Manchester United

David De Gea Sends Antony a Supportive Message as January Loan Move to Real Betis is Finalized

Published

1 month ago

January 26, 2025

Antony’s temporary switch to Real Betis has been confirmed, with the Manchester United winger joining the La Liga side on loan until the end of the season after facing challenges in securing a regular spot under manager Ruben Amorim.

Former Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea took to social media to wish his former teammate Antony the best of luck following the announcement.

The Brazilian international arrived in Spain on Friday evening to finalize the details of his move to Betis. The agreement does not include an option for a permanent transfer in the summer, keeping Antony’s future beyond this season open.

Antony joined Manchester United in September 2022 from Ajax in a high-profile £86.3 million deal. However, he has struggled to make a consistent impact in the Premier League. While he marked his debut with a goal against Arsenal, his tally stands at just 12 goals in 96 appearances for the club.

This season, Antony has found the back of the net only once, scoring in a commanding 7-0 victory over Barnsley in the EFL Cup third round. With limited opportunities at Old Trafford, the 23-year-old now heads to Spain, where Betis is reportedly set to cover a significant portion of his salary during the loan period.

Expressing his excitement about the move, Antony shared his thoughts on Instagram alongside several pictures, writing, “Intense day! Made a new story!”

His post was flooded with messages of encouragement from fans and players alike. Among them, De Gea, now playing for Fiorentina, offered his support by commenting in Spanish, “Suerte amigo,” meaning “Good luck, friend.” Current Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir also wished the winger success in his new chapter.

Antony and De Gea shared a year as teammates during the Brazilian’s debut season at United before De Gea’s departure in 2023. Now, as Antony embarks on this new journey with Real Betis, he’ll be looking to reignite his career and make a lasting impression in La Liga.

Manchester United

Manchester United Face Injury Crisis with Eight Key Players Missing for Ipswich Town Clash

Published

13 hours ago

February 26, 2025

Jhon Kaung

Manchester United’s injury woes have intensified ahead of their home clash with Ipswich Town on Wednesday night, with the team set to be without eight players for the match. Manager Ruben Amorim is facing a growing crisis as several key players remain sidelined, further challenging United’s depth.

Having gone three matches without a Premier League win, United are desperate to return to winning ways against Ipswich. However, Amorim will have to navigate this crucial game with a depleted squad, as the injuries continue to mount.

The team drew 2-2 with Everton in their last outing, despite missing several key figures. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Amorim confirmed that no players would be returning from injury for the Ipswich game, leaving United with limited options.

The list of absentees includes Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Jonny Evans, and Toby Collyer, all of whom are still unfit to feature. In addition, Amad Diallo and Lisandro Martinez are out for the remainder of the season due to long-term injuries.

There are also growing concerns over Noussair Mazraoui, who sustained a knee injury during the Everton match. This leaves Amorim in a difficult position, possibly having to rely on academy players to fill out the bench once again.

In recent matches against Everton and Tottenham, Amorim has included young players such as Ayden Heaven, Harry Amass, Sekou Kone, Chido Obi-Martin, and Elyh Harrison on his substitute bench.

“Toby Collyer is getting closer, but he’s not ready yet. Kobbie Mainoo is making progress, but we have to adapt and make do with the players we have available for the match schedule,” said Amorim.

Despite the challenges, Amorim remains hopeful for the Ipswich game. He drew optimism from United’s spirited second-half comeback against Everton, which saw Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte both score to secure a 2-2 draw.

When asked about his motivational approach in the second half, Amorim explained, “I told the players to keep playing the same way. During the week, I saw a different energy, and we stuck with our approach. It was all about belief and focus on the details—like controlling the ball and winning the second balls. Everyone was aware of Everton’s strengths, and we proved that we could improve in the second half by playing with better energy and fight.”

With the injury crisis mounting, Ruben Amorim will need to find a way to inspire his depleted squad as they prepare to face Ipswich Town under challenging circumstances.

Manchester United

Manchester United Eye Shock Return for Paul Pogba with Short-Term Deal on Offer

Published

2 days ago

February 25, 2025

Jhon Kaung

Manchester United are reportedly considering a bold move to bring Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford for a third stint, as the club battles a series of injury setbacks in the midfield.

With Kobbie Mainoo sidelined due to a calf injury and Mason Mount struggling to overcome a string of fitness issues since his summer move from Chelsea, United’s midfield options are severely limited. Additionally, Christian Eriksen, who is expected to depart when his contract expires this summer, has struggled for form, while promising young talent Toby Collyer is also injured.

