Breaking: Manchester United welcomed Sir Jim Ratcliffe to Old Trafford today as fans are seeing jubilating all-over England

Breaking: Manchester United welcomed Sir Jim Ratcliffe to Old Trafford today as fans are seeing jubilating all-over England

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The Independent

Manchester United news LIVE: Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘agrees deal’, Casemiro injury and Ten Hag press conference

Jamie Braidwood

Fri, Nov 3, 2023·15 min read

Manchester United have made their worst start to a season since 1962 and the pressure is growing on manager Erik ten Hag ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Fulham.

United have lost five of their opening 10 matches in the Premier League and were dumped out of the Carabao Cup in midweek following an abject defeat to Newcastle.

It is understood Ten Hag’s position is safe for now, but uncertainty over the club’s future continues with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s deal to purchase a 25 per cent stake in the club still yet to be confirmed and the Glazers seeking to remain in place.

In latest developments, Ratcliffe is to commit up to £245m to improve Manchester United’s infrastructure as part of his agreement, according to Sky News.

On the pitch, United’s poor start to the season got even worse after suffering two heavy defeats at Old Trafford this week, first being thrashed by Manchester City in the derby before Newcastle ended their Carabao Cup defence in an woeful 3-0 loss.

Defeat in the Manchester derby last weekend left United eight points off the top four already, and the gap cannot afford to stretch any wider ahead of Saturday lunchtime’s trip to Fulham.

Meanwhile, key midfielder Casemiro has been ruled out for “several weeks” with a hamstring injury and is now set to miss the rest of United’s November – when they face Fulham, FC Copenhagen, Luton, Everton and Galatasaray.

Follow all the latest Manchester United news below as Ten Hag speaks to the media ahead of facing Fulham on Saturday

Manchester United news LIVE: Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘agrees deal’ – takeover latest

Pressure building on Erik ten Hag after United’s worst start since 1962

Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘agrees deal’ as part of 25 per cent investment – reports

Casemiro ruled out for ‘several weeks’ with hamstring injury

Erik ten Hag speaks to the media ahead of trip to Fulham

Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘agrees deal’ as part of 25 per cent investment – reports

11:49 , Jamie Braidwood

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is to commit up to £245m to improve Manchester United’s infrastructure as part of his agreement to purchase a 25 per cent stake of the club, according to Sky News.

Ratcliffe and Ineos are in line to buy an initial 25 per cent stake in Manchester United, with the decision set to confirmed in the next two weeks, The Independent reported last month. The billionaire petrochemicals mogul wants this to be a “path to a majority”, according to involved figures, and will already be seeking influence on football decisions.

Ratcliffe’s decision to go for a 25 per cent minority stake, valued at around £1.3bn, is also set to see the Ineos owner invest a significant sum into fixing-up Old Trafford, which has been hit by problems in recent seasons, such as a leaky roof, and was overlooked as a host venue for Euro 2028.

(PA)

Manchester United confirm Casemiro injury blow ahead of crucial run

16:01 , Jamie Braidwood

Casemiro has been ruled out for “several weeks” with a hamstring injury that has added to Manchester United’s problems.

The Brazilian was hurt in the first half of Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat to Newcastle, which came after he missed United’s three previous matches with an ankle problem.

He is now set to miss the rest of United’s November – when they face Fulham, FC Copenhagen, Luton, Everton and Galatasaray.

The 31-year-old, who has not played the full 90 minutes in a match for United since September, could be in a race against time for potentially tough games at the start of December, when United face Newcastle and Chelsea before Bournemouth, Bayern Munich and Liverpool.

His absence means loan signing Sofyan Amrabat could get an extended run as Erik ten Hag’s defensive midfielder.

Raphael Varane is available again for Saturday’s trip to Craven Cottage after missing the Newcastle game with a virus but Victor Lindelof is a doubt.

Manager Ten Hag said: “Varane is ready to play so he will travel with the squad. Victor Lindelof [has] some illness, we have to see if he is ready.”

Manchester United confirm Casemiro injury blow ahead of crucial run

Erik ten Hag defends Manchester United’s style of play after Ajax claim

14:19 , Jamie Braidwood

Erik ten Hag has insisted that his footballing vision for Manchester United combines the club’s identity and the qualities of his players along with Ajax’s passing philosophy, Richard Jolly reports.

The United manager had given an interview in his native Dutch this week in which he had seemed to suggest that he did not have the footballers to play like his former club Ajax.

But Ten Hag, whose team have lost eight of their 15 games this season and been accused of having an identity crisis and no style of play, has argued that was misinterpreted and that he is looking for a blend of both clubs.

He insisted: “The explanation from my point of view was totally wrong that I can’t play like Ajax because I have different players. I came here with my philosophy based on possession but also [I want] to combine it with the DNA of Manchester United and combine it with the competences and the characters of the players. We have seen what it was. We played very good football last season.”

