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The president of the Panama Football Federation (FEPAFUT), Manuel Arias, has been given a six-month ban by FIFA for his recent incredible outburst.

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• President made derogatory remarks about Cox
• Star player threatened to quit national team
• Arias suspended until July and fined by FIFA

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  FIFA’s ethics committee ruled that Arias was in breach of its code of ethics for his remarks made in March last year, when he branded star player Marta Cox "fat" and "out of shape. As well as the ban, Arias was fined almost £9,000.

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  Cox had criticised the facilities available for the women's national team after they were eliminated from the CONCACAF W Gold Cup. Arias fired back via the press, saying: "She’s out of shape, she’s fat, she couldn’t move on the pitch. It’s very easy to talk, but she doesn’t know anything about the Panama league for years, she doesn’t know what’s going on here."

  Arias apologised for his remarks soon after making them, but FIFA opted to sanction him. The governing body branded Arias' remarks “derogatory” and sanctioned him due to breaches of its ethics code.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Cox threatened to stop playing for the national team in response to the comments, but she has since returned. The striker had scored her national team's first-ever goal in a World Cup group stage and now has 42 caps to her name.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Arias has accepted FIFA's punishment and referred to his criticism as simply “very unfortunate language” and “a very serious mistake.” He is banned until July 14.

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has already made his decision on Illan Meslier’s place in the Whites side going forward, beginning against Sheffield United next Friday.

The Whites come into this two-week break on the back of a frustrating result at the Stadium of Light, as they had to settle for a point deep into injury time after looking on course to take home all three due to the Frenchman’s blunder.

Sky Sports: Club now plan to sign £10m Leeds player who Farke doesn't want

It looks like one to watch.

By
Brett Worthington

Oct 8, 2024

Leeds news and updates

International football isn’t ideal for any club or supporter, but Leeds may be glad to see this break come now. The Yorkshire side have suffered greatly with injuries so far this season, as Max Wober, Ethan Ampadu, and Ilia Gruev all look set to miss the next few weeks and months of the campaign.

Leeds have also seen Patrick Bamford and Manor Solomon suffer with injuries, but they could be about to welcome one key figure back into the fold. Farke has revealed that he hopes to have Daniel James back available for the game against Sheffield United. The Welsh international has been out since late August with a hamstring injury, but he now looks to be closing in on his return, as Leeds need to bolster their squad options.

As well as a welcome injury boost, Leeds may also have some more good news coming their way, as Eintracht Frankfurt are keen on signing defender Rasmus Kristensen on a permanent deal. The Denmark international is spending the season on loan with the German side, but Frankfurt are already keen to trigger the buy option they have, which is around £8.3-10 million.

Leeds don’t have a game now for 10 days, but Farke has already made a decision as to whether one of his star players plays against the Blades.

Decision already made as Farke makes Meslier call for Leeds v Sheffield Utd

According to Football Insider reporter Pete O’Rourke, Leeds United and Farke have no plans to replace goalkeeper Meslier after his blunder against Sunderland over the weekend. The shot-stopper failed to catch the ball in the 97th minute of added time on Friday night, and that resulted in the Whites throwing away three points and having to settle for one.

However, despite the big error from the 24-year-old, Farke has no plans to replace Meslier in goal, so he will keep his place in the side against Sheffield United. In fact, the goalkeeper has the full backing of the German, who has been an important figure under Farke and for Leeds since he joined the club.

Leeds have Karl Darlow waiting in the wings, but that still isn’t enough for Farke to decide to drop Meslier, and he is expected to start against the Blades. The mistake against Sunderland is seen as a “freak issue” and not a problem that will be long-term, and therefore, Meslier, who was labelled “outstanding” last season by Farke, is not going to be judged for one moment.

Leeds face an important clash against the Blades, as both sides are fighting for promotion and both have made a strong start to this Championship campaign, with the visitors yet to taste defeat.

Javier Tebas attacked Real Madrid as he accused the Spanish champions of 'destroying' football with their European Super League plans.

