Latest news with #Amorim
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd's Gyokeres boost after price change as swap deal impacts Garnacho
Manchester United are expected to have a busy summer transfer window as Ruben Amorim looks to build a squad that can right the wrongs of a woeful 2024/25 campaign The fate of Manchester United 's 2025/26 season hinges on the transfers they are able to pull off in the next two months. The 2024/25 campaign was the club's worst in recent memory, with Ruben Amorim's men repeatedly setting unwanted records. They finished 15th in the Premier League and missed out on Champions League football after a defeat in the Europa League final in May. However, a glimmer of hope emerged from their misery. It was clearly evident that a rebuild - built in Amorim's vision - was needed for their Portuguese boss to stand a chance at success next season. United kicked off the transfer window by announcing the signing of Wolves striker Matheus Cunha in a £62.5million deal earlier this month. The club's hierarchy continues to operate behind the scenes to orchestrate more signings and sales, with several high-profile names linked with an Old Trafford move this summer. Here, Mirror Football takes a look at three recent developments that could influence United's transfer dealings in the weeks ahead. Alejandro Garnacho transfer blow It's clear that Garnacho's days at Old Trafford are numbered. The 20-year-old voiced his dissatisfaction towards Amorim following United's Europa League loss to Spurs in Bilbao, having only been brought on from the 71st minute during the final. It was just the latest in a series of behavioural issues involving the Argentine winger, with Chelsea and Napoli's interest providing the perfect chance to sell him this summer. Garnacho's own preference is to remain in the Premier League, which initially made Chelsea the front-runners for his signature. However, it seems that the Blues have now swapped their Garnacho interest in favour of another winger, Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Gittens, who they are reportedly nearing a deal for a fee of £55.5m. Gittens' move to Stamford Bridge would likely put an end to their pursuit of Garnacho. That leaves United searching for another buyer for a player whose sale would generate substantial funds for new players. Chelsea could send £35m-rated Josh Acheampong to Dortmund in return in a separate deal, with The Independent claiming the Bundesliga side are interested in signing him. Viktor Gyokeres twist Amorim is clearly a fan of Gyokeres, having played a crucial role in the striker's evolution into a world-class player during their time together at Sporting CP. However, until now, the Swede has insisted that he only wants a move to Premier League rivals Arsenal this summer, as the Gunners weigh up whether to purchase him or RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko. Sesko is thought to be Mikel Arteta's preferred signing, but Gyokeres was still very much in contention due to his lower price tag. Yet, according to Bild, Leipzig have now reduced their initial asking price of £68-£85m to around £59.7m, which could see Arsenal proceed with their deal for Sesko. This could put Gyokeres in an unwanted position as his agent has already fallen out with Sporting's bosses by trying to orchestrate a move away. The development, however, provides the perfect opportunity for United to swoop in, should Gyokeres prefer a Premier League move to other options in Europe, with Juventus and other teams also lurking. Bryan Mbeumo makes a decision On Friday, The Athletic reported that United target Mbeumo has told Brentford he would prefer to sign for the Red Devils if he moves on this summer. Mbeumo's current contract runs until June 2026, though the Bees have the option to extend it by another 12 months. Despite this, United have made two offers, the second being £55m plus £7.5m in bonuses, both of which were turned down. Negotiations have been ongoing between the two clubs, but a potential deal was being threatened by Tottenham, who recently appointed Mbeumo's former Brentford boss, Thomas Frank, as head coach. However, it is understood that the Cameroon international only has eyes for United, with Spurs' interest now thought to be waning. With the player's position clear, it's up to United and Brentford to agree on a transfer that would significantly bolster Amorim's squad next season.
