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United eyeing sensational January swoop for “world-class” Chelsea star amid Garnacho exit talks – report

    united-eyeing-sensational-january-swoop-for-“world-class”-chelsea-star-amid-garnacho-exit-talks-–-report
    United eyeing sensational January swoop for “world-class” Chelsea star amid Garnacho exit talks – report

    Ruben Amorim’s tactical system employs the use of attacking midfielders instead of out-and-out wingers with the wingbacks providing the width.

    While he had all the necessary ingredients to succeed in Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United are a different beast altogether with the squad full of wingers who are used to playing transition-based football.

    It has come as a culture shock for many, as revealed by Harry Maguire, which partly describes why the club has been struggling in the Premier League of late.

    But the new head coach has been made it clear that it is either his way or the highway, which is why both Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford find themselves linked with January exits.

    Amorim wants an attacking midfielder

    The Portuguese tactician wants more attacking midfielders and Sportzine (via Givemesport) have revealed that the Red Devils have got in touch with Chelsea Joao Felix over a stunning move to Old Trafford this window.

    The 20-time English league champions have reportedly contacted Felix’s agent Jorge Mendes on Tuesday to try and get the deal over the line. Direct contact with Chelsea is yet to take place.

    The Portugal international excels as a No 10 but can also play up front, out wide and as a support striker and his versatility would be a great fit in Amorim’s system.

    He has two assists and seven goals since his £46 million summer move to Stamford Bridge, but only one of those have come in the Premier League with Enzo Maresca offering him only three league starts.

    Felix up for grabs

    The Old Trafford side feel they can lure the “world-class” talent to Manchester with the promise of regular minutes, something Enzo Maresca has been unable to provide.

    Chelsea are open to cutting ties as they have a plethora of attacking talent at their disposal with Maresca struggling to afford all of them regular minutes.

    As relayed by The Peoples Person, the Blues are also chasing Garnacho’s signature this January and it remains to be seen if Felix’s name comes up during negotiations.

    Both clubs have not been shy of agreeing transfer between them recently with Mason Mount moving to Old Trafford last season while Jadon Sancho joined the London side last summer.

    Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

    Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25

    Man Utd told to sack Ruben Amorim and appoint ‘best candidate’ Gary Neville

      man-utd-told-to-sack-ruben-amorim-and-appoint-‘best-candidate’-gary-neville
      Man Utd told to sack Ruben Amorim and appoint ‘best candidate’ Gary Neville

      Gary Neville is still the “best candidate” to save Man Utd amid Ruben Amorim’s struggles, according to former Match of the Day presenter Des Lynam.

      The Red Devils sacked Erik ten Hag at the end of October and replaced the Dutchman with Ruben Amorim, who left Sporting CP in November to join Man Utd.

      However, Amorim failed to have the new manager bounce that many expected with most of the club’s problems prooving too deep-rooted for even one of the most talented young managers in world football to sort.

      The new Man Utd head coach has found it tricky to implement his new 3-4-3 formation and playing style and get the desired results at the same time.

      Many of the Red Devils squad are not suited to his philosophy and it could take a few transfer windows to make Amorim’s squad more balanced.

      It seems that any manager coming in to 13th-placed Man Utd have the same problems but Lynam reckons ex-Red Devils defender Neville is the “best candidate” to sort it out.

      Lynam told the Daily Telegraph: “A few years ago I suggested that the only man who could steer United back to their former glory was their one-time captain Gary Neville. I put it to him and while I touched something of a nerve, Gary made it clear that his business interests and his punditry for Sky would take precedence over any thought of engaging in football management again.

      MORE ON MAN UTD FROM F365…
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      👉 Man Utd target ‘late January loan swoop’ for Barcelona star in possible Rashford sweetener
      👉 Chelsea boss Maresca makes clear Garnacho admission in Man Utd transfer blow: ‘We are okay’

      “But here goes – Neville would still be the best man for the job. He has Manchester United blood running through his veins. He is deeply hurt by the club’s present predicament. He has a powerful personality and would be a strong presence in the dressing room.

      “Oh and the money men had better watch out, Neville is an astute businessman. My plea to him was over three years ago but as the men with their furrowed brows took their temporary residence in the United dugout, Neville has remained the best candidate, in my mind. He is hugely successful as a broadcaster but then almost every Tom, Dick and Rio has had a go at that.

