Manchester Evening News

Manchester United have a mixed bag of fixtures to come after a thrilling 3-3 draw against Porto in the Europa League.

The Reds got off to a perfect start in Portugal as Marcus Rashford cut inside from the left-hand side to fire a strike which beat Diogo Costa at his near post. A bad night for the Portuguese goalkeeper became worse as Rasmus Hojlund managed to squeeze a shot underneath him on 20 minutes.

Erik ten Hag's men were pegged back when their confidence was flowing though as Pepe followed up from Andre Onana's good save to make it 2-1. And it was all level again less than ten minutes later as Samu Omorodion beat Matthijs de Ligt from a cross which found the roof of the net.

Incredibly the collapse was completed five minutes into the second half as Omorodion bagged his brace as the defensive line was caught napping. Bruno Fernandes was then sent off with less than ten minutes remaining which looked to have sealed defeat but up stepped Harry Maguire in stoppage time to power a header in and secure a point.

With a crucial run of matches ahead for the Reds, MEN Sport has taken a look at how their next five fixtures stack up to their top-four rivals either side of the October international break.

United's next five fixtures

Aston Villa (A) - October 6 - Premier League

Brentford (H) - October 19 - Premier League

Fenerbahce (A) - October 24 - Europa League

West Ham United (A) - October 27 - Premier League

Leicester City (H) - October 30 - Carabao Cup

MEN Sport's verdict: Sadly in their current predicament no game is easy for the Reds but they will be hoping they can capitalise on Villa suffering 'After the Lord Mayor's Show' syndrome on Sunday at Villa Park. Unai Emery's side will be full of confidence after defeating Bayern Munich but United will be desperate for a result after their start to the season. Victories over Brentford and West Ham in the Premier League won't necessarily save Ten Hag but will likely cost him his position at Old Trafford if they fall to defeat. Meanwhile, a reunion with Jose Mourinho may be the last thing the Reds need in the precarious place they find themselves in.

Chelsea's next five fixtures

Nottingham Forest (H) - October 6 - Premier League

Liverpool (A) - October 20 - Premier League

Panathinaikos (A) - October 24 - Conference League

Newcastle United (H) - October 27 - Premier League

Newcastle United (A) - October 30 - Carabao Cup

Tottenham Hotspur's next five fixtures

Brighton and Hove Albion (A) - October 6 - Premier League

West Ham United (H) - October 19 - Premier League

AZ Alkmaar (H) - October 24 - Europa League

Crystal Palace (A) - October 27 - Premier League

Manchester City (H) - October 30 - Carabao Cup

Aston Villa's next five fixtures

Manchester United (H) - October 6 - Premier League

Fulham (A) - October 19 - Premier League

Bologna (H) - October 22 - Champions League

AFC Bournemouth (H) - October 26 - Premier League

Crystal Palace (H) - October 30 - Carabao Cup

Newcastle United's next five fixtures

Everton (A) - October 5 - Premier League

Brighton and Hove Albion (H) - October 19 - Premier League

Chelsea (A) - October 27 - Premier League

Chelsea (H) - October 30 - Carabao Cup

Arsenal (H) - November 2 - Premier League

Erik ten Hag has revealed he held talks with Sir Jim Ratcliffe about potential improvements at Manchester United following their embarrassing 3-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur.

Despite extending his contract just months ago for an additional year, Ten Hag's future at Old Trafford has been uncertain since last summer when Man Utd officials were openly looking for a suitable replacement.

United's unsettling performances so far this season have seen them fall to 13th in the Premier League table. And this drop in form has prompted some reports that Ten Hag may even only have two matches left to save his job.

Speaking to Sky Sports off the back of the crushing defeat on Sunday (September 29), which closely mirrored their previous 3-0 defeat to arch-rivals Liverpool, Ten Hag discussed his fresh conversations with Ratcliffe this week.

"We're talking continually, but we are talking about how we can improve the process," he explained, emphasising the sense of urgency shared between the team and its supporters. "We are all very impatient and our fans are and they are entitled to but we are definitely as well."

