Eric Bailly’s departure from Manchester United appears imminent as he awaits the club’s approval for his move to Besiktas, having already reached an agreement with the Turkish side.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, the center-back is on the brink of relocating to Turkey, following a challenging stint at Old Trafford that led to him spending the previous season on loan at Marseille in Ligue 1.
Having joined Manchester United in 2016 for a reported fee of £30 million ($38.17 million), Bailly has entered the final year of his contract, although the club retains the option to extend the agreement for an additional 12 months.
Despite the presence of a buy option in the Marseille contract tied to a specific number of appearances, Bailly was unable to meet the threshold due to a seven-game suspension resulting from a kung-fu kick challenge. Consequently, he made only 23 appearances for the French team.
Skipping pre-season training at Manchester United, Bailly was advised to seek new opportunities.
While reportedly receiving offers from two Saudi Arabian teams, including one supposedly from Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, Bailly’s plans did not materialise in that direction, leading to his forthcoming move to Turkey.
Bailly’s aspiration to rejuvenate his career aligns with his upcoming journey to Besiktas, marking a fresh start following a relatively uneventful couple of years.
Bailly will look to revive his career with Besiktas after an uneventful last couple of years.
Manchester United has unveiled their squad numbers for the upcoming season, and the absence of Mason Greenwood’s name is conspicuous.
Mason Greenwood has not been assigned a squad number by Manchester United as the club contemplates decisions regarding his future.
United disclosed their preliminary squad numbers for the approaching Premier League season, a day before the 2023–24 campaign commences and four days before the Red Devils’ first match against Wolves at home.
The roster is subject to modification upon the closure of the transfer window. United clarified that their new £73 million ($93 million) signing, Rasmus Hojlund, has not yet been allocated a number due to his ongoing recovery from injury.
Greenwood, who has been under suspension by United since January 2022, is not listed and is unmentioned in the announcement. However, the number 11 jersey he previously wore remains vacant.
The striker has been excluded from training and playing with United since January 2022, when he was questioned by police following concerning images and audio that surfaced on social media.
In October 2022, he faced charges of attempted rape, assault, and coercive and controlling behaviour. Nevertheless, all charges against him were dismissed by the Crown Prosecution Service in February 2023, citing the withdrawal of key witnesses and new evidence.
United are expected to make a decision about Greenwood’s future ahead of their opening match on Monday.
To sustain his fitness levels, Greenwood has been working with a personal trainer and was captured training in a Manchester park earlier this week.
The proposal by FIFA and IFAB for extended injury time has drawn criticism from Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne (32) and Manchester United’s Raphael Varane (30). “We will see how it goes, but it makes no sense whatsoever,” De Bruyne warned.
Modern football is an extreme sport
Covering approximately 11 kilometres per match, three times per week, and up to 60 times in a season—this is the demanding routine for a professional footballer at the highest level.
This places intense strain on joints, muscles, and kneecaps. The densely packed match schedules also present a considerable mental challenge. Balancing personal time with family? The Club World Cup and League Cup competitions significantly impact that aspect.
Training sessions within numerous elite European clubs have shifted their focus. The emphasis is now primarily on recovery and visits to physiotherapists and masseurs.
Football is an inherently demanding sport. The playing field is expansive, and each match lasts 90 minutes.
However, the ball is frequently not in play due to factors like throw-ins, set pieces, referee discussions, VAR reviews, and time-wasting tactics from goalkeepers.
Within Europe’s premier matches, only about 50 to 60 minutes of actual football action transpire. The remaining time serves as a crucial respite for these high-stress athletes.
Top professionals criticise harshly FIFA and IFAB are, however, thorny about the difference between net and gross playing time. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, they tested so-called ‘monster playing times’ for the first time on the big stage.
One minute of injury time after the first half, three minutes after the second half. As long as nothing out of the ordinary happened, that’s how it’s been done all over the world in the past decades.
Six or seven minutes of injury time, though? The absolute measure.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino addresses the 73rd FIFA Congress at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda March 16, 2023. REUTERS/Jean Bizimana
In Qatar, however, they were suddenly the rule.”We want to combat time-wasting. We want the fans to enjoy the game. (The new approach) is very much appreciated everywhere,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in March this year.
A very subjective perception – because neither the players’ union FIFPro, nor top professionals like Raphael Varane or Kevin de Bruyne are convinced by the new approach, on the contrary.
After the Community Shield match between Arsenal and Manchester City, De Bruyne summed it up: “We have talked about it with the Arsenal players and even with the referees – they don’t want to do it at all, but it is the new rule and that’s the way it is.
“In a game like today, there were even three minutes of injury time in the first half. You can only imagine what happens when you play against a weaker team that has to stall all the time. Today we played 12 to 13 minutes longer. I can imagine games that last 20 to 25 minutes extra.”
Kevin De Bruyne on the new rules for added time:
Kevin De Bryne
“Assuming we’re going to play about 15 minutes extra every game now, that says it all.
We spoke to the Arsenal players and even the referees. They don’t even want to do it, but it’s the new rule, and it is what it is.
You can only guess what’s going to happen if you play a lower team that keeps time-wasting all the time. I’m thinking if we play Sevilla on Wednesday and have 15 to 20 extra minutes, and then play on Saturday again (at home to Newcastle), it’s like two extra time.
We’ll see how it goes, but it doesn’t make any sense.”
More football – does that automatically mean more entertainment? Does this simple calculation add up? Not at all, as Varane assures us: “We managers and players have been talking for many years about our concerns that there are too many games, that the fixture list is overcrowded, and that the physical and psychological well-being of the players is in danger.
“Despite our earlier feedback, they have now recommended for next season: longer games, more intensity, and less emotion for the players to show.”
Varane himself retired from the French national team at the age of 29 because the strain became too much for him. He likened the commute between club and national team to being in a “washing machine”.
Time’s running out For FIFA, the spectacle is in the foreground. They are trying to market football more outside Europe and South America; the Arab region, China, and the US determine what happens on the global stock market. Holding tournaments there and moving the masses—well, that would guarantee FIFA large additional revenues.
But football is a strange sport. For example, it is a ‘low-scoring game’. Goals are a relative rarity. And that is precisely why they move the masses. For a market that tends to want to produce and offer more and more, this is not a romantic quality, but a highly suspicious one.
Which is why there is also talk of adapting the offside rule, which would probably lead to more goals.
Sometimes virtually nothing happens on the pitch. Nevertheless, spectators are having the time of their lives. Football lives in the atmosphere in the stands, from missed opportunities, inexplicable mistakes, shattered dreams, and the glorious, rare moments when everything comes together—when a move or an individual action turns everything that had been seen up to that point on its head.
Undoubtedly, time-wasting is a significant concern.FIFA’s announcement that extended periods of added time should lead to a learning curve is logical. The intention is for players to grasp that time-wasting is futile since the lost time will eventually be compensated for. In theory, this is a commendable concept.
However, FIFA fails to address the valid apprehensions expressed by players and their unions. Consequently, a valuable opportunity is being overlooked. There are no measures being taken to regulate the match calendar or curtail the frequency of matches. Instead, there are plans for an expanded 32-team Club World Cup scheduled for December.
Does the global governing body genuinely prioritise the appeal of the game? Shouldn’t FIFA be focused on ensuring equitable financial prospects for clubs, supervising financial inflows from countries with problematic human rights records, and establishing equitable qualification pathways for international tournaments? If these developments are not curtailed, football’s very essence may be profoundly disrupted.
Manchester United are reportedly engaged in discussions to secure the services of Bayern Munich’s standout, Benjamin Pavard, who is being considered as a potential successor to Harry Maguire.
United’s central defender, Maguire, is on the verge of moving to West Ham, with reports indicating that the two clubs have reached a preliminary agreement for a transfer fee of £30 million ($38.2 million) to facilitate his move to the London Stadium.
Bayern’s right-back Pavard has expressed a desire to depart from the Bundesliga side, as he has no intention of renewing his contract, which expires in 2024.
According to information from Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, substantive discussions are taking place between Manchester United and the 27-year-old Pavard, who also possesses the ability to play in central defence.
Manager Erik ten Hag is reportedly eager to secure his inclusion.
United is purportedly aiming to offload Maguire and regain a portion of the £80 million ($101.9 million) they paid Leicester City in 2019—a world-record fee for a defender.
The addition of French World Cup champion Pavard would grant the Red Devils a versatile defensive alternative in the aftermath of Maguire’s potential departure.
With just a year remaining on his contract, United might have the opportunity to secure Pavard’s services at a reduced cost.
However, within Old Trafford, there’s an acknowledgment that the club has taken a high-stakes gamble on 20-year-old Denmark international Rasmus Højlund to fill that role.
According to sources at ESPN, it was a calculated risk that United felt they had to take. Højlund’s transfer fee from Atalanta amounted to £64 million and could rise to £72 million based on performance-related clauses in the deal. He is undoubtedly promising but relatively untested at the highest level, exuding confidence but yet to face the biggest challenges.
