Man Utd news LIVE: Ten Hag sent Maguire message, Ferdinand outlines Hojlund concern, Ratcliffe latest
It’s been a rough few weeks for Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, but the Dutchman earned some much needed breathing space with a slender win over Fulham on Saturday
KEY EVENTS
FULL STORY: Unhappy Rashford17:28
Ten Hag matches 118-year record06:23
Ratcliffe waits on Glazers05:50
United plan Antony exit05:48
By Tom Blow
UPDATED21:32, 6 Nov 2023
After a torrid few weeks, Erik ten Hag was finally given something to smile about at the weekend.
Manchester United battled to a late 1-0 win over Fulham courtesy of a fine strike from club captain Bruno Fernandes to give Ten Hag some respite.
But the games are coming thick and fast for United with a crunch Champions League tie against FC Copenhagen now on the horizon.
It was another disappointing weekend for Antony, and it now seems as though the £82million man may be on borrowed time at Old Trafford with the club willing to use him as a transfer makeweight in January, albeit only on loan.
The fallout from Marcus Rashford’s ill-judged night out last weekend is likely to rumble on after he missed the victory at Craven Cottage due to a knock.
Stay tuned for all the latest Man Utd news…
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Bad boy Bailly
Eric Bailly finds himself in hot water at Besiktas.
He was hauled off at the weekend during a Turkish league defeat.
And his manager isn’t best pleased.
FULL STORY: Unhappy Rashford
Marcus Rashford has told a Manchester United fan channel to “stop spreading malicious rumours” over his future.
Popular fan channel The United Stand published a video on Monday titled: ‘Rashford’s future in doubt?’, with one contributor questioning his commitment to the club.
Rashford was not involved in United’s 1-0 Premier League win at Fulham on Saturday as manager Erik ten Hag said the England forward had picked up an injury and failed a fitness test on the morning of the game.
Quite the strike from Ella Toone in last night’s WSL match.
Ashworth responds to Man Utd links
Manchester United and England have been warned it’s a waste of time bidding to lure Eddie Howe and Dan Ashworth away from Newcastle.
Toon director of football Ashworth has insisted he is happy continuing his mission of building Newcastle into a regular top four Champions League side.
And Ashworth reckons that Howe is “in a really good place” at Newcastle, and that there won’t be a vacancy with England if Southgate wins the Euros next summer.
Bookies worried about Man Utd
Despite beating Fulham on Saturday, BounusCodeBets are backing Manchester United to finish outside of the Premier League’s top four.
Here are there latest odds for a top-four finish:
Garnacho’s social media message
Alejandro Garnacho has called on fans to “keep believing” after Manchester United beat Fulham.
Garnacho impressed in the narrow win over the Cottagers, which comes at a time when the Red Devils have come under fire for their performances.
But the winger has pleaded with supporters to keep the faith. He wrote on Instagram: “Play like you mean it. Keep believing in us.”
What’s your opinion?
Do you think Erik ten Hag is still the right manager to lead Manchester United?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Ferdinand’s chat with Ten Hag
Rio Ferdinand asked Erik ten Hag when Manchester United are going to adopt his style of play after their 1-0 win against Fulham.
United were victorious at Craven Cottage on Saturday thanks to a last-minute winner from Bruno Fernandes.
Ten Hag’s team weren’t at their best against Fulham, leaving Red Devils fans worried about their chances of winning silverware this season.
United have already suffered five home defeats in all competitions to Brighton, Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, Manchester City and Newcastle this term.
They have struggled to build on Ten Hag’s first season in charge when they finished third and won the Carabao Cup.
Some critics have questioned United’s style of play under Ten Hag.
The Dutchman won three consecutive Eredivisie titles at Ajax by deploying an an attacking, free-flowing philosophy.
In comparison, United have looked slow and unthreatening this season.
Maguire incident sparks concern
Brain injury charity Headway has demanded stronger concussion protocols after a “deeply concerning” incident with Harry Maguire.
