"As long as we get results": Ten Hag infuriatingly refuses to acknowledge major United shortcoming

Erik ten Hag has inexplicably claimed that he does not mind his team giving up 31 shots as long as they get the right result.

Manchester United’s defence has been questionable all season as they conceded a ridiculous 15 goals in their Champions League group.

Despite the impressive, pulsating 4-3 win over Liverpool, they did concede 25 chances, meaning they have allowed their opposition 56 chances in the past two games.

Whilst their goals against column is decent for Premier League standards, fans are more worried about the sheer number of chances the side gives up.

Brentford cut through United with ease last night and it was miracle it took them until the 99th minute to find a goal.

Also as relayed by The Peoples Person, Brentford finished the game with 85 touches in the United box, the most any team has managed in the league in the past five years.

Commenting after the game in his post-match press conference (via 90 Min), the Dutch boss seemed worryingly nonchalant about the situation.

When asked if he was concerned about the number of chances Brentford created he retorted, “As long as we get results, no.

“I explain it once more: we defended low by times and because Brentford are very direct we lost many many second balls and we had to defend the box.

“We had a great goalkeeper, he was brilliant tonight, we have to say that also. Our results are quite consistent from January on but we concede shots, but we don’t concede so many goals.”

Worryingly, the former Ajax coach does not seem to grasp that results won’t come if you continuously gift the opposition so many opportunities to score.

Furthermore, while results have been decent in 2024, the performances have not been, where the Red Devils were regularly outplayed by their opponent.

The statistics back this up.

The Peoples Person has relayed that United’s goalkeeper, Andre Onana, has had to make more saves than anyone in the league except Luton Town’s Thomas Kaminski and West Ham’s Alphonse Areola.

Only Kaminski (111) & Areola (108) have made more saves in the Premier League than Andre Onana (107).

Another busy night for Andre. pic.twitter.com/GMHbtoksDj

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 30, 2024

On the surface this looks good for Onana’s improved form but the truth is a Manchester United goalkeeper should not be examined so many times in a season.

Depressingly, the trend only seems to be getting worse as in 2024, the Red Devils faced 181 shots, the most among any team in the English top-flight.

In 2024, Man Utd have conceded 181 shots in the Premier League, more than any other side.

Leaky. pic.twitter.com/3kkWVqiQJs

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 30, 2024

What’s more, Manchester United have been outshot in 16 Premier League games this season. The Old Trafford outfit have only played 29 games, so in well over half, Ten Hag’s team are facing more shots than they are creating.

Manchester United have been outshot in SIXTEEN Premier League games this season. Man City, Arsenal & Liverpool combined have been outshot in just TEN games between them. Man Utd have been outshot in the following games this season:

Wolves (h)
Arsenal (a)
Burnley (a)
Man City (h)… pic.twitter.com/pj9s4ysDHy

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 30, 2024

This is understandable when you travel to the Etihad or Anfield but at home to Wolves and Everton is an incredibly different story.

One would imagine a coach with the experience and CV of Ten Hag probably does have a problem with the number of chances being created against his beleaguered side. But his public opinions will get him little favour from fans.

However, the fact that he is seemingly not doing anything about it will most likely be the final nail in his coffin regarding his Old Trafford fate.

The post Erik ten Hag gives scarcely believable response to Manchester United’s gaping defensive issues appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

"Will win the race": United's transfer plan in tatters as new club jumps the queue for PL marksman

West Ham United are now leading the race for Manchester United target Ivan Toney.

The Red Devils have struggled all season for goals, scoring a paltry 40 in 29 Premier League matches.

Summer signing, Rasmus Hojlund, has done his best to shoulder the responsibility with 13 goals in all competitions but injuries have curtailed his strong start to 2024.

Anthony Martial has also typically spent most of the season on the side lines, so INEOS have made it a priority to bolster their attacking depth in the summer.

It was reported back in February that INEOS were not looking at entering into a bidding war for the striker but Fabrizio Romano more recently claimed that the Red Devils are in fact looking at bringing the forward in during the summer window to provide competition for Hojlund.

In fact, his skillset was highlighted last night when The Peoples Person commented on the Englishman’s much superior back-to-goal play was on show last night in Brentford’s draw with United.

