Pundit Gary Neville is to be referred to the Attorney General for a social media post he made during his ex-Manchester United team-mate Ryan Giggs’ domestic violence trial.
The judge in the case, Hilary Manley, has referred it as a possible case of contempt of court.
The jury in Giggs’ trial was discharged on Wednesday after failing to reach verdicts on any of the three charges.
Giggs denied headbutting ex-partner Kate Greville, 38, in a row at home.
Giggs, who resigned as Wales manager in June, also denied a charge of coercive or controlling behaviour towards Ms Greville, and denied assaulting Ms Greville’s sister Emma, 26.
Any retrial will not take place until at least 5 June 2023, the judge said.
Neville’s agent Di Law told the Daily Mail that the 47-year-old Sky Sports pundit was “absolutely adamant” that the post was referring to the Glazer family’s ownership of Manchester United and not the Giggs trial.
Contempt of court law prohibits publishing any information that creates a “substantial risk” of serious prejudice to a trial – including on social media. It is a criminal offence, punishable by a fine or up to two years in prison.
The judge referred to the post by Neville on Wednesday.
Judge Manley said: “Given the author is a person with a high public profile and his social media account has 1.5 million followers, it could be seen to be an attempt to influence on-going criminal proceedings and could be contempt of court.
“Accordingly, I am referring the matter to the office of the Attorney General for the consideration of a potential prosecution.”
A spokeswoman for the Attorney General’s Office said: “Contempt of court is a serious matter and the Attorney General will review any allegations brought to her carefully. We have not yet received a referral.”
BBC Sport has contacted 47-year-old Neville’s representatives for comment.
During the trial the lawyer acting for the prosecution said a social media post “by a member of the public who has a direct connection with this case” had been brought to his attention.
He added: “This may be a matter that requires immediate action, so far as that individual is concerned.”
The lawyer defending Giggs, Chris Daw QC, wanted to make it “crystal clear” the defendant did not have anything to do with the Instagram post.
Judge Manley allowed the trial to go ahead after deliberation and as there was no indication that any jury member had seen the post.
The former Manchester United footballer had been on trial for four weeks. The Crown Prosecution Service has a week to decide whether to pursue a retrial.
With Ajax, Manchester United has reached an agreement to acquire Brazilian winger Antony.
United will reportedly pay an initial fee of £80.75 million plus a further £4.25 million in add-ons.
Within the next 48 hours, the 22-year-old is expected to travel to Manchester to get a medical.
Antony would become Manchester United’s joint-second most expensive signing alongside defender Harry Maguire – the £89m paid for Paul Pogba remains the club’s record.
Antony scored 25 goals and provided 22 assists in 82 appearances for Ajax, having joined the Dutch side from Sao Paulo in 2020 and played under current United boss Erik ten Hag.
He made his international debut for Brazil in October 2021 and has two goals in nine appearances.
Antony, who contributed to seven goals in his 11 Champions League appearances for Ajax, would also become the joint-fourth most expensive signing in Premier League history.
Only Pogba’s move to United, Chelsea’s signing of Romelu Lukaku, and Manchester City’s deal for Jack Grealish would be more costly.
United travel to Leicester City in their next Premier League fixture on Thursday, 1 September, but Antony would need to receive a work permit before making an appearance.
The attacker would become United’s fifth signing of the summer, following the arrivals of his former Ajax team-mate, defender Lisandro Martinez, midfielder Casemiro from Real Madrid, full-back Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord, and playmaker Christian Eriksen on a free transfer.
Speculation also remains as to whether Cristiano Ronaldo will stay at the club following concerns about how the 37-year-old’s mood is affecting morale in the camp.
Alfred Schreuder says there has been no change of stance at Ajax over Antony’s future, with the Manchester United target again left out of their squad.
Antony missed last week’s win over Sparta Rotterdam and on Sunday was absent once more as Ajax faced Utrecht.
The Brazil forward is a target for United, who have reportedly had several bids turned down for the 22-year-old, with speculation on Friday claiming a £76million (€89.4m) offer was rejected.
In an interview with journalist Fabrizio Romano, Antony pleaded with Ajax to sell him for “the highest bid ever for a player in the Eredivisie”, as he explained he had made his desire to leave clear to the club earlier in 2022.
Antony’s public request has not seemingly had the desired impact just yet, with the Eredivisie champions said to be holding out for a fee of £85m (€100m).
Speaking to reporters prior to the Utrecht match, Ajax head coach Schreuder said: “The situation is the same. We discuss this internally, also with the player.
“The situation has not changed. He [is] at the club, we talked about it.”
Schreuder did, however, suggest Ajax are readying themselves for life without Antony, by adding: “I want to focus on the guys who will be there.”
Bruno Fernandes’ second-half strike helped Manchester United beat Southampton 1-0 and record their second Premier League win of the season.
Both sides failed to break the deadlock in the first half despite a number of presentable chances, with both Gavin Bazunu and David de Gea called into action in the first 45 minutes.
Early into the second period, however, United took the lead, as Bruno Fernandes volleyed Diogo Dalot’s right-wing cross into the bottom corner.
The Saints pushed for an equaliser but the Red Devils — boosted by Casemiro, who made his debut off the bench — held out for the three points.
Manchester United sat back and looked to hold onto their lead after going ahead
Did you know?
This is United’s first Premier League win away from home since February, having lost their previous seven such games in a row before beating Southampton.
It is also the first time since February that United have won successive league games, winning just two of their last 11 in the competition before this (two draws, seven defeats).
Southampton are winless in their last 12 home Premier League matches against United (five draws, seven defeats) since winning 1-0 back in August 2003.
Southampton have kept just one clean sheet in their last 16 Premier League matches, shipping 38 goals in that time.
Only Mohamed Salah (54), Harry Kane (49) and Son Heung-Min (45) have more Premier League goals than Bruno Fernandes (37) since his debut in February 2020.
Ralph Hasenhuttl has never beaten United in the Premier League with Southampton (four draws, four defeats). They are one of only two sides he’s faced in the competition without winning, along with Cardiff.
Brazil international Antony has reiterated his willingness to leave Ajax to a club that provides the highest bid.
According to the 22-year-old, he made this known to Ajax during a meeting after he rejected a proposal for a contract renewal.
For him, Ajax has not shown willingness to accept his decision to leave the club.
“During the window months, meetings continued and I also received a proposal from Ajax for contract renewal. I made it clear once again: I want to leave the club.
“Today, in a meeting with the club, I expressed my old interest in leaving the club, only this time with a considerable offer on the table. Others had already arrived. Ajax always refused and hindered by exit with the argument that they only have five days to replace me.
“I’m not asking Ajax to release me, I’m asking Ajax to sell me with the highest bid ever for a player in the Eredivisie. I’ve been insisting on this theme since February so that the club could rebuild the team with peace of mind.
But according to reports, Ajax have turned down the offer.
The shock of seeing such an amount turned down has forced Antony to go public with his frustration.
He told Fabrizio Romano: “Since February of this year, my agents came to Amsterdam to inform Ajax of my desire to leave the club to face a new challenge and that some interested clubs would arrive and with them certainly a great offer.
Ten Hag has not been shy about his desire to bolster United’s attack, and Antony has seemingly been near the top of his list for a while.
Brazil international Antony was a key player under new United boss Erik ten Hag during his time in Amsterdam and has been continuously linked with a move to Old Trafford since April.
Meanwhile, Antony has urged Ajax fans to understand his decision to leave the club.
“People need to listen to me and understand that my motivation moves me towards happiness. I need this to continue performing at a high level. Ajax will always be in my heart.
“I hope Ajax fans understand me because the future for a football player is a totally uncertain thing and the opportunities can be unique.
“My message is one of gratitude for Ajax, club and fans,” he added.
Kevin Trapp will not be joining Manchester United as he has turned the club’s offer.
The former Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper has decided to stay at Eintracht Frankfurt.
He announced his decision in an Instagram post on Thursday, August 25, 2022.
“It is true that there is a written offer. Manchester United is a world club and the fact that I can deal with and think about such an offer, I hope everyone understands. Yesterday, however, I informed the person in charge of both clubs that I had chosen Eintracht.”
According to the Germany international, he has experienced “unforgettable things” with Frankfurt and they have made history together.
Trapp noted that although the start of the season has been bumpy, “I have absolute faith in us.”
Eintracht lost 6-1 to Bayern Munich in their opening game of the Bundesliga season before going down 2-0 to Real Madrid in the Super Cup in Helsinki.
Trapp has been one of the best performing goalkeepers in the Bundesliga in recent seasons, and in the 2021-22 campaign topped the charts for the number of goals he prevented, as per Opta’s expected goals on target conceded (xGOT) model.
The former Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper prevented 6.1 goals across 32 matches in total, a better figure than any other shot-stopper in the competition to have played 10 times or more.
In comparison, De Gea’s goals prevented tally across 38 league matches last season was 2.8, which ranked second in the Premier League (of goalkeepers to make 10 or more appearances).
Ruud van Nistelrooy is hopeful PSV can ward off Manchester United’s interest in winger Cody Gakpo, as he praised the Netherlands international for maintaining his focus amid widespread transfer speculation.
United have brought in Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen, Tyrell Malacia and most recently Casemiro during a busy transfer window, but reports suggest Erik ten Hag is looking to his homeland in his attempts to add a winger.
Ajax’s Antony who was left out of their squad for a 1-0 win at Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday and PSV star Gakpo are both reported targets.
Gakpo scored 21 goals in 47 appearances in all competitions for PSV last season and has been tipped to provide competition for Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho should he join United.
But PSV coach Van Nistelrooy, who himself scored 95 Premier League goalsin a successful five-year spell at Old Trafford, is desperate to keep the 23-year-old.
“There have been rumours for a long time. It is clear that we would like to keep him,” Van Nistelrooy said.
“I have been working with him for eight weeks now and have not seen a single moment that he shows different behaviour. That is very nice for someone his age.”
PSV face Rangers in the second leg of their Champions League qualification play-off on Wednesday, having rescued a 2-2 draw in last week’s first meeting at Ibrox.
In their 2-1 victory over Liverpool on Monday at Old Trafford, Manchester United put on a performance that Gary Neville “didn’t think was possible.”
The Red Devils stopped the rot at the start of Erik ten Hag’s reign, and the former United captain stated he could not believe how the highly anticipated game played out.
With their first two Premier League losses under their new boss coming against Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion, respectively, there was cause for concern.
Yet goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashfordlifted Ten Hag’s men above Liverpool, who underwhelmed and are now still waiting for their own first win of the league season.
1 – Erik ten Hag is the first Manchester United manager to secure his first ever competitive win with the club in a match against Liverpool. Arrived. pic.twitter.com/mvtOYYvmzL
Neville had fumed at United’s display in the 4-0 thrashing at Brentford nine days earlier, but he was suddenly full of optimism after the win at Old Trafford.
“I’m absolutely stunned, to be honest with you,” he said in his role as a Sky Sports pundit. “I didn’t think that was possible, tonight, what I saw, in terms of response.
“I thought the players had cemented what they do now over many months at the end of last season, the start of this season.
“What’s happened this week I don’t know, but they’ve responded. Maybe the slight changes in personnel, making brave decisions…
“The captain [Harry Maguire], the star player [Cristiano Ronaldo] have both been left on the bench. That means the manager just gains a little bit of gravitas, maybe, with other players.
