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“Lost faith”: Fernandes gives worrying reason for reaction of United’s “difference maker” against Leicester

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    Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has claimed Alejandro Garnacho is unhappy with a section of the club’s fans, hence his lack of celebration against Leicester City yesterday afternoon.

    The Argentine has been a revelation for the club and in the last two years as he has gone from a promising Youth Cup winner to one of the side’s main attackers.

    Despite being only 20 years old, he has played 18 matches this season, scoring seven goals and providing four assists in all competitions.

    He is well on course to beat last year’s total of ten goals and once again seems to have taken a further stride in his development.

    Nonetheless, Garnacho has still faced criticism from some United fans due to his failure to convert big chances and a section of the fanbase have questioned his decision making in the final third at times.

    Tension spilt over before the Europa League game against PAOK on Thursday night, when a fan had an exchange with Garnacho as he entered Old Trafford asking him to “pass better”, “score a goal” and “work on” his first touch.

    The United youngster was far from impressed with the comments and as he walked away asked the fan why he wasn’t playing for the team.

    “Why you not playing man?”

    Garnacho put him in his place😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/c1XQOcu3eH

    — The 44 ⚽️ (@The_Forty_Four) November 7, 2024

    The 20 year old went on to have one of his quieter nights versus the Greek side as Amad Diallo stole the show with a brace and he was consequently left on the bench versus Leicester City yesterday.

    He entered the fray after 57 minutes and scored a world class effort after 82 minutes but he surprisingly refused to celebrate the goal.

    Speaking after the game to the BBC, his captain Fernandes claimed, “Garnacho scored a banger but didn’t celebrate like he should because he thinks he has lost faith from some fans. I told him people will always moan but lots of people like you and enjoy what you do.”

    “I told him to celebrate, it was something special. He is a special player, we have difference makers. They are the ones who win us games. We want them to score every game but that isn’t going to happen.”

    United fans will be hopeful that Garnacho takes on board his captain’s advice as the vast majority of supporters appreciate how talented he is and understand that at only 20 years age, he is far from the complete player who will continue to make errors as he grows.

    Feature image Carl Recine 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.

    1 clean sheet, 2 clearances: United’s “Schmeichel like” shot stopper keeps CL side at bay

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      Manchester United loanee Radek Vitek kept a clean sheet against Champions League outfit Red Bull Salzburg as his FC Blau-Weiß Linz impressively beat them 2-0.

      The home side thoroughly deserved their win as they had 14 shots on goal to their opposition’s five.

      Vitek’s side had to make do with little of the ball however, as they only had 23% of possession but regularly hit their blunt opponents on the counter attack.

      The Czech keeper has settled into life well in Austria and has played a total of nine matches, only missing some games due to injury earlier in the season.

      The youngster, who was once described as having a similar style to Peter Schmeichel by The Athletic, had a quiet afternoon between the sticks and kept his fourth clean sheet for his new side.

      Vitek was given a score of 6.8 by Sofascore given he didn’t have to make any sort of save as the Champions League side struggled to lay a glove on the home team at the Hofmann Personal Stadion.

      He had 22 touches of the ball and made nine out of his 14 passes for a success rate of 64%. He also successfully completed five out of his attempted long balls during the game.

      Like his time at Accrington Stanley last season, BW Linz are hardly a possession obsessed team, so he has been unable to show his comfort in possession on too many occasions this year.

      The 21 year old also made two clearances during the game.

      Vitek will be delighted with the way he as seamlessy returned to the first team after injury and has continued to rack up minutes for his new side.

      He will also be delighted to have the opportunity to take on European quality sides such as LASK and their opponents yesterday, who have just come off an impressive 3-1 away victory over Feyenoord in the Champions League.

      Vitek will next be in action when BW Linz host Grazer AK on Sunday the 24th of November after the international break.

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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.

      United plotting blockbuster January deal for Chelsea’s top-scorer, could be a gamechanger – report

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        Manchester United thrashed Leicester City 3-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday and are now only four points off the Premier League’s top four.

        Ruud van Nistelrooy’s time at the club has yielded three wins and a draw and a return to form of several big stars, a great boost for incoming head coach Ruben Amorim.

        But the form of his forwards remains a concern with Rasmus Hojlund struggling again on Sunday, while Joshua Zirkzee’s form has been dire as well.

