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Villarreal and Spain defender Pau Torres, 25, is edging closer to move to Manchester United after his agents travelled to England to continue discussions. (Cadena Ser, via Mirror)
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Manchester United | 2021/22 Season
- Thread starter Firebat
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Ralf Rangnick's six-month stint as Manchester United manager is among the most head-scratching episodes in the club's recent history.
One of the game's most revered technical directors was named as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's interim successor in late November - despite having done hardly any management in the previous decade - with United stressing how much knowledge the German had to impart.
Rangnick presided over marginal improvement before a major slump after the Champions League exit against Atletico Madrid - two wins from the final nine games of the season including a 4-0 hammering at Brighton widely accepted to be one of the club's worst results in living memory.
A two-year consultancy role was agreed as part of his arrival, but he will not take that up, leaving many dismissing his era as a waste of time.
Erik ten Hag - Solskjaer's permanent replacement - was unaware of what role United had in mind for the 63-year-old, who was unimpressive as a manager and is now seemingly not needed for his technical expertise.
So is this parting of the ways a sign of clear vision and progress at a club trying to find its way out of the mess that saw them finish sixth last season - with their worst points total of the Premier League era - or evidence of more muddled thinking at a club that has lost its way?
In a way, United didn't need to hold Rangnick to the six-days-a-month agreement they struck for his involvement beyond the end of the season. They - and everyone else - already knew his thoughts.
Growing increasingly exasperated by a squad unable and unwilling to implement his tactics, Rangnick used his pre-match news conferences to deliver some pretty stark home truths.
He had already made it very public that he believed United could make 10 new signings this summer, that they needed more physical players and that the team spirit necessary for success was sorely lacking.
He even said the answers on recruitment were not rocket science.
It is not clear whether Ten Hag agrees, but when he was asked about Rangnick at his first news conference, the Dutchman was dismissive.
"That is on the club," he said. Given that statement - and United's belief they are moving in the right direction - ending the agreement with Rangnick before it really began made sense for all parties.
United say Rangnick's period in charge allowed them time to carry out both an exhaustive process to identify Solskjaer's long-term successor, and streamline their method of finding new players.
The manager and recruitment department retain power of veto over potential transfer targets, but United believe what they now have in place will provide more consistency.
All United's senior scouts report to Steve Brown - the club's head of recruitment operations - and Ten Hag will clearly have his own thoughts on players.
Both will now feed into football director John Murtough, and there will no longer be any involvement at executive level until potential deals reach their latter stages.
New chief executive Richard Arnold is keen to empower those with the right skillset to make decisions.
That should allow Ten Hag to operate with a greater degree of freedom, and many of the players he is looking at - such as defenders Jurrien Timber and Lisandro Martinez, and winger Antony - play for his former club Ajax or - in the case of midfielder Frenkie de Jong - did in the past.
A realistic vision this summer
There is also a realism to United's vision for the summer.
With a limited budget, the club are adamant they will not overpay, and BBC Sport has been told "there will not be a United premium".
The scope for raising additional funds may be limited and, from a financial perspective, bringing in the 10 players Rangnick spoke about would be tough.
Five players - midfielders Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Nemanja Matic, and forwards Jesse Lingard and Edinson Cavani - are out of contract at the end of next month and will attract no fee. Others - such as defenders Phil Jones and Eric Bailly - have time left, but appear to have no future at the club.
Beyond that, there are players - such as full-backs Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot, and others who have been on loan, including midfielders Donny van de Beek and James Garner, and winger Amad Diallo - who Ten Hag quickly needs to assess.
Then there are bigger names - including forward Marcus Rashford and defenders Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire - who are capable of far more than they have shown of late.
Ten Hag's task is to mould that together into a coherent unit, capable of playing the kind of possession-based football he demands.
The work begins on 24 June, when United's non-international players begin their pre-season training. The first test will come on 12 July, when they meet Liverpool in Bangkok.
By then, Rangnick will be long gone. Ten Hag's job is to make sure he stays a distant memory.
BBC
One of the game's most revered technical directors was named as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's interim successor in late November - despite having done hardly any management in the previous decade - with United stressing how much knowledge the German had to impart.
Rangnick presided over marginal improvement before a major slump after the Champions League exit against Atletico Madrid - two wins from the final nine games of the season including a 4-0 hammering at Brighton widely accepted to be one of the club's worst results in living memory.
A two-year consultancy role was agreed as part of his arrival, but he will not take that up, leaving many dismissing his era as a waste of time.
