Man Utd transfer news

TYRELL MALACIA is reportedly set for a loan move away from Manchester United.The Dutchman has been blighted by injury since his 2022 arrival from Feyenoord.Tyrell Malacia is reportedly on course to leave Manchester UnitedCredit: ALAMYThe defender is said to be on the verge of leaving Old Trafford on loanCredit: AlamyRuben Amorim’s replacing of Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford dugout seemingly gave the defender a glimmer of hope of salvaging his Red Devils career.But according to reports, the left-back is set to leave the Theatre of Dreams – despite Amorim’s struggle to fill the position.Dutch journalist Joost Blaauwhof reported: “Tyrell Malacia is leaving Manchester United.”Sources close to the player have confirmed this.READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS”The left-back is close to an agreement with a new club and will be loaned to a top European competition.”Ruben Amorim has given approval for the loan.”News of Malacia’s seemingly imminent departure comes just days after Amorim revealed he wants to keep his current crop of players intact.The Portuguese gaffer said: “I want to keep my players, I’m focused on these players.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS”I don’t know what is going to happen in this window, we’ll see.”But they are our players, so we have control on that. Ruben Amorim warns Man Utd stars he’ll learn more about them vs Southampton than against Arsenal and Liverpool”We decide on that.”Sometimes it’s harder for the players because they have some information.”And you can feel it in every team. It’s like that.”Manchester United will be back in action on Sunday, welcoming Brighton to Old Trafford. More

JOSHUA ZIRKZEE has dodged a ban after an X-rated celebration during Manchester United’s 3-1 win against Southampton on Thursday.Zirkzee, 23, came off the bench to transform the game in the Red Devils favour, allowing them to sustain attacks where Rasmus Hojlund had been unable to earlier on.Joshua Zirkzee has avoided a ban after a crude celebration in Man Utd’s win over SouthamptonCredit: AlamyAmad Diallo took the headlines with a 12-minute hat-trick to bail United out of a potentially embarrassing defeat.And during the celebrations for Amad’s third goal, a jubilant Zirkzee was seen grabbing his crotch with his right hand while the team celebrated by the corner flag.Jude Bellingham was handed a one-game ban and fined £25,000 for performing a similar gesture after England beat Slovakia at Euro 2024.Cristiano Ronaldo was similarly suspended for one game and slapped with a £16,850 fine for making the gesture when playing for Al-Nassr.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, an FA statement revealed Zirkzee had not met the same fate, but had been given a warning.A statement said: “As guidance, we have issued Joshua Zirkzee with a reminder of his responsibilities, and he will face no further action.”It means he will be available for selection for Man Utd’s match against Brighton on Sunday afternoon.Zirkzee has enjoyed an impressive pair of matches off the bench against Southampton and Arsenal, the latter in the FA Cup where he scored the decisive penalty in the shootout to win the tie for Ruben Amorim’s side.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe turnaround comes days after fans appeared to cheer when he was subsituted against Newcastle at Old Trafford.Club captain Bruno Fernandes, who was suspended for the game, slammed: “I was in the stands and I’ve never seen something like this.Manchester United squad transfer verdict: stay or go? article”And it really frustrates me and annoys me because he’s a player that always gives it his all. As a player that is coming into the team from a different league, he needs time to adapt but, he has huge qualities.”He hasn’t shown all the quality but it can’t be that from the first game of the season everyone was hyping him as one of the best strikers and now everyone does not believe in him anymore.”We do believe in him inside the dressing room. I would rather be myself in this position against Newcastle and not seeing one of my team-mates in that position.”And the Dutchman has done his talking on the pitch with game-changing cameos against the Gunners and Saints in consecutive matches.Despite this, the former Bologna star has remained goal shy, with only four to his name in all competitions and his most recent strike coming in the 4-0 win over Everton at the start of January.Man Utd squad transfer verdictSunSport gives its verdict on what Man Utd stars should stay or go in the first phase of Ruben Amorim’s squad rebuild:Andre Onana – StayDespite being guilty of some erratic performances, Andre Onana remains a world-class goalkeeper and United would struggle to find better in the market.The defence has begun to look more solid in recent weeks now Amorim has had time to coach the structure into the team, and