Earlier today, we held our weekly feature on The Athletic ’s website and app — Ask Ornstein.
This is an hour-long question-and-answer session in which subscribers can ask me anything about the world of football. Questions this week ranged from Arsenal’s options as back-up for Bukayo Saka to Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United.
I’ve pulled together some of my favourite questions from the second edition of Ask Ornstein below.
And remember, join me next week for another session.
_ Kalkidan K asked: Were Arsenal looking for a back-up for Saka in the summer? Were there any activities towards that?_
David Ornstein: Strength in depth for this position is something Arsenal have been working on, Kalkidan. But that dates back beyond last summer, as we know from when I revealed on The Athletic in August 2022 that Pedro Neto was their top target. Reports elsewhere suggest they made another enquiry in the window just gone. So it would appear to be an area the club are looking to bolster.
However, as always, there are many factors before a desire becomes reality; the market, finances, existing options etc. Let’s see if this becomes a focus once again in January or next summer.
Wolves’ Neto was a target last season (Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images)
_ Adam S: Given it has been their poorest start to a campaign in 37 years, is Ten Hag under serious pressure at Manchester United, or is he likely to be given time?_
DO: Please forgive the cliche, Adam, but all managers at top clubs experiencing bad results are under pressure. Not least the pressure they put on themselves! As far as I know, Manchester United remain fully behind Ten Hag and — in my opinion — rightly so.
He might not be perfect (who is?) and I’m sure he would admit he has not done everything right (who does?). However, the Dutchman oversaw clear progress and success last season, admittedly at significant expense. That shifted expectations and more spending upped the ante. Yet some of the circumstances he has had to deal with on and off the pitch are legitimate mitigating factors.
United (like Chelsea) can’t keep chopping and changing managers and hope to advance sustainably. Talking of which, it would be very costly to get rid of Ten Hag when United aren’t in the best position with financial fair play.
Admittedly, it only takes a glance at what happened to Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to know how quickly things can unravel, especially at Old Trafford — and don’t forget they were sacked not long after signing new contracts, which indicated United did have ‘long-term’ faith in them at the time.
To answer your questions specifically, I think and hope Ten Hag will get a lot more time and support. And it’s not only him we should be scrutinising but the owners, the wider football setup and the players as well. Ultimately it’s a results business and we know what happens if they don’t improve over a prolonged period. United will desperately hope to get back on track against Brentford on Saturday and then reset over the international break.
_ Mendi G: What is the single biggest change for you as a football journalist in this new footballing world over the last few years?_
DO: The explosion in reporting around the transfer market, Mendi. It’s crazy and hard to keep up with. But we do our best!
_ Ka Lan L: Besides Gareth Southgate picking his regulars, is there a reason he doesn’t giveNewcastle players a chance for England?_
DO: I was thinking this myself, Ka Lan, when the squad was announced. Kieran Trippier is a regular; Callum Wilson has been in the mix but is injured; Nick Pope might feel hard done by but I’m not sure Southgate is completely convinced he is good enough with his feet.
Anthony Gordon feels like he is edging his way towards selection; Dan Burn is thriving but I’m not aware of him being close to displacing the existing options and at 31, his chance might not come; if Joe Willock gets/stays fit and continues to improve at the rate we’ve seen, he might be one to keep an eye on going forward. So, too, Elliot Anderson if he switches from Scotland.
We know Southgate is loyal to players who have delivered for him and it has served him pretty well. I suspect that will largely continue for the rest of his reign as England manager.
Pope can consider himself unfortunate (Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
_ James A: Can you go and open the bowling for England? They seem to be struggling somewhat…_
DO: I captained my school cricket team and was a decent all-rounder… quite fancy a spot of Bazball in India! ( Editor’s note: The England cricket team were soundly beaten by New Zealand in the opening match of their World Cup defence on Thursday )
_ Liam C: With the Asian Football Confederation publicly supportingSaudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup bid, is there any chance any other bid, such as a potential Australia and New Zealand effort, can compete?_
DO: Australia is still exploring the possibility of a bid, Liam. Whether or not it comes or has any chance of succeeding, I don’t know. Certainly, you imagine they would provide a compelling proposal. But the consensus seems to be that 2034 is heading to Saudi Arabia. My colleague, Matt Slater, wrote on the subject this morning.
