It wasn’t the prettiest of performances from the Socceroos but they got the job done with a 2-0 victory over India in their Asian Cup opener.
Goals from Jackson Irvine and Jordan Bos made the difference against the world No. 102, although it took some time for Graham Arnold’s side to break down a resolute India outfit.
Foxsports.com.au assesses how the Aussies performed in Socceroos Player Ratings!
It wasn’t pretty but the Socceroos got the job done against India. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Mat Ryan – 7
A very quiet night at the office for the Socceroos skipper as he made his return from a broken cheekbone.
Outside of a handful of routine saves, Ryan could have sat on the ground and twiddled his thumbs, such was the lack of attacking threat coming from India.
Aziz Behich – 6.5
Somewhat of a surprise starter ahead of Jordan Bos, but Behich attacked and defended well.
His galloping runs down the left helped Australia’s attack and his movements as an inverted full back created plenty of space for Craig Goodwin.
The best of the Australian defenders.
Kye Rowles – 5.5
Was rarely called into action at the back and kept it simple with his passing.
A solid yet unspectacular performance from the Hearts defender.
Harry Souttar – 5
Souttar had a couple of errant long-range passes early in the first half, carelessly gifting the ball to India although they were unable to capitalise on the opportunity.
He was also caught out of position for India’s best chance.
However, the towering centre back used his body well to draw fouls from overzealous Indian forwards and had little to deal with in the second half.
Souttar struggled in the opening stages. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Gethin Jones – 4.5
Not the finest of competitive debuts for Jones as India targeted him often in the first half.
The Bolton defender was also caught napping when India’s Sunil Chhetri headed wide.
Jones also didn’t offer much in attack against a deep defence
Keanu Baccus – 6.5
A match against a low-lying defensive team was not one which would bring out Baccus’ best qualities, although he kept the ball moving across the field.
Could have had a delightful assist for Martin Boyle early in the first half and made some key tackles to break up Indian counter attacks.
All in all, Baccus showed glimpses of his quality but better performances will come from the midfielder.
Came off in the 82nd minute for Aiden O’Neill.
Jackson Irvine – 7
Broke the deadlock with a goal in the 50th minute, capitalising on a brutal error from India’s goalkeeper.
Irvine did his best to offer plenty of off-the-ball movement in an attempt to unsettle India, a ploy that worked significantly better in the second half.
The St Pauli skipper was also not afraid to shoot at goal, finishing with the most shots (five) out of all the Australians.
Connor Metcalfe – 5
Metcalfe looked caught between trying to be a box-to-box midfielder and more of an attacking threat, resulting in him being neither.
Struggled to thread the needle or make driving runs at India’s backline.
Came off in the 64th minute for Riley McGree.
Metcalfe didn’t threaten India very often. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP)Source: AFP
Craig Goodwin – 5
With Behich behind him on the left flank, it would allow Goodwin’s best qualities to flourish at left wing.
However, the usually reliable winger struggled with his trademark set pieces early and was even taken off them for a brief period after failing to clear the first man on his corners.
Goodwin’s 21 crosses accounted for 50 per cent of Australia’s total crosses, although none of them ever really troubled India.
Came off in the 72nd minute for Jordan Bos.
Mitchell Duke – 5
As we’ve become accustomed to, Duke hunted down the ball on the rare occasion India knocked it around at the back.
Although he won the ball on a number of occasions in aerial duels, Duke didn’t offer a whole heap going forward as he couldn’t dart behind India’s defence with his electric pace.
He won plenty of corners but aside from that, it was a quiet display from Duke.
Came off in the 72nd minute for Bruno Fornaroli.
Martin Boyle – 5
It was a momentous occasion for Boyle as he made his first Socceroos appearance at an international tournament.
Sadly for the Hibernian flyer, it wasn’t the memorable performance he had hoped for.
Boyle struggled to beat his marker in one-on-one situations and didn’t get much of a chance to use his rapid speed on counter attacks.
Had a reasonable chance to head Australia in front early in the first half but could only direct his header straight at India’s goalkeeper, although it looked like it might have been flagged for offside.
Came off in the 64th minute for Sammy Silvera.
Boyle couldn’t use his electric pace to get past India’s defence. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
SUBSTITUTES
Sammy Silvera – 6
Came on in the 64th minute.
Silvera’s willingness to make things happen and take on defenders helped spark Australia into life.
Made solid runs off the ball too to drag defenders away and linked up well with Middlesbrough teammate Riley McGree.
Riley McGree – 7.5
Came on in the 64th minute.
McGree was on the field for 30 minutes in total but it’d have been hard to argue he wasn’t the Socceroos’ best player for the entire contest.
The midfielder, making his return after several months out with a foot injury, was a constant threat as he drifted across the field.
He offered precise passing that cut open India’s backline and provided the assist for the Socceroos’ second goal.
McGree’s performance will have given Arnold plenty of food for thought when it comes to the starting lineup for the next clash against Syria.
Jordan Bos – 7
Came on in the 72nd minute.
Nothing says making an instant impact quite like scoring your first goal for the Socceroos with your first touch, but that’s exactly what happened for Bos.
