Utd

CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN was booed back at Brentford in United colours for having the temerity to join England’s biggest club three years ago.

And Bryan Mbeumo can expect similar treatment after the rancour around his transfer.

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United felt Brentford attempted to railroad Mbeumo into joining Tottenham or Newcastle United, convinced that he would be on a lower wage that would then drive up his transfer fee. Mbeumo joined United for £65, rising to £71m.

When Brentford finally relented and sold the AWOL Yoane Wissa to Newcastle on deadline day, it was for £50m plus £5m in add-ons. 

Wissa is an actual striker and scored as many goals as Mbeumo last season, which undermined Brentford’s belief that they could have recouped more from Spurs or Newcastle for Mbeumo. 

Xavi Simons and Nick Woltemade, Tottenham and Newcastle’s most expensive summer signings, were not as costly as Mbeumo.

The press room at the Community Stadium is so tight you tend to literally rub shoulders with colleagues. Staff from United and Brentford may keep their distance.

MAIN ATTRACTION

KOBBIE MAINOO is out of the United side and one of his closest teammates, Alejandro Garnacho, was out in the cold before he left last month.

But Mainoo has a new best pal in Leny Yoro.

Mainoo and Yoro have grown close since the latter joined United from Lille last summer.

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Mainoo started learning Spanish while he was out two years ago as Garnacho and Amad are both fluent in the language.

Garnacho remains tight with Amad – the pair are represented by the same agent – as they demonstrated with last week’s infamous Instagram Story that Amad received online abuse for.

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Mainoo is something of an outlier in that he has gravitated towards foreign teammates.

Although Yoro spoke impeccable English at the time of his £59million transfer. 

PORT OF CALL

PORTUGUESE pair Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot both attended the Lewis Capaldi concert at Co-Op Live after last week’s victory over Chelsea.

Members of the Fernandes family had flown over from Portugal for the occasion.

Or to provide childcare for his two children.

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CARR INSURANCE

THE NEW home matchday schedule for United players to report at Carrington before boarding a bus for Old Trafford caused confusion for some of the younger squad members last month.

A handful of youngsters assumed the team coach would ferry them back to the training complex after the game, where they had naively left their vehicles.

Senior players are usually dropped off at Carrington by a spouse or confidant and so their vehicle is in place at the stadium post-match.

Some stranded junior members of the squad had to get Ubers to the training base after a game to be reunited with their vehicles.

Erik ten Hag scrapped United’s pre-match stays at The Lowry Hotel in 2022 and the squad would arrive four hours before kick-off for home games.

Ruben Amorim has opted to delay United’s travel time and they now tend to get to their ground an hour-and-a-half before kick-off.

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HARDY ABLE

UNITED are in the process of signing teenage goalkeeper Charlie Hardy from Derby County.

Hardy, 16, has played five times for England Under 16s and is going through formalities to complete a move to United. 

He was named on the bench against United U18s when he was only 14 last year and made his debut for Derby U18s at the age of 15.

As a category one scholar, Hardy can move to another English club at any time over the course of the season.

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PELL RINGER

MANUEL PELLEGRINI thinks Antony just needed an arm put around him and a club that makes him feel important.

United reject Antony, 25, has been reborn at Real Betis after a miserable two years at Old Trafford.

The Brazil winger sparkled after joining Betis on loan in January and made the move permanent after long talks brought a deadline-day switch for up to £21.6m.

United included a 50 per cent sell-on clause in the deal for Antony, who followed a classy assist with a late goal to secure a 2-2 draw in Wednesday’s Europa League opener against Nottingham Forest.

Before the game, Betis boss Pellegrini, 72, said: “I try to make them feel the best so that they can also give me their best.”

Antony is much better suited to La Liga, where he is more comfortable with the ball at his feet and not so physically pressed.

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Sanchez took out Mbeumo just four minutes and one second into the match to receive Chelsea’s earliest red card in the Premier League.

“It was rough… the red card [would be] difficult not only for Chelsea, it [would be] difficult for any club,” said Maresca.

“After the red card, all the planning and everything doesn’t exist any more.”

Maresca said afterwards he would have preferred to go a goal down than lose his goalkeeper.

“It’s the best solution, because we are still 95 minutes to play,” he said.

“I think even Robert is aware of that, but also it’s difficult because he has to take a decision in one second or two seconds.”

The Italian manager took off two attackers in Pedro Neto and Estevao Willian for replacement goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen and defender Tosin Adarabioyo after Sanchez was sent off.

The change effectively left Chelsea with a back five, three midfielders and just Joao Pedro in attack.

Maresca explained why he had made such a defensive reaction to the dismissal, saying: “We needed to defend with five players – we can defend with four when we are 11 v 11.”

However, that decision looked like a mistake when Fernandes opened the scoring and Palmer then went off injured.

When Andrey Santos replaced the England playmaker 21 minutes into the match it was the earliest any team in Premier League history had made their first three substitutions.

Chelsea failed to register a shot on target in the first half as Casemiro put United 2-0 up.

However, the Brazil midfielder’s ill-timed lunge just before the break left both sides down to 10 men.

Chalobah managed to pull a goal back in the 80th minute but it only proved to be a consolation for the Blues, who suffered a second successive defeat in what has been a tough week of away fixtures.

They drew at Brentford last weekend before losing to Bayern Munich in their Champions League opener on Wednesday.

