Latest news with #ex-United


Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Rio Ferdinand rubbishes Man Utd move for £40m striker – 'We ain't signing him!'
As Manchester United's pursuit for a striker continues, Rio Ferdinand was adamant the club will not be signing one target the Red Devils have previously been linked with Rio Ferdinand has confidently shut down any suggestion Manchester United will make a move for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. The Red Devils have made no secret about their desire to bolster their forward line. They have already brought in Matheus Cunha for £62.5million and recently unveiled £71m signing Bryan Mbeumo. However, the Red Devils are still looking for a new centre-forward, two seasons after forking out £72m on Rasmus Hojlund. RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko has been one target of interest, while Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins has emerged as the latest priority. In and amongst the latest reports, Mateta has also been linked to Old Trafford in the past. But when the possibility of the Frenchman moving to United was touted to Ferdinand, the Premier League legend immediately shut down the possibility. Speaking on his Rio Ferdinand Presents show, the ex-United and England captain replied: "We ain't signing Mateta. Trust me." In March, United were told that Mateta would set them back £40m. Reports from L'Equipe at the time also claimed the Red Devils had opened talks with the Eagles about a move for the 28-year-old. However, the rumours have since petered out, with United seemingly looking at other targets. They have already seen moves for the likes of Liam Delap, Hugo Ekitike and Viktor Gyokeres fail, joining rivals Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal respectively. Mateta struggled when he first started at Palace but has been one of the Premier League's most dangerous forwards since Oliver Glasner took over. Under the Austrian manager, he has contributed 30 goals and five assists in 59 appearances in all competitions. However, for whatever reason, United are seemingly looking elsewhere. Ferdinand has been following United's pre-season tour of the USA, where they recently beat West Ham 2-1 in the Premier League Summer Series. While the memories of last season's disastrous campaign are still fresh, Ferdinand has seen some positive signs this summer. Commenting on United's transfer window so far, he added: "For me personally, I'm hopeful more than anything. "There is nothing to give me belief yet. I need to see it. The belief is that we have got two good signings who know the Premier League. That's nice, that's good, that's needed. "Again, I think we probably need one or two more to go into the season and go, 'Listen, I'm confident we can now go and finish in the top eight.' At the moment, I am sitting there thinking, 'There's a lot of hangover from last season.' "If you start actually digging into last season, it starts depressing me. But the new signings give you a bit of hope. Being out on tour helps you get a different perspective. "It guides you and you're now going, 'Oh, I can see them working, I can see some positive things, the team are together, the manager is getting time with the team.' I am looking for positives.'


Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
David de Gea lays down challenge to Man Utd transfer target - 'It isn't enough'
Fiorentina striker Moise Kean has enjoyed a stellar season, which has caught Manchester United's attention, and David de Gea has called on the Italian to continue producing Fiorentina frontman Moise Kean has been told "one good year isn't enough" after excelling in Serie A - which has attracted the attention of Manchester United. The Italian has endured some less memorable stints in his career, previously struggling to make an impact during his time at Everton. The Toffees signed Kean from Juventus and then sold him back there after he couldn't deliver consistently. Now he's proving his worth after finding a home in Florence. Last term Kean scored a career high 25 goals in 44 games and was named in the Serie A Team of the Season. Interest in him bloomed when it emerged he had a £44.5m release contract in his contract - but the deadline to activate it has reportedly passed. United are looking to bolster their forward line and want a No 9 to compliment new arrivals Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. They've also been linked with the likes of Nicolas Jackson at Chelsea and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko. Kean is among those names on their shortlist but ex-United star David de Gea has told his new team-mate that his stellar season in front of goal cannot be a one off and he must replicate his numbers. De Gea told Italian outlet Cronache: "When I arrived, my Italian was terrible and we spoke in English. Now I've improved and I communicate with him [Kean] more easily. He had an excellent season, but now for me he needs to have another good year, and then another, and so on. "One good year isn't enough, he needs to continue like this and build on what he's done. He's put in some very good numbers, but he needs to keep it up and prove he can do it over time." De Gea has revealed he would never have stayed to play in England if it wasn't for United despite his contract being allowed to run down before leaving in 2023. The Spaniard spent more than a decade in Manchester before finding a new home in Italy. He said: "I only wanted Manchester United, and while it's true that I received offers from England, I knew it would be impossible for me to play anywhere else. I've spent my whole life there, it's the club that shaped me and allowed me to have a wonderful career. Football is like that, unexpected things happen. Like the opportunity to come here to Florence."


