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Amorim planning ruthless January cull as United’s joint second-top scorer put “up for sale” – report

    amorim-planning-ruthless-january-cull-as-united’s-joint-second-top-scorer-put-“up-for-sale”-–-report

    After only 14 starts in all competitions last season, it seemed like Christian Eriksen’s time at Manchester United was coming to and end in the summer.

    He had made clear his dissatisfaction to Erik ten Hag, who in turn claimed that Kobbie Mainoo’s emergence was the main reason why the Dane’s minutes drastically decreased from his debut campaign.

    Despite exit rumours, the 32-year-old ended up staying at Old Trafford and surprisingly, once again became an integral piece of the puzzle for the former Ajax coach, making nine starts already this term.

    And he has also been among the goals, with the former Tottenham Hotspur star netting four times, emerging as the club’s joint second-top scorer, while also registering three assists.

    Eriksen renaissance

    Despite an impressive individual campaign, the team’s form was a mess and Ten Hag was eventually shown the door, which coincided with the Denmark international’s injury.

    Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte seem to have made the midfield partnership their own under interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy and Eriksen could find it hard to come back into the team under new head coach Ruben Amorim.

    The former Sporting Lisbon boss has already made it clear that he wants intensity from all his players and being 32, Eriksen might struggle on that front.

    As revealed by Givemesport, the Red Devils are seeking to move on the former Inter Milan man in January, which in turn would allow them to recoup a small fee.

    “Manchester United star Christian Eriksen is set to be among the first big-names to fall by the wayside during new boss Ruben Amorim’s Old Trafford reign as he is on course to be put up for sale when the transfer window reopens for business at the turn of the year, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.

    Eriksen out in January

    “The creative midfielder is poised to enter the final six months of his £150,000-per-week deal at the turn of the year, meaning he will be in a position to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with overseas suitors and the fast-approaching winter transfer window is poised to be the Red Devils’ final opportunity to cash in.”

    The Danish star’s passing remains unmatched but the energy and legs he offers in the middle of the park might not work in Amorim’s high-press style.

    And the player himself revealed that he has no clue about his future and is just looking to give his all in training once he does return to Manchester.

    The Portuguese tactician will have the final say on contract renewals and the future of several players other than Eriksen will also be on the line.

    Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images

    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

    “He has not been very lucky”: Summer recruit opens up on difficult start that eventually led to Ten Hag exit

      “he-has-not-been-very-lucky”:-summer-recruit-opens-up-on-difficult-start-that-eventually-led-to-ten-hag-exit

      Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt has emphasised that he is not to blame for Erik ten Hag’s sacking as club boss.

      Ten Hag was sacked late last month, following a string of poor performances and results, the culmination of which was a 2-1 loss at the hands of Premier League strugglers West Ham.

      The defeat was a controversial one as West Ham were awarded a dubious late penalty that ultimately secured them all three points at the London Stadium.

      There was a coming together inside the box between De Ligt and Danny Ings. Initially, on-field referee David Coote deemed that there was no infringement. However, VAR official Michael Oliver intervened and instructed Coote to head to the monitor for further review.

      Inevitably, Coote reversed his original decision and gave the Hammers a penalty. Jarrod Bowen made no mistake from the spot-kick as he beat Andre Onana. Less than 24 hours later, United confirmed they had parted ways with Ten Hag.

      PGMOL chief Howard Webb later admitted that it shouldn’t have been a penalty and Oliver was wrong to send Coote to the pitchside screen.

      De Ligt, who is currently away with the Netherlands on international duty, spoke to De Telegraaf and said that the blame for Ten Hag’s sacking does not lie with him.

      “Normally I am always self-critical and I can get annoyed about things that I do not do well. But here I could not do anything about it, I could not blame myself for it. The referee committee also called us to say that it was not a penalty.”

      He added about Ten Hag, “He brought me to Manchester, the goal was to achieve success together with Erik. He has not been very lucky. We played well in many matches, but we did not use the chances we got. It is a shame that it has to end like this. A dismissal can always be quite hard. We discussed some things.”

