Manchester United Rumours

29 May 2024 21:39:50
I see we are being linked with olive. I absolutely don't think we need another winger.

We need a strong midfielder, a center back and a striker.

29 May 2024 21:55:26
Olise! Damn the auto spell.

29 May 2024 22:03:52
We need all of those things, but we don’t have to sign them in any particular order.

29 May 2024 22:31:06
Olise seems very achievable.
I’d say Olise means the end of Antony + Amad or Sancho.

29 May 2024 22:40:56
Glad that was an auto spell mishap - we've already got Antony, we have no room for another Silly Moo.

27 May 2024 22:41:41
Hello Ed, do you think EtH is going to stay for one more season?

{Ed002's Note - I doubt it.}

28 May 2024 08:36:31
I’m still very comfortable with my flutter on Tuchel here. He’s a show in surely?

{Ed002's Note - Or Pochettino, or De Zerbi ....}

28 May 2024 09:42:56
Hard to really know what is going on and the decision the club will make. I do think that the new ownership are right to review both keeping EtH and getting rid and bringing new manager in.

I do not think that a decision should be made based on one game, should they have already been wanting to give him another season then they would have been given confidence based on what they saw. Should they be wanting to get rid they can question whether he is a cup manager that does not work in the league. Depending on the angle there is a line to take.

For many clubs at the minute it looks like the press are just guessing. One minute Chelsea were in on McKenna, then DeZerbi and now Maresca looks nailed on. We had about 10 managers being discussed, a couple were definitely happening, McKenna looks like he is staying at Ipswich for another year, Ten Hag was definitely gone and now we don't know

The silence after the game does not look good, even though the club say they are finalising the review. I thought if he was staying there would have been an imediate statement after the win. Maybe they want to make it look not like a knee jerk reaction.

Interesting Ed002 has DeZerbi, there was talk that his buy out was negotiated down when he left as a club were ready to pay it but were waiting. That sounds like a club with a game still to play at the time.

We will find out soon.

28 May 2024 11:26:09
Great post Brad. I agree wholeheartedly.

28 May 2024 12:25:25
To me the review is BS. It's either a cover to mask what may be an unpopular decision to get rid of ETH immediately after winning a trophy, a stalling tactic before they have a contract with the "right" someone else in place, and/ or similarly before they walk back a decision they had basically made to fire him. They've had months now to "review" the season. We all know it was bad, except the final game, we all know the extenuating circumstances, and we all know the decision should not be based on one game.

The problem they have is that having won two trophies in two years despite all the problems he inherited, having brought on some excellent young players, having shown what he might achieve with the right backing, and there being no outstanding replacement available, they probably know they should keep him. That will require some negotiations with Ten Hag himself, not just with regard to transfer procedures and authority, but also with respect to extending his contract.

28 May 2024 12:37:01
How have they had 'months' @Shawthing? It's only just finished! They just can't win. Moan when they wait and you would have moaned if they didn't.

28 May 2024 13:04:33
It is taking time because they want the new DoF opinion but he can't be trusted to email his response on the right email account.

Once he's picked up the encrypted phone from the brown bag dropped in the tree in the park they can move this forward.

28 May 2024 13:47:00
3 months of watching from the sidelines, letting various people go, hiring people, etc etc. As people have been saying you don't make a decision based on one game.

The EPL and ECL campaigns were inadequate to say the least. Were there extenuating circumstances? Yes. How much that let's Ten Hag off the hook is a matter of opinion. I'm not campaigning for or against ETH with this comment, even though I think we should keep him. I just think the season review excuse is corporate gobbledegook. The question is not the past but the future.

28 May 2024 14:48:42
Excellent post Shaw.

28 May 2024 14:57:55
Who’s conducting this review?

The new CEO doesn’t start until July and Dan Ashworth was last seen potting his geraniums?!

Jason Wilcox only started two weeks ago?

If they sack EtH before either are in post who has made this decision?

The cyclist enthusiast, the petrol chemical billionaire or Joel Glazer maybe?

28 May 2024 15:58:48
Joel glazer…. god I hope not! 😂.

28 May 2024 16:11:30
Why do you think they should keep him Shaw?

28 May 2024 16:47:56
Thanks Ed. Who in your opinion is the best option?

{Ed002's Note - Tuchel.}

28 May 2024 18:04:58
Oakbark

Brilliant made me chuckle. Keep it up this site needs some good humor.

Shaw I agree with your post. Said same thing its bit of a window dressing exercise.

