Tag: erik ten hag

Man United have become worst run club in country in one year under Ratcliffe

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos’ arrival at Manchester United heralded a new era that left fans dreaming of a return to the glory days.

Fast forward a year and the club have slumped further into mediocrity with Ratcliffe joining the Glazer family in being a much maligned owner.

There has been a flurry of cost-cutting at United in the past year at Old Trafford

The British billionaire spent £1.25billion to become a minority owner of the Red Devils in February 2024, purchasing 27.7 per cent of the club.

Ratcliffe and his Ineos team, which includes the marginal gains cycling guru Dave Brailsford, were handed over the responsibility for its football operations.

The 72-year-old has been front and centre of decisions on and off the pitch – with the club seemingly going backwards.

Over that year a number of baffling and unpopular decisions have been made:

Gave Erik ten Hag a new contract and sacked him months later, costing the club £14.5m, while another £10m was spent hiring Ruben Amorim.
Hired Dan Ashworth as sporting director, giving Newcastle £3m as compensation, only for him to leave five months later with a £4.1m pay-off.
Made 250 staff redundant, with another 200 proposed.
Increased ticket prices to £66 and scrapped concession rates.
Cancelled the annual staff Christmas party, saving £250,000, while an annual £100 bonus was swapped for a £40 voucher.
Ended Sir Alex Ferguson’s ambassadorial role, for which he was paid £2m, while other former players have seen their ambassador salaries reduced.
Scrapped free staff travel for the FA Cup final.

“Manchester United has become mediocre,” Ratcliffe said in December. “It is supposed to be one of the best football clubs in the world.

“We have to make some difficult and unpopular decisions. If you shy away from the difficult decisions, then nothing much is going to change.”

Despite Ratcliffe’s radical cost-saving drive, the club saw revenue drop by 12 per cent in the last financial quarter.

The club made an operating profit of £3.1m – down from £27.5m over the same period in 2023 – after spending £14.5m on the sackings of Ten Hag, his coaching staff, and Ashworth.

All of this comes amid a backdrop of the club languishing in 15th place in the Premier League, with former players like Rio Ferdinand fearing they will not win another game this season.

Ten Hag left United 14th in the table after a dismal start to the campaign - only for them to drop further — Ten Hag left United 14th in the table after a dismal start to the campaign – only for them to drop furtherCredit: Getty

talkSPORT host, and United fan, Andy Goldstein labelled the club as the worst run in the league.

He told Drive: “I asked, is Manchester United the worst run club in the Premier League? Without a doubt the answer is yes.

“It is the worst Manchester United has EVER been run as a club. The Dan Ashworth thing underlines that. We had to pay Newcastle £3m and then him £4.1m after he only lasted 159 days.

“On the back of that you’ve got 250 staff being made redundant, you’ve got question marks about another 100-200 pending redundancies at the club.

“They’ve stopped things like Sir Alex Ferguson’s wage, they don’t do dinners and balls to raise money for players who were there.

“They’ve put ticket prices up.

Premier League table since Ratcliffe’s arrival

Pos	Team	Games	Wins	Draws	Losses	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Arsenal	38	26	9	3	84	29	55	87
2	Liverpool	38	25	10	3	87	41	46	85
3	Man City	39	25	7	7	91	43	48	82
4	Chelsea	38	20	11	7	82	56	26	71
5	Newcastle	38	19	7	12	74	54	20	64
6	Bournemouth	39	18	9	12	65	50	15	63
7	Nottingham Forest	38	17	8	13	58	52	6	59
8	Fulham	38	15	12	11	59	53	6	57
9	Aston Villa	38	15	12	11	59	66	-7	57
10	Crystal Palace	38	14	12	12	58	46	12	54
11	Tottenham	38	15	4	19	71	60	11	49
12	Brentford	39	13	9	17	64	64	0	48
13	Everton	38	12	12	14	40	49	-9	48
14	Brighton	38	11	14	13	45	60	-15	47
15	Man United	38	12	9	17	50	59	-9	45
16	West Ham	38	11	10	17	53	77	-24	43
17	Wolves	38	8	6	24	46	79	-33	30

*Without promoted or relegated clubs

“Every single decision currently being made by that club, my club, has been the wrong decision.”

Goldstein also pointed to the Ashworth debacle and how hundreds of people at the club have lost their jobs because of mistakes like this.

He continued: “You’ve got someone like Sir Jim Ratcliffe making people redundant who have been at the club years and years on the back of a £7m mistake like Dan Ashworth. That’s Ineos and Ratcliffe making mistakes so the normal person, football fan, who has been at the club all their life and has to leave their job because of someone like Sir Jim Ratcliffe making decisions that are costing the club £7m.

