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Ten Hag discusses if Zirkzee or Sancho could start for Manchester United vs City
Suddenly, Manchester United look like a team with options, even with Rasmus Hojlund’s injury.
In stark contrast to the middle of 2023/24 – when Erik ten Hag’s starting XI almost picked itself due to that almost unprecedented injury crisis and the lack of depth in forward positions – the Red Devils are in a very different place these days.
Ahead of next week’s Wembley re-match with Man City in the Community Shield, the Manchester United boss may have Alejandro Garnacho or pre-season stand-out Amad Diallo to pick from on the right hand side.
Antony, the £82 million signing, appears to be third-choice these days at best.
On the left, Ten Hag can pick between Garnacho, Marcus Rashford or a revitalised Jadon Sancho.
And, while a hamstring injury rules Rasmus Hojlund out of the Community Shield, Sancho’s USA displays suggest that he can do a pretty effective job as something of a false nine. And then there is Joshua Zirkzee, the £35 million summer recruit chomping at the bit and keen to get going.
And while Ten Hag would not be drawn on whether he or maybe even Sancho would get the nod to start against Pep Guardiola’s side, the Dutchman finds himself in something of a rarified position as he weighs up the pros and cons of various different frontlines.
“They are in two very different situations. Jadon is in pre-season, he is on tour. Joshua had played in Euros, then had his break. Now, (he) started training this week,” Ten Hag said, as quoted by Laurie Whitwell on X.
“We have to assess and we will pick a team capable to win the game against Man City.”
Sancho, offers not exactly flooding in despite a few ‘magic’ displays during Borussia Dortmund’s run to the Champions League final, appears to have been offered a fresh start at Old Trafford.
The England international has caught the eye over in the USA too. He scored the winning penalty in a shoot-out victory over Arsenal and then lead the line effectively in that 3-2 win over Real Betis, dropping deep and making room for the ‘explosive’ Amad and an electric Marcus Rashford to dart into.
In an interview with The Athletic, Ten Hag once again re-iterated that any differences between he and Sancho are very much in the past.
“We left this behind us and we said everything about this,” adds the former Ajax boss, who removed Sancho from first-team contention after a very public dispute back in September 2023. “We know from each other what the standards are and how we want to work.
“When I took over, you need good players to construct a good team and he’s definitely a very good player.”
Ten Hag backs Marcus Rashford to bounce back
Rashford endured a largely miserable 2023/24 campaign. His goals tally dropped from 30 in Ten Hag’s debut season to just eight.
But it is surely no coincidence that the Carrington graduate appeared to carry a far greater threat alongside a link-man like Sancho, his best displays as a Man United player coming alongside unselfish number nines like Anthony Martial and Wout Weghorst.
The prospect of Rashford linking up with the ‘very skilful’ Zirkzee is mouth-watering, to say the least.
“He should fight for it, but we are not robots. We are dealing with human beings. And everyone, you are not always on your best. But he has to prove this point,” Ten Hag says of Rashford, who slammed home a penalty against Betis.
“We will set the conditions, and he is very capable of doing this. The season before last, he scored 30 goals. So, when he is in the right vibe, then he has such a high potential.”
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Dallas Cowboys’ Trevon Diggs could miss 2025 season, will undergo bone graft surgery
Dallas Cowboys’ Trevon Diggs could miss 2025 season, will undergo bone graft surgery
Diggs to miss at least eight months with knee injury
offseason plans as he recovers from injury
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Dallas Cowboys standout cornerback Trevon Diggs has unfortunately seen his season cut short for the second consecutive year. The setback occurred following the team’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on December 9. Cowboys Chief Operating Officer Stephen Jones addressed the media regarding Diggs’ condition, describing the injury as “significant” and revealing it to be a “cartilage issue.” This type of injury will require an estimated eight-month recovery period, sidelining the star cornerback for the foreseeable future.
Although a surgery date has not yet been scheduled, additional information about the procedure has begun to emerge. According to reports from the Dallas Morning News, Diggs is expected to undergo bone graft surgery on his left knee. This particular procedure involves a longer recovery timeline but is considered “the best course to stimulate growth and strengthen the area.” While it’s a challenging road ahead, this approach is aimed at ensuring Diggs returns to full strength once healed.
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The injury is undoubtedly a tough blow for both Diggs and the Cowboys organization, especially as they navigate a competitive season. Known for his exceptional skills in the secondary, Diggs has been a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ defense, consistently delivering standout performances. Losing him for an extended period will require adjustments from the team as they strive to maintain their defensive edge.
What it means for the Cowboys’ season
Jones’ comments shed light on the severity of the situation, but they also reflect the organization’s confidence in Diggs’ ability to recover and return stronger. He emphasized that while it’s a significant injury, the team is committed to supporting Diggs throughout his recovery process. “It’s a tough situation for Trevon and for us as a team,” Jones stated. “But we’re focused on making sure he gets the best care possible.”
