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Exclusive: Ten Hag’s Stance on Dropping Fernandes from Man Utd’s Starting Lineup

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Exclusive: Ten Hag’s Stance on Dropping Fernandes from Man Utd’s Starting Lineup

Bruno Fernandes is starting to attract criticism from supporters who feel he should be dropped from the starting line-up, but sources close to Manchester United are indicating to GIVEMESPORT that it is unlikely to happen.

Fernandes, 30, is supposed to be one of the man talismen at Old Trafford but has not weighed in with any goals so far this season and has just one assist in the Premier League. Focus around his drop-off in form comes at a time when manager Erik Ten Hag is beginning to feel new pressure around his position at the club, yet whether the boss is willing to drop his captain remains doubtful.

United have failed to win either of their last two matches and now head into a clash with Tottenham at the weekend in need of a performance that leads to the side taking their chances. One of Manchester United’s biggest fears has been that they would make a decision to keep Ten Hag as manager, but still be faced with a new rising to sack him just months into a new season.

We are not quite there yet but the clouds are starting to gather over Old Trafford and if another storm begins, it would be difficult to see how he gets out alive this time. There is no hiding from the fact last season’s FA Cup final win helped save him from the chop at Old Trafford. The process of sounding out other managers had begun and and it seemed a case of when – not if – he would lose his job, as they conducted a review of his position. Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo scored the goals at Wembley that ultimately saw their boss dodge a bullet but we are now five months on from that moment and there is little sign of real progress.

Erik Ten Hag Under Pressure

Back-to-back draws against Crystal Palace and FC Twente have put Ten Hag under the spotlight. United are mid-table in the Premier League with a goal difference of zero and they have failed to win their opening European fixture. This is not a disaster but they can not score enough goals regularly and are already six points adrift of the top teams in the division.

A clause has been triggered in Ten Hag’s contract that means he is tied to United until 2026 but the fact no commitment was made beyond that shows there was still some level of skepticism to how this would all work out. His task is to now move beyond this stale week and find a way to get his frontline firing. The inconsistency of United has been a problem in terms of turning this team into Champions League material.

Last season their biggest win streak was five matches, while there were two periods where they won three in a row. This season the successes over Barnsley and Southampton is as good as we have seen in terms of a winning pattern and now they face Tottenham, FC Porto and Aston Villa.

GIVEMESPORT key statistic: Manchester United have won just six of their last 19 Premier League games, and just one of their last nine European fixtures after draws against Crystal Palace and FC Twente in the last week.

Sources say that one of the problems that could really hurt Ten Hag is in-game management. Decisions in this sense have seemed to cause issues. Against Palace, United were in the ascendancy for most of the game but his changes in the second half led to a drop off rather than pick-me-up. There were similar problems on Wednesday night as United controlled possession, showed patience but then – after gaining a one-goal lead – failed to put their foot down and kill off the game against Twente.

Ten Hag’s response post-game is often to show credit to the opponents for their performance but selection decisions are going to come under scrutiny in the coming games and there are a couple of key figures central to that. Christian Eriksen has become a favourite of the manager since the international break and his inclusion is in line with Ten Hag trying to create a more compact team. Eriksen looked in disbelief when he realised he was being taken off after 79 minutes against FC Twente – and this is part of the problem they now have.

He was expected to be sold in the summer but has now been played to a point where he feels he is so important to Ten Hag that he will not be replaced – and then when he is, he is surprised and even, perhaps, annoyed. This was Eriksen’s fourth start in a row for United and there is no doubt his levels have been good through this period.

Maybe part of that dismay is attached to the fact he can look across the field and see Fernandes seems untouchable.

The captain, who signed a new three-year contract worth £375,000-per-week last month, has played almost every minute of their Premier League campaign so far and completed the entire game against Twente. But his performances are considered to be below par and there has been some concern about his drop off in terms of key passes and game-opening moments.

He is yet to score this season and his approach play and set pieces have not impressed. Sources believe Ten Hag is close to having a decision to make on leaving him out of the starting XI. Quite when that moment will actually come is unclear, as pressure is rising, but Ten Hag is unlikely to risk upsetting his skipper around big fixtures.

No other player seems to be undroppable, though, so why not Fernandes? Marcus Rashford was left out of the team against Crystal Palace after he found goalscoring form and then, when looking like United’s best route to a winning goal against Twente on Tuesday, he was taken off with 11 minutes left to play.