He also reflected on the impact of the defeats, expressing both the frustration felt and the motivation derived from it. "We want to win every game," he continued. "And when we are losing, everyone is disappointed, frustrated, but it's also our fuel to get better."

Amidst the uncertainty, talk continues to surround Ten Hag's new assistant and United icon Ruud van Nistelrooy, who is reportedly a popular figure within the camp. Some have suggested he could potentially step into a caretaker role if necessary, reports the Mirror.

When questioned about how his team can recover in crucial upcoming matches against Porto and Aston Villa, Ten Hag emphasised: "The most important [issue] to address is one you always need, to keep the belief.

"[To] stay in the game, you need to keep the belief so that's the most important message that we have to give because if you lose your faith you lose everything isn't it? We have to keep going and stick to the plan and move on."

Erik ten Hag claims he is in constant talks with the Manchester United board and is not nervous, despite calls growing for him to be sacked.

Following a damning 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday - that included a now-rescinded Bruno Fernandes red card - the Dutchman has been under extreme fire from fans and pundits alike as the club struggle for form this season.

The once-dominant force in English football have just two wins from six matches, drawing away to Crystal Palace and losing to Brighton, arch-rivals Liverpool and, most recently, Spurs.

The United boss spoke to Sky Sports about his mindset following this run of bad form and claims he is not "anxious" if the games against Porto and Aston Villa don't go well this week.

He said: "I'm not thinking about it. I'm not anxious as well, and we are in here together, we made [plans] in the summer, togetherness, the ownership, the leadership, this agreement, and we are all behind it.

"We knew, also, what the strategy was with young players in the transition period and we know then also in which process they can come, this can happen but they also know in the end when we are in May, all my last six seasons, there were trophies and that is why we are also now aiming for."

A draw with FC Twente at Old Trafford in the Europa League dampened fans expectations for United's European desires this season, and the next few games are not favourable for Ten Hag and his squad.

With a tough away fixture to Porto on Thursday, United need to take maximum points from this game in order to appease the fans - and move from 20th in the Europa League table. Should Ten Hag's men not win, they could end up dropping out of the play-off round section of the table, and slip down to the bottom.

In terms of the Premier League, a defeat to Aston Villa away from home could see them slip further down the table towards the relegation zone - with West Ham and Leicester City dealt easier fixtures against Ipswich Town and Bournemouth at the weekend.

Should teams below them grab three points and United drop any more points, they could end up potentially 15th in the Premier League table - a place that could cost Ten Hag his job.

Ten Hag has been under scrutiny before at United, after bad runs of form both domestically and in Europe – but many believe this could be the final straw for new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Ex-Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick's sage advice on transfers seems more pertinent than ever following Erik ten Hag's recent dealings in the market.

Despite the support of new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has provided both a vote of confidence with a contract extension and a hefty transfer kitty of just under £200million, Ten Hag's third season at the helm has begun disastrously.

With a meagre tally of two victories from six matches and suffering twin 3-0 humiliations at the hands of arch-rivals Liverpool and, more recently, Tottenham, the recruitment strategy at Old Trafford appears to be faltering still.

Newcomers such as Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Ugarte, despite being early in their United careers, have not yet made a significant impact.

Rangnick, during his tenure, gave a candid assessment, acknowledging that the club required a thorough overhaul and that any new acquisitions had to be carefully chosen, top-quality, and a perfect fit to bridge the gap with the frontrunners of the league. This cautionary statement, it seems, has gone unheeded, reports the Mirror.

"If you look at those two clubs who are currently dominating the Premier League [Manchester City and Liverpool], they did exactly that [rebuild]," Rangnick pointed out in 2022 following a 4-0 drubbing by Liverpool.

"They brought in two managers, but not only did they bring in two managers, but they also changed the whole thing with regard to formation and what kind of players we need. I mean, the headline of everything was, 'how do we want to play.' The team needs a rebuild, and therefore, for me, it's clear that there will be six, seven, eight, maybe ten new players.

