Varane to leave, Neville savages signings, Giggs nears management return

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We'll be back in the morning with all the latest transfer news as the January window opens for business. Erik ten Hag will start the New Year under pressure, will he still be in a job in 12 months time?

He ended Man United's trophy drought in 2023 by winning the League Cup. But that second half of the year have been six months to forget for United fans. With Sir Jim Ratcliffe's new investment, they'll crave a change of fortune in 2024.

Happy New Year.

Erik ten Hag won the Carabao Cup in his first season at Manchester United (Ian Tuttle/REX/Shutterstock)

January transfer window opens at midnight

We are now just hours away from the January transfer window opening, and all eyes will be on Manchester United.

Erik ten Hag is expected to do business in terms of incomings and outgoings, but his funds are likely to be restricted with Sir Jim Ratcliffe's injection of funds not yet available. The Dutchman does not have time to finalise deals though, with the Red Devils not playing again until their FA Cup tie at Wigan on January 8.

Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo is one player tipped to arrive at Old Trafford, despite Tottenham also linked with the defender.

Jean Clair Todibo has been linked with a move to Manchester United (Getty Images)

Fernandes tops list of game time for 2023

No other club player in Europe played more than Bruno Fernandes in 2023.

The 29-year-old played more than 70 games this year, and has seen more than 6,000 minutes of action in the last 12 months.

The Manchester United captain appeared in the Premier League, the Champions League and the Europa League as well as the FA Cup and Carabao Cup for his club. At international level, he was ever-present for Portugal in their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.

Man Utd deadline day live updates as Sabitzer completes loan move

It's a statistic, and workload, that will concern Erik ten Hag.

Bruno Fernandes (Shaun Botterill)

Marseille deny Martial link

Contrary to reports, Marseille have 'no interest' in signing United forward Anthony Martial in the January transfer window

The French forward has been linked with a move to the Ligue 1 outfit, but according to a report by French news outlet La Provence, the club are 'frustrated' by the reports, claiming they are false.

Martial's contract expires in the summer, when he will be able to leave Manchester on a free. The club are therefore exploring the option of selling him in January and getting some kind of return on the purchase they made back in the summer of 2014.

(Getty Images)

Neville on who should have the final say on Man Utd transfers

Gary Neville has urged Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos to take charge of recruitment at Manchester United after questioning several of Erik ten Hag's signings.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville said: “That’s the one that’s going to stand out on Erik ten Hag, that £85million on Antony. He’s nowhere near that level. But even £70million on Hojlund is a lot of money, £55million on Mount, £60million for Casemiro on a five-year deal.

“Manchester United’s recruitment department can’t have watched Antony and signed him for £85million. It looks like they’ve allowed Ten Hag to overrule him. The owners have got to say no.”

The club are expected to do business in January, although Ratcliffe's new injection of funds will not be available until the summer.

Eriksen's alarming response to latest defeat

Christian Eriksen has admitted Manchester United's latest defeat to Nottingham Forest was "hard to swallow" but "nothing new", with the result summing up their inconsistency so far.

"This season has been a lot of ups and downs so it's nothing new for us which is, of course, hard to swallow," he told club media on SUnday. "But we have to get back up and there’s no other way than to focus on the next game.

"We must be together as a team. In our career, all football clubs, there will be ups and downs and you have to go through them."

The words will hardly be of consolation to fans, with the Red Devils already having suffered 14 defeats in all competitions this season.

Neville reacts to Varane news

Following the news that Raphael Varane won't have his current contract extended at Manchester United, Gary Neville has reacted on social media.

But the former club right-back suspects the club will still offer him a new deal, just on reduced terms. Varane has struggled for form and fitness this season, but recently come back into the fold following injuries to Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire. United have been linked with Jean-Clair Todibo in the January transfer window, with the Frenchman currently impressing at Nice.

Premier League results as Unites stay seventh

In the Premier League this afternoon it has finished Fulham 2-1 Arsenal, and Tottenham 3-1 Bournemouth.

Neither of the scorelines affect United's seventh placed standing in the table. And the gap between the Red Devils and the top four still stands at nine points.

But should Brighton gain at least a point against West Ham on Tuesday, United will drop a place ahead of the league break for FA Cup action.

