Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic has heaped praise on Matthijs de Ligt. The Dutch defender has come into his own this season after a mixed 2024/25 campaign. De Ligt arrived at Old Trafford from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2024. A former Golden Boy and Kopa Trophy winner, the Ajax academy product was included in the Champions League Team of the Year in 2019. The Dutchman left the Johan Cruyff Arena that summer to move to Juventus, before joining Bayern Munich in 2022. However, with his career failing to pan out as expected, the Red Devils were presented with the chance to secure De Ligt’s signature last year. It was an offer that the Premier League giants took with both hands, and as things stand, their decision has already been vindicated. A rock at the back this season De Ligt was part of the team that struggled last season, finishing 15th in the Premier League table and losing the Europa League final 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur. However, with a full pre-season behind him, the 26 year old looks back to his best. Until the draw against West Ham United, De Ligt had played every minute of every Premier League game for United this season. He has effectively relegated Harry Maguire to the bench, marshalling the defence from the central centre-back position. Matthijs de Ligt Premier League Stats: 2025/26 Season MetricValue Appearances13 Goals1 Goals1 Expected Goals (xG)1.46 Expected Assists (xA)0.77 Shots on Target (Inside the Box)5 Touches in Opposition Box18 Crosses (Completed %)5 (80%) Passes (Completed %)612 (88%) Long Passes (Completed %)44 (48%) Minutes Played1,170 Dribbles (Completed %)2 (50%) Duels Won74 Aerial Duels Won50 Total Tackles19 Interceptions15 Blocks7 Red Cards0 Yellow Cards0 Fouls6 Source: Premier League website.It is no wonder, then, that the Dutchman was adjudged the club’s Player of the Month for November. He is also the first defender to win the award since Noussair Mazraoui a year ago. De Ligt’s performances have now drawn praise from two-time Premier League Player of the Year Nemanja Vidic. Vidic hails De Ligt Speaking on CBS Sports Golazo, Vidic stressed the importance of a good backline in a team’s success. “I honestly believe that the defenders bring the trophies because if you look at the statistics in the past 10, 15, 20 years, you will see that the team that concede the least goals win the trophies,” said Vidic. “I think that’s important. I think this season, Man United, some games they play well at the back, but in some games, they concede a few goals.” The Serbian defender went on to name De Ligt as the club’s best defender this season. “So, if you look at [it] statistically, you will say that we still concede too many goals, but I agree that some players improved their game and [are] then playing this season much better,” said Vidic. “De Ligt is, I think, the best player at the back for Man United. So, I think consistency is the key. If you want to play for Man United, you have to perform week in, week out. You know, you cannot afford to have one good game and two bad games.” Vidic forged a rock-solid partnership with Rio Ferdinand during their time together at Old Trafford and was part of the backline that helped Edwin van der Sar go a record 1,311 minutes without conceding a goal. As such, the former United skipper’s endorsement underlines how important De Ligt has been for the Red Devils this season. Final Thoughts Amorim has already confirmed that De Ligt will miss Monday’s Premier League fixture with a knock. The Dutchman’s absence could be a huge blow for United, especially with Maguire also sidelined through injury. Meanwhile, with the Englishman out of contract at the end of this season and already in his thirties, De Ligt looks like the new leader at the back for United. If the Dutchman continues his current form, he could play a key role in the Red Devils’ return to their glory days. Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Deepungsu Pandit Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. He has worked for over seven years with Sportskeeda, writing football reviews, opinions and news articles. Deepungsu also maintains a blog, The Thinking Me, where he writes about life and things that interest him. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.
