New generation: United’s academy has two legendary names ready to eclipse their fathers

We may not see a Wayne and Cristiano link up at Old Trafford this season, but there will be one Rooney and Ronaldo duo in Manchester.

Kai Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo Jr will play alongside each other in Manchester United’s under 12’s after Cristiano Sr’s sensational return to the Premier League.

Kai Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo Jr are set to play for Manchester United's U12's together this season 🙌❤️ #MUFC pic.twitter.com/JrfsNVosfA

— Man United News (@ManUtdMEN) September 2, 2021

Kai joined United in 2020, having previously played for the youth sides of Manchester City and Bethesda SC Washington in the US.

Cristiano Jr played for Juventus after his dad’s move from Real Madrid in 2018, and reportedly scored 58 goals in his first season.

He shares the same ambition as his dad, as the latter revealed in a 2018 interview:

“I hope that Cris, my son, can be like his dad, he says he is going to be better [than me], but I think it’s difficult.

“I am very happy to have scored, for him too. He is playing for Juventus and adapting really well.”

Ronaldo said his son thrived under pressure, just like he did, adding: “Yes, he also plays for Juventus, and feels the pressure and likes it.”

Their dads enjoyed a very fruitful on-pitch career between 2004 and 2009, going on to score 371 goals for United in 851 games combined.

Winning every major trophy and individual award possible and both leaving Old Trafford as all time greats in the eyes of the United faithful.

Perhaps their crowning moment was the 07/08 season where alongside Carlos Tevez, they scored a staggering 57 Premier League goals, more than 14 of the 20 Premier League sides, going on to win the League and Champions League.

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The CR7 effect: Man Utd forced to deal with astounding issue after superstar's shirt announcement

As confirmed by the club’s official website yesterday, Cristiano Ronaldo will wear the number 7 shirt for Manchester United.

After days of speculation, fans will be excited to see the Portuguese in his iconic jersey.

The news has already caused a frenzy among United supporters, with the club facing a shortage of replica shirts.

The demand is exceptionally high, and Adidas cannot keep up with the surge in demand, claim The Independent.

Thinking of our colleagues at the Megastore this morning 😅

7️⃣ @Cristiano#MUFC | #RonaldoReturns

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 3, 2021

An Adidas spokesman told the outlet: “We are working in collaboration with MUFC to try and meet exceptionally high fan demand for our new designs but expect low availability of certain products.”

According to The Telegraph, United are understood to have made a dispensation request with the Premier League for Ronaldo to take the No 7 shirt with Cavani moving to No 21.

The Premier League approved this subject to certain conditions, such as reimbursing fans who had bought ‘Cavani 7’ shirts.

Ronaldo expressed his gratitude towards the Uruguayan for giving him his jersey number.

He stated: “I wasn’t sure if it would be possible to have the No 7 shirt again, so I would like to say a huge thank you to Edi [Cavani] for this incredible gesture.”

Ronaldo moved clear of former Iran striker Ali Daei as the all-time leading goalscorer in men’s international football.

He netted his 110th and 111th goal for Portugal in their 2-1 win over Ireland in the World Cup qualifiers.

🇵🇹 𝗛𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗥 🇵🇹

Created. Earned. #MUFC | @Cristiano pic.twitter.com/q6CVWipWVP

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 2, 2021

He is suspended for their next game in Qatar after receiving a yellow card for his celebration.

The Portuguese’s early release will extend his preparation time ahead of his anticipated ‘second debut’ for Man United against Newcastle next Saturday.

https://twitter.com/utdreport/status/1433754645575393294

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Pictures: Cristiano Ronaldo's family have now arrived in Manchester

Cristiano Ronaldo’s girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez’s Instagram, the star has already arrived in Manchester to begin his quarantine.

The photos showed the family boarding a private jet, with ‘Manchester’ next to a destination pin and Cristiano’s name next to it.

Going by Cristiano Ronaldo's girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez's Instagram, it looks like the Ronaldo family has arrived in Manchester 👀🔴 #mufc #mujournal pic.twitter.com/pllOJkMSKa

— United Journal (@theutdjournal) September 3, 2021

The megastar has been allowed to leave the Portugal training camp six days early by head coach Fernando Santos after the player picked up a yellow card for celebrating a goal against Ireland.

The goal meant that Ronaldo is the world record international goalscorer.

United had hoped that quarantine could be avoided due to Ronaldo’s elite athlete status but this was not approved by UK immigration.

The player will therefore have to self-isolate for five days before joining his United teammates on Wednesday.

With the Red Devils’ next game against Newcastle United on Saturday week, this would give the Portuguese star just two days’ training before his first match.

