Man Utd transfer news

Subterms

    More stories

    • 263 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Forgotten Man Utd and Newcastle star who was forced to retire aged 23 links up with Kevin Phillips as Hartlepool coach

      by

      FORMER Manchester United goalkeeper Paul Woolston has joined Hartlepool United as a coach following his retirement. Woolston was forced to hang up his gloves aged 23 in 2022 due to a hip injury which could have seen him lose the ability to walk.
      Paul Woolston has joined Hartlepool United as a coach following his retirementCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
      The former stopper signed for United from Newcastle and worked alongside David de Gea and Dean Henderson.
      Woolston has not found himself out the game for long having joined Kevin Phillips’ coaching staff at Hartlepool.
      He said: “I’m pleased to be at the club and I’m looking forward to it.
      “So far the goalkeepers, both at senior and academy level, have been great to work with and their attitudes have been excellent.
      READ MORE IN football
      “Hopefully we can get a few more clean sheets and results in the coming weeks.”
      Ex-Premier League striker Phillips added: “I’m really pleased that we are able to secure Paul to the football staff.
      “As a team we have struggled to keep clean sheets and conceded too many in the first half of the season.
      “Paul has an excellent track record, and with his experience, will undoubtedly help us as we look to improve and sure up at the back.”
      Most read in Football
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      Explaining his decision to retire, Woolston told BBC Sport: “I completely zoned out.
      “Is he talking about me? Is this real? Surely this is wrong? It can’t be me. It can’t be right.
      “The advice of the specialists was if I continued for another two years, my way of life would be totally different, that I would struggle to walk.
      “It would be a full hip replacement at the age of 25. From there it is a long road.
      “It was simple things like, if I am lucky to have kids in the future, I didn’t want to say: ‘Sorry, I can’t do it because I have ruined my hip.'” More

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd and Chelsea’s horror record for signing strikers on loan as they are linked with Karim Benzema transfer

      by

      KARIM Benzema’s astonishing wage demands may have been enough to put Manchester United off an attempt to land the former France striker.Even Sir Jim Ratcliffe appears to be unwilling to pay Benzema, 36, the equivalent of the £86m per year he is currently on in Saudi Arabia to bring the ex-Real Madrid man to Old Trafford for just four months.
      Karim Benzema is unsettled at Al-IttihadCredit: Getty
      But perhaps a bigger warning for United – and potential alternative Benzema suitors Chelsea – is the ill-starred record of on-loan strikers at BOTH clubs.
      Over the past two decades, United and Chelsea have made ten striker loan signings between them – although one of them joined BOTH clubs.
      Not that anybody could, in truth, suggest that Radamel Falcao was anything but a flop at either Stamford Bridge or Old Trafford.
      The Colombian, one of the world’s hottest striking properties before his January 2014 ACL injury, arrived at United at the end of the 2014-15 summer window.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      He left after 26 Prem appearances, 29 in all competitions, brought a paltry four goals. Never close to the player he had been at Atletico Madrid.
      Undeterred, the following summer saw him turn up in SW6, a season-long loan spell with an option for a £38m full transfer.
      It swiftly became evident that option was never going to be taken up, even before the thigh injury that ruled him out of the second half of the season.
      Just 10 Prem appearances, 12 in all competitions, and a single goal – in a shock 2-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      Radamel Falcao struggled to produce his best level at Man UtdCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      The Colombian didn’t perform any better at ChelseaCredit: PA:Press Association
      And Falcao was not the exception, for either club.
      Even some of those remembered fondly did not necessarily deliver the numbers to justify that status.
      Sweden’s Henrik Larsson left a great impression during his fleeting three month stay in 2007. That, though, added up to a solitary prem goal and three strikes in 13 games in all competitions.
      More recently, in 2020, United brought in Odion Ighalo.
      The former Watford man did not manage a single Prem goal, finding the target three times in the FA Cup and five times in 23 games in total.
      And last term, Dutchman Wout Weghorst, a surprise arrival from Burnley, failed to score in his 17 Premier League outings, claiming just two in 31 matches across the entire campaign.
      Man Utd fans possess fond memories of Henrik Larsson despite a modest goal returnCredit: Getty
      Odion Ighalo had a largely forgettable loan spell at Old TraffordCredit: Getty
      Wout Weghorst’s final game for Man Utd came in last season’s FA Cup finalCredit: Getty
      Not that Chelsea’s loan record is much better.
      After the Falcao flop, there were two other South Americans, the first arriving in 2016.
      Alexandre Pato arrived with memories of his wonderkid status at AC Milan beginning to fade amid a deluge of injuries.
      Struggling with his fitness at Stamford Bridge the Brazilian was unable to make an impression and managed just two appearances, although did score in a 4-0 win at Aston Villa.
      Then in 2019, Maurizio Sarri believed he could get a tune out of his former Napoli charge, Argentina Gonzalo Higuain.
      Maybe it was a gentle refrain, certainly not a belter. Five goals in 14 Prem outings, with five other scoreless matches across three cup competitions.
      And last term, it could be argued Joao Felix’s biggest impression was on the thigh of Fulham’s Kenny Tete when he was sent off an hour into his debut.
      The Portuguese, now at Barcelona, scored four times in 20 appearances, all of them in his 16 top flight games.
      Hardly a ringing endorsement of a track record.
      Alexandre Pato had a blink and you’ll miss it spell at ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Gonzalo Higuain played for Chelsea under Maurizio SarriCredit: Reuters
      Joao Felix played for Chelsea last term as their campaign fell apartCredit: AFP
      There was, of course, one player who does not fit that pattern – and he was always a rebel.
      Carlos Tevez, signed on loan from West Ham in 2007, won two Prem crowns, the Champions League and the League Cup in two seasons at Old Trafford, in which he scored 34 goals in 99 appearances including 19 in the top flight.
      Yet for many, even some die-hard United fans, he was the first signal of the change in the balance of power in the city.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      The infamous “Welcome to Manchester” posters unveiled when he controversially switched from the red half of Manchester to the sky blue one was a statement of intent, one that has been turned into concrete reality over the past 15 years.
      Maybe that history is a bigger reason for both clubs to think again about Benzema, or any other potential loan recruit. It hasn’t exactly gone too well in the past.

