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Re: United.
Lee Grant Announces Retirement
Veteran Goalkeeper Lee Grant Will End His Career After Three Seasons at United
By Felix Short
| June 6, 2022, 7:30 AM
Grant's final professional appearance came in an FA Cup Semi-final victory. He was subbed on in the 81st minute. (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)
Manchester, England – Lee Grant will not be a part of Manchester United next season. The 39-year-old, who joined the Red Devils from Stoke City in 2018, made three appearances for United in four seasons. As of today, he has retired from professional football.
“Lee was a hard worker,” said United manager Thomas Walker, “I always remember him. He knew his position at the club, but he never got discouraged. He’s certainly a class act, and I’m happy to see him falling forward into something new and exciting.”
Grant will quickly transition to a different aspect of football. He will be joining Ipswich Town as an assistant coach to Kieran McKenna. McKenna worked for Manchester United between 2018 and 2021 before becoming the manager of the Tractor Boys last season.
Grant was one of four first-team players for United, whose contract expired at the end of the season, and he will be the second to decide his future. Teammate Nemanja Matić agreed to a two-year contract to play in the midfield for AS Roma earlier this week.
Grant made over 500 career appearances in his career, with over one hundred coming for Derby County, Sheffield Wednesday, and Burnley. He represented England at youth level, playing 22 games between the U16 and U21 levels. He had not been a regular first-team starter since the 2016-17 season at Stoke City, his only season as a regular in the Premier League.
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Re: United.
Confirmed: United lose Nicol to Dortmund
Highly Prized Teenager Will Leave Manchester United for Bundesliga Club
By Logan Plant / @plantlounited 
/ June 7, 2022, 7:00 AM
Nicol leaves United to pursuit opportunity with Europe's top developmental club. (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)
Rumour – Sources have confirmed today that Manchester United has agreed to terms with Borussia Dortmund over the transfer of youth stand-out Patrick Nicol. Dortmund will pay United £3.5 million (€4.25 million) to buy out the last season of his contract.
Nicol leaving is a big blow to United, who greatly value his talent. Sources inside the United Youth Program believe Nicol has as much talent as anyone in the Youth System.
"Patrick is a great kid," said Academy Director Nick Cox in April, "He's absolutely got a bright future. Few kids his age have his talent and upside. He's a special athlete with a special ceiling."
Nicol, whom United lists at 5-foot-11, has excellent speed and is a dynamic playmaker in the final third. This is a kid Manchester United tried desperately to convince to stay in recent months. They were obviously unsuccessful.
Nicol made this move a priority, and United couldn't ignore his impending departure. He had one year left on his contract but had made it clear to United in recent weeks that he felt that Borussia Dortmund had a better chance to give him competitive opportunities to help him reach his potential. It is widely known that Nicol looked at Jadon Sancho as the model for his career path.
Sancho was in the Manchester City system until 2017, when he moved to Dortmund to pursue opportunities in the Bundesliga in one of the world's most well-respected youth development programs. In recent years Dortmund has bought, developed, and sold big names to the Premier League. In recent seasons, Sancho, Cristian Pulisic, Andriy Yarmolenko, and Pierre Emerick-Aubamayang made big moves back to England. Ousmane Dembélé and Alexander Isak both made big moves to big La Liga sides.
With this constant churn of top-quality players through the system, Dortmund should have plenty of opportunities to give to a promising young winger like Nicol. That pipeline will continue this summer when Erling Haaland leaves Dortmund as one of the biggest prizes in world football. Jude Bellingham and Gio Reyna are also top young players that could be sold next summer.
Nicol, for his part, also saw what was ahead of him at Manchester United. United bought Jadon Sancho just last summer and have since added Julián Álvarez to the mix. Anthony Elanga and Amad have also seen their stocks sore, with Facundo Pellistri, Shola Shoretire, and Alejandro Garnacho as significant prospects at the forward position Nicol would have to battle.
Nicol, who was born and raised in Manchester, will now leave his boyhood club, having delivered a FA Youth Cup victory and £3.5 million.
Sources tell RedDevilUnited that United worked desperately to put a buy-back clause into the transfer but was ultimately unsuccessful.
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Confirmed: United Win FA Youth Cup
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What I'm Hearing: Hahn, Nicol, Bada
What I'm Hearing: United to Continue Youth Signing Trend
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Re: United.
Arsenal Agree to Terms With Maguire
Manchester United CB Harry Maguire Will Move to the Emirates This Summer
By Felix Short | June 9, 2022, 7:30 AM
Maguire only started thirteen of United's sixty games this season. (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)
London, England – Harry Maguire's controversial Manchester United career is officially over after it was announced that he had reached an agreement with Arsenal over a move to the Emirates. After moving to United for a record fee for a center-back, £80 million, Maguire leaves three years later for just £31.5 million. He will join an Arsenal side poised to spend big this summer in support of manager Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal has big expectations for this coming season after failing to qualify for European football for the third straight year. Under Arteta, the Gunners have finished 8th, 8th, and 9th but have seemingly improved each season. Arteta has helped to nurture some of the brightest young talents in England in Emile Smith-Rowe, Gabriel Martinelli, and Bukayo Saka. Arsenal's problems have been up the spine, and they are hoping to amend that this season.
