Manchester United welcome Sheffield United to Old Trafford on Wednesday in a game they will be expected to win and get back to winning ways in the Premier League.

Erik ten Hag is under huge pressure to save his position at the club after four league games without victory which has meant the club has no hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

Despite reaching the FA Cup final at the weekend, another alarming meltdown to allow Coventry to score thrice and force the game into a penalty shootout has done little to brighten the mood in Manchester.

However, Wednesday’s game should give United a chance to flex their muscles with the visitors a certainty for relegation, sitting bottom of the league and on course to concede over 100 goals.

Chris Wilder’s men have shipped 88 goals so far with six games remaining and United, however depleted, should have enough for a comfortable night under the lights at the Theatre of Dreams.

Ten Hag is sweating on the fitness of some key players once more but Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garancho and Antony are likely to start up front and have enough quality to put the game to bed.

There should be little need for overly creative tactics in front of home support, getting the ball to the front three in dangerous areas should produce chances aplenty.

Hojlund will be desperate to get back on the scoresheet after another barren run since returning from injury and his desire will be key to United winning the game.

The young Dane has suffered an up-and-down first season in Manchester but with Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes likely to start behind him, the quality to pick Sheffield’s lock is there.

Fernandes and Eriksen both possess outstanding quality on the ball and with the basement side likely to sit deep, the duo will be tasked with getting the ball into dangerous areas for Hojlund.

Hojlund is dangerous in the air, a skill that has been criminally underused this season and clipped balls into his space will allow him to use his physical presence and grab a goal or two.

Equally, United’s most consistent attacker this season, Garnacho, is always eager to impress and will provide a threat on the left hand side with his pace and direct running.

The patched up back four will be expected to cope a lot better than they did at Wembley as United inexplicably nearly threw away a cup final ticket, with tonight’s opponents arguably less armed than Coventry were on Sunday.

Should United concentrate and apply themselves properly, they should be in for a comfortable enough evening but, as seen multiple times this campaign, that seems to be alot easier said than done for this group of players.

Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.

The post Tactical Preview: Manchester United’s midfield holds the key to unlocking Sheffield United appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

In the last two Premier League games, the Dutchman was forced to select academy youngster Willy Kambwala at the back after four out his five senior centre-back options all suffered injuries.

Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans both joined Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof on the sidelines and Harry Maguire was the only remaining senior option at Ten Hag’s disposal.

The young Frenchman has now joined his experienced colleagues in the treatment room which could force the manager to play Casemiro alongside Maguire.

Injury concerns ahead of Wembley

Both Sofyan Amrabat and Mason Mount are also injured and this could mean a return to the starting lineup for Christian Eriksen.

The Dane last started a game back in January while his previous appearance came off the bench against Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final humdinger.

The 32-year-old has managed a grand total of 135 minutes so far in 2024 while starting only 11 games this campaign as opposed to 32 games last term.

The former Tottenham Hotspur star had made it clear to Ten Hag that he was far from impressed with his lack of minutes while also showcasing his talents on the international stage during the last international break.

There have been multiple rumours linking him with an exit with the likes of Brentford, Galatasaray, Ajax and Saudi Arabian clubs chasing his signature.

When asked about his decreased utilisation of the Denmark international, Ten Hag pointed out that the emergence of Kobbie Mainoo has led to reduced minutes for Eriksen.

“I think that [Kobbie Mainoo’s progress] is the main reason. He [Kobbie] was so important for us, he is playing in that six/eight role, [to] bring creation to the team, bring composure, in our possession game, to the team.

“I think that is the main reason why Christian has less minutes than last season,” the former Ajax coach said during the pre-match press conference.

EtH on Eriksen

It is also true that the former Inter Milan man has lost more than a yard of pace and this season, he has struggled to come to terms with the frenetic pace of the English game.

Mainoo, on the other hand, has looked like a superstar and is already a sure-shot starter in every game.

But with no Amrabat, Mount and Casemiro, Eriksen might finally get an opportunity against Coventry City at Wembley on Sunday and he could partner the academy graduate from the start.

And against a team who could defend in a low block, the Dane’s ethereal passing could be just the thing needed to break it down. The Red Devils will be eyeing back-to-back FA Cup final appearances and Eriksen could be about to play a pivotal role.

Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.

The post Christian Eriksen has not played as much due to Kobbie Mainoo’s emergence: Erik ten Hag appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

The duo were a key reason behind United’s successful Carabao Cup campaign with the Red Devils finishing third and therefore qualifying for the Champions League.

This season, however, the duo have not worked as a partnership due to the Dutchman’s insistence on playing a high-transition style.

This requires high energy and speed, both attributes the Dane does not have in him anymore. Neither does the Brazilian but with Sofyan Amnrabat’s disastrous loan stint, the manager has no other option but to keep playing the former Real Madrid superstar.

