Rashford of course missed United’s game vs. Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday after he suffered a heavy knock during training before the game,

Erik ten Hag told reporters that it was decided there was no need to risk the Englishman with a number of important matches coming up.

Rashford was spotted undertaking drills alongside his teammates, in what will come as a major boost to Ten Hag in terms of selection.

Marcus Rashford is there. pic.twitter.com/oXIORQVPlr

— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) November 7, 2023

It remains to be seen whether Rashford will be fit enough to line up against Jacob Neestrup’s men at Parken Stadium.

Also present in training was Victor Lindelof. Lindelof missed the Fulham game due to illness. All signs point to the fact that he has recovered and will be in contention to feature against FC Copenhagen.

According to The Manchester Evening News, Kobbie Mainoo was not spotted at Carrington earlier today.

Mainoo was on the bench during the weekend and also made the matchday squad for the derby defeat at the hands of Manchester City.

The highly-rated 18-year-old is of course yet to have a taste of first-team minutes since returning from an injury picked up during the pre-season tour.

As per MEN, here is the full United training squad for Copenhagen:

Goalkeepers: Andre Onana, Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton.

Defenders: Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Diogo Dalot, Lindelof, Raphael Varane, Sergio Reguilon.

Midfielders: Scott McTominay, Donny van de Beek, Sofyan Amrabat, Mason Mount, Hannibal Mejbri, Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen

Forwards: Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Facundo Pellistri, Rasmus Hojlund, Omari Forson.

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Goals from Erling Haaland either side of half-time and a second half strike from Phil Foden was enough for Pep Guardiola’s men to secure yet another victory in the derby.

VAR was yet another talking point and it would have been more of a contentious topic if the team had put up a fight. Instead they rolled over and allowed City to treat the game as a training ground routine.

A defeat against the defending champions is not necessarily a cause for concern but the manner of the defeat will rankle with fans around the world.

ETH letting the club down

Not one player tried to push the opposition on the backfoot but the biggest criticism should go to manager Erik ten Hag.

The Dutchman is beginning to resemble Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho during their final campaigns and that is not a good sign.

The manager has hidden behind the excuses of injuries and off-field controversies but his team selection and flawed tactics continue to hamper the team.

He spoke of pragmatism ahead of the encounter, something that would have been a smart choice if the team looked cohesive out of possession and compact when they had the ball.

Instead all the players looked completely lost, almost like they were playing together for the first time while never even practicing together as a group.

Sofyan Amrabat looks like yet another wasted signing, like most of the manager’s previous acquisitions and he was once again substituted at half-time.

Everyone will be wondering why he selects the same personnel expecting a different result each time. His “tactical” changes before the game were also poor to say the least.

Playing Victor Lindelof for his height ahead of a proper functioning left-back was yet another bad call with the Swede struggling throughout the game.

While injuries are a concern, after over 75 games, the manager should be able to figure out his best XI. He also does not know what his Plan B will be and that is concerning to say the least.

He keeps taking off his most potent attacking outlet in the form of Rasmus Hojlund every game while his substitutions are not having the sort of impact they had last season.

ETH deserves criticism despite injuries

He has had one-and-half seasons to try and employ a discernible style of play while taking charge of transfers. There is hardly anything positive about the team at the moment.

It is safe to say the team has regressed beyond recognition while none of the new signings seem up to the standards required.

Fans inside the stadium also seem to be growing impatient with the manager. He might not be bulletproof anymore in the eyes of the fans.

United could, within a week, be knocked out of both the Carabao Cup with Newcastle United coming to Old Trafford, and the Champions League with a daunting trip to Copenhagen to come next weekend.

And that might spell doom for the manager. Tough times lie ahead of Ten Hag and United. Can they ride the storm? On current evidence, that does not look likely.

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United went into the game on the back of three consecutive wins across all competitions. City on the other hand were keen on gaining ground on table-leading Tottenham Hotspur.

Erik ten Hag started Andre Onana in goal, with a defensive four of Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof ahead of the goalkeeper.

In midfield, Ten Hag gave the nod to Sofyan Amrabat, Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay.

Rasmus Hojlund started up front with Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford flanking him on either side. Here are three things we learned from Manchester United’s 3-0 win against Manchester City.

Onana much better and growing in confidence in a United shirt

After his summer move from Inter Milan, Onana endured a difficult start to life at United.

He made a number of high-profile errors, especially in the Champions League, that dearly cost his side. However, the shot-stopper made a heroic last-gasp save against FC Copenhagen and the hope was that it would mark a change in fortunes for the Cameroonian.

