All posts by z3u9t.icu

Liverpool have reportedly made their first approach to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United and could now break the British transfer record for a second time this summer.

Liverpool make first approach to sign Isak

Whilst the initial consensus was reportedly that Newcastle United’s attempted move to sign Hugo Ekitike would not leave the door ajar for Isak’s exit, Liverpool didn’t seem to receive that message. Now, according to David Ornstein, the Reds have made their first approach to sign the Swede in another big-money deal.

As things stand, Newcastle’s stance, as it has always been, is that Isak is not for sale. But Liverpool’s decision to make their approach may yet have loosened their grip on one of the Premier League’s hottest talents. From ‘not for sale’, a record-breaking £120m price tag has now been mooted, which could hand Liverpool the encouragement they need.

Liverpool’s admiration for Isak is far from new and it certainly isn’t a surprise. If there was a weakness in Arne Slot’s Premier League-winning side last season, it came in the No.9 role, as Luis Diaz was often forced to play out-of-position to lead the line and Darwin Nunez continued to struggle.

Now that both have been linked with moves away to Bayern Munich and now AC Milan respectively, however, Liverpool may finally have the funds and room to welcome the ultimate solution to their striker problem. In one summer, the Reds could go from Diaz, Nunez and Mohamed Salah to arguably the world’s best trio in Florian Wirtz, Isak and Salah.

Starts

34

25

38

Goals

23

10

29

Assists

6

12

18

Expected Goals

20.3

9.4

25.2

There’s still a long way to go before Isak becomes Liverpool’s next No.9, but that’s not to say Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes don’t already have their next trick planned.

What Liverpool plan to do next in Isak chase

According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool will “for sure” submit a club-record bid to sign Isak this summer and follow up their initial approach. The Swede is their “dream” target in a deal that could reportedly cost in the region of £120m.

Romano said on his YouTube channel: “For sure, Liverpool want to try for their dream target with an eventual club-record bid. Liverpool have intention to try and they made an approach with Newcastle.”

The transfer specialist then went on to reveal that if Liverpool fail in their pursuit of Isak, then their attention will turn back towards Ekitike. The Eintracht Frankfurt striker has been the subject of a £60m+ bid by Newcastle, but the Magpies could now be facing a lose-lose situation up against the Reds in a ruthless mood.

Wirtz's dream CF: Hughes in talks to sign £63m "monster" for Liverpool

Isak and Ekitike aren’t the only high-level strikers Liverpool have their eye on.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 15, 2025

As the season approaches and the transfer window progresses, both forwards are likely to steal plenty more headlines. As things stand, however, in a transfer battle between Liverpool and Newcastle, it seems as though the Premier League champions have the edge.

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is leaving no stone unturned in his pursuit of top quality to reinforce Mikel Arteta’s ranks, ahead of another Premier League title challenge.

Berta to offer "emerging star" in Arsenal swap deal for near-£70m signing

The Italian really wants to bring him to N5.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 9, 2025

The Gunners, amid their ongoing talks to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP, which could be done fairly soon after the player agreed personal terms, are also attempting to bolster other positions in the attacking third.

Gyokeres could be joined by Chelsea’s Noni Madueke, with the England international, like Gyokeres, also already agreeing his contractual package.

Interestingly, and what is a very exciting prospect for Arsenal supporters, a move for Madueke or any other left-wing target is independent of their potential deal for Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze.

The £100,000-per-week star has reportedly held “positive talks” over joining Arsenal (ESPN), and some reports suggest that Berta is determined to sign Eze. Journalist Rahman Osman also reported in The Sun earlier this week that Berta could offer Palace an “emerging star” as a makeweight to sweeten talks for Eze, but the Eagles are holding out for his £68 million release clause.

Football Transfers provided another update on the ongoing saga this morning.

Berta to hold Wednesday talks with Crystal Palace over signing Eze

The outlet states that Berta will personally hold “Wednesday” talks with Palace over signing Eze, with club-to-club talks seemingly poised to take place today.

Football Transfers relay that Eze wants to join Arsenal, and these negotiations will apparently be centered around how Arsenal would structure the payments of Eze’s release clause, so it appears the north Londoners could steadily be giving in to Palace’s demands.

Not much else is said with regard to the 27-year-old, but Berta is showing no sign of slowing down in his pursuit of Eze, so this could be one to watch in the coming days.