The former Melbourne City star came on at left wing instead of left back and gave India a torrid time with his energy and willingness to drive with the ball at his feet.
Bos also came awfully close to scoring a second but dragged his effort just wide of the post.
He delivered everything you’d want from an impact sub.
Bruno Fornaroli – 6.5
Came on in the 72nd minute.
Fornaroli might not have touched the ball for Bos’ goal but it was his intelligent movement that pulled two defenders away to allow his teammate the chance to score the easiest goal of his life.
The Melbourne Victory striker offered something different to Duke and linked up well with the wingers and midfielders, playing tidy give-and-go passes before darting into the vacated space.
An impressive showing from Fornaroli from the 20 minutes he received.
Aiden O’Neill – 6
Came on in the 82nd minute.
With the score at 2-0 when he came on, O’Neill simply had to keep the ball moving whenever it landed at his feet and break up the odd Indian attack.
He did his job with relative ease and drew a foul to kill the clock some more at the death.
Socceroos skipper Mat Ryan has been brought back into the starting lineup but there was no such luck for Riley McGree as Australia take on India in their Asian Cup opener.
Both players did not take part in the warm-up friendly against Bahrain but the duo were passed fit for the India clash.
Follow all the action from the Socceroos’ Asian Cup clash against India in our LIVE BLOG below!
However, Ryan earned a start while McGree was left to make do with a spot on the bench.
Elsewhere across the team, Martin Boyle finally gets to represent Australia in an international competition after injury robbed him of appearances at the 2019 Asian Cup and the 2022 World Cup.
There’s also a competitive debut for Bolton Wanderers defender Gethin Jones, who slots in at right back.
Arnold also went with the familiar trio of Jackson Irvine, Keanu Baccus and Connor Metcalfe in midfield.
The Aussies will look to avoid a similar start to this edition of the Asian Cup after a disastrous start in the last time they competed in the continental competition.
The Socceroos slipped to a shock 1-0 loss against Jordan five years ago but thankfully rebounded with wins against Palestine and Syria to seal a spot in the knockout stages.
Although India may be ranked 77 places below the Socceroos in 102nd, they will likely look to sit deep and stunt the Aussie forwards.
The ability to break down India’s low block will also be of great interest to Aussie fans given the Socceroos’ struggles over the years to unlock deep backlines.
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has demanded a performance worthy of a legitimate Asian Cup contender when Australia opens its tournament campaign against minnows India on Saturday night.
But there was no confirmation on whether skipper and captain Mat Ryan, who continues to wear a mask at training to protect the cheekbone he fractured last month, would start the match despite having trained fully in the lead-up to the game.
While Arnold dubbed his side’s 2-0 friendly win last weekend over Bahrain as the “perfect” preparation for Asian Cup, he wants more boldness, class and energy shown by the Socceroos in their opening Group B match at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Qatar
“I want to see some more individual quality one-v-one situations,” Arnold said.
“Those ones can change the game, and I think that we do have the players here … that have great one-v-one actions, and individual quality, and I want to see that.”
Arnold mentioned the likes of attacking weapons Martin Boyle, Sammy Silvera, Marco Tilio and Craig Goodwin, midfielder Riley McGree and left-back Jordan Bos as the Socceroos’ potential game-breakers.
“Yes, the tactical side is very important and we’ll get that right, but also it’s down to the individual mentally to be prepared to go out there and put on his best performance, and that’s what I expect,” Arnold said.
Despite being fit to play, Socceroos skipper Mat Ryan isn’t guaranteed to start against India. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
The national coach has been particularly in the ear of Middlesbrough star McGree, who returned to international duty via the bench against Bahrain after being sidelined for several weeks with a foot injury he suffered in early October.
“Something that I’m pushing at Riley and talking to him about is getting in positions in the box to score because I do believe he has that quality to score goals,” Arnold said.
“Once he gets that into his game, you’ll see him go to a high level of potentially club football as well.
“Riley’s fit, and he’s ready to go. If anything, this is in a positive way, that injury that he had gave him a bit of a break, and he’s freshened up and he looks fantastic.”
Whether McGree has done enough to start against India is uncertain, with the Socceroos having plenty of midfield depth.
Arnold wouldn’t commit on Ryan taking his place in goal despite being full recovered from his fractured cheekbone, unwilling to reveal his starting side.
“Maty’s training back fully. He’s training very well. All the boys are fit, healthy and ready,” he said.
“I can’t give you the starting line-up at the moment.”
Arnold wants to see his players showcase their individual qualities. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)Source: AFP
Arnold said the Socceroos would again strive to be lethal from set pieces, particularly from Goodwin’s delivery of free-kicks and corners to giant central defenders Harry Souttar and Cameron Burgess.
“It is very important … we get our set pieces right, because set pieces can change the game as well,” he said.
“We’re working on all those patterns and working on finishing, getting players in those positions to put the ball in the back of the net.
“It’s important that we’re patient and we stick to what we’re good at, and that’s retaining the ball and moving ball quickly
“We’re here to win seven games, and obviously our expectations are high.”