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• Tebas attacked Perez for ESL idea
• Called the ESL a 'circus'
• Accused Spanish champions of trying to 'destroy football'

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The La Liga chief did not mince his words while launching a scathing attack on Madrid president Florentino Perez, who spearheaded the idea of creating the European Super League in 2021. Tebas described the idea as financially unviable and labelled the ESL a "circus".

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• WHAT JAVIER TEBAS SAID

  Speaking to , Tebas said: "The first thing is to make it very clear who is behind it, which it seems that they never want to say: it is Florentino Perez. We have to show our faces. The second thing, it is not serious that we have three formats in three years. We cannot be talking about saving football, as president Perez said, and doing this. It is also very unserious to present a format that does not talk about governance. Or the television model: one day everything is free, another day it’s hybrid, another day I don’t know what it’s like. This looks like a circus.

  "It is very serious. If it were viable, which is not viable. That hurts because imagine: during the week, free football. And at the weekend, the national league, paid football? Do you think that free football for all would be viable in Spain? Isn’t it? I’m sure it does devastating damage. More than saving football, that mission that it seems Real Madrid came to destroy it."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The ESL saga began in April 2021 when 12 prominent football clubs, including Premier League giants Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham, announced their plans to form a breakaway league. The announcement sparked widespread outrage among fans and government officials, leading to the collapse of the plan within just 72 hours. Since then, ten of the 12 clubs that initially backed the controversial project have withdrawn, issued apologies, and returned to UEFA's fold. However, Real Madrid and Barcelona remain steadfast in their pursuit of making the league a reality and have insisted that they will “keep working on the execution of the idea”.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

  Los Blancos, who saw their lead at the top of the La Liga table reduced to one point after a shock defeat at Espanyol, will be next seen in action on Wednesday as they take on Leganes in a Copa del Rey quarter-final clash.

Arsenal have made a surprise bid for striker Ollie Watkins, but Aston Villa have turned down an initial approach from their Premier League rivals.

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• Arsenal launch bid to sign Watkins
• Aston Villa turned down an approach
• Gunners in need of a new striker

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Mikel Arteta is an admirer of the England international and the Gunners are in the market for a new striker during the January transfer window. The north London team have had a first bid rejected by Villa, the reports, and while an improved offer is expected, Villa are not willing to let him go. According to , Villa have been angered by the timing of the bid which is said to be worth around £60 million ($75m) with the news breaking ahead of the team's Champions League clash against Celtic on

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  The 29-year-old has been a vital player for Unai Emery's side, scoring 10 goals in 23 Premier League appearances this season, and he remains contracted to the club until 2028. However, the forward grew up as an Arsenal fan and revealed in 2020 that his "dream" is to join the club.

• WHAT ARTETA SAID

  Gunners coach Arteta suggested the club are working on bringing in a new attacking option after Gabriel Jesus was ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

  "We lost two very important players in Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. We lack goals, we lack people and we lack options. It’s clear," he told reporters last week. "If we can get the right player that’s why we are actively looking at it. We are working on it, yes. Any player? No. Someone who makes us better. We need some help."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  With Jesus out for the rest of the season and star winger Saka still injured, Arteta is determined to bring in a new forward as his side look to catch up with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.

Liverpool have the chance to head into the October international break in pole position, leading the race in the Premier League after six matches. Crystal Palace and Selhurst Park stand in the way of achieving this.

Palace shattered expectations under Oliver Glasner last season, who transformed the club after it had fallen by the wayside under Roy Hodgson to win and play some astounding football, Michael Olise and Ebere Eze starring.

A summer of upheaval has left the Eagles grounded in 2024/25, with three draws and three defeats to show so far.

Under Arne Slot, Liverpool have conceded the fewest league goals of any side across England’s top four divisions, but must not approach this lunchtime fixture with any degree of complacency, for Palace are desperate to earn three points and rise from the relegation zone.

Slot has been reserved in his pack-shuffling so far, but he should make two changes from the midweek win for this one, with Darwin Nunez likely to head back to the bench.

1

GK – Alisson Becker

Alisson’s 84.6% save percentage in the Premier League this season is the joint-highest (alongside Bournemouth’s Neto, who has only played twice).