“When it went to 10 a piece I felt no urgency from Chelsea to try to get back into it,” said former England striker Wayne Rooney on Match of the Day.

“They were slow, side to side. If you’re a Chelsea fan you’d want to see a lot more urgency.”

Saturday’s loss at Old Trafford leaves Chelsea sixth in the top-flight table, and they will hope to avoid a prolonged absence for star man Palmer.

ANGE Postecoglou was left cursing his luck as Martin Dubravka’s stunning double kept him waiting for a first win.

Clarets keeper Dubravka pulled off two stunning stops in two amazing minutes, to leave Postecoglou throwing his hands up in frustration on the touchline.

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To be fair, it was no more than Burnley merited, in a game neither deserved to lose – or did enough to win – yet for Ange it is three games and counting as Forest chief without a victory.

First Dubravka went full length to push away an Igor Jesus header with the Forest sub’s first touch off the bench.

But while that was good, the Slovak stopper’s next was out of this world, getting down superbly to push Neco Williams’ volley behind as it flew through a packed area.

Mind you, defeat would have been harsh on a Clarets side which had gone ahead after barely 90 seconds. 

With a start like that,, you felt maybe their ill fortune of recent weeks was about to change.

Seven days ago a rush-of-blood handball gifted Liverpool a last-gasp penalty winner, while a fortnight earlier there was an even harsher spot kick in an Old Trafford loss.

Well there was no luck involved in Williams’ early opener – just a finger-snapping strike that flew in.

When Fiorentino turned away a Douglas Luiz corner to the edge of the box, Williams hit a rocket that took a slight deflection, but not enough to deviate off a true line.

It certainly didn’t impact Dubravka’s chances of saving it – he wouldn’t have got close in any case – for the Welsh defender’s third goal in 111 Forest appearances.

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Opposite number Quilindschy Hartman got in on the act with his own screamer which, while it was never likely to catch out Matz Sels, certainly warmed his palms.

And then Olekssandr Zinchenko joined in the full back fun with a swerving long ranger that Clarets keeper Dubravka was happy to beat away.

If the Ukraine defender was nearly a hero at one end, he was swiftly case in the role of villain just minutes later, as Burnley levelled.

He was initially outjumped by Lyle Foster as Hartman hung up a deep cross which fell kindly for Jaidon Anthony on the left of the box.

Anthony’s strike was anything but crisp, although it was at least on target and would probably have crept in of its own accord.

Yet Zinchenko made sure it did when his attempt to clear merely saw him tumble onto his backside and hook the ball into the opposite corner.

Strictly speaking it couldn’t be classed as an own goal, given the ball was – almost apologetically – heading for the net, but ZInchenko should have done better.

To be fair to Forest, they dusted themselves down and were soon pinging it around again, and one pinball passing move had Dubravka diving to push away a Dilane Bakwa snapshot.

Mind you, Burnley went even closer to a winner with a thunderbolt free kick that would have taken Matz Sels hand into the net if he’d got anywhere near it.

Loum Tchaouna’a whipped-in 20-yard piledriver had the crossbar rattling so much you’d swear the woodwork was still shaking come the final whistle.

But it would have been even worse had it not been for Dubravka, who came up with those two stunning late stops.

And even when Dubravka was out of the equation – when Arnaud Kalimuendo looked sure to score at the far post, Hartman saved the day by blocking his goalbound drive.

At least it ensured Forest didn’t mark the 21st anniversary of Brian Clough’s death with defeat.

Yet ff it hadn’t been for the Burnley keeper, they’d have done so with all three points instead of just the one.

BRYAN ROBSON has told Manchester United chiefs to back Ruben Amorim for the long haul and slammed the club’s recent history of signing flops.

The United legend says the revolving door of managers since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013 has wrecked any chance of stability, and insists under-fire former Sporting Lisbon boss must be given at least THREE years to fix the mess.

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Speaking to The Telegraph, Robson said: “We’ve changed managers that many times since 2013.

“I feel you have to stick and say, ‘No, we are not sacking the manager. We are not blaming.’

“When you have a little bit of money and the club are going to allow you to change your squad, you need three years to get the team right.

“For me, three years at Manchester United should be enough.”

Amorim, 40, has had a disastrous start to life as United boss, winning just eight of his first 31 games.

But Robson is urging the board to give him more time, despite fans on social media calling for his sacking.

Robson didn’t hold back when reflecting on the transfer blunders of the Ed Woodward era, suggesting too many signings simply weren’t up to scratch.

He fumed: “Look at the money we spend. It’s up to you to go around the world and get top players who are going to improve you.”

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“I think five years ago some of the players we bought were just not good enough to be Manchester United players. It’s an accumulation of that.”

And Robbo, who captained United through some of their most hard-fought years, believes the club lost its way by ignoring experienced Premier League stars in favour of flashy foreign names.

“The other thing I think we went away from is getting good, experienced Premier League players.

“So when they get to 28, you bring them on board if you can. There have been loads of players who have left clubs.”

And his message to United’s decision-makers couldn’t be clearer.

He added: “When I was in management, I believed that if you bought average players, you got an average team.”

United will get a chance to bounce back from their derby defeat to Manchester City last weekend when they host Chelsea in Saturday’s late Premier League kick-off at Old Trafford.

