Tag: Manchester United

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In a surprising twist in the ongoing saga of Raphael Varane’s future, reports have emerged that the Manchester United defender is contemplating a return to his old club, Lens. This comes amidst Varane’s growing discontent over limited playing opportunities at United under manager Erik ten Hag.

Despite Varane’s status as a 2018 World Cup winner, he has recently found himself overshadowed at United by Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire in the central defensive roles.

His recent absence in the game against West Ham, reportedly due to illness, only fueled further speculation about his potential departure from Old Trafford. However, it should be noted that Varane was promptly reinstated in the starting lineup for the subsequent match against Aston Villa.

Lens’s manager Franck Haise has commented on the situation, acknowledging the club’s openness to Varane’s return, albeit recognising the complexities involved in such a move.

“If Varane wants to return, we will welcome him with open arms,” Haise expressed to the media last month.

Yet, he also pointed out the complications surrounding Varane’s contract, noting the challenges even for a club like Bayern Munich to meet his salary demands.

The French sports newspaper L’Equipe has indicated that Varane is considering his options outside of Manchester United, with Lens emerging as a viable destination, especially after Real Madrid, another of Varane’s former clubs, reportedly withdrew from the race to sign him.

Varane himself had previously stated his career endgame in an interview back in March. “I will finish my career either in Madrid, or in Manchester, or in Lens. I will not move to another club [other than those].

“But Madrid seems complicated to me. Players don’t usually go back there. The most likely outcome today is that I will finish [my career] in either Manchester or Lens,” he had said.

Before making his name on the global stage, Varane played for Lens during the 2010-11 season, making 24 appearances before being signed by Real Madrid for a fee of £8.6m.

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Manchester United has set its sights on Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee as a potential new addition to their squad in the January transfer window, as per German media sources.

In their quest to strengthen Erik ten Hag’s offensive lineup, United has made acquiring a central striker a priority.

There were initial suggestions earlier this month that United was in preliminary discussions to secure Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy, who boasts a tally of 17 Bundesliga goals this season.

Nevertheless, a report from Sport1 indicates that United’s interest in Guirassy has waned, leading them to consider other targets.

According to the same report, Zirkzee has emerged as a top target for Manchester United. However, a potential challenge arises with Bayern Munich, as they hold certain contractual privileges regarding Zirkzee’s future.

Zirkzee’s move to Bologna in August 2022 came with a clause allowing Bayern Munich to buy him back for a sum of €22 million (£19m). Additionally, the agreement with Bologna includes a clause for Bayern to match any bid that Bologna might receive for the striker.

Sport1 values Zirkzee at approximately €30m (£26m). This season, he has been a standout performer for Bologna, scoring seven goals in 17 appearances in Serie A.

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In a dramatic Boxing Day fixture at Old Trafford, Manchester United staged an impressive comeback to defeat Aston Villa, with Alejandro Garnacho making Premier League history in the process.

The match, marking United’s first appearance following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a 25% stake in the club, saw Villa initially take a 2-0 lead with goals from John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker.

However, United’s fortunes turned with Garnacho scoring twice, coupled with Rasmus Hojlund’s first goal in the Premier League, culminating in a stunning 3-2 victory.

At 19 years and 178 days old, Garnacho set a new record as the youngest player to net a double on Boxing Day in the Premier League, a record previously held by Michael Owen since 1999.

Rasmus Hojlund, a summer acquisition, also had a momentous game, scoring his inaugural Premier League goal after playing 1,000 minutes in the league.

This win sets up Manchester United for their next match, an away game against Nottingham Forest on December 30.

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Phew, I think we all need to catch our breaths after that match. Manchester United have come back from a two goal deficit to beat Aston Villa in a truly breathtaking game.

The visitors took a two goal lead in the first half through two very poorly defended set-pieces by United.The second half saw a completely different Manchester United.

The players looked hungry and determined to right the wrongs of the first 45 minutes.

Alejandro Garnacho scored twice in the space of 10 minutes, before Rasmus Hojlund finally scored his first Premier League goal to win United the game.

