The Peoples Person

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim is facing a major selection headache ahead of his side’s meeting with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

During his presser on Friday, Amorim told reporters that a player was set to miss the game with an illness while a few others were also dealing with separate fitness issues.

Now, The Athletic have revealed that the problems are centred on the middle of the park.

According to the newspaper, Kobbie Mainoo picked up an injury which is set to keep him out of the match vs. Tottenham. Toby Collyer and Manuel Ugarte are also in a race against time to be fully fit and available.

Laurie Whitwell notes, “Ruben Amorim is facing a midfield dilemma with Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte and Toby Collyer all suffering injuries in training this week.”

“Mainoo’s injury is expected to keep him out for more than a couple of weeks, with Ugarte and Collyer also major doubts for the trip to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.”

“Jack Moorhouse, 19, has been drafted in for first-team training and is set to travel to London. It would be the central midfielder’s first time in a senior squad should Amorim select him. Moorhouse, a strong ball carrier, has scored three goals in seven Premier League 2 games this season for United’s Under-21s.”

It’s understood that the loss of Mainoo, Collyer and Ugarte would bring Christian Eriksen and Casemiro back into contention.

The two experienced stars have not featured regularly under Amorim amidst the Portuguese coach’s preference for younger and more mobile alternatives in the engine room.

Moorhouse may not be the only United youngster to be named in the matchday squad to face Ange Postecoglou’s men.

Prolific academy striker Chido Obi and his teammate James Scanlon are not involved for the under-18s today for their contest with Newcastle, suggesting they could be part of the senior team on Sunday.

Rich Fay of Manchester World pointed out that Chido Obi took part in training this week.

Tottenham vs. United kicks off at 16:30 GMT.

Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has admitted that he expects his players to perform a lot better during Sunday’s meeting with Tottenham Hotspur following a fixture-free week.

United were last in action on 7 February, when they came from behind to beat Leicester City 2-1 in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Since taking over as Erik ten Hag’s successor in November 2024, Amorim has consistently voiced his frustration over limited training time with his squad, but he finally got the opportunity he desired.

During his presser ahead of the clash with Spurs, Amorim suggested there have been a few fitness issues. The Portuguese coach noted that one player is a doubt this weekend due to illness while a few others are still continuing with their recoveries.

However, the 40-year-old still expects the team to be more fluid.

Amorim told club media, “We had some issues at the end of the week with players. And that was the hardest part of the week.”

“It was a good week to improve on physical aspects but also tactical aspects.”

He explained that Patrick Dorgu should be more up-to-speed with his style of play after a positive debut in the FA Cup contest with Leicester.

“We work with him and he is understanding better the way we want to play. He has some habits from the last club [Lecce]. In the first moments, he has had to change things, but it has been a good week.”

Amorim also said about Alejandro Garnacho, “Yes, he is enjoying the way we play. He is confident and he is good in the moments one v one. These kind of details, in a player like him, is important.”

The United boss commented on the Under-18s 5-1 triumph over Chelsea earlier this week.

“Of course, they have [done well] and we need them a lot for the future of this club and I am really happy for them. But they need to keep working because the Premier League is a different world, and they have to improve every day. So I am really happy and they need to continue.”

Tottenham vs. United kicks off at 16:30 GMT.

Featured image Nathan Stirk via Getty Images

Ruben Amorim says none of his injured stars are ready to return for Manchester United’s Premier League match against Tottenham on Sunday.

Amorim was answering questions at the pre-match press conference and was asked whether Mason Mount, Luke Shaw or Victor Lindelof are ready.

“No,” he said. “It was a good week until two days ago, we had some problems, we don’t have players back, maybe we have one or two issues, we are waiting. We have one player who is sick, we will see on the weekend.”

Asked about the news of further job losses at United, he replied:

“Our biggest problem now is Tottenham, we know the moment of the club, I have to understand these problems, but these problems in our club are not new. We have a problem at the moment, but that cannot influence how I coach the team and prepare for the next game.”

“Here it’s simple: to do something we need to sell players.

The boss was asked whether he felt Ineos’ plan to win the Premier League by 2028 is realistic.