Manchester United defender Maguire played on after being cleared by club medics after a collision with Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz. United have insisted that all concussion checks were followed and when the game was stopped again in the second half it was because Maguire needed treatment on an unrelated hand injury.
Headway insist that they are not pointing the finger at club doctors but say better rules should be in place for the safety of the players. They are calling for temporary concussion substitutes which would allow medics to carry out longer examinations on players and reduce the risk.
Man Utd plot fresh swoop for old target
Manchester United have been tipped to return for Guido Rodriguez in January after failing with previous attempts to land the Real Betis midfielder.
The Argentina international is under contract in Spain until the end of the season, meaning he is free to talk to other clubs from January with a view to a pre-contract agreement. Reports on the continent suggest United might not wait that long, though, suggesting a cut-price deal could be secured in the upcoming window.
Erik ten Hag’s team have brought in new defensive midfielders in each of the last two summers, adding Casemiro in 2022 before securing a deadline-day loan swoop for Sofyan Amrabat this time around. With former Real Madrid star Casemiro enduring a tough season with form and fitness, though, the Rodriguez links have resurfaced.
Ferdinand outlines Hojlund concern
Rio Ferdinand has stressed that Manchester United need to start playing to Rasmus Hojlund’s strengths after the striker blanked again in the 1-0 win over Fulham.
Hojlund, 20, was United’s marquee summer signing after leaving Atalanta in a £72million deal and has shown flashes of why Erik ten Hag was determined to land the coveted forward. However, Hojlund has plundered just three goals in 13 matches and is yet to open his account in the Premier League.
The striker cut a frustrated figure at Craven Cottage on Saturday and reacted furiously after being withdrawn in the second-half. But Ferdinand believes United must do more to get Hojlund firing in front of goal.
ICYMI: Antony could leave in January
Manchester United want Brazilian striker Gabriel Barbosa in January and are willing to offer Antony in part exchange on loan.
United are struggling for goals as Marcus Rashford, who netted 30 times last season, has scored just once. Rasmus Hojlund has scored three times, while Alejandro Garnacho and Anthony Martial have also only struck just once.
United are now drawing up plans for January while Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s proposal to buy a 25 per cent stake in the club drags on. Until major new investment is finalised, United must navigate Financial Fair Play regulations and are considering cut-price deals as they aim to add more attacking options.
Onana shows true colours in Man Utd win
It was vintage Manchester United in so many ways. Their stark lack of footballing identity was once again laid bare by Marco Silva’s stylish Fulham but it was the priceless victory Erik ten Hag had so desperately craved. And it was somewhat fitting that on his 200th appearance for the club, heavily scrutinised skipper Bruno Fernandes was the man to have the final say as he grabbed the bull by the horns to strike a stoppage-time winner.
This was a dogged and ugly away performance from United that once again refused to offer any clarification that they’re a team that should be taken seriously. However, they displayed the guts, resilience and character that will be required to execute a season-changing upturn in fortunes. Their gritty, fighting spirit was embodied by buoyant goalkeeper Andre Onana, who made two notable second-half stops from Harry Wilson and Joao Palhinha to earn his fourth clean sheet of the season.
The jury is still out on United’s £47million summer signing from Inter Milan but regardless of whether you consider him to be a conclusive upgrade on David de Gea – his mentality must be commended.
ICYMI: Ten Hag reaches United record
Erik ten Hag has become the joint-quickest Manchester United manager to rack up 50 wins, the club have confirmed.
The Dutchman matched a 118-year record set by Ernest Mangnall, with 50 wins from 79 matches.
The next quickest to reach the milestone was Jose Mourinho, with 50 wins in his first 81 games, while Sir Alex Ferguson took 105 matches to hit the mark.
Ferdinand lays into Antony
Rio Ferdinand has laid into Antony after the winger was booed by his own fans in Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Fulham.
