British media are ramping up the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag, with multiple outlets reporting variations of the same story — that a majority of the squad are unhappy with the Dutchman.

While some were said to be against the training methods, a few were also not too impressed with the manager’s handling of the Jadon Sancho saga.

Recruitment issues

Samuel Luckhurst of The Manchester Evening News has gone one step further and reported that the players are unhappy with the recruitment done since the former Ajax coach took over.

The names of Antony, Mason Mount, and Wout Weghorst were mentioned as disappointing signings while surprisingly, the list also included the name of the newest recruit Rasmus Hojlund.

“Some time-served players are startled by the calibre of Ten Hag’s signings. One is believed to be particularly perplexed by the addition of the callow Rasmus Hojlund, a £72 million signing from Atalanta who is yet to score in the Premier League.

“Antony, Wout Weghorst, who managed two goals in 31 appearances, and Mason Mount are among the other signings who have been questioned by players.”

Antony has not started his second season well, with 0 goals and assists so far while Weghorst was forced upon the manager due to the lack of funds in the January window last season.

As for Mount, he has been predominantly injured so the jury is still out. As for Hojlund, he is the top scorer in the Champions League. If not for his goals, United would have been embarrassed in Europe.

The writer of the article is a serial offender, and he has often written along the same lines regarding previous managers as well. No wonder he has been banned by Erik ten Hag from attending the Chelsea pre-match press conference.

Player power needs to end

Concerningly, the report also mentions, “Anthony Martial has been identified as one of the prime players who is not invested enough in helping United to succeed while there are growing issues over Marcus Rashford.”

These overpaid prima donnas need to be ousted from their positions of power and the manager must restore order in a chaotic dressing room full of over-inflated egos with no substantial achievements to back it up.

For too long player power has run rampant at Old Trafford, aided by the Glazers’ lecherous handling of the club. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s entry cannot come soon enough.

Just like behind-the-scene personnel changes, players should also be shown the door who are unwilling to work and come out of this current predicament.

The post Man United players said to be unhappy with recruitment under Erik ten Hag appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

United’s attackers, especially Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial put in arguably their worst displays, once again highlighting the lack of firepower at Erik ten Hag‘s disposal.

Rasmus Hojlund came on as a second-half substitute and even though the young Dane is the top-scorer in the Champions League, he is yet to open his account in the Premier League.

United need goals

The Dutch manager was always aware that such a scenario would play out due to the player being ‘raw’ and thus wanted the club to bring in another striker in the summer.

The Glazers let him down eventually, and United might try to rectify that in January should funds be available after moving players on during the winter transfer window.

One player the club could target, according to Fichajes, is Porto striker Evanilson who has been in scintillating form this season.

In nine starts across all competitions, the 24-year-old has scored 10 times and provided on assist. Such impressive numbers have been noticed by fellow Premier League clubs Tottenham and Chelsea as well.

The Brazilian arrived in Porto back in 2020 for €8.80 million and the Portuguese giants will not easily roll over and allow their star striker to leave in January.

“With the winter transfer market just around the corner, Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea have focused their attention on the same target: Evanilson, Porto’s talented forward.

Evanilson a target but January move looks difficult

“The Brazilian, who is currently shining in the ranks of Porto, has aroused the interest of these Premier League teams, who are evaluating the possibility of presenting offers to secure his signing in the next transfer window.

“His contract with Porto extends until 2027, which could complicate his departure from the Portuguese club. Furthermore, there has been speculation that Porto have no plans to let the promising striker go, which would force English teams to negotiate cautiously or wait for an opportunity in the future.”

A transfer could materialise if a huge offer were to arrive but there are more chances of that happening next summer rather than in the middle of the season.

With Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s entry delayed, it is unlikely he can support the club in the upcoming transfer market. United might be forced to look for a cheaper alternative or someone who could arrive on a loan.