Erik ten Hag defends Manchester United’s style of play after Ajax claim

Gary Neville slams Manchester United’s ‘Theatre of Nothing’ with fans left ‘bored’

17:59 , Jamie Braidwood

Gary Neville slammed Manchester United for turning their Old Trafford home from the “Theatre of Dreams into the Theatre of Nothing” and claimed they’re leaving fans “bored” after another wretched display saw them crash out of the Carabao Cup

The 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United at the last-16 stage followed a loss by the same scoreline to fierce rivals Manchester City over the weekend, meaning they havehave lost consecutive home games by at least three goals for the first time since 1962.

“Last night we saw the Theatre of Dreams turn into the Theatre of Nothing,” Neville wrote. “Every single United fan bored and flat. On the pitch the players in shock, the performances woeful and a manager struggling in front of our eyes. We’ve seen it before, we know how it ends and we’ve had enough.”

Gary Neville slams Manchester United’s ‘Theatre of Nothing’ with fans left ‘bored’

Toto Wolff would consider joining Jim Ratcliffe in Manchester United investment

17:20 , Jamie Braidwood

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has revealed he has spoken to Sir Jim Ratcliffe about joining his bid to purchase a stake in Manchester United.

Ratcliffe, is set to buy a 25 per cent shareholding in the Old Trafford club, with the deal expected to see the 71-year-old billionaire have a significant say in sporting matters.

Ineos founder Ratcliffe, along with Wolff, 51, and Ola Kallenius own a third of the Mercedes Formula One team. Mercedes team principal Wolff has overseen six of Lewis Hamilton’s seven world championships.

Manchester United news LIVE: Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘agrees deal’ – takeover latest

Pep Guardiola warns Manchester United’s struggles could happen to any club

16:40 , Jamie Braidwood

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has warned that no club is immune from the sort of crisis that has enveloped rivals Manchester United in recent weeks.

City cruised to a 3-0 derby win at Old Trafford last Sunday, and the pressure on Erik ten Hag was then ramped up further after a 3-0 home loss to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday made it eight defeats from their opening 15 games in all competitions.

Guardiola’s side appeared in complete control of the derby as Erling Haaland scored a first-half penalty and then doubled City’s lead just four minutes into the second half, later teeing up Phil Foden to complete the scoring.

But the 52-year-old insisted the win had not been as straightforward as many thought.

“It was not easy,” Guardiola said. “It helped us to score the second goal early (in the second half) and then we had control but it’s never easy. I have a lot of respect for Manchester United.

“The period they have now, we can have it. Nobody is away from these kind of situations. We won the game but that’s all.”

Pep Guardiola warns Manchester United’s struggles could happen to any club

Erik ten Hag defends Manchester United’s style of play after Ajax claim

15:26 , Jamie Braidwood

With United out of form and beaten five times already this season at Old Trafford, Erik ten Hag believes the problem is not with his gameplan, but the way his injury-hit and much-changed team are implementing it.

He added: “The intention is clear but definitely it is the case that the execution isn’t there but at the moment we have so many changes every game, we can’t line up the same two or three games in a row and we have to swap.

“We have to win and I don’t want to find excuses if we are not winning. We have to be more pragmatic but still we have to win. That is the demand and I can’t walk away from that.”

Erik ten Hag defends Manchester United’s style of play after Ajax claim

14:53 , Jamie Braidwood

Erik ten Hag was adamant his strategy is not to play long-ball football but to use the pace and height of his attacking players and the distribution of goalkeeper Andre Onana to beat the opposition’s press.

He explained: “We want to go more direct, but the explanation for my direct thought is I want to go for long balls. No, I don’t want Andre Onana to go for long balls. I want to play out from the back. But if an opponent is going in high press, it is a good option to go direct.

“But what I meant with directness is we want to press from different blocks and then go direct because we have the players like Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford and Antony and Bruno [Fernandes] and Scott McTominay who are very good at it and with the passing of Christian Eriksen, and then the full-backs joining in and that was my idea.”

What games could Casemiro miss?

14:02 , Jamie Braidwood

The midfielder, who has not completed 90 minutes since September, is set to be ruled out for the rest of the month:

vs Fulham (A) – 4/11

vs Copenhagen (A) – 8/11

vs Luton (H) – 11/11

vs Everton (A) – 26/11

vs Galatasaray (A) – 29/11

vs Newcastle (A) – 2/12

Erik ten Hag press conference

13:49 , Jamie Braidwood

On potential investment from Sir Jim Ratcliffe and going back to the transfer market: “I have a good squad. I’m convinced about the players in the dressing room. We saw these players last year, they can do a lot better, but that’s up to me to let them play better. I have to take the responsibility to make them play better and I will put every effort in to get this done. I’m not thinking about transfer windows because I have a good squad.”

Erik ten Hag press conference

13:39 , Jamie Braidwood

On the mood in the dressing room: “The players are positive. They want to put this right. The dressing room is strong. The manager is strong. We want to put this right.”

On whether Fulham is a must-win: “I don’t want to think like that. Every game is must-win. I’m sure the players will be ready. I’m convinced by the players”.

Erik ten Hag press conference

13:37 , Jamie Braidwood

On team news ahead of Fulham: “Varane is ready to play. He will travel with the squad. Victor Lindelof has an illness, we will have to see if he is ready to travel tomorrow.”

