What the papers say

Patience and support: how Højlund found his feet at Manchester United

What the papers say - Wed, 02/07/2024 - 08:00

Striker had his doubters after struggling to adapt but he is now more considered in possession and the goals are flowing

By Ben McAleer for WhoScored

In August 2022, Atalanta took a gamble on Rasmus Højlund. The Italian side signed the young Dane from Sturm Graz for a reported €17m. The risk initially appeared miscalculated. Højlund scored on his second league appearance for La Dea but that was to be his only goal in 11 outings for Atalanta after joining.

Any doubts over whether they’d made a mistake on Højlund were quickly put to rest at the turn of the year. The young striker kicked off 2023 with a four-game goal run and ultimately ended the season with nine Serie A goals. For a player that started only20 of 38 Serie A matches, that was a fairly solid return, and enough to convince Manchester United to spend big on him last summer.

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Harry Maguire’s assault case appeal on hold after lawyers’ strike in Greece

What the papers say - Tue, 02/06/2024 - 20:10
  • Manchester United player had hoped to clear name this week
  • Maguire was found guilty after arrest on Mykonos in 2020

The Greek court drama that has haunted Harry Maguire is unlikely to end any time soon after the Manchester United defender learned that hopes of clearing his name over his alleged role in a Mykonos assault case will be put on hold – this time because of a lawyers’ strike in the country.

Maguire had hoped this week to finally overturn the 21-month suspended sentence he received for his purported involvement in a brawl on the island. The 30-year-old was described as being “geared up” for Wednesday’s hearing before an appeals court judge on the Aegean island of Syros. But legal action called by the Greek union of lawyers over new tax measures has meant only emergency cases can be heard.

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Manchester United hope Martínez will return from knee injury at end of March

What the papers say - Mon, 02/05/2024 - 16:48
  • Defender sustained collateral ligament damage in right knee
  • Martínez injured in fourth game back after long spell out

Manchester United hope Lisandro Martínez will be fit to return at the end of March after establishing that the injury which forced the defender off against West Ham was not an ­anterior cruciate ligament tear as feared.

Martínez has sustained an injury to the medial collateral ligament in his right knee and will not require ­surgery. The aim at United is to have him back after next month’s ­international break meaning he will miss at least seven games; that will rise to eight if the team make it to the FA Cup quarter-finals.

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Arsenal back in title hunt, Southgate’s obsession with Henderson and more – Football Weekly

What the papers say - Mon, 02/05/2024 - 13:47

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Troy Townsend, and Jacob Steinberg to discuss all of the weekend’s Premier League action

Rate, review, share on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Audioboom, Mixcloud, Acast and Stitcher, and join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and email.

On the podcast today: the panel discusses all of the weekend’s Premier League action including Liverpool’s loss at Arsenal, is Virgil van Dijk showing signs of weakness and is the race for the Premier League title a three-horse one? Chelsea plummeted at the hands of Matheus Cunha and Wolves, the panel praised Wolves and asked, is it too soon to sack Mauricio Pochettino?

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Alejandro Garnacho doubles up to lift Manchester United above West Ham

What the papers say - Sun, 02/04/2024 - 16:09

This joyful affair for Manchester United was graced by a blistering Rasmus Højlund strike and the comical celebration of Alejandro Garnacho’s first goal as he, the former, and Kobbie Mainoo sat atop a Stretford End advertising hoarding.

It was this type of afternoon for Erik ten Hag’s work-in-progress of a team. On his 21st birthday Højlund greeted his finish with a hopping air-guitar mime and when, a little after Garnacho doubled the lead, Diogo Dalot skidded along the grass to block Jarrod Bowen’s shot, a raucous cheer was provoked.

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Manchester United v West Ham: Premier League – live

What the papers say - Sun, 02/04/2024 - 13:33

Manchester United pay tribute to the victims of the Munich air disaster this afternoon, with the 66th anniversary of the crash coming up on Tuesday. Fans gathered around the memorial plaque before kick-off, while 48 relatives of players who died in the accident have been invited by the club to attend today’s game.

Ten Hag has confirmed the decision to swap Varane for Maguire in the United defence today is tactical.

