Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Club SUED by own staff over wages, half-year financial results, Mainoo contract EXCLUSIVE
MANCHESTER UNITED are being SUED by their own staff over a huge wages blunder.
SunSport exclusively revealed that staff have been left seething over a data protection breach and are seeking a six-figure sum in compensation.
have today announced their half-year financial results - which has eased concerns around their compliance with financial fair play (FFP).
In another SunSport exclusive, starlet Kobbie Mainoo is set to sign a bumper new deal at Old Trafford.
Wes Brown heaped a lot of praise on Mainoo and the ex-United star told Instant Casino that the young talisman reminds him of Clarence Seedorf.
Follow our live blog below...
Erik ten Hag 'blame'
Manchester United stars are reportedly concerned about manager Erik ten Hag's gruelling training regime.
United have been hit by 47 different injuries and illness this campaign.
According to Manchester Evening News, a "minority" of the playing staff are "concerned".
Their worries are about Ten Hag's running demands that he puts on his players.
It is further suggested that those stars believe that it has contributed to the club's difficult season on the pitch.
Erik ten Hag's record compared to previous Man Utd managersMore from Neville
Manchester United legend Gary Neville isn't ruling out a late push for the top four but insists Erik ten Hag's side needs to become more consistent.
Last week against Fulham was more of a problem than the game against City. This one was likely to end in defeat. [Aston] Villa play Spurs next week so one or both will drop points.
United can get closer and I still think there's a long way to go. After the March internationals, there's the run-in where Villa and Spurs have still got to do a job so there's still hope for United.
But they're inconsistent. Last week's defeat to Fulham was the real blow. The moment of truth is now.
In Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] and David Moyes' periods at the club, they had games against Man City and Liverpool in very quick succession.
Gary Neville
Credit: PA Neville on Ten Hag
Manchester United legend Gary Neville is "worried" following his former team's 3-1 loss at Manchester City.
This is a massive month for these players and the manager.
I am worried. The performance levels need to be better.
They need to put together a coordinated consistency that makes you look like a team.
Gary Neville
Victor Osimhen latest
Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United have emerged as two main contenders to land Napoli star Victor Osimhen this summer.
Osimhen carries a staggering asking price worth a reported €110million (94m).
According to The Independent, United see the 25-year-old as a sensible signing as they need another centre-forward and a long-term investment.
PSG, on the other hand, need someone to replace Kylian Mbappe who is heading to Real Madrid.
Man Utd target left-back
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is keeping tabs on Girona star Miguel Gutierrez ahead of the summer transfer window.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Gutierrez's impressive displays have made him one of Ten Hag's priority targets.
SunSport reported that the Dutch tactician sent a scout to closely observe the left-back in January.
And it isn't the first time United have eyed the ex-Spain youth international, as former boss Jose Mourinho also tried to land him in 2017 when he was in charge.
Potter meets Ashworth
Manchester United's incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth has met with Graham Potter as pressure grows on under-fire manager Erik ten Hag.
Potter is the favourite of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his assistant Sir David Brailsford to replace Ten Hag if the new INEOS group fires the Dutchman.
Ashworth and the ex-Chelsea boss worked closely at Brighton and it is understood the pair got together last weekend.
SunSport revealed in December that Potter was lined up to replace Ten Hag after Ratcliffe met with the 48-year-old tactician.
Credit: PA Hundred Club
Erik ten Hag reached 100 games in charge of Manchester United on Sunday.
The Dutchman achieved a top three Premier League finish and Carabao Cup success with the club last season.
However, this season things have not gone to plan anywhere near as well, including his milestone of games at the helm of the Red Devils which was soiled by Manchester City's 3-1 win over them on Sunday.
SunSport have crunched the numbers to compare Ten Hag to the other bosses to hit the century at Old Trafford.
'That's criminal'
Man Utd legend Paul Scholes tore into Casmeiro when analysing Phil Foden's first goal.
He angrily said: "Look at Casemiro getting one-two'd.
"The defensive holding midfield player, that's criminal.
"The gap shouldn’t be that far and Casemiro, with the experience he has got, he shouldn’t be getting one-two’d in that position."
Andre Onana also felt Scholes' wrath for his role in Foden's second, with the former midfielder adding: "The goalkeeper has to do better as well.