The Bees thoroughly outplayed Erik ten Hag’s side at the Gtech Community Stadium and were extremely unfortunate to come away with all three points, with Toney central to the impressive performance. The United defence will be glad they do not have to face the England international again this season and club officials will likely have been paying close attention to Toney.

However, the Old Trafford side may need to act fast if they want to bring the striker to the Theatre of Dreams.

This is because Football Insider claim sources have told them that there is “a ‘good chance’ that West Ham will win the race to sign Ivan Toney this summer”.

“We know they have been lacking a number nine for a couple of seasons now. There’s a lot of talk about Arsenal being interested in Toney but my understanding is that that their interest has cooled and they’re looking at other targets”.

Arsenal dropping out of the race could be potentially positive news for United, as they would probably back themselves to beat West Ham to the signature of the forward.

However, as United still don’t have a sporting director in place, it is still unknown exactly what type of forward INEOS will elect to sign.

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United legend tears into English defender for massive mistake in gut-wrenching Brentford equaliser

Manchester United legend, Peter Schmeichel, has torn into Aaron Wan-Bissaka for his role in Brentford’s agonising 99th minute equaliser. In truth, it was nothing more than they deserved after taking...

United make rare change to matchday plans ahead of crucial clash vs. Brentford - report

Manchester United have made an unusual change to their matchday plans as the club decided to have Erik ten Hag and his players travel to an away game on the day of the clash. United are set to take on...

United "willing to offer" €60m for "very special" CL winner ripping Serie A apart - report

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been without a specialist left-back for most of the season with injuries plaguing all his full-backs.

Tyrell Malacia suffered an injury before pre-season and he is unlikely to play any part this season. But the biggest blow has been Luke Shaw’s frequent niggles.

The England international has missed 23 games this campaign in two separate injury spells and his initial problem forced the club to dip into the loan market to bring in Sergio Reguilon on loan from Tottenham.

However, the Spaniard was not as sound defensively and his loan was terminated in January with Shaw back to fitness. But that did not last long and Ten Hag has had to make do with playing Victor Lindelof and Sofyan Amrabat in that position.

LB problems for United

With Malacia’s future uncertain, and Shaw’s injury problems rearing their ugly head again, it is clear United need to bring in a left-back in the summer.

Links with Raoul Bellanova, Luca Netz and Tino Livramento have emerged in recent weeks and Fichajes have brought back Theo Hernandez‘s name to the discussion.

The Frenchman has five goals and 10 assists this season for AC Milan, the highest goals for a defender this season with his attacking instincts a great fit for what Ten Hag demands from his full-backs.

Considering his current deal is valid until 2026, the Rossoneri are expected to demand a huge amount for the former Real Madrid man.

And United are reportedly willing to spend €60 million to land the 2017/18 Champions League winner with Ten Hag pushing for his signature.

“Manchester United are looking at reinforcements for next season, and Dutch coach Erik Ten Hag has put the name of AC Milan left-back Theo Hernández on the table.

Theo Hernandez would be expensive

“The French player is one of the new objectives of the Red Devils with Manchester United struggling at left back in recent years.

“Hence the current obsession with the AC Milan player, for whom they would be willing to offer more than 60 million euros. He has also entered the sights of other European giants such as Paris Saint-Germain.”

Milan legend and current sporting director Paolo Maldini has called him a “very special” player who has the ability to surpass him and it would be the coup of the summer if United can pull this off.

However, a lot will depend of the final budget that will be available to use and considering the club already want to strengthen up front, in midfield while also bringing in a centre-back, it remains to be seen how much money can be spared for a full-back.

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"A degree of confidence": INEOS believe they are on track to make 3 key appointments - report

Manchester United are confident that their pursuit of Dan Ashworth, Dougie Freedman and Jason Wilcox are all going in the right direction.

INEOS have wasted no time in shaking up United’s footballing department with the appointment of CEO, Omar Berrada from Manchester City.

The Red Devils are also locked in negotiations with Newcastle to prise Dan Ashworth away from the Magpies to take on the role of sporting director at Old Trafford.

However, there has been frustration as of late as both teams seem unwilling to compromise.

United have also been heavily linked with Southampton’s director of football, Jason Wilcox and Crystal Palace’s sporting director, Dougie Freedman.

In fact, it has been reported that the club want both, even though it is unclear as of yet what their exact roles would be.

It has been relayed by The Peoples Person that there is a sense that progress is being made on the Wilcox deal but the speed of negotiations are frustrating for a fanbase who have grown tired of inaction from years of having to put up with the Glazers.

