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The ruthless test Amorim will put every United player through to prove themselves worthy of the shirt – report

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    Ruben Amorim is expected to usher in a new standard of physical fitness at Manchester United through the use of “skin fold tests” which estimate a player’s body-fat percentage, a former coach at Sporting Lisbon reveals.

    “When we were together at Sporting, I would tell Ruben that a certain player had too many skin folds,” the coach reveals in an interview with Pete Hall (inews).

    “If he had what we agreed were too many, that player would not play for two weeks, until they got their fitness back up.”

    Often in recent years at Old Trafford, the squad have been excused of poor discipline or a lack of application.

    United’s inability to handle the increasingly physical demands of Premier League football have been largely driven by poor recruitment choices. But there is also a lack of fitness and physical preparedness underpinning some members of the dressing room.

    Hall contends substandard fitness will not be tolerated during Amorim’s reign given “pressing from the front, as a unit, at an elevated level of intensity is integral to the [39-year-old coach’s] modus operandi.”

    If a player falls foul of being judged too ‘fat’, they will be forced to train harder to be judged ‘fit’, Amorim’s former coach reveals.

    “It is not punishment, banning players with too many skin folds,” the Sporting coach states. “It is about getting standards across, to young players learning what it takes, and older ones who may have forgotten. It is one of many ways we found that extra level.”

    “It’s not technical or tactical,” he adds. “But being so obsessed with players being at their optimal fitness levels is something that helps you discover who has the desire and character to succeed. You have to want it to get there [the top].

    “It is not something people see, but does not make it less important.”

    The early impressions from Amorim’s tenure at Old Trafford appear to centre around work rate and physicality. The Portuguese manager is likely to be confident in his ability to coach a squad with as much talent as United’s into playing his novel 3-4-3 system effectively.

    What he cannot do, however, is make the squad magically fit if fitness is not already there. And the only way to play Amorim’s aggressive and fast style of proactive football is to be fit, not fat; if you fall foul of this precept, you won’t play at all.

    Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images

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    Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.

    Italian giants hold talks with United to sell 26-yo midfielder in January, €50m to seal deal – report

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      Juventus held transfer talks with Manchester United and Manchester City this week, as per reports in Italy.

      Amorim’s first match in charge of United was enough to underline that the Red Devils would need reinforcements in the upcoming transfer windows to shape the squad into one he can work with and compete at the highest level.

      It remains unclear how ambitious the club’s hierarchy would be in January, having already spent big in the summer to back Erik ten Hag’s project. But it is being suggested United have already started exploring the transfer market and held a meeting with Juventus’ transfer chief.

      According to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Juve technical director Cristiano Giuntoli held transfer talks with United on Wednesday, as Juventus travelled to England to face Aston Villa. The director also spoke with the noisy neighbours.

      The outlet claims the Old Lady intend to sell Nicolò Fagioli and Douglas Luiz to the two Premier League sides.

      Juve are looking to strengthen their backline and add a new goalscorer to their ranks in January, and their aim is to raise funds by selling the two midfielders.

      Fagioli, 23, known for his passing range and dribbling, is valued at between €20-25m.

      Premier League fans are well aware of Luiz, 26, who established himself as a key part of Villa’s midfield with his defensive prowess and ability to score from midfield.

      The Brazilian box-to-box midfielder moved to Turin this summer, but he has struggled to replicate his Villa form under Thiago Motta. It is understood that the Serie A side would request €50m or be willing to use him to carry out a swap deal.

      With both Casemiro and Christian Eriksen in their thirties, United could certainly do with someone like Luiz, who has the technical ability and physicality to shine in the Premier League.

      Further, Juventus have been linked with Harry Maguire and Joshua Zirkzee in recent weeks so the possibility of a swap deal can’t be ruled out.

      However, it is worth noting that Gazzetta didn’t shed any light on United’s stance on the possibility of signing Fagioli or Luiz in the winter transfer window. 

