Former Man Utd manager identifies their biggest mistake this season
Manchester United's confusing season took another twist in midweek with their surprise Europa League semi-final first leg win over Athletic Club.
But one of the biggest names in world football is struggling domestically as they head into Sunday's Premier League meeting with Brentford sitting 15th in the table.
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A high manager turnover at Old Trafford in recent years has not helped and one of those who was sacked believes that the club made one fatal mistake last summer.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær spent nine years with the Red Devils as a player before returning in 2018 to lead them as manager across the next three years.
Now in charge at Beşiktaş, the Norwegian pinpointed the decision to sell Scott McTominay to Napoli as a key misstep by the 20-time English champions.
"Scott and Fred together, they were lads you would put your hat on every day to give 100%," Solskjær told BBC Sport.
"How you can sell Scott is beyond me."
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McTominay's move to Serie A has been one of the season's unlikely success stories as he now enjoys a starring role with Antonio Conte's current champions-elect.
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New York Times
28 minutes ago
- New York Times
What Matheus Cunha brings to Manchester United: Confidence, direct dribbling and a striker's instinct
It's fair to say that things haven't quite gone to plan at Manchester United of late. A drab Europa League final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, coupled with a 16th-place finish in the Premier League, means that there will be no European football for Ruben Amorim's side next season, sparking fears that a summer overhaul could be compromised without the allure of Champions League nights at Old Trafford. Advertisement In that regard, United's move for Matheus Cunha — after meeting the release clause of £62.5million ($84.4m) in his Wolves contract — is an encouraging flicker of life. The 26-year-old was one of the division's standout performers last campaign, with his 15 goals and six assists accounting for well over a third of his team's goal returns. His quality is evident, but here The Athletic drills into the numbers to see how he could fit into Amorim's plans. First and foremost, with Alejandro Garnacho likely to leave the club this summer, United are suddenly light on impactful options to fill one of the attacking roles behind the striker in the manager's preferred 3-4-2-1 system. Mason Mount and Amad have shown promising signs of stepping up, but both have had their injury troubles, and Bruno Fernandes — should he not to leave the club during the transfer window — needs more reliable support as he has shouldered the creative burden. Cunha fits the bill with his consistent output, versatility and availability. As we can see from the graphic below, he would be comfortable operating from the left-sided No 10 role at United, but is also happy to pick up spaces on the opposite side and play up front as an out-and-out centre-forward. He's also played around 70 per cent of all available Premier League minutes since he joined Wolves two and a half years ago, with only a handful of minor impact injuries and disciplinary issues — which we'll get to later — keeping him out of the squad. Whichever role he plays, Cunha is always keen to get forward — he is one of the most direct attacking players in the top flight. It's a profile that United sorely lack, being over-reliant on the positivity and quality of Fernandes to kick-start moves with more adventurous passing from deep. The scatterplot below outlines the Premier League players who are progressive — or put simply, who move the ball towards the opposition goal — with the highest proportion of their passes and carries. Advertisement Only four midfielders and forwards look forward with their passes more often than Fernandes but most of his team-mates are notably hesitant to move things on with the ball at their feet. Cunha, on the other hand, stands out as a double threat, both a confident dribbler and daring passer whenever the opportunity arrives. A fine example of Cunha's confidence came against struggling Leicester in April as the Brazilian helped himself to a goal and two assists. From a Wolves goal kick, Cunha drops into midfield from his No 10 role and senses the opportunity to run at a stretched defence. His first touch wrong-foots Wilfred Ndidi, before he bursts through the midfield line and bears down on goal, shooting wide from the edge of the box. Though he arguably makes the wrong final decision, that ability to create something from nothing with ambitious dribbling is something that can help United to be more dangerous from fast breaks, as well as to break down man-to-man pressing structures — more prevalent than ever in the Premier League — more effectively. That same game highlighted the positional freedom given to Cunha by Wolves, with him being allowed to drift across the attacking third to affect the game. Later in that first half, he ambles over to the right flank from his starting position on the opposite