Manchester United
Premier League Player of the Season nominees announced
The eight-man shortlist for the Premier League Player of the Season award has been announced. Manchester City are, rather unsurprisingly, the most represented team in the shortlist, boasting two nominees. One player from rivals Manchester United features, as well as one each from Liverpool, Chelsea, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Aston Villa. Three Englishmen have been selected in the final eight, as well as two from Portugal. The fan vote is open on the Premier League’s website, with the announcement expected to be in about a week’s time. It is worth noting that this is NOT the PFA Player of the Year award. However, seven of the last eight winners have scooped both prizes. Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City De Bruyne won the award last season Hoping to become the fourth playe...
Barcelona announce the signing of Eric Garcia
Finally, the signing of Eric Garcia has been officially announced by Barcelona. The 20-year-old centre-back has been linked to the club for almost a year now. He came very close to signing for his boyhood club last summer before the talks broke down on the deadline day, as well as January of this year. Garcia had spent nine years at the youth level in Barça before moving to Manchester City in 2017. The youngster has been captain of almost all the youth Barça teams he played at. He was also the captain of the U-19 team of Manchester City. After a triumphant spell with Manchester City in England, Garcia will return to Catalonia, securing the Premier League winners medal twice. Manchester City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, rates the young centre-back very highly. When asked about not selecting Ga...
Manchester United 2020/21 Season Review: Has Solskjaer done enough?
Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, Manchester United have struggled to relive the glory days of the past. This season, they arguably got the closest they’ve been in the last eight years. There was a brief time when they topped the league, as well as a couple of deep runs in knockout competitions. However, it all ended without any silverware. Best player – Bruno Fernandes Fernandes has been Man Utd’s standout player A special mention has to go to Luke Shaw, who has silenced many of his doubters over the last few months. If there was a ‘Most Improved Player’ award, he’d be the recipient. However, Bruno Fernandes set a new Premier League record, scoring more goals than any top-flight midfielder in all competitions with 28. Yes, a lot of them were penalties (13 to be exact), but it’...
Ronaldo’s next home: Manchester United, Real Madrid or elsewhere?
Cristiano Ronaldo’s future is likely to be a main topic of discussion this summer with his contract with Juventus due to expire in 13 months. The Portuguese had another top individual campaign for the Bianconeri with 36 goals in all competitions, but it was not sufficient to extend their Serie A dominance. After nine straight league titles, the club were outclassed by Inter Milan in the race for the Scudetto. The Nerazzurri finished 13 points ahead of them at the top. Elsewhere, they only booked their Champions League spot for next season on the final matchday, courtesy of Napoli dropping points against Hellas Verona (1-1 draw). Since the end of the season, the hierarchy have made big changes with the decision to part ways with CEO Fabio Paratici and manager Andrea Pirlo. Massimiliano Alle...
£40m-rated target prefers to join Man Utd over Euro giants this summer
Manchester United have been linked with a move for the Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez. According to the Mirror (via Daily Star), the Spanish international is on the Premier League side’s radar and he is keen on a move to Old Trafford. The player has been linked with a move to Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain as well but he prefers a move to the Premier League. Apparently, the 26-year-old midfielder is valued at around £40 million. Saul has a release clause of £60 million in his contract but the Spanish outfit are prepared to sell him for a knockdown price in order to fund their own transfers this summer. Atletico have been hit financially because of the coronavirus pandemic and it is hardly surprising that they are prepared to sell a quality player like Saul to balance the books. T...
‘He’ll only join City if…’ – Journo shares Villa star’s wish after Old Trafford U-turn
According to The Athletic’s Sam Lee, Aston Villa attacking midfielder Jack Grealish was considering joining Manchester United last summer but prefers Manchester City now. Red Devils stars are reportedly hoping to convince manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to sign the Villa skipper having faced him or played with him at England. While they reckon Grealish would be an appealing summer signing, the Norwegian boss is keen on Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho instead. The 25-year-old is valued at around £75 million and does have admirers at Old Trafford, but it appears he is keen on joining Pep Guardiola’s side instead. The Man City boss regards him as one of the best players in the Premier League, and is considering buying him this summer as he looks to defend the top-flight title and go one better ...