United needed a late winner from captain Bruno Fernandes in added time to earn all three points at Craven Cottage, with some supporters booing Antony when he was taken off after 62 minutes and replaced by Facundo Pellistri.
So far this season he has failed to make a single goal contribution across all competitions and supporters voiced their discontent during the clash with Fulham. And when asked about the boos directed towards Antony after the game, United legend Ferdinand starkly compared his performance to that of veteran opponent Willian.
United sweat on Forson
Manchester United are battling to keep highly-rated youngster Omari Forson.
Teenager Forson, 19, is regarded as one of the club’s best prospects and has already made in-roads towards the first team, having graduated from the academy. Versatile forward Forson, who can play in various attacking positions, was on the bench for United’s Champions League tie at Bayern Munich earlier this season.
Forson has also represented England at junior levels including under-20s and United are desperate to keep him. But Forson’s current deal expires at the end of the season and they would stand to lose huge sums if he was allowed to leave as a free agent in the summer.
Ten Hag sent Maguire message
Peter Schmeichel claims Erik ten Hag will now “put Harry Maguire first” after the Manchester United defender’s classy display at Fulham.
The Red Devils secured a pressure-relieving win at Craven Cottage courtesy of Bruno Fernandes ‘ stoppage-time winner. The victory came after successive 3-0 defeats at Old Trafford but required a resolute defensive display with Maguire and Jonny Evans pairing up at the back.
Maguire has endured a difficult period under Ten Hag, who was quick to drop the England star with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez his preferred duo. The pair have endured injury problems, opening the door for Maguire once more and the 30-year-old has more than delivered.
Calvin Bassey looked up to Harry Maguire when the pair were together at Leicester City, and the Fulham star still sees Man Utd’s centre-back as an inspiration now that they’ve both gone their own way.
Bassey and Maguire were on opposite sides on Saturday as Fulham hosted United at Craven Cottage. For the best part of 90 minutes, it looked as though both men would be celebrating clean sheets, only for Bruno Fernandes to ruin the hosts’ day with a last-gasp winner.
As their team-mates left the stadium after United’s 1-0 victory, Bassey and Maguire stayed behind for a long chat to catch up. The Nigeria international was in Leicester’s academy when Maguire enjoyed his best seasons at the King Power Stadium, but learned plenty from the senior member of the Foxes’ back line before he completed his £80m Man Utd switch in 2019.
Garnacho sends social media message
Alejandro Garnacho has called on fans to “keep believing” after Manchester United beat Fulham.
Garnacho impressed in the narrow win over the Cottagers, which comes at a time when the Red Devils have come under fire for their performances.
But the winger has pleaded with supporters to keep the faith. He wrote on Instagram: “Play like you mean it. Keep believing in us.”
Ten Hag matches 118-year record
Erik ten Hag has become the joint-quickest Manchester United manager to rack up 50 wins, the club have confirmed.
The Dutchman matched a 118-year record set by Ernest Mangnall, with 50 wins from 79 matches.
The next quickest to reach the milestone was Jose Mourinho, with 50 wins in his first 81 games, while Sir Alex Ferguson took 105 matches to hit the mark.
Ratcliffe waits on Glazers
Is this the week where Sir Jim Ratcliffe is given clarity over his bid to purchase a minority stake in Manchester United?
The Ineos chief will certainly hope so.
The £1.4billion will need to be ratified by the Glazers and the rest of the club hierarchy, but it remains to be seen exactly when such a meeting will occur.
Manchester United want Brazilian striker Gabriel Barbosa in January and are willing to offer Antony in part exchange on loan.
United are struggling for goals as Marcus Rashford, who netted 30 times last season, has scored just once. Rasmus Hojlund has scored three times, while Alejandro Garnacho and Anthony Martial have also only struck just once.
United are now drawing up plans for January while Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s proposal to buy a 25 per cent stake in the club drags on. Until major new investment is finalised, United must navigate Financial Fair Play regulations and are considering cut-price deals as they aim to add more attacking options.