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What I'm Hearing: Hahn, Nicol, Bada

United sees expansive leadership potential in young attacker

By Logan Plant / @plantlounited / April 30, 2022, 11:59 PM

Patrick Nicol may look to leave the United Academy this summer (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 Gary 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.

Julian Hahn – I’m hearing that Manchester United really loves the future they see for Julian Hahn and they think he’s got all the right mental and physical traits to blossom into a first team player for Manchester United. He’s the fastest player in the academy and most of the academy staff would agree that he has the best attitude of any youngster at Carrington. Hahn is a first in, last out type of player who has completely bought in to the Thomas Walker style. Undoubtedly, Hahn is raw when it comes to his understanding of the game, but he’s an intense worker who has been watching film religiously in an attempt to get better. He’s played the majority of this season as a winger, but United still feel his future is as an all-around attacker who can play at any forward spot. The Under-18’s didn’t get a ton of production from Hahn this season, but the staff doesn’t mind as long as they see the well-rounded nature of his game continue to improve. They know the final product will be the last thing with a player like Hahn. His speed and athleticism will continue to be his calling card moving forward and his leadership traits and work ethic give the United staff confidence that he will make it through.

Patrick Nicol – United’s Under-18 team was filled with attacking talent, and United’s senior squad is also full of young attacking talent. The break outs of Anthony Elanga and Amad and the purchases of Jadon Sancho, Facundo Pellistri, and Ove and Daniel Hanssen, has Nicol a bit nervous about whether he will get a chance with Manchester United, I’m told. I’m hearing rumblings that Nicol and his representatives may be in contact with Borussia Dortmund about a possible transfer to the premier developmental club in Europe right now. That would be a blow to United because they feel he fits in well with all of the forwards just mentioned. Nicol has represented the Scottish national team at youth level and doesn’t seem to have the same attachments to Manchester United that other Mancunian boys seem to have. With that said, it seems like this decision for Nicol is a business decision as he may look to make the move to Dortmund before looking to make a move back to the Premier League in a few years.

Godwin Bada – Manchester United’s Under-18 team made the FA Youth Cup Final and will have a chance to win the trophy for that competition on May 10th when the U-18 team takes on Blackburn Rovers’ U-18 team. One of the best players for United since arriving in January is Godwin Bada, who Manchester United bought for £8.5 million. In fact, Bada has been so good at that level that I’m hearing there’s a chance he’s given his senior team debut this year. Bada already has the size and athleticism needed to play in the Premier League and the United staff are very pleased with the improvements he’s made in his work rates in the short period of time that he’s had at Carrington. Thomas Walker seems like the type of coach that would love to reward his players for special accomplishments and I’m hearing a FA Youth Cup win would put Bada on in line for a Premier League appearance.


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Re: United.

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



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Re: United.

Telles Out With Concussion

United Fullback to Miss UCL Match Up with Liverpool

By Felix Short | May 1, 2022, 7:30 AM EST

Telles was immediately removed after a collision with Youssef El Arabi. (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

Manchester, England – Manchester United will be without Alex Telles for the foreseeable future after Telles suffered a concussion in this weekend’s game against Brentford. Telles took a nasty knee to the face from Brentford’s Youssef El Arabi in the 51st minute, and has yet to pass concussion protocol.

Telles was immediately removed from that game, joining Fred on the list of unavailable defenders. United’s physicians confirmed that he would not be available for the midweek Champions League showdown with Liverpool. The club remains hopeful that he will return by this weekend’s Premier League match with Brighton.

“Alex is a great player, and he took a nasty hit,” said United manager Thomas Walker, “We just want to make sure he’s okay, and we’ll worry about football later on.”

Telles has played in 27 games this season, scoring one goal on a tremendous run in an FA Cup match against Newcastle on January 8th.

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Ronaldo, Álvarez Propel United Past Liverpool

Old Rivals Dueled Again at Anfield, With Manchester United Advancing to the UCL Final

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

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

Liverpool, England – Manchester United entered Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final at Anfield with a one goal lead in aggregate against the favored-Liverpool side, having won the Old Trafford leg 3-2 last week. They also came in having faced Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool side four times already, which gave Thomas Walker plenty of time to formulate the optimal game plan to beat Liverpool, and that’s exactly what happened with a pair of late goals that sealed United’s birth in the Champions League Final.

