bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 14, 2023 14:14:57 GMT
Nottingham Forest v Manchester United: Sunday 4.30pmichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2023/4/14/d18921ed-b3ab-49fb-b331-f9eced1e1d2a.pngThis is Nottingham Forest’s first home league game against Manchester United since February 1999, when they lost 8-1 under Ron Atkinson with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scoring four times as a substitute. Nottingham Forest are winless (D3 L6) and without a clean sheet in their past nine Premier League games. In fact, Forest are winless in all 23 league games in which they have conceded this season (D8 L15), with all six of their victories being to nil. Jesse Lingard has yet to score for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League this season. He could become the third former Manchester United player to score his first Premier League goal for a side against the Red Devils, after Keith Gillespie at Sheffield United in 2006-07, and Dan James for Fulham this season. Ten Hag on being "careful" with Anthony Martial on his return from injury: "Maybe he can play 90 minutes, but it is a risk. We can't take that risk in the moment because we don't have so many options in the front line. So we have to be careful. "We know if we put on a lot of load he gets injued, so we know we have to build it slowly and, when recovery time is less [between games], we have to manage it and be careful." Erik ten Hag sends a message to his squad ahead of Sunday's Premier League match at Nottingham Forest: "Every game is a battle, every game is a fight and you have to be ready for that fight. We have a squad. I have said all season we have more than 11 starters. When the time is there you have to show and contribute to the team and you have to be ready. This is what we expect and what we demand." Is it difficult to come into the side and be expected to perform at that level?: "Then you are finding excuses and when you want to find excuses then you don't have to play in Man Utd and you have to look for another club." A final word from Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag on why he chose to substitute Bruno Fernandes in Thursday night's Europa League quarter-final draw at home to Sevilla: "Bruno was throwing the ball away, the next time he is off. We saved him because Sevilla did the same in the first half and the player from Sevilla got booked for it."
Why he took off Antony shortly before Sevilla pulled a goal back?: “Everything was going our way, 2-0 up and playing a good game. So don’t get into individual battles with the opponents. It’s not necessary because you are heating up the opponent and risking getting sent off. I don’t want to take a risk."
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 14, 2023 21:55:38 GMT
Manchester United sale: Thomas Zilliacus says second offer to buy club still stands..i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/13/00/69767025-11966953-image-m-89_1681341761063.jpgThomas Zilliacus says he is still interested in buying Manchester United and has called on the Glazer family to "put a price tag" on the club. The Glazers decided to go to a third round of bidding this week. Finnish businessman Zilliacus said on social media he would not participate "in a farce'" and that he had declined the chance to lodge a third bid. Yet, rather than meaning he was totally withdrawing, Zilliacus told BBC Sport his second bid remains on the table. "My earlier offer still stands and I am willing to pay a premium above what I offered," he told the BBC's How To Buy A Football Club podcast. "I'm not going to be participating in a third round because I find it highly unprofessional. I see no reason whatsoever why a third round is basically starting the whole thing from scratch. "It seems odd to me that, if there is a genuine will to sell and you have three serious bidders, why you don't sit down with the bidders, discuss and negotiate and hopefully come to a number that everyone can agree." Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Ineos owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe both submitted a second bid to buy the Old Trafford club last month. The Glazer family, who bought the club for £790m in 2005, announced they were considering selling in November and have established a valuation of £5bn-6bn. Zilliacus, 69, agreed with the Manchester United Supporters Trust that the current impasse is likely to hinder manager Erik ten Hag's summer squad building programme. "I can't see the Glazers spending a lot of money on new players," he said. "If they have decided to sell the club, why would they do that? "The potential to have a negative impact on the club is big and is growing every day when there is no decision on this." The former chairman of Finland's leading club, HJK Helsinki, also said he was shocked at Old Trafford's exclusion from the list of the stadiums put forward by the Football Association as a preferred host ground at Euro 2028. United could not offer guarantees work at Old Trafford would be completed in time, although part of the reason for that is the lack of recent significant investment in the ground and the continuing uncertainty over the ownership. "Most people know the name of three stadiums in England - Old Trafford, Wembley and Anfield," said Zilliacus. "You could travel just to see those stadiums. It is a real shame if Old Trafford is in a condition where it cannot be included."
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 15, 2023 8:36:34 GMT
Gossip:
Fulham will set a £60m asking price for 27-year-old Portugal midfielder Joao Palhinha, who is a target for Manchester United.