With his imposing stature and distinctive shock of blonde hair, Højlund will inevitably draw immediate comparisons to Manchester City’s prolific goal scorer, Erling Haaland, as he becomes the focal point of United’s attacking plans.
However, the reasoning behind United’s decision to sign Højlund, as per ESPN sources, was to hit the reset button on a flawed recruitment policy that led to a series of costly mistakes in the attacking department.
Ever since Robin van Persie’s successful arrival from Arsenal in 2012, helping United secure their most recentPremier League title with 26 goals in the 2012–13 season, the club has struggled with a string of poor signings in that position.
Talented Ghanaian-Japanese goalkeeper, Zion Suzuki made a surprising decision to reject an offer fromManchester United and instead join Belgian club STVV.
Despite United reaching an agreement with his former team, Urawa Red Diamonds, the 20-year-old opted for a move to the Belgian Pro League side, STVV.
Manchester United believed that Suzuki needed more time and development before he could have a significant impact in the Premier League.
Following the recent arrival of Andre Onana as their new number-one goalkeeper, Manchester United is still actively seeking another goalkeeper in the transfer market this summer.
In contrast, Tom Heaton, the 37-year-old goalkeeper for Manchester United, will be staying at the club after positive discussions with manager Erik ten Hag.
Heaton was appointed captain for United’s recent 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao in Dublin and is encouraged by the increased playing time he has been receiving.
Zion Suzuki’s international eligibility adds an interesting dimension to his career, as he can represent Japan, Ghana, or the USA.
He has already shown promise with the Japanese youth teams, and his six appearances and four clean sheets in the2022 AFC U23 Asian Cup with the U21 squad showcase his potential as a multi-national goalkeeper.
Haaland’s meteoric rise to fame began when he scored a remarkable hat-trick on his Champions League debut while playing for RB Salzburg in 2019. Since then, he has become a well-known brand in the football world.
His prolific goal-scoring abilities were evident during his time at Borussia Dortmund, where he netted an impressive 86 goals in just two-and-a-half seasons.
This exceptional performance led to a blockbuster move to Manchester City under the guidance of Pep Guardiola last summer.
In his debut season with the Cityzens, Haaland not only broke the Premier League’s single-season goal-scoring record but also played a crucial role in helping Manchester City secure their maiden Champions League title.
It was a historic season for both Haaland and the team, as they achieved the treble.
Haaland’s earnings are truly staggering, as he commands a jaw-dropping salary of close to £900,000 or $1.15 million per week, amounting to around £45 million / $57.37 million per season. Such a lucrative contract positions him as one of Europe’s highest-earning players.
Thanks to his substantial income, the 22-year-old enjoys a lavish lifestyle that includes an impressive collection of high-end vehicles in his garage, showcasing his penchant for beautiful rides.
Let’s find out which vehicles ‘The Terminator’ drives.
Ferrari Monza SP2: £1.4 million or $1.8 million The most expensive car in Haaland’s collection is the roofless Ferrari Monza SP2, a stunning black-coloured two-seater that the former Dortmund prodigy was seen riding in Monaco in July.
There are only 500 models of the Ferrari Monza SP2 that have been built, which makes this stellar sports car a limited edition vehicle, with each one costing an outrageous £1.4 million / $1.8 million. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is an owner of this car, too.
Based on the classic open-top “barchetta” racing model of the 1940s and 1950s, including the 1948 166 MM and the 750 and 860 Monza, the ‘Prancing Horse’ has an 812 Superfast 6.5-liter V-12 engine that gives a total output of 798 horsepower and 530 pound-feet of torque.
This car can reach 100 kmph (62 mph) in just 2.9 seconds and can hit a top speed of 303 kmph (188 mph).
Rolls Royce Cullinan | £300,000 / $382,440 Rolls Royce Cullinan is another bombshell of a ride that Haaland owns, an extremely classy vehicle that superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Thibaut Courtois own, too.
Owning a white-coloured model,Haaland has been spotted driving one of his most lavish cars yet on his own. Despite weighing more than 2.7 tonnes, it has a 570bhp 5.7 V12 engine and can reach top speeds of 250 kmph / 155 mph, while hitting the 100 kmph / 62 mph mark in just five seconds.
Range Rover Sport P510e First Edition | £120,000 / $152,976 The most leased car by Premier League footballers back in 2018, Haaland is often seen driving the Range Rover Sport P510e First Edition in England. This car can reach speeds of 100 kmph (62 mph) in 4.3 seconds and has a top speed of 284 kmph (176 mph).
Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic Coupe | £90,000 / $114,732 Haaland used this premium Mercedes Benz car during his time as a Dortmund player. The 612 horsepower produced by the aluminum V8 engine paired with a 9-speed automated transmission allows the German SUV with the AMG label to reach a top speed of 280 kmph (174 mph).
Haaland in his range
Audi RS6 Avant | £120,000 / $152,976 The Audi RS6 Avant Performance quattro owned by Haaland is one of only two cars in his fantastic collection that isn’t an SUV. Back when he was plying his trade in Germany, he had a red Audi RS6 Avant.
However, he has now switched to a more trendy carbon black performance model in the UK. The Performance version boosts performance to 630 hp and 850 Nm of torque, enabling it to hit 280 kmph (174 mph) and accelerate to 100 kmph (62 mph) from zero in just 3.4 seconds.
Varane voiced his concerns about the FA disregarding players’ input before the start of the new season.
The Frenchman firmly believes that longer games, caused by increased stoppage time, will have negative implications for him and his fellow athletes.
The FA’s intention is to reduce time-wasting and enhance the time the ball is in play, which means matches will more frequently reach at least 100 minutes.
Varane pointed out that during the World Cup in Qatar last year, a significant amount of stoppage time was added at both halftime and the end of the game.
The weekend’s opening round of EFL games marked the beginning of the English authorities adopting a similar strategy.
In a tweet, the Manchester United defender expressed his thoughts: “We had a meeting last week with the FA. They recommended new decisions and rules to the referees.”
From the managers and players perspective, we have shared our concerns for many years now that there are too many games, the schedule is overcrowded, and it’s at a dangerous level for players physical and mental well-being.
“Despite our previous feedbacks, they have now recommended for next season: longer games, more intensity, and less emotions to be shown by players. We just want to be in good condition on the pitch to give 100% to our club and fans. Why are our opinions not being heard?
“As a player I feel very privileged to do the job I love every day but I feel these changes are damaging our game. We want to be at our maximum level, the best we can be and put on amazing performances for fans to celebrate every week.
“I believe it is important that we, players and managers, highlight these important issues as we want to protect the game we love and give the fans our best.”
Following his Manchester City team conceding a 101st-minute equaliser against Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday, Pep Guardiola also criticised the changes. In his post-game presser on Sunday, Guardiola emphasised his frustration.
“If the new regulations are continued,” he joked, “matches will go on till the next morning.” While concerns were raised about the issue, the FA will go on with their plans and if they decide to change the rules, they can only do so at the start of the 2024/25 season.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta commended his team’s resilience after an exhilarating 1-1 draw against Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley. The Gunners ultimately triumphed in the penalty shootout, with Fabio Vieira’s successful spot-kick clinching the coveted trophy.
During the match, Arsenal dominated the first 40 minutes, and despite new signing Kai Havertz’s attempts on target, City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega made crucial saves.
It was City’s Cole Palmer who broke the deadlock in the 77th minute with a stunning strike from just inside the box.
However, Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard equalised in the 101st minute with the help of a deflection off Manuel Akanji, leading to additional time being added for injury-related stoppages.
In the dramatic penalty shootout, Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard netted the first goal, while Kevin De Bruyne missed City’s opening penalty.
The shootout continued with successful shots from Trossard and Bernardo Silva before Bukayo Saka secured the decisive victory for Arsenal, with the scoreline at 3-1.
City’s Rodri missed his penalty, and Fabio Vieira’s successful spot-kick sealed the win for the Gunners.
After the match, Arteta expressed his delight with the team’s performance against the “best team in the world.”
“He acknowledged a mistake in allowing City’s goal but praised the impact of strategic changes and substitutions, particularly Trossard and Vieira’s contributions.
The Community Shield victory provides a positive start to Arsenal’s campaign, as they prepare to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
On the other hand, Manchester City remains a strong contender for multiple trophies this season, including the quadruple, European Super Cup, and Club World Cup. Their campaign begins with a match against Burnley on Friday.
The manager of Manchester United, Erik ten Hag, openly admitted that his team conceded a ‘stupid’ goal against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
Maguire’s costly mistake placed the Red Devils on the defensive from the outset of the match against the Spanish side.
The 30-year-old’s careless pass played Nico Williams in behind the defence, and the teenager capitalised on the opportunity, scoring past Tom Heaton to give Athletic Bilbao an early lead in the match held in Dublin.
“We have shown that this weekend was a good weekend for us. Yesterday I thought it was a very good level, and today I have also seen very good spells. I think the start of the game was also very good, and we should have scored a goal to go up, because it was a great chance from Jadon Sancho,” he told reporters.
“We had some good moments after that as well, and it was stupid how we went down, but as I said, we had a result and we came back, so it was a good weekend for us.”
