Everton's downward spiral may have damaged their reputation for attracting the world's biggest talents, but it hasn't prevented them from unearthing stars from their academy.

Throughout their history, the Toffees have established a clear philosophy of developing youthful talent and giving them an opportunity to shine in the first team.

Wayne Rooney is undoubtedly the most talented player ever to graduate through their academy, making his league debut at the age of 16 before going on to become one of the best Premier League players of all time.

While it would be near impossible for any player to replicate the unparalleled impact he made for Manchester United and England, there was one academy graduate who was expected to challenge the legacy that the forward foraged.

Ross Barkley was once heralded as the 'next Rooney' by former teammate Leighton Baines, but would ultimately crumble under that hefty weight of expectation.

How did Ross Barkley perform for Everton?

When Barkley made his first-team debut as a 17-year-old in August 2011 against Queens Park Rangers, plaudits streamed in for the youngster across that season having showcased his swashbuckling style that caused bums to rise off seats.

Everton icon Tim Cahill said: “He is the most talented footballer I have worked with,” while former Arsenal defender and current pundit Martin Keown said: “Barkley will be one of the best players we will ever see in this country.”

Some high praise for someone who had only just turned 18 in that season and had only made six senior appearances for the club in the top flight.

The campaigns that followed, however, would soon see the free-roaming attacking midfielder showcase his ability to ghost past defenders with his speed, technique and forward-thinking which made him a nightmare to defend against.

Showing glimpses of his talent across his first few years in the first team, it was in the 2015/16 campaign – and his productive partnership with Romelu Lukaku – that would see the talented youngster explode into life.

Everton may have finished in a disappointing 11th place in the top flight, however, Barkley returned eight goals and supplied eight assists in the Premier League, while Lukaku scored 25 goals.

Unfortunately, after one more season at the club in which he produced 14 goal contributions in 36 appearances, he would depart Goodison Park in January 2018 and that would ultimately spark the beginning of his downward spiral.

How much did Everton sell Ross Barkley for?

Despite selling Barkley to Chelsea for £15m and making a colossal profit on their academy asset, the club could have cashed in a couple of years earlier for a significantly higher fee and that is a bitter pill to swallow.

In December 2013, Everton's manager at the time, Roberto Martinez, insisted he wasn't for sale, not even for a world record transfer fee, as per the Mirror.

He said: “Even if we got a Gareth Bale-size valuation we would never even consider it in January.”

Although it seems ludicrous to imagine Barkley leaving for a world-record transfer fee now given how his career has taken a rapid decline, the fact he was valued so highly by Everton in 2013 emphasises just how truly talented he was.

But having been captured by Antonio Conte, with the Englishman describing the move as "unbelievable", his career would, unfortunately, unravel into a nightmare at Chelsea – something which pundit Graeme Souness had foreshadowed after stating that the midfielder "didn't have a brain".

Branded as a 'flop' by several media outlets, including the Mirror, Barkley would only go on to score 12 goals in 100 appearances for the Blues in four and a half years.

He was subsequently released by mutual consent in August 2022, departing for OGC Nice on a free transfer before joining Premier League newcomers Luton Town this summer.

As is so often the way, Barkley is just one of many young English talents who sadly fell victim to media hype.

Newcastle United went into the International break off the back of two disappointing defeats on the trot, losing 2-0 to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League was a knock to morale but losing by the same scoreline to AFC Bournemouth directly after in the Premier League started to really sound the alarm bells at St James' Park.

The Magpies have fallen victim to their congested fixture schedule, Eddie Howe having to field 17-year-old Lewis Miley in central midfield versus the Cherries as a direct consequence with an overwhelming lethargy present in his faltering group currently.

Howe will pray that signings are forthcoming through the door this upcoming January transfer window to help his team, bolstering his depleted squad with positive reinforcements to hopefully manage the next compact slog of fixtures better.

One incoming into the building could potentially be Genoa centre-back Radu Drăgușin, the Romanian defender a wanted man at this moment in time with the Serie A club attempting everything in their power to keep the 21-year-old in Italy past January.

Newcastle transfers latest

Available for just £26m according to Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb, Genoa's star defender in Drăgușin is attracting interest from a whole host of suitors in the Premier League alongside the Magpies – Tottenham and Newcastle, alongside Brighton, potentially butting heads to see who comes out on top in pursuing the 21-year-old.

