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Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ruben Amorim facing major resistance and added complication to Man Utd overhaul
Manchester United are entering the summer on the back of their worst-ever Premier League season and Ruben Amorim has promised supporters that they'll be better next season Ruben Amorim's bid to make Manchester United play his way is facing an added complication because the club's academy teams continue to use a tactical blueprint that doesn't fit his philosophy. Amorim accepts that United are unable to spend their way back to the top after missing out on a £100million Champions League jackpot with defeat in the Europa League Final. And the Reds' boss is ready to keep up the Old Trafford tradition of bringing through youngsters from United's hugely-productive youth set-up during his rebuild after implementing a similar plan at Sporting Lisbon. But United's academy teams are grounded to play a 4-3-3 system that Amorim has no faith in. And he feels the task of bedding young players into his senior squad is even tougher because of how they have spent their formative years. Old Trafford academy chiefs insist they continue to produce footballers with a skill-set to adapt to any tactical request - and Amorim has given first-team debuts this season to youngsters Harry Amass and Tyler Fredricson. He also included the likes of Dan Armer, Jaydan Kamason, Godwill Kukonki, Tyler Fletcher, Sekou Kone, Shea Lacey, Jack Moorhouse and Jim Thwaites in United's squad for a post-season tour of the Far East. But there is a disconnect between the way United's age-group teams play and how Amorim sets up his senior side. The Reds' boss remains wedded to a formation that employs a three-man defence and demands that wing-backs provide attacking width. It was a philosophy that worked for him when he was building a reputation as one of Europe's best coaches at Braga and Sporting. And he refused steadfastly to adapt his beliefs despite inheriting a United squad that struggled badly to meet their manager's demands from the moment he took charge in November. A source said: 'Amorim made it clear when he spoke to United about becoming the coach that he needed the freedom to play the way he did in Portugal. Sporting, like United, have a reputation for developing their own talent and their academy also traditionally used 4-3-3. 'But when Amorim became the coach there was also a shift towards 3-4-3 and 3-4-2-1 at youth level to mirror the first team. 'If you look at how Sporting played in the UEFA Youth League this season, you will see that they played with all three formations.' Some of the problems Amorim inherited at Old Trafford mirror issues he dealt with ruthlessly when he became Sporting coach with 11 games of the 2019-20 season remaining. He immediately ditched the 4-2-3-1 formation employed by managerial predecessor Silas. Fans' favourites like Marcos Acuna and Islam Slimani were sold after failing to buckle down to the new boss' requirements in the same way that Amorim wants to move on Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho. A new data-driven approach to recruitment saw players like Pedro Concalves, Pedro Porro, Joao Mario, Nuno Santos, Zouhair Feddal and Bruno Tabata arrive that summer to help implement his tactical requirements. And the emergence of Matheus Nunes, Eduardo Quaresma, Nuno Mendes, Joelson Fernandes and Tiago Tomas from the youth system helped Sporting become Portuguese champions for the first time in 19 years with just one defeat all season. Sporting lifted the Portuguese title again under Amorim last year - and have retained the trophy this season despite successor Joao Pereira lasting eight games and current coach Rui Borges opting to use 4-4-2. When Amorim left the club to move to Manchester, his team were averaging 65 percent possession during domestic games. The United boss spoke often during his tough introduction to life in Manchester about being given the backing of United's owners. The source added: 'Of course Amorim would like money to use in the transfer market. 'But he also needs to be given the freedom to impose the methods he believes in on the club.'