Arsenal took the first step in that pursuit last week when they agreed to sign Fábio Vieira from Porto, an attacking midfielder that will help their efficiency in the final third. Now, they've inked Maguire, who will give them a menacing, experienced presence in the back line that will help them concede fewer goals. They're also deep in discussions with Manchester City and Atalanta regarding a striker, hoping to add either Gabriel Jesus or Duván Zapata. Those additions will be bolstered by the returns of William Saliba and Matteo Guendouzi from very successful loan moves in Ligue Un.
Maguire will slot in nicely to a group of four center-backs that Mikel Arteta feels he can rely on next season. Last year, Gabriel and Benjamin White struggled with youth and lack of cohesion. White, in particular, struggled but still looks to have a promising future. Gabriel, who is left-footed, will likely slot next to Maguire to start the season. If those two thrive as expected, Arteta will still have Saliba and White to bolster the squad.
On top of steady defense, Maguire will also be expected to take on a leadership role. Many of the more experienced players on the squad are either leaving or losing playing time. Pierre-Emerick Aubamayang is already gone, and Alexander Lacazette and Granit Xhaka could move on this summer. In their wake are Saka, Smith-Rowe, Gabriel Martinelli, and Aaron Ramsdale, a group crying out for experienced leadership. Maguire should fill that role.
"We're going to be back in Europe after a season," Maguire told reporters this morning, "I'm excited to represent this great country at the World Cup, and I'm excited to get down to London as soon as it's over to get to work for Arsenal. That team has so much talent, and I'm confident we can do some amazing things. I'm really looking for to it."
The move ends a three-year term at Manchester United that was filled with controversy. Maguire struggled to live up to his price tag in his first season at Old Trafford and was only given more pressure after Ole Gunnar Skolsjær named him captain after one year. His leaky performances and play style left many fans hoping he wouldn't be in the plans when new manager Thomas Walker arrived. That turned out to be the case. Despite keeping his title as Captain, Maguire was benched for Raphaël Varane and a combination of Victor Lindelöf and Eric Bailly.
Beginning in mid-December, Maguire worked his way into a role with Thomas Walker's side. Maguire was often used as a late substitute that let United switch from a back-four to a back-five. With that structure, Maguire wasn't as vulnerable to pace, and United wasn't as vulnerable to the late assaults that had cost them a few games earlier in the season. In the end, Maguire made thirty appearances throughout United's sixty games. He made thirteen starts and scored a goal in the EFL Cup against Portsmouth.
Maguire will now get a fresh start for a club with droves of up-and-coming talent.
"That was an amazing adventure," Maguire said about his time at United, "I got to live out my dreams, and that was amazing. I've got nothing but respect for Ole and Walker and everyone on staff and in the clubhouse at that club. But now I play for Arsenal, and I'm looking forward to returning as a rival. I've been booed enough by the fans at Old Trafford, so I'll be used to it."
As for Manchester United, they will ultimately take a near £50 million loss on Maguire after three less-than-special seasons. In fact, Maguire may have been the catalyst for a change in direction at United that has seen them prioritize up-and-coming talent over established players. They've spent tens of millions on youth players since they bought Maguire and have focused on bringing in mid-range signings to complement the team where they need it.
Ultimately though, Maguire is still a good player, and Arsenal is eager to watch him show that. Simply put, he didn't fit the scheme and designs of Thomas Walker, who prioritized athleticism and range over Maguire's ability to bully in the box. As a result, he leaned on Raphaël Varane to pair with the rangier Victor Lindelöf and Eric Bailly. There was, in the end, no room for Maguire.
In his three seasons at United, he appeared in 137 games and scored six goals. For his entire career, he's made 470 appearances for five clubs, scoring 27 goals and assisting on 14 others in the process.
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Re: United.
Transfer Window Opens to Big Dominoes Falling
Kylian Mbappé Spurns Real Madrid and Man United for PSG, While Haaland Heads to City
By Felix Short | June 10, 2022, 7:30 AM
Kylian Mbappé signed a three-year extension with Paris Saint-Germain. (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)
TOP STORY: Mbappé to stay at Paris Saint-Germain
Paris, France – And the decision is in. Kylian Mbappé will officially remain with Paris Saint-Germain for the next three seasons on a lucrative contract that will likely make him the highest-paid player in world football. Despite serious overtures from Real Madrid and possibly European Champions Manchester United, Mbappé has instead chosen to re-sign with his hometown club. The decision was one of the most anticipated in recent memory and will keep Mbappé in Ligue Un for a few more seasons.
Real Madrid reportedly finished second and is reeling and, unsurprisingly, devasted. The club spent the last two years preparing for the moment Kylian Mbappé, the world's best young player, would join their ranks. They rejected Robert Lewandoski, Erling Haaland, and a re-run with Cristiano Ronaldo, all because they were convinced they would see Mbappé in the Bernabéu. Now, they're left reeling.
The other club reportedly in the mix, Manchester United, was decidedly less surprised. Mbappé and United manager Thomas Walker have spoken highly of each other during their bouts in Ligue Un. The club was rumored to be stockpiling a reserve that could make Mbappé the highest-paid player in Premier League history, but in the end, it didn't seem like they were very close to putting together what Madrid and PSG were able to.
