Category: Sports

Sol Campbell is widely regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation, but his career could have taken a very different turn if one phone call had been answered differently.

The former England international has opened up about a dramatic transfer saga that could have seen him swap north London for Old Trafford.

As it turns out, Gary Neville’s personal efforts to lure Campbell to Manchester United were met with a cold reception, not from Campbell himself, but from an unexpected source – former Tottenham chairman Alan Sugar.

Speaking candidly about the events that shaped his career, Campbell revealed how Neville reached out to him personally during a midday siesta to discuss a potential move to Manchester United.

“You [Neville] bloody called me! I remember, I was having an afternoon nap, and the phone call came through and Gary asked me if I fancied United,” Campbell recounted during an appearance on the Stick to Football podcast.

“I must have been about 21 then… it did go further, but Sugar blocked it.”

The Manchester United move, which seemed almost certain at the time, was derailed by the intervention of Alan Sugar, whose actions left a lasting impact on Campbell’s career trajectory.

In a turn of events that would shape the Premier League for years to come, Campbell’s move to Arsenal was born out of this political drama.

His decision to join the Gunners in 2001 remains one of the most controversial in football history, with Spurs fans branding him ‘Judas’ for his switch to their bitter rivals.

Campbell didn’t shy away from discussing his relationship with Sugar, hinting at a challenging dynamic: “A lot of players have had difficult times with him.”

Despite Tottenham’s best efforts to retain their star defender by offering him a massive contract, Sol Campbell ultimately chose to leave the club after nine years.

Had Sol Campbell moved to Manchester United, the history of the Premier League could have been drastically different, and Spurs might have avoided one of the most infamous moves in football.

Instead, Campbell went on to achieve greater success with Arsenal, winning two Premier League titles and two FA Cups, including being a key part of the famous ‘Invincibles’ team in 2003/04.

While his time at Tottenham included a League Cup victory in 1999, it was at Arsenal that Campbell cemented his legacy as one of the Premier League’s finest defenders.

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Image Credits: The Athletic

Manchester United are preparing for an active summer transfer window as they look to strengthen their attacking options.

The Red Devils have been linked with a move for Victor Osimhen, who is currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli.

Reports have even suggested United could explore a swap deal involving Rasmus Hojlund heading in the opposite direction.

Despite Hojlund’s inconsistent form this season, United remain committed to the young striker.

That is despite reports of Hojlund being placed ‘on trial’ amid his woes in front of goal.

He recently ended his goal drought against Leicester City, and Ruben Amorim is backing him to kick on from here.

David Ornstein talks down chances of Rasmus Hojlund departure

Speaking on the Back Pages podcast, Ornstein also explained why a swap deal involving Osimhen is unlikely.

“He’s [Hojlund] young, he’s just actually found the back of the net after a long drought against Leicester.

“My presumption is they’ll be wanting to build with him.

“Rather than bringing in a much older striker in what would be a complicated deal.”

While Osimhen is expected to leave Napoli, Ornstein doubts United would sacrifice Hojlund to bring him in.

“He is one who would raise some funds, but he would not produce a profit on the book value that he represents,” he added.

“So I think it’s more likely that United will raise funds from elsewhere, as attractive a deal as that might sound for transfer lovers.”

United spent over £70m on Hojlund in summer 2023 and see him as a long-term project.

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Financially, selling Hojlund now would not generate a profit, making other departures more likely to fund new signings.

United are still keen to strengthen their attack and have also been linked with Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.

If Osimhen arrives at Old Trafford, it could see both Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee battling for a place on the bench.

Both young forwards have shown glimpses of quality despite struggling at times this season.

For now, though, the expectation is that United will keep faith in Hojlund as part of their long-term plans.

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It’s common knowledge now that Manchester Untied co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is pushing to develop a new stadium to replace Old Trafford as the home of The Red Devils.

The plans are for a 100,000-seater stadium to be built next to Old Trafford, transforming the area into a hub of innovation and culture.

Two weeks ago the official concept images were released, sparking mixed reviews to say the least. Naturally, it didn’t take long for fans to have their ay on the club’s potential new home.

A statement from The 1958 read: “Instead of embodying the gritty, historic essence of Old Trafford… the design resembles a generic, soulless corporate structure, more akin to a modern entertainment venue than a football cathedral.”

