Latest news with #KobbieMainoo
The Sun
12 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Mason Greenwood reunites with two more ex-Man Utd team-mates for training session in Manchester
MASON GREENWOOD has reunited with two more ex-Man United teammates for a training session in Manchester. The Marseille striker, 23, has spent the summer in England after netting 22 goals under former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi. 6 6 6 Greenwood played 129 times for United before joining Marseille for £26.6million last summer. And in June he was spotted training in Manchester alongside former United pal D'Mani Mellor. But despite the Ligue 1 season not starting until mid-August, Greenwood has once again been back in his home town for a brutal training session. This time, the forward was joined by not one but two former United teammates. The first was England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who is still at Old Trafford and desperate to nail down a spot under Ruben Amorim. Greenwood's second pal was none other than James Garner, who is entering his fourth season at Everton after making just seven appearances for United before leaving in 2022. And the big-name trio turned heads at a council playing fields in Manchester as they donned training gear and football boots. Greenwood will be hoping that his extra work during the summer break will boost his numbers further next term. His haul of 22 was markedly better than the 10 goals netted while on loan at Getafe during the 2023/24 season. And it's five better than the 17 struck while playing for United in the 2019/20 campaign. Ex Man Utd star Mason Greenwood welcomes 2nd child with partner Harriet Robson after starting new life in France 6 6 Indeed, Marseille boss De Zerbi reckons Greenwood can become a generational player. He said: 'Greenwood is a natural talent. All the credit goes to his mother and father. And I'm here to help him become more complete. 'When he needs a hug, a word of support, I gladly give it. And when I need to push him to give more, I have to do that too because that's my job. 'I would especially like to help him be remembered, in this stadium and by these supporters, as one of the greatest players to have played here at the Velodrome. 'There have been so many great players here, but I think Greenwood has the qualities to be remembered that way. And I'm trying to help him progress.'
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Mason Greenwood meets up with former Man United team-mates Kobbie Mainoo and James Garner as Marseille star steps up preparations for new season
Mason Greenwood has been spotted training in Manchester with former United team-mates Kobbie Mainoo and James Garner. Greenwood, 23, is fresh off an impressive debut season for Marseille that saw him score 21 goals in 34 Ligue 1 appearances as the French side qualified for the Champions League. The forward signed for Marseille last summer for a fee worth £27million, plus £3.2m in add-ons, after his 17-year association with United came to an end. That came after the 23-year-old was charged with attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour in October 2022, but the charges and case were dropped in February 2023 when key witnesses withdrew. Greenwood has always denied any wrongdoing. The Red Devils then decided Greenwood would not be integrated back into the first team in the summer of 2023 after an internal investigation took place and sent him on loan to Getafe for the 2023-24 season, before his permanent move to Marseille. And, on Tuesday, Greenwood was seen with Garner and Mainoo, two stars that also came through the United youth ranks, as he steps up his preparations for the new campaign. Mainoo is three years younger than Greenwood and signed his first professional deal in 2022 Greenwood and Garner, who now plays for Everton, were both in the same age group in the academy and they also featured for the first team together on five occasions. Mainoo is three years younger than Greenwood, but is a fellow academy product, and signed his first professional contract in May 2022. In the photos, the trio were seen in training gear and with football boots at a council playing fields in Manchester. Meanwhile, Greenwood has been linked with a move away from Marseille this summer after his 21 goals saw him share the Ligue 1 Golden Boot with PSG star and Ballon d'Or contender Ousmane Dembele. Back in May, The Telegraph claimed that two Premier League clubs were weighing up a move for the forward, who has been seen honing his skills over the summer in various other clips that have emerged on social media. However, the striker did face criticism at points in 2024-25 for his work rate, while he was also derided by supporters earlier this term and even dropped on one occasion by his supportive manager. Nevertheless, De Zerbi has generally spoken glowingly of Greenwood and revealed in April that he believes he has the qualities to join the pantheon of all-time greats at Marseille. 'Greenwood is a natural talent,' the Italian said. 'All the credit goes to his mother and father. And I'm here to help him become more complete. 'When he needs a hug, a word of support, I gladly give it. And when I need to push him to give more, I have to do that too because that's my job. 'I would especially like to help him be remembered, in this stadium and by these supporters, as one of the greatest players to have played here at the Vélodrome. 'There have been so many great players here, but I think Greenwood has the qualities to be remembered that way. And I'm trying to help him progress.' Marseille came second in Ligue 1 in 2024-25 which was enough for them to qualify for the Champions League, although they did finish 19 points behind champions PSG.
