- Man United boss Erik ten Hag fumed over speculation about first team fire sale
- The Dutchman said reports were ‘a joke’ and hit out at United transfer gossip
- Were Jude Bellingham’s Allianz antics out of order? Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off! podcast
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has fumed at media reports that the club are set to put the entire squad up for sale – with the exception of three players – and said constant transfer gossip about the team was ‘a joke’.
The Red Devils have been heavily scrutinised in recent weeks after a series of poor results, most recently a 1-1 draw at home to Burnley, to continue their dismal campaign that has seen them fall 13 points adrift of the final top four spot.
Ten Hag has found himself under immense pressure after one win in their last six league games and there has been plenty of speculation he will be replaced by new chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the summer.
There has also been ongoing rumours and reports over the future of United’s biggest underperformers – after a recent story claimed United and Ratcliffe were preparing a major overhaul of the squad at the end of the season.
That report from the Telegraph claimed just three players – Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund – have been spared from the chopping block.
Man United boss Erik ten Hag has called reports the club are set to put a majority of their players up for sale as ‘a joke’
Speculation has mounted this week that the club are willing to cash in on their entire squad – with the exception of three players
New part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe (right) is said to be making preparations for the next season
And after those rumours continued at pace after Ratcliffe and his director Sir Dave Brailsford were spotted out at a ‘working dinner’ in Manchester this week, Ten Hag fired back at reporters for circulating speculation about the future of his players.
He said the story was a ‘joke’ and questioned why United stars were constantly being linked away, sarcastically said the club ‘sell all our players every summer’.
‘It’s a joke,’ he said ahead of United’s trip to Crystal Palace on Monday. ‘As long as I’ve worked here, every summer, every window, I think 200…