“On the back of those mistakes he has to put prices up. Everything at Manchester United is appallingly run.”

The money-saving drive off the pitch has not helped things on it either, since Ratcliffe took over there are only two teams who have picked up fewer points than United.

New manager Amorim, who replaced Ten Hag in October, is struggling to even win a game.

Gabby Agbonlahor blasts Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s first year at Manchester United as Alan Brazil lists the wrong doings

Goldstein added: “I don’t think there’s any light at the end of the tunnel. Not only are we appalling on the pitch, we’ve got a new manager who has come into the club and some legends have come out and been negative to Amorim.

“We are playing the worst football I’ve ever seen, we’ve got a manager who has come in who I’m told is a good manager but I haven’t seen anything yet to suggest it.

“Every single point towards Man United is negative.”

He concluded: “Manchester United are in the worst place it has been in over 40 years.”

In Ratcliffe’s defence, former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor pointed to the huge transfer spending by Ten Hag that pre-dates Ineos’ arrival at the club.

“The start of the problem was Erik ten Hag. Look at some of his signings.” Agbonlahor told talkSPORT.

Manchester United players applaud fans after a Premier League match. — United are set for their worst ever finish in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty

“Ten Hag spent £600m, so that’s part of the problem when Ineos came in to have that amount of money spent. There was no more money for transfers.”

Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting measures show no sign of ending, but will be doing something about the decrepit Old Trafford.

He wants to build a £2billion ‘Wembley of the North’ that will hold around 100,000 people.

It seems there will be plenty of bumps in the road before they are challenging for the Premier League title again.

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February 21, 2025

United rack up eight-figure bill on sackings as true cost of Ten Hag revealed

Manchester United continue to spend millions sacking managers, but are no closer to getting things right.

Erik ten Hag was the most recent casualty, losing his job in October after notching up some dreading unwanted records.

Ten Hag was sacked in October and got a huge payoutCredit: Getty

Now it has been revealed in Man United‘s Q2 fiscal results that it cost them £14.5million to sack Ten Hag.

What makes the figure even more baffling, and frustrating for Red Devils fans, is that he was handed a new contract in the summer after winning the FA Cup.

Despite actively shopping around for a new manager at the end of last season, they stuck with the Dutchman and it proved to be a costly mistake.

They invested another £200m in players, taking his total spend at Old Trafford to north of £600m, only to seem them languish in the bottom half of the table.

One win in eight forced the United hierarchy, and more specifically minority shareholder Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos, to act.

They were forced to pay him millions to correct their blunder – with Ruben Amorim’s hiring from Sporting costing around £10.6m.

That is not the only mistake that has ended up costing the Red Devils millions.

It was also revealed that Dan Ashworth’s exit as sporting director cost £4.1m, after they had paid Newcastle £3m in compensation, despite him only being in post for five months.

The wasted millions is likely to provoke anger among Man United fans and staff alike.

Ratcliffe has overseen several rounds of brutal redundancies with an initial 250 staff laid off in the summer and autumn, with another 200 set to go in another series of cuts.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada at a soccer match. — Ratcliffe has come under scrutiny for his cost-cutting measuresCredit: Getty

The minority owner is said to feel he has little choice but to take drastic action, after the club lost £300m over the past three years.

Among the cuts include replacing a £100 Christmas bonus for administrative staff for a £40m M&S voucher.

The money paid to Ten Hag, and Ashworth, highlight how wrong United have got it both on and off the pitch since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

His 26-and-a-half year tenure ended in 2013, winning the Premier League in his final season.

Since then, the Red Devils have failed to win the league and often found themselves out of the top four.

This season has been particularly disheartening with a defeat to Tottenham on Sunday sending them down to 15th place.

Manager	Tenure	Sacking Cost
David Moyes	2013-14	£7m
Louis van Gaal	2014-16	£8.4m
Jose Mourinho	2016-18	£15m
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer	2018-21	£7.5m
Erik ten Hag	2022-24	£14.5m
Total cost	2013-24	£52.4m

In total, United have spent £52.4m on sacking managers since Ferguson retired.

They have just five trophies to show for it in the following 12 years – two FA Cups, two League Cups, and the Europa League.

Ferguson’s successor David Moyes did not even last a season, and cost £7m in compensation.

Louis van Gaal was his replacement and won the FA Cup, but he was gone by 2016 at a cost of £8.4m.