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Amorim makes special request to Man Utd board in bid to avoid second nightmare
Manchester United endured a woeful first season under the tutelage of Rubem Amorim and it appears that the Portuguese is keen on some more changes behind the scenes at Old Trafford Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has requested his former trusted ally Acacio Valentim be added to his staff as part of another coaching restructure. The Portuguese head coach is determined to avoid another woeful campaign after a tricky first season at the helm. After replacing Erik ten Hag following a move from Sporting Lisbon, he led United to 14th in the Premier League, while they were defeated in the Europa League final by Spurs. And ahead of his second season with the club, Amorim has asked for some help behind the scenes. According to Portuguese outlet Record, Amorim has made a personal request to United chiefs to make a move for Acacio Valentim. The 49-year-old previously worked alongside his countryman as a coach at former club Braga, with Amorim keen to be reunited at Old Trafford. Talks are reportedly underway over a move to the UK, with Valentim a free agent having exited the Portuguese club this summer. His move would become the latest reshuffle behind the scenes since Amorim's arrival. Erik ten Hag 's former staff members including Ruud van Nistelrooy all left - the Dutchman has now been sacked by Leicester. Rene Hake, Jelle ten Rouwelaar and Pieter Morel all also left following Amorim's arrival. Set piece coach Andreas Georgson was initially retained but appeared to take on a new role in December after Amorim confirmed that his assistant Carlos Fernandes was instead at the forefront of set piece planning. Explaining the change after a clash with Arsenal, he said: "The thinking is Carlos is responsible for set pieces, different stuff. Andreas is also there to help. That's it. That's the reason. "I think if you follow Premier League for a long time you can see that they (Arsenal) are also big players for that. And you can see it in every occasion that (Bukayo) Saka and (Gabriel) Martinelli has one against one, a lot of times they go outside and cross. They already know if the cross is going well, they can score. If it's a corner, they can score. "So we have to be better on that situation but like in every area of our game we need time to improve also. But you can see in all Arsenal games every team has a problem with that." Georgson eventually left his role in May of this year, while a number of prominent backroom figures have also departed Old Trafford over recent weeks.
2 days ago
- Sport
A group of Brazilian women battling cancer find new hope thanks to Va'a canoeing
RIO DE JANEIRO -- When breast cancer turned her life upside down, Anna Lucia Amorim, a 63-year-old Brazilian from Rio de Janeiro state, fell into a deep depression sometimes struggling to get out of bed. But everything changed, she said, after she started practicing Va'a canoeing in Niteroi, a city facing Rio across Guanabara Bay, with other women who have battled cancer or were undergoing treatment. 'Every time you put the paddle in the water, it's like a new life,' she told The Associated Press on Thursday. 'When you are there, you forget everything. You only see the sea and the sky.' Amorim is part of Va'a Roses, a group of cancer patients and survivors between the ages of 52 and 70 who partake in local and national competitions of Va'a canoeing. Originating in the Pacific region, Va'a canoes — which traditionally have outriggers and can be single or double-hull — are now popular worldwide. In Niteroi, the Va'a Roses train twice weekly just after 7 a.m., departing from the sheltered Charitas Beach surrounded by harbors and sloping mountains, from which one can spot the famed Christ the Redeemer statue. Guanabara Bay has a reputation for being polluted by garbage and sewage, but members of the Va'a Roses say they regularly see turtles, rays and other fish — even dolphins. 'You wouldn't think that Guanabara Bay has so much life,' said Flavia Bichara, a 52-year-old lawyer who is currently undergoing chemotherapy for lung cancer. She said the hope of spotting a turtle and watching the sun rise gives her ample motivation to get out of bed early. 'The sunrise, for us, symbolizes coming back to life," she said. Polynesian canoeing and water sports in general have become increasingly popular in Niteroi over the last few years, said Isabel Swan, the municipality's deputy mayor who has an Olympic bronze medal in sailing. The number of Polynesian canoeing clubs in the area has jumped from five to around 40 in the last decade. 'This boom occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic, because people can practice water sports while complying with social distancing rules,' she said. In August, Niteroi will host the Va'a long distance world championship in which around a thousand athletes from 30 countries will compete. And alongside Rio, the city is a candidate to host the 2031 Pan American Games. Estella Tourl, 68, was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago. As well as the stunning setting, she says she loves the social aspect of the activity. 'We're in nature, we exercise and we talk. Afterward everyone sits together, we have coffee and laugh. It's stimulating – we want to live,' Tourl said.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Teddy Sheringham issues warning with brutal early Man Utd vs Arsenal prediction