As for the big winners, Paris Saint-Germain will again be able to pair the powerhouse trio of Mbappé, Neymar, and Lionel Messi next season as they try to win that elusive Champions League trophy. The Parisian giants fired coach Mauricio Pochettino after their Champions League exit to Manchester United and will reportedly let Mbappé have a say in who replaced him. The club spent €160 million in the winter window on midfield reinforcements in Franck Kessié and Rubén Neves, so they should be ready to spend big on defense this summer. With Mbappé locked in, they should be prepared to go.
LIVE Blog:
Another Haaland at City: Manchester City has closed an agreement with Borussia Dortmund center-forward Erling Haaland for £52.5 million as they attempt to climb out of a disastrous hole next season. The club has made its way into the Europa League via FA Cup Win, but their early Champions League exit this season and their seventh-place finish in the Premier League all speak to a team in desperate need of a reset. Last summer, they tried to lure Cristiano Ronaldo before a last-minute change of heart pushed Ronaldo to rival Manchester United, where he had one of the best seasons in Premier League history. City, who lacked a center-forward last season, has now answered with Haaland. There will be big expectations for Haaland, but that is nothing new for the 22-year-old star.
Active Arsenal: Manchester City made the first big move of the summer when they added Erling Haaland, but all they did was kick off an arms race at the top of the Premier League. Arsenal, Tottenham, and Leicester City all look poised to spend big this summer with the hope of qualifying for the Champions League next season. Arsenal has already added United center-back Harry Maguire and Porto midfielder Fábio Vieira to a group that will also see Matteo Guendouzi and William Saliba return from loan. Considering their young quality on the wing, an upgrade along the spine should see Mikel Arteta's group soar in the standings. All they're missing is a top-class center-forward, and they're rumored to be hot on the heels of both Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus and Atalanta's Duván Zapata. If Arsenal can add either striker, they'll be a legitimate menace in the Premier League next season.
Madrid's Response: Real Madrid finished runners-up in the Kylian Mbappé sweepstakes, but second is good for nothing in this race. Now, with a massive war chest no longer reserved for Mbappé, expect Madrid to be shopping for expensive items this offseason. They already started their summer off well by agreeing to terms with Chelsea free agent Antonio Rüdiger. Now, they've set their sights on some of the biggest names in European Soccer. There are even rumors that they may be looking at pairing Tottenham center-forward Harry Kane with Karim Benzema and Vinicius on their front line. The club could also upgrade at full-back and afford to get younger in the midfield. Real Madrid will be a big mover this offseason.
Barcelona's Summer Sale: Madrid's El Classico Rival, Barcelona, is in line for the opposite summer. Still reeling from a crippling financial situation, Barcelona is expected to have a summer surplus for the first time in memory. Key young players could be for sale as the club looks to shed payroll and live out a few of its veterans' expiring contracts. That means players like Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araújo could be for sale. Both players are elite young talents that will be looked at by every major club in Europe. This seems even more likely considering Barcelona have stocked up on free transfers. They've already signed Chelsea free agent Andreas Christensen and are rumored to be looking at Marcos Alonso.
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Re: United.
Rumour: Owners Misled Fans on Mbappé
Manchester United Was Never Serious About an Mbappé Bid Despite Stoking Hopes
By Logan Plant / @plantlounited / June 10, 2022, 7:00 PM
Kylian Mbappé, the world's most exciting young player, has decided to continue with PSG. (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)
Rumour – Sources have told RedDevilUnited that the board at Manchester United was never going to seriously engage with Kylian Mbappé and his team regarding a move to Old Trafford and are, as a result, unsurprised by his decision to stay in Paris. The source indicated that Manchester United knew the Glazer family ownership would not be willing to spend what it took to bring Mbappé to Old Trafford.
Instead, they were willing to play along with the idea to generate fan interest. They had expected to see fans' enthusiasm falter when reality struck that Manchester United was not in line with super clubs like Real Madrid and PSG.
Then Thomas Walker's side won the Champions League and firmly re-established themselves as one of the premier clubs in Europe. That still wasn't enough to convince the United ownership to look seriously at the top young player in the world.
It seems in retrospect that this is the reason behind Thomas Walker's comments at last weekend's end-of-season award banquet, where Walker insinuated that United needed to push more resources toward building a world-class club.
Fans are understandably irate on Twitter over the idea that the club misled them over the last twelve months regarding Mbappé and have renewed calls to push the Glazer family ownership to sell. Those demands had seemingly been quieted since last summer's Super League debacle when the club bought Jadon Sancho and Ed Woodward agreed to step down.
Our sources indicate that Thomas Walker is as frustrated as anyone about these developments.
MORE FROM RED DEVIL UNITED
Confirmed: United lose Nicol to Dortmund
Rumour: Lacroix is Walker's Top Center-back Target
Confirmed: United Win FA Youth Cup
Confirmed: United Sign Abass on 16th Birthday
What I'm Hearing: Hahn, Nicol, Bada
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Re: United.
