Manchester United’s Dutch manager Erik ten Hag (R) watches as Manchester United’s Portuguese striker … [+] Cristiano Ronaldo (C) is subbed on for Manchester United’s French striker Anthony Martial (L) during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on October 9, 2022. – RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
Manchester United needed a stoppage time equaliser from Casemiro to snatch a point against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but the evidence of their turnaround under Erik ten Hag this season came in the 94 minutes that came beforehand. At last, the Old Trafford club appears to have turned a corner.
In many ways, United were the dominant side on Saturday. Chelsea manager Graham Potter was forced to change his tactical set-up in the first half of the Premier PINC League fixture to stop the visitors from dictating. Even then, the Blues struggled to hang on to the coattails of Ten Hag’s team.
It was therefore surprising that Chelsea came within seconds of snatching all three points. This, however, was reflective of the progress Manchester United have still to make under Ten Hag. For all the dominance United enjoyed, for all the opportunities they created, they failed to make that count on the scoreboard.
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 22: Casemiro of Manchester United heads clear of Mateo Kovacic of Chelsea … [+] during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on October 22, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Getty Images
The summer addition of Casemiro has given Ten Hag the security he needed in midfield with the Brazilian getting the best out of Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes around him. Manchester United have an effective midfield unit for the first time since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson nine years ago.
United’s defence has also been strengthened by the signing of Lisandro Martinez with the Argentine bringing the sort of bite and intensity that had been lacking in that position for years. Martinez’s centre back partnership with Raphael Varane has given Ten Hag a foundation to build on top of.
There has been sign of growth in the wide attacking positions too with Antony settling quickly following his summer switch from Ajax with Jadon Sancho starting the season well. Sancho could still contribute more, but Ten Hag appears to have a greater understanding of the England international’s qualities than Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Ralf Rangnick ever did.
In central attack, though, Ten Hag has still to find a solution. Marcus Rashford has proven himself as an effective option when United play on the counter attack, but Ten Hag’s trademark style is more possession-based than that. Anthony Martial’s performances have hinted that he could thrive in the position, but the Frenchman can’t stay fit for long enough to achieve any consistency.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 19: Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United looks on prior to the … [+] Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on October 19, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the greatest goalscorer of his generation, but the 37-year-old doesn’t have the physicality to press from the front and has made clear his desire to leave Old Trafford. It’s clear Manchester United need a new centre forward to take the next step under their new manager.
“It is quite clear we want to win every game and we want, in this moment, to develop the team,” Ten Hag recently explained. “That is what you need and getting in the right position, and we will see where we are when it is March or April. But that is a long road to go. So, for now, I am not looking at the table, I am looking at the process and the progress.”
Ten Hag’s Manchester United are still a work-in-progress, but the Dutch coach is starting to find some solutions in certain areas of the pitch. United are starting to play like a Ten Hag team. However, they still lack a suitable number nine to translate that into results. Until United find they, they will remain a work-in-progress.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 19: Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United warms up on the touchline … [+] during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on October 19, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Getty Images
While Manchester United emphatically came away with the three points against Tottenham Hotspur during the midweek fixtures, the attention quickly turned to the antics and fallout with Cristiano Ronaldo.
After reportedly refusing to come on as a substitute, the Portuguese superstar decided to leave the dugout early and head down the tunnel in what was blatant disrespect to his teammates and club. Ronaldo also left Old Trafford swiftly afterwards and did not join in the post-match celebrations.
Erik Ten Hag subsequently came out to the media to downplay any ramifications and focus on the important result that they had just recorded, but it was among everyone’s lips – selfishly taking away what was the team’s best performance in years.
A day later and Manchester United released a statement to state that Ronaldo would not be in the match-day squad for Chelsea on the weekend. It was reported shortly afterwards that Ronaldo would also be removed from the first-team training sessions and placed in the reserves.
Manchester United’s Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the warm up prior to the … [+] English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on October 19, 2022. – RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
There is no debating among Manchester United fans the adoration they have for Ronaldo, and how important he was last season in terms of his goal-scoring efforts, but there is an acceptance that the Red Devils are now better without.
When Ronaldo is shoe-horned into the team, the overall play worsens. Less presses, less distance covered, less authority given to individuals just by Ronaldo’s presence of being in the line-up. There is, instead, an over compensation of trying to work the ball to the centre forward to appease him.