However Sky Sports reporter, Dharmesh Sheth, has given a more optimistic update to GIVEMESPORT about INEOS’ plans.

He stated that there will be a sense of “frustration” within the corridors of Old Trafford as Liverpool have quickly appointed Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes to key roles however the journalist was quick to highlight the differences in the two situations.

“They will want to get that structure sorted as soon as possible. But you’ve got to also remember that the Michael Edwards situation is completely different to Manchester United simply because Edwards wasn’t in a role anywhere. So there was no negotiation needed with another club, compensation needed with another club”.

In fact, the Mancunian side’s lack of appointments is actually mentioned as a positive by Sheth.

“As far as Manchester United are concerned, for them not to have appointed anybody at this juncture would probably suggest that there is a degree of confidence that they’re going to get the likes of Dan Ashworth into the sporting director role. That they are going to get someone like Jason Wilcox and maybe even Dougie Freedman as well in situ as soon as it is possible”.

United fans will certainly be hoping this is the case, as they will be absolutely desperate that nothing holds back the club from making their mark on the forthcoming transfer window as INEOS look to make good on their promise to take United back to the top table of British and European football.

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Ten Hag says Lisandro Martinez should be in tomorrow's squad, Luke Shaw should be fit in the coming weeks

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"Come back to bite them": Former Premier League CEO believes United are making a massive blunder

Former Everton chief Keith Wyness has claimed that he is surprised that Manchester United have decided to appoint an in-house football finance manager.

Wyness was CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs.

New part owners, INEOS, have already implemented wide-ranging changes behind the scenes at United since their takeover was publicly announced in December.

The petro-chemicals company has appointed Omar Berrada as the new CEO of the club and is in the process of trying to wrangle Dan Ashworth from Newcastle to be the new sporting director.

New board member, Sir Dave Brailsford, has also began an audit at the club to figure out in painstaking detail what exactly has gone wrong over the last few years.

One of the issues that the club is facing due to previous mismanagement is difficulty sticking to new financial regulations that have been put in place for next season.

As a result, INEOS are poised to hire a football finance expert who will help the club in its efforts to ensure compliance with profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

However, the idea of appointing an in-house finance guru has not been well received by everyone.

Speaking to Football Insider, Wyness argues “I’m very surprised. From my experience, my financial director and sporting director should be able to get together and give me recommendations on where we are”.

“I did bring in a specialist once to advise on where we stood, but it becoming a full-time position does surprise me”.

However, the former Everton man does see the logic of asking for help due to the complex new world of PSR.

“But we’re seeing points deductions, and we know what points mean to clubs. The impact goes way beyond the table. For a public company like Man United, I understand they need a specialist. I’m just surprised it’s a full-time, in-house position”.

“I thought they may outsource it to a consultant, but it’s showing how much focus is being placed on this”.

Wyness claims the real danger is that if they are still found guilty of failing to comply with the new regulations, they have no excuses.

“However, if they do appoint someone and still breach the rules – they’ve got little legs to stand on”.

“The internal politics this person will have will be pretty important, but it could come back to bite them”.

There is no doubt that PSR is a complex world and United fans will just have to hope at this stage that INEOS know what they are doing as they aim to have a busy and successful transfer window this upcoming summer to kickstart their rein in earnest.

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“Arguably our best”: Rio Ferdinand says this star has been United’s top defender this season

Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand, has become the latest pundit to wax lyrical on Jonny Evans’ renaissance as a Premier League defender and has labelled him the team’s best defender this...

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Fabrizio Romano says long-term United target dubbed "the best" by legend will cost £40m in the summer

Manchester United’s defence has let in three or more goals 12 times already this season, with five of them coming at Old Trafford.

Raphael Varane’s current deal ends in 2024 and not 2025 as does Jonny Evans’ contract. Both Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire have been linked with summer exits.

It is clear that new co-owners INEOS need to find a long-term partner for Lisandro Martinez, someone who is young while simultaneously being strong and fast, so as to adjust easily to the demands of the Premier League.

Links have emerged with the likes of Jarrad Brathwaite, Antonio Silva and Robin Le Normand but one player whose name has prominently featured in the gossip column since last summer is Jean-Clair Todibo.

Todibo’s price revealed

Currently playing for OGC Nice, another club owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and this could hand the Red Devils the advantage they need to win the race.

