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A new update has emerged regarding Erik ten Hag’s future as Manchester United manager, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s involvement revealed.

Ten Hag under pressure at Man Utd

Ten Hag has already found himself under a lot of pressure this season, even though the new Premier League campaign is still only five matches old. A last-gasp 2-1 defeat away to Brighton last month was a bad day at the office, but the 3-0 defeat at home to rivals Liverpool saw the Red Devils completely outplayed at Old Trafford.

For that reason, there have been some who have once again doubted whether the Dutchman is the right man to take United forward, with performances and results continuing to be hit-and-miss, as has too often been the case since he arrived at the club in the summer of 2022.

On Saturday evening, the Red Devils made a potentially tough trip to Crystal Palace in the league, and could only battle their way to a 0-0 draw, despite arguably being the better team at Selhurst Park. Chances came and went for both sides, but a lack of top-quality finishing was on show.

The bottom line is that it was still points dropped by United, even though the display was good in parts, and they are now 11th in the table, which is not what supporters were dreaming of when the season got underway.

Key update over Ten Hag's Man Utd future

According to a fresh update from Football Insider, there are four big figures who will decide Ten Hag’s fate as Manchester United manager, one of which is part-owner Ratcliffe, who has had a hands-on approach since owning a 27.7% stake in his boyhood club earlier this year.

Dan Ashworth, Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox are also going to be a big part of the decision, as they continue to weigh up if the 54-year-old is the right man to take the Red Devils into the future and take them back to the top of the English game.

That being said, the report does say that the quartet “will not rush into any rash calls and are willing to allow the boss more time to get results out of his team”, suggesting that Ten Hag’s job is safe for the time being.

There was enough in United’s performance at Palace to suggest that the former Ajax manager is worth persevering with for now, with new signings Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt looking the part in defence, helping keep a clean sheet in the process.

The visitors had 67% of possession against an Eagles side tipped to do well this season, as well as creating five big chances compared to their opponents’ tally of three. New signing Manuel Ugarte still has to come into the team as well, which should add more legs to the midfield, so there are reasons for an element of positivity, but big improvements are still needed, especially in terms of consistency week in, week out.

Not just Zirkzee: Man Utd were let down by 4/10 star who lost the ball 34x

His night against Palace was more frustrating than Zirkzee

ByJoe Nuttall Sep 22, 2024

It is understandable why some would feel that Ten Hag can be improved upon, but it is refreshing to see Ratcliffe and others not rushing into a decision, given the impatient nature of modern football.

Everton will need to improve, and swiftly, if they are to avoid yet another Premier League relegation scrap this season.

Sean Dyche has seen his side lose all three of their league matches so far. With a clash against Aston Villa this weekend, the Goodison Park side will need to be excellent to secure a positive result.

Players such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin will need to step up in order to fire the club to their first win of the campaign.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s statistics this season

The striker has failed to score more than seven league goals over the previous three full seasons. Last term, he found the back of the net on just eight occasions across 38 matches.

While the Toffees have lost all their league matches, Calvert-Lewin does have a goal and an assist to his name thus far.

He has also created a big chance, averaging a shot per game while winning seven total duels per game in the top flight. Some more of this in the coming weeks could perhaps see the club finally gain their first points.

Dyche doesn’t have too many options to call upon, that’s for sure. There is a player who left Everton in December 2022 currently starring for his club side, while even outscoring Calvert-Lewin in the process…

What Salomon Rondon has done after leaving Everton

The Venezuelan centre-forward signed for the club in the summer of 2021, going on to score just three goals that term as the club narrowly escaped relegation.

He left Goodison in December 2022 after terminating his contract, failing to make an impression during his spell at the club. Since then, however, the veteran striker has been in excellent form.

Goals

3

Big chances created

1

Successful dribbles

0.3

Assists

1

Key passes per game

2

35 appearances for River Plate yielded ten goals, but it is for his current team where he really hit the ground running.

