Man Utd transfer news

LOU MACARI woke up yesterday morning still scratching his head over why Ruben Amorim would call his team ‘maybe the worst in Manchester United’s history’.Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who spent £1.03billion to buy a 25 per cent stake in the Red Devils and replaced Erik ten Hag with Amorim in November, is bound to be asking the same question.Ruben Amorim has slammed the state of the Man United squadCredit: PALou Macari was left stunned at Amorim’s recent commentsCredit: GettyThe Portuguese could now be facing a player rebellion, with at least half of the squad knowing they are not wanted.One of those who looks to be on the way out is £85.5million one-trick pony Antony, who is a loan target for Spanish side Real Betis.Macari spent 11½ years at Old Trafford after joining the club in January 1973.The Scot, 75, insists he is an Amorim supporter but cannot work out what the point of his Sunday night bombshell was — especially with United in crisis.read more footballMacari said: “I don’t know why he said it. It doesn’t do any good to say something like that. Not at all.”Amorim made his shock statement following the 3-1 defeat at home to Brighton — and the stats seem to back him up.The loss to the Seagulls marked a sixth home league defeat of the season — the most from United’s opening 12 home games since the 1893-94 campaign when they were still called Newton Heath. Macari was at Old Trafford on Sunday along with many other of United’s famous former players to pay tribute to club legend Denis Law, whose death at age 84 was announced on Friday.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAfter the upset of losing his old friend and former United and Scotland team-mate, Macari was left baffled by Amorim’s damning indictment — and worries about the effect it could have.He said: “I didn’t know what he had said until I got home then saw the quotes and they were everywhere.Macari was relegated as part of a truly bad United sideCredit: GettyHow Brighton proved Man Utd don’t trust Ruben Amorim’s tactics“Was he reading it off something? It looked like he was.“He kept looking down to his right as though he might have written it first.“The problem is you don’t know what the right idea is, do you? Everyone’s got an opinion.”The general opinion among United fans is the team that actually was the worst to wear the famous red shirts — at least in living memory — was the one that was relegated after the 1973-74 season.Macari was on the pitch when Law produced a back-heeled winner for Manchester City in United’s penultimate game of that nightmare season.Law never forgave himself for clinching a 1–0 win at Old Trafford on that April day but other results meant Tommy Docherty’s side were down anyway.United players are well used to this feeling this season – despairCredit: GettyMacari does not believe that fate awaits the current crop of United players.But since Amorim replaced Ten Hag in November, they have taken just 11 points from 11 Premier League games and sit a dismal 13th in the table, ten points above the drop zone.And Macari added: “Of course, back then we never thought we’d go down and the current team won’t be thinking that, either. And anyway, they won’t.“There’s too much in this team for them to go down, I’m certain of that.“But I don’t even really want to touch on the subject because it’s a can of worms. It wouldn’t be right to compare our team that went down to Amorim’s — it’s not the same situation at all.Macari, centre didn’t have a right lot to celebrate during his United daysCredit: Getty“But right now, I don’t know what the answer is going forward.”Amorim threw his team under the bus in cold blood, declaring: “We are getting a new coach who is losing more than the last coach. I have full knowledge of that.“We are the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United. I know you [media] want headlines but I am saying that because we have to acknowledge that and to change that.”The Portuguese, 39, had already admitted on New Year’s Eve that relegation was  “a possibility” and pundits lined up to criticise his comments after Brighton’s sixth win over United in seven  Prem games.Former Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker declared on BBC Radio 5 Live: “Absolutely crazy. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.“I think Amorim is too honest and he needs to be a bit more of a politician. By saying that comment and putting it out into the domain, it puts more pressure on the players.”And ex-Tottenham defender Michael Dawson said on Sky Sports: “I’m not so sure I’d be very happy if my manager came out and said I was part of the worst Manchester United team in history. I understand what he’s trying to do but this is becoming embarrassing.”And former Everton midfielder Leon Osman said on Match of the Day 2: “I personally wouldn’t enjoy being called out like this.