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Rumour: Oumar Solet One to Watch

Manchester United is interested in the RB Salzburg defender

By Logan Plant / @plantlounited / April 18, 2022, 7:30 AM EST

Oumar Solet is enjoying a breakout season for RB Salzburg (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

Rumour – Sources are telling RedDevilUnited that Manchester United are interested in signing RB Salzburg center-back Oumar Solet this summer. Solet, who turned 22 in February, has been enjoying a breakout season for the Austrian Bundesliga club, appearing in 29 games and becoming a force for the title favorites.

United have been linked to enough center-backs in recent months for us to assume that they want to add a center-half to the fold this summer to pair with Raphaël Varane. United have rotated Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelöf, and Harry Maguire into the first team, but still own one of the more underwhelming defenses in the Premiership. They currently rank 10th in the Premier League in goals allowed, and most would point the finger at the list of center-backs whose skillsets don’t match what Thomas Walker is looking for.

That’s what makes Solet so intriguing. Unlike Maxence Lacroix or Ronald Araújo, who United have been linked with in recent months, Solet would be a cheaper buy. He’s currently valued at €15,000,000, but still has many of the same intangibles as the two previously mentioned players. He’s got Champions League experience, he’s a rangy 6-foot-4 athlete that will win aerial duels and has the speed and athleticism to play in Thomas Walker’s system. In fact, he seems like an ideal fit playing next to Raphaël Varane.

With a much lower price point, comes less proven quality. With Salzburg, Solet played in six Champions League games, and spent the league season playing in Austria. That level of competition won’t adequately prepare him for the Premier League. United may go after Solet this window, but fans should be disappointed if he represents the sole signing that the club makes at that position. He’s likely not ready to come in immediately and contribute for a league winning side at this level.

Still, he’s young and would represent an interesting buy for a club that generally prizes big names over cost efficiency. This may signal that under Richard Arnold and Thomas Walker, United will look for fit and value over marketability, something that was mysteriously lacking in the Ed Woodward era.


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Bruno, Ronaldo Star in Win over Spurs

Manchester United avenged a 4-1 loss in the reverse fixture to build separation in the league table

By Felix Short | April 20, 2022, 11:59 PM EST

Anthony Eland's 52nd minute goal sealed victory for Manchester United (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

Manchester, England – Manchester United entered Wednesday Night’s game with Tottenham having won their last four games and looking to avenge an October beatdown that they took at Tottenham Stadium. United lost that game 4-1, but they’re a different team now, improved on defense and flittering with confidence having advanced deep into the Champions League and FA Cup. This was also a game with significant implications for the league title race, with United only one point in front of Spurs, currently in 5th. United entered the game with 64 points, while Tottenham sat on 63.

The Red Devils earned the first dangerous chance of the game when Bruno Fernandes and the high press forced a turnover deep in Tottenham’s side. Fernandes looked and fired, but Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris was able to deflect it out of bounds in the 9th minute. On the ensuing corner, Cristiano Ronaldo made contact, but headed it off the cross bar, repelled by the defense.

United did break through just a few minutes later, in the 17th minute. Scott McTominay chipped the ball high above the defense, into the box. Bruno Fernandes was the first to get to it, and he slammed it on target on the first touch. Hugo Lloris got a finger to the ball, but his outstretched hand wasn’t strong enough to prevent Fernandes from giving United the 1-0 lead.

Tottenham responded quickly however, finding the equalizer in the 23rd minute. Playing deep in United territory, Rodrigo Betancur found Pierre-Emily Højbjerg inside the box, before Højbjerg pounded the ball past United keeper David De Gea for the early equalizer.

Unwilling to face a similar fate as bestowed upon them against Tottenham in October, United retook the initiative almost immediately, and were able to retake the lead in the 34th minute. That play was initiated by Scott McTominay, who collected a loose ball before pinging it forward to Anthony Elanga, who pushed it farther forward to Bruno Fernandes. Bruno held the ball firm, bringing Tottenham center-back Davinson Sánchez in, in order to free up space for Cristiano Ronaldo sneak in. Bruno dumped the ball into the vacated space before Ronaldo slammed it past Lloris.

Marcus Rashford would have another chance for United before the half, but his ball was deflected by Lloris, harmlessly falling to the ground before the half was called. Still, United entered the half in seemingly full control of the game.

