Erik ten Hag facing Man Utd dressing room revolt, David De Gea open to Newcastle transfer – Paper Round
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Updated 05/12/2023 at 08:31 GMT
Tuesday’s Paper Round leads on Manchester United, where Erik ten Hag is facing a dressing-room revolt ahead of a tricky set of fixtures. The Mirror’s report also says Jadon Sancho is "training like a beast" with the academy. Elsewhere, free agent David De Gea would be open to joining Newcastle United, while there are also reports on Raphael Varane and Mike Maignan.
‘They were better than us’ – Ten Hag’s frank assessment after Man Utd loss to Newcastle
Man Utd revolt
Erik ten Hag is staring at a dressing-room revolt with several Manchester United players said to be disillusioned and unhappy with their current plight, the Mirror reports. United have lost 10 matches already this season, with Anthony Martial clashing with Ten Hag during Saturday’s defeat to Newcastle and Marcus Rashford criticised for his performance as well.
With Raphael Varane out of the starting XI and Jadon Sancho out of the squad entirely, Ten Hag is battling to keep the players on his side ahead of a huge few weeks, where United face Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Liverpool.
On Sancho, the Mirror adds: “Sancho continues to train alone, as he has done for the past three months, since disputing Ten Hag's reasons for omitting him from the squad that lost 3-1 at Arsenal on September 3.
“Despite being banished to train in the Academy facility, Sancho is said to have maintained his fitness and is “training like a beast” according to one source, with several of his team-mates wanting to see him reintegrated back into Ten Hag's squad.
“Ten Hag has insisted Sancho can rejoin the squad once he has apologised, something the England star has refused to do, believing he was entitled to defend himself after his manager's comments.
“But with Rashford, Martial and Antony all struggling for form, some of United's players are said to feel Ten Hag's stubborn stance is misplaced and proving to the detriment of the team.”
De Gea open to Newcastle transfer
David De Gea would be open to signing for Newcastle United, but manager Eddie Howe is eager to give Martin Dubravka a chance to prove his worth, the Telegraph reports. Amid fears No 1 Nick Pope could be out for months after the injury he suffered against Manchester United, Newcastle could look beyond their current options with De Gea a free agent since leaving the Red Devils.
That will depend on how Dubravka fares, while De Gea’s future could yet be decided by his family.
The Telegraph adds: “Although De Gea was initially reluctant to return to the Premier League, the Spaniard is believed to be open to joining Newcastle should such an opportunity develop and the Tyneside club are understood to be aware of that.
“De Gea has been linked with a number of clubs across Europe as well as Saudi Arabia. It is thought his wife Edurne, with whom he has a baby daughter Yanay, is keen to remain in Spain.”
Varane to stay beyond January
Raphael Varane is happy to stay at Manchester United beyond January despite losing his place in Ten Hag’s team, the Manchester Evening News reports. The 30-year-old has started just one of United’s last 11 matches with Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw all preferred to partner Harry Maguire.
There have been reports Varane could leave in the January transfer window, but the Frenchman has no desire to leave unless he is told he is not wanted by the club.
The MEN adds: “Varane has made four substitute appearances and one start in the last two months as Ten Hag has primarily turned to the Frenchman to see out victories. Varane came on in the 84th minute at Sheffield United, in added time at Fulham and the 79th minute against Luton Town. Varane's emergence in the 15th minute against Copenhagen was enforced as Evans sustained a thigh injury.
“Varane missed four games at the start of the season due to injury, while he was not deemed match-fit for the win against Brentford in October and was unwell for the League Cup elimination by Newcastle United last month. Varane has been on the bench for the last six games.”
Man Utd in for Maignan?
Manchester United could make a move for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, The Sun reports. With Andre Onana struggling to impress since joining from Inter in the summer, there are already suggestions United could search for a replacement in the upcoming transfer windows.
Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are also said to be keen on Maignan, meaning United would likely face competition if they were to firm up their interest in the 28-year-old.
The Sun adds: “So far this season, Maignan has kept six clean sheets in 16 appearances for Milan. Chelsea have been linked with him in the past, including in the summer.
“Maignan had been targeted as a replacement for Edouard Mendy before the Blues swooped to sign Robert Sanchez.”
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