Newcastle's concrete interest in the young defender could be hampered by football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reporting on social media that Genoa are close to tieing their impressive number five down to a new long-term contract at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris regardless of transfer rumours floating about.

Yet, with interest nearer to home coming in the form of Roma according to CalcioMercato, it'll be intriguing to see whether or not Drăgușin stays put at Genoa and accepts a new deal or ups and leaves to join a new club.

Howe will hope the promising Romanian defender is tempted by a move to the Magpies, Drăgușin key for his current Serie A employers this season and would be a sterling addition to the Newcastle backline.

Drăgușin's style of play

If the 6 foot 3 defender does end up relocating to Tyneside this January from Genoa, he would more than likely displace Jamaal Lascelles in the Magpies' first-team – Drăgușin a far more forward-thinking option at the back compared to Lascelles, offering Howe's men something different and fresh in the process.

Over the last year playing in Serie A, the 21-year-old centre-back has received 0.58 progressive passes per 90 minutes according to FBRef. In contrast, Newcastle's number six has received an inferior 0.22 progressive passes over the same time span, indicating the former enjoys playing in possession more.

Drăgușin's ability to help out his Genoa teammates going forward was clear in their last Serie A match, the lofty defender scoring the only goal of the contest with Genoa beating Hellas Verona in an tight contest 1-0 – a "spectacular" volley hit with some venom by the centre-back breaking the deadlock.

The 21-year-old was also prepared to do the dirty work to help his team secure the three points in league action, clearing the ball away from danger nine times in the contest as per Sofascore to clinch a clean sheet for his side. That certainly backs up the praise from scout Jacek Kulig who has hailed his "dominant & complete" qualities in the past.

In stark contrast, Lascelles underwhelmed versus Bournemouth – only winning one of his three attempted ground duels as per Sofascore, Dominic Solanke benefitting from lax Magpies defending to score twice in a straightforward victory for the Cherries on the night.

With Dan Burn also sidelined through injury, another potential centre-back option absent for Howe to pick from, signing Drăgușin could be a masterstroke this January if pulled off.

If the Magpies were successful, an ageing Lascelles would have to make way for the young Romanian star to blossom at St James' Park.

Jude Bellingham has, according to Carlo Ancelotti, learned quickly at Real Madrid that he needs to “keep his mouth shut”.

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England star shining at Santiago BernabeuHas served avoidable ban this seasonManaging work load with club & countryWHAT HAPPENED?

The England international has been a revelation at Santiago Bernabeu during his debut campaign with Los Blancos. He has become the first player in La Liga this season to reach 20 goals and 10 assists, with his value to the collective cause clear for all to see.

AdvertisementWHAT ANCELOTTI SAID ABOUT BELLINGHAM

Bellingham has, however, served a ban after picking up an avoidable red card against Valencia in early March for aiming a volley of foul-mouthed abuse at the match officials after he saw a late goal ruled out. The 20-year-old midfielder is now aware of the need to bite his lip, with head coach Ancelotti looking to hammer that point home. The Italian tactician has said of Bellingham’s relationship with referees in Spain: “I don’t know what Bellingham thinks about it, he’s learned very quickly what he has to do and that’s to keep his mouth shut.”

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Bellingham was not on target in Real’s 2-0 victory over Athletic Club, with Ancelotti claiming that the all-action playmaker is still learning how to manage the demands of being a talismanic presence for club and country. He added: “Bellingham was not as fresh today as he usually is. He played two very intense games for England and he paid for it a little bit today. When I speak about intensity it’s because it was lacking a little bit today, like with Bellingham and [Fede] Valverde. Everyone has to be at their best level to beat City. Bellingham has played very well for the national team and that work today will help him in the coming games.”

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WHAT NEXT FOR BELLINGHAM?

Real will not be back in action until April 9, when they play host to Premier League title-holders Manchester City in the first leg of a heavyweight Champions League quarter-final. Another break from domestic duty arrives with an eight-point lead opened up at the top of La Liga.

Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has become embroiled in gambling controversy this month. After a string of betting breaches during his time at former club, AC Milan, the Italian was banned for up to ten months – leaving his fledgling Magpies career in free fall.

