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Manchester United had to make some difficult decisions during the summer window and could now be set to part ways with another star on a permanent basis in the near future.

Manchester United seek to build on Premier League momentum

Admittedly, the Red Devils are going to need more consistency to trouble sides near the top of the Premier League table, but a deserved victory over Chelsea has given Ruben Amorim space to breathe.

Now, back-to-back fixtures against Brentford and Sunderland offer an opportunity for the Portuguese boss to generate some much-needed momentum at Old Trafford, especially after he held face-to-face talks about Manchester United’s trajectory with Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Bruno Fernandes has been a leading light for the Red Devils, and there is an argument to say his side needs to find a level of self-sufficiency without relying on their awe-inspiring captain every week, though seeing off Enzo Maresca’s outfit has shown they can win when the pressure is on.

Amorim also needs to be applauded for his ruthless approach in the transfer market. Rasmus Hojlund, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho were among summer departures, indicating that the man in charge isn’t afraid to wield the axe when fresh ideas are needed across the squad.

Of course, some of their dealings during the window were enforced. Garnacho has experienced a taste of why the grass isn’t always greener. Still the main aim at Manchester United is building a squad capable of challenging for silverware.

Premier League manager admits star is unsettled due to Man Utd approach

The Red Devils are known to be big admirers.

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Sep 22, 2025

Financially, that may prove tricky as the club tries to navigate PSR legislation. Sales will be necessary, and another high-profile departure could now be on the cards at Old Trafford.

Romano: Andre Onana's time is up at Old Trafford

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has delivered some telling insight on Andre Onana’s career at Manchester United after he was loaned to Trabzonspor.

Addressing his future, the renowned transfer specialist has confirmed that the Cameroon star now appears to be permanently out of the picture at Old Trafford, and there is no way back after Senne Lammens arrived from Royal Antwerp.

He stated: “My understanding is that both sides – Man Utd and Andre Onana himself – see this Man Utd chapter as almost closed. So it’s very difficult to imagine Onana staying at Man Utd beyond (next summer).

“Man Utd believe that Senne Lammens is going to be the goalkeeper for present and future, so unless something extraordinary happens, (Onana’s agreement) is a straight loan, and he might go somewhere else in the future, but it’s over between Man Utd and Onana, probably.”

Enjoying a solid start to life at Trabzonspor, the 29-year-old has featured against Fenerbahce and Gaziantep, even claiming an assist against the latter in a 1-1 draw.

Retaining a save percentage of 80% in the Super Lig, per Fotmob, it remains to be seen whether the Turkish outfit will look to deal him in permanently or whether alternative suitors will look to land the £120,000 per week earner.

Referee Maurizio Mariani has been stood down by a "furious" chief after his performance in the heated clash between Napoli and Inter. Mariani and his assistant are being punished for a "short circuit" call on a controversial penalty while also missing an "obvious" handball claim for Inter as Napoli ran out 3-1 winners against Christian Chivu's team.

• Major setback for the referee

  Mariani has been stood down from Serie A duties and faces a potential demotion to Serie B following a performance laden with "too serious errors" during Napoli's 3-1 victory over Inter on Saturday.

  According to a report from , Italian referee designator Gianluca Rocchi was left "furious" by the display at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona and has immediately "stopped" both Mariani and his assistant, Daniele Bindoni, from officiating. The decision comes after a match defined by controversial penalty decisions that heavily influenced the outcome.

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• 'Short circuit' over late Napoli penalty call

  The primary incident that angered Rocchi was the controversial penalty awarded to Napoli in the 33rd minute. The report describes the contact as "very slight," noting that some on the refereeing panel considered it a non-penalty.

  However, the "short circuit" that proved fatal for the officiating team was procedural. Assistant referee Bindoni flagged for the foul eight seconds after the incident occurred, a delay that triggered the whistle. The report states that had Mariani called the foul immediately, the "perception" of the call would have been different, even if the contact was minimal.

  Rocchi is reportedly furious with the awarding of such "slight" penalties, which VAR rarely intervenes on as contact was present. Kevin De Bruyne converted the resulting spot-kick to give Napoli the lead.

