Manchester United news LIVE: Sheikh Jassim takeover ‘approved,’ Ratcliffe prepares bid, Onana ‘loses trust’

Man Utd news LIVE: Sheikh Jassim takeover ‘approved’, Ratcliffe readies bid, Onana ‘loses trust’

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani remain in the race to buy Manchester United from the Glazers, while one of Erik ten Hag’s biggest transfer deals is coming under scrutiny

Pressure has been building on the Dutch boss in recent weeks but Saturday’s last-gasp 2-1 win at home to Brentford has given him a reprieve. Substitute Scott McTominay scored twice in added time, easing the scrutiny on Ten Hag.

As the Premier League is on pause, United’s takeover saga is set to return to the fore; with INEOS chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe expected to submit a fresh offer which would see him become a minority shareholder with a view to completing a full acquisition in the future. Rival bidder Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, meanwhile, appears to have the approval of ex-Red Devils star David Beckham.

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Ratcliffe’s Nice win again
French side Nice made it four wins out of five in Ligue 1 on Saturday by winning 1-0 away to Metz.

The INEOS-owned club sit second in the Ligue 1 table behind rivals Monaco after eight games.

New manager Francesco Farioli, appointed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has been revelation on the Riviera.

Neville makes bleak prediction
Gary Neville doesn’t think that Manchester United will be playing Champions League football next season – even with an additional qualifiying spot up for grabs.

Thanks to the tournament’s upcoming revamp, five Premier League sides are likely to qualify for the 2024-25 itteration of Europe’s elite competition.

“I don’t think Manchester United will finish in the top five this season,” Neville declared on his Sky Sports Podcast. “I think they are way off it. And I’m surprised because seven or eight weeks ago, I had them third.”

Ten Hag turning point
Erik ten Hag says that Saturday’s win against Brentford “must be the turning point” in Manchester United’s season.

Injury-time goals from late substitute Scott McTominay sealed a vital 2-1 victory.

“This reflects our season so far from the start of a game,” Ten Hag explained. “It has to be that you believe and you see the fans believe: they are sticking together. They are behind us and they kept us going. But then we have a plan and that is the big compliment for the team.

“They kept the plan. They kept switching. And from there on in the right moment, you bring the ball in the box. And of course we had to make and bring more players in the box. And I think that’s what we did the last 30 minutes and then you get rewarded in the end.”

Varane injury latest
Raphael Varane missed Saturday’s victory over Brentford with what club sources described as a “minor issue.”

The French centre-back, 30, should be available for the trip to Sheffield United on Saturday, October 21, having retired from international football earlier this year.

ICYMI: Greenwood scores first goal for Getafe
Mason Greenwood has scored his first goal for Getafe since joining the Spanish club on loan from Manchester United.

The 22-year-old striker bagged his side’s second goal during their La Liga match against Celta Vigo, firing home from close range to give them a 2-1 lead in the 33rd minute. Borja Mayoral had already opened the scoring for Getafe just two minutes into the match before Jonathan Bamba equalised.

Greenwood’s goal was timely as Getafe had been reduced to 10 men just minutes before when Domingos Duarte was sent off. Jorgen Strand Larsen then levelled for the hosts just before half-time.

ICYMI: Beckham appears to approve Sheikh Jassim takeover
David Beckham indicated he knew who would be best to take ownership of Manchester United during a trip to Qatar but stopped short of outright confirming Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani had his backing.

Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim is one of two prominent bidders aiming to get a takeover over the line. British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe is also hopeful of taking charge, though current owners the Glazer family could yet opt to remain in control.

Beckham, who received criticism for an ambassadorial deal around the Qatar World Cup in 2022, has been in the gulf state for the weekend’s Formula 1 action. Speaking to the media, the 48-year-old was quizzed on his takeover preference moments after United secured a crucial Premier League victory at home to Brentford.

goalkeeper made another error against Brentford.

Onana has endured a nightmare start to his United career since joining the Red Devils in a £47.2million deal from Inter Milan in the summer. The Cameroon international has made a string of high-profile mistakes and was once again at fault for Brentford’s opening goal in Saturday’s dramatic 2-1 win at Old Trafford.