He’s the best. What else is there to say?

2

RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold

Has Trent Alexander-Arnold plateaued over the past several matches? Is his contractual cloud hanging overhead in a gloomy fashion, affecting his performances?

Perhaps. Trent has still been mesmerising this season, with a ball-playing quality that scant few players can mimic, let alone match. He could be key against Glasner’s outfit.

3

CB – Ibrahima Konate

Ibrahima Konate ended the 2024/25 campaign on the rocks. The France international had been displaced by the younger Jarell Quansah and had been sapped of confidence after some “dreadful” displays, as The Athletic’s James Pearce said.

He’s been reborn under Slot’s leadership. Konate has already scored twice this season and has arguably been even better than his indomitable defensive partner… winning a whopping 74% of his contested duels in the Premier League.

4

CB – Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk will be delighted with his side’s defensive efforts this season, and though Konate is perhaps putting in the flashier, more energetic performances, he is simply unrivalled in blending his intelligence, positioning and galvanising leadership together.

The hosts might have been goal-shy across the opening weeks, but there’s plenty of talent at Palace’s disposal. This is a team that is performing far below its expected level, and it might click at any stage.

Liverpool need to be ready, and Van Dijk will be so important in ensuring this raucous ground does not find the fuel to lift it out of the relegation zone with a statement win.

5

LB – Andy Robertson

Andy Robertson’s fitness levels have not been fragile by any stretch but he did hobble off at Molineux one week ago, albeit starting against Bologna several days later.

There’s a slight chance that Kostas Tsimikas will replace the Scotsman, but he should retain his starting berth, offering a creative outlet from the left flank.

6

CM – Ryan Gravenberch

Man of the match against Bologna, man of the moment for Slot’s Liverpool. Ryan Gravenberch has been a revelation at the heart of the pitch this season, so elegant and cultured in his dynamic midfield role.

He’s played every minute of Liverpool’s Premier League and Champions League campaigns this term, and that’s not going to change against Crystal Palace.

7

CM – Alexis Mac Allister

Alexis Mac Allister opened his account for the season with a close-range strike earlier this week. His role in Slot’s team probably won’t see him score many, but the Argentina international might just be the most crucial member in the line-up, so influential and important in guiding the attacking flow, in retaining possession.

He’s so wonderfully varied in his craft, ranking among the top 10% of central midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions and the top 9% for tackles per 90, as per FBref. What a player.

8

RW – Mohamed Salah

He simply doesn’t stop. Ceaseless. Inevitable. Mohamed Salah was the star as Liverpool triumphed on Wednesday evening. It was an indifferent collective effort from the Reds, but Salah’s goal-and-assist display maintained their 100% start to the Champions League campaign.

9

AM – Dominik Szoboszlai

Dominik Szoboszlai, has divided opinion somewhat this season, but there’s a first-class player in there and he is being picked to start each week for a reason.

The Hungarian, aged 23, scored seven goals and supplied four assists across 43 matches, which is something he wanted to improve on. This term, with three goal contributions from eight matches, he’s steadily working toward achieving that.

10

LW – Cody Gakpo

Cody Gakpo could finally receive a starting berth in the Premier League under Slot’s wing after Luis Diaz was chosen for the continental stage, and he’s fully deserving of the opportunity.

Despite his infrequent role this term, Gakpo, hailed for his “special skill set” by Jurgen Klopp’s former assistant manager Pep Lijnders, has been excellent on the left wing, looking like a different player to the man who ebbed and flowed under Klopp, never truly hitting his stride.

As the international break rumbles on, a fresh update has emerged on Newcastle United’s plan to move away from their iconic St James’ Park and into a new stadium in nearby Leazes Park.

Newcastle set to follow recent trend

Whether it’s Highbury, White Hart Lane or the Boleyn Ground, the Premier League has lost some iconic stadiums over the years. Clubs have instead opted to upgrade and step into the modernity of fresh and bigger grounds such as the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – arguably England’s most modern stadium – and the London Stadium, which played host to the 2012 London Olympics.

