Number 26 Nottingham Forest

editorial

Christmas has come early for United

Christmas came early for United this week as we finally got a good cup draw, bagging a home tie with Charlton in the Carabao Cup quarter final. There is surely a good chance of getting to the final now – especially if City can be avoided in the semi – and the real prospect of the first silverware in what will, by then, be nearly six years.

The trophy drought is the second longest in the club’s post-war history and could become the longest if no silverware is acquired this time. The gap between the European Cup win in 1968 and the Division Two title in 1975 is the current longest.

One player who could help drive United to a big win is Marcus Rashford, who is bang on form at the moment. But is he worth the reported £400,000 a week that reports claim is on the table for a new contract? Red Billy, albeit half-heartedly, argues in Devils’ Advocate that he could be, while Derick Kinoti is not convinced.

Likewise the season’s breakthrough star, Alejandro Garnacho, could be key to expanding the trophy cabinet. Both Erik ten Hag and Bruno Fernandes have gone public about certain attitude problems earlier this season and Zoe Hodges asks whether this tough love was fair and examines the effects it had on the young Spaniard.

If United are to win cups this year, a new forward will almost certainly be required in the January window and it is looking more and more like it’s going to be Cody Gakpo. Also in this issue, Ayantan Chowdhury takes a look at the Dutch star and explains why he is probably the perfect fit for Ten Hag ball.

Trophies and titles aren’t just won by the superstars, though. Success depends on squad depth and one area in which United were thought to be weak was right back. But against Burnley, Aaron Wan-Bissaka was outstanding, leading Darragh Fox to debate whether he can still turn it around at Old Trafford and convince Erik ten Hag that he is actually much stronger in that part of the pitch than he realised.

We hope this issue helps to make your Christmas a happy one!

Latest united news

The top news stories about United this week, handpicked for you. Clicking on any headline will open the full story from The Peoples Person in a new window. See the dedicated transfers page for more transfer news.

Liverpool have €100m bid rejected for United target Enzo Fernandez

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Ten Hag says Ajax had known for 6 months Antony was leaving

Ronaldo set to sign for Al-Nassr

wan-bissaka: too little, too late?

Could the 25 year old still salvage his United career?

Perhaps no other area of the pitch represents the dramatic transformation that has occurred at Old Trafford over the last six months more than right-back. Manchester United have seen important new building blocks secured at considerable expense in an effort to help Erik Ten Hag’s stewardship succeed where his predecessors have failed. Lisandro Martinez has effectively displaced Harry Maguire in the centre of defence, Casemiro and Eriksen have relegated the McFred double pivot to the bench it always belonged on, while Antony is offering tantalising hints of exciting Brazilian flair. Yet it is the ascension of Diogo Dalot, and the converse experience of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, which offers the clearest example of the philosophy Ten Hag has sought to implement.

Signed for £50 million in the first summer of Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s tenure, Wan-Bissaka appeared to be the latest talent England had produced at right-back, following impressive performances for Crystal Palace. Nicknamed ‘the Spider’ by team mates, such was the gangly nature of his long limbs, the young defender would impress in his first year at Old Trafford, playing 46 times. This would be bettered the next season with 54 appearances. It contrasted the experiences of a frustrated Dalot who would leave for Milan on loan in an effort to get more game time, given Solskjær’s overwhelming preference for Wan-Bissaka.

Yet question marks remained over Wan-Bissaka’s abilities going forward. His first touch and general retention abilities in possession were obvious weaknesses in comparison to his technically gifted compatriots – Alexander-Arnold, James, Walker to name a few. Solskjær’s philosophy of reactive counter-attacking did not demand these abilities from his fullback however. In an elementary style of football, Wan-Bissaka’s weaknesses were masked.

But the mask would slip the following season, as the team monumentally capitulated and Solskjær paid the price with his job. His interim replacement, Ralf Rangnick, would do no better as United suffered their worst points total in Premier League history. Dalot and Wan-Bissaka shared comparable contributions in the ignominy; Dalot with 30 appearances and Wan-Bissaka 26. Neither option impressed but the general feeling was that Dalot would be shown the door and Wan-Bissaka given a fresh start under a new manager.