West Ham have shown interest in signing Maguire during this summer transfer window. However, the initial bid of £20 million made by West Ham was swiftly rejected by the Red Devils.
It remains to be seen whether Manchester United will reconsider their stance on the transfer after witnessing another error from their former captain.
The situation is certainly worth keeping an eye on as the transfer window progresses.
Recent reports suggest that Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have not received any recent updates regarding their bids toacquire Manchester United.
Concerns have risen that the takeover process for the club might be in a holding pattern, as the Glazer family, who own the club, has not provided further guidance to INEOS, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, or Sheikh Jassim’s Nine Two Foundation regarding their bids.
One of the bidders mentioned that they have “not been given any guidance at all on what comes next” and noted the lack of communication lately.
Manchester United signaled its openness to potential ownership changes when the Glazer family released a statement indicating they were “exploring strategic alternatives.”
The bid process comprised three rounds, with Sheikh Jassim’s Nine Two Foundation reportedly submitting a final bid of £6 billion ($7.6 billion) after the May deadline.
Despite these efforts, the Glazers and the Raine Group, handling the sale, did not accept the offers.
Sources cited in the report from the I Paper imply that the Glazers might not find INEOS or the Nine Two Foundation’s offers satisfactory.
The Glazers seem to anticipate the club’s value to increase further due to upcoming television rights deals and the growing popularity of football in the United States and other regions.
Manchester United recently signed a record-breaking 10-year extension with Adidas worth £900 million ($1.15 billion), the largest kit deal in Premier League history.
In terms of team news, Manchester United is reportedly set to announce the signing of Rasmus Hojlund this week, and they are scheduled to play against Lens at Old Trafford in one of their final pre-season matches.
Following his £48 million ($62 million) transfer fromInter to Old Trafford during the summer transfer window, the Cameroonian goalkeeper, Andre Onana wasted no time getting started.
He showcased his exceptional distribution skills in his initial series of pre-season matches.
Onana also grabbed attention when he was observed rushing out of his goal to express his displeasure with teammate Maguire during a friendly against Dortmund.
Nevertheless, Martinez views this incident as a natural part of football and believes there’s no issue with Onana’s reactions.
“It’s better for [it], it’s better for [it]. If you are focused, you can fight with your teammates as well, you need to make sure everyone is really sharp, but nothing happened. It’s part of football,” commented the United centre-back.
Martinez has a history of playing alongside Onana during their shared time at Ajax.
He lauded the goalkeeper for his “big personality” and expressed his confidence in Onana’s ability to excel at the highest level with Manchester United.
Andre Onana’s agent disclosed that Tottenham and Chelsea inquired about his availability before he made the move to Old Trafford.
With David de Gea’s departure earlier this summer, Ten Hag recognized the need for a goalkeeper who is comfortable playing out from the back.
Eventually, he opted to bring Onana, whom he previously managed at Ajax, to Manchester – but the process wasn’t straightforward.
Both Tottenham and Chelsea were also interested in acquiring the services of the former Inter Milan stopper to address their goalkeeping issues.
Speaking to Calciomercato, Onana’s agent Albert Botines said: “It all started a few months ago. Towards April, many inquired about the player. Tottenham have asked for information. Chelsea have had a very strong interest.
“There were meetings in London and Chelsea also met with Inter, but Ten Hag was key.”
Like United, Spurs saw their long-term number one, Hugo Lloris, leave the club after 11 years of service.
They eventually settled on Guglielmo Vicario with the Italian moving to north London from Empoli for a fee of around £17.2 million ($21.9m) earlier in the window.
Chelsea are yet to make any signings in the goalkeeping department despite the exit of Edouard Mendy to Saudi Arabia. Kepa Arrizabalaga looks set to be Mauricio Pochettino’s first-choice ‘keeper going into the season.
Former English International, Gabriel Agbonlahor, has shared his opinion on the incident where Manchester United goalkeeperAndre Onana screamed at Harry Maguire during their friendly against Borussia Dortmund.
According to Agbonlahor, Onana’s reaction towards Maguire was unjustified, as Maguire was not responsible for the mistake that occurred.
Agbonlahor expressed his disapproval of Onana’s actions, suggesting that Maguire was targeted unfairly.
He further questioned whether Onana would behave similarly towards Lisandro Martinez, indicating that such behavior was uncalled for on the football pitch.
“First of all, Harry Maguire did do anything wrong. He played the ball to a midfielder and the midfielder gave it away. And I feel like he is the easy target and I don’t like that from Onana. Are you going to do that to Martinez?
Are you going to rush to him like that? I think Maguire is an easy target and I didn’t like the look of that. I would understand it if it was a big mistake and caused a goal or it was Harry Maguire’s fault then fair enough.
“But I want to see the same energy for every player from him,” he told TalkSports.
Agbonlahor, who feels Onana was picking on Maguire, demanded that the Cameroonian does the same to every player.
“As long as he is doing it to everyone. If Martinez does the same thing he is quite one of the leaders there who do it to everyone. Don’t just see Maguire as he has gone through that phase of life that Man United fans on social media are like leave, leave, leave.
“He is not going to react to that, I think we know Harry Maguire is thinking, keep a low profile and fight for my place. So I didn’t like it and it wasn’t a mistake by Harry Maguire,” he added.
Maguire dropped a pass during the buildup, and Dortmund nearly capitalised. However, Onana stopped Dortmund’s initial shot, and the rebound from Youssoufa Moukoko sailed out for a goal kick.
As soon as the ball was out, Onana ran over to Harry Maguire and yelled at him for giving it away, which almost resulted in a goal.
“I try to talk to them a lot because I know he’s a good player, he is one of the captains of the team. That’s big and he is good with the ball, so I would demand [from] him a lot and he’s a good, great guy,” Onana explained his actions after the game.
Manchester United eventually lost 3-2 in the pre-season game on July 21, 2023, at Allegiant Stadium in USA.
He issued a stark warning to his players ahead of the upcoming season, emphasizing that they cannot lead a luxurious lifestyle if they want to endure the rigorous demands of elite football.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Ten Hag said, “For all the players,
you have to live the right life. Professional football is tough, so in general, our players can’t match the sensational life playing top football.”
“Top football is tough nowadays: 60 games a year in club football, 10 international games.
“So 70 games means that every third or fourth day you have to match the highest physical levels. When you’re not living the right life, you get killed.
“What is important? Sleep, recovery, nutrition. Three key areas and when you don’t do this right, you have a problem. You can’t perform.” So when you ask me about [Marcus] Rashford, the same counts for Raphael Varane and every player. You will not reach the levels when you don’t do the things right.”
The Dutchman explained that he was surprised at the squad’s customs when he took over as United manager last year and had to overhaul their habits. He added: “So I think in general when I came in at Man United, the standards were not righ’t.
That’s true. I demand the highest standards in sleep, recovery and nutrition because that makes the difference if you can perform every third or fourth day. We had to improve.
“That is the demand for every top football player,so at Man United we aredemanding the highest standards.”
The talented player was notably absent from the squad during Atalanta’s pre-season friendly against Bournemouth, signaling the impending deal.
The agreed-upon deal stands at an initial £64 million with an additional £8 million in potential add-ons. Atalanta initially sought a guaranteed sum of £77 million before negotiations settled.
Sky Sports News had previously reported that Hojlund’s preferred destination was Old Trafford, alleviating any worries about interest from PSG in the Danish international. Personal terms were effortlessly finalized, as Hojlund committed to a five-year contract with the option to extend for another 12 months.
Manchester United received a boost when Atalanta secured the signing of Almeria forward El Bilal Toure, further clearing the path for Hojlund’s move.
United’s incoming transfers are nearly complete, and any further arrivals will likely depend on potential departures. Notably, there is interest from other clubs in players like Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, Fred, and Donny van de Beek.
Should any of these players leave, Manchester United is prepared to enter the market to find suitable replacements. The club continues to show strong interest in Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat.
“United are conscious that Hojlund is more potential than the finished article, but believe Erik ten Hag’s coaching could help mould him into an elite player.
“Marcus Rashford may need to play some games as United’s focal point while the 20-year-old adjusts and gains experience. Long-term he is seen as a talent that has the potential to become world class under Ten Hag.
United have now solved the three core squad issues the manager identified: a goalkeeper, forward and dynamic midfielder. This has been done within the budget the club set themselves, which was conditioned by Financial Fair Play regulations.
“Hojlund had made it very clear Old Trafford was his destination of choice, so even though PSG had registered their interest with a take-it-or-leave-it bid, there was no worry or concern at United’s end because they knew the player wanted to join them, they knew they had done a lot of homework on this deal and they have still stayed within their budget.
“United have talked Atalanta down from what they initially wanted. The last asking price was £77m guaranteed. We know that United have gone for £64m guaranteed, so they feel that is a win. We have to stress this is a 20-year-old who is still very inexperienced, so it is quite a hefty price for United to pay.
“But they believe he has got such a high ceiling and that he can progress and become world class under Erik ten Hag, so it’s basically backing their manager’s coaching ability and what the scouts have seen in Hojlund.