The post Man United among Premier League trio eyeing ambitious January swoop for Evanilson appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

United got off to a perfect start after Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes gave the team a two-goal lead.

An Andre Onana blunder just before the break to let in Hakim Ziyech’s free-kick effort saw Galatasaray half the deficit.

Scott McTominay restored United’s two-goal advantage in the 55th minute but yet another massive Onana howler from a second Ziyech free-kick gave the Turkish giants an avenue back into the game.

Kerem Akturkoglu’s thunderous striker with 20 minutes of normal time left on the clock eventually ensured the spoils were shared between the two clubs.

United’s hopes of advancing to the round of 16 are all but over at this point. Ten Hag’s men will need to beat Bayern at Old Trafford and hope that Galatasaray draw against FC Copenhagen during Group A’s final matchday.

Speaking after the game, Schmeichel gave his verdict on the game. Apart from Onana’s extremely costly mistakes, the Dane also took issue with Ten Hag’s decision to substitute Hojlund in favour of introducing Martial to proceedings.

Schmeichel strongly hinted that Martial’s lack of effort was partly responsible for United’s disappointing result at Rams Park.

The ex-goalkeeper told CBS Sports (via Metro), “I actually think that the back four played really well today. I don’t think they could have done much more. I thought they played well, but, again, you can’t argue that the mistakes by the goalkeeper are very, very expensive.”

“Every time a goalkeeper makes a mistake it is a goal, it’s a fact of life. I think again, when you go back to Sunday, I thought everything worked really, really well. But when you play at this level, every little mistake you make is being penalised and you’ve got to learn that.”

“When you’re 2-0 up – and it’s not the first time we’re 2-0 up in this tournament – you kill the game. You make sure the other team can’t get into it. You keep the ball, you make sure you don’t make mistakes – and a lot of mistakes were made today.”

The 60-year-old added, “And of course you also have to look at players like when Hojlund came off, a lot of the pressure from the very, very front disappeared. The guy he [Ten Hag] put in doesn’t do anything, where you had before someone who works really, really hard for the team up front all of a sudden you don’t have that pressure.”

He explained that any team that scores the amount of goals United do should only be happy with nothing but three points.

The post “He doesn’t do anything”: Peter Schmeichel slams Erik ten Hag for bringing on Anthony Martial vs. Galatasaray appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

At the pre-match press conference ahead of the game the boss was asked if they could start and replied:

“They are in the squad.”

The manager was also asked if he thinks his United side has improved since the Turkish side beat them at Old Trafford last month.

“I think so yeah, but probably it will be the same for Galatasaray, but I think we’ve improved. It’s good progress,” he said.

“We’re stepping up. We’re more stable … definitely there’s a big difference from the first moment we played them.”

Asked if he was concerned that United had struggled away from home in Europe, he replied:

“Last year we couldn’t win away from home, that was an issue, now we can’t win at home, so now we win away games and now you bring up we don’t win away games in Europe, ah, we know we can do it, we are confident because the last games away from home, in the league, also very hostile, we did very well, calm and composed.

“This team also last year in Barcelona. So we know how to deal with it and tomorrow we’ll be very confident on the pitch.”

A reporter asked whether not rising to provocation would be important.

“Absolutely,” Ten Hag replied.

“You have to stay calm in your head and don’t get too emotional. You need the emotion but you have to control it.

“You don’t give them anything, you don’t give the referee as well, that moment they’re going to take, so you have to stay away from such moments.

“We know how to deal with it, you have to play confident.

“It’s not important how well our opponent is playing, it’s important how we are playing.”

The match in Istanbul is an early kick-off tomorrow at 17.45 GMT.

The post Erik ten Hag confirms Rasmus Hojlund and Antony are available for Man United’s trip to Galatasaray appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Erik ten Hag’s men need both a victory in Turkey, as well as Bayern Munich to beat FC Copenhagen at the Allianz Arena, in order to keep their European dreams alive this season, following a dismal campaign thus far.

