Man Utd news: Erik ten Hag calls out United trio as ex-England stars agree on Kobbie Mainoo

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19 Feb 2024

ten Hag and his Manchester United players ended the weekend celebrating an important victory at Luton after holding off a fightback from Rob Edwards' team.
Rasmus Hojlund scored two early goals, only for Carlton Morris to keep the Hatters within reach. United missed chances to extend their lead, with Ten Hag worried by his side's fragility, but the Hojlund brace proved to be enough as the home side failed to find a leveller.

There was also controversy around Casemiro, who some felt was lucky to avoid a second yellow card for a foul on Luton's Ross Barkley. United ended the day with all three points, though, and have Champions League football in their sights after watching those above them stutter in recent weeks.
United have the best part of a week before they return to action against Fulham, but there's plenty to pore over from Sunday's action. Here are the latest lines from around Old Trafford.

Ten Hag calls out trio

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag wasn't fully satisfied after his team's victory at Luton. He recognised his players had been wasteful in front of goal, with stars going clean through on more than one occasion without finding the back of Thomas Kaminski's net.
"We had good chances with Garnacho and Rashford, it could have been three or four-nil,” Ten Hag told Match of the Day. "After that we lose some focus and we are not so strict in what we should do and they came more in the game. We dropped too deep and allowed them too many passes.

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"We gave some chances away and they got the 2-1. That's no good. But after half-time we picked it up. We had several chances. So many chances one against one. I think it was Garnacho, Rashford again, it was Bruno Fernandes. We had so many chances, it should be 3-1 in these moments.”

Casemiro decision up for debate

Were you impressed by Manchester United in their win at Luton? Have your say in the omments section
Ross Barkley down injured after a foul from Casemiro
© AFP via Getty Images
Luton manager Rob Edwards believes Casemiro was lucky to stay on the pitch on Sunday. The Brazilian was already on a yellow when he lunged in on Barkley, with referee David Coote deeming the challenge worthy of a free-kick but not a booking.
"I think the fact that he came off at half-time maybe tells you a little bit of that story," Edwards told beIN Sports. "So, yeah, I think maybe he got away with one there."

United boss Erik ten Hag admitted he was worried about the midfielder when opting to withdraw him and team-mate Harry Maguire at the break. "I think the game was going in that direction – there was a lot of pressure on the referee – they were both at risk for another booking," he said.

Mainoo consensus reached

Former England strikers Gary Lineker and Ian Wright are among the growing number of people backing Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo for a senior England call-up. The teenager is expected to move up to the under-21 squad for the upcoming international break, but the two pundits feel he should be aiming higher amid impressive form for United.

"Kobbie Mainoo has to be in the next England squad," Wright wrote on social media on Sunday. "Such maturity in chaotic conditions that we've not seen from a England player in a long time. Impressed every time I watch him."
Shearer's response was a straightforward one. "Agreed. What a fabulous young player," the former Newcastle United star said in reply to Wright.
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Rasmus Hojlund breaks great Premier League record with Manchester United

Rasmus Hojlund just made history with Manchester United after breaking an incredible record in the Premier League.
In the last few weeks, Rasmus Hojlund has been sensational for Manchester United and he delivered once again this Sunday in a 2-1 victory at Kenilworth Road against Luton Town.
When everything seemed lost in December, Erik ten Hag found the answers and the Red Devils are undefeated in 2024. Now, they’re in sixth place of the Premier League with 44 points and a berth for the next Champions League is suddenly within reach.
Today, Hojlund gave a massive boost to Manchester United scoring two goals in the first ten minutes of the match with Luton Town (1′, 7′). As a consequence, the star from Denmark has rewritten the record books.
Rasmus Hojlund got a historic record with Manchester United (Getty Images)
© Provided by Bolavip US

Rasmus Hojlund breaks Premier League record

Rasmus Hojlund became the youngest player in history to score in six consecutive Premier League games. The striker is 21-years old and achieved the feat with goals against Tottenham, Wolverhampton, West Ham, Luton Town and twice facing Aston Villa.The previous record belonged to Joe Willock (Newcastle).

Now, Hojlund will try to chase Manchester United’s all-time record of consecutive games scoring achieved by Ruud van Nistelrroy (10). The overall Premier League record was set by Jamie Vardy of Leicester City (11).
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Gary Neville hits nail on the head as Man Utd's Casemiro avoids red card

Gary Neville claimed Casemiro was "very lucky" to avoid being sent off against Luton for two quickfire bookings.
The Brazilian had picked up a yellow card - his sixth of the season - for taking down Amari'i Bell. He was then fortunate to stay on the pitch only minutes later for lunging in on Ross Barkley after attempting to retrieve the ball from his own bad touch.