“Everything on the table”: Skinner gives intriguing update about future of CL winner
Manchester United Women manager Marc Skinner has spoken to the press ahead of tomorrow’s crucial match against Tottenham Hotspur. United currently sit third in the league and have the opportunity to move up to second, depending on other results. They will then face the same opposition one week later in the quarter-final of the League Cup, with a trip to Turin to face Juventus sandwiched in between. United closing in on transfers Skinner has regularly spoken about the club’s need to sign players to compete in all competitions in January and was positive about this happening during the press conference, in comments carried by the club’s official website. He elaborated, “we are already hopefully close to a couple of players, which I think will be exciting.” Skinner continued, “we need to be creative within the parameters, but what I’d say is, we need to add to the group. I think I’ve said this all throughout…. I think everybody’s said it, haven’t they? But I must stress, and I need to stress again: it’s not because of the quality of my players, it’s just the depth to kind of continue that experience as well, especially with the level of competition.” The manager said it “would be nice” to add more than the two players the club are close to signing, and in particular, the forward line needs strengthening. The Peoples Person has already reported this morning that United are keen on Bayern Munich forward Lea Schuller and Swedish defender Hanna Lundkvist. Response to criticism on rotation A key feature of this season has been Skinner rotating the side. Elisabeth Terland and Melvine Malard have frequently been rotated in the number nine role. What’s more, both Jess Park and Ella Toone were dropped to the bench in the humbling 0-3 loss to Olympique Lyonnais midweek. Responding to this criticism, he retorted, “what I would say is when I don’t rotate, people question it. When I do rotate, people question why I do. It’s not about prioritising any fixture. There was no way we were just saving ourselves for Tottenham.” Geyse Interestingly, Skinner also stated that the future of Brazilian star Geyse remains very much open. He claimed that “everything is on the table” regarding her future. The 27-year-old joined United in 2024 but struggled to adapt to life in England, and there was controversy when her agent claimed the club tried to loan her out whilst she was attending her brother’s funeral. She was eventually sent out on loan to Gotham FC in March, but the American team have confirmed that she will not be remaining on their roster and will indeed be returning to United. The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Alex Browne Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Alex has a Master’s degree from Queen’s University Belfast and La Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. Having lived in the country since 2011, Alex is The Peoples Person’s Spanish football expert and is fluent in both Spanish and Catalan. He dreams of witnessing a United captain triumphantly hoisting the Premier League and Champions League trophy in the air once more.
United loanee’s career continues to regress, with future in the game murkier than ever
This season has probably not gone as planned in the mind of Jadon Sancho. Failure to capture last season’s form Nobody would describe Sancho’s form last season as scintillating, but he did manage to contribute quite effectively on loan at Chelsea. He played 42 times in all competitions last season, scoring five goals and providing 10 assists. Sancho also managed to score a goal in the Conference League final, which helped the Londoners overcome Antony’s Real Betis. Chelsea surprisingly refused to pay their obligation to sign the winger, and Sancho was eventually sent out on loan to Aston Villa in the dying embers of the transfer window. Falling flat Aston Villa have been in tremendous form this season and are currently third in the table, just three points behind Arsenal in first place. What’s more, they also sit joint top of their Europa League group after six matches. Nonetheless, Sancho has been a peripheral figure at best this season for the Villans. He has played in 13 games this season and has failed to register a single goal or assist. He is also regularly coming off the bench, only getting anything like regular starts in the Europa League. Upset The England international was hauled off again after 60 minutes in Villa’s 2-1 away win over FC Basel in Switzerland on Thursday night. The Daily Mirror report, “as the change was made, TV cameras captured Sancho approaching the substitutes’ bench, clearly disappointed to be leaving the pitch. After acknowledging Emery, Sancho hit an empty seat in the dugout before taking his place on the bench.” Future unclear At one stage, it seemed possible that Villa would sign Sancho permanently, but the lack of game time suggests he is not a priority. What’s more, the recent signing of Brazilian youngster Alysson from Grêmio makes it seem even more remote that Unai Emery’s side would sign off on a permanent switch. Sancho’s current deal runs out at the end of the season, and it is thought that Manchester United will not exercise their option to add an additional year onto his contract. He has been linked with a return to Borussia Dortmund in the past. There have also been rumours that Sancho has met with Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray and Beşiktaş in Istanbul, as he may see his future in Turkey. Jadon Sancho Season stats 25/26 AppearancesGoalsAssists Minutes played 1300529 Source: transfermarkt.com Featured image Eddie Keogh via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Alex Browne Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Alex has a Master’s degree from Queen’s University Belfast and La Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. Having lived in the country since 2011, Alex is The Peoples Person’s Spanish football expert and is fluent in both Spanish and Catalan. He dreams of witnessing a United captain triumphantly hoisting the Premier League and Champions League trophy in the air once more.