“But it’s probably an honest — and right on the mark — statement.”Macari spent 11½ years at Old Trafford after joining the club in January 1973.Credit: RexThe answer as to why Amorim decided honesty was the best policy is almost certainly to rouse Ratcliffe to find the money to replace  sub-standard players.It will take until the summer at least for United to raise transfer funds after escaping a points deduction for going perilously close to breaching the Prem’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.In the meantime, Amorim has vowed to stick with his tactical philosophy of three at the back.United legend Alex Stepney, another member of that relegated side, is backing Amorim.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe former keeper, who walked with Sir Alex Ferguson as he laid a wreath on the pitch for United’s ‘King’ Law, insisted: “He tells it like it is which shows he’s got a strong mentality.“I’ve no doubts he will turn things around. He’s seen enough to call his players out because they’ve been nowhere near consistent enough.” More

MANCHESTER UNITED legend Sir Alex Ferguson issued some life-altering advice to former Premier League manager Tony Pulis after he led Stoke to promotion.Pulis, 67, took the Potters to the top flight in 2008 and called his Man Utd counterpart Ferguson, 83, to have a conversation that changed the Prem for the following five years.Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson shared life-altering advice for Tony PulisCredit: GettyPulis had a chat with Ferguson after leading Stoke to Premier League promotionCredit: GettyPulis turned Stoke into a mainstay in the Prem thanks to Ferguson’s adviceCredit: GettyThe Welshman sought Fergie’s advice and the legendary Scot simply told him to turn the bet365 Stadium – then Britannia Stadium – into a fortress for Stoke and a nightmare for the opposition.Pulis did just that as he added some muscle within his squad and set up the pitch in a way that would make even the biggest Premier League clubs fret a cold rainy night in Stoke.That saw the Potters turning into a mainstay in the Prem with the ex-Crystal Palace boss building a reputation as a manager who never gets relegated until his departure in 2013.Pulis said back in March: “When we got promoted at Stoke, I called Sir Alex Ferguson up. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”He told me: ‘Your best chance is making the Britannia a place no one wants to go.”‘If any of the top teams go there and praise you, you’re not doing it right.”‘The bottom line is football is about winning and if you don’t win football matches you aren’t going to be in the job very long’.“I never forgot what he said, and as a result we narrowed the pitch in, grew the grass and brought Rory Delap into play. Most read in FootballBest new sign-up offersSunSport exclusives”We found a way to win and it worked.”I don’t think I’ve ever been at a football stadium where the crowd and team were so together.”We used to play the top teams and the place used to light up.” More

RUBEN AMORIM believes he is in charge of the “worst Manchester United team in history”.The 39-year-old warned fans to expect more suffering after United endured a fourth defeat in five Premier League home games.Ruben Amorim believes he is currently in charge of the worst Manchester United team in historyCredit: GettyUnited hit a new low after losing 3-1 to BrightonCredit: ReutersUnited had one shot on targetCredit: GettyAnd some fans believe Andre Onana is the “worst Man Utd keeper in history” after his shocking blunder sealed Brighton’s comfortable 3-1 win on a day that United paid tribute to legend Denis Law.Amorim was given another gut-punch on Sunday after goals from Yankuba Minteh, Kauro Mitoma and Georginio Rutter.The new Old Trafford boss said: “We are being the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United.“I know you want headlines but I am saying that because we have to acknowledge that and change that. So there you go, your headline.READ MORE ON MAN UTD“In ten games in the Premier League we won two, I know that. Imagine this for a fan of Manchester United, imagine this for me.“You are getting a new coach who is losing more than the last coach. Imagine that. We need to survive this moment. I know that.”United’s record at home this season is the club’s worst in the league in 131 years.They have not lost six games at Old Trafford in 12 opening league appearances since the 1893-94 season, when they lost seven.