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A deadwood dilemma

A deadwood dilemma

BBC News6 days ago
Manchester United are trying to make ends meet by offloading their so-called "deadwood" but it will not be easy without losing a lot of money.‌These players are getting blanked by Ruben Amorim. They are not training with the first-team squad and not joining the A team for the pre-season tours.This treatment is intended to force them out and it often does, but it can have the opposite effect.The wages alone of Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, Tyrell Malacia and Jadon Sancho are estimated to be about £1m a week. This is a serious drain on resources but the players will not care a jot.Rashford's £17m-per-year salary may be covered by his loan to Barcelona this season, but remember that this once extremely valuable asset apparently can't now be sold for a cent.When they feel badly or unfairly treated, footballers are not averse to digging their heels in and refusing to move unless everything suits them perfectly, especially financially.United have to pay them until they move or their contracts run out, so they are in no rush.Those players haven't asked to leave so from their perspective it is the club that is breaking the agreed contract, not them.The argument usually follows: "You don't want me, so why don't you pay up my contract in full and I will leave with a smile on my face?" And a bad back carrying all that dosh no doubt...These face-offs will be resolved in time but United do not have a strong hand in negotiations. Few other clubs will pay top prices for apparently damaged goods, especially with those huge wages.This summer's buys have been impressive by United so far, but they need more and that could be scuppered unless those unwanted players are carefully removed.Sign up to read more from Pat Nevin in his Football Extra newsletter
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Monday's briefing: Euro 2025 glory for England as Diaz nears Liverpool departure
Monday's briefing: Euro 2025 glory for England as Diaz nears Liverpool departure

North Wales Chronicle

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  • North Wales Chronicle

Monday's briefing: Euro 2025 glory for England as Diaz nears Liverpool departure

After the game Lucy Bronze revealed the extraordinary lengths she had gone to in helping the team win a second major trophy under Sarina Wiegman, who herself has now won three European titles in a row. Away from the tournament, Luis Diaz is on his way out of Liverpool while new signing Viktor Gyokeres has joined up with Arsenal. England secured their Euro 2025 crown in a fashion in keeping with their performances throughout the entire tournament. After needing to recover from an opening loss to France just to make it out of the group stage, and then play 120 minutes against both Sweden and Italy to reach the final, England again came from behind on the night and went the distance as Alessia Russo cancelled out Mariona Caldentey's opener. After seeing goalkeeper Hannah Hampton make two key saves before Kelly's winning spot-kick, Wiegman called it 'the most chaotic and ridiculous tournament we have played' as the never-say-die attitude of her players again shone through. Captain Leah Williamson said: 'It's just total disbelief, but at the same time I knew it was going to happen. Playing for this England team is unbelievable. You just cannot put us down and it's such an amazing feeling to be a part of.' After Sunday's final England defender Bronze revealed she had played the whole of the tournament with a fractured tibia. The 33-year-old full-back had played every minute of Euro 2025 until she succumbed to a separate knee injury at half-time of extra time in Basel. 'I've actually played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia, but no one knew. And now I've hurt my knee on the other leg,' Bronze said on BBC Sport. Speaking after Bronze came through the quarter-final penalty shoot-out win over Sweden, Wiegman had said of Bronze: 'I think the only way to get her off the pitch is in the wheelchair' and we can now see what she meant. Luis Diaz is on his way out of Liverpool after the club agreed a £66million deal with Bayern Munich. The agreement comes after the Bundesliga champions were understood to have reopened dialogue regarding a move after having an initial offer of £59m dismissed last week. Liverpool are currently on their pre-season tour in Asia and Diaz was still with the team when they arrived in Tokyo on Sunday, but now has permission to leave. The 28-year-old has two years left on his original contract and it is understood the Reds accepted the bid for what they consider to be his market value. Great to have you with us, Viktor 👊 — Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 27, 2025 New signing Viktor Gyokeres watched on as Arsenal beat Newcastle 3-2 in their pre-season meeting in Singapore on Sunday. The 27-year-old striker completed his £55m move from Sporting Lisbon to the Gunners on Saturday and was presented to fans at the National Stadium before kick-off a day later. He saw Arsenal come from behind to beat the Magpies, with Martin Odegaard getting the winner from the penalty spot in the 84th minute. Arsenal are back in pre-season action against rivals Tottenham on Thursday, while Newcastle face an all-star K League side on Wednesday.