"It’s such a soft weak hand there. It’s not a hard shot."
Scholded
Paul Scholes believes Erik ten Hag will be sacked by Sir Jim Ratcliffe at the end of the season.
He ranted at the end of the Manchester derby, telling Optus Sport: "What we’re seeing is a million miles away from a team that should be challenging for the league.
"Every single season it’s just so far away."
"I think they [Ineos] have already made their mind up. I don’t think he will be there next season. No.
"From the interviews we’ve heard with Sir Jim, I thought there was a little bit of negativity towards the club the last 10 or 11 years and especially the last two years.
"I don’t think he’s happy with what’s going on.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re looking for a new manager now. I’m not saying it’s the right decision."
Rooney lands punditry job
Wayne Rooney was on punditry duty for the BBC's coverage of Man Utd vs Nottingham Forest last week in the FA Cup.
And this time he is going to switch the Beeb for TNT Sports as he will be pitchside for coverage of United vs Everton on Saturday.
Rooney is hoping to impress TV chiefs and land more roles in the media.
Cavani nets hat-trick
Former Man Utd star Edinson Cavani rolled back the years and scored a hat-trick for Boca Juniors in their 3-2 win over Belgrano.
The 37-year-old joined the Argentinian giants from Valencia back in the summer.
Cavani scored 19 goals in 59 games over two season at United from 2020 to 2022.
Credit: AFP 'Damaging'
Bruno Fernandes admitted losing big games like the Manchester derby is "damaging" - but he has not lost his hopes they can qualify for the Champions League.
Fernandes told Sky Sports: “Every time you don't win a game it is a damage at this club.
“We know what this club demands and we want to win the games we are involved in.
"We didn't get the three points today but there's still a long way to go.
“We know it is not everything in our hands because other teams have to lose points but we have to do our job."
Fer real
Bruno Fernandes shared his thoughts on the game after derby defeat, saying: "I think the commitment from the team was there.
"We had our chances. Sometimes we played a little too deep but you know City do that to all the teams, you have to defend your box and we did that really well in the first half.
"From a chance that could be ours it ended up 1-1.
"There's always something more you can do in the game, if it is City or someone else you can always do something better.
"City are a team that knows how to have the ball and pin teams back.
“We knew we had to defend our goal really well and I think we did, we should have had more spells with the ball than we did in the second half.”
Ten-year record gone
Man Utd saw a ten-year record come to an end against Man City.
Heading into the game, the Red Devils had not lost a Premier League clash when leading at half-time since Leicester beat them 5-3 in 2014 under Louis van Gaal.
In that time they had won 123 and drawn 20 of 143 games.
But City's comeback inspired by Phil Foden means that incredible run is over.
Damming stats
United managed just three shots in the entire game yesterday with only one on target.
Meanwhile, Phil Foden had three times as many, having nine efforts on goal and scoring two.
The Red Devils had only one shot on target, which was the goal.
They have only recorded less in a Premier League game once since Opta records back in 2003 - that was in a 4-0 loss to Liverpool in 2022 under Ralf Rangnick.
Men vs Boys
Despite Roy Keane being unwilling to slam Man Utd, he appeared unconvinced by Erik ten Hag.
Keane said: "It still leaves that question mark over where this United team are going.
“In the last 25 minutes they couldn't get anywhere near City, who toyed with them.
“It was men vs boys in the end and they were just hanging in there.
"Towards the end, you're thinking it could be four or five.
“There's still question marks of this team and unfortunately of the manager.”
Credit: Sky Sports Keane hails Foden
Roy Keane did not want to be overly critical of United after their 3-1 loss to Man City - instead singing the praises of Phil Foden following his two goals.
The Sky Sports pundit said: "I don't want to be too hard on United because City were brilliant. They showed why they're champions.
“What City do is they find out all your shortcomings. There's no hiding place. It's like a boxing ring. They wore them down.
“The stats show you how dominant Man City were. Haaland and De Bruyne weren't at their best but then Foden steps up.
“I think it's more credit to Man City than being too critical of Man United.
"Manchester United will have to take their medicine today."
'Small margins'
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag insists that there is not much between his side and their cross town rivals.