Erik ten Hag - Solskjaer's permanent replacement - was unaware of what role United had in mind for the 63-year-old, who was unimpressive as a manager and is now seemingly not needed for his technical expertise.
So is this parting of the ways a sign of clear vision and progress at a club trying to find its way out of the mess that saw them finish sixth last season - with their worst points total of the Premier League era - or evidence of more muddled thinking at a club that has lost its way?
In a way, United didn't need to hold Rangnick to the six-days-a-month agreement they struck for his involvement beyond the end of the season. They - and everyone else - already knew his thoughts.
Growing increasingly exasperated by a squad unable and unwilling to implement his tactics, Rangnick used his pre-match news conferences to deliver some pretty stark home truths.
He had already made it very public that he believed United could make 10 new signings this summer, that they needed more physical players and that the team spirit necessary for success was sorely lacking.
He even said the answers on recruitment were not rocket science.
It is not clear whether Ten Hag agrees, but when he was asked about Rangnick at his first news conference, the Dutchman was dismissive.
"That is on the club," he said. Given that statement - and United's belief they are moving in the right direction - ending the agreement with Rangnick before it really began made sense for all parties.
United say Rangnick's period in charge allowed them time to carry out both an exhaustive process to identify Solskjaer's long-term successor, and streamline their method of finding new players.
The manager and recruitment department retain power of veto over potential transfer targets, but United believe what they now have in place will provide more consistency.
All United's senior scouts report to Steve Brown - the club's head of recruitment operations - and Ten Hag will clearly have his own thoughts on players.
Both will now feed into football director John Murtough, and there will no longer be any involvement at executive level until potential deals reach their latter stages.
New chief executive Richard Arnold is keen to empower those with the right skillset to make decisions.
That should allow Ten Hag to operate with a greater degree of freedom, and many of the players he is looking at - such as defenders Jurrien Timber and Lisandro Martinez, and winger Antony - play for his former club Ajax or - in the case of midfielder Frenkie de Jong - did in the past.
A realistic vision this summer
There is also a realism to United's vision for the summer.
With a limited budget, the club are adamant they will not overpay, and BBC Sport has been told "there will not be a United premium".
The scope for raising additional funds may be limited and, from a financial perspective, bringing in the 10 players Rangnick spoke about would be tough.
Five players - midfielders Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Nemanja Matic, and forwards Jesse Lingard and Edinson Cavani - are out of contract at the end of next month and will attract no fee. Others - such as defenders Phil Jones and Eric Bailly - have time left, but appear to have no future at the club.
Beyond that, there are players - such as full-backs Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot, and others who have been on loan, including midfielders Donny van de Beek and James Garner, and winger Amad Diallo - who Ten Hag quickly needs to assess.
Then there are bigger names - including forward Marcus Rashford and defenders Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire - who are capable of far more than they have shown of late.
Ten Hag's task is to mould that together into a coherent unit, capable of playing the kind of possession-based football he demands.
The work begins on 24 June, when United's non-international players begin their pre-season training. The first test will come on 12 July, when they meet Liverpool in Bangkok.
By then, Rangnick will be long gone. Ten Hag's job is to make sure he stays a distant memory.
BBC
James
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The appointment of Rangnick is truly beginning to look mystifying in the extreme. A temporary manager who had zero success and has created no legacy. Man United surely should have just kept Solksjaer instead of wasting their time and money on Rangnick.
IAJ
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Man U will play Atletico de Madrid in Oslo 30 July 2022 and the tickets were sold out within 30 minutes.
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Manchester United have started talks to sign 20-year-old Netherlands international defender Jurrien Timber, who is valued at £43m by Ajax. (Guardian)
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Manchester United are considering a shock move for Chelsea and England midfielder Mason Mount, 23, who is yet to sign a new contract at Stamford Bridge. (Sun)
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Jesse Lingard will leave Manchester United at the end of June when his contract expires.
James
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rio Ferdinand has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list 🎖<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MUFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MUFC</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/rioferdy5?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RioFerdy5</a></p>— Manchester United (@ManUtd) <a href="https://twitter.com/ManUtd/status/1532114116286074883?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
silentkiller187
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Juan Mata will leave Manchester United after eight years at the club when his contract expires at the end of the month.
The 34-year-old was signed by David Moyes from Premier League rivals Chelsea in January 2014 and went on to make 285 appearances for United, scoring 51 goals.
Mata's first trophy at Old Trafford was the 2016 FA Cup under Louis van Gaal, while he also helped the side to the Europa League and League Cup under Jose Mourinho the following season.
