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Leeds United are looking to sign a new centre-back on deadline day, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Leeds transfer rumours

The Whites are yet to make a signing for Daniel Farke’s side in the January transfer window, with attention being on moving players out and extending contracts to some highly-rated youngsters.

Djed Spence’s season-long loan came to an end at the beginning of the year, whereas Luke Ayling left for Middlesbrough, Leo Hjelde for Sunderland and youngsters Darko Gyabi and Lewis Bate headed out on loan.

Archie Gray and Mateo Joseph have put pen to paper on new Elland Road contracts, with Wilfried Gnonto looking to follow suit. When it comes to new signings, defence appears to be the position Leeds need to strengthen, with Farke coy at his press conference on Wednesday in regards to any late business.

A number of defenders have been linked with moves to Yorkshire, including Tottenham Hotspur’s Ben Davies, West Ham’s Ben Johnson, Burnley’s Connor Roberts, Bournemouth’s Chris Mepham, Nottingham Forest’s Joe Worrall and Everton’s Ben Godfrey. Reports on deadline day have claimed that a move for full-back Roberts is close.

Leeds, and by extension owners the 49ers Enterprises, also appear to be working on a possible centre-back arrival as well, and Romano has shared what he knows about the situation.

Romano shares Leeds transfer update

Talking to GiveMeSport, transfer expert Romano said that the Whites are “looking” at a deadline day move for a centre-back, although the name is “unclear”.

“Of course, a centre-back is needed at Leeds. They are looking for an opportunity there. The name is still unclear, but Leeds are still trying and looking for a chance there.”

Leeds’ current centre-back options are Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, Liam Cooper and Charlie Cresswell. Summer signing Ethan Ampadu has also provided cover when needed, with Struijk and Cooper missing through injury recently and Cresswell out of the squad.

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By
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Cresswell is now back in the first-team fold after holding positive talks with Farke, so you could argue that the priority should be a new full-back instead of a centre-back.

Gray, primarily a midfielder, has made the right-back spot his own, and behind him, Leeds have Sam Byram and Jamie Shackleton. Meanwhile, on the left-hand side, the Whites have Junior Firpo and Byram, both of whom have had injury issues in the past.

Therefore, if Leeds can sign Roberts and a centre-back, Farke may well be delighted at the club's late business.

After welcoming Leo Hjelde from Leeds United already this month, Sunderland are reportedly set to complete their next deal of the January transfer window to sign a former Tottenham Hotspur winger.

Sunderland transfer news

After putting pen to paper on a four-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee, Hjelde said: "I'm a ball-playing centre-back, or left-back. I like to get up and down the pitch.

"I've been at some big clubs previously and this has helped me develop as a player and as a person, but I'm now ready to push on and take the next step. I spoke to my dad, who showed me the size of the club and the support. I knew it was a move I simply couldn't turn down."

Sunderland sporting director Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman added on the Sunderland website: “We’re really pleased to have acquired Leo on a permanent basis, as he’s a player we’ve admired for some time.

He possesses the ability to play three different positions in our backline, depending on the formation, and he joins us having already experienced the EFL Championship. We hope this will allow him to hit the ground running and help our team throughout the next 16 games, whilst also bringing added strength our squad in the long term.”

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The Black Cats aren't done there, however, with their business taking place at the end of the January transfer window. According to Fabrizio Romano, Sunderland are set to complete a deal to sign Romaine Mundle from Standard Liege. The winger is reportedly in England ahead of a medical and contract signing, as Romano revealed on X.

About to welcome his second signing, Michael Beale will now hope to have Mundle available for Sunderland's next Championship game against fellow play-off chasers Middlesbrough on Sunday, February 4.

"Quality" Mundle set to replace Pritchard

Whilst Mundle arrives, Alex Pritchard is set to sign for Birmingham City, according to Sky Sports in a case of out with the old and in with the new at The Stadium of Light. Mundle's stats certainly show that he'd offer something different on the ball than the less direct Pritchard. Here's how they've compared so far this season:

Stats

Romaine Mundle

Alex Pritchard

Progressive Carries per 90

3.53

2.64

Progressive Passes per 90

4.12

6.80

Take-ons Completed per 90

2.35

0.72

Fouls Drawn per 90

3.50

1.84

Ahead of his arrival, Josh Bunting has had nothing but good things to say about the former Tottenham academy player, posting on X: "Romaine Mundle has bags of talent, that is a very good bit of business and as much as Speakman gets criticised the signings have in large been excellent. There’s real quality here and the fact he’s been playing first team football this season is a major positive."