      “Apparently Neville has made a great deal of money from his business exploits but will he be remembered for them? If he were to save Manchester United, he would be forever remembered. He is tough and would be ruthless when needed.

      “It is close to impossible to run the team and the club but if there was anyone who could give it a good go, I think he would have the courage and knowledge to face up to the challenge. I used a quote when trying to nudge Neville back into football management.

      “It comes from the former Cuban leader Fidel Castro. ‘Men do not shape destiny, destiny produces the man for the hour.’ Outside your comfort zone is where the magic happens.”

      “Here we go!”: Fabrizio Romano confirms United forward is set to complete sensational loan move to La Liga

        “here-we-go!”:-fabrizio-romano-confirms-united-forward-is-set-to-complete-sensational-loan-move-to-la-liga
        “Here we go!”: Fabrizio Romano confirms United forward is set to complete sensational loan move to La Liga

        Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has issued his famous “here we go!” to confirm Antony’s loan move to Real Betis.

        The United star has struggled to make an impression since his record-breaking move from Ajax two and a half years ago and has not been able to break into Ruben Amorim’s starting XI.

        There were reports this morning that Amorim had blocked the move at the last minute due to a lack of options in the forward positions.

        However, if the reliable Romano is to be believed, this now appears not to be true.

        Romano posted on X:

        “Here we go confirmed: Antony travels to Sevilla tonight in order to join Real Betis from Man United!

        “Green light after documents approved, loan move until June with NO buy back clause; salary shared.”

        With Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford also looking likely to depart in this window, Amorim will have very few senior forward options left at the club.

        Rasmus Hojlund, Josh Zirkzee and Amad will be the only ones other than advanced midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount.

        It seems almost inevitable that Ineos must be planning to bring in another forward in the window.

        However, there is little news on that front at the moment, with the focus currently on bidding for Lecce’s Patrick Dorgu, a left wing back.

        On that subject, Romano also commented that United “remain in active talks with Lecce for Patrick Dorgu.”


        Feature image Paul Ellis via Getty Images

        Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

        Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.

        “I really don’t know”: Ruben Amorim admits he has no idea whether big United star will leave this month

          “i-really-don’t-know”:-ruben-amorim-admits-he-has-no-idea-whether-big-united-star-will-leave-this-month
          “I really don’t know”: Ruben Amorim admits he has no idea whether big United star will leave this month

          Ruben Amorim says he does not know what the future holds for Marcus Rashford.

          Speaking at the pre-match presser before Sunday’s match against Fulham, he was asked whether the England man would be staying or leaving and replied:

          “I don’t know. I really don’t know … Guys, it’s eight days. We will see in the end of the window what happened. And then we will talk about that in the moment.”

          He was also asked about the public perception of Bruno Fernandes, who scored the injury time winner against Rangers yesterday. He said:

          “We are lucky to have a player like Bruno Fernandes! Sometimes he makes mistakes.. like me last week. But he is really important and he has passion and this is so important to be a football player.

          “I think he’s a top player and then people talk a lot about his frustration, always with his arms in the air. Sometimes it’s not a good thing to see but you have to see the other side.

          “When you are under pressure, he’s always the guy that wants the ball, he’s always available. And that is so important. Especially in the Premier League.”

          Another question posed was whether there is, for him, a clear first choice goalkeeper between Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir.

          “It’s always an even fight but this was rotation, was prepared… To have two really good goalkeepers, they need time to play,” he responded.

          The head coach was also asked when Luke Shaw will return to the side after a lengthy injury.

          “He’s going to be fit to train with the team,” he replied.

          “And then we have to start doing small minutes, we don’t have a lot of time to train, we have to put in some exercises in ten minutes, then he has to make extra work to improve his fitness, so I don’t know. It’s two weeks to start training and to start thinking about putting him in a few minutes.”

          On potential injuries to Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt ahead of Sunday’s game, Amorim said:

          “I don’t know. Leny has a pain, also Mattha, I think was a bruise, a touch. Leny was a little bit tired, he’s playing more in this moment so we have to be really careful. We’ll see. I don’t know.”

          Another question related to Casemiro and why he was not being selected to play.

          “He has to be the characteristics and then I have to choose the player with characteristics that I see the game,” the boss answered.

          “So it’s just that. I have to make some choices. I want to play a style of game that is sometimes different from other coaches and I have to choose based on that.”

          Amorim was also asked what he needs to do to turn United around.