“Yes, we talk about that, our focus is to win the Premier League and we can change everything in a few years. In this moment, we are in a difficult position, but we need to work every day and focus on the little steps.”

Turning to Sunday’s opponents and the difficult position Ange Postecoglu is in, Amorim said:

“I am a huge fan of Ange Postecoglou. He is a good guy, a very good coach. I understand the connection with me and Ange. We have the same problem. In my opinion, and with respect, I am at a bigger club, with bigger pressure, and I think coaches must follow their principles.

“He wants to play football in the right way and that’s a good thing. We know when we choose this profession. there are a lot of good things, but you have to feel the pressure when you don’t win.”

The head coach was then asked if he had seen Chido Obi’s hat-trick in midweek and whether he was under consideration for a call up to the senior side.

“I don’t want to say names. We have to be careful on that,” he replied.

“They are working with us – we had some problems this week – and we had some young players in training. He [Obi] is one of them.”

Finally, a reporter asked why Amorim thought players who had left the club seemed to perform better and whether it was a case of playing with more freedom.

“I don’t know, sometimes it’s like that, it can happen with any club,” he replied.

“This club has a lot of pressure and you have to have a base of a team to put younger and talented players that came from abroad to help them. if you are playing better as a team, and you have a strong core, like it’s supposed to be at this club, it will be more easy for these kind of players to play football.”

Sunday’s game in London kicks off at 4.30pm.

Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images

Manchester United u21s hosted Tottenham Hotspur in Premier League 2 action on Friday night at Leigh Sports Village.

United started brightly with Malachi Sharpe clipping the top of the bar after just a minute of play.

In contrast to the first team’s FA Cup match that was being played at the same time nearby at Old Trafford, the chances were flowing in the u21s.

Tottenham forced a big save from Elyh Harrison from a corner when Max Robson’s flicked on header looked to be creeping in under the bar but for the fully stretched Harrison, who pushed away to safety.

The two sides exchanged half chances but it was a mistake from Spurs’ keeper Aaron Maguire which led to the match’s opening goal.

Hesitation from Maguire allowed Sharpe to press and force a rushed clearance that ricocheted off of Chido Obi back to Sharpe to run through and finish into an open net.

Sharpe then had a chance to add a second after a nice move from Sekou Kone to open space in the box but Sharpe dragged his shot wide of the target, leaving the score 1-0 at the break.

Into the second half, Kone continued to shine with a defence splitting through ball to set Jack Moorhouse through on goal. But the midfielder was denied by a good save.

Obi had his first chance of the match when Harry Amass delivered a fabulous cross to the back post, but Obi’s header went straight into the arms of the keeper.

Up the other end, Spurs’ number nine Oliver Irow had a headed chance of his own but Harrison was up to the task again with quick reflexes to get down and save.

Moorhouse’s driving runs caused Spurs trouble throughout the match and on one occasion the Irish international found the overlapping run of Amass who crossed onto the head of Tommy Rowe to direct off the crossbar.

Amass and Moorhouse linked up again in the 73rd minute to double United’s lead with a spectacular goal.

Amass was pinned in the corner under pressure but managed to distribute an exception ball down the left channel into space for Moorhouse to collect. He charged 50 yards down the pitch and into the box to finish low into the bottom right corner.

Another mistake from the Spurs keeper almost gifted United a third when he passed the ball straight to Obi but the striker’s attempt was cleared off the line.

Two goals were enough though to secure the three points for Travis Binnion’s side, who have been in fine form of late and see themselves now third in the league table, just four points off the top.

United host more London opposition next with Fulham coming to town on Monday 17th February.

United: Harrison, Kamason (Munro 62), Fredricson, Murray, Amass, McAllister, Kone, Rowe (Scanlon 71), Sharpe, Obi, Moorhouse (J. Fletcher 79)

Unused subs: Myles, Musa

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has not been pleased with Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, which is why the duo’s minutes have drastically reduced since he took over.

The Dane started nine times under former manager Erik ten Hag but has managed only five since the Portuguese walked through the doors with his last league start coming more than a month ago.

As for the Brazilian, he made a cameo off the bench against FCSB, his first appearance in over a month with Amorim making it clear that he felt the five-time Champions League winner no longer possesses the intensity required to play regularly.

