Sports
Man Utd Talent Erik ten Hag Sold For €6m Now Shining For New Club
The Erik ten Hag era may have delivered two trophies, the FA Cup and the League Cup, for Manchester United, but it was a spectacular failure in nearly every other sense.
The Dutch manager finished third in his debut campaign, but things quickly soured in season two. The Red Devils came eighth the following term with 60 points, their lowest position in the top flight since the 1989/90 season. He was then sacked only nine Premier League games into 2024/25, having picked up just 11 points.
Results were obviously bad, and part of this came down to poor recruitment. Indeed, a lot of Ten Hag’s signings didn’t pan out. Most notably, Antony was signed from former club Ajax for £86m but ended up being one of the biggest Premier League flops of all time. Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana, Mason Mount, Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte have also been guilty of failing to make a sustained impact since arriving at Old Trafford.
There has also been criticism for some sales. Scott McTominay, for example, was sold in the summer of 2024 but went on to inspire Napoli to a Serie A title and is now one of the best midfielders in the world. And Alvaro Carreras is another glaring examply.
Carreras Sold For €6m Now Thriving at Real Madrid
Alvaro Carreras
Carreras certainly didn’t make the same impact at Old Trafford as McTominay did, failing to make a senior appearance for the Red Devils, but looked to be an impressive talent as he joined in 2020 and was later named as the club’s U23 Player of the Year.
Despite his quality, Ten Hag felt Carreras was not quick enough for the Premier League and struggled against fast players, and so wasn’t willing to give him a shot. He instead spent time on loan at Preston North End and then Granada before heading to Benfica in January 2024.
That too was an initial loan but included an optional buy-clause, reported to be €6 million, which was later triggered in May of the same year. The Spaniard would play 68 times for the Portuguese giants before Real Madrid swooped in with a €50m move in the summer of 2025.
Now back with his boyhood club, Carreras is really starting to impress. He has started 11 La Liga games for Los Blancos at left-back so far this season, with Xabi Alonso’s side seven points clear at the top of the table.
Most recently, he put in an eye-catching display against Valencia, scoring a last-minute wonderstrike which flew into the top corner to ensure a 4-0 win against Blanquinegros.
Check out Carreras’ goal against Valencia below:
Fans Unhappy Over Carreras’ Man Utd Exit
Having been sold on the cheap and later becoming a €50m footballer, it’s fair to say Man Utd fans aren’t happy with former manager Ten Hag for letting Carreras go without even playing one game for the club. After his latest Madrid showing, one angry supporter remarked:
“Ten Hag played Amrabat/Malacia over Alvaro and didn’t give him a single minute. We had a £16.7m buyback clause this summer and decided to sign Dorgu for £30.8m.”
Another said: “Erik Ten Hag belongs in prison. He signed Sergio Reguillon on an emergency loan instead of playing him.” While one more wrote: “Another act to add to Ten Hag’s catalogue of crimes against this club.”
Earlier in the year, when Carreras was impressing at the Bernabeu, one supporter wrote, “I will never ever forgive Erik ten Hag for getting rid of Álvaro Carreras, never.” And a final supporter summed it up, saying, “We need a LWB… And Erik Ten Hag was somehow allowed to let this demon leave and play Amrabat instead.”
Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha has caused quite a stir with what he said to the Japan player who claimed that “Brazil used to be a powerhouse” ahead of his side’s dramatic 2-1 World Cup victory on Monday evening. Carlo Ancelotti and co. left it late to complete the comeback in Houston and book their place in the Round of 16.
Kaishu Sano gave Japan a shock lead just before the 30-minute mark, but a series of second-half changes helped the five-time world champions wrestle back control and put their stamp on the contest. Casemiro powered home the equaliser in the 56th minute before Gabriel Martinelli emerged as the hero off the bench, poking in a dramatic 96th-minute winner after the ball trickled beyond the goalkeeper, kissed the post and crossed the line.
While Japan are renowned for their sportsmanship, there was no shortage of needle between the two sides. Before the showdown, Kento Shiogai had talked the talk by questioning Brazil’s standing among the game’s elite. But after failing to walk the walk, Cunha wasted little time in giving him a taste of his own medicine, firing back with a pointed response of his own after the final whistle.
