Here is Mark Goldbridge’s theory about Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United future which has gone viral.
Mark Goldbridge’s bizarre theory about Erik ten Hag’s Man Utd future goes viral
Mark Goldbridge’s theory about Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United future has gone viral.
United put in a dismal display as they claimed a 1-1 draw with Brentford on Saturday evening.
Ten Hag’s men were dominated by the relegation-threatened outfit for the majority of the contest, and even when Mason Mount appeared to have netted a smash-and-grab injury-time winner, United blew their chances of three points by conceding in the 99th minute.
United are currently eight points adrift of fifth-placed Tottenham and 11 behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, and it was a result and performance that suggests overtaking either is unlikely.
Erik ten Hag has faced questions over his future since co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe arrived at the club in February, with England manager Gareth Southgate having been among the names linked with the Old Trafford job.
And YouTuber Goldbridge theorised that United’s tepid performance against Brentford may have been down to United’s England contingent having been convinced by the merits of Southgate taking over at Old Trafford.
He said: “That team performance today had the air of a team that’s been away on international duty, had a chat with Southgate, and wants a change.
“And I know they’ve not all gone to the England camp, but something’s changed with that team since the Liverpool game.
“They played like they want the manager gone today. They did.”
Last week, Ten Hag dismissed reports linking Southgate with his job at Old Trafford, claiming he “does not care” about speculation regarding his future at the club.
??? Such a rogue shout 🤣🤣
screen record him saying it and tweet it, it’ll bang
“You know when you are working at Manchester United, there will always be noise and rumours around the club, team, manager, players, there will always be issues,” Ten Hag explained.
“You [the media] like it to talk about [speculation], but of course, we have different interests, but we are not focusing on that. We are focusing on the process to make the team play better, to improve the way of playing. So yes, I do not care about it.
“I was trainer at Ajax and it [the pressure] was similar and so when you are working at the top in football, you get used to it – so we do not care, players do not care, I do not care.
“We are working and co-operating, we know we have to perform and we have to get the right results.”
Man Utd ratings: Mason Mount reignites Red Devils career but Lisandro Martinez looks half the player after knee injury
Former Chelsea star will be hoping his goal kickstarts his Old Trafford career
THE late late show saw Manchester United give up what was going to be a smash and grab for the ages.
The Red Devils were well off the pace during their clash with Brentford but still managed to leave the capital with the points shared after a 1-1 draw.
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Manchester United thought they had won it with a late goal
Brentford hit back just moments later to secure a share of the spoils
Brentford hit back just moments later to secure a share of the spoilsCredit: Rex
Erik ten Hag’s side looked like a team who had seen the international break disrupt their rhythm while Brentford were on top for almost the entire game.
But travelling United fans thought the long journey south was worth it when the lesser-spotted Mason Mount popped up with a 96th minute goal to put them 1-0 up.
However, after fans’ pulses were set racing by celebrations their hearts were then broken when Kristoffer Ajer netted just moments later up the other end to see the game end in a 1-1 draw.
United will probably still feel lucky to leave with a point after they faced an onslaught of efforts over the 90 minutes from Thomas Frank’s side.
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They were a shadow of the team that managed a miraculous 4-3 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup before the break, but still managed not to drop all three points despite the below par performance.
Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated each Man Utd player’s performance…
Andre Onana – 7
Had to be alert to tip wide a ferocious Mathias Jensen shot from a narrow angle but was relieved to see Ivan Toney’s scuffed effort rebound off his right-hand post and Zanka’s header skim the top of the bar. Got down well to save Kean Lewis-Potter’s header.
Continued to keep United in the game after the break with a fantastic double stop against Yehor Yarmoliuk and Lewis-Potter as Brentford peppered his goal.
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Andre Onana saw his goal peppered with shots all nightCredit: Reuters
Diogo Dalot – 6
Slid in to stop a Bees counter as Yarmoliuk raced in but was largely sloppy on the ball.
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Victor Lindelof – 6
Denied Toney a tap-in from six yards with a well-timed interception, but let him loose moments later as he scuppered a glorious one-on-one.
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Hobbled off with what looked like a hamstring injury in the 68th minute.
Manchester United could be without Victor Lindelof for a while as he hobbled off with an injuryCredit: PA
Raphael Varane – 5
Produced a crucial block in front of Lewis-Potter’s half volley inside the box, but was nut-megged by Yoane Wissa as Toney went through and smacked the inside of the post.
Was subbed off at half-time presumably due to injury.
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Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 4
Run-ragged at times and caught out of position ball-watching on too many occasions. Played everyone onside for Brentford’s dramatic late equaliser.
Scott McTominay – 5
Pretty anonymous. Given the run-around by Brentford’s five-man midfield and did not know whether to press or stick.
Kobbie Mainoo – 6
Showed glimpses of his coolness on the ball, and even had the audacity to try a Balotelli-esque shoulder pass, but spent most of his night chasing shadows.
Bruno Fernandes – 6
Set Marcus away early with a fine long ball that ended up with him dragging shot wide, but was caught napping by Jensen in his own box that almost led to a goal.
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Almost teed up Rasmus Hojlund for a second half opener but had strayed yards offside.
Captain Bruno Fernandes had a few sharp momentsCredit: Reuters
Marcus Rashford – 5
Crowded out when trying to force an opening on the edge of the box and looked lethargic on the counter when United needed some energy and impetus.
Alejandro Garnacho – 6
Other than one tame header wide, the Argentinian struggled to impose himself on the first half, dropping deeper and deeper to get on the ball.
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Was hauled off just before the hour mark.
Rasmus Hojlund – 5
Spent the early stages getting manhandled by Brentford’s beast of a back three and cut a hugely frustrated figure with the lack of service.
His first effort on goal was well saved by Mark Flekken but would not have counted. That was as good as he got.
Rasmus Hojlund had little to go off during the gameCredit: AFP
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SUBS
HARRY MAGUIRE (VARANE, 46) – 6
Brought on to bring calm, but not many defenders could do that in this United side. Looked edgy and rusty but at least brought some physicality.
ANTONY (GARNACHO, 58) – 6
Very few touches to announce himself and then a curling beauty went agonisingly wide.
Looks half the player he was before his knee injury. A bizarre toe-poked clearance straight to Toney should have seen the Bees take the lead.
And then, just as United grabbed an unlikely winner, he allowed Toney to dribble around him in the box and tee-up Kristoffer Ajer for a deserved equaliser.
His first pass was misplaced and his first tackle got the man, not the ball, summing up his influence on this team right now, even if he did assist Mason Mount’s opener.
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