Onana picked up where he left off by playing well against City – one of the few United players who could claim to come out of the game with any credit.

Especially in the opening 45 minutes, the 27-year-old came up with some clutch saves that kept United in the game.

In the early stages of the match, he kept a Phil Foden header from flying into the back of the net, when the effort from the City forward seemed to be destined to go in.

Acrobatically, Onana clutched on the ball once again to keep it from the path of Erling Haaland who was lurking to tap it in.

The United goalkeeper made an equally important save from a bullet header from Haaland just before the interval and prevented the Red Devils from going into the break two goals down and with a mountain to climb.

Unluckily for Onana, he could not do much about Haaland’s penalty that was dubiously awarded to the Norwegian after Hojlund was deemed to have brought Rodri down inside his own box from the slightest and softest of touches.

In the second half, Onana also made some big saves without which United would have suffered an even more embarrassing scoreline.

He kept a powerful shot from Jack Grealish out. In another instance, Haaland was put through on goal before trying a chipped finish, but Onana came out of his line and made himself big enough to deny the goalscorer his hat trick.

Beyond his incredible saves, Onana’s kicking was much better and more refined. He frequently found Hojlund who in turn held up the ball well to bring his teammates into play.

Onana was in regular communication with his defenders from the number of times he could be seen issuing instructions to Maguire and Evans.

The former Inter Milan man is undoubtedly growing in confidence after a pretty rough beginning to his Old Trafford tenure.

Lindelof poor at left-back

One thing that was questioned when the team sheet came out was Ten Hag’s decision to start Lindelof at left-back while Sergio Reguilon was on the bench.

Against City, Lindelof showed why he is not a natural fit for the full-back position.

In quick succession during the first half, he was caught sleeping by Foden, who easily kept making runs in behind the United defender.

For Haaland’s second goal, Lindelof was dragged inside to mark another player, only to leave the City talisman wide open, unmarked and with all the space and time in the world to pick his spot.

Expectedly, Haaland made no mistake from close range.

Maybe instinctively, Lindelof kept tucking in and seemingly occupying a left-centre-back position. The result was that the City attackers were able to maintain as much width as they liked through Foden.

Even going forward, the Sweden international did not offer much. He did not provide the needed overlapping runs or any form of support in the channels – at least not in the way Reguilon or Luke Shaw do it.

Ten Hag has at times resorted to deploying Lindelof at left-back, sometimes out of necessity due to an injury crisis. However, when there is the option of not doing so, it makes little sense to use the Swede in that role.

The 29-year-old is suited to operating at the heart of the backline and luckily for Pep Guardiola’s men, they had this weakness to repeatedly exploit and utilize to their advantage.

Pressure mounting on Ten Hag

While his job is not in any danger at the moment, pressure is certainly mounting on Ten Hag for multiple reasons.

In addition to the questionable team selections, the team lacks an identity or clear style of play.

There seems to be no cohesion or meaningful direction and it’s worrying that United are trying to grind out results this early into the season.

From the outside looking in, it appears like Ten Hag has abandoned his principles and football philosophy for short-term gain and immediate results but as has been seen in the past, such methods are simply not sustainable.

The 53-year-old coach has recently spoken about pragmatism and the need to register wins even in the absence of convincing performances, but this can only get the team so far. In any case, one would argue that a top manager should be able to achieve both at the same time and as it stands, Ten Hag is failing at this objective.

There are of course factors that have hindered the Dutchman this campaign including injuries and other off-the-pitch matters but overall, his influence in terms of play is not being felt. This is being seen by just how much United are constantly outdone by opposing teams week in and week out.

Questions need to be asked of Ten Hag and if this persists, it won’t be long until the pitchforks come out and people start calling for him to be sacked.

The post Three things we learned as a lacklustre Man United suffer 3-0 humiliating loss vs. Man City appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

This season, the Cameroonian has committed a number of high-profile mistakes that have dearly cost United, especially in the Champions League.

Just before the international break, Onana made yet another howler vs. Brentford, but luckily for him, Scott McTominay’s late heroics spared him some blushes.

With United set to face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday, all eyes will be on Onana and how he reacts to the setbacks suffered following his summer move from Inter Milan to United.

Ahead of the game against the Blades, Ten Hag spoke to reporters and said, “He [Onana] knows, we know, he will do much better and as every player who’s coming into the Premier League, you need an integration period but he has to step up.”

“He [Onana] has to build his future by performing better. I’m sure he will. He showed it at Barcelona, ​​at Ajax, at Inter Milan, in the semi-final and in the Champions League final.”