Luton players appealed for a second booking, but referee David Coote was unmoved. Former Man United star Gary Neville thought Casemiro was very fortunate to stay on the pitch. Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: "He just lunges in after losing the ball, he’s a lucky boy [to not get sent off]. He’s very lucky, he’s ruffled and they’re all ruffled.
"He’s shouting, who is he shouting at? Garnacho? He’s ripping him apart, but to be fair, it’s not Garnacho’s fault because Casemiro was the one who lost the ball! Casemiro, if he manages to stay on the pitch for the next five minutes, then he has to be taken off at halftime."
Erik ten Hag took the former Real Madrid star off at the break. Supporters took to Twitter to share their displeasure at the decision. One fan said: "David Coote bottling giving casemiro a second yellow. says it all really," before another said: "Oh Casemiro should be sent off there. That’s a yellow card if he wasn’t already on a yellow."

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Criticism of the referee continued to come before the break. "Textbook second yellow challenge by Casemiro. Coote has absolutely bottled that," one fan claimed. Another supporter said: "David Coote fully bottled sending Casemiro off there."
Had Casemiro had been sent off, then he would have extended his run of poor discipline. He was sent off three times in 2023. Two came in the form of straight reds last season, while he was also sent off for two bookable offences in the Red Devils' Champions League showdown with Galatasaray earlier this term.
Ross Barkley
© Getty Images
Should Casemiro have been sent off vs Luton? Share your thoughts in the comments below
His lucky escape had come after the Red Devils had relinquished control of their showdown with Luton at Kenilworth Road. Ten Hag's side had roared two goals ahead within eight minutes - both coming through Rasmus Hojlund.

Carlton Morris pulled an effort back for the hosts, who went close on a number of occasions before the break. Things continued to get worse for Man United ahead of the interval.
Luke Shaw - who had also picked up an early booking - departed with an injury. He was replaced by Swedish defender Victor Lindelof. Harry Maguire also went into the referee's book for a mistimed challeng and was substituted for veteran Jonny Evans.
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PSG star Kylian Mbappe 'agrees to take pay cut' after signing contract with next club

Kylian Mbappe is set to take a significant pay cut to complete a move to Real Madrid.
The French superstar earns a reported £22million-a-year in his bumper Paris Saint-Germain deal but could see that drop by as much as £10m to play at the Bernabeu. Reports in Spain suggest that Mbappe's package will be worth between £12m and £17m plus bonuses.

The World Cup winner is said to have agreed a five-year deal with Los Blancos having informed PSG of his intention to leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season. While being forced to take a pay cut to make the move, he would still become the highest paid player in the Spanish capital.
A massive £85m signing on fee will ensure Mbappe isn't left hurting but Real Madrid did not see the deal as one they should make at any cost. The progress of Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior has provided the club with confidence they already have two of the best players in the world.
After the news emerged of Mbappe's pending departure last week, the France international started on the bench for PSG's clash with Nantes. The 25-year-old entered the fray with half an hour remaining and earned a penalty when he knocked the ball through the legs of Douglas Augusto before being clipped in the box. The forward dispatched the spotkick into the corner as the Parisian side recorded a 2-0 win.

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They want three. Well, apparently.

Who should replace Mbappe at PSG?

PSG are reluctant to lose their star who has scored a stunning 244 goals in 291 appearances and provided 105 assists. The announcement of his departure is set to be made in the coming months.
La Liga president Javier Tebas recently commented that Real Madrid's chances of landing the forward were only increasing. He told Italian media: "I said [the chances] were around 50 per cent some weeks ago, now it's even more.
Kylian Mbappe in action for PSG
© Getty Images
"55-60? Yes, I think so. Every day that passes and Mbappe does not sign the new contract with PSG, the percentage increases. I don't know the costs of Mbappe deal but in any case, Real have an excellent financial situation. They never did crazy things in the recent years."
Arsenal bos Mikel Arteta wants his side to be included in the conversation of Mbappe's next step however. He said last week: ""When there is a player of that calibre we always have to be in the conversation.

"But as you said it looks in a different way. Why not? If we want to be the best team, we are going to need the best talent and the best players, that is for sure."
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Chelsea news: Man City performance PROOF Pochettino was wrong about Levi Colwill

Levi Colwill has made 29 appearances for Chelsea so far this season. 20 have been at left-back and only nine have been at centre-back.
On Saturday, against Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning Manchester City, he proved just why Mauricio Pochettino must avoid playing him at left-back at all costs from now on.

The England international was sensational on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion last season, playing the majority of the campaign next to Seagulls captain Lewis Dunk, with Pervis Estupinan at left-back.
Roberto De Zerbi’s pattern-heavy style of play required both Dunk and Colwill to show immense composure on the ball at all times, and despite it being his debut Premier League season, the on-loan Chelsea man flourished.
He was arguably one of the best centre-backs in the English top flight during the 2022-23 campaign and interest from Liverpool soon arrived. Brighton also wanted to sign him permanently, but Chelsea were able to fight off significant competition for his signature and tie him down to a new long-term contract that runs until 2029.
Colwill has been a regular at Stamford Bridge since returning to the club, but the majority of his appearances have come at left-back.