Erik Ten Hag did not take into account general feeling. He very quickly identified which player would be the right-back to help him implement his distinct playing style at Old Trafford; a style that demands certain technical and tactical abilities from the fullback. Dalot played well over twice as many minutes as Wan-Bissaka in preseason and has maintained the starting berth ever since. The philosophy now present at Old Trafford is a more proactive and attacking one than the previous incarnation under Solskjær, and thus the attributes that particular player possess now hold differing values. Ten Hag has evidently placed technical ability and ball retention as the deciding factor in the battle between the two; areas we know Wan-Bissaka struggles with.

This struggle has resulted in Wan-Bissaka playing 4 total minutes in the league this season while Dalot clocks in at 1166. Such has been the Portuguese fullback’s form that he earned a call-up to Portugal’s World Cup squad, eventually winning the starting position over João Cancelo. It is a meteoric rise that Ten Hag must be credited with as much as Dalot himself.

This World Cup experience is, however, what makes last night’s comfortable win over Burnley so interesting. Dalot sustained a hamstring injury in Portugal’s exit to Morocco and there has been no definitive update on his return. Wan-Bissaka benefitted from Dalot’s absence with his first start of the season, playing well and even contributing a well-worked assist for United’s opener. While at times still awkward in possession, Wan-Bissaka looked much more confident and assertive when receiving and releasing the ball. Ten Hag was certainly pleased with the performance, detailing how ‘happy’ he was with the display in a post-match interview:

‘When you get an assist, especially the way he got that assist with his movement and the right moment, the timing and then great pass of course from Bruno [Fernandes]. But this is great and so I’m happy with his performance. He did good.’

It is an encouraging performance at a crucial moment in Wan-Bissaka’s Old Trafford career. It has been widely reported that Ten Hag is seeking reinforcements at right-back in the January transfer window with Wan-Bissaka seemingly heading in the other direction. If the Englishman can build on last night’s performance over the Christmas period, as the games come thick and fast, he may reverse these intentions. Given the importance of particular technical attributes within Ten Hag’s system however, Wan-Bissaka will have to continue to demonstrate improvements that allow the Dutch manager’s philosophy to continue to flourish in Dalot’s stead. His long-term future at the club will depend on it.

Darragh Fox

Meet the opposition: Nottingham Forest

Forest may be in the relegation zone but they have beaten Liverpool and Spurs this season

Squad page - opponents' official site (opens in new tab)

Head-to-head record with United (opens in new tab)

match preview

All the latest information about the upcoming game.

Team News and Predicted XI

Erik ten Hag could just have one fit senior centre back available for th match against relegation-threatened Forest on Tuesday.

Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane took part in the World Cup final and so have had extra time off after the tournament. Harry Maguire was ill for Wednesday’s EFL Cup tie with Burnley and it is not known at this stage whether he will recover in time. This leaves Victor Lindelof looking for a partner.

It could be Casemiro, who played alongside thee Swede to great effect against Burnley. However, Scott McTominay was disappointing in midfield and against Premier League opposition, Ten Hag might feel the Brazilian’s presence is necessary in the centre of the park, in which case the roles could be reversed, with the Scotsman at centre back.

Other options are the excellent academy star Rhys Bennett, who is training with the first team, the returning Axel Tuanzebe, or Luke Shaw could be used there with Tyrell Malacia holding the fort at left back. If it is any other option than Casemiro, we expect him to move into the midfield at McTominay’s expense.

Elsewhere Aaron Wan-Bissaka is expected to keep his place at right back if Diogo Dalot has not recovered from the hamstring pull sustained at the World Cup.

Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are likely to keep their places, with Antony probably replacing Alejandro Garnacho – with Rashford switching to the left.

David de Gea will, of course, return in goal after Martin Dubravka’s shaky outing in midweek.