In his place came Jose Mourinho, who helped himself to the League Cup and Europa League.

He famously said one of his best achievement was finishing second with United.

Sir Alex Ferguson: Ashley Young 'deeply affected' by former Manchester United manager's illness — Ferguson won 13 Premier League titles as Man United managerCredit: Getty

To sack ‘The Special One’ was an eye-watering £15m.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was the longest reigning of Ferguson’s successors, from 2018 to 2021, but was let for at a cost of £7.5m.

Ten Hag himself won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, but another £14.5m had to be spent to show him the door.

With the millions spent to get rid of managers and their support staff, the club have very little to show for it.

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February 19, 2025

Paul Scholes names worst ever Man United signing who ‘couldn’t kick a football’

Paul Scholes admitted he has ‘not liked what he’s seen so far’ from Manchester United’s recent signings.

Speaking on The Overlap’s Fan Debate, Scholes was not impressed by centre-backs Leny Yoro and Mathjis de Ligt.

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Scholes is one of United’s greatest ever playersCredit: Getty

On Yoro, Scholes said: “He’s a young player but I haven’t liked what I’ve seen so far”, referencing the Southampton game which United eventually won 3-1 after the Saints took an initial lead.

Asked on his view on De Ligt, Scholes said: “Are you going to win the Premier League with De Ligt and Yoro as centre-halves?”

However, despite his criticism of the current pair, there is one player who still remains the worst Scholes has ever seen at United.

The Red Devils legend saw plenty of world-class players come through the doors at Old Trafford during his 20-year career at the club, but it was not without a few underwhelming arrivals.

In a previous appearance also on The Overlap, a supporter argued that £85million recruit Antony should go down as United’s worst signing of all time, after managing just 11 goals and five assists between 2022 and 2025.

Antony joined Real Betis on loan from Man United in January, and has already notched two goals and two Man of the Match awards in his first three games.

Scholes suggested Argentine midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron, who he played alongside between 2001 and 2003: “You know what, I was going to go a bit further back than that.

“Veron was a great player, talented player, don’t really know why it just didn’t work out for him. But what a footballer.”

But he eventually settled on another former teammate, goalkeeper Mark Bosnich, who joined United for the second time in his career from Aston Villa in 1999, a decade after previously encountering work visa issues when he first came to the club from Australia.

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Scholes admitted he has not ‘liked what he’s seen’ from Yoro so farCredit: Getty

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Scholes has been less than impressed by Yoro and De Ligt

Scholes continued: “I go back to the goalkeepers, when we had to replace Peter Schmeichel, which was always going to be difficult.’

“Fabian Barthez was a great goalkeeper. I was thinking more like [Massimo] Taibi, Mark Bosnich… I thought he was a good keeper at Villa, Mark.”

Despite Bosnich arriving with a reputation as one of the league’s top keepers, Scholes admitted to being shocked by his condition.

The 11-time Premier League champion laid into the Australian, saying: “He came to us and was so unprofessional. Honestly, it was ridiculous.

“In shooting practice, you normally have like 15-20 minutes, after three shots he was knackered.

“And I never realised, he couldn’t kick a football! Honestly, I’d never seen anything like it.”

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Bosnich was the worst signing Scholes had ever seen, never managing to establish himself in Sir Alex Ferguson’s all-conquering sideCredit: Getty

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Brazilian winger Antony failed to justify his huge price tag before his eventual loan moveCredit: Getty

Detailing Bosnich’s shortcomings, Scholes explained: “We played Everton away the first game of the season and none of us picked up on it – he couldn’t reach the halfway line.

“And there was no wind, it was a perfect day. But then you look at his feet… size 14s. Honestly, he was just kicking the floor, big flippers on. Disappointment.”

It clearly wasn’t only Scholes who did not approve of the former Australia international, who would go on to make just 23 league appearances over two seasons at the club before departing for Chelsea in 2001.

Discussing other candidates for United’s worst ever addition Antony, Scholes admitted: “Yeah, when you talk about the money, value for money as well, it’s not been good has it?

“Think of [Alexis] Sanchez as well. Big disappointment from Arsenal.”

Ultimately however, Scholes refused to be swayed from putting Bosnich at the top of his list, confirming: “My worst one? I’m going to go for Bosnich.”

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The Australian keeper was given a nine-month ban after testing positive for cocaine in April 2003

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Rooney was named as one of United’s best signings by Scholes when he swapped Merseyside for Manchester in 2004Credit: Getty

In the same episode, Scholes also discussed the club’s best ever signing, with two standout names leading the way.