United punctuated that dominance early in the second half, adding a third goal and effectively ending the game in the 52nd minute. To add insult to injury, it was the Tottenham back line that caused the goal. Center-back Eric Dier was getting pinned down and threated by Cristiano Ronaldo. He decided his best course of action was to pass to another member of his back line instead of punting it deep. Unfortunately for Dier, he didn’t see Anthony Elanga sprinting that direction. Elanga was able to intercept the pass, push into the box, get knocked over by Tottenham’s Christian Romero, and still a weak shot into the bottom left corner of the net, past Hugo Lloris.

That goal gave United the 3-1 lead that would never seriously be threatened for the remainder of the game. United has become increasingly adept at killing games, something they struggled with mightily back when these two teams played in October. Now, it was nor problem.

Bruno Fernandes was named man of the match for his goal and assist, but the defense was the stalwart today. United was credited with 26 interceptions, demonstrating their improvement in that category over the course of the season.

“Our defense was tremendous today,” said United manager Thomas Walker, “I’m really proud of how these guys have improved and bought in and now they’re demonstrating that they can play at this super high level.”

There was a downside for as Fred was forced from the game with an injury in the 49th minute after a collision with Pierre-Emile Højbjerg. United were still waiting for a diagnosis, but it didn’t seem to be too major. We will likely hear more about that injury in the morning.

With the win, Manchester United move up to 4th with 67 points, creating a bit of separation between them and Tottenham, who stay at 6th with 63 points. As evidenced by the proximity of the top six teams this season, it will be one hell of a title race, and even a race to finish in the Champions League zone.

United’s next game will be at Wembley Stadium on Sunday for the FA Cup semi-final against Cinderella-side Bradford City. United are the heavy favorites in that game. Tottenham will travel to Brentford on Saturday to continue their Premier League march.

Manchester United: 3 Goal Scorers: Bruno Fernandes (17'), Cristiano Ronaldo (34'), Anthony Elanga (52') Assists: Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes Tottenham: 1 Goal Scorers: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg Assists: Rodrigo Betancur

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Fred Out With Knee Sprain

It's Unclear if Fred Will Return this Season for Manchester United

By Felix Short | April 21, 2022, 7:30 AM EST

Fred has improved greatly under the tutelage of Thomas Walker. (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

Manchester, England – Manchester United will be without Fred for the next several weeks after he sprained his knee in yesterday’s game vs Tottenham. Fred injured the knee in the 49th minute after colliding with Tottenham’s Pierre-Emile Højbjerg. He was immediately removed from the game.

“Fred has been so good for us lately, that’s it’s really tough to be without him,” said United manager Thomas Walker after the game, “He has really adapted to his role in our system and he’s become an integral, even special part of what we want to do, and I’m really proud of him for that. For all the hard work he’s put in to become that. That’s what makes this news so tough.”

The last day of the Premier League season is May 22nd, and it is unclear at present if Fred will return before then. It’s within the realm of possibility that Fred has played his last game for Manchester United this season.

On the year, he has played 36 games, making 31 starts, scoring a goal and assisting on seven others. He’s also been integral to United’s improved defense since the start of the season, becoming better as a destroyer that can make stop opposing offenses in their track. Certainly, United will miss Fred, especially in their upcoming UCL match ups with Liverpool.

Without Fred, Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matić are expected to have bigger roles.

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United Announce Preseason Game at Hull City

Thomas Walker's Side Will Open the Preseason Domestically in a Game Against Hull City

By Felix Short | April 23, 2022, 7:30 AM EST

Hull City are in serious danger of being relegated to League One this season. (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

Manchester, England – Manchester United today announced another Preseason game heading into next season. They will face Hull City on July 11th at MKM Stadium in Yorkshire.

Given that the World Cup Final is the next day, it is unclear how many players will not be participating in this game because of their national team obligations at the world cup. Certainly, any player on a team in the semi-finals will be unlikely to play in that game.

With that in mind, this game seems to be a prime opportunity for Thomas Walker to get a look at some of the younger players, and some of the players returning from loan, to see how they have transformed their game over the course of this season. Players like Tahith Chong, Jimmy Garner and Ethan Laird all had healthy stints in the English Championship this season and each will be eager to prove to Thomas Walker that they’re prepared for playing time with the first team.

This is the fifth game that United has scheduled for the preseason next year, but it will be the first chronologically. A few days after this game, the team will be traveling to Japan where they will face Gamba Osaka, Kashima Antlers and Ajax over the week of July 16th to July 23rd. Manchester United are also scheduled to play a game against Olympique Lyonnais in Geneva, Switzerland on July 30th.