Rumour: United Accept Pogba Leaving, Turn Focus
Manchester United Has Been Connected to Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong and West Ham's Declan Rice
By Logan Plant / @plantlounited / June 11, 2022, 7:00 AM
Does Barcelona Have to Sell Players this Summer? (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)
Rumour – Sources tell RedDevilUnited that Manchester United manager Thomas Walker and Director of Football John Murtough have concluded that Paul Pogba will leave the team this summer after contract negotiations stalled over the past six months. The club feels that they have given Pogba a reasonable offer and that the star midfielder hopes to improve his stock at this month's World Cup before moving on to a new challenge.
With that in mind, RedDevilUnited is hearing that the club's top two options to replace Pogba are West Ham midfielder Declan Rice and Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong. Both midfielders are just entering the prime of their careers and would fit in well at United but come with difficult hurdles to completing a transfer. The club is also losing midfielder Nemanja Matić, who has already agreed to join AS Roma and will need to be replaced by a new midfielder.
West Ham is competing in next year's UEFA Champions League for the first time in club history and will be eager to keep its roster together to maintain competitiveness in that tournament. That means that prying away their star midfielder will cost United a significant chunk of change. Considering they balked at paying Kylian Mbappé a reported £1 million per week as a free agent, it seems strange to imagine the club spending £100 million just to buy Declan Rice out of West Ham.
As for Frenkie de Jong, he may come cheaper. De Jong is reportedly happy at Barcelona, but given the club's precarious financial situation, they may need to sell a young player like De Jong to raise the funds they need to be financially competitive next season. If that is the case, then the Barcelona midfielder may be the most likely high-profile signing of the summer.
Manchester United is also reportedly interested in Barcelona center-back Ronald Araújo so the club may negotiate with Barcelona on two fronts. While signing the pair would cost United the same £100 million it would take to land Declan Rice, they would receive two top-caliber players. That plan is only made unlikely because United sources feel that Wolfsburg Maxence Lacroix is the club's top center-back priority.
Editorial Board Note: RedDevilUnited feels that Manchester United is floating big and exciting names out right now to distract from yesterday's revelations regarding Kylian Mbappé.
MORE FROM RED DEVIL UNITED
Rumour: Owners Misled Fans on Mbappé
Confirmed: United lose Nicol to Dortmund
Rumour: Lacroix is Walker's Top Center-back Target
Confirmed: United Win FA Youth Cup
Confirmed: United Sign Abass on 16th Birthday
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Re: United.
Confirmed: Kovář leaving United
Youth Goalkeeper Matěj Kovář will return to the Czech Republic after four years
By Logan Plant / @plantlounited / June 11, 2022, 7:30 AM
Manchester United is suddenly very thin at GK in their Youth Set Up (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)
Confirmed – Manchester United have agreed to terms with Czech football club Slovácko over the purchase of 22-year-old goalkeeper Matěj Kovář. United acquired Kovář from his hometown club Slovácko in January 2018 as a seventeen-year-old before enlisting his services as a youth goalkeeper over the past four-and-a-half seasons. He was one of two goalkeepers that played the majority of minutes for the United Under-23 team this past season—the other being Bruno Schmitt.
Kovář is the first casualty at Manchester United of the new Premier League eligibility rules for the reserved league. The new rule changes the reserve league from an Under-23 to an Under-21 league. Kovář is 22, turning 23 this season, and would not be eligible under the new rules. Similarly, the entirety of UEFA has adopted rules about the number of players that can be loaned out over the age of 21. This rule change also hurt Kovář, who cannot remain with United but go out on loan to another team.
“Matěj is a great kid,” said United’s Head of Academy Nick Cox, “And we’re confident that we’re sending him to a club that will feature him. We wouldn’t send him to a club that wasn’t going to give him the opportunity to thrive, and it just so happens that he has a connection with this club. He’s a lot better person and player for being here, and we’re all the better for him having been here, and we’re excited to follow his career. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up on the European stage again at some point.”
The fee for Kovář is reported as £150,000.
MORE FROM RED DEVIL UNITED
Rumour: United Accept Pogba Leaving, Turn Focus
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Confirmed: United lose Nicol to Dortmund
Rumour: Lacroix is Walker's Top Center-back Target
Confirmed: United Win FA Youth Cup
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Re: United.
Rumour: Walker Spends Time With USA, Canada
Walker Reportedly Spent the Days Before the World Cup With Canada, USA National Teams
By Logan Plant / @plantlounited / June 11, 2022, 8:30 AM
Walker is a big fan of Canadian Left-back Alphonso Davies (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)
Rumour – Sources tell RedDevilUnited that United manager Thomas Walker spent the last several days in Qatar with the Canadian and American National Teams ahead of their World Cup runs this week. The source confirmed that Walker met with CANMNT manager John Herdman and USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter met with some of their players and gave them a few last-minute pointers about their competition.
Walker is a Canadian American dual-citizen and has had relationships with both federations predating his arrival at Old Trafford.
Walker’s success against Manchester City should give Herdman some indication on how to handle Kevin de Bruyne. Walker also faced Romelu Lukaku three times this past season. Those pointers could help Canada in their upcoming match with Belgium.