More clubs are now set to follow suit. Everton, one of England’s oldest clubs, are set to bid farewell to Goodison Park at the end of the current campaign. In its place, the Toffees will finally complete their move to the new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium which will almost mirror Spurs’ previous move away from White Hart Lane.

Forget Wilson: Newcastle could unearth their next Isak in academy sensation

Newcastle United are very excited about this young hotshot.

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Kelan Sarson

Oct 16, 2024

Whilst tradition has been ditched, the new grounds are certainly eye-catching and stand out even more when reflecting on Manchester United’s stubborn resolve over a decaying Old Trafford before Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival and plan to upgrade across the club in a plan that the Magpies now look set to follow.

Newcastle's stadium plans update

According to the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope, local Newcastle council officials were spotted as PIF’s guests to hold talks over the club’s plan to build a new stadium at Leazes Park, which is directly behind current stadium St James’ Park.

Hope explained the news on his YouTube channel, saying: “This is another question, do I think the uncertainty around PSR and APT has delayed the club’s announcement over plans for a new stadium?

“No, I don’t think there has, I think there has just been a delay because they’re getting their ducks in a row for what I’m increasingly believing will be an attempt to move into Leazes Park. That isn’t easy, that isn’t straightforward. But there is a recognition on the inside now that a new stadium is needed, but they want to stay on the site.

“St James’ is wonderful, it’s fantastic, I don’t have to go over that, but is it fit for purpose in terms of being that top class level of stadium we see now around the world? If Newcastle can maintain that city centre location and that iconic spot on the top of the hill but by building just behind in Leazes Park.

“The Freeman of the City of the council will be key to this, the Freemen have been guests at St James’ Park and I’m led to believe there have been positive talks in that regard. I think that is the way the club will look to explore.”

With talks reportedly positive over their move, Newcastle must now hope that the Freemen in the council will help progress things even further. Seemingly the key, according to Hope, a Freeman has the full rights and privileges of a City to play a role in elections and trade. Get their approval and Newcastle may just follow Everton and Spurs by swapping the old and historic for the new and modern.

Plymouth hero Ryan Hardie is eager to face Manchester United next in the FA Cup after scoring the winner against Liverpool in the fourth round.

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• Plymouth shocked Liverpool in FA Cup
• Hardie scored the winning goal
• Wants Man Utd in the fifth round

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Hardie scored the winning goal for the Pilgrims in the 53rd minute as Plymouth shocked Premier League leaders Liverpool with a 1-0 win at Home Park in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Plymouth, who have now beaten Brentford and the Reds in back-to-back FA Cup fixtures, will find out their opponents after the draw for the fifth round is conducted on Monday night.

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  While manager Miron Muslic does not have a preference for their opponents for the next round, Hardie is looking forward to taking on another big team, with his sights set on Ruben Amorim's team. United progressed to the fifth round after Harry Maguire's late winner helped them beat Leicester City 2-1 on Friday.

• WHAT RYAN HARDIE SAID

  Speaking to reporters after the win over the Reds, the 27-year-old forward said: "I want Manchester United. Bring them here. This day will be cemented in this club’s history, in this city’s history. It’s something we will never forget. When you start your career these are the days you dream of."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR PLYMOUTH?

  Plymouth will be back in action on Wednesday as they host Millwall in an important Championship clash.

Glasgow Rangers dropped to six points behind the top two this weekend after they were beaten 1-0 by Kilmarnock away from Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

The Light Blues conceded a late goal to Marley Watkins that cost them against Kilmarnock, after they failed to provide enough of a threat in the final third throughout the rest of the match.

It was a disappointing result and performance for Philippe Clement, who have lost two of their opening eight matches in the division, and they will have to bounce back quickly to get back in the title race.

One player for the Scottish giants who will be frustrated with the part he played in the winning goal for the hosts is central defender John Souttar.

John Souttar's performance against Kilmarnock

The Scotland international appeared to be the favourite to get on the end of a bouncing ball in the penalty area but was bullied out of the way by Watkins, who then got to the ball first to prod the ball past Jack Butland.

It was unusually weak play from the former Hearts titan, who was too easily brushed out of the way by the former Norwich City and Bristol City attacker.

