United.

[toysoldier_00]

Re: United.

What I'm Hearing: United to take AFCON as Opportunity

Manchester United plans to scout next months AFCON 'very seriously' in hopes of unpacking serious talent

By Logan Plant / @plantlounited / December 7, 2021, 7:30 AM EST

What I'm Hearing - Manchester United is planning on spending considerable time and resources to scout next month’s African Cup of Nations tournament. I’m told Head of Scouting Marcel Bout will spend time in Cameroon, and that Assistant Head of Scouting Walter King will spend the entire month there.

“Walker really believes there is elite talent in Africa,” a source with knowledge of United’s plans told RedDevilUnited, “He thinks that if [United] can find some talent, bring it to the club, develop it a little bit, that there are some real steals out there. This is entirely driven by Walker, the higher ups aren’t necessarily comfortable with it at all, but Walker is going to get his way, again.”

The African Cup of Nations is a bi-annual International Tournament for all the National Teams in Africa to compete. Some of the brightest stars in the world, such as Mo Salah, Sadio Mané, Riyad Mahrez, Victor Osimhen, and Achraf Hakimi will be at the tournament.

It’s possible that up to three Manchester United stars also compete. Center-back Eric Bailly is a lock to man the Ivory Coast back line. It is possible that Amad joins him, although he hasn’t been with the Ivorian National Team in recent windows so that seems more up in the air.

Hannibal Mejbri does seem likely to make the trip to represent Tunisia. At 18, he may be one of the younger players there. If Mejbri is making the trip, it leaves open the possibility that there are several other teenagers that are there. I’m told these are the kids that Manchester United is most interested in.


MORE FROM RED DEVIL UNITED
Rumour: United Eyeing Argentine Striker
Confirmed: United Sign Steinar Hansen-Aarøen
What I'm Hearing: Devine, Osorio, Hanssen
Rumour: United Eyeing Leverkusen Youngster
What I'm Hearing: Hardley & Mejbri

[toysoldier_00]

Re: United.

[toysoldier_00]

Re: United.

Youth Thrives in Italy

Manchester United's Teenagers Stole the Show on Match Day Six

By Felix Short | December 8, 2021, 11:59 PM EST

Anthony Martial earned a first-half brace as Manchester United cruised in Bergamo. (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

Bergamo, Italy – Manchester United made the trip to Bergamo, Italy as a formality on Wednesday night. The team closed down the group stage of the Champions League with a lock on the top spot. Atalanta hosted like their life depended on it. United was secure, but depending on how the night went, Atalanta could’ve advanced to the knockout stages, or fall entirely out of European Competition. They needed this win desperately, against a United B-side that was just having fun. Atalanta was primed to cruise, and instead they got knocked out triumphantly.

Manchester United opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Donny van de Beek found Hannibal Mejbri in open space. Mejbri, without looking, flicked the ball on to a streaking Anthony Martial who buried it in the back of the net. If that seemed too easy, it was only the beginning of a terrible night for an Atalanta side that couldn’t show up, despite the overwhelming support from their home crowd. A high press turnover by Hannibal Mejbri led to a chance for Amad, a former Atalanta youth product, who took the chance. That shot was blocked in the 19th minute, but the onslaught of attack from United’s youngsters was on. They doubled their lead in the 24th minute when Mejbri took the ball down the right flank, crossed it toward the middle for Anthony Elanga to make an athletic move, reaching back to get around the ball and slamming it in.

At this point, the rout was on for United, and they took the lead to three just a few minutes later. Alex Telles made a line-breaking pass to Hannibal Mejbri in the center of the pitch. Mejbri took two steps to his right, turned and spotted Anthony Martial streaking toward goal. Mejbri put it on him and Martial hit the open chance in front of goal in the 28th minute. Thirty minutes in and Atalanta was watching their European dreams be dashed by a group of teenagers. The crowd grew silent. But, as crowds do, they helped their team back into it. Down three early goals, Atalanta finally gained a bit of momentum, and were frankly the better team for the final ten minutes of the half. This same squad, in essence, blew a halftime lead against Villarreal a few weeks earlier, so this game was certainly not over, as they entered the half trailing, but at home.