تذمر بيب جواديولا، المدير الفني لفريق مانشستر سيتي، مما حدث خلال مباراة آرسنال مساء يوم الأحد في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

واستضاف ملعب “الاتحاد” مباراة الفريقين في إطار منافسات الجولة الخامسة من البطولة، حيث تعادلا بهدفين لمثليهما.

وكان مانشستر سيتي متقدمًا في النتيجة بهدف، قبل أن ينجح جابرييل في تسجيل التعادل.

وتسبب هدف آرسنال في إثارة غضب مانشستر سيتي، حيث سبقها مطالبة الحكم للقائد كايل ووكر للتوجه إلى دائرة منتصف اللعب من أجل التحدث معه، قبل ركلة حرة للخصم.

اقرأ أيضًا.. جوارديولا يدافع عن إهدار آرسنال للوقت أمام مانشستر سيتي ويعترف: كنا محظوظين

وعاد ووكر بعد ذلك إلى مركزه، ولكنه تفاجئ بالكرة تعبر فوق رأسه، ليسددها جابرييل في الشباك.

وأثار هدف تعادل آرسنال جدلًا واسعًا بين مانشستر سيتي، وحصل الحارس إيدرسون على بطاقة صفراء نتيجة الاحتجاج، في حين تذمر جوارديولا بقوة.

وقال جوارديولا في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “مانشستر إيفننج نيوز” الإنجليزية: “قلقي هو أنه عندما يطلب الحكم من ووكر الابتعاد 20 ميلاً عن مركزه، ربما يتعين عليه الانتظار ولكن يتعين علينا تنظيم أفضل”.

وأضاف: “يتعين علينا الدفاع أمام جابرييل بشكل أفضل وكايل ووكر لم يفعل ذلك، إذا قدموا لنا هذا النوع من المباريات، يتعين علينا التعامل مع الأمر”.

وواصل: “إذا لم يتمكن ووكر من التواجد، فيجب على روبن دياز وكوفاسيتش أن ينظما الأمر بدونه، يتعين على لاعب واحد أن يكون في المقدمة لتجنب تنفيذ الركلات الحرة السريعة”.

وأكد: “هناك دائمًا أشياء يمكننا القيام بها بشكل أفضل، لكن في المرة القادمة، سأقول للاعبي عندما يقول الحكم تعالوا وتحدثوا معي، لن نذهب، سأقول للحكم تعالى أنت!”.

Reliable club insider ExWHUemployee has shared some news on West Ham United and talks to sign an "exciting" attacker for David Moyes this month.

West Ham becoming more active after Moyes transfer admission

Widespread reports have backed the east Londoners to become more active before transfer deadline day on February 1, especially after a succession of key player injuries.

Related £13m forward also expected to join West Ham amid talks for Kalvin Phillips

He’s pretty likely to arrive.

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Michail Antonio recently suffered a setback in his recovery from a knee problem, while it is believed star midfielder Lucas Paqueta is facing around two months on the sidelines.

Star winger Jarrod Bowen could be back to face Sheffield United in what is undoubtedly better news for Moyes, but Mohammed Kudus being at AFCON with Ghana has also exposed West Ham's real lack of depth in some areas.

Forward Said Benrahma could also depart West Ham this window amid interest from Ligue 1 sides, with Moyes publicly admitting that the club want to get new faces in through the door.

Rumoured West Ham transfer targets

Latest key update

Serhou Guirassy (Stuttgart)

January 14th

Santiago Gimenez (Feyenoord)

January 13th

Kalvin Phillips (Man City)

January 19th

Wilfried Gnonto (Leeds)

January 19th

Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal)

January 19th

“I’ll say yes to that,” said Moyes when asked if West Ham could make signings (via The Evening Standard).

“The truth is we’ll try and do some business. Undoubtedly, there’s a desire from the club to try and do something and from me and everybody there.”

