Tag: Manchester United

  • EPL: Manchester United secure 2-1 comeback win against Brentford

    EPL: Manchester United secure 2-1 comeback win against Brentford

    For the second season running, Manchester United came from behind to secure a crucial victory over Brentford at Old Trafford and ease the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag.

    United trailed at the break thanks to Ethan Pinnock’s controversial injury time header which came while Matthijs de Ligt was off the pitch being treated for a head wound.

    But at the start of the second half, Alejandro Garnacho ended the home side’s 316-minute Premier League goal drought as he applied a magnificent first-time finish to Marcus Rashford’s cross.

    Striker Rasmus Hojlund won it for the hosts in the 62nd minute when he ran onto Bruno Fernandes’ sensational flicked pass with the outside of his boot to calmly chip the ball over Brentford keeper Mark Flekken, who slid out to block.

    Read Also: EPL: Kudus sent off as Tottenham beat West Ham 4-1

    It wasn’t quite as exciting as 12 months ago when Scott McTominay’s injury time double ended Brentford’s hopes of a first win in this stadium since 1937.

    However, for Ten Hag, this victory could be more significant.

    The Dutchman accused the media of creating ‘fairytales and lies’ over his position, but given United started the game in 14th, anything other than victory would fuel negativity around Ten Hag before Thursday’s Europa League trip to Fenerbahce.

  • Man Utd’s Mazraoui has minor procedure after palpitations

    Man Utd’s Mazraoui has minor procedure after palpitations

    Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui has had a minor procedure after experiencing palpitations.

    The 26-year-old Morocco international is expected to make a full recovery from the precautionary procedure and should be available for selection within the next few weeks.

    United signed full-back Mazraoui from Bayern Munich in August for an initial fee of £12.8m.

    Mazraoui had to take time away from football to deal with inflammation of heart tissue in January 2023 after suffering from Covid-19.

    Read Also: FULL LIST: Major signings in 2024/2025 pre-season transfer window

    On that occasion, Mazraoui resumed ball work in training one month later but did not return to competitive action until March.

    Mazraoui has started all seven of Manchester United’s Premier League games this season, making 10 appearances across all competitions.

    BBC

  • United hosts first EPL opener in six years live on DStv ,GOtv

    United hosts first EPL opener in six years live on DStv ,GOtv

    Premier League’s biggest stadium, Old Trafford, will host the opening Premier League match of the season for the first time in six years tonight, when Manchester United face Fulham.

    The Red Devils were involved in the first-ever Friday Night Premier League game in August 2016, when they hosted Southampton at Old Trafford. Their last opening-day fixture was also on a Friday, a 2-1 victory over Leicester City in August 2018.

    Following their defeat to Manchester City in the Community Shield last weekend, United will hope to avoid another defeat to Fulham who won 2-1 at the venue last season courtesy of a late goal by Super Eagles midfielder, Alex Iwobi. The encounter will broadcast live on DStv ch 203 and GOtv ch 66, at 8pm.

    Premier League’s biggest fixture of the opening week will be at Stamford Bridge, where new Chelsea coach, Enzo Maresca, will take charge of his first Premier League game against his former team, Manchester City. The match will also be live on DStv ch  203  and GOtv ch 66, at 4:30 pm on Sunday. Maresca was Pep Guardiola’s assistant when City won the UCL, Premier League, and FA Cup treble in 2023, before leaving for Leicester City that summer.

    The corresponding fixture last season was an eight-goal thriller which ended in a draw. Chelsea have managed just two points from their last ten matches against City in all competitions.

    In the other Premier League fixtures, Liverpool will kick off their season at newly promoted Ipswich Town at 12:30 pm on Saturday, while Arsenal will host Wolverhampton Wanderers in one of the 3 pm fixtures. All Premier League matches will be available on SuperSport Channels.

    Read Also: Views from abroad: Can Nigeria replicate the Singapore model?

    Elsewhere, Super Eagles striker, Kelechi Iheanacho, will make his Laliga debut today, when his new side, Sevilla, travels to Las Palmas for their opening match of the season.

    Sevilla endured a terrible 2023/24 season which saw them finish 14th  in the table.

    The former Manchester City and Leicester City striker is expected to lead the line with his wealth of experience, as Sevilla tries to extend their winning streak against their host. The match will broadcast live on DStv ch 204 and GOtv ch 62 at 8:30 pm.

