Manchester United

Manchester United manager says Lack of quality was to blame for Nottingham Forest defeat

Published

1 month ago

December 8, 2024

Manchester United have now suffered their second consecutive defeat under new manager Ruben Amorim after losing 3-2 at home to Nottingham Forest. Amorim has only won one of his four league games as manager and the team remains in 13th place.

Ruben Amorim acknowledged that Manchester United’s lack of quality was what cost them victory against Nottingham Forest and reiterated that there is no quick fix.

United lost 3-2 to Forest and are now 13th in the Premier League table as Amorim’s first defeat at Old Trafford.

Amorim has only once in his coaching career lost two consecutive games in the top division. It didn’t take him long to experience it with Manchester United.

He told Sky Sports: “It was a tough game. We started really badly in the first half. It was difficult to calm the players down and carry on as we should have. We didn’t have a lot of quality, but we had a lot of heart. Conceding two goals after half-time is really tough.

“We need more time to establish ourselves. If you look at the first goal, the players worked well together, we had some good moments after the first goal, we created some chances, but then we just went forward without thinking. It’s a difficult situation, but we need to understand that this is a long journey and that’s our job.”

Following Arsenal’s dominance on Wednesday night, United conceded their third goal in a week from a set-piece, but Nikola Milenkovic’s header put Forest ahead within two minutes. When asked who was to blame for the poor corner construction, Amorim replied:

“And we tried to make it as good as possible. We’ve been working a lot in this area because we saw it at Arsenal, it was really tough.

“In that sense, we suffered at the start of the game. It’s really hard to bring energy to a team, but we did it. The game ended in a draw [1:1].

“The second half was the same. And you feel it with everyone. With the fans, with the players. “It’s really difficult to tell them ‘keep doing your job’. We managed to score another goal but after that it was like we wanted it to be but not of great quality.”

United have now suffered two straight defeats under Amorim, with the change of manager not having had a major impact on their results in the short term.

Amorim added: “It was much worse at the start with Sporting. I know that’s how it feels for me too. It’s completely different for the world. I know Sporting is in Portugal but in Manchester they get a lot of attention but for me it’s totally different.” I’m the same. I feel the same.

“If you have a little bit of experience in football, this happens in many clubs. And you have to keep it up and improve the team, because then the flow will change. So it takes time and you have to keep working the same way every day.”

“Amorim has certainly changed the style of play at United, he has changed the formation. They are trying to be more patient, but this defeat means a real setback. Watching the final minutes of the game, there was a clear uncertainty and lack of confidence.

“At Ipswich we had most of the possession in our own half, where we were able to get close to the opponent’s goal and had 71.6 percent possession. For comparison: under Erik ten Hag, we only had that much of the ball once, in the defeat to Crystal Palace.

“But the lack of creativity was worrying, especially after Fernandes was sacked. United were no doubt hampered by Nuno’s impressive play, whose cautious substitutions gave Harry Maguire time to hold onto the ball but failed to capitalise.

“Amorim will want to turn United into a team that can confidently dominate the ball and will use the example of Matthijs de Ligt’s first goal, when he prompted a substitution through a pass, as evidence that this is effective.”

“But what happened afterwards was a reminder that this team is still too fragile and prone to making inexplicable mistakes that can derail the best-laid plans. It takes time to get this job right and their next Premier League game is the Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium, which will be shown live on Sky Sports.”

Manchester United

Tyrell Malacia Set for Potential Loan Exit from Manchester United

Published

47 minutes ago

January 19, 2025

Jhon Kaung

Manchester United have reportedly granted Tyrell Malacia the green light to secure a loan move before the current transfer window closes.

As per reports from VI, the club has communicated to the Dutch defender their willingness to facilitate a temporary move. This decision comes as Malacia continues his recovery journey following a prolonged injury spell, with the loan intended to help him regain peak fitness and form. The ultimate goal is for him to compete for a spot in Ruben Amorim’s plans.

Manchester United’s Left-Back Conundrum
The Red Devils have faced challenges in the left-back position during this transfer window. With Luke Shaw sidelined due to injury, Malacia—who has been out of action for nearly 18 months—only recently returned to contention. The new manager, Ruben Amorim, has been limited in options to cover the left side of defense.

Despite being the squad’s sole natural left-back, Malacia is reportedly free to leave on loan for the rest of the season. At 25 years old, he may struggle to secure sufficient game time under Amorim, as the club prioritizes his fitness and match readiness. A loan move would provide the regular minutes necessary for him to rediscover his form.

Interest from Top European Clubs
While Manchester United is open to offers, Malacia’s potential destination remains uncertain. Several prominent European clubs are rumored to be monitoring the situation.

Italian powerhouse Juventus is among the interested parties, as they contend with Juan Cabal’s injury and the possibility of Andrea Cambiaso’s departure, with Manchester City reportedly pursuing the latter.

Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund has also shown interest in Malacia in the past. However, their current focus appears to be on securing Chelsea’s Renato Veiga or Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko. Despite these pursuits, Malacia could still emerge as a viable option for the German side.

For now, it remains to be seen whether Tyrell Malacia will secure a move to reignite his career and return stronger to Manchester United.

