Presenting on his BBC 606 show, Savage answered a question posed by a caller, who appeared as frustrated with United as the host following the team’s dismal loss to Newcastle on the weekend. 

Though Erik ten Hag’s men ‘only’ lost 1-0 to Eddie Howe’s side, it was a score line which flattered United, such was Newcastle’s dominance in the game.

They out-ran, out-fought and outplayed their United counterparts, who looked worlds away quality and desire wise.

United have endured far worse defeats on paper under Ten Hag, but this loss was as comprehensive as some of the maulings experienced last season. As demonstrated by the xG statistics below.

Newcastle (3.06) 1-0 (0.38) Man Utd

— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) December 2, 2023

Compared to…

Liverpool (2.91) 7-0 (0.92) Man Utd

— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) March 5, 2023

The collective feeling around the fanbase is one of growing anger at factions within a dressing room, who appear to be sharpening their knives as a vicious blame game begins.

“The problem is we keep defending these players, do any of these players right now make any of the top six right now?” the caller inquired of Savage. “You have to look at your competition,” they concluded.

Savage replied in a forlorn manner: “No, no the only one I’d say does is Luke Shaw, Luke Shaw.”

Shaw was a rare bright spot on Saturday, despite playing out of position at centre-back. Though the England defender gave the ball away, which ultimately led to Newcastle’s goal, there were myriad mistakes after this moment which were equally culpable.

Shaw’s performance was a generally positive one.

Alongside Harry Maguire, the pair were able to consistently repel Newcastle’s attacks, with little help from the players further forward. Unlike Maguire, however, Shaw was technically strong and brave enough to attempt to play out from the back.

As demonstrated in the video below, while Maguire defended well off the ball, his refusal to engage tactically when United were on the ball, helped contribute to Newcastle’s dominance.

Maguire was a monster defensively against NUFC, and we have many areas that must improve — but this game clearly shows how Maguire is not capable to play the way we want with the ball and his presence on the pitch is the biggest structural issue we have.

Here is why: pic.twitter.com/W6cDDYgTna

— The Swedish Rumble (@SwedishRumble) December 3, 2023

This critique was not true on the other side of United’s defence. Which is why Savage was correct to identify Shaw as the sole representative from the United team on Saturday who would make it into the Newcastle, or any other top six contender’s team at present.

The post Robbie Savage: Luke Shaw is the only top six quality player at Old Trafford appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Jacque Talbot (footballtransfers.com) reveals that while there are some “rifts” at Old Trafford at present, the “majority of the squad” feel the press releases over the past twenty-four hours are “not reflective of the situation at the club.”

Talbot believes the dressing room is “angry” with the two players responsible, whose media teams have been leaking misinformation to the press about half of the squad having lost faith in Erik ten Hag.

Told Man United squad are angry at two players for leaking stories to the media. For @Transfersdotcom https://t.co/PzbSeTvmyn

— Jacque Talbot (@jac_talbot) December 5, 2023

The cause of these two individuals’ grievances are thought to be displeasure with the “amount of running” they are subject to in training, as well as being “chosen (or not chosen) in a certain position in the starting XI.”

Talbot believes there is a sense amongst certain players that they “have the power to remove a head coach, having done so before, when things are not going their way.”

So if we are to don our Sherlock Holmes hat for a moment, we are left with two players who have either been on the bench or out-of-position recently, whose work-rate has also been questioned. These are then players who have been at Old Trafford during multiple managers’ tenures, as they have reportedly been responsible for previous coaches’ departures.

It becomes, therefore, very evident very quickly who Talbot may be referring to in his report.

What is equally evident, however, is the contempt with which these players are treating their fan base. Jose Mourinho; Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer; Ralf Rangnick – we has seen this pathetic playbook time and time before.

A section of the Old Trafford dressing room, whom do not like, or agree, with the manager’s methods, proceed to down tools, and subsequently leak information to the press of said manager’s incompetence or the players’ lack of faith in them.

A P45 form on the manager’s desk promptly follows.

The executive branch at Old Trafford must break the tradition of cowering to player power this time. While there are undoubtedly valid reasons to be doubtful of Ten Hag this season, these leaks are the symptom of a deep rot at the club; a rot that goes far deeper than the manager.

If the club decides to indulge a few bad apples once again, the cycle will reset, and we will be discussing the dressing room’s issue with United’s next manager in two years time. United must stop repeating the mistakes of the past if the club is to have any hope in the future.