"Before you sign those players, you need to be aware of who you want to play and what kind of football the new manager wants to play. Then, take it from there. Bring every single player fitting into that kind of profile."

Alas, the United board did not heed this advice, and Rangnick's tenure ended with him moving on to the Austrian national team set-up in April. Rangnick was candid about the board's reluctance to pursue certain attacking players, even naming those he believed would have made a difference.

"The answer at the time was: 'No, there is no player on the market that would really help us'," Rangnick revealed in May 2022. "But, there were a few, there were a few.

"[Luis] Diaz, who is now at Liverpool, [Julian] Alvarez who will be at Manchester City this summer, [Dusan] Vlahovic, who at the time still was with Fiorentina, so. Those are just three of them of them that come across my mind now.

"I spoke to the board and said: 'Shouldn't we at least speak and try and analyse if we could get a player either on loan or as a permanent deal?' But in the end, the answer was no."

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Rangnick's remarks have resurfaced on social media after United's disappointing start to the season and the heavy defeat by Spurs, with supporters quick to commend his foresight.

One fan succinctly put it: "This man knew the problem," while another voiced their concern: "Man Utd signings have been horrendous. It's more like a player having a breakout season and Man Utd decides to buy him. I don't think there's any pre analysis over what kinda player is needed."

Another supporter suggested that Rangnick should have been given more time at the helm, commenting: "Should have stuck with this man and got rid of the rot in the players."

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, has suggested that Bruno Fernandes' dismissal was a result of the pressure his team applied during their impressive 3-0 victory over Manchester United on Sunday.

Spurs showcased their skills at Old Trafford, taking the lead within three minutes thanks to Brennan Johnson. The game took a turn when United's captain, Fernandes, was sent off for a high boot on James Maddison.

Tottenham capitalised on this, with Dejan Kulusevski scoring the second goal after half-time and Dominic Solanke adding a third. Despite Fernandes' insistence that it was 'never a red', claiming it was a foul but not worthy of a dismissal, Postecoglou chose not to engage in the debate about the fairness of the sending off. Instead, he highlighted how it occurred after Spurs had put United under 'enormous' pressure.

"I think it was a consequence of how we were going in the game," he said. "Just putting enormous pressure on them. The amount of chances that we were creating, we weren't letting them get out of their half. It was a strong all-round performance."

The Australian coach conceded that his team could have scored more goals, but he commended his players for their quick start and control of the game after United were reduced to ten men," he added. "I thought it was an outstanding performance. Started the game really well, scored a great goal, should have had two or three and been away. They get a red card and we control the game really well. Just an outstanding effort from the lads."

Fernandes was adamant it wasn't a red, telling the media after the game and firmly disagreed with the decision. "I agree that it is a foul but it is never a [sending off]," he told reporters. "The referee tried to tell me that as he saw it was a clear contact with the studs, no. I didn't touch him with the studs or even the foot, it was my ankle. It is a clear foul."

The outcome puts immense pressure on United's manager Erik ten Hag following consecutive 3-0 defeats at home - the previous loss being against Liverpool in their last Premier League match at this venue.

However, Ten Hag remained resolute during his post-match press conference, asserting that the club's hierarchy, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, continues to support him after choosing to retain the Dutchman over the summer.

"No I am not thinking about [being sacked]," Ten Hag said. "We all made this decision to stay together in summer, as ownership group, leadership group. Also we made the decision, after a clear review, what we have to improve as an organisation and how to construct a squad."

"All the decisions were made in togetherness, also knowing it would take some time. We are all there on one page, one boat, the ownership, the leadership group, the staff, players too."

Dermot Gallagher reckons that it was the wrong decision to send Bruno Fernandes off.

The Manchester United captain was shown a straight red card on the stroke of half-time in Sunday afternoon's 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur - the first of his United career. Fernandes appeared to slip while trying to track James Maddison's run, catching the Spurs playmaker as he goes to ground.