side, pushing wing-back Nelson Semedo inside. Again, he is quick to look towards goal, taking two touches before swinging a low cross for striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, who diverts the ball just wide. Ten minutes after the break, Cunha is wide on the left receiving the ball after good hold-up play from Strand Larsen. Once more, a couple of touches are all he needs to get the ball out of his feet as he glides towards goal and slides a pass through to the Norwegian to score. Such fluidity and variety of movement was encouraged under Vitor Pereira at Wolves, where Cunha was often the offensive inspiration with his technical quality and off-the-cuff style. But that may need to be curbed slightly at United, where he will likely need to share the limelight with the similarly free-spirited Fernandes. Advertisement Analysis from Mark Carey for The Athletic in March showed both players to be in the top three for overall 'usage rate', a metric that outlines how often a player completes the last action in a sequence for their team. That could be a shot, cross, take-on, pass — successful or otherwise — to highlight how much responsibility each player takes in trying to make things happen. That influence shines through further when we look at the percentage of team actions carried out by players. As we can see below, Cunha was responsible for almost 30 per cent of Wolves' shots on goal last season, and he was similarly talismanic when it comes to receiving the ball in dangerous areas, passing the ball into the box and carrying the ball forward. There's only one ball on the pitch, and United will soon have two players who like to use it as much as they can in the final third. Of course, Cunha could ease the weight on Fernandes' back — and maybe one day step into his role — but the pair will need to be conscious of their positional discipline and selflessness in attacking situations if they are to dovetail as seamlessly as their technical quality suggests they should. One of the other great benefits of signing Cunha is that he has experience of playing in a similar 3-4-2-1 shape under Pereira and Gary O'Neil. But Cunha brings more to his new club than they currently have in that No 10 role, namely two-footed unpredictability, varied running and a goalscorer's instinct around the box. We've already seen how he likes to drop deep to get on the ball, but Cunha is also quick to spot an opportunity to run in behind, as we saw during his match-winning display at Fulham. Wolves settle into their build-up shape, dropping midfielders Andre and Joao Gomes into the back three to tempt the press. Strand Larsen is occupying two centre-backs, which opens up the space for Cunha to exploit. What follows is an example of Cunha's technical ability and composure around the penalty area, as well as his potential to hurt teams with runs from deep. He takes down Mario Lemina's lofted pass perfectly with his right, before lifting a finish over Bernd Leno for the equaliser. Similarly against Ipswich, Cunha is first to react as Strand Larsen falls to the ground after an aerial duel, showcasing those striker instincts that could come in at United. While full-back Harry Clarke appeals for a foul, Cunha manages to steal a march in frame two, before offering himself for the through ball. Advertisement He collects on his left, steadies himself, and powers a shot in at the near post with his weaker foot. Cunha can play up top — he mostly did at Wolves before the arrival of Strand Larsen — but he can also offer support with direct running into the box if the likes of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee aren't finding those spaces. Cunha isn't prolific on his weaker side, having only attempted 26 of his 209 Premier League shots with his left, but the above finish, along with a sensational curling effort from the edge of the box at Anfield this season, underlines that the threat is there. He has drastically overperformed in front of goal this season, with only Chris Wood and Bryan Mbeumo finishing more clinically in relation to their expected goals, helped by a league-leading five goals from outside of the box. But even if Cunha's goal tally drops at United, his positivity and a desire to drag the team up the pitch can only help to inject some conviction into an unconvincing front line. Cunha's up for the @PremierLeague goal of the month! ✨ — Wolves (@Wolves) May 2, 2024 Disciplinary problems are a concern, as Cunha saw the red mist and was sent off against Bournemouth in the FA Cup. He was also suspended after an altercation with a member of staff after a game against Ipswich. Whether United can control those outbursts and integrate him into a harmonised dressing room, will be crucial considerations away from the cameras. On the pitch, however, this is a move that makes sense. There is flair to Cunha's game. He is forward-thinking, flashy and happy to say: 'fine, I'll do it myself'. He also trusts himself from distance, when outnumbered, and on his weaker foot. United need a player high on confidence who is willing to step up alongside Fernandes to stamp some authority on a stuttering attack, and there aren't many others in the Premier League as self-assured as him.