“Will be difficult to explain to you”: Mourinho tears into modern generation of coaches on key issue
Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has spoken about the new generation of coaches. Legacy The Portuguese coach is one of the most famous managers in the history of the game. Mourinho won the Champions League with both FC Porto and Inter Milan, and was highly successful with Chelsea in the Premier League. Man United history Mourinho probably did not achieve the level of success he envisioned at Old Trafford, but he still won the Europa League and League Cup in 2017. He finished second in the Premier League in 2018 and reached the final of the FA Cup. Nonetheless, he was sacked in December 2018 after a 3-1 loss at Anfield. After United Mourinho would later join Tottenham Hotspur and then led AS Roma to the UEFA Europa Conference League title. After a brief spell as Fenerbahce manager, he is now currently the boss at SL Benfica. The new generation Mourinho was interviewed on the first day of Benfica FM broadcasts, and his comments were reported by the website maisfutebol. Commenting on the new generation in the sport, he claimed, “training is organized the day before. My group is very professional. And I like to arrive early, see who arrives earliest, who arrives latest. I don’t like to generalize, but there’s a feeling that the new generation doesn’t like to train.” Mourinho then reflected on a conversation he had with Sir Alex Ferguson back in the 2012-2013 season. He claimed, “And, honestly, I’m still the same. I remember a conversation I had at Real Madrid in 2012/13 with Sir Alex Ferguson, when I asked him about evolution. He told me: ‘Forget it, for people like us it’s the same. The day-to-day is the same, the passion, the nervousness before the game, the joy after winning, the sadness after losing. For us, nothing changes.’ It’s already 2025 and he’s right.” He then claimed that managers like himself, Ferguson and Carlo Ancelotti are becoming increasingly rare in the game. Mourinho stated, “in Istanbul, a very good coach asked to accompany me for three days. One of the things he wanted to learn was how to manage fatigue. Whenever he could, he would disappear for a week with internationals. And I told him: ‘We can talk about many things, but it will be difficult to explain to you, because if you need to rest at 40 years old’”. Jose Mourinho’s Man United career GamesWonDrewLost TrophiesYears Active 14484322832016-2018 Source: Wikipedia Featured image Ahmad Mora via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Alex Browne Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Alex has a Master’s degree from Queen’s University Belfast and La Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. Having lived in the country since 2011, Alex is The Peoples Person’s Spanish football expert and is fluent in both Spanish and Catalan. He dreams of witnessing a United captain triumphantly hoisting the Premier League and Champions League trophy in the air once more.
Skinner’s prayers set to be answered as United Women make exciting double swoop for stars in January – The Athletic
Manchester United Women have made a strong start to the season. Season of progress They are currently sitting third in the Women’s Super League table, just one point behind champions Chelsea. They have also already qualified for the next stage of the Champions League. Although they have lost two consecutive matches, a win against Juventus next week could still see them qualify in the top four and automatically progress to the quarter-finals. Nonetheless, manager Marc Skinner has frequently claimed that, whilst he loves his current squad of players, they need help if they are to be competitive in all competitions this season. The Peoples Person has also commented on how the club has a great opportunity to take the women’s team to the next level, but they must be brave enough to back them financially. Hanna Lundkvist The Athletic reports that Skinner’s prayers could be about to be answered as the Red Devils are hot on the pursuit of two new recruits for January. The American outlet states that, “Manchester United Women are pursuing Swedish right-back Hanna Lundkvist and German forward Lea Schuller ahead of the January transfer window.” Attractively for United, “Lundkvist is entering free agency following the expiration of her contract with NWSL club San Diego Wave, which she joined in February 2024. The 23-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Wave with a mutual option, which was activated for the 2025 season.” Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in the defender, but “United look to be the likely landing spot.” Her current club would like to extend her deal, but it is thought the Sweden international is keen to return closer to home. Lundkvist would join a growing contingent of Swedish players at the club, alongside Julia Olme, Fridolina Rolfo and Anna Sandberg. Lea Schuller United are also said to be keen on Schuller. She “signed a long-term contract with Bayern Munich in 2022 that is set to expire next summer.” The 28-year-old “has scored 103 goals in 179 appearances for the seven-time Frauen-Bundesliga champions since joining in 2020” and would add welcome firepower to United’s thin frontline. Hanna Lundkvist and Lea Schuller seasons stats 25/26 PlayerAppearancesGoalsAssistsMinutes Hanna Lundkvist27132228 Lea Schuller 944457 Source: fotmob.com Featured image Michael Campanella via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Alex Browne Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Alex has a Master’s degree from Queen’s University Belfast and La Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. Having lived in the country since 2011, Alex is The Peoples Person’s Spanish football expert and is fluent in both Spanish and Catalan. He dreams of witnessing a United captain triumphantly hoisting the Premier League and Champions League trophy in the air once more.