Unless, of course, Thomas Walker learned from that game and decided to park the bus in the second half. Walker made three defensive subs at half time, changed the formation to a back-five with two holding midfielders for cover, and let Atalanta move around with nowhere to go. Duván Zapata took Atalanta’s first real chance in the 51st minute but missed wide. Luis Muriel took another chance in the 59th minute. It was a weak chance, but it did require Dean Henderson to make a save. Robin Gosens had another weak chance in the 64th minute, again saved by Henderson. This would really be all for Atalanta as the minutes ticked by and they saw their chance at the knockout stages evaporate in front of them.

“The kids played well,” said United manager Thomas Walker, “The kids played really well. They’re absolutely progressing as I would’ve wanted them to. Outsiders might look at this lineup and think that it’s not Champions League quality, but they would be wrong. These guys can go out and win on any given day in the Premier League. They’re ready for the big time.”

The most impressive of those young kids was Hannibal Mejbri, who earned an assist on all three of United’s goals. His playmaking has been a revelation for United in recent weeks, and he’s quickly becoming one of the most fun youth stories in European soccer. This is a kid that started the season in United’s Under-23 Squad and he’s quickly becoming one of their best playmakers. He, without a doubt, was the man of the match today.

As for Atalanta, not only did they fail to qualify for the knockout stages, but Young Boys’ 1-0 win over Villarreal means that Young Boys, and not Atalanta, will move to the Europa League. As a result, Atalanta’s season outside of Italy is now over.

As for United, they will advance to the knockout stages where they will face one of the other fifteen teams that remain in this tournament. In a group that included Atalanta, Villarreal and Young Boys, United went 5-0-1 with eighteen goals for and only six goals allowed. In their five wins, they won by a combined 17-3. This seems like a team, led by Cristiano Ronaldo and his eight goals in four games, that is poised to make a deep run in this tournament. They will next be in action again this weekend as they travel to Norwich City.


Atalanta: 0
Goal Scorers: n/a; Assists: n/a

Manchester United: 3
Goal Scorers: Anthony Martial (14'), Anthony Elanga (24'), Anthony Martial (28'); Assists: Hannibal Mejbri, Hannibal Mejbri, Hannibal Mejbri

Share this Article

[toysoldier_00]

Re: United.

Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano - 30m

Arsenal buying Winger Darwin Machís for £21.3m. Granada CF attacker wanted moved to Premier League. Here we go! #Arsenal


249 75 792

[toysoldier_00]

Re: United.

United draw Sporting CP in Round of 16

The UEFA Champions League Round of Sixteen Has Been Set

By Felix Short | December 10, 2021, 7:30 AM EST

Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes will be playing their former club (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

Manchester, England – Manchester United has drawn Lisbon’s Sporting CP in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions’ League. The Portuguese giants will host Manchester United on Tuesday, February 22nd, before traveling to Old Trafford on Wednesday, March 16th. The winner of the two-leg competition will advance to the Quarter-Finals.

Sporting finished in second place in their group, earning nine points in six games. From that group, Borussia Dortmund and Sporting CP advanced to the knockout rounds, while Ajax were moved into the Europa League. Beşiktaş finished the table in last place and have as a result been eliminated from European competition.

In that group, Sporting finished with two ties against Borussia Dortmund, a one-win-one-loss split with Ajax, and a win-tie split with Beşiktaş. They were led be Winger Pedro Gonçalves, who scored five goals and earned one assist in six games.

Manchester United finished at the top of their group, winning five of six matches, and outscoring their opponents 18-6. They were led by Cristiano Ronaldo who leads the competition in goals with eight in four games. They swept both Young Boys and Atalanta, and split with Villarreal to earn the top billing.

The rest of the Round of 16 is as follows:










Real Madrid was eliminated on the last day when they tied Shaktar Donetsk, 2-2, in Madrid. Manchester City’s nightmare season continued as well as RB Leipzig and Paris Saint-Germain advanced from their group.


Share this Article

[toysoldier_00]

Re: United.

Henderson Over De Gea?