      Featured image Simone Alveda via Getty Images

      Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

      Vishal has covered football for over five years. Currently a writer at The Peoples Person. Big fan of ball-playing center-backs!

      Ruben Amorim says he is ready to unleash United’s “greatest weapon” in Europe tonight

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        Ruben Amorim has issued a rallying cry to Manchester United fans before he takes charge of his first game at Old Trafford this evening (Thursday).

        The new United head coach believes United fans are one of the “greatest weapons” at his disposal and has called for them to get behind the team tonight.

        As reported by The Express, the Portuguese coach couldn’t hide his delight when writing his first programme notes for the club ahead of the Europa League clash with Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt.

        “To be writing my first programme notes as head coach of Manchester United is an honour and a privilege.

        “I honestly feel that I am where I am supposed to be, and I promise that I will do everything I can to put this club where it needs to be,” he penned.

        Amorim is well aware of the size of the task that faces him but firmly believes he and his team are up for the challenge and desperate to succeed in Manchester.

        “I know, of course, that there is a lot of work to be done here. It is a huge responsibility, but I have the clear sense that everyone involved with Manchester United is so hungry and determined to succeed.

        We must be excited by the opportunity to write a new chapter. Every player and member of staff here has the ability to contribute to that mission, and there is far more potential here than the season so far has suggested,” he said.

        The 39-year-old then called on the fans to play their part and fully get behind the team as he leads the club into a new era.

        “Now, I cannot fix this situation alone, and neither can any of the players or staff. This is not about any individual at the club. This is about what we can become together by working hard, enjoying ourselves and having no fear.

        I must say that, for all the potential inside the club, I believe one of the greatest weapons of Manchester United is the fanbase,” he added.

        Amorim concluded by stating he feels there is “no limit” to what United can achieve during his tenure if the fans, players, and staff are pulling in the same direction.

        The Portuguese coach will be expected to get off to a good start in front of home support tonight with United looking to edge closer to qualification from the league table in Europe.

        Featured image Richard Pelham via Getty Images

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        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.

        Captain’s creativity will be key to gifting Amorim his first United win on Old Trafford debut

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          Manchester United entertain Norwegian Champions Bodo/Glimt this evening (Thursday), on Matchday five of this season’s Europa League.

          Ruben Amorim will make his Old Trafford bow in front of expectant home support with United eager to secure their first back-to-back wins in Europe this year.

          United need the points after picking up just three points from their opening three fixtures, leaving them behind the chasing pack in the Europa League table.

          The game also represents another opportunity for United to get used to the 3-4-3 formation Amorim deploys and individually show the new head coach they are capable of adapting to his methods.

          Lack of pace in United’s back three was evident in Sunday’s draw with Ipswich but with players returning from injury, the long term should hold a brighter for Amorim.

          Lisandro Martinez or Luke Shaw could start in the left centre-back role, both equally capable to plug the gaps the 3-4-3 formation leaves either side of the midfield duo as well as filling in the left-back role when required.

          Noussair Mazraoui is adept at playing that role on the right and is expected to feature once more tonight, with Matthijs de Ligt likely the centre piece of the back three.

          Pace was again an issue in United’s midfield on Sunday, but with Manuel Ugarte now suitably rested from his international exploits he will no doubt come into the side and be key to the pressing style Amorim favours.

          United have not been used to squeezing in high areas in the last few years but winning the ball back as close to the opposition’s goal will be the target tonight.

          The front three also have a huge role to play in the pressing and will be tasked with nicking the ball off the Bodo/Glimt defenders and making the short trip to goal a profitable one.

          The Norwegians are in good form and will look to keep the ball on the deck, which will hopefully play into United’s hands.

          In possession, United will look to get the ever-present Bruno Fernandes into the pockets with the captain now expected to play a lot closer to the oppositions goal.

          Getting Bruno into dangerous areas should lead to a fruitful evening given his quality and consistent output.

          United’s forward players will all be desperate to get on the scoresheet with the two attacking spots in-and-around Fernandes more than up for grabs.