Metro
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Metro
'That's crazy' - Pogba questions Man Utd decision to let go of 'great player'
Paul Pogba says he is 'happy' to see Marcus Rashford join Barcelona on loan, but believes Manchester United are losing a 'great player' this summer. There has been uncertainty over Rashford's future ever since the forward returned from a six-month loan spell with Aston Villa, in which he racked up four goals and six assists in 17 appearances. But the Red Devils gave Rashford permission to travel to Catalonia at the weekend and the 27-year-old is expected to join the La Liga champions on a temporary basis over the coming days. The England international is hoping to join up with Hansi Flick's squad on Thursday to ensure he can play a role in the club's pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea. It's understood Rashford has accepted a major salary reduction at the Camp Nou, with the winger set to earn around £8.6million gross, including bonuses – a significant drop on his £16.9m-per-year wages at Old Trafford. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. Barca's deal for Rashford will include an option to sign the attacker outright when his 12-month loan comes to an end. It's just the latest chapter in what has been a turbulent few years for the United academy graduate, who joined the club at the age of just seven before becoming a household name with his boyhood team. Though somewhat surprised by the move, Pogba is pleased for Rashford and hopes to see his former team-mate hit the ground running in Spanish football. 'That's crazy. I'm happy for him because they took his number out,' the ex-United and France midfielder said during conversation with social media star iShowSpeed. 'Manchester United are losing a great player… it's great for Barcelona to be honest.' 🚨| WATCH: Paul Pogba talks about Marcus Rashford's move to Barcelona and says:'Manchester United, they're losing a great player — unlucky for them.' 😳👀 — Speedy HQ (@IShowSpeedHQ) July 20, 2025 Pogba doesn't blame Ruben Amorim for the way in which the situation has developed feels the United head coach is entitled to ditch players if he 'doesn't believe in' such as Rashford. 'I'm not even talking about Manchester United because they've bought a few players and the new manager wants to do his thing, I guess,' Pogba, who joined Monaco this summer, added. 'It's not really his [Amorim's] fault. If he doesn't believe in someone… you need to win at the end. 'If he doesn't play well, if he doesn't win, they're going to sack him. But I'm happy for Marcus.' On his YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand speculated that details surrounding Rashford's situation would 'come out in the wash at some point' in the future. 'There must have been so much going on behind the scenes that we're just not aware of,' the legendary ex-United and England centre-back said. 'And Marcus isn't someone who really wants to talk and do interviews, so you have to respect that. 'But I'm sure it'll come out in the wash at some point. Is it because of a lack of form? A lack of confidence? Mismanagement? Have the club failed him? 'Or is it down to him? Is there injuries we don't know about? Has he lost that desire? That form is gone and he can't rekindle it and can't get it back? 'What are the issues that have led to a young kid that's a graduate of the academy at Manchester United, which is famous for all of the great players that have come through there, that he says he wants to leave?' Barcelona have agreed to pay all of Rashford's £315,000-a-week wages during his loan move. The winger's current contract at the Theatre of Dreams runs until the summer of 2028. Are Man Utd making a mistake letting Rashford leave? MORE: Arsenal fans convinced Mikel Arteta dropped major Viktor Gyokeres hint during press conference MORE: 'Hard to come by' – Man Utd urged to sign £34m former Chelsea star MORE: Rio Ferdinand sends warning to Marcus Rashford after Barcelona finalise transfer