Manchester United are also interested in playing a final preseason game on August 3rd, but an opponent for that game has yet to be settled on. Rumors indicate that that game may be played in Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland.

As for Hull City, the Manchester United game will be a helpful boost of confidence for a team that seems likely to end this year in the relegation zone. If Hull City are to be a League One team next year, starting off against Manchester United may be the boost they need to have a successful campaign.

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United End Bradford City's FA Cup Dream

Manchester United controlled the game in a 3-1 FA Cup Semi-final win over 4th tier Bradford City

By Felix Short | April 24, 2022, 11:59 PM EST

Julián Álvarez was clearly the best player on the pitch for the first 45 minutes (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

London, England – The entire nation of England was behind major underdogs Bradford City. The fourth-tier side has pulled off one of the most improbable FA Cup runs in modern times and has galvanized the little guys across the nation. Including a win over Arsenal at the Emirates, Bradford City has shown the country that they have the talent to compete at this level. They earned the trip to Wembley Stadium, but unfortunately for the boys from Valley Paradise, their run would not culminate in a cup title as they ran in to the Premier League juggernaut Manchester United.

Some pundits gave Bradford City a chance due to the fact that United have a UEFA Champions League match up with Liverpool in three days, and they elected to rest many of their stars. It wouldn’t matter, as the Premier League talent of one of the world’s best clubs shone through regardless.

United got off to an early start, earning their first chance in the 2nd minute when Cavani took the shot. Bradford City keeper Alex Bass deflected the ball, but back into the field of play, where Amad found and fired it. That ball hit off the post and bounced out, but it was clear that Manchester United was setting the tone early.

The overwhelming favorites put in the first goal of the game in the 12th minute with some clever play. Edinson Cavani forced a turnover deep in Bradford City’s side. Cavani then flicked it to Nemanja Matić, who blasted the ball forward, into the box for Julián Álvarez, who beat his defender to the ball, and had an easy shot on goal, putting it in the back of the net.

The Red Devils doubled their lead just four minutes later in the 16th. Attacking down the right flank, Diogo Dalot pushed the ball forward to Shola Shoretire, who put it forward again to Julián Álvarez, who drew the defense toward the tight side of the box, before making a beautiful cross, across the face of the keeper, to Amad, who slammed it home.

United was in complete control. Bradford City did not get its first shot off until the 36th minute. By then, the game was already over, and United punctuated that fact before the half. In injury time of the first half, Phil Jones made a tremendous two-line-breaking pass to Julián Álvarez, who spun and put the ball forward to Shola Shoretire in motion, who sprinted past the defense, earning a one-on-one with the keeper, before slamming it far post to give United a 3-0 half time lead.

Manchester United went kill the game mode in the second half, holding possession and keeping the ball away from their own net. 18-year-old Goalkeeper Bruno Schmitt continued to look good in his third appearance for the senior team this season. He’s clearly a youngster with a bright future.

Manchester United replaced Schmitt with the veteran Lee Grant in the 83rd minute, marking Grant’s first appearance of the game. Unfortunately for Grant, it was on his call that Bradford City scored their lone goal, a header off a corner kick by Andy Cook in the 87th minute. Aside from that one moment, United looked dominant, even with so much young talent in the game, and they cruised to a 3-1 victory to send them to them FA Cup Finals.

“This is an amazing tournament,” said United manager Thomas Walker after the game, “The crowd, the energy, this stadium and atmosphere. It’s magical, and I now see why there is so much passion in this tournament. It really matters and I can’t say enough about how amazing this environment was today. Kudos to the fans and the Association and everyone involved with making this possible. It was amazing.”

Manchester United featured six teenagers in today’s game, and all played well or had a serious impact. The likes of Hannibal Mejbri, Amad, Shola Shoretire, Bruno Schmitt, Björn Hardley, and Charlie Savage all getting extended time in a game of this magnitude, and to perform in such a dominating way, is a true testament to how impressive Thomas Walker has been when it has come to developing and integrating the youth players.

Argentine Julián Álvarez won the man of the match, credited with a goal and two assists in the first half. The most impressive aspect; he was removed at halftime to add another defender, but his impact and control of this game was undeniable. United may have just found another young gem to add to their rotation in the January transfer window.

