Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United are third in the Premier League table and can boost their slim title chances by beating Leicester at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon
Did someone mention a title race?
Erik ten Hag is refusing to be drawn into the debate, but Manchester United have an outside chance of winning a first Premier League title in a decade this season. They are third in the table – just five points behind leaders and champions Manchester City.
The Red Devils are also going strong in the Europa League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup – sparking talk of an unlikely quadruple. Their best chance of winning silverware this season is in the latter competition, as they take on Newcastle in the Wembley final on February 26.
If United are to be taken seriously as Premier League title contenders, they need to keep winning – starting with their home game against Leicester on Sunday. Ahead of that big fixture, here are the latest headlines from Old Trafford.
United’s new football chief
United have appointed David Harrison as their new director of football operations.
Harrison has moved to Old Trafford after a long spell at Everton and will lead all operational aspects of United’s football activities. He will report to the club’s football director John Murtough and be based at their Carrington training ground.
Manchester Untited have appointed David Harrison (left) as their new football chief ( Image: FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)
“David is known as one of the most able and respected operators in football and we are delighted that he has chosen to join Manchester United,” said Murtough.
“He will bring deep experience and knowledge to this important role, and add further strength to the support structure we are building around our football teams, to give our players and staff the best chance of success.”
Harrison added: “I’m excited to be taking this role at time of such opportunity and promise for Manchester United. I will always cherish my memories of 27 years at Everton and wish everyone at Goodison and Finch Farm all the best for the future.
“Now, my focus is on helping Manchester United create the best possible operating environment to support success on the pitch.”
Ronaldo asked Aboubakar to stay
Cristiano Ronaldo wanted Vincent Aboubakar to stay at Al-Nassr before he re-joined Turkish side Besiktas in January.
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr the same month after his United contract was terminated by mutual consent. Aboubakar told Talents d’Afrique on Canal+: “We talked a bit and his opinion was that he wanted me to stay. I told him no, that I will leave for family reasons.
“He asked me where my family was, I told him they are in France and so I prefer to go to Turkey [as] it’s closer. And he told me it’s better, if your family is really far away, it’s more complicated. I was firm, I wanted to leave.”
Hargreaves urges tactical switch
Owen Hargreaves believes Ten Hag should start Alejandro Garnacho in the second leg of United’s Europa League tie against Barcelona. The 18-year-old came off the bench on Thursday and Hargreaves thinks he can take advantage of Barcelona’s weaknesses.
“I don’t think they [Barcelona] controlled the game,” Hargreaves told BT Sport at full-time. “And that is a big thing for Xavi and Barcelona.
“It felt like in the transitions they were too vulnerable, they were too open. And it feels like there will be more of those situations at Old Trafford if they are going to play that way. Maybe Garnacho plays, I think he will be perfect in that.”
Hargreaves added: “It just feels like in the transition, Barcelona weren’t there and at Old Trafford, United will get good chances.”
Source: mirror.co.uk
