Category: Sports

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Manchester United are now launching an ambitious plan, led by Sir Dave Brailsford in an attempt the restore the club’s former glories called “Mission 21”.

The former British Cycling chief is becoming much more central in the plan that aims to revitalise the club’s performance culture.

Brailsford has been a a key part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s sporting empire, as the INEOS director of sport has been a principal advisor dating back to 2019.

Five years ago INEOS bought out the all-conquering professional road cycling team British Cycling, implementing Brailsford as the tam principle.

However, since INEOS’ takeover of 27.7% of Manchester United back at the start of 2024, Brailsford has been a constant presence at Old Trafford.

Now, Brailsford is set to lead “Mission 21”, aptly named as it’s primary goal is to secure United’s 21st Premier League title.

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Sir Dave Brailsford leads “Mission 21”

The Times has reported that Brailsford has drafted a blueprint for the ambitious project, with United not having won the title since Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season in 2013.

With Ruben Amorim’s men in 13th place, United are drafting in James Morton, a professor of exercise metabolism at Liverpool John Moores University.

However, prior to this, Morton was the head of nutrition and physical performance lead at Team Sky when the team were continuously dominating the Tour de France from 2015 to 2018.

This isn’t Morton’s only dip into high level sports though, having worked with Liverpool from 2010 to 2015 as a performance nutritionist, also advising and mentoring in the Premier League elsewhere.

“Mission 21” isn’t the only plan to be unveiled though, with “Mission 1” focusing on the Women’s team aiming to secure their Women’s Super League title.

This equity in focus on a strategy for both the men’s and women’s teams is a step in the right direction for the team that have been accused of failing to provide sufficient support to the women’s team.

Now, it’s not expected that this will be implemented with United’s teams winning the leagues this year.

Instead, the two “Missions” play a bigger part of “Project 150” which is in line with the club’s 150th anniversary in three years time in 2028.

Brailsford is reportedly heavily focused on the performance of the club, whilst chief operating officer Collette Roche oversees the modernisation of the training facilities at Carrington and the Old Trafford redevelopment project.

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The January transfer window presented a significant opportunity for Manchester United to invest, especially with their struggles under Ruben Amorim.

Despite the large amounts spent on midfield signings under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik Ten Hag, the midfield remains an area in desperate need of a revamp.

With Casemiro and Christian Eriksen likely to leave, the Red Devils require quality replacements to bolster their ranks.

The Brazilian has hardly featured under Ruben Amorim and could even depart this month, with Solskjaer’s Besiktas interested.

While the Dane has struggled to impact games, with Amorim open to his departure as he seeks more intensity in his ranks.

Recent reports suggest that United is looking to the Championship for potential gems.

It was earlier reported on CentreDevils that United are keeping an eye on Chris Rigg.

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TBR Football have now claimed that the Red Devils also have his Sunderland teammate Jobe Bellingham on their radar.

Scouts were present to watch both the stars during Sunderland’s 3-2 win against Middlesbrough on Monday.

As reported by TBR Football, Arsenal and Manchester United sent scouts to watch Sunderland’s 3-2 win against Middlesbrough on deadline day.

The focus of their visit was to scout the Sunderland duo of Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham.

Arsenal scouted Rigg in November and have kept a close eye on him and Bellingham regularly this season – as have Ruben Amorim’s side.

Bellingham, a 19-year-old described as an “absolute freak of nature,” has impressed with four goals and three assists for Sunderland this term.

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While primarily an attacking midfielder, the former Birmingham starlet’s versatility allows him to play across the midfield and even in attack.

Plenty of European sides are monitoring his progress, with Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid showing interest in Jude’s brother.

Despite United’s keen interest, Jobe also seems to have the same mindset as his brother.

Meaning he is likely to leave for a big club in the continent instead of playing in the Premier League.

Whether INEOS can convince him to stay remains to be seen, but if United misses out on him, they may still secure Rigg.

With the Championship consistently producing top talent, plenty of elite English top-flight clubs have been looking at the Championship.

United’s increased attention to this talent pool could be a positive shift.

Hopefully, INEOS is leading the charge for change in this regard.

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Manchester United’s recruitment strategy has focused on signing elite young talent.

Ineos have strengthened multiple positions, aiming to lock them down for the next decade.

Wing-back has been a clear priority, with United adding several highly rated prospects.

