Travel delays lead to United supporters missing Porto matchpublished at 17:52 3 October
17:52 3 October
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Some 180 Manchester United fans will miss Thursday's Europa League game at Porto after their flight was cancelled.
The supporters were making the journey to northern Portugal with United’s official travel partner, Sportsbreaks.
However, an initial delay in the morning because of a technical issue was compounded by poor weather in Porto when the flight was eventually ready to depart.
"Sportsbreaks are in the process of issuing full refunds to all supporters," said the company.
"All supporters who checked in for the flight will receive their credit."
United sources say the club share the regret at the problems which left those affected at Manchester airport all day.
Follow Thursday's European action livepublished at 16:57 3 October
16:57 3 October
There are three European fixtures on Thursday involving Premier League clubs:
'Doesn't seem to be able to manage big personalities'published at 09:59 3 October
09:59 3 October
Image source, Getty Images
I am not a hater of Erik ten Hag but there are issues at Manchester United.
I have not seen any players look like they have improved or see them understanding his system any better than the first day he walked through the door.
It means I have to question him because we are now a few years down the line.
If you are a manager that wins two cups, then you probably think that is enough to remain in your job - but for a club as big as Manchester United it is not.
He does not seem to be able to manage big personalities and that is a problem. We saw how the Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho situations played out. Then there is his relationship with Marcus Rashford. Sometimes he is in the team and in form - and then he gets dropped.
Ten Hag keeps openly talking about trying to change the culture at the club and have discipline, which is fine, but if you lose players because of it then it matters. I don't like the saying 'lost the dressing room' but he keeps talking about culture in interviews.
He has also said a lot about injuries, but he had a full-strength squad against Tottenham and it was their worst performance in a very long time. Spurs outplayed them across every area of the pitch.
He was a fantastic manager for Ajax, where he had them playing with an identity, and he was good at bringing players through. But this is a very disorganised United team.
For a manager who has been well organised in the past, United are too easy to open up and we saw that against Tottenham.
They have big games coming up against Porto and Aston Villa. You never want to talk about someone losing their job, but the games then lead into an international break, so is that then the time for change?
He seems to be quite confident that they will stick with him for the season but is that just him saying that?
If he does not get results from these next two games then I think he will be lucky to see the international break through.
Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford
Can United turn around their European form?published at 08:45 3 October
08:45 3 October
As Manchester United prepare to face FC Porto tonight in the Europa League, here is a look at their previous nine games in Europe.
It makes for sorry reading for United fans, with their only victory coming at home against Copenhagen in last year's Champions League group stage.
They started this season's Europa League campaign with a disappointing draw at home to Twente.
Gossip: Man Utd line up five potential new managerspublished at 07:39 3 October
07:39 3 October
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe and former Chelsea manager Graham Potter are two of the leading candidates to replace Erik ten Hag, if he leaves Manchester United. Meanwhile, former England manager Gareth Southgate and Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi are also in the frame. (Teamtalk), external
However, reports from Italy suggests that former Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri is favoured by Sir Alex Ferguson to become the next manager at Old Trafford. (Express), external
Meanwhile, United could opt to trigger a one-year extension on Harry Maguire's current deal, which expires at the end of the 2024-25 campaign, as they want to avoid the 31-year-old defender leaving for free. (Football Insider), external
Ten Hag on being 'mad', Ashworth chats and player beliefpublished at 21:45 2 October
21:45 2 October
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League game against Porto (kick-off 20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Ten Hag confirmed Mason Mount did not travel after picking up a knock and a head injury, while he hopes Luke Shaw will be back after the international break.
On the mood around the team after the Tottenham defeat: "Always, when we are not winning we are disappointed and we are also mad with ourselves."
He added: "We are mad, mad with ourselves, especially when you lose a game like Sunday... but you have to deal with it. We are mad, and from the madness we have to get motivation."
On Improving results: "Everyone has to take responsibility and that starts with me as the manager. But on the pitch we have leadership skills and they have to stand up. Every game for us is important and every opponent is 100% motivated. We have to be ready to compete and fight with them."
He said they "talk everyday" with the new football structure at the club: "We are a union and we made that commitment in the summer. We refreshed the staff and I appointed my assistants, I appointed the staff. I did this. We refreshed the squad as well."
He added: "This club wants to be back on top and it's a long-term target. We talk every day. Every day we evaluate and review the process and where necessary we make our decisions."
Speaking to Dan Ashworth is "not necessary to give me confidence," the United boss said and added: "We talk every day about how we can improve this club, this team, improve the processes, the procedures, the connections. That is what we talk about."
On taking chances: "We create a lot of chances, the third highest xG in the Premier League. We have to improve the final third and in the box game, be more killers there. Our strikers are capable of doing this."
On if the players have belief: "I have seen so many games where we are completely confident. City in the FA Cup and Community Shield, you see the team have such a great belief in the plan and in each other."
Watch: What can Man Utd change?published at 18:38 2 October
18:38 2 October
Media caption,
How can Manchester United improve ahead of a big week for the future of Erik ten Hag? The Football News Show details what they can tweak tactically, and boost psychologically, as well as hearing what supporters want to see change.