Both the Denmark international and former Real Madrid superstar were linked with exits in the winter but nothing materialised in the end but they are unlikely to be at the club beyond the current campaign.

United eyeing Hackney

The Red Devils are scouring the Championship for possible midfield replacements with Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham named as potential options with the club’s scouts in attendance for Sunderland’s game against Middlesbrough.

Even though the duo were looked at, it was Boro’s Hayden Hackney who got himself on the scoresheet from midfield while also registering an assist and he has been a long-term target for the 20-time English league champions.

As per Givemesport, United failed to tempt Middlesbrough into selling their talisman in January but a summer approach is expected with the Old Trafford side hoping Michael Carrick will be open to allowing the 22-year-old to join his former club.

Another of Carrick’s former clubs Tottenham Hotspur are also in the race and a tug-of-war is expected to ensue for the England U21 international once the current campaign ends, especially if Boro fail to get promoted.

Hackney has five goals and two assists from 28 games in all competitions and he primarily excels as a defensive midfielder but can also play further forward if required.

Spurs vs United for Boro star

“Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are threatening to go head-to-head for the signing of Hayden Hackney in the summer as the Middlesbrough star has remained on the radar of recruitment chiefs at Old Trafford and Hotspur Way, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.

“Manchester United and Tottenham could make a summer move for Hackney after being unable to tempt Middlesbrough into sanctioning his departure during the winter transfer window, according to GMS sources, and they stand a chance of winning the race for his signature by lodging a bid in the region of £20 million.”

“GMS sources have been told that Middlesbrough are expecting the clamour for Hackney’s services to grow between now and the summer, meaning Manchester United and Tottenham are in danger of facing extensive competition for an agreement if they choose to formalise their interest with a bid later this year.”

It would reportedly take only £20 million to secure his services, a cakewalk for either English giant if they seriously decide to pursue Hackney. But a lot more sides could enter the fray and potentially end up in a bidding war which could suit Boro.

It is good to see United finally look at the Championship to secure top, young talent with many other sides far ahead in the game.

The English second division is a breeding ground for young talent and INEOS are slowly, but surely getting the recruitment game spot on.

Tottenham Hotspur have agreed to sign Mathys Tel for a €10 million loan fee after Manchester United reportedly refused to pay half of that in negotiations with Bayern Munich.

A transfer race erupted across Europe after the 19-year-old forward declared his intention to leave Bayern in the final week of the January transfer window.

Tel had grown increasingly frustrated with a lack of first-team opportunities under Vincent Kompany, having been consigned to the bench in three consecutive games for Dir Roten.

United, who hold a long-standing interest in the French starlet, approached Bayern over a potential loan deal as the club’s finances could not stretch to a permanent transfer in the winter window. However, Spurs jumped the rapidly growing queue for Tel, which included Chelsea, Arsenal and Aston Villa, by reaching a £50 million agreement with Bayern to sign the 19-year-old.

This appeared to draw an end to the race, only for Tel in a shock twist to reject the Lilywhites’ advances. Reports then emerged suggesting the Frenchman was “waiting” for a switch to Old Trafford, reigniting United’s pursuit.

Bayern were adamant they would not let Tel leave on loan without favourable terms, however.

A £5 million fee emerged as a sticking point between the clubs during negotiations, as did the German’s refusal to include a £45 million buy-option in the deal. Arsenal are believed to have hit a similar hurdle in their pursuit of Tel.

It appeared a road block had been reached with Tel’s only path out of Bavaria being a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which he had already rejected.

But the, in an even more sensational twist, an agreement was reached between Spurs and Bayern, with Tel’s blessing, and the 19-year-old boarded a plane to North London – for a loan move with a buy-option.

And now, Florian Plettenberg (Sky Sports Germany) reveals, it is the inclusion of an exorbitant “loan fee of €10 million” in the deal which appears to have won over officials at the Allianz Arena. Furthermore, Spurs have agreed to “cover five months” of Tel’s salary, totalling around “€2 million gross.”

This brings the total potential cost of the five month loan to €12 million (£10 million) – double what United had already refused to pay.