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  Inter denied 'obvious' handball penalty

  Mariani's performance was further criticised for a crucial decision that went against Inter. The Nerazzurri were incensed after being denied what the report calls an "obvious" penalty for an outstretched arm by Napoli's Alessandro Buongiorno, which made contact with a touch from Lautaro Martínez.

  This missed call, combined with the "slight" penalty given against them, fuelled the post-match controversy and triggered the review from Rocchi's National Referees Commission (CAN).

  Inter also reportedly questioned Mariani's game management, specifically why Napoli’s Billy Gilmour was not penalised for a foul committed shortly after teammate Giovanni Di Lorenzo had been booked.

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  What next for Mariani and officiating team?

  The consequences for the "too serious" errors were swift. Mariani, who had only refereed two Serie A matches this season after officiating the Under-20 World Cup final, has been removed from the schedule for the midweek round.

  He will also be sidelined for Matchday 10. The report indicates he may be reassigned to Serie B or moved to a VAR role for the time being. Assistant Bindoni has also been stood down and will not be included in the upcoming squad of officials.

  The move is part of a wider disciplinary action by Rocchi, who has also stood down referee Daniele Chiffi for significant errors in the Parma-Como match. Chiffi is also expected to be moved to a VAR role, so he can "understand what it means to be on the penalty line or out."

  The incidents overshadowed a crucial win for Napoli, who remain top of the Serie A table. After De Bruyne's opener, Inter equalised through a penalty of their own from Hakan Calhanoglu, but goals from Scott McTominay and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa sealed the 3-1 win. Inter remain in fourth place.

What a game it was between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. The evening kick-off in the Premier League brought plenty of fireworks, with the Blues running out 2-1 winners in stoppage time, in a game that felt like it could have gone either way.

For much of the game, it was a diligent performance by Enzo Maresca’s side. The West Londoners took the lead inside the first quarter of an hour, and what a strike it was. Moises Caicedo unleashed a thunderbolt from the edge of the Liverpool penalty area, which flew into the top left corner.

Liverpool did manage to get back into the game, which coincided with the introduction of Florian Wirtz at half-time. The Reds scored through Cody Gakpo, with the Dutch winger getting on the end of a lay-off from Alexander Isak, although whether the Swede meant it is another question.

The game became incredibly open in the final 20 minutes, and Chelsea, who hit the post in stoppage time, left it until the 97th minute to score. It was Estevao who bagged the winner, which caused a huge celebration across Stamford Bridge.

It was a fantastic way for the game to end for Chelsea, with Estevao saving the day off the bench.

Estevao’s cameo vs. Liverpool

Brazilian wonderkid Estevao has already left a huge impression during his short Chelsea career so far. The 18-year-old bagged his first goal for the club against Liverpool, adding to the assists he got away to West Ham United.

What a way to win the game it was, too. The former Palmerias star capped off a good team move, sliding in at the back post to put Marc Cucurella’s cross into the back of the net.

He showed excellent instinct and understanding despite his inexperience.

It was a brilliant contribution off the bench from the teenager, which former Blues striker Daniel Sturridge described as a “top drawer” effort. Aside from the goal, he made three touches in the opposition box and made six ball recoveries.

That is why Football London journalist Bobby Vincent gave Estevao an 8/10 for his night’s work. Like Sturridge, Vincent was full of praise for the 18-year-old, describing his stoppage-time strike as a “memorable” goal.

It was certainly a night to remember for Estevao, who saved the day for Chelsea and spared the blushes of one of his fellow attackers.

The Chelsea player who was saved by Estevao

On the whole, Chelsea’s win against Liverpool was a good performance. Estevao was one of the standouts, with the likes of Caicedo and Cucurella also putting in good shifts at Stamford Bridge.

Yet, there were a couple of players in that famous Blue shirt who struggled. Centre-forward Joao Pedro was one of those. After a fast start to life in West London, the Brazilian international has now failed to score in his last five games in all competitions.

The game against Liverpool was certainly a tough outing for Pedro.

He only managed 17 touches during the 75 minutes he was on the pitch, fewer than Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. The striker only had one touch in Liverpool’s box, and one shot, which was off target.

