15 years on since 'one of United's greatest feats'
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South Wales Guardian
25 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Harry Maguire hopeful ‘fresh start' can lead to change in Man Utd fortunes
United's post-Ferguson malaise hit an all-time low after a 15th-placed finish – their worst ever in the Premier League – and not even a run to the Europa League final, where they lost to Tottenham, could paper over the cracks. But the big-name signings of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, as well as a £50million training ground upgrade, have given United a spring in their step to go into the new campaign. They welcome old rivals Arsenal in their season opener on Sunday and Maguire, appearing on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, said: 'The lads are working hard and it's a great atmosphere in the place. 'We want to be successful, we're doing everything we can to be successful. Sometimes we know it's not been good enough for a recent (period) and we've not given our fans as much. 'I feel like it's almost a little bit of a fresh start and hopefully this start is a good start.' Maguire, who missed the start of a pre-season trip to the United States for a personal matter, joined United six years ago from Leicester in an £80million deal, a then world record fee for a defender. His signing is among a number of eye-popping sums United have spent but consistent success under any manager has eluded them in the last dozen years since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure. Maguire said: 'There has been a transition period, obviously, when Sir Alex was here and we had the best team by far and won all the trophies. But the reality is that we're not the best team. 'You've got to thrive off the pressure and you've got to play like you're playing in a playground. I think that's what we've struggled to find over the last 10 years.' Maguire has polarised opinion at Old Trafford and his days appeared numbered under former manager Erik ten Hag, who stripped the England centre-back of the captaincy and dropped him from the first team. A move to West Ham in 2023 collapsed as Maguire decided to fight for his place and he has found himself back in favour since Ten Hag was dismissed and replaced by incumbent boss Ruben Amorim last year. Indeed, a 12-month extension to his contract was triggered in January and United have reportedly rejected overtures from a number of clubs to keep Maguire, whose deal expires at the end of the season. Addressing the criticism he gets at United, the 32-year-old added: 'I think there's more scrutiny on Manchester United just because more people in the country hate them – and that's just a fact.' :: Listen to the full Rio Meets Harry Maguire interview on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Metro
3 hours ago
- Metro
Jadon Sancho in talks with two new clubs as Man Utd seek transfer resolution
Jadon Sancho has held talks with two new clubs as he tries to secure a move away from Manchester United before the transfer deadline. Old Trafford boss Ruben Amorim has included Sancho in his 'bomb squad' this summer along with the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Marcus Rashford. United have already successfully offloaded Rashford – the England forward joining Barcelona on loan – but are struggling to get Sancho, Garnacho and Antony off the books. Sancho completed a £73m move to Manchester United in 2021 and arrived at Old Trafford with a huge reputation as one of the most exciting players in the Bundesliga and an England international. But the 25-year-old failed to live up to expectations, scoring just 12 goals in 83 appearances for the Red Devils. In The Mixer: Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every week – sign up, it's an open goal. Sancho even had a public bust-up with former United manager Erik ten Hag and partly as a result was sent on loan to Chelsea last season. He was hoping to earn a permanent move to Stamford Bridge but Chelsea instead decided to pay a £5m penalty to send him back to Old Trafford. Sancho has been linked with a number of foreign clubs still that transfer setback, with Juventus and Inter Milan interested in securing his signature. Amorim is keen to see the back of Sancho and Manchester United want around £20m for the former England international. According to Football Italia, Roma have entered the race to sign Sancho and are in 'active contact' with both the player and United over a deal. Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini is said to be a huge admirer of the winger and keen to welcome him to his squad this summer. But another transfer option has emerged for Sancho in the form of Turkish giants Besiktas. The club's president Serdal Adali confirmed on Monday that he was pushing to sign Sancho for Besiktas manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Manchester United legend. 'Just as much as the community wants him, I want him too,' Adali said, as reported by Turkiye Today. 'What matters is not only our desire, but also if the player wants to come to Turkey. More Trending 'We have a budget, and we will do our best to bring him here. Players like Jadon Sancho usually prefer clubs playing in the Champions League. 'Whether it happens today or not, it is hard to say. If it is possible, we will get him. Besiktas fans can rest assured.' As well as offloading Sancho, Manchester United will also work hard to find new clubs for Garnacho and Antony. Chelsea are interested in Argentina international Garnacho while Antony is desperate for a return to Real Betis, where he flourished on loan last season. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Jose Mourinho submits bid for Arsenal star as Mikel Arteta drops asking price MORE: Chelsea interested in signing second Manchester United star after Alejandro Garnacho MORE: Brighton respond to Man Utd's player-plus-cash offer for Carlos Baleba