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CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN has said that his defibrillator implant is “just part of me now” as he admitted that he only remembers it is there during airport security checks.

Eriksen, 33, collapsed on the pitch during Denmark‘s opening game against Finland at the delayed Euro 2020 tournament in 2021.

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The former Manchester United midfielder suffered a cardiac arrest and needed life-saving resuscitation on the pitch.

He was later fitted with a defibrillator implant (ICD) before returning to football with Brentford and then United in 2022.

Now Eriksen has signed for Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, having been let go by Man Utd at the end of the season, and has opened up on how he rarely thinks about his heart condition these days.

Speaking at his official presentation for Wolfsburg on Friday, the Dane discussed how setting off alarms when going through airport security body scanners is his only reminder of the incident.

He said: “I only have to go past the scanner and undergo a separate check. That’s all. There are no restrictions. Nothing.

“I have never felt anything since then. It is just a part of me now – nothing strange or sad.”

Eriksen went on to explain that he won’t delve into the details of what happened until after his career is over.

He added: “[I’m happy to] be seen as a footballer again, and not as the guy who had this moment at Parken [Stadium].

“I will only talk in detail about it after my career – it is something very personal.”

Eriksen, who was approached to join Wrexham this summer, could make his debut for Wolfsburg this weekend in a league clash with Borussia Dortmund.

He leaves Man Utd having made over 100 appearances in which he helped the club win both the FA Cup and the League Cup.

And despite the turbulent few years at Old Trafford, Eriksen had nothing but positive things to say about his time in Manchester.

He said: “Personally, I had a great time being at United. When I came back to football with Brentford, getting the chance to play against United was a massive thing.

“I also think I proved myself as a footballer at United. I had a really great time, and my family loved it there, and I’m sure we still have a lot of friends from our time there.

“I had a good time at the club, but it was a strange time because there was a lot of stuff going on at United.

“The focus and the perception of the club from the outside world is a bit different sometimes to how it really is.

“There are some lovely people at the club who are really working hard and trying their best, but it does not always go your way.”

ALEJANDRO GARNACHO returns to Old Trafford on Saturday just 21 days after he said his goodbyes.

But he might find that goodwill is in short supply as it was not just Ruben Amorim who tried in vain to get him to see the light at Old Trafford.

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Several senior players – including Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro and Harry Maguire – urged him to start thinking of the team instead of just himself.

But he wouldn’t listen and in the end the manager felt the Argentine youngster was bringing a negative vibe to the dressing room.

And his regular outbursts on social media – as well as the mainstream media – also riled the former Sporting Lisbon coach.

Amorim was looking forward to working with the winger when he took over in November but that all changed after his conduct in Plzen in December.

The coach also tired of Garnacho’s moodiness and temper tantrums when things were not going his way.

So in the end a parting of the ways became inevitable and sources close to Amorim say he has not regretted his stance once.

Could that change if the Carrington graduate inspires a Chelsea win at the Theatre of Dreams this weekend though? 

Battle to keep ‘Kid Messi’

UNITED starlet JJ Gabriel continues to catch the eye with his performances both within the club’s academy and further afield. 

A host of German clubs are understood to have made their interest in him clear should he and his family wish to follow in the footsteps of Jude Bellingham and Jadon Sancho by leaving England to further his career in the Bundesliga. 

The 14-year-old, who recently enjoyed a holiday in Barcelona, is contracted with United until the end of next season, and has produced a string of impressive performances after being promoted to the U18s.

A source said: “The success of the likes of Bellingham and Sancho in Germany is a big selling point for German clubs trying to poach some of the Premier League’s best young talents. 

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“They can offer them first team football at an earlier age than a lot of clubs in the UK.”

United remain convinced they gave JJ and his family compelling reasons why Carrington remains the best place for him to continue his development. 

The teenager has met with manager Amorim and could well spend time training with the first team squad this season. 

His development is being closely monitored by United U18s boss Darren Fletcher. 

Under the knife

SPEAKING of Fletcher, his success as U18s academy boss has been noted with four wins out of four so far this season. 

It’s all the more impressive given the former midfielder injured himself during a United v Celtic legends game earlier this month raised money for both clubs’ foundations. 

Fletcher opened the scoring in the game which ended 2-2 before Celtic clinched victory on penalties. 

Fletcher, 41, underwent an operation on his knee this week as a result, but refused to take time off and has been on the sidelines for each game. 

A source said: “He’s Scottish. He’s made of tough stuff.”

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Denis Irwin’s sweet return

UNITED fans are invited to engage with three organisations doing big work to improve men’s mental health at Old Trafford this Saturday.

Representatives from ‘Andy’s Man Club’ will be stationed within the Pop-Up Pub by the Stretford End, inviting supporters to learn more about the suicide prevention charity. 

The group offers free peer-to-peer support groups across the UK and online, as part of their mission to end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health through the power of conversation.

Fans with tickets to the game can enjoy live music, fast pours, local food and a Q&A with club legends Denis Irwin and Gary Pallister. 

 Salford-based charity ‘Talk About It Mate’ will also have a space in the East Stand forecourt from 2pm before kick-off.