Manchester United

Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville lead Man Utd tributes to Denis Law after his death Tributes have been flooding in after Denis Law, part of Manchester United’s ‘Holy Trinity’, a Ballon d’Or and European Cup winner and Scotlands joint all-time leading goalscorer, died on Friday at the age of 84 Denis Law has been described as “one of football’s giants” as tributes poured in for the Manchester United great following his death at the age of 84. The Scotland striker won two league titles with United and was a member of their European Cup-winning side under Sir Matt Busby in 1968 when they became the first English club to lift the trophy. Law, known as ‘The King’, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia in 2021, and his family announced his death on Friday evening. Rooney led the tributes, posting simply on social media, declaring: “Legend. Thoughts with all Denis’ family and friends.” United stalwart Gary Neville added on Instagram : “Rest in Peace Denis. A great footballer and a great man. It’s a privilege and an honour to have spent time in your company. The King of the Stretford End.” Former United and England captains Bryan Robson who worked with Law in an ambassadorial role for the club, called the Scot a “fantastic man”. “We have lost one of football’s giants both as a player and a gentleman. It’s incredibly sad,” he said in a column in the Daily Mail. “Denis was more than just a fantastic footballer, he was a fantastic man. So generous with his time and everything delivered with that great sense of humour of his. “He would always be in my greatest ever Manchester United XI. He was a player so many of his peers idolised and with good reason, that iconic image of him with his sleeves pulled down and the one-arm salute after scoring. No one could represent what Manchester United stood for better than him. Full of flair on the pitch and a gentleman off it.” Law’s family had earlier released a statement, which read: “It is with a heavy heart that we tell you our father Denis Law has sadly passed away. He fought a tough battle but finally he is now at peace. “We would like to thank everyone who contributed to his wellbeing and care, past and much more recently. We know how much people supported and loved him and that love was always appreciated and made the difference. Thank you.” Law defied his small physique to terrorise defenders with his fearless approach and electric pace during an 18-year playing career, which also included spells at first club Huddersfield, Manchester City (twice) and Torino. Law’s transfers from Huddersfield to Manchester City in 1960 and later moves to Italian club Torino (1961) and to Manchester United in 1962 were all British records at the time. United said in a statement: “Everyone at Manchester United is mourning the loss of Denis Law, the King of the Stretford End, who has passed away, aged 84. Our deepest condolences go out to Denis’s family and many friends. His memory will live on forever more.” Law is the only player to have two statues dedicated to him at Old Trafford, one on the Stretford End concourse and the other as part of the ‘United Trinity’ outside the stadium alongside fellow greats George Best and Charlton. In the years after his retirement Law worked as a broadcaster as well as for numerous charities and he was inducted into both the Scottish and English football halls of fame. The Scottish Football Association paid tribute to a “true great”, insisting “we will not see his likes again. Denis Law. 1940-2025.” Law played 84 times for Manchester City across two spells and they said the “whole of Manchester” was mourning. In a reply to United’s X post breaking the news, City said: “The whole of Manchester, including everyone at City, is mourning with you. Rest in peace, Denis. Our thoughts are with Denis’ family and friends at this difficult time.” The Denis Law Legacy Trust described Law as “Scotland’s greatest ever footballer and a proud Aberdonian”. The Trust said: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Denis and our foremost thoughts are with his family and close friends during this very sad time. Denis was Scotland’s greatest ever footballer and a proud Aberdonian. As Patron of the charity that was built in his honour, he was an inspirational figure for so many people in the city.” Lee said: “We are deeply saddened by the news that Alzheimer’s Society supporter, Denis Law, has died with dementia. We’ll be forever grateful that Denis and his family raised not only money for Alzheimer’s Society but a great deal of awareness too. “Talking about his diagnosis, Denis once said ‘you hope that it won’t happen to you’. The sad reality is that one in three people born in the UK today will go on to develop dementia and a million people are currently living with it.

Published

1 day ago

January 18, 2025

Jhon Kaung

Tributes have poured in following the death of Denis Law, a legendary figure in Manchester United’s history. Known as part of the club’s iconic “Holy Trinity” and a Ballon d’Or winner, Law passed away at the age of 84 on Friday. The Scottish striker was also the joint all-time leading goalscorer for Scotland.

Denis Law, affectionately referred to as “The King”, was hailed as “one of football’s giants”. His illustrious career included two league titles with Manchester United and being a pivotal part of the team that won the European Cup in 1968 under Sir Matt Busby, marking the first time an English club achieved such a feat. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia in 2021, Law’s passing was announced by his family on Friday evening.

Tributes from Football Icons

Wayne Rooney, Manchester United’s all-time top scorer, honored Law’s legacy with a heartfelt post on social media, simply stating, “Legend. Thoughts with all Denis’ family and friends.” Gary Neville, another United stalwart, shared his condolences on Instagram: “Rest in Peace Denis. A great footballer and a great man. It’s a privilege and an honour to have spent time in your company. The King of the Stretford End.”