However, while the 23-year-old – who joined in the summer on a five-year contract until 2028 for a whopping £55 million – looks ahead to time on the sidelines, one academy youngster may have the chance to embark on further progress since his own arrival at the club on Deadline Day.

Travis Hernes – the latest name amidst Newcastle's youth influx

Within an era of new Saudi ownership, it'd be easy for Newcastle to simply cherry-pick the best Europe has to offer and try to fast-track their space with football's elite. However, although a slither of that could be said for Tonali's high-profile move (which saw him become the most expensive Italian transfer ever), a lot of Eddie Howe's dealings have been made with the long-term future firmly in mind.

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Take the loan of Chelsea's Lewis Hall – his is a move that reflects a young peripheral Blues player moving with an option to buy to the club he's actually supported since childhood. There's a slick planning there.

Factor in Australian wonderkid Garang Kuol and Gambian high-flyer Yankuba Minteh – two players that are bearing fruit on loans at Volendam and Feyenoord, respectively – and there's some serious talent in the pipeline.

Another name perhaps lost in the cluster of youngsters flying through the St James' Park doors, is Travis Hernes.

At just 17 years old, this midfielder of mixed Norwegian-English origins could have national teams fighting for his allegiance after making the impressive jump from League One Shrewsbury Town to Premier League Newcastle's youth side this September.

Hernes ready to build off Football League foundations

For Norwegian-born Hernes, this recent ascent has been emphatic, yet the youngster looks to constantly improve rather than be a mere flash in the pan.

At Shrewsbury, Hernes only featured in six senior games before attracting higher-level suitors. Three of those came in the EFL Trophy where the youngster even got on the scoresheet. These efforts, as well as an EFL Cup appearance, found him entrusted with two brief League One opportunities at the start of 2023/24 – against Stevenage and Cheltenham.

Although there isn't much in the way of recorded statistics for the young man who arrived in England at age 13, Chronicle Live's report provides a great qualitative profile on the midfielder. Football writer Chris Knight spoke to Shrewsbury's academy manager Charlie Musselwhite:

"He's a very polite, grounded boy. He's someone who I'd say is very relaxed, at times reserved, but I wouldn't say shy. He's just a fairly laidback character. That being said, when it comes to work and football, he is very serious. Throughout his time last year when he turned full-time scholar, he was very hard-working whether that was in training sessions or doing extras."

Since moving to Tyneside, Hernes has also attracted praise from his new manager, U19 coach Ben Dawson. The future could be bright for the Norwegian if he keeps progressing in the same vein as he has done in tricky fixtures against AC Milan's youth for example:

“He’s been terrific. It’s all very new for him still. He’s still quite green after making that jump. He played in the Premier League Cup against Huddersfield and did really well. Totally different experience today. He’s going to take some time to settle in, but he's a player we really like, and we think he’s got plenty of potential."

With one goal under his belt in just two U18 Premier League appearances so far for the Tynesiders, a chance to impress at senior level may not be too far down the line, with the impending absence of Tonali potentially set to be the perfect opportunity for Howe to raid the academy set-up.

Injury kept Tom Curran out of England’s one-day side throughout the home season and he is desperate to make up for lost time with the World Cup looming

