With questions around Erik ten Hag's position as Manchester United boss continuing to mount, former Red Devils midfielder Nicky Butt has been speaking exclusively to BBC Radio Manchester about the Dutchman's position and when the club should tell him if he still has a future at Old Trafford or not.
Image source, Getty ImagesBBC chief football news reporter Simon Stone says a rebuild at Manchester United will "take time" despite indications of a squad overhaul in upcoming transfer windows.
Stone reported on Monday that United's hierarchy are willing to listen to offers for virtually all their first-team squad this summer as Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos look to turn the club back into challengers for major honours.
"You look down the list and think if you were building a new club which players are integral to building a team that could compete with Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City at the top of the league," Stone told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast. "It's not a long list.
"You don't want to lose exciting youngsters [Rasmus] Hojlund, [Alejandro] Garnacho or [Kobbie] Mainoo. [Andre] Onana came in for big money last year. Bruno Fernandes is the captain. But there's not many players in that list that you think you could build a title-winning team around."
Despite United being open to offers, Stone is sceptical about their ability to secure the right deals for outgoing players.
"Over the past few years Manchester United have been absolutely terrible at selling players. Just because they're listening to offers it doesn't mean they'll be accepted - and even if they're accepted it doesn't mean they can do the right deals to get players out of the club," he added.
"There's a realism at United. You have to temper what a clearout would look like. There's a lot of players on this list that United could well do without, but I don't know whether it's realistic to think you could sell them all in one summer, or even two summers.
"This is going to take time. United are also constrained by Financial Fair Play regulations so there is a limit on what they can spend.
"What people will look for next season is a significant improvement on this season. That doesn't seem like it will be too hard."
We asked for your opinions following comments on BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast that Manchester United's football this season is some of the worst fans have seen at Old Trafford.
Here are some of your comments:
Roger: I have supported United since 1957 and this is the worst I have seen them play. They are moving the ball too slowly and often backwards, and many players just do not look interested. I think the coaching must be at fault.
Peter: The worst thing about Erik ten Hag's side this season is the mental frailty of the individual players - the exceptions being Martinez, McTominay and Garnacho. We have a captain who sulks and does nothing to lift his team when we concede bad goals. But the last months of Moyes' team were hopeless - far worse, with no invention or moments of hope.
Chris: Worst football in my lifetime and I’m 43 years old! We can’t seem to avoid the cycle of hiring and firing managers who initially have some success then can’t get a tune out of our supposedly top quality players. It’s a Catch-22 - get rid of Ten Hag and a new boss is left with a lot his signings and a huge job to change the team!
David: As bad as United are playing at the moment - and let's be honest, it's dreadful - I do have some sympathy for Ten Hag. He really hasn't had a settled team at all this season and regularly has four or five of his best players missing. Then add the fact some of the players he relies on are strolling around nonchalantly. Look at the U18s now and there's hope.
Kevin: Ralf Rangnick was correct when he said two years ago the United squad needed open heart surgery and every position strengthening. Unfortunately, Ten Hag's transfer dealings, with the exception of Martinez and Hojlund, have made the team worse.
Ryan: Ten Hag needs to stay as Manchester United manager. Do not sack him - give hime the chance to sign some players in the summer transfer window. We need players like Jarrad Branthwaite, Kieran Tierney, Edmond Tapsoba, Jeremie Frimpong, Joao Gomes and Pedro Neto.
Alex Turk
Fan writer
If Manchester United’s lacklustre performances and results do not cost Erik ten Hag his job this summer, his confusing public defences might.
"We are one of the most dynamic and entertaining teams in the league at this moment."
Those are the words of the United boss after Saturday’s 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Burnley at Old Trafford.
United have failed to win seven of their past nine Premier League games, beating Everton and Sheffield United at home during that run.
Dynamic? The fact Ten Hag's side has only beaten three teams by more than a single goal in the league this season suggests otherwise.
Entertaining? Sure. But not in the way United fans desire.
Fumbling a 3-0 lead against Coventry City in the FA Cup semi-finals was entertaining for the neutral - as were the collapses against Copenhagen, Galatasaray and Chelsea.
Perhaps Ten Hag has come to realise the mental fragility of his squad after squabbles with big-name players like Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo, to name a couple.
He will no doubt have his squad in mind when painting a certain picture after underwhelming displays.
However, fans need honesty, and Ten Hag is currently losing more than he is gaining.
Alex Turk can be found at the Stretford Paddock, external
Pat Nevin
Former Scotland and Chelsea winger
Image source, Getty ImagesI was at Old Trafford watching some old-school tactics at the weekend. Both Manchester United and Burnley played wide open 4-2-4 formations, leaving vast areas of that huge pitch patrolled by only three of four players. Edwin Hubble would have been spooked by that much space.
I thought those tactics had gone extinct at the end of the last century but the they reappeared via Erik ten Hag and Vincent Kompany, like a couple of dodos blinking into the Salford sunlight.
