Football

Manchester United's struggles continued as they were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by their former manager Erik ten Hag's old club FC Twente in the Europa League. The result leaves United with just three wins from seven games in all competitions this season.Ten Hag, who spent two years at Twente as a player and manager, was visibly frustrated after the match. He criticized his team's lack of killer instinct, saying, "You have to kill the game. You have to finish it off."United took the lead in the first half through a stunning strike from Christian Eriksen. However, Twente equalized in the second half through Sam Lammers, who capitalized on a mistake by Eriksen.Ten Hag admitted that his team was not at their best. "We didn't fight for every yard," he said. "99% is not enough. You have to give 100%."The draw was a setback for United, who are looking to improve on their disappointing sixth-place finish in the Premier League last season. Ten Hag has made several changes to the squad, but the team has yet to find its rhythm.United's next match is a Premier League clash against Manchester City on Sunday. Ten Hag will be hoping for a much-improved performance from his team.

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur embark on their Europa League campaigns this week, seeking solace from disappointing Premier League starts.Erik ten Hag's United have struggled to improve upon last season's dismal performance, languishing outside the top 10 with just seven points from five matches. Despite heavy spending in the transfer market, the expected resurgence has yet to materialize.United's Europa League opener against Twente on Wednesday is crucial, as anything less than a victory would intensify pressure on Ten Hag. The Dutch club, returning to the competition for the first time since 2012, poses a significant challenge.Tottenham, under Ange Postecoglou, have also faced growing discontent among fans. After a blistering start to the season, successive Premier League defeats have dampened spirits. The Europa League, now without teams dropping down from the Champions League, presents a golden opportunity for Spurs to end their trophy drought.They host Qarabag on Thursday, hoping to build on their recent 3-1 victory over Brentford. Postecoglou remains optimistic, emphasizing the importance of perseverance in achieving success.Elsewhere, crisis-hit Roma welcome Athletic Bilbao to the Stadio Olimpico. The Serie A club has enjoyed recent success in Europe, reaching the Europa League semi-finals three times in the past four seasons. However, the sacking of coach Daniele De Rossi has sparked fury among supporters, who have expressed their anger towards management and players.Other notable Europa League fixtures include 2022 winners Eintracht Frankfurt hosting Viktoria Plzen, while four-time European champions Ajax take on Besiktas in Amsterdam.

Manchester United's beleaguered manager Erik ten Hag breathed a sigh of relief as his team secured a much-needed 3-0 victory over Southampton at St. Mary's Stadium. The win, United's second of the season, eased the pressure on Ten Hag, who had come under intense scrutiny following back-to-back defeats to Brighton and Liverpool.The match started with Southampton dominating possession and creating several early chances. However, United goalkeeper Andre Onana proved to be a formidable barrier, saving a penalty from Cameron Archer in the 15th minute. This crucial save proved to be a turning point in the game, as United seized the momentum and took control of the match.Just two minutes after Onana's heroics, Matthijs de Ligt opened the scoring for United. The Dutch defender, who had endured a difficult week with the Netherlands national team, rose above the Southampton defense to head home a Bruno Fernandes cross. Marcus Rashford doubled United's lead in the 41st minute with a curling strike from outside the box, ending his six-month goal drought.Southampton's woes deepened in the second half when captain Jack Stephens was sent off for a reckless challenge on Alejandro Garnacho. The Argentine winger then added insult to injury by scoring United's third goal in stoppage time, sealing the victory for the visitors.The win lifted United to eighth in the Premier League standings, while Southampton remained without a point after four games. Ten Hag's team will now face Leicester City at home on Thursday, while Southampton will travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