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAmorim’s side are 13th in the table after 22 matches and sit closer to the relegation zone (10 points) than they do the top four (12).The Portuguese manager has tried to implement the 3-4-3 formation which worked so well for him at Sporting.Sir Alex Ferguson joins Man Utd players past and present to honour Denis Law at Old TraffordAnd he insisted he will not change his approach after United registered one shot on target during Brighton’s easy win.Amorim added: “With me, it is clear I’m not going to change the way I see the game. I’m very clear on that. “The players are going to suffer, I’m sorry, the fans are going to suffer. “I have one way of doing things, I know it’s going to bring results. But we have to suffer these moments. I think it’s very clear for everybody what we are going to do.”United have picked up 11 points from his first 11 games in charge, but Amorim believes the club has to “stick together”.It’s a hard moment, we are really underperformingAmorimHe added: “It is hard to explain, we have to acknowledge the moment and not go around the problem.“Everybody here is underperforming, no matter what the circumstances. “It is unacceptable to lose so many games for any club in the Premier League, never mind Manchester United. It is a really hard moment but we have to continue.“The opponents are better than us in many details. That we cannot be consistent. That I am not helping my players in the moment.“It is a hard moment. We have to acknowledge we are in a very difficult situation. All the bad records, losing games at home, losing in the Premier League, we are really underperforming.”Brighton had won five of their last six Premier League meetings with United prior to Sunday’s clash.READ MORE SUN STORIESThey have now extended that record to six wins from seven dating back to May 2022.Amorim’s comments come just weeks after Gary Neville called his former club the “worst team in the country.”Man Utd ratings vs BrightonBy Ken LawrenceANDRE ONANA 4 – No chance with either of the Seagulls’ first two goals. But an awful howler to gift them their third.MATTHIJS DE LIGT 5 – Certainly doesn’t look like he likes players running at him as Kaoru Mitoma constantly did. Looked unsure of himself throughout.HARRY MAGUIRE 6 – The one member of United’s three-man central defence who looked like he knew what he was doing. Beginning to believe in himself again.LENY YORO 5 – The £52M youngster is still settling into the Premier League to be fair to him. But he is certainly taking his time about it.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI 4 – Has been one of the few consistent successes of Ruben Amorim’s tactical revolution. Yet he had a real shocker this time around.MANUEL UGARTE 5 – Supposedly “tired” in the 3 – 1 win over Southampton the midfielder looked brighter here. Yet he still doesn’t look that switched-onKOBBIE MAINOO 4 – Where is last season’s Kobbie? Looks nothing like the buzzing homegrown midfielder who burst on the scene last season.DIOGO DALOT 5 – Did his duties as a left wing-back to the best of his abilities. Another United player, however, who looked nothing like sharp enough.AMAD DIALLO 7 – Thursday night’s 12-minute treble hero on a high again – unlike, again, so many team-mates. Sometimes his footwork is just dazzling.BRUNO FERNANDES 6 – Ultra-cool from the spot but that goal didn’t do much to raise his performance level. Had one of those days where nothing really clicked.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE 5 – “Won” the penalty after being brought down although Carlos Baleba’s challenge would have looked good in a wrestling ring. There’s a footballer in there somewhere…SUBSALEJANDRO GARNACHO (for Mainoo 64) 5 – Struggled to make an impact in a team that was being taken apart.TOBY COLLYER (for Ugarte 64) 5 – Plenty of youthful commitment but still too inexperienced to lift a side as poor as Amorim’s.ANTONY (for Mazraoui 84) 4 – Talk about a last throw of the dice by Amorim???RASMUS HOIJLUND (for Zirkzee 84) 4: Given a thankless task in the closing moments of another depressing display. More

MANCHESTER UNITED are looking at Wolves star Rayan Ait-Nouri as an alternative left-back option, according to reports.Paris Saint-Germain full-back Nuno Mendes his United’s No1 target, but a move to Old Trafford is growing more and more unlikely.Man Utd are eyeing up a move for Wolves star Rayan Ait-NouriCredit: GettyParis Saint-Germain left-back Nuno Mendes his United’s No1 target, thoughCredit: RexBut United are currently way off from matching his £50m asking price and vast wages, reports The Independent.United need to sell players in order to meet those demands and PSG aren’t keen on letting the Portugal international.As a result, United’s attention has shifted elsewhere in case Mendes stays in Paris.Ait-Nouri has impressed at Wolves despite a hugely difficult season.