The Peoples Person

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly made a big move in an effort to beat Manchester United and other competitors to the signature of Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo.

United remain interested in Semenyo

During the summer transfer window, United explored a move for Semenyo as part of their bid to bolster the attacking department.

Semenyo enjoyed a brilliant 2024/25 campaign with Bournemouth, notching 11 goals and five assists in the Premier League. He has started this season in exquisite form and currently boasts six goals and three assists.

United and Spurs approached Bournemouth over a potential deal for Semenyo but both clubs withdrew from the race to sign him after becoming aware of his prohibitive asking price. United turned their attention to Bryan Mbeumo, who joined from Brentford for £65m.

However, it’s believed that United continue to monitor Semenyo, whose excellent form has attracted a growing list of admirers.

A report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that United are willing to offer Semenyo a contract. He signed a new contract which contains a release clause of £60m plus £5m in bonuses.

According to Sky Sports, Spurs are stepping up their interest in the Ghana international ahead of January.

Spurs aiming to win Semenyo race

Sky claim, “Tottenham are intensifying their interest in Antoine Semenyo ahead of the January transfer window. Spurs want to sign a left winger and are looking to get ahead of competition for the Bournemouth forward.”

“Spurs appear more ready to pay what is required to land Semenyo this time around, but they face competition from City and Liverpool.”

Sky further note that Arsenal have also kept tabs on Semenyo but they’re unlikely to make a definitive move to snap him up.

Given the depth of options for the wide left attacking role, strengthening this area is not a pressing concern for the league leaders.

From United’s perspective, it is concerning that Spurs are ready to meet Semenyo’s asking price now, while they themselves seem content to wait for the greater financial flexibility of the summer window.

Featured image Ryan Pierse via Getty Images

Manchester United got back to winning ways against Crystal Palace, showing some steel to come from behind to snatch a 2-1 win.

The goals came from Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount, but the performance was driven from the midfield by Casemiro.

Priority position

Nevertheless the Brazilian has had his fair share of underwhelming performances and it is clear the veteran is in the twilight of an illustrious career.

Manuel Ugarte was brought in to challenge the 33-year-old and ultimately take over from him, but it hasn’t worked out for the former PSG man.

As such, the Red Devils are widely reported to be viewing a new midfielder as a transfer priority, either in January or in the summer.

Shortlist assembled

United have long been planning for a big signing in that position, to the point that fans have been frustrated not to see movement there sooner.

The club were reportedly close to signing Carlos Baleba last summer before being scared off by Brighton and Hove Albion’s nine-digit asking price.

Links to the Cameroonian have not gone away despite his poor form this season, and he has been joined on the shortlist by the likes of Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Joao Gomes.

Spurs enter the race

That downturn in performances has led to speculation the 21-year-old’s price may be reduced ahead of an anticipated transfer, and according to CaughtOffside Tottenham Hotspur have sensed an opportunity to go for him.

The outlet claim that Spurs have joined the race, but also that Brighton will stick to their €100m valuation – it is implied that the London club wouldn’t meet this, and United are also likely to struggle.

United and Spurs are therefore named as “the main two teams to watch in the race for Baleba”, and CaughtOffside indicate that the youngster’s bad form is viewed in the industry as a blip rather than a permanent black mark.

Final thoughts

A CaughtOffside source says that the Seagulls “don’t see Baleba’s recent performances as a huge concern” and that “any clubs thinking about a cut-price deal can forget about it”.

It makes sense that the clubs involved are looking beyond a dodgy few months in a young player’s career, and it would not be a surprise to see United close an expensive deal for him next year.

But equally the Red Devils could turn to an alternative target, meaning there is no reason for Spurs not to stay in touch in this fast-moving situation.

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Manchester United will welcome back one injured star ahead of the all-important Premier League contest against Everton on Monday.

Kobbie Mainoo, who missed the Tottenham Hotspur game due to knock he had picked up in training, is in contention to be named as part of the matchday squad as per Centredevils.

He returned to team training on Saturday, and has impressed coaches with his dedication and professionalism.

“Staff within the club have been extremely impressed with Kobbie Mainoo’s professionalism and his attitude to training this season.

Mainoo back in training

“The midfielder was out with a knock in the Red Devil’s last game against Tottenham Hotspur. Kobbie Mainoo has returned to group training today and is now in contention to return to the Manchester United squad.

“If he does end up making the squad, his return will be seen as a positive amongst United fans.”

The Englishman is yet to start a single Premier League game this campaign, and due to his lack of minutes, he has lost his place in the national team.

The Carrington graduate is keen to play in next year’s World Cup, which is why he had asked to leave in the summer. INEOS had turned down his request back then.