Erik ten Hag has dismissed Cristiano Ronaldo's criticism of his ambition at Manchester United, stating that the Portuguese star is "far from Manchester." Ronaldo's second stint at United ended in a controversial departure in November 2022, following his scathing remarks about Ten Hag.In a recent interview, Ronaldo expressed his belief that United should be aiming to win major trophies, such as the Premier League and Champions League. He criticized Ten Hag's negative attitude, claiming that the club needs to "rebuild everything."Ten Hag, however, has maintained his confidence in United's ability to challenge for silverware. He has lifted the League Cup and FA Cup in his first two seasons at the helm, but acknowledges that the team is still in a "transition period.""We have to integrate a lot of young players also in the team," Ten Hag said. "We are still dealing with injuries, we have to bring the injuries back in the team."Despite United's disappointing eighth-place finish in the Premier League last season, Ten Hag insists that the team is focused on winning every game. "We have in every game the mindset that we have to win," he said.Ronaldo's comments came after United's humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool. However, Ten Hag dismissed the impact of the interview on his team. "It doesn't impact me," he said. "I know in the process where we are, what we have to do, where we are going."United will face Southampton on Saturday, looking to bounce back from their recent setbacks. Luke Shaw and Rasmus Hojlund remain sidelined, but new signing Manuel Ugarte could make his debut.

Manchester United's financial woes continued in the 2023/24 season, with the club posting net losses of £113.2 million ($148 million) despite record revenues. This marks the fifth consecutive year of losses for the Premier League giants.The club's revenues reached a record £661.8 million, a 2.1% increase from the previous year. This growth was primarily driven by record commercial and matchday revenues. However, United incurred exceptional costs of £47.8 million, largely related to Jim Ratcliffe's purchase of a minority stake in the club.On the pitch, United endured a disappointing season, finishing eighth in the Premier League and exiting the Champions League at the group stage. However, Erik ten Hag's team managed to salvage some pride by winning the FA Cup, defeating Manchester City in the final.In response to the club's financial and on-field struggles, United have embarked on a major backroom shake-up. Omar Berrada, poached from Manchester City, has been appointed as the new chief executive."We are all extremely focused on working collectively to create a bright future with football success at the heart of it," said Berrada. "We are working towards greater financial sustainability and making changes to our operations to make them more efficient."United's financial situation is further complicated by the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules, which allow a maximum loss of £105 million over a three-season period. However, certain losses, such as infrastructure, youth team, and women's team spending, are deemed "allowable."Everton and Nottingham Forest were both penalized with points deductions last season for breaching these rules. United, who have started the new Premier League season with two defeats in three matches, will need to improve their on-field performance and financial management to avoid similar sanctions.

The iconic No. 7 jersey in football has been adorned by some of the greatest players to grace the sport. From Cristiano Ronaldo to David Beckham, the number has become synonymous with attacking prowess and legendary status.Cristiano Ronaldo's association with the No. 7 shirt began in 2003 when he joined Manchester United. The Portuguese forward had initially been assigned the No. 28 shirt at Sporting Lisbon, but his impressive performance against United in a friendly match caught the attention of Sir Alex Ferguson.With David Beckham departing for Real Madrid, Ferguson bestowed the vacant No. 7 shirt upon Ronaldo, a testament to his belief in the young player's potential. Despite the pressure associated with wearing such an iconic number, Ronaldo embraced the challenge and made it his own."I was petrified," Ronaldo later admitted. "I knew Beckham wore that shirt. But I took on the challenge and since then it has been my lucky number."Ronaldo's success at Manchester United, where he won numerous trophies and established himself as one of the world's best players, cemented the No. 7 shirt's association with his name. He carried the same number to Real Madrid, Juventus, and back to Manchester United, further solidifying its iconic status.Even at his current club, Al-Nassr, Ronaldo wears the No. 7 shirt. The number has become inextricably linked to his legacy, symbolizing his exceptional talent, unwavering determination, and global recognition.