Vincent also seemed to agree with the sentiment that Pedro struggled against the Premier League champions. He gave the Blues number 20 a 5/10 for his evening’s work, and said he was ‘quiet’ overall.

Perhaps it is a concern for Maresca that Pedro is struggling to get into the game when Cole Palmer is not on the pitch. The pair have combined for two goals in seven matches so far, according to Transfermarkt.

Of course, the England international is the key creator in this Chelsea squad, and it was the case at times that it seemed Pedro could not get on the ball unless he was there linking things up.

The Brazilian has chipped in with goal involvements this season, without Palmer on the pitch. Yet, the Chelsea number 20 has already said that they look to “combine our ideas so that it works in the games.” Perhaps we are seeing the effect that Palmer not featuring in the Chelsea side can have on Pedro, with the rest of the side struggling to get him the ball.

It is certainly food for thought for Maresca, who will surely look to find a way to get Pedro more involved when Palmer is not on the pitch.

Outscoring Pedro: Chelsea lost one of "the best finishers" in Europe for £0

The international goalscorer has been on fire since he left Chelsea for nothing.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Oct 4, 2025

AC Milan officials met with Robert Lewandowski's agent as they look to replace disappointing forward Santiago Gimenez next season. The Barcelona forward is nearing the end of his existing contract and is likely to leave the Blaugrana next summer as a free agent as the Catalan giants are yet to offer a contract extension to the veteran Polish forward.

• Lewandowski's future remains uncertain

  With just months left on Lewandowski's current Barcelona contract, the 37-year-old striker has been closely linked with a move away from the Spanish side next summer as a free agent. Even his representative Pini Zahavi recently claimed that the striker could leave the Catalan side, saying: "Lewandowski's contract with Barcelona expires in the summer of 2026, and no decisions have been made yet. We'll have to wait and see what happens in the coming days."

  Zahavi, however, dismissed rumours suggesting Lewandowski could head to the Saudi Pro League as he added: "There's nothing official regarding negotiations with Saudi Arabian teams. There are no offers at this time."

  As Lewandowski's future remains uncertain, reports have emerged that the Catalan giants have started to prepare for life beyond their star striker, with Ferran Torres adapting to a central role under Hansi Flick this season. Sporting director Deco recently stated that Barcelona will not immediately pursue a replacement, yet names like Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez and Etta Eyong continue to surface in reports.

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  AC Mila eye move for Lewandowski

  Per , AC Milan officials met with Zahavi to discuss a potential move for Lewandowski as the Serie A giants are looking for a new forward. They signed Gimenez in February on a four-and-a-half-year contract but the Mexican striker has turned out to be a major flop at San Siro. Gimenez endured an ankle injury, which has hampered his performance in Italy and in the current season, the 24-year-old has appeared in 11 matches, where he scored one goal and provided two assists for the Rossoneri. 

  Gimenez recently opened up about his injury troubles, writing on social media: "For several months I've been playing with an ankle injury that hasn't allowed me to be 100% fit or feel comfortable on the pitch. With determination, I continued to help the team, I continued to play, but the pain increased: the time has come to stop. Now I have to focus on my recovery and prepare to be back with you as soon as possible. God is in control. Thank you for your support, see you soon!"

• Which club will Lewandowski play for next season?

  The veteran forward is yet to make up his mind about his future as he focuses on getting to his best shape this season and competing for the Blaugrana. Should the striker choose to depart next summer, he will no doubt have a long list of suitors lining up contract offers in an attempt to persuade him to join their club. Saudi clubs will be amongst those options, but even at 37 years old, Lewandowski looks as if he could keep playing at the top of European football for years to come.

  He was also briefly linked with a move to Manchester United as Ruben Amorim reportedly wanted to sign the experienced forward to motivate the youngsters at the club, however, minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly blocked the move as he won't approve transfers of players who are at the twilight of their careers. 

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  Diminished role at Barcelona

  So far in the 2025-26 campaign, Lewandowski has played in 11 matches across all competitions and has featured in Flick's starting lineup only four times. He returned to action against Elche last weekend as he came on as a substitute in the second half. Having recently recovered from an injury, Lewandowski will now hope to start for the Blaugrana in their upcoming La Liga game against Celta Vigo on November 9.

