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Rumour: United Willing to Break Bank for Mbappé
Manchester United want a young striker and PSG's Kylian Mbappé is their top target
By Logan Plant / @plantlounited
/ March 19, 2022, 5:30 AM EST
Aurélien Tchouaméni made a €61.5 million move to Real Sociedad on January 25th (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)
Rumour – Manchester United are keen on adding a young striker to pair with Cristiano Ronaldo this summer and they’re being linked to every big name that could be available. No name is bigger than Kylian Mbappé, who has established himself as one of the top players in the world and will be available on a free transfer this summer as his contract expires.
Much like United’s situation with Paul Pogba, Paris Saint-Germain have dealt with the impending departure of Kylian Mbappé for much of the season. The Parisian-born superstar has been linked to Real Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester United and others as PSG struggle to work with him on an extension. This latest rumour comes as United and PSG prepare to face each other in the Champions’ League quarterfinals, after this week’s draw.
“He’s the prototype forward for Walker,” a source told RedDevilUnited, “he’s the guy he would love, and he thinks he could get Kylian to have the type of production that only all-time greats deliver. He knows him well after facing him in Ligue Un over the last few years. Apparently Kylian knows Walker and likes him as well. But don’t get your hopes up as it’s a longshot.”
Our source indicated that Manchester United would be willing to break the bank for Mbappé, and would be willing to offer him more than they are currently giving Cristiano Ronaldo, which would make him the highest paid player in club and league history. Thomas Walker has expectations of being the best team in the world, potentially as early as next season, and Mbappé would be the type of player to take United’s offense to a new level.
Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are set to do battle at the Parc-de-Princes in Paris on April 5th and at Old Trafford on April 13th.
MORE FROM RED DEVIL UNITED
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What I'm Hearing: Howie, Schmitt, Bada
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Ronaldo's 28th, But Liverpool Earns Draw
Despite Giving Up a First Half Goal, Liverpool Battled Their Way to a 1-1 Draw at Home
By Felix Short | March 20, 2022, 11:59 PM EST
Cristiano Ronaldo missed two free kick opportunities today (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)
Liverpool, England – Manchester United and Liverpool lined up once again on Sunday for their third match up of the season, with most fans highly anticipating another showdown like the back-to-back thrillers fans witnessed in October. In the first match up, Liverpool earned the final laugh with a thrilling 3-3 draw in which they scored in the dying seconds. Days later, United got their revenge at Anfield in the EFL Cup when they defeated the Reds, 3-2.
“Those were great games,” said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp before the game, “but today we are focused on what is in front of us. There is nothing else, only forward, only today.”
To add further stakes, the winner of today’s match would take their place atop the Premier League table heading into the international break. Liverpool, in characteristic fashion, took the game to United early with their high press, forcing United to adjust. In fact, Liverpool were the first to put the ball in the back of the net in the eighth minute when after a steal by new arrival Youri Tielemans, the Liverpool midfield put a beautiful ball through to Sadio Mané who punched it past De Gea. The Anfield crowd went crazy, only to be silenced moments later when VAR declared Mané offsides when he received the pass.
So instead, it was Manchester United who scored first. After beating the high press via a long ball from Raphaël Varane across the pitch to Fred, the Brazillian midfielder showed his heritage by putting up an off-balanced lob in to the box in the space behind Trent Alexander-Arnold. Cristiano Ronaldo, with momentum, beat Alexander-Arnold to the ball before slamming it past Alisson for his 28th goal of the season in the 19th minute. With that goal, Ronaldo inches closer to the all-time Premier League record set in the 2017-2018 season by Liverpool’s Mo Salah.
That goal led to a flurry of opportunities for each side for the rest of the half. United’s best chance came in the 26th minute when Anthony Elanga put a reasonable ball in just high. Liverpool’s best chance came in the 38th minute, when Sadio Mané had an excellent chance in the box that required a tremendous effort by David De Gea to keep out. That save would ensure that this game entered halftime with United’s 1-0 lead intact, with eyes on the Premier League lead.
But Liverpool had other plans and came out hot in the second half. In the 48th minute, Youri Tielemans earned an opportunity, firing from the edge of the box, just being saved by David De Gea. United did have an opportunity to secure their lead in the 51st minute, when Marcus Rashford, racing down the sideline, but a cross in that was just beyond the outstretched foot of Anthony Elanga.
That miss would come back to haunt United in the 67th minute, when Youri Tielemans forced a turnover from Scott McTominay. Tielemans passed the ball to Fabinho, who put in a forward ball to Liverpool center-forward Takumi Minamino, who shot near post, past De Gea to tie the game.