Currently, Manchester United are facing one of their worst-ever Premier League campaigns, and their form has led to concerns over a potential relegation-level finish. Reports suggest that manager Ruben Amorim is actively seeking short-term solutions to inject some fresh energy and stability into the team’s midfield.

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Pogba, who is free after his contract with Juventus was terminated following a doping ban, is being considered by United. The club is reportedly weighing up the possibility of offering the French World Cup winner a one-year deal with a lower base salary, structured around performance-based bonuses. This arrangement would minimize risk while providing a potential boost to the squad.

However, the deal would still carry risks for United, as Pogba has been largely inactive since leaving the club. His last appearance for Juventus was in September 2023, in a brief cameo off the bench during a Serie A win against Empoli. Since his departure from Manchester United, Pogba has only played 12 professional matches, and his second spell at Juventus saw him start just one league game.

Pogba began his professional career at United, making just three league appearances under Sir Alex Ferguson before leaving for Juventus in 2012 on a free transfer. At Juventus, he developed into one of the world’s top midfielders, amassing 178 appearances and winning four Serie A titles, two Coppa Italia trophies, and two Supercoppa Italiana titles, alongside reaching the 2015 Champions League final.

He returned to Manchester United in 2016 for a then-record £89.3 million transfer, but his time back at Old Trafford was marred by inconsistency and injuries. Despite this, he contributed to United’s Europa League and Carabao Cup successes under Jose Mourinho and was named to the PFA Team of the Year in 2019 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, showcasing his immense talent in flashes.

If United can reignite Pogba’s best form, it would be a remarkable move, offering a talented player on a lower-risk, high-reward contract. However, given his injury history and lack of recent match fitness, bringing Pogba back could represent a significant gamble for manager Ruben Amorim and the club.

Manchester United

Ruben Amorim Responds to VAR Controversy After Penalty Incident in Everton Draw

Published

3 days ago

February 23, 2025

Jhon Kaung

Manchester United’s 2-2 draw against Everton on Saturday at Goodison Park ended with a controversial VAR decision that could have seen the Red Devils concede a late penalty. Although the result left United with a point, the aftermath of the match raised plenty of questions, particularly for manager Ruben Amorim.

United found themselves 2-0 down at the break, but a second-half revival saw Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte score to level the game. However, in the dying moments, Everton were awarded a penalty when Ashley Young was brought down by Harry Maguire. The referee initially pointed to the spot, but a VAR review overturned the decision.

The draw left Manchester United sitting in 15th place in the Premier League, just ahead of West Ham. With a midweek home fixture against Ipswich Town at Old Trafford, they have an opportunity to build on the positive aspects of the comeback.

Amorim’s Take on the VAR Decision

Ruben Amorim, speaking after the match, agreed with the VAR decision, stating that he believed the penalty call was too soft. “No, I don’t think it was a penalty. From what I saw, it was a soft touch. If we ignore the first half, it was a good point for us, but we needed the three points,” Amorim explained.

Rio Ferdinand’s Surprise at the Call

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, however, expressed surprise at the overturn. “I saw the referee go over to the monitor, and I thought, ‘this could go either way.’ Honestly, I was expecting it to be given,” Ferdinand admitted. He pointed out that Maguire’s arms were around Young’s waist, which could have influenced the referee’s initial decision.

Alan Shearer Critiques VAR’s Angle

Alan Shearer weighed in on the controversy, agreeing with golfer Lee Westwood, who questioned why the best angle of the incident wasn’t shown to the referee. “Why wasn’t the best angle of the shirt pull shown to the referee?” Westwood had posted on social media, and Shearer echoed the sentiment, suggesting that the VAR review might not have provided the clearest view.

Ally McCoist’s Mixed Opinion

Ally McCoist, who was commentating for TNT Sports, was also taken aback by the final decision. “I can see why it wasn’t given, but I would have given it. There was definitely enough of a tug on him,” McCoist remarked, acknowledging the uncertainty around the decision.

Keith Hackett Critiques VAR’s Intervention

Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett also weighed in on the VAR controversy, arguing that the on-field referee, Andy Madley, had made the correct decision to award the penalty. “Madley made the right call. Why should VAR intervene and convince him to change his decision? It’s a farce when good decisions are overturned by VAR,” Hackett told Football Insider. He further criticized the decision, stating, “Andy, you were right, and VAR should have stayed out of it.”

The debate continues to stir discussion among pundits and fans alike, with no clear consensus on whether the penalty should have been awarded or not. For United, the focus now shifts to their upcoming fixture, hoping to build on their hard-earned point.