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“100 per cent”: Rooney makes stunning United claim about Rashford after his heroics vs. PSG

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“100 per cent”: Rooney makes stunning United claim about Rashford after his heroics vs. PSG

Manchester United’s record goalscorer Wayne Rooney has claimed that Marcus Rashford is still keen on lining up for his boyhood club despite enjoying a renaissance at Aston Villa.

Rashford fell out of favour under Ruben Amorim and was left out of several matchday squads, prompting the club to sanction his loan move to Villa. He has looked like a player reborn at the Birmingham outfit, registering an impressive return of six assists and three goals in 15 games.

The England international produced a top performance on Tuesday as Villa threatened to pull off a stunning comeback against Paris Saint-Germain.

He played more than an hour, delivering an exquisite assist for Ezri Konsa but the hosts just couldn’t quite get over the finish line.

Speaking on Amazon Prime after the game, Rashford’s former United teammate Rooney said that he hopes the 27-year-old will return to Old Trafford once his loan spell with Villa ends. Rooney added that Rashford still wants to play for the Red Devils.

Rooney explained [as quoted by the Daily Mail], “Marcus Rashford wants to play for Manchester United, 100 per cent. He is a Manchester lad, Man United fan, and over the last couple of years it has been difficult. He needed to play and it was clear he wouldn’t play for the rest of the season at United.”

“He has clearly shown, sometimes you have to keep banging on the manager’s door, put them in a position where they can’t leave you out in an ideal world he would like to leave a legacy at United, whether that is possible I don’t know, but this is what I’d love to see.”

Rooney added [via Express], “We have to give a massive shoutout to Marcus Rashford, I thought he was fantastic, [it was like] the Rashford we’ve seen over the years. Massive skill, ability, you see here [during a replay of the goal], getting at players, driving at them, pulling the ball back.”

“The big thing [for Villa] now is keeping hold of them players, Marco Asensio, Rashford, but I hope they don’t [keep hold of them].”

“I hope Rashford goes back to United and performs like he did tonight, that’s what we all want to see as Man United fans. They [Villa] would have to finish in the Champions League, it would be a waste.”

Villa have the option of making Rashford’s signing a permanent one for £40m.

Meanwhile, United return to action on Thursday as they welcome Lyon for the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie. The aggregate score is level at 2-2 following the first leg.

Feature image Dan Istitene via Getty Images

Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

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!

Ruben confirms keeper for Lyon game

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Ruben confirms keeper for Lyon game

Ruben confirms keeper for Lyon game

Wednesday 16 April 2025 13:40

Ruben Amorim has confirmed his starting goalkeeper for Thursday’s huge Europa League quarter-final second leg against Lyon.

Altay Bayindir replaced Andre Onana for Sunday’s 4-1 defeat at Newcastle United, as the Cameroon international did not travel to Tyneside.

Before that contest, Amorim said Onana – who had previously played every Premier League game since joining the club in July 2023 – needed to ‘disconnect’ from both a mental and physical aspect.

The former Internazionale and Ajax keeper was present for Wednesday’s open session at Carrington, alongside Altay, Tom Heaton and young stoppers Elyh Harrison and Dermot Mee.

And Amorim confirmed to journalists at the press conference that Andre would be brought back into the side, for the visit of Paulo Fonseca’s men.

“Onana will play tomorrow,” Ruben said.

“I just think first of all as a coach, and also as a former player,” he continued.

“I try to do things that can help a player in this situation. So sometimes we talk about managing players physically, we have to manage them also mentally.

“But then, they have to return to competition and Onana is ready.

“He had one weekend that I felt it was better for him to not play, and a good thing for Altay, and this week, my thinking was to put Onana to play.”

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Wednesday 16 April 2025 13:40

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United hold two crucial advantages in race for defensive monster with club finally ready to sell and player eyeing exit – report

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United hold two crucial advantages in race for defensive monster with club finally ready to sell and player eyeing exit – report

Manchester United’s long-standing interest in Sporting centre-back Goncalo Ignacio could finally come to fruition in the summer, with the Portuguese club now reportedly open to selling 23-year-old.

According to A Bola, United’s pursuit of the Portuguese defender started over a year ago and ramped up after his former manager, Ruben Amorim, took control at Old Trafford.