That goal forced United into a formation change, bringing the electric Julián Álvarez to the field. Álvarez immediately made his presence known, using his quickness to blow by Virgil van Dijk, who was forced to foul the small Argentine. Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up to the ball in the 72nd minute, determined to return the lead to United. Alisson had other plans, protecting his net from the world’s best goal scorer.
Instead, it was Takumi Minamino who would have the last chance to win the game when he was handed a golden opportunity in the 93rd minute, but his ship was right at David De Gea, who deflected the ball out of danger, and securing a road draw for the Red Devils in another installment of this classic rivalry.
“We played hard today,” said United boss Thomas Walker, “This is a very tough environment and I’m just really proud of our guys for coming in and fighting hard. Especially David who was incredibly clutch.”
David De Gea was named man of the match for his seven save performance.
This game marked the last in England as the calendar turns into the international break. Both of these teams will be back in action on April 2nd, when Liverpool hosts Watford and Manchester United host Leicester City. With the draw, neither team collects the points necessary to take the league lead. Liverpool and United remain tied on points with 58, with Liverpool having the advantage on goal differential. They remain in third place while United settle for fourth.
Manchester United: 1
Goal Scorers: Cristiano Ronaldo (19')
Assists: FredLiverpool: 1
Goal Scorers: Takumi Minamino (67')
Assists: Fabinho
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Álvarez Getting Comfortable With United
After a slow start to his United Career, Julián Álvarez is getting more comfortable
By Felix Short | March 21, 2022, 7:30 AM EST
Julián Álvarez scored a brace in the FA Cup against Doncaster (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)
Manchester, England – Manchester United’s big winter splash was the acquisition of Argentine forward Julián Álvarez from River Plate. Álvarez arrived in early February to help United, who was hurting from depth perspective after losing Jadon Sancho to an ACL tear. He may his debut against Burnley and had looked uncomfortable in his first few appearances. Álvarez is small and it seemed that he was being bullied in the physical Premier League.
That seems to have changed in recent games. Álvarez announced himself to the United faithful with a loud brace against Doncaster in the FA Cup, and he came off the bench in yesterday’s game against Liverpool. In fact, almost immediately upon coming on, he earned a free kick for Ronaldo by outwitting and outpacing Virgil van Dijk.
“I feel better,” Álvarez said, “I feel more comfortable.”
His new manager, Thomas Walker, had more to say, “He’s definitely getting more comfortable. He’s an explosive athlete and he just needs to find a way to use that at this level. He’s getting there, you can see the sparks. He’ll be just fine soon enough.”
Álvarez has now played in seven games for Manchester United, having scored two goals. He has played mostly as a wide-forward and attacking midfielder.
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United Report: March International Window
A few players returned to their National Teams for the first time in a few windows
By Felix Short | March 21, 2022, 8:30 AM EST
Amad has been called back into the Ivorian National Team for a pair of European Friendlies (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)
Manchester, England – The May international window begins today, with the final entrants to the world cup being decided in the coming days. The finale of the CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, CAF, and AFC qualifying will take place over the next week, as well as the UEFA Playoff Spots. The rest of UEFA will be playing friendly’s this week as well.
The most important, and nerve-wracking games in Europe will be in the UEFA WCQ Playoffs, where seven Manchester United players have been called into duty. The biggest is Cristiano Ronaldo, who is attempting to lead his team back to the World Cup for his last show with the team. Ronaldo, along with Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, will need to defeat Turkey and either Italy or North Macedonia to advance to the World Cup.
In a similarly perilous situation is Sweden, Scotland, and Wales, who all have United players on their squad. The most exciting news is that Sweden has called up Anthony Elanga to the Senior National Team for the first time. He will be joined by Victor Lindelöf as they face the Czech Republic, if they win that game, they will face Poland. Scott McTominay’s Scotland and Dylan Levitt’s Wales are in the same pot and could face each other if both of their respective teams win their first game.
Elsewhere in UEFA, Raphaël Varane and Paul Pogba and France will host two African Nations, the Ivory Coast and South Africa for friendlies. The Ivorian team will include Eric Bailly, as well as the reintroduction of Amad, who was left off the African Cup of Nations roster.
The English National Team will also play the Ivory Coast on their European trip, after they’ve faced Switzerland. The English team will feature Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Other United players playing friendlies for UEFA Nations include Donny van de Beek, who’s Netherlands squad will face Denmark and Germany, as well as David De Gea and the Spanish National Team, which will face Iceland and Albania.