“Bruno [Fernandes] has responded; I think [Lisandro] Martinez at the back has played well alongside [Raphael] Varane. I don’t know what it is, but I can’t believe what I’ve just witnessed.
“Liverpool weren’t at their best, let’s be clear, but they weren’t at their best against Crystal Palace and Fulham.
“It was just the effort difference that we saw from Manchester United; they’ve outrun Liverpool, they’ve outsprinted Liverpool.
“We’ve questioned that a number of times over the last 12 months, that they’re not capable of doing it, and they’ve shown tonight that they are capable of doing it.”
In the Premier League, the summer transfer market is still open for business.
There have already been a lot of significant signings, with championship contenders Manchester Cityand Liverpool spending big on Erling Haaland and Darwin Nunez, respectively.
Raheem Sterling just signed with Chelsea, while rivals from North London Tottenham and Arsenal, as well as teams like Aston Villa, Leeds, and Nottingham Forest, have also been active.
But there is still a lot of work to be done before the window closes on Thursday, September 1 at 11 p.m. (BST).
To be informed of all the Premier League happenings during the summer transfer window, bookmark this page.
Arsenal
In:Marquinhos (Sao Paulo, £3m), Fabio Vieira (Porto, £30m), Matt Turner (New England Revolution, £5.8m), Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City, £45m), Oleksandr Zinchenko (Manchester City, £30m)
Out: Konstantinos Mavropanos (Stuttgart, £3m), Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon, free), Jonathan Dinzeyi (released), Joel Lopez (released), Jordan McEneff (released), Harry Clarke (Stoke, loan), Omar Rekik (Sparta Rotterdam, loan), Tyreece John-Jules (Ipswich, loan), Mika Biereth (RKC Waalwijk, loan), Jordi Osei-Tutu (VFL Bochum, undisclosed), Daniel Ballard (Sunderland, undisclosed), Nikolaj Moller (Den Bosch, loan), Matteo Guendouzi (Marseille, undisclosed), Zak Swanson (Portsmouth, undisclosed), Ovie Ejeheri (Chelmsford City, loan), Auston Trusty (Birmingham, loan), Omari Hutchinson (Chelsea, undisclosed), Marcelo Flores (Real Ovideo, loan), Ryan Alebiosu (Kilmarnock, loan), Arthur Okonkwo (Crewe, loan), Nuno Tavares (Marseille, loan), Mazeed Ogungbo (Crawley, loan), Bernd Leno (Fulham, undisclosed), Charlie Patino (Blackpool, loan), Lucas Torreira (Galatasaray, undisclosed), Pablo Mari (AC Monza, loan), Alex Runarsson (Alanyaspor, loan)
Aston Villa
Philippe Coutinho has joined Aston Villa from Barcelona on a four-year deal
In: Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona, £17m), Boubacar Kamara (Marseille, free), Diego Carlos (Sevilla, undisclosed), Robin Olsen (Roma, undisclosed), Rory Wilson (Rangers, undisclosed), Ludwig Augustinsson (Sevilla, loan with option to buy), Ewan Simpson (Hearts, undisclosed)
In: Ryan Fredericks (West Ham, free), Joe Rothwell (Blackburn, free), Marcus Tavernier (Middlesbrough, £10m), Neto (Barcelona, free), Marcos Senesi (Feyenoord, £12m)
Out: Gary Cahill (released), Brennan Camp (released), Ryan Glover (released), Connor Curran-Browne (released), Luke Nippard (released), Owen Palmer (released), Aaron Roberts (released), Jack Seddon (released), Gavin Kilkenny (Stoke, loan), Aji Alese (Sunderland, loan), Zeno Ibsen Rossi (Cambridge, undisclosed)
Brentford
In: Aaron Hickey (Bologna, undisclosed), Keane Lewis-Potter (Hull, £20m), Thomas Strakosha (Lazio, free), Ben Mee (Burnley, free), Mikkel Damsgaard (Sampdoria, undisclosed), Mathias Jorgensen (Free)
Out: Ben Hockenhull (Tranmere), Hans Mpongo (released), Mads Bidstrup (Nordsjaelland, loan), Gustav Mogensen (Sarpsborg, undisclosed), Christian Eriksen (Manchester United, free), Paris Maghoma (AFC Wimbledon, loan), Dominic Thompson (Blackpool, undisclosed), Lachlan Brook (Crewe, loan), Marcus Forss (Middlesbrough, undisclosed), Ellery Balcombe (Crawley, loan), Tariqe Fosu (Stoke City, loan)
BrightonIn: Julio Enciso (Libertad Asuncion, undisclosed), Benicio Baker-Boaitey (Porto, undisclosed), Simon Adingra (Nordsjaelland, undisclosed), Levi Colwill (Chelsea, loan), Luca Barrington (Manchester City, undisclosed), Pervis Estupinan (Villarreal, undisclosed)
Out: Jayson Molumby (West Brom, £900,000), Tudor Baluta (released), Adam Desbois (released), Lars Dendoncker (released), Ulrick Ella (released), Ayo Tanimowo (released), John Lucero (released), Jaami Qureshi (released), Fynn Talley (Cliftonville, loan), Yves Bissouma (Tottenham, £25m), Alex Cochrane (Hearts, undisclosed), Simon Adingra (Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, loan), Carl Rushworth (Lincoln, loan), Haydon Roberts (Derby, loan), Abdallah Sima (Angers, loan), Aaron Connolly (Venezia, loan), Leo Ostigard (Napoli, undisclosed), Taylor Richards (QPR, loan), Marc Leonard (Northampton, loan), Jensen Weir (Morecambe, loan), Reda Khadra (Sheffield United, loan), Teddy Jenks (Crawley, loan), Andi Zeqiri (Basel, loan), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea, undisclosed), Shane Duffy (Fulham, loan), Kjell Scherpen (Vitesse Arnhem, loan)
Chelsea
In: Eddie Beach (Southampton, undisclosed), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City, £50m), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli, £33m), Omar Hutchinson (Arsenal, free), Gabriel Slonina (Chicago Fire, £12m), Carney Chukwuemeka (Aston Villa, undisclosed), Marc Cucurella (Brighton, undisclosed), Cesare Casadei (Inter Milan, £12.6m)
Out:Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid, free), Andreas Christensen (released), Danny Drinkwater (released), Charly Musonda (released), Jake Clarke-Salter (QPR, free), Lucas Bergstrom (Peterborough, loan), Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan, loan), Nathan Baxter (Hull, loan), Ethan Wady (Woking, loan), Ian Maatsen (Burnley, loan), Henry Lawrence (MK Dons, loan), Tino Anjorin (Huddersfield, loan), Gabriel Slonina (Chicago Fire, loan), Levi Colwill (Brighton, loan), Timo Werner (RB Leipzig, £25m), Malang Sarr (Monaco, loan)
Crystal Palace
In: Malcolm Ebiowei (Derby, free), Sam Johnstone (West Brom, free), Cheick Doucoure (Lens, undisclosed), Chris Richards (Bayern Munich, undisclosed), Kofi Balmer (Larne, undisclosed)
Out: Martin Kelly (released), Jaroslaw Jach (released), Luke Dreher (released), Rian Jamai (released), Kanye Jobson (released), Nya Kirby (released), Joseph Ling (released), Sean Robertson (released), Sion Spence (released), Aidan Steele (released), James Taylor (released), Dylan Thiselton (released), Reece Hannam (Bromley, loan), Remi Matthews (St Johnstone, loan), Tayo Adaramola (Coventry, loan), Sean Robertson (Forest Green, free), Christian Benteke (DC United, undisclosed), Scott Banks (Bradford, loan), Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (Charlton, loan), Malachi Boateng (Queen’s Park, loan), Cheikhou Kouyate (Nottingham Forest, free)
Out: Edinson Cavani (released), Juan Mata (released), Paul Pogba (Juventus, free), Jesse Lingard (released) D’Mani Mellor (released), Reece Devine (released), Lee Grant (released), Paul McShane (released), Connor Stanley (released), Paul Woolston (released), Nemanja Matic (Roma, free), Dean Henderson (Nottingham Forest, loan), Dylan Levitt (Dundee, undisclosed), Andreas Pereira (Fulham, £8m), Alvaro Fernandez (Preston, loan), Alex Telles (Sevilla, loan), Ethan Laird (QPR, loan), Dermot Mee (Altrincham, loan)
Newcastle
In: Alex Murphy (Galway United, undisclosed), Matt Targett (Aston Villa, £15m), Nick Pope (Burnley, undisclosed), Sven Botman (Lille, undisclosed), Charlie McArthur (Kilmarnock, undisclosed), Jude Smith (East Fife, undisclosed)Â
Out: Oisin McEntee (Walsall, undisclosed), Mo Sangare (Accrington, free), Isaac Hayden (Norwich, loan with obligation to buy), Lewis Cass (Port Vale, undisclosed), Freddie Woodman (Preston, undisclosed), Dan Langley (Gateshead, loan), Jeff Hendrick (Reading, loan), Ciaran Clark (Sheffield United, loan), Dwight Gayle (Stoke, undisclosed)
Nottingham Forest
In: Ryan Hammond (Millwall, undisclosed), Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin, £17.5m), Dean Henderson (Manchester United, loan), Giulian Biancone (Troyes, £5m), Moussa Niakhate (Mainz, £8.5m), Omar Richards (Bayern Munich, £10m), Neco Williams (Liverpool, £17m), Wayne Hennessey (Burnley, undisclosed), Brandon Aguilera (LD Alajuelense, undisclosed), Harry Toffolo (Huddersfield, undisclosed), Lewis O’Brien (Huddersfield, undisclosed), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United, free), Orel Mangala (Stuttgart, £12.7m), Emmanuel Dennis (Watford, £20m), Cheikhou Kouyate (Crystal Palace, free), Remo Freuler (Atalanta, £8.5m), Morgan Gibbs-White (Wolves, £25m)
Out: Tobias Figueiredo (released), Carl Jenkinson (released), Gaetan Bong (released), Marcelo Valencia (released), Josh Barnes (released), Baba Fernandes (released), Sam Sanders (released), Morgan Thomas-Sadler (released), Joe Watkins (released), Mohamed Drager (FC Luzern, loan), Jayden Richardson (Aberdeen, undisclosed), Ethan Horvath (Luton, loan), Brice Samba (Lens, undisclosed), Tyrese Fornah (Reading, loan), Will Swan (Mansfield, loan), Jonathan Panzo (Coventry, loan), Fin Back (Carlisle, loan), Lewis Grabban (released), Riley Harbottle (Mansfield, loan), Brandon Aguilera (Guanacasteca, loan), Nicholas Ioannou (Como, undisclosed), Xande Silva (Dijon, undisclosed), Braian Ojeda (Real Salt Lake, loan), Nuno da Costa (Auxerre, undisclosed), Richie Laryea (Toronto, loan), Baba Fernandes (Accrington, loan), Nicky Hogarth (Falkirk, loan), Joe Lolley (Sydney, free)
Southampton
In: Alex Iwumene (Sutton United), Gavin Bazunu (Manchester City, undisclosed), Mateusz Lis (Altay SK, free), Armel Bella-Kotchap (Bochum, £8.5m), Romeo Lavia (Manchester City, £10.5m), Joe Aribo (Rangers, £10m), Sekou Mara (Bordeaux, undisclosed)
Out: Harry Lewis (Bradford City, free), Fraser Forster (Tottenham, free), Caleb Watts (Morecambe, loan), Kazeem Olaigbe (Ross County, loan), Shane Long (Reading, free), Dan Nlundulu (Cheltenham, loan), Will Smallbone (Stoke, loan), Thierry Small (Port Vale, loan), Kegs Chauke (Exeter, loan), Benni Smales-Braithwaite (Barrow, free), Will Ferry (Cheltenham, undisclosed), Nathan Tella (Burnley, loan), Kayne Ramsay (Harrogate, undisclosed)
Tottenham
Croatian wing-back Ivan Perisic was Tottenham’s first signing of the summer
International reports have it that Manchester United are close to signing Casemiro, who plays for Real Madrid as a midfielder.