The 24-year-old’s impressive performances in the last two years have alerted a lot of English clubs to his availability with recent reports suggesting the French club would not be offering a discount to United despite same ownership.

As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Ligue 1 outfit have slapped a £40 million price tag on the Frenchman ahead of what is expected to be a major transfer tussle.

Understand Jean-Clair Todibo will be valued by OGC Nice around £40m for the summer transfer window.

He was already on Man United list since last summer but more clubs in PL and not only keep monitoring him.

French international and Nice vice captain could be on the move. pic.twitter.com/xxXz7dKgVg

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 28, 2024

“Understand Jean-Clair Todibo will be valued by OGC Nice around £40m for the summer transfer window. He was already on Man United list since last summer but more clubs in PL and not only keep monitoring him.

“French international and Nice vice captain could be on the move,” the Italian wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

The team from Allianz Riviera are currently fifth, firmly in with a chance of European qualification for next season, having conceded the lowest amount of goals among all 18 teams.

The France international has played 25 teams across all competitions, registering two assists while keeping 12 clean sheets.

Race is on

The former Barcelona star was called “the best centre-back” by Bundesliga great Lothar Matthaus and he seems to be ready for a bigger challenge in the upcoming season.

Todibo was close to a move to Old Trafford last summer only to see his move fail due to United’s inability to sell Harry Maguiure to West Ham.

Nice fans will not be too happy to lose their talisman, especially if the team does qualify for Europe. But Ratcliffe must work his magic to ensure Todibo lands up in Manchester instead of somewhere else.

His price tag is a lot more manageable as compared to Branthwaite and his pace and strength are ideally suited for Erik ten Hag’s high-transition style.

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The post Fabrizio Romano reveals OGC Nice will ask for £40 million for Jean-Clair Todibo appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

INEOS target set to "snub" United's approach to join their revolution at Old Trafford - report

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O’Neil is set to reject an approach by Manchester United to join the coaching staff at Old Trafford.

As explained in greater detail here, INEOS – who assumed full control over the sporting operation at United last month – were keen on “opening talks” with the 40 year old coach over a “potential switch”.

While it was not detailed exactly what role O’Neil would be assuming were he to accept these advances, talkSPORT revealed it was “mooted to be a coaching role”, rather than as a direct replacement for current manager Erik ten Hag. This means the switch would essentially amount to a “demotion”, despite the difference in stature of United and Wolves as clubs. As such, talkSPORT contends O’Neil would be “highly unlikely” to accept the proposal.

The 40-year-old manager’s standing within English football has sky-rocketed in the last eighteen months.

Having previously worked as the manager of the U-23 squad at Liverpool, O’Neil was appointed as the senior first-team coach at Bournemouth under Jonathan Woodgate. He then kept this role after Scott Parker replaced Woodgate, helping the Cherries gain promotion in the 2021/22 season.

At the beginning of the 2022/23 season, Parker was sacked by Bournemouth after a 9-0 defeat to Liverpool, describing the team as “ill-equipped” for the demands of the Premier League as he departed.

O’Neil was handed the reigns as an interim manager in Parker’s place, before being offered the role permanently with an 18-month contract after an improved run of form. Despite the difficult task and the negativity surrounding the newly-promoted side, O’Neil led Bournemouth to an impressive 15th placed finish – five points clear of the relegation zone.

Rather bizarrely, the executive structure at the Vitality Stadium decided to replace O’Neil with Andoni Iraola – the manager of Rayo Vallecano in Liga. While Iraola is highly-rated within Spanish football, it was a surprise decision given how well O’Neil had performed in difficult circumstances.

The 40-year-old Englishman did not remain out of the dugout for long, however.

Wolves offered O’Neil the opportunity to repeat his Bournemouth heroics at Molineux just before the beginning of the season, after Julen Lopetegui’s surprise resignation as manager of the Midlands club. Lotepegui was believed to have been targeting a top-half finish for Wolves this year, but did not believe it possible, owing to a lack of investment and ambition from the club’s owners.

Wolves turned to O’Neil to steady a ship on the verge of sinking this year – a similar experience to his one the previous year at Bournemouth – with the manager taking charge just a few days before the season’s opener.

The opponent? Manchester United. The performance O’Neil’s side produced at Old Trafford was extremely impressive, outplaying Ten Hag’s side for large parts of the game. Though they would end up losing 1-0, they deserved far more; and it offered a template for success this season.