Video: Manager's Press conference (when available) (opens beanyman sports in new tab)

Report: MANAGER'S PRESS CONFERENCE (when available) (opens THEPEOPLESPERSON.COM in new tab)

Match officials

Referee: Anthony Taylor.

Assistants: Scott Ledger, Derek Eaton.

Fourth official: Jeremy Simpson.

VAR: Andy Madley. Assistant VAR: Nick Greenhalgh.

Gakpo: the perfect fit

United were close to sealing a deal for the Dutch international in January

This article was written before Liverpool beat United to a deal for Gakpo. As soon as Erik ten Hag was appointed Manchester United manager, he prioritised improving a leaky defence and a weak and brittle midfield.

And the signings of Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen have certainly addressed those issues with the Red Devils just three points off fourth place with a game in hand.

The main thing holding the side back at the moment is their lack of goals. The team are currently the second-lowest scorers in the top half of the Premier League.

Gakpo the ideal Ten Hag player

And following the acrimonious departure of last season’s top goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo, the need to sign an elite forward is the main agenda ahead of the January transfer window.

Of the innumerable names linked with a move to Old Trafford, Cody Gakpo‘s name has been constant since the summer.

The Netherlands international’s brilliant performance last season prompted Ten Hag to ask United to enquire about the versatile forward.

The 23-year-old scored 21 times and registered 15 assists in 47 games across all competitions last season. And he is on course to surpass his tally this season.

What has been most impressive about the PSV Eindhoven star is the fact that he was close to a move in the summer but United ended up prioritising a deal for Antony which meant a deal never materialised.
Will his valuation end up deterring United?

But he never let his head drop and has already notched 13 goals and 17 assists in only 24 games so far this season. He was also the top scorer for the Dutch with three strikes in the World Cup. And Ten Hag has mentioned the importance of character and mentality while moving for a player and Gakpo’s characteristics make him the ideal Ten Hag player.

His versatility is another factor that works for him. Predominantly a left winger, he equally excels when played up front on his own as seen during the World Cup.

The only thing holding back United at the moment is his soaring valuation to €50million after PSV decided to increase it following his Qatar heroics.

Ayantan Chowdhury

transfer rumours

What’s hot, what’s real and what’s not

In this section we look at some of the most active transfer stories of the week about United, both comings and goings. We give each story a fire rating (how hot the story is, out of five) and a star rating (how reliable the story is, out of five).

our top transfer tip

🔥🔥🔥🔥

Rated 4.5 out of 5

Cody Gakpo (PSV)

So much for that, then. He is joining Liverpool. To be fair to us, nobody else saw it coming either.

🔥🔥🔥

Rated 3 out of 5

Youssoufa Moukoko (Borussia Dortmund)

This one has cooled off in the last week or so, but still remains an intriguing possibility. The just-turned-18-year-old’s contract at Dortmund expires in June and his agent has said they are not close to agreeing a new deal.

As for how serious United’s interest is, this is more speculative. Stories linking Liverpool, Barcelona and Chelsea are also circulating. The “new Haaland” could be available for peanuts and a striker is needed, so it seems logical.

🔥🔥🔥

Rated 2.5 out of 5

gonçalo Ramos (Benfica)

United have been monitoring Ramos for some time and his World Cup hat trick against Switzerland caught everyone’s attention. However, Benfica president Rui Costa insists no player will be sold in the January window unless their release clause is met, which in Ramos’s case is €120 million. This one, therefore, looks more likely to happen in the summer.

🔥🔥

Rated 1.5 out of 5

Denzel Dumfries (Inter milan)

Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s fine performance against Burnley could have been enough to push a right back down Ten Hag’s list of priorities. It seems true that he is a fan of his countryman and that he wants a viable backup to Diogo Dalot at right back. Inter want to sell because they need the money and they consider him a €50m+ asset who is dispensable. with United needing a striker, that kind of investment on a backup defender this winter would be unthinkable.

🔥🔥

Rated 3 out of 5

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (to West Ham or Wolves)

If the Burnley performance has not changed Ten Hag’s mind about keeping the spider at Old Trafford, it is looking like a three-way fight to take him on loan this January with an option to buy. His former club Crystal Palace have shown a long term interest but the latest buzz seems to be coming from Wolves and West Ham.