In truth, it was an entertaining, if slightly bizarre watch. The standard of finishing was truly awful and that sort of display against a better team would have led to carnage.
What underlines the size of the rebuild needed is that United drew against a bottom three club at home and were not the better side for large parts of the game. And crucially, this was not a great shock.
For Burnley, a single point was bordering on a disappointment on the day, but this is now only one defeat in the past eight matches. If they could just cut out the schoolboy defensive errors - it was Sander Berge not Ante Muric costing them two points this week - they might just sneak out of the danger zone.
Now that Everton and Brentford are officially safe, and Sheffield United are relegated, the Biblical line actually works, And Then There Were Three.
Two of the Nottingham Forest, Luton Town and Burnley trinity will be damned to the nether world.
With the form Burnley are showing they may just be favourites to shock everyone by rising on that final day against Forest.
Pat Nevin was writing for the BBC Football Extra newsletter
Following the news that Manchester United are willing to listen to offers for virtually all their first-team players BBC Sport is asking you for your opinions on which players should be kept and who should be sold.
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter Simon Stone has been answering your questions.
David asked: For Manchester United and Erik ten Hag, is there a chance that a mutual separation suits all parties now as other big clubs are looking for a manager, Ineos likely want their own manager and it has been a really poor season?
Simon replied: I do not see that as particularly likely. Ten Hag has given every impression recently of fighting to stay in his job. Manchester United remain one of the biggest, most attractive jobs in the world. Why would you give up on that?
The matter will not be his to decide, clearly. Ineos, through Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Sir Dave Brailsford and Jason Wilcox, will have the final say.
However, if United do decide a parting of the ways is needed, Ten Hag will get a decent job.
He did well at Ajax and many would say the Old Trafford hotseat is an impossible one to excel in during his time at the club.
Marcus Rashford might find his options limited if he chooses to leave Manchester United, with Paris St-Germain cooling their interest in the forward. (i), external
Ajax are keen to reappoint Erik ten Hag as manager if he is sacked by United this summer, although no decision is expected on the Dutchman's future until the Old Trafford side play Manchester City in the FA Cup final on 25 May. (Mail), external
Meanwhile, United are still planning to appoint Dan Ashworth as sporting director this summer, with the expectation that a deal over compensation will be agreed with Newcastle United soon. (Football Insider), external
BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater told the Devils' Advocate Podcast that he'd rather see Manchester United play Louis van Gaal's style of play than the current style under Erik ten Hag: "I think there's an argument to say that the way Manchester United are playing this season is some of the worst I've seen in my lifetime.
"I've always said that Van Gaal is probably the worst football I've seen, but it felt like we were at least controlling certain games of football even if it was dull to watch.
"I remember we got a win against Arsenal under Van Gaal with Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair at the back because he switched it up, he put it three at the back and he changed it.
"We concede a bucket load of shots every single game, no matter the opposition. It's some of the worst I've seen at Manchester United. For the sake of my heart, I'd rather having boring 0-0 Van Gaal football than this at the moment."
Stretford Paddock's Jay Motty added: "I get managers defending themselves, but when you've got Ten Hag coming out and saying we're one of the most entertaining teams to watch, that's being a bit deluded and that worries me. The fact we're comparing it to Louis Van Gaal in a positive way speaks volumes.
"I could stomach it if we're getting results, but when you don't get the results and you concede all those shots it's just difficult to take."
Manchester United fans, we want to hear from you. Is this the worst football you've ever seen at Old Trafford, or is that too harsh on ten Hag's men? If so, what team do you think played the worst?
Let us know your thoughts here
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester United winger Antony says criticism of his performances only fuel his desire to prove his worth at the club.
It has been a disappointing season for the Brazil international and his team-mates who cannot now qualify for the Champions League. Antony did score his first Premier League goal for the season on Saturday but relegation-threatened Burnley equalised with a late penalty to leave Old Trafford with a point.
"It's been a very tough year for me and the team," he said. "The results are not ones we have expected.
"I am someone who takes criticism very well and I want to work on it, and I think we all have to focus on finishing the season the best we can.
"We still have a few Premier League games and the (FA Cup) final, but then we need to focus on the next season and not commit the mistakes we've committed this year."
The initial £80.6m deal that brought the 24-year-old from Ajax in 2022 has come under mass scrutiny but Antony says critics of his performances does not affect him.
"(The transfer fee) doesn't really impact me because I know my worth," he added.
"The money is the money and obviously everyone speaks about it but no one would if the performances of everyone and myself were at the top.
"So, it's something that is just a way of working harder, knowing I can get better, I know my worth and I will.
"As I said the critics are going to exist, and it's something that makes me want to work harder, prove to myself first.
"I'm going to keep working, giving everything for the group because it's most important to have a good mentality and to be focused."
Image source, Getty ImagesPremier League clubs have voted in favour of adopting an anchoring economic model, which will be linked to the earnings of the bottom club (tv and prize money).
The proposed system would operate like a spending cap.
The next stage is final analysis and drafting of rules, which will potentially be put to clubs at an AGM in June.