The former QPR star could make a sensational return to the Emirates, 14 years after he was released by the Arsenal academy, and it is clear as day why Berta is reportedly very keen to strike a homecoming.

Eze bagged 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions for Palace last season – scoring the FA Cup-final winning goal against Man City to end their history-long wait for a major trophy – and 2024/2025 was by no means his only heroic campaign at Selhurst Park.

Sky Sports report that the attacking midfielder would come in to complement Martin Odegaard, but Eze’s versatility means he’s capable of reinforcing Arteta’s wise areas too.

The club may not have announced any official signings yet, but Arsenal appear to have burst into life over the last week or so.

On top of securing massively important contract extensions for Gabriel Magalhaes and Myles Lewis-Skelly, the North Londoners appear incredibly close to securing Kepa Arizabalaga as their new number two.

Moreover, while we’ve been saying it for some time now, the announcement of Martin Zubimendi’s signing is just around the corner.

And if that wasn’t enough, the Gunners have also made the surprise decision to sign Brentford’s Christian Nørgaard, although if recent reports are to be believed, they might be about to land someone who’d be an even better signing.

Arsenal strike in the transfer market

News of Arsenal’s interest in Nørgaard emerged midway through last week, with reports claiming that they had already agreed to personal terms with the Danish international.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

While it’s not been 100% confirmed, it appears as if the Brentford ace will cost the North Londoners around £10m plus up to £5m in add-ons.

While it’s not the most exciting transfer the club will make this summer, it does make sense, considering the money and the fact that Thomas Partey is now set to follow Jorginho out the door in the coming days.

Yet, with all that said, Arteta and Co now look like they are closing in on another surprise addition to the club, an exciting talent who’d be a better signing than Nørgaard.

At least that’s according to a recent report from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, who claims Arsenal are advancing with their interest in Valencia centre-back Christian Mosquera.

The Italian journalist has revealed that the Gunners have already reached a “full agreement on personal terms” with the Spanish defender.

It’s still unclear how much the 21-year-old will eventually cost, but Romano has reported that the Premier League runners-up are hoping to secure his services for around €20m, which converts to £17m.

He might not be a particularly well-known player in England, but based on his performances this season, the potential many believe he has, and the holes in Arsenal’s squad, he could be a better signing than Nørgaard.

Why Mosquera will be a better signing than Nørgaard

The first thing to say is that Nørgaard looks like he’ll be a fine addition to Arsenal’s squad this summer, especially now that Partey is set to depart, but therein lies the biggest drawback to his signing: he’ll likely never be more than fine.

After all, Zubimendi will almost always be picked ahead of him for the defensive midfield role, and we wouldn’t be surprised if Declan Rice wasn’t also ahead of him in the pecking order – not to mention the chance Lewis-Skelly ends up playing there in the long run.

Furthermore, as the Danish international will be turning 32 next season, there will be little time for him to bed in, and there is every chance he will be moved on in a couple of years for a younger backup.

Goalkeeper

28

Centre-back

27

Full-back

25

Central midfielder

25

Wide attacker

26

Central attacking midfielder

26

Striker

27

This is unlikely to be the case with Mosquera, as he only turned 21 last week, and according to research carried out by The Athletic, centre-backs typically don’t reach their peak until around 27.

This fact also means that it’s less of a problem if the young Spaniard plays second-fiddle to more established stars over the coming years, as, unlike the Dane, he will almost certainly have more time to bed into the side.

However, while William Saliba will undoubtedly be the starting right-sided centre-back heading into next season, the North Londoners have fewer genuine options to replace him should he get injured.

For example, Ben White and Jurrien Timber are far more useful as right-backs, while Riccardo Calafiori and Jakub Kwior are left-footed, and Takehiro Tomiyasu cannot be relied upon to remain fit.

Finally, on top of being younger and potentially filling a seriously pressing gap in the squad, the Alicante-born “monster,” as dubbed by podcaster Rohan Jivan, also has some impressive experience under his belt.

For example, even though he was 20 years old at the start of this season, he’s already made 90 appearances for Valencia, totalling 7399 minutes, and while he is yet to earn a senior cap, he has made ten appearances for the Spanish U21 side and played one game at the Olympics last summer.

