Martinelli ‘sad’ after failed Man Utd move

Gabriel Martinelli was reportedly left “sad” after missing out on a move to Manchester United after a trial.

That is according to his agent Luiz Antonio Moraes. Speaking to The Athletic, he said: “He was sad when the United move didn’t work out, but it didn’t last long.

“But he just kept working. Maybe even more than before. Ga [Martinelli] is a great example for all young players. Things never went to his head.”

Injury list confirmed

Manchester United currently boast one of the worst injury lists in the entirety of the Premier League.

With the international break now in full swing, take a look at who Erik ten Hag will be hoping to welcome back in just under a fortnight’s time 

Lukaku hails Mourinho

Former Man United forward Romelu Lukaku has hailed ex-Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho for his electric Roma form.

“As I have said in the past, the coach and I have a special relationship,” Lukaku said. “He knows my family, he knows my children: he is someone I trust, as he has in me. He is also tough, as other coaches have been in the past, but it’s the only way I can grow as a player.”

Erik ten Hag has huge in tray

The international break means a two-week gap in the lead-up to United’s next fixture, against winless Sheffield United. Rather than resting on his laurels, Ten Hag will know he has to use the time wisely, and Mirror Football has looked at five of the main priorities for the Dutchman to address.

Rooney set for return

Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney is set for a return to English football as he closes in on a switch to Birmingham City.

It represents the latest intriguing career move for the former forward.

Take a look back at what has happened so far RIGHT HERE

Manchester United round-up

Despite it being the international break, there’s still plenty going on at Old Trafford.

Gary Neville has expressed his concern on the Red Devils missing out on a place in the top four, while Andre Onana continues to receive criticism for his indifferent start to life at the club.

Ronaldo inspires Mourinho change

Former Man Utd manager Jose Mourinho has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer to Saudi Arabia earlier this year has inspired him to move to the Middle Eastern nation later in his career.

Roma boss Mourinho claims to have received the “biggest and craziest offer” in managerial history, which reportedly came from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal – the club Neymar plays for. However, it was Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr in January that has driven Mourinho’s future plans.

Exclusive: Souness demands VAR change

Graeme Souness has called for a hand-picked squad of ex-players to stop the haemorrhage of VAR howlers.

The Liverpool legend says the catalogue of VAR blunders this season has “embarrassed” referees and said: “They need help – oh boy, they need help – but it’s there if they want it.”

“On the first weekend of the season, you’ve got the Manchester United goalkeeper who comes out and clatters the Wolves player – if that happens anywhere else on the pitch, it’s an immediate red card,” Souness added. “The referee didn’t call it, and when the VAR looked at it he didn’t call it, either.

“It beggars belief. And when Alexis Mac Allister was sent off for Liverpool (against Bournemouth ), how is that a red card?

FULL STORY: Davies backs self after Ten Hag criticism

Alphonso Davies backed his own defensive abilities after being targeted by Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag before Bayern Munich’s match against the English side.

Davies is a regular presence in Bayern’s defence, though the Canadian international has played further forward for his country. When United travelled to the Allianz Arena in September, though, the visiting boss appeared to see him as a weak link.

Dumfries set for new deal

Inter right-back Denzel Dumfries is set for a new deal at the San Siro after a proposed summer move to Old Trafford failed to materialise.

According to TuttoMercatoWeb (via Football Italia), the Nerazzurri want to keep him on board until 2028.

United right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka is out of contract at the end of this season, but reports suggested the club were readying new talks with the Crystal Palace man after turning their attentions away from Dumfries.

Brentford investigating Pinnock abuse

Brentford have issued a statement amid racial abuse aimed at centre-back Ethan Pinnock after the Bees’ defeat at Old Trafford.

“Brentford FC strongly condemns the cowardly racial abuse directed at our player, Ethan Pinnock, on Instagram,” a club statement reads “Racial discrimination is a stain on our sport and society and we will continue to fight against it

“We have initiated an investigation and will be seeking the support of the police and Meta to identify the perpetrator and hold them accountable

“This is a crime, yet it happens all too often. When can we expect the social media companies to fully use their resources and technology to provide us with the safer online experience many of us want? Ethan has our full support at this time.”