      De Ligt revealed that he has not yet had contact with Ruben Amorim.

      “He did well at Sporting, hopefully he can also take us to the next level. Amorim is not my first coach and he will not be my last coach. I did not only move to Manchester United for Ten Hag. It is still one of the biggest clubs in the world, I think. I just have to do my own thing and play well myself. I feel really fit now and things are going well. Hopefully I can continue that.”

      In September, De Ligt endured a difficult international break, making numerous high-profile errors in games against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany.

      These mistakes led to speculation over his position with the national team. According to the player, so much of the criticism aimed at him is down to his early breakthrough at Ajax, which came with heightened expectations.

      “Of course you’re disappointed because it was a kind of chance for me. And I actually played well. It’s a phase you’re in. I hadn’t played many minutes then. I know that I’m a player who needs minutes. Now I’ve played seven times in a row and I notice that I’m getting into my rhythm.”

      “Because of the past, something is expected of me, which is working against me a bit at the moment. The expectations were very high when I left the Netherlands, which means that it quickly becomes not good enough. That’s the difficult part.”

      He explained that he is not worried about competition and he feels really good at the moment because of how well things are going at United.

      Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images

      Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!

      The Day Ruben Amorim played Man Utd in 2012!

        Squeaky clean United coach “had to be held back” as he launched X-rated rant at match officials – report

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          Manchester United coach Darren Fletcher reportedly “had to be held back” by a colleague as he launched an X-rated rant at match officials during the comeback win over Brentford last month.

          Fletcher passionately protested when Ethan Pinnock scored against a 10-man United, after referee Sam Barrott sent Matthijs de Ligt off the field to stop the bleeding from a head wound.

          Then-manager Erik ten Hag and his assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy were both booked for their protests.

          It’s believed that Fletcher went a step further, confronting match officials in the tunnel. A few days ago, it emerged that the former United midfielder was handed a three-match touchline ban for the incident.

          He was also fined a sum of £7,500.

          Fresh details have now emerged, indicating that Fletcher aimed a furious rant at match officials, to the extent of being held back by another United staff member.

          The Independent Regulatory Commission have revealed their written reasons [via The Daily Mail] for Fletcher’s ban, with Barrott and three other assistant referees explaining how the former Scotland international conducted himself.

          Fourth official Gavin Ward detailed to the Commission, “Following the half time whistle and as I made my way up the tunnel, I was approached by Darren Fletcher of Manchester United in an extremely aggressive manner pointing and shouting at me ‘you are all f***ing shit, that is a f***ing joke, every f***ing week.’”

          “I asked him to calm down and highlighted that his behaviour was completely unacceptable at this point.”

          “He then needed to be held back by another member of staff, as he tried to get closer to me. With this, I turned away and continued to make my way to the match officials changing room.”

          “Once in the changing room and when the other match officials arrived, I made them aware of the conduct of Mr Fletcher.”

          It’s understood that the Commission viewed video evidence from the tunnel and concluded that Fletcher became “agitated and started to remonstrate with the Fourth Official, gesturing with his hands, shouting, and attempting to get closer to the Fourth Official in a confrontational manner. He is then held back and pushed away by a Manchester United colleague.”

          Fletcher had issued an apology and blamed his aggressive reaction on the controversial manner in which Pinnock’s goal came about.

          The 40-year-old insisted that he would have reacted differently if he had more time to calm down.

          Despite consideration of Fletcher’s impeccable disciplinary record as a player and coach, the Commission judged that the three-match touchline ban was “a fair and reasonable sanction given the confrontational behaviour displayed on the video evidence and the fact that there was an opportunity to leave the remonstration with the Fourth Official, but Mr Fletcher decided to carry on.”

          Fletcher already served the first of his three-match sanction last weekend, during the club’s 3-0 win over Leicester City.

          He will not be in the dugout alongside new boss Ruben Amorim for upcoming clashes vs. Ipswich Town and Everton on November 24 and December 1 respectively.

          Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!

          “Little bit unfortunate”: United coach says academy talent who made his debut under Ten Hag set to be out for “weeks”

            “little-bit-unfortunate”:-united-coach-says-academy-talent-who-made-his-debut-under-ten-hag-set-to-be-out-for-“weeks”

            Manchester United’s midfield reserves were severely depleted in recent games with multiple players missing. In fact, interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy used the same combination in all four of his games.

            Mason Mount only recently returned from injury, as did Christian Eriksen. Kobbie Mainoo remains sidelined along with academy talents Toby Collyer and Dan Gore.

            Both youngsters made their debuts under Erik ten Hag, with Gore’s first cap coming last season, while Collyer’s came this term with the Dutchman reportedly keen to hand him more minutes before his eventual sacking.

            Gore’s luck with injuries has not been that great with a shoulder injury keeping him out of action for a long time and just after making his return, another issue seems to have cropped up.

            Injury update

            As for the former Brighton academy star, he has returned to training on the grass after an issue that has kept him out for a month.

            United U21 manager Travis Binnion provided an injury update on the duo, stating that while Collyer is ready to return after the international break, Gore’s comeback could take weeks.

            He also provided an update on Sekou Kone, tipped to make his first-team debut this campaign itself, who was seen in crutches after the EFL Trophy game.

            “He’ll be back…. soon. Days, weeks…. like it’s short,” Binnion was quoted as saying by The Manchester Evening News. “It’s a short-term injury and he’s been a little bit unfortunate, just like Sekou Kone tonight.

            “When you’re coming back you’re probably at your most vulnerable so it’s a case of him doing what Sekou needs to do – getting games, staying fit and then he’ll be in a good place.”

            Will Amorim use Collyer

            “Toby Collyer has returned to the grass this week, so that’s a positive. These lads are good players, they need to get fit, stay fit and have a positive impact for the club,” Binnion added.

            Collyer’s engine could be something new head coach Ruben Amorim could turn to for cup games with the Portuguese known for his penchant for giving youth a chance.

            As for Gore, he needs to maintain his fitness and get a run of games in for the reserves and hopefully, another loan opportunity will arrive and which can help catapult him into the manager’s attention.

            He was linked with a surprise move to Borussia Dortmund but United refused before the England U20 international headed to Port Vale instead.

            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

            “A trophy brings hope, but…”: United star appears to deliver belated jab at sacked Ten Hag in frank interview

              “a-trophy-brings-hope,-but…”:-united-star-appears-to-deliver-belated-jab-at-sacked-ten-hag-in-frank-interview

              Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has seemingly aimed a belated public jab at Erik ten Hag regarding the 2023/24 season.

              Last term, United finished a lowly eighth. For large parts of the campaign, the Red Devils were harshly criticised for their inconsistent performances and results, which often left a lot to be desired.

              However, there was light at the end of the tunnel for Ten Hag and his players, as they managed to beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley. The trophy was Ten Hag’s second in as many years at Old Trafford.

              Mainoo scored the winning goal that sunk City. It’s believed that the victory played a big role in INEOS’ decision to afford Ten Hag more time at the club when many expected him to be sacked.

              Before he was eventually relieved of his duties late last month, Ten Hag often claimed in the media that the 2023/24 season was a success by virtue of lifting the FA Cup.

              In fact, he insisted that over the last two years, United had been the second-most successful team in England, just behind Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

              These statements weren’t received well by a section of the fanbase, who perceived them as excuses for the Dutchman’s failures in the dugout.

              Now, Mainoo has appeared to defy the assessments of his former boss, remarking that a cup win does not automatically translate to a successful season.

              Mainoo said in an interview with GQ, “We couldn’t go into the summer with nothing, just finishing where we finished in the table.”

              “A trophy brings hope. But it definitely didn’t make the season a success.”