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Chelsea 1 - 1 Man City: Pep Guardiola post-match press conference part 2

With Chelsea’s midfield and attack severely lacking height, Pochettino has mostly used at least one centre-back at full-back this campaign to combat this, with Colwill the most regular to fill in. Axel Disasi has also played at right-back, while Benoit Badiashile has been deployed at left-back on one or two occasions. However, it’s Colwill who has suffered most.
Injuries to Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella didn’t help, but Pochettino often favoured Colwill at left-back even when both players were fully fit, and Ian Maatsen was also completely ignored despite his stellar form on loan at Burnley.

Why Mauricio Pochettino must play Levi Colwill at centre-back

Despite his obvious talent, Colwill has been exposed on numerous occasions this campaign, mostly due to the fact he has been playing out of position. Although his top speed is good, Colwill’s initial acceleration and agility aren’t his best attributes (as expected for a tall centre-back) and he has been outwitted several times by tricky wingers as a result.

His form has been slightly blown out of proportion, but Colwill evidently doesn’t particularly suit playing as an out-and-out left-back.
With Chilwell now back to full fitness, the opportunity to use Colwill in his natural left centre-back role has presented itself and he did not disappoint against Man City.
The 20-year-old came off the bench against Crystal Palace last week and he replaced Thiago Silva in Chelsea’s starting XI at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. The result? A fantastic performance from a player who needs to become the Blues’ starting centre-back for the next 10 years.
Sure, Erling Haaland missed a number of guilt-edged chances, but Colwill and his partner Disasi were both magnificent on the night.
The England international made 10 clearances, two tackles, two blocks and one interception, while he also maintained a 90% pass accuracy, despite Man City’s press.

His line-breaking passes were a joy to watch at the Etihad, with Colwill dismantling Man City’s pressing structure on several occasions via inch-perfect incisive passes into the feet of Enzo Fernandez, Conor Gallagher or Nicolas Jackson.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC)
February 19, 2024
Just like Badiashile, Colwill is an expert with the ball at his feet and he is a vast upgrade on Brazilian veteran Thiago Silva in this regard.
While Silva has been a regular at Chelsea this campaign, Colwill’s performance against Man City is proof that he should’ve been playing at centre-back all season - and that is arguably Pochettino’s biggest error since joining Chelsea.
Silva still reads the game expertly from a defensive standpoint, but he is often far too slow in possession and he lacks the line-breaking passing ability that Colwill has in his locker. This has been a real issue for Chelsea this season, with their ineffectiveness against low blocks at least partly down to Silva and their high exposure to opponents’ press also a result of the Brazilian’s lack of ball-playing expertise.

Colwill, on the other hand, is rarely ever fazed when in possession, and just when it looks as though he may lose the ball, the Englishman frequently picks out a delightful pass to set his team up for a counter-attack. That happened multiple times against Man City, with Chelsea turning Guardiola’s side easily thanks to Colwill’s unerring ability to find a team-mate in space.
Pochettino has been at fault for several things since joining Chelsea, but playing Colwill at left-back, not centre-back, has been one of his biggest errors and something that he must avoid for the rest of the 2023-24 campaign.

‘Could make top four’ – Chelsea are ‘building something good’ as UCL prediction made by former Blue

Former Chelsea man Frank Leboeuf believes the Blues look “like a team who could make the top four” as they are “building something good” under Mauricio Pochettino.
Chelsea have struggled for form over the past couple of seasons. They came 12th in the Premier League last term, and that led to the turnover of a number of managers.

This season, they’re still in mid table, currently sitting 10th, but coming off the back of some good results. Indeed, they beat Crystal Palace 3-1 two games ago, before holding reigning champions Manchester City to a 1-1 draw last time out.
After that game, Leboeuf suggested that the Blues look like a side capable of making the top four.
“Yes, Man City were not that good, compared to what they can offer. But a big part is because of the tactics Chelsea made, how they played and the quality they used on the ball,” he said on ESPN.
“Chelsea did very well and looked like a team who could make the top four. It is too late now of course but they are building something good. It’s going the right way.”
Indeed, the chances of Chelsea getting into the top four this season are very slim, but Leboeuf suggests that based on performances like that, they can build towards it next season.
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With the quality of players in the squad, the Blues should have done better than they have for the past couple of seasons. They own multiple players who cost more than £100million, and have followed a policy of buying young talents who they predict are going to come good.
As such, now that the big stars are gelling together – something that seemed tough initially when a host of players were thrown together in a short period of time – gaining Champions League football should be the goal.
For this season, they’ll look to get as high up the table as possible, and potentially win the League Cup, as they’re in the final. Given a clean slate next season, at least reaching the top four should be the goal for Pochettino’s side.
He’s showing it should be possible of late, and he can show it is in the next campaign.
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