As for his trip with the US Men’s National Team, Walker could be a gold mine of data to help the Yanks compete against the Three Lions. Author’s Note: It’s clear that if the USA upset England, it is Thomas Walker’s fault.
Perhaps more pertinently for Manchester United fans is that Walker had a reunion with his former star at Lille, Jonathan David. David seems an obvious candidate to join Manchester United now that they’ve struck out on Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. The club still needs a striker, and a young one like Jonathan David could be a great partner who can play behind, learn from, and eventually replace Cristiano Ronaldo.
Our sources also confirmed that Walker spent considerable time with Bayern Munich fullback Alphonso Davies. Walker is believed to be an immense fan of Davies, although that transfer seems unrealistic.
Regardless of Walker’s intentions, it’s clear that he’ll be watching this World Cup very closely.
MORE FROM RED DEVIL UNITED
Confirmed: Kovář leaving United
Rumour: United Accept Pogba Leaving, Turn Focus
Rumour: Owners Misled Fans on Mbappé
Confirmed: United lose Nicol to Dortmund
Rumour: Lacroix is Walker's Top Center-back Target
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Re: United.
Red Devils Begin World Cup Run
As the World Cup kicks off, here's a look at each United players chance at Glory
By Felix Short | June 12, 2022, 7:00 AM
Marcus Rashford is the only Red Devil on the Three Lions roster. (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)
Doha, Qatar – The World Cup begins today and there are fourteen Manchester United players in Qatar, and there's a strong chance that at least one will emerge from this tournament as a World Cup champion. Here's a look at how each player could find their way to the championships.
The Favorites
The betting favorite to win this world cup is defending champions France, who keep a core of superstars still in their prime and have the experience of 2018 in Russia. Four years ago, Paul Pogba and N'golo Kante manned the midfield for the French. Now it’s Pogba and Aurélien Tchouaméni. Raphaël Varane is still the centerpiece of a back-three that devastates opposing attacks. Both Pogba and Varane will play critical roles in France's run. They are in Group D and will face Australia, Denmark, and Tunisia in the Group Stage.
The second favorite to win is South American giants Brazil, who come in with a mixture of youth and experience. Somewhere in that mix are United's Fred and Alex Telles, who played their way onto the roster with tremendous second halves to the season. Neither player is expected to start as Felipe Luís and Casemiro are world-class talents at their position, but both can come in and make a difference if called upon. They are in Group G and will open with Serbia before playing Switzerland and Cameroon to close the group stage.
Argentina is also expected to compete for the trophy this year as they bring in one of their best-ever rosters. Ángel di María, Lautaro Martínez, and Lionel Messi form a punishing front three for Argentina, but they’ll be supported by United speedster Julián Álvarez. Álvarez may not start for the Argentines, but he'll be a weapon as a super sub, much like he was for Manchester United this spring. Argentina will face Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Poland in Group C.
Along with Germany and Spain, the last of the favorites is England, who now only have a single Manchester United player. Marcus Rashford is one of nine forwards on the roster who could start for the Three Lions. But he'll compete with Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish, and Mason Mount for playing time. It's impossible to predict who Gareth Southgate will start, but Rashford should play a role, even if it's as a super sub. England opens with Iran before facing the USA and rivals Wales in Group B.
Dark Horses
There are two teams that ESPN has labeled as Dark Horses with Manchester United players on them. The first and most prominent is Portugal. The Portuguese are loaded with world-class players and may have been in the favorites pot if they had made qualifying look a bit easier. Still, it seems like the last go-around for Cristiano Ronaldo, who would love to go out with a great tournament. After his tremendous season, he is still clearly the superstar and leader of this team. Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Jota, and Bernardo Silva make a menacing trio of attackers that can put Ronaldo in dangerous situations. Portugal could make a serious run if they can get it going. Diogo Dalot is also on this roster but should serve as backup for João Cancelo at right back. They are in Group H and should be the favorites among a group of Ghana, Uruguay, and South Korea.
Also in Group H is Uruguay, who are looking to turn a few heads this tournament and have the attacking talent to do so. Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez will play as a front two for the final time in a World Cup, but they're hoping to make it memorable. They'll be backed up primarily by recent Liverpool transfer Darwin Nuñez. Also on the roster, although much deeper, is United's Facundo Pellistri. Pellistri is not expected to impact this tournament, but he is well-liked by the federation. Uruguay is expected to finish second behind Portugal in Group H.
Pretenders
Tunisia deserves to be in this tournament, but that doesn't mean they're likely to do much here. They will, however, take their shot. Hannibal Mejbri hasn't established himself as a star for Tunisia yet, but this tournament may be his best chance. It may also be Tunisia's best chance if Mejbri becomes their star. He had a breakout season for United, and his ability to create may be what Tunisia needs if they want to win games or advance in this tournament. If Tunisia elects to go with their more experienced players, Mejbri may be an exciting bench option. They have big games against Denmark and France in the group stage, and if they hope to advance, they'll need to get a result against Australia.
Unlikely Impact
David De Gea is on Spain's roster for this World Cup, but he isn't expected to play. He'll play second fiddle to Unai Simón in this tournament. Similarly, Donny van de Beek made the final cut for the Netherlands, but he isn't expected to have much of an impact unless Louis van Gaal's side is hit with a rash of midfield injuries.