Two battling for United-linked Inacio

Manchester United were linked with Sporting CP defender in previous transfer windows, but the Portuguese youngster is now at the centre of a tug-of-war between Liverpool and Real Madrid.

The 22-year-old, who made his senior Portugal debut in March, is reported to have a release clause just north of £50m

According to Defensa Central (via Sky Sports), Madrid and Liverpool could look at making an approach in January.

Sancho could leave in January

Manchester United are preparing to ofload Jadon Sancho as soon as January, according to The Mail.

United boss Erik ten Hag is said to be concerned about the impact of his falling-out with the England winger on the rest of the squad.

The Manchester club are said to be prepared to cover Sancho’s £300,000 per week wages if it helps facilitate a loan move, with Juventus and Borussia Dortmund both linked.

Ten Hag following Ferguson transfer advice

Manchester United are eyeing deals to sign two Brazilian teenagers – Palmeiras midfielder Luis Guilherme and Flamengo winger Lorran.

Both of the highly-rated youngsters have been heavily scouted by United in South America after impressing the Red Devils’ recruitment team.

Guilherme is a Brazil under-20 international who has been integrated into the Palmeiras first-team while Lorran recently netted a brace for his nation’s U17 side against England.

Chelsea ‘closer than United’ to top five

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville believes Chelsea have a better chance than his old employers of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

The expanded competition could see five English teams take part, but Neville is pessimistic when it comes to Erik ten Hag’s side.

“The goalkeeper hasn’t settled in quickly. That’s a problem,” he said on The Gary Neville Podcast. “If your goalkeeper isn’t settled in and there’s a bit on instability around that, it does create a big problem. I’ve had it at United.

“Chelsea are probably near to it [the top five] if they can just go on a run because they have got some really talented young players. Their age is a lot better than the Manchester United squad.”

Scalvini still of interest

Manchester United are keen on Atalanta youngster Giorgio Scalvini, according to TuttoMercatoWeb (via Sport Witness).

The centre-back made his Atalanta debut at the age of 17, and is now a full Italy international.

Juventus, Inter and Napoli are also said to be keen on the 20-year-old, who has been valued at around £43m.

Birmingham make official Rooney approach

Birmingham City have approached former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney about their vacant managerial role, Sky Sports report.

The Blues have dismissed boss John Eustace despite sitting sixth in the Championship after 11 games.

Rooney is free to talk to potential employers, having left D.C. United after failing to lead them to the Major League Soccer playoffs.

Man Utd takeover: David Beckham lined up for role

David Beckham is set for an ambassadorial role at Manchester United if Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is successful with his bid for the club, it has been claimed.

According to talkSPORT, Beckham’s future role at United – if Sheikh Jassim takes over – would be ‘similar’ to the role he occupied around the last men’s World Cup. Beckham was paid a reported £125m for the role, and recently opened up about the arrangement amid questions over Qatar’s human rights record – especially in relation to LGBT+ rights.

Morgan Gibbs-White on his love for Man Utd

Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White has admitted he grew up supporting Manchester United and idolised Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes.

In an interview with the Premier League, Gibbs-White said: “Growing up as a kid, I supported United so Rooney was always my favourite player,” he said.

“He was the real key player in that squad, so calm and composed. He used to pick up pockets, run in behind, score goals. Another player when I was growing up that I loved watching was Paul Scholes.”

Rooney

Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies refused to be drawn into a war of words with Man United manager Erik ten Hag.

Davies plays at left-back and Ten Hag described him as ‘not a great defender’ ahead of his side’s trip to Bayern in the Champions League.

Speaking to ESPN, Davies has now fired back: “I think as a coach, he said it to motivate his players and I’m not sure what he saw but I’m not here to say he was wrong. I do have a lot of good defensive ability and I showed that during the game. It was actually after the game that I saw the interview, but at the end of the day all that matters is I did my job on the pitch and we got the three points.”

Greenwood speaks out after Getafe goal

Mason Greenwood has spoken out after scoring his first goal for Getafe.

The 22-year-old struck in the Spanish side’s 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo on Sunday evening and has said on social media: “Happy to score my first goal for @getafecf amazing team spirit to come away from the game with a point.”