“We’re told it wasn’t because of PSG coming into the race that United have elevated their price point; it’s simply because, to get the deal done in time for the player to have enough training sessions with the squad to be ready for the start of the season, they wanted to get an agreement in place.
They feel a compromise has been reached, even though they’ve gone higher than they probably would have liked to.”
Victor Osimhen is on the verge of signing a new contract with Napoli, which will likely dash the hopes of Manchester United, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain in acquiring the striker.
According to Sky Italia, Napoli and Osimhen, represented by his agent Roberto Calenda, have made significant progress in finalizing the new contract.
However, negotiations have revolved around the release clause, with the club seeking around €200 million (£171m/$219m) while Osimhen’s representatives are pushing for a lower fee, possibly around €150 million (£128m/$164m).
The Nigerian forward’s current contract with Napoli is set to expire in 2025, and it’s believed that he will commit to at least one more season under the current deal.
Talks primarily focused on his wages and the release clause during discussions with Calenda, leading to increased optimism that Osimhen will soon sign the contract extension.
If the extension indeed materializes, it would mean Manchester United, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain will have to explore alternative options as Napoli seems determined to keep hold of their prized striker.
Earlier, Calenda had dispelled reports of potential contract issues, and Napoli’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has consistently expressed confidence in retaining Osimhen despite interest from other top European clubs.
The striker was instrumental in their quest for the Scudetto last season as the 24-year-old scored 26 goals and provided four assists during the campaign.
It is undoubtedly a huge boost to their Serie A title-defence ambitions which they secured after an excruciating wait of 33 years.
Manchester United has confirmed that midfielder Kobbie Mainoo suffered an ankle injury during the Tour 2023 match against Real Madrid.
As a result of the injury, he is expected to miss the early part of the 2023/24 season.
Mainoo has returned home to the UK from the tour for further assessment of his injury, and a medical decision on the next course of action will be made.
The unfortunate incident occurred during his fourth start in the pre-season match against Real Madrid, when Brazilian forward Rodrygo landed on his leg after a tackle from United midfielder Casemiro.
As a result of the injury, the 18-year-old Academy graduate had to be withdrawn from the game.
Following the incident, Kobbie Mainoo shared an update on his Instagram account.
“I’ll be back stronger and in no time,” he wrote. “Thanks for your messages of support.”
Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United in action (Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images)
United team-mates such as fellow Academy graduate Alejandro Garnacho and club captain Bruno Fernandes commented on Mainoo’s post with well wishes.
Mainoo entered 2023/24 on the back of his senior Reds debut last term, handed to him by Erik ten Hag, and having been named the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year.
The youngster continued to impress during pre-season, with Ten Hag showing his faith in him by selecting the midfielder to start against Arsenal and Real Madrid.
Former Manchester United striker, Dwight Yorke has stated that the club’s new goalkeeper Andre Onana is not on the level of their former goalieDavid De Gea.
Yorke warned the club to ‘be careful what they wish for’ after failing to renew the contract of ‘high-profile’ David De Gea due to the signing of Onana.
“I hope this doesn’t come back to haunt #mufc now they’ve bought Andre Onana. Be careful what you wish for. De Gea is the Golden Glove winner, a high-profile player who has made mistakes, like the rest of us.
“In my opinion, Onana is not as good as De Gea and people need to watch him very carefully,” he said as quoted by Manchester Evening News.
Yorke now joins Rio Ferdinand as one of the former Manchester United players who have cautioned the club about the signing of the Cameroonian goalkeeper.
“If Onana is coming in, I think he’s a fantastic signing. A huge talent and a real modern-day goalkeeper. You see teams pressing him and he does not even panic.
He receives the ball, initiates the press, inviting opponents to come towards him, and then, cleverly identifies a free player elsewhere, often managing to find them with precision.
“I think there will be mistakes and playing that risky way, you do have mistakes and that happens. But it’s about staying true to your beliefs, finding a right balance and remaining confident throughout those periods.
“It’s interesting to see how this pans out, but I believe this is a deal that will be made at some point through this transfer window.”
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is reportedly open to loaning Kylian Mbappe to a Premier League club, with both Manchester United and Chelsea showing interest.
The French World Cup winner has been the subject of intense transfer speculation since he revealed his decision not to extend his contract at PSG, which is set to expire in 2024.
While he has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, no deal has been finalized yet.
Amid the ongoing rumors, Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal made a staggering offer of €300 million for Mbappe’s transfer fee and a €700 million wage package.
However, Mbappe has rejected this proposal, expressing no interest in moving to the Middle East.
According to i news, PSG is now willing to entertain loan offers from English teams, provided they cover Mbappe’s substantial salary.
Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham have all reportedly inquired about the possibility of signing the forward on loan, making it financially viable for them without a transfer fee.
Additionally, Inter Milan from Serie A and Barcelona from La Liga have also shown interest in Mbappe.
PSG is keen to part ways with the player, as it is evident that he is no longer fully committed to the club’s cause.
Jesse Lingard, who remains a free agent following his release byNottingham Forest, has been banned from driving for six months.
The former Manchester United midfielder has also been fined £900.
The 30-year-old ex-England international appeared at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday to admit the offence at a brief hearing.
Lingard has been charged with failing to provide details to identify the driver of his Range Rover after it was caught speeding in August 2022.
His representative, Fran Rogers, claims that Lingard was not driving his car at the time of the offence.
It is claimed that he missed the letter in question asking him to provide details to the police as it was sent to his old address in Manchester, while he had moved to Nottingham after joining Forest as a free agent.
Lingard was liable to be disqualified from driving due to the “totting-up” process – with there already points on his licence from previous speeding offences.
District Judge Jane Hamilton fined him £900, with a further £560 due in costs, and banned him from driving for the next six months.
Lingard has spent much of the summer jetting around the world, rather than driving, as he looks to find a new club.
He endured a testing spell at the City Ground last season, with injury struggles restricting him to just 20 appearances across all competitions.
Lingard has been linked with teams inSaudi Arabia, while opening himself up to a Middle Eastern move, he has also spent time working at Inter Miami’s training facility.
According to Fernandes, manager Erik ten Hag has not reached a decision on whether he or Mount will take on the role of No. 10 for the Red Devils in the upcoming season.
Mount, who joined Manchester United from Chelsea in a £60 million ($76 million) transfer, possesses great versatility, capable of playing in various positions, including as a playmaker, wide forward, or central midfielder.
As the season approaches, Fernandes admits that he is unsure about who will ultimately secure the No. 10 spot for Manchester United in the new campaign.
The competition between the two talented midfielders promises to be intense as they both aim to make a significant impact on the team.
“No, we haven’t spoken about that decision. It’s the manager who makes that decision. Both of us can play in many roles… We are really happy to have him here, wherever he plays, as a 10 or 8 or wing. We can both do that. The most important thing is that we help the team succeed,” he told reporters.
“I said this a couple of years ago, that he [Mount] is one of the best players in the Premier League at the time and I hope he can do it again because he is a really good player and he is still really young – he has a long way to go. He is really good at pressing, he has a lot of energy, and really good on the ball.
“He has goals and assists in him too. He can create chances so we are expecting a lot from him but he is aware of that. He is at a big club and he knows the expectations on him will be big,” he added.
Fernandes sent a hilarious welcome message to Mount by posting two pictures of a past duel with Mount from when United drew 1-1 with Chelsea at Old Trafford in the 2021-22 season. He has now spoken highly of Mount’s passion and aggression and vowed to defend his new team-mate.
“We need players with that kind of aggression and passion, we need players to be like that in the games.
“These are the kind of players that I like to play against and even more to have in my side so I am happy he is here now.
“And now instead of me on the side of David, it’s me on the side of Mason defending him from someone else. Now he is on my side and I will do everything I can to defend him,” he said.
In a thrilling match in Houston, Manchester United suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Real Madrid, with Jude Bellingham making an impressive impact in only his second appearance for the Spanish giants.
The breakthrough came in the sixth minute, as Antonio Rudiger set up the young midfielder, who executed a beautiful clipped finish from 18 yards out.
Though there were some doubts about potential offside, Bellingham’s exquisite touch and finish left no room for questioning his exceptional abilities on the field.
Bellingham’s first goal for Real Madrid was a thing of beauty, dinking it over Onana on his Man Utd debut.
Under the closed roof of the NRG Stadium, Real Madrid dominated the game throughout.
Andre Onana, their goalkeeper, had a composed debut and left a lasting impression with his exceptional saves.
Despite his impressive performance, Onana couldn’t keep a clean sheet as he was eventually outdone by Joselu’s brilliance late in the match.
The former Stoke and Newcastle striker pulled off an extraordinary acrobatic scissor kick that left Onana with no opportunity to stop the breathtaking strike.
It was a moment of pure brilliance from Joselu, securing a memorable goal for his team.
Bayern Munich is reportedly showing interest in signing David de Gea, the former goalkeeper of Manchester United, as Manuel Neuer is still recovering from a severe ski injury sustained in January and has yet to return to full fitness.
Neuer’s backup, Yan Sommer, is rumored to be considering a move to Inter Milan in Serie A because he doesn’t want to remain on the bench once Neuer is fit again.
As a result, Bayern is actively searching for a top-quality goalkeeper and has set their sights on De Gea, who left Manchester United in June after his contract expired.
However, should they fail to secure De Gea’s services, the club has prepared a shortlist of alternative options.
One of their backup choices is said to be Wojciech Szczesny from Juventus, but the Italian club is reportedly reluctant to part ways with the Polish keeper.
Bayern is keeping their options open as they aim to bolster their goalkeeping department for the upcoming season.
David Raya has also made it to the list, but Bayern know that Brentford would demand £40 million (€46.61m/$51.61m) as a transfer fee.
However, Tuchel is reportedly not very keen on him as he wants someone with an imposing stature while Raya stands at just 1.83m.
Sevilla’s Yassine Bounou, Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, Brighton’s Robert Sanchez and FC Copenhagen’s Kamil Grabara are the other options on the table for the German champions.
However, they do not want to pay the €6m (£5.15m/$6.65m) demanded by Bayern as a transfer fee.
But there is a sense of optimism from the Serie A giants as Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Giuseppe Marotta share a strong relationship.
If the move goes through, Bayern will step up their efforts to sign De Gea as they will be left with only Sven Ulreich as a fit goalkeeper for the start of the season.
Andre Onana has revealed the reason behind his choice to turn down the No.1 shirt following his move to Manchester United this summer.
The Cameroonian goalkeeper’s transfer to Old Trafford was highly anticipated, putting an end to the speculation surrounding his future at Inter Milan.
Onana became a priority transfer target for United, especially after it became evident that veteran goalkeeper David de Gea would be leaving the club on a free transfer.
As reported by Sky Sports, Manchester United made a significant investment of £47.2 million to secure the services of the former Ajax shot-stopper from Serie A giants.
With his arrival, Onana is set to become United’s undisputed No.1 goalkeeper, raising questions about Dean Henderson’s future at the club, which seems uncertain.
Onana won’t wear No.1 shirt
It has now emerged that the 27-year-old Cameroon international will not be sporting the iconic No.1 shirt at the Theatre of Dreams.
While the shirt number is already vacant after the departure of De Gea, the United summer arrival has elected not to inherit it.
Onana instead opted for the No.24 jersey, with the keeper explaining the reason behind his unusual shirt number.
“I just like that number and it’s my birthday, my date of birth,” Onana told MUTV as quoted by Metro UK.
“So for me it’s great and I like this shirt. With this number we have done a lot and I hope this will continue,” he added.
As the Red Devils head into the 2023-24 season, Bruno Fernandes has been appointed as the new permanent skipper, taking over from Maguire, who held the captaincy previously.
With Ten Hag’s move to remove the armband from the world’s most expensive defender, it appears that Maguire’s future at Old Trafford is uncertain.
Varane appreciates the manager’s assertiveness, as it demonstrates his clear authority and leadership in the team.
World Cup winner Varane has told ESPN: “He wants a team with character and he’s the leader so he has to show it himself. He’s not scared to take these decisions and take that responsibility. That is what we expect from the manager. He did it so I think, with things like this, you show by example.
He knows exactly what he wants. He’s shown that determination and from the first day we’ve known exactly what we’ve had to do and where he wants to go. It’s all clear for the players and for the team and we have a good connection with the manager.”
Fernandes is one of several leaders in the United camp, with Varane also sitting in that talent pool alongside the likes of Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez.
The Frenchman added on the Red Devils requiring players to step up all over the field: “We need players with character and personality.
If you want to win big trophies you need that kind of character. The difference between a good team and a top team is sometimes something mental. We need to believe, we need determination and the character of the players is something important.”
Prospective buyer, Sir Jim Ratcliffe anticipates that the sale process for Manchester United will extend into the next season due to the Glazer family’s delay in making a decision.
Ratcliffe has expressed his interest in acquiring the club, but the Glazers have yet to respond to his bid.
The Guardian reports that the 70-year-old British billionaire remains optimistic that a deal can eventually be reached, even if it requires patience.
It is possible that the takeover could occur during the course of the upcoming season, marking almost a year since the Glazers announced their willingness to consider offers for the club they purchased in 2005.
Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, Ratcliffe’s main challenger for United, produced a fifth and final bid of £6 billion (€6.9bn/$7.7bn) at the beginning of June, but is yet to hear back from the Glazers and is said to have grown frustrated about the protracted process.
The continual speculation surrounding a takeover will be the main talking point at Old Trafford for the rest of the year, which could affecthead coach Erik ten Hag’s transfer dealings.
De Gea recently departed Old Trafford after a 12-year stint with the team. Manchester United is now nearing the acquisition of Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana as De Gea’s replacement, with the transfer fee expected to be around €50 million (£43m/$55m) along with additional bonuses.
Foster’s criticism suggests he believes United did not treat De Gea appropriately in the process.
“I didn’t like the manner in which David De Gea left, I really didn’t,” Foster told Caught Offside, who is targeting promotion with Wrexham to League One this season.
“Considering what David has done for Manchester United over the years he deserved more respect. Football is cut-throat.
“Sometimes you get players who will angle for more money or a bigger contract. And then the fans pile in and give them dog’s abuse.
“But with De Gea he’s given Manchester United over ten years of service and has won the Player of the Year multiple times. He’s been incredible and the way they dealt with his exit was disappointing.”
De Gea drew criticism for some high-profile errors last season, despite having the most clean sheets in the Premier League to pick up the golden glove. He will likely have no shortage of suitors as he is available on a free transfer.
At 32, and given the extended life of a goalkeeper, the Spaniard easily has another five years at the highest level.
Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney joked that Tottenham are keeping Harry Kane ‘prisoner’ as speculation over his future rumbles on.
In an interview with The Athletic, Rooney jokingly stated that Kane was being held captive by Tottenham, but believes the England striker would be an ideal signing for his old club United this summer.
“I thought it was time to go last season and he stayed,” Rooney said. “Harry’s probably feeling that and knows there are trophies out there for him to win. He has done everything he can for that to try and be at Tottenham.
“Now probably is right for him to move on and it looks like he’s ready for that as well, but we know Tottenham can be quite difficult at times.”
This summer, like every other summer of late, speculation is rife that Kane will leave Tottenham. He’s been linked with moves to United, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich since the 2022-23 season ended.
The player needs to decide his future sooner rather than later. At 29, Kane knows that his next decision will define the rest of his career, so he needs to make the correct call.
Erik ten Hag, in explaining Manchester United’s decision to sign Jonny Evans on a short-term deal, emphasized the defender’s “big authority” and “big personality.”
While the announcement of Evans’ re-signing raised some eyebrows, he made a positive impression on the United staff during training sessions after leaving Leicester City at the end of the 2022-23 season.
Evans will now provide assistance to the Red Devils during pre-season, and Ten Hag firmly supports the veteran center-back, believing that his presence can have a significant impact, particularly in guiding and mentoring the younger players.
“Of course I know [about] him for a long time, I know his place was here, was in Manchester. We welcomed him to come and train with us, to work on his fitness, and then I said not all the players are in, the internationals were out still on their break,” the United boss told MUTV.
“So I thought it was a good idea to help each other out. Jonny can work on his fitness, and he can help us out with [our] level.
“We know he’s a very experienced player but also a very good person, big personality, and I think he has a big authority as well and he can help the young players especially in such moments. So it benefits all sides.”
The Northern Irishman is a graduate of United’s academy and spent nine years at Old Trafford, making 198 appearances while scoring seven goals and providing an equal number of assists. In 2015, he left Old Trafford to join West Bromwich Albion.
Evans was named as a substitute for United’s pre-season friendly against Lyon on Wednesday, and will be a part of the club’s upcoming tour of the United States.
The Red Devils will play a string of friendlies against Arsenal, Wrexham, Real Madrid, and Borussia Dortmund during their time in America.
Arsenal midfielder, Thomas Partey, has alleviated concerns about his career by joining his teammates for the pre-season tour in the United States.
Speculation surrounding Partey’s future had been making headlines in recent times.
The signing of Declan Rice, a direct competitor, fueled reports of Partey potentially leaving Arsenal.
Although other clubs, including those based in Saudi Arabia with enticing salary offers, expressed interest, Partey is resolute in his decision to remain at Arsenal.
The 30-year-old player joined his teammates on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, ahead of their first game in the US against the MLS All-Stars.
Andre Onana has openly expressed his excitement about joining Manchester United, referring to the transfer as “irresistible” and expressing joy about reuniting with his “master,” Erik ten Hag.
The goalkeeper has already arrived in Manchester to finalize his move from Inter to United.
According to reports, the Red Devils are set to pay €51 million (£43.8m/$57.3m) as the initial fee, with an additional €4 million (£3.4m/$4.5m) in potential add-ons for the Cameroonian shot-stopper.
Before being formally unveiled as a United player, Onana spoke to Gazzetta dello Sport, where he admitted that the move to the Premier League was “irresistible”, but at the same time claimed that he would have been happy to continue at Inter if the transfer had fallen through.
“The important thing is to be honest and always tell people the truth. I am a person who always wants new challenges,” he said. “Playing in the Premier League and for a club like United is irresistible.
All parties wanted this to happen. But what matters is that if I had stayed, I would have been happy because I never had any problems at Inter.”
The initial payment of 51 million euros (£43.8m) will be made by United, with an additional 4 million euros (£3.4m) in potential add-ons.
The pursuit of Onana by manager Erik ten Hag, who previously worked with him at Ajax, played a significant role in securing the deal.
The negotiations for personal terms are expected to proceed smoothly, and Manchester United is optimistic about Onana joining the rest of the squad on their pre-season tour of the USA in the coming days.
Interestingly, Ten Hag’s interest in signing Onana was a key factor in David de Gea’s decision to decline a new contract offer from the club.
De Gea left United this summer after spending 12 years at the club. The former Spain international made 545 appearances for the Red Devils and kept a record 190 clean sheets.
UEFA has imposed fines onBarcelona and Manchester United for violations of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, as confirmed by European football’s governing body on Friday.
Barcelona has been fined €500,000 for inaccurately reporting “profits on disposal of intangible assets” in 2022.
Meanwhile, Manchester United has been fined €300,000 for minor breaches of break-even deficits.
“While disappointed by the outcome, Manchester United accepts this fine for what UEFA acknowledges to be a minor technical breach of its previous Financial Fair Play rules,” United said in a statement to British media.
Cypriot side APOEL and Turkey’s Konyaspor were fined 100,000 euros each for the same offence as United. Turkish clubs Istanbul Basaksehir and Trabzonspor, Belgian champions Royal Antwerp and Anderlecht were among other teams to receive fines.
The decisions follow the last round of monitoring using FFP rules that have been replaced by new sustainability regulations announced last year.
A group of high-profile European clubs including Paris St Germain, AC Milan and Inter Milan, who agreed settlementswith UEFA in September last year, have fulfilled targets set for the financial year 2022.
UEFA added that these clubs will continue to be monitored for compliance next season.
United have come back with a new offer of €50 million, along with the possibility of an additional €5 million in add-ons.
The player in question is a 27-year-old Cameroon international who previously played under United manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax.
The club has already reached an agreement on personal terms with the player.
Last season, the goalkeeper had an impressive performance for Inter, making 41 appearances across all competitions, including the Champions League final where they were defeated by Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Inter is looking to secure replacements for the goalkeeper position and has set their sights on Bayern Munich’s Yann Sommer and Shakhtar Donetsk’s Anatolji Trubin.
United have been in the market for a new goalkeeper all summer, with David de Gea out of contract and leaving Old Trafford after 12 years of service.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Amrabat has informed Fiorentina of his intention to pursue a new challenge, with interest also coming from Atletico Madrid.
Fiorentina is willing to let him go if their asking price of €35 million (£30 million) is met.
Amrabat has attracted significant interest, but he has made it clear that he is only interested in joining a Champions League club like Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, or Manchester United.
Other offers are reportedly not being considered.
Since joining Fiorentina in 2020, the Moroccan international has made 107 appearances for the Serie A club.
Like many other United players, Rashford took a moment to honor the departing Spanish goalkeeper after his departure from Old Trafford.
However, in the process, Rashford made an inadvertent mistake on social media.
“I would like to express my unwavering gratitude and appreciation for the love from the last 12 years. We’ve achieved a lot since my dear Sir Alex Ferguson brought me to this club,” his statement said in part.
According to Metro UK, the shot-stopper’s decision to quit United came after the club failed to offer him a new contract after the expiry of his deal at the end of June.
Rashford drops clanger on Instagram
As a result, his teammates at Old Trafford were quick to take to social media to send him a farewell message, with others reminiscing the fond memories they shared.
However, The Mirror reports that Rashford ended up committing a blunder in his Instagram post, with the forward’s message suggesting it was picked from the draft ideas.
“Caption ideas: You were here from my breakthrough, good luck with your next step, brother,” Rashford’s initial post said.
The England international has since edited out the words ‘caption ideas’ but kept the rest of the message.
While the player’s transfer marked the end of his 18-year relationship with the Blues, Drogba referred to Mount in his letter as the “prince” of Chelsea.
“Another prince leaving the club of his life. Thank you and all the very best to you, champs” he said as quoted by oneofourowncfc.
Mount joins Ruben Loftus-Cheek on the list of academy graduates who have departed the club this summer.
He joined the Red Devils for a transfer fee of £55 million and £5 million add-ons. He has signed a contract running until June 2028, with the option of a further year.
He said: “Hi Chelsea fans, given the speculation over the last six months this may not come as a surprise to you.
“But it doesn’t make it any easier to tell you that I’ve made the decision to leave Chelsea.
“I feel you deserve more than just a written statement, so I wanted to tell you directly how grateful I’ve been for all of your support over the last 18 years.
“I know some of you won’t be happy with my decision but it’s what’s right for me at this moment in my career.
“Winning the Youth Cup, my Player of the Year awards, the Super Cup, the Club World Cup and of course that unforgettable night when we won the Champions League.
“I want to say thank you to the academy, Jim [Fraser] and Neil [Bath], for being so influential to me from such a young age.
“The managers I’ve worked under, Frank [Lampard], Thomas [Tuchel] and Graham [Potter], the backroom staff, the unsung heroes of Cobham, all of my team-mates over the years that have become my brothers.
“My family for the continuous love and support and most importantly you guys for sticking with me throughout. Wish you all the best.”
Tottenham striker would be perfect for Erik ten Hag’s side.
The England captain is reportedly closing in on a move to the German champions – while the Red Devils continue to stand still in their striker hunt
After 14 years of loyal service to Tottenham, it looks like Harry Kane will finally be moving onto pastures new this summer.
Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germainare among those to have registered interest in the 29-year-old, but Bayern Munich are currently leading the race for his signature.
It has been reported that the Bundesliga champions have reached an agreement in principle with Kane’s representatives, after seeing an opening £60m ($77m) bid for the forward rejected by Spurs.
Bayern are set to return with an improved offer, and Tottenham may have little choice but to cash in, or else risk losing Kane for free when his contract expires next summer.
For a long time, it seemed as though Manchester United would be Kane’s landing spot if he left Tottenham.
Erik ten Hag has made it clear he is desperate to bring in a new No.9, having seen his side struggle for goals throughout the 2022-23 campaign.
Daniel Levy’s reluctance to sell to a direct rival is no secret, which is why the Spurs chairman reportedly demanded over £100m ($127m) for Kane after United made initial enquiries over his availability earlier this year. And the Red Devils are simply not willing to spend that much.
United haven’t been shy when it comes to shelling out huge fees in the recent past, with the likes of Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, Harry Maguire, Jadon Sancho and Antony all brought in for fees exceeding £70m ($88m).
But they won’t make the same level of investment in Kane – arguably the greatest striker in the history of English football.
Bayern are in the clear to complete a huge coup, and if they do seal a deal for the Tottenham striker, they’ll be genuine Champions League contenders next season. United, meanwhile, are making a huge mistake by standing back and letting it happen.
Still at his peakOne of the reasons United have reportedly baulked at Levy’s valuation of Kane is because of his age, with the Spurs marksman set to celebrate his 30th birthday later in July.
But he hasn’t shown any sign of slowing down on the pitch.In fact, the 2022-23 campaign was probably his best yet in a Tottenham shirt, despite the fact he was leading the line for a disjointed team lacking quality in all other areas of the pitch.
Kane reached the 30-goal mark in the Premier League for the second time in his career, and only finished six goals behind Manchester City’s scoring machine Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot race.
Haaland also won the PFA Player of the Year ahead of Kane, but the Norwegian couldn’t really fail in Pep Guardiola’s set-up.
City stormed to the treble last season, and while Haaland deserves great credit for his finishing, he had world-class providers such as Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish putting chances on a plate for him.
Kane, meanwhile, carried Spurs with his outstanding individual performances.
They ended up in eighth place purely because of his superhuman efforts – and it’s not a stretch to say they would have edged towards the relegation zone without him.There are plenty of great players that have been able to prolong their careers at the highest level well into their thirties in the modern era.
In Kane’s position, the man he could soon replace at Bayern, Robert Lewandowski, won the Pichichi award for the top scorer in La Liga last season as he fired Barcelona to the title in his first season at the club.
The 35-year-old Karim Benzema only finished with four goals fewer than Lewandowski (19) in his final season at Real Madrid, having landed his maiden Ballon d’Or in December on the back of his 44-goal haul the previous campaign.
Both players have looked after themselves physically and showed the discipline necessary to ensure longevity. And so has Kane.
The England international could quite easily make the starting line up for any top club in the world over the next four to five years. United’s caution when it comes to Kane, then, makes absolutely no sense.
There might be cheaper options out there to fill a centre-forward berth, but there is no one better.
Getty/GOALPremier League king”If Harry wants to join Bayern, I’ll drive his f*cking car there myself; anything to protect my Premier League goalscoring record,” Alan Shearer said in a recent article for The Athletic.
