MANCHESTER UNITED
Jude Bellingham to get dream shirt number with Manchester United transfer on one condition
Jude Bellingham to get dream shirt number with Manchester United transfer on one condition
Man United are one of several clubs monitoring Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham ahead of the summer transfer window.
Manchester United are set to focus most of their energy on signing a central-midfielder and a striker in this summer’s transfer window.
United are set to move to the second phase of their rebuilding project under manager Erik ten Hag. The club invested a record-breaking amount of money in new additions last summer to kick-start the beginning of the Ten Hag era, bringing in the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro and Antony in big-money deals.
However, although it was not a necessity at the time, they failed to strengthen their attacking ranks with a new centre-forward. It is a position they must strengthen as a matter of urgency ahead of next season, with injury-prone Anthony Martial and loanee Wout Weghorst their only current options.
Tottenham Hotspur ace Harry Kane, who is Ten Hag’s preferred target, and Napoli star Victor Osimhen have been sounded out as leading candidates to strengthen the Reds’ forward options. Both players are held in very high regard by their clubs, meaning United have their work cut out if they are to land either of them.
The Reds also want to recruit a younger and more dynamic central-midfielder, not only to bolster their midfield options but to bring the average age of that position within the team down. United, of course, chased Barcelona and Netherlands ace Frenkie de Jong for long periods last summer and have refused to rule out the prospect of a fresh pursuit for his signature this forthcoming summer.
Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham is another player United remain interested in, also refusing to rule out a second move for him. The England international, 19, is considered one of the hottest properties in world football and is continuing to go from strength to strength with both club and country.
He is expected to have a lorry load of suitors ahead of the transfer window opening, meaning the task of luring him to Old Trafford would be difficult. But even though United accept they are not at the front of the queue in the race for the former Birmingham City youngster, that’s not to say they cannot move through the field and put themselves in pole position, especially if a takeover comes to fruition by the summer and sufficient funds are available for Ten Hag to strengthen his squad.
It is understood that Ten Hag has told confidants that if he could sign any player in the world it would be Bellingham. The midfielder is a generational talent and United did attempt to sign him ahead of him joining Dortmund in 2020.
Therefore, if United are successful in the race to sign the box-to-box midfielder and bring him back to England, it would be a statement signing that would send out a powerful message. With that said, if he was to complete a move to Old Trafford, you can guarantee that no shortage of supporters would want his name on the back of their 2023/24 replica shirts. But what number would he claim in event of sealing a move to M16?
Currently, the England ace wears the No.22 shirt for Dortmund – a number that he has donned throughout his club career. He has also worn it on the international stage, wearing it during the World Cup in Qatar at the end of last year.
He sports the No.22 shirt because he was told, as a youngster in Birmingham’s academy, that he could play as a No.4, a No.8 or a No.10. Adding those three numbers together, of course, gives you 22, meaning it is a number that has always stuck with him.
At the moment, the No.22 shirt at United is occupied by goalkeeper Tom Heaton. However, his contract is due to expire at the end of this season, meaning he could leave Old Trafford and free up the number. The former Burnley shot-stopper does, however, have the option of an additional year that could be activated, meaning Bellingham, if he was to join United, may have to ask Heaton if he’d be prepared to swap.
Heaton, who has won the No.22 shirt at several junctures during his career, has made two appearances for United this season and it remains to be seen if his deal will be extended by a further 12 months. He turns 37 next month and the Reds have some big decisions to make in the goalkeeping department in the coming months.
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.
- NFL6 days ago
SO BADLY: ”We haven’t done any thing reasonable since he came in.” In a surprising and awkward moment that has left fans and analysts buzzing
- NFL3 days ago
Taysom Hill and Gayle Benson Explain Why the Saints Are a Different Team Under Darren Rizzi
- NFL4 days ago
REPORT: “That’s why I want to make a promise to you today” Drew Brees Shares Heartfelt Message with New Orleans Saints
- NFL3 days ago
SAD: ALVIN KAMARA said “It’s sad to be number 1, and my father didn’t see anything. He didn’t see me receive the award
- NFL6 days ago
“You Can’t Make This Stuff Up;” Green Bay Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur Reveals latest Marshawn Lloyd Injury Worries
- NFL4 days ago
DONE DEAL: “It’s dream come true” after Agreement reached as Drew Brees becomes New Orleans Saints New General Manager
- NFL3 days ago
APPRECIATION: Alvin Kamara express gratitude: “My appreciation goes to my team owner
- NFL3 days ago
“A penalty could’ve been called but….” Furious Bears to Appeal Green Bay Packers’ blocked field goal over to league office