Now, a significant change in attitude from the player’s current employers could see him sold in the summer, with the Red Devils right at the front of the queue.

A Bola claim that Sporting has previously “not shown itself willing for the player’s transfer” but “is now open to negotiation”.

Inacio “has seen increasing interest from several clubs in the main European leagues”, so competition for his signature would be intense, but United hold two major trump cards.

Most obviously, the talented centre-back has an existing relationship with Amorim and was a key part of the sensational side which won the title last year.

But he also shares an agent with Bruno Fernandes, who made the switch from Lisbon to Manchester five years ago, and A Bola note that the man who made this happen, Miguel Pinho, “has privileged relations with the Red Devils”.

For these reasons United are considered “one of the strongest candidates to sign him”.

There will certainly be others in the mix, though, and the report explains that German giants Borussia Dortmund enquired about Inacio in the January transfer window but were rebuffed by both club and player.

Since then – and no reason for this is given – there has been a change of heart in both parties.

For Sporting, “there is a willingness to negotiate and the price has been set” at €45m, while Inacio himself is “seeing a future outside Alvalade with different eyes”.

To further boost United’s hopes, A Bola claim that the departure of either Inacio or his centre-back partner Ousmane Diomande is “a likely scenario” in the summer.

And if for some reason negotiations hit a brick wall and the Red Devils are determined to bring him to Old Trafford come what may, they can resort to paying his release clause of €60m.

Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

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.

Amorim reveals team news for Lyon test

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Amorim reveals team news for Lyon test

Amorim reveals team news for Lyon test

ManUtd.com reporter Adam Marshall at Old Trafford.

Wednesday 16 April 2025 13:30

Ruben Amorim has revealed the all-important team news for Manchester United’s Europa League tie against Lyon.

The quarter-final second leg is delicately poised after a 2-2 draw in France last week, and there has been a lot of scrutiny on the goalkeeping position, after Andre Onana missed Sunday’s defeat at Newcastle United.

Altay Bayindir made his Premier League debut at St James’ Park but Onana is starting on Thursday, the boss has confirmed.

“He will play tomorrow,” said Ruben.

There is bad news regarding Joshua Zirkzee, as the striker has been ruled out for the rest of the season, after being injured during the second half at Newcastle.

“Joshua is out for the season,” said the boss. “So he’s not going to play more this season. Let’s prepare him for the next one.

“It’s tough, especially in this moment. I think he’s improving in all aspects of the game, so it’s hard for any player to stop, but this is football and he has to be ready now to recover.”

Matthijs de Ligt will play again this term and Ayden Heaven is out again but Jonny Evans returned to training, even if he is not available for the Lyon clash.

Toby Collyer is another who is sidelined, Amad is working individually and Lisandro Martinez is out for the long term.

“Matta [de Ligt] is going to return still this season,” added Amorim. “Ayden is out for this game, he had a small issue in the same spot during training, a contact with a team-mate.

“Jonny Evans is returning to the training but is not available for this game and some other players that we have to manage the minutes. Amad is not ready for this month but we hope to have Amad still for this season.”

We’ll have full coverage of Lyon’s updated team news in due course.

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ManUtd.com reporter Adam Marshall at Old Trafford.

Wednesday 16 April 2025 13:30

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Man Utd vs Lyon prediction, expected line-ups, how to watch and stats

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Man Utd vs Lyon prediction, expected line-ups, how to watch and stats
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Man Utd will look to book a spot in the Europa League semi-final by beating Lyon on Thursday after playing out a 2-2 draw in the first leg.

Andre Onana’s continual attempts to turn goalkeeping into a performance art saw Rayan Cherki slam home an injury-time equaliser at the Groupama Stadium.

Even David James spent the game watching through his fingers, as Onana launched Utd’s hopes and dreams in the river Rhone during his Cirque du Soleil audition.

Despite his unorthodox interpretation of goalkeeping, Utd managed two goals amid a performance that backed up the Cameroonian’s brash statement. Man Utd are, in fact, better than Lyon.

The difficulty for Ruben Amorim’s side may be that they’ve looked more comfortable away from the pressure cooker that is Old Trafford.

