Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that he will be without midfielder Marcel Sabitzer for tomorrow night’s Europa League clash with Real Betis at Old Trafford.
The Austrian, who joined United on loan from Bayern Munich for the remainder of the season on the final day of the January transfer window, has been ruled out, presumably through injury. Ten Hag refused to go into the exact details of why the midfielder will be unavailable for selection during his pre-match press conference on Wednesday lunchtime.
The tussle with Betis, nevertheless, will represent United’s first opportunity to make amends for Sunday’s heavy 7-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. The Reds were torn apart by their rivals in a rampant second half showing, conceding six times without reply.
United have been excellent at Old Trafford this season, winning 19 times on their own patch already, meaning they will be confident of getting back to winning ways against Betis. It will be a contest that marks the first ever competitive meeting between the two clubs.
Meanwhile, it has been reported elsewhere that Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is ‘confident’ that he will beat Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the race to complete a takeover of the club. Al Thani submitted an official proposal to buy United ahead of the ‘soft deadline’ set by the Raine Group almost three weeks ago.
TODAY’S BIG TALKING POINT: Do you think United can land Osimhen? Have your say here.
Look back on the day’s events, news, and rumours below.
Key Events
Isaac Johnson
That’s all
Take a look back over the day’s news, views and updates.
Isaac Johnson
Saha says Osimhen would thrive at United
Former United striker Louis Saha has backed Napoli attacker Victor Osimhen to hit the ground running if he moves to Old Trafford.
The Nigerian, who has 19 goals in Serie A this season, is on Erik ten Hag’s radar this summer.
Speaking to Betfred, Saha said:
“[Osimhen] is a very smart lad, technically gifted and has all the attributes to fit in well at Manchester United.
“He was well known for his work rate at Lille, so that proves he can fit well into the system that Erik ten Hag has implemented at the club.”
Read everything Saha said here >>>
Isaac Johnson
Real Betis boss: United thrashing was unbelievable
Real Betis manager and ex-Mancheester City boss Manuel Pellegrini admitted he njoyed seeing United succmb to Liverpool 7-0 at the weekend.
“Unbelievable. I was watching the first 45 minutes because after that we had to play against Real Madrid, so I couldn’t see when Liverpool scored the other six goals.
“But of course I understood immediately what would happen at Manchester United. [For] such a rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester [United], to [concede] so many goals will not be easy for them.
“But I’m a Manchester City fan also, so I was not very sad about what happened.”
Isaac Johnson
‘United is the obvious transfer for Kane’
Harry Kane’s former Tottenham teammate Danny Rose has told Sky Sports that United looks like the “ovious” destination for the England captain.
“I would not like to see him move abroad, that’s one thing for sure. I think it [Manchester United] is the obvious one because he can’t go to Chelsea, Manchester City are obviously set with who they’ve got.
“I can’t see Liverpool being one for him, so United is the only obvious one, off the top of my head. I guess that would be one for Harry to decide at the end of the season.’”
Isaac Johnson
Rashford on Fernandes
“I love playing with Bruno, as you can imagine. I think for a forward like me, he’s the perfect player to play with,” Rashford said. “He’s been a good leader for us, even when he’s not been captain, which is always a good sign.
“He’s helped other players become better leaders and the reality is that we can’t be a well-organised team with just one leader being captain. He’s done a lot for us in terms of bringing his leadership skills and that was from the moment he arrived.”
Read everything he said of Fernandes here >>>
Isaac Johnson
Update on Martial
Anthony Martial has missed 28 games this United season having picked up foive seperate injuries.
The attacker last played in January’s 2-1 win over Manchester City, having to come off at half-time.
However, Erik ten Hag gave some positive news regarding the Frenchman.
Read more here >>>
Isaac Johnson
Rashford hits back at critics
“We didn’t give up [vs Liverpool], that’s nonsense. We were unorganised, yeah, communication was bad, yeah, that’s why we conceded the goals.
“But it’s comes down to the fact that I believe everyone was trying to get back into the game that much, we came away from the team’s principles in and out of possession.
“I felt like the forwards were trying to press as just the forward unit, we weren’t connected with the midfield, then the same with the midfield and the defence.”