According to Sky Sports this week, West Ham have opened talks to sign Man City outcast Kalvin Phillips as one option, while there have been suggestions of negotiations over Arsenal attacker Emile Smith Rowe.

Both men are failing to get regular game time at their current clubs, as the Hammers look to offer them both minutes ahead of Euro 2024.

ExWHUemployee shares news on Smith Rowe talks

As per ExWHUemployee, who shared news on West Ham's talks to sign the Gunners ace, Moyes and co have been a few roadblocks.

West Ham have held talks with Smith Rowe's agent, but it is believed neither the player nor Arsenal are particularly keen on striking a loan deal.

“As we understand it at this moment in time, talks have not been smooth with the players agent stating that Smith-Rowe would rather remain and fight for his place at Arsenal,” said Ex (via West Ham Way).

“Also Arsenal have no appetite to allow the midfielder to leave as we understand it.”

The 23-year-old has started just one league game under Arteta this season, making six substitute appearances, but it appears the promise of more action at West Ham isn't doing enough to sway him as things stand.

Smith Rowe had been seriously lavished for his potential before this campaign. Sky pundit Jamie Carragher, after being left dazzled by a performance of the midfielder's in 2021, called him an "exciting" talent (Sky via The Mail).

Following a meek performance in Sharjah, the onus is on Shoaib Malik and his men to stave off a series loss in Abu Dhabi

The Preview by Danyal Rasool26-Mar-2019Big PictureFollowing a meek, uninspired performance that saw Australia thump Pakistan in Sharjah – that could apply to either of the two ODIs, in all honesty – a seemingly throwaway comment from Shoaib Malik came in for sustained criticism.At the post-match presentation, Malik told Ramiz Raja that Pakistan were using this series to test their bench strength and “winning or losing doesn’t make a difference”. It was clumsily phrased, probably not what he meant in the manner it was interpreted, but it set off a firestorm of outrage, led by Ramiz himself, who questioned why the series was being played then. Either way, Malik and his men find themselves in the limelight squarely once again, looking to stave off a series loss in Abu Dhabi.Pakistan may be missing several key players, but even so, their toothless bowling attack will be of concern. The quicker bowlers in particular have struggled to put Australia under pressure with the new ball, having taken just four wickets all series, conceding 566 runs.As if these problems weren’t intractable enough, Faheem Ashraf has been rested for the remainder of the series, depriving Pakistan of a valuable all-round option. Mohammad Amir’s ODI drought shows no signs of abating, having taken just 5 wickets at 92.6 in the past 21 months. Mohammad Hasnain will probably be given another game, but Usman Shinwari and Junaid Khan could also be looked at as Pakistan seek to bring in changes in the fast bowling department.Leading up to the World Cup, Australia have quietly, efficiently, suddenly, moved into top gear, peaking at just the right time to sneakinto the contenders conversation. Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja suddenly look so impregnable you wonder how David Warner can squeeze into an opening slot at present, while the both pace and spin bowlers have discomfited Pakistan enough to keep them well below par twice in a row.Jhye Richardson’s unavailability following a nasty dislocation of the shoulder opens up an opportunity for Jason Behrendorff or Kane Richardson in the remaining three ODIs. With Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood already battling to be fit ahead of the World Cup, Australia will hope to have as many fast bowling options as possible to choose from. The middle order hasn’t been tested this series, but if the India games were anything to go by, they will be up for the challenge. Pakistan’s job for now is to at least pose them some serious questions. Form guide Australia WWWWW (completed matches, most recent first)
Pakistan LLLWLIn the spotlightShan Masood was a shining beacon on a fairly grey Test tour to South Africa a couple of months ago, so much so he was selected for the ODI series here to see if he could be fast-tracked to the World Cup squad. It was a great opportunity to pile on the runs on gentle, docile pitches, but so far, Masood has fallen well short of doing that. He got starts in both games, scoring 40 and 19, but when the time came to kick on, he played ordinary, careless strokes to give his wicket away. His domestic limited-overs form over the past year has been exceptional, but with time running out to claim a World Cup slot, Masood needs a noteworthy display in the games that remain. If that doesn’t happen in the third ODI, Masood may well find himself trying to impress in two dead rubbers, where performances will understandably carry lesser weight.While his circumstances aren’t as dire as his Pakistani counterpart Yasir Shah, Adam Zampa hasn’t reaped the rewards a top spinner on Sharjah’s pitches normally should. He was disciplined and consistent in the first ODI, conceding just 44 in 10 overs, but discipline and consistency is what finger spinners are usually for. The wicket-taking menace that makes legspinners so revered and frustrating in equal measure hasn’t shone through in Zampa’s game thus far, and 1-57 in the second ODI indicated he hasn’t quite hit his straps yet. It was markedly different in the series against India, where, despite going for runs, Zampa took 11 wickets across five games. It is a trade-off any legspinner would be happy to accept, and Zampa’s ODI career average of 36.42 belies the promise of his talent.Team newsShoaib Malik was willing to be so clear about his intentions he didn’t mind copping heavy censure for it, so expect more rotation from Pakistan. Don’t be surprised to see at least one of Abid Ali and Saad Ali make their debuts.Pakistan (possible): 1 Imam-ul-Haq, 2 Shan Masood/Abid Ali, 3 Umar Akmal, 4 Haris Sohail, 5 Shoaib Malik (capt), 6 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 7 Imad Wasim, 8 Mohammad Amir 9 Yasir Shah, 10 Usman Shinwari, 11 Mohammad HasnainAustralia will need to replace Jhye Richardson. They may opt for the safety of Pat Cummins, or give one of Jason Behrendorff or Kane Richardson some game timeAustralia (possible): 1 Usman Khawaja 2 Aaron Finch (capt) 3 Peter Handscomb 4 Shaun Marsh 5 Marcus Stoinis 6 Glenn Maxwell 7 Alex Carey (wk) 8 Pat Cummins/Jason Behrendorff/Kane Richardson 9 Nathan Coulter-Nile 10 Nathan Lyon 11 Adam ZampaPitch and conditionsSpin is expected to play an important role in Abu Dhabi, too, with both teams likely to opt for two spinners. The weather will be overcast, but rain is unlikely to play any part.Stats and trivia Australia have won 10 of the last 11 ODIs they have played against Pakistan. The only loss came at the MCG in a five-match series in 2017 that Australia won 4-1. If Usman Khawaja scores more than two runs, he will overtake Virat Kohli to become the leading ODI scorer in 2019. Half of Yasir Shah’s 20 ODI wickets have come in just two matches, a four-wicket haul against Sri Lanka and a six-wicket haul versus Zimbabwe.