After admitting Onana had “not covered himself in glory” with Brentford’s strike, Schmeichel told Premier League Productions: “I think a lot of that [Onana’s mistakes] is pressure. I spoke to him after Bayern. I spoke to him after Galatasaray as well and he was very down on the mistakes he made.”

It may be the international break but we’ve still got plenty of Red Devils-related stories to bring you.

Let’s get going.

That’s all for tonight
Thanks for staying with us tonight for all of your Man Utd updates.

We’ll be back with more tomorrow morning.

Ex-United star Neville makes bold Arsenal claim
Gabriel Martinelli was Arsenal’s match-winner against Manchester City, but Gary Neville believes team-mate Declan Rice and centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel are the players most crucial to the Gunners’ title push.

Brazil defender Gabriel began the season out of the first-team with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta using Ben White in the middle and Thomas Partey at right-back.

The former Lille man has started the last five league games, though, with Arteta’s team picking up 13 points and conceding just three goals .

Rooney’s Birmingham possibilities
Wayne Rooney continues to be linked with the Birmingham City job after leaving D.C. United.

The former Man Utd star has ended his association with the MLS side, and has been linked with a move to St Andrew’s if the Blues part ways with current boss John Eustace.

Now it has emerged that he could bring Ashley Cole and John O’Shea with him if he takes the job.

Ten Hag agrees with Solskjaer
Erik ten Hag claims that Scott McTominay has Manchester United “in his heart” after “giving his life” during his game-changing cameo against Brentford.

The Scotland midfielder came off the bench against the Bees to fire in two stoppage time goals to flip the game on its head. Many were left waxing lyrical about McTominay’s contributions – with the academy graduate being named man-of-the-match despite his limited minutes.

Woes continue for Ten Hag’s old club
Ajax’s troubles continued earlier today with a 2-1 defeat at home to AZ.

The Amsterdam club struggled last season after Erik ten Hag’s exit for Old Trafford, but things have since got much worse.

Defeat leaves Ajax down in 16th, though the teams around them have played more games.

Maguire sends Sir Alex message
Harry Maguire has dedicated yesterday’s win over Brentford to Sir Alex Ferguson and his family.

Sharing a video in Twitter, the defender wrote: “This was for the Ferguson family… “Fergie time”. Thinking of you boss, and your family. The post included a video clip of McTominay scoring the winner. Maguire added: “Rest in peace Cathy.”

Greenwood scores first Getafe goal
Mason Greenwood has scored his first goal for Getafe since joining the Spanish club on loan from Manchester United.

The 22-year-old striker bagged his side’s second goal during their La Liga match against Celta Vigo, firing home from close range to give them a 2-1 lead in the 33rd minute. Borja Mayoral had already opened the scoring for Getafe just two minutes into the match before Jonathan Bamba equalised.

Red Devils in 10th
Well, that brings to an end the Premier League action ahead of the October international break.

After today’s results, Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United sit in tenth with four wins from their eight games so far.

Tottenham are top of the league, with Arsenal – who overcame Man City 1-0 this afternoon – joint-leaders with the same goal difference.

Lindelof in line for new contract
Manchester United could award Victor Lindelof with a new contract.

That is according to the Daily Star, who claim that the Red Devils are keen to extend his deal by a year to stop him from leaving on a free transfer.

Lindelof, signed from Benfica, has just under a year left on his current contract.

Ten Hag agrees with Solskjaer
Erik ten Hag claims that Scott McTominay has Manchester United “in his heart” after “giving his life” during his game-changing cameo against Brentford.

The Scotland midfielder came off the bench against the Bees to fire in two stoppage time goals to flip the game on its head. Many were left waxing lyrical about McTominay’s contributions – with the academy graduate being named man-of-the-match despite his limited minutes.

That is a view that former Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also holds

Ten Hag’s half-time message
Erik ten Hag told his Manchester United players to target Brentford’s defenders and continue switching play as he looked to salvage the contest at half-time on Saturday.

