erik ten hag – Artifex.News

Five Talking Points In The New Premier League Season

admin — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 04:23:17 +0000

Manchester City face a strong challenge from Arsenal as the champions look to win an unprecedented fifth successive Premier League title. Liverpool start a new era with Arne Slot replacing Jurgen Klopp, while Erik ten Hag is under pressure to deliver at Manchester United after narrowly avoiding the sack. Let’s look at five things to watch out for when the new season gets underway on Friday:

Slot’s big shoes to fill

Liverpool fell short of giving Jurgen Klopp a glorious goodbye as they stumbled down the final straight last season to finish third.

Arne Slot has the unenviable task of replacing the German, who restored the Reds to the top of English and European football, while also bringing his larger than life personality to Anfield.

The Dutchman will struggle to match the cult of Klopp, but the early signs are positive that he can continue to win on the field.

Liverpool have swept all before them in pre-season, beating Arsenal, Manchester United and Sevilla.

But they are yet to make a single signing in the transfer window.

Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad has been linked as a potential new anchor for the midfield.

Slot has spoken of the similarities between he and Klopp’s style of play as one of the reasons he was poached from Feyenoord for the job.

And he will be hoping for a fast start to ease any fears over Klopp’s departure with a kind run of fixtures in the early months of the season.

Arsenal’s time?

Only once have Arsenal ever won more points in a Premier League campaign than the 89 they collected last season and it was still not enough to dethrone Manchester City.

Fuelled by that painful near miss, Mikel Arteta‘s men are the coming force in English football.

The Gunners have steadily improved over the past three seasons and finished second in each of the past two campaigns.

Italian international Riccardo Calafiori adds even more quality to what was the best defence in the league last season.

But it is at the other end of the field where Arsenal may still find themselves short.

Kai Havertz had a fine second half to his first season at the club after a slow start.

The German is set to maintain his place as Arteta’s centre-forward as Arsenal have again decided not to go into the market for a striker.

Ten Hag’s short leash

Manchester United’s shock FA Cup final win over Manchester City in May was enough to save Ten Hag’s job and even earned the Dutchman a new contract.

Yet the former Ajax boss remains on a short leash after United’s worst ever Premier League finish of eighth.

United have been one of the most active English clubs in the market, splashing out on Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee, with deals for Bayern Munich defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui completed on Tuesday.

But in a worrying repeat for Ten Hag of last season’s injury woes, Yoro has already been sidelined for three months by a broken bone in his foot.

United open the season at home to Fulham on Friday and Ten Hag can ill afford a poor start or questions will quickly be raised again over his future.

Ipswich return

Leicester and Southampton have bounced back into the Premier League at the first time of asking, but Ipswich are fresh faces as they return to the top flight for the first time in 22 years.

Kieran McKenna has masterminded back-to-back promotions to bring the Tractor Boys back into the big time and keeping hold of the Northern Irishman despite interest from Chelsea and Brighton has been vital for Ipswich’s chances of survival.

The scale of the task they face is laid bare by the fact that all three promoted sides last season were relegated.

Maresca’s difficult choices

New Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has a baptism of fire as his side host Manchester City on the opening weekend, but the Italian is certainly not short of selection options.

In keeping with previous transfer windows since a takeover fronted by LA Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly, the Blues have spent big money on young talent from around the world over the close-season.

That includes Pedro Neto in a 54 million pounds move from Wolves and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who shone for Maresca last season in Leicester’s promotion from the Championship.

However, Chelsea’s summer business has swelled their squad to upwards of 50 senior players.

That leaves Maresca with a difficult balance of trying to instill his style of play on a dressing room that will have a lot of players unhappy at their lack of playing time.

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MCI v MUN FA Community Shield 2024 Highlights: Man City Win 7-6 On Penalties

admin — Sat, 10 Aug 2024 13:06:09 +0000

Man City vs Man United Highlights: City win 7-6 on penalties© AFP

Manchester City vs Manchester United, FA Community Shield 2024 Highlights: Premier League champions Manchester City won the 2024 Community Shield Final, beating Manchester United 7-6 on penalties. Jadon Sancho and Johnny Evans missed crucial spotkicks. Earlier, the game had finished 1-1 after 90 minutes. Alejandro Garnacho gave United the lead, before birthday boy Bernardo Silva equalised. United had beaten City themselves in the FA Cup final last season, but failed to replicate the heroics. With this win, Pep Guardiola took his head-to-head record over Erik ten Hag as managers of their respective current clubs to 5-2.