Despite the semi-final loss, Bradford City has still had a tremendous season, and look poised to elevate to the third tier this season in what has been an unbelievable campaign.

As for United, they will advance to play Manchester City for the FA Cup Trophy on May 14th. City beat Southampton earlier today, 2-0, in the other semi-final. But before that, Manchester United will host a Champions League semi-final against Liverpool this coming Wednesday, as United continue to impress under Thomas Walker.

Manchester United: 3 Goal Scorers: Julián Álvarez (12'), Amad (16'), Shola Shoretire (45'+1) Assists: Nemanja Matić, Julián Álvarez, Julián Álvarez Bradford City: 1 Goal Scorers: Andy Cook (87') Assists: n/a

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Álvarez Finding His Groove

After a slow United start, Julián Álvarez has been on fire in April

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

Julián Álvarez has five goals and two assists this month. (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

Manchester, England – Manchester United bought Argentine forward Julián Álvarez at the end of January as they hoped to bolster their attacking play in the absence of Jadon Sancho, who tore his ACL in December and will miss the remainder of the season. United sent £18.6 million to River Plate to acquire Álvarez, meaning that expectations weren’t huge immediately for the 21-year-old.

In fact, he struggled out of the gate, seemingly getting bullied in the very physical Premier League. In fact, the reigning South American Player of the Year didn’t find the net until an April 2nd match up against Leicester City, a full two months after he arrived.

That’s beginning to change as Álvarez becomes more comfortable with his new club. Thomas Walker has stated as much recently.

“Julián had to get his feet wet,” said the United boss, “but he’s coming along and he’s really, quickly adapting to the game here and becoming a tremendous piece to our puzzle.”

Álvarez was the man of the match in United’s FA Cup semi-final win over Bradford City despite only playing 45 minutes. He had a goal and two assists in the first half.

However, it’s his ability to immediately impact a game off the bench that has shone through in recent weeks, including in an April 16th game against Norwich City in which he came on as a substitute, and used his fresh legs to pull off a wild 75-yard run and finish that helped United win that game.

If Álvarez can become a star super-sub, using his speed against tired legs, Manchester United may have found themselves a real weapon to carry them through the rest of this season.

After his recent performance against Bradford City, he’s now made eleven appearances for United with five goals and two assists.

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Manchester Derby in the FA Cup Final

City Have a Chance to Redeem Their Awful Season with an FA Cup Trophy

By Felix Short | April 25, 2022, 7:35 AM EST

Thomas Walker and Pep Guardiola shaking hands after United's 2-1 win at the Etihad. (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

Manchester, England – Manchester United will face off against Manchester City in the FA Cup Final as their string of lower-tiered opponents finally comes to an end in the final. After dispatching Newcastle in their opening game, Manchester United were then paired with Newport County, Fulham, Doncaster and Bradford City on their way to the final, all four of which are in the lower divisions.

Manchester City had a more traditional route to the FA Cup final. They defeated Huddersfield in their opening round win 1-0 before dispatching Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 in Round 4. They then proceded to eliminate a trio of Premier League opponents on their way toward this game, dispatching Wolves and Leicester City in the buildup to this past weekend’s semi-final win over Southampton.

For City, a victory in the final would be a silver lining for an otherwise disastrous season by their standards. After crashing out in the group stages of the Champions League, City found themselves struggling to keep pace in the league. At this point, their league title hopes are shot, and they look poised to finish seventh behind Tottenham. If they do finish 7th, they would be set to play in the Europa Conference League next season, but an FA Cup win would bump them into the Europa League. That’s a minor consolation for a team that expects to compete for Champions Leagues every year.

United and City have already met twice this season. United thumped City at Old Trafford at the height of their disfunction in November. That game ended 6-0 and exemplified everything that Manchester City had gotten wrong up until that point. The two teams met again at the Etihad on March 5th, where United came away with a comfortable 2-1 victory. That home loss truly ended any hopes Manchester City had of making a late push in to the top four.

Still, a FA Cup win and a birth in the Europa League would be a small victory to end the season for one of the most talented teams in England. The FA Cup Final will take place on May 14th at Wembley Stadium in London.

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United Earn 3-2 Win in First Leg

Liverpool, United will head to Anfield next week to determine who plays for the UCL Title

By Felix Short | April 27, 2022, 11:59 PM EST

Aaron Wan-Bissaka was the unlikely hero for Manchester United (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

Manchester, England – Old Rivals met again on Wednesday night at Old Trafford as Manchester United and Liverpool once again prepared to do battle, with stakes as large as there ever were. The two storied English programs would be battling each other twice over the next week with a spot in the UEFA Champions League Final on the line. The magnitude of this game was immense and the atmosphere, thanks to the Old Trafford fateful, matched the importance.

