Tag: Football

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Manchester United have been on the right side of some astonishing scorelines in the Premier League.

Most recently, winning 9-0 against Southampton in 2021 and 7-1 versus Blackburn in 2010.

Yet, perhaps the most memorable of them all was when United embarrassed Arsenal at Old Trafford to win 8-2 in 2011.

Speaking after the match, Arsene Wenger described the result as “humiliating”.

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United legend Robin van Persie scored in that game when he was, at the time, an Arsenal player.

On Saturday, Robin van Persie was on the wrong side of a high-scoring game again, but this time as a manager.

He watched his Heerenveen side suffer a 9-1 loss at the hands of AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie.

The result was a record-breaking win for Alkmaar.

“You’ll encounter a number of bumps in your career. This was a very big bump”, he said.

Van Persie, 41, took over Heerenveen in May this year.

He has only managed one win in his first four games as manager, as his team sits 13th in the Eredivisie.

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The former striker expressed his sympathy towards the players on his team.

“I also know how it works. I also lost 8-2 to Manchester United once. That wasn’t fun either, but it’s part of being a footballer.”

“It’s part of everyone’s journey to become the best version of themselves”, he said.

Coming off his side’s first win last week, this result is bound to halt Van Persie’s momentum.

Heerenveen next game is against FC Twente tomorrow, who United play in the Europa League next Wednesday.

Fans will hope that Van Persie’s men can shatter Twente’s confidence by beating them before they visit Old Trafford.

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Image Credits: Imago Images

Manchester United secured an impressive 3-0 victory over Southampton on Saturday, with standout performances from several players.

A penalty save by Andre Onana shifted the momentum in United’s favor after a slow start, helping the team gain control of the game.

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However, one player who shone right from the beginning was Amad Diallo, who consistently looked dangerous when he had possession.

Centredevils rated his performance a 9/10 for the match, a reflection of how instrumental he was throughout.

Amad registered his first assist of the season during the match, providing the pass that set up Marcus Rashford for his first goal of the 2024/25 campaign.

The 21-year-old winger is enjoying a breakout season, cementing his place as an indispensable starter for Manchester United.

Impressive stats of Amad vs Southampton

Amad Diallo’s creative ability was on full display in the win over Southampton.

He created six goalscoring opportunities, marking his most productive performance for United so far.

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The team’s lower tempo in the second half indicated that Amad still had more to offer if needed, further showcasing his potential to deliver under pressure.

The decision to leave him out of the starting lineup against Liverpool now seems questionable, given his impactful performance against Southampton.

Praise from former Chelsea player

Amad’s displays are catching the attention of critics and fans alike, even earning praise from typically hard-to-please pundits.

Jason Cundy, a former Chelsea player, praised the youngster’s first-half performance on Talksport, noting how he outshone the rest of the players on the pitch.

Cundy said: “You have three wide players right now. You have got Amad, you have got Rashford, you have got Garnacho.

“Amad first half, he was sensational. Even though United struggled, he looked he is going to be a hell of a player, by the way.”

Manchester United’s first goal came from Matthijs de Ligt, assisted by Bruno Fernandes after a well-executed corner.

Rashford’s opener was followed by Alejandro Garnacho’s third goal in injury time, courtesy of a Diogo Dalot cross.

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Image Credits: Getty Images

The transfer market, although closed, remains abuzz as Europe’s elite clubs prepare to bolster their squads for future campaigns.

Midfield creativity has become a sought-after commodity, with teams eager to secure young talents who can make an immediate impact.

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The focus is increasingly on rising stars who possess both skill and the potential for long-term development.

Croatia continues to be a hotspot for emerging football talent, particularly in the midfield department.

The nation’s ability to produce technically gifted and tactically astute players has not gone unnoticed.

Just a week ago, CentreDevils relayed that Manchester United are interested in signing 21-year-old Croatian midfielder Martin Baturina, but they now face competition from Real Madrid.

According to Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Luka Modric has recommended that Real Madrid pursue his young compatriot in the 2025 summer transfer window.

The Red Devils are keen to enhance their midfield options, recognizing a lack of creativity in central areas aside from Bruno Fernandes’s contributions.

Baturina, known for his versatility as a box-to-box midfielder, is viewed as a promising solution to this gap.

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His ability to drive play forward and link up with attackers makes him an attractive prospect for Manchester United.

On the other side, Real Madrid are considering future midfield reinforcements due to Luka Modric’s advancing age.

The club has been linked with several candidates, including Florian Wirtz, but Modric himself is advocating for Baturina’s acquisition.

He sees the young Croatian as a natural successor who can uphold the standards set in the midfield.