The Red Devils led by Erik ten Hag want to sign the 30-year-old for 60m euros (£50.7m) plus 10m euros (£8.5m) in add ons.
It is expected that negotiations will be completed in days.
Although Casemiro has a contract that runs to 2025, Real Madrid are mindful of the scale of United’s offer of a contract that could extend to 2027 once the option of an additional season is added on.Â
Casemiro has been with his current side since 2013 and has aided the club in winning three La Liga titles and five Champions Leagues.
The Brazil international ranked top for successful blocks, placed second for tackles made, behind Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets, and also came third overall for possession won. Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino was first and Busquets runner-up in that latter category.
He also contributed to Real’s attacks, ranking fifth for forward passes and joint-sixth for shots among the league’s central midfielders.
One of the best defensive midfield players in the world, Casemiro has been effective in a team that drops deep when it does not have possession, which Real tend to do with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos in their team.
Casemiro’s impact can be seen by looking at Opta statistics to compare his figures against those of other central midfielders in La Liga last season.
Casemiro spent a season away from the Bernabeu on loan at Portuguese side Porto in 2014-15 but returned to Spain the following season after Real activated his buy-back clause.
He has made 222 appearances for the Spanish giants and scored 24 goals.
Manchester United have turned their attention to Casemiro after talks to sign Juventus’ Adrien Rabiot collapsed over the player’s demands.
United are bottom of the Premier League and want to strengthen their midfield.
Casemiro would become one of the United’s top earners if he completes the move and would sign a four-year contract with the option of an additional year.
He would arrive at United on a big salary in keeping with his status as one of 30 players nominated for this year’s Ballon D’Or, even if his place at Real is under threat from new arrival Aurelien Tchouameni.
It is said that nothing is certain except death and taxes – but is it also inevitable that Manchester Unitedwill lose against Liverpool this weekend?
“It’s the only result I am absolutely certain of, out of all 10 Premier League games,” said BBC Sport’s predictions expert Chris Sutton.
“It’s just a question of how many United are beaten by. It could get very messy for them.”
Sutton is picking scores for every top-flight game this season against a variety of guests.
For this weekend’s fixtures, he is up against Gareth Kelly, aka GK, from Bradford rap trio Bad Boy Chiller Crew.
Sutton has been beaten by both his guests so far, and Bradford City fan GK is confident he can make it three defeats out of three.
“I know Chris always has a lot to say but he’s up against the Bad Boys now,” GK told BBC Sport. “This is only going to end one way.”
Sutton, predictably, disagrees.
“Is that him being a wordsmith?” he replied. “He might be good at rapping but the truth is he shouldn’t be coming into this game, against an experienced Premier League winner like myself.”
Bad Boy Chiller Crew’s debut album, Disrespectful, reached number two in the charts earlier this year. Their new single, When It Rains It Pours, is out now.
BBCC started out as a group of mates uploading prank videos, but now their mission is to make people smile with their music instead, with lyrics inspired by life in their home city.
Their 2020 breakout single, 450, has had 20m views on YouTube and was supported by the likes of Annie Mac on BBC Radio 1 as their fame went national, then global. Their local links remain strong, though, including with Bradford City.
GK’s grandad is a Manchester United fan and his dad supports Celtic so he has football in his blood – “in our house we followed the Premier League, Scottish Premier League – and Bradford’s league,” he laughs – but he dreamed of fame in other sports before music came calling.
“I actually wanted to be a wrestler,” he explained. “But I started eating Big Macs when I was about three.
“As I grew up, I played more rugby league because I am a big lad, but I still used to watch a lot of football, and I went to Bradford quite a lot. The atmosphere’s always brilliant – even if you’re not enjoying the game, you still have a good crack.
“I really want to see them do well – because I’m from Bradford, I like to rep Bradford all the time.
“Everything we’ve done with BBCC is to celebrate our city, and as part of that we’ve got involved with the club as much as we can – it doesn’t seem to stop them losing though!”
As well as making predictions for this weekend’s Premier League games, GK is backing the Bantams to beat Hartlepool in League Two on Saturday. “I’m going 1-0 to Bradford, or a least that’s what I want to happen!” he said.
A correct result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is worth 10 points. The exact score earns 40 points.
SUTTON’S PREDICTIONS
Games kick off at 15:00 BST unless otherwise stated
SATURDAYTottenham v Wolves (12:30 BST)
I was a bit disappointed with Tottenham’s performance against Chelsea last weekend.
Spurs showed good character to come back and get a draw, but that result was more to do with poor refereeing decisions and luck as far as I could see.
Wolves have signed Portugal forward Goncalo Guedes from Valencia to try to increase their goal threat, but he couldn’t make much difference when he came on against Fulham last week.
Bruno Lage’s side’s biggest issue last year was they didn’t score enough goals, despite having some very talented players.
Tottenham clearly don’t have that problem. It will be interesting to see if Antonio Conte starts with Richarlison this time, but either way they will have too much firepower for Wolves to handle.
Sutton’s prediction: 3-1
GK’s prediction: 2-0
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Crystal Palace v Aston Villa
Crystal Palace put in a very good performance against Liverpool on Monday, but when the Reds went down to 10 men you just wondered whether the Eagles could have taken the game to them with their numerical advantage.
Palace will still gain a lot of confidence from that result, though, and they will be looking to get their first win of the season here.
Villa will fancy their chances too, and they were much improved against Everton after losing to Bournemouth on the opening day.
It was a blow for Steven Gerrard to lose defender Diego Carlos to a long-term Achilles injury, and he has to decide whether to pick Emiliano Buendia in midfield over Philippe Coutinho, who did not do much in the first two games.
This is a hard one to call either way, so I am going to go for a draw.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
GK’s prediction: 0-1
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Everton v Nottingham Forest
I get how important Nottingham Forest’s win over West Ham was, given the number of new signings they have made, but I actually felt the Hammers should have got something from the game.
Everton badly need a similar result to kick-start their season, but I don’t think they are playing that badly.
The Toffees are still missing a proper centre-forward, but they looked much better against Villa when new signing Amadou Onana came on.
I fancy them here, especially because they are at home.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-0
GK’s prediction: 1-1
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Fulham v Brentford
I really like what Brentford are doing, and I almost made the prediction of the century when I said they would beat United 3-0 last week. I was so unlucky that they actually scored four.
Fulham will have a real go at them, like they did against Liverpool in their last home game, so this is a much bigger test than United offered and it should be a good game.
It will be close, too. The Cottagers have drawn both their games so far, and I can see the points being shared again.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
GK’s prediction: 1-0
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Leicester v Southampton
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl seems to be under a bit of pressure, which seems unfair so early in the season, so it was important for him that they came back from 2-0 down to draw with Leeds last time out.
Hasenhuttl had been tinkering with playing three at the back during pre-season, but he went back to a four against Leeds, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him stick with that here.
Leicester also have problems at the back, not helped by having the uncertainty over Wesley Fofana’s future hanging over them, but the Foxes still have plenty of quality going forward.
There will be goals in this one, and I’m going with Brendan Rodgers to get his first win of the season.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
GK’s prediction: 1-1
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Bournemouth v Arsenal (17:30)
Arsenal have made a great start to the season, and Gabriel Jesus has made the difference.
There was a lot of hype about his arrival, and he is backing it up – he is not in my Fantasy team, though, so I hope he doesn’t score again this time.
I still don’t think we should get carried away by what the Gunners are doing, and I still don’t think they will challenge for the title this season – but I can understand why their fans are excited.
If you look at the scoreline, Bournemouth got walloped by Manchester City in their last game, but they actually didn’t do that much wrong.
They are at home this time and might think this is a game where they can go for it a little bit more. I don’t think it will work, but the Cherries will not roll over even if they go behind.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-2
GK’s prediction: 1-2
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SUNDAYLeeds v Chelsea (14:00)
Leeds boss Jesse Marsch will have been deeply disappointed to see his side pegged back by Southampton after going two goals up, and I think he might have to deal with another setback here.
There are still a few question marks over what is going on with Chelsea up front, and they keep getting linked with new players too, but they were excellent against Spurs last week.
If they play like that at Elland Road, they will win.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-1
GK’s prediction: 0-3
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West Ham v Brighton (14:00)
West Ham have lost their first two matches but they had a difficult pre-season with injuries, and I certainly don’t think there is any reason to panic.
The Hammers will turn the corner soon, but they haven’t beaten Brighton in 10 attempts since the Seagulls returned to the Premier League in 2017, and I don’t see that run ending here.
Graham Potter’s team are superbly organised and I’d back them to get something from this game too.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
GK’s prediction: 0-0
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Newcastle v Manchester City (16:30)
There will be a great atmosphere at St James’ Park and Newcastle might create one or two chances for Callum Wilson.
I can only see a Manchester City win here, though. They have not really put a foot wrong so far.
Lots has been made of how few touches Erling Haaland had against Bournemouth, but he still made one of them count with his pass to Ilkay Gundogan for the opening goal.
If the opposition are going to focus on stopping Haaland, then it is going to leave space for their other attacking players, and we already know how dangerous they are.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-3
GK’s prediction: 0-2
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MONDAYManchester United v Liverpool (20:00)
If Manchester United win this game, they leapfrog Liverpool in the table, but that is not going to happen.
United aren’t able to press teams with the players they have got, and I don’t really know what Erik ten Hag can change with what he has got in his squad.
Liverpool have started slowly too, and Darwin Nunez’s suspension won’t help on top of their injuries. That leaves them a bit short up front, although Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz looked lively against Palace.
Whatever happens, you just know Jurgen Klopp’s side will outwork United at the very least.
Maybe United’s players will run around a little bit more this week than they did against Brentford, but they need to find some heart. Unless something happens this week that triggers a change in attitude in the squad, I don’t see it happening.
The home crowd will be willing them to take the game to Liverpool, and if they do that then they are in big trouble because that’s when Klopp’s side are at their best.
They won 5-0 at Old Trafford last season and it is going to be a similar story this time, although I am going to give United a goal just to lift their spirits a little.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-5
GK’s prediction: 0-0
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Chris Sutton and GK were speaking to BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan.
How did Sutton do last week?
Sutton got five correct results from 10 matches, with no exact scores, giving him a total of 50 points.
He was beaten by Kasabian frontman Serge Pizzorno, who got four correct results but with one exact score, giving him a total of 70 points.
GUEST LEADERBOARD 2022-23Ali Bruce-Ball110Serge Pizzorno70Chris Sutton55 (average after two weeks)Total scores after week 2Guests180Chris Sutton110How did you get on?
Manchester United’s awful performance and 4-0 defeat last weekend was the latest setback for Erik ten Hag’s side, but was Brentford beating them really that much of a surprise?
Sutton went for a 3-0 Bees victory, Serge said they would win 2-0 and, from more than 70,000 votes, 47% of you backed Brentford too.
