Manchester United could be about to make the biggest move of the summer transfer window as they are linked with one of the biggest names in world football.

Since INEOS took over sporting operations, there has been less focus on signing high-profile players. The club have a history of swooping for household names, including Cristiano Ronaldo, whom they re-signed in 2021.

The Red Devils’ recruitment has improved under INEOS’ control, and last summer they pulled off four brilliant acquisitions. Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Senne Lammens have all thrived since joining the club.

While Sesko, Mbeumo and Cunha enjoyed fine debut seasons, it appears Michael Carrick wants to add a ‘world-class’ attacker to his squad. He is gearing up for his first full campaign as head coach and will be eager to build a team capable of challenging for major honours.

Man Utd Ready to Pounce for Vinicius Junior

Manchester United are said to be eyeing a blockbuster move for Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior. Of the attackers on the club’s radar, the Brazilian is the one Carrick ‘likes the most’, per El Nacional.

Speculation is growing about Vinicius’ future amid uncertainty regarding his contract. He has yet to put pen to paper on a new deal with Madrid, paving the way for clubs to try and lure him away from the Estadio Bernabeu.

Paris Saint-Germain are also keeping tabs on the 25-year-old’s situation and could capitalise on the player entering the final year of his contract. The Parisians see it as an opportunity to get revenge for Kylian Mbappe’s controversial switch to the La Liga giants.

The Spanish outlet goes as far as to claim that United are prepared to make Vinicius the highest-paid player in the Premier League. They are also weighing up a €120 million (£103m) to bring Los Blancos to the negotiating table.

Vinicius, dubbed “top class”, is enjoying a superb World Cup campaign with Brazil, thriving as the lead man in Carlo Ancelotti’s side. He has bagged four goals and one assist in three games for Selecao.

Michael Carrick Will Surely Be Prioritising Midfield

United are expected to be busy this summer but spending over £100m on Vinicius doesn’t seem likely. While he’s undoubtedly one of the best players in the world, he isn’t a necessity.

That amount of money should surely be used on bolstering a midfield that has lost Casemiro. Manuel Ugarte has been tipped for a departure but the Uruguayan has sustained a serious injury at the World Cup.

The Brazilian’s Madrid teammate, Aurelien Tchouameni, seems a realistic target as Carrick wants a new holding midfielder. The Frenchman could cost over £80m, and there is a belief he could be available.

Vinicius is set to play under Jose Mourinho at the Bernabeu following the Portuguese coach’s return. The pair might need to make amends after a falling-out amid a racism row that took hold during Madrid’s Champions League play-off win over Benfica.

There are various factors that will come into play should Vinicius’ contract saga drag on. It gives the likes of United hope of pulling off an audacious move to bring him to Old Trafford.

Newcastle United are starting to draw up a list of potential Sandro Tonali replacements as the Italian looks increasingly likely to move to Tottenham Hotspur.

Tonali has reportedly pledged to join Tottenham, who have failed with two £75 million bids for the Magpies midfielder. GIVEMESPORT understands that Spurs are willing to offer a £85m package deal, which could convince the Tyneside outfit to sell.

The 26-year-old has been a key man for Eddie Howe and will be a massive loss if he is sold. Finding a suitable and worthy replacement will be of the utmost importance and a World Cup star appears to fit the bill.

Newcastle eyeing Manzambi as Tonali replacement

According to Sky Sports’ Keith Downie, Newcastle are showing interest in Freiburg midfielder Johan Manzambi. The Switzerland international has been making headlines during the World Cup, scoring a brace in a 4-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Manzambi also got on the scoresheet in a 2-1 victory over co-hosts Canada. His stock is growing amid an excellent tournament and the Magpies are watching him closely.

Downie notes that Howe’s scouts are looking at central midfielders while Tonali’s future is uncertain. Should the club decide to move for the 20-year-old as a replacement, they could be forking out around £42 million.

