The Peoples Person

Manchester United want two attacking midfielders this summer, and after completing a deal for Matheus Cunha, the club is trying to wrap up a deal for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo.

The Red Devils had already placed an opening bid worth an initial £45 million plus £10 million in potential add-ons. But the Bees were holding out for £60 million and hence, rejected the proposal.

There were talks that the 20-time English league champions would return with an improved offer, and now, as per Sky Sports, they will submit their improved bid soon.

INEOS believe an agreement can be struck with the London outfit.

United to submit improved offer

“Manchester United are expected to go back in with an improved offer for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo after having their first bid rejected and remain optimistic a deal can be struck.”

This will allay fears after it emerged that Brentford boss Thomas Frank, who was close to being named as the Tottenham Hotspur manager, had asked the North London side to try and hijack the deal.

Given Frank’s relation with the Cameroonian, there were concerns that the 25-year-old might change his mind at the very last-second but Sky have made it clear that Bryan Mbeumo only has eyes for United.

“There are reports suggesting Thomas Frank will try and tempt Mbeumo to go to Tottenham, if he takes over as their new head coach. However, it’s understood the player wants to join United.”

Bryan Mbeumo will choose United over Spurs

After scoring 20 goals last season, the Cameroon international had also attracted interest from Arsenal and Newcastle.

But he has given the Red Devils priority, with the ex-Troyes star reportedly demanding a wage increase from £50,000 to £250,000 per week to sign on the dotted line.

United have accepted this demand as well, and now, it seems like a matter of time before they secure their second signing of the summer.

After this, INEOS are likely to focus on bringing in a striker with Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres being Ruben Amorim’s top choice.

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Thomas Frank wants Tottenham Hotspur to hijack Manchester United’s move for Bryan Mbeumo, as per reports.

Spurs are making big changes after beating United in the Europa League final and securing a place in next season’s Champions League.

The North Londoners have sacked Ange Postecoglou and are set to confirm Frank as his successor next week. However, his appointment could be a cause of concern for the Red Devils this summer.

According to The Mirror, the Brentford boss is keen to take Mbeumo with him to Spurs and has told his soon-to-be new club to push for his signature.

Early this month, it emerged United have convinced the Cameroon international to join their project despite interest from Arsenal, Newcastle United, and Tottenham.

The Mancunians have even begun formal negotiations with Brentford, who turned down their bid totaling around £55 million. Still, United appear to be optimistic and are expected to test the London club’s resolve again.

However, United could now face a serious threat from Spurs, as chairman Daniel Levy might decide to make a statement signing for Frank.

The 25-year-old has emerged as one of the best forwards in the Premier League, having notched 20 league goals and seven assists this campaign. He has the potential and work ethic to improve nearly every side in England’s top flight.

At the moment, the Old Trafford outfit are viewed as “favourites” to sign Mbeumo but it is claimed Spurs could “trump United’s bid with Champions League football.”

United have reportedly offered the Cameroonian a contract worth around £150k-a-week with add-ons taking the package up to £200k-a-week.

The Lilywhites, meanwhile, would propose a deal worth around £130k-a-week plus bonuses.

They appear to be relying on Champions League football and Frank, who played a key role in Mbeumo’s development, to persuade the winger to turn down United.

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Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly set to miss out on the chance to sign Lille midfielder Angel Gomes as Olympique de Marseille close in on his signature.

United are eyeing squad reinforcements and the midfield is an area of the pitch the club could bolster after a disappointing 2024/25 season.

The Red Devils finished in 15th place, having suffered 18 defeats and amassed just 42 points. They also blew the chance to sneak into the Champions League after losing 1-0 to Tottenham in the Europa League final at San Mames.

Much of United’s transfer activity has centred around bolstering the attack, but it’s increasingly evident that midfield additions are just as necessary, especially after confirmation of Christian Eriksen’s departure.

