Erik Ten Hag was in a good mood during training earlier this week as Manchester United’s leading players return to Premier League action against a struggling Nottingham Forest this weekend. Christian Eriksen made a 13-minute cameo against Everton and immediately showed what the team has been missing. He displayed pin-point passing, pure class in spotting potential runs towards goal and supplied balls which split the Everton defence. Casimero, back from a four-match suspension, is also available for this weekend’s match against Forest. The coach is however worried that the tough tackling Brazilian could pick up another suspension with the Reds still competing in three competitions with a run of games playing twice each week. Casimero is certainly the midfield general and there is no one better and he has been at the centre of United’s recent turnaround. Ten Hag explained, “When you miss players you have to find solutions as a manager and coaching staff. When you miss them you have to find a solution to bring the game from the back and start the build-up to progress the ball to attack. We decided to bring Bruno down the field and he’s doing brilliantly, he is playing really well.” Fernandes’ new approach has worked excellently for Ten Hag and he gets more involved in attacks earlier by taking possession of the ball during build-ups from the back and his skill at spotting a pass is more valuable. When United played Everton for instance he was spraying passes all over the field and effectively making use of the wide players. Ten Hag is considering leaving him in that position even when Casimero and Erikson are back playing together because he is also helping out in defence. Fernandes and Casemiro playing together could be awesome and whereas Scott McTominay has shown improvement Ten Hag does not rely on him like Casimero. Jadon Sancho has shown flashes of quality but Ten Hag is getting impatient waiting for a genuine return on United’s investment. For Ten Hag the only current downside is the injury to Marcus Rashford but I am told the United medical team are on top of the situation and will release him as soon as possible which could be in a couple of games.
Lampard must improve his forwards
Interim coach Frank Lampard has created a 4-3-3 line-up for Chelsea’s league matches which gives Raheem a clear role to play on the wing. With only four goals and two assists this season in 21 matches he has failed to find that spark against Premier League opposition which once made him the envy of every player in Europe. Lampard recognises his personal main task is to get the best out of Sterling, Pulisic, Fofana, Felix and Aubameyang and the Cobham training ground will see those players being given extra training which includes more time focusing on a return to form.
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Kompany wins promotion for Burnley
Last week fans heard a story that a pub local to Burnley football club was renamed as The Royal Kompany after the coach who was appointed to the club last year and has won them promotion to the Premier League. The story appears to be a joke but there are many who believe Vincent should be given the freedom of the city. He is a hero and Kompany, a legend at Manchester City, has done a remarkable job.
Their win over Middlesbrough last weekend won them promotion with seven games left to play! It was all down to meticulous planning by Kompany. Long sessions in the training room pre-season with Richard Bredice, a performance analyst brought in from Anderlecht by Vincent, which prompted striker Ashley Barnes to comment that it was “like being back at school”.
But the players learned their lessons well. Extra lines were painted onto the training pitches to create smaller spaces using different zones to get players used to creating chances inside tight playing positions. Kompany admits he learned much from Pep Guardiola, his coach whilst captaining Manchester City. Next season they will meet head to head and who would bet against Burnley doing well on their return.
Maguire regaining confidence
Harry Maguire said several weeks ago that he intended to regain his place in the Manchester United defence by going the “extra mile.” He has fulfilled his promise and has been singled out for praise by coach Erik Ten Hag. Harry has been doing extra training, staying late and persuading other players to support him and they also stayed on at United’s Carrington headquarters. He was frustrated after falling behind Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez and watching from the bench. Harry said this week, “Look, I am not going to stand here, talk to you and say that I love it. I don’t. I want to play every game. But I also have to respect the manager’s decision and we have top quality defenders at the club. He continued, “I train hard and competitively in everything I do whether it is five-aside games or practicing possession football. This year I feel good and I always do the extras and I am in a good place physically and mentally. I’ve done well in the games I have started and the manager has recognised this.” Harry was almost certain to be sold at the end of the season but now there is new thinking by the coaching staff and he still has two years left on his contract. Several clubs, mainly West Ham, are monitoring the situation and are ready to make a move.
Kane too expensive for Bayern
Bayern Munich’s chief financial officer has said that the club target Harry Kane is probably too expensive when the summer transfer window opens. Manchester United’s Erik Ten Hag has told his board of directors that he needs Kane to join Marcus Rashford because he is concerned that his other striker options have failed to convince him they can score enough goals. Kane currently has 23 goals this season which puts him only behind City’s Erling Haaland.
Veteran Hodgson impresses at Palace
He’s 75 years-of-age and provides a beacon of light for all the older generation who want to prove they still have what it takes. Patrick Viera’s Crystal Palace were a good team and the Frenchman had done a superb job before being sacked – unfairly in my opinion. But along comes old Roy Hodgson, a much loved veteran, ex-England coach and gently put out to grass enjoying his pension years. But no! Palace are suddenly fired into life, thrashed Leeds 5-1 away from home and suddenly his team have won two games in a row, are up to 12th in the table and six points clear of the relegation zone. Palace struggled in the first half against Leeds and during the break Roy used all his experience instructing his players to go out and be more aggressive, more positive and rely more on 21-year-old Michael Olise. They responded and Olise came out for the second half and created three goals. The coach said after the game, “We’ve got quality, we’re strong and skilful. I have to enjoy these moments because they won’t last forever.” I wouldn’t be too sure Roy and very well done!
De Bruyne delivers at speed
Another player joining the 100 club is Kevin De Bruyne but for him it is his assists made for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola was full of praise when Kevin became only the fifth player to reach this milestone. United legends Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney and Cesc Fabregas and Frank Lampard are the other four to have joined the elite club. Guardiola said, “Some players need to reduce their speed by 30 or forty percent but he’s a guy who plays every action at a high intensity 80/90% speed. It is so difficult to find. He has more ability to find passes on the move than when he is calm or walking. The normal players need to walk to see everything but Kevin sees those opportunities at speed and that makes him an exceptional player.”