Chelsea could break the bank yet again in pursuit of a superstar striker while Jordan Henderson’s wish to leave Saudi Arabia could be realised.
Meanwhile, Newcastle are eyeing up one of the hottest strikers in the Premier League while a maligned Manchester United star doesn’t want to leave the club just yet.
Catch up on all of the biggest transfer whispers doing the rounds in the latest edition of the Rumour Mill!
Just when you thought Chelsea couldn’t spend any more money, think again.
The Blues’ attacking woes were on display for all to see after a shock 1-0 loss to Championship side Middlesbrough in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.
Chelsea’s struggles in attack has also plagued the team this season in the Premier League as they sit in 10th.
So it’s no surprise that Chelsea owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali are willing to open the cheque book once more to bring in a new forward to the club, per the Daily Mail.
And the report claims Chelsea holds a “strong interest” in Napoli superstar Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen has a release clause of $AUD195 million but is away with Nigeria for the African Cup of Nations, meaning a deal might not be done until the summer.
Should Chelsea bring Osimhen to Stamford Bridge, it would represent a major upgrade on the unproven Armando Broja as well as Nicolas Jackson, who has struggled to impress since joining from Villarreal last summer.
Osimhen is attracting plenty of interest from Chelsea. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
SURPRISE EXIT ROUTE EMERGES FOR ENGLAND STAR STUCK IN SAUDI ARABIA
Jordan Henderson hasn’t verbalised it himself, but the rampant reports of his desire to leave Saudi Arabia says it all about his disillusionment with his current situation.
The former Liverpool skipper is just five months into his Saudi adventure with Al-Ettifaq, the club managed by his former Reds teammate Steven Gerrard.
However, Henderson is looking for a return to Europe either on a permanent or loan deal as he attempts to remain prominent in England boss Gareth Southgate’s thoughts ahead of the 2024 Euros.
The England international could be inching closer to realising his new dream, with The Telegraph reporting Dutch giants Ajax have made contact with his representatives over a loan deal for the remainder of the season.
A team in the Bundesliga is also keeping a keen eye on Henderson’s situation, per the report.
However, Henderson’s mammoth weekly wage of $665k will likely prove a major stumbling block to any teams interested.
Henderson wants out of Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
PL BIG BOYS EYE RED-HOT STRIKER
With eight goals in his last eight games, Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke has rocketed towards the front of the golden boot race.
The season is just 20 games old and already Solanke has secured his best-ever goals return in the Premier League with 12 to his name, just two goals behind golden boot leaders Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah.
Unsurprisingly, Solanke’s red-hot form has caught the eye of some big teams, none more so than Newcastle United, per The Telegraph.
However, Newcastle’s inquiry was immediately knocked back by the Cherries as they have no intention of selling their prized asset in January.
Solanke is no stranger to Newcastle boss Eddie Howe given it was the latter who brought the striker to Bournemouth in the first place back in 2019.
Bournemouth’s reluctance to let Solanke go this month is understandable given the club has just one other fit striker, Welsh international Kieffer Moore, with Dango Outtara and Antoine Semenyo at the African Cup of Nations.
Solanke is in sensational form for Bournemouth. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
MALIGNED RED DEVIL WANTS TO STAY
Despite receiving offers from elsewhere and not being a guaranteed starter, Anthony Martial is reportedly keen to stick around at Manchester United for the remainder of his contract.
Sky Sports reported Martial, who will become a free agent on June 30, has little interest in leaving Old Trafford in the January window.
The report claims the French striker has knocked back the likes of Marseille, Fenerbache as well as cashed-up clubs in Saudi Arabia in order to prove his worth at United.
The Red Devils also have the option to trigger a one-year extension on Martial’s deal, but that appears to be an unlikely scenario.
Martial also might not have much say in an exit should a club decide to bid for him in January as United look to receive a transfer fee before losing him for free in the summer.
After scoring 17 league goals in the 2019/20 campaign, the 28-year-old has found the back of the net just 12 times across the next four seasons.
Ange Postecoglou is set to land his second signing of the January window after Tottenham Hotspur agreed a $AUD49 million deal to land Radu Dragusin from Genoa.
The arrival of Dragusin represents a major coup for Postecoglou and Tottenham as the Romanian centre back chose the Premier League club over Bayern Munich despite being offered a more lucrative deal by the German club.
Prior to Dragusin’s flight to London, agent Florin Manea pointed to the defender’s desire to play in the Premier League as one of the main reasons he decided to snub Bayern.
“It was ultimately what Radu and his family wanted,” Manea told Romanian outlet Gazeta Sporturilor.
“He is happy. We’re going to Tottenham!
“He didn’t choose the money. There was more at Bayern. He said this is the right step for his career. He chose his career before money, and that is commendable.
“I don’t know how many would have refused the offer he had from Bayern. There were many who didn’t think we were turning down Bayern. I said this is the right step.
“There was quite a difference. Almost half as much, if not more, but never mind the amounts. They were never a priority. We always choose the steps we think are right.
Dragusin chose Tottenham over Bayern Munich. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“I think he weighed that he always wanted to get to the Premier League.”
