Latest news with #Portuguese
The Sun
41 minutes ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Amorim Confident Bruno Fernandes Will Stay at Man United
HONG KONG: Ruben Amorim said Friday he believes captain Bruno Fernandes wants to stay at Manchester United amid speculation about a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia. Fernandes started United's match against Hong Kong as they came from behind to win 3-1, with teenage substitute Chido Obi scoring twice. Manager Amorim, who took over from Erik ten Hag during the season but led United to a dismal 15th-placed finish in the Premier League, has plenty to ponder during the post-season break. Foremost among his concerns is the future of key man Fernandes, who is reportedly weighing up a big-money move to Al Hilal. Asked after the victory if that was the 30-year-old Fernandes's last appearance in a United shirt, Amorim replied: 'I don't think so, I don't know for sure, but I don't think so. 'He sees us taking some actions and to change all the things ... I think he wants to stay.' Amorim added of his fellow Portuguese: 'I talk with him, I explained some things and I just have that feeling when you talk to someone, I think you have that feeling if he wants to stay.' Beaten and booed off in Malaysia on Wednesday, United were underwhelming in the first half of their second post-season friendly as they brought the curtain down on a poor campaign. Having fallen behind to a soft Hong Kong goal, Obi struck with a smart turn and finish five minutes after the break and again with a glancing header on 82 minutes. Ayden Heaven scored with a late header as United ended their Asia trip on a winning note. Portugal international Fernandes had a bright first half at the 40,000-capacity Hong Kong Stadium, which was about 85 percent full, before going off. Argentine winger Alejandro Garnacho also started despite appearing to be heading towards the Old Trafford exit. Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund were the other regulars to feature from the off in southern China, where light rain all afternoon and evening made for a slick surface. Fernandes and Garnacho caught the eye in the first half against a Hong Kong team ranked 153rd in the world, but it was the hosts who took the lead in the 19th minute with their first attack. It was a mistake from United's stand-in goalkeeper Tom Heaton, who allowed a decent but saveable effort from Brazil-born Juninho to fly off him into the net. Amorim stood with his hands on his hips. As the rain came down and the wind picked up, Fernandes should have scored when clean through but opted for a Hollywood finish and was denied. Winger Amad Diallo, who made an obscene gesture to fans in Kuala Lumpur after suffering personal abuse, came on with Obi for the second half as Amorim made wholesale changes.
The Sun
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Sun
'I think he wants to stay': Amorim hopeful on Fernandes future
HONG KONG: Ruben Amorim said Friday he believes captain Bruno Fernandes wants to stay at Manchester United amid speculation about a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia. Fernandes started United's match against Hong Kong as they came from behind to win 3-1, with teenage substitute Chido Obi scoring twice. Manager Amorim, who took over from Erik ten Hag during the season but led United to a dismal 15th-placed finish in the Premier League, has plenty to ponder during the post-season break. Foremost among his concerns is the future of key man Fernandes, who is reportedly weighing up a big-money move to Al Hilal. Asked after the victory if that was the 30-year-old Fernandes's last appearance in a United shirt, Amorim replied: 'I don't think so, I don't know for sure, but I don't think so. 'He sees us taking some actions and to change all the things ... I think he wants to stay.' Amorim added of his fellow Portuguese: 'I talk with him, I explained some things and I just have that feeling when you talk to someone, I think you have that feeling if he wants to stay.' Beaten and booed off in Malaysia on Wednesday, United were underwhelming in the first half of their second post-season friendly as they brought the curtain down on a poor campaign. Having fallen behind to a soft Hong Kong goal, Obi struck with a smart turn and finish five minutes after the break and again with a glancing header on 82 minutes. Ayden Heaven scored with a late header as United ended their Asia trip on a winning note. Portugal international Fernandes had a bright first half at the 40,000-capacity Hong Kong Stadium, which was about 85 percent full, before going off. Argentine winger Alejandro Garnacho also started despite appearing to be heading towards the Old Trafford exit. Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund were the other regulars to feature from the off in southern China, where light rain all afternoon and evening made for a slick surface. Fernandes and Garnacho caught the eye in the first half against a Hong Kong team ranked 153rd in the world, but it was the hosts who took the lead in the 19th minute with their first attack. It was a mistake from United's stand-in goalkeeper Tom Heaton, who allowed a decent but saveable effort from Brazil-born Juninho to fly off him into the net. Amorim stood with his hands on his hips. As the rain came down and the wind picked up, Fernandes should have scored when clean through but opted for a Hollywood finish and was denied. Winger Amad Diallo, who made an obscene gesture to fans in Kuala Lumpur after suffering personal abuse, came on with Obi for the second half as Amorim made wholesale changes.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Arne Slot's Florian Wirtz intervention as Saudi clubs prepare Liverpool swoop
Liverpool might have lost Trent Alexander-Arnold but they are still hopeful of having a huge transfer window to help retain their title as they bid to close deals for Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz Liverpool have a big transfer window ahead of them as they look to retain their Premier League title next season. Arne Slot managed to win the title in his first season in charge but the Dutchman is now preparing for some major changes to his side. He's already lost Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid, who have paid a fee of £10million to take him early in time for the Club World Cup, and Jeremie Frimpong is set to arrive as his replacement. Slot will also be eager to secure some more strength in depth at centre-back and in attack as Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah approach the twilight of their careers. There are some targets who are high up on Slot's shortlist - such as Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz - while the likes of Darwin Nunez has been linked with the exit door. With that in mind, Mirror Football has taken a look at the latest Liverpool transfer news as we approach the start of the summer window. How Slot convinced Wirtz Liverpool are edging closer to signing Wirtz after lodging an improved bid closer to Bayer Leverkusen's £126million valuation of the talented star. Signing Wirtz would be a major coup given the amount of top teams who are interested in the 22-year-old - regarded as one of the most promising midfield stars in world football. Wirtz has just registered 16 goals and 13 assists in all competitions and he is now expected to move to an elite side that can challenge for silverware every season. Previously, Leverkusen's rivals Bayern Munich looked like favourites to sign Wirtz, but now Liverpool appear to have jumped to the front of the queue thanks to a conversation with boss Slot. According to the Mail, Wirtz was "captivated" by Slot during talks in England earlier this month and cited his "passion" for Liverpool and the power of the supporters. In the same chat, it's claimed Slot shared his vision for the club and how Wirtz fitted into that plan, vowing to make him a key part of his side should he join. Al Nassr monitoring Diaz Liverpool have already lost Alexander-Arnold and now another star is in danger of departing after reports that Al Nassr are eyeing up a move for Luis Diaz. The Colombian is set to enter the last two years of his contract at Anfield with no new talks over a deal expected as of yet. Al Nassr are preparing for the expected exit of Cristiano Ronaldo amid speculation the Portuguese superstar is set to leave. The Manchester United legend put out a statement teasing an exit as he claimed "this chapter is over" following the club's final match of the season. Saudi chiefs were eager to lure Liverpool's Mohamed Salah to their league this summer, but after the Egyptian signed a new deal they are now turning their attentions to his team-mate Diaz, according to the Times. Al Hilal are also interested in the forward, the report claims - though the club themselves are said to be looking at Ronaldo too, meaning his future could depend on where Diaz ends up. Alexander-Arnold's transfer package revealed Now that Alexander-Arnold's move to Madrid has been confirmed, we can discuss the fine print of his deal. We now know that Liverpool won't be left empty handed from his switch to the Bernabeu, despite being expected to leave on a free transfer. Madrid have actually paid Liverpool a small fee for his services after opting to sign him before the end of his contract on June 30. Liverpool will collect a total of £10million for their boyhood talent - who joined them 20 years ago as a six-year-old. The Reds will rake in £8.4m plus his remaining wages. He is set to sign a six-year deal worth more than £220,000-a-week.