Both teams had to play a league match over the weekend, and both teams suffered greatly. United’s Premier League hopes took a terrible hit on Saturday in a home draw to last-place Brentford, and Liverpool, despite beating Newcastle, saw star defender Virgil van Dijk leave the game with an injury that cost him an appearance in this match. He would be replaced with the talented, but young Ibrahim Konaté. With the stage set, these two giants were once again ready to do battle.

The game started with nervous energy and quickly settled in to the physical battle that Premier League teams are so accustomed to playing week in and week out. Audiences around the world marveled at the physicality displayed by each team in the early going. That physicality meant little in the way of exciting offense, but both teams were picking up scars and bruises that only made the game more chippy.

It wasn’t until the 18th minute that either team earned a shot on goal. That came from the foot of Cristiano Ronaldo, who pounded it, but was rejected in a world class save by the fingertip of Liverpool keeper Alisson. Liverpool’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Diogo Jota, Mo Salah each had successive chances over the next fifteen minutes of action, but poor aim and good goalkeeping by De Gea prevented Liverpool from getting that early home goal that would have invigorated the crowd and leveled the playing field on aggregate.

By surviving that brief onslaught, United kept their head held high, before regaining their footing and taking this game into the half with as a scoreless draw. United designed their lineup, without the recently injured Fred, to withstand the pressure from Liverpool’s attack and it was keeping hold. But it turns out they were saving it for the second half when Liverpool, because of their intense press, was getting tired.

Then they unleashed it in the 60th minute in the form of Julián Álvarez and Diogo Dalot. Now, United was on the front foot, and ready to counterattack with the speed of Ronaldo, Rashford and the fresh legs of Álvarez and Dalot. And it was those substitutes that helped United breakthrough in the 70th minute. Diogo Dalot, with his fresh legs, initiated the counter, racing down the sideline, earning United a three-on-two against Liverpool’s center-backs. Dalot put in a beautiful cross to Julián Álvarez, who used his speed to get past Ibrahim Konaté. But Álvarez made the selfless play. Instead of attempting a difficult header on to goal, he simply deflected it into the open space of the field that Cristiano Ronaldo was occupying, giving Ronaldo an easy tap in and putting United up 4-2 on aggregate, nearly sealing their Champions League Final spot.

This triggered an all-out blitz from Liverpool to desperately try and find late goals. This only left them more vulnerable to the counterattack, especially without Van Dijk, and it cost them in the 83rd minute. On the counter, Ronaldo got behind the defense, and drifted to the right side of the box, taking the keeper and the chasers with him. This gave him the space to tap a cross in front of the face of the goalkeeper to the unoccupied space on the other side, where Julián Álvarez had room for an easy tap in. He slammed it instead, sending a message that Manchester United would be going to the Champions League final.

“That was a war,” said United manager Thomas Walker after the game, “an absolute war, against a general and his warriors. Liverpool was incredible tonight, but we had the right game plan and we have some incredible talent, and I just can’t say enough. Our guys are warriors and they went out and put on a gutsy performance, and I’m sure the fans all over the world enjoyed it. What a battle.”

Cristiano Ronaldo was named the man of the match for scoring and earning an assist, and really dragging United’s offense along for the first hour of the game. Ronaldo goal was his 15th of the competition, meaning he will need a brace in the final to tie the all-time Champions League record.

Manchester United will play either Bayern Munich or Inter Milan on May 28th at Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, Finland for the right to be called the Champions of Europe.

Manchester United: 2 Goal Scorers: Cristiano Ronaldo (70'), Julián Álvarez (83') Assists: Julián Álvarez, Cristiano Ronaldo Liverpool: 0 Goal Scorers: n/a Assists: n/a

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United to Face Bayern Munich in the Final

The Champion of Europe Will Be Crowned on May 28th, Between Manchester United and Bayern Munich

By Felix Short | May 3, 2022, 7:30 AM EST

Robert Lewandowski was the runner up to the Ballon D'Or in December. (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

Manchester, England – By defeating Liverpool on Tuesday, Manchester United officially punched their ticket to the Champions League final, as their improbable run continues, and will culminate on May 28th at the Stade de France in Paris. They will take on Germany’s Bayern Munich in a match that will pit United against the runaway Bundesliga champions.

Bayern Munich will enter the match up as the heavy favorites, having already run away with the Bundesliga, allowing them to spend the rest of this month focusing on this match with Manchester United. United are also widely seen as the less talented team, having been outplayed by both Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool for long stretches in the previous two rounds.

