SPORT BETTING

David Beckham says that “changes” are afoot at Manchester United as Erik ten Hag prepares to take over at Old Trafford.

Ralf Rangnick’s men sunk to a new low on Saturday as they were outplayed at Brighton. The heavy 4-0 defeat has drawn plenty of criticism and the result against the Seagulls highlights what a big job Ten Hag has on his plate.

Ten Hag remains in charge of Ajax, who drew 2-2 with AZ Alkmaar on Saturday. Ajax remain on course to win the Eredivisie title, but Ten Hag did lose his cool with the fourth official during the contest.

Ajax are five points ahead of PSV, with a better goal difference, with just two games remaining.

But while the Dutchman’s immediate focus will be securing a third Dutch title, he will also have one eye on Manchester United.

Ten Hag will take over the reins after the visit of Crystal Palace in two weeks’ time. And the 52-year-old has plenty to work on, as well as preparing for a recruitment drive which could shape the club for years to come.

Those type of changes have been demanded by Beckham, who was watching the Grand Prix in America on Sunday.

“I think there are changes to be made and changes that are happening, we’ve seen that. It’s been a tough end to the season. But it is the end of the season, I’m sure a lot of the fans are thankful of that because it’s been a tough one – full of ups and downs,” Beckham told Sky Sports at the Miami Grand Prix.

“The players have done what they can do best, so has the manager as well. I turned up at the stadium a few months back and every seat was filled. So the fans still believe, they support, they turn up for the team.

Beckham believes in Ronaldo

“It’s what United fans do. There’s not many other teams to have gone through what they’ve gone through in the last few years and still filling out their stadium. So that says a lot about the fans. There will be changes.”

Beckham, who won six Premier League titles with United, also made his feelings known about Cristiano Ronaldo.

There have been suggestions that Ronaldo may move on this summer, despite top scoring for United with 24 goals.

Beckham though believes the Portugal star needs to stay at Old Trafford.

Beckham added: “Obviously Cristiano is one of the best players over the last 15 years, with Leo [Messi]. To see him stay on, hopefully at United, is important for the fans. It’s important to him – we all know how much Man United means to him,” Beckham said.

“He’s still doing what he does best, scoring goals. That’s what Cristiano does. To be doing what he’s doing at his age is really incredible. So hopefully it continues for another year or two.”

READ MORE: Chris Sutton tells Gary Neville to ‘behave’ and slams Man Utd great, Klopp over Conte claims

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Chris Sutton has told Gary Neville to pipe down and accept that Antonio Conte would be a good manager for Manchester United.

Tottenham boss Conte made the headlines on Saturday when he masterminded a 1-1 draw away at Liverpool. The result had major implications for the Premier League title race and top-four battle.

Spurs’ point could prove crucial as they battle Arsenal for a place in next season’s Champions League. Liverpool, though, slipped up and allowed Manchester City to go three points clear at the summit on Sunday.

Conte’s tactics of soaking up Liverpool pressure and hitting them on the counter-attack drew plaudits but also criticism. Reds boss Jurgen Klopp insisted that Tottenham should “do more for the game”.

Neville, meanwhile, used Klopp’s frustrations as evidence for his claim that Conte would not be a good fit at Man Utd.

Writing in a column for the Daily Mail, though, Sutton hit out at both Neville and Klopp for their assessments.

“Antonio Conte was right for Manchester United when they were looking for a replacement for David Moyes in 2014,” Sutton wrote.

“For Louis van Gaal in 2016, for Jose Mourinho in 2018, for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2021.

“He would be right for them now if they were still searching for a new head coach. Conte is a winner — he won the Premier League with Chelsea and Serie A with Juventus and Inter Milan.

“He knows how to get a result — just ask Liverpool and Manchester City, neither of whom could beat Tottenham this season.

“United went to Brighton on Saturday and were smashed. Would that have happened on Conte’s watch? Unlikely.”

Sutton also took a pop at Klopp, who added that he “cannot coach” the football Conte likes to play.

Sutton slams Neville, Klopp over Conte claim

“Jurgen Klopp was agitated after Liverpool were held by Tottenham and had a pop at their style of play. How dare Conte not play the way Klopp wanted!” the pundit added.

Then Gary Neville sparked a social media debate on Sunday by tweeting that Conte’s style is ‘why he wasn’t the right fit for United’. Behave.

“United would be lucky to have Conte in charge.”

Conte has indeed claimed at least a point from his matches with Liverpool and Man City this season. His Tottenham side drew 2-2 with Liverpool in December and beat City 3-2 away in February.