Here are the Highlights from the 2024 Community Shield Final, Man City vs Man United, straight from the Wembley Stadium, London:

August10202422:01 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: Thank you!

Thank you everyone for joining us on the live coverage of the Community Shield. That was a slow burner to start off, but things really heated up in the end!

Join us on NDTV Sports from next week as football fever becomes frantic. Until then, if you’re hungry for more sports action, head on over to our LIVE OLYMPICS COVERAGE, for the latest updates on the 2024 Paris Olympics.

That’s a wrap here. Goodnight!
August10202421:58 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: Premier League begins August 17

And as the Community Shield ends, it’s a sign that football is back. The Premier League kicks off on August 17, as Manchester United take on Fulham at 12:30 AM IST.
August10202421:56 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: The juggernaut keeps rolling

We haven’t even started the Premier League season and English football’s dominant side have already lifted a trophy.

‘Blue Moon’ plays around Wembley, as Kevin de Bruyne and Ruben Dias hold the trophy aloft.
August10202421:49 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: 18 trophies for Pep

This win takes Pep Guardiola’s trophy tally up to EIGHTEEN as Manchester City’s manager.

6x Premier Leagues

4x EFL Cups

3x Community Shields

2x FA Cups

1x UEFA Champions League

1x UEFA Super Cup

1x FIFA Club World Cup each.
August10202421:46 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: Sancho, Evans miss

Jadon Sancho and Johnny Evans missed penalties in the shootout, as Manchester City won 7-6 on penalties. Heartbreak for United, who had taken the lead in the 81st minute of the game.
August10202421:40 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: United 6-7 City, CITY WIN!

Penalty shootout: Akanji scores!

Manchester City wins it in the penalty shootout! A superb penalty by Akanji to seal the match.

Manchester City win the 2024 Community Shield, heartbreak for United.
August10202421:39 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: United 6-6 City

Penalty shootout: Evans misses!

Johnny Evans has skied it completely. City will win if they score the next one.
August10202421:38 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: United 6-6 City

Penalty shootout: Dias scores

Onana dives the wrong way again. Ruben Dias coolly slots it in.
August10202421:38 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: United 6-5 City

Penalty shootout: Lisandro scores

The Argentine defender makes no mistake. City back under pressure.
August10202421:37 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: United 5-5 City

Penalty shootout: Nunes scores

Matheus Nunes thunders it into the top-corner. Best penalty of the shootout. We carry on in sudden-death!
August10202421:37 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: United 5-4 City

Penalty shootout: McTominay scores

McTominay sends it past Ederson, City must score.
August10202421:36 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: United 4-4 City

Penalty shootout: Ederson scores!

City’s goalkeeper decides to step up for the crucial penalty, and makes it look very easy.
August10202421:35 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: United 4-3 City

Penalty shootout: Casemiro scores

Big goal for United in the shootout. City must score to take this to sudden death.
August10202421:35 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: United 3-3 City

Penalty shootout: Savinho scores!

So what it’s his debut? Savinho inch-perfect. City are back level.
August10202421:34 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: United 3-2 City

Penalty shootout: Sancho misses!

A huge moment in the final. Jadon Sancho’s penalty is saved by Ederson.
August10202421:33 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: United 3-2 City

Penalty shootout: Haaland scores!

Rolled in by Erling Haaland, Onana dives the wrong way again.
August10202421:32 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: United 3-1 City

Penalty shootout: Garnacho scores

Cool as ice!
August10202421:31 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: United 2-1 City

Penalty shootout: De Bruyne scores

Onana goes the wrong way, De Bruyne rolls it in.
August10202421:30 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: United 2-0 City

Penalty shootout: Diogo Dalot scores

Ederson almost saved it, but Dalot squeezes it in.
August10202421:29 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: United 1-0 City

Penalty shootout: Bernardo Silva misses!

