United players out to impress Ten Hag

Manchester United players are due back for pre-season training on June 27th. Many of them have been concentrating on returning even fitter than when they left so they can impress their new coach Erik Ten Hag. Players have just over a month before their opening game against Brighton on August 7th. Before that United meet Liverpool in Bangkok on July 12th as their summer tour of Thailand and Australia begins. They then play Melbourne Victory and Crystal Palace in Melbourne and finish by meeting Aston Villa in Perth. Two more games against Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano will complete their pre-season games. Marcus Rashford has been in America and on a 10-day programme at the Nike training facility campus in Oregon. He is determined to prove Ten Hag’s new coaching team wrong in their criticism of his attitude if a game is not going well. Ten Hag’s new assistant Steve McLaren, who worked under Sir Alex Ferguson, said, “He gets deterred too easily and doesn’t fight through bad moments. He doesn’t stay in the game…I hate that attitude in a player. Body language is so important but Rashford has probably had this problem throughout his career in terms of questioning his attitude. If he’s not having a good first half then he won’t have a good second half. I just look at him and think that boy needs help, off the field and through the manager. There’s that one cornerstone which we call mentality and attitude, which he hasn’t grasped yet.” Bruno Fernandes returned from international duty with Portugal and has been working with his personal trainer whilst Jadon Sancho wants more playing time and has been in Jamaica and then went to the US and attended a festival in New Jersey. He is currently in Los Angeles working at a training facility. Returning from a loan period with Sevilla, Anthony Martial is also out to prove that Ten Hag should give him another chance at United and he has been in training for the last week. One player making the most of his time off is Fred who seems to be enjoying karaoke at a beach resort. Cristiano Ronaldo, who always returns early before pre-season training, is spending time with his partner Georgina Rodriguez and their children after travelling to Majorca on a private jet.

League plans to protect players

The Premier League wants to back a trial which would allow temporary substitutes to come off the bench to replace concussion victims. A committee which makes the laws for the Premier League want to trial their plan until 2023. The pilot scheme would mean a player leaves the pitch for a 10 or 15 minute period and return if they are fit enough after a thorough medical assessment and observation and during that time the team would still retain eleven players on the pitch. Regrettably the Swiss based International Federation Association Board (IFAB) have not yet agreed to the plan despite pressure from clubs, medical specialists and campaigners to protect players from head injuries and later possibly developing dementia.

Minamino off to Monaco

Sadio Mane underwent his medical at Bayern Munich this week and formally signed a contract. Japanese international Takumi Minamino is likely to follow him out of the Anfield door and probably to French side Monaco for just under £16million. Minamino is a good player but has failed to make a strong breakthrough at Liverpool. At 27 years-of-age he made a good impression on loan at Southampton scoring twice in nine matches and he has been linked with Fulham and Wolves although Italian side Atalanta have also made enquiries. The Reds will receive double the price paid to Red Bull Salzberg in 2019.

Granovskaia follows Buck out of Chelsea

During the Abramovich years at Chelsea Chairman Bruce Buck and transfer expert Marina Granovskaia were crucial to the Blues success in winning the Champions League. Granovskaia in particular is the superstar director and last year was voted ‘Best Club Director in European Football’ at the Golden Boy Awards. Buck is leaving immediately as new owner Todd Boehly takes over the reins at the club but Granovskaia will remain a little longer. At present she is working on bringing Raheem Sterling to Stamford Bridge now that Romelu Lukaku is heading back to Italy for next season. She is also working with the agents of Reece James, Mason Mount, N’Golo Kante and Jorginho in order to give them new contracts to cement coach Thomas Tuchel’s ongoing plans. Chelsea are anxious to prevent any more of their top players leaving for free when their current deals expire having been powerless to keep hold of Antonio Rudiger, now at Real Madrid and Andreas Christensen who joined Barcelona.

Eriksen destination in the balance

Tottenham tell me they have yet to hold meaningful talks with Christian Eriksen as the Danish international is taking time to decide his future. Brentford manager Thomas Frank is delighted and is still fighting to keep his star player. At the moment rumours surround Antonio Conte dropping hints that Eriksen might return and the hottest news is that Manchester United are talking with him about a move up to the north of England but I would be truly surprised if that happens. It is an interesting situation because I personally know that Christian has close personal ties to London where many of his best friends live including fashion chain Ted Baker’s owner Ray Klein who lives in north London. Eriksen is not pushing for a move to the north.

Nick Pope to Newcastle

England goalkeeper Nick Pope is undoubtedly one of the best in Europe. He is keen on a move and only has one year left on his Burnley contract which means they have to cash in on his value now instead of losing him for nothing in a year’s time. As I write this column Newcastle are close to signing the 30 year-old for £15million and he will join Slavia’s number one Martin Dubravka but veteran Karl Darlow will probably leave. 

Lampard looking to link up two Ukrainians

Frank Lampard wants more creativity going forward and is interested in signing Manchester City’s Ukrainian hero Oleksandr Zinchenko. The wing back can play out wide or more central and a move to Everton would link him with his fellow compatriot Vitaliy Mykolenko.

Porto star arrives at the Emirates

Arsenal at last waved their cheque book and signed a deal for Portuguese club Porto’s midfielder Fabio Viera. The 22 year-old Under-21 international has completed a medical at the Emirates and has been given a five-year contract. He will wear the number 21 shirt. Viera had an impressive season last time out and scored six goals and made 14 assists in 27 league games. Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus is still a target for the Gunners but City are holding out for £50million and no agreement has been reached. Jesus is anxious to depart before Erling Haaland arrives because he knows his game time will be limited. Leicester’s Youri Tielmans is also on Mikel Arteta’s short list but if a suitable offer is not received he says he will be happy to remain at Leicester.

Arsenal made an offer to sign Raphina from Leeds this week but it has been rejected. The Gunners’ hierarchy are discussing making an increased bid amid speculation that Tottenham are also planning to bid and have been in touch with Leeds. Barcelona agreed personal terms with the Brazilian months ago however Leeds are holding out for more than the £35million offered by the Spanish giants. Leeds are looking for around £65million. Tottenham and Paris Saint Germain are watching closely and could well bid next week.