Scholes reserved special praise for French maverick Eric Cantona, who lifted four league titles at Old Trafford after arriving for a £1m transfer fee in 1992.

On whether Cantona is the greatest Premier League signing of all time, he said: “Yeah, I think it has to be. I think they were missing that final piece of the jigsaw and that was him.

“And for one million quid. I know in those days, it was probably still a bit of money.

“It wasn’t loads and loads of money, but for what he did for the club, for the money, for the worth, for the value, just the influence of him on the football club was incredible.”

Despite this, Scholes then named the club’s all-time record goalscorer as his ultimate winner in this category, finishing: “I was going to say Wayne Rooney is the best.

“Wayne Rooney for £25million was ridiculous. Five league titles, he’s the leading goalscorer, 253 goals.”

Gabby Agbonlahor Tips Manchester United To Lose ‘So Much Money’ When They Sell Antony!

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February 14, 2025
‘Sancho for £75m was a disaster’ – Why Jordan backs Ashworth exit

Manchester United’s decision to part with sporting director Dan Ashworth after just five months is the correct one.

That’s according to Simon Jordan who gave his frank view about the 53-year-old’s exit on talkSPORT.

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Ashworth was approached by United in February but was on gardening leave until JulyCredit: AFP

Ashworth joined the Red Devils as sporting director on July 1 after a lengthy period of gardening leave at Newcastle United.

talkSPORT understands that the two clubs agreed a £10million compensation package to seal the switch.

However, the transition was not as smooth as hoped and now a split has been decided on before the end of 2024

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is believed to have played a key role in the decision to part ways.

In a brief 41-word statement, United said: “Dan Ashworth will be leaving his role as Sporting Director of Manchester United by mutual agreement.

“We would like to thank Dan for his work and support during a transitional period for the club and wish him well for the future.”

And former Crystal Palace owner Jordan believes given the Red Devils spends huge sums on transfer failures like Jadon Sancho, the Ashworth pay-off is just a drop in the ocean considering the issues at hand.

“It’s better to find out now that you don’t have the synergy you thought you had,” he said.

“Maybe he’s going to Arsenal? Maybe they’ve got a sporting director vacancy? The bottom line is, they spent a couple of million quid to get him out of his contract with Newcastle, but they spent £35million on Donny van Beek and then sold for £500,000, people will make decisions that you don’t think they’re going to be.

“Better to find it out quick, if you’re going to get to it, get to it fast. If you don’t think someone has got the chops or the relationship isn’t right, then make the decision and make it quick.”

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Simon Jordan believed the right decision had been reached by Man United

So why was he such a bad fit for Man United?

“Who knows?” Jordan added.

“The bottom line is you’ve got personalities there, and you’ve got marginal gains, which obviously has some input in there. I mean, look, they needed to own their decisions. His fingerprints were all over Erik ten Hag. So I don’t think it’s a particular glowing endorsement.”

“People fall out, they’ve made a decision whether it’s mutual or whether it’s based on one party not wanting to work with the other it’s kind of academic.

“I’ll give you an example, people talk about the decision that are made. You buy players and Jadon Sancho for £75million, that’s been a disaster for them, they bought Danny van der Beek who played 35 games.

“Van der Beek cost them £1m a game. The Dan Ashworth decision is nothing. He spent a couple of million quid, he’s out the door, move on to the next opportunity.”

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Sancho is currently on loan at fellow Premier League club ChelseaCredit: Getty

“Should there be question marks over the due diligence that was or wasn’t done on Ashworth,” co-host Jim White asked.

Simon responded: “The due diligence on Dan Ashworth is in the public domain. It’s there, he’s accredited with the Brighton situation and the recruitment of players. He’s accredited with St. George’s Park and ultimately the creation of an opportunity there with Gareth Southgate and so on. He’s accredited with Newcastle.”

“How does Ashworth look after this,” White asked as rumours of Arsenal interest in his services pick up.

Jordan responded: “I think lots of people in football have earned reputations or have reputations they haven’t earned. I’m not suggesting that that falls in that space for Dan Ashworth. I spoke to Eddie Howe about him the other day who was diplomatically polite about him.

“But Ashworth moves around with opportunities that suit him. He landed upon the biggest opportunity of his career this was the moment that I figured that we’re going to see if this man is all he’s cracked up to be.

“It’s one thing doing it at Brighton, being successful at West Brom and being successful on the rebuild under the ‘anybody-but-Ashley’ regime that was in Newcastle as far as the fans were concerned.