Rondon played 21 league matches for Pachuca during 2023/24, scoring ten goals, while impressing in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, netting nine times in just seven matches.

In the latter competition, the 34-year-old averaged 3.9 shots per game, averaged 1.7 key passes and succeeded with 60% of his dribble attempts, proving it wasn’t just in front of goal where he was effective.

His 20 goals in all competitions last season dwarfed the eight that Calvert-Lewin scored in the same time period.

Rondon failed to hit his previous Premier League highs during his spell on Merseyside, but there is no doubt he has proved his quality since leaving.

He even netted three goals in the 2024 Copa América, leading Venezuela to the quarter-finals for just the fifth time in their history, scoring against the likes of Mexico, Jamacia and Canada in the United States.

Calvert-Lewin is already off the mark this season, but if he wishes to drag the club away from the drop zone, he will need to vastly improve in the coming weeks.

Everton must regret selling £59m star who's been outscoring Gordon

He’s gone from strength to strength since leaving.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Sep 5, 2024

Manchester United could look to make an offer for a "world class" player in a hurry after INEOS held internal discussions over his signature last week, according to an intriguing new transfer claim.

Man Utd transfer news

The summer transfer window may be closed, but that doesn't mean the Red Devils aren't continuing to be linked with potential new signings, having brought in the likes of Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee earlier in the year.

Brighton captain Lewis Dunk has emerged as a surprise target for United in the January window, as they look to test the Seagulls' resolve, although opinion may be split about whether the 32-year-old is the right target to bring in, given his age.

Adrien Rabiot is also seen as an option, with the France international now a free agent after his summer exit from Juventus, should Erik ten Hag feel that immediate midfielder reinforcements are needed after Casemiro's disastrous performance against Liverpool in the Premier League last weekend. Man Utd chiefs are said to have held internal discussions last week about whether to make a move.

In terms of the managerial situation at Old Trafford, Ten Hag's job looks to be safe for the time being, but pressure is mounting on him by the week. Former Germany boss Joachim Low has been mentioned as a potential successor to the Dutchman.

Man Utd could soon table offer for "world class" star

According to a new update from Le Figaro [via Sport Witness], Manchester United are considering tabling an offer for Rabiot, so it seems things have developed since the internal talks last week. Newcastle United are also eyeing a bid for the 29-year-old, but European giants Barcelona appear to be out of the race due to their financial issues holding them back, and both English clubs have now been told they need to hurry.

United supporters would surely jump at the chance to have Rabiot in their ranks, not least because of Casemiro's woes, gifting Liverpool two goals in their aforementioned 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford last Sunday. The Frenchman is still at peak age, and should remain that way for the foreseeable future, and the Red Devils have the funds to offer him big wages, which he is likely to demand after earning £162,000 per week at Juve.

A silky footballer who can shine in a deep role or as a box-to-box figure, Rabiot would strengthen Ten Hag's options in the middle of the park significantly, also helping Ugarte to ease into his new surroundings and not have too much pressure on his young shoulders.

Former Juve great David Trezeguet has described the midfielder as a "world class" player, which is big praise, while ex-France colleague Hugo Lloris once said of him: "Technically he's a very elegant player and he really can help us go far."

INEOS should've sold Man Utd dud who earns 10x more than Mainoo

He is their 4th-highest earner

ByJoe Nuttall Sep 8, 2024

Some may point to the fact that Rabiot turns 30 next year and not see him as a long-term acquisition, but with Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo exciting young options, he could be the ideal foil for them, also providing more legs than the increasingly problematic Casemiro.

Liverpool completed their second signing of the summer transfer window on Sunday as they officially announced the arrival of Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig on a permanent deal.

This comes after the club had already agreed a deal to bring Argentina international Alexis Mac Allister from fellow Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion.

They are also in the market to add a central defender to their squad. Spanish outlet AS recently reported that Sporting enforcer Goncalo Inacio is a target for the Reds as they eye another option to compete with the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.