United are in need of midfielders who fit seamlessly into Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 setup. More importantly, they need technically gifted players who are comfortable on the ball, capable of controlling the tempo, and able to complement the creative influence of Bruno Fernandes and the dynamism of Kobbie Mainoo. This is where Gomes comes in.

Gomes departed United in the summer of 2020 to join Lille, having struggled to break into the first team. Since then, he’s developed into one of Ligue 1’s standout midfielders, but his chapter with the French side has now come to a close.

Last month, Gomes confirmed he would leave Lille when his contract expires at the end of June. The club made efforts to extend his stay, but he declined, and as a result, he spent his final weeks largely confined to the bench.

A report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that United were planning to make a move for Gomes. In addition to United, he was also strongly linked to Tottenham. However, in an effort to beat competition from other suitors, Marseille opened talks to land the 24-year-old.

Now, Graeme Bailey of TBR Football has revealed that Marseille are “set to win the race” for the England international, beating United and Tottenham.

TBR note, “Roberto De Zerbi’s team have seen off competition from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United after securing Champions League qualification.”

“Tottenham had been determined to land Angel Gomes as they saw it as such a great opportunity to sign a player without paying a transfer fee, but he will instead join Marseille, TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey has been told.”

Other midfielders mentioned to be on United’s radar are Ederson (Atalanta), Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Quinten Timber (Feyenoord) and James McAtee (Manchester City).

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Former Manchester United left back Sergio Reguilon will leave Tottenham Hotspur at the end of his contract on the 30th June.

The Spaniard first impressed against United in the Europa League semi-final in 2020 when Sevilla beat the Red Devils 1-2.

He would join Tottenham Hotspur later that year but he has never been able to nail down a first team spot.

Reguilon played on loan at Atletico Madrid in the 2022/2023 season and signed a temporary contract with United in the summer of 2023.

The Spanish international always spoke glowingly of his time at Old Trafford but he only managed 12 appearances for the Red Devils, failing to score or assist in any of his appearances.

Nonetheless, despite some spirited performances, he was sent back to Spurs in January after Luke Shaw had recovered from injury.

PA Sport reporter George Sessions has confirmed on X that the former United left back will be amongst a number of Spurs players leaving the club at the end of their current deal this summer.

He posted, “aside from Ange Postecoglou’s future, plenty else for Tottenham to get on with. Fraser Forster, Alfie Whiteman and Sergio Reguilon will (officially) leave on June 30th, as expected.”

Reguilon has massively struggled for action this season only making four appearances in total in the Premier League.

He did make a rare start in his side’s defeat to Aston Villa earlier this month and managed to get 74 minutes on the pitch.

Nonetheless, that was the first time the Spaniard kicked a Premier League ball in anger since the end of January.

At only 28 years of age, Reguilon theoretically should have much more football left in the tank. Realistically though, he will have to continue his career away from the Premier League when he departs as a free agent next month.

Manchester United suffered a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the final of the Europa League. Here are our player ratings from the game.

(A score of 6 is around average)

Andre Onana 4 – Nervy all through the first half and extremely poor for the goal. Didn’t have an awful lot to do in the second half because Tottenham closed shop.

Leny Yoro 7 – One of the very few United players who can hold his head high. Solid on his return to the side and even embarked on a few forward runs to try and make things happen.

Harry Maguire 6 – Did his job and kept Dominic Solanke quiet.

Luke Shaw 2 – Lethargic from the go. Just poor, which is a real shame from a player of his experience and quality. Poor passing and lost concentration a few times, one of which allowed Brennan Johnson to get the better of him and poke the ball into the back of the net.

Noussair Mazraoui 5 – Defensively OK but you need a lot more from your wing-back in terms of attacking the opposition. Didn’t get forward nearly enough and the most impact he had was the cross to Bruno Fernandes, which the skipper headed wide.

Casemiro 4 – Struggled against Premier League opposition, Caught in possession a few times and just couldn’t keep up with the pace and physicality of Tottenham in the middle of the park.