Harry Amass was already viewed as an elite talent before further additions were made.

Paraguayan wonderkid Diego Leon has been signed and will join in the summer for £3.2m.

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In January, United secured Patrick Dorgu, a quality left-wing-back talent.

With the left side sorted, the club now look to strengthen the right flank.

Geovany Quenda has been lined up for £33m as a long-term right-wing-back solution.

Now, another target has emerged in Flamengo’s 21-year-old Wesley Franca.

According to Pablo Raphael of Gazeta do Urubu, United will push for Wesley this summer.

The club have placed him on their priority list as part of their ongoing restructuring.

Manchester United é outra equipe que tentará a contratação do Wesley na próxima janela. Além do Zenit da Rússia, a equipe inglesa que passará por uma reestruturação, já colocou o jovem lateral na lista de prioridades.

Vale lembrar que o Zenit tem uma oferta de “pé” de 30… pic.twitter.com/AGZ31vQRMy

— Pablo Raphael (@PabloRaphaelRUA) February 4, 2025

Flamengo expect it will be difficult to keep him beyond the summer window.

Zenit reportedly have a €30m (£25m) bid ready, but United could see better value.

Last year, Wesley Franca was linked with United after a failed Serie A move, priced at £21m.

His growing reputation could make that fee look like a bargain.

Flamengo boss Filipe Luis, formerly of Chelsea, has heaped praise on the young full-back.

“He’s the kind of player who will decide where he wants to play come June.

“There’s no ceiling for this kid; he’s exceptional.”

CIES also rank Wesley as the sixth-best U23 player ready for the next step.

A summer move is expected, but it remains to be seen if United will be his destination.

It is refreshing to see United go out for young talents who can develop for years to come.

However, the club must look to strive the right balance between youth and top experience.

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Injury issues have been Luke Shaw’s Achilles heel for a number of years at Manchester United.

His comebacks over the years have provided hope to the fans, only to suffer one setback after another.

Most recently, the Englishman missed the start of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign with a calf injury before picking up another unrelated muscle injury.

The fresh setback in December was a huge blow for Shaw, with the defender still working on his return to full fitness.

It was announced late January that the Englishman had made his return as he was seen in team training.

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However, he has suffered another injury setback according to UtdMenace on X.

Luke Shaw injury setback, anywhere from 4 weeks out (subject to change again!!!) depending on treatment and rehab, gutted for him. pic.twitter.com/ZTfXvp21BY

— UTD Menace (@UtdMenace) February 5, 2025

More to follow.

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Manchester United are enduring a difficult season, sitting in the bottom half of the Premier League table.

Ruben Amorim’s side need results and performances to improve if they are to salvage anything from the campaign.

The Red Devils were fairly busy on transfer deadline day with players linked to come and go.

However, the club have a long way to go to reach the technical and physical flooring of where Ruben Amorim will want to be.

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Despite their struggles, United rejected a deadline day approach from Italian club Como for teenage striker Gabriele Biancheri.

The 18-year-old joined the Red Devils from Cardiff City in 2023 and has been a regular scorer at youth level.

Biancheri has also impressed internationally, netting a hat-trick for Wales’ Under-19s in November.

According to Mail Plus, Como made a late bid for him, but United were unwilling to entertain the offer.

The approach reportedly ‘raised eyebrows’ as it came from Italy, given Biancheri’s eligibility to play for the Azzurri.

Born in Cardiff, he is of Italian descent and could still switch allegiance, despite representing Wales at youth level.

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There is no suggestion he plans to change, but the Italian interest could be an attempt to sway his decision.

The young striker is also eligible for England, meaning a potential three-way battle could emerge for his services.

For now, Gabriele Biancheri will continue his development in United’s youth setup.

Meanwhile, several of his academy teammates secured loan moves on deadline day.

Dan Gore (Rotherham), Ethan Williams (Cheltenham), and Ethan Ennis (Doncaster) all left to gain senior experience.

Senior stars Marcus Rashford (Aston Villa) and Antony (Real Betis) also departed on loan before the window shut.

Tyrell Malacia is expected to complete a short-term switch to PSV before the Dutch transfer window closes on Tuesday.

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Marcus Rashford is continuing to earn £315,000-a-week on loan at Aston Villa.

Villa are covering at least 75% of his wages, rising to 90% if they progress in the Champions League or qualify for Europe.

