Latest news with #Solskjaer
Daily Mirror
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd suffering from £400m mess that Ruben Amorim's summer signings must fix
Despite Manchester United having a hefty transfer budget to reclaim their spot amongst England's footballing elite, recruitment has been a significant hurdle. The Red Devils have struggled to maintain consistent success since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, but it's not for want of effort. Without a Premier League title since the 2012/13 season, the club has been on the hunt for that elusive 21st league victory, splashing out colossal sums of money in the process. After cycling through managers like David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho, United entrusted the reins to club icon Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He made a splash in his first full season, shelling out over £200million on Daniel James, Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Bruno Fernandes. However, it's the five-year period from the summer of 2020 that has seen the club - who've spent over £400m during this time - experience a historic plummet, culminating in their 15th-placed finish last season, their worst league position since the 1973/74 season. Solskjaer approved the signings of Donny van de Beek, Alex Telles, and Facundo Pellistri in 2020. Van de Beek cost £35m and only played 62 matches for the club before departing for an initial fee of just £423,000 (€500,000). In his final and most significant transfer window at the club, the Norwegian legend brought Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford, splashed out £34million on World Cup champion Raphael Varane, and forked out a staggering £73m for Jadon Sancho. The Englishman arrived with a glowing reputation from his stint at Borussia Dortmund but failed to replicate his German form. Sancho, 25, eventually fell out of favour with Solskjaer's successor, Erik ten Hag, who relegated him from the first-team in the 2023/24 season. He was subsequently loaned out to Chelsea last season after being deemed surplus to requirements by Amorim and is expected to leave the club once again. Like Solskjaer, Ten Hag received strong backing in the transfer market as he raided the Eredivisie, signing Tyrell Malacia for £13m and Lisandro Martinez for £46m from his former club Ajax. He also made Antony the second-most expensive player in United's history, spending £81m to secure him. The Brazilian may have had a promising start, scoring three goals in his first three games, but he managed just nine more goals in his next 93 games, earning him the dishonour of being one of the worst signings in Premier League history. He was loaned out to Real Betis in January and is likely to be one of the players leaving United permanently. The 2023/24 transfer dealings of United are something they continue to pay the price for. The big-money signings of Mason Mount (£55m), Andre Onana (£43m) and Rasmus Hojlund (£64m) have all failed to hit the mark, with the striker and goalkeeping positions expected to be bolstered this summer. Despite United actively searching the managerial market to potentially replace Ten Hag following his FA Cup final victory over Manchester City, he remained at the helm as he once again splashed the cash. Among the likes of Matthijs De Ligt, Manuel Ugarte, and Leny Yoro, it was the £36m spent on Joshua Zirkzee that left fans feeling deflated after a disappointing debut season at Old Trafford. The forward netted a paltry seven goals, with just three of them coming in the Premier League. There are several areas Amorim is looking to strengthen and he has filled one void so far after signing Matheus Cunha for £62.5m from Wolves earlier this month. The Portuguese boss is also a huge fan of Bryan Mbeumo and Viktor Gyokeres as he looks to address United's goal-scoring woes. A replacement for Onana could be in the pipeline this summer in what could turn out to be the most crucial summer in United's recent history - or just another huge dump of money after seeing in excess of £400m go down the drain. Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. 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.
Daily Mirror
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ex-Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 'offered' surprise Championship deal
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has spent two seasons playing for Besiktas, but manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be about to end his spell in Turkey, with Leicester interested in his services Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is being eyed by Leicester after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made it clear that Besiktas want to sell him this summer. Oxlade-Chamberlain has just finished his second season with Besiktas and it seems he could be approaching the end of his time in Istanbul. The former Arsenal midfielder arrived in Turkey in the summer of 2023 after leaving Liverpool on a free transfer. He has endured a rollercoaster time with Besiktas, playing under nine different managers during his two years. It initially appeared as though he would leave the club last summer, just one year into his three-year contract, after being frozen out by Giovanni van Bronckhorst. But he rode out Van Bronckhorst's short-lived spell in charge and ended up becoming more involved once ex-Manchester United boss Solskjaer arrived. The 31-year-old, who is engaged to singer Perrie Edwards, ended up making 20 appearances in all competitions, although he was ineligible to play in the Europa League, having been omitted from the squad. He appeared to blossom under Solskjaer's management, but his wages have presented an issue. According to reports in Turkey, Bestikas are keen to get his £2.2million annual salary off their wage bill and Leicester have approached the club about signing Oxlade-Chamberlain. The Foxes have been relegated to the Championship and are rebuilding after sacking Ruud van Nistelrooy and releasing a group of players. Oxlade-Chamberlain has won the Premier League, Champions League, Carabao Cup, Super Cup and Club World Cup with Liverpool, three FA Cups with Arsenal and has claimed the Turkish Cup and Turkish Super Cup with Bestikas, despite his struggles there. Nevertheless, it seems he is searching for regular game time at this stage of his career, having previously struggled with injuries and with rotation. Speaking to The Athletic in October 2023, he said: 'Whatever your career path is, it's about what keeps you motivated. For some people, it could be money. For others, it's winning. Others might just want to score goals. Whatever it is, you want those needs to be met. That's what gives you the will to keep going. 'I just want to play. I need to play, to take this opportunity and see what I can still achieve while my legs are still moving.' Solskjaer will have to take a pragmatic approach with Besiktas due to their situation. "Everyone knows you need time to shape a team into what you want it to look like. But you have to manage it the best you can, not as you wish it was,' Solskjaer told BBC Sport last month. 'There are things I want my team to do that this one can't. We have come into a difficult financial period because in the past the club has spent money, maybe not so wisely." He added: "Look, recruitment is probably the most important thing in football. You need the structures right and you need to get the right people in. "When you manage two, three, four or five different managers' players, it is hard to make it balance into a team you want to see. Everyone knows you need continuity and patience to get success, but not too many get it." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your 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.
