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Manchester United’s defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday was their 12th of the Premier League season and despite the side finishing sixth and qualifying for the Europa League, incoming manager Erik ten Hag faces a massive rebuilding job in the summer.

Problems lie all over the pitch, the defence is poor and concedes too many goals, and the midfield is lacklustre and needs urgently refreshed, but the main gripe is within the forward areas.

Only Cristiano Ronaldo (24) has scored more than ten goals out of all the Man United forwards and this area needs to be prioritised during the summer.

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With Ralf Rangnick revealing that Edinson Cavani will be leaving the club at the end of the season, Ronaldo will be the only recognised centre forward.

One player that has been linked with the club is Lille striker Jonathan David, and the 22-year-old could be an excellent fit in ten Hag’s new United side.

David has scored 19 goals in 48 appearances in all competitions for the French side as they struggled in the defence of their Ligue 1 title. Although shy of the 24 netted by Ronaldo, there is no doubt the young talent has the potential to succeed in the Premier League.

Lille are reportedly demanding £46m in order for a side to prise their key asset away from the club and it’s a fee that Man Utd could certainly afford, although Arsenal are also in the running.

The Canada international was praised by national coach John Herdman, who dubbed David as “fearless”, so it’s no wonder he has netted an impressive 20 goals in just 30 games for his country.

This is the type of clinical nature that the Red Devils need. Ronaldo is 37 and can’t drag the side along by himself. A duo of David and the Portuguese star would surely get the Old Trafford faithful buzzing, and these are the type of signings ten Hag needs to make in order to get off to a good start.

AND in other news, Ten Hag’s 1st blow: Romano relays transfer news that will have MUFC supporters gutted

Angry Ginge has named a Manchester United legend as the one person he “would love” to join him in the I’m A Celebrity jungle if he could choose anyone.

The Twitch streamer has now touched down in Australia, having been confirmed as part of the line-up for the latest series of I’m A Celeb, which is due to start this Sunday at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

The 23-year-old is not the only Mancunian taking part either, with his close friend, Aitch, also being revealed as one of the new contestants on Monday evening.

Having a friend in the camp will no doubt make it easier to settle into life in the jungle, but Angry Ginge, whose real name is Morgan Burtwistle, has now revealed he wishes a Man United legend was also heading down under this winter.

Angry Ginge "would love" Wayne Rooney to join him on I'm A Celeb

Speaking about the type of contestant he plans to be in a recent interview with ITV, Burtwistle said: “I will try to be the motivator in camp and make sure everyone is chatty and happy. I’m not argumentative either.

“And if I could pick anyone, I would love it if Wayne Rooney was in camp with me. We would have a laugh.”

The 40-year-old making an appearance may not be completely out of the question, having recently revealed he would be open to one day being a part of the ITV show, saying: “Would I? I think I would, at the right time.

“I’d struggle with some of the trials, though. You know the worst one, you know where they walk into a room…and there’s like a big ostrich looking at you. I didn’t [know he was scared of ostriches] but I’m just picturing them being there.”

The former Man United star also knows Angry Ginge well, having bizarrely joined his Pro Clubs team ‘Girth N Turf’ on EA Sports FC 24.

However, should he one day jet out to Australia, Rooney will have big shoes to fill, given that his wife Coleen finished as runner-up in the 2024 edition, behind only McFly singer Danny Jones.

With Angry Ginge, who has 1.4m Twitch followers, due to take part, this year’s I’m A Celeb is shaping up nicely regardless, but maybe 2026 will be the year we finally see Wazza taking part in a Bushtucker Trial…

Wayne Rooney says one Man Utd player has proven him wrong this season

Rooney: £150k-p/w star has been Man Utd's "best player" and "proven me wrong"

The Manchester United legend has praised one of Ruben Amorim’s key players, who he was initially “sceptical” about.

By
Dominic Lund

Oct 21, 2025

Spending big money in the transfer market is one way to bring about success in the modern game, but it’s not a guaranteed marker that trophies will follow.

Manchester United have spent upwards of £800m in the last three years alone, but they are currently on a 12-month drought without any form of silverware under Ruben Amorim.

Another option football clubs desperately rely on is their youth systems, with the use of top-level academies often presenting a constant conveyor belt of talent for the future.