Man Utd’s transfer deals

IN

• Bryan Mbeumo – from Brentford – £71m
• Matheus Cunha – from Wolves – £62.5m
• Diego Leon – from Cerro Porteno – £7m
• Benjamin Sesko – from RB Leipzig – £74m
• Senne Lammens – from Royal Antwerp – £18m

TOTAL – £232.5m

OUT

• Alejandro Garnacho – to Chelsea – £40m
• Marcus Rashford – to Barcelona – Loan
• Victor Lindelof – released
• Christian Eriksen – released
• Toby Collyer – to West Brom – Loan

TOTAL – £40m

MAN UTD TRANSFER NEWS LIVE

Chido Obi potential

CHIDO Obi enjoyed a meteoric rise last season, signing for United from Arsenal and quickly making his first team debut under Amorim. 

The 17-year-old went on to make seven first team appearances but has found himself back down the pecking order after United splashed out £74m on Slovenian target man Benjamin Sesko. 

And while Danish international Chido hasn’t been on the bench for any first team games this season, his development – in both size and skill – are continuing at the academy. 

A source said: “Chido is still sometimes involved in first team training now but the noticeable development for him is his size. 

“He is a tall boy but has started to put on some significant muscle on his frame, which he needs.”

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Chido is working under the guidance of United’s sharpest academy coaches who regularly provide updates to Amorim. 

United’s U21 boss Travis Binnion said earlier this season: “We have not even scraped the top of the iceberg with him yet. There is loads to come.

“He is dying to be a footballer. He is hungry. He is learning the game. He is learning how to project himself and how to play in a team. 

“For us, he is a priority. He is 17. He needs to understand this is a golden period to develop his game.”

Hitman tribute

RICKY HATTON may have been a Blue, but United’s players, staff and fans were equally as devastated by news of his passing before Sunday’s derby. 

Many of the first team had met the boxer at big fights and were admirers of his hugely successful career, which delighted fans from both sides of Manchester. 

The club intends to mark his tragic passing in the programme for the clash against Chelsea. 

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Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson speaks to BBC Breakfast’s Nina Warhurst about his brother living with dementia, and what he does to keep his own mind active.

He was speaking as part of National Playlist Day, which is used to celebrate the power of personalised music playlists for those living with dementia.

READ MORE: Ferguson on music, memory and dementia projects

MANCHESTER UNITED fans are calling for a club legend to replace struggling manager Ruben Amorim at the helm.

This comes after the five-time Premier League champion made his punditry debut at Amazon Prime during the Champions League‘s opening week.

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That is none other than United hero Michael Carrick, who was joined by fellow club icons Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney, with whom he won the Champions League in 2008.

And Man Utd fans were left in awe with the ex-England international’s knowledge and insight while discussing tactics at the studio ahead of his other former club Tottenham‘s clash with Villarreal.

So much so that a number of the Red Devils’ faithful took to social media calling for minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to bring the former Middlesbrough manager to the Old Trafford hotseat.

One fan tweeted: “I want Carrick!”

Another commented: “Would give Carrick a run.”

A third wrote: “Give Carrick at a run at it. If he’s good give him a permanent.”

This fan said: “Why is Carrick doing punditry? He should be at home planning the filthy 4-2-3-1 he’s gonna cook up for us in a few weeks.”

That one posted: “Carrick such an intelligent and good pundit.”

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And another fan stated: “Michael Carrick doing punditry for Amazon, bring him to the club.”

This comes amid United‘s worst ever Premier League start which has seen Amorim’s men lose two of their first four matches, of which they barely won one.

This follows the Manchester giants’ worst ever Prem finish last season, which saw them sink to 15th place under the Portuguese tactician.

But club bosses are continuing to back the 40-year-old as it is still early in the season.

Nevertheless, Man Utd would have to pay the ex-Sporting Lisbon boss a huge severance fee if they sack him before November 1.

Amorim would be in line to pocket a whopping £12million if he is axed before the first anniversary of him taking the job.

The United head coach’s coaching staff would also be in line for a pay-off if Ratcliffe decided to pull the plug.

RUBEN AMORIM has told wantaway Kobbie Mainoo: “You have to do better.”

Midfielder Mainoo, 20, was keen to quit Manchester United before the transfer deadline because boss Amorim is not giving him enough game time.

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Italian champs Napoli were interested but the Red Devils were unwilling to sanction a loan exit for the England star.

Amorim ignored Mainoo while the window was still open but had a heart-to-heart during the international break — telling him he is not the finished product and could do more.

The Portuguese coach, whose side face Manchester City in today’s Manchester derby at the Etihad, said: “Like a lot of guys, he wants to play more. 

“I didn’t have a conversation with him before the window closed but I did this week. 

“I didn’t want him thinking I was having the conversation just to hold on to him. Some people think he is there but I think he can do so much better. 

“For some guys it’s enough, for him it’s not enough. Maybe it’s not fair but I think I’m helping Kobbie Mainoo.

“I have the same feeling that you have. That he’s a top, top player. But he can be so much better. So I’m focused on that.

“He’s not used to fighting for his place, maybe. He is uncomfortable but he is a very good kid — and he is fighting.”

Mainoo looked set for superstardom when he scored for his boyhood club in their FA Cup final win over City and then started for England in  the Euro 2024 final, despite defeat to Spain.

Amorim added: “I know he started the final of the European Championship in a team that has a lot of talented players.

“Phil Foden played that game. Cole Palmer was on the bench. He was playing. But sometimes I have  a different way of seeing the game.”