Bruno Fernandes 5 – Picked the worst possible time to take a day off. Started well but faded as the game went on. Saw a lot of the ball in deeper positions but just not influential enough and it showed by just how lacklustre the Red Devils were.

Patrick Dorgu 5 – Another one who started decently but his influence waned as the game went on. Also didn’t cover himself in glory for Tottenham’s goal.

Amad 7 – United’s primary source of threat, especially during the opening 45 minutes. Looked to take his man on whenever the opportunity presented itself and even came close to scoring after a superb dummy, but he couldn’t quite hit the target. Fell off the wagon a little bit in the second half.

Mason Mount 3 – Offered next to nothing really. A laboured performance and in all truth, should have been taken off way earlier.

Rasmus Hojlund 2- Struggled as has largely been the case this season. Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero barely broke a sweat.

Substitutes

Joshua Zirkzee 5 – Some nice touches and passes but didn’t really have an impact.

Alejandro Garnacho 6 – Tried to inject some energy and impetus into the team. Fired a shot which forced Guglielmo Vicario into a good save.

Diogo Dalot 5 – Not much he could do during the few minutes he was on the pitch.

Kobbie Mainoo 5 – Same as Dalot.

Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images

Tonight, Manchester United are set to play what is undoubtedly the most crucial match of their season: the UEFA Europa League final.

As soon as they take to the pitch at the Estadio de San Mamés to face Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Man United must realise that there is far more on the line than just an impressive piece of silverware.

Not only is Europa League victory their only pathway into next season’s Champions League, or any European football at all for that matter, but a win would also deliver United a cool £10.95m in prize money, which would give the club a massive financial boost as it looks to complete some crucial transfers in what will be a massive summer rebuild.

But before United can begin to dream of the celebrations that will follow their victory, manager Ruben Amorim needs to face some harsh realities if he is to get his team over the line.

In the tactical analysis piece leading up to last weekend’s 1-0 loss at Chelsea, The Peoples Person noted how United appeared lethargic on the attack during their previous league game, namely an embarrassing 2-0 loss to West Ham United at home.

Sadly, this lack of drive has been all too common in United’s league campaign, with the team yet again lacking all sense of urgency in the Chelsea defeat.

Apart from Harry Maguire’s opening goal that was ruled offside, United appeared unmotivated throughout the rest of the match, barely even attempting to claw their way back into the contest by the time Chelsea broke the deadlock.

Performances such as these have become a painful common occurrence at Old Trafford, with United fans getting far too used to watching their team drop points.

Weirdly enough, United appear to be a completely different team in Europe, especially when one reflects on their most recent Europa League matches.

In the quarter-finals against Olympique Lyonnais, United arrived with a fire in their belly, scoring five goals in the second leg to spark a dramatic comeback in extra time that will live on in fans’ memories.

Sure, they shouldn’t have lost a two-goal lead at home, but what mattered most is that Amorim’s team remained steadfast in their hunt for victory, refusing to take their foot off the gas as they sought passage into the semi-finals.

During the next round, when they faced Athletic Club, United appeared far more in control, earning a resounding 7-1 victory over the two legs.

While the team cannot reasonably be expected to maintain their concentration throughout each match without fail, their defence was largely composed, making minimal errors, while their attacking lineup remained constantly hungry for more goals. Overall, it was an incredibly professional performance.

But even after such impressive showings, it’s important to note that the games against Athletic were outliers in United’s season.

Far too often, Amorim’s side has had to play catch-up after conceding early in games. What’s more, it has often taken some witty substitutions to change the tide, with the team often having to pull itself out from the abyss late in the second half, as we saw in the 1-1 draw with Bournemouth, with the same thing almost happening against Brentford. Of course, the Lyon game was another example of this.

Although Tottenham Hotspur have had an even worse season than United, sitting in 17th place in the Premier League, their attack has been far more clinical on a consistent basis.

Spurs have scored 63 goals in the league – 21 more than United – while also proving dangerous up top throughout their Europa League journey. It has been their defence that has let them down.

