Bruno Fernandes has for so long been Manchester United’s shining light, often being the man to get themselves out of trouble during the Ruben Amorim tenure.

The Red Devils may have finished in 15th place last campaign, but it didn’t stop the Portuguese international from ending 2024/25 with a total of 37 combined goals and assists.

However, the £200m spending spree during the recent summer window has seen some of the responsibility taken off his shoulders – as seen by the goals scored by Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo against Brighton.

As a result, the 31-year-old has since dropped into a slightly deeper midfield role, resulting in Bruno only registering two goals and one assist from his first nine Premier League outings in 2025/26.

Amorim could be utilising the club captain in such a role to try and bridge the gap to one player who has prematurely offloaded during the tenure of the previous management team.

Man Utd’s mammoth mistake in selling McTominay

To combat their heavy spending in recent years, the United hierarchy have had to offload numerous players from their books to prevent any financial problems.

Midfielder Scott McTominay was one of the players sacrificed by the board, with the Scottish international leaving in a £25m deal to join Napoli in the summer of 2024.

Such a deal was seen as excellent business at the time, with the midfielder often receiving a fair amount of criticism from the supporters over his displays at Old Trafford.

However, he’s taken his career to the next level in Naples, thriving under Antonio Conte’s guidance in 2024/25 as the Italian outfit claimed the Serie A title.

The 28-year-old scored 12 times and registered four assists in Italy’s top-flight, subsequently winning the division’s MVP award, whilst also being nominated for the Balon d’Or.

The former Red Devil has continued his phenomenal form into the current campaign, with his sensational strike against Inter Milan on Saturday securing the club all three points.

His £25m departure now appears to be a huge mistake, but Amorim shouldn’t be worried with the manager already stumbling upon his next version of the Scotsman.

The United star who’s becoming their next McTominay

Whilst Bruno has largely operated in the role vacated by McTominay, numerous other talents have also shared the responsibility at the heart of the United side.

Manuel Ugarte joined a £50m transfer from PSG last summer, with the hierarchy seeing him as the perfect player to fill the void left by the departing academy star.

However, the Uruguayan has subsequently fallen way below the expectations of the fanbase, with Amorim only starting two of the club’s nine Premier League outings in 2025/26.

Kobbie Mainoo was a first-team mainstay before the 40-year-old’s arrival last year, but like Ugarte, he’s found minutes extremely hard to come by within the starting eleven.

The Englishman has failed to start a single game and only appeared for a total of 138 minutes off the bench in England’s top-flight during the current campaign.

The aforementioned duo’s lack of impact is largely due to the performances of Casemiro, with the Brazilian international nailing down a starting role to the surprise of many.

He’s previously been slated by numerous figures over the years, with Jamie Carragher infamously stating ‘the football has left him’ and that he needs to move to Saudi Arabia.

Such a situation is similar to that of McTominay, with the former United star taking his career to unimaginable heights after his own switch out of Manchester.

However, Casemiro has managed to turn his Red Devils career around in recent months and subsequently shut up a lot of his doubters along the way in the process.

The “world-class” star, as dubbed by Gus Poyet, has started seven times in the Premier League this year, registering two goals and an assist within his recent outings.

His latest showing against Brighton was arguably his best of 2025/26, scoring once and teeing up compatriot Cunha for his goal for the Red Devils.

Casemiro’s underlying stats further showcase how impressive he was against the Seagulls, with the 33-year-old having a huge effect at both ends of the football field.

Tallies such as three tackles and five recoveries made highlight his importance without the ball – arguably being the perfect all-round option at the heart of the side to allow Bruno to express himself in attacking areas.

Such a turnaround in form is huge credit to the experienced midfielder, with his recent outings making him one of the club’s most important players at present.

His partnership with Bruno has allowed for the recent impressive form – potentially saving Amorim’s job and allowing him to reach new heights in his tenure.

Forget Cunha & Mbuemo: Man Utd star was the shining light against Brighton

Manchester United secured their third win in a row against Brighton & Hove Albion last night.