      Carlos Tevez joining Manchester City sent shockwaves through UnitedCredit: PA:Press Association More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Top 10 worst clubs at transfers revealed with Arsenal and Man Utd among six Premier League teams to feature

      by

      ARSENAL and Manchester United have both been named amongst the top 10 worst clubs at transfers.Six Premier League teams feature in the top 10 after new research from CIES Football into transfers.
      Arsenal are one of six Premier League clubs in the 10 worst teams at transfers after a huge loss on Nicolas PepeCredit: Getty
      Barcelona rank as the worst at transfers, having spent over £1billion on the likes of Philippe CoutinhoCredit: Getty
      Clubs have been ranked based on transfers between 2014 and 2023, with their fees spent and received calculated into a total profit or loss.
      Fortunately for Arsenal and United fans, they do not rank top amongst the clubs with the worst transfer records.
      Instead, Spanish giants Barcelona have the biggest loss on deals during the period in question.
      Barca spent over £1billion on the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann between 2014 and 2023.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      The trio were signed for a combined £330million, only to have since been sold for a total of £77m.
      Overall, the Spanish champions only received £524million in fees to give a transfer loss of £540million.
      Chelsea were the only other club in the top 10 to spend over £1billion, with Todd Boehly’s free-spending Blues ranked second.
      Since his takeover in 2022, the club have not held back in the transfer market, but have failed to recoup their large fees, leaving a loss of £413million.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      Romelu Lukaku is one of three players Chelsea have spent over £95million onCredit: Getty
      Amongst those brought in during the research period, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Romelu Lukaku were all signed for over £95million each.
      Arsenal rank third, with former club record signing Nicolas Pepe amongst their big money flops across the last decade.
      Pepe scored 27 goals in 112 appearances for the club before joining Trabzonspor on a free transfer in September.
      The Gunners have lost £373million on transfers, seeing them finish just ahead of Paris Saint-Germain.
      Neymar’s £198million move to the French capital in 2017 remains the world transfer record.
      However, PSG failed to recoup half of that amount when he left for Al-Hilal last summer.
      United complete the top five, with their £85.5million signing of Antony in 2022 contributing to a £280million loss on transfers.
      PSG failed to recoup half of the world record £198million fee spent on Neymar in 2017Credit: PA:Press Association
      Antony’s £85.5million move to Manchester United sees them into the top fiveCredit: EPA
      The Brazilian has come under fire for his performances since joining the Red Devils after arriving for the second biggest fee in the club’s history.
      Paul Pogba remains United’s record signing, though, but left for free in 2022 at a loss of £90million.
      Aston Villa, Everton and Liverpool also appear in the top 10, along with Italy’s AC Milan and Juventus.
      Although Villa spent just £313million from 2014 to 2023, the club recouped only £94million according to CIES.
      A majority of that figure comes from Jack Grealish’s then British record move to Manchester City in 2021.
      In contrast, Juventus’ transfer expenditure fell just short of £900million, but their incoming fees of over £700million see the Old Lady only ranking as high as 10.
      Everton are eighth after big losses on Yannick Bolasie, Davy Klaasen and Yerry Mina, despite profits on both Lukaku and Richarlison.
      Yannick Bolasie is one of a number of players Everton suffered big losses onCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Lille’s capture and sale of Victor Osimhen helps them rank as the best club at transfersCredit: AFP
      City rivals Liverpool are a place below in ninth after spending £82million less.
      However, the Reds have only sold three players for over £50million, despite breaking their transfer record twice since 2018.
      As for the best clubs at transfers, French side Lille are ranked first.
      Thanks in part to the sale of Pepe to Arsenal in 2019, Lille have made £330million in profit on transfers since 2014.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Victor Osimhen and Sven Botman have also been sold for large profits during that period.
      Ajax and RB Salzburg complete the top three, with no English clubs featuring in the top 10 best clubs at transfers. More