I believe eth saying they had told him they want to go forward with him, his demeanor and telling reply in terms of going elsewhere to win trophies if they don't want him spoke of a guy who thinks he has been messed around.

I think the next guy is in for a rude reception from match going fans and social media if things start poorly, they will need to back him with a massive transfer kitty. If its a cosmetic facelift of the squad none of these guys will do better imo.

I like how poch gets a free pass for years and seems to have this credit for winning nothing. A billion pound spend in transfers in two summers and he scraps 6th place. Tuchel and de Zerbi if they get half the treatment of what eth has gotten will burn every bridge there is given their characters.

Ineos are in a pickle as they say.

28 May 2024 18:52:32
I can’t believe de zerbi is being considered. I don't get the hype.

{Ed025's Note - nor me Eric..

28 May 2024 18:53:17
There's no right answer, can see both sides. but sacking ten hag now this week seems nuts. especially if its for the Brighton fella, no thank you. But if its poch or tuchel I can see it but at least wait til next week. my gut feeling that ten hag will leave and poch will come in.

29 May 2024 01:32:44
Tom, here's my reasons for keeping him:

1) He had a good first season considering he had to deal with no striker and the Ronaldo situation, the general incompetence of those connected with recruitment, and the club's inability to land a long term CM. He did at least land a trophy.

2) In the second season while the ECL and EPL were very poor overall, he did land a trophy at the end. He also had to deal with a plethora of injuries, particularly to defenders, so that he never had a settle back line. Last year Arsenal fell apart defensively losing just Saliba. Before that Liverpool declined disastrously losing just Van Dijk. So, yes, other teams had plenty injuries. Brighton, for example, who ended up being 17th in the 2nd half of the season, and yet De Zerbi is considered the next savior by some. It's essential to have pretty much 2 full teams of quality players to be able to maintain top level performances for 65 games a season. United, for various reasons, including FFP simply haven't had that luxury.

3) He seems to have done pretty well with the younger players, and indeed United gave teenagers 3600 playing minutes compared to 1250 for City, Villa, Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool combined, which is exactly what many United fans have wanted to see. Bringing on young stars is supposed to be part of our DNA. Of course you could make the case that he only did it because he had to because of lack of options.

4) As Ratcliffe himself said, if every manager keeps failing then maybe the problem isn't the manager.

On the negative side, many of us including me became somewhat exasperated by his failure to change his tactics when it was clear that our midfield was too porous. His argument would probably have been that he was not hired to play LVG style negative football. He also seemed to persist with Antony when it was clear that he was a one and not very impressive trick pony. And of course there was the fallout with Sancho, which different people have different opinions about.

With 2 trophies already, with the bringing on of young players, having had to deal with an absent or incompetent management structure behind him, all the injuries to key players, and the enormous drop off in form for Rashford, the Ronaldo, Sancho, Antony and Greenwood distractions and the press pressure, I don't see the point in firing him UNLESS the club is pretty much certain there's a better option. And without the new DOF even hired yet who's to say what the new direction will be? How can a professional review take place without key personnel hired and a Glazer as one of the principle arbiters?

29 May 2024 01:53:11
I don’t live either choice Nick. That being said, I like ETH but don’t love him staying on either. The mess he made of his second season is a crazy fall from grace compared to how well he did in his first. So which one was the anomaly?

29 May 2024 09:11:14
Good post Shaw llets see what happens in the coming days.

29 May 2024 18:16:16
I'm torn Shaw.
He has had a lot to deal with, but how much is on him? He wanted and has to much control of things. He apparently sets the recovery schedules for players so are some of the injuries not on him? He doesn't rotate his team a great deal when everyone is fit. The 1st season fizzled out after the league Cup victory. The players were dead on their feet.
His recruitment has been poor.
This season has been woeful and an fa Cup victory although brilliant shouldn't mask a very poor campaign.
The problem for me is, is exactly what you have said. Can they review the season with the people doing the review only seeing a fraction of it.
If ten hag is willing to relinquish controll and be put into a coaching role maybe this would be the best solution.
I think with mkenna signing a contract with Ipswich that may have put a spanner into what utd want to do. My worry is Southgate may be more available next year.

27 May 2024 13:40:02
Rumours going around that Ten Hag will be staying at United but with a reduced role when it comes to transfers.

27 May 2024 14:51:54
I think that after the last decade it was a given that anyone previously involved in transfers should have a reduced or even no role in any transfer.