The Red Devils have been known for their success in producing elite-level stars, with the Class of ’92’ arguably one of the most iconic groups of prospects to make the jump into the professional game.

One other player has also successfully made the jump and impressed at Old Trafford in recent seasons, after massively impressing through the ranks as a youngster.

Marcus Rashford’s youth record at Man Utd

Many of United’s young prospects join the club at a young age and spend the majority of their youth years as part of the Red Devils’ infamous academy system.

Attacker Marcus Rashford was no different after joining the club at the age of seven and enduring a remarkable rise and progression through the ranks as a youngster.

It’s unclear how many goals he scored before reaching the U18 age group, but he did make himself a household name as he edged towards the end of his scholarship.

The Englishman scored 13 goals for the U18s during the 2015/16 season – sitting at the top of their goalscoring charts until he was handed his first-team debut.

At 18 years and 113 days, Rashford was handed his first start against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League – subsequently taking advantage of the opportunity handed his way.

Despite being a teenager, he netted twice against the Danish outfit in February 2016, which made him an instant hit with the Red Devils’ supporters at Old Trafford.

He’s since racked up over 450 appearances for his boyhood club, but has had to move away on a temporary basis to gain regular football after falling down Amorim’s pecking order.

The United gem who could be their next Rashford

The decision to offload Rashford by Amorim has been one that has been called into question over recent weeks, amid his form on loan at Barcelona from United.

He scored within the first few minutes of the Amorim tenure against Ipswich Town, but it would be one of the few highlights for the forward after a fallout with the 40-year-old.

The 27-year-old has since joined Hansi Flick’s side on loan for the 2025/26 campaign, scoring five times and registering four assists in his 12 outings for the LaLiga outfit.

However, he still has the chance to resurrect his career in the near future, but he could find it tricky to secure his place in the first-team if Chido Obi is handed a chance to thrive.

The 17-year-old generated huge excitement last season with his phenomenal goalscoring record at youth level – with the Dane thriving with valuable minutes at Carrington.

He scored 17 times in just 20 appearances, often featuring for the club’s U18 and U21 sides and helping the former finish second in the youth Premier League.

As a result, he was handed multiple substitute appearances in the first-team setup, registering seven league outings, but only appearing for a total of 160 minutes.

Despite not scoring, Obi was highly praised by many for his performances – leading to one analyst labelling him as a “homegrown Oshimen” – a huge compliment given the Nigerian’s record of 37 goals in 41 appearances throughout 2024/25.

At just 17, it’s crucial that Amorim and various other staff behind the scenes manage the youngster in the right way to help him reach his full potential at the Theatre of Dreams.

However, the similarities to Rashford are there for all to see, given his time in the youth system, but he’s yet to score as early as the Englishman did in the first-team.

At present, the Dane is still 12 months younger than the former academy graduate when he made his first-team bow, showcasing how much time he has to make an impact under Amorim.

However, if Obi can replicate Rashford’s form with the Red Devils, he may have a huge bearing on any success the side manages to achieve in the near future.

Amorim has unlocked the new Bruno Fernandes in "world-class" Man Utd star

Manchester United already have a player on the books who can emulate Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford.

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By
Ethan Lamb

Oct 22, 2025

The New York Yankees have been in a prolonged slump and the team didn't get off to a hot start in the month of August, either. Following Sunday's 7–3 defeat at loanDepot Park, the Yankees were swept by the Marlins for the first time ever.

New York has not only seen its comfortable AL East lead slip, but they've even fallen into third place in the division behind the rival Red Sox. They're currently clinging onto a wild card spot by two games as teams continue to close the cap.

Following the humbling sweep in Miami, Aaron Boone spoke to reporters and addressed the team's current woes. He used three words to describe the situation, telling reporters it's "gut check time" for the Yankees as they embark on the final two months of the campaign, via Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.

As Hoch noted, the Yankees are 25-32 since the end of May and have been swept three times during that span, including twice against division rivals in Boston and Toronto. As the season continues to crumble, Boone is hoping his team can find the mindset needed to overcome their struggles and turn things around down the stretch.

The injury to Aaron Judge certainly makes things more difficult, but there's plenty to criticize about this Yankees team, in particular their lack of focus on defense and on the base paths. If they can't clean up their sloppy play, things may continue to get worse in the Bronx.

