Manchester United are ramping up their summer transfer activity, as the club look to equip Michael Carrick with more quality options in his squad.
The midfield is an area of particular focus, with Ederson set to join from Atalanta, while several other stars are being considered for the central ranks to help bring some ball-playing quality to the team.
Premier League quality appears to be the main consideration, with players who have shown they are capable of performing at the top level.
The Portuguese star impressed during spells for Southampton and West Ham, and with the latter’s recent relegation from the Premier League, the Red Devils are among a whole host of teams eyeing a potential deal.
Amid those reports, journalist Shaun Connolly has claimed that talks are ongoing between all parties, with the player’s agents described as “confident” that a deal will go through.
It would represent a second move in the midfield department for Man United and Carrick, getting a problem position whipped into shape early in the market.
It remains to be seen whether a deal can be struck for below the quoted price, however, which may allow the club to look elsewhere in the window for other positions.
With the increase in games due to Champions League qualification, it’s clear that the Old Trafford outfit will need even more reinforcements.
You scored
out of 20
What Man United Need To Do Next
If Man United do indeed land both Ederson and Fernandes in the coming weeks, then attention can quickly turn towards the next moves in the market.
A left-back has to be the next priority, offering some much-needed competition to Luke Shaw in that position, especially following Tyrell Malacia’s recent exit.
Beyond that, the club may then look at some sales to raise funds further, with the likes of Manuel Ugarte, Marcus Rashford, Andre Onana, and Altay Bayindir all needing to clarify their futures.
Money raised from that can then be invested in other areas, with perhaps another midfielder on the cards, or even a versatile forward who can challenge the existing options.
It’s shaping up to be a promising summer transfer window for the club, with early business indicating that plans are being put into place and executed quickly.
This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.
A heartbroken Max Verstappen completely lost his head over the Red Bull team radio after being forced to retire from the Monaco Grand Prix just moments into the race.
The four-time world champion was second on the grid for Sunday’s race but was robbed of his opportunity to compete at Circuit de Monaco after his car stalled on the grid immediately after lights out.
The Dutchman was eventually able to get his engine running, but he was cut adrift at the back of the field by the time he did so.
Verstappen took to his radio to ask his team: “What do I do?” He was told: “Bring it home, Max”, essentially confirming his retirement from the race.
As he was making his way back to the pits, Verstappen made his frustrations perfectly clear in an x-rated rant about the state of his car.
“Well. Nice. Completely f***** guys. What the f*** man. Even at the formation lap, the engine is broken.”
Verstappen was already 88 points behind Drivers’ Championship leader Kimi Antonelli heading into the race. After his retirement in Monaco, he is set to lose even more ground.
This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.
Vinnie Jones, one of football’s ultimate hardmen, once named the five toughest opponents he ever faced. The former Wimbledon midfielder played in an era when blood, sweat, and tears were poured into every game, and referees often turned a blind eye to the antics of mavericks who would do anything to get inside an opponent’s head.
The most famous image of Jones came during a clash between Wimbledon’s Crazy Gang and Newcastle, when he grabbed Paul Gascoigne by the testicles to put him off. The photo became iconic, perfectly capturing his in-your-face style. But in a time that was anything but PG, ‘The Axe’, as he was nicknamed by some, was far from the only hardman on the pitch.
In a 2012 interview with the Daily Mail, Jones revealed the five players even he admitted to fearing, despite his fearless reputation. Surprisingly, Duncan Ferguson did not make the cut.
Vinnie Jones Named 5 Hardest Players He Played Against
89/90 Vinnie Jones – Leeds United Mandatory Credit:Acton Images
Bryan Robson – Manchester United
In the world of football hardmen, Roy Keane’s voice carries real weight – so the fact he described his former captain, Bryan Robson, as “tough as nails, brave, and a proper leader” tells you everything you need to know about Manchester United’s ‘Captain Marvel.’
Robson was a no-nonsense midfielder who played the entire 1982 World Cup with a dislocated shoulder, and teammates often remarked that when he went in for a 50/50 challenge, it was really more like 80/20 in his favour.
Steve McMahon – Liverpool
Named by Vinnie Jones as his ‘Only Real Rival’ for the title of ‘Hardest Man in Football’, Steve McMahon brought a certain steel to the Liverpool team of the late-80s that claimed three league titles and two FA Cups with their free-flowing system. “I’d kick my own brother if necessary – it’s what being a professional footballer is all about,” McMahon once said.