          The wing-backs will look to have the same impact as United’s best outfield player on Sunday, Amad Diallo, who provided a fine assist for Marcus Rashford and will hope to continue his good form, if selected.

          Given United’s quality, Amorim will be confident of registering a win at the first time of asking in his new home and take his side a step closer to automatic qualification from the first round of a competition he will ultimately fancy winning.

          Featured image Nathan Stirk 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.

          Man Utd reveal true cost of Amorim appointment to hand Man City boost in €20m battle for Serie A star

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            Manchester United have revealed the true cost of sacking Erik ten Hag and hiring Ruben Amorim, highlighting the need for the new head coach to work with what he’s got for the club to abide by profit and sustainability regulations (PSR).

            The United quarterly accounts published this week revealed Ten Hag severance costs of £10.4m after the Dutchman was sacked just four months after being handed a new contract in the summer.

            And the Red Devils chiefs then decided to pay Sporting the compensation required to hire Amorim, with an extra £1m paid on top of the £10m buyout clause so that the Portuguese boss didn’t need to see out his full notice and could move to Old Trafford at the start of the international break earlier this month.

            The £10.4m to sack Ten Hag also included pay-offs to other members of his staff, with the costs important as – just like player signings and wages – they will count towards United’s compliance with PSR.

            Various reports since Amorim’s appointment have claimed the new manager will have a small budget – if any at all – to improve his squad in January, with the club bosses instead urging him to nurture the untapped talent already available to him.

            It means they will likely lose battles with rival clubs looking to sign players in January, like Manchester City, who – along with United – have been targeted by Juventus sporting director Cristiano Guintoli as a possible landing spot a midfielder as they want to raise cash to reinvest in other areas of the squad, according to reports in Italy.

            Guintoli is said to have travelled with the team for their clash with Aston Villa and planned to then stop off in Manchester to talk to both United and City about possible player sales.

            Fagioli – who’s started just four Serie A games for Juventus this season and is valued at €20m by Transfermarkt – is thought to be the player Guintoli is pimping around Manchester, while former Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz is another midfielder up for grabs as Juve want funds to sign a centre-back and a striker.

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            Guintoli would be wise not to bother with United though if they want a permanent transfer as Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS focus on cost-cutting measures rather than the improvement of their squad, the latest of which was described as ‘offensive’ by the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST).

            United sent an email to members of the Fans Forum on Tuesday announcing the changes, which will mean remaining tickets for home games this season will all be priced at £66, no matter the age of the person buying them.

            The email states that more than 97 per cent of tickets have already been sold, with five-age related discounts applied to those tickets, but have done away with those concessions to help improve ‘operational efficiencies’ and ‘stabilise revenues’.

            The club also said all cancelled or donated season ticket holder tickets will now be sold at adult price and that they’re removing the 25 per cent discount for Europa League knockout games.

            MUST are angry at the change and the lack of consultation involved and have issued a statement.

            ‘This means that for an adult member to take their kid to a game in the remainder of this season will cost £132. Well over double the minimum price they could pay to do it today. And this change is happening overnight, immediately.

            ‘The club has provided zero consultation on the matter, neither with the Forum nor the Fan Advisory Board nor MUST.

            ‘Suffice it to say, that the idea that the fans must pay their ‘fair share’ for the club’s excesses and/or mismanagement — and above all, the Glazers lack of investment over two decades — is offensive.

            ‘We fans have done everything we have been asked. We have cheered the players on even in the face of substandard performance. We have gone to matches and abided by the new usage rules for tickets. We have taken on a price increase this year.

            ‘There is a risk that this is only the opening salvo of what will surely be massive pressure to implement a significant price rise for next season. Once they have got used to charging £132 for a parent and child to come to Old Trafford, will they really go back to the old pricing levels for next season?

            ‘If the club has a need for short term capital they should issue new shares, as they did when INEOS first arrived, and bring in funding from existing or new shareholders.

