Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has spoken for the first time about his post-match interview being disrupted by Ed Sheeran.
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Coach plays down interview interruptionContrasts English media culture with PortugalSet for home debut against Bodo/GlimtFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The United boss played down the significance of the pop megastar turning up in the middle of his conversation with Sky Sports after his opening game in charge against Ipswich Town. Sheeran later apologised for saying hello to Jamie Redknapp while Amorim was talking to presenter Kelly Cates and Roy Keane.
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"In England you over complicate things. In Portugal it is so different," Amorim told a press conference. "He was just saying hello to one of the commentators and it was nothing. I was with Roy Keane and he is one of the stars. It was nothing, it's OK."
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Amorim is known for his honest approach with the media and his straight talking but he is in a whole new world when it comes to scrutiny now he is manager of United. He hinted he was frustrated with the way his words had been interpreted after the Ipswich game, when he had appeared to criticise Jonny Evans for not pressing goalscorer Omari Hutchinson. He said: "I have to use the names of the players to explain the situation to you guys. I have explained why we had some problems in the first half. It was not a problem with the players; it was about me [and my ideas]. I believe we can play in different systems. Sometimes we defended in a 4-4-2 [vs Ipswich]. We have to play in different systems because nowadays teams change their dynamic. I think our structure, the power of this structure, is to change formation in each game."
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DID YOU KNOW?
Amorim hinted that Lisandro Martinez will return for United's next game against Bodo Glimt but ruled Harry Maguire out of action. He also revealed that Leny Yoro is in full training four months after injuring his ankle in pre-season, explaining he and his staff were "preparing the best way to start with Leny".
Manchester United mean business this summer. It's been a while since the Red Devils launched such a concerted, driven approach, but INEOS are changing things at Old Trafford, dissembling the outfit and repackaging it in a mould tailored for success.
United have certainly seen a flurry of activity thus far, welcoming players such as Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro while ridding itself of some of the flotsam that was clogging up the squad.
LOSC Lille defender Leny Yoro
Issues in central defence have been addressed – with further attention anticipated this summer; up front, Zirkzee has been signed in the hope of threading the attack together and enhancing the fluency and bite of Erik ten Hag's side.
Man United transfer news
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Man United have agreed personal terms with holding midfielder Manuel Ugarte ahead of a transfer this summer, though crunch talks with Paris Saint-Germain are ongoing.
The Ligue 1 champions are willing to let the Uruguay international leave as they prioritise signing Joao Neves from Benfica. Reports from across the Channel claim that Ugarte will command a €70m (£59m) fee.
What Manuel Ugarte would bring to Man United
Ugarte only signed for PSG last year, completing a £51m transfer from Portugal's Sporting Lisbon. After impressing with his tough-tackling displays, Premier League clubs such as Chelsea and Liverpool had eyed him up, but it was the Ligue 1 giants who prevailed.
Manuel Ugarte for PSG
He completed 37 appearances under Luis Enrique last season and placed three assists for his teammates. However, the 23-year-old failed to nail down a starring role and was benched for each of the Parisiens' four knockout fixtures in the Champions League. Moreover, he earned just 21 starting berths in the league.
But the talent is there, abundant, and given that he's already been described as "a younger Kante" by reporter Zach Lowy, he might just be tailor-made for the Premier League. Kante, 33, is seemingly closing in on a £20m move to West Ham United, one year after leaving Chelsea and moving to Saudi Arabia.
The France international was exceptional at the 2024 European Championship and proved that age, indeed, is just a number. But Ugarte's a decade younger, and to be honest, United are landing a talent capable of thriving at the nub of the engine room for many, many years.
After all, despite his middling campaign, Ugarte still showcased his skills as one of the best ball-recycling, crunching-challenging midfielders in the business, averaging 3.9 tackles, 6.4 successful duels and 7.2 ball recoveries per game, as per Sofascore.
Tackles attempted
4.11
99th
Tackles won
2.32
98th
Interceptions
1.86
96th
Tackles + interceptions
5.97
99th
Ball recoveries
8.14
99th
We all know that the potential is dizzying, but let's allow ourselves to drift away from the present. Ugarte is an immense midfielder who boasts a skillset that would have been perfect for a certain Paul Pogba.
Let's explain. As you can see from the table above, Ugarte is a staggering defensive midfielder, robust and relentless in protecting his rearguard, and such a presence would have allowed Man United's one-time world-record £89m signing to flourish.