Manchester United and Manchester City are both interested in signing Inter Milan and Italy centre-back Alessandro Bastoni, 24, in the summer.
England striker Harry Kane, 29, will wait to reassess a new contract at Tottenham once the club has appointed a new manager, amid interest from Manchester United and Bayern Munich.
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 15, 2023 10:57:17 GMT
Manchester United takeover: US-based Carlyle emerges as potential funder..ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/15E6B/production/_129370798_united.jpgLeading US-based private equity group Carlyle is the latest to emerge as a potential funder of Manchester United. The potential sale of the club has gone to a third round of bidding. Sheikh Jassim and Ineos owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe are the only known bidders aiming to buy the club, while Finnish businessman Thomas Zilliacus has also expressed interest. But talks have also taken place with a number of parties about buying a partial stake. Interest from former AC Milan owners Elliott Investment Management has been known for some time, while US investor Sixth Street was reported to still be interested despite denying claims of involvement in the process in January. Respected sources have also suggested Ares Management is keen on making some kind of investment, while BBC Sport has established that Carlyle has also spoken to the Raine Group. It is understood Carlyle's involvement would be to buy a stake in the club rather than merely provide financing. Financing would only add to United's debt, which in their recently published second-quarter results stood at almost £1bn. The process to explore "strategic alternatives" for United began in November, when the Glazer family, who bought the club for £790m in 2005, announced they were considering selling. The Americans have established a valuation of £5-6bn. Interested parties have been asked to submit a third round of proposals by the end of this month. It is not clear whether the Glazer family will sell the club or retain control. However, confirmation this week that Old Trafford will not host matches at Euro 2028 despite having the largest capacity of any ground in England apart from Wembley has once again brought into focus the amount required to modernise the ground. It is estimated that cost would be at least £1bn, with some arguing a better option would be to build a new ground close to the current one, as Tottenham decided to do. Carlyle has declined to comment on its interest in the process.
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 16, 2023 2:08:43 GMT
Gossip:
Brighton value Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister at £60m-£70m but hope they could get more with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United all keen on the 24-year-old.
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 17, 2023 8:29:21 GMT
Gossip:
Napoli forward Victor Osimhen has been linked with Manchester United but the 24-year-old Nigeria international has appeared to suggest he is happy at the Italian club.
Besiktas want to re-sign Dutch striker Wout Weghorst with Manchester United unlikely to turn the 30-year-old's loan move from Burnley into a permanent switch.
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 19, 2023 5:25:17 GMT
Gossip:United are close to agreeing a new contract with Spain goalkeeper David de Gea, 32, whose current deal runs out at the end of the season. Two Manchester United scouts watched Birmingham City academy winger and England Under-16 international Trevan Sanusi, 15, on Monday. Ivory Coast centre-back Eric Bailly, 29, will return to United this summer with Marseille choosing not to take up an option to make his loan deal permanent. Manchester United and Liverpool are leading the race for Brighton and Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, 25, with Arsenal's negotiations not as advanced. ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/454F/production/_119934771_gettyimages-1334122608.jpg
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 20, 2023 4:47:11 GMT
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 21, 2023 11:03:20 GMT
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bluetornados
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Posts: 15,747
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 21, 2023 11:04:19 GMT
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 21, 2023 22:34:06 GMT
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 25, 2023 14:06:07 GMT
ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/126F5/production/_129490557_kane.pngManchester United are ramping up their efforts to sign Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane this summer, with the 29-year-old England captain expected to not sign a new contract with his boyhood club. United will increase Kane's current £200,000-a-week contract at Spurs to £300,000 if he moves to Old Trafford this summer, with the club also trying to tie down fellow England forward Marcus Rashford, 25, to new terms by also offering a £300,000-a-week deal. Manchester United have joined Chelsea in monitoring Brazil forward Neymar, with the 31-year-old expected to leave Paris St-Germain this summer. Manchester City will compete with Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham to sign South Korea centre-back Kim Min-jae, 26, from Napoli for £40m. Newcastle and Manchester United scouts were watching Slovenia forward Benjamin Sesko, 19, play for Red Bull Salzburg at the weekend.