The next game – which could mark Ronaldo’s full debut if the Newcastle game comes too soon, is in Switzerland against Young Boys in the Champions League on Tuesday 14th.

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What Sky pundits believe would be success for Solskjaer this season

Manchester United’s summer transfer window was another crucial moment in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s efforts to rebuild the squad.

Many fans will be wondering if what was achieved will be enough to help secure titles back at Man United and some silverware for the younger squad members who have not experienced that success yet.

Sky Sports News posted a recent article where there is an in-depth analysis and pundit review on this summer’s transfer window and the talk of a potential title-winning squad.

The article starts with a claim suggesting this has been the best and biggest transfer window since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.

The signings of Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho improved key areas which needed to be sorted before the start of the new season while a homecoming for club legend, Cristiano Ronaldo surprisingly happened.

United have now headed into their fifth season without a trophy and for a club with such stature, this is something that Solskjaer will be eagerly wanting to address this time around, after coming close in last season’s Europa League final.

The article goes on to look at the other clubs who have had good transfer windows and major improvements, for example, Chelsea, who recently brought back former United fan Romelu Lukaku.

Afterwards, they compare Ronaldo with Chelsea’s latest acquisition after they both battled it out in Serie A last season.

The Portuguese striker scored five more league goals last season than the Belgium striker clinching the Golden Boot.

Current champions, Manchester City also broke the domestic transfer fee in securing Jack Grealish from Aston Villa.

Sky Sports pundit and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher shared his opinion on this summer’s transfer window for United and their title chances.

“Forget Ronaldo’s age and name, we are talking about the guy who was top goalscorer in Serie A last season, so that is who United are signing, so it should make a big difference to them”

“And they’ve added other players in other areas as well, so it is about time United were fighting towards bringing that title back to Old Trafford”

The Red Devils managing to secure their former man for another spell is something that not only United fans are excited about. The whole league is excited to see such a global superstar return.

Pundit Paul Merson also had his say on United’s title-winning chances this season.

“There is no point Ronaldo coming back to Old Trafford and winning the Golden Boot, it’s all about winning the league.

“Solskjaer is managing the biggest club in the world of football, the pressure is on all the time. They have to win the league”

“Who wins you the league: Ronaldo or Harry Kane? For me, Kane does. If I’m the manager of a football club, I need players who are going to win me the title, and I’m not sure Ronaldo is.”

The third and final pundit to give his view was former Tottenham Hotspur man Jamie Redknapp, who brought up the selection problems Solskjaer may face with his current attacking setup.

“How is Ole going to fit Ronaldo in?”

“United now have five players who can play in that frontline. Ronaldo, at his age, can only play as a central striker.

“Now, not having won anything at Manchester United as manager, he has to win something. For Ole, as excited as he is, trying to keep everyone happy will bring a lot of sleepless nights.”

Solskjaer faces a huge problem but it is one he may appreciate when it comes to selecting his next starting eleven with the squad depth looking as good as it can get for the manager.

after the international break, United next face Newcastle in the Premier League but with cup competitions and European leagues set to get going, the club should be seeing a lot of rotational squads coming up.

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Could this striker be the key to Champions League football?

Today, Manchester United Women will kick off the start of the new WSL season.

Amongst the fanbase there is a hint of trepidation and nerves after the turbulent nine months that the club has faced.

The women’s team were flying high nine months ago as they sat at the top of the WSL table but a run of poor performances and injuries mounting meant the team slipped from top to fourth and out of the champions league places by the end of the season.

Adding insult to injury was the shock resignation of Casey Stoney.

Now, with new manager Marc Skinner captaining the ship, United can begin to rebuild but it is no easy task.

Key players Lauren James and Amy Turner have left along with world cup winners, Tobin Heath and Christen Press – the former opting to go to rivals Arsenal.

However, there is positivity and hope in the squads younger members such as Alessia Russo.

Russo joined the club in the last transfer window, scoring three in her first four matches, she showed promise.

A hamstring injury unfortunately ruled the youngster out of the majority of the season and she will be keen to get back on the field and pick up where she left off.

Ex-United goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain believes she may be the key to United getting Champions League football next season.

Speaking to The Telegraph she said, “She can be a really exciting talent, not just for United but also for England. Before she got injured, I was really impressed, she scored goals, held the ball up well and was a target player for the team, and that’s what you need, someone who can guarantee goals.”

Speaking of Marc Skinner’s ability as the new manager, Chamberlain added, “He’ll get them confident and enjoying their football, and if the players are enjoying what they’re doing then they’ll do the best they can and put in performances.”