The report stated that the Portuguese side are demanding a fee in the region of €45m (£39m) for the 21-year-old battler, although it remains to be seen if Liverpool are prepared to match that figure.

Where would Goncalo Inacio fit in at Liverpool?

Inacio would come in to provide competition for Jurgen Klopp at the back alongside van Dijk, Konate, Joel Matip, Nat Phillips and Joe Gomez.

Journalist Ryan Taylor told GIVEMESPORT in May that the club could be "open" to cashing in on Gomez this summer and the signing of another player in his position may allow the manager to ruthlessly ditch the English dud.

The £95k-per-week defender averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.90 across 21 Premier League appearances last season as he won 56% of his duels and made two errors leading to either a goal or a penalty being awarded.

It was hardly a surprise, therefore, to see Reds influencer Graeme Kelly describe him as "finished", as he only started 15 times in the league.

Such an average level of performance surely means that Inacio could come in as an upgrade on him.

The Sporting star averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.01 over 33 league outings last term – a higher score than Gomez, Matip, and Konate managed in England. He came out on top in 59% of his individual battles and did not make a single mistake leading to a penalty or goal against his side.

Inacio also averaged an impressive rating of 7.15 across 28 Liga Portugal matches in the 2021/22 campaign, which would place him joint-second with Mo Salah – behind Trent Alexander-Arnold – for Liverpool last season.

Alongside his superior average performance level, the Portugal international could offer more than Gomez in possession. Over the last 365 days, the left-footed stopper has averaged 10.94 progressive passes and progressive carries per 90, in comparison to the Reds defender's 7.45.

These statistics suggest that Inacio, who was dubbed “underrated” by journalist Zach Lowy, would provide more quality in bringing the ball out from the back to start attacks, whilst also being able to perform to a higher level week-in-week-out.

Therefore, Klopp would be able to brutally jettison Gomez from the squad by signing the £39m-rated colossus before the deadline passes at the end of the summer.

Burnley are thought to be interested in a move for Barcelona goalkeeper Arnau Tenas.

What’s the latest Burnley transfer news?

The Clarets have already splashed the cash ahead of their Premier League return, with Vincent Kompany signing centre-back Jordan Beyer from Borussia Monchengladbach and full-back Dara O’Shea from West Brom at a combined cost of €22m.

That looks to be the start of what could be a busy summer at Turf Moor, with plenty more rumours in the media. Fabrizio Romano has recently claimed that Burnley have made an offer to sign Anderlecht defender Noah Sadiki.

Meanwhile, the club are also preparing a new offer to sign Millwall star Zian Flemming, and another new target appears to be Tenas.

According to one Spanish outlet, Burnley are interested in signing Tenas and are very aware of his situation. Barcelona had the option to extend the 22-year-old’s contract, however, that has now passed, so the goalkeeper can leave as a free agent, should a new deal fail to materialise.

Tenas reportedly meets the needs required by Kompany in goal due to his ‘good footwork’, something which is ‘very attractive for a team that tries to take care of the ball and apply a style of play similar to that of Barcelona’. If a fresh Camp Nou contract doesn’t come to light, then Burnley are very likely to make a proposal for the Spaniard.

Who is Arnau Tenas?

Tenas has progressed through Barcelona’s academy and is the current captain of the B team. The Spain U21 international, valued at a career-high €2m by Transfermarkt, has made 58 appearances for the B team, keeping 22 clean sheets but is still awaiting a senior debut.

Former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique called Tenas the next Victor Valdes back in 2021, whereas a Barcelona fan page once hailed the shot-stopper as an “amazing young goalkeeper” who has plenty of potential.

Kompany currently has Arijanet Muric and Bailey Peacock-Farrell as senior options to choose from ahead of the 2023/24 season, so it’ll be interesting to see if a move is made for Tenas, making this one to watch.

Newcastle United are reportedly one of a number of Premier League clubs interested in signing Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana this summer.

Who is Youssouf Fofana?