Ultimately, while he’s unlikely to be a game-changer next season, Mosquera is an undeniably exciting prospect, and thanks to that fact and Arteta’s need for a new right-sided centre-back, he looks like he’ll be a better signing than Nørgaard.

"Hottest striker in the world" now demands talks to force Arsenal move

The Gunners are pushing hard to land their man…

BySean Markus Clifford Jun 30, 2025

Birmingham City stole most of the headlines in League One last season by sealing a title success on a gigantic 111 points, but Wrexham also gained plenty of airtime themselves when clinching yet another promotion.

This was the Red Dragons’ third promotion success in a row, unbelievably, with Phil Parkinson the manager who has amazingly steered the Welsh giants back into the spotlight away from non-league obscurity, to now being one division below the Premier League.

Wrexham will know that their next step up to the Championship will be their most difficult jump to navigate so far, with plenty of new signings ready to enter the building to ensure the next step-up isn’t so difficult, which includes this exciting striker target potentially joining Parkinson’s ranks.

Wrexham now interested in former PL ace

As per an exclusive report from football journalist Graeme Bailey, Wrexham are now in the race to land Leeds United attacker Joe Gelhardt this summer.

Unfortunately, they aren’t just a lone suitor having a peek at the two-time Premier League goalscorer, with Chris Davies’ Birmingham also keen on landing a loan deal for the explosive centre-forward, as Leeds look to get rid temporarily after sealing their own dramatic promotion.

Whilst the 23-year-old has found himself stuck on the periphery at Elland Road as of late, he still has plenty of plus points next to his name that will intrigue Parkinson and Co.

He could even be viewed as a better signing for Wrexham to make than the newly promoted side going after an injury-prone Danny Ings, with the soon-to-be free agent forward more known now for his lengthy absences away from the first-team, than his clinical finishing ability.

24/25

17

1

2

23/24

30

1

1

22/23

22

3

2

Why Gelhardt would be a better signing than Ings

Indeed, the table above makes for some pretty grim reading on the ex-Liverpool striker’s end, with Ings only managing five goals for West Ham over his last three unmemorable seasons.

Whereas, in Gelhardt’s defence – despite tumbling down the pecking order in West Yorkshire as of late – he has still proven he can cut it in the Championship when handed a chance to impress out on loan at Hull City last season.

This spectacular effort back in January would get the ball rolling for Gelhardt in his fresh location, with the ex-Hull number 30 going on to bag another four strikes in league action, away from just this wild shot looping over Paul Nardi’s head.

This will instantly put Wrexham at ease about whether the 23-year-old is well-suited to the demands of the Championship after barren patches of form at Leeds. On the contrary, Ings last played at the demanding level all the way back in 2014, with a concern brewing that he just doesn’t have the legs required to kick back into gear in the EFL.

Games played

22

Goals scored

5

Assists

0

Big chances missed

1

Big chances created

5

Total duels won*

5.2

To Wrexham’s relief, Gelhardt showed he has plenty left in his tank at Hull last season, with a bite present in his game too when winning 5.2 duels on average per Championship clash, away from also creating five big chances on top of his goal tally of five.

The newly promoted side have also been there and done that when it comes to veterans leading the line, as seen in Steven Fletcher being on their books last campaign, with the loan capture of the 23-year-old “wrecking ball” – as he was once labelled by Jamie Redknapp for his aggressive approach – signalling a newer approach centred on the future.

While Ings’ name might be more instantly recognisable, his best years seem to be behind him now.

When it comes to Gelhardt, however, plenty more could still be in the offing.

Big Rathbone upgrade: Wrexham still in race to sign "outstanding" PL star

Wrexham could be about to land a big upgrade on Oliver Rathbone by signing this Championship-experienced ace.

ByKelan Sarson Jun 12, 2025

Arsenal have now held talks over a deal for an “unbelievable” forward, amid doubts over Gabriel Martinelli’s future, according to a report.

Gunners could now be ready to sell Martinelli

It has been revealed that Mikel Arteta may now be ready to sell Martinelli this summer, as the manager looks to reshuffle his squad, and AC Milan have emerged as potential suitors, with Rafael Leao’s future at the San Siro still very much up in the air.

Should the Gunners decide to cash in on the Brazilian, they would be looking to receive a fee of at least £50m, although he is currently planning to fight for his place in the starting XI, and has no plans of pushing for a move elsewhere.