        The United hierarchy will hope Amorim can work his magic on both forwards once he arrives. After all, the Portuguese did convert Viktor Gyokeres from a Championship striker to one of the hottest properties in world football.

        Nkunku approach

        If the Dane and the Dutchman do not improve, the Red Devils could be forced to dip into the winter market to rectify things. But Gyokeres’ price might mean only a summer approach is possible.

        L’Equipe (via GFFN) have revealed that the 20-time English league champions have enquired about Chelsea striker Christopher Nkunku.

        The Frenchman has 10 goals this season and is the Blues’ top-scorer but has managed only one start in the English top-flight with Enzo Maresca preferring Nicolas Jackson instead.

        The France international has seen only 154 minutes of action in the top-flight despite his impressive form in Europe and is not too happy with his situation after deciding to join the Blues in the summer.

        Will Chelsea agree?

        And while the 26-year-old, who has a contract with the London side until 2029, is not looking at an immediate exit, he will start considering his options if his situation does not improve.

        A loan deal could hugely benefit the goal-starved Red Devils but whether the Blues will agree to a January exit remains to be seen.

        Maresca has preferred Nkunku in cup competitions and he has certainly shone in Europe, netting six of his goals in the Conference League. And with trophies up for grabs, it makes little sense to let go of one of their in-form stars.

        United will hope Chelsea will agree to a deal as long as they make it financially rewarding. While the Blues would prefer a foreign loan, it must be remembered that United did agree to send Jadon Sancho to them this summer.

        Feature image Mike Hewitt 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

        United uninspiring once again as they’re held to third consecutive draw by struggling Aston Villa

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          Manchester United were held to a third consecutive draw, following their goalless stalemate with Aston Villa at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday.

          United remain unbeaten in the WSL this season but are now in fifth place, seven points adrift of table leaders Manchester City. The Reds have a game in hand.

          On yet another occasion, Marc Skinner’s side were flat and uninspiring against a team that was bottom of the standings before the late kick-off but moved back out of the relegation zone immediately after the 0-0 result.

          Villa started on a high note, with striker Gabi Nunes almost punishing Phallon Tullis-Joyce. The United goalkeeper, in an effort to play out from the back, failed to get the ball away quick enough. Nunes almost tacked her on the goal lines but fortunately, the United shot-stopper managed to hold on to possession.

          The visitors seemed up for it and United were seemingly happy to stay back and try to hit them on the break. At around the quarter-hour mark, United could have threatened the Villa goal when Melvine Malard was presented with the opportunity to play in Ella Toone down the right. Malard failed to make something of this chance and it snuffed out.

          On the other end, Tullis-Joyce was forced to intervene after Rachel Daly fired one from range.

          Villa were at it again moments later when their high press forced Tullis-Joyce into an awkward pass. Former Red Kirty Hanson reacted the fastest to latch onto it before attempting a shot that the United goalkeeper swatted away. The rebound fell to Nobbs but Tullis-Joyce brilliantly recovered to tip it over the bar.

          United got a little bit of a foothold in the game via Celin Bizet, who curled in a cross into the path of a diving Malard. Malard’s header went just wide. Soon after, Malard set up Elisabeth Terland but yet again, the header didn’t hit the target.

          Another good opportunity came about for the visitors when United lost possession while attempting to play out from the back. Chasity Grant’s cross found Nunes in the six-yard box, but Tullis-Joyce was quick to gather her shot.

          Two minutes were added on and United were certainly lucky to head down the tunnel with the score still level. To highlight this, Terland – who cut a lonely and frustrated figure up front – attempted just three passes in the opening 45 minutes.

          Skinner’s players started the second period slightly better. Malard charged down the right and sent a cross that was headed back to summer signing Dominique Jannsen, who fired narrowly wide. Ella Toone also put in a dangerous cross but it was punched away before it could develop any further.

          Geyse was thrust into the action and looked to make an immediate impact as she pinched the ball from Dani Turner to find Toone inside the box. Toone aimed a shot at the Villa goal but Sabrina D’Angelo denied her.

          Tullis-Joyce also tipped a Hanson corner over the crossbar while United were under pressure from the visitors.

          Both teams pushed to try and get the winner but ultimately, had to settle for a share of the spoils.

