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Tag: Old Trafford

  • Man United to exit Old Trafford for new ‘world’s greatest’ stadium

    Man United to exit Old Trafford for new ‘world’s greatest’ stadium

    Manchester United has  announced plans to build a new 100,000-capacity stadium close to their historic Old Trafford home, with co-owner Jim Ratcliffe promising it would be the “world’s greatest” football ground.

    The momentous decision by the Premier League club comes after an extensive consultation process on whether to develop their creaking current ground or move.

    The stadium, which will be built on land surrounding Old Trafford, will cost around £2 billion ($2.6 billion) and the timescale for the project is five years.

    United, 20-time English league champions, are one of the world’s most iconic football clubs but have fallen behind rivals such as Manchester City and Liverpool over the past decade.

    They are having a dismal season under current manager Ruben Amorim, languishing 14th  in the Premier League table and knocked out of both domestic cup competitions.

    British billionaire Ratcliffe himself this week told the BBC some of the club’s players are “not good enough” and some are “overpaid”.

    Read Also: NFF  to release  Chelle’s 23 men  for Rwanda, Zimbabwe tomorrow

    Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe promised the new stadium will be the “world’s greatest” football ground

    Scaled models and conceptual images for United’s new stadium were revealed on Tuesday at the London headquarters of architects Foster + Partners, appointed in September to design the stadium district.

    “Today marks the start of an incredibly exciting journey to the delivery of what will be the world’s greatest football stadium, at the centre of a regenerated Old Trafford,” Ratcliffe said in a club statement.“Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years, but it has fallen behind the best arenas in world sport.”

    United said the stadium and a wider regeneration project had the potential to deliver an additional £7.3 billion per year to the UK economy, including the possible creation of 92,000 new jobs.

    A joint task force was created last year to explore options for regenerating the Old Trafford area of Greater Manchester, with the stadium development at its heart.

    It was led by Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics and chief organiser of the 2012 London Olympics, and also included the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.

    Omar Berrada, United’s chief executive, said the club’s long-term objective was to “have the world’s best football team playing in the world’s best stadium”, promising further consultation with fans.

    Old Trafford, United’s home since 1910, is England’s biggest club ground with a capacity of around 74,000 but criticism of the stadium has grown in recent years, with issues including a leaking roof.

    The proposed new stadium will rank as Europe’s second biggest, behind only Barcelona’s Camp Nou, which will accommodate about 105,000 fans once an upgrade is completed.

    The move to a new ground has been backed by former United boss Alex Ferguson, who won 13 Premier League titles during his reign of nearly 27 years that ended in 2013.

    “Old Trafford holds so many special memories for me personally, but we must be brave and seize this opportunity to build a new home, fit for the future, where new history can be made,” he said.

    United, whose struggles on the pitch are matched by problems off it, are around £1 billion in debt and have yet to say how they will pay for the new stadium.

    But Berrada said he was confident the club would find a way to finance the stadium as it was a “very attractive investment opportunity”.

    Foster + Partners designed the new Wembley stadium and the Lusail stadium in Qatar, which hosted the 2022 World Cup final.

    Norman Foster, founder of Foster + Partners, said United’s new stadium would feature an umbrella design sheltering a public plaza that is “twice the size of Trafalgar Square” in London.

    The design will feature three masts described as “Trident”, which the architects say will be 200 metres high and visible from 40 kilometres (25 miles) away.

    The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust said it was vital that fans were consulted throughout the process.

    The group said in a statement: “Will it drive up ticket prices and force out local fans? Will it harm the atmosphere, which is consistently fans’ top priority in the ground?

    “Will it add to the debt burden which has held back the club for the last two decades? Will it lead to reduced investment in the playing side at a time when it is so badly needed?”

  • Mourinho raises alarm: I am tired of resting I need action!

     

    Former Man United coach Jose Mourinho has declared his readiness to return to coaching insisting that resting has seized to be fun.

    Many had predicted following his sack from Old Trafford that the ‘Special One’ who has managed seven different clubs starting with Benfica cannot cope for long outside the football arena.

    The Portuguese live-wire, who was sacked by Manchester United in December, says he is missing football and admitted recently he is “full of fire” over a potential return.

    His focus is on returning to club management, in either the top-flights in England, Spain, Germany, Italy or France.

    Mourinho told Sky Sports News: “I have some time to think, to rethink, to analyse and what I feel is exactly that ‘Ze’ (Mourinho’s nickname as a boy) is full of fire.

    Jose: Eager to get back to coaching.