Man Utd eyeing Tottenham boss similarity

While Neville may not want Conte to ever manage Man Utd, the Red Devils could use some of his never-say-die spirit this season.

Spurs stuck to their task for 95 minutes and Son Heung-min admitted that he felt “exhausted” after the match.

United, meanwhile, failed to muster any sort of fight in their 4-0 defeat to Brighton at the Amex Stadium.

That, coupled with a 9-0 aggregate defeat to Liverpool this season, shows the size of the task facing new United boss Erik ten Hag.

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Tottenham defender Ben Davies has warned Arsenal of the pressure of maintaining their winning run in Thursday’s crunch north London derby.

Both sides have suffered varying patches of form throughout the season but now collide with a place in the Premier League’s top four potentially on the line.

Indeed, Arsenal currently occupy the final Champions League qualification place. The Gunners sit four points ahead of Tottenham following the most recent results.

Arsenal beat 10-man Leeds United 2-1 at the Emirates on Sunday, while Tottenham earned a 1-1 draw away at Liverpool on Saturday.

Arsenal are in better form heading into Thursday’s match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mikel Arteta’s men have won four in a row. Spurs, meanwhile, have won only one of their last four including another draw and a defeat.

Davies has therefore warned Arsenal that the pressure is on them as Tottenham eye a first win in two matches.

“It’s a massive game. Look, we can only do what we can control, and Arsenal have been on a fantastic run,” the Wales international told the Daily Mirror.

“But you can’t hide from that but there is a lot of pressure to keep it up and do it in the remaining games.

“We have to control what we can, try and win the game and try to win our remaining games and even then it’s not in our hands but we will see what happens.”

Tottenham were originally due to play the upcoming derby with Arsenal in mid-January. However, the Premier League accepted the Gunners’ postponement request.

Ben Davies urges Tottenham performance

As a result, the wait for the two teams to clash again has allowed them to become fierce rivals for a top-four spot, increasing the build-up.

For Davies, though, the defender urged a similar performance to the one which got them a point at Liverpool.

Spurs set up to soak up pressure and hit the Reds on the counter-attack. They in fact took the lead through Son Heung-min before Luis Diaz’s deflected equaliser.

“It has been building up to this for a while now,” Davies said. “Ever since it got postponed we were looking to when this game would come because we knew it would be important in the context of the season.

“For us now Thursday is huge. We know what we have to do going into it. There’s no hiding from that.

“We have to go out there and put in a similar performance to the game at Liverpool.”

Arsenal dreaming of huge win

Arsenal won the first north London derby of the season at the Emirates Stadium in September.

The Gunners hit their rivals with a first-half blitz. Emile Smith Rowe, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka all scored inside 34 minutes, with Saka and Smith Rowe also notching assists.

However, Son hit back and is in good form of late, having scored three goals in his last two games.

What’s more, Tottenham replaced then-manager Nuno Espirito Santo with Antonio Conte in November.

Despite a slow start, Conte has got Spurs in the hunt for a top-four clash and the stakes could not be higher.

A win for Arsenal will all-but guarantee their spot in the Champions League next season. Should Tottenham win, though, the gap will be back to one with two games remaining.

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Manchester United must act fast to sign a dream midfield addition with a £17m move elsewhere likely, Erling Haaland to Manchester City looks a big step closer, while Tottenham are closing on their first signing of the summer window.

RANGNICK ANGER AS MAN UTD DELAY LEADS TO KONRAD LAIMER SLIP

Manchester United are in danger of missing out on the signing of Konrad Laimer – much to Ralf Rangnick’s frustrations.

The Red Devils interim boss has outlined the midfield as an area in need or urgent improvement at Old Trafford. As such, he’s handed the club, and new manager Erik ten Hag, a list of players to target.

And the man reportedly at the top of that list is RB Leipzig star Laimer.

The Austrian is well known to Rangnick, having worked together at the Bundesliga club.

And with his deal due to expire in summer 2023, Rangnick knows United have the perfect opportunity to swoop in.

Indeed, reports claim Leipzig will cash in for around £17m this summer. As such, the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal are all reportedly keen.

However, it is Manchester United who reportedly looked to be leading the charge, thanks to Rangnick’s influence.

Now though, they appear destined to miss out with The Sun reporting that Bayern Munich are launching a move.

That though has come as a bitter pill for Rangnick, who is moving into a consultancy role with United from the summer.

He though will reportedly urge the club to act fast and move in for Laimer.