It would certainly seem harsh to sell the 23-year-old, considering he has been a regular source of goals and assists over the past four seasons, but Arteta has shown he is willing to make big decisions in the past, most notably replacing Aaron Ramsdale with David Raya.

Season

PL appearances

Goals

Assists

2021-22

29

6

6

2022-23

36

15

6

2023-24

35

6

4

2024-25

33

8

4

According to a report from Football Transfers, Arsenal have now held talks over a deal to sign West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus, who could seemingly be brought in as a replacement for Martinelli, as he is said to be capable of playing on both flanks.

However, the two London clubs may be some way apart in their valuation of Kudus, as he has a €100m (£84m) release clause in his West Ham contract, while the Gunners are hesitant to stump up more than €55m-€60m (£46m – £51m).

The Ghanaian is keen to leave the Hammers this summer, as he intends to play in Europe next season, meaning a move to the Emirates Stadium could be of great appeal, although Chelsea and Newcastle United are also in the race for his signature.

"Unbelievable" Kudus could excel at the Emirates

The 2024-25 campaign was not the 24-year-old’s best, picking up just five goals and three assists in the Premier League, but he was part of a West Ham side that underperformed as a whole, and the winger’s previous exploits indicate he could be a success at Arsenal.

Indeed, the former Ajax man enjoyed a very impressive debut campaign in England, amassing 14 goals and nine assists in all competitions, during which time he was lauded as “unbelievable” by teammate Michail Antonio.

Antonio was left particularly blown away by the winger’s dribbling ability, which was also on display regularly last season, despite not setting up or scoring as many goals as in previous campaigns.

There are certainly signs that Kudus could kick on at the Emirates Stadium, but that said, he should not be brought in as a direct replacement for Martinelli, considering the Brazil international is still young, and it would be very harsh to sanction his departure this summer.

It would be impossible to describe Tottenham Hotspur’s season as anything other than a failure this year.

Now, it’s true that Ange Postecoglou still has the chance to achieve something remarkable in the Europa League, but should that not happen, he’ll have overseen the club’s worst campaign in a generation – or two.

For example, in the Premier League alone, the North Londoners have lost 19 games, so reports suggesting he’ll get the sack regardless of what happens on the continent are hardly surprising.

Premier League

34

11

4

19

Europa League

12

7

3

2

FA Cup

2

1

0

1

League Cup

5

4

0

1

Total

53

23

7

23

One of the names most heavily touted for replacing the Australian in recent weeks and months has been Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, but another name has now been thrown into the ring: a manager who’d be a far better choice.

Tottenham's manager search

Before getting to the man in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other coaches who have been linked with the role, such as Marco Silva.

Manager Focus

Who are the greatest coaches in the land? Football FanCast’s Manager Focus series aims to reveal all.

It’s easy to see why the club might be interested in the Fulham boss, as since taking charge of the West Londoners in 2021, when they were in the Championship, he’s transformed them into a comfortably mid-table Premier League side.

A far more ambitious manager linked with the North Londoners has been Xabi Alonso.

The former Liverpool star led Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title ever last season, and if that wasn’t impressive enough, he did it undefeated and won the DFB Pokal to boot.

However, it would appear as if Real Madrid might be keen to hire the Spaniard, making a move to Spurs feel incredibly unlikely, which isn’t the case with Oliver Glasner.

According to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, the Crystal Palace manager is one of the names on the list of potential successors to Postecoglou.

While it certainly wouldn’t be easy to get the Austrian coach out of Selhurst Park, it wouldn’t be impossible, and with how well he’d done in South London, he’d be worth the effort and a better option than Iraola.

How Glasner compares to Iraola

So, if it gets to a point at which Daniel Levy and Co need to make a decision between Glasner and Iraola in the coming weeks, why should they pick the former?

First, he’s already proven that he can win big prizes with teams who aren’t always expected to, as he led Eintracht Frankfurt to Europa League glory in 2022, which was only their second major trophy since the 1987/88 season.

Moreover, he’s just got Crystal Palace into only their third FA Cup final and has completely transformed a number of their players, most notably Jean-Philippe Mateta.

For example, in the 22/23 campaign, the Frenchman scored just four goals in 33 games, but last season, that jumped up to 19 goals and six assists in 39 games, and this season, he’s already hit 17 goals and four assists in 41.