The Dutchman’s advice ultimately helped them secure a late win over the Bees as Scott McTominay scored twice in injury time. Mathias Jensen had given the visitors the lead as United faced the prospect of a third straight league defeat at Old Trafford.

Maguire speaks out on Brentford win
Man United defender Harry Maguire has called on the Red Devils to treat their win against Brentford as a “turning point”

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “That was a really important win. Obviously it has been a difficult time for us at the start of this season.

“We’ve not had the results that we, as a club, demand. Like I said, I think the season must start now. This must be a turning point for us all, as individuals and as a club. We must kick on from this.”

Schmeichel questions McTominay decision
Peter Schmeichel has actively questioned the decision that almost led to Man United selling yesterday’s game winner Scott McTominay.

Speaking with Premier League Productions, he said: “He’s got the ability to do that. I don’t understand what coaches are doing. Scott McTominay was up for sale all summer and I don’t understand that.

“He’s a fantastic player, you need utility players. You need players that can play different positions, that can come from the bench and change the course of the game and he’s definitely one of them.”

Rooney leaves behind bizarre clause
Wayne Rooney’s exit as manager of DC United means that he has left behind a bizzarre release clause that was placed into his contract.

It was announced on Saturday that Rooney would be leaving his role as manager of the Major League Soccer club by mutual consent. DC had claimed a 2-0 win over Eastern Conference rivals New York City at Audi Field prior to the announcement being made of Rooney’s departure.

Find out what he’s left behind here

14:43Daniel Orme
Papering over cracks?
A significant turning point or merely papering over the cracks?

Only time will tell if Scott McTominay’s dramatic late double will prove the catalyst that hauls Manchester United out of their early season crisis. But, at the very least, supersub McTominay eased the pressure on Erik ten Hag heading into the international break and calmed the storm swirling around Old Trafford.

McTominay spared Ten Hag the ignominy of being the first United boss for 61 years to lose three successive home games, with his smash and grab cameo which sent the home fans into delirium. Unlikely match-winner McTominay said: “It’s not easy against any team in the Premier League now, especially teams so well organised.

Beckham approves Sheikh Jassim deal
Sticking with Beckham, he appears to have approved Sheikh Jassim’s Man Utd deal after a cheeky hint.

He said: “We all have our favourites of who we feel needs to run the club and look after the club and take the club back to where it belongs, but in our eyes, in the fans’ eyes, we’re number one and we want to be back at the top, and I believe I know the right people to do that.” When asked if he was referring to Sheikh Jassim, he smiled and simply said “we’ll see”.

Beckham’s tribute to Lady Cathy
David Beckham has hailed the “incredible” Cathy Ferguson and offered support to Sir Alex following her sad death.

Talking to Sky Sports ahead of Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix, the Red Devils’ academy graduate said: “Obviously deepest sympathies go to the boss because to have Cathy by his side for a long, long time, got many, many years to be the strength that he needed through his career and through his life, it’s a really sad time for him and his family and the grandkids, so we obviously send our love to him.”

Ten Hag offers brutal Casemiro verdict
Erik ten Hag claims he hooked Casemiro at half-time because he “wanted more football”, with Christian Eriksen replacing the Brazilian.

Manchester United found themselves trailing at the interval against Brentford, who held the lead going in stoppage time before Scott McTominay scored twice to secure a dramatic victory. Casemiro’s afternoon was cut short as Ten Hag made changes after 45 minutes.

The former Real Madrid star has continued to struggle this term after excelling in his debut season. His difficulties continued against the Bees and Ten Hag clearly felt as though Casemiro wasn’t producing enough with the ball and opted to bring in his Danish team-mate.

Schmeichel expresses Onana concerns
Peter Schmeichel believes Andre Onana’s teammates are beginning to lose trust in him after the Manchester United goalkeeper made another error against Brentford.

Onana has endured a nightmare start to his United career since joining the Red Devils in a £47.2million deal from Inter Milan in the summer. The Cameroon international has made a string of high-profile mistakes and was once again at fault for Brentford’s opening goal in Saturday’s dramatic 2-1 win at Old Trafford.