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Can Erik ten Hag fix ailing Manchester United in time to save his job?

What the papers say - Sat, 02/03/2024 - 11:00

Manager must impress Sir Jim Ratcliffe with a depleted squad he was unable to bolster in the January transfer window

Rock bottom of Erik ten Hag’s wishlist as Manchester United’s manager battles to keep his job: the zero fresh recruits he was given when the winter transfer window shut on Thursday to leave him with the same misfiring squad plagued by uneven form, off-field issues, injury and illness. As Ten Hag seeks to impress Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the club’s new 25% shareholder, United were in seventh place before this weekend’s fixtures with 35 points after 22 games, with a goal difference of -4.

Ten Hag’s Premier League campaign is fast threatening to overtake the annus horribilis of David Moyes’s 34-league match tenure of 2013-14. When the Scot was sacked on 22 April of that season, United had 57 points and were also in seventh. They ended with 64 points, 22 behind the champions, Manchester City.

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Ten Hag has 'mixed feelings' after Manchester United's 4-3 thriller with Wolves – video

What the papers say - Fri, 02/02/2024 - 10:29

Erik ten Hag conceded he had mixed feelings after Manchester United’s extraordinary 4-3 stoppage-time win at Wolves, praising his side’s resilience but criticising their naivety after they almost surrendered victory. "I had mixed feelings ... as a manager, when you see when you dominate the game for an hour and you should have gone up with three, four nil by an hour. Because we had the chances and we conceded nothing. But then the way we concede the goals, we should manage that better on the pitch. This can't happen." United led 2-0 inside 22 minutes after goals from the returning Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Højlund but Pedro Neto made it 3-3 in the 95th minute before teenager Kobbie Mainoo’s superb winner less than 90 seconds later.

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Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend

What the papers say - Fri, 02/02/2024 - 00:01

Everton search for their spark, a bitter rivalry resumes on the south coast and a crunch game in north London

Everton marked the first anniversary of Sean Dyche’s appointment by slipping into the relegation zone on Tuesday. The worrying position belies the undoubted progress that the Everton manager has overseen since replacing Frank Lampard but, before demanding fixtures against Tottenham and at Manchester City, his team urgently need to rediscover the spark that has gone missing since the 2-1 defeat by Ange Postecoglou’s team before Christmas. Injuries and constant demands on a small pool of reliable first-team players have caught up with Everton, who have not won in five Premier League matches and suffered morale-sapping home defeats in both cup competitions since last collecting three points at Burnley on 16 December. Dyche’s reign commenced with a tireless home win over north London opposition 12 months ago, when title-chasing Arsenal were beaten 1-0. With the club’s appeal against a 10-point deduction for a breach of financial rules offering no guarantees, he is back to square one in terms of another relegation dogfight. Andy Hunter

Everton v Tottenham, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)

Brighton v Crystal Palace, Saturday 3pm

Burnley v Fulham, Saturday 3pm

Newcastle v Luton, Saturday 3pm

Sheffield United v Aston Villa, Saturday 5.30pm

Bournemouth v Nottingham Forest, Sunday 2pm

Chelsea v Wolves, Sunday 2pm

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Ten Hag urges Manchester United to ‘hammer out’ mistakes after thriller

What the papers say - Thu, 02/01/2024 - 23:51
  • Coach demands more from team after losing two-goal lead
  • ‘We are taking too many risks. We have to learn’

Erik ten Hag conceded he had mixed feelings after Manchester United’s extraordinary 4-3 stoppage-time win at Wolves, praising his side’s resilience but criticising their naivety after they almost surrendered victory. United led 2-0 inside 22 minutes after goals from the returning Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Højlund but Pedro Neto made it 3-3 in the 95th minute before teenager Kobbie Mainoo’s superb winner less than 90 seconds later.

Ten Hag said he was pleased with Rashford, who played 73 minutes on his return after being omitted from the squad that travelled to Newport County for their FA Cup fourth-round victory last Sunday. Rashford was disciplined by Ten Hag after reporting ill for training the morning after being pictured at a nightclub in Belfast.