Manchester United make another ‘costly mistake’ as Dan Ashworth leaves the club as sporting director

“It’s another thing landing in the biggest pond and five months into it for whatever reason [you leave]. You watch them at games, it’s like the proletariat isn’t it. It’s like the politburo of the Russians sitting there on top, looking down on what they’ve got and what they haven’t got.

“Who knows why they parted but I think if you’re gonna get to it in commercial terms, get to it quick and they’re done.”

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December 10, 2024
Amorim has more character than Ten Hag but Man United need two years to rebuild

Ruben Amorim is the ‘big character’ Erik ten Hag wasn’t that Manchester United need to push for the Premier League title.

However, Red Devils legend Nicky Butt doesn’t think that success will come overnight, and fans should expect it to take at least two years for the Portuguese boss to build the team he needs.

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Butt backs AmorimCredit: Getty

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He thinks Man United fans will need patience, howeverCredit: talkSPORT

The Red Devils lost their first game under new manager Amorim on Wednesday, falling to a 2-0 defeat to old foes Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

But Butt thinks Amorm is more capable than his predecessor of getting the most out of the current squad, comparing the Portuguese to compatriot and former Man United boss Jose Mourinho.

Joining talkSPORT’s White and Jordan show on Thursday, Butt said: “I think what you’ve got to have at that football club is character.

“If you look at all the managers that come after Sir Alex [Ferguson], whether they’ve failed or not, they’re all people that can carry the club on their shoulders.

“[Louis] van Gaal, [Jose] Mourinho, they’re big personalities, big characters.

“Unfortunately for me I didn’t think Ten Hag had that character. I thought he was not good in interviews, he wasn’t great on TV, he seemed like he knew what he was doing on a coaching pitch but he didn’t transfer [that] onto a game.

“And I think this guy now, Amorim, one thing I think he’s got is character.

“Time will tell if he’s got what he needs to get Man United back up to the levels [they want] with the investment that’s going to have to go into the squad.

“But he’s certainly got it. He’s got character, he’s got charisma and he looks like he can carry the club on his shoulders – and that’s the biggest thing at Man United. I don’t care what anybody says.

“Don’t forget these coaches, these managers go and get coaches as well so the ones underneath them have to be top coaches as well to coach the players. And he has his own people that he brought in.

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Ten Hag was sacked in October after a poor start to the seasonCredit: AFP

“I think it was the right thing to do to get rid of [interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy] at the time as well because he’s [going to bring] his own players in, he’s going to have no excuses, he’s going to have no one looking over his shoulder, that’s not his person.

“He’s got his own guys there and if he does it right, I think he’ll do well.”

Butt’s former teammate, Red Devils icon Gary Neville, was furious with his former side’s performance against Arsenal – namely the defending for Jurrien Timber and William Saliba’s goals from the home side’s deadly corners.

And former midfielder Butt thinks it’s going to take at least two transfer windows for Man United to rebuild their team to make them capable of challenging for the league title.

“There’s going to be a lot of pain,” Butt, who made 385 appearances for Man United between 1992 and 2004, continued.

“There’s going to be some pain coming, it’ll continue to come because he has to go and look at the players and he’s got to play them.

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Man United’s performance at Arsenal showed the gulf between them and the title challenging GunnersCredit: AFP

“So everyone will be going, ‘he’s not done anything for the last three seasons, why are you giving him a game?’ Because this new guy’s got to go in, he’s got to give the lads a chance, he’s got to see what he’s got.

“And then he can go to the board and say, ‘I don’t want that player, pay his contracts up, pay his contracts up, get that player for me, get that player for me’ and he can start building his own.

“And it’s going to be two seasons, it’s going to be two years.

“It’s going to be four transfer windows until we get where we need to be and challenging [at] the top of the table.”

Man United sit 11th in the Premier League table after a slow start to the campaign under Ten Hag.

Amorim has overseen one draw, two wins and one loss in his opening four games in charge in all competitions.

Manchester United fans outraged as video of Marcus Rashford at Arsenal emerges

The Red Devils face sixth placed Nottingham Forest on Saturday at Old Trafford.

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December 5, 2024
Netherlands star banished by Ten Hag is now ‘better than Liverpool man Gakpo’

Erik ten Hag’s former Ajax prospect Noa Lang is claimed to be ‘better’ than Cody Gakpo, according to former Netherlands internationals.

Lang was eyed as one of Europe’s most exciting young talents in 2019 as he scored a hat-trick on his first Eredivisie start for Ajax.