“I’m actually disappointed with my prediction,” Sutton said. “I should have been braver.”
Elsewhere, Liverpool’s slow start to the season continued to fox pretty much everyone. After 87% of you went for a Reds win at Fulham on week one, 85% of you thought Liverpool would beat the Eagles – and were wrong again. Only 9% of you thought Crystal Palace would get a draw at Anfield.
In contrast, Chris, Serge and 94% of you predicted a Manchester City win over Bournemouth. City won 4-0, making that the most popular prediction to actually happen.
You vs Chris & the guests – Week TwoPositionCorrect resultsYou*6/10Chris5/10Serge Pizzorno4/10
*Win, draw, loss prediction based on highest % of vote for each match.
Total scores after week 2You*12/20Chris11/20Guests9/20
Our coverage of your Premier League club is bigger and better than ever before – here’s everything you need to know to make sure you never miss a moment
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has cancelled a planned day off on Sunday after the 4-0 humiliation at Brentford.
With no game until the visit of Liverpool to Old Trafford on 22 August, Ten Hag had intended to let his squad have the rest of the weekend off.
However, the manner of Saturday’s loss prompted him to revise his plans.
It is understood he was at Carrington early on Sunday to mull over the nature of a defeat that has drawn plenty of criticism from both fans and pundits.
The loss prompted a debate on Sky between Jamie Redknapp, who feels the players need to take more responsibility, and former United skipper Gary Neville, who called for the club’s owners to offer a public explanation for what has gone wrong.
Fans group MUST (Manchester United Supporters Trust), which is negotiating a share scheme with the Glazer family, has called for “urgent and radical change”.
But senior Unitedfigures, despite being aware of the scale of the anger, accept there is no quick fix to the present malaise.
They continue to try and bring in the new players that Ten Hag feels are essential to his rebuild and talks with France midfielder Adrien Rabiot are ongoing.
However, Ten Hag must bring about vast improvement in the players he has, with David de Gea’s pass to Christian Eriksen for Brentford’s second goal symptomatic of the problem.
Ten Hag wants his players to take responsibility and be brave in possession.
Having conceded an early opener because of De Gea’s blunder, rather than try to control the game to ensure the damage did not get worse, United carried on with their strategy of playing risky passes, resulting in Eriksen being robbed of possession inside his own penalty area for the second.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says the club “needs quality players” after conceding the standard of the squad is not good enough.
United were thumped 4-0 at Brentford – conceding four in the first 35 minutes – and have no points after two Premier League games.
Dutchman Ten Hag, who took over at Old Trafford in May, told Sky Sports the situation is a “difficult process”.
“We have to provide higher standards than what we did today,” he said.
“We are, as a team, in a difficult process. You expect a different start. It’s not what we expected.
“We need new players. We need quality players. We are working on that and we’ll do everything to convince them to come.”
United have been involved in a long-running hunt for fresh recruits since the transfer window opened, following a disappointing campaign last year and a shock defeat at home to Brighton last Sunday.
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has been the main target for Ten Hag but the 25-year-old has reportedly indicated he would prefer to join Chelsea if he left the Nou Camp.
A move for former Stoke and West Ham striker Marko Arnautovic attracted negative reaction from fans and was abandoned, as did interest in Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot – a transfer that appears close, despite significant disapproval from United’s support.
“The team has to take responsibility. I feel really sorry for the fans – they did everything to support us but we let them down,” said Ten Hag.
“You have to take responsibility on the pitch as a team and as individuals, that’s what we didn’t do. What I asked them to do is play with belief and take responsibility for the performance. We have to work on that.
“The manager is responsible as well. He has the main responsibility and I’ll take that and work on that.”
‘I cost my team three points’ – De Gea
While Ten Hag felt the team as a whole had to take the blame for the humiliating display against Thomas Frank’s side, United goalkeeper David de Gea pointed the finger squarely at himself.
Nominating himself to do the player post-match interview, he told Sky Sports: “I’m just taking my responsibility today. I think I cost three points for my team. It was a poor performance from myself.”
The Spain international let Josh Dasilva’s strike from distance slip through his grasp, which kick-started Brentford’s goal rush.
“After the first mistake and then the second, it was very difficult for my team-mates,” De Gea added. “At the moment, it’s tough every time we concede a goal. I should save the first shot – [if I had] the result would be different.”
United have now lost four successive league games – a run that includes the end of last season – and seven successive away matches in the top flight.
Cristiano Ronaldo stayed true to his words and played in the game against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
However, the 37-year-old did not play full-time. He played the first half of the game and was then substituted for Amad Diallo.
The striker was then seen leaving Old Trafford before the final whistle, and per reports it is whether or not his departure was sanctioned by head coach Ten Hag.
Ronaldo made Erik ten Hag’s lineup despite not featuring in any of the Red Devils’ previous five pre-season fixtures.
Ten Hag initially confirmed that Ronaldo would be in his squad for the Rayo friendly clash after United’s 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in Spain on Saturday.
The Dutchman admitted that the veteran forward is still a long way behind the rest of his senior team-mates in terms of fitness, however, having only just seen him return from an extended break.
“We’ll see how long he can play,” Ten Hag told Viaplay. “I cannot tell in this moment (how fit he is). He is not on the level of the rest of the squad because he missed a lot of weeks. But he needs games and he needs training, a lot.”
Who else made Ten Hag’s starting XI?
Ronaldo shared the spotlight with £46.5 million ($57m) summer signing Lisandro Martinez, with the former Ajax handed a centre-back berth alongside Raphael Varane.
Christian Eriksen made Ten Hag’s line-up after a cameo showing against Atletico, while Argentine youngster Alejandro Garnacho and Donny van de Beek were also included.
Cristiano Ronaldo has indicated he will be involved in Manchester United’s friendly with Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Portugal forward wants United to let him leave this summer and missed the club’s pre-season tour to Thailand and Australia due to personal reasons.
Ronaldo, 37, was also left out of United’s squad for Saturday’s friendly with Atletico Madrid in Oslo.
But he suggested on Instagram he will face La Liga side Rayo Vallecano.
Commenting on a post by a Ronaldo fan page about him missing the game in Norway, he wrote: “Domingo o rei joga” which translates as “Sunday the king plays”.
United said playersnot in the 21-man travelling squad for the Atletico game – which includes new signings Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen – “will take part in Sunday’s game against Rayo Vallecano, while others are ill or injured.”
Ronaldo met with United manager Erik ten Hag on Tuesday and is understood to have reiterated his desire to leave the Old Trafford outfit. He also missed Wednesday’s match against Wrexham that was held behind closed doors.
Ten Hag has previously said Ronaldo is “not for sale” and “in our plans”.
Ronaldo returned to United last season after spells with Real Madrid and Juventus.
While he finished as the club’s top scorer, United endured a disappointing season, missing out on Champions League qualification after finishing sixth in the Premier League.
That means Ronaldo, who has a year left on his United contract plus an optional year, faces playing in the Europa League for the first time.
It is not something he is viewing with relish and the five-time Ballon d’Or winner feels there could be more attractive options available to him at this stage in his career.
Chelsea ended their interest in the player earlier this month, while he has also been linked with Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid.
Atletico fans have urged their club not to get involved in discussions around signing Ronaldo.
United open their 2022-23 Premier League season at home to Brighton on Sunday, 7 August.
Lisandro Martinez has finalised a deal worth up to 67m euros (£57m) with Manchester United.
He leaves Ajax to join the Red Devils on a five-year contract which keeps him at Old Trafford until 2027, with the option of a further year.
Martinez has stated that he is pleased to join Man Utd, a club he describes as great.
“It’s an honour to join this great football club. I’ve worked so hard to get to this moment and, now that I’m here, I’m going to push myself even further,” Martinez said.
United manager Erik ten Hag was keen to be reunited with the 24-year-old, who he signed for Ajax in 2019.
Martinezmade 120 appearances for Ajax after moving from Argentinian side Defensa y Justicia for £6.3m in 2019, and also played for Newell’s Old Boys.
He has won seven caps for Argentina since making his senior debut in March 2019, and played once in the country’s successful Copa America campaign in 2021.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be part of successful teams in my career and that’s what I want to continue at Manchester United,” he said.
“There will be a lot of work to get to that moment, but I firmly believe that, under this manager and coaches, and together with my new team-mates, we can do it.”
Martinez played under Ten Hag at Ajax and won the Eredivisie title with the club in 2021 and 2022, as well as the Dutch Cup in 2021.
He was also Ajax’s player of the year for the 2021-22 season.
“He’s a warrior and I think the fans will admire him. He has an attitude, fighting spirit,” Ten Hag said.
“He brings aggressiveness in the game, in a good way. I think we need that.
“But he’s also skilful, he can deal with the ball and he’s left-footed.”
United’s football director John Murtough added: “We are delighted that he has chosen to join Manchester United and we are looking forward to seeing him develop further and help the team achieve the success we are aiming for.”
The centre-back is United’s third signing of the summer following the arrivals of Christian Eriksen on a free transfer and Dutch full-back Tyrell Malacia.
Efforts continue to lure Frenkie de Jong to Old Trafford from Barcelona.
Tottenham have signed former Manchester United defender Amy Turner on a two-year deal.
The 31-year-old has signed a contract until 2024 with Spurs, with the option to extend for a further year.
England’s Turner made 67 appearances for United between 2018 and 2021 before spending a season with Orlando Pride in the United States.
“Amy is a leader on and off the pitch and will be an asset to us,” Spurs head coach Rehanne Skinner said.
Turner, who has been capped four times by England, helped Manchester United win promotion to the Women’s Super League in their inaugural campaign.
She may get an immediate chance to face her previous club at the start of the season as Tottenham open their WSL campaign against United on 11 September.
Cristiano Ronaldo is due to meet Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag on Tuesday to discuss his future at the club.
The Portugal forward, 37, wants the club to let him leave this summer and he missed United’s pre-season tour to Thailand and Australia because of personal reasons.
He has yet to train with the squad but has now flown back to Manchester.
Ten Hag has previously said Ronaldo is “not for sale” and “in our plans.”
Ten Hag said he spoke to Ronaldo before the tour, explaining: “I had a good talk. That is between Cristiano and me. What I can confirm is we had a really good conversation together.”
Ronaldo’s absence from the tour fuelled speculation over his future, coming after he also missed the club’s return to pre-season training at Carrington.
He instead trained at the Portuguese national team’s headquarters.
Ronaldo was United’s top scorer last season – and third in the Premier League – but the club’s overall campaign was seen as a big disappointment.
United finished sixth in the Premier League so missed out on Champions League qualification, meaning Ronaldo, who has a year left on his United contract plus an optional year, faces playing in the Europa League for the first time.
It is not something he is viewing with relish and the five-time Ballon d’Or winner feels there could be more attractive options available to him at this stage in his career.
Chelsea ended their interest in the player earlier this month, while he has also been linked with Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid.
It is understood United do not regard Ronaldo as a player who is for sale.
United play Atletico Madrid in Norway on Saturday before their final pre-season game at Old Trafford against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
Their first game of the new season is at home to Brighton on Sunday 7 August.
Raphael Varane has rejected the notion that Manchester United would be stronger without Cristiano Ronaldo, describing the veteran striker as “a legend”. Ronaldo scored 24 goals in all competitions during his homecoming season at Old Trafford, but was still subjected to intense criticism as the Red Devils recorded their lowest-ever points tally in the Premier League.