While United have struggled for goals domestically, they have found fewer issues scoring continentally, racking up nine goals in four games. Højlund is the joint top scorer in the entire competition, returning an impressive five goals.

Yet United find themselves languishing bottom of their group, dangerously close to an embarrassing early elimination from Europe’s premier competition.

The root cause of this unfavourable position has been calamitous defending; the type which you’d expect to see from your child’s Sunday League team, not seasoned internationals.

Eleven goals conceded in four games, including three to Galatasaray at home and four to FC Copenhagen away, tells its own story. The fact United were leading comfortably in both of these games, courtesy of Højlund’s best efforts, paints a fuller picture of their struggles this season.

All of which combines to make tomorrow’s match against Galatasaray a must-win. It is an unenviable task, however.

An away match in the cauldron which is RAMS Park constitutes one of the tougher environments for a footballer to traverse. Going there in desperate need of all three points makes it one of the toughest assignments in European football.

United have history in this exact position. In 1993, Sir Alex Ferguson took his side to Galatasaray, needing a win to stay in the Champions League. They were greeted with an iconic ‘Welcome to Hell’ sign and an intensely hostile atmosphere.

United would only end up drawing 0-0, sparking a shock exit from the competition. It is no easy task to go to RAMS Park and not fall victim to the hellish experience.

Which is why the news emanating from Carrington today of Højlund and Antony both having returned to training following absences through injury will prove a significant boost to Ten Hag.

The Danish striker had been ruled out with a suspected hamstring injury following the match against Luton, while his Brazilian team mate was reported to have picked up a knock in training.

Both were spotted back in the action this morning, however, as evidenced below.

Rasmus Hojlund + Antony both fit to return to #MUFC training ahead of Galatasaray game. pic.twitter.com/zoYzJVz29Z

— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) November 28, 2023

Ten Hag will need both players performing at their absolute best to be able to extract the necessary result tomorrow to keep United’s Champions League hopes alive.

The post Rasmus Højlund and Antony back fit ahead of trip to Galatasaray appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

United are set to take on Sean Dyche’s aggrieved men, who were subjected to a 10-point deduction by the Premier League, at 16:30 BST.

Heading into the game, Erik ten Hag will be boosted by the return of Luke Shaw who has been sidelined for weeks with an injury.

During his pre-game presser, Ten Hag confirmed that the English left-back will be fit enough to be in contention.

Marcus Rashford and Andre Onana are also expected to start after the pair seemed to pick up injuries during the international break.

Players who are definitely ruled out of action include Lisandro Martinez, Jonny Evans, Tyrell Malacia, Amad Diallo, Mason Mount and Christian Eriksen.

Rasmus Hojlund is facing a race against time to be fit enough for the clash at Goodison Park.

According to The Manchester Evening News, amidst the club’s ongoing injury crisis, Ten Hag has moved to offset the high number of absences by including academy players in the travelling contingent making its way to Merseyside.

Samuel Luckhurst reports, “Manchester United have had to draft youngsters into their squad for today’s vital Premier League fixture at Everton.”

“It is understood a few academy players have been added to the travelling squad and striker Joe Hugill could be included in a matchday squad for the first time amid the club’s ongoing injury crisis.”

“The academy players had been given a day off but were frantically contacted to report for possible first-team participation at the 11th hour.”

MEN adds that the most likely scenario is Hugill will have a place on the bench.

The post Joe Hugill set to be included in Manchester United’s matchday squad to face Everton appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Leonardo has been strongly linked to United in the past.

It was previously relayed that Erik ten Hag’s side are open to signing a forward to ease some of the goalscoring burden currently on the shoulders of Rasmus Hojlund.

While the Dane has struggled to open his account in the Premier League, he is flying in the Champions League.

Hojlund has netted five times in Europe and is currently the competition’s joint-top scorer alongside Atletico’s Alvaro Morata.