Finally, and this is important, despite taking over the Eagles when they were in relegation form, he has a better record with them than the Cherries boss has with his side.

Games

55

83

Wins

25

33

Draws

15

20

Losses

15

30

Points per Game

1.64

1.43

For example, since taking the job at Selhurst Park, the “incredible” 50-year-old, as dubbed by content creator James B, has won 25 games, drawn 15, lost 15 and averaged 1.64 points per game.

In contrast, the Spaniard has won 33 games, drawn 20, lost 30 and averaged 1.43 points per game on the south coast.

Ultimately, while both managers would probably be an improvement on Postecoglou, Glasner has the pedigree of winning major honours and has arguably overseen an even more impressive transformation of a struggling Premier League side than Iraola.

Postecoglou must now axe Spence to start "titanic" Spurs star

The talented ace could be just what Spurs need tonight.

ByJack Salveson Holmes May 1, 2025

Serie A giants Napoli and AS Roma are now both interested in signing an £80,000-a-week Nottingham Forest player this summer, according to a recent report.

Morgan Gibbs-White devastated with FA Cup semi-final defeat

It was a disappointing afternoon for the Reds on Sunday, in what has been a remarkable campaign for them. Nuno Santo’s side failed to turn up at Wembley against Manchester City, as the Blues were in control for 90 minutes and sealed their spot at another FA Cup final.

Wow: Nottingham Forest want to sign £15.6m-a-year Man City star with McAtee

Nottingham Forest are now keen on signing not one, but two players from Manchester City.

ByBrett Worthington Apr 27, 2025

Captain and talisman Morgan Gibbs-White was left “devastated” with his side’s defeat in the semi-final and apologised to fans, claiming he should have scored at least one of the chances he had in the game.

“It’s devastating. I feel sorry for the fans. I hold my hands up and apologise. I should have scored at least one of them chances.

“As a team, we did not start well. That is what we wanted to do. Then in the second half, we came out fighting, and we gave it absolutely everything. The support never stopped until the very last second, and we thank the fans for that because they have been so consistent with us throughout the season.

“I’m lost for words, really. I’m sad to go out like that. We gave it our everything, but we keep going. We have still got the Premier League to focus on.”

Forest now have five games remaining in the Premier League to seal their spot in next season’s Champions League. They currently sit in sixth place, two points behind third place Newcastle United, with the race firmly on between five teams.

Napoli and Roma are chasing Hudson-Odoi

Not only would Champions League football help the Reds bring in better players in the summer, but it could also help them retain some of their key men who have been so important this season and are now gaining admirers ahead of the summer transfer window opening. Indeed, according to a report from Spain, Napoli and Roma are both interested in a deal to sign Callum Hudson-Odoi from Nottingham Forest.

Both Italian teams are keen on a deal for the winger, who is under contract until the summer of 2026. The report claims that Hudson-Odoi’s speed, dribbling and ability to drive play forward make him an attractive option to reinforce their attacks.

Both Napoli and Roma see someone like Hudson-Odoi, who is on a weekly wage of £80,000 at the City Ground, as the perfect age profile to bring both experience and long-term potential, though no information is given on possible bids or fees.

Apps

28

Starts

24

Goals

5

Assists

3

But given that it is reported that Forest are already working on securing a new contract with Hudson-Odoi, who has been dubbed a “star boy” by teammate Ola Aina, and negotiations are underway, then they may not be interested in any potential sale this summer. Forest are confident that they will keep hold of the winger, but the final decision will depend on Hudson-Odoi.

Arsenal’s sensational showing against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu last night secured their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League, setting up a clash with PSG.

Mikel Arteta’s men produced a perfect showing in Spain, restricting the hosts to minimal chances and shutting down any chances of another famous comeback.

Two second-half goals from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli wrapped up a 5-1 aggregate triumph, dumping the current holders out of the competition.

Such a result has moved the Gunners within touching distance of a first Champions League final since 2006, with Arteta having the chance to write himself into the club’s history forever.

If they are to go all the way and lift the trophy, the side will have to replicate such a display in the following rounds, with numerous players catching the eye during the victory in Madrid.

Arsenal’s star performers against Real Madrid

After his huge rise to stardom in recent months, it’s easy to forget that left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly is just 18 years of age, with his showing last night way beyond his tender years.

