ManUtd

United set to abandon key feature of new stadium that Sir Jim Ratcliffe loves – report

Saikat

-

September 27, 2025

0

United set to abandon key feature of new stadium that Sir Jim Ratcliffe loves – report

Manchester United’s new stadium could look fundamentally different to how it is currently planned to.

Finally a new stadium

For years, United fans have lambasted the Glazer family’s lack of interest in modernising Old Trafford.

The ground has become an artefact of another time and is being further and further left behind with many new teams across Europe opening up state-of-the-art new grounds.

Plans were announced earlier this year by Ineos that they would be building a 100,000 seater stadium that would be viewed as the Wembley of the North.

A striking feature of the plans of the new stadium showed a tent like structure that would cover the ground and significant portions of land around it.

Potential roadblock

United may need to reconsider their original design as there have been some potential obstacles to the idea.

The Daily Mail report that “Manchester United could ditch the controversial canopy that had been earmarked to cover the proposed new Old Trafford after drawing up fresh designs.”

The report goes on to state that a “key part of the plan saw the ground covered by what was dubbed ‘a vast umbrella’ by those involved, which would make it unique.” Nonetheless, the plan was not universally popular and some dubbed it akin to a “circus tent.”

Land issue

The crux of the issue is believed to be that “talks over purchasing land from Freightliner, the company that owns a key area surrounding the ground that had been earmarked for construction, have so far been unsuccessful.”

The logistics company are currently demanding around £400 million for the land United want but the Red Devils had only projected paying around £50 million.

Due to the impasse, “the club are now looking at alternative designs that would require less space. The canopy had an estimated cost of £300m-£400m, although its impact was expected to be mainly aesthetic rather than practical.”

Newer designs are set to be more traditional but the original tent plan is not yet off the table entirely.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

Latest Top Stories…

Alex Browne

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.

“It can consume you”: Skinner sets his young United team a big challenge ahead of Liverpool match

Saikat

-

September 27, 2025

0

“It can consume you”: Skinner sets his young United team a big challenge ahead of Liverpool match

Manchester United Women manager Marc Skinner has had his say on his side’s massive trip to Liverpool this weekend.

United have had a very positive start to the season, gaining seven points from nine and securing Champions League football that will begin next month.

Emotional challenge

The world of women’s football was shocked by the death of former Liverpool manager Matt Beard a few days ago, and there will certainly be an emotional atmosphere during the match on Sunday.

Speaking on this matter Skinner in his pre-match press conference he stated, “I think it’ll be one that’s charged with emotion, and that can go two ways for a team. It can galvanise you, it can promote you, it can push you, or it can consume you.”

He continued, “it’ll be highly charged with emotion, but very respectful, I think, from both teams. I think there will be a respect for the great man.” The manager also claimed that the biggest respect they can pay to Beard would be going out and being as competitive as possible.

Tactics

Skinner suggested that the emotion of the match might render tactics less important than usual but that he will still have a clear message to his players.

He stated, “I’m sure they’re going to have energy at times, that we’re going to have to soak the pressure up and deal with, but we’ll speak about that.”

Liverpool better than table suggests

Liverpool have so far lost their two opening matches of the season and sit 11th in the table.

Nonetheless, Skinner believes they have played better than their results show and that they will soon improve.

He asserted, “they’ve shown moments of fragility, and I’d expect that with a team that are trying something new. But, all in all, I don’t think it’ll be long until they turn those results around.”

Injury news

Finally the United head coach provided some news on the injury situation.

Simi Awujo, Millie Turner and Leah Galton all remain unavailable but there are no other injury concerns ahead of the massive match.

He commented, “everybody else is in the squad and, as of now, we’ve still got two training sessions, but, as of now, everybody is fighting fit and ready to go.”

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. 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.

“It can consume you”: Skinner sets his young United team a big challenge ahead of Liverpool match

Isabel Ryan

-

September 27, 2025

0

Manchester United Women manager Marc Skinner has had his say on his side’s massive trip to Liverpool this weekend.

United have had a very positive start to the season, gaining seven points from nine and securing Champions League football that will begin next month.

