Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has offered his views on next season’s title race. The Englishman was part of the last Red Devils team to win the Premier League, under the stewardship of the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson. Since the Scottish manager’s retirement, United have struggled to maintain their place among English football’s elite. From being serial winners under Sir Alex, the Red Devils have slowly faded away from the title race over the past decade. Things went from bad to worse in the 2024/25 season, when, under former head coach Ruben Amorim, the English giants finished a lowly 15th in the Premier League table. The Portuguese head coach was eventually let go at the turn of the year, with a top-four finish once again in doubt. INEOS handed the keys to the first team to Michael Carrick, initially on a temporary basis in January. Such was the Englishman’s impact at the Theatre of Dreams that he secured the full-time job before the end of the season. United were the league’s best in-form team under Carrick Carrick’s arrival transformed United and helped them seal third place in the Premier League, courtesy of a run of 12 wins and three draws in 17 games. Stats show that the Red Devils were the league’s in-form team since the beginning of the year, scoring the most goals and picking up the most points during that period. United ended up seven points behind Manchester City and 14 points adrift of champions Arsenal. Those were, perhaps, the best results the squad could have achieved given the circumstances. Premier League Top Five: 2025/26 Season PosTeamGames PlayedGames WonGames DrawnGames LostGoals ScoredGoals ConcededGoal DifferencePoints 1Arsenal38267571274485 2Manchester City38239677354278 3Manchester United382011769501971 4Aston Villa38198115649765 5Liverpool381791263531060 Source: Premier League website. United’s decision to invest wisely in the squad last summer was key to their rise, with the striker and goalkeeping departments showing significant improvements. Only Arsenal (71) and Manchester City (77) scored more Premier League goals than the Red Devils (69) in the 2025/26 campaign. INEOS remain committed to further squad reinforcements this summer, with recent reports suggesting that a move for Ederson is done and dusted. Fans have every right to be optimistic about the upcoming season, and Rooney has hinted that United could have a glorious chance of battling for the league next season. No overwhelming favourites for the Premier League next season Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, Wazza pointed out that the Premier League now has several good young managers at top clubs, and there are no outright favourites for the title next season. He said: “I think the title race next year will be really incessant because you’ve obviously got Chelsea, [a] new manager [at] Liverpool.” “Man City, obviously [a] new manager, United with Carrick coming in. So, there’s [sic] lots of good young managers in the league. So, I think the first time for a long time. There’s not an out-and-out favourite.” Pep Guardiola and Arne Slot have both departed Manchester City and Liverpool this season, with the Merseyside club already confirming Andoni Iraola as their next manager. City are yet to announce Guardiola’s successor, although all signs indicate former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will take charge at the Etihad next. Final Thoughts Carrick’s impressive run at Old Trafford suggests that he is ready to go toe-to-toe with top managers in the league. If INEOS manage to properly reinforce the squad over the summer, United fans could be in for a treat next season. 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 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.
Wayne Rooney explains why United have as good a chance as Arsenal at winning PL next season
United’s raid for midfield monster gets seal of approval as INEOS finalise big-money deal – Sky Sports
With nine days until the transfer window opens, Manchester United have already come storming out of the gate ahead of a major summer at Old Trafford. United strike first Last week, a £39 million deal was agreed for Ederson, Atalanta’s box-to-box warrior, who has been on the club’s radar for many years. The 26-year-old Brazilian will not officially arrive at Old Trafford until July, but excitement is already growing around the first signing under Michael Carrick. However, United are not resting on their laurels as they look to completely revamp the 44-year-old coach’s midfield unit, which is braced to lose Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte, albeit for different reasons. Talks are ramping up for West Ham starlet Mateus Fernandes, while a move for Newcastle dynamo Sandro Tonali looks to be back on after initial interest had cooled. A blockbuster raid for Real Madrid superstar Aurelien Tchouameni cannot be ruled out either, with sources in Spain indicating the door is not fully closed on an exit from the Bernabeu. “A good signing” For now, fans will have to feast on compilation clips on YouTube to get their Ederson fill, though a comprehensive breakdown of what the Campo Grande native will bring to Carrick’s squad can be found here. But there are few better sources of information on a player’s strengths and weaknesses than his opposite number, someone who has gone toe to toe with him across ninety minutes. AC Milan powerhouse Ruben Loftus-Cheek, formerly of Chelsea and briefly linked with United in January, has battled Ederson many times in Serie A. The fact that the 30-year-old Englishman has extensive experience in the Premier League puts him in a unique position to judge how the Red Devils’ new signing will fare on these shores. Asked that very question by Sky Sports, Loftus-Cheek states: “I think he will do just fine [because] the times we’ve played against each other he has been very physical. He’s quick, he’s strong, he’s good on the ball – so I think he’s going to do really well, and he’s a good signing.” “He’s quick, strong, good on the ball…he’s a good signing” 👀 Ruben Loftus-Cheek gave a glowing endorsement of potential Manchester United signing Ederson 💪 pic.twitter.com/xagEA9yhKd — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) June 6, 2026 A ringing endorsement from an enemy means far more than a friend, offering further validation to United’s decision to strike early to secure Ederson’s signature. Featured image Marco Luzzani 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 Darragh Fox Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.
