Man Utd news live - Ten Hag confirms 'break clause' as Fernandes apologises

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Man Utd news live - Ten Hag confirms
Man Utd news live - Ten Hag confirms 'break clause' as Fernandes apologises

Manchester United's season of inconsistency hit a new nadir on Saturday with the 3-0 loss to Bournemouth.

The question now: Will it signal the end of Erik ten Hag? The United boss is under mountin pressure and with Bayern Munich and Liverpool coming up this week, could we be into the final days of the Dutchman at Old Trafford?

Certainly he came out fighting on Saturday - telling fans they were wrong for their treatment of Anthony Martial and telling his flops they MUST do better. But do this United side even have that in them?

Keep up with all the latest fallout from Old Trafford, the latest on Jim Ratcliffe's arrival and January transfer gossip right here...

TOP MAN UTD STORIES:

Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash eiqrtiqtdiqrxinvMarcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
  • Ten Hag tells flops what they must change immediately

  • Gary Neville's blunt assessment of Bournemouth loss

  • Ten Hag confirms 'break clause' could see star leave in January

Goodbye

That's all from us tonight, thanks for joining us!

Neville blasts "absolute nonsense" Man Utd idea

Gary Neville believes Manchester United should not sack Erik ten Hag and has instead blamed the Glazers for the club's misfortunes on the pitch.

The Red Devils succumbed to a disappointing 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Saturday, courtesy of goals from Dominic Solanke, Phillip Billing and Marcos Senesi. It was United's 11th loss of the season in all competitions and seventh in the Premier League.

Following Manchester City's victory over Luton on Sunday, United now sit six points off the Champions League places and 10 behind leaders Liverpool. There was some optimism after Wednesday's 2-1 success over Chelsea, but the feel-good factor was short-lived and Neville has since analysed the current predicament at his former employers ahead of their must-win game against Bayern Munich.

Click here to read the full story.

United accused of 'throwing in the towel'

Former Premier League winner Tim Sherwood has accused Manchester United of throwing in the towel as they were embarrassed by Bournemouth.

"I think the performances have been as bad as this, but they've got away with it," said Sherwood. "They improved against Chelsea because they didn't have to take the game to the opposition. They could play counter-attack football.

"Credit to Bournemouth. They had a game plan and pounced on it and were clinical in their finishing. But very rarely was I off my chair thinking Manchester United must score here. Bournemouth were quite comfortable.

Man Utd deadline day live updates as Sabitzer completes loan moveMan Utd deadline day live updates as Sabitzer completes loan move

"We're talking about a team in 16th going away from home to Old Trafford. I'm within my rights to think Manchester United, with world-class players and the money they've spent, should be able to break them down and score.

"But they got worse. In the second half, they came out and it looked like they had thrown the towel in, which is unfortunate for their fans watching on. At the moment, I cannot see Manchester United getting into the top four this season with performances like that."

United handed major injury boost

Bayern Munich will be without Serge Gnabry for their upcoming games, in a major boost for Manchester United.

United must beat the Bundesliga champions on Tuesday to have any hope of progressing to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Gnabry was forced off during Bayern's thrashing at the hands of Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday. The Bayern forward lasted just five minutes after coming on as a substitute in the 5-1 defeat. Following the game, Bayern confirmed they would be without the German international for several matches.

Bayern said in a statement: "Serge Gnabry suffered a groin strain in Saturday's 5-1 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt, a scan revealed last night. Gnabry, who was forced off the field just five minutes after coming on in Frankfurt, will therefore miss Bayern's upcoming matches."

Champions League permutations

If they are to stand any chance of reaching the last 16, United must defeat Bayern.

They will then rely on Copenhagen and Galatasaray drawing, though if either side wins, United will be out of contention for the knockouts.

The Red Devils can still secure a place in the Europa League, but only if they defeat Bayern.

Klopp breaks Fergie record

Jurgen Klopp has eclipsed the record previously held by Sir Alex Ferguson for late winning goals in the Premier League after Liverpool's 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace.

During his 26 years at the helm of Manchester United, Ferguson's teams had a penchant for scoring late goals. Stoppage time was even dubbed 'Fergie Time' by fans due to the sheer volume of late strikes bagged by the Red Devils - but his record has now been beaten by the manager of United's arch-rivals.

Harvey Elliott plundered a 91st minute winner for Liverpool at Selhurst Park to send them to the Premier League summit. His strike was the 17th 90th-minute winning goal Liverpool have scored in the Premier League era; one more than the 16 overseen by Ferguson.

Man Utd news live - Ten Hag confirms 'break clause' as Fernandes apologisesJurgen Klopp (Adrian Dennis/AFP)

Neville hits back at Keys

Phil Neville has hit back at Richard Keys after he accused Bruno Fernandes of deliberately getting booked against Bournemouth in order to miss Manchester United's upcoming game against rivals Liverpool.