The post Manchester United squad furious with moles in the dressing room appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Luis Miguelsanz, a reporter for Sport, contends the Van de Beek wants to “offer…himself to Barcelona” after having fallen firmly down the pecking order at Old Trafford.

Despite having previously thrived under the stewardship of Erik ten Hag at Ajax, Van de Beek’s struggles to impose himself at United have persisted during the Dutch manager’s tenure.

Van de Beek had appeared certain to secure a move away from Old Trafford in the summer, with Real Sociedad reportedly close to agreeing a loan deal with United. Negotiations faltered, however, and the Dutch star remained.

Van de Beek has played twenty-one minutes of senior football since that point. Ten Hag has openly indicated it is not a positive situation for the player and is said to be happy with him leaving in January in search of more consistent minutes.

At present, Barcelona are experiencing its own midfield problems, with teenage sensation Gavi likely ruled out for the remainder of the season with an ACL injury.

Miguelsanz reports the coaching staff at Camp Nou are open to additional midfield reinforcements in January should the budget allow it. They are conscious of how draining a full season can be on a depleted squad, particularly in midfield.

The executive branch of Barcelona is thought to not be in favour of such a move, however. Their doubts over Van de Beek are said to be “very high.”

Nonetheless, Miguelsanz does believe Van de Beek’s profile is suited to Barcelona and reveals the club were “very close” to signing the Dutchman after their successful pursuit of his former team-mate, Frenkie De Jong. The pair enjoyed great success as a midfield pairing under Ten Hag; Van de Beek operating as the free-roaming attacking midfielder while De Jong sat deeper, playing as the conduit between defence and attack.

As such, a move for Van de Beek may make short-term sense for Barcelona. It certainly would for United, who are eminently keen to offload an unwanted player on significant wages ahead of what may be a busy window at Old Trafford.

Juventus are the team most strongly linked with Van de Beek, as explained here. Miguelsanz contends the Italian giants are “convinced that [Van de Beek] can once again be a very important footballer,” as he was in Amsterdam.

Officials at Old Trafford will have no preference over which European side offers Van de Beek an escape from United in January, just that he does depart.

The post Donny van de Beek wants Barcelona move in January appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

In an update provided on the club’s website, United stated the Dutch defender had “suffered a setback during his rehabilitation” which required further surgery.

While the operation was “successfully completed” it has pushed back Malacia’s return until early 2024, with the left-back continuing his rehabilitation at Carrington.

It constitutes another frustrating chapter in Malacia’s season which had appeared to be improving last month. There had been hopes he may return by the end of November after having been spotted training on grass.

This recent setback has put an end to this optimism, however.

Malacia’s initial injury was during the club’s pre-season tour of America and the defender is yet to play a single minute this term as a result. This absence was compounded by a similarly impactful injury to Luke Shaw, with the England fullback having only recently returned to first-team action in the past few weeks.

United were forced to agree a hastily-arranged loan deal for Sergio Reguilon on the final day of the summer transfer window to provide cover for both left-back’s unavailability.

The injury crisis has been so pervasive at Old Trafford this season, however, that even Reguilon was ruled out with injury a few weeks after making his debut.

Erik ten Hag has, at times, been forced to play Victor Lindelof or Sofyan Amrabat at left-back. It’s little wonder why Marcus Rashford’s form has plummeted to pre-Ten Hag levels this season without any support from behind him.

Furthermore, the timing of Malacia’s injury has been doubly cruel as Shaw’s absence would normally have been a golden opportunity for the Dutchman, who has often fulfilled the role of understudy to his team-mate during his time in Manchester.

Instead, Malacia has been forced to share a spot in the treatment room with Shaw, rather than capitalise upon the pitch in his stead.

This update, therefore, represents a continuation of the defender’s rotten luck with Ten Hag likely wondering what he has done to anger the footballing gods such is the barrage of injuries his squad have been inflicted with – truly a plague of maladies.

The post Tyrell Malacia suffers setback in bid to return from injury appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

For differing reasons, the pair, signed during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tenure as manager at Manchester United, have fallen out of favour under current boss Erik ten Hag.

A report by The Peoples Person a few weeks ago had revealed the club were seeking to offload both players in January, in the hope of creating some more financial flexibility to bring in replacements. Juventus was suggested as a possible option for both.

This assessment was today corroborated by Corriere Dello Sport, an Italian outlet, who suggested Juventus were hoping to “conclude a double transfer deal” with their United counterparts for the unwanted duo.