  "I don't know what's in his DNA, but he recovers in three weeks from injuries that should last five," Flick said of the Polish veteran's return.

Celtic will be on cloud line after sweeping aside Rangers to reach the Premier Sports Cup final, and they have now received a response after making a surprise approach to appoint Mark van Bommel as their new manager.

Whether he lands the job permanently or not, Martin O’Neill has once again hammered home his legendary status in the dugout at the Scottish Premiership champions after securing back-to-back wins over Falkirk and Danny Rohl’s men since returning to Parkhead.

After a frustrating start to the campaign under Brendan Rodgers that led to an explosive departure, his Irish compatriot has more than steadied the ship and would be open to taking on the role full-time if discussions with Dermot Desmond were to be forthcoming.

Nevertheless, the search for a permanent fix goes on. Lee Carsley, Nicky Hayen and Kieran McKenna are on Celtic’s list. Meanwhile, Robbie Keane and Wilfried Nancy are outside contenders to fill the void as the race widens before the international break.

One thing is for sure, they won’t have a shortage of talent to work with in Glasgow. Callum Osmand’s Glasgow Derby heroics have given the Bhoys an unexpected striker solution, and Johnny Kenny has also bagged three in his last two games after coming in from the periphery over the last week.

Until January, anyone who takes on the Celtic job may need to play around to find solutions in certain areas. However, O’Neill will leave the squad in a much better place should they find a new head coach, that is, if he isn’t appointed himself.

Either way, time is ticking, and the Hoops are seemingly keen to announce their latest manager, though fresh developments seem to suggest it won’t be a certain former Netherlands international.

Mark van Bommel replies to Celtic management offer

According to a report from Telegraaf, Mark van Bommel has declined an offer to manage Celtic, and he also has offers on the table from Saudi clubs offering more than £1 million per annum, something he has decided to knock back.

The former Royal Antwerp boss doesn’t want to move away from home right now because his son, Ruben, suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury at PSV Eindhoven. In a time where he needs support, the 48-year-old has opted to put his family first.

Honestly, it is hard to fault Van Bommel for his decision. Despite also being linked to Rangers after they sacked Russell Martin, it doesn’t appear that he will be pitching up in Glasgow any time soon.

Throughout his career in the dugout, the Maasbracht-born man has been in charge of PSV Eindhoven, Wolfsburg and Antwerp, and has claimed the Belgian Pro League, Belgian Cup and Belgian Super Cup during his time at Bosuilstadion.

Celtic could still spring a surprise appointment instead of Van Bommel

Now, Celtic will focus on other targets, safe in the knowledge that O’Neill and Shaun Maloney are getting a tune out of their side in the meantime.

Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have entered a high-stakes battle for Anderlecht’s 17-year-old prodigy Nathan De Cat. The Belgian youth international has risen rapidly from academy standout to first-team regular, attracting top clubs with his tactical intelligence and dominant performances. With his contract running until 2027, De Cat has become the centre of a transfer race between the two Bundesliga giants.

• Bayern and Dortmund move for Nathan De Cat

  Few teenagers in Europe have generated as much momentum as De Cat, and both Bayern and Dortmund see him as a midfielder worth acting early for. According to , both clubs have formally intensified their monitoring, sending scouts to multiple matches this season as the 17-year-old has grown into a permanent starter at Anderlecht. However, they are just two of a number of top teams keeping track of him.

  Bayern transfer bosses Max Eberl and Christoph Freund are leading the charge. They admire De Cat’s tactical maturity, his ability to dictate tempo from deep and his imposing frame, a combination they believe could make him a long-term successor to Leon Goretzka or a future anchor in Vincent Kompany’s midfield. Bayern’s interest is not casual; they have already placed him near the top of their long-term recruitment list.

  Dortmund, known for identifying elite young talent before their peak, view De Cat with equal urgency. Aware of Bayern’s push, they consider the Belgian a perfect fit for their tradition of developing high-ceiling midfielders who can thrive in a fast, transitional system. Their scouting department has followed De Cat since his Europa League debut at 16, and the club is prepared to compete aggressively for his signature.