New York Times
2 hours ago
- New York Times
Your club missed out on Florian Wirtz? Here are four alternatives to target
Long coveted across European football, Florian Wirtz might well be snapped up by Liverpool this summer Bayer Leverkusen's 22-year-old Germany international, the subject of a bid from the Premier League winners that could be worth €130million (£109m), would be a substantial addition to an already-frightening attack, with coach Arne Slot's side scoring a Premier League-best 86 goals (14 more than the next-most-prolific side) en route to winning the 2024-25 title by a 10-point margin. Advertisement The good news for those clubs who look likely to miss out — Bayern Munich and Manchester City were also interested — is that this summer's attacking-midfielder market remains stocked with enticing options. Here are The Athletic's pick of Wirtz alternatives, from his fellow high-fee buys to hidden gems. First, it's worth asking what prompted so much interest in Wirtz in the first place. Clearly, he's gifted at scoring and creating, having just got to double digits for goals (10) and assists (12) in the German Bundesliga for the second season running. He was also the driving force behind Leverkusen's historic, unbeaten maiden title in 2023-24, when he was named the league's player of the season. His clever passing, sharp shooting and excellent dribbling help explain the high fee Leverkusen might receive. However, as The Athletic's Michael Cox pointed out, it's his ability to consistently find space in dangerous areas that truly sets him apart. Wirtz receives the ball between the lines more than 18 times per match this season — by far the most across Europe's top four domestic leagues. Raw totals can unfairly penalise players from weaker teams, who simply get fewer opportunities to receive passes in these areas. To adjust for this, the scatter plot graphic below shows who receives the ball between the lines as a share of their side's total, and how effectively they use that space, based on the percentage of dangerous passes they play. Once again, Wirtz stands alone. Casting our eyes to other playmakers with Wirtz-like tendencies — drifting into space and creating danger — reveals a list stacked with elite talent, but many of the names on it fall into the unattainable bracket. Chelsea's Cole Palmer and Lamine Yamal of Barcelona, for example, are key players tied to long-term contracts at major clubs. Advertisement Others, such as Ipswich Town's Omari Hutchinson, are still largely unproven at the same top-flight level as Wirtz, making them harder to back as immediate solutions. Of the names highlighted, one that comes close to being an off-the-shelf, here's-one-I-made-earlier Wirtz substitute, and also potentially attainable, is RB Leipzig's Xavi Simons. After a season-and-a-half on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, the 22-year-old Netherlands international made the move permanent this January for an initial €50million (£42.2m/$56.8m at current rates). But with Leipzig then only finishing seventh, missing out on European qualification entirely, and Simons citing Champions League football as a key motivator behind signing for them, he could already be heading for the exit. Given Leipzig's substantial outlay, he won't come cheap. But like Wirtz, Simons is young, established and prolific. He also possesses an innate spatial awareness, enabling him to find pockets of space, turn quickly, and drive at defences. That movement comes with end-product, too: Simons had 10 goals and seven assists in the Bundesliga this season, despite missing two months in the middle of it with an ankle injury. The similarities with Wirtz also extend to positioning. As the touch map below shows, Simons operates as an attacking midfielder with a strong preference for drifting out into the left channel. Simons' roaming style is highly effective, enabling him to find pockets of space, turn quickly and drive at defences. His goal against Stuttgart in Leipzig's final game of the season a few weeks ago showcases exactly that: collecting the ball just outside the attacking third, he turns quickly, surges forward, plays a quick one-two inside the box, and finishes with an improvised backheel. The physicality he shows in shrugging off opposition defenders for this goal is a far cry from the lightweight figure who arrived at Leipzig in summer 2023. Simons' intelligent use of his body, combined with quick, all-action running, mirrors many of the off-the-ball qualities that make Wirtz so valuable, and would make the Dutchman a natural fit in any of Europe's elite, high-pressing sides. In an era when Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) cast a long shadow, Simons' hefty fee might put off suitors, despite his abundant talent. For those with a shorter line of credit, Las Palmas' Alberto Moleiro offers raw, exciting playmaking without the premium price tag. With Las Palmas relegated and Moleiro's contract expiring in 2026, he's likely to be available for a reduced fee. Advertisement The 21-year-old's performances were one of the few bright sparks in an otherwise dismal season for Las Palmas. After scoring a brilliant goal against Real Madrid — collecting Oli McBurnie's pass on the edge of the box, jinking past the Madrid defence with two tight touches before rifling past Thibaut Courtois — the former Sheffield United striker McBurnie called him 'too good' on social media. mi hermano @AlbertoMoleiro es demasiado bueno. estoy cansado, vamos 💛💙 — Oli McBurnie (@oli_mcburnie) August 29, 2024 At 5ft 8in (172.7cm), he lacks the physical presence of some of the more established names on our list, but his smaller stature grants him exceptional agility and quickness in tight spaces. Former manager Pepe Mel said that 'Moleiro always looks to get forward and engage the opposition defence', a trait reflected in his take-on map below, which spans the entire pitch. The dribbling instincts of a winger, paired with the vision and spatial awareness of a midfielder, make Moleiro a unique asset in the pool of young playmakers. He displays flashes of