Tag: Football

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As the transfer window progresses, it seems increasingly likely that Scott McTominay will depart Manchester United.

This summer has already seen a significant clear-out at United, with Ineos offloading several players who have underperformed for too long. Now, it appears Scott McTominay could be next.

The 27-year-old midfielder, an academy graduate, played a crucial role for Manchester United last season, with his goals earning the Red Devils several vital points. This makes it uncertain whether he will actually want to move, especially since he is highly rated by manager Erik ten Hag.

Fulham is currently the most interested club in signing McTominay, having already had a £20 million bid rejected.

This offer is just £5 million short of United’s asking price.

However, selling McTominay could fund moves for other players, such as Manuel Ugarte from PSG. Additionally, comments from a former United player could influence McTominay’s decision.

Andreas Pereira shares important message

Amid the potential move to Fulham, Andreas Pereira’s recent comments might significantly impact McTominay’s decision-making process.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Standard, Pereira shared that leaving United was the best decision he ever made.

“I think it was the best decision I made in my life,” Pereira said about leaving United.

“To come to live and play here, to enjoy my football, to get back into the national team with great players, to enjoy my football in the Premier League, leaving is the best decision I made.

“The time I was there, I really enjoyed being at a fantastic club. But I don’t regret leaving. We [the players in my situation] have this desire to show it was wrong that we didn’t play.”

These words are particularly relevant for McTominay, who finds himself in a similar situation to Pereira. Pereira was once a squad player for United with little chance of becoming a regular starter.

McTominay, a talented midfielder, could achieve much more at Fulham if he decides to make the move.

At Fulham, he would have the opportunity to become a key part of a team aiming for a top-10 finish and European football.

In contrast, staying at United would likely see him remain behind other players and limited to occasional appearances.

If McTominay heeds Pereira’s advice, he might look back in a few years and agree that moving to Fulham was the best decision he could have made.

The clock is ticking for McTominay, with his contract set to expire next year. Although United have the option to extend it by an additional year, his resale value is unlikely to remain as high as it is now.

Therefore, a move this summer could be the most beneficial for both McTominay and Manchester United.

In summary, while McTominay’s future at United remains uncertain, the interest from Fulham and the potential for increased playing time and a pivotal role in their squad might be too good to pass up.

Following Pereira’s footsteps could lead McTominay to a new chapter in his career, filled with opportunities and growth.

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Edwin van der Sar is one of the best goalkeepers in Manchester United history.

Sir Alex Ferugson puts him second only to Peter Schmeichel.

It’s easy to see why.

Van der Sar was integral to the great team in the late 2000s.

United fans will never forget his heroics in the 2008 UEFA Champions League final when he saved Nicolas Anelka’s penalty to win the shoot-out for the Red Devils.

That was just one of three UCL finals that he competed with at the club.

All despite moving to Manchester at the tender age of 35 years old.

Since hanging up his boots, Edwin van der Sar has moved into the boardroom.

In 2012, he took on a role of marketing director at the club that gave him his professional debut – Ajax.

Four years later, he took on the role of CEO for the Dutch giants.

And it coincided with their best run in many years.

While working as CEO, Ajax went to the 2019 UEFA Champions League semi-final, where they were knocked out in the last minute of the game by Tottenham Hotspur.

Despite suffering heartache, Ajax won a lot of support for their exploits and van der Sar was heavily praised for the work he’d done to get the club to that stage.

When Erik ten Hag became United manager, many felt van der Sar would follow.

Manchester United had seemingly fallen behind the competition since David Gill left his role as CEO.

Edwin van der Sar seems to be a perfect fit for that role.

Van der Sar left his role at Ajax in 2023 and suffered a brain haemorrhage shortly after. Fortunately, it seems that he’s fully recovered and eager to get back involved in the beautiful game.

And the former Netherlands number one has commented on whether he’s going to return to Old Trafford soon.

Edwin van der Sar on Old Trafford return

Speaking on the Humberto a Paris show, van der Sar smoothly dismissed suggestion that a return to Manchester United would be the ‘most logical’.

“I think there are enough Dutch people around at the moment”, van der Sar says.

United have Dutch staff including the likes of Erik ten Hag, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rene Hake as well as players such as Joshua Zirkzee and Tyrell Malacia already at the club.

“Let those men get to work on the field,” van der Sar concludes.

So it seems that United isn’t on the horizon for Edwin van der Sar just yet.

But the United legend does say that he wants to get back into the game.

“I do think I want to take the next step.

“I will have to find a new goal.

“For a long time, I had the goal of taking Ajax to the top of Europe. Now I have temporarily lost my goal, but I will find it at some point.”

It seems that it won’t be long before we see Edwin van der Sar back in football. But it might be a while yet before we see him return to Old Trafford in any official capacity.

For Dutch viewers, you can see the full video below.