hopefully, that will be converted into clean sheets going forward.Noussair Mazraoui – StayThe best signing from the summer window so far, Noussair Mazraoui has proven to be everything Man Utd needed and more.Versatile, reliable and passionate no matter whether he plays at wing-back or centre-back, it is a no-brainer to keep the Moroccan.Leny Yoro – StayAfter a pre-season injury, Leny Yoro has taken some time to bed in but he has shown some superb moments in a Man Utd shirt already like his lung-busting run to block a Liverpool shot in the 2-2 draw at Anfield earlier this month.At the age of 19 he will only get better and while too much expectation should not be thrust on him just yet, the early signs suggest he could be a mainstay in defence for years to come.Harry Maguire – GoThe last time we did this list Harry Maguire was one of our main defensive options to be sold, but since Amorim has come with the back three the England international has barely put a foot wrong.The issue with Maguire is that while he is perfectly suited to a back three, he will be 32 in the summer and has just one year left on his contract, so if a serious offer comes in he should regrettably be sold.Matthijs de Ligt – StayMatthijs de Ligt has been very hit or miss since arriving in the summer. Capable of heroic last-ditch tackles like he did at Arsenal and also capable of some very silly passages of play like his handball against Liverpool.In many ways, the Dutchman seems like a younger version of Maguire and given some more time to bed in he should improve even more.Lisandro Martinez – StayHas really started to grow into the Amorim system in recent games after a very sticky patch of form.He is one of the team’s best progressive passers in the build-up phase and has the dogged mentality this team will need to improve and claw its way up the table.Luke Shaw – GoIt’s been said that one of the best abilities is availability, and that rings incredibly true for Luke Shaw.World class on his day and is clearly still capable of finding those levels, as seen at less than full fitness with England at the Euros. But he is simply not available often enough to warrant keeping.Tyrell Malacia – GoTyrell Malacia is still recovering his match sharpness from his two-year injury layoff, so it is a bit harsh to make a verdict on him so soon.The current concern is that United will need to aggressively recruit specialist left wing-backs in the summer, and Malacia so far has not looked totally comfortable playing there.Manuel Ugarte – StayQuestion marks were being raised about him after his first few games. But under Amorim, Manuel Ugarte has once again become the lynchpin of his midfield.He knows the system inside out and is one of the Premier League’s most proficient ball winners. It would be madness to consider his sale next summer.Kobbie Mainoo – StayDespite reports that Chelsea and Bayern Munich want to sign the 19-year-old, Kobbie Mainoo should be one of the few genuinely untouchable stars at the club and his contract situation needs sorting ASAP.He has quality and aspects to his game not possessed by many other midfielders, and with improvements to the stars around him, he and Ugarte should be able to form an effective partnership for many years to come.Casemiro – GoCasemiro unfortunately seemed to lose his legs going into his second season at Man Utd. And with the 3-4-3 system demanding even more running from him, it is clear he simply does not fit the bill for what the club need going forward.It would also help the club’s financial goals to see him sold due to his massive £375,000-a-week wages being taken off the books.Bruno Fernandes – StayThe club captain, Bruno Fernandes has faced a lot of criticism since taking the armband for his erratic decisions and losing his temper.Yet he remains the best player in the squad by some distance and shows the mentality the squad needs to improve. Besides it’s not like United’s most famous captain of the Premier League era, Roy Keane, was exactly cool-headed.Antony – GoThere’s a definite case to argue that Antony may be the worst pound-for-pound signing in Premier League history, with games too often passing him by and lacking quality when he is involved.That being said, he has improved in a number of brief cameos when featuring as a wing-back under Amorim. But unless there is a plan for him to learn the position and become a specialist he should be moved on.Marcus Rashford – GoIt was not supposed to end like this. Once the darling of Old Trafford and Carrington, Marcus Rashford’s comments admitting he wanted a new challenge were probably the final nail in the coffin for his Man Utd future.There is a classy player in there if he can find the motivation to love his football again. A sale to a rival should be ruled out for fear of exactly that, while a sale overseas should be targeted and pushed by the club.Amad Diallo – StayHas taken a real liking to his role