Erik ten Hag's Manchester United reign has hit a major roadblock after a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool. The Dutchman, who was appointed in May, is already facing immense pressure after losing three of his first four games in charge.Ten Hag's tenure began with a promising 2-1 victory over Brighton in the Premier League opener. However, that optimism quickly evaporated with a 4-0 thrashing at Brentford and now the Liverpool debacle.The former Ajax boss has been backed with a significant transfer budget, spending over £200 million on new players. But the results have not matched the investment, leaving Ten Hag under scrutiny.In his post-match press conference, Ten Hag acknowledged the challenges facing his team. "It's not like I'm Harry Potter, that is what you have to acknowledge," he said. "We just had a third game in the season, again we have to build a new team."Ten Hag pointed to the inexperience of his squad, with several key players still adapting to the Premier League. He also defended Casemiro, who was at fault for Liverpool's first two goals."I think that in football everyone has to take responsibility," Ten Hag said. "He's a great character. He has won everything in his career. I'm sure he will keep contributing to our team."Despite the setbacks, Ten Hag remains confident in his team's ability to challenge for trophies this season. "At the end of the season I'm quite confident that we will have a big chance to lift another trophy," he said.However, United's hopes of competing for the Premier League title appear slim. They are already six points behind defending champions Manchester City and Liverpool.The defeat to Liverpool has exposed the deep-rooted problems at Old Trafford. Ten Hag has a lot of work to do if he is to turn things around and restore United to their former glory.

Manchester United, seeking redemption after a disappointing loss to Brighton and Hove Albion, will face a formidable challenge against Liverpool in a highly anticipated Premier League clash on Sunday, September 1. Liverpool, under the guidance of Arne Slot, has enjoyed a perfect start to the season, securing victories over Ipswich and Brentford without conceding a single goal.Erik ten Hag's Manchester United, on the other hand, endured a setback last week after their narrow opening-day win over Fulham. The Red Devils will be eager to bounce back and prove their mettle against one of the league's most formidable opponents.Liverpool's impressive start has been built on a solid defensive foundation, with goalkeeper Alisson Becker yet to be breached. The Reds' attacking prowess has also been on display, with Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, and Luis Diaz all contributing to their early success.Manchester United, meanwhile, will need to find a way to break down Liverpool's resolute defense. Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford, will be under pressure to deliver for his team. Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford will also be key figures in United's attack.The match will be played at Old Trafford, Manchester, and will kick off at 8:30 PM IST. It will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and streamed on Disney+ Hotstar.With both teams desperate for a positive result, the stage is set for an enthralling encounter that could have significant implications for the Premier League title race.

Chelsea's transfer deadline day was a whirlwind of activity, with the club reportedly securing a loan deal for Jadon Sancho from Manchester United and Raheem Sterling departing for Arsenal on a similar arrangement.Sancho's move to Stamford Bridge comes after a disappointing spell at Old Trafford, where he has struggled to justify his hefty price tag. The winger is expected to join the Blues on a loan with an obligation to make the move permanent next season for a fee of £25 million ($33 million).Meanwhile, Sterling's departure marks the end of a two-year spell at Chelsea. The England international, who joined from Manchester City for £50 million, has been deemed surplus to requirements by new manager Enzo Maresca. He will now reunite with former City boss Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, adding an extra attacking dimension to the Gunners' squad.Chelsea's attempts to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen proved unsuccessful, while Saudi club Al-Ahli also expressed interest in the Nigerian but ultimately opted for England international Ivan Toney. Brentford received a reported £40 million fee for Toney's services.Manchester United, on the other hand, completed a €50 million move for Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain. Ugarte becomes the Red Devils' fifth major signing of the window, joining Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, and Joshua Zirkzee. However, United suffered a blow with the departure of Scott McTominay to Napoli.Arsenal also added goalkeeper Neto on a season-long loan from Bournemouth, while Manchester City opted against making any deadline-day signings. Newcastle, despite their financial backing, were unable to add any major players due to financial sustainability rules.Other notable moves included Crystal Palace signing Eddie Nketiah from Arsenal, Wolves bolstering their squad with Andre and Sam Johnstone, and Nottingham Forest bringing in James Ward-Prowse and Morato.