On-field referee Chris Kavanagh wasted no time and brandished a red card while VAR sided with the decision that the motion from the Portuguese international was serious foul play. As a result, pending an appeal, he will miss the club's next three Premier League matches amid mounting pressure on his manager, Erik ten Hag.

ALSO READ: Fernandes reveals what Maddison told him after United red card vs Tottenham

ALSO READ: United set to stick with Ten Hag this week as he's pictured arriving at Carrington

Former Premier League referee, Gallagher, speaking on Sky Sports show Ref Watch, felt that the official made the wrong decision and that his view of the incident was obscured.

"Right, a lot of debate. Look, that's referee's view, I don't think he can see it, that's my first point.

"I don't think the referee sees the challenge happen. The assistant flags it, he has a different view and angle.

"If you run it on, this is the assistant's view, you can understand why the assistant would relay that it's high and off the ground because he's caught him high."

Gallagher went on: "When you play it through, you see it's a glancing blow, he doesn't catch him as he thinks. I can understand the referee not seeing it, he has to go off the assistant's view on that, he think it's high and caught him, but he hasn't. It's an optical illusion when you see it, a more palatable decision would've been a yellow card."

On the intervention of VAR, he added: "I can't answer it because they talk about the threshold. I'm not a referee's coach and never would be, but those headsets, the assistant has passed it on, the referee hasn't seen it. But he's got time, he's blown his whistle, at that point time is the only ally. I wonder if he goes to the assistant they confer, they might come to the same conclusion, it might look better.

"I don't think many people, at the time, thought the assistant had any input. You hear people say the referee was quick to get the red card out. The referee was led and, in my view, the referee was led incorrectly because of that angle we saw. If you pull all your resources together, I think you come to a far different decision.

"I think the angle from the assistant, that will deceive him," Gallagher continued. "From that angle, he will say that his foot looked high, but he can't see his point of contact. He can't see the intensity or the momentum he's gained in that - I don't think he has because he's come from such a short distance and that's why it's not a red card.

"I can understand the referee not seeing it, but the assistant seeing it conveys that message, but it's got lost."

Ineos have launched a new Manchester United project but they face PR disaster to make it work

In hindsight, this wasn't a great week for 'Project 150' to leak out of Old Trafford. As Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos appointments are beginning to find out, Manchester United and parody have become close pals in recent years.

Maybe United's majority decision-makers are simply hoping to speak it into existence. Following the old maxim that if you say it often enough it will happen. We lost 3-0 at home to Tottenham? Don't worry about that, we're going to win the league in 2028. We've even got a project name for it.

To bring Project 150 to fruition, who do Ineos see as the manager to deliver? Is it Ten Hag? Do they see something that so many others don't? It's almost impossible to envisage it happening. Right now, Ten Hag's personal Project 150 is to survive another 27 games to reach that milestone on the job.

Even that looks unlikely right now. Ineos are going to have to face the PR disaster that is paying off a manager they have just given an extended contract to, at a time when they made 250 staff redundant. Maybe there's a project name for that. If there is, it's probably unprintable.

Read Tyrone Marshall's full column, here.

RAILSTON: Manchester United fans are beginning to accept Erik ten Hag reality

Manchester United fans desperately wanted Erik ten Hag to be the manager to take the club back to the summit but with the benefit of hindsight they backed the wrong horse.

It looks like Ten Hag is nearing the finish line at Old Trafford and Sunday's heavy defeat to an ordinary Tottenham side felt like a significant turning point among fans. The Stretford End was defiant in the second half but they have seen enough. It's rare United fans turn on the manager, but supporters made an early exit from the stadium in their droves and nobody could blame them for wanting to be put out of their misery.

Read the full column, here.

Man Utd owners told they made Erik ten Hag's Man Utd job 'impossible' with decision

Alan Shearer has suggested that Erik ten Hag has been left with an "impossible" task at Manchester United after the club's owners openly sought his replacement during the summer.