Fernandes Statistics vs Twente

Minutes Played

90

Touches

76

Key Passes

1

Successful Dribbles

2/5 (40%)

Accurate Passes

39/52 (75%)

Possession Lost

19

Shots

3

There has been some surprise that Eriksen and Fernandes are playing so frequently in the same side as the identity of this team was not supposed to be heading in such a direction. Manuel Ugarte was signed as a Kobbie Mainoo partner and while that can not always be the set-up in midfield, that had been expected to become the regular sight.

Selection dilemmas are part and parcel of his job but Ten Hag needs to find the right combinations that will keep United at a high level across a prolonged period of time.

Sources have indicated previously that Ten Hag has no guarantees over his future being secure for the entirety of this season and past managers Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer both lost their jobs before Christmas.

Finding an identity and showing a convincing level of deserved victories is in order if Ten Hag is to avoid any serious danger of being in the firing line once again.

And if Fernandes remains in the starting line-up, he needs to deliver for his boss very soon.

 

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BREAKING NEWS: Alexander Arnold is disappointed by his friend’s choice to join Manchester United instead of Liverpool . The Liverpool star shared his feelings, saying, “I really thought we’d be thriving together at Anfield! We’ve been successful and winning trophies, so I thought it would be an obvious decision.”

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BREAKING NEWS: Alexander Arnold is disappointed by his friend’s choice to join Manchester United instead of Liverpool . The Liverpool star shared his feelings, saying, “I really thought we’d be thriving together at Anfield! We’ve been successful and winning trophies, so I thought it would be an obvious decision.”

 

Phil Foden, a key player for Manchester City and an integral part of the club’s success under Pep Guardiola, has shared his disappointment regarding his close friend Jarrad Branthwaite’s decision to sign with Manchester United.

Foden and Branthwaite have a strong bond, having played together for England’s national team, and Foden’s reaction reflects both personal frustration and the wider implications of the intense rivalry between Manchester’s two major clubs.

In an open interview, Foden revealed that he personally tried to persuade Branthwaite to join Manchester City, a club currently dominating both English and European football.

Foden believed it was an obvious choice for his friend to move to the Etihad, given City’s ongoing success. “I told him to come to City. We’ve been winning everything, so it seemed like an easy decision,” Foden explained.

To Foden’s disappointment, Branthwaite chose Manchester United instead, a club that has struggled in recent years to reclaim its former dominance. United’s inconsistent performances and lack of trophies have stood in contrast to City’s continued triumphs under Guardiola, making Branthwaite’s decision even more surprising to many.

Despite Foden’s efforts, Branthwaite opted to join United, believing in their long-term rebuilding project and the opportunity to be part of a squad aiming for resurgence.

Foden expressed his frustration, particularly about the missed opportunity to play alongside Branthwaite at City. “Playing with him at City would have been amazing,” he said. Foden’s comments illustrate the disappointment of a player who, having experienced great success with his club, felt Branthwaite’s decision represented a missed chance for the defender to advance his career with a winning team.

The rivalry between Manchester City and Manchester United is longstanding, and in recent years, City has become the dominant force in English football, winning numerous titles under Guardiola. Meanwhile, United has struggled with managerial instability and inconsistent performances since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Despite Anold frustration, he acknowledged that his friendship with Branthwaite remains strong. While he respects Branthwaite’s decision, he hinted at the challenges that come with playing for a club like United, where high expectations often clash with underwhelming results.

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BREAKING NEWS: Alexander Arnold is disappointed by his friend’s choice to join Manchester United instead of Liverpool . The Liverpool star shared his feelings, saying, “I really thought we’d be thriving together at Anfield! We’ve been successful and winning trophies, so I thought it would be an obvious decision.”

Published

on

BREAKING NEWS: Alexander Arnold is disappointed by his friend’s choice to join Manchester United instead of Liverpool . The Liverpool star shared his feelings, saying, “I really thought we’d be thriving together at Anfield! We’ve been successful and winning trophies, so I thought it would be an obvious decision.”

 

Phil Foden, a key player for Manchester City and an integral part of the club’s success under Pep Guardiola, has shared his disappointment regarding his close friend Jarrad Branthwaite’s decision to sign with Manchester United.