  Neither club has made a formal bid yet as Anderlecht’s stance remains strong. But both Bayern and Dortmund have moved beyond preliminary monitoring and into serious evaluation, convinced they are chasing one of Europe’s next top midfielders.

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  From Mechelen to Anderlecht: The rise of Nathan De Cat

  De Cat’s journey began at KV Mechelen, but Anderlecht quickly spotted his potential and at just 10 years old he entered one of Europe’s most respected academies.

  He progressed through the system at exceptional speed. By February 2024, only 15 years old, he made his professional debut for RSCA Futures, becoming one of the youngest players ever to appear in Belgian professional football. Months earlier, in October 2023, he had already signed his first senior contract. And in February 2025, at 16 years and seven months, he stepped onto the pitch in the Europa League, displaying a calmness and maturity that belied his age.

  During his time with Anderlecht's youth academy, the Belgian midfielder played 33 games in which he scored three goals and registered four assists. His defensive recovery numbers and positional discipline are unusually advanced for a teenager, underpinning his reputation as a deep-lying playmaker with exceptional tactical instincts.

  His breakthrough moment arrived in May 2025, when he scored his first professional goal during the Belgian Pro League Champions’ Playoff against Royal Antwerp.

  Now a full member of Anderlecht’s first team, he has already made 14 league appearances this season, adding one goal and one assist to his name. With a U-17 World Cup call-up reinforcing his upward trajectory, De Cat enters the next phase of his development with major opportunities opening around him and Europe’s top clubs watching closely.

• How De Cat fits in Bayern and Dortmund squad

  The 17-year-old brings a blend of qualities that both Bayern and Dortmund rarely find in one teenager which includes tactical intelligence, composure, physicality, and elite ball circulation. His profile allows him to slot naturally into either system.

  At Bayern, Kompany’s philosophy revolves around dominant possession, vertical progression and structured build-up. The coach has already demonstrated his ability to elevate young talents, with Lennart Karl a recent example of a youth player transformed into a reliable contributor under his watch. For De Cat, working under Kompany, a coach proven at guiding young defenders and midfielders, would offer a clear developmental pathway.

  At Dortmund, the appeal lies in their high-tempo, vertical, pressing-heavy style. De Cat’s strong ball-winning instincts, sharp passing under pressure and quick decision-making may make him an ideal fit as the tempo-controller behind Dortmund’s attacking midfielders. 

  In both environments, De Cat would not just be another academy signing, he would be viewed as a long-term starting midfielder. That is precisely why Bayern and Dortmund have accelerated their pursuit.

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  Anderlecht’s season and De Cat’s path to prominence

  Anderlecht’s 2025-26 campaign has given De Cat an ideal stage. Sitting third in the Belgian Pro League, with seven wins and four draws, the club are well-placed in the championship playoffs.

  To cement his prominence this season, De Cat must continue refining the aspects that define elite midfielders: maintaining high passing accuracy, dictating tempo more consistently, and adding more verticality to his play. Anderlecht want him to evolve into a central figure capable of leading both defensive structure and offensive build-up.

  The club’s long-term plan is clear with De Cat viewed as a future cornerstone of Anderlecht’s midfield. They resisted releasing him initially for the U-17 World Cup because of his importance to their domestic campaign which further points to how much responsibility they already place on his shoulders.

Shohei Ohtani's massive, $700 million (largely deferred) contract was valued as high as it was in part because there was an expectation he would impact the game on both sides of the ball both as a slugger and a pitcher.

Ohtani missed out on pitching his first season with the Dodgers as he recovered from an operation to repair his UCL after the 2023 season. Los Angeles found a way to build around that, though, including with some trade deadline moves to add pitching help, ultimately winning a World Series trophy in 2024.

Now, Ohtani is hoping to get back on the bump, spending this spring training getting prepared to pitch in a Dodgers uniform for the first time in 2025. Manager Dave Roberts gave an update on how he's progressing on Saturday.

Roberts told reporters that Ohtani was throwing 92 to 94 miles per hour (fastball) with a brief 14-pitch bullpen session. He also added it's possible Ohtani will be facing batters in simulated settings before the Dodgers head to Toyko for the 2025 MLB World Tour in mid-March.

