Manchester United are reportedly preparing to bolster their squad with the potential acquisition of Fulham’s left-back Antonee Robinson. Amid a turbulent season, new head coach Ruben Amorim is keen to reshape the team and address key weaknesses, particularly at left wing-back (LWB).

A Season of Struggles for Manchester United
After a poor start to the season, Manchester United parted ways with Erik ten Hag and brought in Portuguese manager Ruben Amorim to reverse their fortunes. However, results have failed to improve under his leadership.

When Ten Hag was dismissed, United sat in 13th place in the Premier League table. Now, the Red Devils find themselves slipping further, currently positioned 14th, as they look to avoid a downward spiral.

Reinforcements Planned for January
According to GiveMeSport, Amorim views the January transfer window as a critical opportunity to implement his vision at Old Trafford. Strengthening the LWB position has been identified as a top priority, and United are reportedly plotting a move for Fulham’s standout defender Antonee Robinson.

The American international has impressed this season with consistent performances, featuring in every Premier League match for Fulham. His attacking contributions have been particularly noteworthy, with seven assists, including a standout game at Anfield where he provided two assists in a 2-2 draw against league leaders Liverpool.

Competition for Robinson’s Signature
Fulham are reluctant to part with Robinson midway through the season, but reports suggest they could consider offers around £40 million. However, Manchester United face stiff competition, with Premier League rivals Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester City also expressing interest in the 27-year-old defender.

A Risk-Free Signing for United?
Robinson’s Premier League experience makes him a low-risk option for United, especially given the ongoing struggles in their LWB department. Luke Shaw’s persistent injury issues have left United short on reliable options, while Tyrell Malacia has been sidelined for an entire campaign due to his own fitness problems.

Robinson’s dynamic style of play and proven ability to compete in the Premier League could provide the stability United need on the left flank.

Is Robinson the Solution?
For Amorim, bringing in Robinson could be a pivotal step toward reshaping Manchester United’s fortunes. The USA international’s defensive reliability and offensive output would undoubtedly add a new dimension to United’s game.

However, with rival clubs in the race and Fulham hesitant to sell, United must act decisively to secure Robinson’s services. As the January window heats up, all eyes will be on Old Trafford to see if the Red Devils can make this crucial signing.

Would Antonee Robinson be the key to resolving Manchester United’s LWB dilemma? Share your thoughts below

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is grappling with a right-back crisis ahead of the Premier League clash against Brighton & Hove Albion, following Jurrien Timber’s suspension. The Dutch defender received his fifth yellow card of the season during Arsenal’s hard-fought 3-1 victory over Brentford, leaving Arteta without a recognized senior right-back for Saturday’s match.

Arsenal’s Comeback Victory
The Gunners overcame an early setback at the Gtech Community Stadium, with goals from Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Merino, and Gabriel Martinelli overturning Bryan Mbeumo’s opener. The win propelled Arsenal back into second place in the Premier League table, ahead of Nottingham Forest. However, the evening wasn’t without its setbacks, as Timber’s early booking has sidelined him for the Brighton encounter.

Timber’s Absence and Arsenal’s Right-Back Void
Timber’s yellow card came just 17 minutes into the game, marking his fifth caution in Arsenal’s first 19 league matches—a threshold that triggers a one-game suspension. Ironically, had the booking occurred in Arsenal’s 20th game instead, Timber would have avoided the ban altogether.

Since recovering from an ACL injury, Timber has been an indispensable part of Arsenal’s defense, often serving as the only available right-back. With Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu sidelined by long-term injuries, Arteta’s options are limited.

Partey to Step In as Makeshift Right-Back
Arteta is likely to turn to Thomas Partey as an emergency right-back, a role the midfielder has taken on in previous matches against Southampton, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Fulham this season. Although Partey started in midfield alongside Merino and Martin Ødegaard against Brentford, his versatility will likely see him drop into defense for the Brighton fixture.

Declan Rice, who was rested due to a minor knock in Arsenal’s recent 1-0 win over Ipswich Town, came off the bench against Brentford and is expected to return to the starting XI. This should free up Partey to fill the defensive gap on the right flank.

Challenges With Partey at Right-Back
Despite his adaptability, Partey’s deployment as a makeshift right-back has drawn mixed reviews. Arsenal have managed just one win in four matches with Partey in that role, raising concerns about the team’s balance and defensive solidity.

Joshua Nichols: A Wildcard Option
Another potential solution is academy graduate Joshua Nichols. The 18-year-old, who made his senior debut in Arsenal’s 5-1 EFL Cup victory over Bolton Wanderers, has been included in Premier League matchday squads but is yet to feature in a league game. While talented, relying on an inexperienced player in such a crucial position carries risks.

Arsenal’s January Transfer Window Movements
Further complicating matters, Arsenal recently sold Josh Robinson, another right-back option, to Wigan Athletic as their first January transfer window departure. This decision underscores the limited depth in Arteta’s defensive ranks.Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is grappling with a right-back crisis ahead of the Premier League clash against Brighton & Hove Albion, following Jurrien Timber’s suspension. The Dutch defender received his fifth yellow card of the season during Arsenal’s hard-fought 3-1 victory over Brentford, leaving Arteta without a recognized senior right-back for Saturday’s match.