Despite Dragusin’s wish to test himself in the Premier League, Manea was “still mind blown a bit” he turned down Bayern.
As part of the transfer, Tottenham have loaned English right back Djed Spence to Genoa and will cover his entire salary whilst he is in Italy.
Dragusin’s arrival fills a major hole at centre back for Postecoglou after the Australian boss had been forced to play Ben Davies and Emerson Royal, two full backs by trade, at the heart of defence.
But with Micky Van de Ven nearing a full return to fitness, Tottenham’s backline will become significantly stronger.
Dragusin is the second player to join Tottenham this month after striker Timo Werner joined on loan from RB Leipzig.
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold rated his team’s 2-0 defeat of Bahrain as the “perfect” preparation for Australia’s Asian Cup campaign, which starts next Saturday night against India.
An own goal from Bahrain defender Amine Benaddi and a Mitch Duke header secured the Socceroos victory in their Asian Cup warm-up clash in Abu Dhabi.
“It was a great hitout,” Arnold told Paramount +.
“It was quite a physical game, and playing against these types of nations, (and) how they sit back, as much as you can do presentations and train and get ready for it, it’s always great to play against opposition that play that way.
“It was the perfect game that we could have had leading into the Asian Cup.”
Arnold gave Perth-born, Wales-raised Bolton Wanderers defender Gethin Jones his Socceroos debut, playing him at right-back in a starting back four that also included Cameron Burgess, Harry Souttar and Jordan Bos.
Midfielder Jackson Irvine captained the team in the absence of regular skipper, goalkeeper Mat Ryan, who is yet to fully recover from a fractured cheekbone he suffered last month,
Ryan’s unavailability also allowed Adelaide United gloveman Joe Gauci to earn his second Socceroos cap.
Apart from one sharp save in the second half, Gauci was rarely called into action against a Bahrain side that hardly threatened the Socceroos.
“These types of nations, especially against us, they always sit back and they always try to hit us on the counter attack,” Arnold said.
“It was important that we had our rest defence strong, that we didn’t bomb too many players forward and get caught out on the break.
“They only had one shot at goal for the whole game, which is good.”
The Socceroos celebrate after taking the lead against Bahrain from an own goal. Picture: Martin Dokoupil/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
In attack, the Socceroos were at times clunky but that didn’t stop them taking the lead in the 35th minute when Benaddi turned the ball into his own net after a fluffing his attempt to clear a dangerous, low cross from winger Craig Goodwin,
Goodwin was also involved in Australia’s second goal in the 61st minute, when he headed a far post cross from midfielder Aiden O’Neill into the path of Duke, who nodded the ball home from close range.
Duke and Goodwin were later replaced as Arnold made six second-half changes as he further got players ready for next weekend’s Asian Cup Group B battle with India in Qatar.
The other starters to come off were Jones, Burgess, attacker Sammy Silvera and midfielder Connor Metcalfe.
The six players used off the bench were defenders Nathaniel Atkinson, Kye Rowles and Aziz Behich, attacking pair Marco Tilio and Kusini Yengi, and midfielder Riley McGree in his international return from a foot injury.
“I made a number of changes, and used players that hadn’t played for quite a while,” Arnold said.
“It just shows you that (with) those six boys I brought on, how much depth we are creating and building.
“That’s pretty much what I’ve been trying to do for the last four years as well, build depth for the Socceroos because of the old age group that we had.
“You can see some of the younger boys that are coming on, they’re doing well, (and) they’ve got that experience.”
Graham Arnold has pulled a series of shocks in naming the Socceroos’ squad for next month’s Asian Cup, including a 36-year old and three potential debutants – and another player poached from a rival nation.
Arnold announced his 26-man squad on Friday morning (expanded from 23 for the first time ever), but a series of injuries to senior players and the looming U23 Asian Cup forced plenty of difficult calls.
“I had to make a lot of tough calls,” Arnold said Friday, but declared: “I truly believe that I’ve selected a strong squad, a fantastic squad … in my view it’s a very strong squad.”
Arnold added: “I’ve got one eye on the Asian Cup but I’ve got two eyes on the World Cup (2026) and qualifying directly.”
That sees a balance of young talents and veteran faces – including a recall for Melbourne Victory’s 36-year-old striker Bruno Fornaroli on the back of a remarkable start to the A-League Men’s season, with 12 goals in eight games.
‘I’m really happy with the mix … the older ones, the 25 year olds and down to the 21-23 year-olds … I think it’s a top squad.”
Arnold said: “The most important thing for the Socceroos is form. Bruno’s done a fantastic job, he’s had a fantastic start to the season. It’s very very hard to ignore. The way he looks – his body looks in fantastic shape … that’s the type of form you want from all the players.”
But he added that the striker’s role is “a concern that position on the pitch, long-term.”
Part of the long-term planning at that number nine role sees John Iredale called up, a 24-year-old who plies his trade in Germany’s second tier.
“John Iredale is someone I’ve had in camp at the start of my reign in Turkey (in 2018),” Arnold said, adding that Iredale can play as a number nine, but also as a playmaker (10) or winger (7).