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Lang was handed his senior debut in football by Ten Hag at AjaxCredit: Getty

The then 20-year-old was given the golden opportunity by Ten Hag but the pair eventually fell out and verbally clashed during a match.

Ten Hag commanded instructions on the touchline but these were dismissed by Lang, who was then sold to Club Brugge in 2021, where he launched an x-rated rant at his teammates.

He now plays for PSV Eindhoven and featured in the Netherlands’ 4-0 Nations League win against Hungary on Saturday night.

It was Lang’s first international appearance in over a year but it’s clear that Rafael van der Vaart and Marco van Basten rate him highly.

The Dutch legends also believe he is better than fellow winger Gakpo, who was close to joining Ten Hag at Manchester United.

“Gakpo is really an amazing player, worldwide, Liverpool… Noa Lang of course. Then you have a problem,” Van der Vaart said on Ziggo Sport via VoetbalPrimeur.

“I think Noa Lang is better than Cody Gakpo,” Van Basten said, with Van der Vaart agreeing when he replied: “Me too.

“If I look at potential, talent. But Gakpo is further. How do you deal with that as a coach?”

Ruud Gullit disagreed with them though as he said: “I don’t think Noa Lang is better yet, you can’t say that.”

He added: “Gakpo has also proven it, come on. Noa Lang better? You can’t say that. Gakpo is much further ahead, you know.”

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However, the pair fell out and went their separate ways in 2021Credit: getty

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Lang now stars for PSV and two Dutch legends believe he is better than GakpoCredit: Getty

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The winger joined Liverpool in 2023 despite nearly signing for rivals UnitedCredit: Getty

Gakpo became a summer transfer target for United in 2022 after he scored 21 goals and assisted another 15 for PSV in the season prior.

He added another 30 goal contributions in the following campaign and scored in all the Netherlands’ group matches at the 2022 World Cup.

United reignited their interest ahead the 2023 January transfer window, but their rivals Liverpool signed him for an initial £35million.

Ten Hag therefore missed out on his man, who revealed that he spoke to his compatriot about a potential move to Old Trafford.

“It was the summer before,” Gakpo told Sky Sports. “I was in contact with the club and the manager, he’s Dutch so I spoke to him as well.

“At the end of the day it fell through, that’s it, and in the winter Liverpool came. It was the best decision for me.”

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Gakpo has proven his quality on various occasions for the RedsCredit: Getty

Gakpo has since made 96 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 29 goals and assisting another 11 across all competitions.

The 25-year-old has enjoyed a strong start to life under Arne Slot this season as he already netted six goals and assisted a further two.

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November 19, 2024
Webb admits controversial penalty incident that led to Ten Hag sacking was wrong

West Ham’s match-winning penalty which led to Erik ten Hag’s sacking should not have been awarded, according to Howard Webb.

The Dutchman was axed following Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat at the London Stadium on October 27 – and a costly refereeing call may have contributed to that.

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United players were incensed by David Coote’s decision to award West Ham a penalty in the dying stagesCredit: GETTY

The Times claim that the PGMOL’s chief refereeing officer Webb insists the decision to grant the Hammers an added-time spot-kick was the incorrect call.

Jarrod Bowen kept his cool to convert from 12 yards to hand Julen Lopetegui’s men the vital three points.

The result turned out to be the final straw for Ten Hag who was sacked as United manager the following day, with the Red Devils on a run of one win in eight and slumped in 14th place.

On-field referee David Coote did not initially see anything relating to an infringement after a coming together between Matthijs de Ligt and Danny Ings.

Coote was subsequently called to the pitchside monitor by assistant referee Michael Oliver to take a closer look at the incident.

The penalty was awarded after a delay of over two minutes, to the dismay of De Ligt and Ten Hag,

The decision was the final nail in the coffin of the ex-Ajax boss, who may have continued in the role for a little while longer if Coote hadn’t awarded the penalty.

Webb is understood to have spoken out on the decision and is expected to make reference to it on next week’s episode of Mic’d Up, although a running order for the show is yet to be finalised.

The show shines a light on contentious refereeing decisions from previous Premier League matches.

The Key Match Incidents panel, who are an independent group that looks at big officiating Premier League decisions, is believed to have also judged the decision to be wrong.

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Bowen dispatched the penalty to hand West Ham all three pointsCredit: Getty

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Ten Hag was left furious after VAR intervened in his side’s clash at the London StadiumCredit: Getty

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Webb is set to discuss the decision on the next episode of Mic’d UpCredit: Getty

Following the game at the London Stadium, Ten Hag claimed his side were victims of injustice.