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Re: United.
Newcastle to Make Henderson the Face of Rebuild
Newcastle Has Agreed to Buy Goalkeeper Dean Henderson From Manchester United
By Felix Short | June 13, 2022, 7:00 AM
Dean Henderson Helped Rangers win the Scottish Premiership this Season. (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)
Newcastle upon Tyne, England –Newcastle United have signed their future at the goalkeeping position today. They've announced an agreement with Manchester United over the transfer of Dean Henderson for £25 million. They agreed to terms with the player earlier this week.
The newly well-financed Newcastle United are getting a goalkeeper they can dream about for a long time. The club spent the January window wisely, bringing in Bruno Guimarães to help the club avoid relegation. This summer, they'll be looking to bring in pieces that can help them win sustainably for the foreseeable future. That begins with a young British goalkeeper whom they can make the face of their transformation.
"We're ecstatic about this signing," said Newcastle Director of Football Dan Ashworth this morning, "Dean is a great player, a great person, and he will be the goalkeeper that takes us to a level this club hasn't been. We're really excited about what he brings to the new season and what he'll bring to our club and our community. We see tremendous play, national team appearances, and Premier League titles in his future."
Henderson will replace Slovakian international Martin Dúbravka, who has spent the last three and half seasons in net for Newcastle. He's made 127 Premier League appearances in that time but doesn't have the higher-end potential of a Henderson. And at 33, Dubrávka wasn't a player Newcastle wanted to be their future. Henderson, on the other hand, just turned 25 and is ready to establish himself as one of the best keepers in the league.
Newcastle only kicked off their rebuild during the January transfer window, but they've already shown they're reluctant to spend recklessly, instead relying on patience to complete shrewd moves. The signing of Henderson is another example of clever shopping, spending £25 million for a player that some thought would fetch United £35-£40 million. That shrewdness helped Eddie Howe's team avoid relegation last season—they finished 11th—but it will also help them build a complete roster for the long haul.
"Dean is the player we need in net," said Howe, "He's a top-level talent that will get us where we want to go. He's the goalkeeper we want when it's time to play for European cups. He's the player we want when it's time to win Premier League trophies. Those things are coming, and we think Dean will help us get there. He's going to help us win those."
For Henderson, this move finally ends the long saga of his Manchester United career. Henderson joined United in 2011 at age 14 and rose through the ranks as one of the most promising young goalkeepers in England. After a successful youth career, he made loan moves to Stockport County, Grimsby Town, and Shrewsbury before going to Sheffield United in 2018-19. That move would change his fortunes. In 2018-19, he helped Sheffield United get promoted to the Premier League. He was so successful that United loaned him back to Sheffield, where he was one of the top goalkeepers in the Premier League in 2019-20 and helped the Blades avoid relegation.
That success delivered him back to Old Trafford and into a competition with the struggling David De Gea heading into the 2020-21 season. Despite losing a preseason battle to De Gea, Henderson was eventually given the nod by then-manager Ole Gunnar Skolsjær to end that season. Henderson started United's last thirteen games of the season and helped the club finish second in the league table. It appeared that Henderson was bound for stardom with Manchester United as he was seemingly first choice under Skolsjær.
Then Skolsjær resigned, and Thomas Walker became the manager. A new preseason battle between De Gea and Henderson followed, and once again, De Gea was named the starter. The 2021-22 season saw De Gea at his best, saving United multiple times behind a weak backline struggling to adapt to Thomas Walker's style.
Henderson was second choice for Walker, who allowed Henderson to leave again on loan in January. He went to Scottish giants Rangers, where he replaced an injured Allan McGregor to help Rangers win the Scottish Premiership. Henderson only made seven starts during that loan move, but he did enough to re-establish himself as a premier goalkeeping prospect. He officially returned to Old Trafford at the end of the season, but he and the United board had agreed the time had come to find him a permanent home this summer.
Now, at 25, he will get his chance to become a standout Premier League goalkeeper.
"It was a dream come true to play for Manchester United," Henderson tweeted out today, "The Red Devils were my childhood club, and I cherish the time I spent with the coaches' players and fans. But now I need to make this move to fulfill my potential and help fulfill the potential of a great club in Newcastle."
As for Manchester United, they've seemingly already moved on. They officially signed former West Brom Sam Johnstone to a two-year contract last week and are set to open contract extension negotiations with the 31-year-old De Gea after the World Cup.
"Very proud, Hermano," De Gea tweeted this morning regarding Henderson's transfer.
For several years, the leadership at United felt Henderson was their 'goalkeeper of the future,' but after standout performances this spring, they now feel comfortable calling 18-year-old giant Bruno Schmitt their future. Schmitt was so dominant for the reserve team this spring that they let him handle their FA Cup run to the finals. Schmitt even started a Premier League game against Norwich City when De Gea had a false positive CoVid-19 test. An 18-year-old goalkeeper starting in the Premier League is virtually unheard of, and United feels he's got the goods to be a special keeper moving forward.
The £25 million Henderson deal is United's second major sale this summer. They sold Harry Maguire to Arsenal for £31.5 million last week. That money should give the club plenty of funds to go out and buy a new center-back, midfielder, and center-forward.