          “Pre-season, creating, spending three weeks together, creating something, and then you want to create something new with the players,” he said.

          “I want them to know me in a different way, not always preparing the matches with stress, we don’t have the time to do that. I think it’s really important and I think it’s the secret of teams. Even when you have the best players, if you don’t you have that feeling it’s really hard to win so I want to build something like that here. But we need time from that.

          “It also depends on the leader, on the coach, a lot like that. I think we need that to get that feeling of belonging. For that, we also need time to train, because to stay together and that is really important.”

          Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images

          Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

          Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.

          “Shortage of attackers” at United forces Amorim to block winger’s January exit – report

            “shortage-of-attackers”-at-united-forces-amorim-to-block-winger’s-january-exit-–-report
            “Shortage of attackers” at United forces Amorim to block winger’s January exit – report

            Manchester United’s Europa League game against Rangers on Thursday saw late drama as Ruben Amorim’s side clinched a 2-1 win at Old Trafford thanks to Bruno Fernandes’ injury-time goal.

            Before the game, news broke of Antony’s impending loan move to Real Betis and how the Portuguese wanted the Brazilian to be available for the Thursday night encounter.

            However, the head coach decided to play Amad Diallo as the right wingback and the ex-Ajax star did not even come on as a substitute.

            As revealed by ABC Seville, it was expected that the 24-year-old would be departing Manchester on Friday to join up with his new teammates.

            Antony was supposed to leave for Real Betis on Friday

            However, Diario de Sevilla (via Sport Witness) have provided a contradictory update regarding Antony’s loan move. They have claimed that Amorim is blocking the loan exit and will not be giving his green light till INEOS secure a replacement.

            “This shortage of attackers, precisely, is what motivates Amorim not to unblock Antony’s definitive departure.”

            The Brazil international has mainly been used as a wingback under the former Sporting Lisbon boss, but he can also play further forward if needed.

            Both Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford are likely to depart this month, which might leave Amorim light up front.

            Amorim blocking loan exit

            The coach is also desperate for reinforcements in the wingback position as both Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui are natural full-backs and lack the attacking thrust required to operate in the 3-4-3 system.

            Patrick Dorgu has been identified as the perfect recruit but so far, Lecce have been playing hardball over his price and are trying to take advantage of Napoli’s entry to try and fleece the Red Devils.

            It makes sense for Amorim to try and keep a versatile player can Antony onboard till then but he has been limited to only three starts this season with none of them coming in the Premier League.

            It is clear to see that he does not have the required quality to operate in either role and Amorim knows that pretty well. This might just be a ploy from the coach to put pressure on the co-owners so that they hurry up and bring Dorgu in.

            Feature image Paul Ellis via Getty Images

            Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

            Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25

            Have Manchester United and Ratcliffe really asked FANS for £300m to avoid PSR breach?

              have-manchester-united-and-ratcliffe-really-asked-fans-for-300m-to-avoid-psr-breach?
              Have Manchester United and Ratcliffe really asked FANS for £300m to avoid PSR breach?

              Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have embarked on an unstoppable cost-cutting mission at Manchester United but asking FANS for £300m seems a step too far.

              FANS service
              Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his friends over at INEOS have made a great many outwardly questionable decisions in the supposed name of financial sensibility at Manchester United recently. All manner of cuts have been made, generally to legends and icons in ambassadorial roles but also to the little people who dared to work from home or eat lunch at their desks.

              But The Sun website has shed a light on their most ludicrous plan yet to establish economic sustainability.

              There are a couple of red flags immediately apparent from this headline: ‘Man Utd ‘admit they ARE at risk of PSR breach and ask FANS to foot the bill amid £300m black hole in shock letter.’

              Two ALL-CAPS warnings, a weird use of ‘amid’ and 22 of 23 words being contained within quote marks which quite obviously will not actually be quoting anyone. It’s not a great start.

              The quote thing remains a maddening mystery, a bandwagon online media jumped onto long ago to create a paradox whereby churnalism trumps actual journalism, and both are beaten by simply just pretending to rehash someone else’s stuff. Take those quote marks out of the headline while changing nothing in the story and it somehow becomes less powerful and clicky, albeit far more reflective of a story in which at no stage do Manchester United ‘admit they ARE at risk of PSR breach and ask FANS to foot the bill amid £300m black hole in shock letter’.

              Because that would be stupid, to ‘ask FANS to foot’ a £300m bill. Not even Ratcliffe at his big-brained, cut-administering caricature worst would request that supporters help them pay for the rest of Antony.