The model will be presented to clubs and - should clubs vote in favour then - it will replace the Profit and Sustainability Rules currently in place, from the 2025-26 season onwards.
Any new element of the financial system would come in shadow next season, to fully replace PSR in 2025-26.
“We will obviously wait to see further details of these specific proposals, but we have always been clear that we would oppose any measure that would place a ‘hard’ cap on player wages," said the PFA
“There is an established process in place to ensure that proposals like this, which would directly impact our members, have to be properly consulted on.”
Aston Villa, Manchester City and Manchester United opposed the vote, with Chelsea abstaining.
We asked for your views on Saturday's match between Manchester United and Burnley.
Here are some of your answers:
United fans
Bob: Erik ten Hag has lost the plot. I've said it before and will say it again - he is a mediocre manager out of his depth. If it wasn’t for McTominay scoring a few crucial goals, Ten Hag would be gone. He has to go. I'm bored of listening to him once a week, goodness knows how the players put up with him.
Scott: Manchester United need a good clear out this summer of the players that are either past their best or just simply not good enough, after numerous years of waiting or chances - Rashford, Wan-Bissaka, Eriksen, Casemiro. Not to mention Onana, who has cost us far too many times this season. We will never get anywhere with him between the sticks!
Will: Little has changed since the early season Champions League games. While my instinct is to blame the manager, especially after another Onana error, the fact remains - something deeper is wrong at the club. Until that is fixed, the manager cannot be solely responsible. Moyes, Mourinho, Rangnick, Van Gaal, Solskjaer, Giggs, Carrick... let's give Ineos time.
Graham: Yet another scrappy display, without any real team structure. Yet another winning position lost through a dreadful header by Casemiro, and Onana then conceding a penalty. Are there any other teams who have lost as many matches from a winning position with just minutes on the clock? Extremely poor decision-making.
Burnley fans
Steven: Fantastic performance, nothing to be negative about there! One defeat in eight games, it's a shame there aren't 13 games left. Onto next Saturday, we can do this! Up the Clarets.
Mark: The team are really coming together well. It is a few games too late for us this season, but I like the way the team are playing. I want to keep Kompany for a while yet!
Jack: I've got to admit, Burnley gave max effort. They were a bit lucky at times and I had really hoped this could be the one to upset the applecart. Our run in is the hardest - sorry Natalie (Bromley - BBC Sport's Burnley Fan Writer), the great escape is not on.
Tony: A gutsy performance and a valuable point. It brings Nottingham Forest into play for the last game of the season. Don't write off the Clarets just yet!
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter Simon Stone has been answering your questions.
One fan asked what he made of Erik ten Hag's latest pronouncements on Manchester United versus Coventry City, picking fights with media and making claims on the entertainment his team provides?
Simon replied: Well, on the entertainment front, he’s not wrong is he? Manchester United are entertaining. But I am not sure conceding late goals and making games that seemed to be won full of jeopardy is the kind of entertainment their fans want.
On the ‘picking fights’ front, he is perfectly entitled to his view. He has to defend his position. I just feel on the Coventry game there was a difference of opinion. Ten Hag admitted United made mistakes – but they got through, which is the main thing. I, and colleagues in the media, felt being 3-0 up against a lower league side and only avoiding being knocked out by a marginal (correct) VAR offside decision was embarrassing for a club of that size.
It is clear Ten Hag is getting more forceful in his defence of performances and results. That is a sign of pressure. It is also a sign that a decision will soon be made on his future.
Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures.
If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.
And you can watch highlights of Sunday's games on Match of the Day 2 here
Listen back to Saturday's BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full:
Crystal Palace fear £55m-rated England defender Marc Guehi could leave this summer, with Manchester United and Arsenal interested in the 23-year-old. (Times - subscription required), external
Borussia Dortmund will try to turn winger Jadon Sancho's loan move from Manchester United into a permanent deal this summer. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Manchester United are considering the future of manager Erik ten Hag, which could help their cause in bringing Sancho back to the club. (Express), external
Arsenal and Liverpool are interested in Brighton's 20-year-old Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba. (Caught Offside), external
Everton may have to sell 21-year-old English defender Jarrad Branthwaite to comply with Financial Fair Play rules, opening the door for a move to Old Trafford. (Sun), external
Manchester United and Chelsea could be competing for Inter Milan's Netherlands defender Denzel Dumfries, 28. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external
Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesIt doesn't say much that eight-and-a-half months after he punched Wolves striker Sasa Kalajdzic in the face - and somehow got away with it - Andre Onana did virtually the same thing against Burnley.
Onana was responsible for Manchester United being in front, thanks to his two first-half saves to deny Lyle Walker.
So the fact that the Cameroon international cost his team a win is frustrating.
But, after improving so much since his return from the Africa Cup of Nations, Onana must take this significant negative out of his game.
It is as though when he sees the ball, he goes for it and either loses concentration or just misreads the situation.
This time, he did not get away with it. He was rightfully punished.
But Onana cannot afford it to happen again.