Liverpool and United had already faced off three times this season, with the most recent meeting being the dullest, a 1-1 draw at Anfield. The two previous match ups were everything but dull, and they came in back-to-back games in October when these two teams met for a thrilling 3-3 draw at Old Trafford, followed three days later by a 3-2 league cup win for United at Anfield. Given how these two teams have paired in the first year under Thomas Walker, the European soccer world had all their eyes on Manchester for this game.

It did not disappoint. Liverpool came out firing with their vaunted pressing system, but United was prepared for it, and had a bit of a pressing system of their own. And it was United’s system that opened up the scoring in the 10th minute. United fullback Aaron Wan-Bissaka intercepted a pass from Liverpool’s Thiago, then proceeded to take the ball down the right flank. Sensing his teammate coming, Anthony Elanga broke inside, and was followed by Andrew Robertson, leaving the right flank completely exposed to the generally defensive Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Seeing the opening, Wan-Bissaka took the ball all the way into the box. Liverpool’s defense never really attempts to shift toward Wan-Bissaka, instead ensuring that they blanketed Cristiano Ronaldo and Elanga. With no outlet to cross to, Wan-Bissaka instead elected to just take a shot. It proved to be a tremendous decision, as he put it past Alisson for the opening goal, leaving the entire Liverpool defense dumbfounded at how that play unfolded.

That was the lone shot on goal for much of the first half as both teams brought their hard-working boots to the pitch. That is, until the 42nd minute when United scored once again. Once again, on the counterattack, Aaron Wan-Bissaka brought the ball down the right flank. This time, Liverpool fullback Andrew Robertson stepped up to block Wan-Bissaka’s path, which opened up space for Paul Pogba to receive a through ball near the box. Pogba, being chased down by Virgil van Dijk, was able to just get a toe on the ball to push it towards Cristiano Ronaldo before the big dutchmen chased him down. With van Dijk out of the picture, Cristiano Ronaldo had the ball in front of net and, as he usually does, slammed it into the netting.

But Liverpool wasn’t interested in getting blown out, and deep into injury time of the first half, Mo Salah spun out of three defenders to help put his side on more level ground. Following his spin move, he found Roberto Firminho with a half step on Raphaël Varane. Salah put the ball in the perfect spot for Firminho to take a first touch shot, which he did, slamming it past De Gea to give Liverpool their first goal going into the intermission.

But United regained control in the second half, scoring a third early on, in the 49th minute. Cristiano Ronaldo put in a cross that was intercepted by Liverpool, which immediately triggered United’s heavy press. Liverpool center-back Joel Matip felt the pressure, and played it back to Alisson, who immediately turned to play it to Virgil van Dijk. But Alisson did not see the incoming Anthony Elanga, who intercepted the ball inside the box, with the Liverpool keeper completely unprepared. Elanga coolly put the ball in net, ending a highlight reel blooper that gave United a 3-1 lead.

It was at this point that United looked to step on the gas, bringing in Marcus Rashford and Julián Álvarez as team speed in the hopes of netting another one on Liverpool’s tired legs. It didn’t work though, and the tide even began to turn in the final fifteen, with Liverpool beginning to pick up some steam. Desperate to pad their lead, United couldn’t sense the danger and adjust, and it cost them in the 80th minute when Diogo Jota put in a cross that found Mo Salah between a sea of Red Devil defenders. Salah headed it low and hard, and put it past De Gea to pull Liverpool within one.

Nervous about his lead, United boss Thomas Walker added another defender to the field, ensuring United closed out the game without giving up a third goal. They would take their one-goal advantage to Anfield next week, hoping it was enough.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka was named man of the match for unlocking United’s offense in the early going. His early goal gave United breathing room, and his passing helped lead to United’s second goal of the half. He also played great defense.

These two teams will play the second leg of this semi-final at Anfield in six days’ time to decide who will play in the UCL Final later next month.