GOAL understands that Ronaldo is pushing for a transfer after United’s failure to qualify for the Champions League, but Varane still hopes to continue playing alongside the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
What has Varane said about Maguire?
Ronaldo’s perceived reluctance to press high up the pitch was seen as a major contributor to United’s struggles in 2021-22, and it has been suggested that Erik ten Hag’s new regime would run more smoothly if the 37-year-old does indeed move on this summer.
Varane has never had any doubts about Ronaldo’s role in the squad, however, as he told BBC Sport amid the club’s pre-season tour of the United States: “That debate was outside of the dressing room.
“We know his quality. And we know he’s very famous. So we know a lot of people will speak about the performance of the team and his performance.
“Cristiano is a great competitor. He’s a legend and he always helps the team, so obviously it’s very good to play with him.”
Club captain Harry Maguire also came under scrutiny for his displays last term, but despite speculation Ronaldo could be made a stand-in skipper, Ten Hag has confirmed that the defender will retain the armband for now.
Maguire was booed in United’s last pre-season outing against Crystal Palace, but Varane remains fully behind his centre-back partner.
“Competition is good for the team,” he said. “Harry is a very important player for us. He’s the captain and obviously he has a lot of good qualities.
“The team will always be better with this competition. Every great club is like this. If everyone wants to fight for the team, that’s a good thing.”
Varane left Real Madrid after 10 trophy-laden seasons to join United last summer – a decision which ultimately saw him miss out on the chance to win a fifth Champions League winners’ medal.
Asked if he regrets swapping the Santiago Bernabeu for Old Trafford, the Frenchman replied: “No, absolutely not.
“In football, you have to challenge yourself and try to improve. I wanted to live another experience after 10 years in the same place.
“The Premier League is absolutely fantastic and Manchester United are a great club. There was no doubt about my decision.”
Varane added on the optimism that is growing within the United ranks under Ten Hag, who has delivered three wins out of three in pre-season: “It’s a new season. A new start.
“Confidence is important and we lost confidence when we lost some games. But I think we have great potential.
“The new manager is very positive. He wants this energy and to press high up the pitch, with more space behind our backs. That is maybe more offensive but it is football we really enjoy, so that is a good start.”
Report as Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho score a goal each to help Manchester United see off Premier League rivals Crystal Palace 3-1 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground; Joel Ward pulls goal back from corner before United youngster Will Fish is sent off late on
Anthony Martial produced an eye-catching performance as he scored one and made another to help Man Utd sweep aside Crystal Palace 3-1 at the MCG.
In another performance of quality and high tempo at one of the world’s finest grounds, United kept up their 100 per cent start to pre-season with Martial again on target after scoring in both of their previous wins over Melbourne Victory and Liverpool.
The Frenchman first took Diogo Dalot’s cross down and finished smartly, with full debutant Tyrell Malacia involved in the build-up, before playing a part in Marcus Rashford’s second moments after half-time thanks to a lovely touch and pass.
Martial then made United’s third, against a Palace side missing a number of their first-team squad, with a first-time pass releasing Jadon Sancho on the break, from which the winger’s powerful finish put the result beyond doubt.
Minutes after a raft of changes for both sides Joel Ward headed in a consolation for the Eagles, but those substitutions killed the momentum of both sides and Will Fish’s clumsy red card late on was the only moment of note for either in the closing stages.
United’s only other major disappointment came from the crowd at the MCG, with Harry Maguire’s name booed ahead of kick-off and throughout the opening 45 minutes – but the club captain shrugged off the criticism and nearly scored with a 20-yard first-half drive.
Manchester United are on the verge of completing their third summer signing after agreeing a £45m deal with Ajax for Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez.
United manager Erik ten Hag was keen to be reunited with the 24-year-old, who he signed for Ajax in 2019.
The Dutch club were reluctant to let Martinez leave but United chief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough progressed the deal when they visited Amsterdam last week.
Martinez prefers to play on the left side of two central defenders and Ten Hag appeared to be planning for his arrival with his team selection against Melbourne Victory on Friday, when he moved captain Harry Maguire from his normal left-sided role to the right.
Martinez posted this picture of himself and agent Christian Bragarnik with a caption reading ‘heading to Manchester’
Martinez has flown to Manchester for a medical and to wrap up the remaining elements of the transfer, including getting a visa.
It is thought unlikely he will fly to Australia to play any part in United’s current tour and instead will link up with his new team-mates when they return to England on 24 July.
It has been a busy few days for United’s recruiting staff.
On Friday, they confirmed Christian Eriksen had signed a three-year contract while efforts continue to lure Frenkie de Jong to Old Trafford from Barcelona.
Despite reports that Netherlands midfielder De Jong may be left out of Barca’s US tour to encourage him to agree a move, he has been named in the squad.
Dutch full-back Tyrell Malacia was United’s first summer signing at the start of July.
Manchester United have agreed a £63.5m deal with Barcelona for Frenkie de Jong but there is still no guarantee the move will go ahead.
Senior club figures have travelled to Barcelona to try to push through a deal for the Netherlands midfielder, 25.
They now know what they have to pay for manager Erik ten Hag’s key target, with the agreed deal equating to a bigger up-front payment and £8.5m in add-ons.
However, the player’s dispute with Barcelona is threatening the move.
The contractual disagreement centres on deferred payments that were included in the playmaker’s new four-year deal that only became active on 1 July.
There have been widespread reports in Spain that Barcelona have told De Jong he needs to leave for financial reasons.
However, the former Ajax player knows the Catalan must honour his contract if he chooses to remain at the Nou Camp and he is understood to be reluctant to leave without an agreement over his exit terms, which would take into account the deferred payments.
United have alternatives should De Jong not join but are willing to give the situation more time to resolve itself before taking an alternative course.
Meanwhile the club are also still unsure if Cristiano Ronaldo will return to pre-season training.
Confirmation that Chelsea are no longer interested in signing the 37-year-old has reduced his options away from Old Trafford.
BBC Sport understands there is substance to reports of a huge offer to Ronaldo from Saudi Arabia but the player is believed to want to keep playing at the highest possible level.
Chelsea have ended their interest in signing Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese international, 37, wants to leave the club and has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
But after signing former Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling on Wednesday, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said his “focus is on defence”.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has also said Ronaldo is “in our plans” and “not for sale”.
The forward has yet to join Manchester United’s pre-season tour of Asia and Australia because of what Ten Hag called “personal issues”.
When BBC Sport asked Tuchel about interest in Ronaldo on Wednesday, he said: “Ronaldo’s career speaks for himself. I know there are rumours out there but I will not start speaking about other top clubs’ top players.”
Chelsea’s new owners are understood to be delighted with the recruitment of England international Sterling and consider him to be a marquee signing.
Sterling has linked up with the Chelsea squad in Los Angeles for pre-season.
Tuchel said he hoped Sterling could help “shape” his team and provide leadership to a young attack following the departure of Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan on loan.
The German coach said Chelsea needed to “work smart and fast” in the transfer market to catch their rivals following sanctions on the club, with Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly set to sign a four-year deal and talks held with Manchester City centre-back Nathan Ake.
There have also been links with Paris St-Germain and France centre-back Presnel Kimpembe, who played under Tuchel when he was manager of the French club between 2018 and 2020.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo is “in our plans” for the new season and is “not for sale”.
The 37-year-old will miss the first part of United’s pre-season tour to Thailand and wants to leave the club.
He returned to United last seasonafter playing for Real Madrid and Juventus.
“He is not with us due to personal issues. We are planning with Cristiano Ronaldo for this season. That is it,” said former Ajax manager Ten Hag.
“I am looking forward to working with him. Cristiano is not for sale. He is in our plans. We want success together.”
The Portugal forward’s absence on the tour fuelled speculation over his future after he also missed the club’s return to pre-season training at Carrington.
Ronaldo instead trained at the Portuguese national team’s headquarters.
The Old Trafford side play Liverpool in Thailand on Tuesday before flying to Australia and Ten Hag said he does not yet know whether Ronaldo will join later in the tour.
The Dutchman added that he spoke to Ronaldo before the tour, explaining: “I had a good talk. That is between Cristiano and me, what I can confirm is we had a really good conversation together.”
Ten Hag also addressed the captaincy, which became an issue as a result of Harry Maguire’s struggle for form last season.
“Harry Maguire will be captain,” he said. “He has been captain for more than a year. He has achieved a lot of success. I have no doubts about this issue.”
United’s only signing this summer is full-back Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord. They look set to sign free agent midfielder Christian Eriksen and are close to an agreement with Barcelona for Frenkie de Jong.
Ten Hag emphasised United will only recruit players if he believes they will fit into his intended style of play.
“We want to add the right players. We have a really good squad, we are working to develop our way of playing and the opportunity is there and we will strike,” he added.
Manchester Unitedhave signed full-back Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord on a four-year contract until June 2026, with the option of a further year.
The Netherlands international, 22, will cost 15m (£13m) euros with a further 2m (£1.7m) euros in add-ons.
Malacia, who made 136 appearances for Feyenoord, is the first new arrival of Erik ten Hag’s tenure as United manager following his move from Ajax.
“It’s an incredible feeling to have joined,” he said.
Malacia added: “This is a new chapter for me, a new league with new team-mates and a tremendous manager leading us.
“I know from playing against his teams in the Eredivisie, the qualities that he has and what he demands of his players.
“While I know that I am still young and will continue to develop, I can promise the United fans that I will leave everything on the pitch every time I pull on the red shirt.”
The left-sided defender had been in talks with French club Lyon before United stepped in.
Congrats on this fantastic move @T_Malacia! 100% deserved, hard work pays off!
To all @ManUtd fans, I’m sure you’ll enjoy watching Tyrell represent this great club.
A huge talent with great fighting spirit – I’m certain he’ll be a good fit 🔴🔥 https://t.co/fh3k2QWDRn
— Robin van Persie (@Persie_Official) July 5, 2022
It had been hoped the deal for Malacia would be done on Monday but it was delayed waiting for a work permit.
It is anticipated he will now be part of the United squad that leaves for its pre-season trip to Thailand and Australia on Friday afternoon.
John Murtough, United’s football director, said: “Tyrell is an exciting, dynamic young footballer with excellent experience for his age, including five seasons in the Eredivisie, a European final and full International honours for the Netherlands.
“We look forward to seeing him continue to develop under the guidance of Erik ten Hag and his coaching team in the years ahead.”
The announcement comes just a day after it was reported Denmark international Christian Eriksen had agreed on principle to join United.
The 30-year-old’s short-term contract at Brentford ended last month and it is believed Eriksen could also have returned to Thomas Frank’s side, but the lure of playing for United proved too much.
A three-year contract is being prepared for the midfielder, who is still to have his medical at Old Trafford.
However, while he was United’s top scorer last season – and third in the Premier League – the overall campaign was seen as a big disappointment.
United finished sixth in the Premier League so missed out on Champions League qualification.
That means Ronaldo, who has a year left on his United contract plus an optional year, faces playing in the Europa League for the first time.
It is not something he is viewing with relish and the five-time Ballon d’Or winner feels there could be more attractive options available to him at this stage in his career.
The former Real Madrid forward is anxious to stress he respects United but as he enters the final stages of his career, he wants to compete for the biggest prizes.
It is understood United do not regard Ronaldo as a player who is for sale.