Ange Postecoglou’s side defeated Manchester City 4-0 away from home earlier this season while scoring three goals against Chelsea in a narrow 3-4 loss. They also scored three goals in what was a thrilling 3-6 defeat to Liverpool back in December. (Transfermarkt)

What such results prove is that Spurs are capable of scoring multiple goals against the toughest of opponents – something that United must be aware of.

This makes it abundantly clear that for United to have any chance to win tonight’s game, they cannot afford to be subdued up top, no matter how in control they may feel at any point in the match.

On far too many occasions, United have been forced to play catch-up. Far too often this season, United’s low-energy attack has undone the hard work put in by their defence.

Amorim must ensure that from the very first moment his team takes to the field, they come out swinging, hungry to find the back of the net as many times as possible. Because even if we establish a comfortable lead, it’s possible to lose that advantage, as we’ve learned the hard way.

Just as Spurs’ defence has proven to be incredibly vulnerable, United’s attack has shown that they have the potential to inflict massive damage when they step up to the plate. If ever there was a time for United leave their hearts on the pitch, it would be tonight. Let’s do this.

Featured image Ion Alcoba Beitia via Getty Images

Over the last few days, The Peoples Person has been running a series in which each writer has chosen their preferred starting XI for tonight’s vital Europa League final.

Now is the time for our predicted XI – the team we believe Ruben Amorim will select for the game.

It’s a tricky one to predict, with a flurry of injured players returning back to training yesterday who could make the squad, if not the starting XI, for the game.

Leny Yoro, Diogo Dalot and Josh Zirkzee were all spotted back with the first XI in open training. Jonny Evans, too, was involved in the session.

Defence

Of the four, Yoro seems the most likely to make the starting XI, having only missed one game for the Red Devils since picking up a foot injury. Victor Lindelof will probably return to the bench.

Matthijs de Ligt was also spotted in individual training and will travel, but he is reportedly unlikely to be in the squad.

Lisandro Martinez is the only player left on the treatment table.

It’s possible Amorim will also throw Dalot straight into his side, as he has been one of his most trusted lieutenants at United. We really cannot tell his fitness level but we’re predicting that if it’s feasible, he will start at right wing back.

Other options, such as Patrick Dorgu, would be a gamble in their own right as it is hard to say whether in a big final a youngster will freeze or rise to the occasion.

With Yoro fit, Luke Shaw may get the nod at left wing back, also ahead of Dorgu. It would be tough on the Dane, but Shaw’s experience could be vital in a huge game such as this.

It seems almost certain that the wing backs will be two of those three. Amad is also an option but we suspect he will play higher up the pitch.

Midfield and Attack

In central midfield, a rejuvenated Casemiro will almost certainly start. The question is who will play alongside him? The choice is likely to be between Manu Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes, although Kobbie Mainoo, Christian Eriksen and Toby Collyer are all fit and available.

It seems likely that Amorim will start with Alejandro Garnacho and Amad in the twin 10 roles, so the big issue is whether Rasmus Hojlund will keep his place at centre forward despite his awful form.

Playing Ugarte alongside Casemiro would allow Fernandes to replace Hojlund and play as a false nine. If Hojlund plays, Fernandes will likely be in midfield alongside the Brazilian, with Ugarte missing out.

Mason Mount is also in with a chance of starting, having been electric in the semi-final against Athletic Club. Zirkzee, too, could be a surprise inclusion but is more likely to start on the bench.

Andre Onana will, of course, be in goal.

With all that said, here is our predicted starting XI for tonight’s historic match:

Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images

Manchester United could reportedly see their potential £100 million windfall, should they beat Tottenham Hotspur in the upcoming Europa League final, disappear as soon as it arrives.

United are set to take on Tottenham at San Mames on Wednesday in an all-or-nothing final and the stakes could not be higher.

Both sides have endured extremely miserable Premier League seasons that currently have them languishing in 16th and 17th place, respectively. United have suffered 18 top-flight losses this term while Tottenham have tasted defeat on 21 occasions.