United cannot afford to lose him

Should the situation not improve, the 20-year-old is expected to ask to leave in January as well. There are multiple clubs chasing his signature.

Napoli are the frontrunners, but they are eyeing a loan with an obligation while the Red Devils will only sanction a dry loan as they do not want to lose the talented midfielder.

A meeting between the co-owners and Kobbie Mainoo is expected, and should he leave, the 20-time English league champions will need to find alternatives in the market.

Hopefully, that does not come to pass and Amorim finds space for him in the playing XI. The departures of Amad and Bryan Mbeumo for AFCON could open up a slot.

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Ruben Amorim will be hoping to receive backing in the winter transfer window, and if INEOS were to deliver one of the Premier League’s most in-form stars, Antoine Semenyo, what a statement that would be.

With six goals and three assists already to his name, Semenyo has enjoyed one of the brightest starts to the campaign. His explosive form may have left some United fans frustrated that the club failed to pull off a deal in the summer.

United had worked on a Semenyo swoop ahead of summer 2025

Before the Ghana international signed fresh terms with Bournemouth, it is claimed INEOS made a concerted effort to bring him in.

Amorim himself reportedly took Semenyo out for a meal in London at the end of the season to judge his character.

It is suggested that personal terms were then agreed between United and the player.

However, the Red Devils remained resolute, refusing to exceed their £55 million valuation of the player. With Tottenham Hotspur also circling, Bournemouth saw an opportunity to drive up the asking price.

Interestingly, it was not the issue with the transfer fee that scuppered the deal. The deal breaker was Semenyo realising his proposed United salary would be less than 70 percent of what Matheus Cunha was set to earn.

Bournemouth, learning of the situation, responded swiftly, offering Semenyo a tempting package that convinced him to commit his future to the Vitality Stadium until 2030.

While his new deal appeared to shut the door on any move in the near future, murmurs of a release clause kept the suitors hopeful.

Release clause: the details

Initially shrouded in mystery, the specifics of Semenyo’s release clause have now been laid bare courtesy of The Athletic’s David Ornstein.

Writing for the UK outlet, the transfer guru revealed:

“Bournemouth reluctantly accept they may be powerless to prevent Antoine Semenyo from leaving the club as soon as January.

“Suitors were told during the previous market that the fee required to secure Semenyo was around £70million ($92.2m), whereas the sale price for the winter is now formally set at £65m.

“It must be activated by a specific date, which would give Bournemouth a couple of weeks to replace their best player, and is available to any team.”

Perfect signing, if United pull it off

Given his growing influence, this is a transfer opportunity United fans will hope INEOS approach with intent.

With the left wing-back position remaining shaky for much of the season, Semenyo could offer a dynamic solution if deployed there.

Yet, as straightforward as the release clause may seem, signing him will not be as simple as triggering it. The Ghanaian is attracting interest from nearly every top Premier League side.

United face a battle with Liverpool, Manchester City, and Spurs for his signature. Ultimately, it may come down to who moves first and, more crucially, who Semenyo wants.

Featured image Ryan Pierse via Getty Images

Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly held a meeting with a Premier League manager in his garage least year.

State of flux

Since Ineos took control of football operations at the club, there have been sweeping changes made to almost every department.

This also involves the manager as Erik ten Hag was finally sacked in October 2024 and replaced by Ruben Amorim.

Ten Hag made it to October but he was almost sacked in the early part of the summer after poor league performances.

Nonetheless, he ultimately survived owing to the fact he won the FA Cup against Manchester City.

The former Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi was high up on United’s list of potential Ten Hag replacements but he rejected the club as he wanted more control over transfers.

Thomas Frank

The former Brentford manager who joined Tottenham Hotspur this summer was reportedly another target for Ineos to replace Ten Hag in the summer of 2024.

TV2 (via The Manchester Evening News) report, “Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly held talks with Thomas Frank in the summer of 2024 about the prospect of becoming Manchester United boss.”

It is stated that, “United held talks with Frank about the prospect of becoming the club’s new manager. This, the report claims, took place on May 24 last year, the day before United beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.”

The reports claim that Frank was interviewed in Ratcliffe’s garage in his home in London. Moreover, “Frank had another interview on the same day, where he tried to get the Chelsea manager’s job.”

Commenting on the experience in an interview with TV2 Frank claimed, “I know I didn’t get either job, but it was still huge. I remember walking through Battersea Park between the two interviews and thinking: ‘Thomas Frank from f****** Frederiksværk – am I really experiencing this?'”

United would finally persevere with Ten Hag until sacking the Dutchman on the 29th October after a 1-2 defeat to West Ham United.

Featured images Alex Pantling via Getty Images

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Manchester United secured a last-gasp 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur away from home last weekend despite playing the last 10 minutes with a man disadvantage.