Ten Hag and the ugly numberspublished at 12:31 2 October
12:31 2 October
The Football News Show has been examining the record of Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.
There have been noteworthy cup wins, moments of promise and some memorable victories on the road to silverware.
But heavy defeats have at times proven humbling - so are United making progress?
Mount absent from trainingpublished at 11:37 2 October
11:37 2 October
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount missed training as a precaution ahead of tomorrow’s trip to FC Porto - but midfielder Kobbie Mainoo was present.
Mainoo was substituted during the first-half of Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat by Tottenham with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
The England star had a scan on Monday and it appears the damage was not what it first appeared.
Mount suffered a cut to the head in the same game. United officials have stressed it is not concussion but the former Chelsea man missed training to avoid suffering further damage.
'Fear creeping in' - how to reverse Man Utd's home slumppublished at 08:18 2 October
08:18 2 October
Media caption,
Old Trafford used to be one of the most daunting grounds to visit in the Premier League, but Manchester United have lost eight of their past 20 at the Theatre of Dreams in the league.
Consecutive 3-0 home league defeats have left Erik ten Hag's side languishing in mid-table - so how can they make Old Trafford a place to fear once again?
Sport psychologist Dr Gillian Cook joins The Football News Show to explain how United's players and staff must embrace a siege mentality and ignore what could go wrong.
Ten Hag 'fallen off the tightrope now'published at 08:16 2 October
08:16 2 October
BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater believes that Manchester United's 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur could "possibly" spark the end for Erik ten Hag but is worried history could repeat itself if they do part ways with their manager.
Speaking on the latest episode of The Devils' Advocate podcast, Drinkwater said: "Are we ready to go through this again?
"We have seen this before and we are about to do it again. Third year, third season for a manager, a breakdown in the autumn, a sacking just before Christmas and rinse and repeat.
"I don't know what to do because I don't think Ten Hag deserves the job at the minute - but I don't know if I can go through this again. An interim manager comes in, they do well, the interim becomes the manager and in two seasons we sack him in October. Maybe it's something to do with the players.
"Ineos have a got a huge decision to make here but I think possibly it is the end of Erik ten Hag."
Co-host Joe McGrath echoed Drinkwater's sentiments, however, he added he believes Ten Hag will be "gone by the international break".
"You have to be aware this manager is walking a tightrope as he should be after Manchester United's worst Premier League finish," McGrath said. "But he's fallen off it now.
"I don't want people to think we are saying dramatic things for clicks and for people to listen - it's just how I feel now.
"He's got two games before the international break and he'll be gone by it."
Manchester United are unbeaten in their past 12 major European matches against Portuguese clubs since losing 2-1 to Benfica in December 2005.
Gossip: Man Utd face competition for Branthwaitepublished at 07:38 2 October
07:38 2 October
Liverpool are ready to rival Manchester United for Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite and could even move for the 22-year-old Englishman in January. (Mail), external
Former England boss Gareth Southgate is Manchester United's top pick to replace Erik ten Hag as manager. (ipaper), external
The Old Trafford club are also interested in speaking to ex-Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri if they sack Ten Hag. (Football Insider), external
However, Ten Hag retains the support of the senior players at Manchester United despite the side's poor start to the season. (Telegraph), external
What is the one thing nobody is talking about?published at 18:25 1 October
18:25 1 October
It feels like everyone is talking about Manchester United this week, but what is the one thing about the club - good or bad - that nobody is talking about but should be?
Is Ten Hag on The Chase?published at 17:29 1 October
17:29 1 October
Media caption,
After a chastening 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag faces a huge week with trips to Porto in the Europa League and Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Joe Smith from fan channel Stretford Paddock tells The Football News Show why the Dutchman's plight can be likened to a contestant on gameshow The Chase.
'It's not going to happen under Ten Hag' published at 15:13 1 October
15:13 1 October
Media caption,
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton believes Manchester United will not improve until they "get a top quality coach in".
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Sutton said: "The owners are going to get egg on their face. They might as well get on with it and get the egg on the face for giving him a new deal.
"They had faith in him and in a short space of time it has unravelled. It's not going to happen under Ten Hag - that was pretty evident.
"He has had his time, in fairness.
"This is just going to rumble on. Manchester United are not a top quality team and until they get a top quality coach in they are not going to improve.
"This plan of winning the Premier League in 2028 - it's a strange start to the plan by keeping Ten Hag in place."
'Manchester United have no style'published at 15:13 1 October
15:13 1 October
Media caption,
The New York Times' Rory Smith and Leicester defender Conor Coady have been speaking about Manchester United's lack of playing style on the latest episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.
"There's maybe two clubs in the Premier League who if you were asked to sum up how they play you're not quite sure - that is Manchester United and West Ham," Smith said.
Coady added: "The hardest thing from being in the Premier League now is giving the opposition space. If you give the opposition space, they can kill you.
"You've got to be compact. You've got to be together - whether that's as a defensive or attacking team.
"Manchester United just seem a little bit in the middle. I see Manchester United's full-backs coming inside but there's still loads of space.
"You go through the whole of the Premier League and you've got to have a style. You've got to sign a certain profile of player to give you that style and to give you a chance to win games in the Premier League because it's that tough."
