Latest news with #ex-InterMilan
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Real reason Andre Onana missed Man Utd vs Arsenal given by Ruben Amorim - and it's not injury
Ruben Amorim insisted Andre Onana WAS fit enough to face Arsenal in Manchester United's Premier League opener - he just decided he didn't need him. The £47million goalkeeper was left out of United's matchday squad for the meeting with Mikel Arteta's Gunners at Old Trafford. Altay Bayindir was given the nod to start with veteran stopper Tom Heaton on the bench. Onana, 29, suffered a hamstring injury in early July and missed the Red Devils' pre-season fixtures. However, both he and United had hoped that he would be ready to start the season in goal for Ruben Amorim's men. But Onana's rehab hasn't gone completely to plan, he's only trained on a handful of occasions since being given the go-ahead to resume and spent the early part of Sunday training alone at United's Carrington training base. Yet Amorim insisted ahead of the match that it had been his decision to leave out the ex-Inter Milan stopper, that his injury wasn't an issue and that Onana is fully fit. He said: "We try to choose the best players for each game, so next week is a different life. "This week, we chose these players. No (he is not injured), he's recovered but the other guys did so well during pre-season, so I need to balance that." Onana has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer, his two years at the club having not quite gone to plan with United's worst two seasons of the Premier League era. Pre-game, Onana was seen in the tunnel alongside Rasmus Hojlund - increasingly likely to exit before the close of the transfer window - laughing and joking as they watched team-mates warm up. and Mirror Sport will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible. Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story.
Daily Mirror
06-08-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Jamie Carragher suspicions proven spot on as Liverpool 'reach transfer agreement'
It took just five months of last season for Jamie Carragher to predict Arne Slot would soon move Darwin Nunez on, as the Liverpool legend's suspicions have since been proven spot on Darwin Nunez's impending exit from Liverpool was already predicted by Jamie Carragher last season. The striker became the Reds' third-most expensive player ever in 2022 when he joined for a reported fee of £64m plus add-ons. However, three years on, the Uruguayan has failed to deliver on a consistent basis, leaving Arne Slot willing to listen to offers for his services. He scored just five Premier League goals last season and seven in all competitions on his way to earning his first league title in Europe. Having already sold Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich this summer, the Premier League champions appear close to shipping Nunez out. According to The Athletic, Al-Hilal have reached an agreement with Liverpool to sign the striker. The Saudi Pro League side - who are managed by ex-Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi - are said to have agreed a fee of £46million (€53m) plus add-ons for Nunez, who has indicated willingness to discuss personal terms. The fee would free up funds to take a second run at Alexander Isak, after their initial bid of £110m was rejected by Newcastle. Many saw last season as Nunez's last chance to establish himself as the club's leading striker, but with just four goals to his name by December, Carragher predicted he wouldn't last much longer on Merseyside. During an episode of The Overlap, the Liverpool legend told Ian Wright that Nunez's unpredictability is not something top players possess and admitted he didn't think he'd last one more season at the club. He said: "We said we don't know what he is going to do, so how will the defenders? Nobody ever says that about a good player, do they? I'm not sure he will be here next season, I think Liverpool will move him on." The Arsenal great added: "I never know what is going to happen with Nunez when he goes through. I would've thought for that price we would have seen a lot more from him by now. It is not going to be any different to what he is now." Nunez's shining moment last season came when he netted two late goals to beat Brentford in what was a key victory in Liverpool's charge for the league title. However, he also faced public criticism from Slot who questioned the striker's attitude after missing a sitter in a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa. The Dutchman admitted that he wasn't incensed with Nunez missing a chance but rather his lack of work ethic following the opportunity, a criticism he levied at his player twice. "First of all, I helped him by saying you can miss a chance," Slot said. "I wasn't only hard on him. But for the second time in a row I wasn't happy with his work effort, against Wolves and against Villa. "I always try to be honest with my players and be honest as I can to you guys as well where I always try to protect my players so I don't say he never worked hard. I know him differently. I know him at Villa at home where he made a 100 metre sprint and scored a goal. "I know him when he came on at City at home and was pressing really aggressively and wins the ball back and we score. But I can't accept if a player doesn't give everything. That is clear. I can accept it once but twice was a bit too much. That's why I addressed it." Should Nunez clinch his move to Saudi Arabia, his absence leaves Slot with only Hugo Ekitike as the club's only natural striker, while the likes of Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa can fill in at the number nine spot.