Another player Ten Hag spoke at length about was Harry Maguire.

The Dutchman indicated that he had not heard boos from the United fans directed at the club’s former skipper. Ten Hag explained that the players have a “strong bond” with supporters.

He added that Maguire doesn’t deserve the unfair criticism he receives, before backing the centre-back to build on from his good display vs. Brentford at Old Trafford when he registered an assist for McTominay’s winner.

When asked about Jadon Sancho, Ten Hag was evasive. The United boss remarked that everything had already been said and nothing had changed.

The 53-year-old coach was put to task about Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s imminent partial investment into United. A recent report covered by The Peoples Person divulged that Ten Hag is extremely eager to work with the British businessman so as to enhance and improve standards at Old Trafford.

On Ratcliffe, Ten Hag cleverly pointed out, “I’m not involved in this, others in the club are dealing with this, I’m focusing on my team, focusing on the current block and the most important priority is the next game, it’s all about that.”

Ten Hag issued a warning to his players against underestimating Paul Heckingbottom’s men, especially at their own home.

He noted, “Every game in the Premier League is difficult, if you saw the results against City and Spurs they are very close games. If you don’t play your best football you can lose.”

The United manager gave an update on Victor Lindelof and said that the 29-year-old is ready to play. This is after Sweden’s game against Belgium was called off due to an incident in which a suspect gunned down three Swedish fans, killing two of them.

Ten Hag said on Lindelof, “The world is crazy. He didn’t sleep all night. He came back and he was back at training yesterday. Our thoughts are with Victor, the families of the victims and the victims. Victor has energy and is ready to play this match [against Sheffield United].”

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The international break has done nothing to calm the waters around Manchester United with the major news that the club is closer to securing new investment.

However, it will not be in the shape of Sheikh Jassim, who pulled out of the race to buy they club after having a fifth bid turned down by the much-maligned Glazer family.

It now looks as though Sir Jim Ratcliffe will secure a minority (25%) stake in United and work closely with the current owners for the foreseeable future.

Ratcliffe’s involvement could have a direct impact in United’s January transfer window with the first-team still in need of reinforcements to get back to challenging at the top.

With Ratcliffe reportedly planning a change to the sporting structure at the club, transfer-guru Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Erik ten Hag will still have a huge say on transfers, as he has done since his arrival.

“It could be that United will have the involvement of Sir Jim for the January transfer window. In any case, Erik ten Hag will always be important in the conversations, as he was in the summer,” said Romano.

A world class defender is high on the managers wishlist and United do have plans to secure a top centre-back next year but the process may be expedited to January should injuries and sales occur.

“First of all, it will be important to understand what happens in defence, because Lisandro Martinez is injured, and we’ll see if the club receive any proposals for Harry Maguire. 

“Manchester United’s plan has been to target a top centre-back signing in 2024, and we’ll see if that could be in January depending on what happens with Martinez and Maguire,” Romano claims.

One player that seems certain to stay at Old Trafford is Swedish captain Victor Lindelof who is in advanced talks to extend his contract after United turned down offers for him in the summer.

“Victor Lindelof has suggested he is likely to have his contract extended. Man United always rated him highly, so I’m not surprised. Erik ten Hag said no to Inter and Atletico Madrid approaches last January and again in the summer,” Romano adds.

United have suffered with injuries in their defensive ranks this season, and this has no doubt played a huge role in the sloppy start to the new campaign.

The addition of a high quality, reliable, central defender is key to United moving forward under Ten Hag and the quicker he can get someone of that calibre in, the better.

In the meantime, United return to action at the weekend with a trip to struggling Sheffield United as they look for back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time this season.

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The defence has been the worst affected with both first-choice centre-backs and full-backs currently sidelined due to injury, forcing the manager to reshuffle the backline constantly.

In their most recent game against Brentford, central defender Victor Lindelof was forced to play as the left-back and he was culpable for the goal the Bees scored.

Lindelof contract situation

The Swede was a guaranteed starter under former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but found chances hard to come by during Ten Hag’s debut season.

However, the Sweden international really stepped up during the injury crisis last term and had impressed the manager with his ability under pressure.

However, with both Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez currently out injured, the 29-year-old has not enjoyed a similar run of form this campaign.

With Lindelof’s current deal set to expire in 2024, The Peoples Person had reported that United were planning on triggering the one-year extension option in his contract.

The aim was to protect his market value with Serie A side AC Milan willing to spend €15 million for the United man next summer.