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Manchester United have been active in the transfer market, securing teenage defender Leny Yoro as their most expensive acquisition after striking a £58.9 million deal with Lille last month.

However, manager Erik ten Hag continues to seek further reinforcements ahead of the rapidly approaching August 30 deadline.

Sporting director Dan Ashworth’s been given the task of landing another centre-back, as United’s recent arrival has already been sidelined for three months due to a fractured metatarsal suffered during pre-season.

Despite their efforts, they are facing significant challenges in their pursuit of Matthijs de Ligt.

Manchester United reportedly need Bayern Munich to lower their demands for De Ligt, as they are concerned about the excessive financial outlay required to complete the deal.

The Premier League giants are unwilling to pay more than £45 million plus add-ons, especially just weeks after signing Yoro.

The Red Devils have experienced frustration as the Bundesliga heavyweights rejected an initial double offer for both the Netherlands international and Noussair Mazraoui.

This rejection came despite optimism that the proposal would meet Bayern Munich’s expectations, given that both players are deemed surplus to requirements.

De Ligt seeks huge contract from Man Utd

A new report from GiveMeSport claims that De Ligt is seeking a contract worth around £200,000 per week, which translates to £9.6 million per year.

He has verbally agreed to join Manchester United if personal terms and a fee can be agreed upon.

However, United are not prepared to overspend after already committing a substantial fee for Yoro.

The former Juventus and Ajax player would be in a similar pay bracket to Harry Maguire, who has entered the final 12 months of his £190,000-per-week contract.

De Ligt would also become a higher earner than both Lisandro Martinez and Yoro if United meet his demands and manage to convince Bayern Munich to approve the transfer.

The report further indicates that United are hesitant to proceed with a deal for De Ligt at Bayern Munich’s current valuation.

The club aims to avoid making a hasty decision in response to Ten Hag’s inability to rely on Yoro for an extended period.

Consequently, the hierarchy, along with Ashworth, are deliberating carefully about their next move.

The 24-year-old De Ligt, who made 30 appearances in all competitions during the 2023/24 season, returned to Bayern Munich’s Sabener Strasse training ground on Friday to undergo pre-season fitness assessments. This marks his first time back since participating in Euro 2024 with the Netherlands.

Despite De Ligt being described as ‘world-class’ by Bayern Munich sporting director Christoph Freund, Manchester United are resisting the temptation to meet the high price tag set by the Bavarian club. This stance is being maintained as the transfer deadline looms.

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Manchester United have been active in the transfer market, having already secured the signings of Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee this window.

United are now focused on signing Bayern Munich duo Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui. The club sent a joint bid for both players to the German side, which was swiftly rejected, with Bayern asking for a higher fee in return.

Fabrizio Romano has stated that United will bid again for the duo, although it remains to be seen whether it will be a joint offer again or two separate bids.

It also does not look like United will conclude their summer activities after signing the pair from Bayern, as reports indicate the club also wishes to bring in a defensive midfielder, namely Manuel Ugarte.

While other midfielders such as Martin Zubimendi, Adrien Rabiot, and Youssouf Fofana have been earmarked, it remains unlikely that United will shift their focus from their priority target, Ugarte.

This is especially true now that reports suggest PSG would be willing to do a loan with an obligation to buy deal, which would suit United considering the financial constraints they’ve been dealing with for a while.

If United do eventually sign Ugarte on a loan deal, there is potential for the Red Devils to go into the market again and sign a surplus player, either in defense, attack, or maybe in midfield again.

Reports from Italy claim United are negotiating with agents of playmaker

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According to La Stampa via Tutto Juve, Manchester United are negotiating with the agents of Juventus star Federico Chiesa regarding a potential deal.

New Juventus manager Thiago Motta does not have a place in his squad for the 26-year-old playmaker, but Chiesa is not short of suitors.

The report adds that the Red Devils are not the only club interested in Chiesa’s services with defending Serie A champions AC Milan, Premier League rivals Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal also in constant dialogue with the player’s entourage regarding a summer move.

Corriere Torino revealed last month that his market value was around £42.4m.

However, with his contract set to expire in less than 12 months and Juventus seeing no future for him, we predict he could be available for only around £20-26m this summer.

A fresh start away from Turin, and possibly Italy, could be exactly what the playmaker needs to regain the confidence that once made him famous.

His performance at the Euros was disappointing, and a lack of confidence seems to be affecting his game. The Italian doesn’t take on opponents as convincingly as he used to. At 26, Chiesa has many years left at the top level.

Signing him now for a bargain fee could be a low-risk operation for Manchester United, potentially yielding significant rewards.

However, we maintain skepticism about the substance of this news. Despite the reliability of the source, it’s possible that this information is being circulated by Chiesa’s agents to generate market interest and secure a favorable deal.