    • 263 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Jadon Sancho unrecognisable from Man Utd sulker as he stops to sign autographs and pose for photos with fans ‘back home’

      by

      JADON SANCHO is loving life back at Dortmund — and is unrecognisable from the sulking character who struggled at Manchester United.Few at Old Trafford were sorry to see Sancho return to his old club on loan until the end of the season.
      Jadon Sancho was banished from Manchester United’s first team following a public row with Erik ten HagCredit: PA
      The England midfielder re-joined former club Borussia Dortmund on loan this monthCredit: GETTY
      Sancho is back enjoying his football and looks unrecognisable from the player who recently left Old TraffordCredit: REX
      The winger, 23, was warned by Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl and coach Edin Terzic he had to be far more professional off the pitch than during his first four-year spell.
      Sancho was told if he was not prepared to change, then he should stay in Manchester.
      Yet Dortmund chiefs have been impressed – almost shocked – by his incredible transformation.
      A smiling Sancho, who claimed he was “back home”, has stopped his car after training every day to sign autographs, pose for pictures and chat to delighted fans.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      He is only driving away once he knows all supporters have got what they want.
      Previously, Sancho never did anything like this.
      In his first spell before moving to United for £73million in July 2021, Sancho wore the No 7 shirt but has now been given No 10.
      In just one week back at Dortmund, the club sold 5,000 Sancho shirts.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      Jadon Sancho looks happy as Larry to be back playing in front of Dortmund fansCredit: AFP
      The player made his return as a sub in a 3-0 victory at Darmstadt – having not featured for United in five months.
      His first start came in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Cologne.
      Sancho won a spot-kick, then had a row with Niclas Fullkrug as he fancied taking it.
      Fullkrug insisted on having the spot-kick and there were no issues after the game.
      It was a similar story with England with Sancho’s attitude.
      But maybe he has finally grown up and can resurrect his career at club and international level.
      NEW DEMAND
      As you would expect, Manchester United’s allocation of just 1,433 tickets for Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Newport were snapped up quickly.
      Despite United’s dodgy form on their travels this season, demand for tickets has never been higher.
      There have been more than 10,000 applications for every away game – with an average allocation of about 2,500.
      Manchester United will travel to Rodney Parade this weekend to take on Newport County in the FA CupCredit: ALAMY
      SIT DOWNER
      Chelsea fans can sit in a “luxury padded seating” area behind Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge – a section called The Dugout Club.
      Eight of the 28 seats were unsold for last night’s Carabao Cup semi-final with Middlesbrough, which probably had something to do with the £720 price tag.
      It was in The Dugout Club for the match with Fulham this month where a bunch of actors, all wearing green velvet jackets, stood up and brushed their teeth and read books as part of a weird publicity stunt for the movie Argylle.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      The film is backed by Blues chairman Todd Boehly, who chose the spot for maximum publicity.
      It obviously helped there were plenty of seats available. More

