Manchester United have been training over the international break in preparation to face Nottingham Forest, while Newcastle are interested in hiring the club’s chief operating officer
Manchester United are going through a period of turmoil, with the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos team turning things upside down. Ruben Amorim is struggling for results, with United stuck in 13th place in the Premier League, and things aren’t much better off the pitch.
United have posted losses before tax of £312.9million over the past three seasons and are embarking on a major round of redundancies to cut costs. It is amid this context that Real Madrid’s reported interest in United skipper Bruno Fernandes needs to be viewed.
Real are considering a £90m bid for Fernandes in the summer transfer window and the bleak financial situation could play a part in the potential transfer. Meanwhile, another club is trying to poach a senior executive from United.
After a 16-day break, Amorim’s side will be back in action against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Tuesday night. Here are the latest headlines from Mirror Football.
READ MORE: Roy Keane’s stance on Bruno Fernandes exit as Real Madrid chase Man Utd starREAD MORE: Bruno Fernandes’ Man Utd transfer plea that was ignored as Real Madrid target £90m deal
Newcastle want United chief
Manchester United’s chief operating officer Collette Roche has been shortlisted as a candidate to become Newcastle’s new chief executive. Roche is understood to have drawn interest from the Magpies as they look to appoint a successor for Darren Eales.
While Ineos’ arrival just over a year ago brought about widespread changes at the club, Roche has been one of the rare examples of continuity behind the scenes. She has seen her role expanded under in the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era and is a valued member of the executive team.
As COO, she has taken a hands-on role in the football department, helping with the development of the training ground and the plans for a new stadium at Old Trafford. Eales was appointed in August 2022 at Newcastle and is stepping down from his position after being diagnosed with a chronic form of blood cancer.
Worst trainer named and shamed
Former United striker Andy Cole has named Gary Pallister as the worst trainer during his era at the club. Talking about the way training worked under Sir Alex Ferguson on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, he said: “What we did then was we brought out the yellow jersey, yeah? So once the yellow jersey come out…the worst player, you used to give them the yellow jersey. So the next week, they’ve got to wear the yellow jersey.”
When Ferdinand probed about who often ended up in the jersey, Cole said: “Pally”. He then added: “We loved it because you knew then yeah?
“Training, you had to be on it because no one wanted to wear that jersey at the end of the week. Nobody. And man would get real vexed saying, ‘Nah man, I’m not wearing that’. You’ve been voted so you’ve got to wear it.”
Antony transfer conditions
Real Betis sporting director Manu Fajardo says that the club may only be able to sign Antony permanently from Manchester United this summer if they qualify for the Champions League.
“In his case, we were able to anticipate and convince the player, and his entourage. Today, Antony is performing immediately from minute one in the squad,” he said.
“We haven’t lost our enthusiasm, we can’t rule out anything in football, and hopefully Real Betis will remain in the top European positions to benefit his continuity and the arrival of other great players.”
Antony is paid £105,000 per week and Betis don’t have the financial means to afford him without the boost of Champions League football. The Seville club are firmly in the race for the top four in La Liga, so could still make it.
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.