United’s stance on former PL midfielder confirmed ahead of January window – Ben Jacobs
Manchester United have been an improved side this season. After spending heavily on their attack in the summer and bringing in a new goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, they are sitting sixth in the league. Nonetheless, even the most loyal fan would admit there is much to improve upon, and midfield is one area that is frequently cited. Midfield focus The Red Devils have been frequently linked to midfield signings, with Brighton and Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson all thought to be high up on the agenda. The problem with all three is that they will each cost a significant sum. What’s more, they are highly unlikely to be available until the summer, even though United need help now in the middle of the park. There have also been other links to lower-profile midfielders like Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Joao Gomes and Sunderland’s Noni Sadiki. Conor Gallagher One name that will not go away is that of former Chelsea midfielder, Conor Gallagher. The Red Devils made a late move to sign the player on loan at the end of the summer window, but Atletico Madrid would only entertain a permanent sale. The player is thought to be keen on a return to England and is frustrated at his lack of game time in Spain. United still want a loan deal Whilst there have been reports that United would be willing to spend €35 million on the player in January, it has been suggested by reporter Ben Jacobs that United are still keen on a loan. Speaking on The United Stand (via Givemesport.com), Ben Jacobs revealed that Manchester United could make a move for Conor Gallagher in the January transfer window. Jacobs claimed, “Man United see Conor Gallagher as a good ‘try before you buy’ option, if Atletico are open to a loan deal next month.” As it stands, though, United are only monitoring the situation, and a move would totally depend on the Spanish club opening their stance to a loan deal. Conor Gallagher 25/26 season AppearancesGoalsAssistsMinutes 2220826 Source: transfermarkt.com Feature image George Wood via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Alex Browne Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Alex has a Master’s degree from Queen’s University Belfast and La Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. Having lived in the country since 2011, Alex is The Peoples Person’s Spanish football expert and is fluent in both Spanish and Catalan. He dreams of witnessing a United captain triumphantly hoisting the Premier League and Champions League trophy in the air once more.