Erik ten Hag odds-on to be sacked

Manchester United's defeat to Nottingham Forest hasn't done Erik ten Hag any favours with the bookies.

According to Betfair, he's now 2/1 to be the next Premier League manager to be sacked, with Roy Hodgson the favourite. And Graham Potter is the favourite to replace him.

Betfair: Next Premier League Manager to Leave:
Roy Hodgson Evens
Erik ten Hag 2/1
Eddie Howe 7/1
Vincent Kompany 7/1
Mauricio Pochettino 14/1

Betfair: Next Permanent Manchester United Manager
Graham Potter 2/1
Julen Lopetegui 6/1
Zinedine Zidane 13/2
Ruben Amorim 10/1
Unai Emery 12/1

United refuse to extend Varane's contract

Manchester United won't trigger an option to extend Raphael Varane's contract by 12 months, leaving the defender free to hold talks with foreign clubs over a summer transfer from tomorrow.

Varane's contract runs out at the end of the season, but contains a clause giving United the option to automatically extend. However, the club have declined to take up by the January 1 deadline.

The 30-year-old's current £340,000-a-week wages have proved a bone of contention given his injury problems, and he has failed to hold down a regular starting place this season.

(Getty Images)

Salford City consider appointing Ryan Giggs as manager

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs could be set for a return to management.

The 50-year-old on a three-man shortlist to take over at the club he co-owns alongside fellow Class of 92 members David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Gary and Phil Neville. According to the Sun, Giggs is in the frame to take over along with Dean Holden and Paul Hurst.

He has been out of management since June 2022 when he officially finished his stint as Wales manager.

Ryan Giggs could take over as manager of Salford City (Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

Gary Neville questions four Man Utd transfers

Gary Neville has questioned four of Manchester United’s transfers since Erik ten Hag arrived at Old Trafford - with struggling Antony the focal point of his complaints.

“That’s the one that’s going to stand out on Erik ten Hag, that £85million on Antony,” Neville, who was alongside Jamie Redknapp, said on Sky Sports. “He’s nowhere near that level. But even £70million on Hojlund is a lot of money, £55million on Mount, £60million for Casemiro on a five-year deal.

“There’s a lot of deals you can start to look at with a glass half empty. If you look at recruitment, I get the point about managers but gone are the days when Sir Alex Ferguson would travel to watch other players."

Neville also again called out the structure of United, and the lack of a figure overseeing transfers.

Eriksen demands improvement

Christian Eriksen has demanded his Manchester United team-mates find more consistency as their dreadful season lurched from bad to worse.

“We have to look forward, we have to work to get back,” Eriksen said.

“I mean, this season has been a lot of ups and downs, so it’s nothing new for us. This of course is hard to swallow, but we have to get back up and there’s no other way than focus on the next game.”

Ten Hag slammed for being "deluded"

So having said pre-match that United should’ve/could’ve beaten Arsenal, Liverpool & Villa - which clearly was nonsense - what about Forest Erik? The man is deluded.

— Richard Keys (@richardajkeys) December 30, 2023

Antony mocked by Forest fans

Antony was mocked with chants of 'what a waste of money' as he was substituted against Nottingham Forest.

The Brazilian was hauled off after 54 minutes, with Forest fans delighting in his dreadful performance.

Ten Hag told to 'take responsibility'

Erik ten Hag has bee urged to 'take responsibility' for Manchester United's awful season.

"Who is there to come back where you think 'wow, this is going to make a huge difference'?" Chris Sutton told BBC Sport.

"The thing that troubles me with Erik ten Hag is I don't know what game he was watching when he comes out and answers like that. There comes a time when he has to take responsibility. He has spent over £400m."

Amad thanks supporters

Amad has thanked fans for their support after making his Manchester United return in the defeat to Nottingham Forest.

“I thank everyone who prayed for me during my injury,” Amad posted on X, formerly Twitter.

“Being on the field today after five months was truly a special day for me... this team will come back stronger like it always has. I am proud and I thank God for allowing me to be on this team.”