Lyon’s game plan will involve surrendering lots of possession, waiting for opportunities to strike on the break and, if Onana plays, just putting the ball into the box.

Still, like a French army tasked with making advances, Lyon crumbled and retreated the last time they sniffed a semi-final, instead settling for years of mediocrity near the foot of the table.

We do fancy the visitors’ chances of causing an upset, though if they’re to escape Old Trafford with a draw, they’ll need a slice of luck, waterproofs, and a translator.

Man Utd vs Lyon prediction:

The difficulty for Utd is, in part, the media circus surrounding the likely return of Andre Onana.

After his number two fully bottled it at the weekend and reminded Amorim why he was hesitant to play him, this is his last chance to prove he is the man for the job.

If he’s as mentally weak as he looks to be, there’s no way back and he’ll probably make an error leading to a goal on Thursday.

The game could be absolute chaos, and the atmosphere could just as easily turn sour, even if the home crowd have been particularly vocal and supportive of late.

It’s hard to imagine both teams not finding the net at least once, with the wet and pressured conditions leading to some dodgy defending and some fine TV viewing.

Both teams have found the net in nine of Utd’s 11 Europa League fixtures, with both teams scoring in seven of Lyon’s European outings.

It’s not easy to trust Utd to progress, but we are fairly confident there will be goals.

Man Utd team news

The big news is that Andre Onana is expected to return after enjoying a weekend off to “disconnect” after a poor performance in the first leg.

A now familiar back three of Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro will be flanked by Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dorgu.

Mason Mount is in contention once again, though Ugarte and Casemiro may be preferred in Utd’s engine room.

Bruno Fernandes will join Alejandro Garnacho in an advanced area, where they’ll likely support lone striker Rasmus Hojlund.

He literally is the lone striker at this stage, with Joshua Zirkzee picking up an injury against Newcastle, which may rule him out.

Man Utd expected line-up

Onana – Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro – Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu – Fernandes, Garnacho – Hojlund

Lyon team news

Ernest Nuamah is absent again, as is Malick Fofana, who is nursing a knee injury.

It’s as you were at the back with Lucas Perri in goal behind a back four of Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Clinton Mata, Moussa Niakhate and Nicolas Tagliafico.

Jordan Veretout, Corentin Tolisso and Paul Akouokou will line up in midfield again.

World Cup winner Thiago Almada posed a threat last week and got himself on the scoresheet.

Cherki, who has scored three goals and registered eight assists in Europe, will support Georges Mikautadze.

Lyon expected line-up

Perri Maitland-Niles, Mata, Niakhate, Tagliafico – Vererout, Tolisso, Akouokou – Almada – Cherki, Mikautadze

Man Utd vs Lyon: How to watch and listen

Man Utd vs Lyon will be shown live on TNT Sports Ultimate and TNT Sports 1 at 20:00 on Thursday, April 17. There will be full match commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live Sport.

Man Utd vs Lyon stats:

– Man Utd are protecting an unbeaten record in Europe this season, winning six and drawing five of their 11 matches.

– Utd have posted three unbeaten runs of 15+ matches at home in European competition since the turn of the century.

– Since the last one ended in 2018, the Red Devils have a record of 21 wins, six draws, and nine losses.

– Both teams have scored in nine of those 11 matches.

– Lyon have a strong record against English opposition with four wins, four draws and one defeat.

– Seven of Lyon’s 11 Europa League matches this campaign have produced four or more goals.

– Lyon are unbeaten in 10 European away games since losing 2-1 to Juventus during the 2019/20 season.

Man Utd: ‘Concerns’ over 12-goal striker raised with Red Devils scared of ‘taking a punt’

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Man Utd: ‘Concerns’ over 12-goal striker raised with Red Devils scared of ‘taking a punt’

‘Concerns’ have reportedly been raised at Manchester United over the signing of Liam Delap, as it would mean ‘taking another punt’ on a young striker.

Delap has a number of the Premier League’s biggest clubs on his tail. That’s little surprise given his growth in one season at the top level of English football.

Before this season, Delap had played just 47 minutes in the Premier League, having come through the academy at Manchester City. At Ipswich, he has 31 top-flight games under his belt, scoring 12 goals and providing two assists.