United receive swift response in pursuit of “tireless” Premier League midfield star Noah Sadiki
Manchester United’s engine room is simply not where it needs to be. Ideally, Ruben Amorim wants dynamic, athletic midfielders to anchor his two‑man pivot. While Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro have proven to be reliable options, at 31 and 33 respectively, they cannot realistically sustain the long‑term demands that the Portuguese tactician places on his midfield. The chase for young, energetic midfielders United would be far better served by bringing in younger, technically sound midfielders who can run relentlessly, just as Amorim demands. Such profiles continue to be linked, with Sunderland’s Noah Sadiki the latest name to emerge. Sadiki links Reports earlier in the day suggested United are now interested in Sadiki. Only months into his Sunderland career, after joining the Premier League newcomers last summer, the 20‑year‑old has already made a strong impression. The DR Congo international is a dynamic, tenacious, box‑to‑box midfielder admired for his tireless work ethic, ball‑carrying ability, intelligence, and combative style. He is often described as “relentless” for his knack of breaking up play and driving forward. Noah Sadiki has the highest take-on success rate of all Premier League players to attempt 15+ this season: ◉ 60% – Noah Sadiki (15)◎ 58.3% – Elliot Anderson (24)◎ 57.9% – Hugo Ekitike (19) One to watch. 👀 pic.twitter.com/gK4Z0P0b1i — Squawka (@Squawka) November 3, 2025 Alongside veteran Granit Xhaka, Sadiki has given Sunderland’s midfield the bite required to compete in the Premier League. Unsurprisingly, his superb start to life on Wearside has not gone unnoticed, with both United and Chelsea now keen on securing his signature. Sunderland respond to Sadiki transfer talk Speaking to the media on Friday ahead of Sunderland’s clash with Newcastle, head coach Régis Le Bris was asked about the Sadiki rumours. His response was telling: “It’s positive for us,” he said via Sunderland Echo. “It doesn’t mean Noah will leave. He’s a good player, a strong player for Sunderland. It means we’re doing well with young players and more experienced players as well. That’s the market.” Sadiki’s five‑year deal, signed last summer after joining from Union Saint‑Gilloise, leaves Sunderland confident they retain control over his future. As revolutionary as he has been for them, they will undoubtedly want to keep him, and Le Bris all but confirmed how tricky a move for him could be. Then again, is any transfer ever straightforward? Sadiki sale could bankroll Sunderland’s spending INEOS may well bank on Sunderland’s ambition to improve and cement their Premier League status. In doing so, they will hope that, when the moment arrives, Sunderland recognise the wisdom of cashing in on a player like Sadiki to strengthen Le Bris’ project, with his sale potentially bankrolling their transfer activity. As passionate and dedicated as he is, Sadiki embodies precisely the workhorse qualities Amorim craves in his midfield. Alongside the likes of Elliot Anderson and Carlos Baleba, targets United are even willing to sacrifice Bruno Fernandes to sign; he could help transform United’s engine room into one built for the future. Featured image George Wood via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Daniel Onguko Dan is a writer with The Peoples Person, an avid Manchester United fan whose passion for the Red Devils evolved into writing about them. He was introduced to United back in 2008, and his love for the club has continued to grow ever since. Like every other United fan, he believes the club will soon return to its rightful place and strives to reflect that belief in his writing. While he has also written about other Premier League sides, including Arsenal for Just Arsenal and The Arsenal Analysis Blogspot, Dan lives and breathes Manchester United.
Marseille boss makes Mason Greenwood claim that will send shock waves through football
Former Manchester United talent Mason Greenwood is thriving at Olympique de Marseille. Due to question marks over his off-field conduct, United pushed their academy product away from their first-team plans in 2022. Steadily, Greenwood rediscovered his fitness and form at Getafe in La Liga before earning a £26.6m move to Marseille last year. Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi received a lot of backlash for placing his trust in Greenwood. De Zerbi has high hopes for Greenwood In the south of France, Mason Greenwood has established himself as De Zerbi’s most prolific attacker. His two-footedness and ferocious ball-striking have made him a nightmare to defend against. Greenwood finished last campaign as joint-top scorer in Ligue 1. This term, he boasts 13 goals and four assists in 20 appearances across all competitions. Mason Greenwood career stats ClubAppearancesGoalsAssists Years active Manchester United12935122019-2022 Getafe361062023-2024 Marseille5635102024-present The Englishman still divides opinion, especially in his homeland. However, De Zerbi believes his talisman has the potential to win the most prestigious individual award, the Ballon d’Or. “I see him every day, he has a huge potential,” the Italian coach said on Friday in a news conference. “I don’t see any other players in Europe at the same level. He has the potential to win the Ballon d’Or. It will be up to him to decide whether he wants to do everything he can to fight for it or not. “At the level of the qualities that nature has given him, that his parents have given him, I think he is worthy of the Ballon d’Or.” Man United to benefit from Greenwood’s progress When United signed Anthony Martial in 2015, AS Monaco inserted a Ballon d’Or clause into his contract. The Red Devils are not believed to have such a clause in their favour for Greenwood. As such, his individual achievements would not benefit his boyhood club directly. However, United added a significant sell-on clause, thought to be around 50 per cent, into their agreement with Marseille. Accordingly, they could land a huge windfall from the 24-year-old’s next transfer. Recently, The Peoples Person relayed a report claiming Saudi Arabian outfit Neom Sports Club are considering signing the Marseille star in a deal worth around €100m. Featured image Juan Manuel Serrano Arce via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Vishal Singh Vishal has worked in the football media industry for over six years, planning, writing, and editing content for several major outlets, including North Star Network. Vishal has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Delhi University. Currently a writer at The Peoples Person, he covers Manchester United — a club he has been religiously following and supporting since 2012. Vishal also manages a leading MUFC fan page, The Red Devils, on Facebook with over a million likes. Big fan of ball-playing centre-backs and Harry Maguire’s knee-slide celebration!