The Italian giants have been experiencing something of a crisis in midfield following the enforced unavailability of Paul Pogba and Nicolò Fagioli. As such, Van de Beek could offer a short-term fix to this problem in the centre of the pitch.

Corriere Dello Sport suggests, therefore, a six-month loan with an option to purchase next summer may be a deal which suits both parties.

In regards to Sancho, however, the report indicates United are requesting a fee of at least €30 million to secure his services on a permanent basis. This appears to be one of the first times a minimum figure for Sancho’s sale has been revealed.

If a deal was struck at this price, it would constitute a loss of over £50 million from the deal agreed to bring Sancho to Manchester from Dortmund two and half years ago.

Corriere Dello Sport indicate Juventus have had “their sights [on Sancho] for some time” whose natural talent has never been in question. Rather, it is Sancho’s mentality and application which have derailed his career at Old Trafford.

Reports of unprofessionalism and a lack of dedication in training have been long-standing critiques of the winger, with Ten Hag appearing to reached breaking point with him earlier in the season. Sancho has not played for, nor trained with, the first-team since the pair’s public dispute in September.

With reports suggesting United are hoping for a busy January transfer window – with as many as four possible positions being targeted – the club will be reliant on outgoing players to generate some much-needed income.

Being able to shift two players – who have been virtually forgotten by the United fanbase such is their lack of meaningful first-team minutes – could prove crucial to these plans.

The post Juventus to offer potential escape for unwanted Man United duo appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

The goalkeeper has endured a tough few days following his abysmal performance against Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to conclude Onana single-handedly (albeit, with both hands on occasion) cost his side all three points in the crucial fixture.

A win would have left United second in the group with a strong chance of qualification to the knockout stages.

Instead, a draw leaves them bottom, needing to beat Bayern Munich in their final game while also needing Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen to finish level.

Any other variation of results and United will be eliminated from Europe’s premier tournament.

These mistakes were not Onana’s first in the competition, however.

In the reverse home match against Galatasaray, the Cameroonian international made a dreadful pass out from the back which the opposition easily intercepted and bore down on goal.

In response, Casemiro desperately slid in to try and rectify his team-mate’s mistake. The result was a red card and a penalty. United were winning 2-1 at the time; they finished 3-2 losers.

Similarly, in the first match away to Bayern Munich, while fielding a severely weakened side due to injury, United started the game brightly, matching the German giants for the first twenty minutes.

This equality ended after a speculative shot by Leroy Sane was calamitously thrown into his own net by Onana. United would ultimately lose the match 4-3.

The criticism and pressure on the goalkeeper has been acute this week. Which has clouded what had been a series of excellent performances domestically by Onana.

United have won five of their last six league games, winning all three in November. A combination of favourable fixtures and the international break have undoubtedly played a significant role in this statistic, but Onana has consistently played well in the past two months since the Galatasaray howler at Old Trafford.

While Erik ten Hag’s side have suffered some embarrassing losses – 3-0 to City, 3-0 to Newcastle and 4-3 to FC Copenhagen – these have all stemmed from errors elsewhere on the pitch.

In November specifically, Onana did not concede a goal in the league. He leads the league in joint-first place for clean sheets while his underlying stats have been equally impressive – first place for save percentage and second for post-shot expected goals, goals prevented and overall saves.

Andre Onana’s Premier League stats so far:

13 games
78.8% save rate [=]
51 saves []
5 clean sheets [=]
+3.4 post-shot expected goals [=]
2.67 goals prevented []

Underrated. pic.twitter.com/zM9S0yfUKB

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 27, 2023

In fact, these performances were enough to warrant inclusion by WhoScored for their Premier League Team of the Month, alongside Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes.

Premier League Team of the Month pic.twitter.com/03ttsfIMae

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) November 30, 2023

While Wednesday’s performance against Galatasaray was undeniably poor and questions can justifiably be raised about Onana, there is enough evidence over the past month to offer glimmers of positivity he will able to turn his Old Trafford career around.

The post Andre Onana selected in Premier League ‘Team of the Month’ appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

As explained in greater detail here, Old Trafford officials are thought to be in “advanced negotiations” with the Serie A club for their talismanic defender, with a view to a move in January.

They reportedly view Drăgușin as the ideal candidate to solve the current injury crisis in Erik ten Hag’s defence, with United suffering from the continued absence of Lisandro Martinez. 