The ex-Sporting Lisbon boss explained where he thinks Mainoo can improve.

The United boss added: “He needs to have the technical ability that he has but he  needs more pace. 

“He needs to play at different speeds. Sometimes he’s slower and sometimes he’s faster. He can improve on that.

“And then he has to beat Bruno Fernandes. He has to beat Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte. They are good players also. I need to choose.”

Amorim pointed to fellow Portuguese Vitinha, Paris Saint-Germain’s midfield general, as a player who once struggled but is now thriving.

He said: “Sometimes it’s about the opinion of a coach. I remember Vitinha was not playing for Wolves. Nowadays, Vitinha is maybe the best midfielder in the world.”

Man Utd’s transfer deals

IN

• Bryan Mbeumo – from Brentford – £71m
• Matheus Cunha – from Wolves – £62.5m
• Diego Leon – from Cerro Porteno – £7m
• Benjamin Sesko – from RB Leipzig – £74m
• Senne Lammens – from Royal Antwerp – £18m

TOTAL – £232.5m

OUT

• Alejandro Garnacho – to Chelsea – £40m
• Marcus Rashford – to Barcelona – Loan
• Victor Lindelof – released
• Christian Eriksen – released
• Toby Collyer – to West Brom – Loan

TOTAL – £40m

MAN UTD TRANSFER NEWS LIVE

MANCHESTER CITY host Manchester United on Sunday with both clubs looking for a result to springboard their season.

To mark the Super Sunday contest, our team of betting experts has put together a 14/1 Bet Builder for the encounter, courtesy of Betfred.

And there’s more – new customers who sign up with Betfred and place a £10 bet on football will receive £50 in free sports bets.

Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles here

How to claim..

Betfred welcome offer

1. Visit the Betfred website HERE*
2. Register an account using the link provided
3. Deposit £10 using a Debit Card
4. Place your first bet of £10 or more on any qualifying Sportsbook markets, at odds of Evens or greater
5. Once that bet has settled, Betfred will credit your account with £50 in Free Bets

Man City vs Man Utd tips

Our Bet Builder selections: Double chance – Draw/Man Utd, Bruno Fernandes to score, Casemiro to be carded and Erling Haaland 2+ shots on target.

Here’s why we’ve made those selections..

• Double chance – Draw/Man Utd: United have won the last two times they’ve visited the Etihad and are actually unbeaten in their last four games against City – inside 90 minutes anyway. United have been made into a joke team so far this season, yet sit a point and few places above toiling rivals.
• Bruno Fernandes to score: Got off the mark for the season with that 97th minute penalty winner against Burnley. That coming after a miss at Fulham in league game prior. Usually man for big occasion and has three goals in 11 league games against Cityzens.
• Casemiro to be carded: Booked in two of last three games after yellow at Craven Cottage then on international duty with Brazil against Chile. Sat out second game on break due to suspension but should come in from start here and midfield battle key.
• Erling Haaland 2+ shots on target: Norwegian superstar has been on fire and added to it with FIVE goals in one international game when away in break. Started season well too and obviously main man for City.

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PREMIER LEAGUE football is back after another dreary international break.

And the highlight of this weekend’s action is undoubtedly the mouthwatering Manchester derby on Sunday.

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City vs United is one of the top fixtures of the season.

But there could be some huge changes for both sides, with Pep Guardiola and Ruben Amorim each signing a new goalkeeper on deadline day.

Will Gianluigi Donnarumma and Senne Lammens get their first taste of English football action in one of world football’s biggest games?

SunSport’s tactical expert Dean Scoggins dives into another brilliant analysis…

NEW GOALKEEPER ‘TRAP’ BATTLE

I reckon both teams will be nervous about potential debuts for their goalies! But United fans should be the most nervous about what decision gets made.

City don’t cross it very much so that’s one thing in favour of sticking with Altay Bayindir over Senne Lammens. 

Another thing in his favour is United have learned to play out with him, and Amorim may decide to leave Lammens out.

With Gianluigi Donnarumma, City don’t have to worry about mistakes, he will make stacks of saves, he’s absolutely class.

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But what they should be nervous about is how they’re going to cope with playing out.

Pep’s hardly going to stop playing out from the back, but Donnarumma is perceived to not be great with his feet, which could give James Trafford a chance.

Tactically, United will play 3-4-3 and when they’re pressing from the front, they almost slot into a 4-4-2 diamond.

We’ll expect City to drop the centre-backs in and push the full-backs on. You’d then think the goalie plays over the top.

But United will put real pressure on then. The striker will drop on City’s No6 to stop him getting the ball.

They will then press either side with curved runs to block off Donnarumma’s channels.

United want to set a trap by leaving a City player free —  they want Donnarumma to play to him.

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When he hits it, United are going to shuffle across. It’s a trigger for a press. And City fans will be very nervous in that playing-out scenario.

United should be willing to take that risk to make Donnarumma play those passes, and that could mean a lot of joy.

As for Lammens, he looks really confident on the ball. He puts his foot on the ball to bait people in.

But with City’s set-up, they leave United’s 8’s for a trap. That could see them take advantage of United playing out with a new inexperienced goalie.

I’m a bit nervous if Lammens goes straight in, it takes time on the training ground to prepare these things.

They’ve been very brave with Bayindir so far. Lammens is very confident on the ball but it takes time to get used to set-ups in the Premier League.