Any Premier League outfit with well-lined pockets can spend money on attractive players. Newcastle United’s financial fortunes changed when PIF swooped in nearly four years ago, but there’s far more substance to the Toon’s revival.

Appointing Eddie Howe was a shrewd and calculated move. Less than one month before the former Bournemouth boss’s arrival at St. James’ Park in November 2021, The Times reported Unai Emery, Steven Gerrard and Roberto Martinez were at the top of the shortlist to replace Steve Bruce.

Newcastle looked elsewhere, and they haven’t looked back. Howe is the real deal, leading the Magpies to Europe across two of the past three campaigns and winning the Carabao Cup last season; victory over Liverpool at Wembley ended 70 years of searching for domestic silverware.

Newcastle have unloaded their financial strength across recent transfer windows, sure, but they are almost unerring in their strategy.

Many players are a testament to that, and Sandro Tonali is a shining example.

Sandro Tonali's Newcastle journey

In July 2023, Newcastle paid £55m to sign Tonali from AC Milan. It was Howe’s first signing of the summer. All knew United had recruited a top midfield talent, elegant and intelligent in the middle of the park, and he is now producing the goods with consistency.

He didn’t at first. The Italy international managed only eight Premier League appearances in 2023/24 before being suspended due to betting breaches. He would not return until after the start of the following campaign.

Tonali was worth the wait, though, having been hailed by pundit Paul Scholes this month as being the best midfielder in England.

Howe has reworked his central system over the past 12 months, rewiring the nucleus of his team by moving Tonali into the deepest area of the midfield, thus freeing Bruno Guimaraes to be more dynamic ahead of him.

The 25-year-old is a product of Howe’s vision and tactics. He has shaped him into a star. The English manager has something of a knack for crafting high-class midfielders, and he could do it again with Lewis Miley.

Newcastle's new version of Tonali

Miley is the boyhood star in Newcastle’s first team. Howe might dream of a reunion with Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson down the line, but if Miley realises his potential over the coming years, that need will be lessened.

Already rather seasoned within Howe’s squad, the 19-year-old is a composed and cool customer in the engine room, not afraid to commit in the challenge, crisp on the ball and with an unteachable eye for goal.

Miley has faced adversity across the opening weeks of the campaign, with Howe condemning “unjustified” criticism and vowing to “protect” the homegrown talent last month.

An adaptable player, Miley could follow in Tonali’s footsteps under Howe’s wing, weathering adversity and working hard toward achieving respect and awe at St. James’ Park. He has the completeness to match the Italian, if not the experience or refinement.

Injuries have affected the young star’s rise to the Newcastle first team, but he has still made his mark over the past couple of years, already with 53 appearances for the seniors and seven direct goal involvements.

Pundit Pat Nevin has kept a close eye on Miley’s development and has even proclaimed him to be “the next young English superstar”, carrying a strength on the ball that belies his 19 years and showing technical qualities that will only harden as the months and years pass by.

That’s quite the claim from the one-time Scotland international, but it’s clear Miley has the natural talent and the determination to win over the doubters and make headway at Newcastle this season and thereafter.

With the Toon fanbase rallying behind him, Howe truly might unearth the club’s next version of Tonali.

PIF sold Newcastle's next Gazza on the cheap, now he's better than Bruno

Did Newcastle United sell an even better midfielder than Bruno Guimarães?

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By
Ben Gray

Oct 13, 2025

Bullpens win World Series titles, and the New York Yankees appear to be acting with that knowledge.

The Yankees are acquiring pitcher Camilo Doval from the San Francisco Giants, according to a Thursday afternoon report from ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Doval, 28, has pitched five years for the Giants. He has spent four of those years as the team's primary closer, and has accumulated 107 saves. He departs the franchise seventh on its all-time list in that category, including a National League-best 39 in 60 games finished in 2023.

In 2024, his ERA ballooned to 4.88 and he cost the team half a win above replacement per Baseball Reference; he has recovered nicely with a 3.09 ERA in 2025.

He joins a New York team looking for bullpen help as it navigates choppy waters in the American League East division. Once the leaders of that division, the Yankees now trail the Toronto Blue Jays by four games—although they occupy a favorable position in the wild-card race.