The 24-year-old has grown into an important figure at Monaco recently, shining in a defensive midfield role and protecting the back-line in impressive fashion.

Last season, Fofana started 35 of his side's 38 Ligue 1 matches, highlighting what an integral player he is, also making six appearances for France at the 2022 World Cup, two of which were starts.

The £7,300-a-week Frenchman is out of contract at Monaco next summer, meaning they could be forced to sell him this time around, rather than potentially lose him on a free transfer in 2024.

He is unlikely to be without suitors, and it looks as though Newcastle are right in the mix to sign him, as they look to make significant reinforcements ahead of next season.

Are Newcastle signing Fofana? According to L'Equipe, Newcastle and Arsenal have entered the race to sign Fofana this summer, with West Ham also credited with interest in him. The Hammers see him as an ideal replacement for Declan Rice, who looks almost certain to leave for pastures new, but they could find it difficult to have the pulling power to pip the others to his signature.

The report does stress that no significant progress has been made regarding a summer exit, however, with Monaco seemingly in no rush to sell despite his contract situation.

Fofana could be a really astute addition to Newcastle's squad this summer, at a time when Eddie Howe is likely to want an out-and-out defensive midfielder to allow Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes to dictate matches, especially with Champions League football also to contend with in 2023/24.

He averaged 2.3 tackles per game in both Ligue 1 and the Europa League last term – more than both Tonali and Bruno across all competitions – highlighting the defensive expertise he can provide, and he is at an age where his best years should still be ahead of him.

The Magpies are now at the stage where they need to be rotating regularly, in order to thrive across several different competitions. And he could even become an immediate key starter, considering he is more naturally defensive than those mentioned.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has hailed the Frenchman as "wonderful" – which could mean Newcastle's midfield ends up looking even more balanced moving forward.

Leeds United have been relegated from the Premier League and are still without a permanent manager with the transfer window in full swing, but that has not stopped the club from pushing for Coventry City's Viktor Gyokeres.

What's the latest on Viktor Gyokeres to Leeds?

According to the Coventry Telegraph (June 19, page 38), via MOT Leeds News, an exit is on the cards for the Sky Blues star talisman, and while suitors from all across Europe push for his signature, the likes of Championship promotion contenders Leeds and Middlesbrough are hoping to tempt the ace with a move.

Speaking to the publication, former manager Gary McSheffrey believes it will take 'big money' for a move to a divisional rival to come into fruition, with fees as high as £17m touted for the Swede's services.

He said: “If it’s one of the bigger Championship clubs like a Leeds or a Middlesbrough, unless it’s mega-money for Coventry, then I am not sure it would be the right move for him, although it might be financially good for him.

“I know there’s firm interest and there will be a couple of clubs who have come down that will want him, the likes of Leeds United, who can still afford to pay him good money.”

How good is Viktor Gyokeres?

Given that the 25-year-old only has just one year left on his current deal and no sight of a resolution, it is increasingly likely that he will be sold this summer as the defeated play-off finalists look to rebuild and push for promotion once again.

And with Leeds hoping for an immediate return to the top flight after devastating relegation this year, Gyokeres could be tempted to complete the transfer and spearhead a club back toward prominence.

Over the past two campaigns, the 13-cap international has posted 21 and 17 goal returns in the second tier, illustrating exactly the kind of potency that the Whites require to succeed in their seasonal endeavours.

He would be an almighty upgrade on Leeds' current centre-forward, Patrick Bamford, who captured the attention of the throngs of supporters with his performances in the Championship when the club secured promotion – scoring 16 times – before playing an exemplary term upon the outfit's return to the Premier League – finishing with 17 strikes in the top-flight.

However, injuries and a fall from form over the past two years have left the former Chelsea youngster in ill regard, being branded as a "liability" by journalist Hunter Walker, and replacing him with the younger, more exuberant Gyokeres would only enhance the squad's prospects.