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Wolves 3-4 Manchester United: Premier League – as it happened

What the papers say - Thu, 02/01/2024 - 22:45

A breathless match ends with a stunning Fergie Time winner from an 18-year-old to snuff out Wolves’ stirring comeback

2 min Casemiro goes long down the middle to Hojlund, who chests the ball nicely for Fernandes. His pass, as so often, is a touch over-ambitious and again Garnacho can’t latch onto it.

2 min Bruno Fernandes kicks off and United knock it around at the back before a long ball just eludes Garnacho down the right. They’re in all white, Wolves in their familiar gold and black.

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Mainoo strike seals Manchester United’s win against Wolves in seven-goal thriller

What the papers say - Thu, 02/01/2024 - 22:33

Nothing is ever simple for Erik ten Hag. The Manchester United manager, these days a perpetual firefighter, has been at pains to say he has the respect of his squad despite Marcus Rashford’s latest misdemeanour and, in fairness, nobody can argue his players are not with him after Kobbie Mainoo snatched victory in style with 96 minutes and 26 seconds on the clock.

Just as it seemed United, 2-0 up inside 22 minutes but pegged back to 3-3 after 95, had gone up in flames, they exploded into life and many of the substitutes on to the pitch after Mainoo, the 18-year-old from Stockport, displayed a handy fearlessness, swivelling clear of João Gomes, nutmegging Max Kilman, driving into the box and then caressing an effortless, right-foot strike low into the bottom corner.

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Like Marcus Rashford, we have all made mistakes. How we react is what matters | Karen Carney

What the papers say - Thu, 02/01/2024 - 15:14

The Manchester United striker can make up for his recent blunder by doing his day job to the best of his ability

Within the story of Marcus Rashford’s trip to Belfast last week there was a lot of detail about what he did: from how many drinks he supposedly consumed to what he ordered for dinner. Imagine being a 26-year-old going through a tough time professionally, making a bad decision and every element being plastered over the papers and websites. Few industries are subject to this level of intrusion, making it important for a young man like Rashford to get the balance right.

I will not condone what Rashford did. It was a bad decision to be in a Northern Ireland nightclub until the early hours on a work day before calling in sick. Although he is young by any normal measure, he has been at the top of this industry for almost a decade and should understand what is and is not acceptable.

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Players do not lack respect for me, insists Ten Hag after Rashford incident

What the papers say - Wed, 01/31/2024 - 12:58
  • Manchester United manager discusses importance of discipline
  • Every player knows where to draw the line, Ten Hag says

Erik ten Hag has claimed his Manchester United players do not lack respect for him despite Marcus Rashford missing training on Friday after allegedly partying into the early hours of that morning in Belfast.

Ten Hag dropped the forward for Sunday’s FA Cup win at Newport County and disciplined him. It followed Rashford being seen in Chinawhite, a Manchester club, on the evening of October’s 3-0 loss to Manchester City, a trip the manager described as “unacceptable”. In September Ten Hag was called a liar by Jadon Sancho for saying the forward was left out of the defeat at Arsenal for not training well.

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Marcus Rashford disciplined by Erik ten Hag but could still play against Wolves

What the papers say - Mon, 01/29/2024 - 22:20
  • Forward allegedly seen at Belfast nightclub on Thursday
  • Club statement says matter ‘dealt with’ and ‘now closed’

Marcus Rashford has been disciplined internally by Erik ten Hag after the Manchester United forward reported ill for training on Friday after allegedly being out partying in Belfast on Thursday into the early hours.

United released a statement on Monday night saying the incident “has been dealt with as an internal disciplinary matter” as a report in the Sun claimed the England player had been out drinking on Thursday before getting a private jet back to Manchester early in the morning and missing training.

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Ten Hag’s next move is key as insipid Rashford tests patience to the limits

What the papers say - Mon, 01/29/2024 - 20:00

Manchester United’s highest earner is failing this season: where is the cold-eyed focus that drove Cristiano Ronaldo to success?

Marcus Rashford is standing before me on a sun‑buttered afternoon at the University of California in San Diego in July. He is 25, in prime condition, possesses a rare talent and scored 30 goals for his boyhood club the previous term. He is also 13 days into a bumper new £325,000-a-week, five-year contract that places him as Manchester United’s highest earner, and the calm of pre-season offers boundless optimism for the season to come. Yet despite this there is lack of warmth and near‑zero eye contact from Rashford. It is a puzzle.