    Spanish giants, Barcelona, will travel to Valencia for their first match of the season on Saturday at 8:30pm, while champions, Real Madrid, will begin the defense of their Laliga title away at Mallorca, on Sunday, live on DStv ch 204 and GOtv ch 62 at 8:30pm.

  • Five Manchester United signings in the last decade who fell short of expectations

    Five Manchester United signings in the last decade who fell short of expectations

    Signing a footballer comes with a certain level of expectation for both the club and the player. However, despite the initial hype and excitement, some players fail to meet expectations when they join a new club.

    This can be due to the pressure of high expectations from fans and difficulty in handling the attention that comes with joining a famous club. Unfortunately, some players struggle to perform as well as everyone had hoped after joining the team.

    Here are five players who fail to live up to the immense expectations of Manchester United:

    Paul Pogba

    Paul Pogba began his football career at the Manchester United Academy. Later, in 2012, he moved to Juventus. However, in 2016, he was signed by Manchester United for a whopping total of £89m. Despite having spent six years with Manchester United, he failed to live up to expectations.

    Alexis Sanchez

    After a successful football career as an FC Barcelona player, Alexis Sanchez came to England to play for Arsenal. However, after four years with Arsenal, he signed a huge deal with Manchester United worth a total of £30m. Despite spending two years at Manchester United, he failed to meet expectations.

    Angel Di Maria

    The Argentine right winger, Angel Di Maria, had played for the Spanish club, Real Madrid, before moving to England to sign up for Man United in 2014 for a massive sum of £65m. However, despite spending a year with Man United, he failed to meet the expectations set for him.

    Read Also: I will stoop so low to date a Manchester United fan, says Odumodublvck

    Morgan Schneiderlin

    Schneiderlin was signed by Man United for £30m in 2015 from Southampton. Despite two years with the club, he failed to meet expectations.

    Henrikh Mkhitaryan

    Henrikh Mkhitaryan, an attacking midfielder or winger, signed a £30.5m contract with Man United in 2016. Despite two years with the club, he failed to meet expectations.

  • EPL: Manchester United ban journalists from news conference

    EPL: Manchester United ban journalists from news conference

    Manchester United banned journalists from four media outlets from Tuesday’s news conference with boss Erik ten Hag.

    United claimed they had not been given right of reply to negative stories around the club.

    Journalists from Sky, ESPN, Manchester Evening News and the Mirror were excluded after reporting some players were unhappy with Dutchman Ten Hag.

    “We are taking action against a number of news organisations,” the club said in a statement.

    Read Also: Nine Nigerian celebrities who are Manchester United fans

    “Not for publishing stories we don’t like, but for doing so without contacting us first to give us the opportunity to comment, challenge or contextualise.

    “We believe this is an important principle to defend and we hope it can lead to a re-set in the way we work together.”

    United, who are seventh in the Premier League table, face Chelsea on Wednesday (20:15 GMT).

  • Nine Nigerian celebrities who are Manchester United fans

    Nine Nigerian celebrities who are Manchester United fans

    English football is one of the biggest leagues with viewers all over the world and Nigeria boasts of the strongest fan bases for Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal etc.

    Nigerian celebrities are open about the teams they support with most of them traveling to the UK to watch their team play.

    Here are nine Nigerian celebrities who are Manchester United fans:

    1. Don Jazzy

    The Mavin records boss has been a popular hype man for the club side on his social media pages.

    Don Jazzy is known for showing his emotional side when his team either wins or loses a game.

    2. Cuppy

    The disc jockey unexpectedly switched from being an Arsenal football club fan to a Manchester United supporter.

    Cuppy also got an endorsement deal with United in 2020 and was one of the popular faces used to commercially promote the Manchester United third kit for the 2020/2021 season.

    3. Reminisce

    The indigenous rapper is a vocal supporter of Manchester United.

    He is known for showing off the team’s jersey on his Instagram page.

    4. Mayorkun

    The former DMW musician is one of the most popular Manchester United fans in Nigeria.

    On November 24, 2019, Mayorkun posted a video of himself outside Old Trafford following a defeat for his favorite team.

    5. Adekunle Gold

    The Afro-soul singer is well-known for expressing his love for Manchester United. From Twitter to Instagram,

    Adekunle has also been spotted a few times at Old Trafford.