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
I think Fernandes wants to stay: Amorim
Ruben Amorim said Friday he believes captain Bruno Fernandes wants to stay at Manchester United amid speculation about a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia. Fernandes started United's match against Hong Kong as they came from behind to win 3-1, with teenage substitute Chido Obi scoring twice. Manager Amorim, who took over from Erik ten Hag during the season but led United to a dismal 15th-placed finish in the Premier League, has plenty to ponder during the post-season break. Foremost among his concerns is the future of key man Fernandes, who is reportedly weighing up a big-money move to Al Hilal. Asked after the victory if that was the 30-year-old Fernandes's last appearance in a United shirt, Amorim replied: "I don't think so, I don't know for sure, but I don't think so. "He sees us taking some actions and to change all the things ... I think he wants to stay." Amorim added of his fellow Portuguese: "I talk with him, I explained some things and I just have that feeling when you talk to someone, I think you have that feeling if he wants to stay." Beaten and booed off in Malaysia on Wednesday, United were underwhelming in the first half of their second post-season friendly as they brought the curtain down on a poor campaign. Having fallen behind to a soft Hong Kong goal, Obi struck with a smart turn and finish five minutes after the break and again with a glancing header on 82 minutes. Ayden Heaven scored with a late header as United ended their Asia trip on a winning note. Portugal international Fernandes had a bright first half at the 40,000-capacity Hong Kong Stadium, which was about 85 percent full, before going off.
7NEWS
4 hours ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Australian tennis ace Alexei Popyrin into fourth round of French Open without dropping a set
Alexei Popyrin says he couldn't have imagined he'd end up as the last Aussie man standing at the French Open — but he's determined to keep the flag flying high after ensuring there would be no depressing hangover following Alex de Minaur's shock exit. On a roasting Friday in Paris, the country's No.2 player got hot in the Court 14 furnace in which de Minaur's hopes had crashed and burned the previous day, downing doughty Portuguese Nuno Borges 6-4 7-6 (13-11) 7-6 (7-5) to reach the last-16 without having yet dropped a set. 'We all expected Demon to be in the fourth round,' admitted Popyrin, when asked if he'd have thought at the start of the week he'd be the final men's survivor. 'I don't think I could have thought that - Alex is probably the most consistent player on tour - but that's the case now. I'm only focusing on myself. I want to keep going as far as I can, that's all I'm thinking.' And there's no reason that couldn't be very far. Last year Popyrin reached the last-16 in the US Open, but now he has the chance to go even further in a slam as he faces American iron man, 12th seed Tommy Paul, who outlasted Karen Khachanov 6-3 3-6 7-6 (9-7) 3-6 6-3. And though, ultimately, Popyrin may have made harder work of his win than he would have liked, the 25th seed still felt it was a major boon to have got the job done in three-straight in three hours, while Paul was slogging for 4 hours 7 minutes after another five-set slog in the first round which had lasted 3:38. 'It was a really good match from my point. Happy I wrapped it up in three sets. It's really hot out there, really difficult conditions,' said Popyrin. 'I played the first set-and-a-half really, really solid, how I've been playing all week, but had a bit of a mental slip-up at the end of the second but managed to dig deep in the tiebreak. 'The third set was more a mental battle than a physical battle on my side trying to hold serve, and then trying to get opportunities on his return, which I had towards the end. But still managed to kind of keep my head and still play well in the tiebreak.' Popyrin now joins an elite group of his compatriots to have made it this far on the Paris clay since the turn of the Millennium alongside Mark Philippoussis (2000), Wayne Arthurs (2001), Lleyton Hewitt (2000-02, 2004, 2006-07) and Alex de Minaur (2024). The courts hardening and speeding up in the sunshine certainly suited his big serving as Popyrin dropped just three points on his delivery in the opening set but he had a bit of an aberration near the end of the second. He squandered a set point at 3-5 and twice served for the set only to deliver a couple of error-prone games - the only times he was broken in the match. Eventually, he needed plenty of resolve in a dog-fight of a tiebreak, saving a couple of set points and having four more of his own repelled before the Portuguese finally crashed a backhand long. Popyrin's relief was palpable. 'It was very important. One-set all is a completely different ball game.' His serve was in formidable nick, generally, his 13 aces and 80 per cent success rate on his first delivery suggesting he's going to be hard work for Paul to subdue. 'He played unbelievable tennis there (in the Canadian Open last year). That's what he's capable of. He can take the racquet out of your hand sometimes,' said the American. 'Hopefully, I can use the clay to my advantage and kind of slow things down a little bit.'