He managed to win 80% of the ground duels he entered, making five clearances and two interceptions, playing a key role in preventing the hosts from getting back into the tie.

However, another academy graduate in the form of Saka also managed to produce an incredible display, with his latest goal taking him to four Champions League goals this campaign.

The 23-year-old registered a 100% shot accuracy, getting all three of his efforts on target, but also starring defensively, winning 100% of the tackles he entered against the Spanish giants.

The aforementioned pair certainly played a vital role in the quarter-final victory, but one other star has managed to repeat the feat of a fan favourite, given his showing in Madrid last night.

The player who has become Arteta’s new Henry

Back in the last campaign in which Arsenal reached the Champions League final, they also defeated Madrid en route, with forward Thierry Henry tearing the opposition apart.

His stupendous solo effort at the Bernabeu was the difference between the two sides over the two legs, with his moment of magic making the Gunners the first English side to win at the stadium.

Such a showing catapulted Arsène Wenger’s side to the latter stages of the competition, with his outing that night 19 years ago still living long in the memory of supporters.

However, the current generation has their own version of the Frenchman in the form of midfielder Declan Rice after his own showing against Carlo Ancelotti’s men last night.

The England international built on his two-goal haul in the first leg, securing the Man of the Match award for the second successive outing against the LaLiga outfit, highlighting how impressive he was in the triumph.

The 26-year-old completed 96% of the passes he attempted against the European giants, with three of which going into the final third, allowing the likes of Saka to kill off the tie.

However, despite his impressive showing with the ball, he was also just as effective without, winning 100% of the tackles he entered, offering a real commanding force at the base of Arteta’s midfield.

Minutes played

89

Passes completed

25/26 (96%)

Passes into final third

3

Tackles won

2/2 (100%)

Interceptions made

4

Clearances made

3

Blocks made

2

He also made four interceptions, three clearances and two blocks – leading to journalist Paul Hayward labelling him “superb” in what was one of his best performances for the club.

As a result of his display, Rice was handed a 10/10 match rating by The Express’ Fraser Watson, further indicating how sensational his showing was against the defending champions.

Whilst he operates in a completely different role to Henry, his outing at the Bernabeu was similar to that in stature of the forward, helping the side advance to the next stage of the Champions League.

If the Gunners are to finally get their hands on the trophy in the coming months, there’s no denying Rice will have a crucial part to play, with his big-money fee a bargain should he lead the side to European glory.

Better signing than Isak: Arsenal in talks for 'one of the world's best'

Arsenal could be about to pull off a deal that could see them forget about Alexander Isak.

ByEthan Lamb Apr 16, 2025

Manchester United could only secure a 2-2 draw with French side Lyon in the Europa League last night, with Ruben Amorim’s side unfortunate not to come away the victors.

Goals from Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee could’ve secured all three points for the Red Devils but were denied the win by a late strike from the hosts in stoppage time.

Thiago Almada and Rayan Cherki were on the scoresheet for the Ligue 1 outfit, with goalkeeper Andre Onana at fault for both of the host’s efforts at the Groupama Stadium.

Whilst a win could’ve been on the cards after edging ahead with just a couple of minutes to go, Amorim’s men have the chance to secure qualification at Old Trafford next Thursday.

Despite their failure to return to home soil with an advantage, numerous players managed to impress, certainly securing their place in the side for the second leg next week.

Man Utd’s star performers against Lyon

Wing-back Patrick Dorgu once again demonstrated that he’s been a superb winter addition to the United first-team, impressing once more in the draw last night.

The 20-year-old completed 100% of the crosses he’s attempted, whilst also achieving an 88% pass completion rate along with a 100% success rate in tackles and aerial duels won – having a huge impact at both ends.

Midfielder Bruno Fernandes has been the shining light in what has been a dismal season for the club, often being the go-to man in terms of goal contributions within the final third.

Last night was no different for the Portuguese international, registering the assist for Zirkzee’s effort, stretching his lead as the Europa League’s highest contributor in terms of goals and assists.

However, despite the showing of the 30-year-old, one other player managed to impress within Amorim’s side – arguably becoming as important as the talent in recent months.

The player who’s becoming as important as Bruno for United

As previously mentioned, Fernandes has thrived this year despite United’s lowly league standing – notching 31 combined goals and assists across all competitions.