Pogba, a polarising footballer, is unquestionably one of the most talented, yet frustrating, players to have performed under the Old Trafford lights in a generation, and after being sold to Juventus as a youngster, he returned under Jose Mourinho to play in 233 fixtures, notching 87 goal contributions and win the Europa League and the Carabao Cup.
The 31-year-old is banned from football until August 2027 after testing positive for doping, but will always remain one of the most talented and breathtaking players of his time, truly encompassing the full scope of what it takes to be a complete midfielder.
He was nothing short of brilliant on his day, and having the security of an iron-clad No. 6 beside him could have made all the difference.
Harking back to Kante: Pogba won the 2018 World Cup with France alongside the former Chelsea and Leicester City machine, and given how immense the pairing was as Les Bleus' best players cemented immortal status, Ugarte truly could have been the perfect partner.
After all, The Athletic's Carl Anka wrote upon the prodigy's departure on a free transfer in 2022: 'United rarely played him in his favoured position in left midfield of a 4-3-3, nor did they ever purchase a mobile defensive midfielder so he might perform comfortably in a deeper position.'
He needed security, stability, and a modicum of functionality. Alas, it didn't happen, but Ugarte's unceasing pursuit of lofty defensive numbers does speak of his suitability for success in the Premier League and for his suitability to partner the "next Paul Pogba" in Kobbie Mainoo.
It's a new era, in any case, and Ugarte's set to star at the centre.
Imagine him & Yoro: Man Utd could land £46k-p/w De Ligt upgrade
The Red Devils are looking to overhaul the backline this summer.
If the recent rumours out of St Mary's are anything to go off, Southampton's summer window has so far seen them balance moving for established Premier League performers with some of England's most exciting young players.
Southampton swoop for a slew of new signings
The first signing of the window saw Southampton reunite with Adam Lallana, who returned to the South Coast club almost a decade after he left for Liverpool. Another ex-Saint on the club's list of targets is Danny Ings. The 31-year-old made exactly 100 appearances for the Saints across both loan and permanent spells at the club and now could return after struggling for form at West Ham.
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Young players are also a priority for the Saints with the club set to make the signing of Peterborough United star Ronnie Edwards. The 21-year-old has long been linked with a £10 million move to the South Coast this summer.
With one eye in the Saints' recruitment team looking for the next generation of stars, Southampton are now stepping up their pursuit of a talented English striker.
Saints step up pursuit of Man City striker
As first reported by Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke, Southampton are stepping up their interest in Man City striker Liam Delap. The outlet claims that the Premier League champions value the player at £20 million as they look to offload the 21-year-old this summer.
After Taylor Harwood-Bellis joined the Saints permanently from the Etihad outfit a couple of days ago, it is clear that the two clubs are not shy of doing business together, having also dealt together in the past for Gavin Bazunu, Samuel Edozie and Romeo Lavia.
Delap spent last season on loan at Hull City, where he scored 8 goals in 31 league appearances for the Tigers – many of the Saints' faithful will remember the young striker finding the back of the net in October 2023 as Hull lost 2-1 at home to Southampton.
The 21-year-old's time at Hull saw him excel under Liam Rosenior's possession based system. A player able to drop deep and facilitate play or run at centre backs with the ball at his feet, it is clear that Delap would be the perfect striker for if Russell Martin decides to take his current style of play into the Premier League.
A product of Derby County's academy, Delap joined Man City in 2019 and made his debut soon after, scoring in a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth in the third round of the Carabao Cup. His time at the Etihad saw Delap earn praise from City's coach Pep Guardiola, who spoke highly of the striker back in 2022.
"Liam last season grew up a lot especially with Enzo Maresca helping him to develop. He is a type of striker we don’t have, a killer, typical British striker."
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.
With City's current strike partnership of Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland young enough to keep going for the next ten years, it is clear as to why the decision has been made to let Delap leave this summer and Southampton should snatch at the opportunity to sign him.
Former referee Mike Dean claims Mohammed Kudus could be set for a lengthy ban after being sent off during West Ham's 4-1 loss to Tottenham.
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Kudus sent off for violent conduct
Kicked Micky van de Ven and hit out at Pape Matar Sarr
Dean expects hefty punishment beyond three-game ban
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Kudus had a moment of madness during West Ham's humbling 4-1 defeat to Spurs on Saturday, as he first kicked out at Van de Ven, before pushing him in the face. Then, in an ensuing melee, the winger also pushed Pape Matar Sarr in the face; he was initially shown a yellow card, but it was upgraded to a red after VAR's intervention. He had scored the Hammers' only goal.