Erik Ten Hag has come in this summer and stamped his authority on the team from the off. The Dutchman has put together his idea of a pressing system that relies on the sum of all parts to be greater than one.
Ronaldo, at his age and natural physical decline, clearly cannot operate from the front with the type of energy that Ten Hag needs from his side. And with the antics in the summer over wanting to leave the club, there was no need for the manager to shoe-horn Ronaldo into the side from the off.
After the first two disastrous results, Ten Hag has seen an uprising in his team’s performances and results have followed. Manchester United look a better outfit for it and are covering far more ground, well over 100km per-game, than they had earlier on in the campaign.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 17: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United in … [+] action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground on October 17, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Manchester United via Getty Images
Ten Hag has stated that Ronaldo is firmly in his plans for the rest of the season and will be recalled to first team training, but needed to make a statement that carries weight throughout the whole squad.
However, privately, what has happened this week has only aided Ten Hag behind the scenes in being strong on his belief that Manchester United need a new centre forward that is full of energy and age on his side.
Ronaldo provides a headache both on and off the pitch for Manchester United. He might be profitable from a commercial standpoint, but if he is on the pitch, the team play worse for it, and if he is on the bench and away from it, there are major distractions and tantrums that is prohibiting the club’s progress.
For all parties, a split in January works well providing Manchester United can bring someone in for the rest of the campaign. The distractions cannot continue and Ronaldo does not get away with it as much given his limiting performances this season.
Ronaldo was named on the bench but left his seat to return to the dressing room before the final whistle despite manager Erik ten Hag still having two available substitutions.
Ten Hag refused to expand on the situation during his post-match media duties, saying only that he would address the issue on Thursday.
“I don’t pay attention [to that] today, we will deal with that tomorrow,” Ten Hag said when asked about Ronaldo’s behaviour in leaving the bench in the 90th minute.
“The focus today was on a magnificent performance from all the 11 players.
“I have to correct myself, not just 11 players but the substitutes who came on, it was a squad performance.
“We deal with that [Ronaldo] tomorrow. What we see today is 11 players who defend and 11 who attack.”
It’s not the first time Ronaldo has caused a problem for Ten Hag by leaving a game early.
The Dutchman branded the striker’s actions “unacceptable” after he was pictured leaving Old Trafford before the end of a preseason friendly against Rayo Vallecano in July following his substitution at half-time.
“This is unacceptable,” Ten Hag said at the time. “For everyone. We are a team and you have to stay to the end.”
Ronaldo, who has scored two goals in 12 appearances so far this season, was replaced with 18 minutes left despite United needing a goal, but Ten Hag insisted he did not have a problem with the reaction.
“I think no player is happy when he [is taken] off, and especially not Ronaldo, I understand that,” he said.
“As long as it is [done] in quite a normal way, [I have] no problem with that.”
In October 2018, Donny van de Beek, aged just 21, was starting for Ajax against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. By the end of that season, he had scored 17 goals from midfield, one of which came in a Champions League semifinal at Tottenham Hotspur.
A few weeks later, he played against England and Portugal as Netherlands finished runners-up in the Nations League, and by 2020, he had earned himself a €45 million transfer to Manchester United.
But rather than the next step up in a career that until that point had gone from strength to strength, his move to Old Trafford triggered a decline so sharp that when head coach Louis van Gaal names his Netherlands squad for the 2022 World Cup, there won’t be any questions about why Van de Beek isn’t included.
The midfielder was told by Van Gaal he needed to “start playing games” after he was initially dropped from the national squad more than a year ago. Now that he is injured, as well as out of favour, there is little prospect of that happening before the tournament starts in Qatar next month.
It has reached the point where Van de Beek has been written off by most United fans as another bad signing. There was hope in the summer that the appointment of his former manager at Ajax, Erik ten Hag, might kick-start his career in Manchester. But Van de Beek has found opportunities just as hard to come by under the new United boss as he did under predecessors Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick. So far this season he has played 19 minutes of football, and speaking last week, Ten Hag said the 25-year-old would first have to impress in training before being considered for a place in the team.
“He had a muscle injury,” said Ten Hag after the Europa League victory over Omonia Nicosia. “So it takes a couple of weeks. He’s now back on the training grass, so he’s outside doing his work but still individual, he’s not returning to team training. So we have to wait for that moment.”