Iredale last week scored against FC St Pauli, where Socceroos veteran Jackson Irvine is captain and plays alongside international teammate Connor Metcalfe.
John Iredale (L) celebrates a goal against FC St. Pauli last week.Source: Getty Images
21-year-old midfielder Patrick Yazbek (currently playing in Norway) has been in recent Socceroos camps but has not yet debuted, while there is a third potential debutant in the squad – right-back Gethin Jones of Bolton Wanderers in England’s third tier.
28-year-old Jones was born in Perth but has played for Wales in junior internationals. But Arnold – as has become a habit under his reign – again managed to poach a player from a rival nation. It’s a process Arnold revealed has been years in the making.
“Gethin Jones is not a young talent. He’s a 27-28 year old,” Arnold said.
“He’s one we’ve had our eye on for the last couple of years. He wasn’t hard to convince but it takes time to get through the FIFA regulations to change his registration.
“I went and watched him when I was in the UK. Very impressive. Obviously with the Ryan Strain injury it gave us our opportunity.”
He added: “He’s always wanted to play for Australia, he has played for Wales at a junior level.”
Strain was one of many players to be ruled out with injuries – a list that also includes Awer Mabil, Gianni Stensness, Nicholas d’Agostino, Mohamed Toure, Denis Genreau and Brandon Borrello.
Perhaps the biggest absence due to injury was veteran forward Mathew Leckie.
Arnold said: “Speaking with Melbourne City, speaking with Lecks … Lecks was keen to come but I just feel the last six months Lecks has had with injuries – coming back and then getting injured again – I just feel it’s better he stays with his club.”
“The most important thing for me is he gets his body right … and then getting ready for Lebanon (World Cup qualifier) in March,” he said.
It hasn’t been an easy year for Leckie.Source: Getty Images
Also omitted was Leckie’s club teammate and fellow veteran attacker Jamie Maclaren, who said Thursday he was reconsidering his international future after being left out.
Arnold said: “It’s one of the phone calls that I hate making. But Jamie’s the first one to admit that perhaps Bruno has been in better form than him …
“He’s got a great future for us, he’s been fantastic for me for the last four years.”
But there was one major boost in terms of injuries, with captain and first-choice goalkeeper Maty Ryan set to be fit for the tournament opener after recently suffering a fractured cheekbone in training.
“The information I’m getting from the medical team – and Maty’s bought a beautiful mask – I do believe he’ll be fine.”
“This time next week he’ll be back in the gym and working.”
“He probably won’t be ready for the friendly against Bahrain but he should be ready for the India game,” Arnold said.
Other notable absentees are Alex Robertson and Alessandro Circati, two young talents that are more likely to feature in the Under-23 Asian Cup in April-May, which doubles as qualification for the Paris Olympics.
Ajdin Hrustic and Fran Karacic missed out after struggling for match minutes at club level, while Massimo Luongo on Wednesday announced his retirement from international football to focus on his club’s bid for Premier League promotion.
Former Melbourne Victory mentor Kevin Muscat will continue his coaching career in China following his departure from Japanese club Yokohama F. Marinos.
Despite having been linked to the job at English Championship club Sunderland, Muscat has been announced as the new coach of Shanghai Port, who won this year’s Chinese Super League title.
Muscat replaces Spaniard Javier Pereira, who left the club after just nine months in charge despite having led Shanghai Port to championship glory.
Coach Kevin Muscat (right) celebrates with Anderson Lopes in his final game in charge of Yokohama F. Marinos. Picture: JIJI Press / AFPSource: AFP
Shanghai Port’s captain is 32-year-old former Chelsea star, Brazilian midfielder Oscar, while a former player at the club was ex-Socceroo and the now retired Aaron Mooy.
Oscar joined the club in 2016 after winning two Premier League titles and a Europa League at Chelsea, signing for a reported Asian record fee of £67million – and pocketing a whopping £24m in his first year at the club.
Muscat’s final game in charge of Marinos was a 3-0 AFC Champions League win over Chinese club Shandong Taishan.
The victory secured Marinos top spot in Group G and a berth in the knockout stages.
Muscat led the Yokohama club to the 2022 J1 League title and second place this year while also winning the Japanese Super Cup.
FTBL claims the deal could be worth as much as $6m for the Australian manager over two years.
Another former Socceroo, Harry Kewell, has been linked to the Marinos coaching job, which has also been previously held by current Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou.
Marinos made clear they did not want to lose the Australian manager.
“Manager Kevin Muscat has recently stepped down as the manager of Yokohama F. Marinos and will be aiming for a new challenge,” CEO Akihiro Nakayama said in a statement (translated).
“We would like to express our gratitude to Coach Muscat for his many accomplishments.
“It was a difficult decision for the club to make, but after repeated discussions, the club respected Coach Muscat’s wishes and reached a mutual agreement.
“As the Marinos family, we would like to support Coach Muscat in his new challenge.”
Manchester United’s miserable season slumped to a new low this week as they crashed out of the Champions League, finishing last in their group after a timid 1-0 defeat at home to Bayern Munich.