It’s unthinkable to imagine where the Red Devils would be without him in 2024/25, undoubtedly the key reason as to why they still have an opportunity to end the season as Europa League winners.

However, if they are to achieve such a feat, he won’t be able to do it alone, with other first team members needing to step up to the occasion and push the side in the right direction.

Centre-back Yoro has done just that over the last couple of months, cementing his place within the backline upon his return to action after a long injury lay-off.

His showing against Lyon last night was yet another one to be proud of, catching the eye at both ends of the pitch despite his defensive position.

The 19-year-old managed to net his first goal for the club during the draw, putting the side level after Onana’s mistake from Almada’s free-kick in the first half.

However, he also starred with his ball-playing, notching a total of 64 touches, and completing 50 passes at a completion rate of 93% – highlighting his composure on the ball.

Minutes played

90

Touches

64

Passes completed

50/54 (93%)

Goals scored

1

Tackles won

1/1 (100%)

Ground duels won

2/4 (50%)

Interceptions made

1

He also managed to impress at the back, winning 100% of the tackles he entered, whilst also managing to win two ground duels – thriving despite the side conceding twice.

As a result of his showing, Yoro was handed an 8/10 match rating by Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst – showcasing how impressive he was in France last night.

After such a display, it’s safe to say the Frenchman has managed to cement his place as a regular starter at the heart of the backline, with the defence needing to be built around him this summer.

Whilst Bruno has been the star in attacking areas of late, there’s no denying that Yoro has proven he’s capable of being a key player in the United rebuild, having the potential to improve further given his tender age.

Man Utd chase £50m Rashford & Elanga hybrid who's 'one of the best in PL'

Man Utd are seeking potential alternatives to Matheus Cunha this summer

ByRobbie Walls Apr 10, 2025

As the chance to complete a league double over Manchester City arrives, Manchester United have reportedly held talks with the representatives of one particular target worth as much as £68m this summer.

Man Utd looking to shock Guardiola once again

Scoring twice in the final two minutes to defeat Manchester City at the Etihad back in December, Manchester United will be hoping to find something to salvage from a disastrous campaign by completing a double over their rivals this weekend. Last time out, Amad Diallo was Ruben Amorim’s hero. This time, however, his side must look towards a fresh attacking spark amid the winger’s absence.

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Speaking ahead of the Manchester derby, Amorim spoke about his side’s ambitions for the rest of the season and their problems compared to City’s. The former Sporting CP boss told reporters: “We want to win this game, we want to improve in the league table and especially we want to win games.

“We are going to have full focus on this game. I don’t see one win as a special moment. Special moments are to win titles. Even if the third division, you can beat the best team in the division.

“I am more focused on our problems; I think we have bigger problems than Manchester City. They had problems in that run. They have improved. They have maybe the best coach in the world. They have top players. It will be a difficult match. I am so focused on improving my team, I am not focused on City’s improvements.”

Season

Competition

Match

2024/25

Premier League

Man City 1-2 Man Utd

2024/25

Community Shield

Man City 1-1 Man Utd

2023/24

FA Cup

Man City 1-2 Man Utd

2023/24

Premier League

Man City 3-1 Man Utd

2023/24

Premier League

Man Utd 0-3 Man City

The Manchester United boss also admitted that the focus is to improve his side, saying: “The focus must be on how to improve our team in every aspect. Of course, the Premier League is so different.

“People say Sir Alex Ferguson took two or three times to win something… it is completely different nowadays. The pressure is different. No matter the context, we need to be there [at the top]. We will have to say a lot of adversity and big teams.”

That is, of course, likely to come in the form of summer reinforcements, which could yet include the arrival of a much-needed, big-money goalscorer when the transfer window opens.

Man Utd hold positive talks with Ekitike

According to Anfield Watch, Manchester United have now held positive talks with the representatives of Hugo Ekitike over a potential summer move from Eintracht Frankfurt. However, the deal won’t come cheap, with the German club set to remain firm on their €80m (£68m) asking price in the coming months.

With competition from Liverpool for the Frenchman’s signature, the Red Devils should go all out to sign what would be an instant solution to their attacking problems.

Dubbed “strong” by analyst Ben Mattinson, Ekitike has scored 19 goals in all competitions so far this season and looks like he’s only just getting started on Europe’s top stage.