Van de Beek has got used to waiting. After arriving at United from Ajax, it took Solskjaer more than two months to trust him with a Premier League start in a 3-2 win at Southampton. He was picked for the next league game against West Ham, but after being substituted at half-time at the London Stadium, he had to wait until May to start another game in the Premier League against Leicester at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer’s treatment of a player who was on the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or in 2019 raised questions about whether the Norwegian was ever keen to have him at the club at all. Van de Beek was signed at a time when United were coming under pressure for a lack of ambition in the transfer market, and they were able to tie up a deal quickly after a proposed move to Real Madrid broke down.
A popular member of the squad, his lack of game time baffled some of his teammates, who would regularly make a point of highlighting him in their social media posts whenever he made a key contribution in training or matches.
A loan move to Everton in January was disrupted by a thigh injury, but Ten Hag’s appointment at United in the summer was seen as a fresh start with a coach who had got the best out of him at Ajax. Ten Hag initially said he was “looking forward” to working with his former player, but it wasn’t long before he was issuing a warning.
“Me as a manager and the coaching staff around him can do everything to set the right conditions so he can perform, but in the end, the player has to do it by himself,” he said during United’s preseason tour of Thailand and Australia. “It’s the same for every player, he has to do it by himself. They have to take responsibility for their performance. Donny has the capability. I have seen it, but he has to prove himself.”
Ten Hag insists “chances will come” during a hectic season in four competitions, but it is becoming increasingly likely Van de Beek will have to leave the club, either in January or next summer, to get his career back on track.
Sources have told ESPN that Leicester City are one of those interested, but Van de Beek has a contract at Old Trafford until 2025, with the option of another year, and United would want some kind of return on the €45m fee they paid just two years ago.
Still only 25, there is still time to prove he can be the same player who burst though at Ajax. But time has already run out on his chances of playing at the World Cup, and the clock is ticking on his future at United.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 09: Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United celebrates after scoring … [+] their team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Manchester United at Goodison Park on October 09, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
When the final whistle was blown at Goodison Park on Sunday the Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag did not smile or show any sense of satisfaction that his side had just secured an important and hard fought 2-1 win over Everton.
Instead he had a stern and inscrutable look on his face, bereft of any flicker of happiness, and appeared to be lost in his own thoughts.
This was a man relieved to have won, but who could not be content with the scrappy and often disjointed performance he had just witnessed.
At the end of the game United were desperately holding on to their advantage as Everton launched wave after wave of aerial attacks into their penalty area.
But they managed to repel them all to secure their second win in four days following their 3-2 win over Omonia in the Europa League on Thursday.
That narrow win in Cyprus came with its own frustrations, but taken together these two wins made a statement and showed United have begun to recover from the 6-3 humiliation they suffered at the hands of their local rivals Manchester City last Sunday.
Manchester United’s Dutch manager Erik ten Hag (R) and Everton’s English manager Frank Lampard (L) … [+] react during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on October 9, 2022. – RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
The win over Everton had glimmers of quality, but overall it was the character United showed, and the fighting spirit they summoned that will have pleased Ten Hag the most.
Before the game the Dutchman had asked his players to be smarter and nastier and they showed both of these qualities on an often chaotic night on Merseyside.
Despite the lack of a smile, there was still a lot to please Ten Hag; Ronaldo scoring his first Premier League goal of the season, and the 700th club goal of his incredible career; Casemiro impressing enough to win the Man of the Match award on his first Premier League start; Antony scoring his third goal in his third Premier League game, and even Anthony Martial looking sharp and providing an assist before he succumbed to an injury in the first half.
Ten Hag’s evening did not start well when he saw Casemiro bundled off the ball after 5 minutes before it made its way to Alex Iwobi who gave Everton the lead with an impressive long-range goal that David De Gea might have done better to stop.
United had lost 8 of their last 10 away games in the Premier League, but Ten Hag’s players were determined not to be responsible for another one and began to assert themselves over what was a rather limited Everton side.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 09: Antony of Manchester United celebrates scoring their first goal … [+] during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Manchester United at Goodison Park on October 09, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Manchester United via Getty Images
After 15 minutes, Martial smartly played Antony through on goal before the Brazilian finished with confidence past Jordan Pickford.
The clearly uncomfortable Frenchman was only on the pitch for another 14 minutes before he was substituted and made way for the hungry Ronaldo.
The Portuguese phenomenon turns 38 in February next year and does not want to waste the final years of his career sitting on the bench.