Konrad Laimer a big fan of Rangnick

One advantage United may have is that Laimer is an admirer of Rangnick’s too.

As well as his consultancy work with United, Rangnick is also due to take charge of the Austrian national side.

And Laimer is happy to see Rangnick put in charge of his country.

He said: “I’m very happy he’s going to be our coach. I know him well and know what he can do.

“I’m sure he can make us better as a team and each individual. I’m confident that we will have very successful years together.

“I also looking forward to seeing him again during the summer at our next training course.”

MAN CITY READY TO ANNOUNCE ERLING HAALAND TRANSFER

Manchester City will reportedly announce the signing of Erling Haaland as soon as next week, claims a report.

The Borussia Dortmund striker has emerged as one of the world’s most in-demand stars thanks to his incredible goalscoring exploits.

And with an exit clause coming into effect this summer for £63m, several top sides are keen to make their move.

However, it is Manchester City who are widely reported to have won that race.

They are reportedly willing to pay Haaland a huge package that will see him earn a mindblowing £300m.

Now, according to Dortmund director Sebastian Kehl, a move could be formalised next week.

Kehl told Sport1: “Erling Haaland deal? I think we will have clarity on Erling in the next week.”

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano also confirmed recently that “City are working on it” and “talks have been underway for weeks.”

The 21-year-old has an incredible 85 goals in 88 appearances for for Bundesliga side.

TOTTENHAM HAVE CLEAR PATH FOR SAM JOHNSTONE

Tottenham are in the clear to sign Sam Johnstone this summer after Manchester United pulled out of the running for his signature.

The England goalkeeper becomes a free agent in a matter of weeks and is the target for several Premier League sides.

Indeed, West Ham, Tottenham and Johnstone’s former club, Manchester United, are all reportedly keen.

However, The Sun reports that United have now pulled out of the running thanks to the presence of David De Gea. He has watched how Dean Henderson has struggled for game time at Old Trafford and is unwilling to take a similar back seat.

As such, the paper claims a move to Tottenham is closing in, with West Ham also no longer in the frame.

He will likely become the third signing of the Antonio Conte era, and first of the summer window for Spurs.

Johnstone will be handed the chance to compete with Hugo Lloris and ultimately replace the veteran Frenchman.

Lloris recently signed an extension to 2024, but at the age of 29, he has more than enough time on his hands.

Johnstone has made 141 appearances for the Baggies across four seasons.

The post Transfer Gossip: Rangnick fuming as dream Man Utd midfield signing nears move elsewhere; Erling Haaland to Man City announcement date named appeared first on TEAMtalk.

Anthony Elanga has lauded Erik ten Hag for his excellent track record of developing young players ahead of his move to Manchester United.

Ajax boss Ten Hag has built up a fantastic reputation for his work with the Eredivisie club both in the Netherlands and across Europe. In fact, the Dutchman took Ajax to the Champions League semi-finals before rebuilding the team.

The likes of Donny van de Beek, Hakim Ziyech and Frenkie de Jong all blossomed under Ten Hag.

The former two are both now in the Premier League, with Man Utd snapping Van de Beek up in 2020.

United also have a number of exciting talents who have come through recently and are progressing well elsewhere.

Sweden international Elanga, 20, has insisted that he is looking forward to working with Ten Hag.

“His experience in Europe, developing young players like myself and we’ve got other young players coming up,” Elanga told Sky Sports.

“He’ll bring exciting football to Old Trafford.

“It all starts from pre-season and how we take in his instructions and tactics.

“He’ll be a great addition to the club and I’m really, really excited to work with him.”

United are having a season to forget, compounded by Saturday’s 4-0 defeat to Brighton. Their latest heavy loss comes after defeats such as 4-0 and 5-0 against Liverpool and 4-1 against Watford.

However, Elanga is potentially a sign of things to come in the future. In his breakthrough season at Old Trafford, he has made 26 first-team appearances, chipping in with two goals and three assists.

Elanga and other exciting Man Utd talent

While Elanga is now a fully-fledged member of the first team, more are looking to break through at Old Trafford.

Winger Amad Diallo, the 19-year-old signed from Atalanta in October 2020, has yet to really get his chance. He showed exciting glimpses of his talent last season, but is now on loan at Rangers.

Elsewhere in the team, midfielder James Garner has caught the eye on loan at Nottingham Forest.

The 21-year-old could yet slot straight into the first team under Ten Hag with Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Nemanja Matic all leaving.

Behind those players, academy starlets such as Alejandro Garnacho and Charlie McNeill are further signs of things to come.