How a player holds himself is his choice, but Rashford’s demeanour that day now feels like a telling precursor of his current campaign. On the pitch, across 26 appearances, he has largely provided insipid displays and a return of only four goals and five assists. Off the pitch, meanwhile, he was seen celebrating his birthday in a Manchester nightclub on the evening of the 3-0 derby defeat by Manchester City at Old Trafford in October, and on Friday he reported ill for training after allegedly being out the previous night in Belfast.

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FA Cup fourth round: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action

What the papers say - Mon, 01/29/2024 - 08:00

George Elokobi inspires Maidstone while Tottenham’s forwards fail to fire in loss against Manchester City

Eight of the 20-man squad selected by Jürgen Klopp against Norwich were graduates of Liverpool’s academy. One of those, James McConnell, was making his first start for the senior team. The 19-year-old from Newcastle slotted in front of the defence, sitting behind Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch. While progressing through the academy, having joined aged 15 from Sunderland, McConnell was a more attacking midfielder and his eye for an assist could be seen when he saw Jones in space at the back post and chipped the perfect cross for his colleague to head home the opener. Like Alexis Mac Allister, McConnell is not a traditional No 6 in the role of defensive midfielder but Klopp offers plenty of freedom to his players. The German earmarked McConnell for the role in pre-season and he has lived up to his manager’s expectations. There is plenty of competition in midfield but McConnell showed against quality Championship opposition that he can more than hold his own in men’s football. Will Unwin

Match report: Liverpool 5-2 Norwich

Match report: Newport County 2-3 Manchester United

Match report: West Brom 0-2 Wolves

Match report: Ipswich 1-2 Maidstone

Match report: Tottenham 0-1 Manchester City

Match report: Everton 1-2 Luton

Match report: Sheffield United 2-5 Brighton

Match report: Fulham 0-2 Newcastle

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Manchester United’s meat-grinding of talent continues to show | John Brewin

What the papers say - Sun, 01/28/2024 - 21:05

Player frustrations echoed the club’s failure to make the most of their recruitment which they will need to return to greatness

So low is faith in Manchester United, it came as little surprise to see them teeter. Two goals up and cruising, then two Newport goals and lurching, this is Manchester United 2024, much like the Manchester United of the past 10 years.

Even if they did escape back across the Welsh border in relief, there are still many more miles to travel, the gains required infinitely larger than marginal if greatness is to return. Even when visiting Newport, 16th in League Two, swapping cava glasses and prawn sandwiches for styrofoam cups and sizzling onions, United cannot be relied upon for serenity.

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‘I will deal with it’: Erik ten Hag keeps lid on absent Marcus Rashford’s situation

What the papers say - Sun, 01/28/2024 - 20:30
  • Forward reported ill for training after alleged nightclub visit
  • Manchester United beat Newport in FA Cup without Rashford

Erik ten Hag said he will deal with Marcus Rashford after omitting the forward from Manchester United’s squad for their 4-2 FA Cup victory at Newport County because of an ­“internal matter”, raising further questions about indiscipline within his squad.

Rashford reported ill for training on Friday, hours after allegedly being pictured at a nightclub in Belfast. The 26-year-old England striker is reported to have attended Thompsons Garage nightclub on Thursday before ­flying home by private jet on Friday ­morning. Rashford travelled to Northern Ireland on Wednesday to visit his former United youth teammate ­Ro-Shaun Williams, who recently signed for the domestic champions, Larne. Ten Hag ruled ­Rashford out of his side’s trip to Newport on Friday because of illness.

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Newport 2-4 Manchester United: FA Cup fourth round – as it happened

What the papers say - Sun, 01/28/2024 - 18:42

Second half goals from Antony and Højlund eased United’s nerves after they were given a scare by Newport

Newport’s Will Evans is a terrifc story. From working on a farm while playing for Cardiff Met University and Bala Town in the Welsh Premier League, to turning professional at the age of 25 and quickly becoming League Two’s premier striker. How he’d love a goal today to burnish his reputation further.

The players are in the tunnel and we’re almost ready to go.

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