However, Rashford is set to take a financial hit on his lucrative sponsorship with Nike.

The seven-year deal he signed in 2021 made him one of the brand’s elite footballers.

He joined a group that includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Kevin De Bruyne.

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According to Daily Mail, Rashford’s deal could earn him over £1.5m per year, including bonuses.

At the lowest end, that figure can drop to just £50,000.

Nike contracts are structured according to club categories, with a 50% pay cut between each tier.

United were in the top bracket when Rashford signed, but his loan move to Villa places him in a lower band.

Nike are entitled to reduce his basic wage and could even request repayment of part of his signing-on fee.

This could be one reason why the 27-year-old was keen on a move to Barcelona.

The La Liga giants remain in the elite Category A bracket, protecting top-tier sponsorship earnings.

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Rashford’s lack of game time at United has also impacted his Nike contract.

His 13-game absence this season has led to further reductions, with his earnings potentially dropping another 25%.

His last England appearance was in March 2023, another factor that may affect his endorsement value.

Rashford signed his Nike deal at the peak of his popularity in 2021.

His work campaigning against child food poverty saw him awarded an MBE that year.

However, his appearances for Nike have become less frequent, and other brands have cut ties.

Burberry, Levi, and Beats are all believed to have parted ways with him in recent years.

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Manchester United are looking at redeveloping their home ground in the form of refurbishing or Old Trafford or with an entirely new staduim.

For a while now the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force have been working with the local area, completing consultations around how the development of Trafford Park could benefit the area.

The preferred option for United is to build a brand new, 100,000 seater stadium next to Old Trafford, whilst the Theatre of Dreams is downscaled from a 75,000 capacity to 33,000.

In completing the development, the regeneration is set to bring in £7.3 billion to the UK economy, creating 92,000 jobs and more than 17,000 new homes, bringing in 1.8 million visitors per year.

However, the new ground for United and its surrounding area is hoping to become a hub of growth and innovation in a range of sectors, including; sports, entertainment, business, and education.

Now, The Daily Mail has revealed the expected timescales of the redevelopment completion.

The report explains that the plans for a new stadium could take several years to get full planning permission to start building.

As such, a full completion date isn’t expected until potentially as late as 2032.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are hoping that the development can be completed sooner though, hoping to shave two years off the schedule and be ready to house The Red Devils by 2030.

The big obstacle right now is the land behind Old Trafford which is currently a freight rail terminal, with the land being key to the further development of the area.

Talks with Freightliner who own the land are reported going well with the company looking to get Government help to move to a new location at Port Salford or Parkside.

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Manchester United have had yet another season to forget, despite changing managers and continued spending.

The club sit in the bottom half of the Premier League, with fans losing a huge amount of hope within the team.

Luke Littler has advised United players to avoid social media and focus on sticking together.

The teenage darts sensation believes online negativity can be a major distraction for struggling athletes.

Luke Littler, who paraded his PDC World Championship trophy at Old Trafford last month, spoke on The United Stand.

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“It was probably one of the best moments of my life – that will live with me forever and ever,” he said.

The 18-year-old had the chance to speak with United icon Sir Alex Ferguson before lifting his trophy.

“It was scheduled for before kick-off but Denis Law had passed away,” Littler explained.

“Luckily enough, I was sat right behind Sir Alex and there was the empty seat there, where Denis would have sat on matchday.”

“I was chatting to Sir Alex Ferguson for a little bit, which was good. It’s one of the best things I have ever done.”

Asked if he had advice for United players, Littler encouraged them to ignore the noise.

“I just don’t listen to social media – that is probably one of the biggest things out there,” he said.

“In the football world it’s totally different, you have got to keep your head down.”

“It’s different because when it’s a darts game, you are on your own.”

“When it’s Manchester United, you have a whole team around you, so you have got to stick together.”

Littler is now preparing to defend his Premier League darts title in Belfast on Thursday.

He faces Michael van Gerwen in a rematch of their World Championship final last month.

“This is the only sport where the fans are always behind you,” Littler said.

“It does add that little bit of pressure at times.”

“I absolutely love it when there are tens of thousands in the arena and I can’t wait for the Premier League to begin.”

“There’s a little bit of pressure there to defend the trophy, but it’s a long 16 weeks.”

“As long as I get in the top four I go to the O2 for the semi-finals.”

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