On Monday's (September 30) episode of The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer, alongside co-hosts Gary Lineker and Micah Richards, argued that INEOS - under the leadership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe - conducting a public search for Ten Hag's potential successor over the summer has put the 54-year-old in an untenable position at Old Trafford.

"As soon as it came out in the summer that Man United were looking at other managers, the manager was on a losing run," said the Newcastle legend.

"Even though he had his FA Cup win last year which was brilliant and they deserved to win it, as soon as it came out that they were looking at other managers last year, they just did not help him at all. It was virtually going to be impossible for him."

Read the full story, here.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy interim, January clear out - Erik ten Hag Man United sack verdict

The pressure is mounting on Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag following their dismal 3-0 defeat against Tottenham.

United, who saw Bruno Fernandes just before half-time, were comprehensively beaten at home courtesy of goals from Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke. The Old Trafford club started on the back foot and went behind within three minutes, as Johnson tapped home at the back post after Micky van de Ven's fine solo run and cross. As United were preparing to go into the half-time break just one behind, Fernandes was shown a straight red card for a late challenge on James Maddison.

That made the task even harder for Ten Hag's side, who went 2-0 down moments after the interval, with Kulusevski expertly tapping home from close-range. Although United started to grow into the game, they were hit with a suckerpunch in the 77th minute as Solanke fired the ball beyond Andre Onana.

It ended 3-0, and there were boos from the United faithful after the full-time whistle. The defeat moves United down to 12th and behind Brentford on goal difference, having picked up just seven points from their opening six Premier League matches. They have also lost their last two top-flight home matches, having suffered defeat to Liverpool by the same scoreline four weeks ago.

Some have called for Ten Hag to be sacked after United's latest humiliating defeat, while others believe he deserves more time to turn it around. With this in mind, our Manchester Evening News writers deliver their verdict on his future and whether he should be dismissed...

Read the full story, here.

I saw Ruud van Nistelrooy do what Man United boss Erik ten Hag couldn't during Tottenham loss

As Tottenham prepared to take a wide free kick, the camera turned to Ten Hag again. This time he was sat on the bench, next to coach Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The two were in deep conversation over the game. While Ten Hag cut a frustrated figure with his input, including gesturing towards the pitch, van Nistelrooy appeared to be staying cool and calm during the conversation, not taking his eye off what was happening on the pitch.

The former striker was linked with some Premier League managerial positions over the summer, but he returned to Old Trafford to be part of Ten Hag’s backroom staff. The 48-year-old was PSV Eindhoven boss for a year, leading the Dutch side to victory in the Dutch Cup.

Read our full moments missed piece from yesterday's defeat to Spurs, here.

United make Ten Hag decision

Manchester United are set to stick with Erik ten Hag for now but the Dutchman faces a defining week as he battles for his Old Trafford future.

The pressure is building on the 54-year-old after a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Tottenham at Old Trafford on Sunday left United languishing in 12th in the Premier League. They have won just three of nine competitive fixtures this season.

Ten Hag arrived at Carrington at 7.30am on Monday and he is set to remain in charge for the Europa League trip to Porto on Thursday and the Premier League fixture at Aston Villa on Sunday.

Read the full story from Samuel Luckhurst and Tyrone Marshall, here.

Erik ten Hag speaks out on Manchester United future after Tottenham drubbing

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag insists he is not concerned about his future despite a second successive 3-0 Premier League home defeat.

"No, not thinking about this," Ten Hag replied when asked about his future. "We all made a togetherness, this decision, to stay together as an ownership, as a leadership group in the summer.

"And also we made the decision from a clear review, what we have to improve as an organisation and how we want to construct a squad. They are all decision-making in togetherness.

"But we also knew it will take some time because of how the window went, some players were late in like Ugarte, we have to integrate him now. Also, we had to make some improvements in organisation, we still have to deal with some injuries, impact players. We will get better there, we need some time.

"We are all there on one page, one boat, together, the ownership, the leadership group, the staff, the players’ group as well, so I don’t have that concern.

