Premier League
Why Manchester United chose Erik ten Hag as their next manager
Manchester United have announced Erik ten Hag will take charge at the end of the season, replacing Ralf Rangnick as manager.
Although Manchester United gave the impression they cast the net as wide as four candidates to become the club’s 12th permanent post-war manager, it was always between two: Erik ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino.
Ultimately, United decided Ten Hag was the manager most closely aligned with the club’s identity and strategy. United sources say they have hired a proven winner who preaches an attractive, attacking style of play and is committed to youth. Ten Hag, although already 52, is viewed by figures at United as one of the most exciting, consistent managers in European football.
High-level sources highlighted Ten Hag improves players and has developed two exciting and successful teams at Ajax. During conversations with the United football director John Murtough and technical director Darren Fletcher, Ten Hag outlined his long-term vision to build a successful and exciting team. United were struck by his passion, energy and enthusiasm for a momentous challenge.
Those at United who have spoken to Ten Hag insist he is determined to prove himself in a major league and ready to manage world sport’s most scrutinised institution. Ten Hag coached Bayern Munich II between 2013-15 and sources at United believe his big-club experience in Germany and Holland stands him in good stead.
The United chief executive Richard Arnold has taken a hands-off role in the running of the football side but engaged in the final stages of the managerial process. Arnold, Murtough and Fletcher unanimously agreed Ten Hag was the best candidate.
Six months ago, Brendan Rodgers appealed to the United hierarchy in what were Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s final weeks. United held exploratory talks over the Leicester manager yet Leicester’s downward spiral lengthened Rodgers’s odds and eventually, the bookies rubbed his name off their chalkboards.
Rodgers’ sound bites were as unhelpful to his chances as Leicester’s injury record. In France, Pochettino kept his powder dry when Solskjaer was sacked and that was a mistake. United wanted Pochettino in the wake of Solskjaer’s sacking and approached Paris Saint-Germain, who abhorred the prospect of yielding to one of European football’s traditional elite.
Had Pochettino agitated for the job he has had his eyes on for six years then PSG might have relented. Zinedine Zidane was available, just as he is now, and remains the frontrunner to replace Pochettino at the Parc des Princes in the summer.
Perhaps Zidane, a three-times Champions League-winning coach with Real Madrid, would have prevented the collapse at the Bernabeu in February. PSG were 2-0 up on aggregate with 29 minutes remaining in their round-of-16 tie before capitulating again in a 3-2 defeat. PSG’s propensity for collapses is legendary, but that was another nail in Pochettino’s coffin.
Ten Hag and Luis Enrique had their admirers at United early in the season, albeit at a time where there was no contingency plan in the event Solskjaer was sacked. United were so invested in Solskjaer, gifted a three-year contract in July, it was not until the 5-0 evisceration by Liverpool on October 24 that they started drafting a battle plan to replace him.
United’s refusal to flex their muscles and pay £15million to release Pochettino from his contract was the turning point. Enrique was never a remotely realistic option as he was committed to coaching Spain at the World Cup, which commences in November.
The choice of Ralf Rangnick as interim manager, with a two-year consultancy role tagged onto it, was also to Pochettino’s detriment. Ten Hag was always more aligned with Rangnick and the momentum behind Ten Hag started to build in January, with United confident of releasing him from his Ajax contract a year early if they opted for the Dutchman.
It was in January the Manchester Evening News revealed United’s aim to appoint their next manager before the end of the season. Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui received a cursory mention yet it was as much to make up the numbers and give the impression the process was thorough and considerate. Lopetegui was recommended to United by Jorge Mendes, empowered by hastening Solskjaer’s departure in November and eager to appease his client, Cristiano Ronaldo.
There was growing support for Pochettino in the United dressing room in early February yet the club has defied the most uncaring United squad in anyone’s lifetime. Some are ‘underwhelmed by Ten Hag. The players were wisely not consulted on Ten Hag after Ronaldo’s view on Solskjaer (and Antonio Conte) was gauged in October and November.
-MEN
Premier League
Manchester United tighten hold on third in the Premier League with win over Aston Villa
Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha buried a second‑half strike off a pinpoint through ball from Bruno Fernandes for a club-record 16th Premier League assist in a season to lift the hosts to a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday.
