Erik ten Hag applauding after Manchester United v Burnley (Image: Getty Image
Manchester United is expected to have a crucial final stretch of the campaign as Erik ten Hag and his team battle for their futures at Old Trafford in advance of a significant club overhaul.
The season’s conclusion is uncertain for Manchester United.
If the Red Devils can defeat Manchester City in the FA Cup final, they may still succeed, but they must guarantee their spot in Europe for the upcoming season. Although last weekend’s Premier League draw with Burnley was disappointing, United is still expected to place sixth. By the last month of 2023–2024, their lead over Newcastle is down to just one point.
Away from the field, the summer is already firmly in focus. Old Trafford is about to undergo a major makeover as Sir Jim Ratcliffe forms a new footballing hierarchy to work during the transfer window.
But those who are already at the club will be concentrating on Crystal Palace. Players and coaching staff alike will be trying to establish their worth.
Mirror Football examines some of the most recent Manchester United news.
Confirmation of the first departure
Few players aren’t expected to be traded in the summer, so it appears United may have already signed their first contract. Alvaro Fernandez Carreras, a young defender, left the team on loan in January, and this move is now set to be permanent.
According to reports originating from Portugal, Benfica is prepared to exercise the option included in the loan agreement for the 21-year-old. They claim to have already agreed on a £5.1 million fee.
After leaving Real Madrid for United in 2020, the Spanish left-back spent time on loan at Preston and Granada after failing to make an appearance for the first team. In order to expedite the defender’s transfer to Benfica, the Red Devils ended his tenure at Granada.
Alvaro Fernandez will join Benfica permanently this summer ( Image: Eric Verhoeven/Getty Images)
Despite the fact that their loanee has been in and out of the starting lineup in recent months, the Portuguese powerhouses have been willing to pay the small fee. Carreras played a part in Benfica’s 3-1 victory over Braga over the weekend, inspiring a comeback from a goal down.
Erik ten Hag’s position
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his job at Old Trafford, United manager Erik ten Hag is hesitant to return to Ajax. The Dutch manager has been linked to a return to his old team, Ajax, as revealed by Mirror Football last month.
After a challenging second season, many United supporters remain doubtful about Ten Hag’s ability to lead the team to success. The 54-year-old coach’s job is being evaluated in light of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival and the club’s personnel changes in the football department.
Even though Ten Hag might not have a job come summer, Ajax knows he wouldn’t give up his current position in order to guarantee a return. They are currently keeping an eye on his circumstances in case he becomes available.
Ivan Toney was warned by United
Paul Parker, a former Manchester United defender, thinks his old team should pass on signing Ivan Toney from Brentford. The 60-year-old feels that the striker hasn’t demonstrated enough to unseat Rasmus Hojlund or assume a senior role.
Parker thinks United should focus on Ollie Watkins, the star of Aston Villa, instead.
Parker told mybettingsites, “If you are going to bring in another player to give Hojlund competition, in my opinion, it’s not going to be Ivan Toney. It’s going to be somebody of more note than Ivan Toney.”
You would say the same about Ivan Toney collaborating with a well-known individual. In my opinion, he hasn’t accrued enough points as a Premier League striker to be considered an understudy.”
Ivan Toney is a center-forward, right? Not really. In that regard, he’s attempting to play more like Harry Kane.
“Watkins is the player you should bring in if you’re going to bring in a center-forward and you plan to keep him based in the United Kingdom,” However, he will set you back £100 million, and quite rightly so. Ivan Toney, £25–30 million, but Watkins has consistently shown his value.