In a statement confirming his departure, United said: "Thank you for dedicating eight years of your career to United, Juan. Everyone at the club wishes you all the best for the future."
Mata struggled for games under both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick this season, making just 12 appearances in all competitions.
The Spaniard will exit the club along with Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard, who United announced would also be leaving at their end of their contracts on Wednesday.
United academy graduate Pogba left Old Trafford to join Juventus as a free agent in 2012, only to return four years later for a then world-record fee of £89m, while Lingard will end a 20-year association with the club.
https://www.skysports.com/football/...trafford-at-end-of-contract-after-eight-years
The 34-year-old was signed by David Moyes from Premier League rivals Chelsea in January 2014 and went on to make 285 appearances for United, scoring 51 goals.
Mata's first trophy at Old Trafford was the 2016 FA Cup under Louis van Gaal, while he also helped the side to the Europa League and League Cup under Jose Mourinho the following season.
In a statement confirming his departure, United said: "Thank you for dedicating eight years of your career to United, Juan. Everyone at the club wishes you all the best for the future."
Mata struggled for games under both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick this season, making just 12 appearances in all competitions.
The Spaniard will exit the club along with Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard, who United announced would also be leaving at their end of their contracts on Wednesday.
United academy graduate Pogba left Old Trafford to join Juventus as a free agent in 2012, only to return four years later for a then world-record fee of £89m, while Lingard will end a 20-year association with the club.
https://www.skysports.com/football/...trafford-at-end-of-contract-after-eight-years
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Former Manchester United, Manchester City, West Ham and Argentina striker Carlos Tevez has announced his retirement from football.
Tevez, 38, has not played since ending his third stint with boyhood club Boca Juniors in June 2021.
He said he had "given everything" in his 20-year career, but his father's death last year drove his decision to retire, despite offers to continue.
"I stopped playing because I lost my number one fan," he told America TV.
"I have retired, it is confirmed. They offered me many things, including from the United States. But that's it, I have given everything.
"Playing the last year was very difficult but I was able to see my old man."
Segundo Tevez died aged 58 in February 2021 after he contracted Covid-19.
Tevez also played for Juventus as well as Brazilian side Corinthians and, in between two spells with Boca, Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua.
In 2004, he won Olympic gold with Argentina in Athens, going on to make 75 appearances for his country by 2015.
BBC
Tevez, 38, has not played since ending his third stint with boyhood club Boca Juniors in June 2021.
He said he had "given everything" in his 20-year career, but his father's death last year drove his decision to retire, despite offers to continue.
"I stopped playing because I lost my number one fan," he told America TV.
"I have retired, it is confirmed. They offered me many things, including from the United States. But that's it, I have given everything.
"Playing the last year was very difficult but I was able to see my old man."
Segundo Tevez died aged 58 in February 2021 after he contracted Covid-19.
Tevez also played for Juventus as well as Brazilian side Corinthians and, in between two spells with Boca, Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua.
In 2004, he won Olympic gold with Argentina in Athens, going on to make 75 appearances for his country by 2015.
BBC
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Barcelona are open to negotiating with Manchester United over the transfer of Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong, 25, to Old Trafford but the Spanish club has yet received a formal offer from United. (Sport)
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Benfica's Uruguay forward Darwin Nunez, 22, is hesitant to join Manchester United because they are not in the Champions League next season. (Mirror)
Manchester United have made an initial offer of 60m euros (£51m) - plus 20m euros (£17m) in add-ons - for Barcelona's 25-year-old Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who has been contacted by manager Erik ten Hag. (Marca)
Manchester United have made an initial offer of 60m euros (£51m) - plus 20m euros (£17m) in add-ons - for Barcelona's 25-year-old Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who has been contacted by manager Erik ten Hag. (Marca)
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Frenkie de Jong: Manchester United contact Barcelona over midfielder
Manchester United have contacted Barcelona over the availability of Frenkie de Jong.
The Netherlands midfielder played for new United manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax and is regarded as the ideal fit for his intended system at Old Trafford.
There has been no official bid made yet and United sources are adamant they will not overpay for the 25-year-old.
De Jong reached the Champions League semi-finals with Ajax in 2019 before joining Barca on a five-year contract.
Barca agreed a £65m deal for De Jong in January 2019 and after joining the Spanish giants that summer he has scored 13 goals from 140 appearances, helping them win the Copa del Rey in 2021.
He made 46 appearances last season, scoring four goals and claiming five assists.
Central midfield has been earmarked as the most important area for strengthening at Old Trafford this summer.
