Casemiro returns to Man Utd training ahead of Copenhagen clash
Manchester United return to Champions League action on Tuesday night with a must-win clash with FC Copenhagen at Old Trafford. Erik ten Hag's side ultimately need three points to keep their fading hopes of progression into the knockout stages alive, having tasted defeat in their opening two Group A outings.
But there is plenty going on in the background, as ever, with much to be resolved on and off the pitch amid a turbulent start to the campaign.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are closing in on a £1.4billion deal to buy 25 per cent of United from the Glazer family.
Meanwhile, Ten Hag faces the catastrophic risk of losing his right-hand man, Mitchell van der Gaag, to Louis van Gaal and Ajax.
The Dutchman is also welcoming back some key names to contention as he looks to build on back-to-back Premier League wins in Europe.
United are bound to already have one eye on Sunday's blockbuster derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford, with Sir Bobby Charlton set to be remembered at both games this week.
Express Sport provides all the latest news and views from Old Trafford...
Manchester United icon Paul Scholes has hit out at the club for not “behaving” like a world-class organisation in a worrying message to potential minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The British billionaire is hoping to purchase a 25 per cent stake in the Red Devils, but Scholes has insisted that there is a lot of work to do to return United to their glory days as he ranted about the current state of his former club.
“He’s got a lot to do at this football club,” Scholes told TNT Sports when asked about the prospect of Ratcliffe taking charge of the sporting side of United.
“For me, this is a world-class football club but they’re not acting like it, they’re not behaving like it. That goes from the senior team, right down to the youth players. I watched the youth lot today, they lost to Copenhagen. It’s not right.
“They’re underperforming in every single area - the stadium needs renovating, I love this stadium but if people are calling for it, it has to happen. The training ground probably isn’t up to standard either.
"The only thing the club has going for it right now is the history and he’ll need to bring in new players, new staff all the way through the club in order to make new history."
Some things in life are more important than football rivalry and when it is a matter of life and death, the sport tends to come together.
That has proven the case again tonight after Manchester United gave a heartwrenching tribute to the late Sir Bobby Charlton, who passed away on Saturday.
In response, the Copenhagen fans who made the trip to Old Trafford unfurled a banner which read: 'Passion is what separates the good from the great. Rest in peace Sir Bobby Charlton.'
Rio Ferdinand has warned Sir Jim Ratcliffe he will walk into a difficult situation at Manchester United due to fan unrest.
"It’s still a grey area for me. I think the fanbase, especially, have been in the dark over the deal and the takeover in the long term and that needs to change," he told TNT Sports.
"I think [the deal] is coming to a head now and coming to a conclusion which is good. But for me, Sir Jim Ratcliffe comes into this club, even at 25%, one of the big things he has to do is have that transparency with the fans so they can settle them down.
"This place is unsettled, they’re unhappy. They expected a full takeover and that hasn’t happened. There has to be some sort of fronting up being done, they have to sort it out."
Erik ten Hag has told his players that only a win will be accepted against Copenhagen as his side face a must-win clash at Old Trafford.
In his programme notes, the 53-year-old boss laid down the gauntlet to his players and made it crystal clear that only three points would do.
“Whoever we face, wherever we play, Man United go into each game expecting to win because of [the] club’s history, which was built by great people before us," he said.
"Tonight presents us with a big European night at Old Trafford where victory is our only option.”
Manchester United are heavy favourites to register their first win of the Champions League campaign but must be wary of complacency when taking on Danish champions Copenhagen, according to the bookmakers' odds.
Erik ten Hag's side are odds-on to seal a comfortable win at Old Trafford tonight. However, that was also the case when they faced Galatasaray last month - and the Red Devils fell to a 3-2 defeat after Casemiro's red card. Ten Hag will be hoping to avoid a similar scenario tonight, with Rasmus Hojlund hoping to score against his former club.
Betfair also rank United as 40/1 outsiders to go all the way and win the Champions League in the outright markets.
Former Manchester United man Lee Sharpe has told Erik ten Hag's side to improve defensively if they are to have any chance of qualifying from their group.
The Red Devils have lost both games to Bayern Munich and Galatasaray, and must beat Copenhagen at Old Trafford to stand a realistic chance of qualifying.
Sharpe, who played for several years under Sir Alex Ferguson, believes Ten Hag's men can salvage something from their group stage campaign if they keep it tight at the back.
"I’m not saying they can’t do it as they can beat anyone on their day, but they certainly need to improve defensively and as a unit," Sharpe said, speaking to AGamble.com.
"They’re creating chances which is vitally important and will give everyone confidence, but they just need to tighten up that defensive line."
The brother of Rasmus Hojlund featured for Copenhagen earlier today as Manchester United's Under-19s took on their Danish counterparts.
