Category: Football

Mikel Arteta hailed the “maturity and courage” of his Arsenal side after they swept past Bournemouth 3-0 this afternoon.

A contentious penalty on the stroke of half-time set them on their way, referee David Coote adjudging Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers brought down Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka made no mistake from the spot.

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Leandro Trossard made it 2-0 with 20 minutes to go and Declan Rice added a third deep into injury time.

The win moved the Gunners four points clear of Manchester City, who have two games in hand.

Arteta told Match of the Day: “I’m very happy. The quality and composure from the beginning really impressed me. It should have been three, four or five in the first half.

“Bournemouth caused some issues but we brought it back to where we wanted it and I’m really happy.

“We are showing a lot of maturity and courage. The team had a positive mindset and they took risk and initiative. We’ve done it for months so we had to do it again.”

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Arsenal’s Premier League record in 2024:

✅ 14 wins
❌ 1 loss
🧤 10 clean sheets
⚽️ 51 goals scored
⛔️ 8 goals conceded

Will it be enough to lift the Premier League title? ⌛️ pic.twitter.com/WjSG4RuaOG

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 4, 2024

Rice hailed the impact of midfield partner Thomas Partey, who is fit again after a season ruined by injury.

“The prospect of playing with Thomas, he’s been injured all season, I’ve been so excited,” he said.

“Now he’s back you can see the difference he makes. He’s so calm on the ball and does these body feints that create so much space.

“With him sitting there it allows me to go forward more. You can see that with my goal and assist. The goal came so late in the game I thought I might as well shoot and it went in.

“I knew the type of players I was coming to play with. Martin [Odegaard] has been great. You can see the chemistry on the pitch. It’s like one big family in there.”

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola had no qualms with the result and lamented his side’s first-half display.

He said: “Arsenal deserved to win, they were better in the first half and pushed us a lot.

“We were not happy with the first-half performance.

“We didn’t want to concede so much space because that’s where they are comfortable but sometimes the opposition doesn’t let you play how you want.

“We talked at half time and knew it would be a matter of time until we got into it. We were better in the second half, the Bournemouth we’ve been all season but we couldn’t turn it around.”

The Spaniard was not happy with the penalty award, however.

“I think it’s not a penalty, Havertz tries to find the contact,” he added. “Probably VAR thinks there is contact but it’s not clear and obvious and they don’t overturn it.”

6

Manchester City are believed to be the club pushing the hardest to sign reported Manchester United goalkeeping target Chrīstos Mandas.

A recent report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that Mandas is of interest to United as a potential replacement for Altay Bayindir, who continues to be linked with an exit away from Old Trafford.

Bayindir joined United last summer as the club went about overhauling their goalkeeping department.

Andre Onana was signed to take over from David de Gea while Bayindir was brought in to fill the gap left by academy graduate Dean Henderson.

However, Bayindir has just made one appearance for the Red Devils – in the FA Cup against Newport County, when Onana was away with Cameroon for the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

The Turkey international is understood to be on the radar of Super Lig outfits like Galatasaray and Trabzonspor. This is where Mandas comes in.

Mandas has been the starting shot-stopper for Lazio since March due to an ankle injury sustained by Ivan Provedel. Mandas has grabbed the opportunity with both hands and has impressed with some fine displays that have seemingly caught the attention of the two Manchester clubs.

According to Corriere dello Sport (via SportWitness), it’s in fact Man City that are showing more interest in the 22-year-old in comparison to Erik ten Hag’s side.

It’s understood that Man City have established “real contact” with Mandas’ camp and talks took place a fortnight ago.

Lazio’s idea was to send the goalkeeper out on loan to aid in his development before making a return to the club but with City and United circling around him, the Serie A giants could be forced to change their stance.

The report adds that a meeting between Lazio and Mandas’ agent in the next few weeks to explore the possibility of extending his contract until 2029.

Such a move would almost certainly give Lazio greater power and influence over his future.

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8

Jadon Sancho has made somewhat of a mockery of “finished” allegations during his time on loan at Borussia Dortmund.

However, the decision to loan him cannot be questioned with the benefit of hindsight since he never produced such displays at Old Trafford.

His fallout with Erik ten Hag, which ultimately led to his departure, has some thinking of a possible scenario where Sancho still has a future at the club.

The manager is under pressure and there is a chance he won’t be at the club next summer, paving the way for Sancho to return under new leadership after a world-class loan spell.

So much for those narratives…

Sky Sports’ German football expert Patrick Berger reports that Jadon Sancho doesn’t want to return to United in any circumstances.

This means that Ten Hag’s future at the club has no bearing on his decision, as he has made his mind up about leaving the club.

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🚨 Jadon Sancho (24/🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿) does not want to return to Manchester United – regardless of whether Erik ten Hag remains in charge or not, sources telling. #MUFC preparing for his departure. But no price tag set yet by @ManUtd. 🔴

Jadon is happy to be with #BVB and wants to stay.…

— Patrick Berger (@berger_pj) May 3, 2024

Berger states that Sancho has found a home back in Dortmund, where he first ascended to stardom, and will look to continue there.