However, the two strugglers have a silver bullet in the form of the Europa League. Winning the final would not only secure the victors a European trophy, but also secure them a place in next term’s Champions League. The latter is thought to be worth at least £100m.

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire recently spoke about this, explaining, “Financially, it’s the most important match in the club’s history. Champions League participation is crucial, because it could generate over £100m from tickets, broadcast money, and sponsor bonuses.”

However, the Daily Mail report that the Red Devils could kiss that £100m jackpot goodbye just as soon as they receive it.

According to the newspaper, this is because United are on track to lose the same amount this financial year, with the club expected to announce a third-quarter loss of £40m in the coming weeks.

The Mail add, “The forecast, based on a consensus of Wall Street analysts which is usually on the money, highlights the problems United face in trying to become a profitable business again while weighed down by interest payments on the Glazer debt.”

“Although the club is set to generate up to £160m this year from day-to-day activities, it means there will still be a sixth consecutive year of losses, totalling £450m.”

In September, United reported a net loss of £113.2m in the year to 30 June. This followed deficits of £28.7m in 2022/23 and £115.5m in 2021/22.

As it stands, United’s total losses over the past five years amount to over £370m.

United generate hundreds of millions in revenue each year, but the club remains over £1 billion in debt due to the leveraged takeover by majority owners, the Glazer family, in 2005 – a burden that costs tens of millions annually to service.

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Manchester United’s opponents in the Europa League final, Tottenham Hotspur, have announced their travelling squad.

The Red Devils will leave for Bilbao later today but Spurs left yesterday to begin their preparations for the final.

United sealed their place in the showpiece event with a 7-1 win over Athletic Club, including a 3-0 away victory in the same San Mames stadium where the final will take place.

Spurs defeated Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt to secure their progress to the cup final.

The Manchester Evening News reports that Spurs have announced their 21 man squad list that have travelled to the Basque country.

Probably the biggest shock is the inclusion of James Maddison, who was spotted getting on the team bus. Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou had previously claimed the player was out until July, but he was seen boarding with the other players.

Nonetheless, it seems unlikely that the England midfielder would play a role in the match considering the severity of his injury.

The Lilywhites still have some other major players missing as Sweden international, Lucas Bergvall, was not named amongst the squad members due to his season-ending injury.

What’s more, Spurs attacker Dejan Kulusevski has also missed out from travelling due to his recent patella surgery.

There is one more player left at home as Radu Drăgușin has not recovered in time from his anterior cruciate ligament injury to make the squad.

Tottenham did receive some good news however, as Pape Sarr has made the trip despite picking up an injury on Friday night against Aston Villa in the league.

Nonetheless, due to the knock, his involvement in the game may also be doubtful.

Spurs captain Son Heung-Min has also been able to make the trip but his ability to play 90 minutes or longer will be in doubt as he has only just recovered from a foot injury.

The South Korean has not played a full 90 minutes since the beginning of April against Chelsea. Nonetheless, he did manage 74 minutes against Villa last time out, so is likely to start the match, even if he can’t complete the entire 90.

United will announce their squad later today and are hoping the likes of Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Diogo Dalot and Joshua Zirkzee can all win their race against time to be involved in the huge final.

Manchester United have it all to play for when they take on Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Europa League final this Wednesday night.

While Tottenham have been almost equally as bad as Man United in the Premier League this season, it cannot be forgotten that Ruben Amorim’s side has fallen to three defeats to the team from North London across multiple competitions this season.

As a result, Amorim must select a rock-solid starting XI, filled with the most skilful, experienced, and reliable players he has at his disposal.

Wednesday night’s match could go one of two ways. Firstly, United could overcome their Premier League rivals to lift the Europa League trophy, gain qualification to next season’s Champions League, and earn Amorim his first trophy as United manager, ending a turbulent season on a high. On the other hand, defeat would spell disaster for United, with the club not only being trophyless but finishing the league season hovering above the relegation zone with no European football to look forward to in the next campaign.

