MANCHESTER UNITED
Man United: 20 y/o “wonderkid” set to replace out of favoured Jadon Sancho amid rift with Erik ten Hag
Man United: 20 y/o “wonderkid” set to replace out of favoured Jadon Sancho amid rift with Erik ten Hag
The Red Devils should well consider unleashing an exciting young talent in place of Jadon Sancho.
As Manchester United crashed to defeat away to rivals Arsenal in their last Premier League outing, it was yet another day in which the Red Devils’ attacking unit simply failed to click, having been reliant on a rare breakaway from Marcus Rashford to eventually get on the scoresheet.
Remarkably, the Englishman’s first-half strike was the first by any member of the forward line so far this term, with the club’s top-flight goals prior to that having come from Raphael Varane, Christian Eriksen, Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes.
While there is nothing wrong with sharing the goalscoring burden, it represents a sorry state of affairs for those at the top end of the pitch, with manager Erik ten Hag likely hoping that summer signing Rasmus Hojlund – who made a late cameo debut appearance at the weekend – can begin to catch figure following the international break.
One man who has particularly underwhelmed over an extended period of time is £73m man, Jadon Sancho, with it difficult to see a way back for the Englishman amid what has been another turbulent week at Old Trafford.
The fact that the one-time Manchester City man had not been selected in the squad for the trip to the Emirates was of little note initially such is his lowly standing at present, with rumours having suggested that the club were even open to selling the winger during the summer window.
That marks a stark decline for a figure who was hailed as someone who “has got everything” by ex-United defender Rio Ferdinand during his time at Dortmund, for whom he scored 50 goals and provided 64 assists in 137 games.
Now with just 12 goals and six assists in 82 appearances for the Manchester giants, Sancho has simply not delivered what was expected upon his arrival two years ago, with Ten Hag rightly said to be growing ‘increasingly impatient’ with the player.
As pundit Tim Sherwood noted last season, the £350k-per-week dud simply looks desperately low on “confidence” at present, having seemingly not benefitted from a spell away from the first team earlier this year.
Those longstanding woes – as well as his public jab at Ten Hag – will likely ensure that Sancho’s hopes of a regular and prominent role in the side are only set to suffer even further, with it wise to consider who could replace him in the attacking ranks move forward.
Who could replace Sancho at Man United?
It has been hard for the London-born enigma to find a settled home in Ten Hag’s side with both Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho the favoured options on the left flank, while Antony has been the regular pick on the opposite wing.
The Ivorian starlet was particularly impressive last season after scoring 14 goals in the second tier for Championship side, Sunderland, having helped to propel the Black Cats into the playoffs – where they were ultimately seen off by Luton Town.
That impressive campaign likely sparked excitement back at his parent club at the prospect of finally making his mark in the red jersey this season, albeit with injury having cruelly curtailed his involvement so far.
With the 21-year-old – who has scored once in nine appearances for the club to date – having also still yet to truly convince in a United shirt since his arrival from Atalanta back in 2021, it is worth considering alternative options from the academy ranks who can also take Sancho’s place.
Who is Mateo Mejia?
While not a name likely familiar to most of a United persuasion, the 20-year-old – who signed from Spanish outfit Real Zaragoza back in 2019 – has enjoyed an impressive start to the new campaign, with such a promising run of form coming just in time amid Sancho’s woes.
The versatile right-winger – who can also operate in a centre-forward berth – already has three goals and one assist to his name in just four appearances in all competitions so far this term, including a brace in the remarkable 10-1 demolition of Stoke City at U21 level.
That brutal rout saw the promising marksman net the game’s second goal with a somewhat fortunate deflected effort from the right flank, while United’s number seven on the day then bagged his second – and the home side’s seventh – after calmly taking the ball around the onrushing goalkeeper and firing home.
Such composure in the final third is likely to have captured the attention of Ten Hag and his staff, with Mejia evidently a player that the club are keen to keep hold of after handing him a new deal at the end of last season, having seen his previous contract ebb towards its expiry.
The Colombia U20 international was hampered by injury last term which restricted him to just 15 appearances in total, albeit while still contributing two goals and four assists, taking his overall tally in the U21 set-up to five goals and five assists in only 22 games.
That is a far more impressive return than Sancho has achieved during his time at Old Trafford – albeit while operating at senior level – suggesting that there is a chance that Mejia could represent an upgrade in those wide berths, particularly with the current United first-teamer performing so poorly at present.
The likes of Amad and Pellistri may be the names on everybody’s lips, yet it could be Mejia who emerges as one to watch this season.
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.”
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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