Eriksen’s poor second season

As for the Denmark international, he last started a game back in January while he has managed a grand total of 135 minutes so far in 2024.

With the emergence of Kobbie Mainoo, Ten Hag has hardly turned to the 32-year-old, who had started 32 games last term and only 11 games this campaign.

The former Tottenham Hotspur man has made his displeasure known to the manager and even put on a show during the international break but that has not been enough to change his coach’s mind.

Eriksen’s United contract is valid until 2025 but has been linked with a summer move away with Ajax, Brentford and Saudi Arabian clubs chasing his signature.

The former Inter Milan star has no interest in a move to the Middle East and as per Fotomac, Galatasaray are set to come back for the classy midfielder during the summer window.

The Turkish giants had attempted to sign the Danish star in January but United refused. Now there are positive signs that an agreement can be reached in the summer.

Gala currently have Tanguy Ndombele on loan in their ranks and they have no plans of signing him permanently with coach Okan Buruk insistent on the Dane.

The current Süper Lig leaders plan to meet with the Red Devils and Eriksen’s entourage to thrash out a deal in the coming days.

Gala back in for Eriksen

“The Yellow Reds want to acquire Christian Eriksen, who plays for Manchester United, instead of the French star. Cimbom, who had previously contacted Manchester United for the Danish central midfielder and received positive signals, wants to make a move to complete the transfer this time.

“Yellow Red managers will sit down with both the English club and the 32-year-old football player’s agent in the coming days. United had given the message that it would make it easier for Eriksen, who has a contract for another year.”

Eriksen’s passing remains ethereal and while his pace has let him down, playing in Turkey will suit him and he is bound to dominate.

But whether he wants to move to Turkey with his family at this stage of his career remains a doubt. It will be interesting to see what Eriksen decides at the conclusion of the current campaign.

Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.

The post Galatasaray planning to meet Christian Eriksen’s entourage to agree summer move appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

The summer transfer window is shaping up to be a crucial one for United, who have endured a very underwhelming and disappointing campaign.

The Red Devils are set to miss out on Champions League football and are firmly in the midst of a tough battle to finish within the Europa League places. At the moment, the FA Cup represents the side’s only chance of lifting some form of silverware and somewhat restoring a bit of the pride that has already been lost.

While most of the focus will undoubtedly be on incoming and new faces as Ratcliffe and INEOS seek to bolster the squad, outgoings are equally important. A number of players on United’s payroll continue to be linked with exits.

According to Spanish publication Nacional via Football365, there are four players in particular that Ratcliffe wants to get rid of and has already set the wheels in motion to facilitate their respective departures – Casemiro, Raphael Varane, Christian Eriksen and Tyrell Malacia.

It’s understood that Barcelona have “received the call” from the Oldham-born billionaire, who has expressed a desire to part ways with Casemiro, Varane, Eriksen and Malacia.

Ratcliffe spoke to Barca chief Deco and gave the Catalan giants “the opportunity to sign all of them” for a”reasonable price.”

United forked out a combined £124m to secure the services of Varane, Casemiro, Malacia and Eriksen. The latter three were brought in by Ten Hag, with Varane the only Ole Gunnar Solskjaer recruit between them.

The report notes that the new United co-owner wants to make room on the wage bill and views the sale of the four players as a way to achieve this objective.

It however seems difficult for the Blaugrana to sign any of the four United stars, especially Varane and Casemiro, who have close ties to arch-rivals Real Madrid. The pair enjoyed an extremely successful spell at the Santiago Bernabeu before eventually making the switch to England.

It’s easy to see why United could be open to a parting of ways with Casemiro, Varane, Eriksen and Malacia.

Casemiro has demonstrated a sharp decline in performances this season and appears to have lost a yard or two of space. For weeks now, he has been a liability to the team and his continued selection in Ten Hag’s starting XI remains puzzling. The Brazilian and Varane represent two of United’s highest earners and at 32 and 30 respectively, it doesn’t make much sense to keep them around any longer. Both have also proven to be quite injury-prone.

Eriksen on the other hand lost his place in the team following the emergence of Kobbie Mainoo. The Dane has made no secret of his displeasure with his reduced playing time and with Mason Mount also lurking in the background and United plotting the addition of more midfielders, his opportunities are likely to become even more limited. Like Casemiro and Varane, he is also on the wrong end of his career.

Meanwhile, there are question marks over Malacia and his fitness. The Netherlands international hasn’t played even a single minute of competitive action this term due to injuries. His recovery has been hit by multiple setbacks and it’s unclear whether he’ll be back to top shape as soon as required. United are also thought to be in the market for a new,  younger left-back.

Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.

The post Barcelona “receive call” from Sir Jim Ratcliffe about cut-price deals for four Man United stars appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.