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
This ain't no fakeover as Rangers secure a tantalising new era – Scott McDermott reacts to the real journey
You can't say their punters don't deserve at least one day in the sun and here's why Cavenagh and Co are for real Since Rangers' darkest hour in 2012 there have been false dawns. Title number 55 under Steven Gerrard when they stopped Celtic's bid for 10-in-a-row. A Europa League Final in Seville against Eintracht Frankfurt. Those were bright spots amidst the black cloud which has engulfed this club since liquidation. But this feels different. If you're a Rangers supporter, it must feel seismic. The £100 million American buy-out at Ibrox is a monumental moment in the club's long history. This is no Fakeover, as some sceptics and cynics labelled it. No, unlike that title triumph in 2021 and their Euro glory run a year later, this should be the real deal for Rangers fans. And you can't say their punters don't deserve at least one day in the sun. Remember the so-called 'journey'? From Craig Whyte's crumpled grey suit to Charles Green's interview from his hospital bed. From their AGM in a gazebo to a courtroom battle with Mike Ashley. From getting beat by Stirling Albion whose manager was at a wedding - to losing the Ramsdens Cup Final to Raith Rovers. From Pedro Caixinha standing in a Luxembourg hedge to Graeme Murty's hand-stand at Dens Park. From Anestis Argyriou to Emilson Cribari. Sebastian Faure to Fran Sandaza. The last 13 years have been littered with a series of failures and embarrassment. That's not to mention losing 13 of a possible 14 titles to Celtic. As well as taking regular beatings off their Old Firm rivals who have racked up Trebles like they're going out of fashion. Gerrard's title and Seville 2022 offered fans a bit of hope that better times were around the corner. When they were champions four years ago, everyone knew they should have kicked on. But the Ibrox board was asleep at the wheel. They got complacent off the back of a solitary league flag. That saw Gerrard leave and allowed Celtic to take control of the city again. They were false starts for Rangers. But a new era beckons now under Andrew Cavenagh, Paarag Marathe and the San Francisco 49ers. Tomorrow morning, supporters won't go to their work with their heads down, waiting for the next slagging from a Celtic colleague. Thanks to this takeover, they can look up again with a bit of pride and optimism for the future. That's all they've craved for over this last decade. At the slightest sign of progress, they latched on, praying for brighter days ahead. Now, that feeling should be genuine. Of course, things won't change overnight when it comes to success on the pitch. Cavenagh and Co have a massive job on their hands at Ibrox. A new manager has to be appointed, for a start. The playing squad needs to be reshaped with far more quality - and a different mentality has to be fostered. That will be the job of new sporting director Kevin Thelwell who starts next week. Auchenhowie needs a revamp as well, with a complete culture change imperative if the club is to move forward. But their most immediate task is to make Rangers Scotland's premier club again. They've said it themselves in their takeover statement. Without being the best team in the country and having access to Champions League riches, they can't possibly get to where they want to be. So toppling Celtic will be the first challenge. The new manager will have a £20 million kitty to play with in the transfer window, with limited time to make it work ahead of a European qualifier on July 22. You'd like to think that £20 million will be on top of any loose change they already had in the summer piggy bank. Will it be enough to build a squad capable of beating Celtic to a title? Only time will tell, of course. But for Rangers and their supporters, it's a start. A fresh, fascinating, tantalising start. The black cloud has been lifted. A new dawn, instead of a false one. And the real journey starts now.
India Gazette
6 days ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
Manchester United star players Harry Maguire, Diogo Dalot, Andre Onana arrive in Mumbai
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 29 (ANI): The prestigious football club Manchester United FC (MUFC) star players Harry Maguire, Diogo Dalot and Andre Onana were spotted at the Mumbai International Airport in the early hours of Thursday. The players have reached India for a meet and greet event organised by Apollo Tyres. The former captain of Manchester United, Harry Maguire, donned a black shirt which had red stripes. The other players were wearing the same outfit, signifying their unity as Manchester United team representatives in India. Diogo Dalot also waved at his fans and paparazzi after spotting them behind him. He was joined by the goalkeeper Andre Onana while Harry Maguire quietly stepped into the car. Recently, Manchester United suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the Europa League Final against Tottenham. Shattering the hope of fans for a trophy, the team lost to Spurs by 1-0 after full time. The match began with both sides showing some attacking intent, but with both teams sitting 16th and 17th in the Premier League, the lack of confidence was clear, and the game soon became scrappy. Neither side could build any real rhythm, and clear chances were rare. The decisive moment came just before halftime. Pape Sarr played a ball into the United penalty area, aiming for Johnson. The forward didn't get a clean touch, but his presence caused confusion. Luke Shaw failed to clear the danger, and Johnson was able to nudge the ball past United goalkeeper Andre Onana and into the net. It was far from a beautiful goal, but it was enough to put Spurs in front. In the second half, Manchester United tried to push forward in search of an equaliser. However, they struggled to create clear opportunities. One of their best chances came when Tottenham keeper Guglielmo Vicario dropped a routine ball, sending it straight to Rasmus Hojlund. The Danish striker's looping header looked like it was going in, but Micky van de Ven made a brilliant acrobatic clearance on the line to keep Spurs in the lead. The fans of Manchester United in India are now quite excited to meet the star players of the team today. (ANI)