Chamberlain knows that Champions league football is her old club’s number one priority and she’s under no illusion; she knows how difficult that will be. “It’s going to be a difficult challenge. We’ve seen how much Everton have strengthened, and Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City are all full of top international talent, so it will be very difficult.”

“But that’s the challenge, that’s the target, and that’s the pressure that you have as Manchester United. Anybody wearing the Manchester United badge is expected to win. That pressure to perform is engrained in being a Manchester United player.”

Despite the rumours of unrest amongst players due to the training facilities and conditions, Skinner believes they are well resourced and is confident he can pull the squad together.

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Who cares about results? Ronaldo signing is a dream come true for the Glazers

The £60 million that Manchester United have invested bringing Cristiano Ronaldo back to the club will be recouped in commercial value, even if he does not bring success on the pitch.

A new report from The Athletic claims that despite Juventus forking out €100 million for Ronaldo and it failing to improve results, the club still benefitted immensely from the transaction on a commercial level.

And while United are already a much better-oiled commercial machine than their Italian counterparts, they will stand to benefit in a number of ways that will far outstrip their outlay, which in turn is significantly less than that of the Old Lady.

First of all, ‘future sponsorship deals are set to rise, with the pursuit of a new training-ground sponsor high on their priority list,’ The Athletic reports.

‘Professional services firm AON spent £180 million to have its name on the club’s Carrington complex in an eight-year association that ended this summer. Ronaldo’s sudden presence will only help, not hinder, talks about taking over the naming rights with interested parties who, as recently as the spring, were being spooked by United’s proposed involvement in the Super League.’

AON’s name is also yet to be replaced on the club’s training kit. The HUT Group was poised to sponsor the kit but pulled out due to the protests and another investor has still not been secured. That now, surely, will be a different kettle of fish.

It is not as if Ronaldo will make the difference between nil and £200 million sponsorship, but the difference he will make in this transaction alone will almost certainly eclipse United’s total spending on his contract.

Shirt sales are another obvious way in which the megastar can increase United’s income. While the club only earns around 7.5-10% of the revenue from shirt sales, the number of Ronaldo 7’s alone could generate millions.

Records show that United normally sell in the region of 3-4 million shirts a year. At £70 per shirt and a 7.5% share, that is in the region of £18 million in revenue. Ronaldo’s arrival is likely to comfortably double or triple shirt sales this year. In fact, a shortage has already been reported.

United’s social media presence is also skyrocketing.

According to the report, ‘the club’s Instagram account will typically attract in the region of 30,000 new followers on any given day. Confirmation of Ronaldo’s imminent arrival on Friday evening, however, added 800,000 inside an hour.

‘By Tuesday, when the contracts were signed, another 3.1 million had come on board. Or, roughly speaking, an eight per cent uplift. United’s Twitter and their Facebook page also saw marked, albeit less dramatic, surges.’

Ronaldo’s total social media following is four times that of United and the club will benefit immensely from his presence.

‘Not only does he boast the highest number of followers for any individual on Instagram (337 million and counting), he has the biggest following of any athlete on Twitter (94 million).

‘Only Barack Obama, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry and Rihanna are ahead of him but throw in his Facebook army of 150 million and that brings his social media following to almost 600 million.

‘Or close to twice the population of the United States.

‘United themselves cannot come close to those numbers. Their following is more like 150 million.’

Whether Ronaldo will bring United success on the pitch remains to be seen. It was not to be at Juve despite his scoring 101 goals in 134 appearances. But for United’s owners, if silverware does arrive it will probably just be seen as a potential cherry on top of the cake.

On the other hand, a massive increase in commercial revenues across the board and a complete restoration of all the damage done by their doomed European Super League project: that kind of result is the stuff of the Glazer family dreams.

The post How Cristiano Ronaldo has already almost paid for himself at Manchester United appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Juventus boss left furious over broken promises regarding Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo’s former manager at Juventus Massimiliano Allegri is reportedly angry at the club’s decision to let the player go back to his former club, Manchester United.

On transfer deadline day, United confirmed that the paperwork and medical to get Ronaldo’s transfer over the line had been completed pending a visa application.

The club purchased the player for a deal which could raise to £19.4m on a two year deal with an option of a further year.

According to the Daily Mail, seen as a regular goal threat for his former club, his former manager Allegri has been left fuming with the club’s decision as that attacking element is no longer at the club and the manager needed to replace him as soon as possible.

The 54-year-old manager had only rejoined the club in the summer after a spell in 2014 which lasted up until 2019.

The outlet goes on to report that Il Giornale, which is an Italian newspaper, reports that Allegri is furious with the club’s president, Andrea Agnelli and sporting director Federico Cherubini.

Speaking after a Serie A match vs. Empoli, the manager spoke to the media about the departure of Ronaldo.