            ‘We have objected to this action in the strongest possible terms, both for the action itself and the complete lack of consultation, which is a step backward based on the process we had agreed with the club before INEOS’ arrival.

            ‘Over the coming days MUST will be seeking urgent discussions with the club to get them to listen to fans’ concern at this policy. United fans have sucked up a lot. We will not be silent on this and we need to be prepared to resist any attempts to further drive up ticket prices.’

            Robbie Savage: Diary of a Football Manager: Keane’s clash and coping with abuse…

              robbie-savage:-diary-of-a-football-manager:-keane’s-clash-and-coping-with-abuse…

              Robbie Savage: Diary of a Football Manager: Keane’s clash, cameras and coping with abuse…

              Robbie Savage is used to what Roy Keane faced at Ipswich – and much worse. Ignoring abuse, though, doesn’t stop it. So the Macclesfield manager has to take measures…

              In association with Planet Sport Bet, Robbie is taking us behind the scenes each week at Macclesfield FC, the phoenix club rising from the ashes of Macclesfield Town, who went bust in 2020. 

              Robbie has played one of the leading roles in the rebirth of a now-thriving football club, first as director of football, now as first-team manager as the Silkmen seek to climb their way from the ninth tier back to the Football League. 

              In his third diary entry, Robbie discusses the end of the Silkmen’s unbeaten league record, and gives us an insight into the abuse he and other high-profile figures in the game endure on a daily basis, and what he has to do to protect himself…

              Roy Keane surprised me on Sunday. I’ve been in that position so many times, and I find myself there on an almost-daily basis. But, tempting as it is to react to mindless abuse, you just can’t do it.

              What’s the point? Who wins then? Not me, not Roy, nor anyone in the public eye. It’s the idiot with the mouth, and more often than not, a camera, pointed to catch a moment they can share with their mates and, inevitably, the rest of the world on social media.

              The abuse in football reached the point where I feel the need for a camera of my own.

              Wherever we go across the Northern Premier League, it’s all on film, captured by a bodycam worn by one of my staff members.

              Why? I have to protect myself. From over-aggression and from mistruths. If someone says I reacted badly, the provocation doesn’t matter, it’s the reaction that’s the story. Without proof, denying it is almost as pointless as reacting in the first place.

              And there’s no low that some people haven’t sunk to get a bite. I’ve had the worst things you can imagine screamed at me: things about my dad when he died; my family; and my sons… my natural instinct might be to hit back, but I learned long ago to ignore it. Which often serves to wind people up even more.

              It was one thing copping dog’s abuse from the crowd as a player in the Premier League. There, you’re on the pitch, generally beyond spitting distance from the crowd, insulated by stewards and police. You won’t find the same protection in the seventh tier.

              That’s not always a bad thing. Often, the closeness you get in the more intimate settings around the NPL can prompt some fantastic interactions with big-hearted, genuine people. On Tuesday at Mickleover, where we lost our status as the country’s only remaining unbeaten side, the hosts were wonderful and warm.

              But so often now people lose sight of what is acceptable. Booze blurs the line, and other things that might prompt punters to act more aggressively are becoming an increasing problem in the game too.

              It’s not just in football. It’s simply jealousy. If you drive a nice car abroad, people might be pleased for you but, generally, they don’t care. Here, so many more want to knock those people down.

              That’s why I don’t drive my car to matches anymore. Too often I’ve had opposition fans, even players, throw things at it or scratch it. It’s just not worth the hassle, so I don’t bother.

              It doesn’t have to be a Macclesfield game. I was at a match recently scouting an opponent, and there was all sorts being shouted at me and sung at me. Then, at half-time, those same people were asking me for selfies. So I smile and oblige.

              Maybe that encourages those people to think that abusive behaviour – not banter – is acceptable. But I can’t challenge every instance of what’s becoming the norm, because then the story becomes me and my reaction. Like it has with Roy this week.