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSHe has excelled as both a traditional left-back and a forward-thinking wing-back.The Algerian international has scored four goals and provided five assists across 22 appearances in all competitions this season.He has three goals and five assists in the Premier League.Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, and Tyrell Malacia have struggled for consistency, forcing Amorim to demand reinforcements.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSLuke Shaw is on the verge of returning from another muscular injury, his recurring fitness issues have left United looking elsewhere.United’s pursuit of Ait-Nouri depends on the future of Malacia, who has attracted interest from Juventus and Borussia Dortmund.Sir Alex Ferguson joins Man Utd players past and present to honour Denis Law at Old TraffordMalacia’s exit could create the financial space needed to bring in Ait-Nouri.Ait-Nouri’s contract with Wolves is set to expire next summer, but the club hold an option to extend it by one more year.United also have an interest in his teammate Matheus Cunha, but Arsenal are also keeping tabs on the striker. More

ANDRE ONANA was back to his worst as Manchester United fell to another Old Trafford defeat.It appeared Ruben Amorim’s side had turned a corner in recent weeks with a draw at Anfield and an FA Cup penalty shoot-out win at Arsenal.Andre Onana made a horrendous mistake for Brighton’s third goalCredit: RexKaoru Mitoma bundled in at the back post as Onana watchedCredit: GettyYankuba Minteh opened the scoring at Old TraffordCredit: ReutersBruno Fernandes equalised from the penalty spoCredit: AlamyBut dreadful individual mistakes cost them yet again with Onana the chief culprit.The keeper was at fault for two of Brighton’s three goals – dropping a huge clanger as he palmed a simple cross straight to Georginio Rutter under no pressure whatsoever.Minutes earlier he watched as Yankuba Minteh floated a cross over the six-yard box which he should have come to collect – his failure to do so meant Kaoru Mitoma had a simple tap in at the back post.There were few positive notes for the Red Devils as Amad once again provided a spark.READ MORE ON MAN UTDHere is how SunSport’s Ken Lawrence rated the United display.ANDRE ONANA – 2 No chance with the Seagulls’ first goal. But allowed a cross to float over him for Mitoma to add the second before an awful howler to gift them their third.MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 5Certainly doesn’t look like he likes players running at him as Kaoru Mitoma constantly did. Looked unsure of himself all the way through.HARRY MAGUIRE – 6The one member of United three–man central defence who looked like he knew what he was doing. Beginning to believe in himself again.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSLENY YORO – 5The £52M youngster is still settling into the Premier League to be fair to him. But he is certainly taking his time about it.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 4 Has been one of the few consistent successes of Ruben Amorim’s tactical revolution. Yet he had a real shocker this time around.Luke Littler parades World Darts Championship trophy at Old Trafford weeks after Man Utd superfan won £500,000 prizeMANUEL UGARTE – 5Supposedly “tired” in the 3-1 win over Southampton, the midfielder looked brighter here. Yet he still doesn’t look that switched-on.KOBBIE MAINOO – 4Where is last season’s Kobbie? Looks nothing like the buzzing homegrown midfielder who burst onto the scene last season.DIOGO DALOT – 5 Did his duties as a left wing-back to the best of his abilities. Another United player, however, who looked nothing like sharp enough.AMAD DIALLO – 7 Thursday night’s 12-minute treble hero on a high again – unlike, again, so many team mates. Sometimes his footwork is just dazzling.BRUNO FERNANDES – 6 He was ultra-cool from the spot but that goal didn’t do much to raise his performance level. Had one of those days where nothing really clicked.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE – 5 “Won” the penalty after being brought down although Carlos Baleba’s challenge would have looked good in a wrestling ring. There’s a footballer in there somewhere…SUBSALEJANDRO GARNACHO (for Mainoo 64) – 5 Struggled to make an impact in a team that was being taken apart.TOBY COLLYER (for Ugarte 64) – 5 Plenty of youthful commitment but still too inexperienced to lift a side as poor as Amorim’s.READ MORE SUN STORIESANTONY (for Mazraoui 84) – 4 Talk about a last throw of the dice by Amorim???RASMUS HOJLUND (for Zirkzee 84) – 4Given a thankless task in the closing moments of another depressing display. More