Latest news with #KobbieMainoo
The Sun
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Man Utd in grave danger of breaking 4,321 game record dating back to before World War 2 in first Premier League match
MANCHESTER UNITED could be in danger of bringing a near 88-year record to an end this season. The Red Devils have always been proud of their youth development at Carrington and have a record stretching back to before World War 2 that proves it. 6 6 Since October 1937, United have named at least one player who has come through their academy in every first team squad. That's an unbelievable run of 4,321 GAMES. It's a point of pride for many at the club, and a tradition that has proved fruitful in years gone by with 18 of United's 20 league titles coming in that time and three European Cups. However, with things taking a turn at Old Trafford after a dismal season last term, Ruben Amorim could be at risk of being the first manager to veer away from the record. United's academy graduates are dropping like flies, with Marcus Rashford leaving for Barcelona, Jonny Evans calling time on his career and Alejandro Garnacho seemingly surplus to requirements. Of course, the shining light of the academy, Kobbie Mainoo, remains in place and is expected to play a big role for United this season. However, should Mainoo pick up an injury or a suspension - having misses 17 matches last season - then Amorim may find himself struggling to keep up the tradition. 6 6 6 Tom Heaton could provide a backdoor route to keeping the run going, having started his career with United before returning in 2021. However, naming a 39-year-old third choice goalkeeper who spent most of his career away from United in every squad may not exactly be in the spirit of the tradition. United fans will be hoping that the emergence of youngsters like Harry Amass, Tyler Fredricson, Toby Collyer and Ethan Wheatley will instead keep things alive. Off the back of last season, Ruben Amorim will know that his priorities are getting results and bouncing back from what was one of the worst campaigns in the club's modern history. Relying on unproven youth prospects won't be on top of his list. United have been used to setting new record rather than bringing old ones to an end in recent times. Last season saw them set plenty of unwanted records after struggling domestically. They cemented a worst league campaign since the 1973-74 season - a season in which they were relegated from the top flight. While they also equalled their record for home losses in a season, losing NINE TIMES at Old Trafford. And they also registered their worst ever Premier League points tally, at just 42 points - some 16 points less than their previous worst from the 2021/22 season. 6
New York Times
11 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Is one of Manchester United's proudest records about to end?
It is one of the great achievements in Manchester United's history and the kind of record that even supporters of rival clubs begrudgingly have to admire. How else can you describe United's feat of naming a player who has come through their academy in every first-team squad since October 1937? To put it into context, that's a run of 4,321 games, and counting, with 44 major trophies accumulated in the process, including three European Cups and 18 of their 20 league titles. Advertisement Suddenly, though, the run is looking unusually vulnerable and, without wishing to be alarmist, it feels legitimate to ask whether the 2025-26 season might be when it finally comes to an end. Marcus Rashford has gone to Barcelona. Alejandro Garnacho is out of manager Ruben Amorim's plans. Jonny Evans, another player brought up in United's academy, has called time on his playing career. Scott McTominay and Mason Greenwood have both been moved out of Old Trafford over the past year or so in very different circumstances. Brandon Williams, too. Kobbie Mainoo is still on the scene, but what if the 20-year-old picks up an injury? Or a suspension? Mainoo missed 17 matches last season and 21 the year before that. So what happens if, or when, he misses out again? 'Selling McTominay was an error,' Tony Park, the United fan, historian and author, states matter-of-factly. 'Rashford hasn't been managed right, Williams the same. I think Garnacho just wants to play attacking football and the manager is quite defensive in his approach. There's no one really standing out in the academy right now and the whole system is very vanilla.' It was Park's research and number-crunching in 2013, while co-authoring his Sons of United book, that established the details of a long, unbroken sequence that now stretches to almost 88 years. Does it really matter? Well, yes, it does to many people connected with the club, given what it says about United's traditions and their dedication, year after year, to bringing through players who could qualify for the chant of 'one of our own'. As Nick Cox, United's academy director, told The Athletic last year: 'It was youth development that helped us survive the Second World War. Youth was there to help us recover from the Munich disaster. And youth has been at the heart of our best days as well, winning league titles and European Cups with a core of young players.' Advertisement Exhibit A: the FA Cup final in 2024, when Garnacho and Mainoo scored the goals to defeat Manchester City in arguably United's finest moment since Alex Ferguson's retirement 11 years earlier. 'It's never been forced, it's not a gimmick, it's not a PR stunt,' Cox added. 