The fact Wolves sit currently 9th in the table, while Bournemouth are languished in 13th, validates O’Neil’s quality as a manager on multiple fronts. And it’s this back-to-back success, across two different clubs in equally trying circumstances, which will have impressed officials at Old Trafford.

O’Neil has quickly grown beyond the role of an assistant, however, meaning INEOS will have to continue looking elsewhere this summer.

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"Time for it to stop": United and Liverpool come together to stamp out odious habit

Manchester United and Liverpool have come together to try and stamp out the odious habit of tragedy chanting that occasionally rears its ugly head at North-West derby games.

The two clubs are not only the two most successful in England but also share the horrific experience of their club living through a massive tragedy.

The Munich Air disaster in 1958 is still imprinted massively in the United psyche, as could be seen in recent commemorations to the event last month.

This was when a plane carrying the Man United squad back from a European tie in Belgrade, failed to take off and crashed in horrendous conditions, killing eight players and 15 more people.

Liverpool themselves suffered a massive human tragedy when 97 of their supporters were crushed to death as far too many fans had been let into their end during an FA Cup semi-final versus Nottingham Forest. This is known as the Hillsborough disaster, as it took place at Sheffield Wednesday’s ground who were hosting the semi-final as a neutral venue.

Despite the fact both sides should understand such serious events, a small minority of fans on both sides are guilty of mocking the other’s suffering.

It even occurred most recently in United’s pulsating FA Cup win over their old rivals earlier this month. An individual was arrested by the Greater Manchester Police after the game for their involvement in tragedy chanting and the Football Association rightfully condemned the events.

Consequently, the two clubs have come together before the next fixture which sees United welcome Liverpool to Old Trafford again, this time in a Premier League match on the 7th of April.

The Mirror report that “the foundations of both clubs have come together to deliver an education programme on the impact of tragedy chanting”.

“Former United defender Wes Brown and ex-Liverpool skipper Phil Thompson – who won 12 league titles and five European Cups between them – were involved first-hand in the initiative”.

“The pair spoke with students about the effect the Munich and Hillsborough disasters had on the two clubs, their supporters and the cities, to give them a greater understanding of their impact”.

“The United and Liverpool foundations have developed the programme in partnership with the Premier League, which has taken a hard line against tragedy chanting by fans”.

John Shiels, CEO of Manchester United Foundation, said: “It’s unacceptable to use the loss of life, in relation to any tragedy, to score points and it’s time for it to stop”.

“We are proud to come together with the LFC Foundation as we believe education will break the generational cycle on this issue and help thousands of young people across this region understand the impact tragedy-related abuse has”.

Mockery and banter are a key part of the football fan experience and nobody would seriously suggest stopping it. However, it crosses a human line when it descends to mocking the loss of life and in reality, much more important issues than football.

Hopefully the two giant clubs can continue to work together to try and put an end to the horrific scenes once and for all.

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The post Manchester United and Liverpool work together to teach young people about the impact of tragedy chanting appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Angry United unlikely to make more loan deals with this club after disgraceful misuse of gifted 21-yo - report

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"Red-hot favourite": United prepared to do whatever it takes to land first-choice Ten Hag replacement - report

Manchester United’s struggles in Erik ten Hag’s second season have left the Dutchman under pressure at Old Trafford.

With INEOS gaining control of the sporting structure at the club earlier this year rumours have been rife surrounding Ten Hag’s future.

England manager Gareth Southgate has been one of the names linked with taking the reins at United, should INEOS decide on a change.

As reported by The Sun, Southgate is the “red-hot favourite” to succeed Ten Hag at Old Trafford and will be joined by key members of his backroom staff.

Steve Holland is Southgate’s right hand man and will join the current England boss as his assistant, should the deal transpire.

Holland is well-versed to Premier League life having served as Chelsea’s number two between 2011-2017, working with the likes of Roberto Di Matteo, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte. He was part of the set-up that delivered Chelsea’s first Champions League success as well as two Premier League titles.

Paul Nevin ad Martyn Margetson are lesser known names but will also be expected to form part of Southgate’s backroom staff. Nevin is currently assistant manager of Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, a position he juggles alongside his role with England.

Margetson is Southgate’s chief goalkeeping coach and could find himself working closely with Andre Onana next season.