    He signed a deal with the team as one of the models for United’s third kit.

    6. Simi

    Just like her husband, Simi is one of the most active fans of Manchester United.

    She regularly tweets about her team during live games and mostly on weekends.

    Read Also: Manchester United rally from two goals down to beat 10-man forest

    7. Burna Boy

    The Grammy-winning afro-fusion singer is a fan of Man Utd and he has also shown his support for his favorite football team by flaunting his customized jersey on his Instagram page.

    Burna Boy was part of the commercial campaign to promote Man United’s third kit for the 2020/2021 season.

    8. Eldee

    He follows Man Utd obsessively and is a devoted fan of the club.

    Eldee uses his social media presence to discuss his favorite team and to joke about with supporters of the opposition.

    9. DJ Xclusive

    The disc jockey is a loyal and devoted supporter of Man United.  

    DJ Xclusive shows his support for his club side via posts on his social accounts.

  • Die-hard Man United’s fan reveals magic behind N50m jackpot

    Nigeria’s latest millionaire and die-hard fan of English Premier League side Manchester United, Emeka Cephas, has finally revealed the secrets that led to his staggering earnings of N50M ( Fifty million naira) with just a paltry N13,000 stakes on the BetWay platform.

    “I don’t bet on Manchester United based on sentiments,” explained Cephas. “I have won between 18 and 25 million, now I have won N50million. Unfortunately, another company did not pay me. I’m happy that BetWay have paid me to the last kobo. They are not owing me a dime.”

    Cephas, who is a Port-Harcourt based realtor, can be described as a pundit extraordinaire but hardly admits that he has the gift of clairvoyance, even as he yet revealed his winning formula: “Well it has been hard work and grace. I keep late vigil to make forecasts to avoid distractions. But I don’t consult with any powers to play my games. Betting is a passion for me and not a profession; I’m not addicted to betting.

    “But I pick Betway because there is 50million while others are between 4million and N10m. Betway is the highest and their odds and bonus are also good.

    “Again Betway is real, honest and keep their promise and I can only advise other punters to keep betting with BetWay. I don’t take betting as a profession, I am into real estate. I take betting as an activity. That’s why they always say bet responsibly, so I bet once in a while.

    Read Also: Man United suffer embarrassing defeat at home to Crystal Palace

    “I look out for something different, unique. I don’t play what most people play, like 2.5. I look for something different and I play games like handicaps seven goals and the likes.”

    Cephas said he has invested handsomely on past earnings and would do same with his latest jackpot to take care of future unforeseen circumstances that usually befall greedy punters.

    “I am going to use the money to re-invest in my business by buying properties. I used my past wins  to acquire landed properties in Port Harcourt. I plan to do more with this.  I can take any risk while betting, but I’m never desperate because I don’t play what I cannot afford to lose.  I bet once in a while. After shuffling my games, I place my bet and also I don’t buy games. I support Manchester United globally but no club in Nigeria.

    “I bet on my club whenever they are doing well, but when they are not, I just look for something else.

    “This N50 million win would not change my lifestyle. The only thing it has done is that it has exposed me to the public. People have seen my pictures trending; stories in the papers, television, radio, facebook and so many other platforms.

    “The reception and publicity has been incredible from BetWay and the press. This will rather make me humble. I am so grateful to BetWay,” noted Cephas.

  • EPL: Crystal Palace stun Man. United at Old Trafford

    Crystal Palace stunned Manchester United with an injury-time winner to record their first victory at Old Trafford since 1989.

    Full-back Patrick van Aanholt scored in the 93rd minute, smashing in as the ball broke loose following Wilfried Zaha’s burst forward.

    Daniel James thought he had rescued a point for United when he curled in a delightful equaliser in the 89th minute following neat build-up from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

    But Rashford will rue striking the post from the penalty spot – the second spot-kick the Red Devils have missed this week.

    Jordan Ayew had scored the opener in the first half against the run of play, latching on to Jeffrey Schlupp’s flick-on and coolly converting Palace’s first goal of the campaign, before the late drama.

    Elsewhere, Substitute Harvey Barnes’ majestic strike helped Leicester City inflict a first Premier League defeat of the season on Sheffield United in a pulsating affair at Bramall Lane.

