Manchester United are looking to take advantage of a managerial departure to strengthen in a key area. The Red Devils are likely to be busy over the coming weeks as they look to fill key gaps and give Michael Carrick the best chance of kicking on from the progress made under his interim reign last season.

Carrick has already been handed two new midfielders in Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, while a third midfield signing is likely. United may also sign an attacker, but arguably no position is more important than the left-back position, given the lack of depth there. with Luke Shaw the only senior option on the left.

Man Utd preparing to make Hall move

According to TeamTalk, Man Utd are now preparing to make their opening move to sign Newcastle United defender Lewis Hall after big developments at St James’ Park. Eddie Howe has seemingly decided to walk away from his job at St James’ Park just weeks before the start of the season.

Howe has seen Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali sold this summer, and it is looking increasingly likely that Bruno Guimaraes will join Arsenal. That has likely led to frustration aplenty, but the reasons for his departure will become clearer.

Whatever the case, Newcastle are now looking for a new manager, and United reportedly sense it is the right time to strike as they look to land left-back Hall to add competition and depth to the left side of their defence.

Hall is said to be keen on a move to Old Trafford this summer, feeling as though he has a clear route to becoming the main starter, even if Shaw remains that role initially. Shaw has a colourful injury past and is now 31 years of age.

There has been talk of an asking price between £50million and £55million, but the Magpies have lost a lot of talent this summer, so that could change. United technical director Jason Wilcox is said to be personally driving the interest having been impressed by Hall’s versatility at the back.

Howe departure could be a major factor for Hall

Eddie Howe said of Hall last year: “You saw Lewis Hall’s technical ability, considering again the length of time he’s been out and he’s one that hadn’t trained with us, so we hadn’t really seen him during the international break. It was a great performance from him.”

Interestingly, Hall has been very complimentary of Howe, saying: “He’s been a massive part of my career so far. He’s definitely one of the most important managers I’ve had in terms of my development.

“Eddie’s a manager that has taken a lot of stuff from my game and improved it more than I ever thought he could do at this stage in my career, if I’m honest. The confidence and belief that he’s shown in me… I’m obviously really grateful to him for that.”

With Howe now leaving, Hall could end up pushing for a move, and United may be relying on that factor.

US Soccer have responded to CONCACAF’s decision to reject FIFA and Gianni Infantino’s plans to sell a minority stake in the World Cup.

One of the biggest scandals in the sport’s history has unfolded this week after Infantino’s proposal leaked and it’s been met with huge backlash. The FIFA President sent a letter to all 211 national member associations regarding a new commercial entity called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).

The idea involved selling a minority stake in the World Cup, with FIFA working with JPMorgan to raise $4.2 billion from private investors. Infantino fronted the scheme, and US President Donald Trump’s administration was reportedly approached about the deal.

USA Respond to CONCACAF Decision

REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

UEFA were the first sporting body to strongly oppose Infantino’s proposal and a meeting has resulted in their nations threatening to boycott all FIFA competitions. That includes the 2030 World Cup, which is set to be co-hosted in Spain and Portugal.

CONCACAF likewise held a meeting with its member associations and released a statement responding to the plans. They have rejected the idea but haven’t mentioned a potential boycott.

The USA are a member of CONCACAF and they have confirmed that they back the decision, writing in response to the statement:

“U.S. Soccer stands with Concacaf and its members.”

Trump and Infantino have grown close since the World Cup was confirmed to be co-hosted in the United States, Mexico and Canada back in 2018. Their relationship has been called out by many in the sport, especially after FIFA opted to suspend Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban after receiving a contentious red card.

With Infantino’s relationship with Trump taking centre stage throughout this summer’s World Cup, there had been plenty of concerns over the president’s potential involvement in the FFE scheme. The plan is backed by Joshua Kushner’s investment fund and Kushner’s brother-in-law, Trump’s son-in-law.

Infantino Handed Huge Setback

REUTERS/Henry Romero

With US investors such as Thrive Capital and JPMorgan backing Infantino’s scheme, US Soccer’s statement is a major setback for the FIFA president. Not only have 96 national federations now opposed his proposal, but the country which has been the main focus for the private equity venture has pushed back.

The likes of CONCACAF and CONMEBOL usually align with FIFA on commercial expansion, so this is hugely significant. It puts a ton of pressure on Infantino, who has come under immense criticism before, during and following a controversial World Cup.

UEFA have reportedly been pushing for Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi to run against Infantino at the next election. It’s clear that he is losing the support not just in Europe but on a global scale.

England will be one of the nations to sit out the 2030 FIFA World Cup if Gianni Infantino proceeds with his plans to sell a minority stake in the international tournament.

Infantino’s hugely controversial proposal is part of a new commercial entity called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) and seeks to grant FIFA’s 211 national member associations tradable equity stakes. Working with American banking institution JPMorgan, they’d look to raise $4.2 billion from private investors.

UEFA responded to the idea by condemning Infantino’s approach and held an emergency meeting with its 55 member associations. They have rejected FIFA’s proposal and threatened to boycott all competitions held by the sporting body.

England to Boycott World Cup Again in 2030

REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Should Infantino proceed with his plans, it could mean no UEFA team competes at the World Cup in four years’ time. Spain and Portugal are two of the three main co-hosts but they could boycott the tournament.

As could England, who have publicly backed UEFA with a statement which reads: “We stand shoulder to shoulder with our European colleagues and fully support the collective view. We oppose FIFA’s plans. The FIFA World Cup belongs to football and always will.”

Infantino set all 211 nations a deadline of September 19th to respond to the proposal and UEFA took a day to not only refuse it but take significant action. Their national associations “will not participate in FIFA competitions” as the World Cup “cannot be treated as an investment product.”

The Telegraph delved into the meeting held by UEFA and revealed FA chairwoman Debbie Hewitt and chief executive Mark Bullingham were present. Both are said to have spoken out and Hewitt insisted she didn’t know anything of the FIFA leader’s plans before Tuesday despite being one of his vice-presidents.

Should England indeed boycott the 2030 World Cup it won’t be the first time they have snubbed participation. They opted against playing in the first three tournaments in 1930, 1934 and 1938, preferring to contest the Home Nations with Scotland, Wales and Ireland instead.

As for the last time the Three Lions were absent from a World Cup, that came in 1994 when they failed to qualify. As it stands, not only are Thomas Tuchel’s men not competing in the tournament, but won’t be attempting to qualify.

Four Other Countries Could Boycott World Cup Again

US President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino via REUTERS/Lee Smith

England aren’t the only major international team to have boycotted a World Cup in the past. Aside from the other three home nations who all chose to stay home and face one another, five countries refused for different reasons.

Turkey would also be skipping the tournament again if Infantino doesn’t reconsider his proposal. They missed the 1950 World Cup due to finances after deciding it was too expensive to send ther team to South America.

CONMEBOL have yet to respond to the plans but two of their countries have declined entry in the past. Uruguay didn’t defend their crown as inaugural world champions in 1934 in protest after several European nations refused to travel for the event in 1930.

This year’s runners-up, Argentina, joined the Uruguayans in refusing to play at the 1938 World Cup when it was hosted in Europe rather than South America. And in 1950, India’s lack of participation caused debate as they claimed they didn’t believe the tournament was overly important, while reports claim that they were refused because their players played barefoot.

The USSR were disqualified from playing the second leg of their World Cup qualifier against Chile in November 1973. This was because the game was to be played at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago, Chile, after the CIA-backed military coup had overthrown socialist government of Salvador Allende.