Amad made a welcome return in the defeat to Nottingham Forest (Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Ten Hag hits back at Mainoo criticism

Erik ten Hag has hit back at critcism of his decision to bring off Kobbie Mainoo at half-time of the defeat to Nottingham Forest, insisting he has 'no regrets'.

"He played a third game in a row in this week and that’s tough, where he’s coming from. I thought the energy was a little bit lower than the other two games this week, therefore we brought some new energy in," he said.

"I don’t regret. I thought Scott brought energy, I thought second half was much better our side. The first goal, when you analyse it good, we were downsized. Nothing to do with the central midfield there."

Schmeichel launches Antony rant

United legend Peter Schmeichel has demanded that Antony be dropped by Manchester United as he 'doesn't understand the game'.

"I really think he should rethink Antony's position. He doesn't give much to the team. He frustrates his teammates. It's really frustrating," he told SuperSport.

"He's had an opportunity for a long time, this is a player that hasn't scored this season, he's not made an assist and he's not scored, it's like he's not really understanding the game."

Elanga speaks out on Man United victory

Anthony Elanga has said last night's victory against his former side Man United was "personal".

Speaking after Nottingham Forest's 2-1 victory, he said: “Last season wasn’t easy for me because I’d play five or 10 minutes, then I wouldn’t play for 10 games, I’d be in-and-out, in-and-out. I just stayed strong.

“I had my family supporting me, it’s been difficult when I hadn’t even been in the squad. This game was kind of personal for me because I wanted to prove that…listen I’m capable of playing at a high level."

(NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Man Utd slammed as "most boring" team in the Premier League

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton has slammed Manchester United as the "most boring" side in the league.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: “I had someone message me earlier asking if Manchester are the most boring team in the Premier League. You know what, it's hard to argue with that.”

Schmeichel savages Antony

Man Utd icon Peter Schmeichel has claimed Antony doesn't "understan" football after another miserable outing against Nottingham Forest.

Speaking on Danish TV, he said: "I really think he [Ten Hag] should rethink Antony's position. He doesn't give much to the team. He frustrates his teammates. It's really frustrating.

"He’s had an opportunity for a long time, this is a player that hasn’t scored this season, he’s not made an assist and he’s not scored, it’s like he’s not really understanding the game."

ICYMI - Man Utd to be beaten to Dragusin deal

Manchester United look set to admit defeat in the race to sign Genoa defender Radu Dragusin.

The Red Devils were previously linked with a move for the centre-back as a means to bolster Erik ten Hag's defence. However, Tottenham are edging towards a deal.

The North London side have moved to the front of the queue for Dragusin and are hoping to seal a deal next month.

Find out more here

Gary Neville sends Ten Hag sack message

Gary Neville believes Man Utd must have a strong end to the season or Erik ten Hag runs the risk of being sacked.

Speaking after defeat to Nottingham Forest, he said: "Ten Hag needs his players back - Martinez, Maguire, Casemiro, (Rasmus) Hojlund, Luke Shaw... and he needs to somehow finish the season strongly. But it's been a really up-and-down season. It's more down than up. Some of these performances are really, really poor. Well below anything that should be required at this level."

Read more here

Good morning!

Good morning and welcome along to Mirror Football's live Manchester Unite blog on New Years Eve.

We'll have all the latest news from Old Trafford throughout the day including all of the reaction to yesterday's humbling defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest.

Good night

Well, that didn't go to plan for Manchester United.

Nicolas Dominguez put Forest in front before Marcus Rashford equalised following a mistake by Matt Turner. But it was Morgan Gibbs-White who delivered the telling contribution, scoring the winner for the home side.

Presure is mounting on Erik ten Hag. Read the talking points here.

HT - Nottingham Forest 0-0 Manchester United

One of the most boring 45 minutes of football of all time.

Manchester United have managed one shot, with an xG of 0.04.

30 mins

Manchester United are yet to have a single shot on Nottingham Forest's goal...

We're underway

Can Manchester United end a run of three Premier League away games without a goal?

Man Utd team vs Nottingham Forest

Erik ten Hag has brought in Antony to replace Rasmus Hojlund, who is ill.

The boss makes one change for our final test of 2023

@Antony00 replaces Rasmus Hojlund, who misses out through illness.#MUFC || #NFOMUN

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 30, 2023