The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Manchester United

  • Maguire’s fiancée Fern Hawkins looking forward to the Next Level

     

    Harry Maguire fiancée and childhood friend Fern Hawkins is not only elated to see her man move to the next level thanks to a £80 million (about N35.1billion) Manchester United deal, but has vowed to support him in in the new chapter.

    Fern Hawkins was among the first to congratulate him.

    Fern, 25, who is from Harry’s hometown of Sheffield, has been dating the footballer, 26, since 2011, when the two were just teenagers. The first class graduate of physiotherapy who is said to love exotic holidays, is on the verge of joining the glamorous world of Man Utd WAGs.

    It is like double delight for the couple who only in April this year welcomed baby girl Lillie Saint Maguire and his lucrative contract landing on the table four months later

    Fern’s Instagram , which boasts a 30k following, shows she has been one of Harry’s biggest supporters from the start, after he began his career with Sheffield, and moved onto Hull City and then Leicester City.

    She added: ‘Just when I think you couldn’t make me any prouder than I already am, you pull something else out the bag.

    ‘Here’s to your next chapter, I can’t wait to be by your side supporting you through everything & anything’, Fern concluded

     

    Read Also: Man U swoop Harry Maguire from Leicester for £85m

     

     

     

  • Man U Move: Maguire thanks former Leicester City teammates

     

    Manchester United new signing Harry Maguire has penned down what could pass for a thank you note for Super Eagles duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi and his other former teammates after sealing his move to Old Trafford.

    “I am delighted to have signed for this great club,” Maguire told United’s official website. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Leicester and would like to thank everyone at the club, and the fans, for their fantastic support over the past two seasons.

    The former Leicester City Centre back successfully completed a £80million transfer to Manchester United on Monday and looks to debut for the new club against visiting Chelsea on Sunday.

    The former Hull City ace signed a 6-year contract with an option for a further 12 months extension. The 26 year old was initially linked with both Manchester clubs over the summer but Leicester held out for their valuation with the fee now surpassing the £75million Liverpool paid Southampton for Virgil Van Dijk in January 2018.

    Maguire who has made over 20 appearances for the Three Lions confessed that it was difficult to say NO, when the Manchester United offer was placed on the table

    “When Manchester United come knocking on your door, it is an incredible opportunity.

    “From my conversations with the manager, I am excited about the vision and plans he has for the team. It’s clear to see that Ole (Gunnar Solskjaer) is building a team to win trophies. I am now looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and getting the season started,” he enthused

    Manchester United coach Gunnar Solskjaer who is looking forward to better finish this season is elated at the coming of Harry, describing him as one of the best centre-backs in the game.

    Solskjaer said: “Harry is one of the best centre-backs in the game today and I am delighted we have secured his signature.

    “He is a great reader of the game and has a strong presence on the pitch, with the ability to remain calm under pressure – coupled with his composure on the ball and a huge presence in both boxes. I can see he will fit well into this group both on and off the pitch.”

    Maguire becomes United’s third signing of the summer, having last month completed deals for Swansea flyer Daniel James and Crystal Palace right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

     

    Read Also: Man U optimistic over £80m Harry Maguire deal

  • Manchester United beat AC Milan on penalties in Cardiff

    Manchester United beat AC Milan 5-4 on penalties after their International Champions Cup match in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium ended 2-2 in regulation time on Saturday.

    United opened the scoring in their final pre-season match through Marcus Rashford, who took advantage of Milan’s high backline to make a run into space to collect Nemanja Matic’s long ball.

    The 21-year-old cut back into the box and dribbled past two defenders before firing a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma into the bottom corner with the help of a deflection off Milan captain Alessio Romagnoli’s heel.

    However, their lead lasted only 12 minutes when Milan’s high press allowed the Italian side to win the ball back in the final third when United tried to play out from the back.

    Matic lost possession a few yards outside his own box and the ball eventually fell to midfielder Suso, who took a shot from range to beat a diving David de Gea and made it 1-1.

    The former Liverpool player then created the second goal when he whipped in a cross from a short corner, with Samu Castillejo’s header deflected into the net off United centre back Victor Lindelof.

    Substitute Jesse Lingard scored the equaliser, when set up by a through ball from Anthony Martial, with a low shot from an acute angle to send the game into a penalty shootout.

    Read Also: Ex-Man United defender Evra announces retirement

    It was all square at 4-4 in the shootout when De Gea saved Daniel Maldini’s effort, after which new recruit Daniel James scored the decisive spot kick to give United the win.

    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side begin their new Premier League campaign next Sunday when they host Chelsea.

    NAN

     

    Read Also: Cardiff City relegated from Premier League

  • Man. United sign Maguire

    Manchester United have reached an agreement to sign England centre-back Harry Maguire from Leicester for £80m – a world record fee for a defender.

