More stories

  • in

    Ruben Amorim ‘demands Man Utd sign ANOTHER attacking midfielder after Matheus Cunha’ in hint Bruno Fernandes will quit

    RUBEN AMORIM has told the Manchester United board to sign another attacking midfielder this summer after Matheus Cunha, reports suggest.The Red Devils look set to land Cunha, 26, after agreeing terms on a payment structure for the Wolves star’s £62.5million release clause.Ruben Amorim has told Man Utd transfer chiefs to sign another attacking midfielderCredit: GettyBruno Fernandes could be leaving this summerCredit: GettyMatheus Cunha is set to join for £62.5mCredit: PABryan Mbeumo has also been linked with a stunning transferCredit: GettyHowever, with Bruno Fernandes mulling over whether to leave the club amid interest and a £100m offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, Amorim has urged club chiefs to sign another attacker.Fernandes, 30, was the Red Devils’ top scorer and creator, with 19 goals and 20 assists in all competitions.Man Utd desperately struggled to score goals despite the Portuguese’s exploits, and more firepower is at the top of the agenda this summer.That led them to buying 26-year-old Cunha from Wolves after his 15-goal Premier League season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut according to sport journalist Ben Jacobs, speaking on the United Stand, Amorim has made it clear to transfer chiefs Christopher Vivell and Jason Wilcox that signing just one new recruit is not enough.Amorim has demanded that ANOTHER attack-minded midfielder – whether that be an advanced central midfielder or No10 – be signed in addition to the Brazilian.Jacobs then said that Man Utd are in the chase to land Brentford ace Bryan Mbeumo, but will need to fend off rival interest from Newcastle.He said: “Newcastle and Man United, I’m told are the main suitors for Bryan Mbeumo… Another 10 [as well as Cunha] could be possible.”Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKEarlier this week reports suggested the Bees had set a £50m price tag on the 25-year-old, who contributed 27 goals and assists to the Bees Prem campaign.Thomas Frank has hinted he is up for sale, but will only go for a “nice amount”.Matheus Cunha gifts Wolves team-mates Joao Gomes and Andre a Rolex ahead of Man Utd transferFrank told Viaplay: “It is clear that if he is to be sold, it must be for a nice, nice amount. It is a lot. Mucho. Really a lot.”Then it is clear that it is impossible to replace him one for one. It cannot be done. There is a reason why he costs X number of million pounds, and we do not have X number of million pounds to buy for.“I would say that I would be surprised if a lot of big clubs don’t look at him. I would be surprised with what he has to offer. How many wingers score 20 goals for a mid-table club?”And then with seven assists plus his work ethic. And his character. All these things mean that he has a lot, so he is a good player.”Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordTransfers this summer will be led by Jason WilcoxCredit: AlamyBrentford boss Thomas Frank has admitted Mbeumo is up for saleCredit: Getty More

  • in

    When is the Super Cup 2025? Kick-off time, TV channel, live stream and teams for thrilling showpiece in Udine