While it would be a blow to United’s prestige if they were to lose one of the greatest players they have ever had, it would also solve a few issues for new manager Erik ten Hag.
Ronaldo clashed with Harry Maguire over the United captaincy last season, while interim boss Ralf Rangnick’s desire to implement a pressing game was thwarted by Ronaldo’s refusal to fit in with such a system.
Although Ten Hag has said how much he is looking forward to linking up with Ronaldo, it is not clear how the forward’s playing style would fit in with the Dutchman.
In addition, Ronaldo is the highest paid player in the Premier League and his exit would create more scope within United’s summer transfer budget.
Ronaldo is due to return to the club for pre-season training this week. It is anticipated he will be on their pre-season tour to Thailand and Australia.
Manchester United hope to complete the €15m (£13m) signing of Tyrell Malacia after agreeing a deal to sign the full-back from Feyenoord.
A move for the 22-year-old has been complicated by an issue involving Malacia’s representation.
The Dutch international was looked after by the same agent who deals with another United target, Frenkie De Jong.
However, Malacia wanted a family member to look after the contract discussions and the issue has now been resolved.
The left-back, who has five Dutch caps, was part of the Feyenoord team beaten by Roma in last season’s Europa Conference League final.
He was also a target for French club Lyon before United stepped in and made their interest known.
United’s international players are scheduled to return for pre-season training next week ahead of the club’s departure on 8 July for their first pre-season game with Liverpool in Bangkok four days later.
The club’s football director John Murtough remains in discussions with Barcelona over De Jong, who is new manager Erik Ten Hag’s number one summer transfer target.
Meanwhile, West Ham are set to confirm the signing of goalkeeper Alphonse Areola from Paris St-Germain.
Terms have been agreed with the French Ligue 1 champions for Areola, who spent last season on loan with the Hammers and will cost around £10.5m.
Areola impressed last term when he was in goal throughout West Ham’s run to the Europa League semi-final, where they were beaten by Eintracht Frankfurt.
It is anticipated the 29-year-old will battle for the number one slot with established first-choice Lucasz Fabianski, who signed a one-year contract extension in May.
It is the start of what is promising to be a busy period for the Hammers, who are flying to Scotland on Monday for their pre-season training camp at St Andrews.
The club will learn their Europa Conference League play-off opponents when the draw is made by UEFA on 1 August.
The BBC has apologised after a message appeared on the news channel saying “Manchester United are rubbish”.
The text mistakenly popped up on the news ticker at the bottom of the screen during a tennis update just after 0930 on Tuesday.
Later in the morning, presenter Annita Mcveigh apologised to any Manchester United fans who may have been offended.
She said the mistake had occurred as someone was learning how to operate the ticker and was “writing random things”.
Another message which appeared on the ticker read simply: “Weather rain everywhere.”
Mcveigh told viewers: “A little earlier, some of you may have noticed something pretty unusual on the ticker that runs along the bottom of the screen with news making a comment about Manchester United, and I hope that Manchester United fans weren’t offended by it.
“Let me just explain what was happening: behind the scenes, someone was training to learn how to use the ticker and to put text on the ticker, so they were just writing random things not in earnest and that comment appeared.
“So apologies if you saw that and you were offended and you’re a fan of Manchester United.
“But certainly that was a mistake and it wasn’t meant to appear on the screen. So that was what happened, we just thought we’d better explain that to you.”
An official BBC statement added: “There was a technical glitch during training with our test ticker, which rolled over to live programming for a few seconds.
“We apologised for any offence caused on air.”
BBC presenter and Manchester City fan Clive Myrie tweeted he “had nothing to do with this!!” with the hashtag MCFC, after City won the Premier League title on Sunday.
Manchester United have struggled by their standards in recent seasons and missed out on a Champions League spot, coming sixth in the table. Their new manager and former Ajax boss, Erik Ten Hag, is United’s fifth permanent boss since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
West Ham United have enquired about Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard, who becomes a free agent next month.
Hammers boss David Moyes has a long-standing interest in the England attacking midfielder, 29, after a successful loan spell last season.
Moyes has twice tried to sign Lingard on a permanent basis since then.
Lingard says he feels let down over his treatment during the past 12 months and has resolved to leave Old Trafford despite new boss Erik ten Hag arriving.
There was significant interest from clubs in Lingard during the past two transfer windows.
However, Manchester United refused to let Lingard join a rival for a European place and both former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his temporary replacement Ralf Rangnick told him he would get an opportunity to press his first-team claims.
Lingard started only two Premier League games last season and was upset interim manager Rangnick did not introduce him from the bench in the 3-0 win against Brentford, which would have been a farewell appearance at Old Trafford for a player who joined the club when he was seven.
He did not make an appearance in the club’s final four games of the season.
Lingard’s brother posted a message on social media complaining that after “20 years of blood, sweat and tears, four domestic trophies and three cup final goals” there was “not even a farewell” for the England player.
While there are other clubs interested, Moyes hopes his association with West Ham – Lingard recently posted in appreciation of former team-mate Mark Noble, who is retiring – will give them an advantage.
Lingard scored nine goals and registered five assists in 16 appearances for the Hammers while on loan and was named Premier League Player of the Month for April 2021.
Moyes has vowed to strengthen his squad after a disappointing end to the season, which included a Europa League semi-final defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt and a run of five points from their last seven Premier League games, which cost them a second successive top-six finish.
West Ham will instead go into the Europa Conference League play-offs in August, but coach Stuart Pearce will not be part of Moyes’ backroom staff for those after he announced on Monday he was leaving the club.
Erik ten Hag says he is not risking his managerial reputation by taking the Manchester United job.
The Dutchman, 52, is United’s fifth permanent boss since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
“I don’t see it as a risk,” he said. “I think this club has a great history, and now let’s make a future.”
Ten Hag also suggested Cristiano Ronaldo would not be leaving, adding he expected there to be goals from the Portugal forward next season.
The former Ajax boss was speaking to reporters at his official unveiling as United manager 24 hours after watching his new club lose 1-0 at Crystal Palace on the final day of the season.
Their points tally of 58, though good enough to secure sixth and a place in the Europa League, is their poorest return since 1989-1990 and comes just a year after they finished second behind Manchester City.
Ten Hag did not say how many players he felt the club needed to bring in over the summer, instead answering that he was still “in the process of analysing” his squad.
“The plan is huge and we only have a short time,” he added.
“I’m looking forward to working with these players. The season before, this squad was second in the league, so there is huge potential. I think if we improve, if we work with them, I think we can get out more than what was the result from this season.”
Ten Hag also did not give any guarantees over Harry Maguire remaining as captain.
“Next season is a different season but he did a great job,” he said of the England international. “He’s a great player he achieved already a lot so I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Asked if 37-year-old Ronaldo, who finished as United’s top scorer with 24 goals, was part of his plans, he replied “of course”.
Klopp-Guardiola era ‘can come to an end’
It is now nine years since Manchester United last lifted the Premier League, with the title race now dominated by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, who have won the last five titles between them.
Ten Hag, though, is hopeful he can break their stranglehold on the trophy.
“In this moment I admire them both,” he said. “They play fantastic football but you will always see an era can come to an end.
“I look forward to a battle with them and I’m sure other clubs will want to do that.”
The Dutchman also revealed he sought the advice of compatriot and former Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal, who had previously suggested Ten Hag should consider his options carefully before accepting the job.
Van Gaal, who won the FA Cup during his spell in charge at Old Trafford between 2014 and 2016, said Ten Hag needed to join a “a football club not a commercial club”.
“I have heard [Van Gaal’s comments] but I will draw my own line. I’m convinced it won’t be the case,” he said.
“I spoke with the directors about it. Football is one, two and three at this club and every club these days is commercial. Every club needs it, needs the revenues to be at the top, to do it is necessary but football is one, two, three at this club.”
Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey has catapulted into global stardom after his heroics for Arsenal against Manchester United in the Premier League at the weekend.
The world is now beginning to take notice of his immense quality after he starred for the Gunners in their 1-0 win at Manchester United at the weekend.
Partey, 27, has been dominant since he joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid where he has received widespread rave reviews over his quality.
With the global allure and stature of the English Premier League, the masterful performance of the Ghana international is gaining massive traction around the world.
Partey won the ball back more than anyone else on the pitch in Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Manchester United on Sunday – their first win at a ‘big six’ rival in 29 games.
The deputy Ghana captain has earned praises from several former and current stars after being compared to Arsenal legend Patrick Viera.
The 27-year-old starred as Arsenal defeated the Red Devils 1-0 at Old Trafford, their first victory at the backyard of their opponents in 14 years.
The former Atletico Madrid player was magnificent and effective for Arsenal, earning positive reviews across the football world.
Black Stars and Crystal Palace striker, Jordan Ayew, has expressed his delights after his side’s ‘great’ victory at Old Trafford on Saturday September, 19 in the English Premier League.
The 29-year-old missed a penalty, which was retaken and scored by Wilfried Zaha as the Eagles defeated Machester United 3-1.
This win becomes the second for Crystal Palace in the 2020/2021 campaign after beating Southampton by a lone goal.
“A great result and performance yesterday. Still disappointed about the pen but main thing was the result! Time to focus on Saturday!,” he posted on Twitter after the game.
Crystal Palace will now play Everton on match day three at the Selhurst Park on Saturday September, 26.
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has said they “have to take it to the next step” after losing the Europa League semi-final 2-1 to Sevilla.
The Red Devils, who have not won a trophy in three seasons lost in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup, FA Cup and Europa League this season.
“Losing is not acceptable. Getting to semi-finals isn’t acceptable,” Maguire told BT Sport.
“[Winning a trophy] will happen soon. We want to win it as soon as possible.”
United led through a Bruno Fernandes penalty, but goals from former Premier League players Suso and Luuk de Jong sent Sevilla into the final for a record sixth time.
Sevilla keeper Yassine Bounou was the man of the match, with six saves in a frustrating night for United in Cologne.
Sevilla will play Inter Milan or Shakhtar Donetsk in Friday’s final.
Maguire said: “The best team lost. They punished us for missing chances. We conceded from two crosses which is not good enough.
“We worked our socks off and deserved to win and get through. We fell short in a semi-final for the third time this year.
“Perhaps that bit of inexperience cost us – we shouldn’t have conceded that second goal.”
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – whose last success was the 2013 Norwegian Cup with Molde – said: “It’s very disappointing, hard to take. We played fantastic stuff at times and created chances but couldn’t get the goal we deserved.”
United did not make a substitution until the 87th minute.
“At times, in games like this, when you create so many chances and openings, it is difficult to take players with goals in them out of the pitch,” said Solskjaer.
“We need to strengthen our squad depth of course. I cannot say when or if transfers will be done but we are looking at it. We have to be 100% sure when we make those deals.”
It is the longest trophyless run for United – who finished third in the Premier League table – in 30 years.
Fernandes argued with defender Victor Lindelof after the second Sevilla goal, with United failing to deal with Jesus Navas’ cross.
“It’s normal when you concede,” said goalscorer Fernandes. “It’s not about me or Victor. What happened between me and Victor is normal. It will happen many more times in football. We need to see the mistakes everybody did and improve.”
‘United can challenge for title with better defence’ – analysis
BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Stephen Warnock said: “If United shore up the defence, with the quality they have up front now, I definitely think they can push for the league next season.”
United – who have not won the title since manager Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 – finished this season on 66 points, 33 behind champions Liverpool.
