MAN UTD CONFIDENTIAL: Ten Hag praise for players after Spurs humbling

The inquests into Manchester United's latest setback under Erik ten Hag had already begun when the manager gathered his players together in the home dressing room at Old Trafford on Sunday evening.

Ten Hag could have been forgiven for tearing into his team after the defeat by Tottenham plunged him back into crisis and cast fresh doubt over his future at the club.

However, Confidential understands that Ten Hag kept his cool despite admitting United's first-half performance had been awful after they came in at half-time one goal down and one man down following Bruno Fernandes' sending-off.

Even though United went further behind within two minutes of the restart and ended up losing 3-0, Ten Hag said he was much happier with the second-half display. He praised the players for their reaction after Fernandes' dismissal and said they left all their effort on the pitch, ending with words of encouragement to keep going and work hard.

Ten Hag's calmness reflects that of the club, who are refusing to get caught up in any hysteria while acknowledging that results must improve.

The United boss still retains the support of the majority of the dressing room, having signed many of the players and worked with a number of them in the Netherlands.

But after United slipped back into some of their bad habits from last season, there is a growing feeling within the dressing room that time is running out for the Dutchman and he will be sacked.

Talking among themselves at half-time and full-time, there was frustration that the team is not capable of showing more character and fight, particularly in moments of adversity.

Could Ruud ride to the rescue?

Interesting observations from Martin Keown on talkSPORT regarding his old adversary Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Keown wondered whether Van Nistelrooy, who came in as one of Ten Hag's assistants in the summer, might have his eye on the top job if United sack their manager.

'I'm looking at Van Nistelrooy,' said the Mail Sport expert, whose clashes with the Dutchman epitomised United's rivalry with Arsenal at its height. 'Is he giving everything to this manager? This manager looks very lonely on the sideline. Is Van Nistelrooy waiting to take over? Is everyone adding to the group? I'm not seeing that from Van Nistelrooy. Ten Hag is just sitting there, nothing going on, no conversation.'

Confidential understands that Keown's thoughts were shared by some in the directors' box at Old Trafford on Sunday, although not, to be fair, the leadership team. They, too, noted how Van Nistelrooy seemed rather detached from Ten Hag.

If United do decide to make a change, the 48-year-old would certainly be an interesting option with fans opposed to United bringing in Gareth Southgate or Graham Potter.

But United sources insist Ten Hag has the full support of his assistants Van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake, and say the three men are working in unison behind the scenes to overcome a difficult start to the season. Watch this space.

No sympathy for Erik

If Ten Hag was hopeful of a sympathetic view back in his homeland, he was firmly mistaken. Dutch daily newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, to whom Ten Hag afforded an exclusive sit-down interview over the summer, ran a column after the Tottenham defeat titled: 'Erik ten Hag shouts the craziest things, how is it possible that someone at such a big club is allowed to talk so much nonsense?'

Meanwhile, Vandaag Inside, a TV show where Ten Hag has appeared as a guest on more than one occasion, also stuck the boot in. Presenter Wilfred Genee described Ten Hag on air as a 'pathetic old man standing there in the pouring rain', while outspoken journalist Johan Derksen called the United boss 'a bit stupid and naive' to bring in so many Dutch players.

At least former Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder turned it on Ten Hag's bosses. 'We now read reports, "This is the week of truth for Erik ten Hag". What's this all about?' Sneijder said last night.

'What if he draws against Porto and accidentally beats Aston Villa, that would fix everything for them? What is this policy? So this club is already working on maybe appointing a new manager, but at the same time these two results can change everything?!'

Perhaps Ten Hag should steer clear of the media home and away right now.

Utd bosses see red over Bruno

Much was made of the images of United’s leadership group sitting stony-faced in the stands during the Tottenham debacle. Ominously, Sir Dave Brailsford, Omar Berrada, Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox were then spotted in a huddle, understandably raising concerns about Ten Hag’s position.

However, it is believed the club’s executives were more pre-occupied with the legitimacy of Bruno Fernandes’s red card shortly before half-time which damaged United’s hopes of getting back into the game after a woeful first-half performance.

It was the third sending-off — and first straight red — of Fernandes’ career, after he picked up two bookings playing for Udinese against AC Milan in September 2015 and again for Sporting against Boavista in September 2019.

Although Fernandes and Ten Hag claimed it was the wrong decision by referee Chris Kavanagh to dismiss him on Sunday, credit to the United captain for insisting on doing after-match TV interviews and admitting he let his team-mates down.