Lindelof, in a conversation with Fotbollskanalen, revealed that he was hopeful of earning a new contract and that he loved playing for the Red Devils and has no intention of leaving after having spent a considerable amount of time in Manchester.

Lindelof wants to extend United stay

“I have an option year and there is a deadline for it. When exactly I don’t know. But it feels quite likely that it will be activated.

“I am enjoying myself and I’m entering my seventh year at the club. I feel good and the family feels good. It’s a club that I really like, and that I love to represent.”

Lindelof also admitted that the team have not enjoyed the best of starts but was hopeful that the team would kick on after securing a last-gasp victory in the last game before the international break.

“It hasn’t been a perfect start to the season. But it was very nice that we got a victory in the end and it gave us some breathing room. We are not too far behind. But it is absolutely not an optimal start to the season.”

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Manager Erik ten Hag can point to the growing number of injuries as a reason for the dismal form with the manager unable to pick his strongest XI.

The defence has been the worst affected with all first-choice defenders currently sidelined. Against Brentford, the manager was forced to play Victor Lindelof as left-back.

Lindelof has not had the same impact as last season

The Swede was culpable for the goal the Bees scored, and while he has had to play in a number of different positions, Lindelof has struggled to replicate the form he showed last season.

In Ten Hag’s first season, the former Benfica man stepped up during the injury-enforced absence of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.

In the current season, the same old frailties of being too weak against physically robust forwards and being unable to compete in the air have once again plagued the 29-year-old.

The Sweden international’s deal with the Red Devils expires in 2024 and quite a lot of clubs are interested in a free move, something United want to avoid.

The Peoples Person had reported that United are willing to initiate the one-year extension clause in his contract so as to protect his market value.

As per Milan Web, AC Milan were initially eyeing a move for Lindelof if he became a free agent, but with news leaking of United trying to protect the centre-back’s value, the Serie A side are open to paying €15 million.

Simon Kjaer is set to be released at the end of his contract and the Serie A side have identified Lindelof as the man to lead and marshall the defence.

AC Milan eyeing Lindelof next summer

“Kjaer will say goodbye after four memorable years in the Rossoneri shirt. In this sense, Moncada and Furlani would have already set their sights on the designated heir of the Danish international.

“This is Victor Lindelof, a Swedish talent from Manchester United who – like Kjaer – will see his contract expire at the end of the season.

“The management of the ‘Red Devils’, however, could take advantage of an option present in the contract of the 29-year-old from Västerås by extending it until 30 June 2025. In that case, Milan would opt for an offer of 15 million which – in fact – would convince the Manchester club to let Lindelof leave.”

Lindelof had arrived at Old Trafford for €35 million in 2017 and his current value as per Transfermarkt stands at €18 million. United should ideally try and secure a larger fee, especially if the Swede impresses during the current campaign.

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In the face of mounting injuries, Victor Lindelof has been a steady presence in terms of availability, even though his performances have been sketchy.

However, that could change soon in news that United wouldn’t want to hear.

Sweden manager Janne Andersson was asked about the defender by Aftonbladet as Lindelof has been called up during this international break.

Andersson struck an unsure tone, saying that although he has had contact with the defender, he does not have the medical team’s assessment.

However, he remains hopeful there aren’t major problems but “I don’t dare say that for sure”.

Lindelof was subbed off against Brentford and instead of sitting in the home team’s dugout, he headed straight down the tunnel in worrying signs for the club.

The Swedish defender was seen repeatedly clutching his back during the game and looked in extreme discomfort after a scary fall while competing in the air.

He continued for a while after that fall but ultimately the pain likely proved to be too much as he headed down the tunnel.

Erik ten Hag subbed him off for Anthony Martial as United went gung-ho in search of two goals to turn it around which were ultimately provided by Scott McTominay.

Sweden now face a nervous wait for the latest on Lindelof’s injury as a marquee game against Belgium in UEFA Euro Qualifiers is on the horizon for them.

United’s next game is against Sheffield United on October 21, a game Ten Hag will be hoping Lindelof is fit for.

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All hope seemed lost until substitute Scott McTominay scored deep into added time to ensure three points and an end to United’s losing streak at home.

The Bees had taken the lead after some horrendous individual mistakes from the likes of Casemiro, Andre Onana, and Victor Lindelof.

Lindelof has not been as good as last season

Both the Brazilian and Cameroonian have faced a lot of heat recently, but the Swede has gone under the radar. The 29-year-old was poor against Thomas Frank’s side.

Last season, the Sweden international had come up clutch when the injury crisis hit and he marshaled the backline effectively in the absence of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane.