World Cup: Fans Want Ancelotti to Axe Brazil Player Who Was ‘Embarrassing’ vs Japan
Brazil are still struggling to reach their forgotten peak from decades ago, despite Carlo Ancelotti’s tournament know-how, and they got lucky again.
What Cunha Said to Shiogai in Heated Exchange After Brazil 2-1 Japan
In what Ancelotti later branded ‘mind games’, Shiogai had said: “I don’t hear much about Brazil these days,” after claiming: “Brazil used to be a powerhouse, but now only France and Argentina are strong.” He only played six minutes at this World Cup, and Cunha wasn’t prepared to let his comments slide as he could be seen saying after the final whistle (while holding up five fingers):
“Five World Cups… you small!”
Also asked about the statement from Shiogai, captain Marquinhos said he saw a bit of arrogance in the Japanese player’s attitude, but Brazil eventually found a way to get themselves over the line.
His Gesture has Caused a Stir
While many Brazilians applauded the five-word message, with one X user remarking: “He put him in his place” and another saying: “Pride and arrogance is back! That’s what we wanted!” neutrals have offered a different perspective on things.
Indeed, it seems the rest of the football world find the Man United winger’s comments a little bizarre, considering he hasn’t contributed to any of their success. In some ways, Cunha’s gesture proves his opponent right until he has something more recent to shout about, as one critic wrote: “Just setting himself up to be a meme.” Another also added:
“Cunha saying ‘5 World Cups’ as if he was part of it. Bro needs to understand that he plays for Man United, a club that hasn’t won the league in about 14 years. He needs to calm down.”
FIFA Make Decision on Investigating World Cup ‘Match-Fixing’ After Manager’s Comments
Allegations of match-fixing have been made since the two nations’ draw.
Elsewhere, one last comment concluded: “Players bragging with trophies they didn’t win should be abolished.” Brazil will face Ivory Coast or Norway in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup at 21:00 GMT on Sunday night.
Football fans are in agreement over which player needs to be axed from Brazil’s starting lineup following their narrow 2-1 World Cup win vs Japan on Monday evening. Despite winning it late on with Gabriel Martinelli squeezing in a 95th minute goal, Carlo Ancelotti will not have been happy with everything he saw in Houston.
For decades, Brazil have carried a certain kind of ‘aura’ into tournaments that made them a feared opposition, despite being a shell of their glorified past. Now, it feels like their rivals are finally taking advantage of the reality of which the South American giants aren’t as good as their five stars would suggest, even if they got away with it this time.
And one player, more than any, showed that some deadwood still lingers in squad selections, despite calls from fans for years for him to replaced. It is unlikely he gets to start again in the Round of 16.
Brazil Ace is Being Begged to Retire Despite Round of 16 Qualification
Reacting to Danilo’s performance, which saw him produce the lowest Sofascore rating of everyone at the Houston Stadium, one X user wrote: “How Daniel is still playing professional football is unreal to me,” as a second added about the Flamengo defender (see the full post below):
“It’s unacceptable for this guy to be a starter for Brazil. No, I’m not being opportunistic. We’ve been saying the same thing about Danilo since 2022.
“He’s an excellent leader, but he no longer has what it takes to be a starter for the Brazilian National Team. Unacceptable pass. How reckless.”
A third remarked: “The age is really showing in this Brazil team. You’re not gonna get away with playing Danilo in 2026, be for real,” as a fourth continued: “Danilo minutes is malpractice.” Elsewhere, a fifth concluded: “Danilo mistake. It was embarrassing to call him up in 2022 why is he still around in 2026??”
Danilo’s Performance in Numbers
Winners always find a way, but while the attackers put on a resilient showing in the second-half, it always felt like Brazil were one Danilo misstep away from gifting their opponents a way back into things as pressure built. Across 99 minutes, the right-back was responsible for an error that led to the goal, a foul, and general moments of disarray.
2026 World Cup: Brazil 2-1Japan Player Ratings and Match Highlights
A last-gasp Gabriel Martinelli winner breaks Japanese hearts.
