EPL

Football rumours: Jadon Sancho open to Man Utd return if Erik ten Hag leaves

By Sports Desk April 17, 2024

What the papers say

Jadon Sancho would be open to an attempt to relaunch his Manchester United career if manager Erik ten Hag leaves, The i reports.
Sancho returned to former club Borussia Dortmund on loan in January.

Liverpool are set to appoint David Woodfine as the assistant sporting director to work alongside Richard Hughes, with Woodfine returning to Anfield less than a year after leaving, according to the Liverpool Echo.

The Sun writes that Manchester United will open talks with 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo over a new contract.

Social media round-upPlayers to watch

Arthur Okonkwo: The Athletic reports that Wrexham want to turn the 22-year-old’s loan from Arsenal into a permanent deal.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin: Football Insider says Everton are keen to extend the 27-year-old striker’s contract, which is due to run out at the end of next season.

Federico Chiesa: Juventus will listen to offers for the Italian player, who has been linked with Liverpool and Newcastle, after disagreements between the 26-year-old forward and Massimiliano Allegri, reports Tuttosport.

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    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is unhappy with Jack Grealish's inclusion in the England squad for the November international break.

    Grealish has not played for his club side since a 17-minute substitute appearance in their 2-1 stoppage-time victory over Wolves, which came straight after the previous international window.

    England interim manager Lee Carsley had justified the winger's inclusion in the squad by saying that he had been back in training for "a couple of days" and would be assessed by national team staff.

    But, having already ruled him out of Saturday's match against Brighton, Guardiola found the decision difficult to accept and suggested that Carsley was mistaken about his training activity.

    "National teams always play in this period, and I'm always pleased for players to go when they are fit, and they haven't struggled for the past one, two, three or four weeks," Guardiola told a press conference.

    "In 17 days, he didn't train once. Today was the first training and he trained for 20 minutes. That is the reality.

    "Yes, he was in the gym for a few minutes for the past two days, but it's a question for the manager from the UK [England] – I'm not involved."

    Guardiola had not been in touch with Carsley about the situation, and he was unaware of any conversations between the medical departments at the FA and Manchester City.

    But when talking to Grealish, who is yet to score in 10 appearances in all competitions for City this season, the player wanted to join up with England.

    "They can select who they want," said Guardiola. "Jack has had two or three setbacks in terms of injuries and could not get his rhythm."

  • Arsenal don't need a 'reset' despite poor form, says Arteta Arsenal don't need a 'reset' despite poor form, says Arteta

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    The Gunners have taken just one point from matches against Bournemouth, Liverpool and Newcastle, leaving them fifth and seven points behind Arne Slot's side at the summit. 

    They were also beaten 1-0 by Inter in the Champions League in midweek, meaning it is back-to-back defeats in all competitions and just two wins in six.

    But despite their ropey form, Arteta wasn't willing to press the panic button.

    "I don't think about [needing a reset]," he told a press conference. "Nobody works harder than me, I guarantee you that.

    "We don't need a reset. In one particular aspect we need to go from 95 [effort] to 100. I will not tell you what that is."

    Arteta's side travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday to face Chelsea, who come into the game on the back of an 8-0 thrashing of Noah in the Europa Conference League.

    However, the Spaniard will be confident of returning to winning ways against a favoured opponent during his time as a Premier League boss. 

    Of all managers to face Chelsea at least 10 times in the top-flight, only Kenny Dalglish (77%) has a higher win rate against the Blues than Arteta (60% - W6 D2 L2).

    The absence of captain Martin Odegaard has been felt keenly in the Arsenal team, having picked up an injury playing for Norway in the September international break.

    He made a stoppage-time cameo against Inter in midweek to return to first-team action and will be in the squad to face Chelsea on Sunday.

    Declan Rice, meanwhile, missed the Champions League game through injury and is also a doubt for the trip to Stamford Bridge.

    "I have to be very vague on [Rice] because there is no clarity on if he is going to be fit or not for the weekend," said Arteta.

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  • Van Nistelrooy keen to return to Man Utd assistant role under Amorim Van Nistelrooy keen to return to Man Utd assistant role under Amorim

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    Having returned to Old Trafford as one of Erik ten Hag’s assistants in the summer, he has stepped up as caretaker head coach since his compatriot was sacked last month.

    Van Nistelrooy has overseen victories over Leicester City in the EFL Cup and PAOK in the Europa League, drawing his other game against Chelsea in the Premier League. 

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    Asked if he would like to manage the team he scored 150 goals for during his playing days, Van Nistelrooy said: "Yeah, of course.

    "I thought this through well when I made the decision to come to United as an assistant manager or assistant coach," Van Nistelrooy said.

    "I knew that coming to Manchester United was for me a special occasion, where I felt I wanted to be part of this journey with the club in also an assistant role.

    "I had clear ambitions to manage. I made the decision to sign a two-year deal as an assistant, and I'm still in that frame of mind to stay in that capacity."

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    "I called it an important period because I think it was important to get through the four games as good as we could," said Van Nistelrooy.

    "I think we've done very well so far. The players have reacted very well in the games.

    "The focus now is to build on that and show that on Sunday, with a big game ahead and a massive three points that are there to win.

    "I don't know if it will be very emotional. I take it very pragmatically as well, although I am proud to be able to fulfil this. We'll see how I feel on Sunday."

    And while this may be Van Nistelrooy's second Old Trafford farewell, he has reason to be confident of ending his latest Red Devils stint on a high. 

    United have lost just two of their last 17 Premier League games against Leicester (W10 D5), with those defeats coming consecutively in May and October 2021.

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