Manchester United fans, known as the red army, are famously loyal to their team. But they aren’t immune to petty and spiteful behaviour from their own players.
MANCHESTER UNITED boss Erik ten Hag has stripped Harry Maguire of the captaincy and handed it to Bruno Fernandes. The manager believes the new skipper will bring a winning mentality to the club.
Transfers
The transfer window at Man Utd usually takes a little longer to get off the ground than most, but there are signs this year that they might be moving quicker than usual. Manager Erik ten Hag is said to be bullish about signing options, and getting directly involved in negotiations. Familiar impediments remain, including the requirement that any deal needs the approval of co-owner Joel Glazer.
One target that is close to a done deal involves manchester united news midfielder Mason Mount. Ten Hag wants a mobile No 8 who can combine attacking edge with defensive intelligence and believes Mount fits that bill. A gap has emerged between the clubs’ valuations, though, with Chelsea reportedly seeking PS70 million plus add-ons and United starting at around PS40m.
Another move that is in the frame involves Celta Vigo defender Gabri Veiga, who is attracting interest from Arsenal and Atletico Madrid. Ten Hag sees the Spain international as a ball-carrying wizard who can also cover backward and forward passes. Despite being used in a defensive role at Bayern Munich, he would provide some added attacking threat to the Man Utd midfield.
A third transfer that is in the frame involves Denzel Dumfries, who was a star of the USMNT at the World Cup and has been linked with a move to Manchester United for some time. The wingback is a favourite of Tutto Mercato, which reports that Inter Milan are in talks with the Old Trafford club about a transfer.
And finally, a check on Tottenham striker Harry Kane is on the cards, with reports in Italy suggesting that they are ready to make a second bid for the England player. Man Utd are aware of the interest, but their previous bid was rejected. The Red Devils could be willing to meet their price, but they are hesitant to spend big on a striker who has been in a goal drought for the majority of his career. They may instead look to land Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho or Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, both of whom they were linked with last summer.
Team News
Manchester United’s preseason is well underway and the Red Devils are looking ahead to a big season under Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman took over the reins at Old Trafford last summer and is determined to turn around the club’s fortunes, which have been in decline under Sir Alex Ferguson, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
In the first match of the US tour, United got the better of Arsenal in a 2-0 friendly win at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho scored the goals as United looked sharper up front and tighter at the back.
There was one big injury concern however, with Amad Diallo leaving the stadium on a golf cart after being substituted just minutes after his introduction. It is unclear how bad his injury is but it will be worrying for fans if the winger is forced to miss the start of the season.
United goalkeeper Tom Heaton is preparing to sit down with manager Erik ten Hag to discuss his future at the club. The England international has been used sparingly this summer but is expected to feature regularly this term. Heaton is set to be a key man at Old Trafford this season, but it is still too early to predict whether he will have the opportunity to become a regular starter.
Manchester United are yet to announce the identity of their new home kit for next season, but they have revealed that they will wear green and white stripes in their game against Wrexham on Wednesday. The new kit will be made by Adidas and is based on their successful 2022 Away Kit.
NBC Sports’ Kristen Legard was at Old Trafford on Saturday to witness the team’s friendly against Arsenal in front of a crowd of 82,262. The broadcaster has been in the States for the past 10 days and is doing her bit to help attract American audiences to soccer.
Manchester United defender Eric Bailly could be sold to Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, according to reports. The Ivorian has fallen down the pecking order under ten Hag and is interested in a move abroad, according to Fichajes.
Fixtures
The countdown to the new Premier League season begins with Manchester United’s opening fixture against Wolves at Old Trafford on August 14. Manager Erik ten Hag will be hoping to turn his team into a top-four contender this term after finishing third in 2023/24. And the Red Devils will be keen to avoid another slow start to their campaign, as they struggled in the early stages under Moyes, Van Gaal and Solskjaer last time out.
Manchester United kicked off their pre-season tour with a 2-0 win against Arsenal in New Jersey on Saturday, with Jadon Sancho and Bruno Fernandes scoring the goals. The Red Devils will now embark on a four-match North American trip, with fixtures in New York, San Diego and Houston. United’s tour will be televised in the UK on Sky Sports and TNT, with select games available to stream via NBC Sports.
Summer signing Mason Mount was given a run-out as a second-half substitute in New Jersey, but he is expected to be left out of the squad for the remainder of the tour. New captain Bruno Fernandes has said he will not change his tactics after taking over the armband from Harry Maguire. But he warned that he will continue to annoy everyone, including his own team-mates.
United co-chairman Avram Glazer was present for the New Jersey game, but refused to answer questions on the club’s ownership situation. He has been the most visible member of the Glazer family since purchasing the club in 2007 and has been keen to promote soccer in the US.
The Red Devils’ latest pre-season friendly against Wrexham in San Diego will see them wear a garish green away strip. The controversial kit has been designed by adidas, which claims it has been pieced together to celebrate the club’s storied past and embrace a ‘fresh, modern look’. The shirts feature vertical stripes that have not been seen on a Manchester United kit for more than two decades, with the sportswear giant also claiming the colour scheme has been inspired by Manchester’s rich heritage.
Transfer Rumours
There is always a lot of buzz surrounding Manchester United and this season is no exception. Rumours suggest that United will embark on a major clearout this summer with Jadon Sancho among those who could be jettisoned by the club after his money-spinning move from Dortmund two years ago. Despite making major signings in the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia and Casemiro last summer and adding to their squad with on-loan players such as Marcel Sabitzer and Wout Weghorst, there is still a desire to add depth to the United defence.
United’s primary goalkeeper target is Inter Milan’s Andre Onana but he may be out of the club’s price range as they prepare to spend heavily on new signings such as Mason Mount and Declan Rice. The Red Devils also have David De Gea, Jack Butland and Tom Heaton on the books plus Dean Henderson coming back from loan.
Another target is Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka who has a release clause of around $130 million. United have been keeping a close eye on the Germany international since his breakthrough and are keen to add his defensive and attacking capabilities to their ranks.
The United scouting team is also keen on Celta Vigo’s Lautaro Martinez who is seen as a player with the potential to be one of Europe’s most exciting attacking talents. He can play as a striker or on the right wing and has attracted interest from Arsenal and Atletico Madrid.
Watford left-back Harry Amass is another United target after impressing during the Hornets’ 1-0 win against Arsenal in a pre-season friendly. The England U-15 and U-16 call-up is set to be a mainstay in the Hornets’ academy system but might opt for life at Old Trafford instead.
Finally, Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a deal for Manchester United centre back Harry Maguire. He has been a regular for the Tottenham side over the past couple of seasons but is not guaranteed a starting place at White Hart Lane. The Red Devils are also reportedly interested in Napoli forward Kim Min-Jae who has a release clause of $50 million and was hugely impressive during the Neapolitans’ massive scudetto triumph.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Manchester United continues to be a prominent force in the footballing world, captivating fans worldwide with its rich history and competitive performances. As one of the most successful and iconic clubs, its news and developments are eagerly followed by supporters and enthusiasts, making it a dominant figure in the sport.
FAQs:
- What are Manchester United’s recent achievements? As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, Manchester United’s recent achievements included securing a spot in the UEFA Champions League and competing at the top of the English Premier League. However, for the latest updates, it is recommended to refer to reliable sports news sources.
- Who are some key players in the current Manchester United squad? While the roster may have changed since my last update, notable players who were part of Manchester United in 2021 included Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Paul Pogba, and Harry Maguire. For the most up-to-date information on the current squad, it’s best to check official club websites or reputable sports news outlets
