Manchester United in limbo as uncertainty over sale of club affects Ten Hag’s planning
LONDON (AP) — Deep within the bowels of Wembley Stadium, Manchester United co-owner Avram Glazer strode previous a gaggle of reporters looking for an replace — in reality, simply any news — concerning the potential sale of the storied English membership.
“Why are you not speaking to the fans?” got here one shout.
Silence.
United’s disgruntled supporters need solutions.
So, absolutely, does Erik ten Hag.
Speaking after his workforce’s 2-1 loss to Manchester City within the FA Cup remaining, the United supervisor was comparatively calm about his plans for this summer season whereas the Glazer household weighs up whether or not to promote the membership or stay in place by promoting a minority stake or take up different funding choices.
Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe have made declared bids for what might find yourself being the most important ever sale of a sports activities workforce, with the value presumably reaching as much as $6 billion.
So, Ten Hag was requested, does he have two plans for the offseason: one if a sale goes by means of and one if it doesn’t?
“I have only one plan, that is to improve this club and improve this team,” Ten Hag mentioned. “I will fight for this, I will talk to the club about what we have to do for that, but also I have to work with my staff, with my players, to be better next season.”
Pushed on how the sale impacts his planning for subsequent season, Ten Hag mentioned: “At this moment, I don’t want to discuss that. It’s about finalizing the season. We have to be quiet, analyze the season … set the right conclusions and take action.”
This season has proven the quantity of labor wanted for United, certainly any workforce, to catch as much as City.
While the win at Wembley on Saturday turned out to be slender, there was a transparent gulf between the groups within the first all-Manchester cup remaining, with solely a contentious penalty and a late rally maintaining United in contact with its dominant rival.
In the league, City — backed by the wealth of Abu Dhabi’s ruling household — received the title for the fifth time in six years and was 14 factors forward of third-place United.
With Pep Guardiola contracted to remain on for yet one more season, United and the remainder of the league may simply have to attend and hope City’s fortunes dip as soon as the Spanish coach leaves.
There’s little doubt, nonetheless, that United is heading in the right direction underneath Ten Hag, who has led the workforce to 2 home cup finals — successful the League Cup in February — and again into the Champions League.
That didn’t seem seemingly early within the season when United was dropping 4-0 at Brentford and 6-3 at City.
“It’s not about (closing) the gap in the summer, or getting players in,” the Dutchman mentioned. “We’ve been working all season, daily, to develop the workforce, progress the workforce and I’m very proud from the place we got here from the beginning of this season.
“Remember Brentford, but also the Etihad. Now we showed today that our home win (United beat City 2-1 in January) was not a coincidence and today again maybe on another day we could have won this game.”
Ten Hag spoke of “huge decisions” and “major actions” at United within the offseason. He may need been speaking about himself and his teaching workers, and never simply the Glazers.
DE GEA
David De Gea received the Golden Glove award for essentially the most clear sheets (17) within the Premier League, however that can’t conceal the Spanish goalkeeper’s deficiencies which can be holding United again. Aside from some obtrusive shot-stopping errors — like that blunder at West Ham final month — he clearly doesn’t have the technical capability together with his ft to play in Ten Hag’s most popular model. That was additionally showcased towards City, when he botched some clearances both aspect of letting a weak shot from Ilkay Gundogan get previous him for what proved to be the successful aim within the 51st minute. Ten Hag refused to single out De Gea for being at fault however spoke in ominous phrases when requested concerning the goalkeeper. “We are in the right direction — there are occasions in the game, issues in the game, that we have to improve, definitely, if you want to make the next step and win,” Ten Hag mentioned. “It’s obvious.”
MAGUIRE
Ten Hag caught with Harry Maguire because the membership captain after arriving at United on the finish of final season however the England centre again, signed for round $100 million in 2019 because the world’s costliest defender, has slipped down the pecking order. He could be as low down as fifth in Ten Hag’s record of central defenders. It’s a giant name, however Maguire may additionally need to be shipped out, even at a cut-price price.
STRIKER
Buying a striker is United’s precedence within the low season. Ten Hag coped this season with the injury-prone Anthony Martial and on-loan Dutch striker Wout Weghorst, who scored two targets in 33 appearances — and none within the Premier League, as his striker choices, with Marcus Rashford generally beginning up entrance as an alternative of on the left wing. Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen are two potential choices however United can have competitors for them, in the event that they even go away their present golf equipment, and may need to look elsewhere. One factor is definite, somebody wants to return in.
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