Sports
Ten Hag begs for more time to remould Man U after Tottenham demolition
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag remains convinced he will be handed time to turn around the Red Devils’ fortunes after a dispiriting 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham on Sunday.
United never recovered from a terrible start as Brennan Johnson tapped in from Micky van de Ven’s storming run through the heart of the home side’s defence after three minutes.
Ten Hag then lost his captain Bruno Fernandes to a straight red card before half-time.
Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke then gave Tottenham’s dominance a fair reflection in the scoreline in the second half.
Ten Hag began the season under scrutiny after surviving an internal review at the end of last season.
United finished eighth last season — their lowest-ever Premier League finish — and have won just two of their opening six games of the new campaign to sit 12th in the table.
“We all made it together, this decision to stay together as ownership and leadership group in the summer,” said Ten Hag when asked if he feared the club’s new football leadership group will turn to a new manager.
“We made the decision from a clear review on what we have to improve and how we want to construct the squad.”
Ten Hag was even handed a one-year extension to his contract three months ago.
The former Ajax boss badly needs a quick turnaround in fortunes with two tough away games to come this week at Porto in the Europa League and Aston Villa in the Premier League.
“I think we will get better and we need some time,” he added.
“We are all on one page, in the same boat, together, ownership, leadership group, staff and players.”
Ten Hag was critical of the manner his side conceded an equaliser in a 1-1 draw against FC Twente in the Europa League on Wednesday.
And he could not contain his frustration as Tottenham struck in similar fashion within minutes.
Van de Ven charged from deep inside his own half to the United by-line and crossed for Johnson to apply a simple finish.
“As a team, it cannot happen twice in a few days that a defender can dribble through the whole park,” said Ten Hag.
“What I saw in the first 30 minutes is below the level we can expect from a Manchester United team.
“The players got very stressed after conceding so quick and they made bad decisions.”
United’s first-half display was branded a “disgrace” by former captain Gary Neville.
Fernandes, though, came out fighting over his dismissal.
The Portuguese international slipped as he slid into a challenge with James Maddison and caught the Tottenham midfielder just below the knee.
“Never a red card, that is my view,” said Fernandes.
“If he wants to give me a yellow (card) because they are going to go on a counter-attack then I agree. But more than that, no. It is not the case.”
AFP
Sports
Osimhen fires brace in Galatasaray away win
Victor Osimhen scored twice as Galatasaray thrashed Kayserispor 5-1 in their Turkish Super Lig clash on Sunday.
Osimhen gave Okan Buruk’s side the lead from the penalty spot in the fourth minute.
The 25-year-old netted his side’s fourth goal of the day 19 minutes from time.
The powerful striker has now scored 12 goals and provided five assists across all competitions for the Yellow and Reds this season.
Baris Yilmaz (brace) and Yunus Akgun were the other goal scorers for Galatasaray in the game.
Galatasaray remain top of the standings with 44 points from 16 games.
Sports
Liverpool thrash Tottenham in nine-goal thriller
Liverpool swept four points clear at the top of the Premier League as Mohamed Salah’s masterclass inspired a memorable 6-3 rout of Tottenham on Sunday.
Salah delivered a sublime performance featuring two goals and a pair of assists as Arne Slot’s side ran riot in north London.
Liverpool took advantage of second-placed Chelsea’s 0-0 draw at Everton earlier in the day to cement their status as title favourites heading into the Christmas period.
Sports
Bournemouth humble Man United 3-0 at Old Trafford
Manchester United crashed to a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday as Ruben Amorim lost for the fourth time in his nine games in charge of the troubled Old Trafford club.
United boss Ruben Amorim, who once again left Marcus Rashford out of his squad, is set for a miserable Christmas following the worst result of his brief reign.
Languishing in 13th place, United have suffered four defeats in nine matches in all competitions since Amorim arrived from Sporting Lisbon in November to replace the sacked Erik ten Hag.
United’s second successive loss after their League Cup exit at Tottenham on Thursday underlined Amorim’s belief that their road back to the top will be long and arduous.
United, who have conceded first in their last six games, were booed off at half-time, while the final whistle was greeted by more jeers from the few fans who stayed until the bitter end.
While it is far too early to pass judge on Amorim, the Portuguese coach cannot afford many more results like this if he is to keep the players and fans on his side.
Amorim’s decision to play without Rashford for the third consecutive game will face fresh scrutiny after United’s wretched performance.
Amorim surprisingly omitted the 27-year-old England forward from the squad for United’s win at Manchester City last weekend, prompting Rashford to hint he was willing to leave the club for a “new challenge”.
Rashford was at Old Trafford wearing a United tracksuit amid his extended exile as Amorim made six changes from the line-up beaten 4-3 by Tottenham in the League Cup quarter-finals.
Again, United were exposed at set-pieces in the 29th minute when Bournemouth’s teenage defender Dean Huijsen punished poor marking at a free-kick to glance a header past Andre Onana.
There was even worse to come for Amorim in the second half as Justin Kluivert doubled fifth-placed Bournemouth’s advantage with a 61st minute penalty following Noussair Mazraoui’s foul on the forward.
Antoine Semenyo compounded United’s misery two minutes later with a cool finish from Dango Ouattara’s pass.
-
News21 hours ago
Tinubu’s 50% transport reduction scheme may begin Tuesday
-
Economy22 hours ago
Petrol to sell at N935 per litre from today-IPMAN
-
News21 hours ago
Nigerian Govt promises support for stampede victims’ families
-
News16 hours ago
BREAKING: FG declares Wednesday, Thursday public holidays for Christmas, New Year
-
News15 hours ago
Nigerian Man Who Rained Curses On President Tinubu Nabbed
-
Foreign22 hours ago
There will be no same sex marriage again -Trump vows to end ‘transgender madness ‘
-
Metro21 hours ago
Wife flees after setting Ogun cop ablaze during dispute
-
Metro21 hours ago
Why I Was Sentenced To Death – Osun ‘boy’ convicted of fowl theft