    The 26-year-old is expected to complete a medical at the club at the weekend.

    He will become United’s third summer signing following Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James, who arrived from Crystal Palace and Swansea respectively.

    “The clubs have agreed [a fee] and there’s still some work for it to go through,” said Brendan Rodgers.

    Speaking to Sky Sports, the Leicester boss added: “There’s still a bit to go in terms of Harry’s medical and whatever personal things to sort out, but it is what it is.

    “He’s a special player, he’s not a player that of course we would want to lose.

    Read Also: Man. Utd/Chelsea open new EPL season

    “He’s a top-class player, he’s a good man as well, and everything about Harry over the course of this pre-season, he knows there has been interest over the summer and he’s been super professional.”

    Maguire made 69 Premier League appearances for Leicester after joining from Hull City in 2017.

    The deal means Maguire becomes the world’s most expensive defender, eclipsing the £75m Liverpool paid Southampton for Virgil van Dijk in January 2018.

     

    BBCSports

    Read Also: Man U Move: Maguire thanks former Leicester City teammates

  • Ole’s son Noah makes professional debut against Manchester United

    Manchester united’s 1-0 victory over Kristiansund on Tuesday was one to savour for the Solskjaer family.

    Although the Red Devils’ boss may not have enjoyed his side’s lumbering performance against the Norwegian club, Ole Gunnar will remember the match with great pride after witnessing his son Noah make his professional debut, while his younger son Elijah sat with him in the dugout.

    And at full-time the Solskjaer trio posed for a commemorative family photo following an afternoon that will live long in the memory.

    United eventually ran out 1-0 winners in Oslo, striking late through Juan Mata who tucked away a penalty he had won himself on 90 minutes.

    While the goal spared the blushes of a listless United, it was what happened three minutes earlier that Solskjaer will remember most fondly.

    His son Noah, 19, plays for Kristiansund’s B team but was included in the squad for the mid-season break clash with United.

    And on 87th minute, he was given the chance to make his full first-team debut from the bench, after a few words of encouragement from dad Ole, while brother Elijah watched on from the United bench.

    United fielded a full-strength lineup against the Norwegian club but it proved to no avail.

    After an hour of play, the two sides were locked at 0-0, with the best chance of the match falling to Kristiansund’s Sondre Sorli, who sent a header wide with the goal gaping after half time.

    Paul Pogba was introduced on the hour mark as a restless Solskjaer replaced his entire starting XI, and the Frenchman introduced more ingenuity into the contest.

    Indeed, it was Pogba’s pass that led to Mata’s penalty, but despite his cameo, he is unlikely to be seen as his manager’s favourite substitution of the afternoon.

  • Man U swoop Harry Maguire from Leicester for £85m

     

    Manchester United have agreed a fee of £85million with Leicester City to make Harry Maguire the world’s most expensive defender.

    The figure, which includes add-ons, was finally reached following weeks of negotiations between the two clubs. United are expected to pay initial £80m up front and a further £5m in add-ons.

    The deal eclipses the £75m that Liverpool paid Southampton to sign Virgil van Dijk in January 2018.

    Maguire is expected to undergo his medical on Saturday while United play AC Milan in Cardiff.

    The 26-year-old had already pulled out of Leicester’s final pre-season friendly against Atalanta on Friday because he is not in the right frame of mind to play, having called in sick on Monday.

    Maguire had made it clear to his manager Brendan Rodgers and teammates that he wants to go this summer after Leicester rebuffed United’s interest 12 months ago.

    He did not feature in an official club video released on Thursday to announce the club’s squad numbers for the new season.

    Top 10 Most Expensive Defenders:

    1. Harry Maguire – £85m (From Leicester to Man United)
    2. Virgil van Dijk – £75m (From Southampton to Liverpool)
    3. Lucas Hernandez – £68m (From Atletico Madrid to Bayern Munich)
    4. Matthijs de Ligt – £63m (From Ajax to Juventus)
    5. Aymeric Laporte – £57m (From Athletic Bilbao to Man City)
    6. Kyle Walker – £54m (From Tottenham to Man City)
    7. Benjamin Mendy – £52m (From Monaco to Man City)
    8. David Luiz – £50m (From Chelsea to Paris Saint-Germain)
    9. John Stones – £50m (From Everton to Man City)
    10. Davinson Sanchez – £42m (From Ajax to Tottenham)

  • Man. Utd/Chelsea open new EPL season

    Adeyinka Akintunde

     

     

    Manchester United will host Chelsea on the first match day of the 2019/2020 English Premier League.

    The Red Devils, who finished sixth in the concluded season, missed out of a place in the UEFA Champions League.