Let’s take a deeper look at how the players and manager did.

Andre Onana – 4/10

By far the team’s worst performer in this match, Onana was largely at fault for both of Villa’s goals. It is worrying how passive and unsure he looks at claiming crosses and dominating his box. He did, however, make a really good save towards the end of the game.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka & Diogo Dalot – 7/10

The two full-backs did really well. Dalot did a fantastic job defensively on the left and when moving into midfield. The same can be said about Aaron Wan-Bissaka, especially his defensive performance.

Raphael Varane – 7/10 & Jonny Evans – 8/10

When it comes to the two centre-backs, they were also magnificent. Especially in the second-half, they were dominating Aston Villa’s forwards and pushing the team forward. Jonny Evans gets a slightly higher score for the goal-saving block he made shortly after Garnacho’s second goal.

Kobbie Mainoo – 6/10

Mainoo started yet another game and brought the same tenacity and calmness that we’ve become used to from him. I am delighted to see him becoming a regular in this team.

Christian Eriksen – 6/10

The Dane returned to the starting eleven after spending a month on the sidelines and put in a decent performance. It was good to see him start over Scott McTominay.

Bruno Fernandes – 9/10

A true captain. Bruno Fernandes was the key to this fabulous comeback. His passes were cutting through Aston Villa’s high line like a hot knife through butter. The perfect example being the first Garnacho goal.

Marcus Rashford – 8/10

The Englishman finally returned to the starting eleven and was instrumental in the comeback. He set up Garnacho’s first and was a constant threat down his favourite left-hand side.

Hopefully we will see more of this from Rashford.

Alejandro Garnacho – 10/10

The man of the match. Garnacho played on the right wing to accomodate Rashford on the other side and was brilliant. I think it suits him more than his English teammate.

He was the team’s biggest goal threat in the second half and thoroughly deserved his brace.

Rasmus Hojlund – 9/10

Finally, Rasmus Hojlund has scored his first goal in the Premier League. It came in the perfect moment too as it won United the game. The finish itself was just sublime.

I am delighted for him, hopefully there is many more to come.

Antony, Scott McTominay, Willy Kambwala, Daniel Gore & Hannibal Mejbri – N/A

Erik ten Hag – 8/10

The Dutchman finally decided to drop Scott McTominay and reintegrate Marcus Rashford and it paid off.

It was disappointing how easily Aston Villa scored from their two set-pieces, something that definitely needs to be looked at by the manager.

It was a huge win for him, hopefully he can build on it in the coming games.

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Tonight in the Premier League, Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United is set to play against Aston Villa at home, with the aim of improving their position in the top-four race.

Under the guidance of Unai Emery, Villa has been exceptional this season, even entering discussions for the Premier League title as they near the season’s midpoint.

Their impressive performance includes a club-record 15-game winning streak at home, which only recently saw a pause with a draw against Sheffield United just before Christmas.

Manchester United, on the other hand, has had a challenging December, securing only one win in the month. Their recent 2-0 defeat at West Ham has been particularly disappointing, leaving them 11 points adrift of Villa and closer to the mid-table zone.

Regarding team news, Manchester United might see the return of Raphael Varane, who has been out due to illness.

Erik ten Hag, however, will likely have to manage without several key players including Harry Maguire, Casemiro, Mason Mount, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, and Tyrell Malacia.

On a positive note, Christian Eriksen, who made a substitute appearance at West Ham, might be in the starting lineup following his recovery from an injury. Diogo Dalot is back too after his suspension.

The predicted lineup for Manchester United is as follows: Onana; Dalot, Kambwala, Evans, Shaw; McTominay, Eriksen; Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Antony; Hojlund.

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Populous, the architectural firm overseeing Manchester United’s redevelopment, has suggested the possibility of demolishing the iconic Theatre of Dreams, a new Telegraph Sport report reveals.

According to the report, the architects have advised both Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family to consider replacing the aging Old Trafford with a new, innovative stadium.