          Up next for United is a trip away to the King Power Stadium to take on Leicester City in a week’s time.
          Feature image Matt McNulty 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!

          Incoming coach a big fan of Rashford, “contacted” United star to encourage him to “get back to his best” – report

            incoming-coach-a-big-fan-of-rashford,-“contacted”-united-star-to-encourage-him-to-“get-back-to-his-best”-–-report

            Manchester United thrashed Leicester City 3-0 in their Premier League game at Old Trafford on Sunday to end Ruud van Nistelrooy’s temporary reign on a high.

            The interim manager has done a fine job, going four matches unbeaten while also sparking a return to form for several big-name stars.

            On the right, Amad Diallo carried on in the same vein following his midweek heroics while on the opposite flank, Marcus Rashford cut an anonymous figure.

            His decision-making was quite poor and he was rightly subbed off with Alejandro Garnacho replacing him. The Argentine ended up scoring a screamer.

            Rashford’s form yet to pick up

            The Mancunian only has four goals this season, and has not scored in the league since mid-September. And incoming head coach Ruben Amorim will offer him a shot at redemption but will not tolerate poor displays for too long.

            It is imperative that the Englishman starts performing on the pitch and he has been given an incentive by incoming England manager Thomas Tuchel according to The Sun.

            The German, a big fan of the United academy graduate, has made it clear that he expects a lot from the 27-year-old and provided he starts firing for his club, a national team recall is on the cards.

            “NEW England boss Thomas Tuchel has handed Marcus Rashford an olive branch. The German told the Manchester United forward that he wants him in his Three Lions squad — as long as he keeps his form up.

            A source told the publication, “Tuchel contacted Marcus and his representatives and told them he saw Marcus as an essential part of the England squad. He said he believed a big part of England’s failure to win Euro 2024 was not having Marcus as an option.

            “Other teams fear his abilities and Tuchel said he believed without Rashford, England didn’t offer a strong attacking threat on the left and that made them easier to play against as a lot of the ball came down the right.

            “Tuchel is a huge admirer of Marcus. It’s a great boost for him and another encouragement to try and get back to his best.”

            Last season’s poor on-field displays and off-field controversies meant Rashford was not included in the Euro 2024 squad by Gareth Southgate.

            Tuchel offers Rashy an olive branch

            But with Tuchel, he has a chance to start afresh and his best chance at earning a call-up could come if he starts performing for Amorim.  The German has given Rashford a huge reason to try and turn his career around.

            But Rashford does not look like a player who is close to hitting top gear at the moment, with the England international looking disinterested most of the time.

            At his age, inconsistency should not be a factor but the Manchester-born star usually has a great season followed by a lull period, the story of his United senior career so far.

            INEOS are reportedly open to a sale should he fail to impress under the Portuguese tactician but it must be remembered that Rashford’s best form usually comes under a new manager, as seen during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s time and in Ten Hag’s first season.

            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

            United need to act fast as Real Madrid plot January revenge by targeting long-term INEOS target – report

              united-need-to-act-fast-as-real-madrid-plot-january-revenge-by-targeting-long-term-ineos-target-–-report

              After a dismal last season in which plenty of unwanted records were broken, INEOS focussed on improving the Manchester United backline with as many as four defenders signed during the summer.

              One of the club’s biggest targets was Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton with the Red Devils placing two bids, both of which were rejected by the Toffees.

              But the team from Merseyside are open to a transfer should any team put in a sizeable bid and the Old Trafford side are expected to come back in for him in January.

              But after the extra forced spending on Erik ten Hag’s severance package and Ruben Amorim’s release clause, whether INEOS will have the funds required to sign the England international at the turn of the year remains to be seen.

              Branthwaite chase on

              Keeping in mind his precarious contract situation, a summer approach is definitely on the cards but Real Madrid could throw a spanner in the works.

              As per CaughtOffside, Los Blancos are eyeing an immediate fix to their defensive problems and have earmarked Branthwaite and Cristian Romero of Tottenham Hotspur as targets for the winter window.

              Spurs are unlikely to let go of the World Cup winner in the middle of the season, which could mean the Spanish giants focus their efforts on the Englishman.

              “Real Madrid are looking to bring in defensive reinforcements and they have identified Cristian Romero and Jarrard Branthwaite as potential targets.

