I won’t throw De Gea to the WOLVES
Ten Hag stands by under-fire keeper ahead of crucial visit of Wanderers
ERIK TEN HAG is standing by David de Gea for Manchester United’s clash with Wolves today and insists that uncertainty over the goalkeeper’s future at Old Trafford is not to blame for his shaky form.
De Gea has come under fire for his latest blunder in United’s defeat at West Ham, but Ten Hag claims it never crossed his mind to drop the 32-year-old.
‘No, I don’t give (any) considerations — he will definitely play,’ said the United boss yesterday.
De Gea finally looks set to agree a new contract following protracted talks over taking a pay cut to his £375,000-a-week salary, but Ten Hag played down suggestions the issue has affected his form.
‘I can think of a thousand reasons, but I don’t think that’s it,’ he added. ‘As a top player, you have such circumstances and you have to accept it, deal with it and the demand is you have to perform.’
Ten Hag blamed a loss of focus for the individual errors by De Gea and Luke Shaw that led to defeats at West Ham and Brighton.
‘It shouldn’t happen. When you are in the right focus, it will not happen, and that is part of the reset of this week,’ said Ten Hag, who hopes the lack of a midweek game will pay off against Wolves.
Raphael Varane is fit to return to the squad after a month out, but Marcus Rashford is a major doubt with a leg injury.
Liverpool now sit just one point behind United in the race for the top four, having played a game more. But Ten Hag (below) dismissed the threat posed by Liverpool’s six-game winning run, saying: ‘We can ignore it. It’s not important. As long as we have things in our hands, we’re in control. We are in the right position, and now we have to finish it.’
Regardless of where they finish, the Dutchman believes it will be easier to convince targets to move to Old Trafford this summer.
‘I see a big difference in comparison with last year,’ he said. ‘There were a lot of reservations last year when I spoke with players, doubts when we approached them.
‘Now, many players see the ambition in this project. They are really keen to come. This year, many quality players want to come.’
Meanwhile, the United takeover saga is nearing a conclusion — with Sir Jim Ratcliffe still in the lead.
A final decision on who will win the race for the Premier League giants remains outstanding and is unlikely to be reached this weekend.
However, British-born billionaire Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group have kept their noses ahead of the main rival bid from Qatari Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, according to those close to the process as it nears an end. It remains to be seen if Sheikh Jassim’s group will lodge a final attempt to blow the competition out of the water. The Qatari party are far from conceding defeat and remain firmly in the game, it is understood. Talks are ongoing. Despite a deadline for final bids having passed, it appears as though there is room for further manoeuvre.
It was revealed last month that Ratcliffe had stolen a march when final bids were lodged having valued United higher than Sheikh Jassim. His proposals included the option for Joel and Avram Glazer to initially remain at the club before cashing out further down the line. That is thought to be attractive to the American pair, the two members of the deeply unpopular owning family who are keen to stay and further maximise their stake in United.
While it would be unpopular with fans, the fact that the Glazers would ultimately be committed to leaving may be enough to get sections of United’s fanbase onboard. Ratcliffe was the only party to value United at more than £5bn. Raine Group, the New York-based merchant bankers who are overseeing the sale, are now thought to be close to finalising an agreement with a preferred bidder. The situation has not moved as quickly as had been hoped but a conclusion is in sight.