United midfield target makes passionate pitch as perfect fit for Carrick’s revolution
Ahead of next season, Manchester United hope to have transformed their midfield entirely, building an engine room capable of competing on multiple fronts. A deal for Atalanta midfielder Ederson is set to be finalised, and the Brazilian is expected to be followed by at least two further midfielders as Michael Carrick looks to assemble his dream engine room. Another Samba star could follow Ederson to Man United Some of the finest midfielders in the game continue to be linked with a move to Old Trafford, and Botafogo’s Danilo is firmly among them. Danilo has been a man on the rise. After a difficult last few months at Nottingham Forest, the Samba star opted to return home, and that decision has proved a masterstroke. Back in Brazil, Danilo has reinvented himself, emerging as a force to be reckoned with at the heart of Botafogo’s engine room, which earned him a spot in Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad. Adored for his gritty defensive play, he has since unlocked his attacking side too. In his last 12 league games, he has contributed seven goals and two assists. United are keenly watching him and considering him as a Casemiro replacement. Botafogo are open to a sale, though any potential deal is expected to be struck after Brazil’s World Cup campaign. As many look ahead to the ex-Nottingham Forest star’s exploits at the World Cup, he has dropped some interesting comments that should give suitors like United plenty of food for thought. Danilo speaks As quoted by Sport Witness, here is what Danilo had to say. On why he left Nottingham Forest: “It was a difficult period. Breaking my ankle and watching an entire season pass because of injury, then coming back and not getting a run of games… “It was very difficult. I have the age to be in Europe, but my serious injury made me lose my place at Nottingham.” He admits he never wanted to leave Europe and return home: “At first, I didn’t want to return to Brazil. I wanted to turn things around and shine, but this is football, and there are things you can’t control.” Yet that move has since proved a masterstroke, as he himself acknowledges: “That step backwards ended up becoming two or more steps forwards.” Now, Danilo considers himself a complete midfielder as he articulates precisely what he brings to the table in a message that will resonate with suitors like United: “Nowadays, when a player is box-to-box, it makes everything easier for teammates and for the coach. “I can play as a No. 5, a No. 8 and even as a No. 10. I can defend, attack and go box-to-box. That helps me a lot.” That was a perfect pitch from Danilo Keen to revolutionise United’s engine room and give Carrick the best possible tools to work with, Danilo is precisely the profile their midfield could use. A complete package, he arrives with Premier League experience and fits squarely within the age bracket INEOS prioritises for their signings. If he carries his club form into the World Cup, United may have a very easy decision to make; they could be the ones to bring him back to England. 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.