his nimble inventiveness and creativity on a weekly basis, such as the perfectly-weighted through ball to Fabio Silva against Real Betis following a deft drop of the shoulder and cheeky nutmeg. The latest product from the academy that developed David Silva and Pedri, Moleiro would be a shrewd piece of business for anyone looking to add firepower to their midfield ranks. Como's Nico Paz is another budget attacking midfield option with an appetite for taking on defenders. His 144 take-on attempts this season lead Serie A, underlining his fearless approach in possession. Paz has thrived as Como's central creative force under Cesc Fabregas since arriving from Real Madrid for just €6m. Among players aged under 21 across Europe's top five leagues, only Barcelona's Yamal registered more assists than his eight this season. Unlike the other options mentioned so far, who tend to favour the left channel, Paz operates comfortably between the lines across the width of the pitch. As his chance map below shows, he creates from everywhere. While comfortable on both feet, Paz's left is his true weapon, enabling him to shape measured, incisive passes, like this outside-of-the-boot, lofted through-ball for Patrick Cutrone's goal against Cagliari. At 20, Paz is still filling out, and can struggle against more physically robust opponents, but his accomplished performances have drawn praise from legendary compatriot Lionel Messi who told the media after Argentina's 6-0 World Cup qualifying win against Bolivia, in which both players featured, that Paz 'understands the game perfectly'. Yet, Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid hold Paz's future in their hands, with the club inserting an €8m buyback clause when they sold him last summer. If they choose not to trigger it, expect a long queue to form at the Paz checkout. For clubs after a sturdier, more well-rounded choice, Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White could be your man. Already in Manchester City's recruitment crosshairs, Gibbs-White's relentless energy and creative dynamism helped Forest qualify for Europe for the first time since 1995. Data from Footovision shows that Gibbs-White spends more than 15 per cent of Forest's time in possession sprinting, reaching top speeds close to 30km/h on the ball, one of the highest recorded by any Premier League player this season. His return of seven goals and eight assists is particularly impressive given that Forest averaged just 41 per cent possession this season. In a side that sits so deep, Gibbs-White's athleticism and ball-carrying are crucial in driving Forest up the pitch, and he has the skill and vision to finish those lung-busting runs with defence-splitting passes. Forest's transitional style means the 25-year-old receives the ball less frequently than other attacking midfielders, but when he does it's often in space on the break. Whether he can adapt to a possession-heavy team tasked with picking apart stubborn low-blocks remains to be seen. Still, of all the talents in our trolley, Gibbs-White brings the most bite and verve between the lines, a ready-to-go option for those after instant midfield impact.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Monday's briefing: Matheus Cunha and Caoimhin Kelleher set for transfers
Manchester United started their summer business by reaching an agreement with Wolves to sign Matheus Cunha. The Brazilian forward will be Ruben Amorim's first summer signing after a disappointing campaign saw the Red Devils finish 15th in the Premier League and lose to Tottenham in the Europa League final. Advertisement Brentford have agreed a deal to sign Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, the PA news agency understands. From Molineux to Old Trafford Brazil forward Cunha has been in Manchester over the weekend to put the finishing touches to his move to Old Trafford, which is subject to a visa and registration. The 26-year-old, who has won 13 senior caps for Brazil, scored 18 goals in all competitions last season. A United statement read: 'Manchester United has reached agreement with Wolverhampton Wanderers for the signing of Matheus Cunha. 'The Brazilian forward's signing is subject to visa and registration. Everyone at Manchester United looks forward to welcoming Matheus to Old Trafford.' England squad enjoy F1 before qualifier England took time out of their preparations for the World Cup qualifier against Andorra by enjoying a day at the Spanish Grand Prix. Advertisement Captain Harry Kane and his men watched on as Oscar Piastri pipped Lando Norris in Barcelona. Meanwhile, despite not being named in the squad, Manchester City defender John Stones has also linked up with Thomas Tuchel's group to continue his rehabilitation following a spell on the sidelines and was pictured alongside Kane at the circuit. Oldham secure promotion Tom Conlon lifts the trophy following the National League play-off final at Wembley (Adam Davy/PA) There were 52,115 in attendance at Wembley as Oldham scored twice in two minutes in extra time to beat Southend 3-2 in the National League play-off final and secure promotion to League Two. Manny Monthe's early own goal was cancelled out by Joe Garner's penalty before Southend went ahead through Leon Chambers-Parillon's 91st-minute goal. Advertisement But James Norwood and Kian Harratt struck to help Oldham follow Barnet into the English Football League. Brentford look to Kelleher Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is on his way to Brentford (John Walton/PA) With Mark Flekken set to move to Bayer Leverkusen, Brentford have turned to Kelleher. A reported initial fee of £12.5m for the second-choice Liverpool goalkeeper can rise to £18m if performance-related requirements are met. Republic of Ireland international Kelleher, who has a year left on his contract at Anfield, played over a quarter of the champions' Premier League matches this season when first-choice Alisson Becker was injured. What's on today? Australia's Matildas host Argentina in an international friendly in Canberra, with South Korea and Colombia also facing off.