Metro
4 hours ago
- Metro
Chelsea interested in signing second Man Utd star after Alejandro Garnacho
Chelsea are interested in signing a second Manchester United star after Alejandro Garnacho, according to reports. Garnacho has already given the green light to a summer move to Stamford Bridge but Chelsea are yet to agree terms with their Premier League rivals. United are holding out for £50m for the Argentina international but Chelsea are reluctant to meet that price given Garnacho is in Ruben Amorim's 'bomb squad'. Not too long ago Garnacho was viewed as one of the most highly-rated players at Old Trafford but his career has stagnated. Amorim has instructed his bosses to offload the winger and was unhappy with comments Garnacho and his brother made following the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham. In The Mixer: Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every week – sign up, it's an open goal. Garnacho was subsequently left out of United's pre-season tour of the States and has been training away from his teammates ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. Keen to remain in the Premier League and play for a Champions League club, Garnacho has already agreed personal terms in principle with Chelsea but is waiting for an agreement to be struck between the clubs. Chelsea are pursuing Garnacho despite already spending around £250m on new signings this summer. The Blues are also working on a deal for RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons and remain interested in Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. Chelsea have been repeatedly linked with a move for the England international over the past 12 months and The Sun say they are still 'waiting with open arms'. While not actively looking to sell Mainoo, United are struggling to tie the 20-year-old down to a new long-term contract. Mainoo enjoyed a breakout season at Old Trafford in 2023-24, earning a place in England's Euro 2024 squad and starting the final against Spain. But he was less influential last season and it has been suggested he could struggle for game-time in Amorim's system given the club's summer business. In an exclusive interview with Metro, ex-Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel urged his former club to poach both Mainoo and Garnacho from Manchester United. 'I like both of these players,' he said. 'I have no idea what the issue is with Garnacho and Ruben Amorim because for me he is one of the best players at United. 'The squad is what it is, and you want to get rid of Garnacho. Really? I can't see the sense in that because every time he plays he is a threat. 'The issue is probably the defensive side of his game but that is something you have to work with a young player on. To change their mentality to make sure their defensive responsibilities are taken seriously. 'With Kobbie Mainoo, maybe they feel they need to cash in on him to raise the funds. Maybe he did not have the season we all expected from him last season, he looked a shadow of the player he was when he first burst onto the scene. 'Again, I have no idea what the issue has been. The system, the manager? Is he not happy with the environment at the football club? 'There are so many factors you have to look at right now with Manchester United. If those are two players Chelsea want, I will take those two, definitely. 'They can only come in and improve us as a football club. I know if they come in, they will improve us as a team.' Manchester United legend Gary Neville, meanwhile, believes it is imperative that the Red Devils keep hold of Mainoo and 'build a team' around the youngster. 'Mainoo, no. That's a step too far,' the eight-time Premier League winner argued. 'If we can't give Kobbie Mainoo a job in that two in midfield… I look at Mainoo and the way he plays football and I think a top club would want him. More Trending 'Why can't we make him a top player? If he's one of ours and he's shown talent. I don't know what's gone on there in the last few months. 'He's obviously had some injuries which has caused him a problem so he needs to stay fit, but I'd like to think he could be one of that two in midfield that Ruben Amorim plays. 'It's probably not Casemiro as his partner and it's probably not Ugarte as his partner, it's probably someone else in there who is better than those two, if I'm being honest. 'But we should be building around Kobbie Mainoo in central midfield and not because he's come through the ranks.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Brighton respond to Man Utd's player-plus-cash offer for Carlos Baleba MORE: PSG set transfer fee for Man Utd to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma MORE: Man City tell Tottenham how much it will cost them to sign 'incredible' winger