              What United did write in a letter to a prominent fan group – and as is included in the final paragraph of The Sun’s story – was: ‘We do not expect fans to make up all the current shortfall – but we do need to look at our ticketing strategy to ensure we are charging the right amount, and offering the right discounts, across our products for our fans.’

              Far be it for Mediawatch to defend Ratcliffe and Manchester United but no, they really aren’t ‘asking FANS to foot the bill amid £300m black hole’ whatsoever.

              Time’s up
              Manchester United did, of course, play a game of actual association football on Thursday evening, and The Sun sent Phil Thomas along. Unfortunately he was obviously notified too late to check their recent results first:

              ‘Tavernier’s downfield punt was nothing more than that – one hopeful hail Mary in search of salvation.

              ‘It came when Maguire shimmied and stumbled, Dessers darted and delivered and United were left appealing in vain for an offside flag which never came.

              ‘Neither would the points, so it seemed. Not any more. Those days of Fergie time and heroic late rescue acts have long gone, of course.’

              A week earlier they beat Southampton 3-1 with Amad scoring a hat-trick from the 82nd minute onwards, including two goals in stoppage-time. Their previous win before then was against Manchester City when they were losing until the 87th minute before Bruno Fernandes and Amad scored. Prior to that they beat Viktoria Plzen with an 88th-minute winner.

              But those days of Fergie time and heroic late rescue acts have long gone, of course. He invented late goals and sadly took the concept with him when he retired.

              MORE MANCHESTER UNITED COVERAGE FROM F365
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              Saw throat
              There was representation at Old Trafford from the Manchester Evening News too. Tyrone Marshall gives us his first-hand account:

              ‘I saw what one Manchester United player did after dramatic winner vs Rangers – it said a lot’

              What exactly did the Senior Football Writer see? The suspense is unbearable.

              ‘United’s players raced with Fernandes to the Stretford End corner flag, but Tyrell Malacia turned on his heels and ran to Martinez.’

              Player celebrates goal with teammate who assisted it. It’s just a wonder it only ‘said a lot’ and didn’t speak volumes while revealing true colours.

              READ MORE: Man United win in the only way they apparently now can and look set to dodge play-off punishment

              Walker on sunshine
              Any and all coverage of Kyle Walker’s imminent move to AC Milan obviously leads on the Annie Kilner and Lauryn Goodman angles but this is a strange line in Nick Pisa’s Daily Mail rundown of recent events:

              ‘Later on Friday he is expected to meet his new team-mates at a training session but he didn’t attend a party held by defender Theo Hernandez on Thursday.’

              You mean he didn’t turn up to a party comprised solely of people he hasn’t even met? Walker arrived in Milan by private jet on Thursday and had ‘a day of medical tests and paperwork’. Of course he didn’t go to a sodding party he might not have even been invited to by people he doesn’t know.

              Beautiful nightmare
              There is some harrowing news for Arsenal on the Daily Mirror website, which reveals a ‘Champions League nightmare that could see Gunners drop to play-offs’.

              They are third in the table with one game remaining and the top eight automatically qualify for the knockouts so this guarantees to be good.

              But that isn’t the half of it, because there is indeed ‘a nightmare final matchday where results could wildly go against them’. And even that doesn’t do the following results necessary for Arsenal not to finish in the top eight justice:

              • Arsenal fail to beat Girona, who have won one of their seven games in the competition so far
              • Inter win or draw against Monaco or Monaco win and make up a goal difference of nine to Arsenal
              • Atletico Madrid win against Salzburg
              • Milan win against Dinamo Zagreb
              • Atalanta win against Barcelona
              • Bayer Leverkusen win against Sparta Prague and make up a goal difference of six to Arsenal
              • One of Aston Villa, Feyenoord, Lille or Brest win and make up a goal difference of seven to 10

              That is not a ‘nightmare’ scenario; it is unfathomable enough that Opta ran 10,000 simulations for the final fixtures of the Champions League group phase and it did not transpire once. Arsenal finished in the top eight each time. It would be incredibly hilarious but simply won’t happen and doesn’t really deserve headline prominence.

              READ NEXT: Will the Premier League get a fifth spot in next season’s Champions League?