Even when he was being taken out by Jones at Wembley, he managed to give some back – elbowing the Wimbledon man in his cheek on the way down, leaving a scar that Jones still wears today. During a clash at Anfield later on, he would get full revenge, too, when his studs-up challenge left Jones’ foot requiring eight stitches.
Terry Hurlock – Millwall
Terry Hurlock in action for Millwall
Terry Hurlock was sent off 13 times in his career and booked more than 100 times – astonishing even for that era. Players often joked that he looked more like a nightclub bouncer than a footballer, and that his glare alone could put you off your game.
He was called up to the England B team in 1989, which shocked some pundits who said his style was “too brutal” for international football. But it also showed how respected he was for his sheer presence. Dubbed ‘Terry Warlock’, Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock revealed that Hurlock once ripped a pub door out of a wall when asked what he was going to do to Vinnie Jones when Millwall played Wimbledon, leaving his teammates in shock.
Roy Keane – Manchester United
This list could surely not have been complete unless Keane featured. There’s no doubt he was a special footballer, but it was his extra bite into tackles which earned him the respect but also – at times – the disrespect of his teammates and opponents. Just ask Alf-Inge Haaland, who was on the receiving end of a challenge widely regarded as one of the worst in Premier League history.
Famous for his memorable battles with Patrick Vieira, his surprisingly lovable personality has trickled over into his punditry career. ‘Keano’ can be spotted next to the likes of Gary Neville and Micah Richards, bemoaning about how ‘football has changed’, although he may have mellowed slightly in recent years.
Carlton Palmer – Sheffield Wednesday
Carlton Palmer
Carlton Palmer’s reputation is a bit different from someone like Hurlock or Keane. He wasn’t really considered a “hardman” in the same sense – his name is more often remembered for his stamina, awkward-but-effective style, and the fact he was as tall and strong as he was fast.
“There were so many good lads playing in my day you were always guaranteed a battle,” Jones said. “If I had to pick the hardest out I’d go for Bryan Robson, Steve McMahon, Terry Hurlock, Roy Keane and Carlton Palmer. Why Carlton? He was so big, he’d run away from you and you’d never catch him!”
Brighton CEO Paul Barber has confirmed that Tottenham have made a second bid to sign Jan Paul van Hecke ahead of the summer transfer window.
Tottenham have been showing an interest in signing Van Hecke ahead of the summer transfer window, with manager Roberto De Zerbi clearly keen to work with one of his former players.
Spurs may need defensive reinforcements in the summer transfer window, with Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero both linked with departures.
De Zerbi could be looking to bring in players that he knows he can trust as he aims to guide Spurs into the top half of the Premier League table.
Reports emerged this week that Tottenham had made a bid to sign Van Hecke, but it appears they’ve made another one as the Brighton CEO speaks out.
“There’s always going to be a lot of interest in our best players, and certainly in the case of Jan Paul. We’ve been very clear that that interest has been ongoing for a while, it’s coming from multiple sources. Yes, we have rejected a bid from Tottenham over the last week or so, in fact, two bids. “So from that point of view, it has to be right for us as well as the player, we have to be in a position to make the best trades to suit our model. And also to make sure that we’re supporting Fabian (Hurzeler, head coach) because he’s got another big season ahead of him. “He’s had two seasons in the Premier League, he’s finished eighth on both occasions, this time we’ve been fortunate enough to qualify for a European competition. “We want to go as deep in that competition as we can, while also doing well in the Premier League. “To do that, we need to make sure Fabian’s got the best possible squad and we’ve got the right balance between the young players that typically we like to bring in and develop, “And the more experienced players like Pascal Gross and others, who can actually help us progress in all of the competitions that we’re in. “As always, it’s a balancing act, and hopefully this summer we can work hard to pull it off again.”
Brighton appear to be standing firm with the Dutch defender as they understandably don’t want to lose him this summer.
Tottenham’s second bid was rejected by the Seagulls. It will be interesting to see whether Spurs return to the negotiating table once again.
That would suggest that Spurs’ second offer was even more, which clearly shows that Brighton aren’t going to let him go on the cheap.
Van Hecke would undoubtedly improve Tottenham, especially if they lose van de Ven and Romero, but there are certainly question marks as to whether he’s worth over £70 million.
At this stage, Tottenham should be walking away rather than continuing to negotiate, as there is undoubtedly better value elsewhere in the centre-back market.