Belfast Telegraph
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Ruben Amorim stunned in Malaysia as Manchester United beaten by Asean All-Stars
Ruben Amorim cut a miserable figure throughout the friendly as his side were unable to break down the Asean All-Stars, a super-team comprised of Southeast Asian and Australian players. His already irredeemable campaign was somehow made more bleak. After a goalless first half, the deadlock was finally broken with 20 minutes remaining by Maung Maung Lwin, captain of the Myanmar national team, and United could muster no response. While Amorim named a strong squad, featuring five of those who started the Europa League Final, it was no surprise that United were groggy off the mark having flown to Kuala Lumpur just hours after finishing their Premier League campaign with a win over Aston Villa on Sunday. But, jetlag aside, there can be few excuses for the quality of their performance. In the first half hour, All-Stars looked far more likely to score, going close through Nguyen Hai Long and Amani Aguinaldo, but the deadlock remained as Andre Onana made some important stops. United woke up as Amorim made four substitutions on the half-hour mark, removing Harry Maguire, Casemiro, Diogo Dalot and Jack Moorhouse, who were replaced by four academy youngsters. From their introduction, United were noticeably more creative but still failed to create many serious chances, the best coming from a pair of Kobbie Mainoo shots. He saw one saved from long range and the other blocked from close. The additions of Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo at half-time did little to turn the tide as United were reduced mostly to speculative pot-shots. Ironically, Alejandro Garnacho, the man being edged out of the club this summer, looked the most likely threat. But there was one key moment of quality when Adrian Segecic of Sydney FC dashed forward and found Lwin with an inch-perfect diagonal pass, threaded between the lines for the Myanmarese, who made no mistake from the one-on-one. That moment was a nadir for United, who responded with some more spirited attacks but, despite Fernandes and Diallo's best efforts, they were confounded by the All-Stars, who sat in a pragmatic low block after taking their narrow lead. Godwill Kukonki's injury time booking for halting an All-Stars counter-attack with a cynical shirt pull summed up another humbling outing for United, who return to action against Hong Kong on Friday.
Scottish Sun
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Rio Ferdinand QUITTING TNT Sports after 10 years as Man Utd icon releases emotional statement about ‘difficult decision'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RIO Ferdinand has announced he is quitting his pundit role with TNT Sports. Former Manchester United and England defender Ferdinand, 46, has been one of the faces of the channel since joining its predecessor BT Sport in 2015. 4 Rio Ferdinand has announced he's quitting TNT Sports after ten years 4 Ferdinand has become a popular pundit since ending his playing career in 2015 Ferdinand has acted as both a pundit and co-commentator for domestic and European football, including last week's Europa League Final between United and Spurs in Bilbao. But the ex-Three Lions skipper will step away from the TNT microphone after Saturday's Champions League Final between Inter Milan and PSG in Munich. Ferdinand explained in a lengthy social media post: 'After 10 incredible years. I have made the difficult decision to step away from TNT Sports after the Champions League final. 'Since retiring from football it has been a privilege talking about the game I love for a decade for sports fans watching on BT Sports and TNT Sports. 'I want to acknowledge the tremendous support from the team behind the scenes, whose hard work often goes unseen, but has been essential to our success. 'To everyone at TNT Sports, we have a brilliant end to the season to look forward to on Saturday, and for now all focus will be on what I think could go down as one of the great European finals. 'The network continues to thrive with more rights than ever, and I look forward to following its progress and the exciting future that lies ahead. 'Lastly, I would like to thank my family and my management company New Era for their ongoing support. Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford 'They have supported me to travel all over the Europe following the best players and watching the best matches. For a football fan like me, it's been a dream come true. 'As I turn the page to the next chapter. I carry with me countless memories. Rio Ferdinand calls out Roy Keane and Gary Neville's takes on Man Utd vs Man City 'I'm excited about what the future holds, spending more time with my family, focusing on Rio Ferdinand Presents and my other business interests. 'I hope to stay connected with all of you in different capacities. Thank you once again for everything.' Sources at TNT suggested Ferdinand could return to the channel in the future, whether on a guest or permanent basis and that it was entirely his decision. The moves allows Ferdinand to concentrate on his own online channels, which have become increasingly popular. 4 Ferdinand was hospitalised after a health scare at the start of the month Ferdinand was recently off work after suffering from a health scare, forcing him to miss Arsenal's Champions League semi-final second leg clash against Paris Saint-Germain. He was hospitalised with a serious virus, which he later called a "crazy illness" that left him vomiting. Ferdinand can now juggle his time better between family life and work commitments, including his management company New Era. He is married to wife Kate, who he shares two biological children with. The couple also raise three kids from Ferdinand's first marriage to late partner Rebecca, who tragically died from cancer in 2015. 4 Ferdinand is married to former Towie star Kate THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