Manchester United prefer to sign £80m-rated star over Harry Kane this summer
Manchester United prefer to sign Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho over Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane this summer, The Mail reports. The Red Devils were heavily linked with Sancho last summer, but they refused to meet the £108 million valuation set by the Bundesliga outfit. They are likely to make a fresh approach in the coming weeks, with reports suggesting that the attacker could be available for a reduced fee of £80m. Kane has also been linked with a possible move to Old Trafford, but it appears that United are not planning to pursue the England international. The club recently committed Edinson Cavani to a new one-year contract, and they are satisfied with the performances of the Uruguayan. Hence, they are likely to prioritise a summer move for Sancho, and will attempt ...
Hammers reportedly ‘mad keen on’ £20m Man Utd target as Moyes eyes Euro 2020-bound star
West Ham United are ‘mad keen on’ West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Sam Johnstone ahead of the summer transfer window, according to The Sun. However, they must be willing to pay £20 million to have a chance of landing the 28-year-old. Manchester United are also keen on Johnstone but are hoping West Brom will reduce their valuation. Hammers boss David Moyes sees the goalie as a long-term replacement for 36-year-old Lukasz Fabianski and is willing to wait until the price drops before making a concrete move. Johnstone had an impressive individual campaign with the Baggies despite being unable to save them from relegation. He made the most saves (166) in the Premier League in 2020-21, earning himself a spot in manager Gareth Southgate’s 33-man provisional Euro 2020 squad as a result. He is expec...
PSG president: Super League didn’t have the interests of football at heart
Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi says the Super League project was not in football’s best interests, insisting the Champions League must be protected. PSG were not among the 12 founding members of the competition, which pledged to break away from UEFA and compete with or replace the Champions League. The plan collapsed within days of its announcement, as football’s governing bodies and fan protests convinced nine clubs to pull out and Al-Khelaifi believes football is better off without the controversial idea. “Football has been around for years and years. The Super League did not have at heart to defend the interests of football,” he told AFP. “You can envisage changes but not break the tradition that every club can hope to achieve their dreams. “All teams must have the opp...
Manchester United ‘most realistic destination’ for attacker with 36 goal contributions – report
Manchester United are in regular contact with Jadon Sancho’s representatives as they bid to sign him from Borussia Dortmund this summer, Sky Sports reports. The England international was fancied to join the Red Devils during last summer’s transfer window, but they refused to meet the £108 million valuation. Sancho enjoyed a superb 2020/21 campaign for Dortmund with 16 goals and 20 assists from just 38 games, and United are ready to make a fresh approach this summer. The club have been in talks with the player’s representatives, and personal terms are expected to be a formality if the transfer fee is agreed. Dortmund have yet to set an asking price for the attacker, but it is reported that a fee of around £80m could convince them to sanction his sale. With two years left on Sancho...
How Man Utd could line up if Solskjaer signs his prime objectives in the summer
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has assembled a list of four high-profile targets he wants to bring to Old Trafford in the upcoming transfer window. Following another trophyless season as United’s manager, the Norwegian is desperate to put his own stamp on the squad that suffered a penalty shoot-out defeat to Villarreal in the Europa League final on Wednesday. Solskjaer is keen to reinforce each department in the summer transfer window to boost the Red Devils’ hopes of closing the gap on Manchester City next season. Pau Torres Despite Victor Lindelof’s upturn in form in the second half of the 2020/21 campaign, Harry Maguire playing alongside a new defensive partner next season is a near certainty. United’s top defensive target for the summer is Villarreal’s Pau Torres, who has ...
Manchester United and Chelsea target accepts he may have to change clubs this summer
Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde has acknowledged that he could leave the club this summer amid reported interest from Manchester United and Chelsea. The Frenchman is regarded as one of La Liga’s most promising centre-backs, and he has been on the radar of elite European clubs over the past year. Speaking in a press conference at Clairefontaine yesterday, Kounde accepted that he may consider a change this summer, but nothing has been decided yet. He added that he has the ambition to develop at a big club and win trophies. He told RMC Sport: “Regarding my future, it is certain that I may have to change this summer, but nothing is acted on yet, I have not decided anything.” “My goal is to evolve in a big club, to always try to progress and win trophies too. I may have to move, but that’...