His style of play seems well suited to the league, leading United and Co to register an interest. But according to TBRFootball, while the Red Devils have made contact, there are ‘some doubts’ at the club over if Delap is the right signing.

The concerns raised are due to the fact his signing would mean ‘taking another punt on a young striker’.

United have done that with Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund, and neither signing has paid off yet. Zirkzee, 23, has just three Premier League goals this season, and 22-year-old Hojlund is on the same number.

A recent report states that the former will survive, as there’s faith that he’ll continue improving, but the latter has not shown those same signs, so United will listen to offers for him.

Though the Red Devils are not yet certain if they’re going to full pursue Delap, they’re said to be the ‘favourites’ to sign him. It’s believed essentially all of the Premier League other than Arsenal wants to land the striker.

He’s believed to head a list of targets at Old Trafford, meaning if they aren’t to sign him, there are other options which they could go for instead.

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There’s a chance that Delap doesn’t want to head to United, anyway, with recent reports stating he wants to play European football next season – something the Red Devils can only give him if they are to win this season’s Europa League.

Meanwhile, reports of late have suggested that Patrik Schick is among the strikers eyed by United, and at 29, they know they’d not be taking a risk on a young player by signing him.

READ MORE: Man Utd star Leny Yoro sends message after Thierry Henry slams display vs Newcastle

Jonny Evans back, but another United defender suffers injury “setback” in cursed season

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Jonny Evans back, but another United defender suffers injury “setback” in cursed season

Jonny Evans

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans has returned to training ahead of the club’s Europa League meeting with Olympique Lyonnais on Thursday.

Evans has missed the past several months with an injury but is now back and potentially available for selection.

But it’s not all good news as Ayden Heaven was not in training due to a small injury “setback”, according to journalist Simon Peach.

Joshua Zirkzee isn’t training and is set to miss #MUFC v Lyon. Matthijs de Ligt not back with group yet & Ayden Heaven isn’t training due to what has been described as a small setback. Jonny Evans involved pic.twitter.com/RFDyRWNshq

— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) April 16, 2025

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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!

Training update from Carrington

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Training update from Carrington

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ManUtd.com reporter Adam Marshall at Old Trafford.

Wednesday 16 April 2025 11:42

Manchester United’s squad have trained in front of our cameras at Carrington, on the eve of the home game against Lyon.

The Europa League quarter-final second leg is the biggest match of our season to date, with the tie level at 2-2 and the prize of a last-four duel with Athletic Club or Rangers at stake.

There was the very welcome sight of Jonny Evans working with the group, following his lengthy absence.

The fans’ favourite has not played since the Carabao Cup clash at Tottenham Hotspur in December, when he scored in a 4-3 defeat.

Since then, he was an used substitute for the festive fixtures against Bournemouth and Wolves, but has subsequently been absent due to injury.

The experienced defender’s presence on the grass at our base is a big positive, ahead of a crunch game for Ruben Amorim’s men, particularly considering his huge influence in the changing room.

Harry Maguire, who will be speaking to the media at a press conference later, was rested at Newcastle United last weekend, with his minutes being carefully managed.

The unavailability of Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt does mean Evans’s potential return is a timely one to increase the options for the three slots over the course of a game, with Ayden Heaven absent despite being on the bench last time out.

As anticipated, there was no Joshua Zirkzee in the session, after the forward appeared to suffer a hamstring problem during the game at Newcastle.

Amad was conducting an individual session away from the main group but it was encouraging to see him getting closer in his bid to regain fitness.

Look out for the press conference from 13:30 BST, when Amorim is expected to provide more of an update on the team news ahead of the Old Trafford tie.

TRAINING SQUAD

Andre Onana, Altay Bayindir, Elyh Harrison, Tom Heaton, Dermot Mee; Harry Amass, Diogo Dalot, Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu, Jonny Evans, Jaydan Kamason, Godwill Kukonki, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Noussair Mazraoui, Luke Shaw, Leny Yoro; Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Jack Moorhouse, Mason Mount, Manuel Ugarte; Gabriele Biancheri, Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund.

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ManUtd.com reporter Adam Marshall at Old Trafford.