Manchester United is sitting atop a keeper controversy waiting to explode

By Felix Short | December 10, 2021, 7:35 AM EST

Dean Henderson earned his first clean sheet of the season against Atalanta (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

Manchester, England – Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson has a whale of a game last night, helping Manchester United shutout Atalanta in Bergamo to end their European Dreams for this season. After the game, Henderson created a bit of controversy by speaking out about his playing time.

“I’m the quality of a Manchester United number one,” he said, “I think I’ve shown that and I’ll continue to show that when my number is called.”

2021-22 was supposed to be Dean Henderson’s year to grab the reins of the Manchester United starting keeper role. He’s been groomed for it for nearly a decade and after replacing David De Gea for the second half of last season, this appeared to be the future for Henderson.

Yet, Henderson got CoVid when the season started, and missed the first two games of the season. David De Gea, who’s struggled in recent years, proved himself in those games, and has continued to show excellent form for most of the season. De Gea has been Manchester United’s #1 for nearly a decade, and he was ready to reclaim that spot again this year.

This conversation probably foreshadows a very serious decision that will need to be made at the end of this season about whether to commit to David De Gea or Dean Henderson long term. They’re making too much money combined, and neither is at a point in their career where they should be okay being the back up.

Henderson has 39 career Premier League starts and has started 183 games over his senior team career. At 24, he’s ripe and has the skillset of a modern keeper. Yet David De Gea is one of the world’s best shot stoppers. His 458 career United appearances is most on the team by a long shot (next is Cristiano Ronaldo with 324).

For now, it appears De Gea will continue to block shots to help a defense that has only recently begun to improve, but will he remain the keeper for the remainder of the season or beyond? Time will tell.


Share this Article

[toysoldier_00]

Re: United.

Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano - 30m

Full-back Alex Sandro will move from Juventus to Chelsea when January Window Opens. Sure up Chelsea defense for £22.7m. Here we go! #Chelsea


249 75 792

[toysoldier_00]

Re: United.

[toysoldier_00]

Re: United.

Ronaldo Delivers at Carrow Road

Manchester United Superstar Striker Proved the Difference in Defensive Showdown in Norwich

By Felix Short | December 12, 2021, 11:59 PM EST

Cristiano Ronaldo's 21st minute goal was the difference in todays game. (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

Norwich, England – Manchester United took the trip to Eastern England on for Sunday’s match with 19th place Norwich City to come home with three points, and that’s exactly what they did, earning a 1-0 win at Carrow Road. Norwich City, who is a prime relegation candidate this season, has been improving of late, earning a draw at Tottenham in their last game. They continued that momentum into this game too, keeping United off balanced and slowing down an attacking threat from the Red Devils that leads the league in scoring.

United did enough however and earned their fair share of chances. The first big chance came in the 8th minute when Jadon Sancho caught a lob from Paul Pogba and took his chances. Unfortunately, his shot went right to Norwich City keeper Angus Gunn, who deflected the ball away. It wouldn’t take much longer for United to get their first goal of the game. That came in the 21st minute when Marcus Rashford broke free down the left side, then put a beautiful cross in to Cristiano Ronaldo, who was streaking down the middle. Ronaldo didn’t miss the opportunity as he slammed the ball into the top left corner of the net. Ronaldo has another good opportunity in the 26th minute, but it was blocked by Gunn.

Norwich seemed to calm down a bit after that, bringing the ball under their control for much of the rest of the first half. Marcus Rashford would get United’s next opportunity on a set piece. Aaron Wan-Bissaka delivered a good ball that found its way to Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo’s header was easy pickings for Norwich City’s Gunn, but Rashford took the rebound and slammed it wide in what was a golden opportunity for United to double their lead. Aside from that one moment, Norwich City played calm and collected for much of the first half.

Norwich City’s offense would get its one significant chance in the 51st minute when Teemu Pukki put an excellent ball toward the bottom right corner of the net. Fortunately for United, David De Gea, who has been excellent lately, was there for the save. The move sufficiently scared Thomas Walker, who brought on Harry Maguire to man part of a back-five formation. This defensive reinforcement allowed United to play on the counter-attack, which produced a few serious chances for the Red Devils. Bruno Fernandes had chances in the 64th and 75th minute of this game, but was unable to convert on either chance.