As such, there may be doom and gloom around Man Utd as it stands, but Ten Hag already has a lot of talent at his disposal.

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Prospective new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly and his consortium have reportedly made fresh contracts for Reece James and Mason Mount a priority.

The Blues have faced an uncertain few months following the sanctions on previous owner Roman Abramovich. The situation has affected every aspect of the club, from fans’ attendance to player retention.

Indeed, key centre-back Antonio Rudiger has decided to move on as a free agent to Real Madrid. He grew frustrated at waiting for Chelsea, who still cannot tie players to new deals.

However, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the Stamford Bridge club. LA Dodgers chief Boehly is leading a group who have agreed terms to take Chelsea over.

And according to the Daily Mail, player contracts will subsequently be high on the investment agenda.

Indeed, Boehly, Clearlake Capital, Mark Walter and Hansjorg Wyss are ready to offer James and Mount new deals.

The England internationals rose through Chelsea‘s academy and have become a vital part of Thomas Tuchel’s team.

And partly because of the connection with the academy, the Blues want the pair on bumper new deals.

Mount’s current deal runs out in the summer of 2024 after he last signed on the dotted line in July 2019. James, meanwhile, last penned a new deal in 2020. His terms therefore expire in 2025.

Right wing-back James has made himself a crucial part of manager Thomas Tuchel’s system. Attacking midfielder Mount has scored 12 goals and assisted 15 others in 50 appearances this season.

Boehly plans key Chelsea talks

The Daily Mail adds that Boehly will pursue ‘A-list’ signings this summer.

At least one new centre-back is a key transfer mission, with Andreas Christensen leaving alongside Rudiger.

Boehly will in fact begin work on Chelsea’s summer spending this week. He will first look to meet with Tuchel to get the coach’s thoughts.

Boehly will also ask current transfer chief Marina Granovskaia and technical advisor Petr Cech for advice.

Blues need to get back on track

Chelsea came into the current season full of optimism following their Champions League triumph last season.

And they looked firm Premier League title challengers alongside Manchester City and Liverpool in the first few weeks of the season.

While the developments in Russia and Ukraine – and how they have affected Chelsea – could not have been predicted, the Blues need to refocus.

They can start by winning the FA Cup final next weekend, their second cup final clash of the campaign against Liverpool.

Indeed, Chelsea lost to the Reds on penalties in the Carabao Cup showpiece in February.

From there, Chelsea need a strong summer in the transfer market, addressing the issues at centre-back. Only then can they look towards putting up a proper fight for the Premier League title, which they have not won since 2017.

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Tottenham Hotspur are set to win the race to sign out-of-contract West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone this summer, according to a report.

The England international decided to run down his contract at the Hawthorns, making him available for free once the season has ended. A number of clubs were said to be interested, including Manchester United. However, it seems another top six club is now favourite to land the shot-stopper.

According to The Mirror, Spurs are set to sign Johnstone once his contract is finished.

The north London club are in need of some quality back-up for Hugo Lloris. Approaching 36 years of age, reinforcement is needed for someone who could take first-choice spot in the not-so-distant future.

Tottenham‘s current back-up is Pierluigi Gollini, who has been restricted to cup games this season. What’s more, he is only on loan from Atalanta and is unlikely to stay in London.

However, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy views Johnstone as someone with higher quality that can go head-to-head with Lloris for a spot in the team.

Johnstone has spent the last four years with West Brom and has been consistent between the sticks throughout.

However, he was left out the Baggies squad for the last five games of the season. Boss Steve Bruce decided to stand down the England keeper, accepting he would leave at the end of the season.

“With five games left, it’s only right that David Button plays,” Bruce told BBC Sport.

Sam Johnstone unlikely target for Man Utd return

There had been rumours that Man Utd were keen on landing Johnstone for free.

The keeper was first-choice for United’s academy in 2011, however, failed to make a league appearance for the club.

After a number of loan spells, Johnstone finally secured a permanent move to West Brom in 2018.

But following news Johnstone would not be renewing his contract in West Midlands, Man Utd reportedly had Johnstone back on their radar.

Now, it is believed his former club have pulled out the race for his signature. The board at Man Utd are believed to be happy with David De Gea and Dean Henderson already on their books.

The club believe that recruiting in other positions during the summer should be seen as more of a priority.

Indeed, incoming new manager Erik ten Hag faces a massive rebuilding job. Saturday’s 4-0 defeat to Brighton made that even more crystal clear and the new boss is eyeing up a new centre-back, midfielder and striker.

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