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Congratulation to Alex Telles for his 400th Career Game! #MUFC


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Cavani Dealing With Concussion Issues

Manchester United's center-forward Edinson Cavani has been held out of training for weeks

By Felix Short | February 25, 2022, 7:30 AM EST

Edinson Cavani gave up a lot of minutes this season to accommodate Cristiano Ronaldo (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

Manchester, England – Manchester United center-forward Edinson Cavani is reportedly dealing with issues related to a concussion he suffered in training while on international duty with Uruguay during the January International Window.

The Uruguayan has not featured in a match since United’s win against Newport County on January 22nd, and was reportedly considering retirement in recent weeks.

Cavani has been a mainstay for the Uruguayan National Team for nearly a decade, compiling 54 goals in 128 caps for his national team. For his career, he’s featured in 774 games for club and country, securing 428 goals as one of the most prolific scorers in Europe.

Manchester United has not commented on Cavani’s condition, and there is no timetable for his return. His contract with Manchester United is set to elapse at the end of this season. In 21 games this season, he’s scored four goals and been credited with three assists.

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United Struggle, Overcome Watford

Manchester United earned a 3-2 home win through an unimpressive performance

By Felix Short | February 26, 2022, 11:59 PM EST

Ronaldo's Brace gives him 26 league goals on the season (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

Manchester, England – Manchester United have struggled in their February Premier League games, securing two late wins against Burnley and Southampton before being held to a scoreless draw against Leeds. The team then made the midweek trip to Lisbon to battle Sporting CP to a tie in the Champions League Round of 16 before arriving at Old Trafford this afternoon for a dull affair with 16th-place Watford. If they thought today would be an opportunity to shine and shake off their funk, they were mistaken.

Watford came to play. They came to play so much so that despite a few early chances from Cristiano Ronaldo and Hannibal Mejbri, they felt in control for the first twenty minutes. They punctuated that control in the 21st minute with the game’s first goal. Watford’s Tom Cleverly found Ozan Tufan, who took advantage of a miscommunication in the defense to run wide open into the channel and take an open shot on goal. Tufan hit it hard and low to the left and past David De Gea to open the scoring.

Tufan had a chance to double the Watford lead in the 25th minute but was unsuccessful thanks to the heroics of David De Gea. It wasn’t until late in the first half that United finally made their move. In the 44th minute, on the counterattack, Hannibal Mejbri put a tremendous ball forward, past the defense to Anthony Martial, who beat his defender. As the center-back closed in on him to prevent the angle, Martial was able to play a dump pass into the space to Ronaldo for a golden chance on goal that Ronaldo finished. It was Ronaldo’s 25th goal of the season and it gave United an undeserved draw going into half time.

At halftime, clearly discontent with his squad’s performance, United manager Thomas Walker made several changes, including taking off new arrival Julián Álvarez and switching to a back-five. The move worked as the team swallowed back into a low block and hit Watford on the counter. The move worked as United were able to take the lead in the 63rd minute. Again, on the counter, Hannibal Mejbri ignited the offense, dancing out of trouble before making a line breaking pass to Ronaldo. Ronaldo turned and dumped it off to Anthony Martial toward goal. Watford fullback Danny Rose pushed Martial to a bad angle, but Martial was able to stop on a dime, turn and pass back to Ronaldo in space, who smashed it into the back of the net.

Watford would answer though, in the 73rd minute, when Juan Camilo Hernández put in a quick pass to midfielder Juraj Kucka, who watched Hernández break for goal, blowing past Harry Maguire. Kucka fed Hernández who had duster Maguire to get an opening that he smashed into the back of the net. The play was so reminiscent of United’s early season struggled and a reminder of why Harry Maguire saw such little playing time in the early parts of the season.

But United were able to bounce back immediately. Thomas Walker brought on Marcus Rashford after the goal, and on his first touch, he sprinted down the sideline, past the entire defense that was off-balance and unprepared, all the way into the box before firing a shot on goal. The ball hit the top cross bar and bounces down, just beyond the line then spun back out of net. The play was review by VAR, which indicated the ball crossed the line by the less than a ball-length, but it crossed nonetheless as Rashford gave United the 75th minute lead. Watford winger Emmanuel Dennis had a chance in the 88th minute to tie it, but David De Gea held strong and United survived another close scare late for the 3-2 win.

It was tough to see a United team pull out this extremely defensive style as the home side and superior club, but with its defense still on shaky ground, Thomas Walker must feel it is necessary. Walker was brought in to play an exciting style of play, which has produced a league-leading number of goals but has exposed a defense that doesn’t have the chops to be stout. He’s had to make adjustments for his defense in almost every game for months. Still, United find themselves in third in the league table to he must be doing something right.