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 26, 2023 7:19:56 GMT
Gossip:England midfielder Mason Mount has one year left on his contract and is yet to sign a new deal with Chelsea. Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle are all interested in the 24-year-old. Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United are ready to swoop for Fulham's Portugal midfielder Joao Palhinha, 27, this summer. Manchester United are close to agreeing a new contract with long-serving Spain goalkeeper David de Gea but could offer a contract extension on a lower salary with United reportedly preparing to replace the 32-year-old as first-choice goalkeeper. Rangers are closing in on a deal to sign former England goalkeeper Jack Butland, 30, who has spent the season on loan at Manchester United from Crystal Palace. Manchester United are ready to pay the 10m euro (£8.8m) release clause of Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, to sign the 28-year-old from Dinamo Zagreb. upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b5/Dominik_Livakovi%C4%87_2021.jpg/220px-Dominik_Livakovi%C4%87_2021.jpgDominik Livaković
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 27, 2023 23:00:48 GMT
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 27, 2023 23:16:14 GMT
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 28, 2023 8:16:42 GMT
Manchester United: Final bid deadline looms for interested parties...By Simon Stone, BBC Sport.ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/483C/production/_129529481_shutterstock_editorial_10196917co.jpgThere have been regular protests at Old Trafford about the Glazer family's ownership of the clubThe Manchester United ownership saga will take a significant step forward on Friday in what is expected to be the final bid deadline for interested parties. It is understood the deadline is 10pm, after which club owners, the Glazer family, will assess their position. Despite suggestions of multiple bidders, Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos remain the only known realistic bidders set to meet the deadline. Finnish businessman Thomas Zilliacus says he has lodged bids previously, but will not submit a fresh offer. The Glazers announced in November the board had "authorised a thorough evaluation of strategic alternatives" including selling the club. Investment bank the Raine Group was brought in to oversee the process after it handled the sale of Premier League rivals Chelsea. After a deadline for expressions of interest in February and second deadline last month, Friday marks a third deadline for bids. Bloomberg has reported bidders have been asked to provide the sources of their wealth and financial plans for the club. It is understood large amounts of paperwork have needed to be completed to get to the latest stage, leading all parties to believe the situation will be resolved before the transfer window opens at the end of the season. There have also been suggestions this week that Ineos could restructure their offer, which initially was for the Glazer family's combined 69% stake, in a way that could allow co-chairmen Joel and Avram Glazer to retain their personal shareholding. It has been stressed Ratcliffe has been consistent in his view that he wants a majority stake, giving credence to the reports. This move has already been attacked by the '1958' fans group, who have demanded 'Full Sale Only'. The group, who are organising a protest march around Sunday's Premier League game against Aston Villa at Old Trafford, have also been critical of the potential involvement of US financial institutions Elliott and Carlyle, who have both offered to buy a minority stake in the club.
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 28, 2023 8:20:28 GMT
Your thoughts on Thursday's game...Here are some of your comments:
Tottenham fansDaniel: We were unlucky, I thought, to be two down at half time. In the second half we showed a tonne of desire, passion and effort. We rode our luck a bit but, with a little more, we could have grabbed three points and that wouldn’t have been undeserved. Put in the same effort on Sunday and there’s a great chance we’ll get something from that game too! John: Spirited second half but we still have absolutely no defence and are too passive when we don’t have the ball. Our midfield is also poor. No creativity, Oliver Skipp is not good enough! Thankfully we have Harry Kane, where would we be without him? James: Bad first half. Much better second half. Gives us hope, going forward. Stops the rot hopefully. Dave: Good fightback, but far too many missed chances. Manchester United fansJeff: Terrible second half from United. They simply took their foot of the pedal. Spurs had enough chances to win that convincingly. Tony: Wow. Watching the first half I thought United are back! And then to see the Jekyll and Hyde performance unfold... I’m at a loss for words on how poor the second half was in comparison with the first. Were the players told to defend in the second half and try to get some rest before Sunday? That was my take. Cannot do that, boss. Offence only please. Patrick: Poor all round. Giving away a two-goal lead is shocking. The manager's substitutions were awful and he brought on players who shouldn't be at Manchester United. They were lucky to get a point - Spurs were much better. I won't be surprised if United don't finish in the top four with these players, and get hammered on 3 June by Manchester City. I can't see United winning at least three matches to secure top four. Martin: Wrong substitutions against Sevilla. Wrong substitutions again against Tottenham. If it's not broken, don't try to fix it! ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 'When you lose your battles, you concede goals'ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/601/cpsprodpb/e315/live/af780020-e58d-11ed-9efd-1df9ba7a728f.jpgErik ten Hag said Manchester United "have to be satisfied" with taking a point against Tottenham, despite throwing away a two-goal lead. It was a tale of two halves as Spurs scored twice after the break to fight back in Ryan Mason's first game back as interim boss. "After half-time, there was a difference," said Ten Hag. "We lost the control. We were not ball secure. Then you have to go into the fight. "When you lose your battles - you don't block the crosses, when you don't squeeze out, you don't block shots - you concede goals, and that's what happened. "Finally, you have to be satisfied and take that point." ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Did you know?Marcus Rashford’s goal and assist against Spurs took his tally to 21 for goal involvements in the Premier League this season (16 goals, five assists). He has only registered more in 2019-20 (24). Six of Bruno Fernandes’ seven league assists for United this season have been for Rashford - only Kevin de Bruyne has provided more for one player’s goals in the Premier League in 2022-23 (eight for Erling Haaland).