The statement continued: “Its circus-like aesthetic disregards the club’s working-class origins and the identity of a fanbase that spans generations. Rather than honouring the past and strengthening the bond with the local community, it prioritizes spectacle over substance.

“Football, dignity and traditions need to be upheld and from what we can see they aren’t. It should be a cathedral for fans to go and worship our team and not a circus-like tourist attraction.”

The £2 billion development is due to be completed by the start of the 2030/31 season, putting a five year build time on the woks.

Now, The Daily Mail has reported that the UK government are “really keen” on the development going ahead.

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UK Government “really keen” for new Manchester United stadium

In an interview with Sky Sports, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy commented: “It’s a moving feast at the moment, but we are impatient to get the economy growing again and get projects like this off the ground. We’re not wasting a minute.”

She continued: “The Chancellor, Business Secretary and I have been in discussions and we’re really keen to crack on.

“Manchester United have to make their own plans and satisfy their own investors. What we have to do as a Government is maximise the benefits of projects like these for the communities that they serve.

“That’s why we are working with the Mayor of Greater Manchester and others. But we’re really confident we can do that.”

With this support behind the project, United will be hoping that the build can be completed ahead of schedule, with the United hierarchy wanting Amorim still in charge when the stadium opens.

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Manchester United’s summer plans could be significantly boosted by an unexpected development regarding Mason Greenwood.

With the club looking to reinforce multiple positions, a sudden influx of cash could prove crucial as Ruben Amorim prepares to reshape his squad.

United have struggled financially due to restrictions in the transfer market, making every potential revenue source even more valuable.

While player sales are being considered, an external boost from a sell-on clause could provide a much-needed financial advantage.

The latest reports suggest that one such clause is on the verge of paying off in a major way.

Mason Greenwood, currently at Marseille, has found himself at the centre of a growing controversy that could result in his departure this summer.

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The former United forward has had an impressive season in Ligue 1, scoring 16 goals and providing three assists in 28 appearances.

However, despite his contributions, reports in France suggest that his relationship with manager Roberto De Zerbi has deteriorated, raising doubts about his long-term future at the club.

De Zerbi has publicly criticised Greenwood’s attitude, first highlighting his poor execution of set-pieces and now questioning his overall commitment on the pitch.

The Italian manager’s latest comments suggest that he expects more from the 23-year-old, hinting that his lack of consistency and work ethic could be a problem.

RMC reporter Florent Germain, via BFM Marseille claims that Greenwood has fallen out of favour due to a perceived lack of effort and an unwillingness to adapt to the team’s demands.

This growing tension has opened the door for a potential transfer, with top European clubs monitoring the situation.

Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and even Liverpool have reportedly expressed interest in securing Mason Greenwood’s services, with bids of around €75m (£62m) being discussed.

If Marseille decides to sell, United stand to benefit massively from the deal, thanks to the 50% sell-on clause they included in his contract.

A sale at the reported price would see United pocket roughly £30m, a figure that could be reinvested into the squad to help Amorim in his rebuild.

Mason Greenwood’s uncertain future at Marseille could hand Manchester United a significant financial boost, aiding Ruben Amorim’s ambitious summer rebuild.

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Manchester United are looking to correct past mistakes by targeting two of their former academy stars this summer.

INEOS chiefs are reportedly considering moves for Angel Gomes and Alvaro Carreras, both of whom have impressed since leaving Old Trafford.

Carreras, 21, was sold to Benfica last summer after a strong loan spell.

However United’s left-back injury crisis raised questions over his departure.

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Erik ten Hag had to rely on Diogo Dalot and Victor Lindelof at left-back due to the unavailability of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.

Angel Gomes, meanwhile, left in 2020 despite being offered a new deal at United.

He opted to join Lille in search of regular minutes.

Since moving to France, the 24-year-old has developed into a dynamic midfielder and earned his first England cap last September.

His impressive performances at the U21 Euros in 2023 convinced Lee Carsley to hand him an international call-up.

United legend Roy Keane was full of praise for him after his England debut, describing him as ‘pure quality’ on ITV.

Angel Gomes rejects lucrative offer from West Ham

Now entering the final three months of his Lille contract, he is attracting widespread interest from top European clubs.