    • 263 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd ‘lead Arsenal in Joshua Zirkzee transfer race’ with Red Devils ‘only club to have held talks’ with ex-Bayern ace

      by

      MANCHESTER United lead the race to sign Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee despite interest from rivals Arsenal.The Red Devils are the only club to have held transfer talks with the former Bayern Munich star.
      Manchester United lead the race to sign Bologna forward Joshua ZirkzeeCredit: Rex
      Zirkzee, 22, rose through the youth system at Bayern Munich but struggled to make the breakthrough at senior level before joining Bologna in 2022.
      After a slow debut year in Italy, the forward has impressed this term after scoring seven goals and creating two assists in 19 Serie A appearances this year.
      Erik ten Hag is desperate to bolster his frontline and is eyeing up to sign the ex-Netherlands U21 star in the summer.
      Reports have claimed that Zirkzee’s contract with Bologna includes a £34m release clause.
      READ MORE TRANSFER NEWS
      But club director Marco Di Vaio has confirmed that option exists only for his former employers Bayern.
      However, a deal to return to the Bundesliga is unlikely as Man Utd are the only club to begin formative talks to recruit the Dutchman.
      Zirkzee, who remains under contract with Bologna until 2026, has been integral in the club’s push for Champions League qualification.
      Thiago Motta’s side are seventh in the standings but sit just two points behind Fiorentina in fourth.
      Most read in Football

      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      Arsenal are also keen on the 2019-20 Champions League winner alongside Tottenham and Ajax.
      Zirkzee caught Europe’s attention after his successful debut season with Bayern.
      He assisted the German giants to a continental treble – the Bundesliga, Champions League and DFL Super Cup.
      And his goal-scoring prowess could come in hand at Old Trafford as Ten Hag has not seen the best in Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund. More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr plot shock double transfer raid on Man Utd and could save ten Hag £500k-a-week in wages

      by

      CRISTIANO RONALDO’S Al-Nassr are in line to make a double transfer raid on Manchester United stars Casemiro and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.The Red Devils are preparing to offload some of their highest-earning stars and a deal with the Saudi side could reduce United’s weekly salary by £500,000.
      Al-Nassr has expressed their interest in signing Casemiro this summerCredit: Getty
      The Saudi Arabian side are also keen to recruit Aaron Wan-BissakaCredit: Getty
      United’s football director John Murtough flew to Riyadh last month to open talks on potential transfer deals for a number of Red Devil players.
      Old Trafford are open to selling their highest-earner Casemiro this summer.
      The Brazillian is on £375,000 -a-week and has not played since the start of November due to a hamstring injury,
      Ten Hag’s side hopes to recoup as much of the £70million fee paid to Spanish giants Real Madrid last year.
      READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS
      And the nearly 32-year-old could be en route to reuniting with his former Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr.
      The Saudi Pro League side are not only eyeing up the midfielder but also defender Wan-Bissaka.
      The 26-year-old is currently on £90,000 a week meaning if United sell both stars to the Gulf State they could save nearly half a million a week on their salaries.
      After Al-Nassr saw a £20m bid rejected for Tottenham’s right-back Emerson Royal last week they are keen to retry their efforts on Wan-Bissaka.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      The Englishman’s future in Manchester is uncertain as the club triggered a 12-month contract extension in December but did not offer the defender a long-term deal.
      His agents held contract talks with United chiefs earlier this month but the outcome was unsuccessful.
      Even though Wan-Bissaka’s former side Crystal Palace and West Ham have expressed their interest they will find it difficult to match the oil-rich state-owned Saudi side’s offer.
      Anthony Martial and Raphael Varane – who earn £250,000 and £340,000 respectively – have also not received a contract extension and are set to leave as free agents in the summer. More