Emotional challenge

The world of women’s football was shocked by the death of former Liverpool manager Matt Beard a few days ago, and there will certainly be an emotional atmosphere during the match on Sunday.

Speaking on this matter Skinner in his pre-match press conference he stated, “I think it’ll be one that’s charged with emotion, and that can go two ways for a team. It can galvanise you, it can promote you, it can push you, or it can consume you.”

He continued, “it’ll be highly charged with emotion, but very respectful, I think, from both teams. I think there will be a respect for the great man.” The manager also claimed that the biggest respect they can pay to Beard would be going out and being as competitive as possible.

Tactics

Skinner suggested that the emotion of the match might render tactics less important than usual but that he will still have a clear message to his players.

He stated, “I’m sure they’re going to have energy at times, that we’re going to have to soak the pressure up and deal with, but we’ll speak about that.”

Liverpool better than table suggests

Liverpool have so far lost their two opening matches of the season and sit 11th in the table.

Nonetheless, Skinner believes they have played better than their results show and that they will soon improve.

He asserted, “they’ve shown moments of fragility, and I’d expect that with a team that are trying something new. But, all in all, I don’t think it’ll be long until they turn those results around.”

Injury news

Finally the United head coach provided some news on the injury situation.

Simi Awujo, Millie Turner and Leah Galton all remain unavailable but there are no other injury concerns ahead of the massive match.

He commented, “everybody else is in the squad and, as of now, we’ve still got two training sessions, but, as of now, everybody is fighting fit and ready to go.”

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. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.

United aim to break a couple of curses with brand-new signing returning to familiar surroundings

Isabel Ryan

-

September 27, 2025

0

Manchester United travel to London to face Brentford in the Premier League this afternoon.

The Red Devils ran out 2-1 winners versus Chelsea at Old Trafford last week in a pulsating fixture.

United have played the Bees just 21 times in their history, winning 11.

There have been a surprising seven wins for Brentford and three draws.

Here are three things to look forward to in the match.

Bryan Mbeumo return

The Cameroon international joined United from Brentford in the summer.

Mbeumo spent six seasons at the Gtech Community Stadium, scoring 70 times there.

In fact, he his third on the list of Brentford’s all time goalscorers, underlying his historical importance to the club.

The attacker has settled well into life at Old Trafford, scoring two goals so far this season.

He is already seen as indispensable to Ruben Amorim and United supporters would love to see him score at his former stomping ground.

Potentially two league wins on the bounce

Much has been made of United’s erratic form over the last couple of seasons and it isn’t hard to see why.

United have not only struggled for wins but it has been almost impossible for the team to string together any of them.

The Red Devils have not won two league games in a row since they followed up a victory at Brighton in the final game of the 2023-24 campaign by beating Fulham on the first day of last season.

Therefore, Amorim has never managed to do this at Old Trafford.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference he suggested it would be an incredibly helpful mental hurdle for his team to pass over.

Away day blues

United have picked up wins versus Chelsea and Burnley at home and were unlucky to lose in a spirited effort versus Arsenal.

Nonetheless, they have lost away to Manchester City and Grimsby Town, only earning a point at Craven Cottage versus Fulham.

The problem on the road is much deeper than just this season, however.

The BBC report that, “Manchester United are winless in their last seven away Premier League matches (2 draws 5losses) since a 3-0 win at Leicester in March.”

The article goes on to state that “the Red Devils last had a longer run without an away win between March and October 2019 (eight games).”

Featured image Matt McNulty via Getty Images

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. 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.

“A pain in the…”: United stars have reacted to former teammate’s brutal reception back at Old Trafford – report

admin

-

September 26, 2025

0

“A pain in the…”: United stars have reacted to former teammate’s brutal reception back at Old Trafford – report

Manchester United fans were quick to let Alejandro Garnacho know what they felt about him when Chelsea came to Old Trafford last weekend.

While the Argentine did not make it off the bench, as the Red Devils emerged 2-1 winners, the Old Trafford faithful mercilessly trolled him with their chants.

A hostile reception was expected given the way he left the club to join a direct rival, but senior United stars felt sorry for their former teammate for the savage taunts he had to endure.