'It's just a byproduct of the way we do things here. The club is incredibly proud of its traditions of youth development. The fans expect to see young, local players in the first team because youth has been a consistent part of our history, including our darkest days.' What, though, of the club's current position now that the choices have been dramatically reduced? Park's analysis shows that, last season, the average number of youth players in each first-team squad was 4.51, down from 6.65 the previous year. This season, it might be the slimmest pickings for three decades. 'In the 1990s, we regularly only had one player on the substitutes' bench keeping the record alive,' he says. Park, like many United fans, would like to believe the record can be extended. 'Losing so many youth players doesn't help from several perspectives, and we shouldn't be losing certain players. Something is wrong somewhere. However, if the likes of Tyler Fredricson, Jack Fletcher, and one or two others can get regular bench time, things should be OK.' It is going to be a close-run thing, though, and that, in turn, raises the question about how seriously the record is viewed at the top of the club. Do the Glazers care? Does Sir Jim Ratcliffe view it as a source of pride? Is it ever discussed? 'I'm not convinced how important it is to the club,' is Park's verdict. 'A lot of people in charge don't seem to 'get it' from a number of aspects.' That would be a shame, particularly given the importance previous United managers have placed on promoting the club's own. Advertisement 'Using youth players so consistently, and winning trophies along the way, is definitely something to be proud of,' says Park. 'We have been doing it since the 1930s. Walter Crickmer believed in it during the Second World War and then we had two managers, Matt Busby and Alex Ferguson, who really made it part of the United DNA.' So what of Amorim? This is a big season for the current United manager, desperate to show that his tactics can work in the Premier League, and he is probably entitled to have other priorities given last season's 15th-placed finish. But does he really want to be the manager who breaks such a proud record? One idea that has been floated by some fans (though not by the club) is to make it an official stipulation. Would United become the first club to make it a mandatory rule? Would they even write it into the managers' contracts? 'I'm not a fan of that personally, although it wouldn't be hard to do,' Park counters. 'Every manager should strive to give youth its chance as a matter of course. But at the end of the day, every player has to earn their place in the squad. 'It's a meritocracy. If our youth players aren't good enough, don't pick them. However, if it gets to that point, we have got things terribly wrong somewhere.' (Top photos: Getty Images)
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Real Madrid eye England international duo as midfield options
Real Madrid's midfield is entering a new chapter following Luka Modric's switch to AC Milan following the expiration of his contract. The Spanish giants saw Toni Kroos retire in 2024, and Modric's departure signals a changing of the guard, as Xabi Alonso plans for the long-term. The club have spent heavily on new defenders this summer, but they are yet to bring in a central midfielder to bolster their weakened engine room in Madrid. Alonso has identified the need for a deeper midfielder, who can provide defensive cover alongside a playmaking role, to ease the void created by Kroos and Modric's exits. The FIFA Club World Cup was used as a testing ground by Alonso, with Arda Guler impressing with his creativity in a central spot, but the coaching staff are unconvinced he can step up straight away. Real Madrid eye Premier League midfield duo According toDefensa Central, Alonso has now turned his attention to the Premier League and is closely monitoring Manchester United's 20-year-old schemer Kobbie Mainoo and Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton. 📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp Despite their respective lack of experience, both players have shown the technical quality to develop into stars at the highest level, with neither playing in Europe in 2025/26. According to the same report, Los Blancos are targeting a signing in the near future and the England international duo have impressed their scouts, but they are 'yet to stand out enough to integrate into Europe's elite'. Real Madrid's scouting department will continue to keep a close eye on both players in the coming months. Any potential offer will not be straightforward, with United keen to retain Mainoo, with an update from GiveMeSport claiming the Red Devils recently rejected approaches from Tottenham. Crystal Palace are also determined to keep Wharton and they could demand a fee in excess of £100m [$132m] to consider a sale at Selhurst Park. Real Madrid news and related links Why Rodrygo could stay at Real Madrid despite Premier League interest Champions League winners facing the axe as Real Madrid plot major changes Real Madrid eye 15-year-old Arsenal wonderkid
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First Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- First Post
Manchester United eye new midfielder as Ruben Amorim looks to fix key problem: Report