“Cristiano spent three years at Juventus, he scored goals, which he is very good at, he’s an extraordinary player, but we cannot think about Ronaldo from now on.”

During his four year stint in Italy, the 36-year-old forward scored 101 goals in 134 appearances in all competitions for the club.

The Italian manager approached Juventus’ board and told them that there was no agreement on this transfer when he accepted the terms to rejoin the club.

Juventus were left with no time to spare once the transfer was official as it was only a couple of hours until the transfer window slammed shut in Italy.

Instead, a two-year loan deal for Everton’s Moise Kean was executed as a last resort and most likely the only option considering the time left in the window.

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United legend left 'disappointed' club didn't sell England international this summer

Gary Neville has expressed his disappointment that Manchester United attacker, Jesse Lingard, didn’t secure a move away from his boyhood club this summer.

Lingard revitalised his career last season on loan at West Ham, making 16 appearances and recording nine goals and five assists.

This form saw him come within a whisker of making the England squad for the European Championships, something that was inconceivable a few months prior.

After rumours persisted all summer that a return to The London Stadium was on the cards, the Hammers eventually spent around £25 million on Croatian midfielder Nikola Vlasic instead.

Neville had the following to say to Sky Sports:

“I would actually have thought that a couple more players at Manchester United [would have left]. I’m disappointed for Jesse Lingard that he’s not left Manchester United.”

“He’ll get a few games, he’ll get moments on the pitch, he’ll contribute, but I think he had something going at West Ham last year that meant Jesse Lingard in his own right was standing up as a really good player.”

“To go back to being a squad player again I think, for me, is disappointing. I think you sometimes have to sort of fly the nest and go. I thought he’d already done that with what he did last year.”

West Ham’s interest was no secret and David Moyes’ assistant, Stuart Pearce, said the following to Talk Sport:

“We would like him to come and join us. That has been an open secret. He was wonderful last year.”

“He’s a special lad and was very good around the players – the players really like him, his ability shone out last year and gave us a great option in our squad.”

Lingard will likely be behind Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Paul Pogba and Mason Greenwood in either his preferred number ten role or out wide.

While he offers brilliant depth, it does seem a move for Jesse at this point of his career would have been the best option for all involved.

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When fans will be able to see Cristiano Ronaldo's return to United training

Cristiano Ronaldo’s early release from international duty means he will be able to join Manchester United early after five days of self-isolation.

His yellow card for a goal celebration against Ireland on Wednesday means he is suspended for Portugal’s next game and international manager Fernando Santos has allowed the star to leave camp and start the process of moving to Manchester.

United applied for special dispensation for Ronaldo to be spared quarantine under the elite sports ruling but this was refused and so he will be required to self-isolate for five days.

Whilst several papers from both Portugal and England are reporting the situation, none as yet have confirmed that the 36-year-old has already travelled to the UK to begin the quarantine period.

RTP via Sport Witness claimed that Cristiano would travel yesterday, which if true would mean his quarantine period would be over by Tuesday of next week.

That flight has not been confirmed, however, and it seems unlikely that the man of the moment would have been able to slip in unnoticed.

The Times says that ‘there has been no indication from the player or club about when Ronaldo will travel to the UK, but if he landed in Manchester on Friday, he would have to stay at his new home until Wednesday morning the following week before he is released.

‘Although that is not ideal, it will at least give Ronaldo three days’ training with his new team-mates before the Newcastle match, which kicks off at 3pm next Saturday.’

A work permit will also need to be obtained before he can play for United.

It remains to be seen whether United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will deem the Portuguese fit enough to start the game against Newcastle.

Ronaldo has made just one substitute appearance for Juventus this season in addition to the international match against Ireland.

Official. Cristiano Ronaldo will wear number 7 at Manchester United… again. 🔴7️⃣👕 #MUFC #Ronaldo pic.twitter.com/MG6sPhp5dK

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 2, 2021

The post appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

The Magnificent Seven: Ronaldo reclaims squad number

Cristiano Ronaldo will reclaim the no. 7 shirt as he returns to Old Trafford.

Ronaldo wore the squad number at his previous spell with the reds and made it his own.

However, upon his arrival speculation arose as to what number the Portugese international would wear since the number was taken by Edinson Cavani.

The Uruguayan has now changed his shirt number to 21, the same number he wears when playing for his country.

“I wasn’t sure if it would be possible to have the number seven shirt again, so I would like to say a huge thank you to Edi [Cavani] for this incredible gesture,” Ronaldo said.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 🔥

7️⃣ @Cristiano#MUFC | #RonaldoReturns pic.twitter.com/k5ss3CUaUO

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 2, 2021

The no.7 shirt holds a special place in United’s history with legends such as George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona and David Beckham all wearing the number previously.

