varane unlikely to return until next month.

United said in a statement: “Raphael Varane will be out for the next few weeks with a muscle injury sustained during our game against Chelsea last week.

“The French World Cup winner is aiming to be back in action before the end of the season in May.

“Fellow centre-back Jonny Evans will also miss Saturday’s game against Bournemouth with a shorter-term muscle issue.”

Varane, 30, has made 30 appearances for United this season and is out of contract this summer.

Evans, who made a surprise return to the club last year, has appeared 29 times and the 36-year-old’s deal also expires at the end of the season.

United enter the weekend sixth in the Premier League, 11 points behind fourth-placed Tottenham in the last spot guaranteed of Champions League qualification.

Harry Maguire and teenager Willy Kambwala look set to start as the centre-back pairing again at Bournemouth.


Real Madrid
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Mallorca - La Liga
Real Madrid face Mallorca in La Liga on Saturday evening
David Alaba and Thibaut Courtois are Carlo Ancelotti's only absentees
League leaders may rotate ahead of their Champions League tie next week

By Ewan Ross-Murray
Apr 11, 2024
Real Madrid will be keen to move another inch closer to the La Liga title this Saturday when they travel to Mallorca.

The Spanish giants are eight points clear of second-placed Barcelona, but with another Clasico meeting to come this season, Carlo Ancelotti's side will be eager to keep their fierce rivals at arm's length.

However, while three points on Saturday would be welcomed, Ancelotti is still likely to rotate his starting lineup with a view to the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Manchester City next Wednesday. How many starters the Italian rests remains to be seen.

Here's how Real Madrid could line up against Mallorca this weekend.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Mallorca (4-3-1-2)
Joselu Mato
Joselu may feature up top for Real Madrid / Angel Martinez/GettyImages
GK: Andriy Lunin - The Ukrainian has established himself as Madrid's number one during Thibaut Courtois' absence, although he didn't cover himself in glory for Bernardo Silva's effort during the 3-3 draw with Man City midweek.

RB: Lucas Vazquez - The former winger is now commonly used at right-back and may be handed another start on Saturday so the 32-year-old Dani Carvajal to have a rest.

CB: Eder Militao - The Brazilian hasn't started a match since tearing his ACL on the opening day of the season but could be eased back into action against Mallorca having been on the bench in the last few games.

CB: Nacho - With David Alaba injured and Antonio Rudiger potentially given a day off, the experienced Spaniard should feature against Mallorca. He's always dependable for the capital side.

LB: Fran Garcia - The youngster was so impressive with Rayo Vallecano last season but has struggled to make a significant impact since returning for Madrid. He could have the chance to show Ancelotti his quality on Saturday.

CM: Luka Modric - The maestro is very much a bit-part player for Madrid these days, somewhat unsurprisingly given he is 38. However, Modric is still an incredible talent and a very useful asset in these kind of games.

CM: Aurelien Tchouameni - One player who doesn't need a rest at the weekend is Tchouameni, who will miss the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final through suspension. As a result, he will anchor the midfield on Saturday.

CM: Eduardo Camavinga - Ancelotti will still be looking for some grit and energy in his midfield in Mallorca, something Camavinga provides in abundance. He was excellent against Man City midweek and has the legs to start again this weekend.

AM: Brahim Diaz - Much like Modric, Diaz has largely been a place-holder this season. However, he has been impressive when called upon, contributing with goals and assists either as an attacking midfielder or centre forward.

ST: Joselu - These are the kind of matches Joselu was brought in to play, with the Spaniard having not always been a fan favourite when required in the bigger games this term.

ST: Rodrygo - With Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior perhaps sitting out on Saturday, Rodrygo could feature alongside Joselu up top. The winger scored against Man City and bagged a brace last time out in La Liga.

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