However, Dortmund’s finances will make it difficult for them to engineer a permanent deal, even though recent events have made it more likely.

If a deal can’t be struck, Dortmund will try to negotiate another loan deal with an obligation to buy this time.

Therefore, Sancho will be a Dortmund player in the summer of 2025 instead but how that would benefit United is questionable.

The club needs money this summer to strengthen their squad amid financial distress and a reinvigorated Sancho is an unexpected asset to cash in.

So it remains likely that United force Dortmund to cough up the cash or re-route Sancho elsewhere to a club that is willing to pay for a permanent deal in the summer.

There will be no comeback at Old Trafford.

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4

New Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly sent a scathing message to club staff and lambasted the pathetic state of the dressing room and the IT department in particular.

Since Ratcliffe completed his partial 27.7% investment into the club, all focus has been on auditing United and identifying areas of improvement.

Earlier this week, Ratcliffe was accompanied by some of his close associates including interim CEO Jean-Claude Blanc, in a meeting with United employees.

The Peoples Person covered a report which stated that Ratcliffe instructed those on the Red Devils’ payroll to instantly return to the office as he seeks to bring an end to the work-from-home culture at Old Trafford.

The Oldham-born billionaire is also believed to have told United staff that his primary goal is to restore the 20-time English champions to the pinnacle of world football – an objective he aims to achieve sooner rather than later.

According to The Daily Mail, Ratcliffe took major issue with the state of a section of United’s operations. In particular, he bemoaned the state of the dressing room and the IT department.

The newspaper states that the British businessman warned that “untidiness” certainly won’t be tolerated under his regime.

Ratcliffe said in a note addressed to all staff and which was seen by The Mail, “I had a good two-day visit to both Carrington and Old Trafford this week. As ever I was made to feel very welcome. Thank you.”

“I had a good tour around some of the facilities. I am afraid I was struck in many places by a high degree of untidiness. In particular, the IT department which frankly was a disgrace and the dressing rooms of the U18 and U21 were not much better.”

“These standards would not come close to what we would expect at INEOS and we are a chemical company. Manchester United is an elite sporting organisation.”

His note further read, “It’s a small thing in many ways but unless an organisation has standards and discipline it will not succeed.”

He encouraged staff to step up their efforts to ensure that the highest standards are maintained at Old Trafford.

“I would be grateful in future if we adopt the proper standards of housekeeping everywhere. It reflects poorly on the club if we have visitors, young player parents, new players and the media and they see we don’t care enough to keep things shipshape.”

Nathan Salt points out that United were approached for comment on the story.

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Jon Fisher

Jon has over 20 years’ experience in sports journalism having worked at the Press Association, Goal and Stats Perform, covering three World Cups, an Olympics and numerous other major sporting events.

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3

Manchester United’s famed academy has provided rare glimmers of hope in what has been a disappointing campaign for the senior team.

Both Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo have enjoyed breakthrough campaigns while four other starlets have gone on to make their first-team debut this season.

Dan Gore, Willy Kambwala, Omari Forson and most recently Ethan Wheatley all won their first senior cap as the academy reached the prized number of 250 academy graduates who have gone on to represent the senior team.

More could be on the way with Harry Amass, Habeeb Ogunneye and Jack Kingdon all making it to matchday squads this season while Shea Lacey missed out after suffering a cruel season-ending injury at the worst time.

Academy’s rising status

While the academy and the graduates are rightly being celebrated, plenty of fans might have forgotten about Shola Shoretire, who had broken through under former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The 20-year-old got his big break against Newcastle United back in February 2021 when he was only 17 years 19 days, making him the seventh-youngest club debutant.

The young Englishman then proceeded to break the long-standing record of Norman Whiteside when he made his European debut against Real Sociedad in the Europa League at the age of 17 years and 23 days, surpassing the previous record by 108 days.

He was expected to become a bonafide first team member under Erik ten Hag but that never materialised as injuries started floundering his progress.

Shoretire made it to the matchday squad in all competitions last term but this term, he was only on the bench for the game against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup.

For the U21s, he has nine goals and four assists in 12 games and has even captained them but has not managed to make the squad since January, probably due to a minor injury as well as the uncertainty surrounding his future at the club.

The England U19 international’s current deal expires in June and United’s contract offer remains on the table as relayed by The Peoples Person.

Shoretire’s exit

The club’s initial plan was to agree a new deal so as to protect his value and send Shoretire out on loan with plenty of EFL and foreign clubs interested including Turkish giants Galatasaray.

United had mulled over a sale as well but as The Manchester Evening News have now reported, the Newcastle-born star could be set to leave the club on a free.

“Manchester United remain hopeful youngster Shola Shoretire will sign a new contract with the club.

“Shoretire, 20, is out of contract at Old Trafford at the end of the season and it looks increasingly likely the curtains could be brought down on his time spent in Manchester.”

The versatile star has outgrown reserve football and needs regular minutes. With so many younger academy graduates already impressing the Dutch boss, a parting of ways might be the best way for Shoretire to get his career back on track.