    EUROPA LEAGUE champions Tottenham are all set to take on the winners of this season’s Champions League final in a scintillating Super Cup clash – and the date has been revealed!Brenan Johnson’s scrappy goal ended Spurs’ 17-year trophy drought at the expense of a woeful Manchester United.Ange Postecoglou led Tottenham to a huge Europa League trophy winCredit: AFPAnd it was a result that has potentially saved Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou from getting sacked as Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League table.Life could get even better for Postecoglou too as his Spurs side have the chance to lift more silverware when they play in the Super Cup.But they’ll have to beat the winners of French champions PSG and Italian icons Inter Milan, who are set to contest in a thrilling Champions League final.When is the Super Cup 2025?The 2025 Super Cup will take place on Wednesday, August 13.It is scheduled to kick off at 8pm BST – 9pm local time.Stadio Fruili in Udine, Italy is the chosen venue for this huge match and it can host approximately 25,132 fans.Real Madrid beat Atalanta 2-0 in the 2024 Super Cup clash.Read more on Super CupWhat TV channel is the Super Cup 2025 on and can it be live streamed?Details of how to watch the Super Cup is yet to be announced.However, it is likely to be broadcast LIVE on TNT Sports.Should this be the case, fans will be able to stream the action on discovery+Previous Super Cup winners1973: Ajax 6-1 AC Milan (0-1, 6-0)1975: Dynamo Kyiv 3-0 Bayern München (1-0, 2-0)1976: Anderlecht 5-3 Bayern München (1-2, 4-1)1977: Liverpool 7-1 Hamburg (1-1, 6-0)1978: Anderlecht 4-3 Liverpool (3-1,1-2)1979: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Barcelona (1-0, 1-1)1980: Valencia 2-2 Nottingham Forest (1-2, 1-0 Valencia won on away goals)1982: Aston Villa 3-1 Barcelona (0-1, 3-0aet)1983: Aberdeen 2-0 Hamburg (0-0, 2-0)1984: Juventus 2-0 Liverpool1986: Steaua București 1-0 Dynamo Kyiv1987: Porto 2-0 Ajax (1-0, 1-0)1988: Mechelen 3-1 PSV Eindhoven (3-0, 0-1)1989: AC Milan 2-1 Barcelona (1-1, 1-0)1990: AC Milan 3-1 Sampdoria (1-1, 2-0)1991: Manchester United 1-0 Crvena zvezda1992: Barcelona 3-2 Werder Bremen (1-1, 2-1)1993: Parma 2-1 AC Milan (0-1, 2-0aet)1994: AC Milan 2-0 Arsenal (0-0, 2-0)1995: Ajax 5-1 Zaragoza (1-1, 4-0)1996: Juventus 9-2 Paris Saint-Germain (6-1, 3-1)1997: Barcelona 3-1 Borussia Dortmund (2-0, 1-1)1998: Chelsea 1-0 Real Madrid1999: Lazio 1-0 Manchester United2000: Galatasaray 2-1 Real Madrid (aet, golden goal)2001: Liverpool 3-2 Bayern München2002: Real Madrid 3-1 Feyenoord2003: AC Milan 1-0 Porto2004: Valencia 2-1 Porto2005: Liverpool 3-1 CSKA Moskva (aet)2006: Sevilla 3-0 Barcelona2007: AC Milan 3-1 Sevilla2008: Zenit 2-1 Manchester United2009: Barcelona 1-0 Shakhtar Donetsk (aet)2010: Atlético de Madrid 2-0 Internazionale2011: Barcelona 2-0 Porto2012: Atlético de Madrid 4-1 Chelsea2013: Bayern München 2-2 Chelsea (aet, 5-4 pens)2014: Real Madrid 2-0 Sevilla2015: Barcelona 5-4 Sevilla (aet)2016: Real Madrid 3-2 Sevilla (aet)2017: Real Madrid 2-1 Manchester United2018: Atlético de Madrid 4-2 Real Madrid (aet)2019: Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea (aet, 5-4 pens)2020: Bayern München 2-1 Sevilla (aet)2021: Chelsea 1-1 Villarreal (aet, 6-5 pens)2022: Real Madrid 2-0 Eintracht Frankfurt2023: Manchester City 1-1 Sevilla (5-4 pens)2024: Real Madrid 2-0 Atalanta More

  • in

    How ex-Man Utd and Arsenal flop Mkhitaryan can make history in Champions League final as Inter Milan take on PSG