Ultimately, there is no room for error in the Europa League final. If Amorim is to guide United to victory, he must select his strongest possible starting lineup.

Alex Browne, Red Billy, Derick Kinoti, Daniel Onguko, and Ayantan Chowdury have all revealed their ideal starting XI for the Europa League final. Here’s mine:

Goalkeeper: Andre Onana

Both Onana and Altay Bayindir have suffered a host of goalkeeping gaffes this season. While Onana is guilty of often playing out from the back and gifting the ball back to the opposition while also parrying shots that should arguably be caught, Bayindir has also been sloppy at times. In my view, while neither player truly deserves to be United’s first choice between the sticks, I would pick Onana simply because he has had more playing time this season. Bayindir’s lack of minutes could make it difficult for him to get his eye in, especially on such a momentous occasion with all of the pressure surrounding it. At least if Onana produces one of his better performances, he may be able to keep out the Tottenham attack long enough for United to take the lead.

Defenders: Matthijs De Ligt, Harry Maguire, and Leny Yoro

Despite De Ligt’s recent injury troubles, he has been one of the most consistent performers at the back for United. He has proven to be physically strong, a clean tackler, and decent at marking. Positionally, he is also conscientious, making him a certain pick.

Maguire is another name that proved to be a straightforward pick for me. While he has made numerous defensive errors this season, his form has improved drastically since Amorim’s arrival, and he has shown great physicality, tackling ability, and headers. One unexpected perk that Maguire brings is his attacking threat – in addition to scoring the winner against Lyon, he made a crucial cross from the wing to hand United a goal against Athletic Club, so he might just come in handy up top late in the game.

Finally, there’s Yoro. Another player who has faced some challenging injury setbacks, Yoro has integrated seamlessly into United’s defensive setup and brings energy, speed, and some decent passing to the mix. Together, this back three is a versatile bunch.

Midfielders: Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, Casemiro, Noussair Mazraoui

Given Diogo Dalot’s injury, Mazraoui seems like the best option at the right wing-back position in my view. He is not only more comfortable in defence than Amad Diallo, but he is a decent passer, knows how to deliver some threatening long balls, and even takes some dangerous shots from outside the box.

Casemiro has significantly picked up his form in recent Europa League games, and I for one would like to take advantage of his purple patch by starting him in the final. In addition to being a natural ball-winner who can shore up the defence, the Brazilian is also a dangerous poacher in the box, capable of scoring with both his head and his feet.

Alongside him, I would like to see Kobbie Mainoo. Another recent returnee from injury, Mainoo is a more attacking option who could complement Casemiro to ensure that the heart of United’s midfield is filled with both offensive and defensive promise.

While Patrick Dorgu has been a regular name on the teamsheet, he has proven inconsistent in recent times, struggling to make accurate passes and often unable to play an effective role in United’s attacking build-up. Shaw, on the other hand, has appeared sharp and made an instant impact upon returning to the side following his injury absence. What’s more, his big match experience will surely come in handy in a match such as this.

Attackers: Alejandro Garnacho, Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes

Garnacho has all the energy, pace, and desire to mobilise United’s attack on the night. While his shooting isn’t always of the required level, the Argentine is an effective passer and dribbler who could certainly cause headaches for the Spurs’ defence.

During the games against Brentford and Athletic Club, Mount showed that he has plenty of flair, making him an ideal pick for the striker position. While he may not be a natural striker, Mount’s talent with the ball at his feet has far surpassed that of Rasmus Hojlund, who has shown an inability to beat defenders or be an effective passer of the ball. Of course, his shoddy goalscoring record does not help his case.

On the right is the ever-reliable Bruno Fernandes. Arguably United’s most crucial player, the skipper will have a key role in coordinating between United’s midfield and attack and will certainly have a role in creating some crucial goalscoring opportunities for his team.

While I have trouble leaving Amad Diallo out, I think he could prove to be an effective super sub, coming into the match later on and taking advantage of some tired legs with his pace.

Featured image by Justin Setterfield via Getty Images