Five United players will be participating in CONMEBOL Qualifying. Julián Álvarez was called back into the Argentina National Team. This will be his first trip back to his home country since his big move to Manchester United in January. Argentina, who has already secured a World Cup bid, will finish their qualification campaign against Venezuela and Ecuador.
Similar to Argentina, Brazil has also confirmed their spot in the World Cup but must still play Chile and Bolivia to close out the cycle. Both Fred and Alex Telles have been called in to help the team complete the job.
In a more perilous situation sits Uruguay, who has not yet qualified for the World Cup, although they look in prime position to do so. They will have to do so without the support of Edinson Cavani, who has been out of action since suffering a concussion during the January window. They will have Facundo Pellistri however, who has staked his claim on a World Cup Roster spot over the previous windows. Uruguay will face Peru and Chile.
In Africa, Tunisia has a massive, home-and-away split with Mali to determine who will go to the World Cup. Hannibal Mejbri played a small part in Tunisia’s run during the African Cup of Nations, but his continued improvement at United may put him in position to have a major impact in this CAF playoff.
Lastly, worth noting is the selection of United youngster Zidane Iqbal to the Iraqi National Team. Iqbal will be with the team for their final World Cup Qualifying games against the UAE and Syria. Iraq does not appear to be in a position to challenge for a World Cup place, so adding Iqbal is an indication that they are looking to the future.
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What I'm Hearing: Fish, Kovář, Ali
There is a lot of excitement about the crop of youngsters that are starring in United's Academy
By Logan Plant / @plantlounited / March 31, 2022, 7:30 AM EST
Matěj Kovář has seen his stock at United fall with the arrivals of Bruno Schmitt and Dave Howie (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.
Will Fish – Most of the staff around Manchester United’s Academy would agree with the idea that the Academy is low on high-end defensive talent at the moment. Unlike in the midfield and in attack, there is a definite lack of depth and quality in the Under-23’s and Under-18’s. I’m told there are some lads they like that they’ll be signing in the next few years, but for now, the depth is thin. That’s why it’s been so noticeable when one begins to step up. Recently, that’s been Manchester native Will Fish. I’m told that the ’03 center-back has really taken advantage of the new nutritionists and strength coaches that came to United with Thomas Walker, and who’ve made a serious impact on the physical development of many of the top youngsters, including Fish. At 6-foot-1, Fish had good height and length, but he’s not getting bigger, stronger, and faster, allowing him to be a physical presence in the U-23 back line. In fact, he’s become the bull that’s helped United’s Under-23 play so well in the U-23 Premier League. If Fish can harness his new body, and continue to develop technically, I’m told he just may have a future in the first team. At 19, it is time for him to start making those types of moves.
Matěj Kovář – Speaking of players that need to make those types of moves, I’m told that Matěj Kovář, a 22-year-old goalkeeper for United, will be leaving the club at the conclusion of this season. Kovář is under contract beyond this season, but he will be aging himself out of the Under-23 league, and it’s clear the Czech-native does not, at present, have any real future with the club. In fact, there is some talk that he may be in line for a move back to the Czech Republic. His childhood team, Slovácko, is a team to keep in mind. I’ve been told that there is some interest in a reunion that would see Kovář as the starting goalkeeper in the Czech First League next year. If that does not come to fruition, there are likely several teams in League One or League Two that would love to have the 6-foot-4 keeper in their system. I’m told that Kovář’s circle believe his next move needs to be one where he will be getting regular first-team game time, which could necessitate a move out of England. Nevertheless, this will be one to track over the coming months. I’m told Manchester United will not stand in his way for a move.
Selim Ali – One name that we haven’t reported on much yet is Selim Ali, United’s last-minute signing during the January Transfer window. Ali was bought from Cairo-based club Al Ahly in the final hours of the transfer window after impressing United scouts in practice with the Egyptian National Team at the African Cup of Nations. I’m hearing that the adjustment has not been as smooth as United could have hoped. United do not have an Egyptian Arabic speaker in their Academy, and have been forced to hire a translator to help Ali settle in. The language barrier has made it difficult for Ali to integrate into the culture at Carrington, and that has had an effect on his performance on the field. I’ve been told that he will flash his immense talent at times, but that he struggles with consistency and may be struggling to adapt to his new life conditions. Unlike United’s other signing from Africa this January, Godwin Bada, Ali has not hit the ground running and appears to be a much more long-term project than initially hoped. As far as his on the field performance, I’m told that Ali is being taught how to play as a box-to-box midfielder. He has played his whole life as a classic number ten, and the team wants him to understand the responsibilities of a central midfielder. Along those lines, I’m told that they want to see progress with his defensive work rate. Still, they like the improvement they are seeing with his left foot and his technical ability on the ball, and it’s that very improvement that made United so keen on bringing him to Manchester as early as they did.