              “The La Liga giants are looking to make defensive signings in the January transfer window and have the two talented players on their extensive transfer wishlist, sources have informed CaughtOffside.

              Real want Branthwaite

              “Despite his young age, Branthwaite’s performances have been remarkable and he is an important target for the La Liga side. He has been heavily linked with Manchester United.”

              The 22-year-old has made only two starts this year owing to injury, and both times Everton have not lost. It is clear that he is key cog in their wheel.

              The Toffees were holding out for £70 million in the summer and it will be interesting to see if their valuation has come down due to their need to balance the books.

              After being a target for so long, it would be devastating should the Red Devils lose to the La Liga side in the transfer race. The Madrid side are looking to take revenge for United’s hijack of the Leny Yoro deal in the summer.

              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

              Big hitch develops in United’s plans to welcome Amorim to Old Trafford tomorrow – report

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                Ruben Amorim is reportedly facing a delayed start to life as the new Manchester United boss due to a visa issue.

                United confirmed the hiring of Amorim as a direct replacement for the sacked Erik ten Hag. In their statement, United relayed that Amorim’s arrival was “subject to work visa requirements.”

                Ruud van Nistelrooy has overseen the last four games but he is expected to hand over control of the team to Amorim on Monday.

                According to ESPN, Amorim will arrive in Manchester tomorrow but he will not be able to start work immediately.

                This is because the Portuguese coach has yet to receive the green light to start his employment.

                Only when United receive confirmation of his visa will Amorim finally get his hands on the Red Devils and start working with the players.

                It’s understood that United are “not expecting any issues with the paperwork” so it’s only a matter of time.

                Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News adds, “Any potential delay is unlikely to be problematic as Amorim will not conduct a full team training session until next week when United’s international players start to return.”

                “Several senior players will be immediately available to Amorim. Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire, Casemiro, Amad, Mason Mount, Antony and the fit-again Leny Yoro and Luke Shaw could be among the first players to meet Amorim.”

                Other stars including Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes, Lisandro Martinez, Alejandro Garnacho, Christian Eriksen, Rasmus Hojlund, Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee, Noussair Mazraoui, Victor Lindelof, Manuel Ugarte, Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir will be away with their respective national teams for the November international break.

                Luckhurst notes that United have not scheduled an introductory press conference with Amorim this week.

                As it stands, his first engagement with UK media will be his pre-match media obligations before the away trip at 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!

                “Wow”: United academy graduate blown away by Ten Hag’s signing in brief time at the club

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                  Former Manchester United midfielder Maxi Oyedele was left impressed with Leny Yoro after watching him in training.

                  Yoro arrived at United amid great fanfare with the sense the Red Devils have signed one of the best defensive prospects in Europe.

                  Seen as the Kylian Mbappe of centre-backs, the Frenchman was on Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Paris Saint-Germain’s radar before United struck an agreement with Lille to secure his services.

                  The 18-year-old is yet to make his competitive debut, owing to a foot injury he suffered during pre-season. Still, despite limited minutes in training with his teammates, he managed to leave a promising impression.

                  Oyedele featured regularly for United during pre-season. In a recent interview with SportBible’s Jack Kenmare, the midfielder spoke about the French central defender, stating: “I remember his first training session. Wow. Listen, there’s a lot that comes with playing for United.

                  “He’ll have to deal with certain things but I’ve got no doubts. He’s going to be a top player.”

                  However, the 18-year-old is yet to make his competitive debut for United after suffering an injury during pre-season.

                  Yoro has returned to first-team training, but he was not included in the matchday squad for the Leicester City clash, with Ruud van Nistelrooy indicating United are going to be patient with his recovery.

                  Such is Yoro’s potential that even incoming United manager Ruben Amorim is understood to be looking forward to working with him in Manchester.

                  The ex-Lille star’s ability to seamlessly defend wide spaces is certainly going to make him an ideal fit for Amorim’s back three setup.

                  Meanwhile, Oyedele, who was rated very highly during his time in United’s academy, has enjoyed an encouraging start to his career at Legia Warsaw.

                  Despite including him in their pre-season plans in the summer, the Mancunian giants decided to permanently sell him to the Polish outfit. The move, however, has helped Oyedele his talents in the middle of the park, leading to his first call-up to the senior Poland squad.

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