Said to be "unplayable" on his day by teammate Maxime Biamou, Gyokeres has averaged three shots and 1.8 key passes per match this season, as per Sofascore, whereas Bamford's 1.8 shots and 0.4 key passes illuminate the lack of robustness that stung Leeds in their travails.

Considering this, the 49ers would be wise to secure Gyokeres' signature this summer and wipe the slate clean; relegation materialised and left the club in ignominy, but there is now a stunning opportunity to rectify the past wrongs and the Coventry dynamo is the man to lead the charge.

West Ham United boss David Moyes has made signing a new central midfielder a priority this summer ahead of Declan Rice's expected departure.

Rice, a target for the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Bayern Munich, will generate a huge transfer fee that can be pumped back into the squad.

The lure of more continental football next season, with West Ham back in the Europa League after winning the Europa Conference League last week, will help massively when it comes to persuading new recruits to join.

Fulham's Joao Palhinha appears to be high on Moyes' list of targets, but his reported £50m valuation will wipe out a large amount of the Hammers' transfer kitty, so it may make sense to look elsewhere for a cheaper alternative who has shown plenty of promise.

A regular for Ajax over the past four years and capped 61 times by Mexico, Edson Alvarez could be just the man for West Ham.

Is Edson Alvarez a good option for West Ham?

Alvarez looked all set to join Borussia Dortmund for a fee of £30m this summer – the German club themselves looking to replace a talented English midfielder of their own in Jude Bellingham – but 90min suggests West Ham are hoping to hijack a bid after opening talks with the player's agent.

The Mexican has made just short of 150 appearances for Ajax since joining from Club America in July 2019, 31 of those coming last season in what was ultimately a disappointing campaign for the Dutch heavyweights.

With 2,589 minutes played in Eredivisie, as per WhoScored, Alvarez was Ajax's third-most used player behind Dusan Tadic (2,971) and Jurrien Timber (3,033), and he chipped in with six direct goal involvements (three goals, three assists).

However, the 25-year-old is not necessarily in the team to find the net, but more for his defensive attributes – as highlighted by the ten yellow cards he received last season, which was level with FC Twente's Robin Propper for the most in Eredivisie.

As highlighted by FBref, Alvarez could not match Palhinha (4.26) for tackles per 90 minutes last season – who could? However, he managed a respectable 2.47 a game, which for comparison is more than Rice (2.17) and Tomas Soucek (2.45) at West Ham.

It is in another metric that Alvarez particularly thrived, and helps explain just why he is so highly regarded by some elite clubs. With an average of 83.91 passes attempted per 90 minutes over the past year, he ranks in the top 1% of his central midfield peers across Europe's top eight leagues.

Palhinha was hugely impressive in his debut campaign with Fulham but could not match that figure, recording a rather low (36.89). Those stats help to show where both players are at their strongest, meaning it is effectively up to West Ham to decide what they are in more need of.

If Moyes is after a player who is comfortable passing the ball around and can advance it up the field, then Alvarez appears a better fit. The Ajax midfielder averaged 97.9 touches per 90 minutes last season, compared to 49.7 for Palhinha, and was successful with 46.2% of his tackles (35.9% for Palhinha).

Previously described as a "monster" by The Athletic writer Felipe Cardenas for his displays in midfield for Mexico, Alvarez also won an average of 3.38 aerial duels for Ajax last season, which is superior to that of Palhinha (2.06).

Alvarez is not exactly a like-for-like replacement for Rice but, at potentially £20m cheaper than Palhinha, he appears to have all the right qualities to thrive in the Premier League for West Ham.

Aston Villa have been linked to a plethora of Champions League quality players in recent weeks, with the board "trying to reach for the stars", transfer insider Dean Jones has told Football FanCast.

Who do Villa want to sign this summer?

There has been a consistent increase in the quality of players Villa have been able to attract over recent years.

It started with the purchase of the exciting and sought-after Ollie Watkins from Brentford, and then they were able to grab Leon Bailey from under the noses of several European clubs.