Tweet: “FC Bayern will receive a loan fee of €10 million for Mathys #Tel. As first via @cfbayern and confirmed. In addition, Tottenham will cover five months of his salary, amounting to around €2 million gross.

For the summer, #COYS have secured an option to buy of around €55m, which can rise to €60m with bonus payments. However: Tel has made sure that he will have a decisive say in whether Tottenham exercise the purchase option.

There is no mandatory buy clause, as Bayern had initially preferred – this was also at Tel’s request.”

A buy option of €55 million (potentially rising to €60) has been included in the deal, meaning the overall price to sign Tel could reach just under £60 million when the various fees are included – far surpassing the £50 million permanent transfer Spurs had originally agreed with Bayern.

Undoubtedly, United were in desperate need of attacking reinforcements in the winter window.

But given this particular option included such an unfavourable selection of conditions to sign a relatively experienced (albeit highly-rated) 19-year-old attacker who is best deployed on the left-wing, it is understandable why the club chose to withdraw from talks to sign Tel.

It remains to be seen whether this will prove a wise decision in the long-run, however.

The end of the January transfer window is set to get extremely hectic for Manchester United with multiple players linked with late exits.

Chief among them being Alejandro Garnacho with Premier League rivals Chelsea and Napoli eyeing the 20-year-old. United had slapped a £80 million price tag on his head.

And now according to The Daily Mail, Tottenham Hotspur have joined them in the race with Ange Postecoglou’s men in dire need of reinforcements.

Spurs were initially hoping to conclude a deal for Mathys Tel of Bayern Munich but the Frenchman rejected their approach and has his eyes on moving to Old Trafford.

Spurs eyeing Garnacho

Now, a desperate Daniel Levy is eyeing the Carrington graduate with INEOS reportedly open to a sale should the North London team submit a bid in the region of £60 million.

“Tottenham have made an enquiry for Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho after missing out on Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich.

“United have been willing to sell for around £60m amid interest from Chelsea and Napoli. It is unclear whether Garnacho would consider the move to Tottenham at this stage.”

Whether the Argentina international agrees to move to Spurs remains doubtful. And Amorim has also made it clear to the co-owners that he does not want to lose the Argentina international.

Will United sell?

After Amorim dropped him from the Manchester derby squad, the versatile winger has completely revamped his game and has taken the new coach’s advice on board regarding both his on-field and off-field activities.

And the ex-Sporting Lisbon boss has had nothing but words of praise for the United No 17, who produced another stunning cameo off the bench for the 20-time English league champions against FCSB in the Europa League on Thursday.

Selling Garnacho to a direct domestic rival for the price tag mentioned in the report would be scandalous. It is clear that INEOS are eyeing pure profit to balance the books but surely, the fan-favourite is worth a lot more.

Given how difficult United have found it to deal with Daniel Levy in the past, United should try and make it extremely hard for them.

It would suit the club should Marcus Rashford join the Lilywhites instead but whether the Mancunian will entertain the idea is still not clear.

Feature image Gareth Copley via Getty Images

Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly reached a €60m agreement for Manchester United target Mathys Tel.

Tel put Premier League clubs on red alert after it emerged that he wants to leave Bayern before the close of the winter transfer window on February 3.

Bayern sporting director Max Eberl confirmed as much, indicating that he has been inundated with calls from interested parties keen on signing Tel.

United want him but only on an initial loan deal. Tel is believed to prefer a switch to Old Trafford ahead of any other possible transfer destinations.

Other teams mentioned to be in the race to secure the 19-year-old’s services include Arsenal, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Spurs.

Now, Le Parisien reveal that “things are speeding up” for Tel after several clubs “smelled a good deal” to “snatch his signature.” Spurs have gone a step further, striking a €60m agreement with Bayern for the Frenchman.

This sum represents more than double the amount the Bundesliga giants forked out to recruit him from Rennes in the summer of 2022.

L’Equipe also state that Spurs and Bayern have wrapped up an agreement that would see Tel join Ange Postecoglou’s ranks in North London.

Spurs’ technical director Johan Lange recently jetted to Germany to persuade Tel he should pursue his career with the Lilywhites.

Both publications however note that the highly-rated Tel has yet to make a final decision over his future.