By
Ethan Lamb

Oct 26, 2025

Harry Kane has reportedly emerged as Barcelona's top target to replace ageing striker Robert Lewandowski at the end of the 2025-26 season. Lewandowski is expected to depart Hansi Flick's side as a free agent when his contract with the Catalan giants expires next summer, with Barca considering triggering the £57m release clause in Kane's contract at Bayern Munich.

Kane on Barca's wanted list

Barcelona are expected to invest in a new No. 9 next summer to replace Lewandowski and have put Kane at the top of their wanted list, according to . The England captain has enjoyed a prolific time at Bayern since moving from Tottenham in 2023 and won his first major trophy last season by firing the Bavarian giants to the Bundesliga title. Kane turned 32 back in July but has scored an incredible 108 goals in 113 appearances for Bayern, making him one of the deadliest strikers in Europe. The England captain does have an exit clause in his contract at Allianz Arena, and it's thought Barca could be preparing to trigger it to bring him to Camp Nou.

AdvertisementGettyBarcelona line up Lewandowski replacements

Kane is not the only player being linked with a move to Barcelona to replace Lewandowski. Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez is also thought to be a target, while Barcelona president Joan Laporta is said to be "obsessed" about trying to bring in Erling Haaland to the club. More recently, Etta Eyong has also been mentioned as a low-cost option, due to Barca's continued financial issues.

Meanwhile, Lewandowski, now 37, has spoken about his future while on international duty with Poland and insists he has not yet decided his next move. He told reporters: "I still don’t know the answer. That’s why I’m not in a hurry, I’m at peace with myself. And that is the most important thing. Even if, for example, the club contacted me now, I still wouldn’t answer that question. Because I also have to feel what’s best for me. Now I’m calm, I’m not in a hurry and, at the moment, I don’t expect anything else."

Lewandowski has had to accept a reduced role at Barcelona in the 2025-26 season, due to injury and with Ferran Torres gaining prominence, but is still the team's top scorer currently. The veteran striker has seven goals from nine La Liga outings, which also means that only Kylian Mbappe has netted more times than Lewandowski in Spain's top flight in 2025-26.

What has Kane said about his future?

It remains to be seen if Kane could be tempted to Barcelona, but he will surely be well aware that England team-mate Marcus Rashford has been posting some impressive statistics since joining the club on loan from Manchester United. Rashford has received plenty of praise after contributing six assists and two goals in his debut La Liga campaign and making the most of his first-team opportunities while Raphinha is out injured.

Meanwhile, Kane has spoken about his future this season, saying he's happy at Bayern and is willing to discuss a new contract. He said: "We can certainly talk about that. I have almost two years left. It's not like I'm in the final year of my contract and anyone is panicking. I'm fine. The club is fine. I think they're happy with me, and I'm happy with them. Those discussions can take place." 

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

AFPWhat next for Kane and Barca?

Barcelona's continued financial issues will affect any transfer plans and it remains to be seen if the club can afford to trigger Kane's release clause and add him to the squad in time for next season. Lewandowski's priority is thought to be to stay at Barcelona, as he is not tempted by a lucrative transfer to Saudi Pro League, and he may well hope he can earn a new contract if he can continue to deliver goals and titles for the Catalan giants. Barcelona will also have to make a decision on Rashford's future. The forward's contract at Barcelona includes a purchase option, but the club have already ruled out triggering it in January and there's no guarantee yet that his loan spell will be made permanent.

Australia batter gets the better of her sister en route to 154-run chase at Kia Oval