“So, first of all in football the best team does not always win, today that was clear and obvious,“ he told his post-match press conference.

“But clear and obvious was not the way the VAR worked. Before the season they explained the process of the VAR, and only when it’s clear and obvious should they interfere.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe makes brutal comment about Manchester United squad days after Erik ten Hag sacking

“What they didn’t do against Spurs, when they should have done it, to interfere with the red card for Bruno, and now they make the wrong decision interfering, and both have a big impact on the scores of the games.

“I’m not criticising any person, I criticise the process. It had a big impact on the score. The other impact was that we didn’t score.”

In an attempt to explain the controversial penalty decision, the Premier League Match Centre posted on social media: “The referee did not award a penalty to West Ham for a challenge by De Ligt on Ings.

“The VAR deemed there was sufficient contact on Ings’ lower leg and recommended an on-field review.

“The referee overturned his original decision and awarded a penalty.”

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November 5, 2024
Man United dressing room ‘bugged’ as huge security questions raised

Huge security questions have been raised after the Manchester United dressing room was reportedly bugged.

The incident is understood to have happened during last Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Aston Villa at Villa Park.

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Ten Hag’s team talks were reportedly recorded at Villa ParkCredit: Getty

The Sun report that a prankster snuck into the dressing room at Villa Park and hid the device two days before the goalless draw.

Erik ten Hag’s team talks for the Premier League clash were recorded – in what was a pivotal game to decide his future.

The device was hidden in an out of sight place and the microphone was activated when it was called.

The Sun have not published the recordings, but say Ten Hag’s instructions are clearly audible.

The prankster then attempted to collect the device the following day.

Reacting to the incident, former Premier League striker Carlton Cole said: “That’s the day and age we’re in now. We got to just secure what we have at the moment.

“For a football club, there is confidentiality and not everybody needs to know your business, especially in the dressing room. If they can’t secure that, then it’s going to cause a big, big problem.

“We’re looking at a time where it’s information based. Everybody wants information. I know this was just a prank, but this could have gone a lot worse.

“This needs to be looked at by the security and everybody has to take it really seriously.”

talkSPORT understands that Ten Hag is set to remain in charge of Man United despite serious questions being raised about his future.

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Man United drew 0-0 at Aston Villa last SundayCredit: Getty

He set the unenviable record of the Red Devils’ worst ever Premier League start, taking just eight points from seven games. They currently sit 14th in the table.

Ten Hag jetted off on holiday during the international break, expecting to be in charge when club football starts again.

The Red Devils held a pre-planned summit meeting on Tuesday with Ten Hag’s future believed to be high on the agenda.

Thomas Tuchel, Thomas Frank and Gareth Southgate are all admired by the United hierarchy.

However, Southgate seemingly ruled out an imminent return to management while Tuchel is thought to be keen on the England job.

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How the Premier League table looks after seven games

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October 12, 2024
Current Premier League boss on United’s three-man shortlist to replace Ten Hag

Erik ten Hag is on the brink at Manchester United and the club are already looking at potential replacements.

Ten Hag has overseen Man United’s worst-ever start to a Premier League season following an uneventful 0-0 draw at Aston Villa.

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Ten Hag’s future at United is far from certain amid poor formCredit: Getty

They have won just eight points from their opening seven matches and sit 14th in the table, six points outside of the top four.

United held a pre-planned summit meeting in the last week with Ten Hag’s future likely to have been high on the agenda.

He looks set to remain in the job over the international break but surely failing to turn around the form would spell the end for the Dutchman.

And here, talkSPORT.com has taken a look at who could replace him…

Who could replace Erik ten Hag?

Thomas Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel has admirers on the Manchester United board, talkSPORT understands.

Former Chelsea boss Tuchel held talks with United in the summer but had reservations about the club’s recruitment plans.

Should United part ways with Ten Hag and appoint Tuchel, the German would return to management after his May departure from Bayern Munich.

He has not been linked with many clubs since leaving the German giants and still remains free to join a new side.

Tuchel has a track record of success in Europe thanks to two Ligue 1 titles with Paris Saint-Germain and a Bundesliga triumph with Bayern among other trophies.

The biggest of all of his impressive career honours though, was glory in the Champions League with Chelsea three years ago.

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United could reignite their interest in Tuchel if a change is madeCredit: AFP

Thomas Frank

talkSPORT understands that Brentford manager Thomas Frank is also admired by the Man United board.

Frank has been one of the Premier League’s most impressive head coaches in recent seasons having successfully kept the Bees in the top flight since their promotion in 2021.