The Argentina international proved to be a divisive figure in the dressing room as per recent accounts, but The Sun revealed that senior members of the Red Devils dressing room felt he was badly advised during his time at United.

Hostile reception

A source told the tabloid, “Garna is a very talented boy but there is no denying he could be a pain in the a*** while he was at United.

“A few of the more experienced players tried to talk to him and sometimes he listened, sometimes he didn’t.

“That said, a lot of the players felt sorry for him for the reception he got at Old Trafford.

“It wasn’t a surprise, but they just think he’s a young kid who’s been badly advised by the people around him.

Players felt sorry

“Plenty of players have left United in worse situations but he got an awful lot of stick.”

His social media activity did not impress Ruben Amorim, nor did his training displays and tantrums on the pitch, but the final straw was his explosive post-match comments following the Europa League final defeat.

The Carrington graduate fought to join Chelsea, despite offers from abroad, which did not impress fans nor INEOS.

His start to life at the Blues has not gone according to plan so far, with the 21-year-old failing to get on the scoresheet nor grab an assist from his first three appearances for his new club.

Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images

Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

Ayantan Chowdhury

Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25

“I’m not certain”: Amorim makes damning claim ahead of Brentford test as United eye back-to-back PL wins

Farrell Keeling

-

September 26, 2025

0

“I’m not certain”: Amorim makes damning claim ahead of Brentford test as United eye back-to-back PL wins

Manchester United face Brentford on Saturday, on the back of a famous win against Chelsea at Old Trafford last weekend.

And all eyes will be on Ruben Amorim, who has the chance to pick up back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time since he took charge in November of last year.

And the head coach revealed during the embargoed section of the pre-match press conference that he is more confident going into games as compared to last season.

Rather damningly, he also revealed that he is still not sure which United will turn up to games, but promised that the current campaign will be more exciting than the last term as he is not afraid as much as last season due to the squad being much stronger.

Feeling is different as compared to last season

“Completely different. Now, I have always the feeling that we can win the next game, and we can be dominant. I have that feeling now. What I’m saying is that sometimes, in the small things, in that urgency.

“If you compare the way we start against Chelsea to the way we start against [Manchester] City, [it] is completely different. In that, I’m not certain, all the time, what is going to happen.

“And I’m really clear on that with you and with the players. But the feeling is completely different. I look at my team and I’m going to play against City, Arsenal, and I’m feeling, we can score goals, we can be dominant, we can control the game in certain moments. So, it’s a feeling completely different from last year.”

“I know that it’s going to be tough, but it’s more excitement than fear this year. So, I’m always excited to see the team.”

He revealed that added time on the training pitch is helping, but the mistakes fans are seeing on the pitch is because players are losing focus at crucial moments.

The Portuguese tactician is working on that, and he explained that having midweek games would actually have been more detrimental to the team at this moment.

Training time

“You can try to work on different things, try to imagine different scenarios. You have more time, not just to prepare the next game in terms of the strategy for the game, but also to work on your base.

“And I think you can see that when we play, we create more situations. We are suffering goals that we suffered also last year. I think that has to be [to do] with that urgency, that focus, that understanding that we cannot lose games in.

“Especially nowadays, we are going to have situations to score, so we also need to focus [on] that, if we give time to the team not suffering goals, we are near to winning games. So, I think that is special, to have that time with the team, and we are improving because of that. I think we would struggle a lot if we had a game in the middle of the week.”

And on picking up back-to-back wins, Amorim pointed out that it is more of a mental block, that will be lifted should the team win on Saturday.

And more the players win, more they will begin to believe. Rather tellingly, he pointed out that quite a few players are hurt by what happened last season, which might affect them on the pitch.

That sinking feeling

New signing Bryan Mbeumo helps in that aspect, as he is much more positive, and can help lift the players up during adverse situations.

“Depends. We need to win the next game. I think if we start winning, it’s not 10 wins in a row [or] seven. I’m talking about the second one, then the third one; the feeling will change.

“And again, that is something about the environment that we are living [in] for a while. If you look at Bryan [Mbeumo], in those moments when we are struggling, you feel a different guy compared to the rest of the team.

“And that is, you have to understand, some of the guys are here for a while, and that feeling is still here. And for that, we need to win games. Simple.”