as either the right No.10 in the 3-4-3 or as the right wing-back.Amad Diallo has been one of the team’s best players this season and was rewarded with a new deal as a result.Alejandro Garnacho – GoArguably the trickiest star on the list, Alejandro Garnacho has bags of raw talent to elevate him to being world-class. But recent off-field issues and poor form have doubt cast on his future.If, as reports suggest, a major bid of £60m from the likes of Napoli comes in there will be a tough decision to make. Though it may be the financial situation of the club which ultimately tips the scale.Joshua Zirkzee – GoJoshua Zirkzee has certainly been hit-and-miss at United so far. He has had some games and moments where he has looked very impressive, and others where he is simply not good enough.He has a very unique profile which makes him top drawer in the right system, it is just United will probably never play the right way for him to truly excel.Read our verdict on the full Man Utd squad here. More

HE was the last survivor of Manchester United’s “Holy Trinity”.A legend, remembered in stone, his hand thrust skywards as he stands for ever beside his two pals, in front of the ground he graced for so long.Denis Law has passed away at the age of 84The legendary striker is considered one of Manchester United’s biggest legendsLaw is third on United’s all-time top scorers listAnd now that Denis Law has joined George Best and Bobby Charlton in death, a shadow will hang over the club.Like his two greatest colleagues, “The Lawman” was not born in Manchester.His first steps were in Aberdeen and United were his FOURTH club – after Huddersfield, Manchester City and Torino.Where Charlton and Best both joined United as 15-year-olds, Law was 22 and already a seasoned international – indeed, caretaker Scotland boss Matt Busby gave him his debut in 1958.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut from the moment he walked through the United door, after a British record £115,000 move from the Turin club, he was at home.Law scored after just seven minutes of his debut, a 2-2 home draw with West Brom, the first of 237 goals in 404 United games – a total only exceeded by Charlton and Wayne Rooney.Busby later recalled: “When I signed Denis I knew that we had the most exciting player in the game.“He was the quickest-thinking player I ever saw, seconds quicker than anyone else.Most read in Football“Denis had the most tremendous acceleration and could leap to enormous heights to head the ball with almost unbelievable accuracy and often the power of a shot.“He had the courage to take on the biggest and most ferocious of opponents and his passing was impeccable.Bobby Moore’s lost 1966 World Cup shirt worth £1m tracked down to Wales after going missing for 30 years“No other player scored as many miracle goals as Denis Law.“Goals which looked simple as Denis tapped them in, were simple only because Denis got himself into position so quickly that opponents just couldn’t cope with him.”Law takes centre stage of the United Trinity statue outside Old Trafford alongside George Best and Bobby CharltonLaw was the last survivor of the Holy TrinitySir Alex Ferguson joined Law for the unveiling of the ex-striker’s statue in Aberdeen in 2021Rare praise but words that reverberated through the years, expanding in their power with each passing season.What stunned many rival fans was Law’s remarkable ability to hang in the air, levitating himself into the skies before heading into the net.In his first six seasons at United, his WORST return was 24 goals, while he netted an incredible 46 in just 42 appearances in all competitions in 1963-64 – a season when United did not win any silverware.The previous campaign, his first at Old Trafford, he had scored the opener in the 3-1 FA Cup Final win over Leicester, the only time he was to win the trophy.And the next year, with Best integrated into the United fold, saw Law score 28 in the league and 39 in total as United became champions for the sixth time, nudging out Leeds on goal difference.A second title was to follow two years later, a 20-match unbeaten run, beginning the day after a Boxing Day defeat at Sheffield United, seeing off the challenge of Nottingham Forest and Spurs.Sir Matt Busby, who passed away in 1994, once said ‘no other player scored as many miracle goals as Denis Law’Busby held a United shirt against his new signing in 1962Law scored in the FA Cup final against Leicester in 1963Law, top scorer once again, was at the heart of everything, although a knee injury meant he missed out on being part of the crowning glory of the Busby era, the 1968 European Cup Final win over Benfica.It later transpired he had not been told of a specialist’s opinion that a knee cartilage operation had failed and needed to be repeated. The injury was to dog the rest of his career.Law stayed at United until 1973, seeing Best’s focus disappear and Charlton retire, before