Manchester United: 3 Goal Scorers: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (10'), Cristiano Ronaldo (42'), Anthony Elanga (49') Assists: Paul Pogba Liverpool: 2 Goal Scorers: Roberto Firminho (45'+2), Mo Salah (80') Assists: Mo Salah, Diogo Jota

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Rumour: United Keen to Bring Johnstone Back

Sam Johnstone Graduated from the United Academy and Could Be on His Way Back

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

Despite being in prime position to earn promotion to the Premier League, Sam Johnstone expects to leave West Brom (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

Rumour – Sources tell RedDevilUnited that Manchester United are deeply interested in bringing West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Sam Johnstone back to United on a free transfer this summer. Despite manning the net for West Brom for the last four seasons and bringing them to the verge of promotion to the Premier League, Johnstone feels he’s ready to make a move up the ranks.

Johnstone, a Preston-native, developed in the United Youth Academy and was a part of the United system until making his permanent move to West Brom in 2018. He never made an appearance for the United senior team but did make ten separate loan moves in the years between his Academy days and his fresh start at West Brom. Since joining the Baggies, he’s made 167 appearances and has played well enough to earn himself three caps with the English national team.

As far as United is concerned, Johnstone would likely be insurance as they try to settle the very difficult situation they have at the goalkeeping position. After struggling for years, first choice keeper David De Gea was finally able to find his form this season under Thomas Walker. That came just as Dean Henderson expected to elevate to first choice, after being first choice for the second half of last season under Ole Gunnar Skolsjær.

Desperate for first team minutes, Henderson and United orchestrated a loan move to Rangers in January, where Henderson has helped the Scottish giant regain poll position in the Scottish Premiership. But Henderson is slated to return to United at the end of this season, where he will presumable either want guaranteed minutes, or a permanent move to a club that will offer him those minutes. As far as De Gea, he’s already the highest paid goalkeeper in the world, but his contract only extends to the end of the 2022-23 season and United would surely like to reduce his wage, if not move on altogether.

So where does that leave room for Sam Johnstone? A source told me that if Dean Henderson is sold and Sam Johnstone is brought in, he would compete with De Gea, and could possibly assume the starting role at United the following year if De Gea is unwilling to sign a contract at a reduced wage. For a boy that grew up a United fan, that may be a tempting offer.


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Rumour: United Willing to Break Bank for Mbappé
Rumour: United Almost Bought Tchouaméni in January

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What I'm Hearing: United to Continue Youth Signing Trend

The United Board feel that finding and attracting young players to the academy is key to club success

By Logan Plant / @plantlounited / April 29, 2022, 7:30 AM EST

Rumour – Sources tell RedDevilUnited that Manchester United are going to be big spenders in the transfer market this summer when it comes to acquiring youth players. Since the arrival of Director of Football John Murtough, Manchester United have been significantly more aggressive in buying young players to bring to their academy, instead of exclusively spending money on first-team ready players--the traditional transfer strategy for Manchester United.

Murtough and the United board doubled down on that by hiring a coach known for introducing young players into the first team and getting the best out of them. And this season, their investment has begun to pay major dividends. It’s most recognizable in the contributions of young Hannibal Mejbri, who United bought for £5 million from AS Monaco in the Summer of 2019. This season, at age-19, he’s broken out into the first team and produced five goals and eight assists, while looking like one of the most promising young midfielders in Europe.

Amad is another player that has blossomed into a legitimate first-team player under Thomas Walker this season. United bought Amad from Atalanta in the summer of 2020. That summer also included the purchase of goalkeeper Bruno Schmitt from VfB Stuttgart, who has now made his senior team debut, and looks promising as a potential future United backstop. Other players that have been brought in in recent years that are showing promise include Facundo Pellistri, Godwin Bada, and Dave Howie.

Now that United have begun to see the fruits of their expenditures, I’m told they are going to double down on their efforts and will look to re-shape their roster-building philosophy around the academy.

Thomas Walker will be key, and United may look to his old stomping ground, LOSC Lille, to pluck talented youngsters. Lille was earning a reputation for doing exactly what United is trying to do and Walker will have an intimate familiarity with their academy. His relationship with those players may mean he will be looking to pluck some of their top prospects and bring them to United.

I’m also told that United will spend a lot of time and energy in South America this summer, particularly Brazil, to see if they can identify any top-level youngsters’ worth bringing over. Real Madrid and Manchester City have done this in recent years and have found it startingly successful.

United clearly have several issues with the first team that need more immediate addressing and they’re certainly going to spend money to fix those issues, but almost everyone around the United offices recognize that a serious portion of their budget will go toward finding and attracting young players to come to United, as they have been doing over the previous two-to-three summer transfer windows.