It was the visitors who had taken the lead through Bryan Mbeumo but Spurs scored twice within quick succession, with Richarlison’s strike coming in added time.

With Benjamin Sesko forced off injured, and no subs left for the Red Devils, up stepped Matthijs de Ligt in the last minute of added time to secure an important point.

The Slovenian, who started on the bench, came on in the 58th minute and had two glorious chances to score United’s second. But he fluffed his lines on both occasions.

Poor cameo from Benjamin Sesko

It was a poor cameo and his day was made worse when he pulled up due to a knee injury. United’s medical team came onto the pitch and signalled the coaching staff that the 22-year-old was in no position to continue.

Fans feared the worst, but it came as a pleasant surprise to hear Amorim say during the post-match press conference that the ex-RB Leipzig ace’s injury was not too serious.

Then why could he not have soldiered on for another 10 minutes? It was because United were down to 10 men that the home side managed to find the back of the net a second time.

The Slovenian national team manager’s reaction during the international break also raised further questions regarding United’s call to take him off.

Centredevils have now claimed that the medical staff took the call to sub him off as a precautionary measure as if he would have played on, the chances of the United No.30 getting seriously injured would have drastically increased.

Substitution call

“There was also a huge amount of outrage from supporters, with some believing that the Slovenian came off the pitch due to embarrassment of his missed chance.

“Benjamin Sesko was made to come off by the medical staff and coaches during the Tottenham Hotspur clash, with the attacker deemed physically unfit to continue at that time.

“The club are insistent that this was the right decision for the Slovenian to leave the pitch, as if he carried on, he could’ve risked a further serious injury. Sesko has been assessed and monitored all week in Carrington, with the injury not being deemed as major.”

Hopefully, Benjamin Sesko is back fit for the games against Everton and Crystal Palace later this month. Or else, INEOS might need to dip into the January market for solutions.

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Although attention remains firmly on Manchester United’s stars away on international duty, the Red Devils have now received a significant injury update ahead of their upcoming Premier League clash with Everton.

Looking at United’s matchday squad for their recent encounter with Tottenham Hotspur, one notable absentee stood out: Kobbie Mainoo.

The young midfielder missed the trip to the capital after picking up a knock in training.

In Mainoo’s absence, United boss Ruben Amorim turned to academy prospect Jack Fletcher, calling him up as a midfield bench option.

While Mainoo’s omission may not have raised major alarm bells, given his limited minutes this season, for a player of his quality, the injury would still have left some United fans concerned.

When Mainoo is expected back

Fortunately, those concerns appear short-lived. According to the latest update on United’s number #37:

“Manchester United also expect Mainoo to be fit for the Everton game after missing Spurs. Knock not thought to be serious,” reported Samuel Luckhurst via The Sun on X.

Mainoo’s availability for the Everton fixture at Old Trafford on 24 November will come as a welcome boost for Amorim.

United’s midfield depth under strain

With Christian Eriksen leaving last summer and Toby Collyer sent out on loan, and the club replacing neither, United’s midfield options are worryingly thin. The Red Devils need every available body in the middle of the park.

World Cup hopes

Mainoo, returning to the matchday squad, will be hoping to turn the tide on his fortunes at Old Trafford.

The 20-year-old has struggled for game time this season, with Amorim favouring the experienced pairing of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes in midfield.

This lack of regular minutes is threatening Mainoo’s hopes of representing England at next summer’s FIFA World Cup.

He faces the difficult task of convincing Thomas Tuchel that he deserves a recall to the national team setup.

As such, Mainoo is reportedly eyeing a loan move in the winter window, hoping to join a club where he is guaranteed consistent game time, allowing him to impress and stake his claim for a spot in England’s World Cup squad.

Featured image Jan Kruger via Getty Images

Manchester United’s lack of midfield depth yet again cost them crucial points last weekend.

Against Tottenham Hotspur, United appeared to be in total control for 70 minutes, with a goal advantage, courtesy of Bryan Mbeumo’s well-placed header.

Casemiro was at his usual industrious best, but Amorim decided to replace him with Manuel Ugarte, given the veteran midfielder’s ageing legs. Kobbie Mainoo, meanwhile, was left out of the matchday squad due to a minor injury.

Man United’s current midfield options are far from ideal

Ugarte’s introduction in north London proved to be disastrous, to say the least. The Uruguayan seemed lost in the middle of the park, and was at fault for both of Spurs goals.

United tried to sign a new midfielder during the summer transfer window, but the club’s hierarchy refused to meet Brighton & Hove Albion’s outrageous demands for Carlos Baleba.

Now, the Red Devils are looking to strengthen their midfield in January, having set their sights on Valencia star Javi Guerra.