United warrior relishing World Cup spotlight, makes bold prediction for crucial clash with Cunha
Noussair Mazraoui is a key member of Manchester United’s first-team squad and is preparing to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Moroccan endured a stop-start 2025/26 campaign affected by injuries and national team commitments, appearing 20 times in all competitions for the English giants, 11 of which were starts. Noussair Mazraoui Stats: 2025/26 Season CompetitionAppearancesStartsGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed CardsMinutes Played Premier League2011–3-984′ FA Cup——- EFL Cup——- Total2011–3-984′ Source: Transfermarkt. The versatile full-back’s ability to perform multiple roles in defence and midfield has endeared him to United fans. The 28 year old recently sat down with the club’s media to discuss the upcoming World Cup and also touched on the topic of facing a current team-mate. Morocco exceeded expectations in 2022 Morocco reached the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, stunning the football world by defeating Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the process. While they were eventually defeated by losing finalist France, the Atlas Lions left a lasting impression. Speaking to the club’s website, Mazraoui insisted that Morocco enjoyed every minute of the 2022 World Cup. He said: “Yeah, it was a little bit different. I’m talking like I’ve done four World Cups, it was my first one! I think it’s different, of course, mid-season, it’s different in every aspect, physically, mentally as well.” “End of the season, you have the whole season [that you have played before it], just half-season [like Qatar was] is different. But what I remember from that World Cup is we just went in there with a good fight.” “Everybody was free in their head. We knew we had a strong team. We knew we could do something, but we never expected to be in the semi-final. So that was a big surprise for us, I think for the whole world, and we enjoyed every minute of that.” On facing United team-mate Matheus Cunha at World Cup Morocco kick off their 2026 World Cup campaign by locking horns with Brazil at the MetLife Stadium next Saturday, 13 June. The game will pit Mazraoui against his club team-mate Matheus Cunha. The Moroccan insisted that he is eager to test himself against Cunha and has already discussed the possibility with the Brazilian. He said: “When you have time, we talk about the club, everything. This subject as well, especially [with] Cunha, because he’s probably going to play left or right winger, [if he’s] on my [side], then [it’s] 1v1, so it’s going to be fun.” Mazraoui also acknowledged that the expectations will be much higher now compared to four years ago, adding: “I think we’ve been doing really good on an international level as well as in Africa itself. So yeah, expectations are much higher than they were four years ago because we’ve reached that and because we’ve done pretty well the last four or five years.” “So yeah, the expectations are bigger and it’s up to us to handle that kind of pressure and to show again that you can do the same thing that you did four years ago, and it’s not just luck and it’s going to be like a constant level. I think that’s our biggest ambition for us.” The charm of World Cup Mazraoui went on to explain why the World Cup remains football’s most special tournament, stating: “I think they did it very smart with the timings. Once in four years, you don’t have a lot of World Cups in your career.” “If you start off very young and go until a later age, you still have five or six, that’s still not a lot, but the Champions League you can have every season, European [trophies], Africa Cup, it’s all the same. I think that’s what makes it extra special.” “It’s just once every four years and you just don’t know where you are after four years. You can be in a great spot, but if you’re not in the right moment, in the right club, in a good form, you can also not be selected. So, I think that’s what makes it special. Not a lot of players can say that they’ve played a couple World Cups. I think it’s elite.” Final Thoughts Mazraoui’s versatility has been an asset for United this season, with the player also impressing in an unconventional centre-back role in the 1-0 win against Chelsea. A strong World Cup campaign would further enhance his experience and confidence ahead of ahead of what promises to be another demanding season at Old Trafford. 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.