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Kudus will face a three-game ban by default because of his straight red but Dean believes that he could be handed a further punishment by the FA as a result of his behaviour. As it stands, he will miss clashes with Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, and Everton.
WHAT MIKE DEAN SAID
Dean said on : "When you see the footage back, the first one he could have got sent off for, which hopefully he has.
"Hopefully the second one the FA will then take retrospective action so he'll get done twice in my opinion because he's hit two different players in the face on two occasions."
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WHAT NEXT?
Kudus will wait anxiously to discover if he receives a further punishment. After his three-game suspension, the Hammers play Newcastle away and host Arsenal; being without the Ghana international would be a serious blow.
Birmingham City were somewhat mocked for retiring Jude Bellingham's number 22 strip when he left the Blues behind in 2020, exiting his boyhood club as a teenager with lots still to prove, ahead of a major move to Borussia Dortmund.
The rest, of course, is history now, with the 20-year-old playing with the world at his feet, having scored for England in their recent Euro 2024 opener against Serbia to steer the Three Lions to a slim 1-0 win, alongside lifting the Champions League with Real Madrid at the end of the last campaign.
The ever-improving boy wonder will thank Birmingham for beginning this path to stardom, with another midfielder in the St. Andrew's ranks currently aiming to be the club's very next superstar over time, as he looks to head for the exit door this summer.
Birmingham's next big midfield sale
Rumoured to be leaving the West Midlands side this off-season, with the likes of Atalanta and West Ham United eyeing up his services in January, it looks to be a tall order for the relegated Blues to keep hold of Jordan James ahead of a new League One season to come.
With BirminghamLive speculating that the interested Italian party will likely come back in for the promising 19-year-old soon, new Blues manager Chris Davies will be planning for a future without the tenacious midfield star as a result, after he stood out as a constant bright spark even during Birmingham's disappointing relegation campaign.
Birmingham midfielder Jordan James.
With a £10m price-tag reportedly placed above his head when interest was heating up mid-way through the Championship season, it will be intriguing to see what fee the Blues will now deem acceptable to part ways, with Birmingham losing Bellingham to Germany for £25m in 2020.
It is unlikely that James will end up donning a Real Madrid strip anytime soon like the world-class 20-year-old, but the sky will still be the limit for the next top young product Birmingham have managed to produce, having impressed those in Blues quarters over the last few campaigns now.
James' numbers for Birmingham
Making his senior debut for Birmingham at the tender age of 17 in 2021, the agile Wales international has never looked out of his depth when performing in the senior ranks, mirroring Bellingham's rapid ascent into the senior mix at St. Andrew's, making his own debut at just 16 years of age.
James has amassed a mightily impressive goal and assists return since emerging into the first team as a youthful livewire, picking up ten goals and two assists from 105 games, with eight of those strikes coming during the 2023/24 season.
James (23/24) vs Bellingham (19/20)
Stat
James
Bellingham
Games played
42
41
Goals scored
8
4
Assists
0
2
Shots*
1.0
1.2
Big chances missed
2
3
Touches*
27.8
40.8
Stats by Sofascore. * = per game
Matching Bellingham in a number of respective areas, when comparing James' own breakthrough season last time out to Bellingham's 2019/20 season at St. Andrew's, James will hope if an attractive move to Atalanta gets off the ground that he can become the Serie A club's next hero.
He would be surrounded by elite talents playing in Europe, instead of battling it out in League One, on the way to his own rise to unbelievable stardom.
Wales international Jordan James.
Described as being a player who has "got everything" in his game to be a success, according to his international team boss in Wales manager Rob Page, the 19-year-old will pray a major move comes his way soon, even if Birmingham will be desperate to keep a grip on their homegrown gem for as long as they can.
Birmingham hit gold with free transfer who can help Davies win promotion
Birmingham City are reaping the rewards of this bold purchase now.
A Manchester United scout was reportedly left "bewitched" by the performance of one of the club's summer transfer targets, having flown to watch him in action earlier this week.
Man Utd transfer news
The Red Devils have had such a disappointing season, having gone into the campaign as contenders to finish in the top four in the Premier League. Instead, they have rarely looked like achieving that goal, and crashed out of Europe after finishing bottom of their Champions League group.
For that reason, it is paramount that a number of new signings come in during the summer transfer window, with improvements, from their ageing defence to their goal-shy attack, needed all over the pitch.
RB Leipzig and Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko is a reported target for United at the end of the season, having scored 14 goals in just 17 Bundesliga starts this season. He is seen as a player who could provide much-needed competition for Rasmus Hojlund in the centre of attack, especially with Anthony Martial expected to move on.