              Robbie Savage’s Diary: Why I became a boss at Macclesfield | Stress, shootouts and panenkas

              Next up for Macc: Workington (A)
              We go to Cumbria on Saturday on the back of our first league defeat of the season at Mickleover in midweek.

              As I said last week, the games against the teams fighting for their lives will be the ones that define our season, and I was delighted with the players after beating Blyth Spartans 6-0 on Saturday. But the unbeaten record was ended by a side also scrapping towards the bottom and Mickleover were worthy winners. We hit the woodwork five times and could have scored six again. But we left too much space for our hosts and they too could have scored more goals. All credit to them.

              I won’t criticise my players – how could I? We went 17 games unbeaten and currently hold a 13-point lead at the top of the table. They have been brilliant for me this season and I don’t doubt that our first defeat will renew the focus in the squad to achieve promotion. I expect a positive response and I’m sure they will give me one.

              Robbie Savage is a brand ambassador for Planet Sport Bet

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              Arne Slot’s Liverpool have actually beaten zero Proper Teams so far this season, including Real Madrid

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                Remember when everyone was reserving judgement on Arne Slot until Liverpool had beaten a Proper Team? Well, we’re still waiting.

                Liverpool have won 17 of their 19 games in all competitions so far this season, taking them to the summit of both the Premier League and Champions League tables, and through to the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup. Well done them, well done Arne Slot etc etc.

                But with a crocked and hopeless Manchester City to come on Sunday after they put the shadow of Real Madrid to the sword on Wednesday we’re starting to wonder whether they can go the whole season without beating anyone decent. Pep Guardiola’s head scratchers certainly won’t count and according to our meticulously tested and unimpeachable definition, they are yet to play A Proper Team this season.

                In chronological order we’re going to expose all of the 17 teams so far defeated by Merseyside’s flat-track bullies for the improper opponents they’ve been.

                Ipswich 0-2 Liverpool
                They were in League One just over a year before, playing their first Premier League game for over two decades; you can count the number of their players with top-flight experience on one hand, who have a collective market value of £160m (the lowest in the Premier League) compared to Liverpool’s £775m.

                Liverpool 2-0 Brentford
                Brentford are the most two-faced team in the Premier League and Liverpool played the one that’s red raw from being slapped about by near enough everyone that’s had the chance. 16 points from a possible 18 at the Gtech and 1 from 18 away from home. Thomas Frank’s team become improper the moment they get on a bus.

                Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool
                Hahahaha. Come on. The most unserious, improper team going.

                Milan 1-3 Liverpool
                As Liverpool know as well as anyone, being a Chelsea reject isn’t necessarily cause for rebuke but in this case calling Milan a team of Chelsea rejects serves its belittling purpose and makes victory over them far less impressive than beating a team of players yet to be rejected by Chelsea, which – as we will soon prove beyond doubt – also isn’t impressive.

                Liverpool 3-0 Bournemouth
                Ten games previously at Anfield: one draw; nine defeats; aggregate score of 30-6.

                Liverpool 5-1 West Ham 
                Carabao Cup, so doesn’t really count anyway even before you consider it was a victory over West Ham, who don’t count; particularly not in domestic cups having failed to reach a semi-final since Carlton Cole was leading their line.

                Wolves 1-2 Liverpool
                Literally the worst team in the Premier League at this point, who had conceded more goals (14) than anyone and got hit for five by Brentford in the very next game. The shock (and embarrassment) was Liverpool only winning 2-1.

                Liverpool 2-0 Bologna
                Playing in their first Champions League campaign ever and first European competition of any sort in over two decades having lost the manager who got them there to Juventus in the summer, when they also made their two biggest sales of all time in Riccardo Calafiori and Joshua Zirkzee and made a £50m surplus to balance the books. They’d won one of six Serie A games before their trip to Anfield.

                Crystal Palace 0-1 Liverpool
                The second-worst team in the Premier League that had scored five goals in six games at this stage, experiencing a Glasnerball comedown of epic proportions despite Oliver Glasner still being in charge, with all of that joy apparently tied up in a guy that left for Bayern Munich and another guy they shouldn’t have sold to Fulham over the guy they could have got £60m+ from Newcastle for.