The Red Devils have conceded thirty three goals in all competitions this season; a level of defensive weakness you would normally associate with a newly promoted side, not one hoping to challenge for major honours.

This has been felt most acutely in the Champions League where, despite promising displays and twelve goals scored in five games, United have let in fourteen goals. These porous performances have left the club on the verge of elimination from the competition.

As such, a player like Drăgușin, who has drawn comparisons to Nemanja Vidic, would represent a much-needed boost in January.

A report by TeamTalk indicates this move may now be in serious jeapoardy, however.

Relaying a story emanating from Italy, TeamTalk reveal Newcastle have reportedly made a £26 million bid for Drăgușin’s services.

The Romanian defender is said to have a €30 million release clause in his contract, meaning Newcastle’s bid matches this valuation.

The Premier League side have been interested in a central defender for a while now, having tried to agree a deal for Axel Disasi in the summer. The Frenchman instead chose to join Chelsea, however.

And given the injury problems first-choice defender, Sven Botman, has experienced this season, a new centre-back appears to remain high on Newcastle’s wish list.

With United’s financial capabilities in the January market remaining unclear as the protracted takeover saga continues to rumble on, they may be set to miss out on a key target to a fellow rival for Champions League qualification in a position of dire need.

The post Newcastle bid for Manchester United target Radu Drăgușin appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

A report by Peter O’Rourke (footballinsider247) details how Old Trafford officials are open to Martial departing the club, but only if they receive a reasonable transfer fee in return.

This would then enable United to target a replacement to help buttress an attacking unit which has yet to begin firing domestically this season.

While new striker Rasmus Højlund is the joint top scorer in the Champions League this season (as well as one of the leading goalscorers in the European Qualifiers for Denmark), he is yet to find the net in the Premier League.

In fact, United’s entire forward line – consisting of Højlund, Martial, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony – have scored the same amount in the league (four goals) as the team’s two defensive midfielders – Casemiro and Scott McTominay.

It’s a shocking statistic but one which speaks to the struggles Erik ten Hag’s side have endured this year.

O’Rourke reveals: “[United] would be open to letting Martial leave the club in January if they receive a suitable offer, but they would need to first bring in another striker in the new year.” This mirrors a report by The Peoples Person from a few weeks ago.

If the club are unable to find a suitable suitor for the French forward in the upcoming window, however, they will be forced into triggering the extension clause, despite not necessarily wanting to. The extra season would then, in theory, enable United to generate more money for Martial’s exit.

O’Rourke’s report indicates the forward’s current wage packet at Old Trafford is in the region of £250,000 a week, however. Over the course of twelve months, this amounts to an outlay of £13 million.

Does it feel likely United will be able to demand a fee in excess of this amount for a misfiring forward who cannot appear to stay fit with one year left on his deal? The answer does not need much thought.

As has become the case for large parts of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson malaise at Old Trafford, a clean break with a player who is clearly not at the requisite level would be the better for the team. Whether it’s considered the better move for the club’s financial bottom line is less clear.

And when commercial interests face off against sporting competitiveness at United, there’s normally only one winner.

The post Manchester United set to extend Anthony Martial’s contract appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

The former United midfielder criticised the current one for not taking responsibility for his role in the 3-3 draw with Galatasaray last night. 

The result leaves United’s hopes of progressing to the knock-out stages of the Champions League dangling by a thread, with Erik ten Hag’s side needing both a victory over Bayern Munich in the final fixture, as well as Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen to draw.

It feels unlikely even to the most optimistic of fans.

In the aftermath of last night’s game which appeared, at times, to resemble two amateur boxers swinging wildly with no care for technique in the twelfth round, Fernandes admitted United have fallen foul of the same mistakes they had in previous Champions League matches.

Speaking to TNT Sports, the captain revealed: “It was another game where we could have closed the game. We had too many chances, as I’ve said, and mistakes by ourselves. It’s too bad, to be honest.”

“I don’t want to be too negative, but what we’ve been doing in the Champions League is not enough. We have to control our games every time, it’s not the first game we’ve had like this,” Fernandes rued.

While any objective analyst may look at those comments and think they are a fair assessment of yesterday’s match, Scholes took a different approach in the TNT Studio.

The former midfield maestro turned average pundit asserted: “I know in his interview he is talking about mistakes, but he made two big mistakes tonight by giving two stupid fouls away that lead to two goals.”