    “My friends tell me ‘enjoy your time, enjoy your July, enjoy your August, enjoy what you never had’. Honestly, I can’t enjoy. I am not happy enough to enjoy. “I miss my football, I have the fire.”

    However, reports in Spain claim Mourinho has in fact targeted a return to the Real Madrid hot-seat and that he believes an opening there could soon present itself.

    The club had a tumultuous pre-season and while they won their opening LaLiga match of the season, Saturday’s draw with Celta Vigo has heaped focus back on Zinedine Zidane.

    And while Zidane made a raft of summer signings at the Bernabeu, he is yet to find the right balance in his side.

  • Martial extends contract with Man. United

    Manchester United winger Anthony Martial has signed a new five-year contract, lasting till June 2024. The deal also includes an option for a further year

    The 23-year-old, who has been in transfer talks for a while, joined the Red Devils from Monaco in September 2015 for £36m. He has scored ten goals and one assist in 25 appearances across all competitions this season

    Speaking after the announcement was made on Thursday, Martial said “I am loving my time at this club. From the day I joined I have been made to feel part of the United family and I have been incredibly humbled and overwhelmed by the warmth and love of our fans, who continue to amaze me with their support.

    “I would like to thank Ole and his coaching staff for their belief in me and for helping me to take my game to the next level. This club is all about winning trophies and I am sure the next piece of silverware is not that far away.”

    Read Also: Martial helps United sink Spurs 1-0

    Martial could be back in action for Solskjaer’s side on Sunday, as they take in a trip to Leicester City.

    In another development, Manchester United has also reached an agreement with Chinese club, Shandong Luneng, over the transfer of Maroune Fellaini from Old Trafford.

    Fellaini, who joined Manchester United from Everton in 2014, has played only three minutes of Premier League action in seven top-flight games under interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

    Fellaini helped Manchester United win the 2016 FA Cup final as well as the Europa League in 2017.

  • Old Trafford may host Joshua’s next fight

    The Theatre of Dreams is being considered as a potential venue for Anthony Joshua’s next outing.

    As proven in his last three contests, Joshua has no problem selling out Britain’s most prominent stadia, and fans from the northwest of England could be treated to a fight close to home before 2018 is out.

    ‘AJ’ has fought in Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in back-to-back bouts and, before that, he and Wladimir Klitschko put on an epic war in Wembley.

    And now, Matchroom chairman Barry Hearn has admitted that Old Trafford could well be next for the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight champion.

    An opponent has yet to be decided for Joshua although Hearn, whose son is promoter Eddie, has laid out the three possibilities.

    “We are meeting on Tuesday afternoon,” he said. “There are three main dishes on the menu. Fight Deontay Wilder either home or away, face Jarrell Miller in New York to spread the gospel in America before we fight Wilder, or do we honour our mandatory and fight Povetkin, with it being at Wembley or maybe at Manchester United. It is a possibility,” Hearn told BetFred TV, via Manchester Evening News.

    Not since Chris Eubank’s rematch against Nigel Benn in 1993 has Old Trafford staged a boxing event, but Joshua would have no problem packing it out.

  • Ibrah attracting interest from Serie A and MLS

    Ibrah attracting interest from Serie A and MLS

     

    Zlatan Ibrahimovic has offers from Italy and the United States after being released by Manchester United, according to the striker’s agent Mino Raiola.

    United decided not to offer Ibrahimovic a contract extension at Old Trafford with the former Sweden international facing six months on the sidelines following knee surgery.

    The 35-year-old will continue his rehabilitation at Carrington and sources have told ESPN FC there remains a possibility he could sign a short-term deal once he is fully fit.

    However, Ibrahimovic can sign for another team at any time, and Raiola has said there is interest from Major League Soccer in the United States and Italy’s Serie A.

    Ibrahimovic has been linked with moves to both LA Galaxy and former club AC Milan, although Raiola has all but ruled out a transfer to Napoli.

    “Many clubs are interested in Ibrahimovic, from MLS in the USA, but also in Italy would be possible,” he told reporters. “Napoli? Everything is possible, but I think Napoli will not be his next club.”

    Ibrahimovic, asked by the VG newspaper how his knee injury was during a trip to Norway this week, replied: “Very good. Everything is very good.”

    United are on the lookout for a striker to replace Ibrahimovic.

    Alvaro Morata is Jose Mourinho’s preferred choice, and sources have told ESPN FC that the Spain international would welcome a move to the Premier League.