Here was his opportunity to prove he deserves to start in Ten Hag’s side, and he took it after 44 minutes by running on to an incisive pass from his former Real Madrid team-mate Casemiro and finishing with a low and powerful shot past Pickford.
This should have been the platform for United to take control of the game, but they spurned it and let Everton leverage themselves back into contention in the second half.
The sloppiness that had marred United’s loss at Manchester City seven days earlier reappeared, with the ball being given away far too easily. The worst offender was Diogo Dalot at right-back who endured a horrible ninety minutes.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 09: Amadou Onana (R) of Everton ad Casemiro challenge for the ball … [+] during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Manchester United at Goodison Park on October 09, 2022 in Liverpool, England.(Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)
Everton FC via Getty Images
In the final ten minutes Everton sensed they could take something from this game and sent on Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Salomon Rondon to try to exploit United’s relative lack of height in defence.
A series of high balls and corners were sent into the United penalty area, and Everton came close to scoring several times, particularly through the physicality and presence of their midfielder Amadou Onana.
Sensing danger, Ten Hag sent on Raphael Varane with only two minutes of added time remaining, but in this time he still managed to provide some calmness and assurance to the rest of the defence and guide his team-mates to the final whistle.
“Criticism is normal when you have a defeat, especially in a big game, in a derby,” Ten Hag said after the game. “You have to deal with that and learn lessons. We did that. We had a setback of going 1-0 down but we responded much better by sticking to the gameplan and doing our jobs.”
Overall Ten Hag will be relieved that his pair of former Real Madrid players Casemiro and Ronaldo look to be finding their form ahead of a very busy October.
The 37-year-old has seen his opportunities to play restricted so far this season, but Ten Hag believes the winner against Everton could prompt a purple patch in front of goal.
“Every player needs it [confidence] even when you are the best in the world you need it, you need the goals,” Ten Hag told a news conference. “Once they have some goals, they come easier and then the goals come in a flow.
“That is really impressive when you score 700 goals, a huge performance. I am really happy for him and congratulate him for that. I am also really happy it is his first goal of the season in the Premier League. I am sure more goals will come for him.”
Victory for United moved them up to fifth in the table, one point off the top four. It was a crucial win following the 6-3 defeat to Manchester City a week ago and an awkward night against Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League on Thursday.
“Criticism is normal when you have a defeat especially in a big game in a derby, so we have to deal with that and then you learn the lessons and we did, already on Thursday and today as well,” added Ten Hag.
“The first 35 minutes were good, in and out of possession. We had a setback, a goal against, but I think we responded much better and turned it around before half-time, so really good.”
The one downside for United was another injury to Anthony Martial. The Frenchman was handed his first start of the season after already missing games because of hamstring and Achilles problems, but was forced to limp off after just 28 minutes.
“I have to see,” Ten Hag said. “I cannot tell what it is, how serious. Let’s wait the first 24 hours how serious it is and then I can give an answer.”
The summer transfer window is closed for the major leagues in Europe. However, with an eye on January, there’s plenty of gossip swirling about who’s moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Juve, AC Milan, Barca eye Man Utd’s Dalot
Part of the appeal will be that the Portugal international — who has started every game this season for United — has entered the final year of his contract, meaning there is the possibility that he could leave Old Trafford as a free agent in the summer.
However, the Red Devils have the option to extend Dalot’s contract by another year, with it previously being reported by various outlets that United are likely to take up that option.
Nevertheless, AC Milan are hoping that they will be able to permanently bring in the 23-year-old after he spent the 2020-21 season on loan with the Rossoneri.
Juventus are another club looking at him, states the report, with Dalot likely being seen as a replacement for Juan Cuadrado, whose own contract expires in the summer and is deemed unlikely to be renewed.
Finally, Barcelona are also interested in Dalot, although the situation of United States full-back Sergino Dest— on loan at AC Milan — could also play into the thinking of the Blaugrana.
LIVE BLOG
12.28 BST: Chelsea have been linked with a move for AC Milan forward Rafael Leao and, with two clubs facing each other in the Champions League on Wednesday, the story is back.
Corriere della Sera reports that the Serie A side “received several informal offers” to sign the Leao over the summer, with Chelsea one of them.
The 23-year-old Portugal international has been in superb form and the report claims that Milan won’t accept less than €100m, even with his contract expiring in 2024.
11.44 BST: Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic has a host of top clubs interested in signing him, reports Il Bianconero.