Ohtani's average fastball velocity was 96.8 mph in 2023.

It's overall great news for Ohtani and the Dodgers, who will be even more of a threat once he's back as a pitcher.

Whether this is his final season at Manchester United or not, there will come a time sooner rather than later when the Red Devils will line up without Bruno Fernandes in tow, with the Portuguese’s future likely to again be a talking point next summer.

As the 31-year-old revealed in a tell-all interview ahead of making his 300th United appearance last month, he had held talks with Saudi side Al Hilal over the summer regarding a potential move, only to eventually opt to stay put in Manchester with his business still seemingly unfinished.

Also the subject of interest from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024, the club’s long-serving talisman has rightly courted admiring glances amid his stunning form over the past five years or so, racking up 100 goals and 89 assists in his 302 outings to date.

While five of those goal involvements have come in this season’s Premier League already, it does appear that the baton is finally being passed, however, with Ruben Amorim’s influential skipper no longer the sole star attraction.

Indeed, all eyes are on INEOS’ £71m signing Bryan Mbeumo following his return of six goals in his first 12 games for the club, with Fernandes quietly pulling the strings in a deeper role.

With Amorim also outlining the prospect of his captain needing to adjust to potential “rotation” next season, should United return to European competition, the gradual phasing out of the playmaker might well have started…

The candidates to replace Fernandes as captain

Fernandes himself was awarded the honour back in the summer of 2023, with then-boss Erik ten Hag taking the decision to strip Harry Maguire of the captaincy, with reports subsequently stating that the Englishman was heading to West Ham United.

To his credit, the latter man stayed to fight for his place, since securing cult hero status with a string of vital goals, be it his last-gasp clincher against Lyon, or the late winner against Liverpool this season.

With the 32-year-old facing his own Old Trafford uncertainty amid his expiring contract, however, it would be unlikely to see him outlast Fernandes at the club, with other candidates in the running to take the armband.

Indeed, at present, Matthijs de Ligt – the hero against Tottenham Hotspur last time out – is showcasing captaincy material, albeit while not actually having been included in Amorim’s self-appointed leadership group in pre-season.

Instead, that experienced bunch includes Fernandes, Maguire, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot, with the ex-Sporting CP boss singling them out as the leaders in his first-team ranks.

Like Maguire, however, Casemiro’s current deal expires in 2026, while Martinez may be more concerned with getting back fit and firing again, having been absent since sustaining an ACL injury back in February.

Mazraoui, too, has also endured an injury-hit start to 2025/26, with the Moroccan defender also no longer a guaranteed starter, following Amad’s emergence in that right wing-back berth.

The form of the Ivorian – which includes his stunning equaliser against Nottingham Forest – has also plunged Dalot’s long-term future into doubt, with the Portuguese full-back potentially in line for the axe before too long.

Why Man Utd's 'future captain' needs to be sold

The merits of Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system have long been debated, although amid United’s five-game unbeaten run, it looks like a corner may have been turned, with the squad beginning to find its feet at both ends of the pitch.

One area which remains something of a headache is at wing-back, however, with the 40-year-old coach having flitted between Patrick Dorgu and Dalot on that left-hand side in recent weeks.

While the latter man did assist Mbeumo from that role against Burnley, he has largely looked rather uncomfortable in an unorthodox role, having notably failed to prevent Nicolo Savona from converting at the City Ground two weeks ago.

In a system that demands an attacking intent from those on the flanks, even on his favoured flank, the one-time Porto man has hardly flourished in that sense in recent times, racking up just nine goals and 18 assists in 220 games for the club to date.

While once something of a “standout” under Ten Hag – having claimed the Players’ Player of the Year award at United in 2024 – Dalot no longer appears to have a defined role under the new regime, putting his future into doubt heading into 2026.

With a contract that expires in 2028, it could prove the perfect time to try and cash in on the £24m-rated defender – as valued by Transfermarkt – with the INEOS regime no doubt needing to do what they can to reshape the squad in Amorim’s image.

Of course, Dalot appears to be an influential figure under his compatriot, as his place in the leadership group showcases, having reportedly produced something of a rallying cry in the dressing room following the 3-3 draw with Porto last season.