Ronaldo scored two goals for Portugal last night to break the international goal scoring record.

Due to suspension, Ronaldo has been released early from international duties and shall be allowed to train with the reds following five days of isolation.

Between 2003 and 2009, Ronaldo made 292 appearances, scored 118 goals and won nine trophies.

The 36 year old will be hoping to pick up where he left off and add to his trophy collection as he makes his debut.

It is anticipated that Ronaldo could feature in United’s game against Newcastle on Saturday 11th September, back in his red no.7 shirt!

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Ex United star reveals the main reason for his failure

Angel Di Maria has revealed the critical reason for his failure at Manchester United.

In a recent interview with Spanish outlet TyC Sports, the Argentinian spoke about his time at Old Trafford. He blamed Louis van Gaal for ill-treating him despite performing well on the pitch.

He said: “My problem at Manchester was the coach. Van Gaal was the worst of my career. I would score, assist, and the next day he would show me my misplaced passes.”

“He displaced me from one day to the other. He didn’t like players being more than him.”

Before moving to United, the Argentinian was one of Jose Mourinho’s key men at Real Madrid alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Ozil. The trio enjoyed plenty of success during their time together.

Di Maria generated plenty of excitement among United supporters when making his move from Madrid.

He joined the Red Devils in August 2014 for a then-record transfer fee of £59.7 million and was offered the iconic number 7 shirt at United – worn by the likes of Ronaldo, Eric Cantona and David Beckham.

However, Di Maria failed to replicate his Madrid form- with just 4 goals to his name in 32 appearances.

He left Man United the following season for Paris Saint-Germain in a £44 million deal.

Since then, he has openly whined about his time in England and voiced his bitterness about United.

Di Maria didn't hold back 😳 pic.twitter.com/aGvQlnd6x4

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 2, 2021

The fact is that he could not adapt to the physicality of the Premier League and did not want to work on his game.

Di Maria yet remains one of the most resented ex-players at Man United.

Di Maria: "I didn't give a f*** about the Manchester United No.7 shirt, it was just a shirt."

Also Di Maria: pic.twitter.com/XdWF7NcZec

— United Peoples TV (@UnitedPeoplesTV) September 2, 2021

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‘Juggling act’: Top Man United journalist believes Solskjaer will struggle to keep this player happy

Manchester United end the transfer window with a far superior squad than last season.

After strengthening in keys areas, United are all set to challenge for silverware this campaign.

An article by James Ducker (The Telegraph) throws light on why Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs to manage the squad appropriately.

He mentions: “Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho’s arrivals for an initial £120 million have provided an injection of quality up front, at centre half and on the wing.”

“But United’s success this season may be dictated as much by how well Solskjaer manages the playing time, morale and disgruntlement of those suddenly at risk of feeling like spare parts.”

“As the transfer window closed on Tuesday night, the likes of Edinson Cavani, Donny van de Beek, Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard and Eric Bailly could have been forgiven for wondering what the next nine months hold for them.”

“Mason Greenwood, United’s best player so far this term, and Victor Lindelof may require even more careful handling.”

The arrival of Ronaldo means Solskjaer has plenty of options to choose from in attack. It will be fascinating to see how the Norwegian manages Cavani after persuading him to stay another year at United.

As seen last season, the Uruguayan remains a vital part of the team and can chip in with crucial goals.

United have had a relatively successful transfer window as compared to previous summers. Negotiations for Sancho and Varane were swift and efficient.

Also, signing Ronaldo was the icing on top, which might turn out to be the Red Devils’ most significant signing in the post-Ferguson era.

The club, however, failed to address the midfield, leaving plenty of fans worried about the team’s prospects against superior opposition.

Ducker doesn’t believe that this should be any excuse for Man United to not compete for top honours this season.

He states: “Whatever transpires at Manchester United this season, there should be few complaints about a shortage of options available to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.”

“The United manager may still lack a world-class defensive midfielder, but others have been dealt poorer hands in the past and won the Premier League title.”

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Revealed: The true cost of United's failure to sign a midfielder

Manchester United were one of the biggest movers of the transfer window, attracting such stellar names as Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, despite stealing the headlines with those audacious coups, there remains an undercurrent of concern among the fanbase over the neglected position of midfield.

While it’s a sentiment that could prompt snorts of derision from envious rivals, it’s a concern that has also been voiced by The Athletic’s resident United expert, Carl Anka.

Those nagging midfield shortcomings are viewed through the prism of the disappointing Europa League Final defeat to Villareal back in May.

That night, United’s familiar weaknesses were laid bare by the wily, experienced figure of ‘Yellow Submarine’ coach Unai Emery.