The news comes as the Cowboys face mounting challenges, including injuries across their roster. As Diggs begins his recovery journey, his absence will undoubtedly be felt both on and off the field. However, with a clear plan in place and the organization’s support, there’s optimism that he’ll make a strong return next season.
While fans and teammates alike will miss his presence on the field, all eyes will be on Diggs’ recovery process in hopes that he can reclaim his role as one of the league’s premier defensive players.
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ESPN insider slams ‘con artist’ Aaron Rodgers with New York Jets in disarray
ESPN insider slams ‘con artist’ Aaron Rodgers with New York Jets in disarray
After the New York Jets’ struggles this season, an ESPN insider has taken aim at quarterback Aaron Rodgers as he made a series of remarks about the veteran star’s character
ESPN insider Dan Graziano has criticised Aaron Rodgers amid the New York Jets’ struggles(ESPN)
ESPN insider Dan Graziano has slammed Aaron Rodgers as a “con artist” and a “narcissist” – as he took aim at the veteran quarterback for his role in the New York Jets’ shorrible season.
It has been a season to forget for the MetLife Stadium outfit during 2024 as they struggled to a 4-10 record and failed to make the playoffs for the 14th year running. This tumultuous campaign also saw head coach Robert Saleh depart, while general manager Joe Douglas also was fired by owner Woody Johnson.
Meanwhile, quarterback Rodgers has completed 62.5 per cent of his passes for 3,255 yards – his worst showing for two decades – alongside tallying up 23 touchdowns with eight interceptions so far this term. Now, ESPN’s Graziano has turned his ire on the four-time NFL MVP following what has been a turbulent campaign.
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During an appearance on ESPN Radio’s “Unsportsmanlike”, he ranted as he considered whether Rodgers would be released by the Jets at the end of the season. He said: “If the effect of this story is that the organization decides that, ‘well it could be worse.
“Aaron Rodgers isn’t so bad because look at all this other goofiness that’s going on above him’ then the Jets are in bigger trouble than I thought. Because Aaron Rodgers is a con artist. He is a narcissist. He is self-absorbed to the absolute maximum,” he continued in a savage address. “And if he has you fooled — again — that’s on you.
“If the Jets go back to Aaron Rodgers next year, they deserve what they get and it will not be good. Like, they know this. They’ve lived it for the last two years. This is not the answer. If some team wants to do that, too bad for them. But if the team that it just happened to wants it to happen to them again, then that’s — there’s no fixing that. That’s just dumb.”
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has come under fire after his team’s struggles this season
Meanwhile, the under-fire quarterback explained his own thought process as he discussed his long-term future with the Jets during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” in November. The 41-year-old admitted that he is currently undecided over whether he will call time on his career as he weighed up his options.
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Report: Jets owner Woody Johnson vetoed Jerry Jeudy trade for wild reason
Report: Jets owner Woody Johnson vetoed Jerry Jeudy trade for wild reason
Woody Johnson, the owner of the New York Jets, has gotten too involved in team and personnel decisions over the years according to various reports and rumors since he purchased the franchise in 2000.
In the midst of a 14-year playoff drought, the latest update on the 77-year-old’s potential involvement is perhaps the worst report of all.
The Athletic released a piece on the state of the 4-10 Jets and a report in that feature stated that Johnson did not want to acquire wide receiver Jerry Jeudy from the Denver Broncos last offseason… because of his rating in the EA Sports NFL video game, “Madden 24.”
Evidently the deal was expected to happen with former New York general manager Joe Douglas anticipating that to even be the case… but it did not:
“Douglas told the Broncos that Johnson didn’t want to make the trade because the owner felt Jeudy’s player rating in ‘Madden NFL,’ the popular video game, wasn’t high enough, according to multiple league sources. The Broncos ultimately traded the receiver to the Cleveland Browns.”
Instead, Johnson approved of the signing of Mike Williams in free agency last offseason. Williams was eventually traded this season after Davante Adams was acquired.
The Athletic report adds that Johnson has been swayed by “Madden 24” ratings by his teenage sons, Jack and Brick. However, a spokesperson for the Jets disputed that. In addition, Johnson reportedly cited “Madden 24” ratings when making player evaluation in regard to offensive lineman John Simpson as well… that free-agent signing still managed to happen.
A separate report from earlier this season had indicated that New York offered Denver receiver Allen Lazard and a day two pick in the 2024 NFL draft for Jeudy.
The Cleveland Browns wound up trading for Jeudy, giving up picks in the fifth and sixth rounds of the 2024 draft to the Broncos.
Jeudy currently has 1,052 receiving yards this season, which would be the most on the Jets roster. Garrett Wilson leads the Jets with 933 yards
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