Ryan Babel believes Arne Slot deserves his chance as Liverpool boss but warned his former club about a lack of patience.

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• Dutchman set to replace Klopp at Anfield
• Babel joined Liverpool from Ajax
• Slot highly regarded in Holland

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Feyenoord boss Slot is all set to replace Jurgen Klopp, with the German legend departing Anfield at the end of the season after over seven years service. Slot is highly regarded in the managerial world after guiding Feyenoord to the 2022-23 Eredivisie title but Babel is aware patience will still be required.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Babel knows a thing or two about swapping the Eredivisie for the Premier League, having joined Liverpool from Ajax in 2007. It’s a move that can often turn pear-shaped and Erik ten Hag’s recent struggles as Manchester United manager should serve as a warning to Slot as he soon prepares to travel to Merseyside.

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT BABEL SAID

  Babel told The Athletic: “A Dutch manager will naturally want to play football, especially if they have been in the top three in Holland. But different rules apply in the Premier League.

  “Erik ten Hag had done a very good job at Ajax, the players he had there could really execute his vision and that made him look good as a coach. And now he’s at Man United, a big team as well. He wanted to apply his vision but, for some reason, it doesn’t really come and now people question whether he is a really good manager or not.

  “So it’s a fine line to see if a new coach has the squad in place to immediately realise their vision. New coaches always naturally have time, the question is how much time does Slot get? Liverpool have been spoilt with the Jurgen Klopp philosophy and era. I think anything less, then frustration will kick in very, very quickly."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Slot is considered one of the greatest managers in Feyenoord’s rich history, combining positive results with an aesthetically-pleasing style of play. A two-time Eredivise Manager of the Year, his side sit second in the table this season behind only a dominant PSV Eindhoven side, boasting a record of only two defeats from 31 games.