    HE bombed without trace at two of the Premier League’s biggest clubs and he was the often-forgotten makeweight in one of most disastrous transfers in the top-flight’s recent history.But at the age of 36, Henrikh Mkhitaryan can make European football history by helping Inter Milan to the Champions League crown against Paris Saint-Germain.Henrikh Mkhitaryan can become the first player to win all three European competitionsCredit: GettyHe already has the Europa and Conference Leagues to his nameCredit: GettyWhen Alexis Sanchez switched from Arsenal to Old Trafford in January 2018 — a move announced by an infamous social-media video of the Chilean tickling the ivories with ‘Glory, Glory Man Utd’ — Mkhitaryan moved the other way.And while Sanchez became one of United’s greatest flops, Mkhitaryan did not fare much better in north London. The Armenian midfield man was Arsene Wenger’s penultimate Arsenal signing — and certainly not among his better ones. Mkhitaryan’s two years at Arsenal were frustrating.And they were perhaps best summed up helping Unai Emery’s Gunners to the 2019 Europa League final against Chelsea in Baku, but he could not get a visa and missed the match because of political tensions between Armenia and host nation Azerbaijan.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLYet if Inter claim the Champions League – Mkhitaryan will become the first player to play an active role in winning the finals of all three existing European club competitions.He both lifted the Europa League and Conference League under Jose Mourinho — with United in 2017 and Roma in 2022 — even though The Special One ditched him in that Sanchez swap deal.The feeling was Mkhitaryan was too lightweight and passive for the Premier League.And while United fans enjoyed his occasional moments of flair, Mourinho took against him.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSYet at Inter his experience and nous make him a key member of Simone Inzaghi’s side which ­narrowly missed out on the ­Scudetto as well as losing this season’s Italian Cup final.They are desperate to avoid a hat-trick of runners-up medals by winning in Munich.Mkhitaryan said: “I hope experience will count in the final. It’s not just me, I have a lot of experienced team-mates.”He is not kidding. In Serie A, they certainly value a good veteran.Mkhitaryan, his fellow former Man Utd player Matteo Darmian, keeper Yann Sommer and defender Francesco Acerbi were all born in the 1980s, which — terrifyingly — makes them old.But Inter defeated Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich in the quarter- finals before coming through their epic semi-final goalfest with Barcelona — 7-6 on aggregate.And the bookies are struggling to separate them from a far more youthful PSG side.Henrikh Mkhitaryan is one of many experienced Inter playersCredit: AlamyFor Inzaghi — whose Inter side ran Pep Guardiola’s City close as rank underdogs in this fixture two years ago — tonight is likely to prove his swansong after four years at the San Siro. On the eve of the final, he did little to dampen down rumours of an impending, ­money-spinning move to the Saudi Pro League with Al-Hilal.Inzaghi, 49, said: “I will meet the club’s senior management and have a chat next week in a very relaxed manner.“Our decision will have the best interests of Inter at heart.“But it’s hugely exciting before a Champions League final.”The long road to the final began with a 0-0 draw against old foes City in the league stage.Inzaghi added: “We’ve shown a great desire ever since matchday one in the group phase at City and against some top opposition like Bayer ­Leverkusen, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.“Now we are just one step shy. We deserve to be here. “Two years ago we played against Pep’s City — who were the best team in the world at that time — and we possibly deserved more.“We have learned from that and we will use that experience.“PSG are a high-quality team and they have the best ball ­possession statistics in the ­Champions League.“But we have the most possession in Serie A this season.“We must keep the ball and use our hard running, desire and experience if we are to bring home the trophy.”Flanked by captain Lautaro Martinez — a World Cup winner with Argentina — and Italy midfielder Nicolo Barella, Inzaghi said: “I am here with two players who bleed black and blue. They are hugely important players. I have blind faith in both of them.“I am asking them all for concentration and determination — but not obsession because we need cool heads and free minds.“We have Champions League and World Cup winners in the squad and we have learned a lot over our four years together.”Martinez, who has netted nine times in this season’s Champions League, says the players will dedicate the trophy to Inzaghi if they beat PSG.The striker, 27, said: “We’re pretty relaxed about the rumour, we hear them day in and day out about our players and coach.Read More on The Sun“We want to dedicate this trophy to the coach as well as the fans and our families who are with us every day.“Everything we have achieved is down to the hard work, ­sacrifice and humility of the team unit.”Simone Inzaghi says his side have learned from final heartbreak two years agoCredit: Shutterstock Editorial More

  • in

    Jurgen Klopp’s former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders set for shock move to become Pep Guardiola’s new No2

    JURGEN KLOPP’S former assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders is set to become Pep Guardiola’s new No2 at Manchester City.Lijnders, 42, has been out of work since being sacked as RB Salzburg boss last December.Pepijn Lijnders was axed as RB Salzburg boss last DecemberCredit: AFPLijnders, 42, worked as Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool assistant across several yearsCredit: GettyThe Dutchman had accepted the gig after leaving Liverpool at the same time as pal Klopp.Lijnders had worked as the German’s assistant over two spells across nine years.He coached the Reds for many seasons as they battled with Guardiola’s City for the Prem title.According to The Times, Lijnders is now set to join his former rivals’ coaching staff.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThey claim that he will work closely with Guardiola following the exits of a trio of the Spaniard’s backroom team.Juanma Lillo and Inigo Dominguez have both left City, while Carlos Vicens has departed to take charge of Portuguese Europa League outfit SC Braga.Lijnders was considered for the vacant Norwich City head coaching job earlier this month.The Canaries sacked Johannes Hoff Thorup, and opted not to give the gig to caretaker boss Jack Wilshere full time.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKCarlos Vicens is among the coaches to have left Pep Guardiola’s coaching teamCredit: GettyLijnders was interviewed for the position, only for Norwich chiefs to choose Bristol City boss Liam Manning instead.The former Anfield assistant is set to join up with City for next month’s Club World Cup.’I will quit’ – Pep Guardiola gives Man City ultimatum over squad issue that is ‘impossible for my soul’Ex-City centre-back Kolo Toure was also considered for the role.The Ivorian has been working with the club’s Under-18s.Toure, 44, has experience as a first team coach under Brendan Rodgers at Celtic and Leicester.While he was also briefly in charge of Wigan Athletic.Kolo Toure has been working with City’s academyCredit: Alamy More