Souttar won seven of his eight physical duels during the game, but lost the most vital one in the end, and this shows that he was having a dominant game up until the 87th minute.

The central defender also made two blocks and one interception to protect Butland, and completed 80 of his 88 attempted passes in possession, which shows that it was far from a terrible performance from him on the whole.

His one slip-up may not have mattered, though, if the attackers had done enough to trouble ex-Gers man Robby McCrorie at the other end of the pitch, as Cyriel Dessers was one player who was even worse than Souttar on Sunday.

Cyriel Dessers' struggles against Kilmarnock

The Nigeria international was selected to lead the line for the Light Blues against Kilmarnock and produced a frustratingly ineffective display.

Dessers, of course, ended the match without a goal or an assist, as Rangers lost 1-0, and the underlying statistics are even worse than the headline.

The former Cremonese man lost possession 13 times from just 22 touches of the ball and only completed six passes, failing to create a single chance, in 71 minutes on the pitch.

As you can see in the table above, Dessers only completed 50% of his attempted passes in the match and lost 100% of his duels with Kilmarnock defenders, which shows that the opposition found it far too easy to get the better of him.

The Rangers lightweight offered nothing in the final third, with zero goals, assists, or key passes, and was a liability off the ball with his weak centre-forward play.

Therefore, the striker was even worse than Souttar, who defended brilliantly for 86 minutes before his costly error, and should now be in danger of losing his place in the XI.

Rangers can complete Koppen's massive objective by signing SPFL star

Rangers chief Nils Koppen wants to sign a player from another Premiership club.

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Dan Emery

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The Chelsea star comes into the international break in form, and she'll hope to continue that momentum in her first camp in 10 months

When Lauren James steps out in England colours during this upcoming international break, it'll be her first time doing so in 10 months, since she opened the scoring in the Lionesses' 2-0 win over Ireland on April 9. It's been a frustrating period for the talismanic forward, who has missed all of her country's last four international camps with a persistent foot injury. She'll be desperate to make up for lost time, then, as England's new Women's Nations League campaign gets underway on Friday.

Things haven't been easy for the Lionesses since James won her last cap. Wins against France and Ireland, plus a draw in Sweden, allowed them to qualify automatically for this summer's European Championship, and thus arrange friendlies of their own choosing for the final two camps of 2024. But those games highlighted some key areas for improvement ahead of their title defence in Switzerland.

Where those problems concern the attack, James' return will certainly be welcome. After all, she's proven time and time again that she can be a game-changer and a match-winner – and she enters this international break with a bang, too.

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  'Showed her magic'

  It was in the third minute of second-half stoppage time that James casually arrowed a delightful strike into the bottom corner on Sunday, giving Chelsea a dramatically late 2-1 win over struggling Everton. It was a difficult day out for the defending Women's Super League champions, who surprisingly fell behind on their own patch despite being huge favourites to secure the three points. Fortunately, on just her fourth league start of the season, James was able to provide the spark that maintained their seven-point cushion to second-placed Manchester United.

  "If we didn't have her on the pitch until the end, we couldn't have won the game. That's simple," head coach Sonia Bompastor said afterwards. "You need to have these creative players and players with these talents to win games. She just showed her magic."

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  In a good place again

  That lack of game time further highlights just how tough it's been for the 23-year-old this season. After missing the two England camps that followed the conclusion of the 2023-24 club campaign, James looked set to put those troubles behind her with a steady start to this season, only to then be sidelined for three months after feeling something in her foot in the warm-up for the Blues' Champions League clash with Twente back in October.

  But the forward has been gradually working her way back since returning to action in Chelsea's 4-0 win over Charlton in the FA Cup in mid-January. She comes into this international break having played 90 minutes in back-to-back games for the first time since December 2023, and with that stunning late winner under her belt.

  Bompastor was pleased with her all-round contributions on Sunday, highlighting how she "defended a lot for the team" as well as scoring the winner, while noting that "she's getting back to really good shape" after so long out. England boss Sarina Wiegman, meanwhile, is understandably "excited" to have James back this week. "She's in a good place," she said of the 23-year-old last week. "You can tell that she's enjoying football. It took a while for her to come back, but it's good to see her fit, fresh and playing well for her club."