He has previously held roles with Cardiff, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Everton and most recently with Steve Cooper at Swansea until 2021 before committing to England full-time.

The idea of Southgate and his team at Old Trafford has been met with widespread pessimism by United fans who have watched England snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in recent tournaments.

Despite the rumours, Ten Hag is still surely best place to lead United into next season and will be hoping for strong end to the campaign, which could yet include an FA Cup success.

United are back in action this coming Saturday as they attempt to make up ground on the top four with a trip to the capital to face Thomas Frank’s Brentford.

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"More points than Pep": Ex-United coach continues meteoric rise as one of Britain's best managers - The Athletic

Kieran McKenna’s reputation as a manager has continued to flourish as the former Manchester United coach has taken Ipswich Town from League One strugglers to the cusp of promotion to the Premier League.

The Athletic have taken a deep dive into the story behind the success of the former United man.

The young coach was brought to Old Trafford in 2016 with a strong reputation and his former boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, lavished praise on him, describing the 37-year-old as the “most thorough and analytical, step-by-step, process-driven coach that I’ve worked with”.

In spite of this, the Northern Irishman was often criticised by United fans and did not seem to have the total respect of the United dressing room during his time at the club. Some players were described as unhappy with his “dry schoolteacher” approach.

However, since joining Ipswich in 2021 to take up his first senior management position, he has not looked back.

The Athletic wax lyrical on the manager’s reputation as a “relentless entertainer” who is “such an impressive manager” because “Ipswich are winning while playing entertaining football. There are goals at the death, dramatic fightbacks and the surging attacks that define his brand of football”.

In fact, since the start of last season, “no manager in English football’s top four leagues has won more points than the Northern Irishman as the Suffolk side chase back-to-back promotions”.

Interestingly, McKenna has won 27 more points than Pep Guardiola at City in this time frame. Yes, it is true that they play eight more games in League One and the Championship than the Premier League. However, the Ulsterman still impresses as he sits third in points per game won with an outstanding 2.13 points per match. Just ahead of Jurgen Klopp, and only behind Mikel Arteta and Guardiola. Not bad company to keep.

Another impressive feat for the former United coach is that he has also been able to turn the whole atmosphere and culture of the club around.

When he arrived at the club, the Tractor Boys had an underwhelming expected goals statistic under both Paul Lambert and Paul Cook however, in contrast, McKenna “hit the ground running and has not seen his Ipswich slow down, even as they have competed in a higher division this season”.

This is probably one of the biggest achievements of the former United coach. It is one thing playing this way in a lower division, but to successfully carry over his risky style of football into an objectively much stronger league is admirable.

Portman Road has loved the evolution of playing style and it has been described as “electric” and has been revitalised with the exciting brand of football being served up in comparison to the drab style of previous coaches.

Consequently, he has been labelled as “arguably the most exciting young manager in England” and if Ipswich cannot gain promotion automatically or through the playoffs this season, he could still end up in the Premier League next year.

Another factor that sets the manager apart is his strength in getting his message across. “His players speak of how effective he is in explaining tactics, each one clear on their role and that of their team-mates. That understanding between players becomes clear when watching any of Ipswich’s numerous and thrilling defence-to-attack goals that are so typical of McKenna’s style of play”.

“Few teams can progress the ball as quickly from the goalkeeper through to attack, leaving the opposition chasing shadows. That type of synchronisation and chemistry between players does not happen if they work as individuals”.

Older members of Ipswich’s teams such as captain Sam Morsy and Massimo Luongo, aged 32 and 31 respectively, have also praised McKenna’s ability to “find new dimensions” to their games and the creation of a culture that everyone can improve.

His young age of 37 is also seen as a positive by the players as they see it as “important in building personal relationships”, especially with the senior members of the squad.

Such progress has seen the Northern Irishman linked to Crystal Palace in February when Roy Hodgson left. It was also reported that he is now a “hot commodity” among Premier League clubs.

Some have even suggested the manager is ready fill the Old Trafford hotseat should Erik ten Hag be sacked at the end of the current campaign.

The Peoples Person has already argued that there is no need to rush an appointment, as he needs time to develop and prove that his impressive style can take root in the Premier League.

However, McKenna is “a risk that has paid off handsomely for Ipswich” and nobody can ague that he hasn’t shown “he is capable of taking a mid-table team and making them one of the best sides in the country. Not bad for a 37-year-old”.