On whether the team is lacking fight: “Remember the fight we saw against Brentford. If there wasn’t spirit, if there wasn’t characters in the dressing room, you wouldn’t see that [comeback].

On his team’s style of play: “I came here with my philosophy, which is to play possession, but I wanted to combine it with the history and tradition of Manchester United. Last year we saw that, we played good football. This season has been harder. There have been so many changes. We miss often players in the back four. That doesn’t help your routines.

“But I don’t want to make excuses. We have to win. I don’t want to walk away from that.”

‘We have to win. That’s the demand and I don’t walk away from that!’ 💢

Erik ten Hag speaks ahead of Manchester United’s visit to Fulham 🔴 pic.twitter.com/sLO6Zix15E

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 3, 2023

Ten Hag set to arrive at pre-match press conference

13:32 , Jamie Braidwood

Erik ten Hag faces the media this afternoon ahead of ahead of the club’s trip to Fulham

We’ll bring you what the Manchester United manager says on Casemiro’s injury, the team’s form, and how he can turn the club’s season around.

(Manchester United via Getty Imag)

Erik ten Hag backed to improve Manchester United’s tough start

13:16 , Jamie Braidwood

Scott McTominay has urged Manchester United to “stick together” after their worst start to a season since 1962:

“Everyone knows that we’re not in our best period at the minute. We have to stick together, that’s the most important thing.

“Obviously the fans will hear the generic response of ‘we’ve got to stick together’, but it’s true.

“Everyone wants this football club to succeed and we have to pull together and try to be as good with each other as possible in the dressing room to get those results going our way.

“I feel like we’ve got more than enough talent in the changing room to do that and whenever you look at the boys who are playing, but obviously something isn’t quite clicking.

“That’s up to the manager and the players to fix that and I’m 100 per cent confident that we will.”

(Getty Images)

How bad has Manchester United’s start been?

12:56 , Jamie Braidwood

Manchester United have lost five of their opening 10 Premier League matches – their most at the start of a league campaign since 1986-87.

Defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup then made it eighth defeats in 15 matches in all competitions, making it their worst start to a season since 1962-63.

(Getty Images)

‘I am a fighter’ insists Erik ten Hag after chastening Manchester United defeat

12:34 , Jamie Braidwood

Erik ten Hag’s rallying cry: “I am a fighter and I know it is not always going up. We have a lot of setbacks this season so far, but also you have to deal with it and that is never an excuse.

“I have said that before I know when there are setbacks the routines are not the same, but even then you have to get results in. Obviously, Sunday and tonight were far from that so we have to do things right and at a certain level, at the minimum level to win games.

“I understand it when the results are not there. It is also a logical process that they are questioning that. But I am confident I can do it. At all my clubs I have done it and also last year here I did it as well, but at this moment we are in a bad place.

“I take responsibility for it. I see it as a challenge. I am a fighter and I am in that fight and I have to make sure that I share the responsibility with my players and that we stick together and fight together, and get better results.

“It is below the standards everyone expect from Manchester United. It is not good enough by far. We have to put it right. I take responsibility for it. It is my team and they are not performing. I have to share it with my players, but I am responsible.”

BREAKING: Casemiro ruled out for ‘several weeks’ with hamstring injury

12:18 , Jamie Braidwood

Casemiro has been ruled out for several weeks with a hamstring injury that has added to Manchester United’s problems, Richard Jolly reports.

The Brazilian was hurt in the first half of Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat to Newcastle, which came after he missed United’s three previous matches with an ankle problem.

He is now set to miss the rest of United’s November – when they face Fulham, FC Copenhagen, Luton, Everton and Galatasaray.

His absence means loan signing Sofyan Amrabat could get an extended run as Erik ten Hag’s defensive midfielder.

(Getty Images)

Erik ten Hag issues Manchester United rallying cry as pressure grows on beleaguered manager

11:41 , Jamie Braidwood

Under-fire Erik ten Hag says Manchester United need to “stand up” and work “shoulder by shoulder” to turn around a season that is threatening to go into a tailspin.

Old Trafford is under the spotlight after two 3-0 home humiliations in the space of four days ratcheted up the pressure on a club enduing their worst start to a campaign since 1962-63.

Sunday’s derby defeat at the hands of rivals Manchester City was compounded by Newcastle on Wednesday, who comfortably won the repeat of February’s Carabao Cup final.

It underlined just how far things have gone off track since the sides met at Wembley, with United now having lost eight of their 15 matches in all competitions this term.

“This is not good enough and we know that,” manager Ten Hag said. “We were in the game and then in a couple of minutes we are giving the game away.

“That’s below our standards and we know that all and we have to take responsibility for this.”

Erik ten Hag issues Man Utd rallying cry as pressure grows on beleaguered manager

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Breaking: Manchester United welcomed Sir Jim Ratcliffe to Old Trafford today as fans are seeing jubilating all-over England

Breaking: Manchester United welcomed Sir Jim Ratcliffe to Old Trafford today as fans are seeing jubilating all-over England

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