Amorim can gauge what might happen in games from the warm-up, and he urged his players to start strong, like they did against Chelsea.

Ruben Amorim urges players to start strong

The Blues were down to 10 men within the first five minutes, and the 20-time English league champions had taken the lead soon after.

The start against Arsenal, Fulham and Burnley showed how much the team was up for the contest, and even though certain results did not go as planned, that hunger and desire is what Amorim wants from his players in every game.

“I think it’s going to help us. I know for people outside the club, it’s not a big thing. It should not be a big thing in Manchester United, but I think it’s going to help us a lot. So, for that, again, it’s not about playing well.

“It’s the way we are going to do the warm-up and the preparation, and if we are excited to go to the game, like we are sometimes when we are in the limit and we have to win some games. If we have always that feeling, I think it’s going to be massive for us. So, it’s massive to win this game.

“I don’t know, but the important thing is to do the maximum and to face that game like we face sometimes, Liverpool last year [for example] because we were struggling. The way we start the season against Arsenal, we were really excited to start the season.

“We should have that feeling all the time. So, we are in the beginning. We won the last game, we need to do everything to win against Brentford, and we need to win the game.”

Feature image Matt McNulty via Getty Images

Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

Ayantan Chowdhury

Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25

United speedster is the most important signing since Bruno Fernandes, he will lead the club back to glory – opinion

Farrell Keeling

-

September 26, 2025

0

United speedster is the most important signing since Bruno Fernandes, he will lead the club back to glory – opinion

Manchester United’s right forward role has been notoriously weak in recent seasons.

Following Mason Greenwood’s off-field issues, the Red Devils invested heavily in Antony to sort out the position in the summer of 2022.

Despite a fiery start to life at the Theatre of Dreams, the Brazilian turned out to be an expensive flop and was offloaded permanently this year.

Alejandro Garnacho, Amad Diallo, Facundo Pellistri and even Bruno Fernandes have been deployed on the right wing at times in recent years without much success.

So when the English giants agreed a £71m deal for Mbeumo this summer, fans had every right to be ecstatic. The Cameroonian had lit up the league with Brentford in the 2024/25 campaign, registering 20 goals and eight assists from 38 games.

Interestingly, Mbeumo was also a hard worker on the pitch, and his relentless pressing made him a perfect fit in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 system.

A stunning 2024/25 campaign

Mbeumo joined Brentford from Troyes in 2019 and spent six years at the Gtech Community Stadium. During that time, he honed his skills under Thomas Frank and played a key role in their promotion to the Premier League for the first time.

He also helped the Bees stay in the league before exploding last season. While people will reference his goals and assists tally, the 26 year old’s work ethic was exemplary as well.

Mbeumo registered 2250 total presses in the league last season, the ninth-most in the Premier League. When Brentford were in possession, the Cameroonian was a willing runner, ready to stretch the opposition.

Only Daniel Munoz (959) made more off-the-ball runs than Mbeumo (891) last season. 418 of those were behind the opposition defence – the most in the league.

Of course, sceptics will insist that the player overperformed his xG last season and that he could be a one-season wonder. However, there was no denying that United managed a coup by securing his services amid the fierce competition for his signature.

The desire to join United

Mbeumo was a wanted man this summer following his exploits last season.

Newcastle United were keen to sign him, as were Tottenham Hotspur, who had appointed Thomas Frank as Ange Postecoglou’s replacement over the summer.

The prospect of teaming up with his former manager across London would surely have enticed the Cameroonian. However, as soon as the Red Devils entered the scene, there was only going to be one winner.

Mbeumo later revealed that he was a United fan while growing up and even had a “Ronaldo” shirt as a child. INEOS and Ruben Amorim, of course, have Sir Alex Ferguson and the club’s legacy to thank for helping them win this race.

Despite the lure of Champions League football and, perhaps, better economic packages as well, the Cameroonian held firm. He only wanted to fulfil his long-standing dream.

The stats at United so far

Mbeumo made his debut for United against Arsenal in the first game of the 2025/26 Premier League season, alongside new arrival Matheus Cunha. The two of them were outstanding against the Gunners, and the Red Devils were unlucky to lose 1-0.

