Tag: Utd

Man Utd Could Sign ‘Top Striker in World Football’ Instead of Gyokeres

Manchester United’s search for a new striker is well underway, with newly-appointed Ruben Amorim keen to bolster the firepower department, and a plethora of talented options have been named. Previously, given the boss’ prior experience with Victor Gyokeres at Sporting, it was thought that the Swede would be one of the primary targets. However, recent reports indicate an interest from United in Bayern Munich talisman, Harry Kane, who could pose a much better opportunity.

Despite splurging just over £100 million on duo, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, United supporters have still not been satisfied by the output from their current options. Goals have been an issue for the club this season, and their strikers have amassed just a single league goal each – a marquee signing in this aspect could provide a massive boost to Amorim’s future project.

United Interested in ‘Top Striker’ Harry Kane

The English international would be a much better coup than Gyokeres

Kane is no stranger to the Premier League, and he recorded a mammoth 213 goals in 320 appearances, securing the second-place spot in the all-time goalscoring ranks, before his eventual departure to Germany in 2023. Despite leaving in search of glory, the Englishman is yet to lift a trophy in Bavaria, but he is delivering regular world-class performances regardless.

Previously described as “sensational”, his Bayern Munich teammate, Thomas Muller, also went as far as to say Kane was the best striker on the planet, over the likes of Erling Haaland. He told Sport Bild:

“Who else do we have as competitors? Erling Haaland is of course great too, but they are different types of players.

“For me, Harry is at the top of the current strikers. Harry is a footballer with every fibre of his being. He understands the game.”

Given he beat the Norweigan to the European Golden Shoe last term with an impressive 36-goal haul, such a claim cannot be ruled out. Manchester United could see Kane as an almost guaranteed success, were he to make a return to English football, and his returns this season imply that he is still playing at an incredibly high level.

Harry Kane vs Viktor Gyokeres – 2024/25 Statistics comparison
Metric	Harry Kane	Viktor Gyokeres
Appearances	10	11
Goals	11	16
Assists	5	1
Shots per 90	3.20	3.23
Big chances missed	7	7

Meanwhile, Gyokeres has shown little trouble in tearing apart the Portuguese top-flight, and has also starred in key Champions League fixtures against the likes of Manchester City. He is a slightly younger option to Kane, and undoubtedly talented. However, there are uncertainties over his transition to the Premier League, which does contribute to an element of risk.

Especially given United’s immediate shortcomings in attack, a more refined and reliable option such as Kane could perhaps make more sense. Additionally, there is also the benefit of the experience of such a Premier League icon rubbing off on the current crop of younger strikers at the club, including Hojlund.

Ultimately though, a deal is far from straightforward, and United may be asked to cough up a significant fee if they are to tempt Bayern Munich into the sale of their top-scorer.

Sporting head coach Ruben Amorim on the touchline

Amorim Tells ‘World-Class’ Man Utd Star to Look for New Club

Man United expect major changes to their squad under Amorim’s management.

Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt.com and Fotmob.com – Correct as of 17/11/2024

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November 17, 2024

Wigan Athletic will hope November snub can ease Man Utd and Arsenal transfer pressure

Wigan Athletic’s League One form heading into the November international break is far from satisfactory, as the Latics have not won in the third tier since a 3-0 victory over Peterborough United on 1st October.

The Latics’ big win over the Posh last month arrived as part of an impressive run in which Shaun Maloney’s men enjoyed seven consecutive clean sheets in all competitions, with six of those shut-outs coming in League One.

But since then, the Greater Manchester side have won just one of their last five games, which came in the form of a 2-0 triumph over League Two Carlisle United in the FA Cup first round, and even then Maloney’s side did require extra time to get the job done at Brunton Park against inferior opposition.

The majority of the Latics squad will look to utilise the international break as an opportunity to put in the hard yards on the training ground in an effort to address their poor league form.

Meanwhile, the likes of Dale Taylor and Thelo Aasgaard, who represent the Northern Ireland Under-21s, and Norway Under-21s respectively, will be in action for their nations over the course of the next week.

Latics goalkeeper Sam Tickle has also become used to international call-ups since keeping a clean sheet on debut for the England Under-21s last season, but did not receive a call-up this time around.

Tickle’s England Under-21 snub will ease Latics transfer pressure amid Manchester United and Arsenal interest

While the talented shot-stopper has not received an international call-up for November, there is no doubting his impressive ability between the sticks.

He was instrumental towards the Latics’ previously mentioned run of six consecutive clean sheets in League One earlier this term, and produced a stunning save to keep his side in the lead during their recent FA Cup win at Carlisle.