Read what he said in full here >>>
Isaac Johnson
Casemiro in training
There had been speculation that Casemiro had picked up a knock in United’s 7-0 loss to Liverpool on Sunday.
The Brazilian has been pivotal to United’s success this year but was oddly off-the-pace at Anfield.
However, he was spotted in training ahead of Real Betis tomorrow.
Read the full story here >>>
Isaac Johnson
United dealt Sabitzer blow
Marcel Sabitzer will play no part in tomorrow’s Europa League clash with Real Betis.
The Austrian came on in the second half of the 7-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday in what was his seventh appearance since joining on loan in January.
The Bayern Munich midfielder’s deal lasts until the end of the season.
Read more here >>>
Isaac Johnson
What Erik ten Hag told the media today
Erik ten Hag spoke to the press today ahead of United’s Europa League clash with Real Betis tomorrow.
The Dutchman is hoping his side can put in a renewed showing after the 7-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield.
He was joined by Marcus Rashford, who spoke about Bruno Fernandes and his belief in the side.
Read what both said here >>>
Isaac Johnson
United training squad ahead of Real Betis
Manchester United players took to the Carrington pitch this week ahead of their clash with Real Betis.
The squad is looking to right the wrongs of Anfield last weekend by putting in a showing against the side currently fifth in La Liga.
Find out who was involved here >>>
Isaac Johnson
Erik ten Hag makes decision on Fernandes captaincy
Erik ten Hag has revealed his stance on Bruno Fernandes keeping the captain’s armband going forward when Harry Maguire is benched.
The midfielder has been criticised for his attitude in Sunday’s 7-0 defeat to Liverpool, with some claiming it was negative.
Ten Hag has now commented on the player’s captaincy role going forward.
Read what he said here >>>
Dan Brown
Working hard at Carrington
Ready for Thursday #MUFC || #UEL pic.twitter.com/KTKKOxY6aO
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 8, 2023
Dan Brown
Dalot ‘close to new Man United contract’
United are in advanced talks over a new long-term deal for Diogo Dalot, according to reports.
Dalot, who is out of contract un 2024, has started 23 games for United this term. According to The Sun, he looks close to extending his stay at Old Trafford after proving himself as a key man under Erik ten Hag.
However, the report adds that Real Madrid and Barcelona are currently monitoring the player’s situation.
Dan Brown
Five things spotted in United training
United were hard at work on the training pitch at Carrington on Wednesday as they prepared to face Real Betis in the Europa League.
MEN Sport has picked out five things that we noticed during the session:
- Players united after Liverpool thrashing
- Ten Hag watches on
- Casemiro trains following injury scare
- Mainoo involved again
- McClaren prepares session
Click here to read the full story.
Dan Brown
United ‘trying to persuade’ Kamada to join them instead of Dortmund
— UtdPlug (@UtdPlug) March 8, 2023
Dan Brown
OPINION: United might need to change their right-back plan
Last week, Ten Hag admitted it was ‘very close’ between his two candidates for the right-back role, and the fact he chose Dalot for a cup final and a trip to Anfield confirmed he was leading the way. That pendulum surely must have swung back in the direction of Wan-Bissaka after such an abject performance from his rival, and perhaps this was Ten Hag’s plan all along. He deserves huge credit for bringing the best out of the former Crystal Palace man in 2023, but if he dropped Wan-Bissaka to prove to him how good he had to be to keep his place, then it has certainly backfired.
Click here to read the full story.
Dan Brown
Timber leaves door open for summer transfer
Ajax defender Jurrien Timber appears to have opened the door to a move to Old Trafford, less than a year after ruling out a transfer to United.
The Dutchman was linked with a move to the Reds in the summer, but it is thought that he was keen to remain in Amsterdam, despite former teammates Lisandro Martinez and Antony making the switch to United.
However, Timber has now admitted that he will look at his options at the end of the season.
“Transfer? You never know what crosses your path,” Timber said, per Ajax Life. “This summer I will look at my options and make a decision.
“I feel good at Ajax, that’s important for now. Last summer there was interest, but I chose to stay at Ajax.”
Dan Brown
Last time out in the Europa League!