Vlahovic, 22, only joined Juve for €70m in January 2022 and has scored 14 goals in 30 games for the club since.
Premier League clubs Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in his services, while Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are also in the market for a No. 9 after the exit of Robert Lewandowski.
11.00 BST: Can Steven Gerrard get Aston Villa back on track?
play
1:26
Steve Nicol reacts to Aston Villa’s 0-0 draw against Leeds United in the Premier League.
09.47 BST: Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli snubbed interest from Manchester United during the summer, claims Sportmediaset.
Locatelli, 24, helped Italy to Euro 2020 success and had been linked with Liverpool and Arsenal after impressing over recent years.
However, United reportedly made a move and the midfielder turned down the chance to move to Old Trafford as he wanted to prove himself at Juve.
09.24 BST: Valencia coach Gennaro Gattuso is confident that captain Jose Luis Gaya will remain at the club beyond next summer.
Gaya, 27, who becomes a free agent in June 2023, has been offered a new five-year contract.
“I think that Jose, our captain, is happy and I look forward to his renewal because the club has made a great effort,” Gattuso said. “We have spoken and I think he is going to sign the renewal. I hope he does because in the proposal the club has made a great effort according to his value.”
The Spain international gained promotion to Valencia’s first team in 2014.
08.53 BST: Former Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez is among the candidates Sevilla are considering should Julen Lopetegui be dismissed, says Mundo Deportivo.
Sevilla have won one and lost five of their nine games this season and Lopetegui is under fire heading into Wednesday’s Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund.
Benitez, 62, has been out of a job since being sacked by Everton in January. The former Valencia and Real Madrid boss has not coached in LaLiga since his departure from Madrid in 2016.
Ex-Valencia coaches Jose Bordalas and Javi Gracia are also reportedly in the running while Jorge Sampaoli, who guided Sevilla in the 2016-17 campaign, is also being considered.
08.25 BST:The Athletic reports that RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku has signed a pre-contract agreement with Chelsea to move next summer.
Nkunku, 24, has been tracked by the top clubs in Europe — including Manchester United, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. And sources told ESPN last week that the France international underwent private medical tests Frankfurt, with a Chelsea orthopaedist present, ahead of a proposed transfer next year.
The Athletic report claims that Chelsea will pay a transfer fee in excess of Nkunku’s €60m release clause in order to land their man ahead of rivals.
08.00 BST: Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag left Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench during the side’s 6-3 defeat to Manchester City out of “respect” for the striker, he said.
Ronaldo was an unused substitute at the Etihad Stadium despite United finding themselves 4-0 down at half-time.
Victor Lindelof, Anthony Martial, Fred, Casemiro and Luke Shaw all came off the bench ahead of Ronaldo, with Ten Hag insisting afterward the 37-year-old did not deserve to be subjected to humiliation at the hands of Pep Guardiola’s champions.
“I wouldn’t bring him in out of respect for Cristiano, for his big career,” Ten Hag said. “The other thing was the advantage that I could bring on Anthony Martial. He needs the minutes, but I don’t want to point it out like that.”
play
2:02
Steve Nicol debates whether Wolves could target a “big name” manager to replace Bruno Lage.
PAPER GOSSIP (by Danny Lewis)
– Romelu Lukaku is already looking towards the summer and has decided that he doesn’t want to go back to Chelsea when his loan deal with Internazionale comes to an end, as reported by Calciomercato. The Belgium international left Stamford Bridge in the offseason and will aim to find a way of persuading Todd Boehly and the club’s executives to let him leave again. The hope is that another loan spell could be an option considering the amount of money Chelsea spent to sign him.
– Fabrizio Romano has reported that discussions between RB Leipzig and Chelsea are taking place about a fee and payment terms over striker Christopher Nkunku‘s transfer. Chelsea aim to trigger the Frenchman’s €60m clause in 2023.
– AC Milan and Juventus are looking at Spezia‘s Jakub Kiwior and Eintracht Frankfurt‘s Evan N’Dicka, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The former has impressed for his club as well as the Poland national team and has a contract that runs until 2025, while the latter’s current deal is set to expire in the summer of 2023, meaning he would be available as a free agent.
– Lazio signed Luis Maximiano from Granada in the summer, but Calciomercato has suggested that he could already leave in the summer after failing to impress Maurizio Sarri. The 23-year-old was sent off six minutes into his debut against Bologna on the opening day and has not played since.