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Re: United.
Manchester United Add Ralf Rangnick to Board
Rangnick, Known in Footballing Circles For His Teambuilding, Will Join Manchester United's Board
By Felix Short | June 13, 2022, 7:00 AM
Rangnick will begin at United immediately. (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)
Manchester, England – Manchester United has announced their second significant name addition of the summer to their footballing board. Former Schalke, RB Leipzig, and Hoffenheim architect Ralf Rangnick will join Manchester United as an advisor to the Director of Football.
Rangnick has been a manager but has spent much over the last fifteen years in the board room, helping to build clubs with smart scouting and shrewd transfers. He managed Schalke to the 2011 Champions League semi-final before turning RB Leipzig into what it is today. His style has tremendously influenced many of the game’s top coaches, including Thomas Teuchel and Jürgen Klopp.
Rangnick is an expert on the German market. His hiring may signal a transition for United away from a transfer strategy focused on English players to one that takes advantage of the wider European community. United signaled a similar choice earlier this month when they hired Germán Buendía regarding their intentions in Latin America.
Reportedly, Rangnick already has a relationship with Thomas Walker, and it was Walker who first broached the idea of joining Manchester United to the 64-year-old Rangnick. If that is the case, Walker is trying to build an all-star team of footballing people to help him build a dynasty at Manchester United.
Rangnick is set to begin immediately and will help United complete transfers in this window.
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Re: United.
Confirmed: United Sign Jones to Pro Contract
Schoolboy Scholar Reece Jones Has Been Given a Professional Contract
By Logan Plant / @plantlounited / June 15, 2022, 8:30 AM
Rumour – Sources confirm with RedDevilUnited that Manchester United has signed another sixteen-year-old to his first professional contract. Exciting youngster Reece Jones has officially inked a two-year professional contract to continue with the club he’s been with since he was a child.
Jones joined the United youth program when he was just six years old and has been a steady grower under the academy’s tutelage ever since. At age twelve, he became a Schoolboy Scholar and has now accepted a professional contract with the club. He signed his contract today, his sixteenth birthday, the first day he was eligible by FA rules.
“He’s a good player,” a source told us, “He’s quality. He’s probably going to end up being a winger. He’s not Mason [Greenwood], Alejandro [Garnacho], or some super high potential player, but he could make the senior team. He’s actually pretty similar to Elanga.”
He’s similar to Elanga in the sense that he’s incredibly quick, has decent size at about 5-foot-11, and can stretch the play vertically.
“He was a center-forward at one point, but I’m not sure he has the touch around net to stay there,” the source continued, “He’s okay in the final third, but he’s not clinical like you need to be to be a Premier League striker. He’ll settle in as a winger, perhaps a fullback.”
Jones was born and raised in Manchester and will feature heavily in the Under-18s next season.
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Re: United.
Sevilla Restocks with United's Lindelöf
With Outgoings Anticipated, Sevilla Sign Center-back Victor Lindelöf
By Felix Short | June 19, 2022, 7:00 AM
Victor Lindelöf scored the game winning penalty in the UCL Final Last Month. (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)
Seville, Spain – La Liga club Sevilla has completed the signing of Manchester United center-back Victor Lindelöf for €35 million. Lindelöf, who scored the game-winning penalty of the Champions League final less than a month ago, will move to Spain to join Julen Lopetegui's side.
Strong rumors indicate both Sevilla center-backs will be on the move this summer. Diego Carlos has been linked with a move to Atlético Madrid, and Jules Koundé is one of the most exciting young center-backs in European football. His sale this summer is inevitable, with clubs like Chelsea, Barcelona, and Borussia Dortmund all interested in his services. His price has only increased over the last six months, and several teams are willing to pay it.
So, Sevilla needed to restock at the center-half position. They began that process today by signing Lindelöf, an experienced Premier League and Champions League defender who can immediately step in and cover one side of Lopetegui's defense.
"Victor is a phenomenal player who has played in many big games and has had many big moments," Lopetegui told Marca, "He will give us a presence that will help us next season."
One of those remarkable moments came on May 28th when Lindelöf scored the game-winning penalty to clinch Manchester United's Champions League trophy. That game made him the hero for United fans until they ultimately remembered his blunder on October 24th against Liverpool that cost United a victory and eventually the league title to their biggest rivals.
Sevilla hopes they can rise to within a point of the La Liga title next season. The club finished fourth a season ago but was never close to competing with Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, or Barcelona. They finished the season eighteen points behind third-place Barcelona. The club will need to restock its roster this summer if they want to compete, and a veteran like Lindelöf will go a long way toward replacing a Koundé, freeing up resources to invest elsewhere in the roster.
Lindelöf leaves United after five seasons with the club he made 204 appearances for. Manchester United bought Lindelöf from Benfica in 2017 as José Mourinho looked to retool United's defense. He's been a reliable starter for United ever since, yet the club has never stopped trying to improve at the position. In 2019 they bought Harry Maguire for £80 million, and last summer, they brought in a proven world-class talent in Raphaël Varane for £34 million.