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 24, 2023
Dan Brown
United training squad for Real Betis clash revealed
Erik ten Hag’s side will be looking to bounce back from their 7-0 thrashing by Liverpool with a much-improved performance against Real Betis in the Europa League on Thursday night.
The Reds held their open training session on Wednesday afternoon and hinted at fielding another strong side against Betis with the players who are available.
United training squad ahead of Betis:
De Gea, Butland, Heaton, Bishop; Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, Malacia, Martinez, Shaw, Varane, Wan-Bissaka, Williams; Casemiro, McTominay, Fred, Fernandes, Mainoo, Iqbal; Elanga, Garnacho, Pellistri, Antony, Sancho, Rashford, Weghorst, Martial.
Click here to read the full story.
George Smith
SURVEY: Have your say on United’s right-back situation
George Smith
The latest from Carrington
George Smith
Ten Hag eases Casemiro fears
United manager Erik ten Hag did not include Casemiro on his list of absentees for tomorrow night’s clash with Real Betis.
There had been growing reports that the Brazilian international would miss out because of a minor injury problem. However, Ten Hag did not namecheck the former Real Madrid man when issuing an injury update on Wednesday lunchtime in his pre-match press conference.
Click here for the latest team news.
KEY EVENT
Rashford hits back at United critics
United ace Marcus Rashford has said that it was “nonsense” to claim that he and his teammates had given up during the second half of Sunday’s battering to Liverpool.
United conceded six times in the second half at Anfield to lose 7-0 and record their heaviest defeat in almost a century. The Reds were accused of downing tools as the Liverpool goals flew in, though Rashford is adamant that was not the case.
Click here to see what he has had to say.
George Smith
Dortmund firm on Bellingham stance
According to a report by 90min, Borussia Dortmund will demand a ‘club-record sale’ to consider the idea of selling midfielder Jude Bellingham.
The England international is being linked with a plethora of big-name clubs ahead of the summer transfer window, including United, and is widely expected to leave the German giants.
However, it is claimed that Dortmund will demand more €144million to let him go, with Ousmane Dembele’s move to Barcelona in 2017 remaining their record sale.
Kyle Newbould
Marcel Sabitzer absent for Betis clash
Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Marcel Sabitzer will not be available for Thursday’s game against Real Betis.
United welcome the Spanish side to Old Trafford for the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie, having beaten Barcelona in the playoff round last month.
But speaking ahead of the game, Ten Hag confirmed he will be without Sabizter and long-term absentee Anthony Martial:
“We have a strong programme. But I think we are quite good. The only disappointment is Marcel Sabitzer is not available, as well as Anthony Martial.
“Anthony Martial is back on the pitch, so we will see. For the rest, everyone is available and we are ready for the game.”
Kyle Newbould
Ten Hag addresses Fernandes captaincy
Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Bruno Fernandes will keep his role as United captain, despite coming in for criticism for his second-half performance in the 7-0 thrashing at Anfield.
Fernandes appeared to lose control of his emotions as Liverpool ran riot on Sunday, pushing the linesman out of the way at one stage, holding his face after being pushed in the chest by Ibrahima Konate and giving up after failing to trip Stefan Bajcetic.
Gary Neville slammed Fernandes’ conduct as “embarrassing” and there have been calls to strip the captaincy from the Portuguese midfielder.
Read what Ten Hag said here >>>
George Smith
Ten Hag addresses lessons learned from Liverpool defeat
Speaking in his pre-match press conference this lunchtime, Erik ten Hag, reflecting on Sunday’s defeat to Liverpool, said:
“We have to set conclusions and we talked about [it]. We have seen the game, we have to reset and bounce back.”
Click here to read more.
George Smith
Ighalo advises Osimhen over transfer
Former United loanee Odion Ighalo believes Victor Osimhen would be a sensible signing for the Reds this forthcoming summer.
United are interested in bolstering their attacking ranks with the Napoli striker, who has netted 21 goals in 26 matches for the Italian outfit this season.
Ighalo has waxed lyrical about his fellow countryman, detailing why he has the potential to form a first-class partnership with Marcus Rashford.
Click here to read what Ighalo has had to say.
George Smith
Ten Hag press conference imminent