    Six minutes after coming on, Barnes fired a half-volley from the edge of the box which flew past home keeper Dean Henderson to dampen what had been a spirited United fightback.

    The superb finish came just eight minutes after the home side had cancelled out Jamie Vardy’s first-half opener, when record signing Oliver McBurnie found a first goal for the club after coming off the bench.

    McBurnie’s header, low into the bottom corner, sent Bramall Lane into raptures and United appeared to have momentum.

    But Barnes then lashed in to give Leicester a first league win of the season and Chris Wilder’s side only their second defeat in 21 matches.

    Moussa Djenepo scored moments after coming on as a substitute to help Southampton secure their first win of the season at Brighton, who had Florin Andone sent off.

    The 21-year-old Malian broke the deadlock in the second half, cutting inside from the left wing before curling a sumptuous effort past Mat Ryan and into the far corner.

    Southampton sealed the points in second-half stoppage time when Nathan Redmond slid home Sofiane Boufal’s cross from close range.

    Brighton had been reduced to 10 men on the half-hour mark when Andone was shown a straight red card following a high, rash challenge on Saints defender Yan Valery.

    The Seagulls had looked comfortable up to that point, with Neal Maupay and Martin Montoya going close to breaking the deadlock in the first half.

    Lewis Dunk thought he had given the hosts the lead seven minutes before the interval, but the goal was ruled out by VAR for offside against defender Dan Burn.

    Second-half substitute Jurgen Locadia struck the post for Brighton late on, but Redmond’s late goal sealed the points for the visitors.

    BBCSports

     

  • Rashford grabs brace as Man Utd put 4 past Chelsea

    Marcus Rashford struck twice as Manchester United opened their Premier League account with a resounding 4-0 win over Frank Lampard’s Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday.

    It was an awful start for the new Chelsea manager in his first league game on the bench for his old club as they struck the woodwork twice in the first half but paid for their defensive frailties.

    Tammy Abraham crashed an early drive against the United bar but the hosts got in front with an 18th minute Rashford penalty after the England forward was pulled down by Kurt Zouma.

    Chelsea, who had been the more creative in the opening half, went close to an equaliser when Emerson struck the post shortly before the break.

    Read Also: Rashford unveils three lions new away kit

    But the game turned decisively in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side’s favour when, after a Rashford led counter-attack, Anthony Martial bundled in a low cross from Andreas Pereira in the 65th.

    Two minutes later, Chelsea’s defence was again exposed when Rashford timed his run to perfection to latch on to a long ball from Paul Pogba and beat goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga with a confident finish.

    Substitute Daniel James, a close-season signing from Swansea City, then marked his United debut with the fourth, firing into the bottom corner via a deflection after being set-up by Pogba. (Reuters/NAN)

  • Race against Time! Inter Milan table £70million for  Lukaku

     

    Less than 24 hours to the close of transfer window in England, injury time hope appears to be rising for want away Manchester United ace Romelu Lukaku.

    Inter Milan have made a new £70million bid for Romelu Lukaku as the Manchester United striker edges closer to leaving Old Trafford.

    Inter’s bid, which includes bonuses, is closer to the £75m United are demanding after rejecting a £54m offer from the Italian club last month.

    It comes after a dramatic twist in the transfer saga this week when Lukaku turned up at training with his old club Anderlecht without United’s permission and was fined two weeks’ wages – a total of £400,000.

    The 26-year-old trained with Anderlecht for a third day with officials there believing he is on his way to London where his agent Federico Pastorello has been in talks with United and Inter in an effort to end the impasse.

    It’s understood that Lukaku’s camp are increasingly confident a deal can be done after Inter increased their bid. Although the transfer window in England closes at 5pm on Thursday, it will remain open in Italy until September 2.

    That gives all three parties plenty of time to reach agreement, but there is a general acceptance that the deal needs to be completed as soon as possible after Lukaku’s relationship with United broke down.

    He has angered the club by training with Anderlecht’s Under-18s the past two days, and was informed by email of the fine.

    Lukaku also upset his manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and teammates at the weekend when he posted confidential stats from a sprint session to prove that he is one of the club’s quickest players.

    Lukaku was second only to Diogo Dalot, but the stats also showed that Luke Shaw finished last behind Juan Mata and Nemanja  Matic.

    Solskjaer told Lukaku to delete the post from his Twitter account and reminded him of his responsibilities.