    They will hope their dismissal performance will not continue in the coming season, as they face scary rivals in Wolves (who beat them twice last season), Crystal Palace, Southampton and Leicester City in the next four fixtures after hosting the Blues.

    Chelsea, on their part, will entertain Leicester next before playing against Norwich and Sheffield United.

    Defending Champions, Manchester City will start the defence of their title at West Ham. They will next go through their first acid test in the next game when they host Tottenham Hotspurs, who eliminated them in the last UEFA Champions League season.

    Read Also: English Premier League clubs vote to allow VAR replays on big screens

    But it will be Liverpool that will raise the curtain of the season on the 9th of August, when they host promoted Norwich on the evening of Friday 9 August.

    The current winners of the UEFA Champions will hope to win the title this time, have come so clos, fighting till the last day of last season. They face Southampton, Arsenal and Burnley in their next three matches.

    They will however have a tough end to the season as they travel to Arsenal (May 2), play at home to Chelsea (May 9) and then conclude the season at Newcastle on May 17.

    Manchester City and Liverpool, the two teams who fought for the title last season, have been paired to meet at Anfield on November 9, 2019, before the return at the Etihad on April 4, 2020.

  • Man United release Herrera, Valencia, 12 others

    Manchester United have released Ander Herrera and Antonio Valencia while Juan Mata has been offered a new contract, the Premier League has confirmed.

    Club captain Valencia and Herrera are two of 14 players released this summer. Herrera is expected to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.

    Mata is out of contract on June 30 but has not been officially released because he has an offer on the table. Sources have told ESPN FC that the Spain international is still in talks with the club.

    As well as Herrera and Valencia, James Wilson, who scored twice on his senior debut as a teenager in 2014, will also leave Old Trafford this summer.

    Read Also: De Gea fumbles as Man. United hold Chelsea

    Millen Baars, Joshua Bohui, Zachary Dearnley, Callum Gribbin, DJ Buffonge, Regan Poole, Tom Sang, Tyrell Warren, Callum Whelan and Matty Willock have also been released along with United States international Matthew Olosunde.

    Sources have told ESPN FC that Olosunde, who made his senior international debut last year, is hoping to extend his stay in Europe, preferably with another English club, rather than return to MLS.

    United States international Matthew Olosunde is set to leave Manchester United this summer, sources have told ESPN.

  • Napoli to rival Inter Milan for Lukaku

    Napoli wants to beat Inter Milan to the signing of Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku this summer.

    Sportsmail revealed on Tuesday that the Red Devils are willing to sell the Belgian, but only if their £80million valuation is met.

    La Gazzetta dello Sport now claims that Napoli will make an ambitious bid to land Lukaku ahead of their Serie A rivals. The Italian newspaper says that Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti wants to pay around £62m for the former Everton star, which is well below the figure United are looking for.

    Read Also: Sanchez, Lukaku and Matic enjoy sunset in Dubai

    Lukaku is said to prefer a move to Inter over Napoli, with both clubs able to offer him Champions League football next season. The ex-Chelsea forward is keen to link up with new boss Antonio Conte at the San Siro as he plans a big summer overhaul of his squad.

    La Gazzetta dello Sport also claims that the Italian has been given the go-ahead to sign Roma striker Edin Dzeko and that he is in pole position to land Cagliari midfielder Nicolo Barella.

    If Conte gets the green light to sign Lukaku too, United will turn their attention to Frankfurt forward Sebastien Haller.

    The 24-year-old target man has been scouted by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s staff, although he is one of a number of attacking players on United’s radar.

  • Breaking: Man Utd out of UCL after draw with Huddersfield

    Manchester United’s top-four hopes came to an end in disappointing fashion as they were held to a draw at relegated Huddersfield.

    The Terriers had managed just four points in their previous 23 games but watched by outgoing chairman Dean Hoyle, earned a share of the spoils as Isaac Mbenza’s first goal for the club levelled Scott McTominay’s first-half effort.

    In a frantic finish, young United substitute Tahith Chong had a shot saved and Paul Pogba hit the bar before David de Gea denied Karlan Grant a winner at the other end.

    Read Also: VAR sends Man. United, FC Porto to quarter-finals

    It means United have now gone five games without a win, their worst sequence since they went eight games without a victory under Louis van Gaal between November and December 2015.

    The result means Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side cannot catch either Chelsea or Tottenham and have only a slim chance of finishing above Arsenal in fifth.

    Alexis Sanchez is also a major doubt for the final game of the season against Cardiff at Old Trafford, having limped straight down the tunnel after suffering an injury at the start of the second half.

    Huddersfield are 11 points adrift at the bottom of the table and finish their season at Southampton next Sunday. United remain sixth and entertain Cardiff. (BBCSports)