  • in

    Emi Martinez ‘up for challenge of joining Man Utd’ to replace Onana but ‘big clubs queuing up’ to sign Aston Villa star

    EMI MARTINEZ is the kind of huge character Manchester United need to restore their battered reputation as a global superpower.And the good news for United boss Ruben Amorim is the world’s No 1 keeper would be up for the challenge — if Aston Villa decide to cash in this summer.Emi Martinez could leave Aston Villa this summerCredit: GettyAndre Onana has endured a difficult season at Man UtdCredit: GettyThat is  the word from Neil Cutler, Martinez’s old coach at Villa, who remains close pals with his former star pupil.Cutler, 48, said: “This summer is pivotal for Emi in terms of his career.“He’s been voted the best goalie in the world twice and there seems to be an opportunity for him this summer, with all of his options open.”Big clubs are queuing up to speak to him and he either stays at a massive club like Villa or he goes to a truly world-class club.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“I don’t think it’s about money with Emi so I don’t think he is ready to move to Saudi yet.“If he does move it would be to a much bigger club — one of the really big-hitters like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico… or even Manchester United.”Martinez, 32, fuelled speculation when he broke down in tears and  took a bow in front of the Holte End after Villa’s final home game of the season.Some feared it was a farewell and since then he was  linked with a  lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKUnited, Arsenal, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are also rumoured to be keen.Martinez’s contract runs until 2029 but a bid of £40million or more would ease Villa’s PSR concerns.Emi Martinez in tears as he waves goodbye to fans after Aston Villa’s final home gameThe Villans have been linked with moves for Lille stopper Lucas Chevalier, Espanyol’s Joan Garcia and Nice’s Marcin Bulka.Cutler believes this could be one of the rare moments in football when a move could suit everyone.Amorim certainly needs a new keeper after Andre Onana looked weak at Tottenham’s Europa League final winner again and Martinez could be the inspirational figure he is searching for.”United can’t offer him Champions League football but the sheer size of the club and the size of the challenge might appeal to Emi,” said Cutler, now in charge of Wolves’ goalkeepers.”Emi has the confidence required to play for a massive club like United and would feel he could affect the club in a really positive way.”He would look at United and say: ‘Right, I can make this place better. I can help this club get back to where it was.”HE THRIVES ON THE BIGGEST OCCASIONS'”He’s all about the challenge, he’s all about the drive and the desire so I think United would suit him.”He thrives on the biggest occasions and could play for any team in the world as he’s shown by winning the World Cup and Copa America with Argentina.”He would be a comfortable fit at United and would hit the ground running.”It’s all down to what Villa want but, at 32, they will know this is when they can get the maximum return on him. If they hold off until next year they’d get less.”Unai needs a possession-based goalie and the keepers he’s been linked with are top class and younger.”It could be one of those times when it suits all parties.Read More on The Sun”I’m a big Villa fan so I’d love to see him stay – and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Emi lifting the Europa League trophy for Villa in 12 months time.”But I also want to see him play at the highest level possible and, if one of the really big hitters comes knocking, then he could have a huge decision to make.”Martinez, 32, has become renowned for his unusual anticsCredit: GettyThe Argentine is a fan favourite at Villa ParkCredit: Getty More

  • in

    Ruben Amorim certain Bruno Fernandes will REJECT £100m Saudi transfer as he needs to play in ‘best league in the world’