“I would look at bringing in one of the two centre-backs from Sevilla tonight,” Warnock said. “The power of Diego Carlos tonight – I’d probably be looking at him.
“A lot of people got carried away saying this team can compete for the Premier League but they can’t. They have not got the depth to do that and we’ve seen that tonight.
“If Manchester United feel sorry for themselves they won’t have a good season next season. They have to be hungry, they have to come back with a desire.”
Former United midfielder Paul Ince said on BT Sport: “United deserved to win but it is about being ruthless. You have to take those chances. Will they give Solskjaer the time?
“It took [Liverpool manager] Jurgen Klopp five years. United need a top marquee striker. Is Anthony Martial one? I don’t think so.”
Owen Hargreaves, another ex-United midfielder, said: “Winning titles isn’t about being the best team, it’s about being there at the decisive moments. You need players who can make a difference.
“If Jadon Sancho is in there, United will probably win the game.”
‘Simply not good enough’ – how you reacted
Ben: Many times in recent years we’ve won in similar style to Sevilla tonight – riding luck defensively & capitalising on mistakes. Now on the receiving end; just the way the cookie crumbles. The reality is – strangely – feeling hard done by tonight is a sign of progress.
James Dawes: Another poor display from Lindelof and Pogba. Poor decision making by Lindelof again costs us and I didn’t even know Pogba was playing.
Mike Crew: Three semi final defeats is simply not good enough & frankly unacceptable. Three seasons without a trophy is not good enough. This squad needs half a dozen new faces who are up to it; because a number of those we have are not.
Amrul Choudhury: I think Dortmund can expect a call anytime soon
Kris Jefferson: I’m sorry, but you can’t expect to challenge at the top competitions like this without taking your chances and losing your concentration when defending. No one to blame for that loss other than Man Utd
Former Manchester United star Nani scored the winning spot-kick as Orlando upset Los Angeles FC in a penalty shoot-out to reach the semi-finals of the Major League Soccer restart tournament on Friday. Portuguese international Nani, who had seen a penalty saved in normal time before the game finished in a 1-1 draw, made no mistake in the shoot-out with his side’s fifth and final spot-kick.
The 33-year-old sent Los Angeles goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer the wrong way before wheeling away to be mobbed by jubilant Orlando team-mates at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Disney World, Florida.
Nani had been given the chance to seal victory in a tense shoot-out which saw Los Angeles surrender the initiative when veteran defender Jordan Harvey crashed his penalty against the crossbar.
Earlier, Los Angeles had appeared to be heading for a place in the last four after Bradley Wright-Phillips scored from close range in the 64th minute to put the favourites 1-0 up.
That goal came just moments after Vermeer had denied Nani from the penalty spot after Diego Palacios’s clumsy foul on Orlando right back Ruan.
But as the game wore on in energy-sapping heat and humidity, Los Angeles were left clinging on as Orlando pressed for an equaliser.
It arrived in the 90th minute when Nani’s corner from the right hand side was met by left back Joao Moutinho, who lost his marker to thump home a header.
Orlando will now face either San Jose Earthquakes or Minnesota in the last four, who play in their quarter-final on Saturday.
But it was a disappointing early exit for Los Angeles, who had looked to be on course for their first silverware after a rousing 4-1 victory over MLS Cup champions Seattle in the last 16.
The “MLS is Back” restart tournament is taking place at Disney World in Orlando after a four-month coronavirus shutdown which halted the regular season in March.
Defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah has said his long-awaited Manchester United return was the product of months of toil, as he gave a solid performance in the 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
He has been out of action for months due to a knee injury he suffered while on loan.
The 22-year-old was a surprise selection at left-back by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Selhurst Park but performed admirably in the absence of the injured Luke Shaw and Brandon Williams.
Speaking to MUTV afterward, the defender said”It feels good to play for the club again, I’m more happy that we got the win today,”
“Comfortable is a big word but I’ve played there [left-back] before,” he said of being deployed on the left side of United’s backline. “I think I came on against Arsenal as a left-back, I can play in a lot of different positions,” he added.
“It was hard, but that’s what you work such a long time for, all these months for a moment like this. That’s football, something like this can happen and you have to be ready, especially at a club like this. I think I was ready for this moment,” he concluded.
Fosu-Mensah’s current market value is €6.300,000 and he has one year left on his contract.
Ghana forward Jordan Ayew was denied his tenth Premier League goal of the season after VAR ruled his equalizer as offside, as Manchester United secured a 2-0 win at the Selhurst Park.
The 28-year old thought he had fetched the equalizer for the Eagles after connecting to a Wilfried Zaha pass, only for the Video Assistant Referee to rule the goal as offside.
The Red Devils took the lead right at the stroke of half time through English forward Marcus Rashford.
But it was the host who returned stronger in the second half, pinning the Red Devils to the back foot and briefly had an equalizer.
French forward Anthony Martial then put the game beyond Crystal Palace after scoring with 12 minutes left.
Ayew has not scored since the 2-0 win against AFC Bournemouth, their first game after the resumption of the Premier League.
Jadon Malik Sancho is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger for German Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund and the England national team. Previously a youth player with Watford and Manchester City, Sancho signed his first senior contract with Dortmund .
Manchester United are long-time admirers of Sancho, having tried to sign him from Manchester City , and were unsuccessful in a move to buy the England international l due to their failure to qualify for the Champions League.
United sources have dismissed Dortmund’s confidence of retaining Sancho for next season. The club’s chief executive Officer, Hans-Joachim Watzke admitted that it likely Jadon Sancho would be sold this summer.
Sancho is about to enter the last two years of his deal and is believed to be intent on leaving the Bundesliga side rather than signing a renewal.
From reports gathered explains that, the young talented England and Borussia Dortmund winger is desperate to join the now winning Manchester United team under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. According to him, Manchester United is a big team in England, Europe and the World of which it is a dream come true for every British player to play for.
Sancho has scored 20 goals in 43 games for Dortmund this term and would slot in on the right-hand side of a potential Manchester United front three with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.
United could yet enjoy their most successful season since Sir Alex Ferguson retired or miss out on European Cup football for successive years for the first time since the early 90s.
Paul Pogba returned to action for the first time since 26 December to win the late penalty that earned Manchester United a crucial point at Tottenham Hotspur.
Pogba, who had not played for almost six months because of an ankle injury that needed surgery, emerged as a second-half substitute and demonstrated he has the creativity to make a difference as United battle for a place in the top four.
United keeper David de Gea was badly at fault when he failed to stop Steven Bergwijn’s powerful 27th-minute drive, so there was relief all-round for the visitors when Pogba surged into the area before he was hauled down clumsily by Eric Dier.
In the cavernous spaces of the deserted Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – as the match was played behind closed doors – Fernandes equalised with an emphatic penalty.
Spurs survived a last-minute scare as referee Jon Moss pointed to the spot again when Dier collided with Fernandes but the video assistant referee correctly reversed a poor decision.
De Gea made a measure of amends with a superb save from Son Heung-min shortly after his error, while Hugo Lloris made a magnificent flying save from Anthony Martial as United chased an equaliser.
It finally arrived via that Fernandes spot-kick nine minutes from time to leave United in fifth place, four points ahead of Spurs.
Pogba shows Solskjaer his class
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer kept faith with the side that went 11 games unbeaten in all competitions as their season restarted here in north London – which meant no place for Pogba, despite his recovery from injury.
It was no surprise, however, when he was called into action just after the hour to inject some zest into what had been a lifeless United performance up to that point.
Pogba was right in the fray, having a shot instantly – but he made his most significant contribution when he tricked Dier in the area and drew a foul from the Spurs defender to win that point-saving penalty.
It was a timely reminder to Solskjaer, should he even need one, of the rare talent he has at his disposal if Pogba could only show consistency and put the speculation about his future behind him.
De Gea did not have such a good night. There were already questions about his form before this game and he produced another error here – all with Dean Henderson’s reputation growing in his loan spell at Sheffield United.
Frustration for Mourinho
Spurs will be bitterly disappointed to concede a goal so late on, and in such needless fashion, although it could have been worse when referee Moss erroneously awarded that second penalty – before VAR put matters right.
Lloris had produced that outstanding save from Martial but Spurs were hardly under siege and manager Jose Mourinho, who stalked the touchline in fury when United were originally awarded that injury-time penalty, will feel an important two points have been cast aside.
Mourinho will take some solace in the return of Harry Kane after hamstring surgery and Son after he broke his arm, as well as goalscorer Bergwijn.
Spurs, however, need wins, and this result leaves them in eighth place, six points behind fourth-placed Chelsea in the chase for Champions League places.
‘A strange penalty’
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho, speaking to BBC Radio 5 live: “I think difficult to find the word, I have to try to find a nice word – a strange penalty because the team was so compact, so well organised.
“The players did fantastic work defensively – they had two dangerous shots that Hugo Lloris saved and nothing else. Everything else was under control. I have to admit for the last 15 minutes I would love to have had Lucas Moura here, Dele Alli here. The last 15 minutes were difficult for us.
“Lucas and Dele are players we need and we could feel that today. when you look to their bench and then to ours the difference in attacking options. Hopefully, they will be back for West Ham because in this moment it is very, very important to change players.
Manchester United on the spot again – the stats
– Manchester United are unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions (W8 D4), scoring 30 goals and conceding just three in that run.
– Steven Bergwijn became only the second player to score in his first three home Premier League appearances for Spurs, after Rafael van der Vaart in 2010.
– Since the start of last season, Manchester United have both taken (23) and scored (16) more penalties than any other Premier League side. Only Trent Alexander-Arnold (14) has more assists among Premier League defenders in all competitions than Spurs full-back Serge Aurier this season (eight).
– Jose Mourinho has won none of his past six matches against his former clubs in all competitions (D2 L4), taking just one point from four Premier League matches against Chelsea and Man Utd this season (D1 L3).
– Spurs are winless in seven games in all competitions (D3 L4), their worst run since November 2016 (also seven without a win).
What next?
Tottenham host West Ham in the Premier League on Tuesday, 23 June (20:15 BST) while Manchester United are at home to Sheffield United on Wednesday, 24 June (18:00 BST).
After a long break of football around the globe due to the outbreak of c-virus, many leagues are back to action and one of those league is English Premier League who returned to action last night.
Which we saw Aston Villa hosted Sheffield United in a match that ended 0-0, another two teams that played last night was Manchester City hosted Arsenal. The match ended in the favor of Manchester City, trashed Arsenal 3 goal to nil.
In another fixtures that will take place on Friday, 19th of June are Norwich hosting Southampton, time is 8pm (GMT) Nigeria time, also another fixture is a clash between Tottenham and Manchester United which the match are expected to kickoff at exactly 8:15pm (GMT) Nigeria time.
Tottenham vs Manchester United Pre-match review: Focusing on Manchester United
Today we are going to discuss possible Manchester United starting lineup.
After Manchester United matchday press conference today by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United coach, he made know to the press that his team have only two injuries which are Phil Jones and Axel any other players are available for selection.
With what the Boss said, Manchester United have a good advantage to beat Tottenham Hotspur.
Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford returning from injury give Manchester United a edge over Tottenham.
Possible lineup for Manchester United that may cause harm to Manchester United back line (photo)
Where are the Manchester United and FC Lyon fans? Gather here because you will love reading this. Not many professional footballer stars in Europe who have Ghanaian roots have shown the kind of deep love Memphis Depay has been showing to Ghana. Most comments, pictures and videos from Memphis on social media shows that he is deeply in love with Ghana.