The last scary moment came in the 86th minute, when United’s defense slipped a bit, and Norwich City winger Josh Sargent found himself with a beautiful opportunity. He took his shot but, under the pressure of the moment, missed the mark wide right. Norwich City’s Milot Rashica earned a red card minutes later and Norwich City never seriously threatened De Gea’s goal again.

“We need to go a better job finishing chances,” said Untied manager Thomas Walker in his post-game press conference, “That’s the biggest thing. We’ve been incredibly clinical this season, but we need to keep that up if we’re going to do the things we want to do.”

Scoring may have been a problem today, but it hasn’t been for much of the season. Rather, it’s been the defense that has struggled at times. But perhaps United has turned something of a corner, having recorded their third straight clean sheet. Following a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace, and a 3-0 win in Italy at Atalanta, United’s defense has really started to take shape and grow in quality.

“I’m excited about our defense,” said Walker, “I think all the time we’ve put in in practice is really starting to finally pay off. We’ll need that, but the truth is I can see the light at the end of the tunnel for our defense. We’re getting there and I’m really excited about that.”

One of the keys to United’s improvement defensively has been the improvement of Fred as the holding midfielder. He capped another excellent game today.

With the win, Manchester United move up to fifth in the league table, tying West Ham with 28 points. Norwich City remain in 19th with the loss, their seventh at home. The Canaries will next host Aston Villa on Wednesday, while United make the trip to Brentford.


Norwich City: 0
Goal Scorers: n/a; Assists: n/a

Manchester United: 1
Goal Scorers: Cristiano Ronaldo (21'); Assists: Marcus Rashford

Share this Article

[toysoldier_00]

Re: United.

Has United's Defense Turned it Around?

Manchester United has recorded three straight clean sheets for the first time this season

By Felix Short | December 13, 2021, 7:35 AM EST

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is one of several defenders that have started to turn the corner this season (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

Manchester, England – Manchester United appears to have turned a proverbial corner defensively in recent weeks. After yesterday’s win at Norwich City, they are the owners of a three-game clean-sheet streak. There 1-0 win over Norwich City, 3-0 win at Atalanta and 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace mark the second time all season that the defense has shut out their opponent in back-to-back games, much less three in a row.

“I really do feel like our defense is turning a corner,” said manager Thomas Walker, “We’ve been working hard. It’s a high-energy, high-effort defense and that certainly took an adjustment, but the guys are making the adjustment and I’m proud of them for that. They’re putting in the work every day to get better.”

Probably most noticeable to the fans is that Alex Telles and Diogo Dalot have been the two starting full backs for each of the last three games. This may indicate that those two represent the better defensive options, but there has been so much movement that it’s difficult to say.

In United’s last eight games, they’ve produced five clean sheets, and given up five total goals. In that time, both David De Gea and Dean Henderson have started in goal, and United has used seven different starters on the back line.

Without being able to credit cohesion, it must be ascertained that the entire team is getting more comfortable with Thomas Walker’s system and that perhaps this improved defense is here to stay. That’s a scary thought when coupled with the fact that United is the highest scoring team in the Premier League to date.


Share this Article

[toysoldier_00]

Re: United.

Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano - 30m

RB Šime Vrsaljko from Atlético de Madrid to Juventus €16.3m. Will move at beginning of window. Here we go! #Juve


249 75 792

[toysoldier_00]

Re: United.

What I'm Hearing: Walker Spotted in Aberdeen

United Manager Thomas Walker was spotted in Aberdeen for the Aberdeen-Dundee United match

By Logan Plant / @plantlounited / December 14, 2021, 11:30 PM EST

What I'm Hearing - I’m hearing that Thomas Walker was spotted in Aberdeen, Scotland earlier this evening to watch the Aberdeen F.C.-Dundee United game. Walker was with Head of Youth Scouting Joey Johnson, taking in the game from the suites. Dundee United

“If he’s there, he’s there to scout,” a source told RedDevilUnited, “He’s there to scout all the talent. Walker really believes that talent exists everywhere, and he hates the idea of leaving a stone unturned. He’s definitely there doing his due diligence on someone.”