    • 263 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd told to sign Karim Benzema ‘even if only for a training session’ as Erik ten Hag plots Martial replacement

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED have been urged to sign Karim Benzema on loan this month.Erik ten Hag has been linked with a move to bolster his attacking options before the January transfer window closes.
      Karim Benzema could leave Al-Ittihad before the end of the January transfer windowCredit: Getty
      Andy Cole has urged Manchester United to sign Benzema on loanCredit: Getty
      Benzema could provide the solution, with former Red Devils striker Andy Cole telling his old club to snap up the Frenchman.
      The 36-year-old is currently training alone at Al-Ittihad after returning to the club 17 days late from a recent holiday.
      Asked whether United should pursue the loan signing of Benzema, Cole told Betfred: “150 per cent. I would sign him if it was only for a training session.
      “I was very surprised when he left Real Madrid in the summer, but I understand why it happened. That money he’s earning in Saudi Arabia is generational wealth. It’s for his kids and his kids’ kids.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      “When you’re at that age in your career and you’ve already won four La Liga titles, five Champions League trophies and the Ballon d’Or, I can understand why he went to Saudi. 
      “Could he do it in the Premier League at his age? 100 per cent considering the way he looks after himself.
      “If Manchester United have the opportunity to sign him, then they should definitely try and make that happen.”
      Benzema is reportedly unhappy at Al-Ittihad and wants a temporary move away from the Saudi champions.
      Most read in Football
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      AFP claim he feels “under pressure” and has rejected the club’s offer of a loan move to another Saudi Pro League side.
      Chelsea have been tipped as a potential destination for the former Real Madrid forward if he returns to Europe.
      Benzema joined Al-Ittihad on a three-year deal in the summer and has since scored 12 goals in 20 appearances.
      He won the Ballon d’Or in 2022 after winning both La Liga and the Champions League with Real Madrid, finishing as top scorer in both.
      Erik ten Hag has been linked with signing a new striker this monthCredit: Getty More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal and Man Utd blow as Premier League rivals ‘enter race for in-demand Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite’

      by

      TOTTENHAM are interested in signing Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, according to reports.The Toffees star, 21, has emerged as a key player under Sean Dyche this season.
      Jarrad Branthwaite has impressed for Everton this seasonCredit: Rex
      His impressive form has seen him linked with the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal.
      According to the Mail, Spurs are also keen on Branthwaite, despite already improving their defence this month.
      Ange Postecoglou’s side beat off competition from Bayern Munich to sign Radu Dragusin from Genoa in a deal worth £21.5million plus add-ons.
      Djed Spence also moved in the opposite direction on loan as part of the deal, with Tottenham covering his wages.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Despite Dragusin’s arrival, Spurs remain interested in strengthening their back line.
      Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero have both missed numerous games due to injury and, in the latter’s case, suspensions.
      Postecoglou had to make do with a makeshift centre-back partnership comprised of Emerson Royal and Ben Davies earlier in the campaign.
      Branthwaite joined Everton from hometown club Carlisle in 2019.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES

      He went on to impress in loan spells at Blackburn Rovers and PSV Eindhoven, before breaking into Dyche’s starting XI this season.
      The strapping 6ft 5in defender is an England Under-21s regular and skippered Lee Carsley’s side in their last match.
      Gareth Southgate has kept an eye on his form this term, watching him in person at Goodison Park last month.
      Tottenham are trying to get a deal over the line for highly-rated Club Brugge winger Antonio Nusa this month.
      The Lilywhites remain in talks with the Belgian side, who are said to be demanding £25m for the 18-year-old’s signature.
      A deal this month would likely see Nusa remain at Brugge on loan until the end of the season.
      As for outgoings, SunSport revealed earlier this week that Tottenham had rejected a £20m bid from Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr for defender Emerson Royal.
      Royal, 25, is happy at Spurs, but the Saudi Pro League side could launch a new bid.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Tottenham may consider offers for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg before the end of the month.
      But they will only let him leave on a permanent deal or on a loan with an obligation to buy.
      Emerson Royal has attracted interest from Saudi Arabia this monthCredit: Rex More