              The Famous F365 Friday Quiz: January 2025 transfer window edition…

                the-famous-f365-friday-quiz:-january-2025-transfer-window-edition…
                The Famous F365 Friday Quiz: January 2025 transfer window edition…

                We are entering the final straight of the January transfer window. But how closely have you been paying attention to the deals already done?

                The window shuts on Monday February 3, meaning we’re around a week from supposedly-well-run clubs panicking like f***.

                Plenty of deals have already been done – here are the biggest 20 worldwide – and millions spent. But have you been keeping across the comings and goings?

                We’ve got 20 players who have new employers this month. All we need is the club they have each joined.

                Simple, right?

                If you’re quizzed out, don’t miss these…

                JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW 2025
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                👉 The 20 biggest transfers in the world in the 2025 January transfer window
                👉 Every Premier League transfer completed in the 2025 January window

                Famous F365 Friday Quiz: Prem caretaker managers | Random 90s players | English league derbies

                Missing Men: Liverpool | Arsenal | Chelsea | Man City | Man Utd | Spurs

                United’s dramatic win against Rangers earns Ruben Amorim a place in the record books – report

                  united’s-dramatic-win-against-rangers-earns-ruben-amorim-a-place-in-the-record-books-–-report
                  United’s dramatic win against Rangers earns Ruben Amorim a place in the record books – report

                  Manchester United left it late to see off Rangers at Old Trafford last night but did end the evening a step closer to qualifying in the top eight of the Europa League table.

                  Bruno Fernandes’ fine volley restored United’s lead in stoppage time after Cyriel Dessers looked to have snatched the visitors a point in the final moments of the regulation 90 minutes.

                  The winner was a welcome one for many reasons, particularly given United’s poor form under Ruben Amorim in front of home support.

                  As reported by The Mirror, it also allowed Amorim to join esteemed company in managing to win his first three major European games as United boss.

                  It is a feat only matched by the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Matt Busby, who achieved the same run in 1958 and 1990, respectively.

                  The record will be a welcome footnote for Amorim, who has been on the end of some unwanted entries into United’s record books since taking over in November.

                  Last night’s success follows wins against Viktoria Plzen and Bodo/Glimt despite both of them also presenting their challenges.

                  United came from behind in both of the previous victories and looked to have thrown the three points away against the Scots.

                  After United blew multiple chances to extend the lead given to them by a Jack Butland own goal early in the second half, Dessers’ late hit silenced the home fans and left Amorim’s side stunned.

                  But, to their credit, they mustered a response, with Lisandro Martinez’ fine cross finding his skipper, who duly buried the ball under the former United ‘keeper to spare his side’s blushes.

                  United will now travel to Bucharest for Matchday 8 in a much more comfortable position, knowing a point will all but guarantee them a place in the round of 16.

                  Direct qualification means United will avoid the qualifying legs and free up two potential midweek fixtures in what is already a packed schedule.

                  Amorim is desperate for more time on the training field with his new side and avoiding the two legged tie will allow him more time to work on his system which the current crop of United stars are struggling to adapt to.

                  United are back in action this coming Sunday in the Premier League’s curious evening kick off slot, away to Marco Silva’s dangerous Fulham.

                  Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images

                  Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

                  Conner Botterill has been with The Peoples Person for two years. A keen match-going red with degrees in Sport and Journalism and Philosophy and Psychology, Conner still believes he has a chance of making United’s first team through his 5-a-side career.

                  Chelsea boss Maresca makes clear Garnacho admission in Man Utd transfer blow: ‘We are okay’

                    chelsea-boss-maresca-makes-clear-garnacho-admission-in-man-utd-transfer-blow:-‘we-are-okay’
                    Chelsea boss Maresca makes clear Garnacho admission in Man Utd transfer blow: ‘We are okay’

                    Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca says he is “happy with the wingers we have” despite reported interest in Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho.

                    The Argentine winger has been fiercely linked with a transfer to Stamford Bridge this month, with Napoli also reportedly interested following the sale of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

                    Garnacho to Chelsea shut down by Maresca in Man Utd blow

                    Man Utd are surprisingly open to the sale of Garnacho after his subpar start to the season, while they need to raise funds to avoid a financial breach.

                    The 20-year-old can be sold for ‘pure profit’, which would give the Red Devils the freedom to reinvest before the January transfer window closes.

                    Chelsea boss Maresca was asked about reported interest in Garnacho during a press conference on Friday and admitted that he already has enough wingers, with teenager Tyrique George able to come in for the suspended Mykhaylo Mudryk.