A late Scott McTominay double salvaged a result for United, but the Scotman’s remarkable contribution has not prevented Onana from further scrutiny. And Schmeichel, a club legend, revealed after the match that he had reached out to the 27-year-old in the wake of his poor form.

Fernandes lauds Fergie tradition
Bruno Fernandes claimed it is normal for Manchester United to bag a winner in “Fergie time” and joked that it has to be an academy star getting the goal.

Scott McTominay scored twice in stoppage time to complete a huge comeback for the Red Devils, who were facing another home defeat. United became synonymous during the Sir Alex Ferguson days with late winners and they continued that tradition on Saturday.

McTominay was bought in with three minutes of the 90 remaining and went on to score twice, his winner coming in the 97th minute to sent Old Trafford into raptures. United have a long history of backing their own youth talent and the midfielder is another product to come up with the goods.

ICYMI: Ten Hag gets last laugh
Brentford fans taunted Erik ten Hag with chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning,” only for the Manchester United manager’s substitutions helping his team claim a last-gasp victory over the Bees.

Back-to-back defeats against Crystal Palace and Galatasaray had increased the focus on United’s boss. Four defeats from the first seven games of the season represented United’s worst ever start to a Premier League season, and the visiting supporters felt a fifth loss could have left Ten Hag’s job under threat.

Mathias Jensen gave the visitors a half-time lead, with Andre Onana unable to get a firm enough hand to the midfielder’s low shot. The score remained 1-0 going into second-half stoppage-time, with the chants audible around Old Trafford as Brentford led, only for two late goals from Scott McTominay to give United a crucial victory.

Savage was told to quit United
Wales manager Rob Page has revealed he had to tell Charlie Savage to quit Manchester United to kickstart his career.

Savage – the 20-year-old son of Mirror Sport columnist Robbie – could make his debut for his country next week. The uncapped Reading midfielder is in line to play in Wales’ friendly against Gibraltar in Wrexham on Wednesday.

But back in the summer Page gave some blunt advice to the son of his former teammate when he told Savage junior to end his Old Trafford family dream.

Charlie left Manchester United for Reading in the summer(Getty Images)
09:48Fraser Watson
Sancho offered £60m exit
Jadon Sancho is set to be offered a career lifeline away from Manchester United as his first-team exile continues.

The pressure on United and manager Erik ten Hag was eased in the most dramatic of circumstances on Saturday, with Scott McTominay twice striking in injury time to seal a 2-1 win over Brentford. But Sancho wasn’t part of it, with the forward having been frozen out since his public spat with the Dutch boss last month.

The saga ignited when the 23-year-old was omitted from the match day squad against Arsenal last month, with Ten Hag later attributing the decision to the player’s poor training performances. Sancho took to social media to respond, claiming he was being made a ‘scapegoat’ for the club’s struggles.

McTominay credits Beckham after brace
Scott McTominay credited the new David Beckham documentary as the inspiration behind his divine intervention in Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Brentford.

The Red Devils were behind when McTominay, 26, was introduced from the bench by Erik ten Hag. And the Scotland international had a seismic impact on the game, netting twice in quick succession during stoppage time to complete the most remarkable of turnarounds.

McTominay’s dramatic late double invoked memories of some of the dramatic late triumphs that were achieved during the legendary reign of Sir Alex Ferguson. And he revealed that he had been inspired by some of those moments after watching the documentary charting Beckham’s career the night before Saturday afternoon’s game.

Rooney has United dream
Wayne Rooney’s managerial career has taken another twist with his departure from D.C. United after just one season in charge.

The Manchester United and England legend has left the MLS franchise after their final game of the regular season, a 2-0 win over New York City, with the team set to miss out on the playoffs. It ends Rooney’s second managerial role after a turbulent spell at Derby County where he did an admirable job in the face of financial woes.

It means Rooney is now back on the market having been linked with the Birmingham City job if John Eustace departs. He’s previously made his ambitions clear and admitted it is a goal to one day manage former club Manchester United or boyhood team Everton.

Rooney leaves DC United
D.C. United have announced the departure of Wayne Rooney as the club’s manager by mutual consent.