WHAT SYSTEM WILL PEP USE?

We’ve seen 4-4-2, 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 so far. That’s with 11 injuries.

In attack they want to be in a 3-2-5 shape. But what they’ve done quite a lot this season, not successfully, is get into a 2-3-5 shape with a full-back moving in.

But up against Bryan Mbeumo, and with injuries, I’d be nervous about that shape.

Nathan Ake could come in for a back three, but I think Bernardo Silva will be the key man in this game with his interchanging.

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Tottenham and Brighton had loads of joy against City by leaving four up top.

I think City will use Matheus Nunes as a generic right-back with two in midfield like a 4-2-4 shape.

As for United, I think Amad Diallo will play on the left of attack, with Noussair Mazraoui at right wing-back.

There’s a question mark over midfield, is it two or one at the base? It depends on injuries.

HOW WILL MAN UTD ATTACK?

It’s a 3-5-2, but will Amorim start Sesko? United have been the most direct team in the league this season.

They’ve had the most direct chances but haven’t scored one yet.

Mbeumo’s gone close so that’s what they’re going to do.

I think Sesko has to play just for his physicality. Spurs used Richarlison to great effect against City.

If Cunha isn’t fit, you don’t want Mbeumo moved from the right. Don’t make two changes for the sake of one.

If Mount is out too, does Diallo go to the left? You’ve got other options at wing-back.

Diallo turned the game on its head last season and made a fool of Matheus Nunes so can do that job.

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United will form diamonds and triangles all over the pitch. It gives them options on either side.

But they’ve particularly liked overloading the left side this season.

That leaves Mbeumo to isolate his defender, with the ball going in behind for him to attack the space.

City have been susceptible to balls over the top and have conceded twice from them so far.

United are having more of the ball on the left, but attacking more on the right. That will be the move they want to get.

That’s something for United fans to lick their lips over in attack.

Long passes are back in fashion. City have been more direct and United are now doing it too.

I fancy United to get some joy in this.

DO RODRI AND NICO BOTH PLAY?

I think they should in this game. Reijnders was outstanding against Wolves but got overrun by Spurs physically and caught out against Brighton.

Because City get greedy with position, a midfielder move forward and the other has a lot of space to cover.

Rodri can’t cover that space, especially after his injury.

I think both Rodri and Nico Gonzalez should play as the two, with Bernardo Silva the key on the right as the most flexible player.

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He can come inside and bring Nunes forward, forcing Dorgu back.

In the direct way of playing and how open they’ve been, it should be a two.

Also, Pep Ljinders. City are pressing more with him as assistant.

It leaves space open for balls over the top, while City have also been playing a very high line.

It’s too much space so two are needed to make it solid. Trust your attackers to break down United.

If they are struggling, take over Nico and bring on a winger. But start with a solid base.

RUBEN AMORIM sees the departure of Andre Onana as key to his rebuild at Manchester United.

Cameroon keeper Onana is joining Turkish outfit Trabzonspor on a season-long loan.

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SunSport believes Onana’s relationship with United boss Amorim broke down irretrievably over the past month.

A source claimed: “It felt like Andre was there to just show up but wasn’t there or showing any team mentality.”

Amorim was unhappy that Onana, 29, picked up a hamstring injury at the start of pre-season training.

All the more so as he had been filmed playing on a mud patch in his homeland in June.

Onana is one of a number of stars that Amorim has let go this summer.

He has already sent  Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony packing.

And left-back Tyrell Malacia looks set to join Turkish side Eyupspor on a temporary deal.

United’s boss feels he has cleared the way for a more positive future and can kick on with preparations for Sunday’s Manchester derby.

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Onana was left out of the starting XI for the opening Premier League games against Arsenal and  Fulham.

He then put in another error-strewn display in the humiliating Carabao Cup defeat at Grimsby.

It saw him dropped again for the Prem win over Burnley before United made a deadline-day £18.2million swoop for 23-year-old Belgian Senne Lammens.

And it has emerged that insiders felt Onana was showing a lack of involvement and interest in working for the team in the final days before the international break.

That included the former Ajax and Inter Milan keeper effectively refusing to even acknowledge his manager in training.

So Amorim was happy to wave through Onana’s exit, leaving him with Lammens, struggling Turk Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton, 39.

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Amorim has to decide whether to give Lammens a debut at the Etihad or stick with Bayindir for now.

Meanwhile, Onana copped more flak for the 1-0 defeat by Cape Verde on Tuesday that virtually ended Cameroon’s hopes of automatic World Cup qualification.

The keeper was at fault for Dailon Livramento’s winner, staying rooted to his line as the forward ran through on goal.

The Indomitable Lions are four points behind Cape Verde with two group games left.

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has agreed a loan move to Turkish side Trabzonspor.

The move has yet to be finalised but sources close to the player anticipate it being done in time for him to make his debut against Fenerbahce on Sunday 14 September.

Turkey’s transfer window is open until Friday, leaving time to get a deal completed for Onana, who is on international duty with Cameroon.

Onana had been linked with another Turkish club, Galatasaray, but they opted to sign Ugurcan Cakir.

Cakir, who started Turkey’s World Cup qualifying win over Georgia on Thursday, joined from Trabzonspor on 2 September in a deal that could eventually be worth 36m euros (£31.2m).