Anka believes the Red Devils ended up on the losing side due to a lack of aerial dominance at centre-back, an underpowered right side and dysfunctional defensive midfield.

The first two issues were addressed with the signings of Varane and Sancho, but what of “a pivot of Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba (that was) unable to shield the back four or set the table for the attackers…”?

It’s difficult to disagree with the assertion that, “United’s defensive midfielders either lack the mobility (Nemanja Matic), consistency (Fred) or raw defensive ability (Scott McTominay) to work…next to Pogba.”

Although the ‘McFred’ pairing is commended for its occasional effectiveness, “McTominay’s recent injury highlights the dearth of proper playing options United have for this role…

“Lack of central midfield reinforcement also means Donny van de Beek’s playing time will likely limit him to covering for Fernandes in the No 10 position, rather than in outings as a box-to-box No 8.”

It would be churlish to claim that United have had anything other than a very good window and, perhaps, the demand for a midfielder ignores the broader advances that have been made to assemble the best squad seen at Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson’s heyday.

Maybe a perfect window was economically unrealistic and the enduring anxiety over a failure to improve the heart of the side will prove to be unfounded.

However, as Anka concludes, it’s impossible for Reds’ fans to shake the suspicion that, “…until (the club) bolsters central midfield, it is still hard to call this squad a title-winning one.”

Ironically, the true rate of the Red Devils’ progress could become clear at the end of September, as United find themselves once again paired with newfound nemesis Villareal in the Champions League.

The post Manchester United’s ‘dysfunctional’ midfield could prove costly appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Bad salesmanship: United have made a profit on just five players in over a decade

The Daily Express has calculated that Dan James is only fifth player Manchester United have sold for a profit in more than ten years.

James was bought from Swansea City for £16 million in 2019 and was sold to Leeds United for £25 million on Monday.

And despite the plethora of comings and goings at Old Trafford over the last decade, any kind of profit has been a rare occurrence since the massive £67.5 cleared when Cristiano Ronaldo was sold to Real Madrid in 2009.

The Express notes that only four other players have resulted in a positive entry on the balance sheet since then: Alexander Buttner, Chris Smalling, Daley Blind and Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez.

The amounts are mostly modest, too. Buttner was bought from Vitesse Arnheim for £3.9 million and sold to Dinamo Moscow for £5.6m, a profit of just £1.7 million.

Chicharito was bought from Chivas for for £6.5 million and sold to Real Madrid for £9 million, a profit of just £2.5 million.

Blind was bought back by the club that sold him to United, Ajax Amsterdam, with United pocketing £4.3 million profit on the deal.

Smalling provided the most profit , arriving from Fulham in 2010 for £7 million before being sold a decade later to AS Roma for £18.1 million, generating an £11.1m profit.

This puts him slightly ahead of James, with £9 million profit.

The Red Devils have over the same period made some notable losses.

Romelu Lukaku was sold for around £8 million less than his purchase price.

Angel Di Maria was one of the Reds’ biggest losses, having been sold for around £21.5 million less than United paid for him.

The club also lost around £12 million on Morgan Schneiderlin, buying him from Southampton for around £30 million in 2015 and selling him to Everton for around £19.5m just two years later.

The post Daniel James: Man United make profit on sale for just fifth time in a decade appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

‘It will be fun’: Demoted United star relishes new challenge from Solskjaer

Manchester United star Victor Lindelof has opened up on the competition he will face now that Raphael Varane is at the club.

The talented Swede was an undisputed starter last season, featuring alongside Harry Maguire in a partnership not many liked.

In fact, Lindelof was often seen as the weak link in the defence and it appears as though Ole Gunnar Solskjaer agrees.

The legendary Norwegian pounced on Varane once it was clear he was made available and Real Madrid fans were shocked to see him go.

The Red Devils now have a new partnership in defence and supporters hope it means plenty more clean-sheets.

According to FotbollDirekt, Lindelof said in regards to the new signings and the competition in the squad: “It’s great, I play in one of the world’s biggest clubs and they have very good players.

“We will have a competitive situation and I only see it as positive that we have got a good player in the squad.

“I have played a lot the last two years and last year I had big problems with my back and played with pain.

“My back feels good now, there will probably be no problems, but I do not think I will play 50, 60 matches.”

Speaking specifically about Ronaldo, Lindelof said: “Of course you feel it, it is clear there is a very good atmosphere in the club and everyone is looking forward to getting him into the team.

“It will be fun and I think he will add a lot. I think the squad looks very good.

“It feels good, we have a good atmosphere in the team and the Premier League is always a tough league, but we will do everything we can to win the title. That is the goal.”