Addressing his departure, which was confirmed in a statement, Rooney told the media: “It’s the right time. I’ve done everything I can to get this club into the playoffs. It’s not a single thing that’s happened. It’s about timing.

“What lies ahead, I don’t know. I’ve seen a lot of reports in the media. I’m going back with nothing lined up.”

Ten Hag makes McTominay admission
Erik ten Hag last night thanked his lucky stars he didn’t sell Scott McTominay after the Scottish star scored two injury time goals against Brentford to hand his Dutch boss a priceless win.

Ten Hag admitted he’d have let Manchester United’s match-winning hero go in the summer if someone had stumped up the cash. United wanted £45 million for the 26-year-old star but bids fell short, leaving McTominay down the pecking order at Old Trafford.

But as United trailed to a first half goal from Mathias Jensen yesterday he climbed off the bench in the 87th minute and struck twice to ease the heat on Ten Hag.

Erik ten Hag and Scott McTominay(Matthew Ashton/AMA)
07:29Harry Pratt
Lindelof plan emerges
Manchester United are primed to trigger an extension in Victor Lindelof’s contract but could still cash in on the centre-back as soon as January.

Lindelof joined United from Benfica in 2017 and signed a contract extension two years later. He has since lost his starting spot, though, with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez the preferred partnership for manager Erik ten Hag.

United have an option to extend the Sweden international’s deal for a further year, and according to The Star they are preparing to do just that. However, rather than using it as a precursor to a longer stay for the 29-year-old, it is said to be a way fro United to recoup a healthier fee when they sell Lindelof, be that in January or over the summer.

Fernandes shuts down “crisis” talk
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has suggested that his side are held to different standards after they produced a dramatic comeback to beat Brentford.

“This is Manchester United. Even if you win 10 games in a row and lose one, it’s a crisis straight away,” he told ViaPlay. “We are not having the results and points we want to have but it’s about getting the focus back after the international break.”

The Dutchman went on to say: “This must be the turning point. This reflects our season so far from the start of a game. It has to be that you believe and you see the fans believe: they are sticking together. They are behind us and they kept us going. But then we have a plan and that is the big compliment for the team.”

McTominay makes admission
Scott McTominay has joked that he couldn’t hear what Erik ten Hag said to him – but claimed he probably asked him to “go and score.”

He told Premier League Productions: “It was very loud, the fans were roaring us on so I couldn’t hear fully. He probably said something like: ‘Go on and score,’ which is what I did.”

Fernandes laughs off United “crisis”
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has suggested that his side are held to different standards after they produced a dramatic comeback to beat Brentford.

“This is Manchester United. Even if you win 10 games in a row and lose one, it’s a crisis straight away,” he told ViaPlay. “We are not having the results and points we want to have but it’s about getting the focus back after the international break.”

Ten Hag issues defiant message
Erik ten Hag said “you make your own luck” after seeing Manchester United score twice in stoppage time to beat Brentford and spare his blushes.

“You make your own luck,” he said. “I am really proud of this team. They kept going the whole game. They kept the faith.”

The Dutchman also added: “I want to thank the fans. They kept us going and we made the turning point. You felt the explosion. To describe this feeling.. I can’t.. but it’s a great feeling I can tell you that.”

United set record amid late show
Trailing at 92:46, today was the latest Manchester United have ever been behind in a Premier League game in which they’ve come back to win.

Ten Hag gets last laugh as Brentford chant backfires
Brentford fans taunted Erik ten Hag with chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning,” only for the Manchester United manager’s substitutions helping his team claim a last-gasp victory over the Bees.

Mathias Jensen gave the visitors a half-time lead, with Andre Onana unable to get a firm hand to the midfielder’s low shot. The score remained 1-0 going into second-half stoppage-time, with the chants audible around Old Trafford as Brentford led, only for two late goals from Scott McTominay to give United a crucial victory.

Ten Hag lauded at final whistle

A sensational late win for United
Victory from the jaws of defeat – with McTominay scoring in the 93rd then 97th minute.

Five talking points from a remarkable finish at Old Trafford.