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Jul-2025

Grace Harris, Surrey’s matchwinner in the Women’s Vitality Blast final, was proud of her team’s aggressive approach to their five-wicket victory at the Kia Oval on Sunday, but admitted to mixed feelings about getting the better of her sister, Laura, who finished on the losing side for Warwickshire Bears.Grace Harris, the Australia international, top-scored with a typically hard-hitting 63 not out, as Surrey lived up to their favourites tag by cruising to a victory target of 154 with 20 balls to spare. She struck seven fours and two sixes in her 33-ball knock, and found key partners in Sophia Dunkley (23 from 13) and Kira Chathli, whose 16 not out from nine balls included the winning boundary off Issy Wong.That target, however, could have been significantly higher had her sister completed the job that she had threatened during the Bears innings. Laura Harris’ riotous knock of 25 from 11 balls included three fours and two sixes, and it took an exceptionally cool catch from Phoebe Franklin at deep midwicket to dislodge her at the start of the 14th over.”I was a little bit nervous,” Grace told the ECB Reporters Network. “I was thinking at long-off, ‘just hit it down someone else’s throat!’ You want her to do well and it’s not like I would have hashed the job, but if I’d caught it, I would have been a little bit disappointed.”I’m happy she got out when she did because it could have been a 180-chase if she’d hung on.”Surrey’s task looked stiff enough, however, when they lost their third wicket for 42 at the start of the seventh over, with Amu Surenkumar and Hannah Baker settling into a threatening rhythm. Grace, however, struck her third ball for four straight back over Baker’s head to set the tempo for the rest of the chase.”I probably get more nervous on the side-lines than I do out in the middle,” she said. “When I am in the centre, I’m like, ‘this is good fun! How good is it to get a chance to bat!’ Sitting on the side-lines, I say to our group, ‘alright introverts, you are going to have to leave, because I’ve got to chat or I’m going to find this day tough!’Related

Laura Harris mauls Somerset with 77 off 34

Harris stars again as Surrey see off Essex challenge

Issy Wong hits fifty, takes four-for as Bears roar into final

Grace Harris overpowers Bears as Surrey claim Women's Blast

“Sometimes it is harder to chase 140 than 160,” she added, “because you think if you just knock it around, you’ll just get the runs, whereas with 160 you have to go to pick up a boundary an over. Teams can get too complacent with 140.”She cited the 2023 Women’s Big Bash final as an example. “I’ve been involved in a team which has done that before, chasing 120 in a final with [Brisbane] Heat and we lost to Adelaide Strikers because we just knocked it about and didn’t really take the game on.”So it was fantastic to make sure we stayed with that run-chase. Fair play to the girls on what was a very good squad effort.”Harris added that the credit also belonged to Surrey’s bowlers for the manner in which they restricted the Bears after choosing to field first. Franklin was front and centre of their efforts, and not simply with her crucial catch. Her figures of 2 for 16 included wickets in her second and third overs and a well-completed run-out of Georgia Davis in her fourth.”I think Phoebe has genuinely been our player of the season,” Harris said. “Each game she’s either taken a crucial wicket or hit 20 off 10 at the back end and given us a bit of momentum in lower-scoring games. In any other team she would bat a lot higher and get a lot more opportunity than what she does, but when given the opportunity, she is definitely a player that’s taken it.”She has done so well in this T20 tournament and I have been rather impressed with her skill set. It’s not just the fact she can hit a line and a length, it is the fact she can bowl slower balls as well or come up with a yorker when required. Then at the back end with the bat she fully owns her scoring shots.”For the Bears, the final proved a bridge too far after an impressive win over The Blaze in the semi-final. However, for Wong – who was the player of that match with figures of 4 for 14 and a hard-hitting half-century – there was pleasure to be had in the progress of a young team, and in her own performances in the course of what is turning into a resurgent summer.”I’m really proud of our girls,” Wong said. “We knew it was going to be tough to play two games of cricket against the two best sides in the country and win them both. We have such a young squad. I’m in the oldies when we play football at 23, so we have got so much learning we have taken from this season.”Wong’s displays on Finals Day came after a successful return to the England set-up this year. After some high-profile hiccups in recent seasons, including a torrid spell with Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred, she was happy to have rediscovered her love of the game once again.”Outwardly it hasn’t always been like that,” she said. “The last couple of years have been pretty challenging, but it has been nice to come back to what is my best personality for playing cricket. That comes from being in a good place with my skills and tactically as well I feel I’m in a really good place. It’s the best job in the world, isn’t it?”

أعلنت جلوب سوكر اليوم الأربعاء، عن المرشحين لجائزة أفضل مدرب عن عام 2025، إلى جانب أفضل لاعب خط وسط وكذلك أفضل لاعب صاعد.

وسوف يقام حفل جلوب سوكر يوم 28 ديسمبر المقبل، حيث ستحتضن دولة الإمارات العربية الحفل والذي يقام كل عام وتوج به كيليان مبابي، نجم ريال مدريد، وكذلك كريستيانو رونالدو من قبل.