Finishing the group stage in bottom position for just the second time in the club’s history means they fail to qualify for the second-tier European competition, the Europa League.
Having already been knocked out of the domestic Carabao Cup and sitting ten points off the title pace in the Premier League, only the FA Cup remains for the Red Devils to chase in terms of silverware.
Erik Ten Hag’s second season at Old Trafford has been a disappointment in many ways, particularly given the team’s progression throughout his first campaign at the helm.
In both results and performances, the side appears to have regressed in the first half of the new season.
Instead, this campaign has been characterised by off-field distractions, including a looming part-sale of the club, ugly rifts between the coach and multiple players, and the banning of multiple journalists.
Ten Hag is under mounting pressure, though there is reportedly little appetite among the current club hierarchy to axe another manager.
But this weekend’s blockbuster clash with Liverpool looms as a decisive moment for both the Dutch tactician and the club – for better or worse.
Here’s what has gone wrong this season, and what could happen next.
Ten Hag is noted for his harsh discipline and cold intensity – which was reportedly one of the key reasons why the club poached him from Ajax in the first place.
“Strict lines is what the club asked me because there was no good culture before I entered last season,” said Ten Hag this September.
Last season he was praised for his handling of a feud with Cristiano Ronaldo, after the Portuguese player fumed at being used mostly as a substitute. Ronaldo left the stadium during one match after being taken from the field, and then refused to be substituted on for the final three minutes against Tottenham in October 2022. He was subsequently axed from the squad for the next game against Chelsea.
Then the Portuguese great went nuclear in an interview with Piers Morgan, saying he had “no respect” for Ten Hag and claiming the club had “betrayed” him.
“The interview I think, as a club, you can’t accept,” Ten Hag said. “There will be consequences. To make that step he knew the consequences.”
“It was quite clear after [the interview] that he had to leave. I think we didn’t have to discuss it. It was quite clear.”
Ronaldo subsequently moved to Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr.
Then, in September, Ten Hag axed Jadon Sancho from the first-team squad, forcing him to train and eat away from the senior players.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag. (Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP)Source: AFP
It came after Sancho publicly hit out at comments from Ten Hag after being dropped for a crucial match against Arsenal.
“Jadon, on his performances in training we did not select him,” Ten Hag said at the time.
Sancho took to social media to say: “Please don’t believe everything you read! I will not allow people to say things that are completely untrue. I have conducted myself in training very well this week.
“I believe there are other reasons for this matter that I won’t go into, I’ve been a scapegoat for a long time which isn’t fair!
“All I want to do is play football with a smile on my face and contribute to the team. I respect all decisions that are made by the coaching staff, I play with fantastic players and I am grateful to do so, which I know every week is a challenge. I will continue to fight for this badge no matter what!”
Sancho refused to apologise to Ten Hag and has been frozen out for three months now, with a transfer a near-certainty in January’s window.
There were widespread reports that Ten Hag’s harsh treatment of Sancho had caused tension in the dressing room.
“This is what I’ve been hearing… from a Man United player who told someone I know very well,” former Manchester United player Alan Brazil said on talkSPORT. “He said the players are not having the manager. They’re not having him at all. By all accounts, they are disgusted by the way he treated Ronaldo – and they say Sancho is a great guy who works his socks off.”
Other players have also showed signs of frustration with the manager. Marcus Rashford had a stroppy reaction to being substituted off amid a dismal individual performance against Newcastle, while Anthony Martial raised his arms in frustration after Ten Hag shouted in his direction in the same game. Ten Hag has also had a falling out with World Cup-winning defender Raphael Varane in recent weeks.
Raphael Varane at a training session. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Paul Merson told Sky Sports in November: “This needs to get sorted out but personally I think it is toxic, I don’t take too much notice of behind the scenes, but it is toxic on the pitch and that is where it counts… There are ways of losing football matches and, for me, he has lost the players.”
The club then took the drastic action to ban journalists from ESPN, the Daily Mirror, the Manchester Evening News and Sky Sports after all those outlets reported on tensions in the dressing room.
The club and Ten Hag were heavily criticised for that move, which Manchester United claimed was not due to the reporters panning the club, but because they did not give United the right of reply.
But the dressing-room tensions combined with the battle with the press has been an ugly distraction.
“He (Ten Hag) has got to be worried and thinking about what’s going to happen now,” United great Jaap Stam told the Stick to Football podcast.
“You can ban players, but it’s also about man management of course and how to work with and handle players.
“There was the [Cristiano] Ronaldo thing, the [Jadon] Sancho thing, Raphael Varane probably – I don’t know if something’s happened over there.
“There’s the thing with the press now and banning journalists from press conferences. It doesn’t work in your favour as a manager.
“You need to have peace and quiet… you don’t want to pay too much attention to other things like players and the press.”
But midfielder Scott McTominay came out and backed the manager, denying reports of a ‘toxic’ dressing room.
“It’s not just a case like with some of the other managers where it’s been a little bit toxic at times,” McTominay said. “The boys are firmly behind the manager. That’s the be-all and end-all and the way it will remain. We’ve got an amazing coaching staff, as well.”