Lindelof’s clearly approached the matter positively and it’s good to see he didn’t take the opportunity to rock the boat.

It will be interesting to see if he still feels that way six months down the line but having his presence will be good for the squad nonetheless.

Even though some don’t rate him, Lindelof is now Sweden’s captain so there’s obviously something there and he is a player that’s rarely unavailable for fixtures.

Whatever happens in the future, he’s proven more useful than many Manchester United players have in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.

The post Victor Lindelof: Manchester United star discusses summer signings appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

United outcast's agent discusses 'painful' experiences since joining the club

Donny van de Beek‘s agent Guido Albers has attempted to somewhat clear the air after some Manchester United fans were unhappy with his comments.

While this time around he’s spoken in-depth and his quotes haven’t been taken out of context, it’s a veiled warning at best from the representative.

Van de Beek was 2020’s most expensive summer signing for United but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer didn’t use him as much as some would have liked.

Many complaints were made with the Fred and Scott McTominay partnership in midfield but the legendary Norwegian stuck with the pair.

Given how Bruno Fernandes was essentially undroppable too, supporters struggled to see why Van de Beek was signed in the first place.

According to TalkSport, Albers said: “Donny is happy with the fact the club has so much trust in him.

“But last season was really painful because he didn’t play much. He was ready for this. It’s about choices and timing, you have to accept. He signed a six year contract, but he wants to play.

“In the last few weeks he showed he is ready for the new season and he showed what the club likes to see. So we will see in the next few months whether the club will use him or not.

“Hopefully they will use him, if not we have to find other solutions. But I don’t think it is necessary.

“In the next months, it will be clearer that Donny can be a really good Man United player and please the fans who are supporting him all the time. He will succeed.

“He is patient. He is a good guy. The problem is the environment is not patient anymore. People who write about him don’t know the story, they all write their own story. That’s 2021.

“At the end he wants to play, but he has to accept that he will have to be more patient than he was willing to be.

“He’s not the type of guy who does crazy things and changes his mentality. I think everybody will enjoy his qualities in the next months.

“Coaches will never do this [guarantee minutes]. So no, he won’t get guarantees and I think that’s fair. Coaches have to do their jobs and players have to do their job.

“In the end, if you get the chance and you get the minutes, you are in shape and you play well, you are responsible for your own career.

“He is not looking for guarantees. He is working hard every day and if he gets his chance he will go for it.”

It’s clear to see Albers has backtracked a little and made sure he didn’t say anything that could be taken out of context or would be considered offensive to the club.

However, he did make it a point to say he and his client will look elsewhere if Van de Beek’s situation doesn’t change.

It is a fair statement in some sense but perhaps the timing isn’t the best, considering the team have only played three games and it’s not a true measure of how important or unimportant anyone will be over the course of the season.

The post Donny van de Beek: Agent opens up on treatment and Manchester United future appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Match preview: Who will start in Skinner's first competitive game in charge?

After the departure of Casey Stoney followed by some key players, United fans expectations are not as high at the beginning of this season as they were last.

Stoney had always been the key to players signing for United, she was a good player manager who cared firstly about the person and secondly about the player and it worked for this young squad.

Though for many, losing world cup winners Tobin Heath and Christen Press was inevitable, it still felt an impossible task to replace players of that calibre, especially with no manager in place at the time.

Two further first team blows came from the departure of young superstar Lauren James who went back to Chelsea to join her brother Reece and Amy Turner who went to Orlando.

Jess Sigsworth, a fan favourite also joined Leicester whilst Jane Ross went to Rangers.

However, the arrival of Marc Skinner at the helm also signalled the dawn of a new era for the club and along with it, some new players.

During a mixed pre-season, which entailed two draws and two wins for the reds, new signing Vilde Bøe Risa impressed whilst Sophie Baggaley looks set to mount a challenge to become first choice keeper.

For now, expect Mary Earps to start the season after pulling off some fine saves in the final pre-season game to keep United in it.

The Reds will kick off their WSL campaign tomorrow night at home to Reading.

Reading have always been a tough competitor; whenever the two sides have met, it’s always been a close contest.

When the two teams last played each other, Reading won 2-0 and they’ll be hoping they can do the same again on Friday night.

For Skinner, this will be his first competitive match in charge of the Reds and he will be keen to prove himself by walking away with the three points.

The post Women’s Super League match preview: Manchester United vs Reading appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

United star's brilliant August sees him nominated for top award

Mason Greenwood of Manchester United has been shortlisted for the Premier League’s Player of the Month award for August.

The 19-year-old has started the Premier League season brilliantly, scoring three goals in three games against Leeds United, Southampton and Wolves.