The Cameroonian scored his first goal for the Red Devils in the defeat against Grimsby Town, where he also missed his second penalty kick. His first Premier League goal came in the 3-2 win over Burnley.

Mbeumo has registered 128 off-the-ball runs this season already in the league, with only Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez (138) managing more. When it comes to runs in behind, the Cameroonian (83) is the clear leader.

Mbeumo has also registered 15 shots in the Premier League this season, with only Erling Haaland (21) managing more. He has created nine chances for his teammates as well.

The Cameroonian has easily been Amorim’s best attacker this season. However, Cunha fans will point out, and rightly so, that the Brazilian was immense as well until his unfortunate injury.

How has Mbeumo fit into under Amorim’s tactics?

Amorim’s 3-4-3 system depends heavily on versatile forwards, who can stretch the opposition backline, as well as drift in when required. Mbeumo’s attributes, as such, make him a perfect fit for the job.

It is no wonder that the Cameroonian has started every game in the Premier League this season.

Mbeumo has been a transitional outlet on the wings and United have turned to him with early balls after winning possession. His ability to carry the ball, coupled with his pace and acceleration, has been a godsend for the Red Devils. He is also the second-fastest man in the league this season so far.

Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez had a first-hand taste of the Cameroonian’s qualities last weekend. Latching on to a flick from Benjamin Sesko, Mbeumo drove into the final third, forcing the Spanish goalkeeper to intervene. Sanchez brought him down and picked up a straight red. United went on to win the game 2-1.

His movement has been exceptional

Mbeumo’s movement has also been a boon for his teammates. By hugging the byline, the Cameroonian has opened up space in the final third for the likes of Bruno Fernandes to run into.

The former Brentford man has also embraced Amorim’s off-the-ball pressing tactics. Mbeumo doesn’t just press; he presses intelligently, even curving his runs to block passing lanes, which puts the opposition under pressure.

The Cameroonian is so much more than just a goalscorer in this team, but it is also true that the team will look to him for goals as the season progresses.

Needs to add goals

Mbeumo had already scored four goals in his first five Premier League games for Brentford last season. In contrast, he has managed only one in the league this campaign.

This Saturday’s game against the Bees in the Premier League could be the perfect occasion for him to add to his tally!

The Cameroonian has taken no time to settle down at Old Trafford, and the only thing lacking now is goals. Interestingly, the Red Devils have struggled in front of the goal once again this season, and are the biggest xG underperformers in the top five leagues in Europe.

Mbeumo, though, has already caught the imagination of fans and was adjudged the club’s Player of the Month for August. He is a vital cog in Amorim’s tactics, and once the goals start flowing, the Cameroonian could turn out to be the signing of the summer.

Mbeumo is the joint top scorer for United this season, along with Bruno Fernandes. It is safe to say that the Cameroonian has been as important as the Portuguese Magnifico to the team so far.

All stats have been taken from Opta Analyst.

Featured image Matt McNulty via Getty Images

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. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.

All contracts signed as United finalise new signing after push from ex-Juventus man – report

Farrell Keeling

-

September 26, 2025

0

All contracts signed as United finalise new signing after push from ex-Juventus man – report

Nearly five years ago, Manchester United appeared to be in the driving seat to sign Moises Caicedo from Independiente del Valle after unearthing the Ecuadorian midfield prodigy.

However, the club’s hierarchy showed reluctance to get the deal over the line. Eventually, Brighton & Hove Albion snapped him up for £4 million, and two-and-a-half years later, they sold him to Chelsea for a then British record £115m.

After taking over the football operations at Old Trafford, Sir Jim Ratcliffe underlined that he wants United to sign up-and-coming talents. Since then, the Red Devils have aggressively tried to add exciting prospects to their ranks and avoid the repeat of the Caicedo fiasco. In that regard, Cristian Orozco perfectly fits the bill.

Paperwork signed for Cristian Orozco transfer

Early this week, The Peoples Person relayed a report claiming United have reached an agreement with Fortaleza CEIF to sign their 17-year-old midfielder.

Now, Colombian journalist Pipe Sierra, who first broke the story, claims the documentation for the Colombia U17 international’s transfer to United has been signed.