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                Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
                A team that finished 19 points behind them last season and 23 the season before when they finished 12th, who have failed to beat Liverpool in any of their previous 10 attempts in all competitions, who came into this game with their most significant victory under a manager with next to no Premier League experience over Brighton at home.

                RB Leipzig 0-1 Liverpool
                They have zero points from five Champions League games and lost 3-1 to f***ing Celtic two weeks after Liverpool.

                Brighton 2-3 Liverpool
                Carabao Cup. Brighton second XI. Next.

                Liverpool 2-1 Brighton
                “19 first division titles, six European Cups, eight FA Cups and ten League Cups, wbu?”

                “Errrm, two third division titles, two fourth division titles and the English supercup in 1911.”

                Liverpool 4-0 Bayer Leverkusen 
                Last season, sure, but this term they’ve failed to win (5D 1L) more games than they’ve won (5) in their hangover of a Bundesliga season and are behind the team that lost to f***ing Celtic having conceded more goals (18) in 11 games than 16th-placed St. Pauli (14).

                Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa
                Their only Premier League points against a top-half team came courtesy of a win over an unlikely top-half team in Fulham and they’ve not won any of their last seven in all competitions, with Liverpool joining Spurs, Crystal Palace and Club Brugge as their vanquishers in their worst spell under Unai Emery.

                Southampton 2-3 Liverpool
                Comfortably the worst Premier League team who were even more generous than usual in their goal-gifting.

                Liverpool 2-0 Real Madrid
                Oooo we beat the European champions, Conor Bradley’s a lad, Alexis Mac Allister’s got a wand of a right foot. Sure, enjoy it. But guys, that wasn’t the real Real Madrid.

                Kylian Mbappe was Eden-Hazard-at-Madrid-levels of terrible, Jude Bellingham spent at least half of the game on the floor, Luka Modric finally looks old and they were without the second and fourth-best players in the world.

                United legend building up a reputation like Sir Alex Ferguson at new club – report

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                  Wayne Rooney

                  Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is developing a reputation as a coach who enjoys dealing in last-minute goals at Plymouth Argyle.

                  Of course United have a storied history in this regard, mainly built up during the Sir Alex Ferguson era, that would be known as ‘Fergie Time’.

                  The Scotsman would often be seen examining his watch and chewing gum ferociously as he awaited the inevitable siege on goal from his team in search of a last gasp winner.

                  This was most famously displayed on a warm May night in Barcelona when two added time goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer delivered the Champions League and the treble in 1999.

                  Rooney was less than impressed by his side as they lost 6-1 to Norwich City during the week and asserted that his under 18 side would have put up more fight than his team did.

                  Nonetheless, the Plymouth Herald have highlighted that Rooney has very much learnt and applied the art of the late goal from his previous employers.

                  “So often have Argyle grabbed last-gasp goals at Home Park in the Championship this season that the term ‘Rooney Time’ seems to be appropriate.”

                  “The latest example came when the Pilgrims twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Watford at Home Park in a Sky-televised clash under the Friday night floodlights.”

                  “Rooney has seen his Pilgrims’ side score five of their 17 Championship goals this season in 90-plus minutes of home matches. That is 29.4 per cent of their total, an astonishingly high figure.”

                  All of the late strikes have been at their stadium in front of the Devonport End, and four of the goals have turned defeat to a draw or a draw to a victory.

                  Rooney’s Plymouth have not had it all their own way by any stretch of the imagination as they sit 20th in the Championship and one point from the relegation zone.

                  The United legend will need to show he has more tricks up his sleeve than just late strikes if he is to save his job and rebuild his reputation as a manager after his disastrous stay at Birmingham City last year.

                  Latest Top Stories…

                  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.