Trabzonspor have been assessing alternatives since that deal was completed and club sources believe Onana could have a major impact.

Letting Onana or Altay Bayindir leave United has been on the cards since the club signed Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp on deadline day.

Although Old Trafford officials stressed the club were willing to have a senior squad including four goalkeepers, that was at odds with head coach Ruben Amorim’s stated desire to have a smaller squad in the absence of European football.

Tom Heaton is the fourth senior goalkeeper in the United ranks.

MARCUS RASHFORD will NOT be heading back to Manchester United in January, according to sources close to the player.

The forward made a loan switch to the LaLiga champions in the summer window.

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Rashford, 27, was thrilled to seal his dream move but sensational reports in Spain over the weekend suggested it could turn into a nightmare.

Spanish outlet El Nacional incredibly claimed that Barcelona were already considering ending his loan deal early.

A bombshell report suggested that Nou Camp bosses were unimpressed by his start in LaLiga, after just three games.

However, this has been vehemently denied by sources close to Rashford.

It is understood that Barcelona and manager Hansi Flick are still giving the England international their full support.

Barcelona have the option to make Rashford’s move permanent for £30million.

He has made three appearances this season and is yet to score or assist.

But his minutes on the pitch have mostly been limited to substitute appearances.

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Rashford’s one start came against Levante at the Estadio Ciutat de Valencia.

Flick subbed the loanee off at half-time after Barcelona had fallen to a shock 2-0 deficit.

They came back to win the match with a stunning second-half display as Pedri and Ferran Torres scored before a late own-goal from Unai Elgezabal.

Rashford was still able to do enough to convince England manager Thomas Tuchel to call him up for the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.

He started in the 2-0 win against Andorra and had some impressive moments in the first half.

Tuchel insisted after the match that Rashford is putting in the effort to succeed.

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He said: “For me, he’s clearly a left winger.

“That’s where we played him today. He had the freedom to go a bit more inside to play not only against the fifth defender in the back five, but to play maybe more inside against the third.

“I think the right side was a bit more active and found the positions a bit better. So I think he suffered from that today.

“He had an excellent training week, and it was obvious that we want him to start because he trained so well on the left side.

“I can see that he tries. This is, for me, the most important, that he stays positive and he trains at the moment with the right attitude with a smile.

“He struggles a bit with numbers and with ‘wow’ performance in an England shirt.”

ASHLEY and Tyler Young are set to become the first father-son duo to take to the field in Championship history.

The pair were denied a historic meeting by Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson in last season’s FA Cup when Tyler and his Posh team-mates took on Premier League side Everton.

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Had Tyler taken to the pitch while his old man was on the field, they would’ve become the first father-son duo to play against one another in the 154-year history of the FA Cup.

But now, they could potentially play for the SAME TEAM after Tyler was signed to Ipswich Town‘s Under-21s following a successful trial.

Former Manchester United and England star Ashley joined the Tractor Boys this summer at the ripe old age of 40.

And the magnitude of Town’s signing of his son hasn’t gone unnoticed by football fans.

One wrote on X:”Like father, like son.”

Another said: “Hopefully, they get given a game together.”

And another said: “Finally get to play together professionally.”

One remarked: “Would love to see them play in the same team together.”

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Another chimed in: “Father and son at the same club, a beautiful story.”

Ashley inked a one-year deal with Ipswich in July following his release from Everton.

Manager Kieran McKenna said of his arrival: “Ashley has had a fantastic career and his achievements speak for themselves.

“He has maintained an extremely high level of professionalism and competitiveness through his career and he is still playing at a very good level.

“We feel his leadership and experience will be valuable to the group this season and he is very hungry to contribute on and off the pitch.”

Ipswich will be back in action a week on Friday night, welcoming Sheffield United to Portman Road.

Manchester United are in talks with local rivals Manchester City over a potential move for England midfielder Jess Park.

The 23-year-old has 20 appearances for England and was part of the squad who retained their title at Euro 2025.

She has been at Manchester City for eight years, impressing in a loan spell at Everton during the 2022-23 season.

Park has become a regular for City but United are looking to strengthen their squad as they prepare for a season in the Women’s Champions League main stage if they win their two-legged play-off against Brann this month.

Elsewhere, there has been reports of interest in Manchester United midfielder Grace Clinton, including from Manchester City, with a year remaining on her contract.

As it stands, there is no indication England international Clinton will leave United before Thursday’s 23:00 BST transfer deadline but the club may have to consider significant offers if it remains unlikely she will sign a contract extension.

City have been weighing up options in midfield throughout the summer and have enquired about a few players in that position.

MANCHESTER UNITED are set for a make-or-break deadline day after failing to sell any players this window.

But Ruben Amorim’s side is running out of time with the window shutting at 7pm tonight.

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Goalkeeper

United are keeping potential deals with Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez and Royal Antwerp’s Senne Lammens warm before deciding which one to go for.

Both players want to join Amorim’s side and were left out of their respective squads over the weekend. United aren’t in line to sign both goalkeepers.

£17million-rated Lammens, 23, is a project for the future, while World Cup winner Martinez can surely put things up between the sticks immediately.

SunSport understands Lammens is happy with the personal terms now on offer after talks stalled last week, and the Belgian wants to move to Old Trafford.

However, the Red Devils still need to agree a fee with Royal Antwerp, who are believed to be seeking £20 million.