He wants to listen to all offers that are presented to him before settling on his next club. The player will prioritise a move that will give him the most chance of featuring regularly.

Tel’s contract with Bayern runs until 2029.

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford’s future continues to be in the air with less than a week left for the January window to close.

The Mancunian does not seem to have a place in Ruben Amorim’s plans judging by his latest brutal comments with the player also publicly revealing his desire for a change in scenery.

The Englishman must have thought finding a new club would be easy but it has not proven to be the case. AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund have already left the chase amid Rashford’s adamant stance that he will only move to Barcelona.

However, the Catalan giants have failed to make space for him in the squad with Ansu Fati and Eric Garcia yet to depart the Camp Nou.

Rashford’s future still up in the air

Barca might also struggle to accommodate United’s demands of paying the United No 10’s wages in full even if he agrees to take a pay-cut.

With time running out, the England international could be forced to take alternate options with The Peoples Person recently relaying that Turkish sides Galatasaray and Fenerbahce have also entered the race.

But there are more options for the 27-year-old within the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United both eyeing the Carrington graduate.

While INEOS had made it clear that they would not strengthen a direct domestic rival, keeping Rashford at the club amid the rising tensions with Amorim might not be the best route to take.

Ultimately, the new co-owners would want to sell Rashford to the highest bidder in the summer and the best way to maximise his transfer value would be to send him out on loan so that he can regain his form.

As per journalist Alex Crook, speaking on the TalkSPORT Transfer Notebook Podcast, Spurs could look to take advantage of United’s conundrum closer to deadline day.

In fact, the agency that Rashford has reportedly touched base with in order to find an exit route out of Old Trafford have a great relationship with the North London club so a move cannot be ruled out at this stage.

Spurs could take advantage

“But do we get to deadline day when the European avenues have been closed? I think Barcelona are going to need to get players out in order to facilitate any kind of move,” Crook said.

“One of those Premier League clubs, or West Ham or maybe even Tottenham, who have a good relationship with one of the agencies that I understand, Marcus Rashford, has enlisted the help of to get him a move.

“Do they go to Manchester United and say, look, if you can swallow up a bigger percentage of his wages, we’ll take him? Could that well happen on deadline day?”

Whether INEOS agree to said demands remains to be seen. The saga is expected to run until Deadline day with United lining up Mathys Tel as an alternative should the 27-year-old depart.

Manchester United were facing the prospect of losing Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho this January with both wingers linked with an exit.

While the Mancunian had already declared his intention to leave, the Argentine was initially not looking to move but the club’s need to balance the books and Ruben Amorim’s own tactical system was seen as reasons for the player’s U-turn.

As a result, the club seemed to go into panic mode and as relayed by The Peoples Person, they were looking at Southampton rising star Tyler Dibling as Garnacho’s replacement.

It would not have been an easy deal to pull off given the 18-year-old’s £50m price tag as well as the presence of numerous other suitors in the race.

United could miss out on Dibling

But now with Chelsea moving on to Mathys Tel and Napoli’s final bid set to fall well short of INEOS’ asking price, there is a growing possibility that the Argentina international remains at Old Trafford.

Amorim has praised his impact and his ability to adhere to his tactical instructions and this indicates a thawing of tensions between the pair.

Which is why United could move on from Dibling and as revealed by TBR Football, Tottenham Hotspur are looking to take advantage with a loan-to-buy offer for the 18-year-old.

Spurs are in a disastrous run of form in the league and are in urgent need of reinforcements but whether their offer gets accepted remains to be seen.

Spurs eyeing loan-to-buy deal

“TBR Football revealed back in September that Tottenham were scouting Dibling – with Manchester United also keeping tabs on the youngster.

“Sources add that Tottenham do not have £50m to spend this winter, but could look to sign Dibling on an initial loan deal before paying the fee this summer.”

The English talent has already told the Saints that he will not be signing a new contract at the club and with the team from St Mary’s looking odds-on to get relegated this season, there is a good chance that Dibling will leave in the summer if not now.

Southampton want to hold on to their talisman given their league form but should the player put pressure, they will have very little hope of keeping a hold of him this January.

Feature image Michael Steele via Getty Images