United were seen as fortunate to escape a quarter-final matchup with tournament favorites Paris Saint-Germain. Despite winning that match up 7-4 on aggregate, many blamed poor decisions by then- PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino for United’s win. Pochettino was fired after the second leg loss at Old Trafford. United’s ultimate 5-3 win in the second leg was boosted by two late goals that came when PSG was fully committed offensively and flattered United. In reality, Paris Saint-Germain were the more talented squad for much of the 180 minutes.

Still, Manchester United have proven resilient in big games, and have been better in continental competition under first year manager Thomas Walker than they have in the Premier League, where they have at times fallen flat, and could still finish outside of Champions League position if they don’t finish the league season strong.

Their continental success has been bolstered by Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored fifteen goals in the competition to date, easily the most by any player. That number was helped by a four-goal performance against Villarreal in the group stage, where United easily dispatched Villarreal, Atalanta, and Young Boys, before coasting past Sporting CP in the Round of Sixteen.

Bayern Munich emerged from Group E, finishing first in a group that included Barcelona, Benfica, and Dynamo Kyiv. Bayern then defeated Shakhtar Donetsk in the Round of 16, Sevilla in the Quarterfinals, and Inter Milan in a dramatic penalty shootout last night at San Siro Stadium in Italy.

Bayern is led by Julian Nagelsmann, one of Europe’s other star young managers, and to whom Thomas Walker has been frequently compared. Like Walker, this is Nagelsmann’s first season at one of Europe’s most famous clubs, having arrived at Bayern from RB Leipzig last summer. His line will be led by Robert Lewandoski and Thomas Müller, who are the second and third leading goal scorers in this years’ UCL respectively.

As previously mentioned, Bayern Munich have an insurmountable lead in the Bundesliga, and have already been eliminated from the DFB-Pokal, Germany’s major cup competition, meaning they will be able to spend much of the month with their eyes fixed clearly on Manchester United.

United on the other hand are locked in a close five-way battle for the Premier League title, that could see the club finish first, or fifth, depending on how they finish. They will also be responsible for a game against Manchester City on May 14th in the FA Cup Final, meaning Thomas Walker’s side will have plenty on its plate before this game.

The game will take place at 8:00 PM on May 28th in Paris, France.

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Alex Telles has returned to training today! #MUFC


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Confirmed: United Sign Prized Youth Midfielder

Former Brighton Star Toby Collyer Signs With Manchester United Over Rivals

By Felix Short | May 6, 2022, 7:30 AM EST

Toby Collyer has captained England at youth level. (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

Manchester, England – Manchester United have completed the signing of one of England’s most promising young talents following a months long battle for his services. Today, United officially inked 16-year-old midfielder Toby Collyer to a four-year contract, ensuring that they collected one of the most highly prized youth players in the nation. Collyer chose United after an intense recruitment battle with West Ham, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Brighton--the club he has spent the last nine years with.

“This is an important signing for us,” said United Director of Football John Murtough, “This is a player we identified early, from a great family, with a great attitude, and all the right stuff. He has the footballing talent, but he also had the drive, and we believe that he has the right attitude of a Manchester United player.”

Collyer has captained the English Youth National Team at both the Under-16 and Under-17 levels and has been praised for his leadership skills by almost every coach that has worked with him. In fact, some around the Three Lions Program believe that he can have the type of locker room impact that they see from current-West Ham midfielder Declan Rice.

Like Rice, Collyer has become a stalwart holding midfielder for every team he’s played for, playing with a level of physical dominance that is rarely seen at the youth level. To be that effective at such an important position in the modern game is rare, and explains why Collyer ranks as one of the most highly touted English prospects in youth soccer.

“We did everything we could to keep Toby at Brighton,” said Brighton Sporting Director Dan Ashworth in recent weeks, once it became clear that Collyer would not renew his contract with the Seagulls. “He’s a Brighton lad through and through, and we will be watching his career closely and perhaps there will be a time when he returns to our club when he can have a dramatic impact.”

Ashworth’s attempt to maintain a relationship with Collyer underscores just how highly valued Collyer is. He will join Manchester United on a free transfer, having allowed his deal with Brighton to expire in January. He is currently valued at over £4 million by transfermarkt.