    RUBEN AMORIM believes Bruno Fernandes wants to stay at Manchester United — despite a £100MILLION offer from Saudi Arabia.Fernandes’ agent, Miguel Pinho, held talks with Saudi side Al-Hilal at a Riyadh hotel on Thursday over a £700,000-a-week package for the United captain.Bruno Fernandes’ agent has held talks over a move to Al-HilalCredit: GettyRuben Amorim believes his captain will stayCredit: Shutterstock EditorialIt would make him one of the world’s highest-paid players.But Red Devils boss Amorim has a “feeling” the Portuguese midfielder, 30, will stay at Old Trafford — and that the club can raise funds elsewhere despite failing to qualify for Europe.Fernandes played the first-half of United’s 3-1 post-season friendly win over Hong Kong.And when asked if it was the skipper’s final game for the club, Amorim said: “I don’t think so. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“I don’t know for sure, nobody knows, but I don’t think so.“He is seeing us taking some actions to change all the things and I think that is all that he wants to stay.“He’s saying ‘no’ to a lot of things, but it shows that he wants to win.”He’s really young, he’s really good. He needs to be in the best league in the world.”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe Europa League final loss to Spurs capped a disastrous season and threatens to damage Amorim’s rebuild, which includes a £62.5m deal for Wolves’ Matheus Cunha.United player of the year Fernandes admitted after the loss in Bilbao that the club could end up cashing in on him, with Al-Hilal pushing to sign the playmaker ahead of next month’s Club World Cup.Ruben Amorim breaks silence over futures of Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro GarnachoAsked whether United could turn down such a fee, Amorim — who saw Chido Obi (twice) and Ayden Heaven score against Hong Kong — added: “Yes. We can find another way to earn money.“I’m the manager, I’m the coach but sometimes it’s the decision of the player.“I just have that feeling that he wants to stay.”Defender Harry Maguire, though, admits “a lot of players” will be shown the door after the club finished 15th in the Prem.He said: “We will make a lot of changes in the summer. There will be a lot of players who leave and hopefully a lot will come in.“And that’s down to the club to make sure they get that right and it’s down to us players to make sure we are the ones involved.”Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford More

  • in

    Why Liam Delap chose Chelsea transfer over Man Utd… and it’s all thanks to sacked former Blues manager

    THE reason why Liam Delap snubbed Manchester United in favour of Chelsea has reportedly been revealed.Delap, 22, is set to join the Blues and the deal could be announced as early as next week.Liam Delap has decided to join ChelseaCredit: GettyThomas Tuchel convinced Chelsea is the right moveCredit: GettyChelsea will trigger the £30million buy option in the Ipswich striker’s contract, which became available following their relegation from the Premier League.The fee and personal terms were not going to be an issue for Man Utd – but Delap has opted for a move to Stamford Bridge instead.Journalist Ben Jacobs reports that the player has chosen Chelsea due to their former boss Thomas Tuchel.He claims that the England manager told Delap that playing in the Champions League would boost his chances of making the Three Lions squad heading to next summer’s World Cup.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd those words appear to have helped him make up his mind.Everton were also in for Delap, but like the Red Devils, they could also not offer European football.Man Utd fans reacted: “Did Tuchel forget to tell him he needs to be actually playing in the Champions League not sitting on the bench.”Another added: “He made the wrong decision, if he performed as the main man in the United shirt he would definitely get the call up.”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSA third wrote: “Politics in football because he has coached Chelsea before.”Delap scored 12 goals in 37 Premier League games for Ipswich this season.BBC pundit names England’s long-term successor to Harry Kane after Premier League star’s ‘bullying’ performance He is set to battle the likes of Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins and Dominic Solanke to be Harry Kane’s understudy at the World Cup.Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford More

  • in

    ‘The last position we need’, moan Man Utd fans as they’re linked with shock Premier League defender

    MANCHESTER UNITED are interested in Brighton defender Pervis Estupinan, according to reports.Ruben Amorim is looking to overhaul his squad this summer after a woeful season that saw the Red Devils finish in their lowest ever position of 15th.Man Utd are keen on Pervis EstupinanCredit: ReutersRuben Amorim is planning a squad overhaulCredit: ReutersJournalist Ben Jacobs claims United have enquired about Estupinan as they look to bolster options at left-wing-back.The 27-year-old featured 30 times for Brighton this season, scoring once and assisting another.It is currently unclear whether the Seagulls are open to selling the Ecuadorian or what fee they may demand.Estupinan’s contract on the south coast does not expire until the summer of 2027.READ MORE ON MAN UTDBut some United fans are not happy about the rumours and claim they do not need a new left-wing-back.Patrick Dorgu was signed in January for £25million and teenager Diego Leon joins this summer from Cerro Porteno in Paraguay for a reported £7m.Meanwhile, the likes of Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui and youngster Harry Amass have also filled in there.One supporter wrote: “Why are we even looking at left wing-backs. The last position we need signings for.”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAnother added: “We have Dorgu and Leon already. Concentrate on key positions which is striker, forwards, central midfield and a goalkeeper.”A third commented: “Definitely bigger priorities. Plenty of cover in that area, best keep the money for elsewhere.”Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho show middle finger to fans during Man Utd’s post-season tour in MalaysiaBut others disagreed, saying: “Would be a decent rotation option with Dorgu.”Though departures are currently the focus at Old Trafford as club chiefs are set for talks with Real Betis over Antony next week.And Bruno Fernandes is said to be “giving serious consideration” to a mega-money move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford More