Erik ten Hag’s desire to mould his Manchester United team in his own image is well underway with quite a few changes having taken place after their summer splurge.
The defence has been transformed thanks to the arrival of Lisandro Martinez from Ajax while Casemiro and Christian Eriksen have proved to be revelations in midfield.
While consternations remain over the lack of firepower up top, it is between the sticks that Ten Hag is most worried about for the long-term future of the club.
GK conundrum at United
David de Gea has been an exceptional servant to the club during his decade-long stay but while his shot-stopping remains superlative, it is in other areas that he continues to lack.
Modern goalkeepers all are required to be comfortable with the ball at their feet and have the ability to play as a sweeper-keeper when required.
For far too long, De Gea’s weakness while playing out from the back and his tendency to remain rooted to the spot has held back the Red Devils.
And the Dutch boss had made it abundantly clear that he wants a change, even if the Spaniard were to stay on at the club for the long term on reduced wages.
A lot of goalkeepers have been linked with a move to Old Trafford including the likes of Jan Oblak, Diogo Costa, Yann Sommer and Odysseas Vlachodimos.
One surprising name that was mentioned back in the summer and has once again been found a mention ahead of the January transfer window is that of Everton shot-stopper Jordan Pickford.
According to The Daily Mail, “England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s Everton future is in doubt, with the club yet to sign off on the new five-year contract he agreed before the World Cup.
Pickford emerges as surprise candidate
“Word of the delay has alerted the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea.”
Apparently, the England No 1 had agreed a five-year new deal before going to Qatar but the contract is yet to be signed off by the club for some unknown reason.
“The delay is at boardroom level, and not with the player. Sources have expressed surprise that the contract remains with the club’s owners, when a swift resolution had been expected before Pickford left for Qatar,” the report further added.
While Tottenham are looking at a long-term successor for Hugo Lloris, 36, Chelsea have struggled to find a reliable stopper in recent seasons.
It is written that United could possibly fund this strange switch by moving on on-loan goalie Dean Henderson, currently on loan at Nottingham Forest.
Marcus Rashford will never be “main goal scorer” for Manchester United
Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Marcus Rashford may be in excellent goal scoring form for club and country, but he’s been told he’ll never be Manchester United’s ‘main goalscorer.’
It’s not that long ago that fans and pundits alike were questioning whether Rashford could rediscover the kind of form that made him a fan’s favourite at United.
Last season was a dreadful one for him, following on from his missed penalty in the Euro 2020 final, with Rio Ferdinand admitting he was worried about the forward, and footage even showed him ‘giving up,’ during games.
It even led to some calling for him to leave Old Trafford, with Paris Saint-Germain heavily linked, despite his complete drop in form.
However, this campaign has seen a total turnaround in fortunes for the 25-year-old, whose form earned him a place at the World Cup.
After scoring three times for Gareth Southgate’s side in Qatar, he returned to United to score his ninth goal of the season in the Carabao Cup win vs Burnley last week.
And he added his 10th in the win over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, with an expert finish from a brilliant training ground routine corner.
However, with United short a striker, he’s been told by Michael Owen that he’ll never compare to the likes of Wayne Rooney, who could score 30 a season.
“He is not your main goalscorer,” Owen said of Rashford on Amazon Prime Video.
“If you’re at Manchester United, Rashford isn’t going to be scoring you 30 goals a season like a Wayne Rooney, like a Robin van Persie.
“He will contribute double figures every year from that left-hand side position. If you think Manchester United will play him down the middle and score 30 goals and be your main man then I would question it.”
Rashford scores against Forest. Image: Alamy
The England star has been used both on the left and through the middle by Ten Hag, whilst Southgate also played him down the right.
Rashford himself has admitted that he prefers playing wide on the left, and cutting in, rather that starting through the centre as a number nine.
United are short a forward, after Cristiano Ronaldo left the club last month, following his explosive interview where he insulted the club, his now former teammates and the manager.
They were previously heavy favourites to sign Cody Gakpo from PSV, having been interested in the summer, but the Netherlands star has joined Liverpool instead.
United were strong favourites to sign Gakpo. Image: Alamy
Having missed out on Gakpo, Ten Hag will have to go back to the drawing board when it comes to potential additions in the January transfer window.
They have been mentioned as a potential destination for Joao Felix, with the Atletico Madrid forward expected to leave the club.
Former United player Memphis Depay has also been linked with a return to the club, which probably wouldn’t go down well with too many fans.
Source: thepeoplesperson.com; sportbible.com