He didn’t commit to any tackles, he won just two of his five duels, and his two defensive contributions are cause for serious concern given he had ample time to get involved with protecting Alisson between the sticks but chose to sit further forward.
Maybe he would have been forgiven had he done well in attack, but zero successful dribbles, losing possession 12 times, completing just two out of four long ball attempts and cross attempts shows he was ineffective from back to front.
Football fans are in agreement over which player needs to be axed from Brazil’s starting lineup following their narrow 2-1 World Cup win vs Japan on Monday evening. Despite winning it late on with Gabriel Martinelli squeezing in a 95th minute goal, Carlo Ancelotti will not have been happy with everything he saw in Houston.
For decades, Brazil have carried a certain kind of ‘aura’ into tournaments that made them a feared opposition, despite being a shell of their glorified past. Now, it feels like their rivals are finally taking advantage of the reality of which the South American giants aren’t as good as their five stars would suggest, even if they got away with it this time.
And one player, more than any, showed that some deadwood still lingers in squad selections, despite calls from fans for years for him to replaced. It is unlikely he gets to start again in the Round of 16.
Brazil Ace is Being Begged to Retire Despite Round of 16 Qualification
Reacting to Danilo’s performance, which saw him produce the lowest Sofascore rating of everyone at the Houston Stadium, one X user wrote: “How Daniel is still playing professional football is unreal to me,” as a second added about the Flamengo defender (see the full post below):
“It’s unacceptable for this guy to be a starter for Brazil. No, I’m not being opportunistic. We’ve been saying the same thing about Danilo since 2022.
“He’s an excellent leader, but he no longer has what it takes to be a starter for the Brazilian National Team. Unacceptable pass. How reckless.”
A third remarked: “The age is really showing in this Brazil team. You’re not gonna get away with playing Danilo in 2026, be for real,” as a fourth continued: “Danilo minutes is malpractice.” Elsewhere, a fifth concluded: “Danilo mistake. It was embarrassing to call him up in 2022 why is he still around in 2026??”
Danilo’s Performance in Numbers
Winners always find a way, but while the attackers put on a resilient showing in the second-half, it always felt like Brazil were one Danilo misstep away from gifting their opponents a way back into things as pressure built. Across 99 minutes, the right-back was responsible for an error that led to the goal, a foul, and general moments of disarray.
2026 World Cup: Brazil 2-1Japan Player Ratings and Match Highlights
A last-gasp Gabriel Martinelli winner breaks Japanese hearts.
He didn’t commit to any tackles, he won just two of his five duels, and his two defensive contributions are cause for serious concern given he had ample time to get involved with protecting Alisson between the sticks but chose to sit further forward.
Maybe he would have been forgiven had he done well in attack, but zero successful dribbles, losing possession 12 times, completing just two out of four long ball attempts and cross attempts shows he was ineffective from back to front.
Cunha Shouts Five-Word Message After World Cup Win
NDC deregistration: ‘Relax, wait for our next line of action’ – Kwankwaso to Obidients, Kwankwasiyya
Carlo Ancelotti Told to Axe Danilo After Brazil vs Japan
Simi Sanya and Femi Dapson Are Now Legally Married and It Is Beautiful to See
FCT Area Council Election: Live results from polling units
Premier League Set-Piece Goals (2025/2026)
-
Sports24 hours agoJesse Marsch’s Full Speech After Canada vs South Africa
-
Sports1 day agoStatement Released as Lucas Trejo’s Wife and Children Die in Earthquake
-
Sports2 days agoSpain’s Nico Williams Calls Out Uruguay Ace After He Suffers Injury
-
Sports2 days agoPele and Diego Maradona’s Private Chat About Lionel Messi in 2016
-
Sports2 days ago2026 World Cup Nation Punish Players By Cancelling Their Flight Home
-
Sports11 hours agoHow Much Emma Raducanu Will Earn Despite Withdrawing Through Injury
-
Sports2 days agoSteve Clarke Ridiculed For Comment About England in Scotland Resignation Letter
-
Sports1 day agoAI Names & Ranks 20 Greatest Male Tennis Players in History