Fernandes conceded both free-kicks which ultimately led to Galatasaray scoring twice to claw their way back into a game United had appeared in firm control of. This, of course, ignores the absolutely calamitous errors by Andre Onana for both of these free-kicks; efforts which have no business every becoming goals at Sunday League level, let alone the most illustrious competition in club football.

Scholes went on to contend that the “full team, including himself as the captain, have to take responsibility – it’s a game they should win.” Fernandes’ constant use of the subject pronoun ‘we” in his post-match interview would normally indicate a person accepting his role within a wider group but maybe Scholes knows something different.

The fact United’s performance had looked so promising prior to Onana’s mistakes was also, in large part, because of Fernandes’ brilliance going forward. A superb one-two with Rasmus Hojlund allowed the Portuguese midfielder to assist Alejandro Garnacho’s opener, before his own emphatic rocket from thirty yards into the top corner put United two-nil up.

Scholes did not seem keen to acknowledge either of these contributions, nor lay the responsibility for either of Galatasaray’s free-kicks solely at the feet (or lack of hands) of Onana.

The post Paul Scholes’ bizarre assessment of Bruno Fernandes’ interview appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Manchester United’s future in Europe’s premier competition hangs by the thinnest of threads following the calamitous 3-3 draw with Galatasaray in Turkey. 

United twice led by two goals – first 2-0 and then 3-1 – only to squander both leads. A two goal advantage is often called the most dangerous lead in football and Ten Hag’s team tried their very best to prove this old adage true yesterday.

Or, rather, Ten Hag’s goalkeeper did.

Andre Onana gifted Galatasaray two goals at points in the game when his team were cruising through an inexplicable combination of errors.

United took an early lead through the irrepressible Alejandro Garnacho, who rifled home a vicious finish with his weaker foot from a tight angle. This was quickly followed by an equally emphatic rocked from Bruno Fernandes’ right boot, putting United in the oh so dangerous position of two-nil up.

A free-kick was then conceded which Hakim Ziyech, formerly of Chelsea, proceeded to hopefully hit through a flagrant gap in United’s wall. Onana took a misstep to his left and the ball went to his right; the Cameroonian stumbling slightly as the ball sailed past him in what should have been a routine save.

The remainder of the first-half became frantic and pressurised as the home team (and fans) were reignited, after United’s excellent performance had largely blunted them.

Ten Hag’s team began the second half in improved fashion with Scott McTominay adroitly finishing off a brilliant team move, largely spearheaded by the right-hand side combination of Antony and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. United, once again, looked in control with a cushion of two goals.

Enter Mr Onana.

Another free-kick was conceded but this time further out. Yet Onana still managed to convert a simple catch from an overhit cross into a goal for the opposition. Arguably, the goalkeeper should have been presented with the Man of the Match award for the home team at full time.

With Galatasaray back in proceedings, against the run of play, for the second time, United began to tire while their opponents found new energy. Shortly after, an equaliser was found through a scorching shot by Muhammed Aktürkoğlu. Even for this one questions were asked of Onana’s positioning, though this pales in comparison as an error to the previous two goals.

United were unable to find a winner as the game reached a frantic denouement, though they had the chances to secure the desperately needed three points. While a draw does not rule out qualification to the knock-out stages, it makes it feel a starkly remote possibility, with United needing both to beat Bayern and for Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen to draw.

An away trip to the hostile RAMS Stadium is difficult at the best of times; it becomes near-impossible when your goalkeeper switches allegiance to make the game a 10 v 12 man match.

After the game, Ten Hag refused to blame Onana directly, instead referring to the collective defensive mistakes involved in each goal. This was nothing more than a manager protecting their player, however, with fans and the media baying for blood in last night’s aftermath.

Nonetheless, the Dutchman did offer fans some potential respite, with the calls for Bayindir to start the next game overwhelming on social media.

Ten Hag said:

“…we are very pleased with Altay, he gets used to the Premier League, he gets used to European football – which is tough when you’re coming from Turkey. But we are very pleased with that process, he’s doing very well.

“He has to be patient, but if he works well, if he keeps his progress, he will get his chances and then he has to take this.”

With Onana looking increasingly likely to depart for the African Cup of Nations in January, Bayindir was always pencilled in to take the starting berth in goal for United at some point.

If Onana’s performances last night continue, Bayindir may get his chance at the number one slot far earlier than January.

The post Erik ten Hag says Altay Bayindir will “get his chances” appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.