                    👉 READ MORE: Big Weekend: Man City v Chelsea, Man United, Potter, Mateta, Terriers, Draw Specialists

                    “I’m happy with the wingers we have,” he said.

                    “I said many times, on the right side it’s Pedro [Neto] and Noni [Madueke], left side Jadon [Sancho] and Misha [Mudryk] was with us, now he’s not with us.

                    “Tyrique is the profile that can help us. In this moment we are okay for wingers.”

                    Maresca told reporters to “see in the next ten days” what happens and emphasised his desire to keep Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku at the club.

                    “With Joao and Christo, most managers only play one attacking midfielder,” he said. “They are top players.

                    “I like both, they struggle because most of the time we only play with one attacking midfielder. I am not saying they will leave.”

                    MORE ON CHELSEA FROM F365
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                    Maresca has been forced to deal with several midfield injuries but confirmed he will not recall Lesley Ugochukwu (Southampton) or Andrey Santos (Strasbourg) from their loans and will not sign a new midfielder this month.

                    “We’ve got enough players in midfield to cover, Moises, Enzo and Kiernan. The intention is not to go for a midfielder,” Maresca confirmed.

                    Maresca also told reporters to see what happens “in the next hours” amidst Juventus’ interest in versatile defender Renato Veiga.

                    Chelsea boss Maresca defends error-prone goalkeeper Sanchez

                    Another talking point was goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who gifted Wolves an equaliser in Monday’s 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge – his fourth error leading to a goal in the Premier League this season.

                    Maresca backed his No. 1, saying that “it’s normal” for a goalkeeper – or any player – to make mistakes.

                    “Robert Sanchez is okay,” the former Leicester City head coach said. “It’s a matter for me to understand that anything can happen.

                    “How many times has Moi [Moises Caicedo] missed a pass? Many times. How many times has Nico [Jackson] missed a goal? Many times. How many times has Noni missed a cross? Many times. Robert has made four mistakes.

                    “It’s normal, there isn’t anything strange behind this.”

                    Maresca was speaking ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League match at Manchester City, where he was an assistant coach to Pep Guardiola for a year.

                    “My relationship with Pep and the club is very good,” the Italian said. “I have said many times my contact is very good, I will always be grateful for the trust they showed in me.

                    “Any club, any moment, any players. Most clubs who have this moment, they are done, but he will be okay.”

                    He continued: “Pep is strong enough. Like any human being, he needs support. In the last eight or nine years, they were always on top, always winning trophies and important things.”

                    Maresca was quick to dismiss title talk before a difficult run of form and has doubled down, arguing that his squad is not good enough to finish top of the Premier League.

                    “No, not for the title. If you look over December and January, we are having a tough moment.”

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                    United “closely analysing” talented Dutch international, would be perfect Garnacho replacement – report

                      united-“closely-analysing”-talented-dutch-international,-would-be-perfect-garnacho-replacement-–-report
                      United “closely analysing” talented Dutch international, would be perfect Garnacho replacement – report

                      Manchester United reportedly scouted Red Bull Leipzig’s Xavi Simons during their Champions League match with Sporting Lisbon earlier in the week.

                      It has already been relayed here that United were watching Sporting’s Francisco Trincao in the match but it also appears their scouts had eyes on another player in the game.

                      The Red Devils have already agreed a loan move to Real Betis for Antony and there is the very real chance they could lose one if not both of Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford in this window.

                      This would leave the Red Devils extremely light in attack and they will surely look to make a signing at striker or attacking midfielder if either player leaves.

                      Consequently, TBR Football report that “Manchester United scouted Xavi Simons during RB Leipzig’s 2-1 win against Sporting CP in the Champions League on Wednesday.”

                      “United have been interested in Simons since July, whose performance against Sporting was closely analysed as well,” the outlet added.

                      The Dutch international had a quiet game and was replaced after 61 minutes of the match.

                      The former Barcelona academy product has been in better form this season however, as he has five goals and three assists in 15 appearances.

                      He has also been battling an ankle injury for a big chunk of the season.

                      Simons has been on the club’s radar for a while as it was reported they were working on a deal for the midfielder in the summer.

                      It was also relayed here earlier in the winter window that the club still maintained an interest in the 21 year old.

                      Simons’ versatility and ability to play across numerous positions would certainly appeal to Ruben Amorim, especially if his options should begin to dwindle as the transfer window progresses.

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                      Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.

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