🔥🔥🔥

Rated 3 out of 5

João Felix (Atletico Madrid)

This is an interesting rumour if you believe that United really did put a €130m bid in for Felix in the summer. if they did, then perhaps they will be back in for him now that Atleti have basically put him up for sale. However, was that €130m lodged before they paid €100m for Antony (i.e. is it still available, especially with the club being put up for sale?) And can he operate as a striker, which is now the priority position? And would he even come to United, with reports claiming it’s PSG he wants?

Photo of the week: belt and braces

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The devil's advocate

“United are right to be offering Marcus Rashford a £400,000 per week contract”

The case for ...

It’s hard to argue for Rashford getting £400,000 a week (as claimed in the press this week, although refuted by Rashford himself). But I never back down on the challenge of having a good debate, so I’m going to have to use some simple Glazernomics.

United have (or are about to) trigger his contract extension. That buys them a year, but they know that clubs know he will be available for free in 12 more months. So his price would have to be reduced to avoid a repeat of the Pogba debacle.

Let’s say Rashy is worth £80 million. With one year left on his contract, no-one is going to pay that. So United could end up getting around half that amount. Now compare that loss of value against the extra wages he’s demanding to stay at United. He’s currently on £225,000 per week, so that’s an extra £175,000 a week he’d be getting on the new deal. That’s an extra £9.1 million a year. So if paying him an extra £9.1m a year protects around £40 million in potentially lost transfer fees, and United get to keep their player, then it’s a no brainer, isn’t it?

I think that’s how United’s powers-that-be look at this sort of issue. The problem comes that if Rashford is on £400,000 a week, then everyone else in the squad will be looking to get close to that figure as well and all of a sudden they’ll have a big problem on their hands.

But if you’re considering just Rashford in isolation, there is a logic to paying him that kind of money to get him to sign away another 4 years of his life to United.

Then there is, I suppose, the argument that the player is actually worth that amount. That is still possible. His best years are still ahead of him – he’s only recently turned 25 – and he can still improve. The talent has always been there but it’s always been the decision making, consistency and focus that has been lacking. Those are things that can come with maturity.

If Erik ten Hag can find a way to get good Marcus all the time – or even 75% of the time, and keep bad Marcus down to 25% or less, what a player United would have. Arguably, that player really would be worth £400,000 a week of anyone’s money.

Red Billy

The case against...

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has made no secret of his intention to keep Marcus Rashford at Old Trafford beyond when his contract expires. Recently, alongside other stars, United triggered the one-year extension clause on Rashford’s current deal to give themselves more time to arrive at an agreement over fresh terms that will secure his future at the Theatre of Dreams. It’s easy to see why Ten Hag is hell-bent on retaining the Englishman’s services. Since the former Ajax coach’s arrival, Rashford took to his methods like a duck to water and has benefitted from them immensely. He has cemented his place in the team and in Ten Hag’s thinking. Against Burnley in the Carabao cup, Rashford treated us to what he can do. The 25-year-old played all three positions across the forward line and excelled in each role. He capped off a fine showing with a goal laced with a piece of magic that will undoubtedly bode well for his confidence going forward.

However, despite these milestones, I don’t think that Ten Hag and certainly United should be held to ransom by Rashford’s contractual situation. This comes on the back of a report which stated that club bosses are ready to smash the wage structure and make the winger the highest earner at the club on an astonishing £400,000-a-week. This would represent a significant raise from his current £225,000-a-week. I understand United’s desperation and why they would resort to such extreme measures to protect a treasured asset. Rashford is one of the best products to come out of the academy in recent years and there’s growing interest in him around Europe, with clubs like Real Madrid and Paris St-Germain eyeing him up. Compound this with Ten Hag’s repeated public declarations that he wants Rashford to be the face of his rebuild and club chiefs seem to almost have their hands tied.