Ange all smiles after 2nd straight win | 02:49
STYLISTIC REGRESSION AND THE BIG GOAL PROBLEM
“We want to dominate opponents, we want to play proactive football, we want to play dynamic football,” Ten Hag told Sky Sports earlier this season. “Pressing is a part of it. The in-possession stuff also has to be right.”
It sounds like a clear tactical plan, an approach being built by Ten Hag over his 18 months in charge. The truth is far different. In his first season, United played in a more transitional style – which brought success. But this season, trying to play a more fluid and possession-based style (which brought Ten Hag great success at Ajax) has been a shambles.
United often appear to lake cohesiveness on and off the ball. Players appear frustrated or unclear on where they are meant to be positioned or their roles in the structure.
United have been pressing well at times – this season, no Premier League teams has made more turnovers in advanced positions.
But they are extremely vulnerable to the counter-attack, such as against Bournemouth in a bruising defeat, while their style of pressing is often porous, allowing opponents to expose gaps and stretch the defence.
The defensive line itself has been little better than a shambles, vacillating between a high line and a tendency to drop back to mitigate their lack of pace compared to opposition forwards.
In possession, the “dynamic” football Ten Hag speaks of has been far from the reality on the pitch. United struggle horribly to play the ball out from the back, while their midfielders give away possession frequently. They cannot “dominate opponents” with their midfield incapable of controlling the ball in the centre of the park – an area where Bayern Munich comfortably outclassed them.
With Bruno Fernandes further up the pitch, United lack the sort of deep-lying playmaker capable of progressing the ball either by passing or carrying, as Declan Rice does so well for Arsenal.
Pressure is mounting. (Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP)Source: AFP
Paul Merson told Sky Sports earlier in the season: “You watch Man Utd play and you just don’t see the pattern of play. It’s like if it comes off, it comes off. You watch Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, Man City play, they have patterns of play. Someone will go in and come back out, but at Man Utd, it’s get the ball out wide and hope that Rashford does something and if he does, we might score a goal.”
But scoring goals has been a major problem, with just 18 goals in 16 appearances. Rashford has suffered a shocking decline in form after a career-best 30 goals in all competitions last season.
That saw him earn a hefty contract upgrade, but he has scored just twice this season – with one of those from the penalty spot. New striker signing Rasmus Hojlund is goalless in 12 league appearances, the same as Antony, while Anthony Martial has just one goal in 13.
United’s lack of goals contributed significantly to the team suffering their worst-ever Premier League start through seven games, and things have hardly improved since then.
Only three teams in Europe’s top five leagues have lost more games in all competitions this season than United (12). Those 12 defeats from 24 matches is as many as United lost in all 62 matches last season!
They lost two home games in the Champions League and in their six group stage games, conceded a total of 15 goals – the most ever by a Premier League club in a Champions League group stage.
Even when they have been winning, like November when Ten Hag was awarded Premier League manager of the month for three wins and no goals conceded, the performances haven’t matched the results.
Crisis has never seemed far away.
‘No coincidence we’re looking stronger’ | 02:36
INJURIES AND ABSENTEES PROVIDE AN EXCUSE
Many Premier League clubs have battled long injury lists this season, including Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs, Newcastle, and Chelsea. But Manchester United have faced plenty of injury challenges of their own.
When they travel to Anfield on Monday morning (AEDT), the Red Devils will be without 11 first-team players. The host of injured stars includes Lisandro Martinez (foot), Casemiro (thigh), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Christian Eriksen (knee) and Amad Diallo (knee), while Mason Mount (calf) also hasn’t played in a month.
Luke Shaw has recovered from a thigh issue he suffered in the first half against Bayern Munich, but November Premier League player of the month Harry Maguire will be missing with a groin injury.
Marcus Rashford has recovered from a mid-week illness that saw him miss the Munich game, but Anthony Martial is still unwell, while Victor Lindelof trained this week but is listed as doubtful for the Liverpool game.
Captain Bruno Fernandes will be missing after a suspension for accumulating too many cards, and Jadon Sancho is still in exile.
Fernandes’ absence is perhaps the biggest blow. He has three goals and three assists this season for United, meaning he has been directly involved in a third of their 18 goals. No other Premier League midfielder has played every minute of the season so far, and he leads the league in chances created with 47.
Fernandes’ absence is a tough blow. (Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP)Source: AFP
There have been other ugly off-field dramas that have ruled players out of matches this year, such as when big-money winger Antony missed three games while being investigated over abuse claims from multiple ex-partners.
And young talent Mason Greenwood was offloaded to Spain after police withdrew multiple charges of domestic violence and abuse after his partner stopped cooperating with an investigation.
The long list of injuries has been a crucial factor in why Ten Hag has not been under more pressure, despite 12 losses in 24 games (all competitions).
But the real reason that he retains the support of the Manchester United hierarchy is that a long-awaited partial sale of the club is nearing completion – and it will significantly alter the decision-making at Old Trafford.