It is for acts like that that the £90k-per-week star had emerged as one of the club’s “future captains” – as relayed by Samuel Luckhurst – although with his own form now under scrutiny, his Old Trafford stay should be coming to an end.

Forget Sesko: Man Utd's "anxious" dud is now becoming INEOS' worst signing

Manchester United have one player who has massively struggled to meet expectations at Old Trafford.

By
Ethan Lamb

Nov 11, 2025

The USMNT are playing some of their best soccer under Pochettino, but the focus stays on the bigger picture as Uruguay offers their toughest test yet on the road to the 2026 World Cup.

TAMPA, Fla. – Vibes are high around the U.S. Men's National Team – and rightly so. Saturday’s win over Paraguay capped a run of three wins in four, the kind of stretch that finally makes Pochettino’s months of “trust the plan” messaging feel real. For the first time in a while, the U.S. look like a team with purpose. Things are, at long last, falling into place.

But Pochettino didn’t craft this plan to peak in a November friendly. He built it for the World Cup. These results are encouraging, sure, but they only represent a small step toward where the U.S. need to be. Even as this group carries real momentum into a showdown with Uruguay, Pochettino is clear: the blueprint stays the course — praise, criticism, and everything in between.

"Now, we are adapting," Pochettino said Monday. "We need to improve a lot. It's not that we are now so good and we are now so happy. No, I think that we have settled. We are changing the mindset, and I think that is working and, for sure, we're going to have time to arrive at the World Cup in the best condition."

Pochettino, funnily enough, continued the wave metaphor on his own. 

"You keep going with the project, because it's not easy to change in the middle of it," he said. "You don't change the captain in the middle of the storm. No, you give confidence."

With that confidence, the U.S. are now preparing to face Uruguay, one of the toughest opponents on their schedule. Yes, this fall has been a gauntlet of World Cup-bound teams: South Korea, Japan, Ecuador, Australia, and most recently, Paraguay. Uruguay, though, are a different beast.

"Games are games, and we saw their game in Mexico," Pochettino said. "It was a tight game again between two very good teams. For us, it's another challenge, completely different from Paraguay. It's a good challenge…. All of these teams were playing qualification now, and it's a moment for them to try different things or give an opportunity for different players. We are not playing official games. In the last year, everyone says we've been playing friendly games, but they're not for us."

GOAL takes a look at five keys to Tuesday's match against

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  Can Gio go again?

  Following the win over Paraguay, Reyna said he was somewhere between "80-85 percent" when asked about his fitness. What does that mean, then, for this game? Is he in a position to play more minutes against Uruguay?

  Realistically, it’s unlikely Reyna will play a big role. Given his workload not just over the last few months but the last few years, it would seem a bit risky to start him again, given the turnaround. Managing his workload is key, and overworking him could have major consequences. Because of that, the best move would likely be to give Reyna a cameo, if anything.

  So what does that leave? In the attacking midfield spots, Pochettino could turn to Real Salt Lake's Diego Luna, who did well off the bench last game. He could stick with Brenden Aaronson, who, after going through English soccer's meatgrinder, isn't a stranger to short turnarounds. Or he could roll with two strikers, putting either Ricardo Pepi or Haji Wright into the fray. There are options there.

  Speaking of strikers…

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  The No. 9 spot

  Folarin Balogun has now scored in three consecutive USMNT starts – will he get a chance to make it four on Tuesday?

  Balogun is one of three strikers in the USMNT camp alongside Haji Wright and Ricardo Pepi. What was once a significant weakness for this USMNT is now a significant strength as Pochettino now has three strikers at his disposal with legitimate arguments to start. All three are scoring goals in recent appearances for club and country, so choosing between them isn't particularly easy.

  Pochettino has generally rotated, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see a name other than Balogun on the team sheet. Pepi, though, is still building fitness, which is something Pochettino pointed out ahead of the Paraguay game. That didn't stop him from featuring in that game, although he did end up missing a chance that, when fit, he'd bury 100 times out of 100.