Dundee United is the home this year of Dylan Levitt, a young midfielder on loan from Manchester United. Levitt started tonight’s game and has been getting regular playing time for the Scottish-side.

But the presence of Head of Youth Scouting, Joey Johnson, indicates to me that there may be interest in someone else. Speculatively speaking, tonight will be the third start in a row for 16-year-old Goalkeeper Dave Howie for Dundee United.

Howie has been a minor story in Scotland over the past week, as he came on for an injured Ben Siegrist, and carried two clean sheets into tonight’s game with Aberdeen. Tonight’s game ended in a scoreless draw, so Dave Howie is now responsible for three clean sheets in as many games.

Siegrist is expected to return to the starting lineup, healthy, for Dundee’s next game, but it is notable that a 16-year-old is starting anywhere in Europe. As a goalkeeper, that is virtually unheard of. It certainly raises an eyebrow that Manchester United’s manager would be in attendance to watch him.


MORE FROM RED DEVIL UNITED
What I'm Hearing: United to take AFCON as Opportunity
Rumour: United Eyeing Argentine Striker
Confirmed: United Sign Steinar Hansen-Aarøen
What I'm Hearing: Devine, Osorio, Hanssen
Rumour: United Eyeing Leverkusen Youngster

[toysoldier_00]

Re: United.

[toysoldier_00]

Re: United.

Brentford Shock, Earn 3-3 Draw

Manchester United Had to Rally Down 3-1 to Earn a Draw at Brentford

By Felix Short | December 15, 2021, 11:59 PM EST

Bryan Mbuemo's Brace Helped Brentford Stun United Early. (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

Brentford, England – Manchester United made the trip to Molton Road for a Wednesday night clash against last place Brentford, in what should have been a cake walk for the Red Devils. They had been coming in with a clean sheet streak that reached three games and with an offense that led the Premier League in goals. That was the plan, of course. But, as the old saying goes, everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face, and the Bees came out punching.

In fact, for much of the first half, Brentford was the dominant team, to the surprise and discomfort of all the fans watching. United’s only first half chance came in the sixth minute when a Brentford handball led to Ronaldo taking a shot off the free kick. He missed that high, and United failed to get another chance until late in the half. By that time, Manchester United had lost its clean sheet streak. That came in the 28th minute when miscommunication between Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelöf left Brentford striker Bryan Mbuemo wide open. Ivan Toney made the pass to the middle and Mbuemo put it away. Brentford would strike again in the 36th minute when Rico Henry got lossed in coverage on the wide flank by Diogo Dalot. Tariqe Fosu made the timely cross-pitch pass to find him. As the defense closed in on Henry, Ivan Toney snuck into open space. Henry found him and Toney had an easy tap-in to extend the Brentford lead.

At this point, Brentford was creating chances left and right and truly felt in control of the game. United’s second legitimate chance came in the 44th minute, as Anthony Elanga ran wide open toward goal, but Cristiano Ronaldo missteps then mi****s the ball, and the United turnover spelled doom to their chances of scoring the first half.

Things got worse to start the second half for United when Jadon Sancho collided with Ethan Pinnock in the 47th minute. Sancho clearly hurt his knee and was forced to be carried off the pitch, after what appeared to be a very serious injury. The move to bring on Anthony Martial did seem to spark Manchester United however. In the 51st minute, Cristiano Ronaldo found his best chance of the game, only saved by Brentford Keeper David Raya. But only a minute later did United find the scoreboard, as Anthony Elanga, in the half space, found a streaking Paul Pogba, who on the first touch slammed it across his body and into the left corner of the net in the 53rd minute.

But Brentford wasn’t done. As United desperately tried to find the equalizer, they made mistakes, and a turnover in the 72nd minute led to another opportunity for Brentford. Brentford’s Mathias Jensen earned the turnover, then found Bryan Mbuemo in the middle of a disorganized defense. Mbuemo turned and knocked back his second goal of the game to extend the Brentford lead, 3-1.