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"Love the fact": United legend throws full weight behind key INEOS transfer decision

Manchester United legend, Rio Ferdinand, has expressed his happiness with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS’ new transfer policy.

In a recent interview, the new part-owner of the club claimed that the days of United chasing after the biggest well-paid stars were gone.

Ratcliffe stated that, “I would rather sign the next (Kylian) Mbappe rather than spend a fortune buying success. It’s not that clever buying Mbappe. Anyone could figure that one out”.

“More challenging is to find the next Mbappe or next Jude Bellingham or next Roy Keane”.

This should probably come as no surprise as it was reported at the end of last year that INEOS, during their presentation to buy the club, highlighted the vast amounts of money wasted on signing big names like Casemiro, under the previous regime.

Therefore, it is hardly a surprise that the club is now reportedly aiming to shed the likes of Raphael Varane and the Brazilian to make way to sign young talented players like Jarrad Branthwaite and Michael Olise.

To be fair to Casemiro, he is just the last in a long list of older, well-paid stars the club has brought in such as Edinson Cavani, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Cristiano Ronaldo and Bastian Schweinsteiger in the post-Ferguson era.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, VIBE with FIVE, former United defender Rio Ferdinand expressed his support for the transfer policy pivot, despite admitting he would love to see the French forward suit up for the Red Devils.

“Happy. Happy. I have to say, we’d take Mbappe – there’s no way we wouldn’t, I would love to see Mbappe at Manchester United in the red shirt”.

“But I do love the fact that he’s talking about generating his own superstars from under the roof at Carrington or buying really early and young, I like that”.

With massive transfer debt and a likely scenario of no Champions League football next season, the club may have no choice but to have to pursue a more creative transfer strategy.

However, most United fans have always generally preferred to create their own stars than simply purchase those from other teams.

This explains the immense excitement that surrounds Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund at the moment. There is much more satisfaction watching these supremely talented youngsters grow and fulfil their potential than just buying a ready-made solution.

A teenage Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo blossoming together in the mid-2000s, eventually leading the side to a Premier League and Champions League double in 2008 should be enough proof to anyone of the potentially massive benefits of such a strategy.

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"More than a friend": Antony names the teammate who's supported him most during tough time at United

Manchester United’s under-fire winger, Antony, has claimed that teammate, Diogo Dalot, has helped him more than anyone during his tough time at the club.

The Brazilian has endured a nightmare second season in England.

It was reported back in the autumn that Antony was being investigated by the police both in his native Brazil and England for domestic abuse.

Furthermore, the winger has been in terrible form where he has failed to score a Premier League goal all season.

Consequently, he has lost his spot as starting right winger with young Alejandro Garnacho making the position his own.

However, probably the biggest moment of the 24 year old’s career occurred last Sunday when he came off the bench to fire home an 87th minute equalizer against Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter final.

The goal was huge as it would eventually lead to United grabbing a last-gasp winner in the 121st minute, as they came out on top 4-3 against their bitter North-West rivals.

Speaking to the club’s website on his struggles, the Brazilian has hailed Dalot as the person at the club who has helped him the most.

“I’m very grateful to God and to a friend I talk to a lot,” said Antony.

“Diogo Dalot is more than a friend to me, he’s a guy who helps me every day at the club. We have a phrase that we always say to each other: the patient guy is unbeatable”.

“We always talk about it. So I’m very grateful to him for his advice, for the moments we had together talking. He’s a guy who’s helped me a lot”.

Antony also revealed that before the game against Liverpool, he felt that there would be a catalytic moment for himself.

“Before the game, I told Diogo that I felt something different. I felt something good. I felt I was going to score today, so I’m very happy about that”.

The Brazil international also went on to lavish more praise on his team as he claimed, “with regard to Dalot, as I said, he’s my best friend here at the club. He’s a guy we’re always talking to, he’s always advising me and his mentality is out of the ordinary”.

Dalot has certainly grown in stature as a Manchester United player under Erik ten Hag as he has become the club’s undisputed starting right back and has admitted that he believes he is playing the best football of his career.

His form and influence on the team has also drawn praise from former United defenders Gary Neville and Mikael Silvestre.

As for Antony, he will hope that with the support of his teammates and a return to goal scoring ways, he can somehow fight the uphill battle which lies in front of him to save his United career.

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