Swinney: New work for bus maker Alexander Dennis being explored
Swinney: New work for bus maker Alexander Dennis being explored

Scotsman

time2 minutes ago

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Swinney: New work for bus maker Alexander Dennis being explored

The First Minister said details remain commercially sensitive Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Scottish Government is actively exploring a package which could deliver new work to the troubled Alexander Dennis bus maker, John Swinney has said. The First Minister said he could not provide further details due to 'commercial sensitivity'. He has asked the company to consider an extension to its consultation period while the package is developed. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad General view of the Alexander Dennis site at Camelon, near Falkirk | PA Last month, Alexander Dennis announced it was proposing to consolidate its UK operations at a single site in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. The decision puts 400 jobs at risk at its facility in Falkirk in another blow to the Forth Valley, which has already seen more than 400 jobs go at the Grangemouth refinery this year. Mr Swinney said: 'Scottish ministers place the utmost importance on the presence of Alexander Dennis in Scotland and the retention of its highly skilled manufacturing workers. 'The Scottish Government has committed to exploring any and all viable options throughout the consultation period to allow the firm to retain its skilled employees and manufacturing and production facilities. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'While I cannot provide details due to commercial sensitivity at this time, I hope this update provides the workforce and local community with further assurance that the Scottish Government remains wholly committed to supporting the future of bus manufacturing in Scotland. 'We will undertake this work in tandem with every other short, medium and long-term opportunity we continue to explore in close collaboration with the company, Unite, GMB, Scottish Enterprise, Transport Scotland and the UK Government.' Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes will meet with the unions GMB and Unite today to update them on the proposal. Labour previously accused Holyrood ministers of overlooking Scottish industry in favour of ordering buses from China. Mr Swinney argued state aid regulations – in the form of the UK-wide Subsidy Control Act – prevent the Government from directly procuring from a single supplier like Alexander Dennis. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Speaking to The Scotsman last month, Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: "They [the Scottish Government] have to look themselves in the mirror. But they should be leaving no stone unturned about how we can keep this bus company open."

Sarina Wiegman proves Ian Wright wrong in Euro 2025 Final after 'massive mistake'
Sarina Wiegman proves Ian Wright wrong in Euro 2025 Final after 'massive mistake'

Daily Mirror

time3 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

Sarina Wiegman proves Ian Wright wrong in Euro 2025 Final after 'massive mistake'

The England women's team made more history with victory in the Euro 2025 final even after falling behind and losing one of the team's key players to injury in the first half England have won consecutive European titles after the Lionesses edged out Spain in a tense Euro 2025 final on penalties to retain the crown they clinched three years ago. ‌ Sarina Wiegman 's side headed into the tournament in Switzerland as one of the favourites. And they lived up to their billing by making it all the way to Sunday's showpiece final, where they avenged their defeat in the 2023 World Cup to Spain by beating the world champions 3-1 on penalties. ‌ Chloe Kelly - England's matchwinner in the Euro 2022 final - plundered the decisive penalty after being introduced from the bench just before half-time as a substitute for the struggling Lauren James. ‌ But Wiegman's decision to start James, who was plagued by an ankle injury, on the left-hand flank was deemed a "massive risk" by Ian Wright, working the match as a pundit for ITV. "Massive risk," Wright said while analysing James' selection pre-match. "I think she's [Wiegman] wasted a sub there. "She's obviously not right and not only that, she's put her on the other side. I said she should have been in the centre, not on the left side! Having to chase back Ona Batlle and chase back Aitana Bonmati when you're half fit. I think that's a massive mistake." While Wright was ultimately proved right with James having to be withdrawn shortly before the break, he needn't have worried about the England gameplan. Kelly has shone in her role as a super-sub for England throughout the tournament and her introduction from the bench was once again the catalyst for another famous night for the Lionesses. ‌ It was her cross from the left which was guided home by the head of Alessia Russo to force extra-time. And the 27-year-old Arsenal attacker was the coolest person in Switzerland when she stepped up to dispatch her winning spot-kick. Kelly was singled out post-match by Wiegman, who commended her for showing the character to get back to her best after a challenging period. She said of Kelly: "Every player has their own story. Every story is incredible. Her story is out in the open and I'm so happy for her. She has been fighting to come back to her highest level. She really wanted to take that penalty. To be able to score it under that pressure is incredible." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive y our daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Lionesses Bring It Home Again - Souvenir Edition Sarina Wiegman's legends have made history and brought football home once more after defending their title and winning Euro 2025 in Switzerland. We have produced this special souvenir edition of the Women's Football News. It is crammed with interviews with the Lionesses, special features, their match-by-match road to glory as well as dozens of amazing images. Click here to buy

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