The Dane was linked with the Chelsea vacancy in the summer after they mutually parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino, although Enzo Maresca was their eventual replacement.

This season, Brentford have been hit with injury issues to some key players after they lost Ivan Toney in the summer.

But Frank has still managed to make it work with his squad, sitting two points clear of Man United after seven games.

One concern around the Danish boss replacing Ten Hag though, would be the fact he hasn’t managed a big club previously unlike Tuchel.

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Brentford boss Frank is also a potential optionCredit: Getty

Gareth Southgate

Ex-England boss Gareth Southgate is known to be regarded highly by Man United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s INEOS group and sporting director Dan Ashworth.

Southgate was a speculated option for United before taking the Three Lions to Euro 2024.

Despite this, he remained focussed on the approaching task at hand with his country as he said in May: “Well, for me, it’s not an issue and never has been.

“I have to deliver a successful tournament for England and there’s enough work involved in that. I think everybody would expect that’s where my focus should be.”

Southgate left the England job just two days after their 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.

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Southgate has been heavily linked with the role, even before he left EnglandCredit: Getty

He hasn’t been involved in football since and isn’t planning to come back soon so a move to Man United now seems unlikely.

Speaking about returning to a job, he admitted: “Firstly I’m enjoying my life…so there’s no rush.

“I was 11 years committing myself fully to the FA and I’ve got lots of different experiences.

“But I won’t coach in the next year, for sure. I’m certain of that.

“I need to give myself time to make good decisions. When you come out of a really big role you need to give your body time, you need to give your mind time.”

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October 10, 2024
Man United blow as summer signing ruled out for weeks after minor heart surgery
Noussair Mazraoui is set for a spell on the sidelines to deal Manchester United another injury blow, talkSPORT understands.

The versatile full-back, who only joined the Red Devils in the summer, was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat by club doctors after experiencing palpitations.

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Mazraoui will miss the next few weeks for United in a huge blow for Erik ten HagCredit: Getty

It has led to the 25-year-old undergoing a minor precautionary corrective procedure, where he may now not feature until November.

He had previously been ruled out of action for two months at Bayern Munich with a mild inflammation of the pericardium (heart sac).

This came as a result of Covid-19 complications following the 2022 World Cup.

Due to his history, United know they will have to be cautious in re-introducing the defender back into the team, though he is expected to make a full recovery in the next few weeks.

Since linked up at Old Trafford from Bayern in a £17million deal, Mazraoui has established himself as a firm fan favourite.

The 29-cap Morocco international has started in each of United’s seven Premier League games, chipping in with a single assist.

He was also in Erik ten Hag‘s line-ups for the Europa League draws against FC Twente and Porto.

While Ten Hag also called upon him off the bench in the 7-0 victory over Barsnley in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

His absence in the team will likely see Diogo Dalot shifted over to play in his natural right-back position having spent the season so far on the opposite side of defence.

And this could see Luke Shaw immediately thrust back into the team at left-back once he recovers from his injury.

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Mazraoui has featured in ten matches for the Red Devils this season in all competitions
Games Noussair Mazraoui may miss

Brentford (H) – Premier League – October 19

Fenerbahce (A) – Europa League – October 24

West Ham (H) – Premier League – October 27

Leicester (H) – Carabao Cup – October 30

Chelsea (H) – Premier League – November 3

PAOK (H) – Europa League – November 7

Leicester (H) – Premier League – November 10
Shaw is yet to feature this season, but is expected to be available following the international break.

Alternatively, Ten Hag could move Lisandro Martinez into the position.

This would see Jonny Evans partner Matthijs de Ligt at centre-back with Harry Maguire out injured.

Mike Phelan reacts to the HEATED exchange between Erik Ten Hag & Ruud Van Nistelrooy

United are still waiting to welcome back forgotten star Tyrell Malacia back into the team.

The Dutch left-back failed to feature in the 2023/24 season due to injury, but is believed to be nearing a return to action.

United are already light in the defence department with Maguire already on the sidelines following the calf injury he picked up away in the 0-0 draw at Aston Villa.

Meanwhile summer signing Leny Yoro, who United signed for £52m from Lille, picked up a foot knock in pre-season.

The matches come thick and fast for United following the October break, with the club to play seven times in 22 days before the next international window.
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October 10, 2024

Tag: erik ten hag

Premier League table since Ratcliffe’s arrival

Who could replace Erik ten Hag?

Thomas Tuchel

Thomas Frank

Gareth Southgate

Games Noussair Mazraoui may miss