MORE FROM RED DEVIL UNITED
Rumour: United Willing to Break Bank for Mbappé
Rumour: United Almost Bought Tchouaméni in January
United U-18's Advance to FA Youth Cup Final
What I'm Hearing: Botha, Iqbal, Savage On Bench For FA Cup Match
What I'm Hearing: Schmitt to be Given First Team Chance
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Congratulations to Scott McTominay, #MUFC March Player of the Month!
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Leicester City Earn Win at Old Trafford
Leicester City's January Additions Made the Difference in Today's Game
By Felix Short | April 2, 2022, 11:59 PM EST
James Maddison scored the opener in todays game (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)
Liverpool, England – Manchester United and Leicester City met on Saturday in this weeks’ Premier League Game of the Weekend, pitting the 4th and 6th ranked teams in a match with significant implications for the Premier League title race. Both teams are within points of the league lead, and both have serious ideas about making a title run. Leicester City, having embarrassed United in a 5-0 win at King Power Stadium on October 16th, came in confident and they played that way for for much of the game. United, on the other hand, seemed like they were more focused on Wednesday’s showdown with PSG in Paris than they were in this league showdown.
Leicester City underwent an overhaul in the January Transfer window, jettisoning Youri Tielemans and Harvey Barnes along with two others for a £140 million input. They turned around and spent that on Francesco Acerbi and Viktor Tsygankov, and those two players came through big in today’s game.
Acerbi, the vicious and physical defender that he is, was a constant menace, forcing two United players into playing hobbled. His first victim was the diminutive Amad, who came out the loser on a header in the 10th minute. Julián Álvarez met the same fate in the 27th minute after he collided with Acerbi. That physical nature served Leicester City well as they began to put pressure on United’s defense.
It proved worthwhile as they notched the first goal of the game in the 17th minute. James Maddison put the ball out wide to Ademola Lookman at the edge of the box. As the defense collapsed on Lookman, he saw that Maddison was finding space in the box and put it on him. Maddison made no mistake, shooting on the first touch and putting it past the fingertips of David De Gea to put Leicester City up 1-0.
Leicester’s physicality kept them on the front foot, and it wouldn’t be long until the Foxes put up another shot, and another goal. This time, in the 22nd minute, with United’s defense unnecessarily disorganized, Jamie Vardy took the ball in to the box. He saw Ademola Lookman along the wing cutting and found him on the pass. Lookman crossed it across the face of goal to Viktor Tsygankov who tapped it past De Gea to give Leicester a 2-0 road lead in one of their biggest remaining games.
The game would go to halftime with Leicester City in complete control, having allowed zero shots from United. United’s key weakness in their 4-2-3-1 was their lack of physicality in their front line, with both Amad and Julián Álvarez on the wings being less physical players. They were being bullied by Leicester City’s back line, preventing the United attack from funneling the ball into Cristiano Ronaldo.
They got their first real chance of the game when Cristiano Ronaldo came deep to receive the ball, then found Amad making a clever run, but Amad put the ball wide right. Still, the play put energy into the stadium and United finally felt they had something. Four minutes later, Amad steaks the ball and put a tremendous, cross field through ball in behind the defense, where Julián Álvarez could run to it and get a shot off. That too was wide, but it once again raised the energy of the crowd.
Replacing Amad with Anthony Martial in the 59th minute also gave United a bit more size to work with and the momentum began to roll in their favor. Bruno Fernandes found Anthony Martial on the counterattack in the 68th minute, but Martial put it off the side post. Paul Pogba found Martial for a chance in the 73rd minute, but this time was blocked by the keeper. Finally, Manchester United put the ball into the back of the net in the 79th minute, when Paul Pogba, making a move down the left flank, put in a beautiful cross to Julián Álvarez who headed it past the Leicester City keeper for his first Premier League goal with United.
Down 1-0 and desperate to salvage a draw, United put maximum pressure on Leicester City, who was just aiming to hold on to their precious lead. They did well until the 93rd minute, when Cristiano Ronaldo found Anthony Martial, who thought he had room for the shot. He did not, as Francesco Acerbi once again made his presence felt, by deflecting the ball out of play. It was United’s last real chance, meaning Acerbi’s play was the game winner.
For his part, Leicester City’s other big acquisition, Viktor Tysgankov, was named Man of the Match.
“It was a tough game,” said United manager Thomas Walker in the post-game press conference, “I think we started to get what we needed in the second half, but in this league against this level of competition, that just wasn’t good enough.”
