In an epic Europa League clash, Manchester United faced a daunting 3-1 deficit against Porto, with even Bruno Fernandes sent off. However, Harry Maguire's heroic late goal saved the game for United, much to the relief of manager Erik ten Hag. Former United player Owen Hargreaves suggests dropping Matthijs de Ligt from the starting line-up after his struggles against Porto, making for an exciting lineup decision for the upcoming match against Aston Villa.
After Manchester United's 3-3 draw against Porto in the Europa League, pundit Jamie Carragher criticized Matthijs de Ligt's performance and questioned his worth as a player. De Ligt struggled to keep up with Porto's attackers, leading to three goals for the opposition. This has raised concerns among fans and pundits about the effectiveness of United's expensive signing. Even former United midfielder Paul Scholes doesn't see De Ligt as a vast improvement from the current players and calls for the team to step up their game on the training ground.
As Erick ten Hag faces scrutiny and pressure in his position as Manchester United's manager, defender Matthijs de Ligt reveals that his fellow Dutchman is remaining calm and focused. Despite a difficult start to the Premier League season, Ten Hag is trying to motivate his players and steer the team out of their rut. However, De Ligt acknowledges the difference in tactical levels between the Premier League and Eredivisie, where both he and Ten Hag previously worked together at Ajax.
Manchester United suffered a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to Tottenham, with Gary Neville blasting Marcus Rashford for his poor play in the lead up to the first goal. The Red Devils were booed off the field at halftime, with their only goal coming from Brennan Johnson after an impressive run from Micky van de Ven. In the second half, United's situation worsened as Bruno Fernandes was shown a red card and goals from Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke put the game out of reach. Neville praised Van de Ven's remarkable run and criticized Rashford for giving away possession before criticizing fellow countryman Matthijs de Ligt for his weak defending.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is looking to bolster his already talented squad with the addition of a defender from Serie A. Reports suggest that the club is willing to spend £103 million on the player, making him one of the most expensive defenders in the transfer market. Meanwhile, Juventus' Matthijs de Ligt is rumored to be unhappy and looking for a move to Spain, with Barcelona also eyeing potential upgrades in their defense for the upcoming season.
After weeks of negotiations, Manchester United have secured a deal with Paris Saint-Germain to bring in talented midfielder Manuel Ugarte from the French club. This comes as no surprise as Man Utd has been on the hunt for a top-class defensive midfielder and Ugarte has long been their top target. Despite considering other players, Man Utd ultimately sealed the deal with Ugarte, reaching a 'total agreement' with PSG. The transfer was confirmed by several top sources, including Fabrice Hawkins and Fabrizio Romano, making it a monumental feat for the club. Ugarte is set to become Man Utd's fifth summer signing, joining other newcomers Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, and Noussair Mazraoui.
Bayern Munich Sporting Director Max Eberl has taken a dig at Chelsea's approach to squad management, pointing out that having an inflated squad is not a recipe for success. He emphasized the importance of giving young players opportunities and maintaining a well-balanced team. On the other hand, Chelsea, under the ownership of Todd Boehly, has seen a decline in their performance and confusion surrounding their squad of over 40 players. Many experts question their plans for the upcoming season.
Bayern Munich director Max Eberl has justified selling Matthijs de Ligt to Manchester United by saying they can't have a bloated squad like Chelsea. Man Utd completed their signing of De Ligt last week, along with Noussair Mazraoui, Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro. However, they are still in the market for more additions, including Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte. Ten Hag, De Ligt's former coach at Ajax, has admitted that the player has failed to live up to expectations since his big-money move to Juventus in 2019.
As the highly anticipated 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League season begins, Manchester United takes on Fulham with a new look team. Erik ten Hag hands full-back Noussair Mazraoui his debut, while new signings Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee have to settle for a spot on the bench. Amad Diallo and Marcus Rashford flank Bruno Fernandes, who could potentially line up as a false nine in this exciting start to the season.
Despite already securing transfers for Bruno Fernandes, Noussair Mazraoui, and Matthijs de Ligt, Manchester United continues to be embroiled in transfer rumors and speculation. Jadon Sancho's potential move to PSG is still up in the air, while Napoli and Fulham have both expressed interest in loan deals for Scott McTominay. Additionally, United is reportedly expecting bids for Christian Eriksen as Erik ten Hag looks to trim down his squad. Stay informed on the latest developments in the ever-active Manchester United transfer market here.