Fernandes was shown a yellow card late on for arguing with referee Peter Bankes and will now serve a one-match ban, with it the fifth time he has been booked this season. As a result, the Red Devils captain will miss United's trip to Anfield next weekend.

And Keys suggested on beIN Sports that Fernandes got himself booked on purpose in order to miss the game, having been part of the United side that got thrashed 7-0 by Liverpool at Anfield last season.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

ICYMI: Neville's verdict

Gary Neville quipped that Manchester United were fortunate to have only lost 3-0 against Bournemouth on Saturday.

In a post which quickly went viral on social media, the United stalwart said:

"I’ve just watched the highlights on the Sky Sports website and 3-0 looks like a good result!"

He's perhaps not the only one.

Man Utd news live - Ten Hag confirms 'break clause' as Fernandes apologisesGary Neville (Sky Sports)

Ten Hag eyes Phillips

Erik ten Hag is bracing himself for a transfer battle with Jurgen Klopp after targeting a shock January move for Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

Despite the £55million summer signing of Mason Mount from Chelsea, and Sofyan Amrabat arriving on loan from Fiorentina, Manchester United's midfield signifies one of the many problems currently facing the Dutch manager. Both players have underwhelmed since joining while the form and fitness struggles of Casemiro have exacerbated the issue.

And United's vulnerability in that area was laid bare by the harrowing 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth on Saturday. And it's led to the club being linked with Phillips, who despite picking up a Premier League title medal last season has failed to cement himself as a regular starter under Pep Guardiola.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Man Utd news live - Ten Hag confirms 'break clause' as Fernandes apologises (Michael Zemanek/REX/Shutterstock)

Fernandes issues apology

Bruno Fernandes has apologised to Manchester United supporters for an unacceptable performance against Bournemouth.

Erik ten Hag has seen his side lose 11 matches already this season and his promising debut campaign - in which they won the Carabao Cup and reached the FA Cup Final, as well as securing a top four finish - is now a distant memory.

United’s season reached a nadir on Saturday afternoon as Bournemouth won at Old Trafford for the first time in their history. The hosts were lucky to only lose 3-0 against Andoni Iraola's side. It was a remarkable drop-off from Wednesday’s 2-1 win against Chelsea on home soil and led an increasingly frustrated Ten Hag to admit that his side are not good enough to play on a high level consistently.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

ICYMI: Reguilon deal could be cut short

Erik ten Hag has admitted that Sergio Reguilon could be back at Tottenham in January due to a 'break clause' in his contract.

“We have to make a final decision on Reguilon. But also there is Spurs who are involved in that conversation as well.”

Reguilon has been playing of late with Luke Shaw in at centre-back and Tyrell Malacia still sidelined.

Ten Hag in trouble

The worry for Manchester United is their plight is likely to get a whole lot worse before it gets better.

In a season of crushing lows, this was the biggest of them all, United humiliated by opponents whose team cost a fraction of the £350million side Erik ten Hag put out. But the shame and despondency felt by Ten Hag and his players could be exacerbated by United's next two opponents, who will show them no mercy.

On Tuesday night, United host Group A winners Bayern Munich in a game they must win to have any chance of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League. Even if they manage to do that, which seems fanciful on the back of this insipid display, Copenhagen and Galatasaray must draw in the other game for United to progress.

READ MCDONNELL'S COLUMN IN FULL HERE

Keys makes frank Fernandes claim

Richard Keys has suggested Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes deliberately got himself booked in their 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday because he knew it meant he would miss their clash with rivals Liverpool next weekend.

Fernandes was shown a yellow card for arguing with referee Peter Bankes late in the game. It is the fifth time the midfielder has been booked this season, meaning he will now serve a one-match ban and miss United's Premier League game against Liverpool on Sunday.

And Keys has claimed Fernandes did it on purpose because he "knows that next week could be a bad day out".

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Hojlund told to "pull up" Dalot

Ian Wright believes Rasmus Hojlund should be "pulling up" Diogo Dalot over the lack of service he received in Manchester United's chastening 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth.

Hojlund started Saturday afternoon's match on the bench but was brought on by Erik ten Hag as United chased the game in the second-half. The Denmark international's introduction couldn't prevent Andoni Iraola's side from recording a famous victory at Old Trafford, though, courtesy of goals from Dominic Solanke, Philip Billing and Marcos Senesi.

The result means Hojlund is still yet to score in the Premier League since his £72million summer transfer from Atalanta. And Wright is adamant that that striker should be having words with Dalot after the full-back ignored him in one key phase of play.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Man Utd news live - Ten Hag confirms 'break clause' as Fernandes apologisesRasmus Hojlund (Oli Scarff/AFP)

ICYMI: Fernandes to miss Liverpool match

Manchester United will be without Bruno Fernandes when they play Liverpool after their captain was booked in the shocking defeat by Bournemouth.