وفيما يتعلق بجائزة أفضل مدرب تصدر لويس إنريكي، المدير الفني لنادي باريس سان جيرمان، قائمة المرشحين للفوز بالجائزة بعد المستوى الرائع الذي قدمه الفريق الفرنسي خلال الموسم الماضي.

باريس سان جيرمان توج بثلاثية الدوري الفرنسي وكأس فرنسا، وكذلك دوري أبطال أوروبا الذي حصل عليه نادي العاصمة الفرنسية لأول مرة في تاريخه.

أقرأ أيضًا.. المرشحون لجائزة أفضل لاعب في الشرق الأوسط من جلوب سوكر 2025.. موقف رونالدو ولاعبان عربيان كما يتنافس مع إنريكي هانز فليك، مدرب نادي برشلونة، والذي قاد البلوجرانا إلى الحصول على ثلاثية الدوري الإسباني وكأس ملك إسبانيا، إلى جانب كأس السوبر الإسباني.

وعاد برشلونة إلى الواجهة مع فليك وأصبح من أقوى الفرق في العالم من جديد، وهو ما دفع إدارة البرسا إلى تجديد عقد المدرب الألماني إلى نهاية موسم 2027 المقبل. المرشحون لجائزة أفضل مدرب في حفل جلوب سوكر 2025

هانز فليك (برشلونة).

لويس إنريكي (باريس سان جيرمان).

آرني سلوت (ليفربول).

تشابي ألونسو (ريال مدريد).

فينسينت كومباني (بايرن ميونخ).

أنطونيو كونتي (نابولي).

ميكيل أرتيتا (آرسنال).

إيدي هاو (نيوكاسل يونايتد).

روبرتو مارتينيز (منتخب البرتغال).

إنزو ماريسكا (تشيلسي).

وفيما يتعلق بجائزة أفضل لاعب صاعد، جاء أردا جولر صانع ألعاب ريال مدريد، على رأس المرشحين للحصول على الجائزة، بينما يتنافس معه زميله دين هويسن، وشهدت القائمة تواجد لاعب واحد من برشلونة، وهو باو كوبارسي. المرشحون لجائزة أفضل لاعب صاعد في حفل جلوب سوكر 2025

أردا جولر (ريال مدريد).

دين هويسن (ريال مدريد).

نيكو باز (كومو).

باو كوبارسي (برشلونة).

كينان يلدز (يوفنتوس).

لويس سكيلي (آرسنال).

وارن زائير إيمري (باريس سان جيرمان).

جواو نيفيز (باريس سان جيرمان).

إلياس بن صغير (باير ليفركوزن).

ديزيريه دوي (باريس سان جيرمان).

رودريجو مورا (بورتو).

أما بالنسبة لجائزة أفضل لاعب خط وسط، فقد تصدر جود بيلينجهام، نجم ريال مدريد قائمة المرشحين للحصول على الجائزة، بجانب ثنائي باريس سان جيرمان، فيتينها وجواو نيفيز.

وكان فيتينها بجانب نيفيز عاملًا أساسيًا في نجاحات باريس سان جيرمان خلال الموسم الماضي، في حين شهدت القائمة حضورًا قويًا لنجم نادي برشلونة، بيدري. المرشحون لجائزة أفضل لاعب خط وسط في حفل جلوب سوكر 2025

جود بيلينجهام (ريال مدريد).

فيديريكو فالفيردي (ريال مدريد).

فيتينها (باريس سان جيرمان).

جواو نيفيز (باريس سان جيرمان).

ديزيريه دوي (باريس سان جيرمان).

نيكولو باريلا (إنتر ميلان).

سكوت ماكتوميناي (نابولي).

مارتن أوديجارد (آرسنال).

ديكلان رايس (آرسنال).

كول بالمر (تشيلسي).

ميكيل أوليس (بايرن ميونخ).

فابيان رويز (باريس سان جيرمان).

فلوريان فيرتز (ليفربول).

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed that the north Londoners will soon benefit from a “very unpredictable” weapon that is set to add something new.