Casemiro and substitute Benjamin Sesko scored United’s other goals in a result that tightened United’s grip on third place in the standings on 54 points after 30 games, while fourth-placed Villa have 51 points.
United, who were playing their first game in 11 days, were keen for a victory after interim boss Michael Carrick’s seven-game unbeaten run ended in a 2-1 loss to 10-man Newcastle United on March 4.
With 22 points from a possible 27 under Carrick’s leadership, Sunday’s win will invariably lead to more questions about his chances of becoming United’s permanent manager.
“It was a slightly different game today going into it being so close in the league and making the small jump we could if we won, off the back of a defeat,” Carrick said. “It was a small test and we haven’t really had that.
“The boys dealt with it really well, had a really good week and applied themselves well. Everything is so so encouraging. We’ve got a lot to play for.”
The game looked headed for a draw before Cunha scored from the left side of the box in the 71st minute, with Fernandes recording his 100th assist for the club across all competitions.
With eight games left, Fernandes is also four shy of matching the Premier League record for assists in one season of 20 held by Thierry Henry (2002-03) and Kevin de Bruyne (2019-20).
“He’s had so many big moments, to score a goal, to make a pass,” Carrick said of Fernandes. “Training or games, he’s always there. Really good with the corner. The pass to Matheus was fantastic to cap off a good performance all around.”
Sesko put the game out of reach 10 minutes later with a blistering shot from the centre of the box.
Casemiro put United ahead in the 53rd minute with a glancing header from a Fernandes corner.
Ross Barkley levelled in the 64th with a shot from the middle of the area. After a lengthy VAR check to determine whether the ball glanced off an offside Amadou Onana, the goal stood.
A better second half salvaged a decent game after a dreary first 45 minutes plagued by errant passes and slipping players.
United did have some decent first-half chances including a header from Amad Diallo that goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez stretched backwards to keep out of the net. Diogo Dalot had a terrific chance inside the box that he launched over the bar.
Leny Yoro’s block spoiled one of Villa’s best chances and led to a long-range shot from Fernandes at the other end that he sent just wide of the post.
Villa have not won a league game since February 11, and an animated manager Unai Emery spent much of the afternoon stomping his feet and waving his arms in frustration.
“How we are progressing after we did fantastic months in October, November, December, the last two months we are struggling,” Emery said. “It’s Manchester United here at home, and they are now in good moment. And of course, they played a very intelligent match.
“I think we can get better. The result at the end was a bad result for us. We must accept it and try to analyse now to get better for the next challenge.”
-Reuters
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England and Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has been handed a 15-month suspended prison sentence by a Greek court over a 2020 incident in Mykonos, Sky Sports reported on Wednesday.
In 2020, Maguire was found guilty of repeated bodily harm, attempted bribery and violence against public employees after his arrest in a brawl in which two police officers were assaulted.
Maguire, who was detained for two days following the incident and denied any wrongdoing, was handed a suspended prison sentence of 21 months and 10 days but was granted a full retrial after appealing against Greek court convictions on multiple charges.
In accordance with the Greek judicial process, the filing nullified Maguire’s conviction before a full retrial in a more senior court. His retrial was postponed many times.
Maguire faced allegations of non-serious assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery. The 32-year-old was convicted on all three counts but will face no prison time. His legal team will appeal against the guilty verdict, Sky Sports reported.
Maguire’s brother Joe and friend Christopher Sharman were also found guilty of offences related to the incident and received suspended prison sentences in 2020. They also denied any wrongdoing.
-Reuters
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Arsenal maintained control of the Premier League title race as they chiselled out a nervy 2-1 win over London rivals Chelsea to open up a five-point lead at the top of the table on Sunday.
Jurrien Timber’s 66th-minute header from a Declan Rice corner ensured Arsenal took three precious points, but it was a nervy afternoon in north London.
Mikel Arteta’s side moved to 64 points from 29 games, with Manchester City, who have played a game fewer, on 59.
Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber celebrates scoring their second goal with Gabriel Magalhaes REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Defender William Saliba had given Arsenal the lead in the 21st minute from a trademark corner routine.
But it had looked as though an own goal by Piero Hincapie just before halftime would prove costly for the hosts until Timber came to their rescue.
Chelsea, whose six-match unbeaten league sequence under new manager Liam Rosenior was halted, ended the match with 10 men after Pedro Neto was sent off for a second yellow card.
-Reuters
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