Man United could make January bid for Javi Guerra

According to Fichajes, United are considering making an offer of around €50m to sign Guerra in January.

Guerra was on United’s radar over the summer as well. Eventually, the Spain U21 international decided to sign a new contract at Mestalla.

The new terms, valid until 2029, include a release clause worth €100m.

However, Valencia are thought to be open to parting ways with their gifted academy product at a significantly reduced price, as the 22-year-old has struggled for consistency under head coach Carlos Corberan.

Standing at 6ft 2in tall , Guerra is a box-to-box midfielder, who tends to make use of his pace, close control and massive frame to progress the ball higher up the field. Further, his defensive work-rate is commendable.

The Spaniard has drawn comparisons to former Real Madrid midfielder Kaka due to his tireless running and technical prowess.

Featured image Christian Hofer via Getty Images

Manchester United legend Gary Neville has insisted that his former side hold a key advantage that could aid their chances of finishing above rivals Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

United maintain unbeaten streak

United are currently on an unbeaten run of games, following their late goal during Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Spurs.

Ruben Amorim’s men took the lead in North London but two goals in the 84th and 90+1 minutes by Mathys Tel and Richarlison respectively, saw the hosts flip the game on its head and threaten to hand United a fourth Premier League defeat of the campaign.

United, reduced to 10 men courtesy of Benjamin Sesko’s injury, were staring down the barrel of a gun, but Matthijs de Ligt had the final say.

The Dutch defender headed home a Bruno Fernandes cross from the corner kick to make it 2-2 and ensure the points were shared.

The result left United in seventh place in the table, just one point off Sunderland in fourth.

Speaking on his Sky Sports podcast, Neville insisted that the Red Devils are capable of finishing above Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs. The former England international opined that the absence of European football at Old Trafford could give United the upper hand.

Neville makes United claim

Neville said [via The Standard], “At the end of the game for United, it’s a good point, and Tottenham will be disappointed that they’ve given away that last-minute goal.”

“It’s been a good month for United, they started this month by beating Liverpool and got eight points out of their last four Premier League games – Liverpool away, Nottingham Forest away, Brighton at home and Tottenham away. It’s a great result.”

“But because they got six points in the first two games, there’s an element of thinking: ‘well, if they just got another two or three points, they’d be right up there in second’. United should really be thinking that if they can get it right – Tottenham as well but it’s tougher for tham with European games – they should be thinking around top four. They really should, because there’s no one grabbing it at this moment.”

“You look at Chelsea, Tottenham, who don’t look sure, Liverpool don’t look sure… it’s there for it’s there for the taking. It’s about consistency.”

“After this international break you’ve got two or three months of lots of games, the winter slog. It’ll sort the teams out and you come out of January and see where really everybody is.”

“But there’s a good opportunity for United.”

“Bournemouth have lost this weekend, Forest have picked up a win, it’s starting to equalize itself out. It’s starting to work itself out.”

United are back in action on November 25 when they welcome Everton to the Theatre of Dreams.

Manchester United star Bryan Mbeumo made a promise to the club’s supporters following Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

Mbeumo shines against Spurs

Fresh off winning the Premier League’s Player of the Month award for October, Mbeumo came up with the goods for United yet again, this time scoring the winner against Spurs.

He has been excellent since joining United in the summer transfer window and he was superb again in North London.

Mbeumo positioned himself well at the back post, at the right time, to head home a fantastic cross from Amad. United held on to their slender lead for a huge chunk of the game before Mathys Tel drew Spurs level in the 84th minute.

Richarlison thought he had won it for the visitors soon after as he flicked a Wilson Odobert attempt into the back of Senne Lammens’ net. However, Matthijs de Ligt had the final say, towering over everyone to finish a brilliant Bruno Fernandes ball from the corner kick.

Mbeumo and De Ligt’s strikes ensured the spoils were shared between the two sides.

Mbeumo was surprisingly deployed on the left side of the attack and the Cameroonian didn’t miss a beat in a largely unfamiliar position.

His goal against Spurs means he is now up to five goals in 11 Premier League appearances this season.

After the final whistle, Mbeumo spoke to TNT Sports and chose to focus on the positives. He also promised fans that he and his teammates will do everything in their power to continue their unbeaten run.

Mbeumo’s promise

Mbeumo said [as quoted by Footie Central], “That was a big drama, but at the end we managed to come back into the game.”

“That was a big drama, but at the end we managed to come back into the game.”

The forward added, “It’s always easier on the pitch and training ground, so everyone is enjoying a lot. It’s always easier on the pitch and training ground, so everyone is enjoying a lot.”

United are next in action on November 25 when they welcome David Moyes’ Everton to Old Trafford.

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