With the win, Leicester City moves up to fifth in the league with 59 points. United fall to sixth with their 58 points. Manchester United’s next game will be Wednesday night in Paris as they take on Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals. Their next league game will come next weekend at Goodison Park. Leicester City will host Crystal Palace next Sunday, April 10th.
Manchester United: 1
Goal Scorers: Julián Álvarez (79')
Assists: Paul PogbaLeicester City: 2
Goal Scorers: James Maddison (17'), Viktor Tsygankov (22')
Assists: Ademola Lookman, Ademola Lookman
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Edinson Cavani has returned to training with #MUFC!
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United Begin to Finalize Preseason
Manchester United will take a ten-day trip to Japan in their Preseason
By Felix Short | April 3, 2022, 7:30 AM EST
Manchester United will face the Kashima Antlers on July 20th in Tokyo, Japan (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)
Manchester, England – Manchester United announced their preseason plans for this upcoming summer today, which was highlighted by a ten-day trip to Japan, to help bolster the teams appeal in that country and to award many of their international fans. The team will play three games in that span.
They will open that trip with a game against Gamba Osaka at Panasonic Stadium Suita in Osaka, Japan on Saturday July 16th, 2022. The team will then travel to Tokyo, where they will play their remaining two games. The first will come against the defending J-League Champion Kashima Antlers on Wednesday, July 20th, before concluding this leg against Ajax on Saturday, July 23rd.
This trip to Japan will be United’s first trip to the country since the 2013 preseason. United officials made the decision to commit to the Japan trip in recent weeks after also considering a similar schedule in Mexico.
Manchester United also confirmed that they will be playing Olympique Lyonnais at the Stade de Genéve in Geneva, Switzerland on Saturday, July 30th, one week after their last game in Japan. This game had been widely reported yesterday when Olympique Lyonnais publicized their plans, however it was confirmed in today’s presser.
Manchester United also announced they would be playing two more preseason games, the first of which will take place on July 11th. That match will take place during the World Cup, so it’s likely that United will be with a limited roster for that game. No opponent has been announced for that game yet, but it seems likely that it will be against another team from England.
The team also announced a game for Wednesday, August 3rd. This will be Manchester United’s final preseason game before the Premier League season begins on August 14th. The Premier League will announce its 2022-23 schedule upon the conclusion of the English Championship Promotion Playoff in late May.
That August 3rd game will not happen if the team wins either the FA Cup or the Premier League, resulting in their participation in the FA Community Shield, which will take place on that date. Also of note is the UEFA Super Cup is scheduled for Wednesday, August 10th. United would participate in that game if they were to win the UEFA Champions League this season. They are set to face off against Paris Saint-Germain in the quarterfinals over the next ten days.
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Pogba Finished at United?
Paul Pogba and Manchester United may be headed for a split this offseason
By Felix Short | April 4, 2022, 7:30 AM EST
Paul Pogba has seven goals and nine assists in 31 appearances this season (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)
Manchester, England – There are conflicting reports out of Manchester that Manchester United has decided not to resign Paul Pogba at the end of this season. His contract is set to expire on June 30th.
“Paul is a great player,” said United manager Thomas Walker, “And we hope that for us and for him, it is best to stay at Manchester United. That’s really all I can say, because if it’s not a perfect match, then it’s not good.”
Those comments, after United’s 2-1 loss to Leicester City, set off alarm bells to reporters. Manchester United reportedly offered Paul Pogba a contract that would pay him £500,000 per week in December but were turned down at the time. That offer would’ve made Pogba the second highest paid player in Premier League history, only behind Cristiano Ronaldo.
One of the biggest reasons that United may feel like they’re in a position to move on without Paul Pogba is the emergence of 19-year-old Hannibal Mejbri, who burst out of Manchester United’s Academy and into the spotlight of United’s first team. At such a young age, Mejbri has dazzled spectators so far. In his sixteen appearances, he’s scored five goals and recorded seven assists.
United paid more for Paul Pogba in the summer of 2016 than any other player in their history, offering Juventus £89 million for the star midfielder. But that was half a decade ago, and the romance between Pogba and United isn’t what it once was. Despite winning the 2018 World Cup, Pogba hasn’t lived up to the hype, and has spent roughly half of his time at Old Trafford out with injury.
It is notable to point out that Pogba has stayed healthy this season, and has, to date, put in 31 appearances for United, scoring eight goals and earning nine assists. It’s also notable that he has played some of his better soccer this season after several underwhelming seasons under Ole Gunnar Skolsjær.
If Pogba does leave as a free agent this summer, he will have no lack of suitors, with Juventus, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain as some of the teams he’s been linked with.
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