Oh, the birthday boy suffers a cruel fate.
August10202421:29 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: United 1-0 City

Penalty shootout: Bruno scores!

Composed as ever from the spot.
August10202421:28 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: Bruno takes first

United to shoot first. Bruno Fernandes to take the penalty. The penalty shootout about to get underway.
August10202421:24 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: We are going to penalties!

And there we have it. A dramatic final few minutes has seen the game end 1-1. Garnacho thought he’d won it, birthday boy Bernardo had other ideas.

MCI 1-1 MUN (FT)
August10202421:21 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: 5 minutes of added time, KDB on

We have just five minutes of added time, before the impending penalty shootout. Pep Guardiola has brought on Kevin de Bruyne for the shootout.

MCI 1-1 MUN (’90+2)
August10202421:19 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: BIRTHDAY GOAL FOR BERNARDO!

Just as we wrote that, Bernardo Silva heads in the equaliser on his 30th birthday! Oscar Bobb crosses it with his weaker right foot, and Bernardo beats Pellistri to the aerial ball.

We are heading towards penalties!

MCI 1-1 MUN (’89)
August10202421:17 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: Happy Birthday Bernardo Silva!

Not the Community Shield final Bernardo would’ve been hoping for on his 30th birthday. United scored seconds after he came on, and then Bernardo picked up a yellow card.

MCI 0-1 MUN (’88)
August10202421:11 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: GOAL GARNACHO!

Alejandro Garnacho scores! Cuts inside and slams it on his left foot. Drills it in low, past Ederson. Bruno Fernandes with the assist, and United are now looking at their second trophy of 2024!

MCI 0-1 MUN (’81)
August10202421:09 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: Another miss for United

Rashford reaches high to head a corner, places it onto the path of Scott McTominay, and it would’ve surely been a goal had he gotten a touch.

MCI 0-0 MUN (’80)
August10202421:04 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: Rashford hits post!

Rashford has hit the post! Bruno finds Garnacho with a superb aerial ball. The Argentine squares it for Rashford 1v1 vs Ederson, but Rashford shins it onto the post.

MCI 0-0 MUN (’75)
August10202421:02 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: Great combination between City youngsters

Once again, Rico Lewis impressing. Wins the ball in the opposition half and starts the attack. Combines with Oscar Bobb and James McAtee, but its cut out by Casemiro in the end.

MCI 0-0 MUN (’73)
August10202421:00 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: Staring at a penalty shootout

We are looking at a penalty shootout here. Both sides have had their great chances, but the game has evened out in the middle.

MCI 0-0 MUN (’72)
August10202420:59 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: Another chance for Bruno

Casemiro picks out Bruno with an excellent long ball, and the Portuguese was through on goal. He takes the shot from far out, straight into Ederson’s palms. He had more time than he realized.

MCI 0-0 MUN (’69)
August10202420:57 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: Savinho in action

Good cross from Savinho, first involvement in a Manchester City shirt. He has directly replaced Doku on the left-wing, and will bring in a different challenge for United right-back Diogo Dalot. Savio is left-footed, whilst Doku favours his right.

MCI 0-0 MUN (’66)
August10202420:54 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: Savinho makes his debut

Brazilian winger Savinho, brought back from Girona this season, makes his first appearance for Man City. He comes on for Jeremy Doku. Guardiola also takes off Nico O’Reilly, bringing on Portuguese midfielder Matheus Nunes in his place.

MCI 0-0 MUN (’62)
August10202420:53 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: 4 changes for United

OFF: Amad Diallo, Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount

ON: Alejandro Garnacho, Facundo Pellistri, Scott McTominay, Tom Collyer

MCI 0-0 MUN (’58)
August10202420:51 (IST)

Man City vs Man United, Community Shield LIVE: A look at that Bruno offisde goal

Here’s a clip of Bruno’s phenomenal goal, that was ruled out for offside

BRUNO FERNANDES ARE YOU MADDDD

pic.twitter.com/js792P43Vk

— AB (@AbsoluteBruno) August 10, 2024
August10202420:43 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: OFFSIDE GOAL FOR UNITED

Bruno Fernandes scores a stunning curling goal from the edge of the box, but he was millimetres offside. Head in hands for the United captain.