GO DEEPER
Why 2030 World Cup is split across six countries - and all roads lead to Saudi Arabia 2034
_ Isabel R: Any truth behind theJadon Sancho to Borussia Dortmund rumours? Is the expectation that he leaves in January?_
DO: The last I heard (mid-September) this was not something Dortmund were pursuing. Things can change, of course, but that was my information. Do all parties want to do it? Would the finances work? Loads of questions would need answering.
First, Manchester United and Sancho must work out a way forward — can the damage be repaired? It hasn’t been yet and Sancho continues to train alone with a club coach, using the academy facilities. Many feel there is no way back, but let’s see. If not and he is to leave in January, United and Sancho would need to weigh up all of their options and then come to an agreement.
Either way, a lot needs to happen before there is clarity on this situation.
_ Jack F: You were one of the first to break a number ofLiverpool transfer dealings this summer, notably the Dominik Szoboszlai deal, confirming the Moises Caicedo bid being accepted, and the Ryan Gravenberch transfer. Were there any other deals that were attempted? And how you do you feel the transfer team performed with these signings?_
DO: I could be wrong, Jack — and of course Liverpool will have explored many deals — but I’m not aware of them coming close to doing any/many they did not complete.
There was a different dynamic this summer following the departure of Julian Ward and the arrival of Jorg Schmadtke, but it appears the new sporting director collaborated well with Jurgen Klopp and long-term senior recruitment staff such as Dave Fallows and Barry Hunter (I’d assume Will Spearman played an important role on the data side, too).
I’ve been impressed with their recruits and it feels like this new-look side will be competitive in domestic and potentially European competitions this season.
Liverpool’s sporting director, Schmadtke (Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
_ Dan C: What is the latest news onEverton’s takeover? Will the legal action from Leeds United, Leicester City and Burnley have any impact on 777’s interest?_
DO: I covered this to the best of my knowledge in last week’s Q&A, Dan. I don’t have any further updates for now but will report anything I do get. On every level, Bournemouth on Saturday is obviously another massive game.
_ Scott M: Favourite order from an Indian takeaway?_
DO: As anyone who knows me will tell you, Scott, I’ll ask for a recommendation, deliberate, ask again, reconsider, go back to the start, pause, request and ponder the ingredients, hesitate, annoy the call handler and the people I’m with for taking so long and then finally opt for a medium-spiced chicken or lamb dish on the strict proviso they cook it without coriander.
_ Julie A: Why do you think the PGMOL don’t have standard professional meaningful language in their protocols for VAR, bearing in mind this is the fifth season with it?_
DO: I thought it did have, Julie, and PGMOL also brought somebody in to help with communication. But it failed spectacularly in the incident on Sunday and hopefully, this will prove a watershed moment for better times ahead. One thing we should all remember and be concerned by is the lack of officials coming through and the problems (including abuse) they face at all levels.
It’s a huge challenge for the authorities.
GO DEEPER
The Liverpool offside audio was dreadful. But maybe we are the bigger problem
_ Peter S: Hi David, is theFrenkie de Jong to Manchester United saga completely closed off or could it happen next season?_
DO: I don’t think this deal was as close as many of us thought in the summer of 2022 because De Jong had no intention of leaving Barcelona — despite the clubs agreeing a deal. There is nothing to suggest his position on that has changed.
If he wanted to leave, most of the biggest clubs in world football would be interested in signing him. But he is under contract until 2026 and appears perfectly happy.
Manchester United targeted De Jong in the summer of 2022 (David S Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
_ Liam W: Was Graham Potter ever close to becoming Lyon manager?_
DO: It depends on how you define ‘close’, Liam. It appealed to him but ultimately he passed on the opportunity.
Potter is biding his time and very carefully considering his next job in management. He will want everything to be right (from the project and people in charge to the finances and philosophy) to give himself the best chance of succeeding. Clearly, after what happened at Chelsea, the next post is massive for Potter and his future.
He has been linked with Rangers, too, but I don’t think that will be happening. It’s not just club football where he is well regarded but at international level, too — the English Football Association rates him very highly, so that might be one to keep an eye on as well.
GO DEEPER
‘There were so many players, some had to change in corridor’ - Potter’s surreal Chelsea reign
(Top photos: Getty Images)