The same can be said for Hannibal Mejbri, who continues to be an absolute sensation for Manchester United. His two game-making plays today won’t go down in the stat sheet, but he has been thoroughly impressive and it is fair to ask if he has been United’s best-midfielder in recent weeks among a group that includes all-world talents like Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes. Hannibal is still only 18, but he continues to shine in the biggest league in the world.

On a more disappointing note, Julián Álvarez once again failed to make an impression, becoming virtually invisible in today’s game. His performance was so disappointing that Walker was forced to take him out at halftime. This was Álvarez’s third Premier League appearance and he has yet to have a single moment that impressed. Perhaps this is just an example of Álvarez having to adjust, or for Thomas Walker to figure out how to best use Álvarez, but his play has thus far been disappointing.

With the win, Manchester United remain in third, ties on points with Chelsea and Liverpool who have a game on hand, with 54 points. Watford stay in 16th despite the impressive showing with 24 points. United will next be in action in Round 5 of the FA Cup on Wednesday, March 2nd. Watford will host Doncaster on the same day.

Manchester United: 3 Goal Scorers: Cristiano Ronaldo (44'), Cristiano Ronaldo (63'), Marcus Rashford (75') Assists: Anthony Martial, Anthony Martial, Bruno Fernandes Watford: 2 Goal Scorers: Ozan Tufan (21'), Juan Camilo Hernández (73') Assists: Tom Cleverley, Juraj Kucka

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Álvarez Struggling to Adapt

Manchester United's biggest winter signing has failed to impress in his first games

By Felix Short | February 27, 2022, 7:30 AM EST

Julián Alvarez was removed at half time of yesterday's United comeback win over Watford (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

Manchester, England – Manchester United’s one big signing in the winter window was Argentine forward Julián Álvarez, and it’s fair to say that his initial month in the Premier League has not met his wildest expectations. Álvarez has appeared in three games this month and was pulled at halftime of United’s recent 3-2 win against Watford.

“He’s getting his feet under him,” United manager Thomas Walker said in his morning press conference, “He’s never played outside of South America, and the football is different. He’s got tremendous talent, and he’ll figure out what he needs to do to make an impact, but it’s coming. He’s going to get there, I’m confident of that.”

In his three appearances, Álvarez has looked small and has been bullied by the Premier League’s bigger and more physical defenders. This has prevented him from getting the ball in spaces that he can be dangerous and has made him virtually invisible for long stretches of games.

United bought Álvarez from River Plate after the player won the Rey de Fútbol de América in December. He won that award for scoring 22 goals in 45 games for River Plate over the course of 2021, leading the Argentine giants to the Copa Libertadores final against Palmeiras. He was brought to United to help them overcome the season-ending injury to Jadon Sancho.

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What I'm Hearing: Howie, Schmitt, Bada

There is a lot of excitement about the crop of youngsters that are starring in United's Academy

By Logan Plant / @plantlounited / February 28, 2022, 7:30 AM EST

Godwin Bada has impressed everyone at United's Academy (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

What I’m Hearing – Manchester United has one of the most celebrated youth academies in world soccer, having produced some of the legends of the game including the likes of David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Sir Bobby Charlton, Ryan Giggs and Phil Neville. Today, the youth academy is still an integral part of the lifeblood of United’s identity. With that in mind, here are some things I’m hearing about the youngsters.

Dave Howie – Despite Manchester United’s purchase of Julián Álvarez, and their many departures, grabbing the transfer window headlines, United also made a flurry of big-money signings on youth prospects. The first one they locked up, just hours after midnight on January 1st, was Dundee United sixteen-year-old goalkeeper Dave Howie. Howie, coming from Scotland, arrived at United almost immediately and has had little difficulty making an impression on United’s academy staff. The boy from Dundee has been demoted from the Scottish Premiership to the Under-18 youth league and he’s been showing his class among the youngsters. Simply put, Howie has been everything United could’ve hoped in terms of his quickness in net, his ability with his feet, and his reading of the game. It’s so advanced for such a young goalkeeper that the staff believes they have a future superstar on their hands. Still, he’s stuck at the Under-18 level at the moment. That may change before this season is up because…

Bruno Schmitt – Schmitt has taken his game to a new level since the new year broke out. Schmitt has reestablished himself as a Manchester United-level goalkeeper in the eyes of the United staff in recent weeks and has been dominant in net for United’s Under-23 side. Schmitt was considered one of United’s top academy prospects last summer, but he struggled to adapt to the Under-23 game, prompting many to write him off as a potential future first teamer. That doubt was punctuated when United bought a new, highly price keeper for £3.8 million pounds in January, but Schmitt has made the adjustments and has worked hard. I’m hearing that his improvement has catapulted him back into the discussion for United, not just for the future, but potentially even for the current season. Having sent Dean Henderson to Rangers, United may be willing to give a young goalkeeper an opportunity in a meaningless game later on this season. If that opportunity does present itself, Schmitt will be first in line to take it.

