The January transfer window may be a distant dot on the horizon but that has not stopped Manchester United from being mentioned amongst some of Europe’s most in-form stars.
Following a pretty dismal start to the season – the 10 goals they scored in just three days against Southampton and Barnsley now very much a distant memory – Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United are once again proving to be that horrid cocktail of porous and profligate.
Their goal difference, as it has been throughout much of the Ten Hag era, is again in minus numbers.
And while the Red Devils have certainly improved when it comes to creating chances – Joshua Zirkzee is proving why Fabio Capello called him ‘exceptional’ link-man even if he is not an exceptional finisher – United still struggle to convert openings into goals.
As far as Benfica coach Bruno Lage is concerned, however, there is no reason for the Portuguese giants to lose any sleep at this stage regarding those Kerem Akturkoglu to Old Trafford rumours.
Benfica boss reacts to Manchester United Kerem Akturkoglu links
The links emerged this week after Akturkoglu scored his sixth club goal in just 11 games this season during the 4-0 Champions League hammering of Atletico Madrid.
The speedy Turkey international also has five assists to his name.
If you add in international matches, Akturkoglu is on nine goals for the campaign already. He hit a devastating hat-trick against Iceland in the UEFA Nations League back in September.
But having only joined Benfica in a £10 million deal from Galatasaray a month ago, Lage is laughing off the reports suggesting that Akturkoglu’s future at the Estadio da Luz is any immediate doubt.
“Already?” a baffled Lage told a press conference when quizzed on those Man United links, Akturkoglu very much the flavour of the month. “Nowadays, with the speed at which things happen, the good ones are those who won yesterday and those who scored the last goal!
“We have to understand that the most important thing is us. His main objective at the moment is to have a great career at Benfica, to be a consistent individual as he has shown.”
Akturkoglu was part of the Galatasaray team who took four points off Manchester United in last season’s Champions League group stages. He scored in both meetings with Erik ten Hag’s team, including in the famous 3-2 win at Old Trafford in October 2023.
Akturkoglu ended that season with 15 goals and nine assists for his club. Two tallies the forward could equal or even surpass if his flying start to life at Benfica is anything to go by.
“He has done a fantastic job,” adds Lage, the former Wolves boss who has also succeeded where predecessor Roger Schmidt failed as Benfica get the best out of ex-Manchester United starlet Alvaro Fernandez Carreras.
“His role in the game requires him to do high-intensity, long-distance runs, and he did it.”
Erik ten Hag under threat of sack as United eye Simone Inzaghi
Manchester United face a daunting trip to Aston Villa on Sunday having scored only five goals in six Premier League games so far despite creating numerous opportunities in pretty much every match they have played in 2024/25.
Another heavy defeat – like against Tottenham Hotspur last time out – could potentially spell the end for Erik ten Hag after Man United chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe refused to back his manager on Friday.
Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi was reportedly offered the Man United job, albeit he is keen to stay at the Serie A champions until the end of the season at least.
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery confirms that three star players could be missing against the Red Devils, meanwhile, in what may be a boost to Ten Hag’s hopes of a morale-boosting win.
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