Sierra reveals that Orozco will travel to England next year in July, after turning 18. That is when United will officially present their latest signing.

Further, it is claimed that Giuseppe Antonaccio, United’s lead scout for South America, has played a key role in this move. It was Antonaccio who discovered the midfielder, known for his physicality, tireless running, and astute reading of the game.

He also drove the deal and reached an agreement, reported to be worth in the region of £750,000. Orozco captains his country’s U17 side, and only joined Fortaleza from Rojo FC earlier this year. Considering his rapid rise, the deal appears to be a bargain for United.

Ex-Juventus man drove United’s pursuit of South American prospects

Antonaccio, who previously worked as a scout at Serie A giants Juventus, also convinced United to sign Diego Leon from Paraguayan side Cerro Porteño.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Antonaccio “pushed for Leon as talent” and convinced Jason Wilcox to seal the deal, believed to be worth around £6m, including add-ons.

United struck a pre-agreement with Porteño in January and completed the signing this summer after the highly-rated full-back turned 18.

Leon has been named in United’s matchday squad twice this term, but the Paraguayan left wing-back is yet to be handed a senior debut by Ruben Amorim.

Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images

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. Currently a writer at The Peoples Person, he covers Manchester United — a club he has been religiously following and supporting since 2012. Big fan of ball-playing centre-backs and Harry Maguire’s knee-slide celebration!

Amorim: It’s special to have time with the team

ManUtd.com

Farrell Keeling

-

September 26, 2025

0

Amorim: It’s special to have time with the team

Skip to Main Navigation Skip to content

Friday 26 September 2025 22:30

Ruben Amorim claimed it’s “special” to have more time on the training pitch with his players, in his pre-match meeting with journalists ahead of Saturday’s trip to Brentford.

Manchester United are not competing in Europe this season, and while getting back there is, of course, one of the club’s main objectives, the head coach is already seeing some benefit from the lighter schedule.

He discussed that, Bryan Mbeumo and the mentality of his players in the second part of his media briefing at Carrington.

Keep scrolling to read, or watch, every word he said…

You’re having more time on the training pitch with your players. Are you seeing the benefit from that?
“Completely different. You can try to work on different things, try to imagine different scenarios. You have more time, not just to prepare the next game in terms of the strategy for the game, but also to work on your base. And I think you can see that when we play, we create more situations. We are suffering goals that we suffered also last year. I think that has to be [to do] with that urgency, that focus, that understanding that we cannot lose games in. Especially nowadays, we are going to have situations to score, so we also need to focus [on] that, if we give time to the team not suffering goals, we are near to winning games. So, I think that is special, to have that time with the team, and we are improving because of that. I think we would struggle a lot if we had a game in the middle of the week.”

In Chicago during the summer, you said there were some games that you’d dread going to because you weren’t sure what you were going to get from your team. If I heard you right before, did you say the same thing there, that you still don’t know exactly what you’re going to get?
“No, completely different. Now, I have always the feeling that we can win the next game, and we can be dominant. I have that feeling now. What I’m saying is that sometimes, in the small things, in that urgency. If you compare the way we start against Chelsea to the way we start against [Manchester] City, [it] is completely different. In that, I’m not certain, all the time, what is going to happen. And I’m really clear on that with you and with the players. But the feeling is completely different. I look at my team and I’m going to play against City, Arsenal, and I’m feeling, we can score goals, we can be dominant, we can control the game in certain moments. So, it’s a feeling completely different from last year.”

No more feelings of dread?
“No, no, no, no, no. I know that it’s going to be tough, but it’s more excitement than fear this year. So, I’m always excited to see the team.”

You spoke before about the mentality of the players, occasionally, they feel that something bad can happen instead of something good might happen. Do you feel like the players are coming out of that phase a little bit now?
“Depends. We need to win the next game. I think if we start winning, it’s not 10 wins in a row [or] seven. I’m talking about the second one, then the third one; the feeling will change. And again, that is something about the environment that we are living [in] for a while. If you look at Bryan [Mbeumo], in those moments when we are struggling, you feel a different guy compared to the rest of the team. And that is, you have to understand, some of the guys are here for a while, and that feeling is still here. And for that, we need to win games. Simple.”