Goals from Dominic Solanke, Philip Billing and Marcos Senesi piled the pressure on Ten Hag, who now has huge games against Bayern Munich and Liverpool next week. The trip to Anfield next Saturday will be made harder by the absence of Fernandes, who was needlessly booked in the second half.

Fernandes showed petulance not befitting of a club captain, receiving a yellow card for arguing with referee Peter Bankes in the closing stages. It was his fifth booking of the season and therefore incurs a one-match ban in the Premier League.

Read more here.

Man Utd news live - Ten Hag confirms 'break clause' as Fernandes apologisesBruno Fernandes will miss the trip to Liverpool (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Maguire getting his rewards

Playing for the badge isn’t enough to survive in the Premier League - but Harry Maguire is now reaping the rewards of the loyalty he has shown to Manchester United.

It would have been easy for the centre-back to pack his kit-bag and look for another challenge away from Old Trafford when Erik ten Hag stripped him of the captaincy and dropped him unceremoniously from United’s team.

Maguire had not only fallen behind Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof in Ten Hag’s plans, the Dutchman even brought 35-year-old Jonny Evans back to the club when the Irishman was out of contract. The writing wasn’t just on the wall for the England international, it had been written in 20-foot capital letters: YOUR TIME IS UP.

But Maguire refused to sulk - and he buckled down with a determination to prove his manager and his detractors wrong.

READ FOWLER'S FULL COLUMN HERE

Fernandes makes Bournemouth admission

Bruno Fernandes appeared to suggest some of his Manchester United colleagues thought Bournemouth would give them an easy ride.

United hosted the Cherries, who came into the Old Trafford clash 16th in the Premier League table. Erik ten Hag’s side meanwhile, could have gone level on points with champions Manchester City with a second win in four days.

However, they were humiliated in front of their own fans as goals from Dominik Solanke, Phillip Billing and Marco Senesi condemned them to an embarrassing 3-0 defeat.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Man Utd news live - Ten Hag confirms 'break clause' as Fernandes apologisesBruno Fernandes (MUTV)

Ten Hag tells Man Utd flops what they must change

Erik ten Hag endured a cascade of angry booing as Manchester United fans voted with their feet after a shocking defeat by Bournemouth and told his inconsistent side: "We have to get tougher!"

United have now lost seven Premier League games with the Cherries inflicting a fourth defeat in nine home games for ten Hag’s erratic stars.

“I think the way we started is no good, that is poor.

“Conceding in the first five minutes and especially against an opponent which is a very good transition team, you give them the perfect circumstances.

“After the 2-0 we break down and have to do things better. I definitely expected something different and I hoped before the game we can build on the performance and result from Chelsea, so I’m very disappointed with the way we started the game.

“I think we have to always be ready for a game and so I have to take the responsibility for it, I have to prepare my team for the game. We are really inconsistent. We have to become tougher and be ready for the game from the start. It can’t happen that you so easily concede a goal.”

Neville's blunt assessment

Gary Neville quipped that Manchester United were fortunate to have only lost 3-0 against Bournemouth on Saturday.

In a post which quickly went viral on social media, the United stalwart said:

"I’ve just watched the highlights on the Sky Sports website and 3-0 looks like a good result!"

He's perhaps not the only one.

Man Utd news live - Ten Hag confirms 'break clause' as Fernandes apologises (Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)

Will Ten Hag be sacked today?

Well, the simple answer is: No. No he won't.

But there is far less certainty around the Dutchman and his position at Old Trafford right now than there ever has been before.

Obviously United banned journalists for multi-sourced stories on dressing room unrest earlier in the week - basically because they were unhappy at not being able to deny it ahead of time. But nothing is more damning for a manager than when his side stop putting in performances. And right now, Ten Hag isn't getting them.

The question now is what this week looks like? Get thrashed by both Bayern and Liverpool and it may well be curtains.

Even if they aren't thrashed, can you see Sir Jim Ratcliffe arriving and being happy with this, and not making his own changes as he takes charge of the club's footballing operations? Nor can I.

Man Utd news live - Ten Hag confirms 'break clause' as Fernandes apologises (AFP via Getty Images)

Some transfer news

Erik ten Hag has admitted that Sergio Reguilon could be back at Tottenham in January due to a 'break clause' in his contract.

“We have to make a final decision on Reguilon. But also there is Spurs who are involved in that conversation as well.”

Reguilon has been playing of late with Luke Shaw in at centre-back and Tyrell Malacia still sidelined.

Man Utd news live - Ten Hag confirms 'break clause' as Fernandes apologises (Getty Images)

Sunday morning - after the horrific night before

Right then.

The morning after the horrific night before.

Let's see where we go from here shall we!