Another top target appears to be Crystal Palace maestro Michael Olise, whose quality and end product have consistently caught the eye this season – when he has been fit. Fabrizio Romano has said of the situation: "Olise remains a player who is really appreciated at Manchester United, also by people on the scouting team since one year ago."
Man Utd "bewitched" by target
According to Tuttosport (via Sport Witness) a Manchester United representative was left "bewitched" by Gleison Bremer when watching him in action for Juventus against Atalanta in the Coppa Italia final on Wednesday, as they won 1-0 thanks to a Dusan Vlahovic goal.
The individual in question "flew to Italy specifically" to watch the Brazilian in action, and the Red Devils are now "ready to get serious" with regards to a move for him. A bid of €70m (£60m) is expected to be enough to get him.
Juventus' Gleison Bremer
Bremer is precisely what United need this summer in terms of a dominant centre-back who is at a good age to come in and be Lisandro Martinez's long-term partner at the heart of the defence.
The 27-year-old has impressed for Juve throughout this season, averaging 4.1 clearances and 2.9 aerial duel wins per game in Serie A across 35 appearances. He has even chipped in with three goals for good measure. Meanwhile, former Brazil manager Tite once waxed lyrical over him after calling him up for international duty, saying:
"Bremer had this opportunity to be called up thanks to his career and performances of a high level at Torino and Juventus. Perhaps we got it wrong and didn’t observe him closely enough, because he deserved more of our attention a lot earlier. When he arrived here, in the games and the training sessions we did together, he gave such a sense of certainty. He really is a player of great quality."
At 27, Bremer is younger than the likes of Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans – the former has confirmed that he is leaving United this summer – and he arguably possesses the physical attributes to adjust to the Premier League with ease.
With the rebuild at Elland Road already underway, it appears that the higher ups at Leeds United have made it clear who will be the focal point of next season's promotion bid.
Leeds set for mass exodus following Wembley heartbreak
After failing to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking, a number of Leeds' top stars look set to depart West Yorkshire this summer.
Much of the Elland Road faithful are now resigned to the fact that Crysencio Summerville will be leaving Leeds this summer with the winger linked with a move to the Premier League. It is also likely that his left sided counterpart, Wilfred Gnonto will be eyeing up a move away from the Championship after the Italian pushed for a transfer at the start of last season.
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With Summerville and Gnonto combining for 27 goals in the league last season, it is clear that Leeds will face a major task to replace this output if the duo are to depart. Whilst there is no doubt that the Whites will be dipping into the transfer market this summer, those at the top of Leeds are looking closer to home for their new star man.
Farke puts key man at the centre of next season's promotion bid
As first reported by Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke, Leeds United are set to build around Archie Gray ahead of next season's bid to return to the Premier League. The 18-year-old has enjoyed a breakout season with his boyhood club, featuring 52 times as Leeds came agonisingly close to promotion.
O'Rourke has stated that "Gray has long been touted as an outstanding talent behind the scenes at Thorp Arch" and that Leeds are "putting him at the centre of their plan to gain promotion back to the Premier League next season". After picking up the Championship Young Player of the Season aswell as a slew of other awards, there is no wonder why the higher ups at Elland Road view him as the future of the club.
During his maiden season, Gray has been a vital part of Farke's side. Playing as either a right back or central midfielder, the teenager has excelled everytime he has stepped on the pitch and has not let his first taste of senior football phase him in the slightest.
Whilst keeping Gray is the plan for Leeds, the 18-year-old will not be short of suitors from across Europe's elite clubs. Among the interested sides are Arsenal with reports suggesting that the offer for Gray could be too good for the Whites to turn down.
Leeds United midfielder Archie Gray.
Currently commanding a wage of just £5,000 per week, Gray is under contract at Elland Road until the summer of 2028. With the England youth international unlikely to push for a move away from his boyhood side this summer, making Gray the focal point of the side may be enough to rebuff any big offers that could come in.
Leeds United booked their ticket to Wembley for the final of the Championship play-offs after they beat Norwich City 4-0 on Thursday night.
The Whites produced a masterclass of a performance at Elland Road as they thumped the Canaries in Yorkshire to win 4-0 on aggregate.
Daniel Farke's side had drawn 0-0 with Norwich at Carrow Road in the first leg last Sunday, which left it all to play for heading into Thursday's big showdown.
Leeds were the only team to show up on the night, though, as they found themselves 2-0 up inside 20 minutes and ran out comfortable 4-0 winners overall.