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim knows he must hit the ground running when the 2025-26 season begins, with the pressure on at Old Trafford after the club's dismal 2024-25 campaign Teddy Sheringham reckons Manchester United could get hammered by Arsenal in their first game next season – piling further pressure on Ruben Amorim. United welcome Mikel Arteta's side – runners'-up in the Premier League last season – at Old Trafford for their opening fixture of the new league campaign . But United legend Sheringham, who helped the Red Devils to their historic Treble triumph of 1999, fears they could lose by as much as 4-0 to the Gunners, who will be pushing for the title after falling short the past two seasons. Sheringham fears a humiliating loss for Amorim's side on the opening weekend will see the United boss come under immediate pressure and suggested it may be hard for him to turn the situation around. 'United are signing players and getting ready for a much different season this year than last year, but they must have those concerns on their mind at the moment,' said Sheringham. 'More so than what Arsenal have on their minds. 'It really is a horrible game for them to start the season. If the result is bad, if the scoreline is bad, things can escalate very quickly over there. 'Everyone's talking about Arsenal having a big, tough start to the season. First six or seven games, they look really tough. But I think when the fixtures came out, it was United who looked at them and said 'Oh no, Arsenal at home in the first game'. 'You can imagine Arsenal coming up there with all the confidence, all the intent right now. They've got the momentum, a good squad. United are still figuring it out under Amorim. 'If Arsenal go up there and roll United over and if they're comfortable, get an early goal, a second before half-time, maybe even a third or fourth in the second half? 'Arsenal are usually really strong at the start of the season. You're more likely to get a result if it's later on and they're looking over their shoulder a little bit. It's only one game, but if Arsenal really roll them over, United fans are going to be putting the pressure on Amorim from the get-go.' Sheringham also said United striker Marcus Rashford is making a big mistake by holding out for a summer move to Barcelona. Rashford spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, after falling out with Amorim, but Sheringham said going to Barca would send out the wrong message to United and their fans. 'I certainly hope he isn't,' said Sheringham, speaking to Racing Tipster. 'A few years ago, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was seen as the bad apple at Arsenal. Arteta wanted him out and he ended up going to Barcelona. What a move that is, for a bad apple! 'For Rashford to not want to play at United, telling people after he signed a mega-deal that he doesn't want to play for them, and yet he's happy to pick up the money. Now he wants to go to Barcelona? It's like, 'oof!'. 'I really hope it doesn't happen. That's not the way football careers should work, for me. If you're playing well, okay, look at where you can go. See if you can get a move to a team like Barcelona. Try and make yourself even better. 'But not for downing tools and demanding that you get to go somewhere that's debatably better than how you're currently playing. That just doesn't sit well with me. I don't think Rashford could say that he has played his way into a move to the Camp Nou over the last few years.'
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim brought players to tears after announcing exit
Ruben Amorim has become a contentious figure at Manchester United, but the picture was completely different at his former side Sporting Lisbon Sporting Lisbon players went from celebrating a vital victory to bursting into tears when Ruben Amorim told them he would be leaving to join Manchester United. Amorim, 40, was appointed as manager of the Red Devils at the start of November, but did not officially start at Old Trafford until 11 days later. He left a squad who were on their way to their third Primeira Liga title in five seasons and looked set to finish in the top eight of the Champions League division phase. He also said goodbye to a group of players who loved him as a manager and mentor. This was confirmed by their emotional reaction when he told them he was going to Old Trafford. Sporting star Geny Catamo revealed a huge number of players burst into tears when Amorim informed them of his decision. In an interview with Bar Da Liga, the Mozambique international said: "A week before, we were informed Manchester United was interested in our manager. Ruben Amorim only told us that everything was fine and not to worry, we just had to focus on our game in Braga. "It was an epic match; losing 2-0 and turning it around to 4-2 in the second half. It was the best football we played all season. "We were all celebrating in the locker room when he came in and announced he was indeed going to Manchester United. We were sad and cried. Most players cried. I believe I was one of those who cried the most that day." United forked out £11million to release Amorim from his contract at Sporting. When the news was announced, he remained with the Portuguese side to oversee clashes against Estrela, Manchester City in the Champions League and Braga. He would go on to mastermind convincing victories in all three matches, that ended 5-1, 4-1 and 4-2 in Sporting's favour. However, while the Sporting stars were devastated to see him leave, Amorim has not formed the same bond with his United players. In fact, the mood at Old Trafford has been the complete opposite, as United have not improved under his stewardship so far. After taking over from Erik ten Hag, Amorim was only able to guide United to 15th, their lowest position in Premier League history. Their loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final also meant United failed to qualify for European football for the first time since the 2014/15 campaign. While Sporting players were heartbroken when Amorim left, the current crop of United players do not have that same affection for the Portuguese boss, yet. One of Amorim's first major decisions at Old Trafford was to banish academy graduate Marcus Rashford, by leaving him out of the squad on several occasions before sending him on loan to Aston Villa in the January transfer window. In February, the Mail claimed several United players discussed whether Amorim should change his tactics, with the Portuguese boss insisting on using the same 3-4-3 formation he used at Sporting, for better or for worse. Moreover, Alejandro Garnacho also looks set to meet the same fate as Rashford. The Argentine winger publicly criticised Amorim after he was left out of the starting eleven for the Europa League final. Not long after reportedly being told to find a new club by the United boss, Garnacho was recently pictured wearing an Aston Villa shirt with Rashford's name on the back. He has since been linked with moves to Chelsea and Napoli.