Despite his promising start to life at Old Trafford, there is a general acceptance that he needs help so as to allow the team to kick up a few extra levels.

Leonardo’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, recently revealed that her client turned down summer offers from big European clubs as he was keen on staying at Santos for an extra season and helping them as much as possible.

Pimenta stated that Leonardo is now eager to sign for an elite team as early as when the winter transfer window opens and prove that he can play at an elite level.

Rumours have been circulating in Brazil that parties interested in Leonardo could land the talisman for a cut-price sum.

This has seemingly been confirmed by journalist Jorge Nicola who says that Santos have lowered their asking fee for Leonardo from his release clause worth €100 million to just €18m.

Santos are keen on rewarding the loyalty the player demonstrated when he opted to stay at the club for a bit longer and as such, do not want to block him from leaving by asking for too much money.

Nicola adds that there is a broad agreement in place between Leonardo and Santos president Andres Rueda, for the striker to depart for much less than the value of his release clause.

This could be the big break United needed to add one of South America’s highest-rated talents to their ranks, ahead of other rivals.

The post Manchester United learn January price for Marcos Leonardo as Santos slash their asking fee appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

While Rasmus Hojlund is in contention to make the squad for the tricky fixture, the news is worse on Eriksen’s front.

No specific return timeline was provided for the midfielder but Ten Hag did say it will be “weeks” before he returns, indicating a much more serious issue.

For Hojlund, Ten Hag said that it would be a close call but they will try to make him available for the Everton game. Following that fixture, his status is under no question.

Ten Hag quotes on @ManUtd website re Eriksen/Hojlund: “Christian will take a little bit longer. It will take some weeks until he will return. Rasmus Hojlund, not too bad. Everton will be a close finish but we're working on that.
Hopefully, in next week, he will return to squad."

— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) November 23, 2023

The latter news will come as a huge relief to fans as Hojlund went down with an apparent strained hamstring against Luton Town which seemed serious at the time.

Eriksen was taken off before half-time in the same game to pile on Ten Hag’s nightmares.

United do have the numbers in midfield to account for Eriksen’s absence, not taking into consideration his skillset. However, the situation at the top is dire and Hojlund’s availability is a much bigger positive.

Anthony Martial has been a shadow of his former self and looks to be sleepwalking to a contract expiry at United.

Marcus Rashford in the middle has been proven to be a failed experiment and beyond those two, there’s no established forward at the club.

At worst, it could be the case that Hojlund comes off the bench against Everton if not starting the match.

Still, his mere availability, and the fact that United are not looking at going weeks without their main striker will come as huge relief to the club.

United enter an exhaustive period of fixtures now, playing almost every three days with all international breaks done and dusted till March next year.

The post Erik ten Hag gives Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen injury update ahead of Everton clash appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Between the forward options currently available for selection to Ten Hag, these attackers have only managed one goal in the Premier League – Marcus Rashford’s opening goal against Arsenal on September 3.

The likes of Rasmus Hojlund, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Anthony Martial, Facundo Pellistri and the suspended Jadon Sancho are yet to get going in the league this term.

Hojlund has however scored five goals in the Champions League and is the competition’s leading scorer alongside Atletico Madrid’s Alvaro Morata.

United’s forwards have come under intense pressure and scrutiny this season for not coming up with the goods.

However, Ten Hag backed his players to overturn their current predicament and spark to life sooner rather than later.

In an interview with beIN Sports (via club media), the Dutchman insisted that the attackers are working hard and are on track to start reaping the rewards.

He especially spoke about Hojlund and Rashford. Ten Hag remarked, “If you score in the Champions League five times, you will score also in the Premier League, it’s just a matter of time. As long as we, as a team, are creating the chances, and as long as he [Hojlund] is convinced, I believe he will start scoring goals.”

