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United’s Struggles Continue As Everton Reject Latest Offer

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It has been a strange old few years at Manchester United. There has been trouble on the pitch when it came to certain players, and plenty of upheaval off the pitch with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority investment giving him control over playing matters moving forward.

With the Ineos group now continuing to put their appointments in place, even manager Erik ten Hag’s position has long been under threat, and the 54 year old Dutch gaffer has had to deal with plenty of speculation about his replacement, and despite lifting the FA Cup over rivals Manchester City, he still had to wait a number of weeks before the Old Trafford outfit confirmed that they would be moving forward with him.

From the outside, it hardly seems like a match made in heaven, but a few days ago the club confirmed he would remain in place, and they have already optioned his 12 month extension, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2026 (unless the Red Devil’s change their mind again).

With the ink on that deal now dry, Ten Hag has finally met with the media to discuss the upcoming 2024/25 campaign and he has insisted that he is excited about the season that lies ahead, and despite the backroom structural changes that have taken place (with more expected) that he feels it can only help improve the club.

“We are so pleased that around the football, around the first team, we have a strong structure that will help us in many ways, like in scouting and recruitment and departments of medical and performance. They will be so supportive and that will raise the bar.”

Time will tell whether or not that proves to be true, but at the moment United fans may well be doubtful. Other clubs are making considerable moves and captures already this summer, whereas United are making little to no progress, and Ratcliffe’s own words have caused quite a few smiles and giggles amongst opposition fans as there is an undercurrent that ‘people’ will not let him do what he wants, at the price he wants – and somehow that is unfair?

That more than applies to their chase for England and Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, as the Goodison Park side have now reportedly rejected a second, and improved offer, of around £45 million for the 22 year old.

Ten Hag could have a mini defensive crisis if things do not change over the next few weeks. Negotiations over Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt are not progressing quickly, but Raphael Varane has already left the club and there seems to be no resolution yet as to whether veteran Jonny Evans will sign a new 12 month extension. Victor Lindelof’s future also remains in doubt, so it is set to be an interesting couple of months.

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