Tag: Football

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Manchester United started off the 2024/25 Premier League season with a narrow one goal win against Fulham.

New signing Joshua Zirkzee came off the bench to score on his debut for the club.

Bruno Fernandes had a couple of big chances in the first half, while Alejandro Garnacho missed an open goal to make it 2-0 late in the second.

Player Ratings

Andre Onana – 8/10

He made two solid saves from a Kenny Tete long shot and a deflection from a Rodrigo Muniz deflected shot.
A well-earned clean sheet for the Cameroonian.

Diogo Dalot – 7/10

Dalot was shifted across to left-back to accomodate new signing Noussair Mazraoui and had a solid performance.
He struggled to keep up with Adama Traore at times, although not many full-backs can deal with the Spaniard’s pace and power.

Lisandro Martinez – 7/10

Martinez certainly contributed to the clean sheet with some great interventions.
He did also get bypassed by Adama Traore in the first-half which lead to a dangerous Fulham chance.

Harry Maguire – 8/10

A great game from the former United captain, as he was faultless defensively.
His diagonal passes were also on point, as usual.

Noussair Mazraoui – 8/10

It is difficult to ask for a much better debut from United’s new full-back.
The Morroccan was incredibly calm and accurate on the ball.
He won six out of his seven ground and aerial duels in the game.

Casemiro – 9/10 – Man of the Match

Having faced a lot of backlash from fans and pundits last seaason, Casemiro was certainly out to prove a point tonight.
A fantastic display all around, both with and without the ball.

Kobbie Mainoo – 7/10

It wasn’t one of Mainoo’s most eye-catching performances but he hardly did anything wrong either.
The young star completed 90% of his passes and won 11 of his 20 ground duels.

Marcus Rashford – 3/10

Rashford was anonymous in this match.
It would not be an overstatement to say that Alejandro Garnacho had a bigger impact in his 30 minute substitute appearance.

Amad Diallo – 7/10

A decent outing for the young Ivorian as he put in some dangerous set-piece deliveries and kept attacks ticking on the right-hand side.

Mason Mount – 4/10

The 25-year-old struggled to have any meaningful impact on the game, although he did work hard out of possession and was often leading United’s press.

Bruno Fernandes – 7/10

Having just signed a new contract at United, the captain was instrumental to the winning goal.
He loses a few marks because of the missed chances in the first-half.

Alejandro Garnacho – 8/10

Unsurprisingly, Garnacho had a substantial impact when he came on for Amad Diallo in the 61st minute.
He assisted Joshua Zirkzee for the winning goaland was dangerous when running in behimd.
It was disappointing to see him miss such a big chance at the end.

Joshua Zirkzee – 9/10

A dream debut for United’s new number 11 as he scored the winning goal.
It was a fabulous finish from the Dutchman that secured the win for his new team.

Matthijs de Ligt, Jonny Evans and Scott McTominay – N/A*

*These players did not play enough minutes to qualify for a rating.

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Manchester United has been making waves this transfer window with some smart acquisitions, bringing in Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, and Noussair Mazraoui for a combined fee of around £140 million, excluding add-ons.

In today’s inflated market, that sum represents good value for the quality of players United has secured.

However, while the club has had a successful time in terms of incoming transfers, there are still concerns on the sales front.

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Despite offloading players like Mason Greenwood, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Donny van de Beek, and Willy Kambwala, only Greenwood and Wan-Bissaka fetched significant fees, going for £22 million and £14 million respectively.

With the club needing to fund further signings, the pressure is mounting to move more players.

Scott McTominay appears to be the next most likely departure, with several clubs expressing interest. United is reportedly seeking between £25-30 million for the midfielder.

Adding to the potential shakeup at Old Trafford, reports have emerged of a massive potential offer from a Saudi Arabian club for Marcus Rashford.

Saudi clubs interested in signing Marcus Rashford

According to a recent report from Fichajes, clubs in the Saudi Pro League are willing to pay as much as €100 million for the England international.

The report suggests that Manchester United could seriously consider accepting such a bid, given Rashford’s inconsistent performances last season and the financial boost this sale would provide.

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The report states: “Marcus Rashford, one of Manchester United’s greatest stars, could be living his final days at Old Trafford.

“Despite having had a brilliant season in 22/23, his performances in the last campaign were not as consistent.

“This drop in form has generated speculation about a possible exit, especially given the interest of clubs in Saudi Arabia who would be willing to pay close to 100 million euros for his signing.

“Manchester United, aware of Rashford’s market value, could seriously consider the offer.