Metro
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer pushing to sign Arsenal star after 'positive' meeting
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Besiktas have held a 'positive' meeting over a summer deal with Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, according to reports in Turkey. Solskjaer, who played for and managed Manchester United, is planning to sign a new midfielder in his first transfer window in charge of Turkish Super Lig club Besiktas. Besiktas were in crisis before Solskjaer's arrival in January but the Old Trafford legend has stabilised the club on and off the pitch. They have climbed to fourth in the Super Lig ahead of their final two games of the season and already qualified for next season's Europa League. Besiktas have been one of the best teams in Turkey since Solskjaer's appointment and the former Premier League star is keen for his team to kick on next season with the help of some summer additions. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. At least one new midfielder will be added to Solskjaer's squad and the ex-Norway international has identified Partey as a top target. Partey has enjoyed arguably his best season at Arsenal and his form has attracted interest from the likes of Atletico Madrid and Juventus, as well as clubs in Saudi Arabia. The 31-year-old's current deal is due to expire at the end of next month and he is yet to agree fresh terms. Partey is believed to be keen on extending his stay at the Emirates Stadium but will of course leave if a deal cannot be struck. Turkish outlet Fanatik say Besiktas have already made contact with Partey's agent and held a 'positive' meeting about bringing him to the club. Arsenal will make one last attempt to keep Partey in north London following the end of the Premier League season, with Mikel Arteta recently confirming he wanted the Ghana international to stay. 'In regards to Thomas, consistency-wise, it's been his best season,' Arteta said before Arsenal's final game of the season against Southampton. 'I think the way he's played, performed, his availability has been exceptional and he's a really important player for us.' Asked if he wanted Partey to remain at the Gunners, Arteta simply replied: 'Yes'. Partey is not the only Arsenal player coming towards the end of his contract, with fellow midfielder Jorginho and full-back Kieran Tierney in the same boat. More Trending Jorginho is expected to join Brazilian club Flamengo on a free transfer while Tierney, whose Arsenal career has been plagued by injury problems, is poised to return to Celtic. 'Well, there's some question marks on a few of them, so we'll have to wait and see,' Arteta said. 'We still have another Premier League match to play on Sunday and after that we have some time to sit down and finalise a few things that have to be done.' Arsenal appointed Andrea Berta as their new sporting director earlier in the year and the former Atletico Madrid chief will oversee transfer dealings this summer. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Rio Ferdinand says Manchester United sold £75m Chelsea flop 'too soon' MORE: Matheus Cunha takes Manchester United star's shirt number ahead of £62.5m transfer MORE: Paul Scholes urges Jack Grealish to join Premier League club after Man City snub
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Rise and fall of Brandon Williams as ex-Man Utd star sentenced for 99mph crash
Manchester United academy graduate Brandon Williams has been sentenced to 14 months in prison, suspended for two years, after a high-speed car crash in August 2023 Less than a year after being released by Manchester United, Brandon Williams has been sentenced to 14 months in prison, suspended for two years. And after recently saying it hurt him to watch football, the full back who had been tipped for the very top finds his career in tatters. Williams, 24, pleaded guilty to driving dangerously, with a balloon in his mouth, and hitting a top speed of 99mph before crashing his Audi A3 into a Ford Fiesta on the A34 near Handforth, Cheshire in August 2023. And on Friday he was handed a suspended 14-month prison sentence, 180 hours of community service and banned from driving for 30 months. This was not Williams' first driving offence – he had already accumulated 30 points on his licence – but the damage caused remains untold. And although he avoided prison, there remains serious doubts over whether a player once so highly rated, has a future in the game - having not played a game for 12 months. Rare is the player who can return from such a long spell out of the game to hit the heights of before. And it is hard to predict whether clubs will eventually be willing to take a punt on someone with undoubted talent but too many red marks to his name. Williams joined United's academy aged eight and made his first-team breakthrough under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer while still a teenager in a Europa League draw away to AZ Alkmaar. And after an otherwise forgettable scoreless encounter Solskjaer was more than enthused by the left back's bow. 'You won't see a better full debut from a full back anywhere,' Solskjaer said. 'The boy is just going to improve and improve. He's got the right mentality.' Plenty more opportunities followed with Williams finishing the 2019-20 season by making 36 appearances across all competitions. 'He's been fantastic the few games he's played,' Solskjaer said later in that debut campaign. 