Following Tickle’s exploits at Brunton Park, Maloney said: “Sam has made two unbelievable saves at the end, and he’s just an unbelievable talent.

“And I still don’t think people realise how good this guy is.

“If there is a shot to be saved and my job depends on it, or my life depends on it, there isn’t another English goalkeeper in all four leagues I’d choose over him.”

But contrary to Maloney’s comments when heaping heavy praise on his goalkeeper, Premier League giants Manchester United and Arsenal are seemingly very aware of the 22-year-old’s abilities between the sticks, as they are both tracking his progress, according to TeamTalk.

However, Tickle’s recent omission from the England Under-21 squad will mean that the youngster will not have another chance to display his ability on the international stage ahead of the January transfer window, which could be enough to stave off interest for now.

There is no doubt that the Latics will have to eventually sell their academy graduate due to the increasingly high profile interest in his services, but the fact that he is not in the Young Lions team this month could give the Greater Manchester club the transfer respite they need.

Amid a potential relegation battle, the Tics simply have to retain their star man come January, as he has kept an impressive total of seven clean sheets in 14 League One outings.

Sam Tickle 2024/25 League One stats

Appearances

14

Starts

14

Clean sheets

7

Goals conceded

12

Saves

40

Save percentage %

76.9

Goals prevented

0.31

Maloney was surprised at Tickle’s England snub

After the Young Lions chose to leave Tickle out of their squad on this occasion, the Latics boss told Wigan Today: “I was really surprised, I have to say.

“I’ve been on the other side, when you’re involved with an international team, and you have to make decisions that will leave some club managers happy and some unhappy.

“Honestly, I don’t know the reasons, I’ve had absolutely no feedback from the manager or goalkeeping coach.

“But this game is about opinions, and my opinion, and I’m sure time will back me up, is that this guy is going to be a top, top goalkeeper.

“It’s a privilege to have him at this club.”

But while Maloney is surprised by England’s decision not to include Tickle in their Under-21 squad this time around, it could be a blessing in disguise for the Tics, who could do without being forced into a sale this January.

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Gary Caldwell promised big things when he signed Nick Powell for Wigan Athletic, and the former Manchester United man delivered

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November 14, 2024
Fernandes hopeful new boss Amorim can turn around Man Utd like he did Sporting

MANCHESTER, England : Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes believes new boss Ruben Amorim can have the same massive impact at Old Trafford that the young manager had at Portuguese club Sporting.

Amorim, 39, arrived at United’s training base Carrington on Monday, a day after his final match with Sporting – a 4-2 league victory over Braga.

It was Sporting’s 11th successive win as they seek to clinch back-to-back Primeira Liga titles for the first time since the 1950s.

Sporting went almost 20 years without winning the league until Amorim led them to the title in 2021 and the club’s transformation impressed many, including compatriot Fernandes.

“I hope he does the same here because you know sometimes a person can change the energy of a space, if it’s the right moment,” Fernandes told United’s in-house media.

“We hope that he can come, and this is the right moment for him to come and bring his energy, bring his qualities and his knowledge of football, because he’s done something really, really special at Sporting.

“If someone doubts that, it’s about just looking at the past. Sporting (went) about 20 years without winning the league, and he got back to win the league, and he won it two times in four years with a really youthful team, in a moment of change.”

Amorim was appointed head coach after manager Erik ten Hag was sacked on Oct. 28 after a string of bad results which left United languishing in 14th in the Premier League standings.

United had three wins and a draw from the four games interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy took charge, climbing to 13th and four points off the top three.

Van Nistelrooy left the club on Monday after learning he would not be a part of Amorim’s staff.

Amorim immediately endeared himself to the Old Trafford faithful when his Sporting side thrashed Manchester City 4-1 in the Champions League on Nov. 5.

Fans may have to be patient in waiting to see United take their rivals apart in such a manner but Fernandes backed Amorim to find a way to mould the team in his style.

“He’s a really smart manager that has done really good things for Sporting tactically,” Fernandes said. “But obviously as we always say, you can’t bring or transform what he has done at Sporting into here, because you have different players, you have different ways of playing and everything.

“I’m pretty sure that the idea of football he has, independent of the way he wants to play, is going to be a good one and it’s going to bring us success.”

Amorim’s first United game in charge is a league clash away at Ipswich Town on Nov. 24.

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November 13, 2024
Ruben Amorim hints at Man Utd move for Sporting midfielder: ‘I could take him anywhere’ | Football

Ruben Amorim says Manchester United must wait before signing any Sporting players

Ruben Amorim insists Manchester United will not sign any Sporting CP players in the January transfer window but admits he would welcome the chance to bring Pedro Goncalves to Old Trafford.