This weekend, Sunderland are next in line to try and break down Arsenal’s imperious defence, which hasn’t been breached since their dramatic 2-1 win away to Newcastle back in September.

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 1-1 Man City

Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal

Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

Arsenal 2-0 Brighton

Burnley 0-2 Arsenal

Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal

The Black Cats, led by their arguable player of the season so far in ex-Arsenal star Granit Xhaka, are no easy customers and have made one of the best starts by a newly-promoted side in Premier League history.

However, the numbers suggest Regis Le Bris’ side might have their work cut out for them at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

Arsenal haven’t just kept eight clean sheets in a row across all competitions, but they also boast the best defensive record in Europe’s top five leagues and have marked themselves out as England’s set piece specialists in that time.

No other Premier League side has scored more goals from dead ball situations than Arsenal so far this season (12), with Arteta’s side bringing the dark acts back into fashion.

While Arsenal have been criticised by some for their perceived ‘boring’ style of play, especially from ex-Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara, Arteta won’t be fussed in the slightest as his team sit pretty at the top of the table.

Arsenal’s water-tight backline and threat from set pieces are undoubtedly the two main reasons why they’re currently in pole position to win their first Premier League title in 22 years, but speaking ahead of their clash with Sunderland, Arteta revealed they’re about to have another weapon at their disposal.

Mikel Arteta says "very unpredictable" Gabriel Jesus will add something new to Arsenal

£265,000-per-week striker Gabriel Jesus hasn’t played since Arsenal’s FA Cup defeat to Man United back in January after rupturing his ACL, and reports once claimed that the Brazilian might not be back in action until next year.

However, Jesus has now returned to training, so his comeback is nigh, as Arteta explains how “thrilled” he is by the news.

The 28-year-old has been repeatedly linked with a January exit following the arrival of summer signing Viktor Gyokeres, who is expected to return from injury in time for the North London derby at the end of November.

That being said, it appears Arteta still has big plans for Jesus at Arsenal, with the forward capable of playing out wide as well as at centre-forward.

It will be very interesting to see how the former Man City star fits into Arteta’s tactical set-up, especially once their full complement of attackers in Gyokeres, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke return from injury too.

Newly signed New York Mets star Juan Soto wasted no time getting on the board with a home run with his new team, as he blasted a 2-1 fastball over the left centerfield fence in his first plate appearance in Saturday's spring training action against the Houston Astros.

Soto turned on a 91 mile-per-hour fastball and belted it out of the park to a chorus of cheers in front of the Mets' home crowd in Port St. Lucie, FL.

Mets fans are hoping for plenty of Soto home runs this season as the Mets look to once again compete for a National League crown after falling just short to the Los Angeles Dodgers last season.

Soto inked a 15-year, $765 contract in the offseason to leave the New York Yankees for the crosstown rival Mets in the most lucrative contract in professional sports history.

MatériaMais Notícias

Quase um mês após ser eleito presidente do Corinthians, Augusto Melo ainda não conseguiu contratar um executivo de futebol para o clube. Vários nomes foram ventilados para assumir o cargo, inclusive Marcelo Djian, ex-zagueiro do Timão que conquistou o Paulistão de 1988 e o Brasileirão de 1990.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansCorinthians faz consulta por dupla do Nacional, do UruguaiCorinthians21/12/2023Fora de CampoComentarista critica declaração de diretor do Corinthians: ‘Passo maior que a perna’Fora de Campo21/12/2023Fora de CampoJornalista cita ex-presidentes de Flamengo e Palmeiras, e dispara: ‘Corinthians está falido’Fora de Campo21/12/2023

➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

Em conversa exclusiva com o Lance!, Djian esclareceu que a nova diretoria não o convidou para o cargo de executivo de futebol, e explicou que as especulações tomaram grande proporção pela visita dele ao CT do Timão.

