Manchester United must set clear wonderkid transfer stance as shock coach option emerges
Manchester United must set clear wonderkid transfer stance as shock coach option emerges
The latest Manchester United news and rumours as MEN Sport take a look at the latest reports doing the round over the last 24 hours as the club prepare for the return of the Premier League.
The international break is almost over which means a return to Premier League action for Manchester United.
After FA Cup success in dramatic fashion against Liverpool at Old Trafford, United are back on their travels as they take on Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday night. The game will see Erik ten Hag’s side continue their fight to finish in the top four following a disappointing campaign.
The international break has brought some good news with Kobbie Mainoo being rewarded for his performances by making his England debut off the bench against Brazil. The 18-year-old impressed again on his full debut against Belgium, and looks increasingly likely to be named in Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad this summer.
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Alejandro Garnacho has also been away on international duty, representing Argentina - and it's the United winger who has been the subject of transfer speculation. MEN Sport has taken a look at the main headlines doing the rounds on United...
Garnacho decision
Garnacho has been identified as a player to build the team around by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, with talkSPORT reporting that United have no plans to sell the winger during what could be a summer squad rebuild. The Argentine has been a key player for Ten Hag this season, scoring five goals and providing a further three assists in the Premier League so far.
He kept his cool to provide the assist for Amad to send United to Wembley in the closing seconds of the FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool in his last outing. Reports in Argentina last week linked Garnacho with a move to Real Madrid sometime in the future, but it seems that United are planning on keeping the winger at Old Trafford for some time yet.
MEN Sport says: Keeping United’s most important players around will be integral to any summer rebuild, and that is especially true with young players who are only going to get better. It’s easy to forget that Garnacho is still on 19 years old, such are his performances in a United shirt.
While other members of the squad could be sacrificed, if United are looking to build for the future, then Garnacho is a player who can continue to grow with them for many years to come.
Ten Hag plan
The latest reports surrounding the future of Ten Hag suggest United are playing a waiting game. The club are planning to start the season with the Dutchman in charge, according to inews, although contingency plans are in place to replace him quickly if needed.
The final decision over Ten Hag’s future will reportedly fall to both Dan Ashworth (if his move to Old Trafford from Newcastle United is completed, as Sir Jim Ratcliffe hopes) and Omar Berrada (who officially joins the club as CEO from Man City in the summer). The report also adds that key involvement in transfers will be taken away from the manager, with Ashworth and his team assuming that responsibility.
MEN Sport says: Involving Ashworth, or whoever is the new incoming sporting director in any decision around Ten Hag’s future, is probably a good move, considering how closely the two will work together over the summer. The one downside to waiting is that the time to complete the summer business and the plans for the new season will be reduced, especially if a new manager does come in at the end of the current campaign.
It therefore makes sense that the club are reportedly already putting contingency plans in place for a potential replacement should the decision to make a change come. Being proactive rather than reactive could work in United’s favour in the long term.
O'Neil option emerges
While Ten Hag's future remains uncertain, United are said to be targeting shock talks with Wolves head coach Gary O'Neil. O'Neil emerged as a surprise candidate for an Old Trafford role on Tuesday evening, with ESPN reporting that United want to speak with the 40-year-old regarding a role within a new coaching set-up at the club.