Amorim was officially confirmed as Erik ten Hag’s replacement last week and will make the move to the Premier League on Monday after managing Sporting for the final time for their league game away to Braga on Sunday evening.

Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres, who scored a hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League this week, has already been linked with a switch to United, though Chelsea and Arsenal are also keeping tabs on his progress in Portugal.

But Amorim is adamant that United will need to wait until next summer before attempting to sign any Sporting players.

‘I won’t in January, that’s what I said. I don’t know about the summer,’ Amorim said on Saturday.

‘The first point – to hold on until the summer. Sporting’s players are very good players. I don’t know. We’ll see.’

Ruben Amorim says Sporting midfielder Pedro Goncalves ‘can play for any team in the world’ (Shutterstock)

Goncalves, meanwhile, has been a key player in Amorim’s system at Sporting and has played an integral role in both seasons where the team won the Portuguese league.

When asked specifically about a potential move for Goncalves after he becomes United manager, Amorim said: ‘He can play in any team in the world and with any player, because he is a great player.

‘I could take him anywhere. He is very funny, which improves the personal relationship.

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‘But he is also very intelligent, but he also has to focus on Sporting because we have to be champions this year. But he could play in any team in the world.’

Amorim was also asked about preparing for his first press conference in England once he makes the move to United next week.

‘I’m ready, of course I’ll have to think a lot about the words,’ Amorim said.

‘This conference I had there will be much more basic. But I’ll have to be very intelligent. Manchester United is always the club that people talk about the most there. But I’m not worried either. English won’t be my biggest problem.’

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November 9, 2024
Man Utd dressing room reaction to Sporting 4-1 Man City as Ruben Amorim receives message | Football | Sport

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has revealed he was among the players who tuned into Sporting’s demolition of Manchester City on Tuesday night. Incoming Red Devils head coach Ruben Amorim outwitted Pep Guardiola to mark his Lisbon farewell with a touch of Champions League magic.

Viktor Gyokeres’ hat-trick added to Maximiliano Araujo’s strike to cancel out Phil Foden’s early opener and record a memorable 4-1 triumph at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.

Amorim saved one of his finest Sporting results as a parting gift for the kingdom he has built across a transformative four-year reign.

On that note, Brobdingnagian, imagined in Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, is a kingdom where everything was of an enormous scale.

That fictitious land will become a reality for Amorim when he switches his self-crafted dominance in Lisbon for the bright lights of a seemingly impossible job in Manchester.

The 39-year-old admitted himself after full-time on Tuesday that he is tasked with lifting United from a “low” point, just as he did Sporting in 2020.

If how Amorim orchestrated a masterclass against the Premier League champions didn’t enthuse United’s fragile squad, nothing will.

But Onana hailed the Portuguese giants’ victory and insisted that he and his team-mates would be ready for the challenge of adapting to Amorim’s vision.

“Yeah, I did. I did watch the game yesterday. Great victory from them, different system, but my players, my team-mates, we are all pragmatic,” Onana explained ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash against PAOK.

“I think everyone is capable of playing in each system so I don’t think this will be an issue for us. We have big players, so we’ll step up.”

United host PAOK at Old Trafford, desperately needing three points, having surrendered leads to draw all three of their opening Europa League fixtures.

Ruud van Nistelrooy will remain in interim charge for the Greek champions’ visit, as well as Leicester City’s in the Premier League on Sunday.

Amorim is set to start work at Carrington on Monday after overseeing his final Sporting match, a trip to his former club, SC Braga.

Van Nistelrooy’s status once Amorim gets started is up in the air, despite only making his welcome return to Old Trafford in the summer.

And the Dutchman has admitted he has yet to talk to the Sporting boss ahead of his arrival in Manchester.

He said: “No, I haven’t had contact so far. There’s no changes in that. I don’t know when [I will speak to Amorim].”

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November 6, 2024
Marcus Rashford: Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag says striker is back to best after…
19 September 2024, 17:31 | Updated: 20 September 2024, 18:08

Erik ten Hag says Marcus Rashford has returned to his best form after sorting out his “lifestyle” and “attitude”.

The 26-year-old signed a bumper new deal at Old Trafford in the summer of 2023, but endured a difficult 2023/24 campaign with issues off the pitch seeming to impact his performance on it.

Rashford has, however, kick-started his season with a fruitful week that included a goal at Southampton last Saturday followed by two goals and an assist in the 7-0 thumping of Barnsley in the Carabao Cup in midweek.
- Marcus Rashford rejuvenated: What’s behind Man Utd star’s return to form?
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He already needs only six more goals to better last season’s tally of eight in all competitions.

“I think he always knew. Every player knows, when your lifestyle is not right you can’t perform in the league we have to perform in,” said Ten Hag, speaking in his press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace, which is live on Sky Sports Football.

“You don’t get the right levels if you don’t have a good and disciplined life away from Carrington.

“He needed some help, by backing him, for instance. But he has to do it himself, at the end of the day.

“He has to set his life right, his training attitude right, he has to set his match attitude right. When he sets his professionalism he will perform because he’s a class player.”

During the September international break, Rashford posted clips of himself in private coaching sessions, illustrating the work he was putting in in order to try and return to the levels he has reached in the past.

Ten Hag has been impressed with the striker’s efforts – but wants to see them continue.

“Every player in the Premier League, in this club, knows you need resilience,” he added.

“Not any football career has only ups, it also has downs. You have to deal with that. Rashford is experienced, he knows this.

“He knows when there are setbacks, how to fight back and set his career and performance. He took control of that, he’s on the way back. He started the season very well, now he has to continue and progress.

“It’s very good when your strikers start to score early in the season, they need that belief. Now we have a couple of players who have been scoring and it’s good for the team.”

Rashford has not played for England since the 1-0 defeat to Brazil on March 23 and was not included in Gareth Southgate’s squad for Euro 2024.

When asked if he was on course to be called up by Lee Carsley for the Nations League matches against Greece and Finland next month, Ten Hag said: “He will always be an option for every manager. It’s not up to me, it’s up to the England manager.”

‘Ten Hag comments not a slight, but the truth’

Analysis by Sky Sports News’ senior reporter Melissa Reddy:

Ten Hag has consistently been honest – especially around discipline and the culture he is trying to create at Manchester United – so it is not jolting for him to reference Rashford’s off-field issues around his poor form last season.

As a refresher, the forward was caught transgressing three times under the manager – being late for a team meeting, pulling an all-nighter in Chinawhite after the October derby defeat to Manchester City, and then going on a night out in Belfast in January, which he tried to disguise by calling in ill for training.

It is unequivocal that Rashford wasn’t doing the right things off the pitch to ensure he was performing on it. It is why he was omitted from Gareth Southgate’s Euros squad and has to battle his way back into the England fold.

Ten Hag underscoring the importance of professionalism isn’t a slight on Rashford but the truth. It seems the 26-year-old has reconfigured his lifestyle to ensure optimum rest, recovery and performance.

It must become a habit – not just to re-establish himself as Manchester United’s key man, but to make himself indispensable to England again.

He should be the reference point for his club’s attack, reducing the pressure on Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund and Amad, while also allowing Joshua Zirkzee to settle without additional stress.

He should be a no-brainer for his country.

As Ten Hag circled, it is all on Rashford – he is the one in control of who he surrounds himself with, how he lives his life, how he approaches training and matchdays, and whether he will reach world-class status.

‘Familiar confidence levels returning for Rashford’

Analysis by Sky Sports’ Zinny Boswell:

Rashford’s future at United looked beyond help at points last season, with many suggesting moving on was the only option to revive his career.

But United boss Ten Hag has stuck by his forward and been repaid for his faith. Five games into this season and Rashford is nearly halfway to matching his entire tally of eight for the previous campaign.

Those three goals have come against weaker opposition in Southampton and Barnsley, but there is a confidence returning to Rashford akin to his first season with Ten Hag, in which he scored 30 times.

Asked about Rashford’s form after the 7-0 Carabao Cup win over Barnsley, Ten Hag told Sky Sports: “In my first season also, he had this vibe, this good mood.

“When I see the teeth [smiling] from Marcus Rashford, I’m calm, I’m composed and I’m confident that he will score.”

Tougher tests will come and ultimately decide if Rashford is truly back to his best form, starting with Saturday’s trip to Selhurst Park, but the signs are positive after a whole year in the wilderness.

(c) Sky Sports 2024: Marcus Rashford: Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag says striker is back to best after sorting out ‘lifestyle’ and ‘attitude’
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September 21, 2024
Marcus Rashford: Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag says striker is back to best after…
19 September 2024, 17:31 | Updated: 20 September 2024, 18:08

Erik ten Hag says Marcus Rashford has returned to his best form after sorting out his “lifestyle” and “attitude”.

The 26-year-old signed a bumper new deal at Old Trafford in the summer of 2023, but endured a difficult 2023/24 campaign with issues off the pitch seeming to impact his performance on it.

