Man Utd transfer news

AARON WAN-BISSAKA had no one but his PlayStation when he first arrived at Manchester United in 2019.The full-back has opened up on the loneliness he felt when he swapped the safety of Crystal Palace for the bright lights of Old Trafford.Aaron Wan-Bissaka has broken his silence on feeling isolated when he first arrived at Manchester UnitedCredit: GettyThe 26-year-old joined West Ham for £15m this summer after five years at UnitedCredit: GettyAt £50m, he was the fifth-most expensive player United had ever signed and remains now the priciest ever uncapped Englishman.Then manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer described the then 21-year-old as “one of the best upcoming defenders in the Premier League.”Wan-Bissaka quickly earned the trust of the fans with Jamie Carragher coining him the “best one-on-one defender in world football” in 2020.But he initially struggled to adapt to life in Manchester off the pitch as it took time for the South London boy to settle in.READ MORE ON MAN UTDHe told The Standard: “It was difficult. Very difficult. I went on my own and it was my first time moving away from home. I had no one up there, apart from my PlayStation.”Because Manchester’s smaller, everyone’s aware of everything that’s happening. You have to be mentally strong to avoid the negative stuff it comes with.”In fact, he felt so isolated that he would travel back to London after training most afternoons to spend time with his family, before heading back up North that same night.But Wan-Bissaka admitted that the tiredness of travelling forced him to settle as the reality set in that he was a United player.Most read in FootballAaron Wan-Bissaka made 42 appearances for Crystal Palace in the Prem before his move to Old TraffordCredit: GettyHe won the Carabao Cup in 2023 alongside Tyrell Malacia, Jadon Sancho and Marcus RashfordCredit: GettyFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSWan-Bissaka added: “I came back as a man. More mature, more grounded, more focused.”He became a staple at right-back for two seasons, as United finished third in his debut campaign and runners-up the following term.Man Utd braced for Mason Greenwood lawsuit after Mendy successfully sued City over £11m unpaid wagesBut he eventually started slipping down the pecking order as the need for a more modern attacking full-back became increasingly important.And Erik ten Hag didn’t favour him either, instead deploying Diogo Dalot with Wan Bissaka only starting 20 games last season.Explaining how his exit from United came to be – after being linked with a move away for some time – he said both parties agreed it was mutually beneficial for him to leave.He said: “I spoke to the club and they thought this opportunity was best for me.”They gave me some time to think about it. In the moment, I didn’t, but I spoke to family and friends about it and we all decided it was the right time.”Now Wan-Bissaka is back in his hometown of London playing for West Ham, who have struggled this season.He has started eight of their first 10 Prem games after joining Julen Lopetegui’s side for £15m in the summer.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe 26-year-old played a full 90 minutes as the Hammers beat his former team 2-1 last month – which saw Ten Hag sacked the following morning.He played a total of 190 times across five seasons at United and won two trophies – the Carabao Cup in 2023 and FA Cup in May. More