Juventus are now reportedly plotting to sell another one of their players to Tottenham, amid the consistent links surrounding winger Samuel Iling-Junior.

Spurs favourites to sign Iling-Junior

According to reports in the last few weeks, Spurs are real favourites to seal a deal for Iling-Junior as the Englishman doesn't appear to feature in Juve boss Massimilano Allegri's plans.

Related "Very top" – Sky pundit excited as Spurs make "quick" defender a top target

Micah Richards thinks he’d be a top addition.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Dec 13, 2023

Playing just 114 Serie A minutes this season, with zero starts in that time, the former Chelsea academy ace looks likely to leave in January. As the 20-year-old's future seems far away from Turin, multiple sources have backed that Tottenham are in pole position for Iling-Junior as we approach the winter window. Reliable Evening Standard journalist Nizaar Kinsella, writing on X, recently claimed that Ange Postecoglou's side are "leading the race" for his signing.

This comes as the likes of Sky Sports report that Spurs are very keen to sign a left-winger in January, with Iling-Junior coming as a genuine transfer target alongside former Celtic star Jota.

Juventus "would like to sell" Soule to Tottenham

There is a rich history of transfer business between Juve and Spurs. Midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur and winger Dejan Kulusevski joined the Lilywhites on January deadline day in 2022, with both going on to be huge successes in parts.

Now, according to some information from journalist Fabio Santini, who spoke to TV Play this week (via Sport Witness), Juventus "would like to sell" Matias Soule to Spurs.

The Argentine, who's currently enjoying a very productive loan spell on loan at Frosinone in Serie A, has bagged six goals and an assist in 13 league starts.

Santini adds that a fee of around £22 million is desired by Juve, with Palace also looking likely to be offered out.

“Juventus are working hard on two important midfield profiles. They had already come very close to Koopmeiners in June with a €40m offer and in January it could go up to €45m with the sales of Iling-Junior and Yildiz. They have never let go of the track leading to Berardi and would like to sell Soulé for €20-25m to Crystal Palace or Tottenham," said Santini.

Matias Soule's attacking stats at Frosinone (via SofaScore)

Scoring frequency – every 188 minutes

Goals per game – 0.5

Big chances missed – 4

Goal conversion – 20%

Shots per game – 2.3

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder is looking like a very exciting prospect right now, with journalist Zach Lowy also branding Soule a "special talent" as he dazzles for Frosinone.

Manchester United are in the midst of a crucial run of games and Erik ten Hag may have another issue on his hands that he needs to deal with, according to a new report.

Man Utd's recurring problems…

Undoubtedly, United fans may well be sick to the back teeth of what has become a recurring theme at Old Trafford ever since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, which is the fact they usually start fairly well under a new manager for a year or so before problems at the club are laid bare.

Other than David Moyes, Louis Van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and now Ten Hag all achieved a tangible level of something resembling moderate success before their respective tenures began to decline slowly, leading to no option but a change in manager at the Premier League giants.

Famously, Ten Hag stated in the opening portion of his reign at Old Trafford that "an era can come to an end" about Manchester City and Liverpool's sustained longevity at the top of English football. For a while, it looked as if the Dutchman was moving closer to living up to his billing, as he secured a top-four finish and an EFL Cup trophy in his debut campaign in charge.

Nevertheless, inconsistency on the field has plagued the Red Devils this campaign, leaving them seventh in the Premier League and five points behind Aston Villa in fourth. In the Champions League, Manchester United sit bottom of their group with one match remaining and their 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United at home in the EFL Cup ensured that they surrendered their hold on the trophy in humiliating fashion.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe already "discussing" one Man Utd matter

Fabrizio Romano has given an important update on one Old Trafford issue.

BySean Markus Clifford Dec 5, 2023

Now, it appears that more problems are on the horizon at Old Trafford that now spell worrying news for Ten Hag, according to a report.