                  Man Utd re-sign striker, Guardiola replaces Walker as five stars return to former PL clubs in potential transfers

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                    Danny Welbeck to solve Manchester United’s striker crisis, anyone? Here are five stars who could return to their former Premier League clubs in January…

                    Douglas Luiz to Aston Villa
                    One of the summer’s more surprising deals saw Luiz leave Aston Villa as part of a cash-plus-player swap deal with Serie A giants Juventus.

                    The Brazil international’s value soared last season as he was one of the Premier League’s standout midfielders, though his exit was a necessary evil that enabled Aston Villa to – at the very last minute – avoid a points deduction for breaching Profit and Sustainability rules. In this case, the grass has not been greener for club or player.

                    Much is being made of Man City’s ongoing crisis, but Aston Villa are also going through a rough patch and are below even Manchester United in the calendar year table.

                    As for Luiz, Juventus are proving to be the right club at the wrong time as he’s made just two Serie A starts and been out of action for a month with a muscle injury.

                    A shock move to Man Utd has been mooted to save him from his nightmare spell at Juventus, but Villa president Monchi has opened the door to re-signing the 26-year-old: “After his farewell, we invested well, but I would always take Douglas back, for any club. He’s very strong.”

                    READ: Ten Premier League players who desperately need a January transfer

                    Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Leicester City
                    Of the six Premier League stars regretting their summer transfer                    , Dewsbury-Hall is surely rueing his deal the hardest as he’s proved to be an entirely pointless signing for Chelsea.

                    The signing made sense on paper as Dewsbury-Hall was reuniting with former Leicester boss Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge, but he is clearly not an upgrade on England international Conor Gallagher, who is benefiting from working with Diego Simeone in a match made in gritty heaven.

                    After shining under Maresca to guide Leicester to the Championship title last season, Dewsbury-Hall has been reduced to being a Conference player for Chelsea and has only been on the pitch for 44 minutes in the Premier League.

                    There’s no doubting Dewsbury-Hall’s ability, but he would have been better off accepting Brighton instead of snubbing the Seagulls for Chelsea.

                    With this ideal transfer presumably off the table for now, Dewsbury-Hall could do worse than return to Leicester City on loan to earn some much-needed Premier League game time.

                    Chris Wood to Newcastle United
                    One of the pleasantly surprising elements of this curious season has been the emergence of unexpected names in the chasing pack for Erling Haaland’s Golden Boot crown, which will inevitably still be won by the Man City superstar.

                    One such contender is Nottingham Forest’s N0.11 as Wood is a beneficiary of Nuno Espirito Santo’s feel-good comeback story.

                    After netting 14 goals in his first full season at Forest, Wood has been freakishly clinical at the start of this campaign, scoring eight goals in his 12 matches.

                    Newcastle felt it necessary to offload Wood during the 2023 January transfer window after he slipped behind Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson in the pecking order, but circumstances have changed.

                    While Newcastle will be pleased that Isak has overcome a sluggish start to the 2024/25 campaign, the constant reports linking him with Arsenal will be concerning.

                    In an ideal world, Eddie Howe’s side would retain the Sweden international and build their team around the forward, but Wood would be a very able deputy.

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                    Liam Delap to Manchester City
                    Nothing has come close to topping Man City’s foolish decision to offload Cole Palmer; at least they were wise enough to include a buy-back clause in their deal with Ipswich Town for Delap.

                    Though this says a lot about Thomas Tuchel’s lack of options, 21-year-old Delap has rapidly emerged as England’s most obvious replacement for Harry Kane for Ipswich this season. 

                    His impressive tally of six goals in 12 Premier League games tells its own story. But he’s proven there are more strings to his bow as an all-around striker and has already given Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa a torrid time.

                    Delap has fared better as an ever-present for Ipswich rather than playing second fiddle to Erling Haaland, but Man City are reportedly ‘plotting a sensational move’ to re-sign the Englishman as Guardiola is ‘demanding’ signings to halt their ongoing crisis.