Daily Mirror
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd agreed summer transfer before club blocked deal: 'Everything was done'
Manchester United are having a difficult summer when it comes to making new signings and it was no different during Erik ten Hag's first transfer window at Old Trafford in 2022 The brother and agent of former Manchester United target Marko Arnautovic has revealed how close the striker was to completing a shock move to Old Trafford. In the summer of 2022, Erik ten Hag's first transfer window as United manager, the Red Devils were looking to sign a striker. Cristiano Ronaldo's future was uncertain and Edinson Cavani had left the club. In a surprising development, Arnautovic emerged as a target for United, having enjoyed a prolific season with Bologna aged 33. The Austria international had made an impressive return to Europe after two years in China following his time at West Ham and Stoke City in the Premier League. United moved on their interest and submitted a £7million bid which was rejected and they ultimately abandoned their pursuit. Fans also wrote to Red Devils CEO Richard Arnold after Arnautovic had been accused of using an anti-Albanian slur during Austria's game against North Macedonia at the European Championship two years prior. UEFA issued him with a one-match ban after the incident, prompting Arnautovic to deny that he was a racist following another accusation in 2009. His brother has now revealed what caused the move to break down. During a recent interview with Austrian outlet ORF, agent Danijel Arnautovic said: "My favourite at the time was always Manchester United, I had three of four offers for him back then. "I wanted to do that at the time because I thought he would fit in well there and also when he was at Bologna, it was already like... I don't think it's ever really been mentioned, but I can also say now that Marko was very close to a transfer to Manchester United. "In 2022, he could have come to Manchester United. We already reached an agreement back then, everything. But Bologna didn't let him go back then." Arnautovic gave his side of the story a few months after the failed move, describing United as the 'top of the universe'. "Manchester United tried to sign me several times," the ex-Inter Milan star, who's now a free agent, told Laola1. "And it was a difficult decision to stay in Italy because my family wanted to return to England. For me it's clear that the Red Devils remain at the top of the universe. "And Bologna, as a name, are not. But that's fine. Here everything is calm, you have time for yourself and no stress. This is only good for me." Arnautovic is looking for his next club after being released by Inter in June, having spent two years at San Siro. The 36-year-old has been tipped to sign for Serbian giants Crvena Zvezda, formerly known as Red Star Belgrade, after initially holding talks over a return to his home city with Rapid Vienna.
Irish Daily Mirror
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Mikey Johnston bounces back from Flamengo disappointment in style
Mikey Johnston might never get to the bottom of why his proposed move to Flamengo fell through, but the Ireland winger reacted to the disappointment in the best way possible. Various reasons were cited in Brazilian media, including a fan backlash against the signing and the club's uncertainty over Johnston's injury past - even though he played 41 games last season. He was even touted as a good signing by former Ireland striker and current Ferencvaros head coach Robbie Keane, after he was called out of the blue by his ex-Inter Milan teammate Vampeta, who was co-hosting a popular Brazilian sports show. Whatever the truth of it, Johnston was quick to hop on a plane and join his West Brom teammates during their pre-season training camp in Austria. And this weekend he returned to the Baggies colours in a 1-1 friendly draw with Ukrainian champions Dynamo Kiev. Johnston started on the bench, but he was introduced in the second-half and it was his brilliant cross that new signing Nat Phillips headed home for the opening goal of the game. Vladyslav Vanat earned Dynamo a draw with a late equaliser, but Johnston had already made his point by that stage.
The National
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The National
I'm Panathinaikos' star man - here's why we'll beat Rangers
Rangers welcome the Greek side to Ibrox a week on Tuesday for their second qualifying round, first leg as they bid to reach the riches of Europe's top competition. Panathinaikos this week rejected a bumper bid for their Greek international full back Vagiannidis from Sporting because they have vowed not to sell anyone until after their tie with Russell Martin's side. And ex-Inter Milan star Vagiannidis is certain they will be celebrating after the second leg in Athens. Read more: He said: "I don't know anything about a transfer - all I am concentrating on is playing Rangers and helping us reach the Champions League. "I think Rangers will be our strongest test to get to the Champions League, even including the next round if we get through. "All the teams were good in the draw, but Rangers were probably the toughest opponents fr us. "But with the quality that exists in the squad now, I am convinced we will definitely beat them over two legs. "I also think that the work we have been doing in pre-season will set us up perfectly to prepare for Rangers. We have been working very hard on the fitness side of things. We are preparing with two games in mind - both legs against Rangers. "Of course I know about the speculation, but I've had that for a couple of years now. It means I am doing something right if I am being linked to top teams. "But I repeat, all I am thinking about is getting through against Rangers. "I believe the chemistry in the squad is the best it has ever been. Last season, perhaps we lacked consistency, but I don't think that will be an issue this time."