In the new campaign, he has been far from secure but he has had to play in a number of different positions. His technical skills are exemplary but his weakness against physically-superior forwards has always been a concern.

Lindelof’s current deal with United expires in 2024 and if a new deal is not agreed soon, the defender can agree a pre-agreement with any club post-January, which would see him leave on a free.

According to The Daily Star, the Red Devils are set to trigger the one-year extension option in his contract to avoid such a scenario from occurring while also protecting his market value.

There is a chance Lindelof could move on in January or next summer, and United are aiming to ensure they can get suitably compensated, which would in turn allow a decent replacement to be bought.

One-year option set to be triggered

“Manchester United are to extend Victor Lindelof’s contract by a year – to stop him leaving on the cheap. Italian clubs Juventus and AC Milan are interested in the central defender.

“The Reds reckon that will guarantee them getting a reasonable fee, in the region of £15 million, should Lindelof leave in either the January transfer window or next summer.”

Lindelof had arrived for £30m from Benfica in July 2017 under Jose Mourinho but he has since lost his first-team status and is mainly a substitute when all the defenders are fit.

While Ten Hag admires the Swede’s versatility, a better, more physically strong defender is the need of the hour. And this contract extension might see Lindelof depart in the near future.

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Erik ten Hag started Andre Onana in goal. Victor Lindelof played in the right-back role alongside a centre-back partnership of Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans. Diogo Dalot was tasked to play left-back.

The midfield trio consisted of Casemiro, Sofyan Amrabat and Mason Mount.

Rasmus Hojlund led the line with Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes on either wing. Here are three things we learned from Manchester United’s 2-1 win against Brentford.

Pressure mounting on Onana

In yet another high-stakes game, Onana committed a massive error in goal.

The Cameroonian has recently come under increasing pressure for his poor start to life at United.

Especially in the Champions League, Onana has made high-profile errors that have cost his side dearly. Against Bayern Munich and more recently vs. Galatasaray, he was heavily criticised for his roles in some of the goals the Red Devils conceded.

He found himself under criticism again, this time for Brentford’s opener.

United looked in control during the early stages of the first half. However, the Bees moved high up the pitch when Casemiro recklessly ceded possession.

A defensive blunder from Lindelof, who could not clear the ball, saw Jensen fire a relatively weak shot at United’s goal.

Onana got a hand to it but he let it slip and roll into the back of the net. Seemingly aware of his calamitous howler, the 27-year-old cut a sorry figure with his hands squarely on his head.

Beyond failing to make an easy save, his distribution was poor. Onana’s ability with the ball at his feet is perhaps his best attribute but he appears to have lost confidence completely.

It won’t be long until there are calls for his replacement between the sticks, with supporters advocating for the likes of Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton to be given starting opportunities.

Casemiro poor yet again

This term there have been concerns about Casemiro and just how poorly he has started – a far cry from the incredible form he displayed last campaign.

The Brazilian has been accused of constantly giving the ball away when United are in possession, needlessly diving in during transition moments and abandoning his position to go forward in search of goalscoring opportunities.

For Jensen’s goal, he gave the ball away and threw himself into a dive that saw him taken out of the game completely when he was easily evaded.

It was no surprise that he was taken off at the interval and Christian Eriksen brought on in his place.

At the moment, Casemiro is proving to be more of a liability than an asset and questions need to be asked of him moving forward.

The defensive solidity and midfield presence he once provided are no longer present.

Casemiro’s weaknesses need to be addressed lest United continue suffering. He and the team would be best served by a return to the basics. His main job is shielding the back four and linking the defence and attack.

Much-improved second-half display

Ten Hag’s men put up more of a fight in the second period of their clash vs. Brentford.

A goal down, the Reds fashioned more goalscoring opportunities. Dalot especially was productive attacking-wise.

He got forward more and put in good crosses.

The personnel changes made a bigger difference. Alejandro Garnacho certainly offered more than Rashford.

Fernandes being restored in his preferred playmaker role ensured he was more involved as opposed to when he was on the wing.

Eriksen was better than the uninspiring Casemiro. United thought they had restored parity late into the game but Anthony Martial who got involved in play, was deemed to have been offside.

Fortunately for United, their more spirited display in the second half was enough to clinch them a share of the spoils. McTominay scored the equalizer and the game seemed to be destined for a draw.

However, with literally the last kick of the game, the Scotland international rose highest to connect with a fabulous cross and head it into the back of the Brentford goal – another dramatic end to a game at Old Trafford.

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