Godwin Bada – Speaking of high-level young players, none have made such an impression as the kid from Nigeria, Godwin Bada. United brought Bada to Manchester earlier this month. The club hadn’t even heard of the kid until January, before scouting him daily with the Nigerian national team, then spending £8.5 million to bring him to Northwest England. Money well spent is the message I’m hearing from Academy sources. United wanted to see more activity in Bada’s game, and they are already seeing that. They wanted to work on his weight and body to get him ready for Premier League football. Weeks into United’s strength and conditioning program and the staff is seeing a difference. One of the reasons they loved Bada was his awareness of the game and his ability to connect difficult passes and they’re seeing that in abundance. Bada has been playing with both the Under-18’s and Under-23’s and it’s clear he’s the best midfielder in United Youth Set Up at the moment, and they see him having a breakout similar to Hannibal Mejbri next season. Bada is a future key piece in their midfield and everyone has been excited by what they’ve seen.


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What I'm Hearing: Botha, Schmitt, Hanssen
What I'm Hearing: United 'Amazed' By Talent at AFCON
Confirmed: Reece Devine to Spezia
What I'm Hearing: Sholatire, Hardley to Bolster First Team

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Congratulations to Cristiano Ronaldo, #MUFC February Player of the Month!



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United Advance Over Fulham

Amad, Scott McTominay Score in Hard Fought Win to Advance to Quarterfinals

By Felix Short | March 2, 2022, 11:59 PM EST

Scott McTominay had the game of his life with thirteen steals and a goal (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

Manchester, England – Manchester United hosted Fulham in the Round of Sixteen of the oldest cup competition in the world, the FA Cup, on Wednesday, with a trip to the quarterfinals on the line. Fulham, who had performed admirably thus far in this tournament, would come up short despite an honest and tough performance, to the Premier League giants at Old Trafford. United came away from the game, a game that featured none of Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes or Raphaël Varane, 2-0 at home and are now await their fate in the next round.

The game started slow, with neither team putting much together in the way of competent offense over the first ten minutes. The first chance of the game was put forward by Hannibal Mejbri to Amad, who took the chance in the 12th minute, but put it wide of the target. Fulham would earn the next chance, in the 20th minute, when midfielder Tom Cairney put a chance up from outside the box, that looked menacing off his foot, but that David De Gea deflected out of bounds.

It was United that managed to affect the scoreboard first. Luke Shaw, who played an outsized role in this game, playing more forward against Fulham than we’ve seen in United’s Premier League games, broke to the corner with little pressure. That gave him the space to put in a good cross. The ball was aiming for Paul Pogba, but Fulham defender Michael Hector beat Pogba to the punch and attempted to head the ball out of danger. He failed in that pursuit, as the ball tipped his head but kept its direction. The ball flew past Pogba, but wound up at the feet of Amad, who was wide open in front of goal. Amad caught the ball with his knee then lined up the shot and put it past the keeper to put United up 1-0 in the 27th minute.

But Fulham wasn’t to be put away easily and forward Harry Wilson would find the next significant chance in the 34th minute, when from deep he fired a shot past De Gea but missing the post as well as flew harmlessly out of bounds. For much of the first half Manchester United struggled to get the ball into Fulham’s side of the field through the midfield and as a result, Fulham looked much like the better side, despite trailing 1-0 at halftime. This was compounded by Hannibal Mejbri, who turned the ball over consistently while trying to make plays, made effective by a cohesive Fulham midfield that applied pressure well.

Julián Álvarez would get United’s first chance in the second half in the 50th minute after Pogba put him in a position to take a shot. That was deflected by the Fulham keeper. That one play would be an aberration as Fulham continued to stymie the United attack, holding most of the possession despite not creating a ton of chances on David De Gea’s goal. This would change in the 75th minute when a mental mistake cost Fulham dearly. Midfielder Harrison Reed made an unwise slide tackle on United’s Diogo Dalot, with his spikes up, which resulted in a red card, forcing Fulham to a 10-man squad. This changed the calculus for United who, with a numerical advantage, were finally able to get going.

Soon after they delivered the sealer, and it was a beautiful sequence that reminded everyone who was truly the better side. Luke Shaw took the ball down the left flank, before putting in a cross to Amad, who cut toward goal, who, instead of shooting, played an extra pass into Pogba in the middle of the pitch near the top of the box. Calmly, Pogba waited for the defense to close in before dumping the ball off to Scott McTominay, who was running into the box. McTominay gathered the ball and fired it into the top left corner of the net, as United wowed their fans with a display of excellent coordination and teamwork. With the 2-0 lead in the 79th minute, and Fulham down a man, the game was virtually over and the final ten minutes played out that way with United cruising to the next round of the FA Cup.