– Estive no CT do Corinthians, mas foi pura coincidência, fui pegar duas camisas com o Alessandro. Quando eu estava com o Mauro Silva, o Rubão e o Augusto chegaram. Enquanto eles esperavam o Duílio, eu conversei com eles por cinco minutos. Em momento algum foi feito o convite para eu ser executivo de futebol – esclareceu Marcelo ao Lance!.

continua após a publicidade

Djian não trabalha no futebol desde o final de 2019, quando foi demitido pelo Cruzeiro após o rebaixamento do clube. O profissional quer voltar a ocupar um cargo administrativo e deixou claro que caso Augusto Melo faça o convite, ele estaria interessado em ser o executivo de futebol do Corinthians.

– Eu gostaria sim, temos que conversar. Mostrar o que eles esperam de mim caso exista convite. Eu estudaria sim, joguei 16 anos no Corinthians, tenho uma ligação forte. Caso um dia aconteça o convite, estudaria com carinho – expressou Djian.

continua após a publicidade

+ Veja como ficou a tabela do Brasileirão após a última rodada

NOMES QUE RECUSARAM O CARGO

André Zanotta, do FC Dallas, e Rodrigo Caetano, do Atlético-MG recusaram as consultas feitas pelo Corinthians para o cargo de executivo de futebol. O dirigente do Galo era a prioridade de Augusto Melo, mas optou pela permanência no clube mineiro.

Tiago Scuro, Alexandre Mattos e Paulo Pelaipe foram nomes discutidos pela equipe de Augusto Melo, mas as conversas não evoluíram.

In what was a must-win game for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Mohammad Rizwan and the bowlers helped them get the better of Guyana Amazon Warriors by five runs in a last-over finish in Providence.Chasing a mere 150, Amazon Warriors needed 11 from six balls with three wickets in hand. Naseem Shah held his nerve and had Keemo Paul caught at long-on with the first ball. For the rest of the over, he mixed slower balls into the pitch with yorkers to give away just five. While the result ended Patriots’ three-match losing streak, their playoff chances still look bleak. They need nothing less than a win in their last league match, against Barbados Royals on Friday, but also other results to go their way.Earlier, Patriots did not have a great start and were 26 for 3 inside five overs with Andre Fletcher, Kyle Mayers and Leniko Boucher all falling in single digits. But Rizwan’s 85 off 62 balls steered them to 149 for 6.Rizwan stabilised the innings with Rilee Rossouw and took the side to 64 for 4 at the end of ten overs. He was on 36 off 30 at that point but scored 49 off the next 32. In all, he hit eight fours and three sixes and was responsible for Patriots scoring 45 in the last four overs.Patriots’ Pakistani stars Mohammad Rizwan and Naseem Shah celebrate the big wicket of Shimron Hetmyer•CPL T20 via Getty Images

Amazon Warriors had a much better start, reaching 41 for 1 after the powerplay. But they could not build on that, losing two wickets in the next four overs to be 67 for 3 at the halfway mark. Patriots pegged them back further by dismissing Hassan Khan and Shai Hope in successive overs. Dominic Drakes had Hassan caught and bowled and Navin Bidaisee castled Hope with a slider that kept low.After 15 overs, both sides were 100 for 5. But while Patriots had a set better in Rizwan, Amazon Warriors did not. With 50 needed from the last five overs, Dwaine Pretorius tried to take on Waqar Salamkheil but perished attempting a slog sweep. On the very next ball, Salamkheil could have had Romario Shepherd caught behind but Rizwan was not sure if there was bat involved. Replay showed a clear outside edge.Shepherd rubbed it in by pulling the last ball of the over for a six. Paul did the same against Naseem in the following over but could manage only a leg bye from the other five deliveries.With 21 needed from ten balls, Jason Holder had Shepherd caught at long-on with a short ball. Quenton Sampson hit two fours off the next three balls to bring it down to 11 needed from the final over. But Naseem denied them.

Manchester United have made an approach to sign Elliot Anderson, and Nottingham Forest’s demands to sanction a departure have now been revealed.

Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Man United plan to bolster their options in the engine room next year, when commenting on their interest in Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller and Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher.

The transfer expert said: “January is not going to be easy. It’s going to be about opportunities in the summer could be different. And for sure, Manchester United in 2026 will add again, at least one midfielder.”

The desire to sign a new central midfielder comes amid uncertainty over Kobbie Mainoo’s future, with it recently emerging the youngster is in advanced talks to join Napoli, while Ruben Amorim may also need to plan for life after Casemiro, as the Brazilian’s contract is due to expire next summer.