City won 3-1, had 74 per cent possession, 27 shots and have 18 more points than them.
However, Ten Hag said: "It’s not that big [a margin] and when we have everyone on board, we can be competitive.
"We showed in the FA Cup final against them when it was really close [losing 2-1, last May] but City, is in this moment, the best team in the world. Don’t forget this.”
Injury woes
Erik ten Hag revealed both Jonny Evans and Marcus Rashford were taken off due to fitness concerns.
He said: "We had two players on the pitch, they were not 100 per cent - Jonny Evans and Marcus Rashford - they gave everything, as the whole team gave everything.
"Finally they had to come off, but I preferred to have kept them on as I think the organisation was very good.
"Jonny played brilliantly with Raphael Varane in the centre and Rashford defended well.
"Also on the break, we know his quality and he could have scored another goal.”
Ten Hag said he was unsure if they would be fit for next Saturday's game versus Everton.
Special Bru
Erik ten Hag hailed the performance of Bruno Fernandes after the Manchester derby loss to rivals City.
The manager sung the captain's praises before the game - saying he believes it is a strength that he shows plenty of emotion on the pitch.
And afterwards, he was delighted with how he created Marcus Rashford's stunning opener.
Ten Hag said: “It was a free role for Bruno, to pull players out and to get runs in behind.
"But there were also moments that Bruno is a very smart player, and also to find his moments to get in behind.
"And from there on we created the chances like the 1-0.”
Credit: Getty 'Ten Hag happy with display'
Erik ten Hag insists his team played well despite constant chances for Man City.
He said: "It’s about getting behind the defending line and with the speed from Garnacho and Rashford.
"I think that went very well – we were already up after a couple of minutes.
I think also in defending, we closed the middle very good, we defended the box very good.
"So the performance from our side was very good.”
'Defended brilliantly'
Erik ten Hag has revealed it was the plan to counter attack and have little of the ball as they recorded just 27 per cent possession.
City had the same number of shots as United possession but it didn't worry the manager.
He said: "I think the plan went well, it’s very small margins. Football is not only about possession, of course you need the ball to score a goal.
“We scored a brilliant goal but also after that the first 20 minutes we had some more opportunities.
“I thought we defended brilliantly out of possession but the defining moments were not on our side.”
High five
Man Utd's 3-1 defeat to Man City yesterday means they are now 11 points behind fourth place Aston Villa with 11 games of the season remaining.
But Erik ten Hag insists that their Champions League dream is not over thanks to a potential Premier League benefit.
He said: "It can be an advantage that fifth spot can also be a Champions League spot, so we have to go for it and win our games."
The Red Devils are six behind fifth place Tottenham.
The Prem could be handed five spots in next year's competition if English team competing in Europe this season perform well and earn the most amount of coefficient points.
Italy and Germany are currently ahead in the rankings as Man Utd and Newcastle crashed out the Champions League group stages.
Italian full-back eyed
Man Utd have sent scouts to watch Torino star Raoul Bellanova, according to reports.
Bellanova, 23, has impressed for the Serie A outfit this season.
He has appeared 25 times in the Italian top flight, scoring once and adding five assists from right wing-back.
This includes a recent purple patch of a goal and three assists in his last six games.
Tuttosport claim the Italian youth international has been watched "multiple times" by Red Devils scouts this campaign.
The paper also claims their interest comes with Aaron Wan-Bissaka being put up for sale.
Neville gets ticking off
Gary Neville was told off live on Sky Sports by Kelly Cates after refusing to answer her question about Manchester United.
Reflecting on Ten Hag’s spending, Cates posed a question to Neville about why the big money signings are not working out.
This caused the pundit and ex-Red Devil to complain that it’s a question he’s tired of answering.
But Cates came back with a withering response that finally got Neville talking.
Cates first said: “There’s always that question at United, where has the money been spent? Why aren’t we seeing it on the pitch?”
Neville replied: “We’ve talked about this night and day. It feels like… We're just tired, Kelly!”
This caused a raucous response in the studio as fellow pundits Roy Keane and Micah Richards laughed over each other.
But Cates was not going to accept Neville’s answer.
With a smile on her own face, she fired back: “Well stop talking about it when United aren’t playing, and answer it when they are!”