United ready to cash in on £70m superstar in January to fund sensational Premier League double raid – report
In 2026, Manchester United are expected to place greater focus on bolstering their midfield. After last summer’s transfer activity, United now possess a fairly solid attack and defence. However, continued slip‑ups in midfield recruitment across recent transfer windows have left that department exposed as a clear point of weakness. At the moment, it seems head coach Ruben Amorim can only truly rely on Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes. Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte remain alternative options, but neither has earned the Portuguese tactician’s trust for a key role. Over‑reliance on Casemiro, now 33, and Fernandes, 31, is simply unsustainable. As Amorim’s system demands relentless athleticism, with midfielders running like mad dogs, it goes without saying that United must inject youthful energy into the heart of their side. Transfer gossip has already linked the club with such profiles. Elliot Anderson and Carlos Baleba (who was their top target for summer 2025) continue to feature prominently in the rumour mill. Identifying potential recruits is easy, but the real concern lies in whether United can actually pull off those deals. A double swoop for Brighton & Hove Albion’s Baleba and Nottingham Forest’s Anderson would undoubtedly come at a hefty price. INEOS ponder Fernandes sale INEOS are well aware that a significant investment will be required to land the duo. That is why, according to Mark Brus of Caught Offside, the United decision makers are prepared to make a major sacrifice to make it happen. Brus explains: “Manchester United seem increasingly open to cashing in on Bruno Fernandes, who remains a target for Saudi Pro League clubs, with Al Hilal and Al Ittihad showing strong interest.” Fernandes out, Baleba and Anderson in If United were to sell Fernandes, their most marketable asset, at around £70 million, Brus adds: “With United targeting ambitious signings in midfield such as Elliot Anderson and Carlos Baleba, it seems Fernandes has been identified as someone worth cashing in on to help fund those moves.” Of course, offloading Fernandes would be controversial. He remains one of the few capable of turning a game on its head, as demonstrated by his “complete performance” against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Bruno Fernandes’ stats versus Wolves MetricValue Goals2 Expected goals (xG)1.24 Assists1 Expected assists (xA)0.85 Big chances created4 Key passes5 Crosses (accurate)5 (1) Accurate passes53/64 (83%) Passes in opposition half (acc.)33/43 (77%) Passes in own half (acc.)20/21 (95%) Long balls (accurate)3/6 (50%) Total shots5 Expected goals on target (xGOT)1.12 Shots on target2 Shots blocked3 Touches83 Unsuccessful touches1 Dribbles (successful)0 (0) Was fouled2 Possession lost19 Tackles (won)1 (1) Interceptions0 Clearances0 Blocked shots0 Recoveries7 Ground duels (won)5 (3) Aerial duels (won)6 (2) Brave but necessary sacrifice Yet, acquiring two Premier League‑proven midfielders who could slot seamlessly into Amorim’s starting XI would represent a bold and necessary overhaul. Therefore, cashing in on an influential figure like Fernandes ultimately becomes easier to rationalise. It may be a difficult decision, but for Amorim’s project to reach its peak, sacrifices of this magnitude may prove unavoidable. And who knows, swapping Fernandes for Anderson and Baleba could ultimately be a masterstroke. Should the duo hit their stride, United’s midfield would be set for years to come. Featured image Ryan Pierse via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Daniel Onguko Dan is a writer with The Peoples Person, an avid Manchester United fan whose passion for the Red Devils evolved into writing about them. He was introduced to United back in 2008, and his love for the club has continued to grow ever since. Like every other United fan, he believes the club will soon return to its rightful place and strives to reflect that belief in his writing. While he has also written about other Premier League sides, including Arsenal for Just Arsenal and The Arsenal Analysis Blogspot, Dan lives and breathes Manchester United.