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 28, 2023 15:27:40 GMT
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 28, 2023 15:29:27 GMT
Bruno Fernandes praised by Erik ten Hag for battling to get fit to face Tottenham..ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/CE75/production/_129535825_hi084161912.jpgManchester United boss Erik ten Hag has praised Bruno Fernandes for being willing to "suffer and sacrifice" to get fit to face Tottenham. Fernandes was substituted in extra-time of his side's FA Cup semi-final win on penalties against Brighton on Sunday. The midfielder was later pictured wearing a protective boot on his right leg but played the whole game as United drew 2-2 at Tottenham on Thursday. "It was tough. A big compliment to Bruno," said Ten Hag. "He absolutely didn't want to miss this [Tottenham] game and did everything to get fit. "He is the example that you have to suffer and sacrifice when you want to play at the top level - when you want to achieve something." Portugal international Fernandes, who has five goals and seven assists in the Premier League this season, has helped United to fourth in the top flight and an FA Cup final outing, having already won the League Cup with the Old Trafford side earlier on in the campaign. However, he was criticised for his behaviour and attitude during a 7-0 defeat by Liverpool in March and his role as United captain was subsequently questioned. Ten Hag came out in support of the 28-year-old at the time and has again praised him after the trip to Spurs. "Once again he showed how great a captain he is, how he has taken responsibility," added Ten Hag, whose side play Aston Villa on Sunday. "Even though he is not 100% fit, he did the job. He was important in this [Tottenham] game as well and, hopefully, others in the team can see him as an inspiration and do the same." ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/240/cpsprodpb/8055/production/_129535823_hi084162185.jpg
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 28, 2023 22:24:27 GMT
Manchester United: Sir Jim Ratcliffe & Sheikh Jassim make final bids..By Simon Stone, BBC Sport.ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/240/cpsprodpb/3ACE/production/_129545051_bbc-sport-index-imagery-2-split-images-gradient-4b83984e-336f-4624-b759-b24f82215ecf.pngQatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos Group have submitted their final bids for Manchester United, BBC Sport has been told. They are the two main parties looking to take control of the club. Club owners, the Glazer family, will now assess their position after the latest bid deadline passed at 10pm on Friday. Both bidders are eager for a resolution to a process that began in November. BBC Sport has been told the offer from Sheikh Jassim is around £5bn and includes one figure that would go direct to the sellers. It also includes a plan to make a significant amount of additional capital and infrastructure investment into the club. It is understood the third bid deadline only applied to potential buyers of the whole club and not investment vehicles such as the US-based Elliott and Carlyle, both of whom are only willing to purchase a minority stake. Finnish businessman Thomas Zilliacus says he lodged bids previously but would not submit a fresh offer. The Glazers announced in November the board had "authorised a thorough evaluation of strategic alternatives", including selling the club. Investment bank the Raine Group was brought in to oversee the process after it handled the sale of Premier League rivals Chelsea. After a deadline for expressions of interest in February and a second deadline last month, Friday marked a third deadline for bids. It is understood large amounts of paperwork have had to be completed to get to the latest stage, leading all parties to believe the situation will be resolved before the transfer window opens at the end of the season. There have also been suggestions this week that Ineos could restructure its offer, which initially was for the Glazer family's combined 69% stake, in a way that could allow co-chairmen Joel and Avram Glazer to retain their personal shareholding. It has been stressed Ratcliffe has been consistent in his view that he wants a majority stake, giving credence to the reports. This move has already been attacked by the '1958' fans group, who have demanded 'Full Sale Only'. The group, who are organising a protest march around Sunday's Premier League game against Aston Villa at Old Trafford, have also been critical of the potential involvement of Elliott and Carlyle.
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