We can all however agree that while Rashford is showing gradual signs of improvement, he’s still not at the level of such figures, that would place him on parity with Kevin de Bruyne as the Premier League’s highest-paid player. He would also be on significantly more money than Erling Haaland and Mohammed Salah just to mention a few more. Ask yourself, is this right or rather, is it warranted? Has Rashford shown enough yet to merit such wages? The truth is he hasn’t and United must not be pulled into repeating past mistakes of rewarding undeserving players with mega contracts only to be saddled with them months later when they’re finished and unable to move them on. The history of United is rife with such instances – Alexis Sanchez and Phil Jones are typical examples. Many others have been awarded fat contracts only for their performance levels to take a nosedive almost immediately. Rashford is deserving of a new deal, we can all agree to that, but by no means should it be a ridiculous one that trumps logic and reason.

Derick Kinoti

newton heath

Classic United matches from yesteryear

6th February 1999: Forest 1-8 United

As Manchester United fans paid remembrance to their fallen heroes of the Munich air disaster, 41 years ago to the day, Alex Ferguson’s men lined up in their white change strip at Nottingham’s City Ground, as strong as ever, in a season that is etched into the memories of everyone associated with this famous old club.

United were sitting atop the Premiership table, well on their way to a fifth title in seven years under Ferguson, and having only suffered five league defeats in the last calendar year, it was said that teams facing this devastating side were beaten before they even stepped on the pitch. Forest were about to find out.

Under the leadership of the man whom Ferguson succeeded at Old Trafford, Ron Atkinson, Forest were rooted to the foot of the table for almost the entire season, finishing with a lowly 30 points to United’s title winning 79. And the Red Devils were about to compound that poor form, inflicting the heaviest defeat of the season on Atkinson’s men, while United helped themselves to their biggest.

United’s Trinidadian striker, Dwight Yorke, who finished the season as the leagues joint top scorer with 18 goals, open the visitors account as early as the 2nd minute, with a neat side foot finish after an early ball delivered into the box by Paul Scholes. And despite Forest’s full-back Alan Rogers sliding the ball past Peter Schmeichel to equalise just 4 minutes later after a marauding run down the left, that would practically be the Dane’s only involvement in a thoroughly one-sided match.

And it was United’s other deadly marksman, Andy Cole, who bagged himself just one less than Yorke for the season, finishing on 17 goals, who popped up just a minute later. 7 minutes played, and it was 2-1 to Fergie’s side as Cole latched onto a long ball out of defence from big Dutchman Jaap Stam, before rounding Forest’s veteran keeper Beasant, and slotting home. Forest made it to half-time, still in the game and with the score-line still respectable, but United were about to put in a second half masterclass and reveal a depth of squad that no other team could compete with.

Cole and Yorke would both add another goal after the break, securing a brace each with similar tap-ins, making the scoreline 4-1 just after the hour mark. But on 72 minutes, when Ferguson decided to rest Yorke and introduce Ole Gunnar Solskjær, the baby-faced assassin’s reputation as a super sub was about to be set in stone. And devastatingly so.

Just minutes after his introduction, Solskjær met Gary Neville’s cross at the back post, and doubled his own tally soon after, taking full advantage of the keepers clumsy control on the edge of his area, firing the ball home past two Forest defenders. As the match headed into injury time, the away side leading 6-1, the commentator wasn’t wrong when he said “he usually scores when he comes on, the young Norwegian”.

Not only did Solskjær secure an incredible 18 minute, substitute’s hat-trick, scoring again on 90, but the young striker added an unbelievable fourth, making the scoreline 8-1 to United on the day. “Big Ron” would watch his side go down, and never managed again after his brief stint at Forest, while Ferguson’s side would go on to be the league champions and lift the FA cup to secure yet another double.

The 1998/99 season culminated in the club, and Solskjær’s biggest moment, conquering Europe again with a Champions League victory over Bayern Munich in Barcelona. “And Solskjær has won it” will forever ring in the ears of the United faithful.