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Carlisle bring in ex-Man Utd youth player Murray
Carlisle United have signed Sam Murray following his release by Manchester defender, 20, has agreed a one-year contract with the Cumbria was part of the Manchester United team that won the FA Youth Cup in 2022 alongside Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro is the fifth new arrival at Carlisle this summer as they rebuild ahead of the National League are released on Wednesday, 9 July.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bayer Leverkusen loan could be key to unlocking the N'golo Kante in Man United's Toby Collyer
Bayer Leverkusen loan could be key to unlocking the N'golo Kante in Man United's Toby Collyer Heading into the 2024-25 season, one Manchester United academy star tipped for a breakout campaign was Toby Collyer. Back in 2023, just after United lifted the Carabao Cup, then-head coach Erik ten Hag was seen deep in conversation with Kobbie Mainoo. Advertisement Enter 2023–24: Mainoo, despite an early-season injury, went on to fight his way into becoming a dependable first-team regular. His resurgence culminated in a Man of the Match display in United's 2-1 FA Cup final win over Manchester City, earning him FA Cup Player of the Season honours. And so, following that success, it felt like déjà vu when, after that FA Cup final, Ten Hag was again seen chatting with Toby Collyer. Social media buzzed with speculation. Was Ten Hag ready to unearth another gem? Was Collyer about to enjoy his own 'Mainoo season' in 2024-25? Unfortunately, things did not go as planned for the young Red Devil. Collyer's 2024-25 did not go to plan: Ten Hag sacking and injuries United's early struggles in 2024–25 held back his progression. Ten Hag's dismissal also didn't help his case. Advertisement With the Dutch tactician gone, any progression plan laid out for the midfielder seemed to evaporate. Although new head coach Ruben Amorim was expected to implement the midfielder's progression plan, that did not happen immediately. Amorim's task was to steady a faltering United side, and understandably, taking a chance on an unproven player was not a top priority. To complicate matters further, Collyer then endured two separate injuries (a leg injury followed by a knock) that sidelined him for most of the second half of the season. He did manage 12 senior appearances, including a headline-grabbing debut against Liverpool and a goal-saving late cameo against Fulham, but there's little doubt: 2024–25 was not his season. So what now for Collyer? United are set for a squad rebuild this summer. New signings are expected, and several names could make way. Advertisement Collyer may not be one of those to be moved on as he remains highly regarded at Carrington — but is he truly in Amorim's plans? He could be if the former Sporting Lisbon boss is seeking his own N'Golo Kanté. 'He could do two jobs in one, and his ball retention was different class. You don't get midfielders like him anymore,' former Liverpool Women's manager Matt Beard told the MEN when asked about a team that might benefit from Collyer's services. 'He was sort of like (N'Golo) Kanté for Leicester. You need balance in a team. If you had three Kobbie Mainoos, you can't play them all. You need a combination, and Toby will do stuff Mainoo won't. He will break the play up and get the ball to Mainoo.' Advertisement But it's hard to see Amorim viewing it the same way. With pressure mounting for United to return to their best, team selections are bound to be critical. Reports linking Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney with a move only reinforce the sense that Collyer may find it difficult to break into the first team in the short term. And with Amorim admitting recently that, without European football, he doesn't need a large squad, proven talents will likely be favoured over promising prospects. Another season on the bench will not do for Collyer For regular game time, a season-long loan with no obligation to buy could be the best way forward. Advertisement One can only hope Ten Hag is quick to take him to Bayer Leverkusen. The Dutchman saw potential in Collyer and might know just how to unlock it. The familiarity, combined with a move to a side that still employs a 3-4-2-1 system (if Ten Hag persists with it), could be perfect for the 21-year-old. Collyer could thrive in the Bundesliga. Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham have already shown how well English talents adapt to German football. A full season in a familiar system could help Collyer rediscover rhythm, develop further, and return ready to take on the Premier League. If not, he could still be sold for a premium (like Bellingham and Sancho were), funds that INEOS could reinvest to help Amorim build his ideal United squad. Feature image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images Follow us on Bluesky: @
The Guardian
18-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Everton to take Nick Cox from Manchester United as technical director
Everton are poised to appoint Manchester United's director of academy, Nick Cox, as their technical director. Cox will be part of the new football structure put in place by the Friedkin Group. The chief executive, Angus Kinnear, disposed of the director of football position when Kevin Thelwell left, preferring a technical director who will take on some of the responsibilities of the previous role. The club engaged an external recruitment firm to identify candidates, with Cox appearing to be the standout. Cox joined United in 2016, overseeing the academy when they won the FA Youth Cup in 2022, and is credited with aiding the development of Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho. It is anticipated that Cox, who has just completed his Pro Licence coaching course, will stay at United for the coming months to help with the transition period. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion As part of the changes Everton have also brought in Nick Hammond from Leeds as head of trading and Chris Howarth as head of strategy, and James Smith is poised to return from Manchester City in a recruitment role.