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  Timely boost

  It's a timely return for the Lionesses, too, given the growing list of absentees that James has fortunately separated herself from now. Alex Greenwood, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Georgia Stanway, Fran Kirby, Lauren Hemp and Beth Mead are all out injured this time around, with the latter four all having a particular impact on the attack, which James can help to bolster.

  One of the concerns highlighted in the Lionesses' friendlies at the end of 2024 was a real lack of goal-scoring threat at times. Even in the 4-3 defeat to Germany, England rarely looked particularly potent, with one of their goals coming from a dubious penalty and another from a huge goalkeeping mistake.

  Furthermore, those they have scored in recent camps have come from a lot of the names on that injury list. Indeed, six of England's last 10 goals have been netted by players who are not in the current squad, with Stanway especially in a particularly rich vein of form before having to undergo knee surgery in late January. The Lionesses need more players to step up and provide that goal threat, and James is certainly a player they would like to think can do that.

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  Potential to be a talisman

  That's with good reason, too. James hit double figures for Chelsea in the league last season, her return of 13 goals from 16 appearances only bettered by Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw, and she's also scored for England in the big moments before, such as in her sensational World Cup campaign in 2023 and in the do-or-die Nations League clash with Scotland a few months later.

  Indeed, a return of seven goals in 24 caps makes her the joint-fifth top-scorer in this current England squad, with Ella Toone (19 in 53) and Alessia Russo (20 in 46) the only players with more goals who can also post a better goal-per-game ratio.

  But it's not just about scoring goals; it's about creating the chances for others to ensure there are more players contributing to this Lionesses attack. With her ability to glide past defenders with ease, draw fouls in dangerous positions and deliver that killer final ball, James will be as important in putting the ball on a plate for team-mates.

Preparing for Ruben Amorim’s arrival, INEOS have reportedly set their sights on a new Manchester United target who has earned comparisons to Real Madrid wonderkid Arda Guler.

Man Utd transfer news

It would be an understatement to suggest that Amorim has a hefty task on his hands at Old Trafford. Several managers have tried and all have failed to awaken a sleeping giant, from Jose Mourinho all the way to Erik ten Hag. This time, as the first coach to arrive with a new sporting director in place in the form of Dan Ashworth, the Red Devils will be desperate to see their latest choice finally succeed.

Saved by Amad: Ruud must instantly axe 4/10 Man Utd star after PAOK

Manchester United secured their first win of the Europa League last night.

By
Ethan Lamb

Nov 8, 2024

The former Sporting boss is due to arrive on November 11 to take charge of a side that he will hope is fresh from a four-game unbeaten run since Ten Hag’s dismissal, with Leicester City up next for interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy. If the Dutchman defeats the Foxes for the second time in his short spell then he should consider his four-game tenure quite the success.

United’s recent turnaround doesn’t end the need for reinforcements, however, and those at Old Trafford seem to be well aware of that. According to reports in Spain, INEOS have now set their sights on Yunus Akgun, who has been compared to Turkey teammate and Real Madrid star Arda Guler.

The 24-year-old winger has reportedly emerged to become Manchester United’s latest target for Amorim after scoring six goals and assisting one other in 15 games for Galatasaray this season. On the scoresheet against United’s Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur in a recent 3-2 victory, Akgun is one to watch.

"Wonderful" Akgun would replace Antony

One of the first problem positions that Amorim must deal with is right-wing. Jadon Sancho tried and failed to star in that role to leave Manchester United spending big once again. Like Sancho, however, splashing the cash on Antony only added to the issue that the Red Devils must now solve once and for all, which could see Akgun arrive.

The 24-year-old is finally bursting into life at Galatasaray and living up to the praise that Football Talent Scout’s Jacek Kulig sent his way in 2022, describing Akgun’s season as “wonderful” at the time.

Following Antony’s failure, Manchester United must spend wisely and Akgun represents an interesting option who has shown plenty of signs that he could be the man to finally solve their problem on the right-hand side.