Line up: Peter Schmeichel, Gary Neville, Ronny Johnsen, Jaap Stam, Phillip Neville, David Beckham, Roy Keane (John Curtis), Paul Scholes, Jesper Blomqvist (Nicky Butt), Dwight Yorke (Ole Gunnar Solskjær), Andy Cole.

Paul Speller

eckers

Is United’s very soul up for sale?

No sooner had corks been popped following the news that the Glazers might finally be selling United than thoughts turned towards potential new owners. While it’s a relief to finally be shedding the weasels who have syphoned over a billion pounds out of the club since 2005, the promise of a new era also brings with it no small amount of anxiety. It begs the question that Red Billy wrestled with recently in the Burnley mag, what will the average fan stomach for the promise of success?

The latest rumours seem to have downplayed interest from American investors in favour of the riches of the Middle East. It seems all too relevant that our proud old club, formed by local working class railway workers, should reportedly be a target for a distant oil state. Coming at the same time as the most controversial World Cup in recent memory, this seems to be yet another depressing reminder that every aspect of the game is for sale.

It might sound simplistic but opinions on possible new owners seems to split along lines of age, distance from Old Trafford and desperation for success. For some, all that matters is the club they chose to support regaining its place at the top of the game. Having stomached 10 years of relative irrelevance there’s limited patience left for gradual transition. All that counts is the depth of the new regime’s pockets, the chance of a new and improved Old Trafford and, most importantly, a bigger transfer kitty.

For others, United’s very soul is at stake. As much as the club desperately needs major investment in most areas, the prospect of being used as a tool for sportswashing is enough to consider breaking ties for good. Some might try to rediscover the lost magic in the lower leagues, while others could just give up the whole tainted spectacle.

Therefore, in much the same way as the Glazers’ arrival divided the fanbase and saw hardcore Reds leaving in droves, it now seems likely that their departure will have similar consequences. For all their talk about doing what’s in the best interests of the club, it’s impossible to see our reviled custodians playing against type and doing anything other than selling to the highest bidder. Fans – once more – be damned. They’ll go where the money is.

Considering the levels of finance needed to buy United, commit to major transfer funds AND find around a billion pounds for stadium and training ground redevelopment, we’re surely looking at a small pool of buyers. It could represent a level of investment that rules out the likes of fans’ favourite Sir Jim Ratcliffe. It almost definitely reduces the field to an American consortium or investors from the likes of Saudi Arabia or Qatar.

The likes of Amazon and Apple have been mentioned but seem more like wish fulfilment for fans who won’t countenance dirty money from a despotic regime and/or like the thought of a banging logo on our shirts. If anything, Amazon seem likelier to keep buying into broadcast rights for the whole PL rather than throwing their weight behind one club. Additionally, this is where the discourse often descends into moral whataboutery. Yes, Amazon has been accused of unpleasant working conditions. No, they haven’t dismembered a journalist recently. Where’s your line?

For the zen Red who separates the art from the artist and enjoys the football without concern for off-field matters, none of this will really change much. It takes skills honed over many years to be able to wearily accept the state of things, to shrug and then carry on. In fact it might be the most rational response.

Ultimately, many fans have already spent the last 17 years double-thinking about our beloved institution, so continuing with the same split identity in the years ahead won’t move the needle much. So yes, while we’ve spent years mocking hollow, irrelevant city, the toy hanging out of a petrostate’s pocket, some fans will happily trade our moral high ground for the reality that we need big money, whatever it takes.

Even though that’s not really true. United don’t need a sugar daddy or state funding to challenge again. All they really need is someone competent who reduces the debt burden and lets the club spend what they earn. Someone with a long-term vision who can implement a structure and sit in the background while the football people call the shots. The current owners haven’t failed because they wouldn’t sign players – they’ve failed because, after almost two decades ‘trying’, they and their cohorts still can’t run a football club.

Ultimately everyone has a moral boundary. The next few months might push a few Reds closer to the outer limits of what they can tolerate. Whatever happens, we’ll always have that night in late November when it became clear that the Glazers were open to selling up. For now, that might have to be enough.

Scott Eckersley

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