Just on Bryan again, you had to wait a little bit and the club a bit frustrated by Brentford, maybe trying to sell him to Newcastle or Tottenham. How was that for you? And have you been particularly impressed by how well he started, given that he came in slightly later to pre-season?
“Yeah, but he went to pre-season in America, that was really good for us to bond with him in America. He had time to start slowly with 45 minutes, he had time to prepare the season. Again, I knew the player. I watched the player so many times. I watched him live against us last year. It was not a good day for us.”

Did that convince you that you really wanted to sign him after that performance, possibly?
“It was not that performance, but [it] helped me to understand that he’s a very good player, not [just] with the ball, without the ball. And when you see that live, it’s completely different. When you see a guy doing that, with all due respect, it’s not because he’s in Manchester United. He was in Brentford, he was sometimes defending as a right-back. So, that was really important to have that feeling live. And if I’m the owner of Brentford, I will do the same, to keep the best players and try to sell the best players for big amounts. So, I completely understand that situation.”

Just on your previous point, on failure to win back-to-back Premier League games and the need to do it. Do you think the fact it’s gone on for so long, subconsciously it’s become a bit of a psychological thing for the players? And if you can beat Brentford and finally win back-to-back, do you think it could just release?
“I think it’s going to help us. I know for people outside the club, it’s not a big thing. It should not be a big thing in Manchester United, but I think it’s going to help us a lot. So, for that, again, it’s not about playing well. It’s the way we are going to do the warm-up and the preparation, and if we are excited to go to the game, like we are sometimes when we are in the limit and we have to win some games. If we have always that feeling, I think it’s going to be massive for us. So, it’s massive to win this game.”

Over the last 10 months, do you think mentally there has been something there that has been a barrier?
“I don’t know, but the important thing is to do the maximum and to face that game like we face sometimes, Liverpool last year [for example] because we were struggling. The way we start the season against Arsenal, we were really excited to start the season. We should have that feeling all the time. So, we are in the beginning. We won the last game, we need to do everything to win against Brentford, and we need to win the game.”

Ruben, you said earlier that you spoke about the fact that you wanted to win consecutive matches. Was that here, or was it in the dressing room, or was it just generally?
“It was everywhere. I think if we, as a team, don’t understand the momentum now, we have a big problem. So again, anything could happen in a game, especially in the Premier League, and you can see in every game. But the feeling in the first minutes, it’s really important. So, for me, since we started the first training, we started talking about that. We need to understand the momentum of the club, the opportunity that we have to win the next game. So, it’s on us, and the responsibility is on us.”

On the same subject of winning back-to-back games. Obviously, you’ve come from a club that goes on these long winning runs and you did it quite a lot. How’s it been for you dealing with that?
“It’s really hard, but I also understand it’s a different club, a different pressure, completely different league. But that feeling of winning and [for it] to get really normal to win, I struggle a lot. I think also the players [do]. So it’s in our hands to change things. We just need to win the next one, and to do everything to win the next one.”

“When you see a guy doing that, with all due respect, it’s not because he’s in Manchester United. He was in Brentford, he was sometimes defending as a right-back. So, that was really important to have that feeling live. And if I’m the owner of Brentford, I will do the same, to keep the best players and try to sell the best players for big amounts. So, I completely understand that situation.”

M

M

MMetropolitan

MMetropolitan

Finally a new stadium

Potential roadblock

Land issue

Latest Top Stories…

Emotional challenge

Tactics

Liverpool better than table suggests

Injury news

Emotional challenge

Tactics

Liverpool better than table suggests

Injury news

Bryan Mbeumo return

Potentially two league wins on the bounce

Away day blues

Hostile reception

Players felt sorry

Feeling is different as compared to last season

Training time

That sinking feeling

Ruben Amorim urges players to start strong

A stunning 2024/25 campaign

The desire to join United

The stats at United so far

How has Mbeumo fit into under Amorim’s tactics?

His movement has been exceptional

Needs to add goals

Paperwork signed for Cristian Orozco transfer

Ex-Juventus man drove United’s pursuit of South American prospects

Recommended:

Recommended:

MMetropolitan

About us

Company

Must Read