Manzambi also earned praise throughout the campaign with Freiburg in the Bundesliga. He appeared 47 times across competitions, registering seven goals and nine assists.

The Swiss star, hailed a ‘wonderkid’, has four years left on his contract, meaning Newcastle will likely have to pay the asking price. He is unbelievably versatile, operating in central midfield as well as a second striker, in attacking and defensive midfield.

Newcastle must go bigger to replace Tonali

While Manzambi is clearly an exciting young talent who could develop into a top midfielder, he is still in the early stages of his career. Newcastle need a ready-made replacement for Tonali, who possesses the experience and a profile similar to the Italian’s.

Felix Nmecha is reportedly on the Magpies’ shortlist, and signing the German could be ideal if Tonali leaves. He has Premier League experience, having started his career at Manchester City before becoming one of the Bundesliga’s most highly rated midfielders.

Manzambi is definitely worth pursuing, but he shouldn’t be viewed as the man to come into Howe’s midfield alongside Bruno Guimaraes. He’d be a fine addition to offer depth in the middle of the park, and his versatility could be really helpful.

Diego Maradona was one of a kind. A legend of the game, the Argentine forward is widely considered to be one of the greatest footballers of all time.

His YouTube highlight reels are full of dazzling dribbles, his unique body shifts and goals that take your breath away. One goal, however, is revered as arguably the greatest goal of the 20th century, and it is a goal that Maradona puts all down to his opponents.

What is the ‘Goal of the Century’?

It was June 22, 1986, and Argentina were facing up against England in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Mexico. The match became infamous not only for its high stakes but also for the controversy behind Maradona’s first goal, now labelled as the ‘Hand of God’.

The game came just four years after the Falklands War between England and Argentina, adding to the already intense rivalry between the two countries. Just four minutes after Maradona’s infamous Hand of God goal, he would score a goal which no one could have any complaints about, as he produced a moment of pure brilliance.

Maradona picked the ball up and dribbled past five England players – Peter Beardsley, Peter Reid, Terry Butcher, Terry Fenwick, and Butcher again – before taking it past Peter Shilton in goal and slotting it home. He waltzed past every single challenge like a man on a mission, and there was no doubt the Argentina forward had produced one of the single most breathtaking moments in football history.

What made the goal so special was the speed of it, as Maradona had collected the ball from his own half and carried it over 60 meters, riding challenges from England defenders before calmly rounding Shilton in goal. The combination of speed, control and composure is what earned this goal the ‘goal of the century title’.

The two goals from Maradona would result in a 2-1 win for Argentina as they progressed to the Semi-Finals, and they would go on to win the whole tournament.

After the game, fans were in awe of what they had watched, and his mesmerizing run and finish would later be voted by fans in a FIFA poll as the ‘Goal of the Century’.

Maradona’s shirt from the game went on to be auctioned at a staggering £7.1million in 2022.

“I don’t think I could have done it against any other team”

As part of a documentary titled ‘History of Football, Maradona explained how the goal may never have happened if he hadn’t been playing against England.

It was England’s ‘noble’ trait that had let Maradona slip through their defence and score the greatest goal of the century at the Azteca Stadium. Maradona said:

Despite his first goal being a clear handball, Maradona expressed his appreciation for the respect shown by England’s players after the match.

“I liked the respect the English showed me when they came to congratulate me. Glenn Hoddle. Terry Fenwick. Shilton, however, was the exception.”

Shilton had expressed his anger in the past over Maradona’s first goal being allowed to stand, after the small Argentine player had outjumped the goalkeeper and punched it into the net.

Maradona said, “He won’t let me have the goal because he says I’m dishonest. That’s Shilton for you. Tell me, if the ball crossed just over the line, and you swept it away without the referee seeing it had gone over, would you go and tell him it was a goal?

Shilton, however, has recently come out and put his frustrations to rest 40 years after the infamous goal.