Rashford has, however, kick-started his season with a fruitful week that included a goal at Southampton last Saturday followed by two goals and an assist in the 7-0 thumping of Barnsley in the Carabao Cup in midweek.
- Marcus Rashford rejuvenated: What’s behind Man Utd star’s return to form?
- Stream the Premier League and more with NOW
- Man Utd fixtures | Live Premier League table
- Book Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois now: Sky or non-Sky subscribers
He already needs only six more goals to better last season’s tally of eight in all competitions.

“I think he always knew. Every player knows, when your lifestyle is not right you can’t perform in the league we have to perform in,” said Ten Hag, speaking in his press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace, which is live on Sky Sports Football.

“You don’t get the right levels if you don’t have a good and disciplined life away from Carrington.

“He needed some help, by backing him, for instance. But he has to do it himself, at the end of the day.

“He has to set his life right, his training attitude right, he has to set his match attitude right. When he sets his professionalism he will perform because he’s a class player.”

During the September international break, Rashford posted clips of himself in private coaching sessions, illustrating the work he was putting in in order to try and return to the levels he has reached in the past.

Ten Hag has been impressed with the striker’s efforts – but wants to see them continue.

“Every player in the Premier League, in this club, knows you need resilience,” he added.

“Not any football career has only ups, it also has downs. You have to deal with that. Rashford is experienced, he knows this.

“He knows when there are setbacks, how to fight back and set his career and performance. He took control of that, he’s on the way back. He started the season very well, now he has to continue and progress.

“It’s very good when your strikers start to score early in the season, they need that belief. Now we have a couple of players who have been scoring and it’s good for the team.”

Rashford has not played for England since the 1-0 defeat to Brazil on March 23 and was not included in Gareth Southgate’s squad for Euro 2024.

When asked if he was on course to be called up by Lee Carsley for the Nations League matches against Greece and Finland next month, Ten Hag said: “He will always be an option for every manager. It’s not up to me, it’s up to the England manager.”

‘Ten Hag comments not a slight, but the truth’

Analysis by Sky Sports News’ senior reporter Melissa Reddy:

Ten Hag has consistently been honest – especially around discipline and the culture he is trying to create at Manchester United – so it is not jolting for him to reference Rashford’s off-field issues around his poor form last season.

As a refresher, the forward was caught transgressing three times under the manager – being late for a team meeting, pulling an all-nighter in Chinawhite after the October derby defeat to Manchester City, and then going on a night out in Belfast in January, which he tried to disguise by calling in ill for training.

It is unequivocal that Rashford wasn’t doing the right things off the pitch to ensure he was performing on it. It is why he was omitted from Gareth Southgate’s Euros squad and has to battle his way back into the England fold.

Ten Hag underscoring the importance of professionalism isn’t a slight on Rashford but the truth. It seems the 26-year-old has reconfigured his lifestyle to ensure optimum rest, recovery and performance.

It must become a habit – not just to re-establish himself as Manchester United’s key man, but to make himself indispensable to England again.

He should be the reference point for his club’s attack, reducing the pressure on Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund and Amad, while also allowing Joshua Zirkzee to settle without additional stress.

He should be a no-brainer for his country.

As Ten Hag circled, it is all on Rashford – he is the one in control of who he surrounds himself with, how he lives his life, how he approaches training and matchdays, and whether he will reach world-class status.

‘Familiar confidence levels returning for Rashford’

Analysis by Sky Sports’ Zinny Boswell:

Rashford’s future at United looked beyond help at points last season, with many suggesting moving on was the only option to revive his career.

But United boss Ten Hag has stuck by his forward and been repaid for his faith. Five games into this season and Rashford is nearly halfway to matching his entire tally of eight for the previous campaign.

Those three goals have come against weaker opposition in Southampton and Barnsley, but there is a confidence returning to Rashford akin to his first season with Ten Hag, in which he scored 30 times.

Asked about Rashford’s form after the 7-0 Carabao Cup win over Barnsley, Ten Hag told Sky Sports: “In my first season also, he had this vibe, this good mood.

“When I see the teeth [smiling] from Marcus Rashford, I’m calm, I’m composed and I’m confident that he will score.”

Tougher tests will come and ultimately decide if Rashford is truly back to his best form, starting with Saturday’s trip to Selhurst Park, but the signs are positive after a whole year in the wilderness.

(c) Sky Sports 2024: Marcus Rashford: Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag says striker is back to best after sorting out ‘lifestyle’ and ‘attitude’
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September 20, 2024