Bryan Robson, a former United captain who worked alongside Law in ambassadorial roles, described him as both a remarkable footballer and an exceptional person. In a tribute published in the Daily Mail, Robson wrote: “We’ve lost one of football’s giants, not just as a player but as a gentleman. Denis was generous with his time and always had a great sense of humour. He’d undoubtedly make my greatest-ever Manchester United XI. That iconic image of him celebrating with a one-arm salute will forever symbolize what Manchester United stands for: flair and class.”

Family Statement

Law’s family released a heartfelt statement, saying: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our father, Denis Law. He fought a tough battle but is now at peace. We want to thank everyone who supported and cared for him over the years. Your love and kindness made all the difference.”

A Legendary Career

Despite his modest stature, Law’s fearless style and electrifying pace made him a nightmare for defenders during his 18-year professional career. His journey included stints at Huddersfield Town, Manchester City (twice), Torino, and of course, Manchester United. Notably, his transfers to Manchester City in 1960 and Torino in 1961 set British transfer fee records at the time.

Manchester United issued a statement mourning their beloved legend: “Everyone at Manchester United is grieving the loss of Denis Law, the King of the Stretford End. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends. His legacy will live on forever.” Law is immortalized at Old Trafford with two statues: one on the Stretford End concourse and another as part of the “United Trinity” alongside George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton.

Tributes from the Football World

The Scottish Football Association described Law as a “true great”, adding, “We will not see his likes again. Denis Law, 1940-2025.” Manchester City also paid tribute, stating, “The whole of Manchester, including everyone at City, is mourning with you. Rest in peace, Denis. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”

The Denis Law Legacy Trust, an organization founded in his honour, referred to him as “Scotland’s greatest ever footballer and a proud Aberdonian”. The Trust’s statement read: “Denis was an inspirational figure for so many people. As Patron of the charity, his influence and passion helped make a difference in countless lives.”

Championing Awareness for Dementia

In his later years, Law became an advocate for Alzheimer’s awareness, working closely with the Alzheimer’s Society. The organization expressed their gratitude for his contributions, stating: “Denis and his family raised significant funds and awareness for our cause. He once said, ‘You hope it won’t happen to you’ about his diagnosis. Sadly, one in three people in the UK today will develop dementia. Denis’ courage and openness have been invaluable in our fight against this condition.”

Denis Law’s enduring legacy, both on and off the pitch, will continue to inspire generations of football fans and players alike. His contributions to the sport and his advocacy for important causes leave a lasting imprint on the world.

Manchester United

Ruben Amorim Discusses Amad’s Hat-Trick Heroics and Future Focus

Published

2 days ago

January 17, 2025

Jhon Kaung

Manchester United’s coach Ruben Amorim praised Amad Diallo’s stunning hat-trick performance, which turned a looming defeat into a 3-1 victory over Southampton at Old Trafford. Amad’s exploits further cemented his status as United’s standout player this season.

Dependence on Amad Ahead of Brighton Clash

Amorim acknowledged that Amad will play a key role again in the upcoming match against Brighton on Sunday. The winger’s hat-trick rescued United from what could have been a humiliating loss against a Southampton side languishing at the bottom of the Premier League table with just six points this season.

Amad’s late-game heroics began with an equalizer in the 82nd minute, followed by a go-ahead goal in the 90th, and concluded with his third—making him the first United player since Cristiano Ronaldo in April 2022 to net a hat-trick.

“I didn’t say anything,” Amorim revealed when asked if he spoke to Amad in the dressing room. “Tomorrow, I’ll tell him to rest, eat well, and prepare for Sunday. We need him again.”

Amorim emphasized the importance of staying focused. “He did a fantastic job. It’s a great moment for a young player to score a hat-trick for a club like this. But he needs to focus on the next match. This game is already in the past.”

Managing Young Talent

Amorim was cautious about placing too much pressure on the 20-year-old. “We have to be careful with young players. He’s having an excellent season, but there’s still a lot for him to improve. Congratulations to him and the team. Tonight, we celebrate, but tomorrow we recover and prepare for Brighton.”

A Game of Missed Chances

The match wasn’t without its struggles for United. An own goal by Manuel Ugarte gave Southampton a deserved lead at halftime. Despite dominating possession, United struggled to find the net for nearly five hours of play at Old Trafford, until Amad broke the drought with his late equalizer.

Half-time substitute Antony missed a golden opportunity early in the second half, steering Alejandro Garnacho’s cross straight at goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale from close range. However, Amad’s heroics salvaged the night.

Lessons to Build On

Reflecting on the game, Amorim admitted the team still has a long way to go. “You always believe,” he said. “I have to believe, but after Antony’s miss, you get that sinking feeling… yet we kept pushing.”

Amorim acknowledged the recent struggles at home, with three consecutive losses to Newcastle, Bournemouth, and Nottingham Forest.

“It’s been a difficult time for the team and the fans,” he admitted. “We turned it around tonight, but it wasn’t our best performance. If you consider all the chances, we deserved the win, but there’s still plenty of room for improvement.”

As United prepares for their next match, Amorim’s focus remains on building consistency and maximizing the potential of his squad, with Amad Diallo continuing to shine as a beacon of hope.