This advice comes amidst ongoing delays in the strategic review process by the Glazers, which has put redevelopment plans on hold for over a year.

Ratcliffe, who recently acquired a 25% stake in Manchester United and assumed full control of football operations, has committed an initial £237 million for infrastructural improvements at Old Trafford. This is in addition to the £1.03 billion deal announced last Christmas Eve.

Sources close to Ratcliffe, speaking to Telegraph Sport, emphasised the need for a detailed examination of Old Trafford’s requirements. They acknowledged that the future would demand significantly more investment in the stadium.

Populous, together with Legends International, a management consultancy firm, was appointed last April to develop a masterplan for the stadium.

Currently, three options are under consideration: a minor refurbishment, an expansion of the south stand over the adjacent railway, or building a completely new stadium.

Chris Lee, CEO of Populous, expressed the club’s awareness of the necessity for updates. He highlighted that Old Trafford is approaching the end of its lifespan, with essential elements nearing their expiration. According to Lee, the club risks falling behind its rivals without these crucial updates.

In an interview with Telegraph Sport, Lee stated his preference for building a new stadium, citing it as potentially the most cost-effective long-term solution. He noted that while the initial investment is substantial, the availability of surrounding land offers an opportunity for an innovative architectural project without space constraints.

He elaborated that Manchester United could continue to use their current stadium during construction, avoiding any loss in matchday revenue.

Last season, the club earned £136.4 million in matchday income, equivalent to £4.1 million per game.

The refurbishment and expansion of Old Trafford as it stands are estimated to cost over £800 million and take eight years. In contrast, a new stadium could cost around £2 billion.

The deteriorating state of Old Trafford, exemplified by a leaking roof and rusting exterior, has been a point of criticism and mockery from rival fans.

Lee emphasised that leaving Old Trafford as is would be unwise, noting that the building’s infrastructure is nearing the end of its usable life.

Populous has been awaiting the next steps in the process, which have been delayed due to the strategic review and sale process. Lee expressed confidence in the robustness of the plans they have presented.

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Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini has emerged as a key target for Manchester United as they look to strengthen their defense in the upcoming January transfer window.

Last summer, the Red Devils had their sights set on multiple high-profile central defenders but were constrained by a limited transfer budget.

Efforts to make room in the squad and budget by offloading Harry Maguire were unsuccessful, as the former captain chose to stay and compete for his position under Erik ten Hag’s leadership.

According to journalist Alfredo Pedulla, Manchester United are now focusing their attention on Scalvini. While both United and Real Madrid acknowledge the young defender’s talent.

Atalanta is not keen on parting with him unless they receive an unexpectedly high offer. The Italian club prefers to delay any decisions about Scalvini’s future until the summer.

Scalvini, 20, has made a name for himself in Serie A, standing out as one of the league’s top young central defenders.

His performance this season has been noteworthy, with averages of 2.1 tackles, 2.1 interceptions, and 2.4 clearances per game, in addition to 5.6 ball recoveries. His aerial prowess is also notable, winning 68 percent of aerial duels, thanks to his height.

While Manchester United is impressed with these aspects of Scalvini’s play, there’s a consensus that he could further develop his distribution skills, as evidenced by his 81 percent pass completion rate.

Previously in November, reports suggested that Atalanta might be open to selling Scalvini to Manchester United for a fee in the region of €50 million.

However, this figure could increase if a transfer were to take place mid-season.

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Sporting CP’s standout defender, Goncalo Inacio, has been catching the eyes of top clubs including Manchester United, Newcastle, Real Madrid, and Tottenham Hotspur. This interest has been highlighted by the Dutch outlet Voetbalnieuws.

At just 22, Inacio has emerged as one of Portugal’s premier defenders, making him a prime target for a potential move to the Premier League.

Manchester United, along with Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Real Madrid, are all in the running to secure his services. However, the task is challenging, especially for Manchester United’s new management.

An interesting twist in the tale is the shared agency between Inacio and Manchester United’s captain, Bruno Fernandes. This connection could potentially give Manchester United an edge in the negotiations.