Ex-Liverpool midfielder hails Uniteds move for Ederson, explains why he is a managers dream
Manchester United have already secured their first signing of the summer, although official confirmation is still awaited. After finishing third in the Premier League last season and securing qualification for the Champions League, the Red Devils have stepped up their efforts to reinforce the squad. The Premier League giants have followed a structured approach to the transfer market since the arrival of minority owners INEOS. After focusing on the defence, attack, and goalkeeping departments in the past two summers, the midfield is now at the forefront of United’s plans this year. The Red Devils have already tied the talented Kobbie Mainoo down to a new deal, but they want to add more steel to the middle of the park. The English giants are keen to find a replacement for Casemiro, who was outstanding last season but is set to leave as a free agent this summer. Meanwhile, Manuel Ugarte has failed to convince at Old Trafford and is also expected to leave. A recent report relayed by The Peoples Person states that Atalanta midfielder Ederson has been identified as an option to address the situation. United have completed Ederson transfer Ederson is among the finest players in his position in Serie A, and he famously helped Atalanta win the Europa League in the 2023/24 season. The Brazilian midfielder’s all-action style of play, his relentless running, and his ability to perform a box-to-box role have already convinced United. In the recently concluded season, the 26 year old registered three goals and two assists in 41 appearances across competitions, all but four of which were starts. Ederson Stats: 2025/26 Season CompetitionAppearancesStartsGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed CardsMinutes Played Serie A3026213-2,235′ UEFA Champions League99111-724′ Italy Cup22—-210′ Total4137324-3,169′ Source: Transfermarkt. Ederson’s fitness record also makes him an attractive proposition; the Brazilian has missed just 10 games through injury since arriving at Bergamo in the summer of 2022. Acclaimed journalist Fabrizio Romano recently stated that United and Atalanta have completed all the paperwork for the move. Meanwhile, former Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchison has provided his views on the move. A manager’s dream Speaking on ESPN, Hutchison insisted that United have pulled off a coup by securing the services of Ederson. He said: “He’s the player I thought Liverpool would have got when Fabinho left. Outstanding player.” “Ederson is completely different [to Ugarte]. He’s all over the pitch; he’s all-action. He plugs gaps, he’s aggressive, and gets the odd goal. “He’s one of those players that when Man Utd play you will probably look at Bruno Fernandes, look at Cunha, Mbeumo, Sesko, your eyes might not catch Ederson, but honestly he is a manager’s dream. “For £36m at 26 he’s an absolute bargain; he’ll slot right in there. He’s a real team player and a superb footballer, it’s a great signing.” Final Thoughts Ederson has all the attributes to become the perfect partner for Mainoo, and United have done well to prise him away early in the transfer window. However, CEO Omar Berrada recently revealed that the Red Devils are likely to stick to their recent Premier League-proven transfer strategy, so fans can expect further additions to the midfield this summer. 🚨 Manchester United and Atalanta have now completed all documents for €45m package deal for Éderson. All done and player set to sign later on this summer but all agreed with Éderson since May. First signing: 100% confirmed. ✅🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/XOsv56rann — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 6, 2026 Featured image by Pau Barrena/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.
United lock horns with Man City for explosive Spanish star, Wilcox working behind the scenes to strike deal – report
Manchester United face a battle with their Premier League rivals to sign Barcelona speedster Alejandro Balde, according to a report from Spain. New Left-Back is a Priority The Red Devils are considering options to reinforce their backline ahead of a return to the Champions League next year – specifically at left-back. Luke Shaw has started every Premier League match in what has been an injury-free campaign for the 30-year-old Englishman, which stands in sharp contrast to his previous struggles to stay fit in a red shirt. The relaxed schedule of no European football and early exits from the cup competitions has allowed him to rest between matches – a liberty Michael Carrick’s men will not be afforded next season. This has led INEOS to ramp up efforts to sign another option on this flank, given Patrick Dorgu‘s reinvention as a winger looks set to continue after an impressive run of performances from the 21-year-old Dane. A pair of English starlets – Lewis Hall (Newcastle) and Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal) – are understood to be the leading targets, though striking deals with either rival will prove as difficult as it is costly. Alternatives on the continent, such as Balde and Eintracht Frankfurt’s flying full-back Nathaniel Brown, have also been explored, with United sporting director Jason Wilcox said to have conducted “extensive work” behind the scenes for both players. Eyed by England’s Elite At his best, Balde is a touchline terror, capable of providing a constant overlap on the outside of his winger with his potent pairing of speed and skill. There are few players anywhere in Europe who can match the “explosive” 22-year-old in a foot race, offering the tantalising prospect of a deadly combination with Matheus Cunha on the left-hand side. Recruitment director Christopher Vivell is said to have “strongly advocated” the Spain international as an option, believing his skillset is exactly what is needed at Old Trafford. United are not alone in their admiration, however, with both Aston Villa and Manchester City understood to be “keen to secure his services” as Barcelona are “willing to listen to offers,” according to Mundo Deportivo. The Blaugrana are looking to generate funds this summer to overhaul Hansi Flick’s forward line, with a £70 million deal already agreed with Newcastle United for Anthony Gordon and talks ongoing over a blockbuster raid on rivals Atletico Madrid for Julian Alvarez. While Balde is internally rated at Camp Nou, there is growing acceptance that a big-money offer from England could allow targets elsewhere on the pitch to be secured. However, the Catalan native wants to remain at his boyhood club as he still believes he can play an “important role”. Final Thoughts Stylistically, Balde is an excellent complement to Shaw as an attacking full-back, with the pace and precision to make decisive movements in the final third – a quality the former Southampton star no longer has the physicality to provide. However, the Spaniard has suffered from injury concerns in recent years, and his preference to remain in Catalonia suggests a switch to M16 would be a compromise in his mind. When combined with Barcelona’s asking price almost certain to cost a pretty penny as Man City and Villa are sniffing around, Balde loses his appeal as a target as rapidly as he hurtles down the touchline. Feature image Judit Cartiel 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 Darragh Fox Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.