“This amount would allow the team to strengthen in other key areas and at the same time, give Rashford the opportunity to embark on a new adventure.”

While the financial allure of such a deal is clear, Rashford’s future remains uncertain.

The Englishman, now 26 years old and entering what should be the peak of his career, is eager to prove his worth under the new co-owners and continues to be viewed by the club as a symbol of United’s values.

Whether he opts for a lucrative move to the Middle East or stays to solidify his legacy at Old Trafford is yet to be seen.

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Manchester United’s last season in the Premier League was far from impressive, prompting manager Erik ten Hag to make significant changes to strengthen the squad during this transfer window.

Over the past few weeks, United have made several key signings aimed at addressing their weaknesses and enhancing their overall performance.

The club has brought in talented players such as Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, all of whom are expected to play vital roles in the upcoming season.

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These additions have certainly bolstered Ten Hag’s options and improved the quality of the squad, giving fans hope for a more successful campaign.

However, United’s business in the transfer market may not be over just yet.

According to multiple reports, the club is still actively pursuing a defensive midfielder, with Manuel Ugarte emerging as a primary target.

Negotiations for Ugarte’s potential signing are ongoing, but there remains uncertainty about whether a deal can be finalised, particularly given PSG’s reported reluctance to budge on their asking price.

In addition to the pursuit of a midfielder, renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has indicated that United might also be considering a move for a left-sided defender.

Whether that comes in the form of a left-back or a left-footed center-back could depend on the availability of funds and the club’s ability to offload some existing players.

With the transfer window still open, United have time to secure additional signings, and it will be fascinating to see if any more players are brought in before the deadline.

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The club’s activity in the market has already generated considerable excitement, and further acquisitions could signal a strong intent to challenge for major honors this season.

Bundesliga player wants to return to Old Trafford

Meanwhile, former Manchester United goalkeeper Matej Kovar, who now plays for Bayer Leverkusen, has expressed his desire to return to Old Trafford one day.

Kovar, 24, was sold to the Bundesliga club last summer after failing to make a senior appearance during his time with United.

Since joining Leverkusen, he has made 17 appearances, though he played just once in the Bundesliga last season, with Lukas Hradecky being the first-choice goalkeeper under manager Xabi Alonso.

In a recent interview with Rheinische Post, Kovar reflected on his decision to leave his home country at the age of 17 to pursue his dream of playing for Manchester United.

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He acknowledged that leaving the club was the right choice for his career at the time but did not rule out the possibility of returning to Old Trafford in the future.

“It wasn’t an easy decision to leave everything behind at that age: the country, my friends, my family,” Kovar said.

“But when Manchester United calls, you don’t have to think long. For me, a childhood dream came true. I had to take that chance.

“I was there for five years, enjoyed the time, met a lot of great people and matured as a goalkeeper and a person.

“I’m grateful for the experiences. Of course, there were ups and downs, but they’re part of life. Maybe I’ll come back one day, that would be nice.”

Despite Kovar’s openness to a return, it seems unlikely that Bayer Leverkusen would allow the promising goalkeeper to leave, given their plans for his future development.

Nonetheless, the prospect of a reunion with Manchester United is one that fans will surely keep an eye on.

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Since INEOS brought a stake in Manchester United, they’ve spent a lot of time bulking up the off the pitch side of the club.

Bringing in the likes of Omar Berrada, Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox is seen as a way for United to catch up with their rivals in key positions away from the touchline.

These appointments have seen a different approach from the club already in this transfer window.

Previously seasons saw panic last minute buys.

This season, United completed deals for Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee early, while Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui were in before the first league game tonight against Fulham.

It’s now made clear that the off pitch restructuring is still continuing.

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Not only have the club brought in fresh faces from the outside, but existing staff members have had their roles changed.

One of those is of a very high profile member of staff.

Darren Fletcher is not only a member of backroom team, but he’s also a United legend.

Fletcher won five English Premier League titles as well as the UEFA Champions League in a trophy laden time in Manchester.

Since retiring, he’s been back involved at the club and was appointed technical director by the previous regime in 2021.

It now looks like that’s no longer the case.

The Athletic report that Fletcher had been moved on from his previous technical director job when Jason Wilcox came to the club.

His new role is that of just a first-team coach.

Darren Fletcher is being tasked with providing a link between academy players and the senior team.

Although being a first-team coach is still an important member of the staff, it’s a demotion when you’ve previously had a director role at the club.

The new hierarchy will hope that this change, along with some of the restructuring that has taken place, will help Erik ten Hag have a success season.