The Bradford-born star is shortlisted for the award alongside Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso, West Ham’s Antonio and Said Benrahma, Spurs’ Eric Dier and Everton’s Demarai Gray.

Fans can vote for Greenwood to win the award at https://plpotm.easports.com/.

There were doubts as to whether Greenwood was strong enough to lead United’s line at the start of the season in the absence of Edinson Cavani.

Not only has he proved his doubters wrong, but his form has given United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a selection dilemma even with the arrival of Jadon Sancho, the impending arrival of Edinson Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo and the forthcoming return from injury of Marcus Rashford.

He has also played 90 minutes of every game, something that only happened in eight Premier League games in the whole of last season.

Whether playing off the right wing or through the middle, Greenwood will be impossible to drop on current form.

There was some controversy over the fact that the in-form player has been overlooked by Gareth Southgate for England’s matches this week.

However, it would appear that the England boss is communicating well with United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to manage the young star’s energy levels and game time.

United’s ‘starboy’ has scored 32 goals in 108 games for United, at an average of a goal every 191 minutes, a fantastic record for a teenager.

His contract runs to June 2025, with the option for a further year.

The post Mason Greenwood shortlisted for Premier League Player of the Month award appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Goalscoring machine: Solskjaer has late match-winner in his United deck

Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has rightfully gained all the plaudits and praise for his recent record-breaking performance for Portugal.

Below, The Peoples Person have gathered all the most crucial stats across the internet to truly break down how it all happened.

According to the Independent, Ronaldo has broken the record for most international goals in men’s football, scoring his 110th and 111th vs Ireland on Wednesday night.

The sensational Portuguese moves ahead of Iranian legend Ali Daei who had 109 goals in 149 caps and had held the record since 2003.

Since scoring his first goal for his country in 2004, Ronaldo has managed at least one goal each calender year, with his most efficient years being in 2019 and 2016 when he netted 14 goals in 10 games and 13 in 13 respectively.

According to ESPN, Ronaldo had this to say on breaking the record: “I’m extremely happy. I needed one goal, and I’ve scored two.

“I’m very happy for the two goals that gave us the victory and for breaking the record.

“This record is mine, and it is unique. I’m extremely happy, and it’s another one for my career.

“It’s about motivation and the desire I have to continue playing football, also from this last contract I made, in which I was happy to return home.”

The Athletic provide the following stats and images on Ronaldo’s incredible international career:

As can be seen by the stats, Ronaldo clearly loves some late drama, scoring the majority of his goals in the second half, particularly towards the end.

The numbers also show the variety of ways he’s scored his goals, helping boost his reputation as an elite and complete finisher.

The statistics also show he’s scored far more in competitive matches than friendlies so he’s certainly not just boosting his numbers at times when it didn’t matter.

The post Cristiano Ronaldo: Manchester United star proves he’s still got it appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

'Better than Kante'- United interested in January move for world class midfielder

With the summer transfer window slamming shut on Tuesday, Premier League squads are now set for at least the next six months.

Manchester United decided against signing another midfielder this summer, instead securing the likes of Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo in what can only be described as a successful window.

But reports have emerged that the club are one of a number linked with Brighton’s Yves Bissouma, and could look to revisit the situation in January.

I'm told there remains long-standing interest in Brighton's Yves Bissouma from several clubs including Man United, Arsenal and Liverpool. Bissouma, who has 2yrs left on his current deal, is happy on the south coast, but one that could be revisited in January. #BHAFC #ARS #MUFC

— Aden-Jay Wood (@AJWood16) September 1, 2021

Valued at around £40 million the Mali international has impressed since moving to the Southeast from Lille in 2018.

Making 99 appearances over the next three years, the defensive midfielder has racked up modest goal contribution numbers (four goals and two assists).

Last season proved to be a breakout season for the 25-year-old, producing more tackles and interceptions than any other player (174) and missing just two games both due to suspension.

Bissouma has been likened to Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante, even outperforming the World Cup and Champions League winner in key metrics last term, including tackles, interceptions and clearances.

United were linked with a plethora of midfielders this window, with the likes of Saul Niguez, Ruben Neves and Eduardo Camavinga all rumoured to be frontrunners for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Reds.

Perhaps their main target was West Ham’s Declan Rice, however after waiting a year to sign Sancho and eventually paying much less than originally quoted, United may follow a similar strategy with Rice.

Bissouma paid tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo on his Instagram following the 36-year-olds move from Juventus, hailing the all time great as an ‘inspiration’.

If United are still in the title race by the turn of the year, a winter move for Bissouma may prove the difference between becoming champions and falling short.

The post Manchester United interested in January move for Brighton’s Yves Bissouma appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.