After the first phase of MLB All-Star voting, the Los Angeles Dodgers figure to have plenty of representation across the field at the midsummer classic.

Among the intriguing position battles in the National League is at the hot corner, where Dodgers slugger Max Muncy holds an edge over San Diego Padres star Manny Machado after phase one.

That hasn't sat too well with Padres broadcaster Mark Grant, who addressed the situation during Sunday's matchup against the Cincinnati Reds. In the middle of Machado's at-bat during the fifth inning, Grant began campaigning for his All-Star candidacy, urging fans to submit some ballots with Machado's name on them.

"Let's call it the way it is. Manny Machado is a better third baseman than Max Muncy," Grant said flatly.

In terms of their overall career, there's simply no disputing that Machado has been the superior player. But the All-Star Game doesn't necessarily take into account a career's worth of statistics.

In 2025, Muncy has a .845 OPS with 13 home runs, 55 RBIs and 50 walks in 79 games. The 34-year-old has been on fire in June, too, logging a 1.113 OPS with seven home runs and 24 RBIs in 23 games throughout the month. Machado has recorded similar numbers on the year, logging a .835 OPS with 13 home runs and 47 RBIs.

On paper, it certainly makes sense that there's a close race between the two NL West rivals when it comes to All-Star voting, but Grant suggested that Machado is deserving of the starting spot and encouraged fans to do their part in making that happen.

Manchester United are reportedly eyeing Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki following his sensational Premier League start, with Chelsea also keeping a tab on the £15 million ($20m) star. Ruben Amorim has urged the board to sign at least one midfielder in the summer of 2026 after missing out on Brighton's Carlos Baleba. They are also monitoring the likes of Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton and Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson.

• Man Utd look to Wearside for reinforcements

  According to Sacha Tavolieri, United are now "all in" for Sunderland’s breakout midfielder Sadiki, with the Red Devils positioning the 20-year-old as a major summer 2026 target. They have made him their preferred option should attempts to sign Brighton’s Baleba collapse for a second consecutive window. He arrived at the Stadium of Light only a few months ago for £15m ($20m) from Union Saint-Gilloise, and has been one of the Premier League’s surprise stars. He has started all 15 of Sunderland’s fixtures this season, anchoring their midfield with composure well beyond his years. Meanwhile, Chelsea are said to have sent delegates directly to Sunderland after the clubs met on October 25, enquiring about a potential price tag. The Blues’ interest is genuine, but they may struggle to offer Sadiki immediate minutes. At Chelsea, the youngster would find himself fighting Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez for a starting place. United, however, offer a far clearer pathway, with uncertainty surrounding Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro.

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  Baleba complications and Casemiro's contract

  United’s long-running pursuit of Baleba, a saga stretching back to the summer, remains unresolved. The club agreed personal terms with the Brighton midfielder, but had to withdraw their interest due to the Seagulls' steep asking price. United planned to revisit the deal in 2026, when Brighton expect to cash in, but the Seagulls’ valuation continues to be a major stumbling block. Moreover, his inconsistent form this season has added further hesitation, with senior figures reluctant to sanction what could become a record-breaking fee. 

  Casemiro, meanwhile, is entering the final months of his contract. United want the Brazil icon to remain, but only on reduced wages. There is no guarantee he will agree, and clubs in Saudi Arabia remain on standby. Ugarte has struggled for rhythm, and Mainoo, who was once the club’s crown jewel in midfield, is increasingly unsettled after a run of high-profile omissions from Amorim’s starting XI. United expect Napoli to table a formal enquiry for Mainoo as early as January, which will provide the midfielder an exit route from Amorim's exile. He is desperate for minutes to impress England manager Thomas Tuchel ahead of the March international break, which will be the final time The Three Lions will convene for an international break before the summer World Cup. 

• Sadiki’s rise: From Belgian prodigy to Premier League standout

  Sunderland paid a modest sum for Sadiki in July, but his value has surged rapidly thanks to his assured Premier League performances. With an intelligent reading of play, tidy distribution and an exceptional work rate, he has become indispensable for a Black Cats side who have taken the top flight by surprise. United are determined to build a squad for the future with young generational talents at its core. They have recently signed 13-year-old defender Socrates from The Elite London Academy, another unpolished diamond unearthed by their scouting network. 