“I got death threats”: United legend outlines how he dealt with strong reaction to his Old Trafford move
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has revealed that his move to Old Trafford sparked an intense reaction from some Everton supporters. The Englishman began his youth career on Merseyside before breaking into the senior side at the age of 16. Rooney soon became a first-team regular for the Toffees and his performances caught the eye of the Old Trafford hierarchy. The Red Devils came calling in the summer of 2004 and prised him away from Goodison Park, but his departure was not well received by some Everton fans. The Englishman has now shed light on the ordeal. Family faced backlash from fans Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, Rooney recalled how his family had to bear the brunt of his move to United. “I got death threats. My parents’ house was getting spray painted and smashed up. My girlfriend at the time, wife now, her house was getting spray painted. I think that’s where you have to be mentally strong. The people around you have to help.” “Leaving was difficult because I went to Manchester United, and Liverpool and Manchester was a big rivalry so that made it a lot more difficult. But I was always of a mindset of ‘I don’t care’. I knew what I wanted and I knew how to get there.” “I had to stay tough in my mind. This was people from my city so it was tough but I thought ‘I don’t care’, you have to be selfish and make these decisions.” The Englishman returned to Everton in the summer of 2017, after ending his stay at Old Trafford and spent one season at Goodison Park. Another Rooney ready to take over Old Trafford Rooney’s eldest son, Kai Rooney, is currently part of United’s youth ranks and could make his debut for the club in the coming years. United’s record goalscorer went on to explain how important it is for young players to have a strong support network. “Now the difference is social media. When I was young, I was in the local newspapers and so everyone in Liverpool really knew me.” “Now I have it with my boy who’s 16 and he’s on social media. He plays for my United, he’s sponsored by Puma and there’s hundreds of thousands or millions of people watching them when they’re that young, and I didn’t have that really.” “Being a young player and going into the first team especially, you’re getting judged. Rightly or wrongly, you get judged and that’s where you need the people around you, people at the club or your family to keep you in a good place.” “We can all get carried away with social media as well. So it’s really important that the people who are close to you have your best interest. It’s the main thing.” Rooney registered 253 goals and 142 assists in 559 appearances for United during his career, and was part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s fabled side that won the Premier League and Champions League double in the 2007/08 season. Premier League All-Time Top Goalscorers RankPlayerNationGoals 1Alan ShearerEngland260 2Harry KaneEngland213 3Wayne RooneyEngland208 4Mohamed SalahEgypt190 5Andrew ColeEngland187 6Sergio AgüeroArgentina184 7Frank LampardEngland177 8Thierry HenryFrance175 9Robbie FowlerEngland163 10Jermain DefoeEngland162 Source: Premier League Website.Final Thoughts The reaction to Rooney’s departure from Everton highlights the strong connection that fans feel with their club and how they are emotionally attached with homegrown players. Thankfully, the Englishman was able to make a fairytale return to his boyhood club later in his career. Despite his association with Everton, Rooney remains an Old Trafford legend and is fondly remembered by United fans. His tenacity, work ethic and selflessness on the pitch live vivid in the memory of fans, as does his stunning overhead kick against Manchester City. Wayne Rooney in the Premier League in 2009/10 was simply unplayable: 🏟️ Games: 32⚽️ Goals: 26✅ Golden Boot winner🥇 Premier League Player of the Year🥇 PFA Players’ Player of the Year🥇 PFA Fans’ Player of the Year🥇 FWA Footballer of the Year🥇 Man Utd Players’ Player… pic.twitter.com/iP2yW6DLqk — Football Tweet ⚽ (@Footballtweet) December 5, 2025 The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Deepungsu Pandit Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. He has worked for over seven years with Sportskeeda, writing football reviews, opinions and news articles. Deepungsu also maintains a blog, The Thinking Me, where he writes about life and things that interest him. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.