The unfolding of this transfer saga, however, will be interesting to watch this summer, as clubs decide whether to take a chance on the Italian winger in hopes of revitalising his career.

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Erik ten Hag’s strategy to address Manchester United’s injury woes has come under scrutiny from Rui Faria, a long-time ally of Jose Mourinho.

Faria, who served as Mourinho’s assistant at Old Trafford during the Red Devils’ 2016/17 EFL Cup and Europa League triumphs, has a wealth of experience, having worked alongside the legendary manager at Porto, Chelsea, Inter, and Real Madrid.

With an impressive resume that includes nearly every major club honor, the 49-year-old’s opinions on squad management carry significant weight.

United faced numerous injury issues last season, which Ten Hag cited as a primary reason for the team’s eighth-place finish in the Premier League.

In response, the Dutchman is exploring ways to mitigate such problems this season.

However, new signing Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund have already encountered injury setbacks.

Yoro is expected to be sidelined for approximately three months, delaying his competitive debut until November.

Rui Faria questions Ten Hag’s plans

Ten Hag’s approach to reducing injury problems involves expanding the size of his squad.

“We are always looking for having squad depth cover for all the positions as possible double, because we know we go into the season and it’s a survival of the fittest,” Ten Hag explained during a media session discussing United’s transfer plans.

Rui Faria, however, appeared to criticise this method in an Instagram post. “The ‘survival of the fittest’… Or the survival of those who work better?” he questioned.

“Is increasing the size of your squad the secret to Premier League success? Does a team achieve stability of performance by building a 30-man squad?

When a club suffers injury after injury, the solution is not squad depth, it’s improving the quality of work delivered to the players!”

The differing philosophies highlight a significant debate in modern football management.

While Ten Hag emphasises squad depth to ensure all positions are well-covered, Faria suggests that the focus should be on enhancing the quality of training and preparation to prevent injuries in the first place.

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Manchester United appear to be one step closer to their next sale, with a Turkish side now agreeing personal terms with a United star.

United have a number of transfer deals now stalling due to the lack of transfer funds at the club, with Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Ugarte in limbo.

As a result, Erik ten Hag’s side are seriously trying to make some sales to raise funds for their new class of Red Devils.

Reports from Turkish publication Sabah, have announced that United midfielder Scott McTominay has ‘agreed personal terms’ with Galatasaray.

The midfielder has heavily linked with an exit from United this summer.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Dan Ashworth highlighted the star as a priority sale this transfer window and Fulham have already made three offers for the Scotland international.

However, the Turkish club have also expressed interest in him and are determined to secure the midfielder’s signature.

It is reported he has ‘agreed’ a deal worth €5 million a year, but the length of it has not been disclosed.

Galatasaray have not agreed on a transfer fee with United, so these negotiations will now need to take place to get the deal over the line.

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Manchester United are looking to offload Aaron Wan-Bissaka this season to raise funds for other transfer business.

The right-back is second choice to Diogo Dalot on the position, with the Red Devils also looking at replacements for the English defender.

United are looking to sign Bayern Munich’s Noussair Mazraoui to their the club this summer transfer season, however need to offload Wan-Bissaka to make space for him.

The race for Wan-Bissaka’s signature has been led by West Ham United, with the London-based club looking set to sign him.

This week it emerged that personal terms have been agreed for a five year contract with The Hammers.

However, recent developments suggest West Ham may still have a fight on their hands.

Wan-Bissaka future still unsure

Reports from Football Insider claim that Inter Milan are still interested in the defender and aren’t giving up yet.

The Serie A club have reportedly ‘hijacked’ Wan-Bissaka’s agreed move to West Ham after a long-term interest in the right-back.

With both clubs negotiating with United over the 26-year-old, the financial incentive appears to be in Inter’s favour.

United are expected to receive £15 million from the deal with the Italian club, where as with West Ham it’s much closer to £10 million.

It’s also known that the right-back would much prefer a move abroad over staying in the Premier League.

With all this stacking up, it does look like Inter’s attempted hijack of the West Ham deal may come out successful.

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After coming sixth in the Super Lig last season, Turkish side Besiktas are keen to sign some serious fire power this summer ahead o their next campaign in the Turkish and Europa leagues.

Whilst the club crashed out of the UEFA Conference League in the group stages, they managed to hold firm in the domestic cup, winning the Turkiye Kupasi with a 3-2 result against Trabzonspor in the final.

With a strong set of performances in domestic competitions, manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst is most likely looking to strengthen the squad for their European campaigns.

Earlier this week, it was announced that Besiktas have ‘made a move’ to sign United winger Antony, with the Premier League club looking to offload the star this summer.

Now, the Turkish side have announced their next steps in the pursuit of the Brazilian international.

