With several players out of contract at Manchester United this summer, a number are said to be “delaying decisions on their futures due to uncertainty over whether Erik ten Hag will still be at the club next season”. Elsewhere, United are said to have held “concrete talks” with Bayer Leverkusen over Jeremie Frimpong, and Frank Lampard has turned down a chance to manage Canada.
Some Manchester United players are delaying decisions on their futures “due to uncertainty over whether Erik ten Hag will still be at the club next season”.
That’s according to a report in the Manchester Evening News which suggests “a number of United players are convinced Ten Hag will not remain in charge beyond the current season”.
The outlet continues: “Seven senior players are out of contract in the summer while there is uncertainty over the futures of several other squad members amid the upheaval following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment.
“United have won one of their past seven league games and fourth-placed Aston Villa are now a near-unassailable 13 points clear of Ten Hag’s side. United’s plight is so severe they have four points fewer than they had at the same stage under David Moyes in 2013-14 – their worst season in the Premier League era.
“New co-owner Ratcliffe has declined to give public assurances Ten Hag will be in situ next season and the Ineos Group have assessed prospective replacements.”
One player who could be at Manchester United next season is Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong, suggests a report.
The 23-year-old has played a pivotal role in Xabi Alonso’s side winning the Bundesliga, with the title being wrapped up with a 5-0 win over Werder Bremen on Sunday.
The Sun writes: “However, despite Alonso committing to the club for next season amid managerial links to Liverpool and Bayern Munich, he is braced for a mass exodus of talent as financial juggernauts lurk.
“Among them is Man Utd, who are struggling to pick up Premier League wins, let alone the trophy.
“And according to reporter Christian Falk’s fact file on CaughtOffside, Frimpong’s management are discussing the possibility of a transfer to Old Trafford.
“Frimpong has an exit clause in his contract running until 2028 that stands at £40m.
“Although any club after the right-back will need to move quickly, with the clause only active until the start of the European Championships in June.
“Man Utd, who are going into the summer under the sporting direction of new minority owners Ineos and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, will face competition from Real Madrid and Bayern.
“Like The Red Devils, the toppled Bavarian giants are said to be in “concrete” talks with Frimpong’s management over a deal.”
Frank Lampard has turned down the opportunity to become the new head coach of the Canada national team, according to the Telegraph.
Perhaps surprisingly, Lampard had been linked with the role, but according to the outlet, the former Everton boss “has now decided that the Canada job does not represent the right opportunity for him to return to management”.
The article continues: “Lampard has been out of work since a spell as interim manager of Chelsea finished at the end of last season and Canada had placed him on a shortlist of coaches to take over and lead the national team into the 2026 World Cup, which they are co-hosting.
“The former Chelsea midfielder was spotted watching England training ahead of last month’s friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, and wants to return to management.