Who is Martin Baturina?

Martin Baturina has emerged as one of Croatia’s most promising young players in recent years.

Born in Split, he honed his skills with local clubs Hajduk Split and RNK Split before graduating from Dinamo Zagreb’s youth academy.

Breaking into Dinamo Zagreb’s first team at the end of the 2020/21 season, Baturina has shown remarkable progress.

In the 2024/25 campaign, he has hit the ground running, providing five assists in seven appearances across all competitions.

His performances have earned him international recognition, making his debut for the Croatian national team during the final international break of 2023.

Since then, he has accumulated five caps, showcasing his talent on the international stage.

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Baturina’s rise has naturally attracted attention from top European clubs.

His technical ability, vision, and maturity on the field make him a standout candidate for teams looking to invest in their midfield for the long term.

Both Manchester United and Real Madrid see the potential in Baturina to make a significant impact.

The coming months will be crucial in determining Baturina’s next destination. Manchester United could offer him the chance to shine in the Premier League, adding creativity and depth to their squad.

Real Madrid, with Modric’s endorsement, might position him as the future linchpin of their midfield.

Either way, Baturina’s career trajectory is on an upward curve, and his decision will be closely watched by football enthusiasts worldwide.

As the competition heats up, it remains to be seen which club will secure the signature of this Croatian prodigy.

One thing is certain: Martin Baturina is a name we’ll be hearing much more of in the years to come.

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Manchester United recently published their annual financial statements, showcasing a mix of record-breaking revenues and significant net losses.

The financial landscape of top-flight football continues to evolve, with clubs navigating complex regulations to maintain both competitive and fiscal responsibility.

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As financial fair play remains a hot topic, clubs like Manchester United are under increased scrutiny to adhere to established guidelines.

The Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) are designed to ensure clubs operate within their means, limiting allowable losses to £105 million over a rolling three-year period.

Breaching these rules can lead to severe penalties, including points deductions, which could drastically affect a club’s standing in the league.

Understanding and complying with these regulations is crucial for clubs aiming to compete at the highest level without facing sanctions.

Despite posting a net loss of £113.2 million for 2023-24, Manchester United have not breached PSR regulations, according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson.

“I think there are a couple of things that are relevant here,” Borson told Football Insider.

“First of all, we understand that they have not failed PSR.”

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United’s revenue rose from £648.4 million in 2022-23 to a club-record £661.8 million last season.

Under PSR rules, clubs can only lose a maximum of £105 million over a rolling three-year period, with any potential breach likely to incur a points deduction.

However, Erik ten Hag’s side are expected to avoid a financial breach after they have been allowed to add back £40 million in Covid losses and more than £40 million for their strategic review.

“I doubt that they would have been so forthright in their statement, which clearly goes to the New York Stock Exchange,” Borson continued.

“It’s very unlikely that they would say anything where there was any risk of failure from a PSR perspective, so they have been very clear they have not failed.”

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Manchester United’s new chief executive, Omar Berrada, revealed the club remains committed to complying with the Premier League’s PSR rules and UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations after releasing their latest accounts.

Borson added, “You can therefore assume that they have got the add backs legitimately for things like the women’s team, the academy, community spending, and other depreciation and amortisation.”

“All of that plus the Covid allowance that we discovered that they had for 2021/22 of £40 million plus an add back of around £40 million spent on the strategic review,” he said.

“When you add back all of that, it’s a very sizeable amount, that’s how you then get them under the £105 million limit.”

The clarification from Borson provides reassurance to Manchester United fans concerned about potential sanctions like points deduction.

The club’s financial strategy appears to align with regulatory requirements, mitigating the risk of any punitive actions that could affect their Premier League campaign.

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Amad Diallo’s Manchester United journey is truly beginning to take shape.

Signed from Atalanta in January 2021 for a fee of up to £37 million, Diallo arrived as one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards.

However, breaking into the first team at Old Trafford is no easy task.

After struggling for game time, the young winger was sent on loan to Sunderland for the 2022/23 season – a move that proved to be a turning point.

Diallo thrived in the Championship, scoring 14 goals and providing 4 assists, becoming a vital cog in Sunderland’s attack.

Yet, despite his success, he struggled to secure a regular spot under Erik ten Hag upon his return to United.

His 2023/24 season began quietly, but everything changed when he scored a famous last-minute winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup.

That moment sparked calls for Diallo to become Manchester United’s starting right winger.

Fast forward to this season, and Diallo seems to be taking the next step in his evolution.

He has already created 10 chances – more than double any other United player, whilst delivering a standout performance against Southampton, creating six chances.