Last season saw probably the biggest name to arrive at Villa Park for a very long time, Philippe Coutinho. Granted, it hasn't worked out, but it was still a signal of intent.

The level of player has increased yet again, as just this year has seen the club linked to both Joao Felix and Marco Asensio – despite the latter now looking set for a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

With Football Insider claiming that the club have given Unai Emery a massive 'war chest' of up to £150m this summer, maybe we should expect more stars to be linked with a move to the Midlands.

Afterall, they have already managed to secure the big signing of Youri Tielemans this summer.

What has Dean Jones said about the change in transfer policy for Aston Villa?

Jones thinks that the recent rumours and links to Villa indicate where the club is heading regarding player acquisition and that "anything is possible" under their current owners.

Speaking to Football FanCast, the journalist said: "I think that one thing it does give us is a good indicator of is where the club's heading. They're now basically shopping for luxury products, they're looking at players that before would have been a pipe dream.

"Under the new vision, with the money that they've got, they're trying to show that anything is possible and they're trying to reach for the stars."

Who have been Aston Villa's most expensive signings in the past?

With all of these high-profile players being touted for a move to the Villains, they will likely break their transfer record in the not-too-distant future.

The Birmingham club's record signing at the moment is current player Emiliano Buendia, who joined the club for £35m in the summer of 2021 and may go down with mixed reviews to date.

The club's second most expensive is none other than Watkins, for a cool £31m. It's probably not too controversial to say that the ex-Exeter City man has been one of the best strikers in the Premier League this year.

Bailey comes in third on the list at £29m and it's a bit harder to call his time in England's second city a success. He has had his fair share of injury problems, though, and Emery could be the man to unlock his undeniable potential.

Liverpool target and Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount is expected to soon "decide" whether to make the move to Anfield, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.

Is Mason Mount leaving Chelsea?

The Blues academy graduate has made 195 senior appearances for Mauricio Pochettino's side over the course of his career, but with his contract set to expire at the end of next season, the upcoming window is his final chance to secure a big-money move elsewhere having rejected several new offers to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge.

Sky Sports have credited the Reds with an interest in the 24-year-old but report that Premier League rivals Manchester United are the current frontrunners having displayed a strong desire to secure his services, with The Athletic’s David Ornstein further revealing that the player himself is leaning towards a switch to Old Trafford.

Writing in his column for CaughtOffside, CBS reporter Ben Jacobs claimed that the England international is “advancing” in negotiations to join Erik Ten Hag’s side which is true considering that he’s since agreed personal terms, but whilst a deal looks all but done, he still has Jurgen Klopp lurking in the background as a valid option.

Are Liverpool signing Mount?

Taking to Twitter, Plettenberg revealed that Mount is set to choose between Liverpool and Man United as his next destination with an exit from his boyhood club pretty much inevitable this summer. He wrote:

"News #Mount: Been told #MUFC is pushing a lot! Ten Hag and the bosses share the same opinion about him: They definitely want him! Within the club all are convinced of him. Understand he will decide between Man Utd or Liverpool. Price valuation at this stage: €45-50m [£38m-43m] with bonuses included."

Should FSG cash out on Mount?

Liverpool are clearly long-term admirers of Mount and the fact that he’ll be out of contract this time next year means that a cut-price deal is available with the price range mentioned above, so FSG should certainly consider tabling a bid in an attempt to wrap up this bargain of a deal.

Chelsea’s “mad” attacking midfielder, as lauded by BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand, missed 12 top-flight games last season through injury but still managed to clock up nine goal contributions (six assists and three goals) across all competitions, showing how much of an instant impact he can make when available to play.

The Champions League winner, who knows what it takes to compete and be successful at the highest level having secured three senior trophies in SW6, is also a versatile operator having been fielded in seven various positions across the pitch since first emerging onto the scene, including in the midfield and the frontline, so he is a well-rounded player that would slot perfectly into the centre for Klopp.