Arsenal’s Comeback Victory
The Gunners overcame an early setback at the Gtech Community Stadium, with goals from Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Merino, and Gabriel Martinelli overturning Bryan Mbeumo’s opener. The win propelled Arsenal back into second place in the Premier League table, ahead of Nottingham Forest. However, the evening wasn’t without its setbacks, as Timber’s early booking has sidelined him for the Brighton encounter.

Timber’s Absence and Arsenal’s Right-Back Void
Timber’s yellow card came just 17 minutes into the game, marking his fifth caution in Arsenal’s first 19 league matches—a threshold that triggers a one-game suspension. Ironically, had the booking occurred in Arsenal’s 20th game instead, Timber would have avoided the ban altogether.

Since recovering from an ACL injury, Timber has been an indispensable part of Arsenal’s defense, often serving as the only available right-back. With Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu sidelined by long-term injuries, Arteta’s options are limited.

Partey to Step In as Makeshift Right-Back
Arteta is likely to turn to Thomas Partey as an emergency right-back, a role the midfielder has taken on in previous matches against Southampton, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Fulham this season. Although Partey started in midfield alongside Merino and Martin Ødegaard against Brentford, his versatility will likely see him drop into defense for the Brighton fixture.

Declan Rice, who was rested due to a minor knock in Arsenal’s recent 1-0 win over Ipswich Town, came off the bench against Brentford and is expected to return to the starting XI. This should free up Partey to fill the defensive gap on the right flank.

Challenges With Partey at Right-Back
Despite his adaptability, Partey’s deployment as a makeshift right-back has drawn mixed reviews. Arsenal have managed just one win in four matches with Partey in that role, raising concerns about the team’s balance and defensive solidity.

Joshua Nichols: A Wildcard Option
Another potential solution is academy graduate Joshua Nichols. The 18-year-old, who made his senior debut in Arsenal’s 5-1 EFL Cup victory over Bolton Wanderers, has been included in Premier League matchday squads but is yet to feature in a league game. While talented, relying on an inexperienced player in such a crucial position carries risks.

Arsenal’s January Transfer Window Movements
Further complicating matters, Arsenal recently sold Josh Robinson, another right-back option, to Wigan Athletic as their first January transfer window departure. This decision underscores the limited depth in Arteta’s defensive ranks.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has openly acknowledged the confidence crisis engulfing his struggling team, admitting that there’s no simple solution to their woes. His candid comments come as the club faces mounting challenges, including a dismal Premier League campaign and an uphill battle to avoid further embarrassment.

A Rocky Start for Amorim
After just over a month in charge, Amorim’s tenure at Old Trafford is already under scrutiny. The Portuguese manager has overseen eight Premier League games, collecting a mere seven points and scoring just nine goals. Instead of climbing the table to contest for a Champions League spot, United finds itself languishing near the relegation zone.

A miserable 2-0 defeat to Newcastle at Old Trafford on Monday marked a new low for the club, leaving them in 14th place as the year turned. This was United’s third consecutive home league loss—a feat last seen in 1979—and has only exacerbated the lack of belief within the squad.

“You Can Feel It Every Day”
Amorim didn’t shy away from admitting the palpable lack of confidence within his team. “Yes, you can feel it every single day,” he said. “That’s a bad thing, but it’s also a good thing because it means they care. We must acknowledge we’re in a difficult moment. It’s hard for the players to endure these defeats, but the only way out is to keep working hard and preparing for the next games.”

A Daunting Trip to Anfield
United’s next challenge is a daunting one—a trip to face league leaders Liverpool on Sunday. Amorim is sticking to his principles, refusing to abandon his preferred three-man defense, despite the team conceding 18 goals in December alone.

The manager dismissed suggestions of reverting to the four-man backline favored by his predecessor, Erik ten Hag, whose tenure ended in dismissal. “Changing the system completely doesn’t guarantee success,” Amorim explained. “If I switch and we keep losing, it’s even worse. I have to teach what I know and believe in that approach.”

Early Goals Prove Costly
One of United’s recurring issues has been conceding early goals. Against Newcastle, Alexander Isak found the back of the net with a free header just three minutes into the game. This trend continues to complicate United’s efforts to regain form.

Amorim pointed to the psychological toll of repeated defeats as a factor. “We showed some improvement in earlier matches, especially against Manchester City and Tottenham. But the lack of belief after so many losses is evident,” he said.

Focused on Training
The manager remains optimistic about the potential for improvement through rigorous training. However, with Liverpool up next, the task ahead looks formidable. “We’ll use every minute of training to prepare for the game at Anfield,” Amorim said. “It’s about focusing on our way of playing and improving the team. That’s the only approach we can take.”

Final Thoughts
As Manchester United grapples with one of its most challenging periods in decades, Ruben Amorim faces an uphill battle to restore confidence and stability. With tough fixtures on the horizon and the pressure mounting, the Portuguese manager’s ability to instill belief in his players will be crucial to turning the tide.