"Of course, there’s always a new game, there will be a new day and it’s also obvious you have to learn as a team."

Read the full story, here.

Jadon Sancho, currently on loan at Chelsea from Manchester United, appeared to repost a picture of celebrations from a Blues game moments after his parent side's defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. United's performance against Spurs at Old Trafford on Sunday was poor, with Brennan Johnson scoring early on and Bruno Fernandes receiving a red card.

Dejan Kulusevski then doubled Spurs' lead shortly after half time, and Dominic Solanke sealed Spurs' victory late in the game. This loss leaves United 12th in the table, equalling their worst start in Premier League history. The pressure is mounting on Erik ten Hag, whose position is increasingly precarious. Sancho, set for a permanent move to Chelsea next summer, appeared to take to social media after United's defeat.

Shortly after the final whistle at Old Trafford, he reposted a tweet from Chelsea's official account showing him celebrating with teammate Cole Palmer during Chelsea's 4-2 win over Brighton. The post was accompanied by a blue heart and a smiley emoji, reports the Mirror.

Since moving to Stamford Bridge Sancho has had a promising start, with three assists in as many games. He was also denied his first goal for the club due to a close VAR offside call against Brighton.

"Overall, I was just happy to play at Stamford Bridge for the first time as a Chelsea player," he said after the Brighton game. "It was a great feeling and I really appreciated the reception I got from the fans."

"It was a great feeling [to get a standing ovation from the fans] and my family and friends were in the crowd for the game, so that made it extra special. "I'm happy to have been able to assist for goals in recent games, I'm settling in well here and I just want to keep this momentum going and keep being able to assist my team-mates.

"Or even get a first goal, that would be nice!" Sancho is set to return to the pitch in midweek when Chelsea clash with Gent in the Europa Conference League, followed by a Stamford Bridge welcome for Nottingham Forest.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has aimed a dig at Gary Nevile and Manchester United after their 3-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur.

Erik ten Hag's side found themselves behind after just three minutes as Brennan Johnson was on hand to follow Micky van de Ven's mazy run. Their task overturning the one-goal deficit was made greater on the stroke of half-time as Bruno Fernandes was shown a straight red for a foul on James Maddison.

Second-half goals from Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke took the game out of United's reach as they were handed a third defeat in the Premier League. As a result, they sit six points off the Champions League places after six games in 12th.

PLAYER RATINGS: Bruno Fernandes terrible and six 3/10s

Neville was critical of United's display throughout the contest at Old Trafford, and the Premier League-winning defender couldn't escape the quips with Spurs fans chanting, 'Gary, what's the score?'

On social media, Carragher couldn't resist a dig at his former foe and Sky Sports partner. The 46-year-old retweeted a post from the Sky Sports Premier League X account from August 19, which showed predictions from both the ex-Liverpool defender and Neville.

Neville tipped United to finish above Liverpool in the table and suggested the Anfield club could miss out on the Champions League completely, pitting them in fifth with United in third.

"This is a huge game in terms of the top four. Both teams haven't had the start they wanted albeit Spurs won last weekend, it's a really tough one to call. Both teams aren't in great form. It won't be a great result for either team but I can see this being a draw," Shearer told Betfair.

"It was really interesting of Ten Hag to leave Marcus Rashford out, which I found really strange. Whether it was because of a knock or for a disciplinary reason, whatever it was, when you're a forward and you haven't scored for such a long time, you get your goal and then another two in midweek, then you're left out three or four days later. I found it really strange."

"My guess is that he'll be back in the team this week and if he can take the form from the last two games, he'll be a key figure in what happens for Man United. He always is.

"Spurs have players that can hurt United. James Maddison is a top player, he's one of the players that could say he played his part and did okay during Spurs' slow start to the season. I'm a fan of his, I like what he brings to the team and he got his goal last weekend. Confidence wise, that'll be great for him and he'll play a huge part, absolutely.

"If Spurs do get into those positions and turn chances into goals then it'll be tough for Man United as well because they do give you chances and that's why I see it being a score draw."