EXCLUSIVE: Man Utd squad angry at two players leaking stories to the media
Jacque Talbot
- Updated: 5 Dec 2023 12:33 GMT
- 3 min read
Exclusive
The Manchester United squad are angry at two players for leaking stories to the media, FootballTransfers has learned.
We understand that the majority of the squad are frustrated with these negative leaks - which all emanate from just two players - and feel it’s not reflective of the situation at the club.
United are enduring a testing time at the moment and the imminent partial takeover from Sir Jim Ratcliffe has not helped matters, either. This is because still no announcement has been forthcoming, and also due to the general lack of transparency with the takeover.
There are some rifts in the dressing room but the majority of the squad are angry that the media teams of two players are briefing reports to the press.
These leaks are magnifying what is essentially just two individuals displeased with the amount of running that they’re having to do in training, as well as being chosen (or not chosen) in a certain position in the starting XI. There is a feeling that certain players know they have the power to remove a head coach, having done so before, when things are not going their way.
A shared sentiment among some in the squad, though, is that Erik Ten Hag should have less say around recruitment but the fact that such ideas have found their way to the papers is of greater concern.
What are Man Utd's January transfer plans?
Man Utd’s January plans are dependent on possible departures. If Casemiro leaves then the Red Devils will find a younger replacement, having previously sounded out Andre over a move. Joao Neves of Benfica is also a long-term target, but it’s thought that a summer move is likely for the youngster, who is a client of Jorge Mendes’ Gestifute. Serhou Guirassy of Stuttgart is an option while the club will be offered the chance to sign Donyell Malen, the Borussia Dortmund winger who’s now with Ten Hag's agency SEG. But this will depend on Jadon Sancho leaving.
Man Utd face Chelsea on Wednesday night at Old Trafford before they take on Bournemouth on Saturday. They have dropped to eighth in the Premier League following their St James' Park defeat while nothing less than a win against Bayern Munich next week will seal their exit from the Champions League.