Martinez, 32, would cost significantly more at around £40million and would demand higher wages in line with his current Villa Park deal, which still has five years left.

Antony

United winger Antony is expected to travel to Spain for a medical with Real Betis, where he enjoyed a revitalising six month loan last season.

He will take a significant pay cut to leave and will join Betis for £21.7m, with the deal made up of an initial £19m payment plus £3.4million in adds.

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It stalled on Friday night due to a £4-5million loyalty bonus that the player felt he was due from Old Trafford chiefs.

Jadon Sancho

Jadon Sancho could follow in Marcus Rashford’s footsteps by joining Aston Villa on loan with hours left in the window.

Villa Park chiefs have made contact with Sancho’s camp over personal terms but there is no agreement yet on either.

Sancho has one year left on his United deal.

Sancho, 25, seems the most likely Bomb Squad member to stay at the moment due to his outrageous £350,000-per-week wages.

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Midfielders

Injuries to Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount have hit Kobbie Mainoo‘s slim chances of being allowed to leave United today.

The Red Devils were not willing to let him leave on loan anyway.

But the first half injury blows against Burnley have only hardened their resolve.

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Tyrell Malacia

United are waiting for a suitable loan offer from LaLiga side Elche for left-back Tyrell Malacia, but it looks set to happen today.

Malacia enjoyed a loan spell at PSV last season where he won the Dutch league.

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Harry Amass

Sheffield Wednesday are in talks with United over a move for left-back Harry Amass.

United will consider a straight season-long loan as Amass, 18, is still seen as one for the future.

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CHELSEA boss Enzo Maresca wanted another left winger, and the club have given him Alejandro Garnacho.

But is the Argentinian, with his inconsistency on the field and indiscipline off it, the right option?

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Garnacho, whose signing is set to be confirmed today after he watched the Blues take on Fulham, undoubtedly has bags of potential.

Aged 21, he has plenty of time to fulfil it.

At a fee of £40m, in a window where players have been going for really silly money, he does not represent a massive risk.

The question is whether Garnacho is better than what Chelsea already have or what they have let go in the course of an incredible summer of buying and selling.

Garnacho is set to duke it out with fellow new arrival Jamie Gittens to be Maresca’s first choice down the left.

The Blues boss said: “They are quite similar.

“When we are looking for a winger, we like wingers who are good in one-v-one, they are quite vertical, aggressive, they can attack, they can create something.

“Jamie is that profile. If Garnacho arrives, we will see.”

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Garnacho brings more competition for places in Chelsea’s well-stocked attack.

But when you compare his stats for last season to those of Gittens, it is not much of a contest.

Across most of the important categories, Gittens was better: goals, assists, dribbles, chance conversion and so on.

There are two points to consider, however. Firstly, Gittens had a great time in front of goal last season, outperforming his expected goals significantly.

Meanwhile Garnacho had a particularly bad time when it came to converting big chances.

Secondly, there is the Jadon Sancho factor.

While Sancho was playing for Borussia Dortmund – as Gittens was last season – the then England manager Gareth Southgate was asked frequently about his form and whether he deserved more game time.

Without ever actually saying, “Lads, it’s the Bundesliga”, Southgate made it pretty clear that doing well in Germany’s top flight was one thing, but reproducing that form in the Premier League and at international level was quite another.

Maresca was not impressed with Gittens’ PL debut against Crystal Palace, hooking him after 54 minutes and putting him on the bench for the 5-1 thrashing of West Ham.

Yet it would be harsh to judge Gittens so soon.

Interestingly, too, Sancho’s stats while he was on loan at Chelsea last season stand up pretty well to Garnacho’s for United in some categories.

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Sancho seemed to enjoy being away from the toxicity of Old Trafford and Maresca said: “We had Jadon with us and he had a very good season.

“Again, if we finish top four and we achieve what we achieved, it’s also because of Jadon.

“Now with Garnacho, in case [if] he will arrive, we will see.”

That phrase again – we will see.

Noni Madueke, sold to Arsenal by the Blues earlier this summer, outperformed both Sancho and Garnacho last season.

Madueke, of course, plays primarily as a right winger. But on output alone, Chelsea seem to have got rid of a more potent attacking player than Garnacho.

And looking at Pedro Neto’s numbers, you wonder whether the Blues would have been better keeping Madueke.

Garnacho’s statistics for United in 2023/4 were in many cases better than in 2024/5, but not to a spectacular degree.

The Argentinian has it all to prove on the pitch.

He will also need to be careful off it.

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Garnacho infuriated United this summer with his habit of sending not-very-subtle messages of defiance through social media.

The Blues boss said: “We are in an era where I look like the strange one, because I don’t use social networks.

“I have a company that runs my Instagram but I don’t use it. I look strange because I don’t use it.

“But the normal situation in this era is that everyone uses it. I’m not going to tell them, don’t use that.

“First of all, because they have family around them that can give them advice.

“I have four kids and try to give them advice.

“But if I have to give 25 more players advice, it’s too complicated.

“Anyone can do what they want, anyone can say what they want, but in the end it’s a matter of respect.”

Garnacho may find Maresca and Chelsea intolerant of mischief-making on social media and other disruptive behaviour.

And he only has to look at the turnover of players at Stamford Bridge to know what will happen if he does not deliver.