    There is hope that a move for Morata could speed up after reports in Spain suggested former United player Cristiano Ronaldo is now prepared to stay at Real Madrid. Sources had told ESPN FC that United were treating reports Ronaldo would welcome a return with caution amid concerns that the uncertainty surrounding him could delay a move for Morata

    Andrea Belotti is also an option for United although Torino are insisting that the €100 million release clause in his contract, available for clubs outside Italy, is met before letting the 23-year-old leave.

  • Man Utd table £30m bid for Benfica’s Nelson Semedo

    Man Utd table £30m bid for Benfica’s Nelson Semedo

     

    Manchester United has lodged a bid of £30million for Benfica defender Nelson Semedo, according to a report in Spain.

    The right-back would be Jose Mourinho’s second defensive signing of the summer and second from Benfica following Victor Lindelof’s £30million move to Old Trafford.

    According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, United have moved for Semedo and are waiting for a response on their bid.

    The player though is also interesting several other clubs and Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Barcelona are all set to make offers too, claims the report.

    Barcelona are understood to have the Portuguese star as a back-up to Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin.

    Semedo, 23, has been linked to United previously, with a double deal with Lindelof reported. The player has four caps for Portugal and is currently in Russia with the Portugal squad for the Confederations Cup.

    Mourinho and United relied on Antonio Valencia at right-back last season, but the United boss is believed to be looking for an alternative to Valencia.

    Semedo was reportedly close to a move to Old Trafford in February.

    Portuguese media outlet Notícias ao Minuto claimed that the Red Devils reached an agreement in principle for the transfer of Semedo.

    The fee mentioned in February was £35million for a player who has a contract with Benfica until 2021.

  • Sigurdsson equaliser damages Manchester united top four hope

    Sigurdsson equaliser damages Manchester united top four hope

    Manchester United suffered a big blow to their top-four hopes as Swansea City held them to yet another draw at Old Trafford.

    Gylfi Sigurdsson free kick cancelled out Wayne Rooney penalty to secure a 1-1 draw for Swansea City at Old Trafford that damages Manchester United’s top-four ambitions.

    Rooney swept home from the spot moments before half-time after Marcus Rashford had gone to ground which was a little bit controversial with the replay showing that there was  no contact from Lukasz Fabianski, but Swansea’s set-piece maestro stole a point that could wreck the hosts’ hopes of qualifying for the Champions League through domestic competition.

    Swansea, who are now just two points adrift of safety in 18th place, looked the brighter of the teams for much of the first half but chances were limited before the penalty incident towards the end of the half time.

     

  • Jose reveals new haircut for birthday, Wembley

    Jose reveals new haircut for birthday, Wembley

     

     

    Jose Mourinho turned up at Manchester United on Wednesday with a new buzz cut, boasting that he will be able to grow his hair back inside a month

    The United boss sported his new look ahead of Thursday’s EFL Cup semi-final second leg at the KCOM Stadium which falls on his 54th birthday.

    It is not the first time Mourinho has had a close crop during his coaching career in England, and he poked fun at balding reporters at his pre-match press conference at Carrington.

    ‘It’s a privilege that I can do it,’ said Mourinho, who gave a high five to one bald journalist as he left the room.

    ‘It is a privilege because I’m the type of guy that can do it an in one month have a new hair, a new wig. Some of you can’t do it.’

    Mourinho also paid tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson who has praised the Portuguese coach for turning United into a force again after a difficult start at Old Trafford.

    They are currently on a 17-game unbeaten run and in contention for four trophies.

    Mourinho confirmed that defender Eric Bailly will return to Manchester after Ivory Coast were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations, although he will not be available for the EFL Cup game.

  • Depay thanks Man U fans after £21.6m switch to Lyon

    Depay thanks Man U fans after £21.6m switch to Lyon

     

     

    Not one to hold a grudge, Memphis Depay has written a heart-felt thank you to Manchester United fans as he puts an end to his Old Trafford nightmare.

    The Dutchman took to social media on Friday after completing a £21.6million move to Lyon, where he will wear the No 9 shirt.

    Given the difficulties he has faced in the Premier League, and the mixed reception he has received from supporters, Depay could have been forgiven for leaving without a parting word.

    But instead he paid tribute to the United crowd, writing: ‘Thanks for all the memories during my time as a Red Devil. I will never forget all your support at @ManUtd’.

    Depay joined United for £25million in the summer of 2015 with a burgeoning reputation, but he failed to live up to expectations at Old Trafford and made just one start under Jose Mourinho this season.

    He was made available for transfer by Mourinho this month and had several suitors, with Lyon eventually winning the race.

    The 22-year-old met with the French club’s head of recruitment Florian Maurice as a deal edged closer, with president Jean-Michel Aulas is keen to see his latest acquisition make his Ligue 1 debut this weekend against Marseille.