he moved back to City on a free transfer.Nine months later, he was at the centre of one of football’s most famous inaccurate “facts”.Legend has it that his back heel at the Stretford End in the late-season Manchester derby sent United through the relegation trapdoor. In fact, they would have gone down in any event because of results elsewhere.That summer, for one game only and unlike Best, he got the chance to play on the greatest stage of all.But after a sub-par display in the narrow 2-0 win over Zaire, Willie Ormond left him out of the games with Brazil and Yugoslavia.His international career finished after 55 appearances and a then-record – now shared with Kenny Dalglish – 30 goals and within weeks he had retired from the game, although he became a popular TV pundit.Looking back on his days at United, Law said: “When you play with great players the game is easier.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I was very fortunate to play alongside some of the greatest players in the world at that particular time, and for probably the greatest manager in the world, so I’ve been very lucky.”Not as lucky as those who got the chance to see him play. They still tell their children and grandchildren about him.Law was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2016 New Year Honours for services to football and charityThe Scotland football legend attended the BBC Sports Personality of the year in 2019 in Aberdeen More

RUBEN Amorim rejected Paul Scholes’ assessment of Manchester United’s performance against Southampton on live TV.Scholes suggested a “lack of enthusiasm” among United’s squad, who needed Amad Diallo’s 12-minute hat-trick snatch a 3-1 victory.Ruben Amorim rejected Paul Scholes’ assessment of Manchester UnitedCredit: X / footballontntScholes suggested to Amorim that United stars showed a lack of ‘enthusiasm’ against SouthamptonCredit: X / footballontntBut Amorim disagreed with Scholes’ verdict, citing a lack of speed insteadCredit: X / footballontntAmorim joined Scholes pitch-side to dissect Man Utd’s late comeback against the Saints, who have won one Prem game this season.TNT Sports pundit Scholes began: “I think you’d have been looking for a bit more of that mentality, that strength, almost enthusiasm for the game tonight which wasn’t quite there again for 70/75 minutes.”Amorim quickly disagreed and defended his side, explaining: ”I want to be fair with my players, today wasn’t a lack of enthusiasm.”It was a lack of speed and sometimes control of the game. It’s not just being tired but playing in this stadium we lost the last three games here and the pressure is different.READ MORE ON MAN UTD”We try to press the opponent in build-up and you can feel the difficulties. They creates us a lot of problems between the lines. “We have difficulties in pressing high in the moment, this team is not used to doing that. “It seems like a lack of enthusiasm, Manuel Ugarte is late, Kobbie Mainoo is late, Bruno Fernandes going outside and the ball is inside, then one transition and Leny Yoro can’t catch the guy.”These small things push the team behind and then we get nervous without the ball. Then when you have one click, one goal, one opportunity you feel like the team can control the game better.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSSouthampton were dangerous for large swathes of the game as the hosts struggled to contain Kamaldeen Sulemana, Tyler Dibling and Mateus Fernandes. Scholes felt that his former side had been outclassed and that Amorim must be seething at the performance. Paul Scholes lays into Sir Jim Ratcliffe for ‘having the cheek’ to introduce ‘ridiculous’ Man Utd’s ticket prices The United icon said: “For 80 minutes that’s as bad as a performance as you’ll see, especially against a team who were bottom of the league.”For 80 minutes Southampton were so much better than Manchester United, passing the ball, technically, tactically. Amad was the one bright spark. Man United were really poor. “The control when it came in to Rasmus Hojlund so poor at times, he kept giving it back to them. “Southampton were on a different level. It’s solely because of Amad that United won the game, rest of the players, [take a] long hard look at yourself.”United played 120 minutes in their FA Cup third-round victory over Arsenal at the Emirates, before beating the Gunners 5-3 on penalties. Yoro, who came on during extra-time on Sunday and scored the third penalty in the shootout, had a nightmare against Southampton.READ MORE SUN STORIESSulemana gave him the run-around for most of the game, while Kyle Walker-Peters at left wing back also caused issues for the 19-year-old.On TNT Sports commentary Ally McCoist said of Yoro: “He is getting absolutely smashed to smithereens tonight, the poor lad.”Saints forward Sulemana tormented Yoro for 70 minutesCredit: RexHat-trick hero Amad Diallo was the one bright spark, according to ScholesCredit: Rex More