MCI 0-0 MUN (’54)
August10202420:42 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: Shades of old Casemiro

Casemiro has had a fine game so far. A superb tackle on Doku to snatch the ball. Earlier in the first half, he had been involved offensively as well.

MCI 0-0 MUN (’52)
August10202420:36 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: Second half begins

The second half of the 2024 FA Community Shield is underway. United begin on the front foot, creating a chance early on, although it mounts to nothing.
August10202420:19 (IST)

Community Shield LIVE, Man City vs Man United: Remember, no extra-time

No extra time will be played if the match remains tied after 90 minutes. We will go straight to a penalty shootout.

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Erik Ten Hag Faces Manchester United Judgement Day As Manchester City Eye History In FA Cup Final

admin — Fri, 24 May 2024 04:08:58 +0000

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag hopes to bolster his chances of avoiding the sack by ruining Manchester City’s history bid in the FA Cup final on Saturday. For the second successive season, Wembley will stage a Manchester derby in the showpiece fixture. Last year, City beat United 2-1 in the final on route to an incredible treble-winning campaign that included Premier League and Champions League glory. City remain England’s pre-eminent force, as they showed by clinching an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title last weekend.

United left Wembley still optimistic about the future despite that defeat 12 months ago because Ten Hag had ended their six-year trophy drought by winning the League Cup earlier in the season.

But the Red Devils return to north London shaken by a turbulent campaign that leaves the Dutchman fighting to save his job.

United finished eighth in the Premier League — their lowest final position since 1990 — and failed even to make it out of the Champions League group stage.

Ten Hag has blamed United’s woes on injuries, but that might not convince the club’s new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe to keep faith with him.

The Dutch coach reportedly caused friction among his squad after clashing with Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford, setting the tone for a series of embarrassing defeats against Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Fulham, Copenhagen and Galatasaray among others.

United only made it to the FA Cup final after blowing a three-goal lead and surviving a penalty shootout against second- tier Coventry in a semi-final that underlined the flaws in Ten Hag’s erratic team.

England boss Gareth Southgate, former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino and Ipswich chief Kieran McKenna have all been linked with the Old Trafford job.

Ten Hag’s hopes of staying at United into a third season would be improved if they can spoil City’s bid to become the first English club to win both the Premier League and FA Cup two years in a row.

“I came here to win trophies,” Ten Hag said. “I’m just focusing on the job I have to do. That is first to win the game on Saturday and then keep going in the project.”

‘Fight until the end’

Beaten in six of the past seven Manchester derbies, United must lift the Cup for the first time in eight years to avoid their first season without European action since 2014/15.

A Europa League place is hardly the prize United fans dream of, but Andre Onana, the club’s goalkeeper, wants to repay their support with victory at Wembley.

Onana, who has endured an error-strewn first campaign at United, said: “It’s been a difficult season for them and for us.

“For me, it was difficult at the start and they were behind me so I’m very thankful. Let’s end on Saturday at Wembley. We will fight until the end.”

City’s dominant reign in the Premier League has extended to six titles in seven years, a dynastic spell that has led many pundits label them the greatest English team of all time.

Pep Guardiola’s men pipped Arsenal by two points after winning their last nine league games, leaving them on the brink of more history at Wembley this weekend.

“To do what we’ve done year in, year out, I don’t think many teams would be able to do that, especially in this Premier League,” City captain Kyle Walker said as he contemplated a potential second successive double.

Walker believes Guardiola’s drive and intensity are central to City’s seemingly unquenchable thirst for success.

“I think it starts from the manager, first and foremost. He’s addicted to winning. He is addicted and it rubs off on us,” he said.

Ominously for United, City playmaker Bernardo Silva said his side, who have won the FA Cup twice in the Guardiola era, are at their best when the stakes are highest.

“Sometimes at the beginning of the season when we don’t have that much pressure, the team relaxes when it shouldn’t and at the end of the season we always compensate for it,” he said.