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Victor Lindelof is now turning heads in Germany and Italy.

As Lindelof’s contract at Old Trafford approaches its expiration in June 2024, United has placed him on the transfer list.

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With the acquisition of Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt, Lindelof has fallen further down the pecking order at Old Trafford.

With it all but confirmed that he will leave this window under any circumstances.

Now, fresh reports claim the Sweden international is attracting interest from Serie A and Bundeliga.

Lindelof attracts interest from Italy

As per Gianluca Di Marzio, Fiorentina are now interested in signing Victor Lindelof.

The report states that they are currently working out the conditions of a possible deal for the defender.

However, they are not the only club eyeing a move for the Swedish player.

Bundesliga club interested in Victor Lindelof

According to Frankfurter Rundschau, Eintracht Frankfurt may be eyeing up a move for Lindelof as they hunt for a new centre-back.

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The report states that the pressure is now on director of football Markus Krösche to find a player and he has one eye on Manchester United.

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Manchester United are unfortunately set to miss out on one of their key midfield targets with Youssouf Fofana on his way to AC Milan to complete his medical before signing for the club.

United’s other priority target, Manuel Ugarte, also isn’t looking great, with the deal sat in limbo for a number of weeks. It was reported recently that United have abandoned the deal with PSG’s asking price being too high. However, the Red Devils are understood to still be in contact with the French champions to reach an agreement.

Erik ten Hag is also keen to develop United academy graduate Toby Collyer. They expect the young star is going to fit what they want from a no6 and don’t want any new signings to impede his development.

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However, United have now been presented with an opportunity to sign a highly rated midfielder with heaps of top level experience.

Manchester United are offered Marco Verratti

The Red Devils have recently been given the opportunity to sign Italian midfielder, Marco Verratti.

The 31-year-old has been playing for Al-Arabi in the Stars League in Qatar, having moved from PSG last summer for €45 million.

The star was at the French capital for just over a decade, making 416 appearances for the club, grabbing 11 goals and 61 assists. His contributions to the team helped the Ligue 1 side win the league title nine times out of the ten full seasons he played, coming second in the other. The French club also won the Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue on six occasions each and the Trophee des Champions nine times.

Whilst the midfielder has made 22 appearances since moving to Al-Arabi, with a contract that runs out next year, reports claim that Verratti is keen to return to elite European football.

Journalist Graeme Bailey as included in Thursday’s Euro Paper Talk, has reported that both Manchester United and Liverpool have been given the chance to sign the Italian star.

The lure of the Premier League is expected to tempt Verratti, with the 31-year-old never having competed in the league before.

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Manchester United are still doing everything they can to get one of their top summer transfers across the line, now considering a surprise swap deal.

With just under two weeks left of the summer transfer window, United still have a number of targets they’re pursuing.

The Red Devils have already made strong signings to their defence, so most of their continued efforts remain in signing new, quality midfielders.

The club’s ongoing negotiations are mainly focused on PSG’s Manuel Ugarte and AS Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana.

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Unfortunately for United, AC Milan seem to be leading the race for Fofana with a revised offer of £25.7 million been submitted made up of £21.4 million and £4.3 million in bonuses. This revised bid meets the asking price that Monaco have set for the midfielder, meaning that a move to San Siro is likely, with the star wanting to join AC Milan as his preference.

With this in mind, United are now looking at their other options and attempting to get other deals across the line.

United’s new pursuit of Ugarte with a swap deal

Despite reportedly moving away from the Ugarte deal, United have continued discussions with PSG to try and reach an agreement.

The French club recently met with United to discuss the deals of Ugarte as well as the French champions looking to buy Jadon Sancho.

Now, Manchester World have reported that United are looking to take a new approach to the deals by using Sancho in a swap deal for Ugarte, combining both clubs’ interests into one deal.

This would see both clubs benefit, with United already expressing their openness to parting ways with Sancho this summer, despite his newly formed relationship with Erik ten Hag.

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Manchester United, like all English Premier League sides, have to submit their first team squads to the league before the new season.

Not only do they do that, but they also upload their squad and each players profile onto the official MUFC website.

When players come in or go out of the club, the site is typically updated to reflect that.

Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee were added soon after they joined the club.

Donny van de Beek was removed when he joined Girona.

But one player remained on the website long after he departed the club.

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Sofyan Amrabat, who was on loan from Fiorentina last season, had remained on the MUFC website squad list despite no longer being affiliated with the club.

With the hierarchy deciding not to trigger the option to make his transfer permanent, Amrabat returned back to the Serie A side.

