Erik Ten Hag’s attempts to clean up his rather dysfunctional Manchester United squad has another challenge this week, as he now has forward Marcus Rashford to deal with.
Having shipped Jadon Sancho out to Borussia Dortmund earlier in the window the Manchester United boss was making progress. But with a key Premier League clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Thursday to prepare for he had a meeting with his latest errant star on Monday. The boss has said he will deal with Rashford after he missed the 4-2 FA Cup win over Newport County on Sunday in uncertain circumstances. Rashford was allegedly seen in a bar in Northern Ireland the day before training last week.
The club said the England international was ill but United fans were not convinced, while Newport fans caused hysteria on social media after holding up a sign asking for a week of Rashford’s wages. The player is unlikely to oblige, as rumours are circulating that the club is ready to slap a £650k fine on him, two weeks wages and, when he arrived at the training ground in his £180,000 Lambourghini on Monday morning he looked in a serious mood.
Over the weekend the player was apparently spotted in a Belfast club for the second time, before reporting an illness to the club; and that is unlikely to amuse Ten Hag. Rashford’s form has been patchy for a number of seasons now, though he excelled in his first season under the Dutch manager, but it seems clear to me that his future at Old Trafford is now in serious doubt.
The latest Premier League 2024 betting odds here at SBOTOP reckon the eighth placed Red Devils will struggle to make a top six place this season, likely battling it out with Newcastle United and West Ham United while they watch Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal contest the Premier League title. And that is not a situation Manchester United fans will be happy with.
Ten Hag needs his players to fall in line; otherwise next season might be as difficult as this one has turned out to be.
Chelsea and Benzema continue to be linked
One potential move which would grab all the Premier League 2024 news headlines is the possibility of Al-Ittihad striker Karim Benzema moving to the English top flight. Big spenders Chelsea have been linked with a deadline day move for the France legend, who is reported to be unhappy in Saudi Arabia and would be open to a move back to Europe. A precedent has already been set following the switch of Jordan Henderson from Al-Ettifaq to Eredevisie club Ajax of Amsterdam and, as the Saudis didn’t stand in the England man’s way, that may embolden Benzema.
But the former Real Madrid star has been in fine form this season, scoring nine goals and making five assists in 15 appearances and Al-Ittihad would love to keep hold of their marquee signing. His contract is worth over £170m a year and he would have to take a chunky pay reduction should he move to Chelsea, who are in need of a proven striker. The Blues have Nicolas Jackson who has scored seven; but he has been inconsistent and is away at the African Cup of Nations, so head coach Mauricio Pochettino has been relying on the superb form of young midfielder Cole Palmer who has scored nine goals.
At 36 year of age Benzema clearly still has what it takes and this story might well carry on bubbling until Thursday.
Hammers still hoping for a striker
After completing the loan signing of Manchester City’s defensive midfielder Kalvin Philiips, West Ham boss David Moyes is still searching the market in the hope of bringing a goal-scorer into the club to share the load carried by Jarred Bowen and Mohammed Kudus. Much like Chelsea, the Hammers have plenty of creative midfielders but they don’t have an attacking spearhead to step into the shoes of Michail Antonio.
The British press have reported that West Ham are keen to sign FC Nordsjaelland forward Ibrahim Osman and they have already offered £16m to bring the 19 year old to East London. The Danish side are holding out for £18m so you would think there is a deal to be done here and, with Brentford and Brighton and Hove Albion also circling I should think Moyes would want to get this one over the line. As an alternative West Ham are monitoring Celtic striker Jota…and maybe they should give Benzema’s agent a call!
The Hammers were primed for a strong start to the new year, but draws with Brighton and Sheffield United have slowed their progress a little and they will be keen to pick up momentum to hold on to their sixth place.
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