Kane currently has 213 Premier League goals to his name, which puts him just 47 behind the former Newcastle and Blackburn forward’s all-time record mark.
If he were to stay at Spurs, Kane would undoubtedly go on to break Shearer’s mark.But if Kane went to United, he could potentially smash it.
Ten Hag’s squad is in far better shape than Tottenham’s after a positive maiden year at Old Trafford for the Dutch coach.
The Red Devils lifted the Carabao Cup and came third in the Premier League to qualify for the Champions League, before suffering defeat to City in the FA Cup final.
Players such as Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Luke Shaw all stepped up their game, while new signings Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez added a new dimension to the team.
Ten Hag could ideally do with a new goalkeeper to replace the declining David de Gea, but their top priority must be to sign a top-quality centre-forward.
If United could prise Kane away from Spurs, they’d be guaranteed title contenders in 2023-24. Kane would be the definition of a transformative signing.
He’s not just Premier League proven – he’s the king of the competition.So often last season, United’s final ball failed to match their slick, incisive build-up play, and that’s because they had no one getting into the right positions.
They also were also the most wasteful side in the league, missing 50 big chances in total.
If they swallowed their pride and forked out on Kane, those issues would be solved. Not least because the England captain is motivated to go past Shearer.“For sure it’s something I want to do.
I think whenever you get close to these types of records, all it does is drive you, to try and achieve them,” Kane told Sky Sports in May. “In a couple of years we will see where I am at and how close I am but now I am this close to it, for sure it is something I would love to achieve.”
DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author’s, and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana
Mason Mount was photographed arriving for his medical examinations on Monday morning ahead of his anticipated move to Manchester United.
Last week, news emerged that Chelsea and United had reached an agreement on a transfer fee of approximately 60 million euros for the talented English midfielder.
According to Sky Sports, the Chelsea academy product is expected to sign a five-year contract at Old Trafford, with the possibility of extending it for an additional year, pending the successful completion of his medical tests.
Several Manchester United sources have confirmed that Mount was driven to the club’s training base in Carrington.
Renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has indicated that the official announcement of the transfer is likely to take place later this week.
Earlier reports suggested that Mount’s contract with Chelsea would expire next summer, and negotiations between him and his childhood club had failed to reach an agreement.
The disparity in contract length and salary demands is believed to be the primary factor behind the impasse between the parties.
Mount imitates Ronaldo’s technique
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best free-kick takers of all time and has scored some iconic ones. He has a distinct technique of standing elegantly over the ball before hitting.
Ronaldo is arguably football’s biggest influencer with his lifestyle, fashion, and goal celebration, a global phenomenon copied by colleagues and football lovers worldwide.
Mount is also a Ronaldo fanboy and spoke about how he modelled his freekick technique after the Portuguese, from his days at Cobham Academy.
Mount in Utd’s line-up
It was also reported that Mount brings something different to United, and coach Erik ten Hag will need to find the best set-up in the new season.
In a surprising turn of events, Manchester United has requested that David De Gea refrain from joining another club, despite his contract coming to an end.
The Red Devils are urging the player to remain with the team as a contingency plan in case they are unable to secure a new first-choice goalkeeper within their limited transfer budget.
Initially, De Gea had been asked to accept a wage reduction from £375,000 to £200,000.
However, even that offer was rescinded as it became evident that manager Erik ten Hag was exploring alternative goalkeeper options.
Manchester United’s pursuit of a new goalkeeper is hindered by their restricted transfer budget and their priority to acquire a new striker.
The club recently made their first signing of the summer, securing Mason Mount for £55 million.
This significant expenditure has depleted nearly half of their available £120 million due to financial fair play regulations.
As a result, Manchester United has been compelled to withdraw from negotiations for Harry Kane, as Tottenham Hotspur demands £100 million for the striker.
Additionally, their pursuit of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, valued at £150 million by the Serie A champions, is also beyond their financial reach.
With the focus now on acquiring a striker, Manchester United has temporarily halted talks to acquire Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana for a fee of £40 million.
David de Gea arrived at Man United as a fresh faced youngsterCredit: Getty
United are desperate to get money in through sales to bolster their transfer kitty to resolve the situation.
All the while De Gea has been left in Limbo on the weekend of his wedding to long term partner Edurne Garcia.
De Gea, 32, racked up a club record for a goalkeeper of 545 appearances surpassing the previous highest set by 1968 European Cup winning legend Alex Stepney.
He also celebrated February’sCarabao Cup triumph by surpassing treble winner Peter Schmeichel’s clean sheets record for the club as he notched up his 181st shut out.
The Spaniard was in top form that day to keep Newcastle at bay as Manchester United lifted their first trophy in six years.
He finished the season with the golden glove as well after 17 clean sheets in the Premier League. The second time he has won it after keeping 18 in 2017-18.
He was the club’s player of the year three years on the trot too from 2013-16, which probably tells you as much about the club’s travails in that time as his excellence between the sticks.
To think early in his career after being brought to Old Trafford from Atletico Madrid it didn’t look like he was going to reach 45 appearances never mind 545.
Reece James is receiving adoration from Chelsea supporters as he remains committed to his roots as a graduate of the club’s academy, particularly with the news of Manchester United’s agreement to sign Mason Mount.
Chelsea’s Cobham Academy has gained a reputation for nurturing talented players, although only a few have successfully made it to the senior team. However, this changed when Frank Lampard took over as manager in 2019.
Lampard’s arrival coincided with a transfer ban, prompting him to hand first-team debuts to eight academy prospects, including James, Mount, Abraham, and Tomori.
James is the only one left at the club of those eight after The Athletic reported that Chelsea and United have agreed on a fee of £60m including add-ons for Mount.
Chelsea pride in Reece James
Mount has received a lot of backlash since it emerged he has chosen Old Trafford as his preferred destination after he rejected contract offers from West London.
Shortly after the agreement between the clubs was confirmed, a fan wrote on Twitter: ‘Reece James to Arsenal, who says no’ and the defender was quick to respond ‘I say no’.
The club’s Twitter admin was quick to quote the tweet and wrote ‘One of our own’ and added a picture of the player shushing the away crowd after scoring against Arsenal.
Another Cobham star, Trevoh Chalobah, who was handed his debut by Thomas Tuchel, expressed sadness at Mount’s departure and tweeted ‘My boy’ with a tear and heartbreak emoji.
Spanish media AS reported that Real Madrid are interested in James, after he shone against them in the UEFA Champions knockout stages. However, he has a contract at Chelsea until 2029.
Thiago Silva’s emotional reaction
Sports Brief reported that Thiago Silva gave an emotional reaction when the news broke that Mount will not be continuing at the club next season.
The Brazilian veteran defender dropped two teary emoji on the news on Instagram, showing how much the 24-year-old is loved by his teammates.
Silva could also leave Chelsea in a year’s time. He has one year left on his contract and is reportedly interested in a return to Brazil with former club Fluminese.
Fans have expressed mixed reactions on social media following the news of this potential deal between the two clubs.
After a prolonged saga involving Mount, it seems that United and Chelsea have reached an agreement, with renowned football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano indicating the agreed fee to be around £60m.
Earlier in the week, Chelsea had rejected a £55m offer from United, who were growing increasingly frustrated at how negotiations were going, but never gave up their pursuit.
Erik Ten Hag was keen on making Mount his first summer signing, and it appears he will finally have his man, as a medical is scheduled before the coming week.
Is Mount’s fee too high?
While there is no denying Mason Mount is a brilliant acquisition for Manchester United, rival fans felt the club should have paid far less for his services.
Part of the reason for this is because Mount made it clear he wanted toleave Stamford Bridge, and his contract with the Blues was running out fast.
Here are some reactions from fans:
@Tunnykvg said:
“Man United will always pay. I knew it.”
While @cfcenzo was distraught to see Mount leave, saying:
“I never thought he would leave Chelsea but it is what it is. We move! In a way I’m happy that this saga finally comes to an end.”
@crissybear said:
“60 what??? 40million got Maddison who is a better player.”
According to Fabrizio, Mount will sign a five year deal at Manchester United as personal terms were agreed days before the two clubs found common ground.
Vardy rejects Saudi Arabia move
Sports Brief also reported on how Jamie Vardy reportedly turned down the chance to move to Saudi Arabia.
The veteran striker turned down the Middle East despite Leicester’s relegation as he believes it would not be a good move for his family.
Leicester have already lost one of their superstars after their drop, with James Maddison on the verge of sealing a move to Tottenham Hotspur.
In light of the ongoing uncertainty surroundingDavid de Gea’s future at the club, sources have told ESPN that Manchester United has increased their interest in Andre Onana.
Before making a formal offer to Inter Milan, United is in discussions with Onana’s representatives.
The Cameroon goalkeeper is valued at between £40 million ($50.62m) and £50m by the Serie A side and Ten Hag knows Onana well after their time together at Ajax.
Meanwhile, De Gea will officially become a free agent on Friday when his Old Trafford contract ends.