Emil Hojlund, who turns 19 in January, led the line for his hometown club and any scouts watching on would have been keen to see if he bears any similairity to his slightly older brother.
But it was Tryphose Queyrell Tchicamboud who scored the only goal of the game for the visitors as they made it three wins from three, while United have only won once in the group stage so far.
FC Copenhagen manager Jacob Neestrup believes Rasmus Hojlund is Manchester United's biggest threat ahead of tonight's Champions League clash at Old Trafford.
“The plan is we know that Hojlund is the biggest strength in the Manchester United squad, and what remains is that we have to be true to ourselves,” Neestrup said.
“I know we are not going to have the ball as much as we normally have in the Danish league, but when we have the ball, we need to show that we are a proper football team.
"Manchester United are a team with high-speed players, and players that are top, top, level in football.”
Alex Turk
Sheikh Jassim's U-turn torment
Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani walked away from the Manchester United takeover saga after growing tired of the Glazers' constant changes of heart, according to reports.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire reports that Sheikh Jassim agreed to increase his bid numerous times, but the Glazers made a U-turn when they were close to sealing a deal for a 100 per cent takeover.
"I’m not surprised that Qatar completely withdrew," Maguire told Football Insider.
"Senior sources close to the Sheikh Jassim bid have indicated to me that there was increased frustration towards the conduct of the Glazers.
"On more than one occasion, they had agreed to increase the bid. They had agreed to some concessions as far as the demands of the Glazers were concerned.
"Yet every time they felt they were close to shaking hands on a deal, the terms were changed. In the end, they didn’t want to be taken advantage of."
Alex Turk
Sancho short on options
Jadon Sancho is short on elite transfer options as he prepares to leave Manchester United in January transfer window, according to reports.
Sky Germany claim that Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund, both linked, are currently considered unrealistic destinations.
But a move away from England is expected, and Juventus are interested in signing Sancho on loan this winter.
Alex Turk
Casemiro back in training
Casemiro returned to Manchester United training on Monday after missing the 2-1 win at Sheffield United.
The Brazil captain picked up on an injury on international break but is back in contention.
He will miss tonight's Champions League clash against Copenhagen through suspension after his red card against Galatasaray.
But he will be targeted the weekend's Manchester derby as a return date.
Man Utd news LIVE: Casemiro is back in training. (Image: GETTY)
Alex Turk
Rasmus Hojlund focus
Manchester United's coaches want to work with Rasmus Hojlund to improve his link-up play, according to reports.
Hojlund has enjoyed life in the Champions League at United, scoring all three of his goals for the club in the competition.
But he is yet to find the net in the Premier League, with limited chances coming his way.
The Manchester Evening News report United expected the 20-year-old to be far from the finished article and are keen to refine his link-up play.
It'll help him become more involved in attacks when United's creative players aren't finding him in good area.
Man Utd news LIVE: Rasmus Hojlund is yet to score in the Premier League. (Image: GETTY)
Alex Turk
Mitchell's stance on job
Paul Mitchell would love to become a part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS' team at Old Trafford, according to reports.
Sir Jim is set to hire his own staff once he completes a £1.4billion deal for 25 per cent of United.
And the club's sporting director is a role he's ready to address, with Mitchell the early frontrunner.
According to GiveMeSport, Mitchell is keen to land a role as John Murtough's replacement at Old Trafford.
Alex Turk
Van der Gaag set to stay
Mitchell van der Gaag is reportedly set to stay at Manchester United despite interest from Ajax over the vacant managerial role.
According to the Mirror, Erik ten Hag's No 2 has assured United he has no interest in ditching the project to return to the Amsterdam giants.
Ex-Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal, back at Ajax as an advisor, has rallied for Van der Gaag's appointment.
But he has snubbed Ajax and stayed loyal to the Old Trafford outfit.
Alex Turk
Sir Jim Ratcliffe blasted
Richard Keys has blasted Sir Jim Ratcliffe for his £1.4billion deal to buy 25 per cent of Manchester United.
The former Sky Sports presenter isn't convinced Sir Jim is a serious bidder, slamming his reported financial support from Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan amid United's soaring debt.
"What’s the reason for the takeover delay Sunny Jim? What a mess," Keys wrote on his blog.
"Are we convinced that Ratcliffe’s bid for Utd will ever actually happen? Does he really think that Utd fans will tolerate the Glazers staying firmly in control of the club despite his potential investment?
"And I read that he’s actually borrowing money to make it happen - using loans from Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan, according to Nick Harris in The Mail on Sunday. Incredible. Absolutely incredible."
Alex Turk
Morning!
Good morning!
It's matchday at Old Trafford as Manchester United host FC Copenhagen in the Champions League.
Stay tuned on Express Sport for all the build-up and latest news.
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