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4

Manchester United’s new co-owners INEOS have plans to initiate a large-scale summer clearout as they seek to raise capital and steer clear of PSR concerns and then focus on getting the recruitment right.

With the exception of a handful of young stars, nobody is reportedly safe from the cull and that includes high-profile names such as Casemiro and Marcus Rashford.

Last season, it was almost unthinkable that the club would move on the Mancunian after a career-best campaign in which he knocked in 30 goals. The club rewarded his progress with a new five-year deal as well.

This season, his form has fallen off a cliff and even more worryingly, he looks disinterested and hardly seems to be putting any real effort in for the club he has supported since he was a child.

Rashford’s dismal season amid exit talks

Even his most ardent believers are beginning to lose faith in a player whose off-field controversies are threatening to derail his on-field achievements.

The Englishman was caught partying after a derby defeat while he was also spotted drinking in Belfast and the forward subsequently called in sick for training ahead of a crucial FA Cup game.

His teammates and manager have been far from impressed and the rumour mill has gone on overdrive in the last few days linking the 26-year-old with a move to Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.

Rashford should be entering his peak at his current age but instead, the same concerns over consistency continue to plague him and his current form is almost reminiscent of the displays he was putting in under interim manager Ralf Rangnick a few years ago.

The England international reportedly plans to resist any attempts at selling him and he wants to stay and fight for his place and repay the club’s faith. United have placed a hefty £80 million price tag on him but there are likely to be few takers considering his form and his humongous wages.

The Sun have now claimed that the academy graduate is set to meet Sir Dave Brailsford to try and sort out his uncertain future and in the process, INEOS will try and understand what is plaguing their star forward.

There are also issues with manager Erik ten Hag that needs sorting out with the pair reportedly not even on talking terms at the moment. Rashford is currently sidelined and is likely to miss the upcoming Crystal Palace game.

“Marcus Rashford is set for a showdown with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos staff to get to the bottom of his struggling season.

Rashford-Brailsford meeting

“Rashford wants to stay and new part-owner Ratcliffe has not given up on him and first wants to find out why the star has hit rock bottom. He also wants to resolve any issues with boss Erik ten Hag.

“Ratcliffe’s right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford is likely to head the meeting with the 26-year-old player and his representatives.”

With quite a few key Premier League games still left and with the all-important FA Cup final in May, these talks could potentially lead to a happier Rashford and that could make the difference in the end.

United still need to cement their Europa League status and it will be far from easy and Rashford needs to step up and ensure a good end to the season personally and for his team to truly impress the new bosses and strengthen his claim of staying put.

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2

Erik ten Hag has claimed that it is impossible for Manchester United to compete for titles while they continue to miss out on top players.

United have struggled this season as they lie sixth in the Premier League but have both Newcastle United and Chelsea breathing down their neck with four tough-looking fixtures remaining in the league season.

Ten Hag’s men have successfully booked their place in the FA Cup final later this month against Manchester City, but even winning the famous old trophy won’t mask what has been a disappointing season.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Dutch manager was asked on why he felt that his team had missed out on many transfer targets, including Frenkie de Jong.

While not addressing the name of De Jong directly he did claim, “it is always difficult to say about ten years, it would be good to do research. I think this club can only have outstanding players. That’s the truth because expectations are so high. United is the biggest or maybe second or third biggest club in the world. Everybody has an opinion about Manchester United.”

The Dutchman went on to claim that any player who comes to the club needs to have outstanding physical and mental attributes to be a success and if these types of players do not arrive, the club will always fail to meet expectations.

“Obviously the last decade, we have not always got the players we have wanted. Then you have to build and you have to accept that you get talents instead of the players who have already proven it.”

The former Ajax manager then suggested that while the club is very happy with Rasmus Hojlund’s efforts this season, he is an example of such settling.

“I can see a striker, who has already proven it, who we wanted to sign but we couldn’t get him. So went for Rasmus.”

Neville then asked if he meant Harry Kane and he retorted, “Harry Kane you know you get 30 goals. Rasmus will get there but he needs time. It’s not fair to assess him the same as Kane.”

Somewhat frankly, the under-fire coach claimed that while the club cannot bring in talents like Kane, they will never achieve what the world expects of them.

On settling for talents over ready-made players he claimed, “it has a negative impact on the team and that’s what we have to accept. Fans and opinion makers don’t want to understand, they only see the results but we need time.”

Ten Hag has already claimed that fans do not entirely understand as he recently criticised Old Trafford fans for booing his decision to remove Kobbie Mainoo from the field of play against Burnley last Saturday.

He went on to say “you have to accept that the process is going slower and you cannot expect that you straightaway will compete for titles like the Premier League and Champions League.”

Whilst there is certainly logic to the Dutchman’s argument, it seems strange that he would criticise the policy of signing talents over ready-made stars when Sir Jim Ratcliffe, his new boss, has already stated that the new regime will look to sign up and coming talents rather than finished products like Kylian Mbappe.

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