Inacio’s performance this season at Sporting CP has been impressive, with 23 appearances and three goals to his name, according to transfermarkt.

His talent and potential have marked him as a future star, making him a highly desirable addition for the fans at Old Trafford.

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Manchester United are reportedly setting their sights on Lyon’s young talent Rayan Cherki, with FootballTransfers indicating the club’s heightened interest amid Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s anticipated involvement with the Red Devils.

Cherki, 20, has been on the radar of top Premier League clubs for some time. However, FootballTransfers claims that Ratcliffe’s expected entry into the club’s management is particularly stirring United’s interest in the player, with plans to possibly acquire him in 2024.

While United’s interest in the French prodigy isn’t new, Ratcliffe’s impending association could be a significant factor, especially given his current ownership of Ligue 1 team OGC Nice, which could potentially ease negotiations.

This season, Cherki has participated in 17 games for Lyon, mainly in the No.10 role, contributing two assists despite not opening his goal account yet.

At United, he’s seen as a potential fit for the right-wing position, considering the team’s current setup with Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount in the central roles.

Antony, who currently plays on the right wing for United, has also been struggling to find the back of the net, with his last goal for the club dating back to April.

This situation might influence United’s decision-making as they consider bolstering their attacking options.

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In a shocking continuation of their downward spiral, Manchester United have sunk to new lows, a stark contrast to the days of their former manager David Moyes, who now seems to have the upper hand.

A decade on from Moyes’ ill-fated tenure, the team’s situation appears more dire than ever post his dismissal.

In a dismal performance this Saturday, United succumbed 2-0 to West Ham, a result that’s increasingly becoming a common occurrence rather than an exception.

This season’s tally reveals a concerning trend with nine defeats in 18 Premier League matches, and a worrying lack of goals, having failed to score in their last four matches across all competitions.

Despite a lackluster beginning in East London, United did show some promise towards the end of the first half. However, their inability to capitalize on opportunities, particularly Alejandro Garnacho’s missed chances, was glaring.

Rasmus Hojlund, with a goal per minute ratio in the Premier League worse than Wout Weghorst’s for United (zero in 11 starts), was ineffective in creating any real threat.

The game’s trajectory shifted when Jarrod Bowen, capitalizing on weak goalkeeping from Andre Onana, scored for West Ham. Post that goal, United’s chances of a comeback seemed bleak.

The situation worsened when Kobbie Mainoo’s error led to Mohammed Kudus sealing the win for Moyes against his old club.

Player ratings are as follows:

Andre Onana (5/10): While his footwork was commendable and he made a notable save, his weakness in Bowen’s goal was a letdown.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (5/10): Solid in defense, but lacked the offensive impact of the suspended Diogo Dalot.

Willy Kambwala (5/10): Confident on his debut, showing strength despite the loss.

Jonny Evans (5/10): Stood out as one of United’s better performers.

Luke Shaw (6/10): The best on the field for United, but his efforts remained unmatched.

Bruno Fernandes (4/10): A disappointing game, contributing little of significance.

Kobbie Mainoo (4/10): Was effective until a costly mistake led to a West Ham goal.

Scott McTominay (4/10): Had minimal involvement in the game.

Antony (4/10): Showed decent link-up play and defensive effort but lacked the final product. Did create a notable chance for Garnacho.

Rasmus Hojlund (3/10): Failed to make an impact, with no attempts on goal.

Alejandro Garnacho (4/10): Missed key scoring opportunities, both shots directly at Areola.

Marcus Rashford (3/10): Ineffective, unable to make up for Hojlund’s poor performance.

Facundo Pellistri (4/10): Displayed energy and determination but lacked quality.

Sergio Reguilon (N/A): Came on as a substitute for Kambwala in the 84th minute.

Christian Eriksen (N/A): Entered the game in the 87th minute for his first playtime post knee injury.

Erik ten Hag (5/10): His decision to start Kambwala, due to Varane’s illness, wasn’t the issue; it was the underwhelming performance from the more seasoned players.