                    READ: Five reasons Man City are absolutely rotten this season (and it’s not just Rodri)

                    Pedro Porro to Manchester City
                    While Man City have Haaland (which may not be for much longer if Barcelona gets their way)                    , their transfer priorities lie away from the striking department.

                    Given the prolonged absence of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, it is not surprising to hear that the signing of a Liverpool target is the ‘absolute priority’. Still, a move to replace a past-it Kyle Walker should be another of Hugo Viana’s first missions as sporting director.

                    Walker has been on the decline for way over a year and matters were made worse at the weekend as Tottenham winger Timo Werner outthought and outpaced the speedy full-back with alarming ease for his side’s fourth goal at the Etihad.

                    Guardiola already has 20-year-old Rico Lewis, but it remains to be seen where the versatile youngster will land when he matures into a specialised position. Alternatively, Man City could repeat the Walker trick and raid Tottenham for Porro, who progressed through the ranks at the Etihad.

                    The Portugal international has elbowed Trent Alexander-Arnold out of our Premier League team of the season so far and Spurs could face a fight to keep him amid potential interest from Man City and further afield.

                    Danny Welbeck to Manchester United
                    Gary Neville doesn’t think Man Utd should have let Welbeck leave                     and the 34-year-old’s recent form suggests The Overlap supremo may be right.

                    United have been dire across the pitch for much of this season, but their biggest issues are in the striking department. Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have just four goals between them and Ruben Amorim’s side are nearly in the relegation zone for goals from open play this term.

                    Meanwhile, Welbeck is flourishing under Fabian Hurzeler (he’s 31, by the way) and has six goals in 12 Premier League appearances.

                    The veteran forward’s output has increased substantially this season, but he has consistently outperformed United’s current forwards since leaving the club.

                    While INEOS would likely be lambasted for re-signing Welbeck, this kind of short-term fix could be perfect for Amorim’s United as the pressure can be taken off their misfiring forwards before a big-name upgrade potentially arrives in the summer.

                    United to land “elite attacker” in January as exciting 4 man shortlist drawn up – report

                      united-to-land-“elite-attacker”-in-january-as-exciting-4-man-shortlist-drawn-up-–-report

                      Manchester United have reportedly drawn up a four-man striker shortlist as they aim to strengthen this position in the January window.

                      Goals have long been a problem at United as they have only found the back of the net 13 times in 12 league matches this season.

                      They only scored 57 goals in total last season in the Premier League as well, proving that this is not just a blip but a recurring problem the squad suffers from.

                      One of the biggest issues is that the club severely lacks an experienced goal-getter and relies heavily on two largely unproven young strikers in the form of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.

                      New coach Ruben Amorim’s stance on the issue was made clear when he selected Marcus Rashford to start as the lone front man against Ipswich Town, despite the player stating in the past he is better from a wide position.

                      Sky Sports (via Fichajes) report that the United ownership “will do everything possible to please the Portuguese coach with a new star striker” as they are well aware of their shortcomings in this area.

                      “The sporting management has identified two key areas: a left-back and a top-level striker who guarantees goals, one of the most obvious deficiencies of the team in the first part of the season.”

                      “The investment in a goalscorer is more than assured, and United will not spare resources to bring in an elite attacker” and there are reportedly four names on the shortlist.

                      Nigerian duo Victor Boniface and Victor Osimhen are both potential options and have both been linked to a move to Old Trafford according to other outlets this week.

                      Boniface’s “value on the market has skyrocketed, making him one of the most attractive prospects on the scene” and Osimhen’s form in Türkiye shows he is still an elite level attacker according to the outlet.

                      Randal Kolo Muani from Paris Saint Germain and Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt are another two options and yet again, have been recently linked to a move to the club.

                      With Kolo-Muani being available on loan, he would represent the most likely January deal for the club to make but Fichajes finish by claiming, “United are looking to secure an impact signing and everything points to January being key to their competitive future”, so may feel splashing the cash is justified now, rather than waiting to the summer.

                      Feature image Ahmad Mora via Getty Images

                      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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