Foden and Branthwaite have a strong bond, having played together for England’s national team, and Foden’s reaction reflects both personal frustration and the wider implications of the intense rivalry between Manchester’s two major clubs.

In an open interview, Foden revealed that he personally tried to persuade Branthwaite to join Manchester City, a club currently dominating both English and European football.

Foden believed it was an obvious choice for his friend to move to the Etihad, given City’s ongoing success. “I told him to come to City. We’ve been winning everything, so it seemed like an easy decision,” Foden explained.

To Foden’s disappointment, Branthwaite chose Manchester United instead, a club that has struggled in recent years to reclaim its former dominance. United’s inconsistent performances and lack of trophies have stood in contrast to City’s continued triumphs under Guardiola, making Branthwaite’s decision even more surprising to many.

Despite Foden’s efforts, Branthwaite opted to join United, believing in their long-term rebuilding project and the opportunity to be part of a squad aiming for resurgence.

Foden expressed his frustration, particularly about the missed opportunity to play alongside Branthwaite at City. “Playing with him at City would have been amazing,” he said. Foden’s comments illustrate the disappointment of a player who, having experienced great success with his club, felt Branthwaite’s decision represented a missed chance for the defender to advance his career with a winning team.

The rivalry between Manchester City and Manchester United is longstanding, and in recent years, City has become the dominant force in English football, winning numerous titles under Guardiola. Meanwhile, United has struggled with managerial instability and inconsistent performances since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Despite Anold frustration, he acknowledged that his friendship with Branthwaite remains strong. While he respects Branthwaite’s decision, he hinted at the challenges that come with playing for a club like United, where high expectations often clash with underwhelming results.

Continue Reading

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BREAKING: Manchester United have finally decided to part ways with Erik Ten Hag, decision taken by the board this morning to replace Him with Zidane

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BREAKING: Manchester United have finally decided to part ways with Erik Ten Hag, decision taken by the board this morning to replace Him with Zidane

Zinedine Zidane has one signing in mind if he takes over at Man Utd with the former Real Madrid boss now ‘open’ to succeeding Erik ten Hag, according to reports.

The Red Devils have made their worst start to a Premier League season this term with Ten Hag’s side earning just eight points from a possible 21 in their first seven matches this term.

Man Utd, who have scored just five goals in the Premier League this campaign. are currently floundering in 14th and Ten Hag is now under pressure from media, fans and the board to turn around results.

Ten Hag is expected to be in charge of the Red Devils’ first match back after the international break against Brentford amid speculation the Man Utd board could try and keep him in position until closer to January.

Speaking ahead of the Red Devils’ executive committee’s pre-planned monthly meeting last Tuesday, Ten Hag said: “We always talk, every week. I would say every day we talk so, yeah, I expect I will speak with them.”

Pushed on them being in the bottom of half after drawing 0-0 against Aston Villa, Ten Hag replied: “I think you said it very good – it is external noise.

“Internal we are disappointed and we know we need to do better, especially we need to score more because in this moment after this block of games that’s the area we’re really short.

“All the other areas I think we are doing really well. We have four clean sheets so that says a lot about the defending and the organisation. Also now the defending of defensive transitions we are doing really well, so we are really improving on that point.

“Our build-up play is good – we are calm, composed. We’re creating the chances apart from today.

“I think today we should have created more, but that area in the box of the opponent we have to be more ruthless, more clinical, more killing and we have to work on this.”

There have been rumours of numerous managers being in line to replace Ten Hag if he is sacked with Max Allegri, Gareth Southgate, Thomas Tuchel, Eddie Howe and Thomas Frank among the names linked.

Former Real Madrid boss Zidane is another manager reportedly on the Red Devils’ radar and reports in Spain claim that he ‘would be open to the possibility of landing at Old Trafford’.

And Zidane ‘already has a priority target in mind’ for the January transfer window with the Frenchman demanding Barcelona defender Jules Kounde as his first signing.

The France international has ‘aroused the interest of Zidane’ and ‘would be fundamental to strengthen a defence that has shown serious weaknesses in recent months’.

The report adds:

‘It is no secret that Zidane deeply admires his compatriot, and believes that his incorporation could give the English team a leap in quality.

‘However, FC Barcelona are not willing to let one of their most important players go. The Catalan club considers Koundé to be untransferable, and the player seems to be fully committed to the Barça project.’

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