NEW Manchester United gaffer Ruben Amorim will be without assistant Darren Fletcher for his first two Premier League games.Fletcher has been handed an extended three-match ban and a hefty fine by the FA for kicking off with officials during Man Utd’s 2-1 win over Brentford last month.Darren Fletcher has been fined and banned for three Prem games by the FAMan Utd furiously protested Brentford’s goalThe incident occurred after Ethan Pinnock netted a controversial opener on the brink of half-time at Old Trafford on October 19.United staff complained as Matthijs de Ligt was forced off the pitch by referee Samuel Barrott after blood was leaking from a gash in his head.It meant The Red Devils were down a man when Pinnock freely headed in from a corner in the final minute of first half stoppage time.Fletcher has been charged with allegedly acting in an improper or confrontational manner as he criticised the officials.READ MORE ON MAN UTDThe 40-year-old United legend’s ban starts on Sunday when Leicester visit for the second time in two weeks after United’s 5-2 Carabao Cup win. This means he will miss Amorim’s first two Premier League games, against Ipswich Town on November 24 and Everton on December 1.An FA statement read: “An Independent Regulatory Commission has imposed a three-match extended touchline ban and £7,500 fine on Darren Fletcher. “The FA alleged that the coach acted in an improper and/or confrontational manner and/or that he used abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official and the referee and/or assistant referees around the tunnel area at half time.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”Fletcher admitted to this misconduct but denied that he was abusive. Ruud van Nistelrooy rejoins Man Utd as ex-team-mate Darren Fletcher gets completely different job and two coaches axed”However, the Regulatory Commission found this to be proven and imposed his sanctions. “The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for its decisions will be published in due course.”United face FK Bodo/Glimt inbetween Fletcher’s Prem bans, so he won’t be limited to seat in the stands during Europa League games.Both former boss Erik ten Hag and his then assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy were booked for their reactions on the touchline.But emotions also got the better of Fletcher, who is said to have exploded at the officials inside the Old Trafford tunnel, which was included in Barrott’s referee report.Despite falling behind just before the break, United responded with goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund sealing just the club’s third Prem win of the season.United are appealing the severity of Fletcher’s sanction.Man Utd ratings vs PAOKSUNSPORT’S Phil Thomas reveals which Man Utd players would have impressed incoming boss Ruben Amorim against PAOK.ANDRE ONANA – 6One great tipover to keep out a Camara half-volley.But any other stops were pretty routine.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6Another solid, if unspectacular, display.An increasingly dependable presence by the week.VICTOR LINDELOF – 6Flat-footed once in the first half, but rarely flustered thereafter.Started a few attacks as well.JONNY EVANS – 6Wise old head at the back.But lucky to get away with going AWOL for one second half chance.DIOGO DALOT – 4Usually reliable, but shoddy with so much of what he did, and his delivery wasn’t great either.Surprising he wasn’t hooked earlier.CASEMIRO – 6Starting point for most of what United did going forward.Although that wasn’t a great deal to be honest.MANUEL UGARTE – 5Still far from the midfield general United hoped.Distribution disappointing too. No shock when subbed off.AMAD – 8 (STAR MAN)Livewire runs, impressive closing down, the crucial opening goal…and a stunning second.United’s best player by some distance.BRUNO FERNANDES – 7Knocked some marvellous passes, always looking to create.At least someone was!ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6Close with one header and a couple of decent runs, but all in all a quiet night.Hooked.RASMUS HOJLUND – 5One early header aside, little to work with apart from chasing hopeful balls.No clear sights of goal, either.SUBSRashford (for Garnacho 64) 6Eriksen (for Ugarte 64) 6Martinez (for Dalot 64) 6Mount (for Amad 81) 6Zirkzee (for Hojlund 90) N/A More

VIKTOR GYOKERES could be up for grabs for around £63million in the summer – putting Manchester United on red alert.Sporting Lisbon’s Swedish forward enhanced his reputation with a hat-trick against City on Tuesday night.Viktor Gyokeres could be available for a cut-price dealCredit: GettyHe has a release clause in his deal at the José Alvalade Stadium which is set at around £84m and expires in 2028.However the former Coventry man is believed to have a gentleman’s agreement with the Portuguese club that will allow him to go for much less if he sees the season out with them.Sporting would look for around £67m but could accept as little as £63m.And that is likely to interest a host of Prem giants – including United, Arsenal and Chelsea.READ MORE ON MAN UTDHis outgoing boss Ruben Amorim ruled out taking him with him to United in January – but said he does expect the forward to look for a new challenge in the summer.He said: “I’ve just made peace with the Sporting fans so I’m not even going to make a joke about it.“Gyokeres is a Sporting player and it’s is a great club, he did a lot for the club. He just has to stay and finish the season at the club.”After scoring 66 goals in 67 appearances he is certain to be in demand and there is already interest from Saudi Arabia.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSRuben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man UtdWHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers. The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for.But United are likely to be in the market for a number nine after struggling for goals during the opening months of this season.Gyokeres admitted it is a blow for his current club to be losing Amorim.Dimitar Berbatov tips Viktor Gyokeres to follow Ruben Amorim to Man Utd He said: “We will miss him a lot. We’ve done amazing things together.“We have to look forward and attack the next challenge ahead of us.” More