He is always proud he has his roots in Ghana. He could have played for the senior national team, Black Stars, but he turned the opportunity down owing to the fact his Ghanaian father, Dennis Depay, neglected and left him to his Dutch mother, Cora Schensema, in his early years. As I write this article, he has peacefully reunited with his father. I don’t know what exactly his dad might be thinking about but I am sure he has regretted neglecting young Memphis especially now that his son is a superstar and also couldn’t play for Black Stars because of his actions. This should serve as a lesson to all up coming fathers. Don’t ever neglect the products of your sperms no matter the situation.
Depay became popular to many Ghanaian football fanatics when he moved to Manchester United. At a point in ones life, you start to show maturity in whatever you do. Your attitudes or behaviours changes and such is Memphis. He started showing deep love for Ghana when his stellar performance started at his current French Club, Lyon.
Memphis has been spotted in Ghana at different locations especially Cape Coast. A lot of stars around the globe knows their roots to be Ghana but only fewer of them have even visited or shown interest in Ghana. Memphis Depay is exceptional among them. He loves everything about Ghana. The dress, the people, the food and the historical places. He has good memories about Ghana after his recent visit. I wouldn’t be surprised if one day he says he want to live in Ghana.
He had a lot of fun in Ghana. In his visit to one of the the blind and deaf school in Ghana, he slept in a dormitory. He could have slept in one of the luxurious 5star hotels around but he chose to sleep in a dormitory. What human love surpass this? He danced and played football game with the kids. Guess what? He also dressed in their school uniform. His interactions with them was so great and I haven’t seen one of this kind.
As a footballer, he has a unique way of celebrating goals he scores. He does that by using his index fingers to close his ear canal on both sides of his head. The meaning of this sign is best known to him. His style of celebrating his goals has been copied by other footballers around the world. According to him, once you decide to use his style, then you have decided to live a special way of living. He made this post with a picture of one of the Ghana national team and Kotoko FC players celebrating with his style.
He has really shown his love for Ghana. He never stop using the Ghana flag in most of his posts. On March 6th, 2020, he made a post on Twitter wishing all Ghanaians a happy Independence day. This is lovely. He calls Ghanaians “my people” because he knows he is a true son of Ghana
One of his recent post that caught many attention was, “When I became blind and deaf to the world, my spirit became stronger and I started to focus on myself and the relationship with God, but I will never shut my eyes off racism”. He added a picture he took together with the blind and deaf children in Cape Deaf School in Cape Coast. Reading this post will melt your heart.
Memphis Depay is indeed a true son of Ghana. When your roots calls you, you have nothing to say than to oblige to it lovely. Memphis, Ghana also loves you as her son.
Borrusia Dortmund winger Sancho has sparked the football world after rising to the top this season. He attracted many suitors most of which were top clubs. Chelsea,Manchester United, Liverpool and Real Madrid were all craving for the England star. He has been speculating in the media for over two months with his future being at doubt.
Chelsea club after securing signature for Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech, they turned their eyes on Kai Harverz who was priced cheaper than him. Liverpool are currently faced with financial constraints due to the coronavirus crisis and therefore backed out of the race. Manchester United remained focused on the star as he was made the main transfer target for the Red Devils.
According to German Football journalist Christian Folk, no official bid has been made by Manchester United. Borrusia Dortmund director Zorc has also stated that Jadon Sancho will not be moving out to any club. His stay will be extended until the next transfer window.
England manager Southgate has expressed his pleasure to see Sancho playing in the Premier League. He advocated a move to Chelsea or Manchester United will surely fit the confident winger.
Football fans what is your take on Sancho’s future. Which club suits him best to make a summer move there?
A Ghanaian ex-footballer based in the United Kingdom is claiming to be the biological father of Manchester United and England striker Marcus Rashford.
Micheal Boye Marquaye, 65-years-old, in an exclusive chat with Starr FM Sports says the 22-year-old England international is a Ghanaian as he is the biological father of the player.
Marcus Rashford was born in Wythenshawe, Manchester in the UK with Melanie Rashford of St kitts descent as his mother and Jamaican, Joseph Rashford as his father officially.
That is, however, a record that is being challenged now by Michael Boye Marquaye, who himself was a prolific striker in his playing days in Ghana alongside the likes of Hesse Odamtten, Ben Kayode and Aboagye Dacosta of Okwahu United fame playing for several clubs in Koforidua(Eastern Region and Tema (Greater Accra Region)
as he indicates he is the father biologically of Marcus Rashford.
Micheal Boye Marquaye in his playing daysView pictures in App save up to 80% data.Manchester United Star Marcus Rashford
Micheal Boye Marquaye when queried on why he is bringing this out now said he simply wants to set the records straight and to let the whole world know that Marcus Rashford has Ghanaian roots and not for any other motivation.
Marcus Rashford has played for England at all age levels and currently a prominent member of the three lions.
Former Manchester United full-back Patrice Evra has revealed how legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson once prepared the team to face Arsenal by telling the players: “don’t f*ck up my Sunday” in his pre-match team talk.
Ferguson is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest managers in football history, winning a record 13 Premier League titles during his time with the Red Devils, while also securing two Champions League trophies along the way.
Having collected so many honours, one might wonder how Ferguson continued to get the best out of his teams in the lead-up to important matches, but Evra revealed that the Old Trafford icon was sometimes a man of few words.
“I remember a game,†the former left-back told Sky Sports. “It was sometime we were playing against Arsenal. It was Sunday, it was sunny, and the speech of Ferguson was like 15 seconds.
“He was like: ‘Guys, it’s Sunday, it’s really sunny outside. I don’t want no one to f*ck up my Sunday’.
“And you know if you missed a cross or something… You don’t want to be the person to do that! Don’t ruin his Sunday it’s very important for him!â€
In 2009, Evra famously made headlines after referring to Arsenal as “babies” following a routine win over the north London side at the Emirates Stadium.
Recalling that era, the Frenchman added that he told Robin van Persie not to worry when coming up against his former side, stating that the Gunners were his “kidsâ€.
“I remember when Van Persie came,†Evra added. “He said: ‘Come on Patrice, come on, you have to motivate everyone, it’s an important game’.
“I was like, ‘Robin, don’t worry, those are my kids, we’re going to win easy’ and we won!â€
Adding on the famous “babies†quote, he said: “I made that comment when we won 3-1 at the Emirates.
“We scored that great goal in counter-attack with Ji-sung Park, [Wayne] Rooney and [Cristiano] Ronaldo, and the French journalists after the game were really like: ‘Oh, the result doesn’t reflect the philosophy of the game’.
“I was like: ‘Are you serious? I just feel like today was 11 men and against 11 babies’. After that it was in the paper. ‘Patrice is calling Arsenal babies!’
“But it’s just the feeling… I respect so much this club, but it was just my feeling when I played against them I know I’m going to win.
“I’ll be honest with you, I played against this player, and after 34 minutes they were asking: ‘Patrice, can we swap shirts at half-time?’ So I was like: ‘I’ve already won the game’.â€
Angel Di Maria’s wife Jorgelina Cardoso has revealed that she “didn’t like anything†about Manchester after her husband swapped Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu for Old Trafford in 2014, describing the experience as “horrible†and referring to England as a “sh*tholeâ€.
The Argentine spent just one season with the Red Devils despite joining for a then record fee for a British club, with his time at United largely remembered for a lack of consistency in performances given the money involved to prise him away from Madrid.
Things were not much better off the pitch either, according to Cardoso, as the couple had argued over the merits of a move to the Premier League long before Di Maria’s ill-fated spell in England’s top flight.
“I remember Angel coming up and saying, ‘An offer from Manchester United has come in. Maybe we’ll be a little more financially secure…’. We fought about it,†she told Los Angeles de la Manana. “I told him, not a chance, he could go on his own. ‘No, come on. Let’s go’, he replied.
“There was a lot of money involved, and afterwards, the Spanish were calling us peseteros (people only interested in money). And they were right! If you are working for a company and the competition comes along and offers to pay you double, you take it!
“I didn’t want to go to Manchester because at that moment in time, I was friends with Gianinna Maradona, who was married to [Sergio] Aguero, and we flew from Madrid to his house in Manchester to pay him a visit for two or three days when Angel had a few days off at Real Madrid.
“It was horrible! All of it was horrible, we went to the house and we were like… ‘See you later guys, we’re out of here’. When we left, I said to him, ‘Go to any country – except England’. Anyway, one year later and there we were in England and it was horrible, a sh*thole.â€
Cardoso continued to stress that there was not a single thing she enjoyed about the experience, adding: “I didn’t like anything about it, not a thing. The women are all skinny, prim and proper… weird.
“You’re walking down the street and you don’t know if they’re going to kill you or what. The food’s disgusting. All the girls are all dolled up to the nines, perfectly made-up and there’s me with my hair in a bun and with no make-up on.
Former Manchester United, Newcastle and England striker Andrew Cole has opened up about his “daily grind” in shielding from the coronavirus pandemic.
Cole is one of over a million people more vulnerable to the virus after having a kidney transplant in 2017.
The 48-year-old told BBC Radio 5 Live that “no day comes easy” as he continues to self-isolate alone.
“It’s a difficult period but it’s just a case of getting your head down and doing what you can,” he said.
“You don’t know how you’re going to feel, and there are good days and bad days.
“It’s a total lack of energy and you question yourself on what you did the day before, but you cannot come up with an answer because you did nothing yesterday to make you feel like you do today.
“Mentally, that is when it starts to get to you a bit.”
Cole, who won 15 England caps, also played for Arsenal, Fulham, Bristol City, Blackburn, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Birmingham, Sunderland, Burnley and Nottingham Forest in a 19-year career.
He remains the third highest scorer in Premier League history with 187 goals, winning five league titles, two FA Cups and the 1999 Champions League with Manchester United, and a League Cup with Blackburn.
Cole suffered kidney failure in 2015 after contracting an airborne virus, and now says a lack of human interaction is one of the “toughest challenges”.
“The first couple of weeks were not bad but the last month or so has been really difficult due to the fact you’re not allowed to go out,” he added.
“You can talk on the phone or on Zoom, but ultimately, the difficult part has been not being able to interact with people.
“I’ve been by myself and I think we will all spend more times with friends and family after this because you just don’t know what’s going to happen in the world nowadays.”
The former striker has set up the Andy Cole Fund to raise money for kidney research, but he says raising awareness of the illness is more important than the funds.
“People do not understand how difficult an illness this is,” he said.
“People ask me if I’m OK because I look really well, but I try and explain to them that I’m never going to be OK.
“However you look on the outside is not how you feel on the inside.”
English giants Manchester United have identified Atletico Madrid star Thomas Teye Partey as a long term replacement for Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic.
Thomas Partey, who is also a target of Arsenal has popped up on the radar of the Red Devils after his brilliant display for the Rojiblancos in the UEFA Champions League last 16.
Ole Gunnar Solskjear has been impressed with the performance of the Ghanaian but with Matic’s age becoming a concern to the club, the Norwegian could make a switch for Partey in the summer.
Matic has been in good form for Manchester United in recent weeks and there are talks of a contract extension.
But Solskjear is building a team for the future and sees Partey as the engine of his growing team.
Thomas Partey has been a consistent performer for Atletico Madrid this season, playing 32 games in all competition with three goals in the campaign.
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