              He added about the FA Cup triumph, “I remember just the feeling around it was like, no one expects us to win. They’ve just written us off. I used that as motivation. I won’t say it made the season a success for us as a team, but we definitely needed it.”

              Mainoo is currently undergoing rehabilitation for an injury he suffered a few weeks ago. He’s expected to make a return to action after the ongoing international break when Ruben Amorim kickstarts his reign as United boss.

              Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images

              Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!

              Van Nistelrooy showed his class with stirring final message to players before his cruel exit – report

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                In his final message as Manchester United’s interim manager, Ruud van Nistelrooy reportedly asked his players to back Ruben Amorim.

                Van Nistelrooy returned to United ahead of the new season to assist Erik ten Hag despite an impressive stint at PSV as their manager. However, INEOS’s decision to shake up Ten Hag’s backroom staff didn’t yield the desired results, and the Dutchman was eventually shown the exit door. 

                The former striker was given the responsibility to lead the Red Devils on an interim basis. He did a commendable job of steadying the ship, as United remained unbeaten and won three of their four games under his tutelage.

                According to The Sun, the fan favourite urged his players to “get behind” Amorim and “work hard to bring back the glory days under the new boss” before signing off as interim manager with a 3-0 win over Leicester City.

                A source supposedly told the outlet that the club legend was keen on staying at United but at the same time understood that Amorim might have his own ideas.

                The source added: “He told the players he was very happy to have come back and to have had the chance to manage the club for four games. It has helped his managerial career, increased his already strong ties with United and he hasn’t given up on the idea that he might be back one day.

                “He made all that clear to the players and demanded that they give their all to the new manager.”

                The Sun previously reported that the first team squad also wanted Van Nistelrooy to remain at Carrington under Amorim.

                However, Amorim clearly had different plans. He arrived at Carrington on Monday, and within hours it was announced that Van Nistelrooy as well as Rene Hake, Jelle ten Rouwelaar, and Pieter Morel had left the club.

                The Portuguese tactician enjoyed a remarkable level of success at Sporting CP with his trusted staff, who are expected to be part of his project in Manchester.

                It is understood that Carlos Fernandes, Emanuel Ferro, Adelio Candido, Jorge Vital, and Paulo Barreira will form the new United boss’s backroom staff.

                Interestingly, Amorim is set to keep Darren Fletcher and Andreas Georgson. The former has been at United since 2020 and the latter was added to the club’s staff by technical director Jason Wilcox in the summer.

                Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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

                United set for explosive transfer battle with Man City for “the future of Croatian football” – report

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                  Manchester United are chasing not one but two precocious Dinamo Zagreb midfielders, as reports claim the club are tracking Petar Sucic as well as teammate Martin Baturina.

                  Links to Baturina reached fever pitch earlier this week when it was reported that the “next Luka Modric” had turned down a contract offer from Real Madrid.

                  But according to TBR Football, he is not the only 21-year-old at the Maksimir Stadium who has caught United’s eye as well as that of their crosstown rivals.

                  The report states that “both Manchester clubs are amongst a host of sides doing their homework on Croatian starlets Petar Sucic and Martin Baturina.”

                  It continues to note that the pair, along with Petar’s cousin Luka, are “seen as the future of Croatian football”. All three are fully-fledged members of the international side, with Sucic grabbing a goal and an assist in the recent Nations League fixture with Poland, which ended 3-3.

                  Sucic is a deep-lying playmaker who has nailed down a starting role at Dinamo Zagreb this season despite his tender years.

                  In 17 appearances this season, he has picked up three goals and two assists, impressing on the biggest stage with important contributions in the Champions League.

                  He sat out his side’s 9-2 humbling by Bayern Munich, but opened the scoring in their 2-2 draw with Monaco with an assist from Baturina.

                  He then netted in their most recent match in the competition, a 4-1 win at Slovan Bratislava, and picked up his first league goal of the season earlier this month.

                  TBR Football report that a number of clubs from all over Europe are interested in one or both of the exciting young talents, so United have anything but a clear run should they look to bring either on board.