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Oct-2018On one hand it was a memorable 2018 season for Tom Curran – part of Surrey’s first County Championship title since 2002 – but on an international front his England career stalled due to injury ruling him out of the entire white-ball campaign.With the World Cup looming, he is desperate to get back into England’s starting XI for the series against Sri Lanka. They will be missing first-choice picks from the home season in Liam Plunkett (for the first three matches) and David Willey, though the uncapped Olly Stone was given the first chance to impress in the one warm-up match that escaped the rain.”I came back from the IPL and picked up a couple of niggles when we were playing Australia so that was very frustrating but at the same time you get time to reflect and set goals,” Curran told . “It’s hard to think too far ahead, but it’s [also] hard not to think of the World Cup so it will just be about small steps – get in the side for the first ODI, push on in this series, take that through to West Indies and then next summer.”Before his injury-hit season, Curran had enjoyed a run in the one-day side on the tours of Australia and New Zealand, taking a matchwinning five-wicket haul against in Perth and becoming a go-to man at the death for Eoin Morgan where he also helped close out a tight victory in Wellington.”There was that five-wicket haul against Australia which was almost ‘right, you can do it at this level’ – when you make your debut there will be nerves, more about doing it on this stage – now it’s about making it permanent in the side so I’m one of the first bowlers on the team sheet,” he said.The death-overs could well be a role entrusted to him again on this tour, but if selected for the opening match in Dambulla he will start without any middle time on the trip after the second warm-up match was washed out. It may not be long until cabin fever sets in among the squad with torrential rain – unsurprising given the series is being played during the monsoon season – also greeting them on arrival in Dambulla on Sunday but the quick bowlers, especially, are already well aware of the demanding conditions they will face.”It’s not ideal but we’ve just come off the back of a full summer so it’s not like we are short of game time,” he said. “We had a couple of good net sessions in that heat, it’s not ideal in terms of overs in the feet but it is what it is. I bowled for 45 minutes on one of the sessions which is just over six overs and it was tough but at the same time you do adapt. It won’t get worse than the first session.”This series also throws up the prospect of the Curran brothers – Sam is part of the squad – appearing in an England side together for the first time. Sam made his ODI debut against Australia during the home season, but it was in the Tests he really impressed with the Player-of-the-Series award against India.”It all happened so quickly,” Tom reflected. “One day you are playing in the garden together and the next thing you are watching him to do it in a Test match. I’m so proud and hopefully it’s just the start.”

ScorecardBen Curran’s unbeaten 83 steered Northamptonshire to a six-wicket victory over Sussex at Wantage Road as the home side ended a poor season with a two-day victory.Set 170 to win after Ben Cotton’s maiden five-wicket haul helped bowl Sussex out for 222 in their second-innings, Northants slipped from 53 for 1 to 82 for 4 but Curran’s solid half-century – his second in his five first-class matches since making his debut in August – and 51 not out from Adam Rossington saw their side home.”It was tight, we’ve been in that position before,” Northants coach David Ripley said. “The wicket was better than the first-innings scores suggested but you need somebody to get you over the line and step up Ben Curran.”It was a really mature innings and we were in dicey territory still needing 80 to win four down and Ben played well and had Adam Rossington to help him finish the game off. We said the right things about trying to finish well and we actually delivered it so that’s a pleasing thing.”Sussex collapsed from 114 for 2 after lunch and their season ended with a third successive away defeat – they have won only once away from home in 2018.They had a chance to improve that record after moving into a good position just after lunch as Harry Finch and Luke Wells rescued Sussex from 5 for 2, trailing by 48, to raise a century stand for the third wicket as two batsmen finally got to grips with conditions after 20 wickets fell on day one.But like day one, poor strokes outside off saw both Finch and Wells dismissed within three overs of each other – Finch for 63 caught behind off Ben Sanderson and Wells caught at first slip for 50 to become Cotton’s first victim.Ben Brown was then strangled down the leg side before a superb inswinger from Cotton saw Delray Rawlings record a pair in his only appearance this season. Michael Burgess chipped a catch to point and when Cotton ran a full, straight delivery into Danny Briggs’ stumps, he completed his haul; 5 for 48 was a timely return playing for a contract next season.There was a brief Sussex fightback as Chris Jordan and Ollie Robinson added 41 for the eighth wicket but Robinson edged a Nathan Buck lifter behind and Jordan ran himself out for 47 with only No. 11 Abidine Sakande for company.It left Northants with a modest target but a challenge after a season of consistently failing in crucial moments of matches. Nerves were settled as Curran and Ricardo Vasconcelos – who clipped Jordan over square for a boundary to avoid a pair – added 53 for the opening wicket.But Vasconcelos followed a Robinson delivery angled across him and edged to slip for 19 and it sparked a wobble as Charlie Thurston was caught at the wicket for 4 off a beauty from Robinson that went away from the right-hander, Alex Wakely edged to second slip and Luke Procter was pinned lbw for 1.Procter’s wicket was Robinson’s 74th of the season – the most wickets in a season by a Sussex seamer since James Kirtley took 75 in the 2001 Division Two title triumph.It was too much to ask, though, for Robinson to deliver victory as Rossington joined Curran to ease any tension and their sprightly unbroken stand of 90 brought a positive end to Northants’ season of struggle.”We didn’t drive the game forward and we had the opportunity to after winning the toss on a good surface that just assisted the bowlers for the first 90 minutes of day one,” Sussex coach Jason Gillespie said.”To get bowled out for 118 you’re not driving the game forward and even though we bowled them out cheaply they still had a lead and we saw the wicket had got better to bat on. Second innings we showed signs but we weren’t able to drive home the advantage we created and it’s been like that for the last month or so.”