Since the arrival of John Murtough as Director of Football, United has prioritized the signings of young, talented players who are not quite ready for first team soccer, but who nevertheless have the potential to grow into incredibly valuable footballers. Prior to Britain leaving the European Union, Manchester United focused on young talents in France and Spain, signing youngsters Hannibal Mejbri, Willy Kambwala, Marc Jurado, Álvaro Fernández, and Alejandro Garnacho. They also spent £1 million to bring a 16-year-old Bruno Schmitt to United from Germany.

Since Brexit became official, United have instead focused their efforts on recruiting top talents from within the United Kingdom. This can be seen in the signings of Charlie McNeill from Manchester City and Dave Howie from Scotland’s Dundee United. Collyer seems to be next in line, a 16-year-old with the talent to radically impact United’s midfield one day. This can be huge for a club like United, who may be able to save £100 million pounds on a signing like Declan Rice if they can instead develop a player like Collyer.

Of course, since Brexit, these young, talented English youths have become increasingly valuable to all the major clubs in the Premier League. That’s why Collyer sparked a long, and drawn out, recruiting process that lasted over four months and saw the likes of West Ham, Chelsea, and Manchester City present serious opportunities for Collyer.

Sources indicate that Collyer ultimately chose Manchester United because of the plan that Thomas Walker and John Murtough presented to him. Walker was the only first team coach to become personally involved in his recruitment. That relationship, as well as Walker’s demonstrated success of developing and integrating young players at LOSC Lille, gave United the decisive edge.

“I’m really excited to get started with this new journey,” said Collyer on his Instagram following the signing of his paperwork with his new club, “I’m honored to be able to wear the badge and I look forward to all the great things we will do together with this club.”

Collyer signed a four-year contract, that will take him to his age twenty season.

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Ronaldo Hattrick Sets the Standard

Cristiano Ronaldo broke the Premier League goals record with a hattrick at Brighton

By Felix Short | May 8, 2022, 11:59 PM EST

Ronaldo Reclaimed His Record in Emphatic Style on Sunday (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

Brighton, England – Coming off their big Champions League semi-final victory over Liverpool, Manchester United had to immediately turn their attention back to the league, hoping to desperately make up ground on some of their rivals to keep any chance of winning the league alive. That began on Sunday at Amex Stadium as United travelled to Brighton in the hopes of earning three points and keeping their Premier League hopes alive. United needed a win, and an easy win would be preferable, and that’s exactly what they got, defeating Brighton 4-1.

United started the scoring in the 18th minute. Bruno Fernandes found space and took a shot that Brighton keeper Robert Sanchéz deflected over the post. But on the ensuing corner, Bruno Fernandes found Cristiano Ronaldo, who headed the ball hard into the bottom corner of the net for his 31st goal of the season. The goal tied his personal single season record in the Premier League that he set during the 2007-08 season and put him one shy of Mo Salah’s all-time Premier League scoring record.

He tied that record nine minutes later. After forcing a turnover, United’s Luke Shaw juked Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey, which opened up plenty of space in front of him. Shaw dribbled into Brighton’s side of the pitch, before finding Ronaldo with a through ball beyond the defense. Ronaldo was first to the ball, slamming it near post, past Sanchéz to put United up 2-0 and to give him a share of the Premier League scoring record. The two goals for Ronaldo overshadowed the fact that United were dominant in this game and cruised through to half time with a two-goal lead.

Nothing truly changed after half time in the pace of the game, but Cristiano Ronaldo had eyes on changing the record books. It only took him three minutes to do so. This time it was Paul Pogba who played the ball into Ronaldo, who had beaten Brighton’s Marc Cucurella with pure speed into the box. Tailing toward the base line, with the angle becoming ever tougher, Ronaldo blasted it into the top opposite corner. There was nothing Sanchéz could do except settle in for a long moment of appreciation for one of the greatest soccer players of all time. The goal was his 839th of all time, and once again gave him a record that only he could achieve.

And while there was a long pause to let Cristiano celebrate with his teammates, the game did eventually continue, and it continued in much the same way it had been going. United scored a fourth goal just six minutes later, when Marcus Rashford deflected an attempt to go long from keeper Robert Sanchéz. The ball flew straight up instead, and landed inside the penalty box, with United’s Paul Pogba the closest to the ball. With the keeper out of position, Pogba made no mistakes and slammed the ball into the back of the net. In the 54th minute, United had a 4-0 lead.