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Ten Hag Says Man Utd ‘Must Do Everything’ To Win FA Cup After Premier League Flop

admin — Mon, 20 May 2024 05:17:08 +0000

Erik ten Hag says Manchester United must “do everything” to reward the loyalty of the “best fans in the world” by winning the FA Cup following their worst finish to a Premier League season. Although United won 2-0 at Brighton on Sunday’s final day of the campaign, that was only good enough for eighth place — their worst position at the end of a season since they came 13th under celebrated manager Alex Ferguson in 1990. Hopes of qualifying for Europe next season now rest on United beating Manchester City in next weekend’s FA Cup final.

And the result at Wembley could have a major bearing on whether the Dutchman keeps his job after a traumatic season at Old Trafford.

United will have the added incentive of trying to deny local rivals City another domestic double after Pep Guardiola’s side clinched an unprecedented fourth successive English title on Sunday.

But even if United lift the FA Cup, there is no disguising the pain of a league season in which the 20-time league champions suffered 14 defeats and finished with a negative goal difference.

United manager Ten Hag thanked United’s supporters for their backing after late goals from Diogo Dalot and substitute Rasmus Hojlund ensured Roberto De Zerbi’s last match as Brighton boss ended in defeat.

“We have the best fans in the world and I mean this,” said Ten Hag, whose squad has been blighted by injuries this season.

“I have never had this experience when you have a season like us, which is by far not good enough, that the supporters are with us.”

The 54-year-old added: “They are with us in the bad season and in bad times they are there. I think also they know why the bad times are there.

“But we have to pay them back and we have to do everything to give them a trophy next week — but also for the future, we have to perform better.”

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Pressure Mounts On Manchester United Boss Erik Ten Hag As Bayern Munich Clash Looms

admin — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 03:36:21 +0000

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is starting to feel the heat from frustrated fans of the Red Devils after a disastrous start to the season has left hopes of Premier League glory already looking forlorn. For the first time in the Premier League era United have lost three of their opening five games and face a daunting task to open their Champions League campaign away to Bayern Munich on Wednesday. Ten Hag had been sheltered from criticism in the early weeks of the campaign as supporters concentrated their anger towards a series of off-field issues. Despite the fans’ desire to see them gone, the Glazer family appear to have put a process to sell the club on hold.

Brazilian winger Antony has been given a leave of absence to fight domestic abuse allegations made by his ex-girlfriend.

Meanwhile, United decided Mason Greenwood had no future at Old Trafford last month despite abuse charges against the 21-year-old being dropped.

Ten Hag was credited for returning United to the Champions League by finishing third in the Premier League last season and ending the club’s six-year trophy drought by winning the League Cup.

However, he was the target for a chorus of boos when he substituted new signing Rasmus Hojlund midway through the second-half of Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat to Brighton.

The Dutch coach tried to spin that moment into a positive show of support for Hojlund, who was making his home debut after a £64 million ($79 million) move from Atalanta.

The Dane has only recently returned to fitness and Ten Hag could ill afford to lose another key player by forcing him to play 90 minutes too soon.

But United’s bet on the 20-year coming good in the long run could face a backlash should they be undone by Harry Kane in Germany.

Despite their need for a striker, United never tested Tottenham’s resolve for the England captain, who instead joined Bayern in a 100 million euro ($110 million, £86 million) deal.

Kane has hit the ground running with four goals in as many starts, while Hojlund is yet to find the net for United.

To add to United’s woes going forward, winger Jadon Sancho is also absent from first-team action due to a spat with his manager.

Sancho, who cost £73 million from Borussia Dortmund just two years ago, has been ordered to train on his own after claiming he was a “scapegoat” when Ten Hag criticised his poor performances in training.

Ten Hag’s disciplinarian streak was heralded as part of his success in his first season as even Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford were not afforded special treatment.

The United boss is yet to face much fan fury for his latest stance as Sancho has failed to live up to his price tag.

But that decision has upped the pressure on Ten Hag to lift the mood around the club with an upturn in results on the pitch.

With United already trailing local rivals Manchester City by nine points in the Premier League, making an impact on the Champions League is even more vital to the success or failure of Ten Hag’s second season.

“It’s about character,” said Ten Hag, ahead of his return to Munich, where he coached the Bayern B team between 2013 and 2015.

“Now we have to see how strong we are, how the team sticks together and which players are standing up and showing the character and leading the team.”

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