                  German sides Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig are credited with a particular interest in Sucic.

                  Portuguese heavyweights Porto, Benfica and Sporting CP have also reportedly been keeping an eye on the youngster, who is contracted at Dinamo Zagreb until 2028.

                  Feature image Jasmin Walter via Getty Images

                  Joe has spent more than half his life writing about football and all of it following United. As a child he told a doctor his name was ‘Paul Scholes’, but could never pick a pass like him no matter how much he tried.

                  “He’s a really smart manager…but…”: United star strongly suggests Amorim may have to abandon 3-4-3 system

                    “he’s-a-really-smart-manager…but…”:-united-star-strongly-suggests-amorim-may-have-to-abandon-3-4-3-system

                    Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has suggested that Ruben Amorim may be forced to abandon his preferred 3-4-3 system that made him so successful at Sporting Lisbon.

                    Amorim arrived at United on Monday to officially take over his new role as head coach. A day later, he was photographed greeting a number of the players including Leny Yoro, Kobbie Mainoo, Toby Collyer, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw.

                    The Portuguese is just awaiting his visa before he can take charge of training sessions at Carrington. This process is expected to conclude swiftly.

                    Amorim guided Sporting to the Liga Portugal title in 2021 and 2024. The last time the Lions had won it was in 2002. When he departed, he left the Estadio Jose Alvalade outfit in top position in the league, having won all 11 of their matches.

                    After beating Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City 4-1, Sporting are also in a very good position to advance to the next stage of the Champions League.

                    Central to that success has been his 3-4-3 approach, which emphasises defensive compactness. There has been plenty of speculation over whether Amorim will seek to implement this playing style at United.

                    According to Fernandes, Amorim may have to go a different way.

                    The skipper told club media, “He’s a really smart manager that has done really good things for Sporting tactically – it’s really good, what I’ve seen from the games for Sporting.”

                    “But obviously as we always speak, you can’t bring or transform what he has done at Sporting into here, because you have different players, you have different ways of play 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. That’s what I hope and I’m pretty sure that [is what] he hopes too.”

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                    Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!

                    United take drastic early legal action against Man City over financial breaches – report

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                      Manchester United are reportedly among four Premier League clubs who have lodged legal notices for the right to receive compensation in the event that Manchester City are found guilty of their 115 breaches of financial rules.

                      City’s case is currently being heard by an independent commission and if they’re found guilty, the reigning champions could be kicked out of the top flight.

                      Among other things, City are being accused of failing to provide accurate financial information for nine separate seasons beginning 2009 and not availing the full details of Roberto Mancini and other players’ pay during their time at the Etihad Stadium.

                      An outcome on the case is not expected before the close of the year.

                      If the charges against City are proven, clubs could claim for loss of income as a result of missing out on Champions League qualification and any other European competition and the Premier League title. These claims could run into the hundreds of millions of pounds.

                      According to Martyn Ziegler of The Times reveals, “Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have taken the step of formally registering possible compensation claims via arbitration before a potential statute of limitations deadline last week.”

                      “The commission can make an order for compensation to be paid but it is understood that, because of laws around time limits to register such claims, there was concern among the clubs that it would be too late to wait until the case had been resolved.”

                      “The compensation notices were served after the four clubs were advised by lawyers there was a potential six-year statute of limitations period dating from November 5, 2018, when the German website Der Spiegel first published the Football Leaks documents.”

                      Despite the fact that City’s alleged rule breaches date as far back as 2009, the UK’s 1980 Limitation Act – which sets a six-year limit for legal claims regarding contract breaches – includes an exception for cases where the breach was concealed. This exception permits the six-year period to start from when the details of the alleged breaches became public.

                      Ziegler explains that clubs cannot directly sue each other in court but can seek legal redress through arbitration.

                      It’s understood that United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs declined to comment when contacted by The Times for comment on the matter.

                      Meanwhile, the Red Devils are back in action on November 24 when they travel to Portman Road to face Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town.

                      Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!

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