Worrying Erik ten Hag update…

According to Sky Sports, Manchester United boss Ten Hag has now lost elements of the dressing room at Old Trafford in what is a worrying update. Chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol cited reasons for concern, saying:

Man Utd's last five results – all competitions

Opponent & result

Venue

Newcastle United 1-0 Manchester United

St James' Park

Galatasaray 3-3 Manchester United

RAMS Park

Everton 0-3 Manchester United

Goodison Park

Manchester United 1-0 Luton Town

Old Trafford

Copenhagen 4-3 Manchester United

Parken Stadium

"My information is that some of the players are confused with what is happening. He has lost elements of the dressing room. One source tells me that he's lost about 50 per cent of the dressing room. Quite a few players are unhappy with the style of play, they also feel that they're training too hard and that they're running too much during training. I was told that the players don't know what they're running for.

"Also, some senior players have spoken to Erik ten Hag about where they feel the club is going wrong. They've spoken to him about their other experiences of playing for big clubs, and they feel that the manager should be a little bit more touchy-feely."

Manchester United will need to find a swift solution to their issues under Ten Hag as they prepare to face Chelsea, Bournemouth, Bayern Munich and Liverpool in quick succession.

Christian Pulisic was glowing with pride after he helped AC Milan come from behind to rescue a point in their Serie A clash against Sassuolo.

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AC Milan drew 3-3 with SassuoloPulisic came off bench in Serie A clashUSMNT star celebrated on InstagramWHAT HAPPENED?

USMNT Pulisic was on the bench from the start of the game and his side were 3-2 down when he was brought on to replace Samuel Chukwueze with 25 minutes left to play. The Rossoneri went on to net the equaliser less than 20 minutes later, when Noah Okafor sent it past goalkeeper Andrea Consigli to secure a point.

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United States international Pulisic is enjoying a fine season at the San Siro club since joining from Chelsea last year. He has netted 10 times and set up a further six goals in the league and, despite not adding to that tally on Sunday, he seemed to be delighted with the spirit his team showed against Sassuolo.

WHAT PULISIC POSTED

"Proud of the fight today," the 25-year-old winger posted on an Instagram Story in the wake of the away match on Sunday.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR PULISIC?

Pulisic is expected to return to Stefano Pioli's starting XI on Thursday as Milan take on Roma in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie. Roma have the advantage from the first leg after beating Milan 1-0 at San Siro last week.

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag believes that his side were "brilliant" at times during their "unacceptable" defeat against Chelsea.

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Man Utd stunned 4-3 in stoppage timeTen Hag believes his side deserved to winBlamed individual errors for defeatGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

Despite a valiant effort to claw back a 2-0 deficit and take a 3-2 lead, the Red Devils ultimately succumbed to a late surge from Chelsea, with Cole Palmer's hat-trick securing a remarkable victory for the Blues. Nonetheless, their Dutch manager insisted that his team deserved to win, but lamented their inability to manage the game effectively which ultimately cost them the three points despite leading 3-2 until the 99th minute.

AdvertisementWHAT TEN HAG SAID

Speaking to after the game, Ten Hag said: "Yes we started poor, kicking the ball away and defending poorly. But you saw we were dominating the game and it was brilliant how we played – we deserved to win the game. But, you cannot give it away like we did and we have to manage this game better. It is a team performance, you can point to one of the players but it is about team performance.

"When it gets chaotic you have to deal with it as a team and we made the wrong decisions and we didn't help out as a team. Out of possession, we made a bad decision – a lack of concentration. Also, I think (un) lucky at the end with the penalty situation, questionable and very soft but we have to do better."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

United's defensive frailties were once again exposed, with Chelsea registering a staggering 28 shots on goal. This marked the continuation of a concerning trend, who have conceded 20-plus shots in seven of their last eight Premier League games. Their total shots conceded in 2024 now stands at 225, the highest in the league. Despite these alarming statistics, Ten Hag dismissed the significance of these numbers, asserting confidence in his team's defensive capabilities.

"It is ridiculous," he said. "We showed we were fourth ranking before this game in goals conceded. Everyone is talking to each other after, we are good and we have good defending as a team, a good goalkeeper and a good back four so I cannot do anything with such stats."

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(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

With United's hopes of securing a place in Europe's top flight next season hanging in the balance, Ten Hag's future at the club appears uncertain. The defeat to Chelsea has intensified the pressure on the Dutch manager ahead of a crucial fixture against Liverpool on Sunday. United must regroup and address the glaring issues exposed in their defeat before facing their arch-rivals who will be eager to avenge their FA Cup defeat earlier in the season.