Besiktas confirm their intentions with Antony

Whilst the club have been linked with the 24-year-old, Turkish publication Turkish-Football have recently reported the intentions from the Besiktas board.

The publication reported: “Manchester United winger Antony will not be joining Turkish side Besiktas this summer, despite speculation linking the Brazilian with a move away from Old Trafford.”

It continued: “The Besiktas board have vetoed a move for the winger, sources have told Turkish-Football. The winger was linked with Besiktas and intermediaries had approached the club regarding a potential move but the board have made it clear they are not interested.

“A loan transfer had been rumoured as being on the cards but the Black Eagles will not be entering any formal negotiations.”

This statement is very clear cut, stepping away from the winger this summer.

Unfortunately for United, Antony picked up an injury in their second USA tour game against Real Betis, with the full extent of the injury yet to be confirmed. This could mean that whilst the club may not be able to sell the star with no other known suitors, they also may not be able to include him in the squad as their injury list mounts up once more.

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Manchester United are working hard in the transfer market to strengthen Erik ten Hag’s squad after a dismal campaign last season.

The club has already bought Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro, but they do not wish to stop there.

The Red Devils have prioritised signing a center-back, a right-back, and a defensive midfielder before the end of the window.

For these positions, the club has shortlisted players like Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, and Manuel Ugarte.

United especially need a center-back now more than ever after their new signing Leny Yoro was injured during the preseason tour and has been sidelined for three months.

While, a deal to sign a right-back hinges on whether Aaron Wan-Bissaka moves to West Ham United or not, and it appears he might be very close to moving to the East London club.

There have been no developments on the Ugarte deal yet, as Manchester United looks to sell Scott McTominay before advancing with the Ugarte deal. Personal terms with the Uruguayan have been agreed upon for a while now.

However, there has been a significant update in the case of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, both players from Bayern Munich.

Agent Bemused After Bayern Reject Joint Bid

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David Ornstein broke the news this morning that United have submitted a double bid to Bayern for De Ligt and Mazraoui.

However, both bids have been rejected.

According to Ornstein, this has left the camps of De Ligt and Mazraoui—both represented by the same agent, Rafaela Pimenta—absolutely shocked.

It is reported that the representatives of both players believed that whatever United bid should suffice to get a deal over the line, but Bayern’s surprise rejection has left Rafaela Pimenta & Co bemused.

Another cause of bemusement was that Bayern informed the pair before the summer market opened that they were not part of the club’s plans and should seek transfers. The club insisted they would compromise to help the process. Yet, when United made a bid, Bayern rejected it and, if anything, have been difficult to deal with.

It is unclear at the moment how much United bid for both players in their joint offer.

Negotiations are still ongoing between the two clubs, and it is expected that United will come back with a new bid for the players.

Bayern currently demands a higher fee than what was submitted and rejected.

Personal terms have already been agreed upon for both players, so it is expected that once Bayern accepts a fee, the transfer of De Ligt and Mazraoui should wrap up quickly.

As the transfer window progresses, United fans will be keenly watching to see how these negotiations unfold and whether the club can secure these key signings to bolster their squad for the upcoming season.

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Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford left the pitch with a suspected injury during a match against Real Betis, but fans may not need to worry.

The 2023/24 season was plagued by injuries for Manchester United, and this season seems to have started similarly.

Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund already spent time on the sidelines due to injuries sustained against Arsenal.

Now, during the match against Real Betis, Marcus Rashford was forced off the field after a harsh challenge in the second half.

MUTV provide an update on Marcus Rashford injury

Post-match, Manchester United TV presenter Sam Homewood and pundit Danny Webber expressed their views on MUTV, indicating that they were not overly concerned about Rashford’s condition.

Homewood noted that Rashford did not appear to be in significant discomfort after the game.

He said, “He’s walking around with Jadon Sancho, he doesn’t seem to be walking uncomfortably, smiling.”

Webber supported this observation, adding, “He was due to come off anyway, sometimes you have to be sensible.

“He’s walking around, he’s back on his feet, it’s positive to see. We saw the replay, it’s painful, someone stamps on your foot.

“The boots don’t give you a lot of protection. It hurts you for a minute or two.

“If you know you’re going to come off anyway, look at the bigger picture, the start of the season.”

Rashford’s performance against Real Betis was his best of the pre-season so far, highlighted by a successful penalty kick.

Despite his apparent discomfort when leaving the pitch, the fact that he did not seem to be in pain by the end of the game is encouraging.

Manchester United prioritises getting Rashford back to his best, with manager Erik ten Hag supporting him to regain the goalscoring form he displayed in the 2022/23 season.

Rashford scored only eight goals last season after a prolific previous season where he netted 30 goals.

The concern over Rashford’s injury seems to be mitigated by these positive observations. Fans and the team alike are hopeful that Rashford will quickly return to his top form, crucial for Manchester United’s success this season.

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