'The boy has no fear, he is as brave as a lion and he got us the win.' But as Williams recently said on the More Than A Match podcast, he found life 'went from 0-100 real quick and that's what people will never understand.' The pandemic affected him. While his team-mates were living in their gated mansions, he found life difficult living in a bedroom at his mum's house. But the lockdown summer brought a four-year deal worth more than £50,000 per and external expectations were that he would kick on. There would be no regular starting spot during 2020-21 and he was sent on loan to Norwich City the following year. At Carrow Road, Williams featured semi-regularly as they were relegated to the Championship - and briefly landed himself in hot water because of an Instagram post apparently directed at Canaries fans who he claimed followed him home after a defeat to West Ham. He returned to Old Trafford in the summer of 2022 but could not find a way into new head coach Erik ten Hag's plans and found the attention from those in his outer circle was proving a distraction. With game time limited, the window for off-field distractions grew bigger. 'It was difficult,' he added to More Than A Match. 'You had family members you didn't know was (sic) your family, friends you didn't know was your mates.' Another loan, to Ipswich Town at the start of last season, brought a clean slate and the initial signs were promising. Except the Cheshire crash came a few days before. 'At that point, I was in a bad situation, stuff was going on,' Williams said on the same podcast. He required hospital treatment before he was arrested and breathalysed but tests for drugs and alcohol were negative. Recorder Eric Lamb acknowledged that Williams had 'strong personal mitigation' after committing the offence at a time of depression. Still, prosecutors said that Williams - who had previously received driving bans of six months in October 2023 and 12 months in May 2024 - it was fortunate no one was killed from his 'erratic driving.' Andrew Madden, senior Crown Prosecution Service prosecutor, said Williams' driving "clearly fell far below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver.' Mr Madden added: "Witnesses said Williams kept speeding up and then braking sharply. It was clear he wasn't in control of the vehicle. The driving was erratic and the speed was grossly excessive. Eventually, Williams lost control completely and crashed." Now the career of a player that Manchester United had the highest hopes for is under serious doubt. Williams himself has suggested that continuing his playing career away from the glaring lights of the Premier League may be his best option. He said: "I've had loads of teams trying to get me out - America, Europe and England - but I haven't been ready. I want to go somewhere 100% focused and kick on. "I would like to experience that different culture. I'm only 24 so I could do three or four years abroad. Definitely Europe at a good club or an upcoming club."
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Donny van de Beek points the finger over Man Utd struggles after exit
Donny van de Beek was never given a fair shot at Manchester United and has attributed his injury woes to the amount of time he spent on the bench at Old Trafford Donny van de Beek has claimed his injury struggles date back to his time warming the bench at Manchester United. The Dutchman was signed in 2020 but was unable to ever make himself a regular. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spent £35million to land the versatile attacker, but only made us of him sporadically as Van de Beek's frustration mounted. He scored on his debut but was rarely preferred to Bruno Fernandes with his minutes very much at a premium. He's since left, joining Girona in Spain, but has continued to battle an Achilles issue. The Dutchman has enjoyed far more minutes than he did at Old Trafford but clearly still has a chip on his shoulder when it comes to his underwhelming stint in Manchester. Solskjaer continued to defend his lack of use of the player, but in the years since Van de Beek's health has been a battle. He confessed that the time he spent as a sub means his body was less accustomed to the intensity of playing regularly. He told SportBible: "It's difficult to build rhythm and confidence when you're constantly being sidelined. It's hard to be at your best when you're in and out of the team, and I think when you're not playing regularly. Your body isn't used to the intensity and you become more prone to injuries. The lack of consistent minutes didn't help either." Van de Beek's goal on his debut did little to aid his cause and even when he would impress he was quickly returned to his bench role. He also admits the random cameos did nothing for his case with bit part minutes not helping him become a regular. He said: "I think I deserved more chances, especially in my first year. I didn't play all the time, but when I did, I had some good games. I was convinced I would get more opportunities. I felt good, and thought, 'Okay, my time will come' but for some reason, it didn't happen. After a year or two, it gets harder because if you don't get a longer run of games then it's difficult to prove yourself." Van de Beek would score the last goal of the Solskjaer era as he came off the bench to score what would be a consolation during a 4-1 loss at Watford. The Norwegian was forced to defend his use of the player on several occasions and claimed leaving him on the bench spoke to the quality of the squad. "I think it says a lot about our depth of quality in the squad that we don't have to use him every single game," he said. Despite that claim Van de Beek would make just four starts in his only full season under Solskjaer and things didn't change when Erik ten Hag, who coached him at Ajax, came on board before he eventually left Manchester.