Manchester United are targeting two big names to fix their midfield issues ahead of the 2025-26 Premier League season. This comes after Kobbie Mainoo was linked with an exit. United endured a disappointing 15th-place finish last season and missed out on European football. read more are looking to sign a new midfielder this summer, with two main targets being considered. According to the Independent, United's new ownership group, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, is ready to invest in either Morten Hjulmand or Joao Palhinha to strengthen their squad. Both these players reportedly have the approval of head coach Ruben Amorim, who has already bought a few players this summer, but the midfield still remains a concern. Reports suggest that Kobbie Mainoo, who impressed last season, may leave Old Trafford and go to another club this summer. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why are United concerned about the midfield? If Mainoo does leave, United will need someone to play in midfield alongside captain Bruno Fernandes. This has put Morten Hjulmand and Joao Palhinha in the spotlight. They are reportedly being considered for the job, but a final decision is still awaited. Danish midfielder Hjulmand, who scored against England at Euro 2024, currently plays for Sporting CP and has three years left on his contract. Amorim knows him well from his time as coach of Sporting and would like to bring him to Manchester United. More from Football The second option is Joao Palhinha, who moved from Fulham to Bayern Munich for £47.4 million last year. He helped Bayern win the Bundesliga but had some injury troubles. United still believe he could be a good fit in Amorim's team and would like to bring him to the Premier League. Meanwhile, United are also making room in the squad by letting players go. Marcus Rashford has joined Barcelona on loan, while Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho could both be sold this summer. They have bought forwards Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, and Paraguayan left-back Diego Leon has also joined the squad. The team is currently in the United States for pre-season camp. They beat West Ham 2-1 on Sunday and are set to play Bournemouth and Everton next. United endured one of their worst seasons in recent memory, finishing 15th in the 2024-25 Premier League table with just 42 points. The Red Devils managed only 11 wins from 38 games, suffering a staggering 18 losses. The club also missed out on European football. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Michael Carrick tells Amorim exactly how to get the best out of Kobbie Mainoo
Manchester United legend Michael Carrick has informed Ruben Amorim of two things he must do to get a tune out of Kobbie Mainoo. Mainoo still finding his feet under Amorim Mainoo has enjoyed a rapid rise at United since he made his first-team debut in January 2023, as a substitute in a Carabao Cup meeting with Charlton Athletic. He followed that up with a breakthrough 2023/24 campaign, in which he cemented his place as a regular starter in Erik ten Hag's team. That term, Mainoo made 35 appearances across all competitions. He earned himself a place in England's Euro 2024 squad and impressed as the Three Lions reached the final of the tournament. But, Mainoo has been unable to build it and endured a frustrating 2024/25. A combination of injuries and poor form when available saw him struggle to nail down a regular starting berth under Amorim. Amorim has experimented with Mainoo in the pivot, number 10 and even the false nine position of his 3-4-2-1 system, but he has yet to settle on a defined role. Carrick tells Amorim to build the team around Mainoo Carrick made an appearance on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast and said about the situation, 'I think for a club to have a player that has come through the academy, knows the club and feels it — that's massive.' 'To have a talent like that, as he's already shown, you've got to say: 'Right, he gets it, he knows it — let's help him, build on him, and stick with him.' I think there's definitely a place for him.' Mainoo wasn't the only midfielder Carrick spoke about. He also shared his opinion on United skipper Bruno Fernandes, who came close to leaving and joining Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal earlier this summer. Carrick of course knows Fernandes very well from his time as part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's coaching staff. Carrick also had a stint as caretaker boss and worked with the Portugal international. Carrick on Fernandes Carrick told Rio Ferdinand, 'Yeah, I like Bruno. I work with him, with Ole [Gunnar Solskjar] and he's fantastic. He's got a real, he's desperate to do well. He's so keen to do well, and that's a really positive thing.' 'And then sometimes, you can overdo it sometimes as well, and it's such a fine balance. But his attitude, he plays every game, he never misses training, and he's there all the time.' 'Puts himself out there, puts himself forward, and he's been the main man, really, the talisman for some time. And when there's moments or there's something that's needed, Bruno's been the one to step up. I really enjoyed working with him when I did. He asks questions, he's demanding, but he wants to do the right thing.' Asked how he relayed instructions to Fernandes, Carrick answered, 'He took it pretty quickly. He got it, he understood what it was. It's amazing you get a feel for that with certain players. You would have had it when we were playing, some players come and grasp it and get it.' 'I understand the whole thing, because I think there's a responsibility in United that it's not just that little bit of football on the pitch. There's a whole other world out there, isn't there? There's a responsibility, really, I think, in terms of behaviour and how you act and how you do things. And that was certainly from when I came through the door, that was almost thrown upon you.' 'You had no choice, but you made a deal with it. You don't, and if you don't, then see you later. And Bruno's the type that he embraced all that straight away.' On whether Fernandes would have fit into Sir Alex Ferguson's legendary teams, Carrick responded affirmatively, indicating that the creative genius's ability and attitude would have helped him slot in. Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images Follow us on Bluesky: @