Sutton slams Rooney call

Chris Sutton has branded Birmingham City’s decision to sack John Eustace as “madness”, with Man United legend Wayne Rooney expected to step in at St Andrew’s.

The former player used the word in a social media post following the news.

Schmeichel slams Ten Hag

Peter Schmeichel can’t understand why Scott McTominay has been reduced to a bit-part player by Erik ten Hag.

“He’s got the ability to do that,” he told Premier League productions.

“I don’t understand what coaches are doing. Scott McTominay was up for sale all summer and I don’t understand that. He’s a fantastic player, you need utility players. You need players that can play different positions, that can come from the bench and change the course of the game and he’s definitely one of them.”

Ten Hag told to make two signings

Manchester United should splash out and sign a Premier League-proven centre-forward in the January transfer window.

That is the opinion of former United winger Lee Sharpe, who believes Rasmus Hojlund needs some support up front. Erik ten Hag’s side have made a poor start to the season and sit 10th in the Premier League having won just four of their eight games so far, while they have also lost both matches in the Champions League.

They have struggled to find the back of the net, scoring nine times in the league – half the number managed by Tottenham and Liverpool, and way short of Brighton, who lead the way on 21. Hojlund has caught the eye following his £72million transfer in the summer, but his three goals in eight games across all competitions have not been enough for his struggling side.

‘School boy would’ve done better than Onana’

Andre Onana was guilty of letting in a shot that a schoolboy would have saved against Brentford, according to Garth Crooks.

The Manchester United goalkeeper could not save Mathias Jensen’s tame effort at Old Trafford on Saturday. The Cameroon international let the shot squirm under his grasp as Brentford went 1-0 up. It was the latest in a growing line of mistakes from the £47.2million summer signing.

Thankfully for him, the blunder did not cost United, who came back to win 2-1 thanks to two injury-time goals from Scott McTominay. Nevertheless, the pressure is building on Onana, who also contributed to their 3-2 defeat by Galatasaray with a dreadful hospital pass to Casemiro, allowed Leroy Sane’s shot past him in the 4-3 loss to Bayern Munich and was fortunate to get away with clattering Sasa Kalajdzic on debut against Wolves.

Inside Nice’s title charge under Ratcliffe’s rule

Sir Jim Ratcliffe might’ve finally cracked it.

No, not his attempts to buy Manchester United, but in making Nice a force to be reckoned with in French football. Sitting second in the Ligue 1 table behind Riviera rivals Monaco heading into the international break, the INEOS-owned club are thriving under up-and-coming managerial hotshot Francesco Farioli.

Since Ratcliffe and co took over in August 2019, Nice supporters have had to remain patient after hearing grand promises from the ownership. Things couldn’t be coming to fruition at a better time for INEOS, though, as they prepare to launch a fresh bid in the hope of acquiring Premier League giants United – and like in the league table with Paris Saint-Germain – get one over on Qatar.

But how exactly have Nice done it this season? Take a look 

Neville defends McTominay after criticism

Gary Neville launched a passionate defence of Scott McTominay following his two goals against Brentford.

The Scotland international had been criticised on social media by Manchester United fans for not working hard enough this summer.

Neville told Sky Sports: “I was happy for Scott McTominay. The stuff I’ve seen on social media over the last few weeks, that’s when it’s the classic a club is falling apart when you start to have your fanbase and media people questioning the work ethic of a kid who has come through the academy.

“Sorry, I’m not having that. That’s one kid who will run through a brick wall for the club. That’s the weight on his shoulders and the pressure and feeling of completely not having the support in the club to be able to actually wear your legs down.”

Birmingham sack boss ahead of Rooney appointment

Birmingham City have confirmed that head coach John Eustace has been relieved of his duties, with Wayne Rooney poised to replace him at St Andrew’s.

The Blues were in turmoil when Eustace, 43, was appointed last summer, but the former QPR man defied the odds to avoid relegation. Eustace has also overseen a positive start to the new campaign, with Birmingham heading into the international break in sixth place in the Championship after back-to-back league wins.

Eustace’s fine work at St Andrew’s has seen him linked with the Rangers vacancy and touted as a potential target for Premier League clubs, but that hasn’t deterred Birmingham’s new American owners from courting Rooney in recent weeks.