There were a host of impressive performers across the park, as Joel Piroe, Ilia Gruev, Crysencio Summerville, and Georginio Rutter all got on the scoresheet, and Illan Meslier made a huge save from Josh Sargent at 2-0.
One player who has made himself undroppable ahead of the showpiece event at Wembley later this month is centre-forward Joel Piroe, who has not been a guaranteed starter in recent weeks.
Joel Piroe's inconsistent game time for Leeds
Ahead of the second leg clash, the Dutch striker had only started three of the club's previous 13 league matches – coming off the bench ten times.
Patrick Bamford, who missed the semi-final games with a patella tendon injury, and Rutter had been preferred to him at times as Farke usually kept him to bring on as a substitute in matches during that period.
However, Piroe has had his fair share of starts over the course of the entire campaign, with 31 starts in his 45 Championship appearances during the regular season.
Leeds' biggest xG overperformers
23/24 Championship
xG
Goals
xG differential
Wilfried Gnonto
5.47
8
+2.53
Dan James
10.66
13
+2.34
Joel Piroe
12.95
14
+1.05
Liam Cooper
0.37
1
+0.63
Connor Roberts
0.39
1
+0.61
Stats via WhoScored
As you can see in the table above, the left-footed sensation has been one of the best finishers within the squad in the league this season, with 14 goals from 12.95 xG.
This shows that he has been largely effective in front of goal and has not wasted too many high-quality chances to find the back of the net for the Whites.
However, his finishing was not enough to land him a regular spot in the run-in towards the end of the regular season in the Championship, as shown by his three starts in 13 games ahead of the clash on Thursday.
Why Joel Piroe is now undroppable for the play-off final
Despite his lack of starts, the 24-year-old star must now be considered to be undroppable ahead of the trip to Wembley towards the end of May for the play-off final.
His performance against Norwich at Elland Road should be enough to have nailed down a starting spot for the Whites in London, as he produced a fantastic display.
Joel Piroe
The Yorkshire Evening Press' Graham Smyth awarded him a terrific player rating of 8/10 for his showing on Thursday, writing that the forward was always a 'threat' to the Canaries defence throughout the evening.
As per Smyth's comment, Piroe was a constant nuisance to the opposition with his movement and positioning off the ball to generate chances for himself, along with his excellent link-up play in possession.
His goal came from him peeling off the back of Shane Duffy to find himself free in the box, which allowed the striker to head past Angus Gunn from Wilfried Gnonto's sensational cross to the back post.
Along with his goal, Piroe produced another two shots on target – as he regularly tested Gunn – and had a big impact on the game on the ball, despite having fewer touches (27) than goalkeeper Meslier (37).
The former Swansea star completed 80% of his attempted passes and made two key passes, which shows that he was reliable in possession and looked to make things happen for his fellow attackers, rather than being selfish and solely focused on working his own opportunities.
He did lose three of his five duels, and lost 62% of his battles in the regular Championship season, but Farke may be able to excuse the lightweight nature of his performance given what he was able to do on the ball.
His quality in the final third was on full display, with his excellent header and impressive chance creation for his teammates, and that is why Piroe must now be undroppable for the final at Wembley.
The alternatives to Joel Piroe in the play-off final
Farke does have a plethora of options to choose from to make up his attack for the huge promotion-deciding game later this month.
In the first leg of the semi-finals at Carrow Road, the German boss opted to play Archie Gray in a number ten role with Rutter up front and it failed badly, with Football Insider handing the former a dismal match rating of 1/10.
20-year-old marksman Mateo Joseph is also an option for the manager to call upon if needed but it seems incredibly unlikely that he would do so barring a string of injuries.
The academy graduate made 20 appearances as a substitute, with zero starts, in the regular Championship season and came off the bench in one of the two clashes with Norwich in the play-offs.
It would, therefore, be a shock for Farke to hand him a start in the final at Wembley with no prior league starts to his name in a Whites shirt.
Patrick Bamford could, however, come into consideration if he is able to recover from the patella tendon injury that kept him out against Norwich.
Patrick Bamford in action for Leeds United in the Championship.
The former England international started 15 of his 33 appearances during the Championship season, and chipped in with eight goals from 9.52 xG.
This shows that, unlike Piroe, the experienced forward has let the team down at times with his wasteful finishing, as he underperformed against the quality of chances that were created for him.
He has also scored one goal in his last seven matches for Leeds, which shows that the striker is not heading into the final in good form.
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Therefore, Piroe, based on his performance on Thursday, is the best option to lead the line for the Whites and that is why he should be undroppable for the Wembley showpiece.