At this point, the United attack intensified as Thomas Walker brought in youngsters Hannibal Mejbri and Amad to bolster the attack. It led to opportunities, including in the 84th minute when a Ronaldo header was sent flying by Brentford’s Raya. But, on the ensuing corner, Ronaldo got another chance. Fred played an excellent in-ball and Ronaldo found the ball then the net to cut United’s deficit to one in the 85th minute. Still, as regulation time ticked away and the minutes of injury time piled on, Manchester United began desperately playing the ball forward.

That’s when the fresh legs made the difference. Paul Pogba started the play with a long deep pass down the sideline. Amad, having come in with fresh legs, caught up to the ball, drove down the flank and made an excellent cross into Anthony Martial, who having fresher legs than the defenders, was able to beat them to the spot. The cross was perfect and Martial was able to slam it in to earn United a tie at Brentford in the 95th minute.

“What a great ending,” said United manager Thomas Walker after the game, “I’m so proud of our guys for never stopping, never quitting, always fighting.”

By the time United’s flurry of opportunities was over at the end of the game, they led the shots taken 26-8.

One of the most notable features of today’s game was that Manchester United didn’t quit when they found themselves in a serious hole like they had done earlier this season vs Aston Villa and at Leicester City. Surprisingly, Thomas Walker elected to bring in some of the younger attacking options, but the ploy worked to perfection as Amad and Anthony Martial played a crucial role in securing the final goal. Even Hannibal Mejbri did excellent work connecting the offense to each other after he came on. Thomas Walker’s engagement with the youngsters has really paid tremendous dividends this season.

With the draw, Manchester United fall to sixth in the league table with 29 points. Brentford stay in last place with eight points. Brentford’s next game will be at Southampton this weekend. Manchester United will host Brighton.


Brentford: 3
Goal Scorers: Bryan Mbuemo (28'), Ivan Toney (36'), Bryan Mbuemo (72'); Assists: Ivan Toney, Rico Henry, Mathias Jensen

Manchester United: 3
Goal Scorers: Paul Pogba (53'), Cristiano Ronaldo (85'), Anthony Martial (95'); Assists: Anthony Elanga, Fred, Amad

Share this Article

[toysoldier_00]

Re: United.

Sancho Out With ACL Tear

Jadon Sancho's Season Ended Early on Wednesday Night after Suffering a Torn ACL

By Felix Short | December 16, 2021, 7:35 AM EST

Jadon Sancho tore his ACL in the 47th minute of last night's match at Brentford (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

Manchester, England – Jadon Sancho suffered terrible news this morning as he received feedback on his left knee injury sustained in last night’s match with Brentford. Jadon Sancho tore his left ACL and will miss the rest of the 2021-2022 season with the injury. The optimistic outlook is that Sancho will be able to return to the training at some point in the early portion of next season.

Sancho suffered the knee injury in the 47th minute of last night’s game at Brentford. While making a move to beat defender Ethan Pinnock, he stepped awkwardly, then knocked into Pinnock, then fell to the ground writhing in pain. Sancho had to be taken off on a stretcher following the injury, and will not return for the rest of the season.

“Jadon is a great kid,” said United manager Thomas Walker this morning, “He’s a great kid with a great spirit and we were really excited about the things he could bring to the table for us. There’s no way around it, he’ll be a tremendous loss for us.”

Jadon Sancho was Manchester United’s big signing this past summer after years of struggled to solve their winger issue. United sent £73 million to Germany’s Borussia Dortmund for the 21-year-old England International. Sancho scored 49 goals over the last three seasons in the Bundesliga. Since arriving at Old Trafford this summer, Sancho has participated in fifteen games, and has tallied one assist and zero goals.

“He was really starting to turn it on in practice,” said Walker, “That may be what is so disappointing. He was really about to show the world how great he is.”

Manchester United’s offense still ranks as the top goal scoring machine in the Premier League but replacing Sancho’s dynamic potential will be a tough task for a team that is all of a sudden thin on proven quality on the wings.


Share this Article