Erik ten Hag confirms Man Utd player suffering from long-term injury could return next week
The Manchester United manager was also asked for his views on Brazil’s handling of Casemiro’s injury.
Erik ten Hag has given a positive injury update on Kobbie Mainoo, and said the midfielder could be back in the Manchester United squad next week.
The teenager hasn’t played once this season due to an ankle injury he sustained during a July friendly against Real Madrid, but returned to team training several weeks ago. Mainoo sat out a behind-closed-doors match against Barnsley during the international break as it was deemed to have come too soon in his recovery schedule.
However, speaking ahead of Saturday’s game against Sheffield United, Ten Hag revealed Mainoo is progressing and might be available for next week’s matches against Copenhagen and Manchester City.
“Kobbie, he’s close, he’s already training with us, not today but next week he will have some minutes in the team then he can catch up, he’s really improving and ready to get back in the squad for games,” the Dutchman said on Friday.
United are without four defenders for this weekend’s trip, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw all suffering from long-term injuries. But the United boss said he expects at least one of those to be back before the next international break in November.
“Of course they are closer, but with Shaw, I don’t expect him back in this block of games. Wan-Bissaka is not too far away from returning to team training and so back in the team.
United suffered a fresh injury blow over the break with Casemiro picking up a knock that means he will miss Saturday’s game. The ex-Real Madrid man sustained a minor injury in the 1-1 draw with Venezuela last week and was replaced in the latter stages, but went on to play 90 minutes on Wednesday as Brazil lost to Uruguay, before it was subsequently announced he has been ruled out for United this weekend.
Asked if he was unhappy with Brazil’s handling of the situation, Ten Hag replied: “You can’t, they are the rules. And he’s played for his nation and he’s playing for us and we all understand Casemiro is a soldier and he is always available for every game.
“He was injured in the first game [for Brazil] and he came off but he played the second game, it was an important one. I’m sure that game didn’t help him but it’s a small injury and he’ll return next week and he will be healed and ready for our next game, I’m sure.”
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‘He is making the biggest mistake in his career’: Kelvin De Bruyne CONFIRMED his £50m international teammate have agreed personal terms to join Man united ahead of Man City
Manchester United are reported to be back in for Amadou Onana and Everton recognise their difficulty in keeping him.
A report in The Mail last week stated Manchester United had considered Amadou Onana as an alternative to Sofyan Amrabat, and decided to prioritise the Moroccan.
However, fresh reports from The Guardian claim Manchester United have now made an approach to Everton over the midfielder.
The report states Everton value Onana at around £50 million, but fear they will not be able to stop him joining if he decides he wants to move to Old Trafford.
Why Manchester United want Amadou Onana
Onana, 21, is regarded as an excellent prospect in midfield and had a good debut season for Everton in 2022/23.
The Guardian report that Erik ten Hag ‘feels United need more height but he does not want to compromise on quality.’
The report added: ‘United believe Onana is more than a destroyer and is good enough on the ball to play for Ten Hag’.
Erik ten Hag gives surprise verdict on Mason Mount debut for Manchester United.
Onana is a Belgium international who impressed against United at Goodison Park last season. United would hope to get him for below Everton’s £50 million asking price.
United have sold Fred, expect to move Donny van de Beek on, and are currently open to offers for Scott McTominay.
Onana could be in addition to Amrabat
Amid all the speculation, we can say one thing for certain: Manchester United are a long way from being done in the transfer window.
It is quite possible Onana arrives in addition to Sofyan Amrabat, if United regard the Moroccan as a replacement for Fred and the Everton man as the upgrade on Scott McTominay.
There is plenty of business yet to be done before the deadline, and the situation appears to be that if United want Amadou Onana enough, and really make a push for him, they will get him.
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HERE WE GO: £40m Star have finally agreed personal terms to join, Medical to take place tomorrow morning,done deal already
Manchester United have agreed to sell midfielder Fred to Turkish club Fenerbahce, with a €15m fee reportedly agreed upon by the two clubs.
The Brazilian has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford for some time. Fulham were initially interested in signing him but ultimately pulled out of the race.
Fred’s pending switch to Fenerbahce comes after he saw his playing time diminish under Erik ten Hag, and would have found himself behind the likes of Casemiro, Mason Mount and Christian Eriksen in the pecking order this season.
He started just 12 Premier League matches and it’s clear the 30-year-old isn’t in Erik ten Hag’s plans for the future.
Now, according to reputed transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, his switch to Fenerbahce is all but finalised.
On Twitter, he said: “Fred to Fenerbahçe, here we go! Deal in place with Manchester United, proposal revealed earlier has been accepted and verbal agreement reached.
“Fred has agreed terms with Fenerbahçe and will travel for medical tests soon.”
As mentioned, the fee agreed for Fred is believed to be €15m (approx. £13m). Now, Man Utd are looking to bring in an instant replacement.
As previously reported by Football365, Sofyan Amrabat is Ten Hag’s number one defensive midfield target as he prepares for Fred’s departure.
Donny Van de Beek is also expected to leave Man Utd for Real Sociedad this summer, so there is no doubt they are in the market for a new midfielder.
Amrabat has been on the Red Devil’s radar for some time, but a deal will not neccesarily be straightforward.
Reports suggest the Morocco international’s preference would be to join Atletico Madrid this summer as he believes his playing style is more suited to LaLiga than the Premier League.
Amrabat has an estimated valuation of £21m and while that shouldn’t be a problem for Man Utd, they will still need to come to an agreement on personal terms with him.
The 26-year-old made 49 appearances for Fiorentina across all competitions last term and is widely considered to be one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe.
Amrabat also gained worldwide attention after helping Morocco reach the World Cup semi-final last year, so there is certainly no doubting his quality.
With that in mind, it will be interesting to see if Man Utd make a concrete bid for Amrabat, now that Fred’s sale to Fenerbahce is on the verge of completion
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JUST IN: Man United ‘make final decision’ on releasing Mason Greenwood as forward nears comeback – OFFICIAL NOW
Manchester United are in the final phase of talks regarding Mason Greenwood after deciding against releasing the 21-year-old, according to reports.
The Red Devils allegedly have one final agreement to settle on before making an announcement about Greenwood’s Old Trafford future.
The Sun report that Greenwood has stepped up his training to prepare for a return to football and will remain a United player, ending talk of a potential release.
Erik ten Hag and his dressing room are said to be supporting the No 11, who will either join the Dutchman’s squad or spend the 2023/24 season on loan.
A Sun source said: “Mason is working harder than ever on the training pitch.
“He’s desperate to return to the side as soon as possible and wants to put the last 18 months behind him.
“Talks about his future are in the final phase, and the players and the manager are behind him.
“The only thing that remains to be decided is whether he returns to first-team action or goes out on a season-long loan.”
Greenwood has been spotted stepping up his shooting practice on a training pitch this week, with his father and coach Andrew and newborn daughter present.
The report claims United coaches sent the drills to oversee his progress after serving an 18-month suspension.
Greenwood hasn’t featured for United since his arrest in January last year before being later charged with attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour.
The Crown Prosecution Service dropped all charges against Greenwood in February, sparking conversation about his return to action.
Discussions between the Old Trafford top brass are nearing a conclusion, and there is hope for an announcement before the Premier League campaign kicks off against Wolves on Monday