Wednesday 16 April 2025 11:42

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Andre Onana: Man Utd plan will ‘lead’ ex-academy goalkeeper back to replace No.1

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Andre Onana: Man Utd plan will ‘lead’ ex-academy goalkeeper back to replace No.1

Manchester United could reportedly bring a former academy goalkeeper back to the club, amid uncertainty over the future of incumbent No.1 Andre Onana.

Onana has not covered himself in glory of late. The United goalkeeper has the most errors leading to a goal in all competitions out of all Premier League goalkeepers since his signing in 2023.

Two of those came in the same game, against Lyon, in the Europa League – one when he let a free-kick sail past him, and the other when he dropped the ball at an attacker’s feet. United might have won that game without Onana, but drew 2-2.

Ruben Amorim rested him for the next game, and speculation has been rife about the No.1 being replaced.

The latest report suggests former academy goalkeeper Milinkovic-Savic could join the club again. That’s according to Italian newspaper La Stampa, which states he could accept a return in order to replace Onana.

It’s stated Torino would be likely to ask for €20million (£17.1m approx) for their goalkeeper. He is said to have ‘no shortage of options’ and as well as the one which ‘leads to Manchester’, the stopper is wanted in the Saudi Pro League.

Milinkovic-Savic could play for United for the first time if he is to return there, having spent around 18 months at Old Trafford previously, but never featuring.

He was unable to obtain a work permit, so was released to join Lechia Gdansk in 2016. From there, the goalkeeper joined current club Torino, where he has played 152 times, around loans to SPAL, Ascoli and Standard Liege.

Milinkovic-Savic adds to the growing number of goalkeepers United are reportedly eyeing. Also on the list so far are Senne Lammens, Lucas Chevalier, James Trafford, Zion Suzuki and Aaron Ramsdale.

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A couple of those have Premier League experience – Southampton man Ramsdale is a full England international, and many believe Burnley keeper Trafford will be the Three Lions’ next long-term No.1 after Jordan Pickford.

As such, there are a few interesting options for United to look at this summer. While Amorim has suggested Onana might well be back in the side, it’s been reported the Red Devils are hopeful that a Saudi offer will come in for him.

Subsequently, Saudi interest has been confirmed, so that could be a legitimate route for the goalkeeper.

READ MORE: Man Utd star who Amorim ‘wants out’ is ‘offered escape route’ after ‘shock’ wage cut

Classy gesture by under-fire United star makes a mockery of the constant criticism he gets

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Classy gesture by under-fire United star makes a mockery of the constant criticism he gets

Bruno Fernandes has been seen taking a former Manchester United employee out to lunch in Manchester.

The Portuguese star has been United’s most productive player this season by some distance, scoring 16 goals and providing 18 assists, despite playing a significant portion of the season in a deeper midfield role.

In spite of his fine form, Fernandes has often been torn to pieces by pundits for his captaincy.

Former United skipper Roy Keane has been very vocal in his criticism of Fernandes as captain and has claimed that he just deals in “soundbites” for interviews.

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager, Harry Redknapp, has also bizarrely opined that Fernandes would have no role at Sir Alex Ferguson’s United.

Nonetheless, most fans of the club know about the effort Fernandes makes to be a mentor figure in the dressing room and how deeply involved he is in the club.

The Sun reports such an example when Bruno Fernandes was “spotted taking an ex-Manchester United employee out for lunch.”

“Former communications officer, John Allen, was made redundant last summer amid a brutal wave of job cuts that saw 250 people lose their jobs.”

“The pair were seen heading to Juniper in Wilmslow, a hotspot for Man Utd players to enjoy lunch.”

Allen had been at the club for 25 years, starting in the ticket office before joining the media department in 2011.

Nonetheless, he was removed from his position during Ineos’ purge.

This is not the first time in which Fernandes has shown his love and care for those at the club beyond the playing staff.

He was reportedly shocked by the reduction in perks for the staff last year such as free travel down to London for the FA Cup final. As a result, he confronted the club executives and offered to pay the costs out of his own pocket, but his proposal was rejected.

The fans also clearly value his contribution as he was involved in the planning of United unveiling their first ever Tifo banner before tomorrow night’s crunch European quarter final against Olympique Lyonnais.

Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

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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