Glasgow Times
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Teddy Sheringham upset by ‘soul-destroying' Man Utd and Marcus Rashford saga
The 27-year-old is on the lookout for a new club having spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa after falling out with boss Ruben Amorim and admitting he was 'ready for a new challenge'. Rashford is among five players to have informed United they wish to explore a future away from Old Trafford, where he came through the academy and scored 138 goals in 426 first-team appearances. The England international, who has lost the number 10 shirt to summer signing Matheus Cunha, is attracting interest from Barcelona and former striker Sheringham admits he finds the whole situation unpalatable. 'If you assess where Marcus Rashford is at as a professional footballer, you strive as a youngster to get to the very top and play for clubs like Manchester United, and when you're there, you appreciate it,' the ex-United player told Sky Bet. 'You don't throw it away and say you want to leave. 'I find the whole episode very soul-destroying, compared to the way I was back in the day and how I strove to get the privilege to play for such a huge football club. 'To hear someone talking the way he is talking, saying he wants out – I didn't like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang doing that at Arsenal, I thought it was soul-destroying, and I hope Rashford doesn't get the move that he's hankering for. 'From my perspective, if you go from Manchester United to Barcelona, that's a step up that he hasn't deserved.' Rashford is joined by Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia in searching for a new home as Amorim looks to rebuild a side which stumbled home into 15th place in the Premier League last term. United have made their stance on the quintet clear, which Sheringham believes has hurt their negotiating position as their transfer business has 'stagnated' as they seek to offload players to help aid additions. 'It's very easy to spend money on players, but it's hard to recoup it,' he said. 'It seems quiet, but I bet there's lots going on behind the scenes at Manchester United. Other clubs know United's position. Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia are up for sale (Martin Rickett/PA) 'They've made it known that they're looking to sell around five players, which signals to other clubs to make them ridiculous offers. 'I would assume that's what football clubs are doing around Europe, and Manchester United are turning them down at the moment. 'The longer that goes on, I reckon those offers might be a little less ridiculous, but United want these players off the books – they've made their bed and they've got to lie in it. 'They'll probably take anything from a quarter to a fifth of their asking price for some of them.'

Rhyl Journal
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Teddy Sheringham upset by ‘soul-destroying' Man Utd and Marcus Rashford saga
The 27-year-old is on the lookout for a new club having spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa after falling out with boss Ruben Amorim and admitting he was 'ready for a new challenge'. Rashford is among five players to have informed United they wish to explore a future away from Old Trafford, where he came through the academy and scored 138 goals in 426 first-team appearances. A post shared by Marcus Rashford (@marcusrashford) The England international, who has lost the number 10 shirt to summer signing Matheus Cunha, is attracting interest from Barcelona and former striker Sheringham admits he finds the whole situation unpalatable. 'If you assess where Marcus Rashford is at as a professional footballer, you strive as a youngster to get to the very top and play for clubs like Manchester United, and when you're there, you appreciate it,' the ex-United player told Sky Bet. 'You don't throw it away and say you want to leave. 'I find the whole episode very soul-destroying, compared to the way I was back in the day and how I strove to get the privilege to play for such a huge football club. 'To hear someone talking the way he is talking, saying he wants out – I didn't like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang doing that at Arsenal, I thought it was soul-destroying, and I hope Rashford doesn't get the move that he's hankering for. 'From my perspective, if you go from Manchester United to Barcelona, that's a step up that he hasn't deserved.' Rashford is joined by Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia in searching for a new home as Amorim looks to rebuild a side which stumbled home into 15th place in the Premier League last term. United have made their stance on the quintet clear, which Sheringham believes has hurt their negotiating position as their transfer business has 'stagnated' as they seek to offload players to help aid additions. 'It's very easy to spend money on players, but it's hard to recoup it,' he said. 'It seems quiet, but I bet there's lots going on behind the scenes at Manchester United. Other clubs know United's position. 'They've made it known that they're looking to sell around five players, which signals to other clubs to make them ridiculous offers. 'I would assume that's what football clubs are doing around Europe, and Manchester United are turning them down at the moment. 'The longer that goes on, I reckon those offers might be a little less ridiculous, but United want these players off the books – they've made their bed and they've got to lie in it. 'They'll probably take anything from a quarter to a fifth of their asking price for some of them.'