After this goal, Cristiano Ronaldo was taken off in favor of Edinson Cavani. Ronaldo’s slow walk was given the full applause of the Brighton faithful who understood the moment they were witnessing.

After United had taken the pressure off, Brighton did manage to put a goal away late to send the home crowd home with a silver lining. Brighton’s Lewis Dunk found Jakub Moder in a good position inside the box. Moder turned and fired near post. The play was probably a moment United keeper David De Gea would want back, but it was hardly noticed as the clock ticked away.

For his hattrick and record setting performance, Cristiano Ronaldo was named man of the match.

“It is great,” said Ronaldo after the game, “I work hard, and for me, this was a goal of mine this season, and I am very happy to have gotten this. But now it’s all about trophies. We have the cup and the league the champions league and we’re still in a position to win many trophies here and that is my only goal from here on out. I want to win trophies. We want to win trophies.”

With the win, United jumped to 71 points. They remain in fifth but continue to be one of the five teams that still has a legitimate chance to win the Premier League title this season. They will travel to the Emirates on Wednesday to take on Arsenal. Brighton will host Southampton as the Premier League season continues to inch towards its conclusion, despite the incredibly tight race as the top of the table.

Manchester United: 4 Goal Scorers: Cristiano Ronaldo (18'), Cristiano Ronaldo (27'), Cristiano Ronaldo (48'), Paul Pogba (54') Assists: Bruno Fernandes, Luke Shaw, Paul Pogba Brighton: 1 Goal Scorers: Jakub Moder (81') Assists: Lewis Dunk

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Cristiano Ronaldo Owns the Record

With a Sunday Afternoon Hattrick, Cristiano Ronaldo Captures the Premier League Goalscoring Record

By Felix Short | May 8, 2022, 11:59 PM

Ronaldo notices his second Premier League hattrick of the season against Brighton. (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)

Manchester, England – Cristiano Ronaldo broke the Premier League record for goals in a 38-game season in glamorous fashion today at Falmer Stadium. The legend of Cristiano Ronaldo grew, as Ronaldo retook the record from Mo Salah on a day where he put three in the back of the net.

Ronaldo scored his 31st goal of the Premier League season in the 18th minute with a header off a corner kick from Bruno Fernandes. That 31st goal tied his previous United record, set in 2008, when Manchester United won both the Premier League and the Champions League. At the time, that was the record, and it stood for a decade until Liverpool’s Mo Salah captured the record with a 32-goal 2017-18 campaign.

Ronaldo claimed a share of that record just nine minutes after his opening goal, in the 27th minute. This time it was Luke Shaw that put Ronaldo in a position to score, with a through ball that Ronaldo slammed past Brighton Keeper Robert Sanchéz.

But Ronaldo wasn’t finished and scored the record-setter in the 48th minute. Paul Pogba played the ball into Ronaldo this time, and he flashed the signature athleticism that helped him score so many goals previously. He put that ball in the back of the net as well, marking his 33rd Premier League goal of the season, and clinching his place and his season in Premier League history.

“It’s an amazing feeling, but that’s because I was able to celebrate a victory,” said Cristiano Ronaldo after the game, “I know I’m the best, but I can prove that by winning more trophies. This record is cool and fun, but it’s only because I play for a great team that does a tremendous job.”

The goal marked Ronaldo’s 50th goal for the season in all competitions, a number that boggles the mind among Premier League competition. Ronaldo will still play in as many as three more Premier League games, so he will have a chance to extend his record even further.

“He’s the greatest,” said United manager Thomas Walker, “I’m just happy I’ve gotten a chance to witness his greatness up close. It’s unbelievable.”

Walker subbed Ronaldo off in the 55th minute for Edinson Cavani, giving Ronaldo an opportunity to bask in the applause of the Falmer Stadium. It was clearly a defining moment in the Premier League era, and the fans on hand to watch certainly understood that.

The goal was his 117th in the Premier League in both of his United stints. In all competitions he’s scored 170 goals in a United shirt. Including his time with Sporting, United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and the Portuguese National Team, Cristiano Ronaldo now owns a mind-boggling 839 goals in all competitions.

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Congratulations to Victor Lindelöf for his 200th Manchester United Appearance against Brighton! #MUFC


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Re: United.

Congratulations to Edinson Cavani for his 650th Appearance for Club and Country! #MUFC #Uruguay


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