Manchester United fans can expect another weekend of uncertainty after a decision to announce Erik ten Hag’s future was delayed again.
MEN Sport understands Sir Jim Ratcliffe is nearing the conclusion of his end-of-season review but his decision on the Dutchman’s future will not be announced until next week. It has now been two weeks since Ten Hag led United to glory in the FA Cup final against Manchester City and the hope had been for this search to be concluded by now.
Instead, we continue to wait on what the Reds will do next. It is understood that if United are to sack Ten Hag this summer that England head coach Gareth Southgate would be near the top of their list to replace him.
Southgate’s current focus is on the European Championships this summer. The Three Lions suffered a setback in their preparations on Friday night as they lost 1-0 to Iceland in their final match before their first group game against Serbia next weekend.
United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo partnered Declan Rice in the centre of the park and played the full 90 minutes. Elsewhere, United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is being tipped with a return to the Premier League.
It is believed that newly promoted Leicester City are keen on bringing the Norwegian to the King Power Stadium. Solskjaer has not held a senior managerial role since being sacked by United in 2021.
You can follow all of the day’s very latest United news and views by following the live blog below:
11:59Jack Flintham
Southgate backs Mainoo for starting role
The support for Mainoo has continued with Southgate, who is believed to be a contender for the United job should Ten Hag leave, insisting the teenager will be in the conversation to start at the Euros.
We wouldn’t have any hesitation in starting him. He’s shown incredible maturity, he progresses the ball forward quickly. He had two fabulous appearances here in March.
11:42Key Event
United transfer stance on Branthwaite
MEN Sport understands United will not be held to ransom by Everton over the fee for Branthwaite.
The Toffees want between £70-80m for the defender and could be willing to do a deal before June 30 to help with their FFP compliance.
However, the Reds are also in a precarious position with FFP too and will not spend over the odds for the youngster.
Juventus’ Gleison Bremer and Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba are also on their list of options in the summer transfer window.
11:28Jack Flintham
Rice defends Mainoo
Moving away from the Branthwaite talk for now, a lot of United fans have been annoyed by the criticism Mainoo received after the defeat to Iceland last night.
Fortunately, the United star has an ally in his midfield partner and Arsenal man Declan Rice. Leaping to the teenager’s defence, he said:
Yeah, look we done it in March and it was really positive. I can imagine tonight because we lost some people are saying stuff but that’s football these days. Kobbie’s young, I’m young, our midfield options are young. Look, we’re going to learn every game and that’s the beauty of football.
11:01Jack Flintham
Branthwaite’s club after transfer window odds
MEN Sport has taken a look at what bookmakers bet365 are saying about which club Branthwaite shall represent at the end of the summer transfer window.
United are currently favourites to seal the deal.
- Manchester United – 5/4
- Remain at Everton – 13/8
- Real Madrid – 8/1
- Newcastle United – 12/1
10:37Key Event
FULL STORY – United learn Branthwaite demand
Everton are bracing themselves for an approach from United for Branthwaite.
The Reds are reportedly increasingly confident they will be able to complete a transfer for the centre-back before the end of the month.
It is believed the Toffees will hold out for £75m this summer despite an understanding that they may need to sell players.
10:14Jack Flintham
Branthwaite the right character for this United team
Everton manager Sean Dyche has already provided Reds fans with a glowing review of centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite. Back in March, the defender received his first senior international call-up and Dyche could not be more confident about the 21-year-old taking it in his stride.
There won’t be a problem with [keeping Branthwaite level-headed]. He’s come in, hasn’t changed, loads of good reviews and rightly so since he came back (from PSV), lots of man of the match awards. He’s signed a new deal, don’t forget, been with the Under 21s and been pretty steady among all that. But you do want him to change in a positive way, come out of himself more and keep thriving on it, building his own on-pitch persona. I had Tarky (James Tarkowski) and Keano (Michael Keane) when they were young (at Burnley), they started expressing themselves as individuals with the way they play and then as leader types.
09:50Jack Flintham
Why United are targeting Branthwaite
MEN Sport understands centre-back is one of the key positions United have wanted to strengthen this summer.
Varane has already left the club and the future of Lindelof is also uncertain. Veteran defender Jonny Evans has also been offered a new deal but the hope would be that he is used more sparingly next season.
The 21-year-old also fits the mold for the type of player INEOS want to attract. Young, homegrown, plenty of resale value.
At the end of May, we reported that Everton were aware of their need to sell players this summer but would not do so than anything less than their value.
09:37Jack Flintham
Branthwaite transfer to United expected
According to our colleagues at the Liverpool Echo, United are increasingly confident of signing Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite this summer.
It is believed a deal for the centre-back could be completed as soon as June 30.
The Toffees are attempting to hold out for a fee of £75m for their talented defender. The FA had blocked United from contacting Branthwaite while he was with the England squad but after missing out on the final team for the Euros, the Reds are looking to press ahead with a deal.
09:28Jack Flintham
What could we expect from Southgate
International and domestic football are two very different beasts so trying to gauge what we can expect from Southgate if he joined United, based on what he has done with England is difficult.
What should translate are his formation and man-management skills. Southgate has favoured a 4-2-3-1 formation more often than not so we could see a defensive midfielder on United’s transfer radar if he was to join.
He has also been widely praised for fostering a positive environment with the England set-up which has transformed what was usually a fractured camp into a harmonious one.
09:01Jack Flintham
Latest United manager odds
MEN Sport has taken a look at the next manager odds at United, according to bet365.
- Gareth Southgate – 15/8
- Mauricio Pochettino – 5/2
- Thomas Tuchel – 4/1
- Roberto De Zerbi – 10/1
- Kieran McKenna – 12/1
- Thomas Frank – 25/1
08:34Jack Flintham
Solskjaer tipped with Premier League return
According to The Sun, Leicester City have contacted Ole Gunnar Solskjaer about their vacancy.
Their manager Maresca was poached by Chelsea this summer after the Blues agreed to mutually part ways with Mauricio Pochettino.
Solskjaer is thought to be keen on a return to the Premier League and would welcome the challenge at the King Power Stadium.
08:25Key Event
Ten Hag manager latest
Here is the current state of play on Ten Hag’s future:
- Initially, it was expected that a decision on whether he was to stay or go would take place this week, we now understand that has been delayed until next week
- Ten Hag remains on holiday and has had no impact on the final decision
- Should he leave, INEOS have England boss Southgate on their radar to replace him
08:16Jack Flintham
Good morning
Hello and welcome to our United transfer blog this Saturday morning.
My name is Jack Flintham and I will be keeping you across all the latest United news up to 3pm this afternoon.
To kick our weekend off, let’s take a look at the latest United headlines: