Summary

Media caption,

Sir Jim Ratcliffe on ten Hag future

  1. McKenna to one day make Man Utd return?published at 11:44 British Summer Time 4 October

    Simon Stone Q&A

    Kieran McKenna applauds the Ipswich fansImage source, Getty Images

    Kevin in Belfast: "The only question now should be who will be the next United manager. A great coach who knows football from the grass roots up - my money is on Kieran McKenna."

    Simon Stone says: "Fair call Kevin. But if McKenna is in the equation, what about Michael Carrick? Both were part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s backroom team? Looking wider, Graham Potter and Gareth Southgate are out of work and are well known to United’s current set-up. The same is true of Thomas Frank but, like McKenna and Carrick, he has a job and it would presumably cost United a figure in compensation to get him. This is a consideration, as is sacking Ten Hag, given United are tight to the limits of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules – which they say they are committed to. Paying off a manager and his staff lands on that year's accounts. It is a consideration.

    "Another candidate – in the short-term – is Ruud van Nistelrooy, who did well at PSV and turned down other managerial options, including at Burnley, to make an emotional return to Old Trafford as part of Ten Hag’s staff."

    Got a question for Simon? Then send it to #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

  2. Inter Miami tipped for spare Club World Cup spotpublished at 11:37 British Summer Time 4 October

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

    MLS Supporters Shield winners Inter Miami are being tipped to take the spare slot in the 32-team Club World Cup.

    North American Confederation CONCACAF is in charge of the allocation of the 'host' slot.

    There is an argument that whoever wins Major League Soccer's 'Grand Final' in December should get it.

    However, with broadcast deals still to be agreed, confirmation of Lionel Messi's involvement, commercially, makes sense.

    FIFA have agreed a framework for next summer's transfer window that will allow players to sign for new clubs and play in the tournament before the normal 30 June cut-off date. In addition, there will be a window in the middle of the tournament that will allow new players to join after 30 June. No player will be allowed to play for one team in the competition.

  3. 'Ten Hag bought most of those who started last night'published at 11:31 British Summer Time 4 October

    Simon Stone Q&A

    .Image source, Getty Images

    George asks: "Why are United fans so eager to see Ten Hag go? He has constantly asked to be judged by the end of the season, and the board are confident with him. A poor run of form is not satisfactory, but don't you think he can turn it around?"

    Simon Stone says: "I can George by the mere fact he is still in a job. I am old school. I don’t like the social media pile-ons and the constant demand for change. ‘Maresca Out’ was trending on X during pre-season. But in the digital age, you would be naïve to think such things would not occur. Also, Ten Hag is in year three. I think it is fair to start judging him on the evidence we see on the pitch. I have never heard any suggestion he is being overruled when it comes to transfers and he bought most of those who started last night. That has to come back to him."

  4. Preston's Osmajic banned for eight games for bitepublished at 11:26 British Summer Time 4 October
    Breaking

    Preston North End's Milutin Osmajic during the Sky Bet Championship match between Preston North End FC and Watford FC at Deepdale on October 2, 2024 in Preston, England.Image source, Getty Images

    Preston North End striker Milutin Osmajic has been banned for eight games by the Football Association for biting Blackburn's Owen Beck.

    The 25-year-old Montenegro international, who admitted the charge of violent conduct, has also been fined £15,000.

    The incident followed Beck's sending off in the closing stages of September's goalless Lancashire derby for kicking out at Preston's Duane Holmes.

    Osmajic will now be unavailable for selection until Preston's home Championship game against Derby on Saturday, 23 November.

  5. 'He's ran out of excuses'published at 11:23 British Summer Time 4 October

    BBC 5 Live Breakfast

    Former Manchester United and Sweden footballer Jesper Blomqvist on Manchester United: "When you have a lot of new players it is harder to feel that togetherness, maybe people start pointing fingers at each other. That depends on how well you have been able to adapt and get everybody together but I think it's really tricky, when things go against you. That shows how much team spirit you have but that's difficult. Really difficult.

    On the pressure of having to play under a new manager: "You have to be enough of a professional. That's been the history the last couple of five or six managers at United, that has been an issue. I think we're more or less there again. But, I think, now on the other hand, you have so many players that have actually been handpicked by Ten Hag and then they should be wanting and working for him to stay. This is his team. He's ran out of excuses in that sense too."

  6. New coach needed or training the issue?published at 11:19 British Summer Time 4 October

    Simon Stone Q&A

    .Image source, Getty Images

    Sri asks: "Man United create enough chances and have decent chance of scoring. Problem is with not being able to keep clean sheets. Would it not be better to bring a Vidic/Ferdinand to be an assistant to ETH?"

    Simon Stone says: "Hi Sri. I like the thought of bringing in a Vidic/Ferdinand-type player but as a coach? What would their credentials be for that. From memory, Nemanja Vidic was doing his coaching badges but Rio has gone down the media route. A lot of defending is about repetition, doing the same thing over and over so it is almost muscle memory where you should be compared to the full-back, or the other centre-half. Who presses and when, the best time to go tight, and when to drop off. It is all technical stuff but without it, you get a bit of a mess. Too often, it seems to me, there are massive gaps for the opposition to exploit. That comes back to training."

  7. 'Wait and see' on Chiesapublished at 11:14 British Summer Time 4 October

    Crystal Palace v Liverpool (Sat, 12:30 BST)

    Liverpool

    Liverpool boss Arne Slot on Federico Chiesa being fit for the game: "Wait and see, he didn’t train for the last two days. He came in today to see if he can train. If he can today, I have a decision to make because we can only select 20. First of all we have to wait and see if he can even train. And if he can, its our decision if we bring him to the game or not."

  8. 'We are a much better team when they are both around'published at 11:10 British Summer Time 4 October

    Everton v Newcastle (Sat, 17:30 BST)

    Newcastle United

    Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on the impact of not having Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak fit and available for selection:

    "I don’t think they have been fit together. It’s had a negative impact on the team, they need each other to keep performing well because of the competition. Two hugely influential players off the pitch. We are a much better team when they are both around.

    "You have players who add to the spirit of the dressing room. Callum is always laughing and brings energy but he’s also a serious player and wants to win and wants to help Newcastle to win trophies. When he’s fit he’s an incredible player and we want him back as soon as possible."

  9. The financial impact of hiring and firing a managerpublished at 11:06 British Summer Time 4 October

    Simon Stone Q&A

    .Image source, Getty Images

    Anon asks: "Hi Simon: It is clear Ten Hag is out of his depth, but equally clear is Ineos cannot pay him off due to finances (PSR). What do you see as the solution?"

    Simon Stone says: "Firstly, they can ‘afford’ to pay him off Mike. P&S submissions run June to June, so if there was an issue, United could solve it by selling one of their younger players prior to that deadline. However, that is not ideal. Financially, any pay-off to Ten Hag, who had a one-year option on his contract triggered in June so it now runs to 2026, and his staff lands on this season’s submission, so it is an expense not budgeted for in a season when they are missing out on Champions League income.

    "In addition, paying compensation for a new manager, if they are at a club already can be spread ‘amortised’ across the length of a contract, but there would be some immediate impact. However, every place in the Premier League is worth around £3m, so if you calculate changing a manager will result in an improvement of four places, you might conclude it is false economy not to act purely for financial reasons."

  10. Jota and Nunez 'are not the same players'published at 11:01 British Summer Time 4 October

    Crystal Palace v Liverpool (Sat, 12:30 BST)

    Liverpool

    Liverpool boss Arne Slot on the competition to for first-team minutes between Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota:

    "I think it's a challenge we as a staff have to find the best out of individuals. We try to find different ways of positioning Darwin [Nunez] to Diogo [Jota] because they are not the same players, they are teammates. It's what I have to do as a manager and also what we are doing. He [Nunez] didn't score against Bologna because he was offside. When we bring him the chances he can score. But, unfortunately, we couldn't give him in the positions that we want to be. Even Diogo didn't have [many chances]. He's scored twice against West Ham at the 10 position. It is something to look at, for us - to bring our striker in different positions to score."

  11. 'I'm really looking forward to meet him and compete against him'published at 10:57 British Summer Time 4 October

    Brighton v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 BST)

    Brighton & Hove Albion

    Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler on Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou:

    "I respect him a lot. Not only because how he his playing, the entity of Tottenham, of the style of play, it's impressive but also, as a person he is very humble, very polite person and I'm really looking forward to meet him and compete against him."

  12. 'It's the same boring answer as always'published at 10:54 British Summer Time 4 October

    Crystal Palace v Liverpool (Sat, 12:30 BST)

    Liverpool

    Liverpool boss Arne Slot on Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk's contracts:

    "It's the same boring answer as always, I could really understand it if you asked me once every two weeks but if you ask me this after two, three days again, you still get the same answer."

  13. 'Every player that plays here has a lot of quality'published at 10:52 British Summer Time 4 October

    Crystal Palace v Liverpool (Sat, 12:30 BST)

    Liverpool

    Liverpool boss Arne Slot on Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch who shone in Wednesday's Chanmpions League win:

    "Why players play well? I think it has to do with the quality they have as players, Mo has a lot of quality, Ryan has a lot of quality.

    "Actually every player that plays here has a lot of quality. It's up to us and I say 'us' because it's not only me, my staff; it's also the players to play in the best possible way as a team and then individually as well, do special things.

    "It was an unbelievable finish from Mo, but they only chance he got to finish was because Trent Alexander-Arnold made an overlapping run and that's why it opened up in the inside and if you give that space to Mo, then he can score a special goal."

  14. 'Part of working at a top club that we face those teams'published at 10:49 British Summer Time 4 October

    Crystal Palace v Liverpool (Sat, 12:30 BST)

    Liverpool

    Liverpool boss Arne Slot on a chance to go four points clear at the top of the league:

    "You always look at the first one [match] and that's Crystal Palace and they've already shown how tough of an opponent they are against the big teams like [Manchester] United and Chelsea in both situations, they got a result so that's the first game and that is why it's the most important one and a difficult one for us, 12:30 kick-off after playing Wednesday evening, late in the Champions League, facing a team that had the whole week to prepare but that is part of working at a top club that we face those teams and we have to be ready for those teams and that's what we are [going to do] tomorrow.

    "I don't look at it, at this point, as one point, two point, three points, it's after the weekend, then it is interesting to look at the league table and not after the game we have played."

  15. Postpublished at 10:47 British Summer Time 4 October

    Press conferences are starting to kick into gear now as we head towards midday and Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media.

  16. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:47 British Summer Time 4 October

    Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Aberdeen, who have had a great start to this season, for years suffered under the weight of expectation after unprecedented success during an Alex Ferguson reign. Is it a coincidence the same thing is happening at Manchester United? Does there need to be less pressure and expectation at Man United for their fortunes to improve?

    James Watt

  17. 'Bad decisions on recruitment can take years to shake off'published at 10:44 British Summer Time 4 October

    Simon Stone Q&A

    Tottenham in action at Manchester UnitedImage source, Getty Images

    Ed asks: "I think it was something like 12 out of the 16 players who played for United against Spurs on Sunday were bought under Ten Hag, and yet this current group of players still don't feel like they suit how the manager wants to play. In your opinion, which manager, available or not, has the philosophy and the wherewithal to get the best out of this bunch? Because right now I, having been 'Ten Hag in' at the end of last season, can't see him turning this one around.

    Simon Stone says: "Hi Ed. I was also of the opinion Ten Hag should be given time to prove the FA Cup final was the start of the future, rather than a one-off but the longer this goes on, the more it seems the latter is true. The only caveat is that it is still early in the season and nothing is broken beyond repair.

    "I do think there is a reality to where United are. Did they want to sell Scott McTominay? Probably not. Did they want to offload Casemiro? Probably. Do they accept they paid far too much for Antony? Definitely. Bad decisions on recruitment can take years to shake off. That is where United are now. You cannot even begin to compare their squad to Man City, or Arsenal or Liverpool for that matter. They have paid a lot of money for a lot of players but it doesn’t mean they are worth it.

  18. 'I have to learn from it'published at 10:40 British Summer Time 4 October

    Brighton v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 BST)

    Brighton & Hove Albion

    Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler on having difficult conversations with his players after breaking their unbeaten record: "It's very important after defeat that you are honest to yourself, you reflect on yourself, what was good, what was not good in the game. If you lose a game of course, there are more negative points. We have analysed the negative points, we discussed with the team about that. We tried to find solutions, we tried to show a reaction as a team.

    "But there were also some positive things, especially in possession, Chelsea scored four goals and we also had the chance to score four goals. In the end, we have to learn from it, I have to learn from it, because I was the responsible person for the match plan and the match plan wasn't good enough. I also have to learn from it, and now we try to show a reaction."

  19. 'I’ve been talking a lot about with him'published at 10:38 British Summer Time 4 October

    Everton v Newcastle (Sat, 5 Oct 17:30 BST)

    Newcastle United

    Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on Joelinton being on yellow card away from a ban:

    "It’s something I’ve been talking a lot about with him [Joelinton] about. We don’t want to lose him especially so early. It feels too early to miss a player in the season."

  20. Sir Jim Ratcliffe to watch Man Utd at Villapublished at 10:33 British Summer Time 4 October

    FC Porto 3-3 Man Utd

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

    Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe will be at Aston Villa to watch Sunday's Premier League game.

    Ratcliffe is currently in Barcelona to see if Ben Ainslie can qualify for the Americas Cup in his INEOS boat but will switch his attentions back to football this weekend.

    It is the first time he will have watched United live in a Premier League away game since the 4-3 defeat at Chelsea in April.