MORE FROM RED DEVIL UNITED
Rumour: United Keen to Bring Johnstone Back
Rumour: Oumar Solet One to Watch
Rumour: Barcelona's Araújo Emerging Target
What I'm Hearing: Fish, Kovář, Ali
Rumour: United Willing to Break Bank for Mbappé

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Ronaldo Scores, Brentford Relegated, United Draws

Sandwiched between UCL Semi-Final games, Manchester United drew to last place Brentford

By Felix Short | April 30, 2022, 11:59 PM EST

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 30th goal of the season against Brentford (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

Manchester, England – After an emotional victory in the Old Trafford leg of a UEFA Champions League semi-final win over Liverpool, and before the second leg on Tuesday at Anfield, Manchester United were matched up against last place, relegation-assured Brentford in a game that still held surprising importance for the league title race. United are still just points off the league lead despite entering the game in 5th on 67 points.

This game was also one that United needed to take seriously, considering that Brentford earned a 3-3 draw in the reverse fixture in a game that United needed late heroics from Anthony Martial to save from total disaster. It’s true that that was a United squad deeply struggling in the back end, but it was nevertheless a game that Brentford could have and probably should have won. To that end, United started stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Raphaël Varane instead of resting those three to remain fresh for Tuesday’s match up with Liverpool.

It didn’t matter, as for whatever reason, Brentford once again showed that they have United’s number this season. Brentford earned a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford today; dampening United’s league title hopes and potentially damaging their chances to earn Champions League soccer next season. It was an unfortunate draw for Brentford too as the single point mathematically confirmed their relegation to the English Championship next season.

Despite the confirmation of their relegation, they played well, and were on the front foot for most of the game. Even United’s first goal didn’t really change their mentality as they fought hard and played well throughout. That first United goal came in the 21st minute when Hannibal Mejbri put a tremendous through ball into Cristiano Ronaldo, beyond the defense. Ronaldo collected the ball in the box, and took the shot, but it was deflected by the knee Brentford keeper Álvaro. Unfortunately for Brentford, the deflection carried the ball to the same spot that Ronaldo’s momentum was carrying him. That put the ball back at the foot of Ronaldo who, despite the tighter angle, didn’t miss on his second chance.

That goal was Ronaldo’s 30th of the Premier League season, pushing him closer to breaking Mo Salah’s Premier League record. Ronaldo set the Premier League record in 2008 with his 31-goal season, meaning he was also approaching his own personal Premier League record with this goal. United fans were desperately hoping to see him tie his own record with another goal in this game.

That wasn’t meant to be. In fact, it was Brentford who was the better team for much of the rest of the game. Ivan Toney earned Brentford’s first real chance in the 30th minute. That was saved by De Gea, but just a few minutes later, Brentford would get off a shot that De Gea couldn’t save. After a miscommunication by United, Saman Ghoddos had a small window of opportunity from outside the box. He took the shot and put it into the top left corner, earning his first goal of the season and putting Brentford level with United.

Coming out of the half, Brentford were clearly the better team, and earned an excellent chance to take the lead in the 56th minute. That resulted in a shot by Brentford’s Youssef El Arabi, but it was again saved by the excellent David De Gea. United substituted Marcus Rashford and Julián Álvarez in the 62nd minute to try to overwhelm Brentford with speed, but that didn’t work either as Brentford withheld and came away with a gutsy 1-1 draw.

United’s last real opportunity came in the 82nd minute when Julián Álvarez used his quickness to find space in the box and get a shot off, but Álvaro was able to save it. Brentford left Old Trafford relegated, but with their heads held high.

The result was devastating for Manchester United’s league title hopes. They remain in 5th with 68 points, but now seem unlikely to catch and surpass all of Liverpool, Chelsea, West Ham, and Leicester City. As for Brentford, they were officially relegated today, and remain in 20th place with 21 points on the year.

The man of the match was United keeper David De Gea. He made seven saves on the game, including two big-time stops that helped United keep the draw. That performance will hopefully bode well for United as they head to Anfield on Tuesday to face Liverpool in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final.

Brentford will host Southampton next weekend.

Manchester United: 1 Goal Scorers: Cristiano Ronaldo (21') Assists: Hannibal Mejbri Brentford: 1 Goal Scorers: Saman Ghoddos (34') Assists: Sergi Canós

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