The Guardian reports that he has rejected a contract offer worth £100,000 per week from West Ham.

Graham Potter wants his side to become more proficient in possession.

Hence, the aim of pursuing a controlling midfielder like Gomes.

Potter is said to be a ‘big fan’ of the midfielder, while Barcelona are also keeping a close eye on his situation.

The deep lying-playmaker hasn’t been selected in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.

However, a big move to the top leagues would certainly improve his chances of playing on the national stage.

With multiple clubs vying for his signature, his next move could be one of the biggest talking points of the summer window.

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Image Credits: Getty Images

It’s been three months since Dan Ashworth was dismissed from Manchester United after a short stint with the club.

In a controversial move, Ashworth was put on garden leave by Newcastle United after his desires and clandestine meetings to join The Red Devils emerged through leaked emails.

In a move to bring the sporting director, United paid £2 million in compensation to The Magpies to get him to Old Trafford sooner, however his time with The Red Devils didn’t last long.

Ashworth’s time under the INEOS at Manchester United only lasted five months, before the club and their inaugural sporting director parted ways.

The final straw came with the sacking of Erik ten Hag and Ashworth’s desire to replace him with Gareth Southgate, whilst Omar Berrada and Sir Dave Brailsford opted to hire Ruben Amorim.

However, the 54-year-old is now set to join forces with Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo.

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Dan Ashworth approached by Al-Nassr

Gianluigi Longari has reported, via SportItalia.com, that Cristiano Ronaldo’s current club Al-Nassr have approached Dan Ashworth to join the club as their new sporting director.

It’s unsure how Ashworth feels about the offer or moving to Saudi Arabia, especially with recent reports claiming that clubs closer to home are interested in his services.

Recently it’s been reported that West Ham United are interested in bringing Ashworth to the club as their sporting director.

Either way, it’s clear that Ashworth’s short stint at United hasn’t negatively impacted his stock in the world of football, with the 54-year-old not short on offers.

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Manchester United’s turbulent season on the field has been offset by the emergence of a promising group of young talents, making a statement about the future direction of the club.

The Reds have faced several challenges this year, but the silver lining has been the increased involvement of academy products in the senior squad under manager Ruben Amorim.

United’s youth system has been bolstered by recent investments from Ineos, who have added several elite prospects to the club’s already strong roster of young players.

These youngsters are not just names for the future—they are already proving their worth, with several making the leap into senior football this season.

Amorim has made it a priority to integrate academy graduates into his plans, giving debuts to players such as Chido Obi, Ayden Heaven, and Harry Amass.

The club is embracing a new approach, fostering a blend of youth and experience, and this trend seems set to continue.

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Chido Obi, in particular, has been one of the standout performers for United’s youth team since his arrival from Arsenal.

Obi has earned a call up to the Denmark Under-21s side as part of their 22-man squad preparing to face Poland and Italy in a series of friendlies.

His remarkable performances have earned him a spot in Goal’s 2025 NXGN rankings, a prestigious list of the world’s top 50 talents born after January 1, 2006.

His inclusion marks a significant achievement for the young forward, though he’s been ranked at the bottom of the list—50th position—largely due to his limited first-team appearances.

Despite scoring 15 goals in the academy, Chido Obi has yet to make a substantial impact at the senior level, especially when compared to players who have been key figures in their teams for much longer.

Nonetheless, Obi’s talent has not gone unnoticed, and there’s a sense of excitement about what he could bring to United’s forward line in the coming years.

With the team facing a lack of goals from strikers over the past decade, Obi’s potential offers hope.

As the season nears its end and the Premier League title race becomes less of a concern for United, it’s expected that Obi will see more minutes on the pitch, giving fans a glimpse of his future contributions.

Despite being ranked far behind others like Lamine Yamal, Obi’s path is one to watch as he continues to develop.

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Manchester United’s injury crisis continued recently as new signing Ayden Heaven joins Ruben Amorim’s ever growing injury list.

The 18-year-old centre back was stretchered off in United’s 3-0 win over Leicester, generating a lot of concern to the youngster’s season.

Lisandro Martinez has already been ruled out for the rest of the campaign with a torn ACL, so another centre-back injury is a massive blow.

However, Heaven might be bouncing back quicker than planned.