Ten Hag said about Rashford who is struggling for form this season, “He has proven it across all his career. He’s scored more than 100 goals already in the Premier League. He scored last season; 30 goals, so there will come a moment in this season that it clicks.”

The United boss suggested that Rashford’s problems could be as a direct result of the Englishman overthinking, as any striker does when they’re not scoring goals.

Ten Hag also opened up on United’s upcoming crucial away games against Everton, Galatasaray and Newcastle respectively.

The 53-year-old coach pointed out that the Red Devils have it within them to deal with the hostile environments at Goodison Park, Rams Park and St. James’ Park.

As per Ten Hag, United can count on the confidence they’ve amassed on the road. The team is of course coming off the back of three consecutive wins against Burnley, Sheffield United and Fulham.

Ten Hag divulged, “All games are very important, but our away record this season so far is very good. We can take confidence and strong belief into those games. But [we need to] go from game to game, the first game is the most important – Everton – and we’re looking forward [to it].”

“You could see that this team has personality and character in hostile environments, like in Copenhagen. We deal with it. I feel quite comfortable [away from home].”

The manager revealed that after a tough start to the campaign, the mood is shifting at the club and things are finally starting to look up.

He added that going into the busy December period, his players have the belief and confidence to overcome whatever adversity comes their way.

Ten Hag expressed optimism that the returns of various stars from injury can help a great deal.

“Now we hope we can more or less stay with the same line-up or with 12 to 14 players, while constructing the line-up, because I think so far that was our difficulty. Every time we had to change and we don’t develop routines. Every time we had to change.”

The post Erik ten Hag insists it’s “just a matter of time” until Man United’s struggling forwards come to life appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Manchester United’s rich and illustrious history has seen some of the world’s finest players pull on the red shirt to represent the club.

Legendary Swedish striker Henrik Larsson certainly falls into that category having spent half of a season on loan at Old Trafford.

Even though his stay was a short one, Larsson left his mark at the club after impressing staff and fans alike during his short loan spell.

In an exclusive interview with MUTV, the classy forward has spoken on United’s latest Scandinavian striker, Rasmus Hojlund.

Larsson says that he was impressed with his first impressions of the Dane after seeing him play against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League, praising Hojlund’s pace and movement in particular.

“I watched him when United played against Copenhagen at Old Trafford. I liked what I saw. He is a striker with some speed. He was willing to go beyond the opponents’ back four or back three, however you want to see it,” said Larsson.

Although Hojlund is still settling in at the club, Larsson believed the early signs are good and will only improve as relationships with his new teammates develop.

“It’s early to say, but he looks interesting because physically, there is a presence about him.

“It’s going to take some time before he settles in. He’s new to the club and getting used to the other players. But hopefully for United, he can be a good striker,” he said.

Hojlund has played on his own up top and with a striking partner during his early stages at United and Larsson says that his ability to keep the ball will play a major part in whether or not he succeeds at Old Trafford.

“I think if you’re playing up front in any system, one or two, you always should be able to keep the ball, because you’re not going to be with your partner all the time, even if you’re playing two up front.

“So I think that’s the skillset that you need to have as a striker, because more often than not you’re going to have your back towards the goal,” says the Swede.

Larsson, who had the ability to operate with partners or his own, feels Hojlund has the physicality to adapt to both roles and backed the young man to perform on the biggest stage.

“Obviously a lot of teams are playing with three up front, and that means that you’re going to be on your own (in the middle) more often than not. But I think that he has the physical presence to do both things,” he added.

Hojlund has enjoyed much more success in Europe than in the Premier League since his arrival, slamming home five goals in his four Champions League games but is yet to get off the mark domestically.

His next opportunity to get up and and running in the league will come on Sunday as United travel to Goodison Park to face a fired up Everton side after the Premier League’s controversial decision to dock them 10 points for breaking Profitability & Sustainability rules.

The post Henrik Larsson backs Rasmus Hojlund to be a success at Manchester United appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.