MatériaMais Notícias

O 18° colocado na Série B do Brasileirão visita, no próximo domingo (13) às 18h15 no estádio Santa Cruz, o 19° no confronto que visa melhorar as campanhas de Botafogo-SP e Náutico para escaparem do iminente rebaixamento.

Com duas vitórias nas últimas cinco rodadas sendo que o time vem de triunfo sobre o Brasil de Pelotas no compromisso anterior, o Timbu não terá Kieza, machucado e também suspenso pelo terceiro amarelo, além de Magno, que sequer estreou e rompeu o tendão de Aquiles durante uma atividade e não deve jogar até o fim da competição.

O Bota, por sua vez, acumula duas derrotas, dois empates e somente uma vitória (também na última rodada onde ganhou atuando em casa diante da Ponte Preta) além de ter um número considerável de nomes entregues ao departamento médico do clube em diferentes estágios de recuperação.

Rafinha sentiu dores no intervalo do embate com a Ponte e é dúvida, Wellington Tanque negocia a renovação contratual e está impedido de atuar além de outros sete nomes onde quatro deles devem retornar em até 15 dias (Victor Bolt, Ferreira, Martinelli e Matheus Índio) além deElicarlos, Naldo e Luketa, atletas que devem entrar na fase de transição na próxima semana.

RelacionadasNáuticoKieza adota discurso de esperança para o NáuticoNáutico11/12/2020Futebol NacionalNáutico vence o Brasil de Pelotas no estádio dos AflitosFutebol Nacional10/12/2020Futebol NacionalWellington Tanque faz gol no fim e dá vitória ao Botafogo-SP sobre a Ponte PretaFutebol Nacional08/12/2020

نجحت فرنسا في تحقيق أول ميدالية ذهبية في أولمبياد باريس 2024، التي تستضيفها في الوقت الحالي حتى يوم 11 أغسطس المقبل.

وتمكنت فرنسا، صاحبة الأرض، من تحقيق ميداليتها الذهبية في اليوم الأول من بدء المنافسات التي انطلقت بشكل رسمي مساء الجمعة الماضي.

وجاءت ذهبية فرنسا في لعبة الرجبي السباعي، حيث فازت على فيجي 28-7 في مباراتهما يوم السبت.

بينما حصلت جنوب إفريقيا على الميدالية البرونزية في تلك اللعبة، في اليوم نفسه، بعدما تغلبت على أستراليا بنتيجة 26-19.

اقرأ أيضًا.. فيديو | فرنسا تهزم غينيا وتتأهل إلى ربع نهائي أولمبياد باريس

وتمكنت فرنسا في اليوم الأول من الأولمبياد من تحقيق 4 ميداليات، بواقعة ذهبية وفضيتين وبرونزية.

جاءت الميدالتين الفضيتين بعدما فاز بها كل من لاعب الجودو لوكا مخيدزه، وزن دون 60 كجم، والمبارزة أوريان مالو بروتون.

في حين حصلت شيرين بوكلي على ميدالية برونزية في لعبة الجودو، وزن دون 48 كجم.

Exclusive: The Bangladesh batsman on how the plan for him to return to bat in the Asia Cup opener, bandaged hand and all, came about