United make key decision on future of highly-rated striker as German club lines up permanent swoop – report
Manchester United have reportedly reached a major call over the future of striker Ethan Wheatley as Schalke line up a summer swoop. Loan stints Wheatley spent the first half of the 2025/26 season out on loan at Northampton Town before United recalled him and sent him out to Bradford for the latter half of the campaign. He took time to find his feet at Northampton under now-sacked boss Kevin Nolan but he eventually established himself as a key member of the squad. It’s understood that United considered his time at Northampton a success but felt his development would be better aided by going elsewhere. Nolan was highly critical of United’s decision to recall the youngster just when he was finding his rhythm. At Bradford, Wheatley also featured prominently, although he didn’t score as many goals as he would have liked. He finished the season with three goals in 37 games across all competitions. United face a decision on Wheatley’s future this summer and now, Football Insider have revealed that Schalke, who have been promoted to the Bundesliga, are interested in signing the forward. Wheatley transfer update According to the news outlet, Schalke are admirers of Wheatley but United have no desire to let him leave permanently. United are said to be open to an exit but only on another loan. On why this is the case, Football Insider claim that there are still high hopes for Wheatley inside Old Trafford. He is still seen as a player with a lot of potential who can achieve great things. The report further states, “There remains excitement around the England youth international nonetheless, and a confidence that the right move will see his potential unleashed.” It remains to be seen whether Schalke will accept United’s stance, push harder for a permanent deal, or look elsewhere as they aim to strengthen their attacking options. The transfer window officially opens on 15 June and it promises to be an extremely busy one for Michael Carrick’s side. 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 Latest Top Stories… Derick Kinoti Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the Premier League extensively for years. His work blends sharp analysis, tactical insight, and engaging storytelling that resonates with fans around the world. Derick has gained valuable experience in football journalism, developing strong expertise in SEO writing, digital content creation, and social media engagement. A tech enthusiast with a Computer Science degree from the University of Nairobi, he ultimately swapped code for football commentary, bringing an analytical, detail-oriented approach to his writing. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
Fletcher: It’s been a crazy week!