27 May 2024 16:54:39
The best possible outcome if you ask me.

Let the "experts" handle transfers and let ETH focus on implementing their desired style of play and coaching the players.

The managers of the last 10 years have had too many responsibilities.

27 May 2024 17:14:36
That works for me, let him coach and not make decisions on players.

27 May 2024 17:31:29
Makes perfect sense, hope it’s true.

27 May 2024 17:57:08
Kind of hope so. That being said, if he stays, any run of dodgy results and he’s canned.

27 May 2024 19:00:57
I would imagine he'd welcome that. It made sense he wanted control when he came in because it was awful before him, but he operated in a system at Ajax similar to the one proposed and did great there.

27 May 2024 19:47:45
The issue with if you believe the likes of lvg, jose and ole the ceo bought players they didn't want or ask for. So i don't believe that all signings by ETH as well. So if true how is this any different to what's happened previously. Could be a disaster as personally think all managers should have a massive input into any transfer, as they are the ones who have to manage them.
But then again i'm still abit old school.

27 May 2024 20:26:38
Do you guys actuallly think that the new board that naive to just buy players if Ten Hag doesn't want them.

The sporting team will discuss with Ten Hag and say this is 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice and they will try get the first choice for him.

You guys are quite naive to think a sporting director will just buy a player without consulting with manager and if that happens then it won't work but I an pretty much sure that is not how things are going tk be run under the new structure.

27 May 2024 21:41:27
I hope it’s not true. I am sure ETH has given it his all and the injuries have not been kind to him. I am glads he gets to go out on a sort of a higher spot than he would otherwise after winning the FA cup. It doesn’t mask over the whole season of being absolutely below average.

He has not helped his case by being unable to manage the playing style (a goal difference of NEGATIVE 1 after 38 games! ), asking for players (even if you excuse the amount we paid for them) like Antony, Onana, Mount etc.

27 May 2024 22:26:29
Singh I don't think anyone suggested that version. Merely that he'll have a reduced role. Maybe read the posts before going all in on the criticism (I didn't post above fwiw)

26 May 2024 12:55:17
Hi ed, any chance we look to keep amrabat or was it too little to late for him? Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - Sofyan Amrabat (DM/CM) Loan has largely not worked out well and Manchester United will not take up their €25M option. As such he will head back to Fiorentina at the end of the season. Agent is already doing the rounds with some interest from Juventus, Crystal Palace, Fulham and Milan. Player will want guarantees of game time. Fiorentina will want him sold but it is unlikely any of the interested sides would pay more than €20M.}

26 May 2024 13:42:30
Well he did himself huge favours yesterday with that performance.

26 May 2024 13:18:38
Thanks ed…Pity as he seemed to finally understand his role and when played there he really did well. Seemed fitter too. He was immense yesterday so at least he goes with a medal in his pocket!

26 May 2024 15:42:06
If we could get him for £10m would be a good squad player if he was played in the right position.

26 May 2024 15:45:58
If he could replicate yesterday’s form on a more consistent basis £20m would be a snip.

26 May 2024 19:50:19
I agree if a reasonable fee can be agreed he’d be a good addition. Finally looked a little more like the player I remember from the world cup and we need options.

27 May 2024 10:30:28
I don't know. I still get the fear when he takes more than one touch. A few times he was a whisker away from losing possession in dangerous areas, but managed to dig out a pass at the last second. Never really looks in control of the ball. Like his engine and attitude, though. Is that enough?

27 May 2024 15:45:54
I think Amrabat would be excellent cover. He’s taken time to adapt but at his age and move from Italy it is to be expected.

It was similar to Sabitzer last season.

27 May 2024 16:24:34
Looked like he had the game of his life on Saturday. Not going to get to that level every week. And as someone above mentioned, he is milliseconds away from losing the ball far too often imo. Need similar but with more mobility and pace.

27 May 2024 21:45:35
He had perhaps 2-3 good games and 1 excellent game. It should never be enough to earn a contract at United.

24 May 2024 20:16:24
Whispers of it being Southgate or mckenna.

24 May 2024 20:27:33
At one point Southgate was the bookies favourite, he’s now 14/ 1, the biggest price he has been for months, so not sure where you’re hearing your whispers but nobody else is hearing them today. The only rumours out there at the moment are McKenna, Poch or RDZ at a push.

24 May 2024 20:33:00
Both backwards steps.

Be back to looking again in 18 months.