Scott McTominay was the undisputed man of the match, being credited with one of the highest player ratings of any United player all season. His 79th minute goal was impressive, but it was his defensive performance that prevented Fulham from getting a single shot off in the second half. His thirteen interceptions turned United’s goal into a no-go zone and United consequently kept a clean sheet.

“It was a good game,” said McTominay, “I don’t know, I just felt good. Felt active. I think as a team we felt that way, and when we play that way we can play really well defensively until our offense gets going. Really a fun game for us.”

With the win, Manchester United will advance to the FA Cup quarterfinals. They will find out their opponent for that game tomorrow after the draw. In the meantime, they will prepare for the Manchester Derby this Saturday, as Manchester City will host United in the Etihad for a game that is crucial for Manchester City’s hopes of moving back into a competitive position this season.

Manchester United: 2 Goal Scorers: Amad (27'), Scott McTominay (79') Assists: Paul Pogba Fulham: 0 Goal Scorers: n/a Assists: n/a

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Doncaster Rovers to host Manchester United

Manchester United will once again face a lower division team with a trip to Wembley on the line

By Felix Short | March 3, 2022, 4:30 PM EST

Doncaster Rovers have been one of the Cinderella teams of this tournament (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

Manchester, England – Following Manchester United’s Round 5 win over Fulham, they were once again given a lower-tier team to face in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup. On March 12th, United will do battle with Doncaster Rovers to earn a trip to Wembley for the FA Cup semi-finals. In that contest, United will be the heavy favorite over the third-tier side.

Doncaster has been one of the Cinderella’s of the FA Cup so far, advancing to the quarterfinals despite ranking near the bottom of the league table in League One. The team hosted Oxford United in their opening round, defeating them 2-1. They then hosted Cheltenham in Round 3, where they drew 2-2 and relied on a 1-0 road win in the replay to advance. They’ve been better since, traveling to Championship-side Sunderland and winning 2-1 before beating Premier League-side Watford at Vicarage Road 2-1.

“We’re ready for the challenge,” proclaimed Manchester United manager Thomas Walker after the draw. United, for their part, haven’t seemed to take the FA Cup particularly seriously, giving ample opportunity to their younger players to strut their stuff. That strategy carried them to a 3-2 win at St. James’ Park against Newcastle in January, but they’ve been matched up with fourth-tier Newport County and second-tier Fulham in the two rounds since and those younger players have shown themselves to be comfortable in both of those games, leading to 5-1 and 2-0 wins.

Ironically, if United does win, they could face yet another lower division team at Wembley, as Bradford City (3rd Tier) and West Bromwich Albion (2nd Tier) are set to face off on March 12th, with one of those teams guaranteed a spot in the semi-final. The other match ups will pit Liverpool against Southampton and Leicester City against Manchester City, who is aiming to find some positive in their disastrous season.

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What I'm Hearing: Schmitt to be Given First Team Chance

17-Year-Old Goalkeeper Bruno Schmitt Will Begin Training With the First Team and Could Debut Soon

By Logan Plant / @plantlounited / May 4, 2022, 7:30 AM EST

Bruno Schmitt has emerged as a potential option for Thomas Walker at keeper (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

What I’m Hearing – Sources are telling RedDevilUnited that 17-year-old goalkeeper Bruno Schmitt will begin training with the first team, and that his performance may lead to him starting Manchester United’s FA Cup Quarterfinal match against Doncaster Rovers on March 12th.

“He’s been phenomenal in recent weeks and United are ready to see what he’s got at the senior level,” our source said. “The plan is to put him on loan next season so he can get a whole season as a starter under his belt, but they want to see what he’s got now. They expect him to do well and handle the experience and be better off.”

Manchester United bought Schmitt from VfB Stuttgart in the summer of 2020 for £1 million, and he had been their most highly prized goalkeeper until early January, when they spent £3.8 million to bring Dave Howie in from Dundee United. Coincidentally, it was around this time that Schmitt started to really improve his game, so much so that United felt comfortable letting Dean Henderson leave on loan.

In fact, they believe that Schmitt, who was born in Germany, but grew up a Manchester United fan, has reemerged as a long-term goalkeeper option for the club and they are keen to set eyes on him with the first team club and potentially in game action.


MORE FROM RED DEVIL UNITED
What I'm Hearing: Howie, Schmitt, Bada
Confirmed: United Sign Egyptian Youth
What I'm Hearing: Botha, Schmitt, Hanssen
What I'm Hearing: United 'Amazed' By Talent at AFCON
Confirmed: Reece Devine to Spezia