  Following the signing, The London Academy wrote: "From the moment he joined Elite London Academy, you could see he had something special: technically gifted, intelligent on the ball, brave in duels, and always hungry to learn. Along his journey, we organised trials for him at Arsenal, Tottenham and Crystal Palace. He completed full trials at these clubs but these did not result in registration. Arguably, missed opportunities for the clubs.

  "But what makes Socrates different is how he responded. He didn’t sulk. He didn’t lose confidence. He showed resilience, maturity and a mindset far beyond his age. Instead, he pushed harder. Soon exciting opportunities have followed. Socrates was offered registration at a top Cat 1 club in the North in August after a successful trial."

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  What comes next for Man Utd?

  While the recruitment team accelerate long-term planning ahead of a potentially transformative and chaotic summer window, Amorim remains focussed on his job at hand. The Red Devils return to the Premier League stage on Monday against Bournemouth, and after a convincing 4-1 victory over Wolves, the Portuguese manager will look to beat the Cherries at home. 

Manchester City have now identified a “top-level midfielder” as a priority target, joining a number of Europe’s top clubs in the race for his signature.

Man City set sights on Yaya Toure-esque midfielder

Despite his well-documented fallout with Pep Guardiola, Yaya Toure is undoubtedly a Man City legend, winning three Premier League titles, three EFL Cups and one FA Cup during his time at the Etihad Stadium.

The Ivorian, who is now working as Saudi Arabia’s assistant manager, posed a threat going forward throughout his time in England, scoring a whopping 20 goals during the 2013-14 Premier League season, while also amassing nine assists.

Since then, City’s style of play has changed, with Guardiola’s side reliant on Erling Haaland to provide the majority of their goals, and the Norwegian certainly hasn’t disappointed so far this season, averaging 1.05 goals per 90 in the Premier League, having found the back of the net 15 times.

However, Man City have now joined the race for an up-and-coming central midfielder with shades of Toure, according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states they have identified Trabzonspor’s Christ Inao Oulai as a priority target.

Bayern Munich and Manchester United are also rivalling City for the 19-year-old’s signature, with all three clubs identifying him as one of their key teenage targets in Europe.

In his hometown of Yopougon in the Ivory Coast, the teenager is known as ‘Le Petit Yaya’, while City view him as a long-term partner for Rodri in midfield, and believe he could replace the Spaniard on a long-term basis.

Pep's a big fan: Man City leading race for "superstar" and ready to bid £65m+

City have moved into pole position in the race for a new defender, with a bid now being prepared.

By
Dominic Lund

6 days ago

It could be difficult to get a deal over the line, however, with Trabzonspor unwilling to sanction a departure in January, and looking to receive £35m.

Christ Inao Oulai already a "top-level midfielder"

Former Premier League midfielder Michael Essien is a keen admirer of the Trabzonspor star, saying: “He’s a top-level midfielder, and he’s only 19 years old. I hope to see him one day wearing the Chelsea jersey.”

The two-time Ivory Coast international has emerged as a key player for the Turkish side this season, displaying his attacking prowess by chipping in with one goal and two assists in eight Super Lig matches.

Bernardo Silva’s future at Man City is up in the air, given that his contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and it has been suggested that Guardiola is willing to let the Portugal international move on.

As such, it could be a savvy move to bring in a central midfielder with attacking qualities in January or the summer, and Inao Oulai is exhibiting very promising signs in the Super Lig.

Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia's infant daughter Sterling died during the World Series, he announced in a Friday afternoon Instagram post.

"Our beautiful daughter went to heaven Sunday, October 26th. There are no words to describe the pain we’re going through but we hold her in our hearts and cherish every second we had with her," Vesia wrote.

Vesia, 29, missed the World Series after pitching twice in the National League Championship Series due to what Los Angeles described at the time as a personal family matter. During the Series, both the Dodgers and Blue Jays expressed support for the pitcher.

In his post, Vesia went out of his way to thank both teams for their support—as well as baseball fans around the world.

"Thank you Dodger Nation, Blue Jays organization and all baseball fans for your love and support. We have seen ALL your messages, comments and posts. It’s brought us so much comfort.”