Manchester United FC

Garnancho with the goal of the season

While Freedman is thought to be admired by Sir Alex Ferguson, it is understood that Atalanta’s Lee Congerton, former AC Milan pair Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara, and Atletico Madrid’s Andrea Berta are also under consideration. (via @Matt_Law_DT, @Tom_Morgs)

Other than the pair’s relationship, Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman’s eye for a deal will have caught Ferguson’s attention, with Palace signing the likes of Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi and Michael Olise, as well as arranging the loan deal for Conor Gallagher. (@Matt_Law_DT, @Tom_Morgs)

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is expected to lean on Sir Alex Ferguson for advice and guidance over some matters. That could include helping to choose a new director of football with John Murtough’s position believed to be vulnerable. (via @Matt_Law_DT, @Tom_Morgs)

Jean Claude Blanc is set to become Manchester United's new CEO, once the purchase of Jim Ratcliffe's shares has been completed. United also want Paul Mitchell as Sporting director. He is ready to sign, but some details have yet to be finalized. United have also held discussions with Michael Edwards. [@Santi_J_FM] #MUFC

This is part of changes with INEOS set to complete the acquisition of a 25% stake in the club. Patrick Stewart will be the interim CEO, as @MarkKleinmanSky revealed.

Manchester United CEO Richard Arnold is to LEAVE the club by the end of the year! An announcement will be made later today and will come shortly before Sir Jim Ratcliffe confirms his acquisition of a 25% stake in United. #MUFC [@MarkKleinmanSky]

🚨 | Juventus has asked for informations on Jadon Sancho in recent days. He’s set to leave #mufc in January but Juventus are only interested in a loan deal plus part of his salary being covered by United. [@FabrizioRomano]

🚨 OFFICIAL ! Christian Eriksen is suffering from a knee injury that is expected to keep him out for around a month, while Rasmus Hojlund is suffering from a strain. The club hopes he will return before the end of November. #MUFC

Victor Lindelof is starting over Raphael Varane, making it the 3rd consecutive game the French defender has been dropped.

Wan-Bissaka is ill. #mufc [@SamuelLuckhurst]

Ten Hag: “Every time you have to swap your back four it’s difficult. A new keeper coming in and then every time you have to form a new back four. They know rules and the principles, but the routines are not the same, so the communication is so important in such moment. But it’s all split-second decisions, so you need that cooperation 100 per cent and when it doesn’t work, you concede goals on this level.” #MUFC

Ten Hag: “As I say, Harry Maguire is doing very well in this moment and I’m very happy with that. As I always said with Harry Maguire, he can do the job and now he is showing he is doing the job. Rapha Varane, I always played him, all the games when he was available, I played him because he was doing that well.” #MUFC

Ten Hag: “I think we have such characters who can do it [help inexperienced players], you mentioned Rapha, but I mentioned also Andre Onana, Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, Bruno of course. We have enough players who have the character and personality to step up, to step forward in such situations and lead the team.” #MUFC

Ten Hag: “I think we can step up but, also, the injuries don’t help us. Because, so often you have to swap, for instance, the back four. You don’t get the routines in. Especially in such a moment, it’s very important that you have the routines.” #MUFC

Ten Hag on if there is an issue with Raphael Varane beyond tactical decisions with his selections: “Absolutely not. As I said, it’s tactical reasons why I choose these partnerships. I think Harry [Maguire] and Jonny [Evans] did quite well.” #MUFC

Erik ten Hag on Varane and Maguire playing together: "There are moments in certain games where they can play together and they have already proven they can do it. But the build-up is not that fluid when one of them is playing from the left centre-back position." [@ChrisWheelerDM]

Erik ten Hag on Varane: ‘Harry didn’t play a lot last year, so I was very happy with Rapha’s performances. I have always been happy with his performance. But in this moment, Harry is playing very well and there is internal competition. I always said Harry Maguire can do the job — and now he is showing he can do the job." [@ChrisWheelerDM]

Varane is unhappy at the way his season has unravelled at Old Trafford with Jonny Evans being picked ahead of him three times in the last five games [@sbates_people]