Speaking in The Athletic’s Talk of the Devil podcast, Laurie Whitwell commented: “Ayden Heaven has been at Carrington without a protective boot.”

He continued: “You just surmise from that, it’s not going to be too long after the international break that he returns hopefully.”

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Image Credits: Imago Images

A Manchester United man is set to return from injury and could be back playing by April.

The Red Devils squad has had to deal with a number of injuries in recent months.

Players like defender Lisandro Martinez are not even set to return to the pitch until next season.

And the injury situation hasn’t been getting much better.

Most recently, Ayden Heaven was stretchered off the pitch after hurting his ankle in Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Leicester City.

Unlike Martinez, however, there is seen to be positive news for Ayden Heaven.

But the injury list is still extensive.

The likes of Amad Diallo, Luke Shaw, Altay Bayindir and Kobbie Mainoo are all ruled out for the foreseeable future.

Amongst all the disheartening injury news circulating Old Trafford, one nugget of good news is that United are hopeful and expectant to see one of their youngsters return to play by next month.

Dan Gore suffered a foot injury in February during a training session while on loan at Rotherham United.

Gore had only joined the League One side in January in the hopes of getting some first team football experience under his belt.

Rotherham manager Steve Evans has now provided a significant update on the situation, while speaking to the Rotherham Advertiser.

“We’re hopeful we’ll see him playing April football,” Evans said.

“The Man United staff have spoken to our medical staff and said they’re hopeful that will be the case.

“I’m keen for our supporters to see the player who we worked so hard to get”.

That insight from Steve Evans is both good news for the player and the club.

After a month, Dan Gore looks to return to playing very soon.

United fans will be keen to see if he can kickstart his season in April and gain some valuable experience out on loan.

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Fabrizio Romano has indicted that Manchester United are preparing for a major squad overhaul this summer as the club looks to offload several players to make room for new signings

With Sir Jim Ratcliffe pushing for a rebuild, reports suggest that up to eight senior players could be shown the door.

The likes of Christian Eriksen, Antony, Casemiro and Victor Lindelof could all be shown the door.

Financial considerations and squad balance will play a key role in these decisions, as United aim to strengthen under their new managerial setup.

Reports are now indicating that both Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho are expected to depart the club.

Renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has provided insights into these potential exits, signalling a pivotal shift in United’s attacking lineup.

Marcus Rashford, a product of Manchester United’s esteemed youth academy, has been a cornerstone of the team’s offense for several seasons.

However, recent developments suggest that the forward is contemplating a move away from Old Trafford, as per Fabrizio Romano (as cited by mufcmpb).

According to Romano, Marcus Rashford is open to exploring opportunities abroad, with a particular interest in Spain’s La Liga.

This revelation aligns with reports that Spanish clubs are keen on acquiring his services.

Marcus Rashford’s potential exit underscores his desire for a new challenge and could mark the end of an era for the club.

Jadon Sancho’s tenure at Manchester United has been marred by inconsistency, leading to his loan move to Chelsea.

Initially, the loan agreement included a £25 million obligation for Chelsea to purchase Jadon Sancho permanently, contingent upon the club finishing above 14th in the Premier League—a scenario that appears likely.

However, recent reports indicate that Chelsea is reconsidering this arrangement due to Sancho’s dip in form.

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The winger started strong, contributing five assists and two goals in his first ten appearances, but has since struggled, managing only one assist in his last fourteen games.

Consequently, Chelsea is exploring options to terminate the obligation, potentially paying a penalty to Manchester United to avoid the permanent transfer.

Romano has addressed this situation, confirming that while Chelsea has the option to back out of the permanent deal by paying a fee, Manchester United is not inclined to reintegrate Sancho into their squad.

This stance leaves the player’s future in limbo, as a return to Old Trafford seems unlikely, and his prospects at Chelsea are uncertain.

The anticipated departures of Rashford and Sancho are part of a broader strategy by Manchester United to overhaul their squad.

Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly advocating for a comprehensive rebuild, with up to eight senior players potentially exiting the club.

This mass exodus is aimed at restructuring the team to better align with the vision of incoming manager Ruben Amorim.

Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho are both expected to leave Manchester United this summer. #MUFC [@FabrizioRomano] pic.twitter.com/sqzwfK6jFf

— mufcmpb (@mufcMPB) March 19, 2025

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