As Diallo looks to make a permanent mark at Old Trafford, here are five traits that could elevate him to superstar status at Manchester United.

Image Credits: Getty Images

Manchester United’s quest to bolster their defensive lineup this summer led them to scout numerous talents across Europe.

With injuries affecting key first-team defenders last season, the Red Devils were eager to strengthen their backline depth.

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As the transfer window progressed, the club faced challenges in securing their primary targets.

High asking prices and competition from other teams forced United to consider alternative options to reinforce their defense.

One player who declined a move to Old Trafford is Senegalese international Faye.

According to his agent, the 20-year-old turned down Manchester United because he did not want to leave Barcelona for a club where he wouldn’t be a first-team regular.

Faye eventually signed with Ligue 1 side Rennes, a move that also helped Barcelona finance the signing of Dani Olmo.

Manchester United had considered Faye as an alternative to Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, who was their first choice for strengthening the left center-back position.

Negotiations for Branthwaite fell through due to Everton’s high valuation of the England international.

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This prompted United to explore other options, but they ultimately opted to sign defenders Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt instead of Faye.

Speaking on the Inkubator podcast, Faye’s agent Andy Bara stated: “Manchester United were interested in Faye, but he didn’t like that option.

“He wasn’t a regular at Barcelona, so what did it matter if he hadn’t had the same at United? His development wouldn’t have progressed at all.

“Barca wanted a buy-back clause in Faye’s contract with Rennais, it was the only condition that Barça accepted.

“The clause is €30 million (£25m/$33m). Now everything depends on Faye, on how he is going to develop.”

Since his transfer at the end of August, Faye has yet to make an appearance for Rennes.

However, his agent believes the young defender will break into the first team within one or two months.

Meanwhile, Manchester United continue to deal with defensive injuries, including a setback for new signing Yoro.  This situation suggests that Faye might have had opportunities to impress had he joined the Premier League club.

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Manchester United’s Under-18 squad returned to league competition after the international break with an away match against Newcastle United on Saturday morning.

Having started the season impressively with victories over Manchester City and Liverpool, Adam Lawrence’s team aimed to maintain their unblemished record as they defend their Premier League North title.

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The match began with United asserting dominance. Early in the game, James Scanlon tested the Newcastle United goalkeeper, Tyler Jones, who made a crucial save to stop a shot headed for the bottom right corner.

In the 17th minute, a foul on Bendito Mantato inside the box awarded United a penalty.

Gabriele Biancheri, in remarkable form this season, stepped up to take the spot-kick.

Although Jones initially saved his attempt, Biancheri capitalized on the rebound to open the scoring.

Gabriele Biancheri wasn’t done yet.

Ten minutes later, he notched his second goal of the match—and his seventh in just five appearances this season—demonstrating his predatory instincts inside the penalty area.

United nearly extended their lead moments after when Scanlon’s effort struck the right post.

However, Scanlon made amends just before halftime by finding the bottom left corner of the net, sending United into the break with a commanding 3-0 lead.

This goal came on the heels of his first senior international goal for Gibraltar against Liechtenstein the previous week.

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The second half saw Newcastle attempting a comeback. Guy Bloomer, celebrating his 17th birthday just two days earlier, pulled one back for the hosts.

However, his joy was short-lived as he later fouled Scanlon, resulting in United’s second penalty of the match.

Substitute Amir Ibragimov took responsibility this time, confidently smashing the ball into the top right corner to record his first goal at the Under-18 level.

United continued to dominate, and the victory was sealed late in the game when Jim Thwaites added a fifth goal.

Thwaites finished from close range on the right side of the six-yard box, capping off an impressive team performance.

This emphatic win propels Manchester United’s Under-18s into second place in the league standings, boasting three wins from three matches.

They appear strong contenders to retain their Premier League North crown.

The team is set to continue their title defense next week with an away fixture against Middlesbrough.

However, fans may find themselves unable to watch the game live, as it is not scheduled for broadcast on MUTV.

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Yesterday against Southampton, Marcus Rashford scored his first Manchester United goal since March 17th.

It was only his sixth goal of 2024 and ended his 189-day scoring drought.

After United’s 2-1 loss to Brighton on August 24th, Alan Shearer was critical of Rashford.

“He’s had two games this season Marcus Rashford and he’s not had one shot at goal”, Shearer said.

It took until yesterday’s 3-0 win for Rashford to register his first shot of the season.

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Speaking last night, Shearer doubled down on his harsh judgement of Rashford.

“I don’t think [the criticism] has be unfair”, he said.

When asked if Rashford has been unfairly singled out by the media, Shearer denied any such notion.

“No, it’s because of the standards he has set”, he responded.

