As Erik ten Hag’s time at Manchester United looks as though it may be at an end, it seems the club are looking at potential replacements, with sources stating that they have already met with former under-18s coach, Kieran McKenna.
The Ipswich Town boss – who was recently voted the LMA’s Manager of the Year after getting Ipswich Town back into the Premier League for the first time in 22 years – has suddenly become one of the most in-demand names in the country, being linked with Brighton, Chelsea and now Man United.
According to Sky Sports, United have already met with McKenna following his successful promotion campaign in the Championship (just his second year as a senior men’s coach), with representatives now making it apparent that he is on the list of candidates to succeed ten Hag if he departs.
Reports go on to claim that the likes of outgoing Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel, Brentford coach Thomas Frank and recently sacked Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino have all been named on United’s most immediate shortlist, but several other names have been floating around in recent weeks.
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Other names linked with the job have included former German national coach Hansi Flick, Sporting Lisbon coach, Ruben Amorim, and even Gareth Southgate at times – though the England boss was quick to rubbish the rumours ahead of Euro 2024 as “disrespectful”.
Speaking of paper talk before big games, it’s fair to say that the links with McKenna and talks around ten Hag come at a fairly awkward time for the club, with United taking on recently re-crowned Premier League champions Man City in just the second-ever Manchester derby FA Cup final this weekend.
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He was careful to be coy in an interview with Sky earlier this week, where he insisted the speculation is inevitable but that his focus is on “the future ahead” and looking back at what his side has achieved over the past two seasons, but the latest on ten Hag’s rumoured status at the club could change things.
"There's always going to be speculation" 🖋
Kieran McKenna addresses rumours surrounding a potential move to either Brighton or Chelsea 🤔 pic.twitter.com/OGPFU5Zema
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 22, 2024
With McKenna securing back-to-back promotions with Ipswich, lifting them out of League One and now into the English top flight within just two seasons at the club, it’s clear that he’s gone on to become an adept coach in the short time since he left United.
Having been praised heavily for his work amongst the youth ranks and going on to become a key assistant during the best days of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s rollercoaster reign, it was long thought that McKenna was largely underrated – and that evaluation is now looking more convincing than ever.
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All that being said, this is all overlooking the assumption that the 38-year-old Irishman is the frontrunner and if he even feels he is ready to take the job, or that the likes of Chelsea won’t tempt him with a more convincing and immediate offer given that they are currently without a coach full-stop.
Let’s just say that if reports are to be believed, whether anything goes ahead between him and his former employers could very well come down to whether Wembley is lit up red or blue tomorrow evening – unless they haven’t been decided already, that is.
Manchester United are declining to comment on whether or not a decision has been made regarding Erik ten Hag’s future.
Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua fight FINALLY booked
Danny Jones
It seems like it’s official: Tyson Fury is finally set to fight Anthony Joshua – and it sounds like it’s happening this year.
Put it this way, it better be worth all the hype after all this time.
Arguably one of the most anticipated all-British bouts of the last few decades, the boxing match between Fury and Joshua is one that fight fans, and even those only occasionally interested in the sport, have been waiting to be booked for ages.
It got to a point where we almost started to think we’d never get to see it come to fruition whatsoever, but now promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that it’s all locked in.
As you can see, putting things in the simplest terms possible, the Matchroom Boxing boss said on social media: “Signed, sealed, delivered! AJ v Fury is on!”
This comes after a previous post, in which he wrote: “The biggest piece of business we’ve ever done, but more importantly, the one we’ve always wanted.
“Biggest year of AJ’s career coming up, the comeback is on.”
Tagging the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and co-founder of Zuffa Boxing, Turki Al-Sheikh, the government official looks to have recently held a major event in which he hosted several big sporting names.
It was already heavily expected that any potential clash would take place in the Middle East, and it now looks like nailed on that it will be part of the country’s annual ‘Riyadh Season’.
Although things have been relatively tight-lipped on Fury‘s side, ‘The Gypsy King’ did share a little reaction of his own online…
Still more of a teaser on his end than full verification, we hope they’re not going to lead us down the garden path on this one; boxing heads have waited long enough for this one.
The 37-year-old Manchester-born boxer returned to the ring after yet ANOTHER ‘retirement’ earlier this month, winning comfortably against Arslanbek Makhmudov.
Meanwhile, Joshua, now 36, will be making his own comeback of sorts against Kristian Prenga on July 25 – this will also be taking place in Riyadh.
Featured Images — Netflix (screenshots via YouTube)
Sport
Manchester United youth player James Overy praised for wholesome moment with young fan
Danny Jones
Manchester United academy player James Overy is receiving heaps of praise online after a video of a heartwarming interaction between him and a young fan went viral on social media.
The Australian-born youngster joined the club and the Carrington set-up back in the summer of 2024, and has flown somewhat under the radar to plenty of supporters, quietly going about his business and continuing his progression.
However, it’s fair to say he’s had a good month or so, as not only did he provide a crucial assist in the under-18s FA Youth Cup semis against Crystal Palace roughly a fortnight ago – with two goals proving enough to book their spot in a Manchester derby final – but now he’s being hailed off the pitch, too.
Taking the time to not just say hello and chat with the young girl after the game, but go so far in engaging with her as to gift her a pair of his boots, it wasn’t just a lovely gesture, but one that will probably stay with the wide-eyed child forever.
Not the point, obviously, but there’s something very charming about him repeatedly asking, “Is that alright?” and double-checking if she’s happy with the colour.
He might not be a born and bred Manc, but there’s still something very British about it.
The Aussie, only 18 years old himself, has quickly been applauded for what looked to be some very mature and admirable behaviour: spending time with Reds long after the full-time whistle and showing his own appreciation for their support.
Reactions are as you would expect: “What a lad!”, “What it’s [all] about, inspiring the younger generation. Top man”; “What a legend, hope he’s got a good career ahead of him”, and so on.
Others also noted his ‘humility’ at such a young age, with one person going on to add that “a lot of professional players could learn a lot from that young man.”
Here he is talking about his senior debut against West Ham United when he was just a boy:
Prior to a memorable night of his own in the important win at Old Trafford, Overy received his first national team call-up back in November, but is also eligible for Scotland, having already represented both at various youth levels.
He’s also worn the captain’s armband for the U18s and is one of several prospects that United fans who follow all the age groups are keeping an eye on.
Others in that same squad include the Fletcher twins (sons of former player turned coach, Darren), Chido Obi, and the increasingly promising JJ Gabriel, who is still just 15 himself.
If they all follow the example set by James on how to conduct themselves as professionals, as he did with young Imogen and her mum Rachael (@imogenmufc), they won’t go far wrong.
Highlights from Man United’s semi-final victory over Palace in the 2025/26 FA Youth Cup
Danny Jones -
24th May 2024 
