MANCHESTER UNITED
Europa League: Manchester United predicted XI as Erik ten Hag faces make-or-break Porto clash
Europa League: Manchester United predicted XI as Erik ten Hag faces make-or-break Porto clash
Manchester United travel to Porto on Thursday evening in a game that could be crucial for Erik ten Hag’s future.
The Dutchman is under huge pressure at Old Trafford after an awful run of form. Club chiefs are happy to stick with Ten Hag for the time being but he faces two key games to hold onto his job.
The Red Devils take on Portuguese giants Porto on Thursday evening. After being held by FC Twente in their opening Europa League clash of the season, a win is certainly needed.
And Ten Hag could be tempted to make changes to his side for a game which will have massive ramifications on the direction of the club moving forwards.
Starting in goal, Andre Onana looks a certainty to start yet again. The Cameroonian has been a virtual ever-present for the Red Devils ever since his arrival from Inter Milan both domestically and in Europe.
With United having invested in defence this summer, Ten Hag looks set to settle on a preferred backline. That would see Diogo Dalot and summer arrival Noussair Mazraoui stationed on each flank.
The ex-Bayern Munich star will be joined by former team-mate Matthijs de Ligt at the back despite his rollercoaster start to life at Old Trafford. Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire both remain out and Victor Lindelof has only just returned which will leave Lisandro Martinez as the obvious candidate for the remaining centre-back berth.
Moving into midfield, Ten Hag has a few headaches to navigate. Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount both picked up issues against Spurs.
Mount hasn’t travelled, but even with Mainoo making the trip, Ten Hag may be tempted to rest the youngster. That would allow Manuel Ugarte to make his second start for the club, while Brazilian midfielder Casemiro could earn a recall despite his difficult season thus far.
Bruno Fernandes endured a nightmare during his latest appearance with the Portuguese midfielder seeing red against Spurs. He has since had that red card rescinded and despite it not taking effect in the Europa League anyway, it seems highly likely that he will play. Fernandes will certainly be keen to make an impression upon his return to Portugal.
Moving into attack, there is scope for Ten Hag to make some changes. Academy graduate Marcus Rashford returned against Spurs and seems likely to hold onto his starting position.
So far, United’s front three has struggled to really get going which could see Amad given an opportunity. The Ivorian has made six starts so far this season so appears to be a good bet to start on the right.
Finally, Ten Hag also has a major call to make centrally. Summer signing Joshua Zirkzee has led the line for the majority of the season but Rasmus Hojlund is now firmly back in contention.
Given how much the Red Devils have struggled, it would not be a surprise to see the Dane recalled. He has made a couple of substitute appearances but could be in line for his first start of the campaign against Porto.
MANCHESTER UNITED
“That particular player was the reason we sacked Erik ten Hag and I have warned Ruud van Nistelrooy to avoid using him.
“That particular player was the reason we sacked Erik ten Hag and I have warned Ruud van Nistelrooy to avoid using him, If he breached the instructions then it will be over for him also”: Sir Jim Ratchliffe warns new Man United’s manager to avoid using ONE player who was the reason Erik ten Hag was sacked
Erik ten Hag has become the fifth Man United manager to be sacked in the last decade with the new club chiefs left unimpressed with his results this calendar year.
The Dutchman won two trophies in two seasons but guided United to their lowest Premier League finish last term. He was kept on by the new board this summer following an end-of-season review.”
However, having won just three of his first nine league games this campaign, Ten Hag has been relieved of his duties after 128 games as manager. Step-in caretaker Ruud van Nistelrooy takes charge while a permanent successor is sourced.
Van Nistelrooy becomes the ninth different figure – temporary or permanent – to lead the club since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013. He follows Ryan Giggs, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick in being among the Scot’s former players to take charge of United.
Earlier this month, Sir Jim Ratcliffe informed Ferguson that he would be relinquishing his role of club ambassador at the end of the season. It is thought the move is part of his cost-cutting exercises at the club, having already sanctioned the redundancies of 250 staff members this year.
However, the 72-year-old – who wishes to see United build a new 100,000-seater Old Trafford – has made clear that decisions regarding the first-team manager are not within his remit.