Liverpool threat to Branthwaite bid

United's plans to make a fresh bid for Jarrad Branthwaite next summer are in danger of being hijacked by old rivals Liverpool.

In July, United had a second offer of £50milllion for Branthwaite rejected by Everton, who want in excess of £70m for the centre back.

United are expected to try again but not until next summer, having just spent more than £100m on defenders Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt. Any transfer activity in the January window is likely to focus on a new forward.

Liverpool, on the other hand, are firm admirers of Branthwaite and could feasibly move for him in January as well as offering Everton closer to what they want.

Despite the takeover at Goodison Park, Branthwaite is unlikely to sign an extension to his contract, which expires in June 2027, with Everton unable to match the £160,000 a week that United (and probably Liverpool) would be prepared to pay him.

The 22-year-old made his first appearance of the season last Saturday due to a setback in his recovery from a hernia operation, and it was no coincidence that Everton secured their first Premier League win in six attempts at home against Crystal Palace.

Staff told sideways moves only

Confidential has previously spoken about how a recent all-staff meeting headed up by CEO Omar Berrada aimed to raise morale, which has plummeted following a swathe of job cuts.

But sources have said reminders that budgets are remaining tight went down poorly, while there is no prospect of pay-rises and staff must ‘move sideways’ if they want to progress.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos team have wielded the axe to make about 250 redundancies as part of cost-cutting measures. While there is work to do on the pitch to turn things around, it seems there is still a way to go to fix things off it, too.

Wheatley bounces back

Credit to Ethan Wheatley for his 45-minute hat-trick display in the Under 21s’ 5-3 win at Norwich City last week after a difficult night in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy at Doncaster Rovers.

Wheatley became the 250th United academy graduate to get into the first team last season. But back in the grind of U21s football, Wheatley is showing development in real time as he continues to light up youth football with his goalscoring.

While Gabriele Biancheri is stealing the headlines with nine goals already for the free-scoring U18s, Wheatley is routinely sending reminders to Ten Hag and the first-team coaches that he knows where the net is.

While there are no immediate plans to rush Wheatley out on loan, it is fast becoming clear that he is more often than not too good for the level he is playing at and greater challenges lie in wait in men’s football.

Mainoo Snr leads the way

While United’s academy sides are again flying high, it’s paramount that feet remain on the ground - and that was one of the reasons for a conference last week for all academy parents.

Felix Mainoo, dad to first-team midfielder Kobbie, gave a talk on how to support your child through the academy system, with the 19-year-old central midfielder seen as a shining example to the next generation on how to navigate through to the senior side.

As well as specialised talks, there were a number of workshops provided to help parents and guardians to get the most out of the academy system.

More and more youngsters are routinely getting opportunities to train with Ten Hag’s first team, while others, such as Toby Collyer, Harry Amass and Wheatley, have made first-team matchday squads.

Captain Marvel still in peak condition

How United could do with a player such as Bryan Robson in their team as they try to fight their way out of another Old Trafford crisis. The former England captain is just the type of character Erik ten Hag needs in the dressing room right now.

But instead of watching his team at Aston Villa on Sunday, Robson will be making his second expedition to the top of Kilimanjaro, at the age of 67, between October 6-17.

Captain Marvel will be one of 30 trekkers embarking on an ascent to the top of Africa’s highest peak at 5,895m above sea level in aid of the Manchester United Foundation. His JustGiving page has already raised in excess of £8,000.

Robson knows just how tough it will be, having ventured through rainforest to the Arctic summit with former United team-mate Kevin Moran in 2013 when he was considerably younger.

Describing that experience at the time, Robson said: ‘I can’t tell you how hard it was getting up here; it was absolute agony at certain stages. That is the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. It’s no wonder there were a few who just didn’t make it.’

Confidential wishes Bryan and his companions well. 

Ravel's new challenge

Speaking of the academy, the peculiar career path of one former academy superstar caught the eye this week. Ravel Morrison, now 31, was tipped for superstardom as a youngster but failed to realise his potential.

He found options at a premium this summer and had been playing in free agent games organised by the PFA before penning a deal with Precision FC, of the United Arab Emirates second division.

‘This is more than a signing — it’s a statement, a game-changer for both our club and football in the UAE,’ Precision said on Instagram.

‘Known for his electrifying talent and skill, Ravel brings world-class experience and flair that will help our team to achieve its goals.’

With Jesse Lingard playing in South Korea and Paul Pogba currently banned from football for four years for a doping offence, it is quite the downturn for the stars of United’s 2011 FA Youth Cup win.