“We saw him score, two seasons ago, over 30 goals. We know he can do it, you want to see that on a more regular basis.”

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Ten Hag was quick to jump to his player’s defence after the first wave of criticism, following United’s loss to Brighton.

“Everyone gets criticism from you guys, it doesn’t matter what we are doing, if we are winning or if we are losing.”

“I was very happy with Rashy in pre-season, against Fulham and also against Brighton.”

After he netted his first of the season yesterday, Ten Hag further expressed his faith in Rashford.

“Once the first is in, more is coming”, he said.

Rashford has not gone two consecutive seasons without scoring 10 or more Premier League goals since 2017/18.

Last season, it took Rashford four games to score his first goal of the season, but did not score again until matchweek 13.

After scoring in matchweek four again, United will hope the same fate does not befall him this season.

They approach their busiest stretch of the campaign so far, with four games to play in the next two weeks.

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Before the Glazers took over Manchester United, the last thing that MUFC fans focused on was the clubs finances.

United were debt free and were regularly able to go and buy the best players in England without worrying about the books.

After the Glazers purchase loaded the club with huge debt, everything financial seems to revolve around debt.

Indeed, many experts believe that the club has lost over £1bn just repaying the debt.

And that debt still stands.

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When Sheikh Jassim was interested in buying the club, one of the things that he offered was to clear the clubs debts.

However, since INEOS came in, the debt is still there.

So any further financial loss is only going to be a negative.

News that has emerged recently will only add to the financial woes at the club.

According to The Sun, Manchester United lost almost £200m from their share price in just over two weeks.

The Red Devils value on August 31 stood at £2.25bn, but stands at just £2.06bn as of September 14.

That represents a loss of £190m.

There are two contributing factors towards such a dramatic loss in share price.

Firstly, the club announced a major net loss for the last financial year.

Manchester United made an incredible £113.2 million loss last season.

Secondly, Cristiano Ronaldo made some scathing comments about the club when speaking on Rio Ferdinand’s FIVE podcast.

Ronaldo has criticised both the club and manager once again, doubling down on comments he made to Piers Morgan just before he departed the club.

Both of these factors contributed to the club losing such a huge amount off their share price.

Speculation can cause both increases and decreases in share prices and it seems that these two negative pieces of news has caused concern on the price for the club.

INEOS and the Glazers will be hoping that a successful season will help increase the price over time.

With United selling a lot of players in the summer and looking to balance the books a bit better, there’s hope that future finance years will result in profit rather than loss for the club.

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Manchester United are set to visit Southampton for the early kick-off this Saturday as the Premier League resumes following the international hiatus.

The match at St. Mary’s Stadium promises to be pivotal for both sides, each seeking a turnaround in form.

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Erik ten Hag’s squad finds itself under significant scrutiny after just three games into the new season.

A heavy 3-0 defeat to Liverpool in their last outing has intensified discussions about the manager’s future at Old Trafford.

The Dutch coach is in dire need of a convincing victory to alleviate mounting pressure, especially after consecutive losses to Brighton and Liverpool.

Adding fuel to the fire, former Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo offered sharp criticism of the team earlier this week.

On the other side, Southampton’s manager Russell Martin aims to prevent a fourth consecutive league defeat.

The recently promoted Saints have yet to secure any points since their return to the top flight.

However, the home fans are expected to create an electrifying atmosphere to boost their team’s morale.

Southampton Team News

Southampton will be without goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu and forward Kamaldeen Sulemana for this fixture. Ben Brereton Diaz is available for selection after returning from international duty without issues.

Scottish striker Ross Stewart is nearing a comeback after a prolonged period on the sidelines and could be included in the matchday squad.

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New signings Maxwel Cornet and Ryan Fraser are also in contention to feature.

Manchester United Team News

Midfielder Manuel Ugarte is eligible for selection despite only arriving back from South America on Thursday.

Luke Shaw and Rasmus Hojlund remain unavailable. The likes of Victor Lindelof, Tyrell Malacia, Leny Yoro, and Mason Mount are still sidelined due to injuries.

However, Bruno Fernandes is fit to play despite sustaining a minor knock during Portugal’s Nations League victory over Scotland.

Predicted line-up for Manchester United against Southampton

Onana; Mazraoui, de Ligt, Martinez, Dalot; Ugarte, Mainoo; Amad, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Zirkzee.

Match Details

The match between Southampton and Manchester United kicks off at 12:30 PM BST on Saturday, 14 September, at St. Mary’s Stadium in Southampton.

How to Watch

Fans in the United Kingdom can catch the game live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage beginning at 11:00 AM. Subscribers also have the option to stream the match online via the Discovery+ platform and its app.

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