24 May 2024 21:44:17
It makes a change from the loud noises other people are hearing.

24 May 2024 21:46:27
McKenna.

24 May 2024 21:47:38
Wouldn't make any sense to wait for the Euro to be over and then appoint a new manager. It has to happen sooner. I think they will go after Tuchel. Someone here said he's on Barca's list but they appointed Flick. I would rather see him than Southgate. McKenna could gain more experience meanwhile and become the next one.

24 May 2024 23:09:34
I was hearing whispers that I’m one tasty snack who’s ripe for eating, but then the bus came and the weird auld fella just left me at the stop. What a tease.

25 May 2024 00:17:01
McKenna is favourite on a few bookies sites.

25 May 2024 00:21:44
I have feeling McKenna is noise and it will be Tuchel.

25 May 2024 10:36:51
I think Mckenna will be encouraged to stay where he is to take over after Tuchel.

25 May 2024 11:09:17
Much rather Poch than Tuchel.

25 May 2024 12:00:37
I wouldn't be against a young up and coming manager like McKenna, he also knows the club well and would have less issues settling in than other younger up and coming managers. From that perspective if the club is going to go for that sort of young manager then McKenna is probably the best option.

Personally I think a manager like that should be the one after our next appointment. Let the club get settled under the new ownership, get the structure set up and in place, working to a high level and get the majority of the squad rebuild completed. Then once the club and the squad is more settled and working like clockwork then take a chance on a younger manager who can grow with the young squad and take that step up.

I suspect we will have 2-3 turbulent years ahead of us with a lot of growing pains and tension. Both from disappointed and frustrated fans and from players who will find themselves being pushed to the sidelines and ultimately out of the club. While we know the press will jump all over the club at every opportunity. That's a really tough environment for any young manager to handle and develop in.

In many way the job now is much harder and bigger than it was for Sir Alex when he joined in 1986.

Personally I'd have Thomas Frank as the top candidate of those who've been linked in the past couple of months. Great EPL experience, great character and ability to charm/ work the press, tactically intelligent and flexible, has helped many players develop and become too players (especially strikers/ forwards, Watkins, Toney, Mbeumo, which is good for the likes of Højlund, Garnacho and Amad in particular) and has experience of working in a structure similar to the one the club is trying to put in place.

He'd be a stabilising hand who could help keep the club getting results, embed the style the club wants, develop our younger players and handle the pressure and the press well while we rebuild. He also has just as much a chance of stepping up and becoming a manager capable of winning at the highest level as any of the younger exciting crop of managers like McKenna or Amorim.

That's why Frank would probably be my pick, even though I know he won't be the most popular due to him being more of a known quantity and coming from a less fashionable club. The general fanbase tends to lean towards lesser known and thus more exciting quantities. You see it all the time with fans preferring an player from a foreign league who they have seen once or twice over the player from a lower EPL club.

At the time most wanted Sancho and Antony over the likes of Mbeumo, Olise, Neto. Last summer we all know that if we tried to sign Cole Palmer from City for 40m like Chelsea did that most fans would have been against signing a player "not good enough for City".

Yet now would anyone really take Sancho or Antony over any of those more known options?

That's just the way the fanbase as a whole are. Personally I always prefer to go for the more known players from the EPL looking to step up. It doesn't always work, but I do feel it has a better success rate than most.

I also think that bringing in a manager like Frank is less likely to fail than a risk on a lesser known quantity.

{Ed025's Note - i you want someone charming and who will flatter the pants off the press Shappy...you might as well appoint Bradley Walsh mate.. :)

25 May 2024 12:55:34
Ed025, it's not the be all and end all. But at a club like United the ability to manage the press is very important.

Obviously there are other aspects as well. They have to be tactically intelligent, have the ability to develop and improve players, the ability to work within a certain club structure, and to get results in the EPL.

All things I think Frank has shown he is more than capable of.

{Ed025's Note - i think hes at his level now with Brentford Shappy, but thats just my take mate..

25 May 2024 14:41:31
Like the idea of Bradley Walsh he’d be good on mutv. Can already see a blankety blank chequebook quiz show.

26 May 2024 08:18:58
Do you know who is an even more known quantity at the club and has experience of managing large clubs like Ajax and Man Utd, history of playing good football and winning silverware? Erik ten Hag.

26 May 2024 10:38:06
I think the club need to back ten hag he didn’t really have a good transfer window last summer and quality in depth is rubbish when we have injuries to the starting 11 I hope he is given more time two trophies in two years isn’t bad be nice to build on it with the right transfers this summer.