  As for Wright, he's been the Championship's best striker and is coming off two goals against Australia. He, too, will feel like he's made a good argument to start this game, which will be a significant test and a significant chance to prove himself.

  Whoever plays will have to face off with some wily veteran defenders in the Uruguay team, with the team starting Athletico Madrid's José María Giménez and Flamengo's Guillermo Varela against Mexico on Saturday. Because of that, it's the type of match that could see one of these three really shake up the striker picture with a goal or two.

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  Revenge game, or just a big test?

  Uruguay weren't the reason that the USMNT went out at the Copa America, but they were the final nail in the coffin. That loss doomed the U.S., and the Gregg Berhalter era, last summer, effectively kickstarting the Pochettino era.

  So, for those still in the squad, this might feel like something of a revenge game. At the very least, it is a chance to compete against one of the better teams out there.

  In the latest FIFA rankings, Uruguay sit 15th in the world, with the USMNT just one spot behind them and in a strong run of form. For those who weren’t part of last summer’s Copa América squad, this still offers a clear measuring stick – a chance to test themselves against a top-tier opponent they could easily see again in a future tournament.

  This Uruguay team, like the USMNT, will be missing some key players. Darwin Nunez, Federico Valverde, and Lucas Torreira, all mainstays, are among those out. There are, though, familiar faces, players like Manchester United's Manuel Ugarte, Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur,  Gimenez, and Barcelona's Ronald Araujo. This is, unquestionably, a talented team, one managed by an all-time great in Marcelo Bielsa that Pochettino knows well. Tanner Tessmann, who wasn't on last year's Copa America team, is eager to see how the U.S. line up against one of the world's best. 

  "Ball's ball," said Tessmann. "Playing against everybody, at the end of the day, you have to play to a certain standard, no matter who you're playing against. I've had big wins, but I've had big losses against teams that we should have never lost to, and it's because we didn't go out and compete and play to a certain standard. 

  "I think the United States can play with any national team and play against anybody, and I think a lot of players in their club teams do the same. They play against top teams and top players, so I think it's just about knowing that you have to bring a certain standard and play against whoever's in front of you."

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  The Bielsa effect

  Bielsa is a legendary figure in the sport – so much so that Pochettino is among the many Argentines who idolize him. The USMNT boss played under Uruguay’s current manager at Newell’s Old Boys from 1990 to 1992, and that admiration has endured ever since.

  "I know what it means to play for him and I know what it means to play against him," Pochettino said. "It's going to be tough, for sure. It's going to be a game that is going to be really tough, but at the same time, I want to enjoy it because it's a possibility to see and share time. 

  "When I was 30 or 35, I don't know who could have told me that I was going to face Marcelo Bielsa with the USA and Uruguay. I think it's fantastic. In some ways, we are going to suffer [in Tuesday's match], but in some ways, we are going to enjoy."

  For those unfamiliar with Bielsa, it's important to note that he's nicknamed 'El Loco' for a reason. He's a meticulous planner, one who drives a culture of preparation and, ultimately, loyalty. His teams are always difficult to play against, and when you combine that with the famous Uruguayan spirit, you have a national team that will always fight for every inch.

  How will the U.S. combat that? Given their own penchant for scrapping recently, it's clear they won't back down from the challenge. It'll be a fun clash, then, between Bielsa and Pochettino, two of the finest managers Argentina has ever produced.

The Cincinnati Reds are hoping to embark upon an exciting season with Opening Day on Thursday, one filled with wins and Elly De La Cruz highlights. Unfortunately for manager Terry Francona, things got off to a painful start.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Reds' first game of the 2025 season against the San Francisco Giants, Francona revealed he had to deal with an overnight dental emergency ahead of his team's home opener.

Per Reds reporter Charlie Goldsmith, Francona woke up at 2 a.m. with a broken veneer. He went back to sleep and got up again a few hours later to head straight to the dentist's chair. The veteran manager got it fixed, and he's locked and loaded for Opening Day.

Some real classic baseball guy stuff right there. You think a broken veneer is going to stop Terry Francona from getting to the ballpark for a game? Absolutely not.

Exactly what we've come to expect from the MLB lifer. Francona's Reds throw the first pitch at 4:10 p.m. ET on Thursday.