Now, he'll move to a new Champions League side, prepared to commit more seriously to Lindelöf. At 27, he's still at the beginning of his prime and will likely play a pivotal role for Sevilla for years to come.
"We believe in Victor's talent," said Sevilla Director of Football Ramón Rodríguez Verdejo, "He will do well here."
As for Manchester United, they're now in serious need of a center-back signing. They sold Harry Maguire to Arsenal earlier this month and have now sent Lindelöf to Sevilla. The only three center-backs that remain on the roster are Raphaël Varane, Eric Bailly, and the oft-injured Phil Jones, who is also expected to move on this summer. The club will see the return of Axel Tuanzebe from a loan at Napoli, but there is no doubt they'll need a summer signing.
In recent weeks, the club has been heavily linked with Wolfsburg center-back Maxence Lacroix and Barcelona's Ronald Araújo, and it appears those two represent United's top choices. Whoever becomes United's signing will pair with Raphaël Varane in United's back end next season.
This past year, Lindelöf paired with Varane on twenty occasions, while Eric Bailly paired with Varane on 21. The two paired with each other in a further eight games. That's a lot of chemistry and experience that United is letting walk out the door, but they're hoping to replace it with a player that will fit Thomas Walker's system more efficiently.
The club has now made three significant sales—Maguire, Lindelöf, and Dean Henderson—so they'll undoubtedly have the resources to go out and get a top-tier center-back. The club is also reportedly looking for an additional center-forward and a midfielder to replace Paul Pogba.
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Re: United.
United to Add Wolfsburg's Lacroix
Manchester United have agreed to terms with Wolfsburg over CB Maxence Lacroix
By Felix Short | June 21, 2022, 7:00 AM
Lacroix was bought by Wolfsburg in 2020 from FC Sochaux. (Michael Bradley/Manchester Guardian)
Manchester, England – Manchester United has agreed to terms with Wolfsburg on a deal that will send center-back Maxence Lacroix to United for £45 million. The signing gives Manchester United the center-back they desperately wanted, a player with the athletic profile to fit neatly next to Raphaël Varane in Thomas Walker’s system.
According to sources, Lacroix was United’s top target at the position, and the player United pursued most aggressively since the transfer window opened.
“Lacroix is an uber-athlete,” Sky Sports’ Phil Neville said about the signing, “He’s a player with off-the-charts athleticism, speed, range, vertical ability. Everything you could want from an athletic profile. Very few players have those things at his height. That’s what [United Manager Thomas] Walker wanted, and that’s what United went out and delivered for him.”
It was no secret that Walker was unhappy with United’s corps of center-backs and felt the overall athleticism at the position prevented him from playing the way he wanted to. The board at Manchester United has already attempted to remedy Walker’s frustration by selling Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelöf. They took another step today by agreeing to terms with Wolfsburg over Lacroix.
As for Lacroix, he will now be thrust into the pressure of the Premier League with the expectation to perform each week. Manchester United won the Champions League last year but was also tied in the league with a team destined for the Europa League. As the European Champions, United will be expected to perform as a league-winning side this season. It’s clear that Thomas Walker is relying on Lacroix to be a significant piece toward those ambitions.
At Wolfsburg, Lacroix starred in a back-three. At United, he will have to transition to playing in a center-back pairing as part of a back four. That transition will be made easier because United’s fullbacks don’t push forward as often as some teams have their fullbacks do. That’s particularly true of right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka who is known as a defensive specialist.
Lacroix, 22, is still short on experience, having played just 101 professional games for Wolfsburg and FC Sochaux. Fortunately, he will join a coach with a demonstrated history of helping young players mature and develop. He’ll also pair with a proven veteran who can command the back line and will play in front of a keeper with more than a decade in net for United. This all gives Lacroix a soft-landing spot so that he may focus on adjusting to the Premier League.
A high-profile move to a club like Manchester United will certainly get the attention of Didier Deschamps. The move will put Lacroix squarely on the radar of the French National Team, who are currently dominating their Group in the World Cup. That team will see a significant transition after the World Cup, with many veterans aging out after this tournament, and Lacroix will now be poised to earn a spot.
“We loved having Maxence as part of our club, but sometimes it is the right time for players to move on,” said Wolfsburg manager Niko Kovać.
Wolfsburg is going to be a club undergoing a major transition this summer. After bending the budget to keep a core group of players around for the 2021-22 season to stay competitive in the Champions League, Wolfsburg is expected to use this summer as an opportunity to reset. Players like Paulo Otávio, Maximillian Arnold, Xaver Schlager, and Marin Pongračić are all also expected to move on this summer.
The club has already signed Samuel Umtiti on a free transfer from Barcelona and is reportedly working on a deal with Ajax for center-back Lisandro Martínez. Both center-backs will join a group that includes John Brooks, Dedryck Boyata, and Sebastiaan Bornauw fighting for a place in Wolfsburg’s back-three.
Wolfsburg finished fifth in the Bundesliga last season and failed to make it out of the Group Stage in the UCL. Retooling the squad this summer may be precisely what they need. They bought Lacroix from FC Sochaux for €4 million in the Summer of 2020 and have now turned that into a €60 million sale. That money will go a long way toward aiding Kovać in his quest to return Wolfsburg to the Champions League.
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