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United star refusing to listen to three major offers in desperate attempt to force dream move – report
Marcus Rashford’s future at Manchester United is set to come to a head this summer, with the forward expected to leave the club on a permanent basis after a couple of loan spells away from Old Trafford. The Englishman spent last season with Spanish giants Barcelona and enjoyed an impressive campaign, winning La Liga and rounding off a 28-goal contribution campaign with a memorable goal in a famous El Clásico victory at the Camp Nou that sealed the title. However, Barcelona are yet to push the button to turn the loan into a permanent switch, which has left other clubs around Europe raising their interest in the United man. Rival switch unlikely Despite Barcelona still hoping to negotiate a deal with United, their lack of urgency has led to rumours that Marcus Rashford could be tempted to continue his career back in England, but away from Old Trafford. However, according to Spanish publication SPORT, Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle United have all approached Rashford, who is unwilling to listen to them. Despite spending time on loan with Aston Villa, it would be strange to see the Carrington graduate turn out for a direct rival, with a move to Arsenal in particular looking very unpalatable for United fans. That is clearly also in the mind of Rashford, with the report claiming he has instructed his entourage to reject a return to the Premier League and focus on securing the permanent move to Barcelona. Given the 28-year-old’s desire to stay in Spain, United might be forced to soften their stance on the fee they are after for Rashford, with Barcelona playing hardball to get an even cheaper deal than the one already on the table. Little chance of a return If a deal cannot be struck with the La Liga champions, it is unclear where Rashford’s next move might be, but what is clear is that there is little to no chance of him continuing at Old Trafford. The introduction of Michael Carrick might have made a return more likely, but it seems too much water has passed under the bridge and the Wythenshawe lad has his heart set on staying in Catalonia. His successful season has earned him a World Cup call-up and he will be desperate to showcase his skills on the biggest stage and enter the new campaign with a completely fresh start away from his boyhood club. United, meanwhile, are expected to throw any funds made from the Rashford deal back into the transfer kitty to help rebuild Carrick’s squad, who will be competing on multiple fronts of their own next season. Featured image Mike Hewitt 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 Conner Botterill Conner Botterill has been with The Peoples Person for three years. A lifelong red with degrees in Sport and Journalism and Philosophy and Psychology through the Open University. His favourite match attended was the unforgettable night in Paris in 2019 under the guidance of one of his idols, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Conner still believes he has a chance of making United’s first team through his 5-a-side career.
United’s pursuit of midfield magician rocked as PSG now in pole position to strike deal – report
Manchester United have reportedly held talks to sign Aboubacar Maiga, but face a fierce race with Paris Saint-Germain to secure the 16-year-old wonderkid’s signature. Malian Messi Dubbed the ‘Malian Messi’, Maiga is considered one of the most highly rated young talents to emerge from African football in recent years – with a host of top clubs keeping tabs on his progress. Offering dizzying dribbling and agility, with an incisive eye for a pass, the attacking midfielder possesses the profile to develop into an outstanding playmaker. Well-placed sources describe him as a “potentially generational talent”. As captain of the Mali under-16 national side, this quality on the pitch appears to be matched by a strong work ethic and leadership skills off it, further strengthening his appeal. Maiga is currently on the books at Academie Africa Foot, a highly renowned organisation operating in Cameroon, which serves as a link to top sides in Europe. Within the Premier League, United are joined by Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle United in their admiration of the youngster, while on the continent Barcelona and the Red Bull organisation are also suitors. PSG storm into the race TEAMtalk reveals PSG have now leapfrogged their rivals to assume “pole position” for Maiga as the Ligue 1 giants show no signs of resting on their laurels after defending their Champions League title in Budapest last week. “The French champions have accelerated their efforts in recent weeks, and Maiga is currently spending time in France as the club intensify their assessment of the teenager. “Sources indicate PSG’s project has made a strong impression on both the player and those around him, with the Paris club increasingly confident they can beat a host of European rivals to his signature.” United are understood to have “closely monitored” the youngster over the past twelve months, with discussions held over a “potential move” to Old Trafford. This is mirrored at Anfield, while Chelsea, Man City and Newcastle have “also explored opportunities” to sign him. “The Premier League’s elite view Maiga as a player with enormous potential and one capable of becoming a future star at the highest level,” the report states. Final Thoughts United have demonstrated a renewed focus on securing the best young talent from across the globe since INEOS took the helm in 2024. The capture of Malian midfielder Sekou Kone from Guidars FC is a testament to this, with the club looking to repeat the trick with his younger compatriot. But it appears Maiga is leaning towards the French capital, with the pull of playing for the world’s best team, under the world’s best manager, in the heart of one of the world’s best cities a difficult sales pitch to overcome. Interestingly, PSG and United are also battling it out to sign West Ham starlet Mateus Fernandes, though the Red Devils are said to be leading the charge to secure the 21-year-old Portugal international. 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 Darragh Fox Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.
