Tag: Man United

Ruben Amorim said his Manchester United players abandoned their attacking principles after taking the lead against Fulham, claiming their defensive mentality cost them victory in Sunday’s 1-1 Premier League draw at Craven Cottage.

United scored through an own goal off Rodrigo Muniz’s back but surrendered their advantage when Fulham substitute Emile Smith Rowe struck 93 seconds after entering the fray.

The result leaves the visitors with a solitary point from their opening two Premier League matches.

“We scored the goal and then we forgot about how we play. We want to win so badly and that is a good feeling, that we scored a goal and everyone on the pitch was thinking, ‘Let’s hold onto the advantage and try to win the game’,” Amorim told the BBC.

“For me that is the moment that we have to enjoy more and push the opponent. We tried to press the opponent super high and left a lot of space.

“We have to grow up a lot as a team. For me the most important thing is that during the week they were working really hard. Today we worked really hard and we are going to improve. The moment that changed the game was our goal.”

A pivotal moment in the first half saw United skipper Bruno Fernandes miss a penalty that was awarded after a VAR check, with the playmaker sending it high over the bar.

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It marked the fifth time he has missed a penalty since his Premier League debut in 2020.

“I think he is not used to missing penalties. He knows the importance, that this moment can have a huge impact on the team,” Amorim told Sky Sports.

“During the game he was not happy because he was not involved and he has so much responsibility and I think he thought missing the penalty was huge for us.”

Despite already trailing leaders Arsenal by five points early in the campaign, Amorim remained bullish about United’s prospects in the league.

“We just want to win games. The players know they are playing in a club where they need to be better,” he said. “I am really confident that we are going to get many wins.”

Liverpool will kick off their Premier League title defence at home to Bournemouth on Friday, August 15 while Arsenal head to Manchester United in a blockbuster clash on the opening weekend.

Arne Slot’s champions have the chance to secure the first points of the new season at Anfield as they launch the 2025⁄26 campaign, bidding for a record 21st English top-flight crown.

Following the Bournemouth game Liverpool have tricky fixtures at Newcastle and at home to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, runners-up for the past three seasons.

Thomas Frank’s first match as Tottenham boss will come on August 16 at home against newly promoted Burnley, while Sunderland make their return to the Premier League against West Ham.

The third newcomers, Leeds, play Everton on Monday, August 18.

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, who ended last season empty-handed, will be desperate to get off to a winning start against Wolves at Molineux.

Everton fans will have to wait until the second round of fixtures for their first league game at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium, when they will face Brighton.

Liverpool dominated the Premier League last season, romping to a record-equalling 20th title with four games to spare in Slot’s first season in charge.

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They have already strengthened their squad.

Liverpool have agreed a club-record deal, reportedly worth up to £116 million ($156 million) to sign Florian Wirtz along with his Bayer Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong.

A deal for Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez is understood to be well-advanced.

Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United, who will be desperate to hit the ground running after a terrible season, have been handed a tough test with a home game against Arsenal on August 17.

United finished 15th in the league, their lowest position since they were relegated in the 1973⁄74 season, and lost in the Europa League final against Tottenham.

Amorim has started a squad rebuild, bringing in Matheus Cunha from Wolves.

The season consists of 380 games over 33 weekends and five midweek rounds. It concludes on May 24 with matches including Manchester City against Aston Villa.

The Premier League said the start date “allows for the maximum player rest time available –- 83 clear days –- from the end of the 2024⁄25 season”.

The World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States begins on June 11, 2026.

First round of fixtures for the 2025/26 Premier League season:

Friday August 15

Liverpool vs Bournemouth

Saturday August 16

Aston Villa vs Newcastle

Brighton vs Fulham

Nottingham Forest vs Brentford

Sunderland vs West Ham

Tottenham vs Burnley

Wolves vs Manchester City

Sunday August 17

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace

Manchester United vs Arsenal

Monday August 18

Leeds vs Everton

Tottenham Hotspur won a scrappy Europa League final 1-0 against Manchester United in Bilbao  to salvage their season and earn a berth in next year’s Champions League thanks to Brennan Johnson’s bundled first-half goal.

It was Spurs’ first silverware since the 2008 League Cup and their first European trophy since 1984, but the fourth time they had beaten United this season.

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Johnson scored in the 42^nd  minute when United’s defence crumbled as Pape Sarr swung in a cross while goalkeeper Andre Onana remained rooted to his line. Johnson and United defender Luke Shaw rushed in and the ball appeared to glance off both of them and in, past Onana’s desperate swipe.

The goal was as scrappy as the game in a matchup of teams who have had wildly disappointing Premier League seasons, with United languishing in 16th and Spurs 17^th .

United’s Rasmus Hojlund had a terrific chance to equalise with a header midway through the second half, but Spurs’ Micky van de Ven leapt for a stunning clearance off the line.

Premier League action resumes this weekend as 13^th -placed Manchester United travel to face 14^th -placed Tottenham Hotspur in the standout fixture of week 25. The game kicks off at 5:30 pm on Sunday and will be available for streaming on Showmax.

United will be seeking revenge after their dramatic 4-3 Carabao Cup quarter final defeat at Tottenham earlier this season. The Red Devils have not beaten Spurs since October 2022 and will be desperate to secure three points in what has been an underwhelming campaign for both sides.

The dismal campaign has seen both sides amass a combined 56 points—equal with Liverpool’s point tally. Spurs, who triumphed 3-0 at Old Trafford earlier this season, could complete a rare league double over United with a win.

Week 25 action begins tonight as Chelsea return to the AMEX Stadium to take on Brighton & Hove Albion at 9 pm. The two sides recently clashed in the FA Cup fourth round, with the Seagulls advancing to the next stage after a 2-1 victory. This Premier League encounter will be live on Showmax.

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Tomorrow, Arsenal travel to face relegation-threatened Leicester City in an early kick-off at 1:30 pm. The Gunners, currently six points behind Liverpool, have little room for error in their title pursuit. Meanwhile, the Foxes are battling for survival, sitting two points away from safety. A result against Arsenal could prove vital in their fight against relegation.

Later  tomorrow, Manchester City will host Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium at 4 pm. With one eye on their Champions League round-of-16 second-leg clash against Real Madrid next week, City will be aiming to keep their top-four hopes alive. Both teams are tied on 41 points, with City in fifth and Newcastle in sixth, making this a crucial showdown in the race for European football.

League leaders Liverpool will also be in action with a home clash against 17^th -placed Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield on Sunday at 3 pm. With the title race heating up, the Reds will be keen to secure another three points.

All matches will be available for streaming on Showmax’s Premier League package.

Kvaratskhelia is believed to be open to a potential departure, having failed to make progress in talks over extending his contract with Napoli beyond the end of his current deal in 2027.

According to L’Equipe, PSG are in regular contact over a potential deal to bring the Georgian winger to the French capital. However, the report claimed that the Ligue 1 champions are facing competition from Man United, who could use Marcus Rashford in a potential swap proposal.

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Rashford is expected to leave Old Trafford this winter and has been linked with a number of potential suitors, including AC Milan, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund and West Ham United.

Meanwhile, The Athletic are reporting that Liverpool could join the race to sign Kvaratskhelia if it becomes apparent that the winger will leave Napoli in the winter transfer window.