It'll be interesting to see if any statements are forthcoming from the club today ahead of two massive games this week - and with pressure mounting on Erik ten Hag.

Man Utd news live - Ten Hag confirms 'break clause' as Fernandes apologises (PA)

That's all for tonight folks!

Right all, that's it.

Time to go for the evening.

Hopefully things will be better tomorrow.

Hopefully. *sighs*

Ten Hag unhappy with Martial treatment by fans

Erik ten Hag defended Anthony Martial after he was mocked by Manchester United fans during Saturday's sobering 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth.

The Dutchman explained before the match that Martial had been selected ahead of summer signing Rasmus Hojlund as the Denmark international had "played a lot of games" recently, but he struggled to make an impact against the Cherries, who cantered to their first-ever victory at Old Trafford.

Martial was eventually withdrawn to loud cheers from the home support in the 56th minute with Hojlund coming on in his stead. But Ten Hag hit out at that reaction after the match, insisting that the disappointing result cannot be attributed to Martial alone.

Speaking post-match, Ten Hag said of the reaction: "Two weeks ago against Everton he played a very good game so he has absolutely the competences & abilities to play, so I don’t think it is fair, after a performance like this, to go to one player. We as a group failed all together."

The reaction from fans to Martial comes less than 24 hours after it emerged that the club could activate a one-year option in the striker's contract. He is due to be a free agent at the end of the current campaign.

Man Utd news live - Ten Hag confirms 'break clause' as Fernandes apologisesMany Manchester United fans are not too fond of Anthony Martial (Getty Images)

More from Ten Hag

“I think the way we started is no good, that is poor.

“Conceding in the first five minutes and especially against an opponent which is a very good transition team, you give them the perfect circumstances.

“After the 2-0 we break down and have to do things better. I definitely expected something different and I hoped before the game we can build on the performance and result from Chelsea, so I’m very disappointed with the way we started the game.

“I think we have to always be ready for a game and so I have to take the responsibility for it, I have to prepare my team for the game. We are really inconsistent. We have to become tougher and be ready for the game from the start. It can’t happen that you so easily concede a goal.”

Bruno speaks after loss

"We lacked many things and that's why we don't get the result today.

"Everything was lower than the levels in the game before and that's why when you play teams like Bournemouth, who are really aggressive and on the front foot, they press you, and you think it's going to be easy, you get these kind of results.

"Everything was underperforming. Creativity, movement and arriving with bodies into the box. Most of the time we arrived with one or two players, but in the last game we had more getting in the box to score a goal.

"Today, it was, as I said, underperforming. We just lack consistency and that's a big part of football. It's really important to be consistent every game and we're not being."

Not happy. Not surprising.

Man Utd news live - Ten Hag confirms 'break clause' as Fernandes apologisesBruno Fernandes was needlessly booked against Bournemouth (Getty Images)

Fernandes to miss Liverpool game

Manchester United will be without Bruno Fernandes when they play Liverpool after their captain was booked in the shocking defeat by Bournemouth.

Goals from Dominic Solanke, Philip Billing and Marcos Senesi piled the pressure on Ten Hag, who now has huge games against Bayern Munich and Liverpool next week. The trip to Anfield next Saturday will be made harder by the absence of Fernandes, who was needlessly booked in the second half.

Fernandes showed petulance not befitting of a club captain, receiving a yellow card for arguing with referee Peter Bankes in the closing stages. It was his fifth booking of the season and therefore incurs a one-match ban in the Premier League.

Read more here.

Man Utd news live - Ten Hag confirms 'break clause' as Fernandes apologisesBruno Fernandes will miss the trip to Liverpool (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Ten Hag "annoyed and disappointed"

The first words from Erik ten Hag are in.

He said: "Annoyed and disappointed. I expected something different. I hoped before the game to build on the performance and result against Chelsea. I'm very disappointed the way we started."

Man Utd players rated

Manchester United’s season of misery reached a new nadir as they were thrashed by Bournemouth at Old Trafford.

The midweek win over Chelsea had eased some of the pressure on Erik ten Hag, but it was piled back on after one of the worst results in the club’s recent history. A victory over the Cherries, who started the day in 16th, would have put United level on points with champions Manchester City, with cause for optimism.

Read our ratings here.

Solanke hails Bournemouth result

Dominic Solanke has hailed Bournemouth's win as one of the best in the club's history.

Asked whether this is one of the best results in the club’s history, Solanke told Premier League Productions: “Yeah I’d probably say so and it shows the direction we are going in. I think I we’ve been building a lot in the last few weeks we are feeling confident we are feeling great.

"At the moment we feel like we can beat anyone and that showed today. I think just composure really. The stadium is magnificent. It's easy to probably get intimidated here but we kept our heads.

"We were confident on the ball kept playing and attacked when we could and kept pressing through the whole game. We are just delighted to get the result.”

Jacob Leeks

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