THE OWNERSHIP CHANGE TO SHAKE UP RED DEVILS
The billionaire American Glazer family has been controlling owners of Manchester United since 2005, when they purchased the club for £790 million.
Their 18-year tenure has been marked by a lack of effective leadership, poor long-term planning, limited investment, and a tendency to sack managers frequently. Fans have regularly protested the Glazers throughout their reign, and their prayers appeared to have been answered early this year when the Glazers announced they would explore a sale of the club.
But despite multiple offers, the Glazers backflipped on a complete sale and instead cut a deal with British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe to buy 25 per cent of the club for around 1.3 billion pounds ($A2.46bn).
The deal will see Ratcliffe, who owns INEOS Grenadiers cycling team as well as French top-flight club OGC Nice, take control of all football operations – including transfers as well as managerial appointments.
The deal is expected to be completed in the next week, according to reports from the UK, but will take six to eight weeks to be ratified by the Premier League.
However, Ratcliffe’s sporting guru Sir Dave Brailsford, INEOS’ sporting director who is set to lead the new football department at Old Trafford, has already been conducting a full audit of Manchester United.
EPL wrap: United & Arsenal lose | 04:06
Sky Sports reports that Brailsford’s top priority is to fix the football department’s operational structure rather than focus on managerial changes.
In the meantime, United’s interim boss Patrick Stewart and football director John Murtough are seen as unwilling to change managers before INEOS takes over full control – especially since Murtough signed Ten Hag in the first place and allowed the new manager to splash the cash in the transfer market. Stewart has only been in the role a month, and would hardly want to make such a big decision.
But Ratcliffe and Brailsford are no strangers to hiring and firing managers – they’ve changed managers at Nice four times in the last five years but with precious little success.
They even interviewed former Chelsea boss Graham Potter in mid-year for the head coaching role at the French club, with Sky Sports and The Sun both reporting Potter is a chief contender to take over at United should Ten Hag be relieved of his role.
Ten Hag is confident he has the support of the current club hierarchy.
“I feel that and they tell (me) that,” the Dutchman said ahead of the Liverpool clash.
“So that’s fine, that’s OK but I’m focusing on the process, I’m focusing on making this team play better, I’m focusing on making the individuals better. That’s my concern. That’s all I’m doing – focusing on the right thing and that is the team.
“There is no concern because I’m here to win and I have to make the team play better. If you play good, even then good is not good enough. We are inconsistent so I have to work on the team playing for longer periods on a higher level.”
But the pressure is rising as the losses mount up. One more loss could tip things over the edge.
Things are threatening to seriously unravel. (Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP)Source: AFP
WHY LIVERPOOL MATCH COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING
Manchester United will travel to Anfield in a match that pits two teams that are at complete opposite ends of the spectrum.
While the Red Devils are crumbling, the Reds are flying – top of the table, a perfect seven wins from seven at home (21 scored, five conceded), and with Mohamed Salah recently scoring his 200th goal for the club.
The Egyptian talisman has picked up a goal or assist in 16 consecutive home games and he’s scored more goals against Man United than any other club (12).
United, meanwhile, haven’t won any of their last 13 away games against teams starting the day in the top eight on the ladder, a run dating back to October 2021.
And when the two teams met last season at Anfield, the Reds handed out a 7-0 thrashing. It was United’s equal-heaviest competitive defeat in history and their worst since December 1931.
In fact, Manchester United hasn’t won at Anfield since Jurgen Klopp’s first experience of the famous rivalry back in January 2016, when Wayne Rooney scored the only goal.
Since then, Rooney has played for three clubs, retired, then managed three. Klopp’s Reds have won the Premier League and the Champions League.
And Manchester United have sacked four managers.
While there’s no appetite among the current leadership at Old Trafford to make it five, another big defeat at Anfield could make Ten Hag’s position almost untenable.
Rebecca Welch will become the first female referee of a Premier League match after being appointed to oversee Fulham’s game against Burnley on December 23.
Welch became a referee in 2010, combining the role with her job in Britain’s National Health Service.
In 2021, she was the first woman to be appointed to referee a match in the Football League when taking charge of the fourth-tier fixture between Harrogate and Port Vale.
Welch was also the first female official to referee matches in the Championship and third round of the FA Cup.
Last month she became the first woman to act as fourth official in a Premier League game as part of the team for Fulham’s match against Manchester United.
Welch has also taken charge of several high-profile women’s fixtures, including games at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Meanwhile, Sam Allison will also become the first black official to referee a Premier League game in 15 years. He’ll take charge of Sheffield United vs Luton on Boxing Day, making him the first black referee in the Premier League since Uriah Rennie in 2008.
“These are pivotal moments for Rebecca and Sam, who are two officials of real quality,” referees chief Howard Webb told BBC Sport.
“Rebecca has been exposed to some big games and I am really confident she will deliver a game in the Premier League and be a really good model for women and girls to think refereeing is for them,” said Webb.
“Sam deserves his chance as well. Maybe that will serve as a role model for other young people who maybe previously thought refereeing might not be for them.
“Hopefully they can show that refereeing can be for anybody – if you have the love of the game and the qualities required, you can make it to the very top.”