Yet, his face and name were still present on the website.

This was despite the page being updated after the captures of Yoro and Zirkzee.

Many fans felt this may be a hint that the club intended to go back in for the player.

Sofyan Amrabat has been one of the players linked with a permanent transfer to Old Trafford this season as the club look to bring in midfield reinforcements.

However, it seems that the change has now been actioned.

Having added Matthijs de Ligt, who will take over the number 4 shirt previously worn by Amrabat, and Noussair Mazroui to the site, Sofyan Amrabat has been removed from the first team page.

That means it took the club 46 days to remove him from the site after his loan finished.

Better late than never, as they say.

Attention will now turn to which player United decide to enter the transfer market for.

As for Sofyan Amrabat, it seems that the door has firmly been shut on his time at Manchester United.

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Manchester United face Fulham tomorrow evening in the English Premier League curtain raiser.

Playing at Old Trafford at 8pm, this will be the first top flight league game played in the new campaign.

Many eyes will be on the starting lineup for the Red Devils.

New signings Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui were signed in time to play in the match, while fellow summer signing Joshua Zirkzee will be hoping to play some part and make his first appearance in a red shirt.

We know that Untied will be missing several key players as the likes of Leny Yoro, Rasmus Hojlund and Luke Shaw are just three players ruled out through injury.

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Fulham, on the other hand, have a fully fit squad to choose from.

Marco Silva’s side have come through pre-season without any injuries and will be raring to go.

The Cottagers are hoping to repeat their famous victory at Old Trafford in February, when they beat the Red Devils 2-1 in the English Premier League.

Calvin Bassey opened the scoring, with Harry Maguire equalising in the 89th minute before Alex Iwobi scored a 97th minute winner.

And it looks like the away team will be fielding two fresh faces as they aim to make it back-to-back victories at The Theatre of Dreams.

Emile Smith-Rowe, signed from Arsenal in the summer, and Jorge Cuenca, brought in from Villarreal, are in line for a competitive start according to United’s official website.

Both players will be looking to make an impression on their new fans by claiming a big scalp in the shape of Manchester United.

Fellow summer signing Ryan Sessegnon, who rejoined the club on a free transfer after leaving Tottenham Hotspur, is likely to be on the bench behind Antonee Robinson.

Erik ten Hag will be hoping that his debutants will be able to outshine Fulham’s and get his side the first three points of the 2024/25 season.

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Unfortunately for the Red Devils, Manchester United look set to miss out on one of their main transfer targets this summer, with a medical lined up in the coming days.

United have been desperate to sign a midfielder this summer, with the club targeting Manuel Ugarte of PSG and AS Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana.

It’s recently been reported that United are now considering using winger Jadon Sancho for leverage in a swap-deal with PSG for Ugarte.

It’s been known fir some time that the French champions want Sancho, with the former Borussia Dortmund star keen for a move to Paris.

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However, United may now look to other options with Fofana looking likely to move elsewhere.

AC Milan to sign Fofana with medical booked in

According to French sports journalist Fabrice Hawkins, AC Milan and AS Monaco have agreed terms on Fofana’s move to Italy.

The Serie A side revised their offer for a second time, finally submitting a bid of €23 million plus €2 million in add-ons. Whilst Monaco were holding out for €25 million plus add-ons, they’ve accepted Milan’s recent offer.

The club have already agreed terms with the midfielder for a four year contract, with Milan being the 25-year-old’s clear favourite destination all summer.

Fofana is set to fly to Milan today or tomorrow to complete his medical assessment before signing with the club.

What this means for United

Unfortunately for United this is a massive blow, with the club hoping to sign both Ugarte and Fofana this summer.

However, there are other options on the horizon, with Burnley’s Sander Berge and Nottingham Forest’s Danillo still available to sign.

In house, the Red Devils also have Toby Collyer who Erik ten Hag is expecting great things from. The United academy graduate is expected to follow in Kobbie Mainoo’s footsteps and break into the first squad soon as a no6.

It’s previously been reported that United want to heavily focus on Collyer’s development and not make signings that could hinder his progress, showing the regard they have for the 20-year-old.

EXCL Accord total entre le Milan AC et Monaco pour YOUSSOUF FOFANA : 23 millions d’euros + 2M€ bonus

Contrat de 4 ans comme révélé par @RMCsport

L’international français sera à Milan aujourd’hui ou demain. Visite médicale puis signature pic.twitter.com/c9SubyDhsP

— Fabrice Hawkins (@FabriceHawkins) August 15, 2024

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