  • The key battles in today’s Manchester derby

    The key battles in today’s Manchester derby

    Manchester United host Manchester City in a huge derby game at Old Trafford on Sunday. With just a point separating the sides, small margins could decide this one and that means winning personal battles…

    Can Wayne Rooney get the better of Manchester City defenders? Could Sergio Aguero have too much for Marcos Rojo? And will it be Michael Carrick or David Silva pulling the strings in midfield?

    Sky Sports pick out three key battles that could decide the Manchester derby…

    The respective captains have enjoyed and endured a long-running battle for supremacy in this fixture that dates back years. It’s not always been friendly either with Rooney criticised for brandishing an imaginary card when angling for Kompany’s dismissal in 2012.

    Rooney has certainly had his moments of glory too. Kompany could do nothing to prevent the Manchester United forward’s stunning overhead winner in 2011 and Rooney also scored braces away to Manchester City in each of the following two seasons – games in which the defender was sent off after 12 minutes in the first then substituted due to injury after 21 minutes in the second.

    Kompany has had his highs as well. Plenty of them, in fact. He scored the only goal of the game in what turned out to be a decisive win in the title race in April 2012 and has played every single minute of City’s victories at Old Trafford in each of the past three seasons. The concern, however, is that the Belgian’s form is not what it was.

    “Vincent Kompany has turned into Mr Rash,” said Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville last month. “I don’t know what’s happened to him. He needs to settle his game down.” Rooney does not appear in the mood to let his opponent off the hook either. He’s scored six goals in his last eight appearances for United and is revelling in his forward role.

    “He’s proving now that he is Manchester United’s best striker, enjoying the role and scoring goals,” said Neville on Monday Night Football. Although Robin van Persie has confirmed his fitness ahead of the derby, it seems unlikely that United boss Louis van Gaal will want to change too much with Rooney in this form. How this battle shapes up could go a long way to deciding the outcome.

     

    Rojo v Aguero

    At the other end of the field, an Argentine duel could be critical for both teams and it seems that there might be a little animosity between these international team-mates. The pair reportedly fell out during last summer’s World Cup and when Aguero pulled out of a community event in the build-up to the November derby between the teams, Rojo jokingly suggested that the City striker might be scared of him.

    Events at the Etihad Stadium proved that to be nonsense. Aguero had the better of it even before Rojo went off with a shoulder injury in the early stages of the second half, having run away from his marker once only to be hacked down and eluded him a second time before being denied by David de Gea. Aguero scored the winner – and only goal of the game – just seven minutes after Rojo departed.

    United are better organised now and Rojo knows he’ll need to be vigilant. “In the penalty area he is a very quick mover and gets into position very quickly,” said the United defender. “He can be controlled, but it is up to us to keep an eye on where he at all times and get into him with a degree of firmness. You have to stick close to him, that’s for sure. Be very attentive.” Easier said than done.

     

    Carrick v Silva

    Silva excelled in the No.10 role the last time that City played at Old Trafford. Operating behind Edin Dzeko, the Spaniard had a role to play in the striker’s first-minute goal when he burst through the centre and might have doubled the lead inside 10 minutes when he found vast space between Rio Ferdinand and Phil Jones. The little magician controlled the play for much of the first half with Marouane Fellaini summing up United’s frustration in a 3-0 defeat when taking a sly kick at him.

    The question on Sunday will be whether Manuel Pellegrini keeps that performance in mind and opts to utilise Silva in the same position. City’s penchant for playing with two forwards has meant Silva has had to drift in from the flanks and the playmaker was out with a knee injury when the teams met in November so Pellegrini’s thinking on the matter is unclear. Given that City were not entirely convincing that day, even once United were down to 10 men, it could see Silva return as a No.10.

    Not least because the make-up of the Manchester United midfield will be ostensibly similar to how it looked a little over 12 months ago. Van Gaal has made fundamental changes to the team since replacing David Moyes, but the Scot’s midfield that day featured a trio of Carrick, Fellaini and Tom Cleverley. Two of those seem certain to feature in a midfield trio with Ander Herrera asked to knit the play instead of Cleverley.

    Of course, Van Gaal has worked hard to bring more cohesion to United than Moyes ever achieved and he’s unlikely to spend too much time thinking about a game that happened before he’d even arrived at the club. But Carrick struggled to get to grips with Silva that afternoon and the job of tracking the City star when he moves into those pockets of space will be a crucial one. Indeed, it’s just one of a host of battles that could decide which team finishes on top in Manchester this season.