The exits of Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Juan Mata mean United are short of numbers in that department.
And it has been obvious for some time the club does not have the personnel to compete in that department with Manchester City and Liverpool.
It is not yet known how keen De Jong is to make the move given United failed to qualify for next season's Champions League.
It is understood United are also looking at other options and would be prepared to walk away if they can't do the deal they want.
However, given Ten Hag's desire to be reunited with the player, if De Jong gave an indication he was prepared to make the move, it is difficult to envisage United failing to complete their first transfer of the new era following last season's dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61765634
Manchester United have contacted Barcelona over the availability of Frenkie de Jong.
The Netherlands midfielder played for new United manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax and is regarded as the ideal fit for his intended system at Old Trafford.
There has been no official bid made yet and United sources are adamant they will not overpay for the 25-year-old.
De Jong reached the Champions League semi-finals with Ajax in 2019 before joining Barca on a five-year contract.
Barca agreed a £65m deal for De Jong in January 2019 and after joining the Spanish giants that summer he has scored 13 goals from 140 appearances, helping them win the Copa del Rey in 2021.
He made 46 appearances last season, scoring four goals and claiming five assists.
Central midfield has been earmarked as the most important area for strengthening at Old Trafford this summer.
The exits of Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Juan Mata mean United are short of numbers in that department.
And it has been obvious for some time the club does not have the personnel to compete in that department with Manchester City and Liverpool.
It is not yet known how keen De Jong is to make the move given United failed to qualify for next season's Champions League.
It is understood United are also looking at other options and would be prepared to walk away if they can't do the deal they want.
However, given Ten Hag's desire to be reunited with the player, if De Jong gave an indication he was prepared to make the move, it is difficult to envisage United failing to complete their first transfer of the new era following last season's dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61765634
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Manchester United will join the race for Poland striker Robert Lewandowski should the 33-year-old's dream move to Barcelona fail to come off, with the Spanish giants attempting to move on some of their high earners. (Sun)
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England manager Gareth Southgate has warned the likes of Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho they have "a lot to do" to get into England's World Cup squad.
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Manchester United have opened talks with Barcelona for Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong, 25, but will not pay over the odds with the Spanish club wanting 100m euros (£85.7m). (Manchester Evening News)
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">�� Man Utd understood to have made an offer to Christian Eriksen & are among the clubs interested in signing him. 30yo Denmark playmaker a free agent after Brentford contract ended. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MUFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MUFC</a> summer priority remains De Jong but other options too <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAthleticUK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheAthleticUK</a> <a href="https://t.co/mY3YGlEfME">https://t.co/mY3YGlEfME</a></p>— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/David_Ornstein/status/1536706343003901962?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Nottingham Forest have opened talks with Manchester United over a potential loan deal for goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
Henderson, 25, played just three games last season, making no appearances in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, first-choice keeper David de Gea played all 38 league matches.
Henderson is unlikely to fit into new manager Erik ten Hag's plans, which would harm his chances of being called up to the England World Cup squad.
He has won just one cap for England but was a regular member of Gareth Southgate's squad until Euro 2020, when he had to pull out because of injury.
During the 2020-21 season, Henderson made 26 appearances in all competitions for United, and the season prior he was Sheffield United's first-choice keeper, playing 36 times in the Premier League whilst on loan with the Blades.
A Manchester United academy graduate, he signed his first professional contract with the club in 2015 before he was loaned out to Stockport County, Grimsby Town, Shrewsbury Town and finally Sheffield United.
There is doubt over the future of Forest keeper Brice Samba, whose contract expires in 2023 and has indicated he does not want to sign an extension.
BBC
Henderson, 25, played just three games last season, making no appearances in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, first-choice keeper David de Gea played all 38 league matches.
Henderson is unlikely to fit into new manager Erik ten Hag's plans, which would harm his chances of being called up to the England World Cup squad.
He has won just one cap for England but was a regular member of Gareth Southgate's squad until Euro 2020, when he had to pull out because of injury.
During the 2020-21 season, Henderson made 26 appearances in all competitions for United, and the season prior he was Sheffield United's first-choice keeper, playing 36 times in the Premier League whilst on loan with the Blades.
A Manchester United academy graduate, he signed his first professional contract with the club in 2015 before he was loaned out to Stockport County, Grimsby Town, Shrewsbury Town and finally Sheffield United.
There is doubt over the future of Forest keeper Brice Samba, whose contract expires in 2023 and has indicated he does not want to sign an extension.
BBC
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