Mohammad Isam16-Sep-2018

Faced with Suranga Lakmal steaming in, and with a heavily strapped injured left hand behind his back leg, Tamim Iqbal felt only one thing on Saturday.”I felt very brave in those ten seconds when the bowler was running in,” Tamim told ESPNcricinfo. “I was very pumped up after hearing the roar in the stadium. I could have got out or anything else may have happened, but in that moment, I was very, very committed to the team and nation.”It was quite risky now that I think about it. My injured hand was behind me but when I played the ball, you’d notice that the hand had come in front. If I had missed the ball, it would have hit my hand.”Emotions were running high from the moment Tamim returned to the Dubai International Cricket Stadium from the hospital where he had gone after being struck on the hand – by Lakmal – in the second over. Scans revealed a fractured wrist, which usually takes six weeks to heal fully. On the field Bangladesh had recovered somewhat from a disastrous start.Still, sensing every run would be vital in the Asia Cup opener against Sri Lanka, captain Mashrafe Mortaza put forth the plan in the dressing room. “I thought Mashrafe was joking when he said I should go out to bat. The initial decision was for me to go to bat in the last over, if I am off strike. I would just have to stand there,” said Tamim.As it turned out, Bangladesh lost Mahmudullah, Mashrafe and then Mehidy Hasan. As Tamim had to get ready, there were moments of comedy in the dressing room.”I started padding up when Rubel [Hossain] was at the crease. Mashrafe cut open my gloves. For the first time in my life, someone had to put on my abdomen guard,” Tamim laughed. “Mominul [Haque] and the others helped me put on my pads. My bandage got meshed with another glove. Everyone was helping me.”When Mustafizur Rahman, the designated No.11, fell, there was one ball left in the 47th over with Mushfiqur Rahim, batting on 112, at the non-striker’s end. So, the plan changed. Tamim decided that he would face the last ball of that over.”When the moment arrived, it was still undecided what was going to happen. I didn’t think of anything. I just walked out. The moment Mustafizur got out I didn’t have a second thought. I was asked if I was sure of doing this. I said I was quite sure,” he said.Tamim felt that even if 10 runs could be added because of him, it was worth the risk. That Mushfiqur would blast 32 runs till he got out in the last over wasn’t expected.”I had a lot of high hopes with the Asia Cup and I was overcome with emotions at that moment,” he said. “I felt that if by playing this one ball the team can get five or 10 runs, it’d help the team. I thought that if I had to play one ball, then why not?”Nobody expected that I’d play that one ball and 32 runs will come from the other end. Mushfiqur batted in an extraordinary manner.”When he was in the process of walking out with his bandaged hand to help out Mushfiqur and Bangladesh, Tamim didn’t know what kind of reaction he would get, and it wasn’t playing on his mind.”I don’t think I have experienced such a thing in my life,” he said. “I can see all the reactions [now], but when I was going out to bat or facing that delivery, I didn’t think of what might happen afterwards. I just went there for the team and country.”The Bangladesh Cricket Board said on Sunday that it would wait for a second scan before taking any decision on a replacement for Tamim.

Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad al Thani has complained to Manchester United over Sir Jim Ratcliffe's comments concerning his attempt to buy the club.

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• Sheikh Jassim complains to Man Utd
• Lawyers accuse Ratcliffe of 'defamatory' remarks
• Qatari insists he did provide proof of finance

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Qatari billionaire was the INEOS chief's only rival in the race to buy United during the club's lengthy strategic review, which began in November 2022 and ended in December 2023 when Ratcliffe secured a 27 percent stake in the Red Devils. According to Sheikh Jassim has been upset by media coverage of his failed bid and his lawyers have sent legal letters to United to complain about comments that have been made about him.

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  The report states that Sheikh Jassim was annoyed when it was suggested in the club's filing to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in January 2024 that he had not provided proof of funds. Ratcliffe confirmed that was the case during a meeting with journalists in February and also joked that he wasn't sure Sheikh Jassim existed, a comment which is said to have further upset the Qatari. Joe Ravitch, co-founder of the Raine Group which organised the strategic review, has confirmed that he met Sheikh Jassim in New York during the process.

• (C)GettyImages
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  According to , the letters written by Sheikh Jassim's lawyers complain of “a pattern of demonstrably false and defamatory” statements from Ratcliffe and demand that the club makes “immediate corrective action” to the club’s SEC filings. The lawyers also accuse Ratcliffe of breaching the confidentiality agreement signed by all parties during the sales process by making his comments during his briefing with journalists.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

  Ratcliffe has acted swiftly since INEOS secured its 27 percent stake in United and took control of the club's sporting operations. Omar Berrada has been hired as the new CEO from Manchester City while the club are expected to announce Dan Ashworth as their next sporting director in due course. Jason Wilcox is also reported to be hired as technical director after resigning from Southampton. And soon Ratcliffe and his colleagues must decide whether or not to keep Erik ten Hag as manager, as United's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League hang by a thread.