Sources have told ESPN that an agreement to extend his stay could still be reached after June 30 — the last day of De Gea’s existing deal — but there is no guarantee that the Spaniard will play again for the club he joined from Atletico Madrid in 2011.
Talks between the two parties “remain open” and a source close to the negotiations has said “both sides are reflecting” before making their next move.
Manager Erik ten Hag has insisted publicly that he wants De Gea to stay, although the club have worked to drastically reduce his £375,000-a-week wages.
United sources have denied a report that the club backtracked on a contract extension after De Gea had already signed it himself.
As well as Onana, United are also monitoring other goalkeepers including Brentford’s David Raya and Porto’s Diogo Costa.
Sources have told ESPN that once there is clarity over the goalkeeper situation, Dean Henderson will be allowed to move to Nottingham Forest in a permanent deal.
Henderson impressed on loan at the City Ground last season and manager Steve Cooper is keen to have him back as Forest prepare for a second season in the Premier League.
Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane has expressed to Bayern Munich that they are his preferred choice for a transfer, and the German club is preparing to submit an official bid for the 29-year-old forward in the near future according to Sky Sports Deutschland.
Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel reportedly considers Kane as his primary transfer target, and the Bundesliga giants are increasingly optimistic about reaching an agreement with Tottenham for a fee below €100 million.
Spurs’ all-time-leading goal-scorer has one year left on his contract and is tipped to depart north London this summer in search of some silverware after the Premier League side failed to secure a place in European competition next season.
Kane has previously been linked with a move to Old Trafford, with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reportedly searching for a striker.
However, Bundesliga giants Bayern are now in pole position to sign Kane as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski following his move to Barcelona last summer.
The England captain is reportedly the top transfer target of Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel, and the Bundesliga giants are growing confident that they can negotiate a deal that sees Tottenham part ways with their talisman for less than €100 million.
Spurs’ all-time-leading goal-scorer has one year left on his contract and is tipped to depart north London this summer in search of some silverware after the Premier League side failed to secure a place in European competition next season.
Kane has previously been linked with a move toOld Trafford, with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reportedly searching for a striker. However, Bundesliga giants Bayern are now in pole position to sign Kane as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski following his move to Barcelona last summer.
Reports suggest , Barcelona’s young midfielder Gavi is reportedly unhappy with the club’s recent signingof Ilkay Gundogan during the ongoing summer transfer window.
Gundogan, who had a successful seven-year stint at Manchester City, has now joined Barcelona on a two-year contract, leaving behind a successful period with the English club that included winning multiple trophies, including the UEFA Champions League.
The arrival of Gundogan at Barcelona has been widely regarded as a notable achievement for the reigning La Liga champions after his impressive performances in leading Manchester City to a historic treble in the 2022-23 season.
However, this acquisition seems to have unsettled one of the rising stars within the Barcelona squad.
Gavi unhappy with Gundogan move
As revealed by El Nacional and reported by Sportskeeda, Gavi is concerned that his playing time and opportunities will be diminished under the management of Xavi next season.
The 18-year-old prodigy, who only missed two matches during Barca’s triumphant La Liga campaign and made a total of 49 appearances, fears that he will be overshadowed by Gundogan and subsequently benched.
Despite recently renewing his contract, the Spanish midfielder is struggling to come to terms with this transfer.
Gavi’s apprehensions may be well-founded, considering the wealth of experience and expertise the formerBorussia Dortmund star brings to the team.
Gavi inks new Barca deal
Meanwhile, Barcelona are determined to hold on to young starlet Gavi and has offered the Spanish midfielder a new 5-year deal at Camp Nou, Sports Brief reported.
Gavi is regarded as one of the best young players in the world and has been monitored by several top clubs in Europe since his debut in 2021 for Barcelona.
According to reports, the proposed new deal by Barcelona to the 17-year-old midfielder, whose present deal runs out in 2023, will boast of a mouth-watering € 1 billion release clause.
Reports suggest that,Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has reportedly compiled a list of 11 players he intends to offload in order to generate funds for the club’s summer transfer pursuits.
Following a promising first season in the Premier League, Ten Hag is anticipated to receive substantial backing from Manchester United in terms of acquiring new signings.
Under Ten Hag’s guidance, the team finally ended their trophy drought of over five years by securing victory in the Carabao Cup in February. Additionally, they achieved a commendable third-place finish in the standings, trailing behind Arsenal and their rivals, Manchester City.
According to The Mirror, Ten Hag is keen to make new signings this summer in a bid to strengthen his squad in preparation for next season.
However, he is equally aware he must trim his current squad to accommodate the players he wants to add to his team.
Ten Hag wants 11 players sold
Reports claim the former Ajax boss has since drawn up an 11-member transfer list of players he is keen to offload in the coming weeks in order to raise over £100million in transfer fees to help transform his squad.
Long-serving defenders Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones have already quit Man United after the expiry of their deals, while goalkeeper David de Gea is likely to depart as well.
Dean Henderson has also been touted to seal a permanent transfer, with United expected to recoup around £25million in a transfer fee from the English shotstopper.
As reported by Manchester Evening News, the duo of Alex Telles and Eric Bailly, who spent last season on loan at Sevilla and Marseille, respectively, are viewed as the ‘must-sells’ by boss Ten Hag.
However, he is equally aware he must trim his current squad to accommodate the players he wants to add to his team.
The same applies to Brandon Williams, who managed just one substitute appearance last season, having fallen down the pecking order following the signing of Tyrell Malacia.
United are also understood to be willing to listen to offers of £10million for academy graduate Anthony Elanga and Hannibal Mejbri.
The trio of Harry Maguire, Donny van de Beek, and Anthony Martial is also not safe, with the three among the most high-profile United players who could be shipped out this summer.
Mason Greenwood has reportedly put his luxury mansion up for rent, suggesting that he could soon be leaving Manchester United.
Greenwood has not played for United since January 2022, when he was suspended amid allegations of attempted rape, assault, and controlling or coercive behaviour, though those charges have since been dropped.
United are continuing to conduct their own internal investigation, although he was included on their retained squad list for the 2023-24 season.
The Sun reports that he has put his Manchester house up for rent, suggesting that he could well be on the move soon as United potentially look to cut ties with the one-time England international.
The report adds that the six-bedroom home is being circulated between high-end lettings agents, and would cost more than £15,000-per-month ($19,000).
United are reported to have been contacted by three Serie A clubs, with Juventus, Inter, and AC Milan all said to be interested in securing Greenwood’s signature on a short-term basis.
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He is not said to be considered as transfer listed, and is more likely to leave on loan than on a permanent deal.
Erik ten Hag, United’s manager, is reportedly willing to bring Greenwood back into the fold, as are a number of his team-mates, but there is an understanding among the executives at the club that it may lead to a significant backlash.
Greenwood, who has made a total of 129 appearances for United, scoring 35 goals, reportedly wants the situation resolved as soon as possible as he’s becoming frustrated at the lack of a decision. It has also been suggested that United’s takeover process will not have any bearing on the 21-year-old’s future.
The United forward has been training alone, with images circulating on social media showing him working with a private coach.
Manchester United is set to increase their offer for midfielder Mason Mount after Chelsea turned down their initial two bids.
The Blues are reportedly seeking a fee close to £65m for the player. United is also keeping an eye on the situation of Declan Rice, the West Ham captain, who is being pursued by Arsenal and Manchester City.
United is preparing a third bid for Mason Mount, which is expected to be around £55m. However, if Chelsea rejects this offer, United will likely end their pursuit.
The club’s previous bids, including add-ons, were worth £50m, but Chelsea’s valuation is higher. United has set a limit on how much they are willing to pay for a player who has just one year remaining on his contract.
United retain an interest in West Ham captain Declan Rice and there have been discussions internally about how possible it would be to sanction a deal.
Man City and Arsenal are also interested in Rice, with Sky in Italy reporting City are prepared to pay £75m + £15m in bonuses payable across two years for the midfielder.
Reporter Gianluca Di Marzio added on Thursday evening that Rice is getting closer to a City move and there is confidence an agreement can be made.
Due to Financial Fair Play rules, it’s unlikely United could spend a huge portion of their budget on one player – especially as they have other areas they want to strengthen.
For that reason, they are looking at a number of other options in midfield. Potential sales of players would, however, increase their spending power.
Erik ten Hag first bumped intoMount when he was Ajax head coach. On loan at Vitesse Arnhem, the 18-year-old’s free-kick led to his side’s third goal as they beat Ajax 3-2 in March 2018.
Ten Hag, then in charge of just his eighth game at Ajax, reportedly tried to sign Mount for the Dutch club on loan from Chelsea the following season. Fourteen goals and 10 assists in his first full campaign of senior football, largely from central midfield, had caught Ten Hag’s attention.
The likelihood of Mount staying at Stamford Bridge is remote with the midfielder unwilling to sign a new deal. Chelsea know this is the time to cash in on a player who has just one year left on his contract.
Getty/GOALPremier League king”If Harry wants to join Bayern, I’ll drive his f*cking car there myself; anything to protect my Premier League goalscoring record,” Alan Shearer said in a recent article for The Athletic. 
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