The future of Manchester United target Thomas Ince has taken a new twist.
Blackpool are suddenly a club in transition. They shouldn’t have been, they were looking like promotion contenders in September, but five games without a win in the Championship has left them in 16th position.
With just 18 points from 14 games they have now suffered the ignominy of having their much coveted manager Ian Holloway walk out on them.
Holloway has joined Crystal Palace, who are exceeding expectations in third position on 27 points. Many have talked about the luxury the manager has in bossing Wilfried Zaha at Selhurst Park, but he has a job to hold onto him.
But what about the young English starlet he left behind at Bloomfield Road? Thomas Ince?
The son of the former England midfielder has been in excellent form this season, scoring six goals and providing six assists for his club.
So what does Holloway’s departure mean for Ince’s future? It certainly leaves more questions than answers and it seems to us that the young player has moved closer to the exit door himself with his former gaffer leaving.
Ince has been heavily linked with a switch to Manchester United, with the Sun even claiming a deal to transfer the player in January is already agreed.
Holloway denied this at the time, but you can’t help but wonder if boardroom disagreements, and knowing the player was likely to be sold played a part in his decision to leave the Seasiders.
Having been at the club for a substantial period, he could have demanded Blackpool keep Ince if he were to stay. It’s a promise they may have been unwilling or unable to keep; but we speculate of course.
Either way, the departure of the man who brought Ince to Bloomfield Road in the first place is unlikely to persuade him to stay – And this is good news for Manchester United fans, keen on seeing the youngster move to Old Trafford.
Blackpool’s disintegrating league form is also unlikely to keep Ince at the club should a dream offer come in, while in contrast if Crystal Palace can maintain their third position by January and the transfer window, Holloway may be able to persuade Wilfried Zaha to stay and continue their promotion push.
So Blackpool need to come through this transitional period, decide on a new boss – Owen Coyle is the current favourite – and go on a winning streak.
Ince himself needs to keep his early season form up if he is likely to secure his Premier League switch, but it is hard to see Holloway’s departure as anything else as a stumbling block in the deal being removed.
Will Ince go to United in January? What do you think?
image: © joncandy
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