SIR JIM’S ERIK CALL
Berbatov: Kobbie deserves England nod
chief will monitor how Ten Hag works within the new footballing regime he’s now creating at Old Trafford.
The decision on his future will involve consulting with United director Sir Dave Brailsford (above), new CEO Omar Berrada and incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth.
Ratcliffe wants these senior figures to help him come up with an identity for the team moving forward.
He will then have to decide if Ten Hag is the right man to still manage the players.
The billionaire stopped short of backing the United boss earlier this week, but did accept him and other recent managers had struggled due to how the club had been run.
He said: “If you look at the 11 years that have gone since (former United chief executive) David Gill and Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down, there have been a whole series of coaches, some of which were very good.
“And none of them were successful, or survived for very long.
“And you can’t blame all the coaches.
“The only conclusion you can draw is that the environment in which they were working, didn’t work.”
DIMITAR BERBATOV has urged Gareth Southgate to pick Kobbie Mainoo in his next England squad.
Mainoo has burst onto the scene with Manchester United this season to become one of the most consistent players under boss Erik ten Hag.
The teenage sensation is already being hailed as one of the next superstars of English football.
Southgate (below) will name his squad next month ahead of friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, and has been keeping close tabs on Mainoo.
And while Berbatov does not want the media to build up the excitement around the 18-year-old too soon, he does reckon the midfielder is worthy of a Three Lions call-up.
He told Betfair: “I saw some of the pundits in the UK were calling for Mainoo to be in consideration for the
England squad.
“My opinion has not changed – we shouldn’t overhype young players that are playing well for their club. But at the same time, if he continues his form, then it won’t be a bad idea to include him in the 23-man squad.
“If Gareth Southgate has other ideas, and he’s not pressured by public opinion despite seeing the quality in Mainoo, maybe he will take him for the experience.
“It might be beneficial just to soak in all the experience, to be around other players that have been there for a long time. That could be a way to go.
“If not, and if the manager includes him in the squad, then Mainoo would have earned his place based on his current form.
“But again, be careful. We’ve witnessed a lot of great talents in the past that have done well and then they’ve gone downhill.”
Berbatov was just a teenager himself when he was first called into the Bulgaria squad. The former United and Tottenham striker – who scored 48 international goals – reckons the experience of rubbing shoulders with the best can prove to be invaluable in the long run, and has shaped the careers of some of the true greats.
Berbatov (top right) added: “I was 19 years old when I first made it into the Bulgaria squad.
“I got the feeling of what it’s like to represent your country.
You get to see the players that have been there longer than you, and you need to learn and listen.
“You soak in the experience and be as professional as possible.
“I remember the original Ronaldo’s first World Cup where Romario and Bebeto played up front, but Ronaldo didn’t play a minute in the tournament.
“But he was there around these great legends. We all saw what happened with Ronaldo in the end.” ■ For more from Betfair Ambassador, Dimitar Berbatov, head to: betting. betfair.com/football