Asked about the future of Ten Hag earlier this month, Ratcliffe deflected: “I like Erik. I think he’s a very good coach but at the end of the day it’s not my call, it’s the management team that’s running Manchester United that have to decide how we best run the team in many different respects.”
Ratcliffe oversaw a revamp of the United boardroom this summer, with old figures ushered out and new top brass headhunted. Former Manchester City chief Omar Berrada was announced as the club’s new CEO in January while technical director Jason Wilcox was pinched from Southampton.
United had to fork out compensation to Newcastle United when acquiring sporting director Dan Ashworth, who insisted that the decision to keep Ten Hag was made before his summer arrival. United will lose around £17million in sacking compensation to Ten Hag.
Ineos sporting chief Sir Dave Brailsford and Ineos CEO Jean-Claude Blanc are also on the board while Christopher Vivell sits as director of global talent.
While clarifying his role in the managerial turnover process, Ratcliffe urged the boardroom to “to take stock and make some sensible decisions,” having “not been there a long time.”
He underscored: “Our objective is very clear – we want to take Manchester United back to where it should be, and it’s not there yet, obviously – that’s very clear.”
MANCHESTER UNITED
Club statement…
Club statement…
Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager.
Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.
We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.
Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Ten Hag out!! Predicted Man United line up under Xavi Hernandez – as INEOS set to sack Ten Hag if He fails to deliver West Ham game tomorrow
Ten Hag out!! Predicted Man United line up under Xavi Hernandez – as INEOS set to sack Ten Hag if He fails to deliver West Ham game tomorrow
Barcelona legend Xavi has made his stance on Manchester United clear amid reports linking him as a possible replacement for Erik ten Hag as manager at Old Trafford. Ten Hag is under mounting pressure following a lackluster start to the season, with his side winning only three of their first eight Premier League matches.
This disappointing run has fueled speculation about his future, and names like former England manager Gareth Southgate, Brentford boss Thomas Frank, and Xavi have all surfaced as potential replacements.
Xavi’s thoughts on Manchester United have resurfaced from a past interview, providing some insight into his view of the club.
Speaking after Barcelona’s Europa League tie against Manchester United in 2023, the former Barca midfielder expressed respect for the Red Devils and praised Ten Hag for the progress he had made with the team. “I think Manchester is coming back, and they showed their best,” Xavi said in an interview with TNT Sport. “We need to be proud.
I think both teams are more or less in the same moment, in the same position, that we are coming back. I said to Ten Hag now, ‘Congratulations,’ because he’s doing very well and they are Manchester United.”
Xavi’s remarks reflected his belief that both Barcelona and United were in periods of rebuilding, with the potential to reestablish themselves as top contenders in Europe.
He even hinted that future meetings between the two clubs could happen in the latter stages of the Champions League. His praise for United and Ten Hag has now taken on new relevance as discussions about his potential move to the Premier League intensify.
Reports have emerged suggesting that Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada traveled to Spain for two rounds of talks with Xavi to explore the possibility of bringing him to Old Trafford.
However, it seems that Xavi, who is currently enjoying some time away from the game, is not interested in cutting his break short. According to the Spanish newspaper AS, the 44-year-old has no intention of returning to management just yet, even if it means passing up a significant opportunity with a club as prestigious as Manchester United.
Meanwhile, Ten Hag has addressed the ongoing rumors surrounding his job, expressing frustration with the media’s portrayal of his situation. Before United’s recent 2-1 win over Brentford, Ten Hag dismissed the speculation, calling it “noise” created by the press. “Noise is only coming from some of you [media], creating stories and fairytales, bringing lies,” he said.
Ten Hag emphasized that while the team is unhappy with its current position in the league, they remain calm and confident in their plan. He assured that despite the speculation, he believes success will come under his leadership.
The situation leaves Manchester United in a state of uncertainty, with Ten Hag fighting to keep his position amid a difficult run of form, while Xavi, one of the names floated as a possible successor, seems uninterested in taking over at this time. As rumors continue to swirl, both the club and its fans await further developments.
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