The 33-year-old is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal, despite putting in some solid performances this season, with Rio Ferdinand praising the former Real Madrid man for his performance in the 2-1 win against Liverpool at Anfield last month.

Ferdinand said: “He was outstanding in that first-half yesterday. I think his positional sense and awareness in that midfield area in a big game like that was invaluable.”

Man Utd make approach to sign Elliot Anderson

According to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg on X, Man United have now made an approach to sign Nottingham Forest star Anderson, having “registered concrete interest” in signing the midfielder.

Forest have been “informed” of their Premier League rivals’ desire to get a deal done, but it would be fair to say they are playing hard ball, as a fee in the region of £100m – £120m is “still being demanded.”

It is no wonder the Tricky Trees are hesitant to sanction a departure unless they receive a huge fee, considering the Englishman has impressed for both club and country this season, putting in a fantastic performance on his Three Lions’ debut against Andorra back in September.

More recently, the 23-year-old got on the scoresheet in Forest’s 3-1 victory against Leeds United, bagging the third goal from the penalty spot to help his side secure what could prove to be a vital three points in the relegation battle.

Lauded as “sensational” by The Athletic’s Nick Miller, the four-time England international has also impressed from a defensive point of view over the past year, placing in the 89th percentile for tackles per 90, when compared to other midfielders, having averaged 2.89.

Anderson is exhibiting very promising signs at Nottingham Forest, but £120m would be a huge fee to pay for a player who is not yet regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world, so Man United should try and get a deal done for a much lower fee.

Man Utd shortlist another British midfielder as Casemiro replacement Man Utd shortlist British Casemiro replacement thriving after two major knee injuries

The Red Devils are set to make sure Ruben Amorim gets his wish as they head into 2026 at Old Trafford.

BySean Markus Clifford Nov 10, 2025

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate admits that transfer speculation has left him in a “tight spot”, with questions continuing to be asked of how long he will remain at Anfield. The France international defender is into the final year of his contract, meaning that he could hit free agency in the summer of 2026. La Liga giants Real Madrid are being credited with interest.

• Konate contract: Running down towards free agency

  Konate can do little to stop the rumours, with no extension to his current terms being agreed on Merseyside. For as long as his future remains up in the air, the 26-year-old centre-half will find himself at the centre of distracting gossip.

  There has been talk of a new deal being agreed with Liverpool, as Konate has been with the Reds since 2021. It has also been suggested that he could tread a similar path to former team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold by swapping Liverpool for Madrid – with no transfer fee needing to change hands.

Advertisement

• (C)Getty Images
  

  Konate reacts to Anfield transfer rumours

  Konate is eager to point out that there is no substance to the speculation that he continues to generate, with no definitive decisions being made on his future. His form has dipped slightly this season, with Liverpool enduring uncharacteristic issues as a collective, with the exit rumours doing little to aid his cause.

  Speaking to while on 2026 World Cup qualifying duty with France, Konate said when asked about his regular presence in gossip columns: “It’s difficult, we can’t say everything because a lot of things are already being said in the media.”

  He went on to say of unwelcome stories potentially casting him in a bad light with loyal Liverpool supporters: “Some of the things that I read, I’m like… oh la la. That puts me in a tight spot with Liverpool fans, and they don’t even know all the ins and outs.”

  Konate has previously said of lining up a decision day with Premier League heavyweights: “My agents continue to discuss with Liverpool. I hope my decision will be made very soon so I can announce it.”

• Carragher hopes Konate signs new Liverpool deal

  Legendary former Reds defender Jamie Carragher is hoping that a deal can be agreed with Konate. He has told the : "I’d like him to stay but if he doesn’t stay, Liverpool will sign someone else. Liverpool won’t fall apart if Konate leaves. He's not Virgil van Dijk. He's a good centre-back who you hope will sign, but if he doesn’t want to sign, Liverpool will be absolutely fine.

  “He's a very good centre-back, he's a title winner at Liverpool, he's played in the Champions League final against Real Madrid. He's obviously a quality centre-back. It's not poor management [if he goes for free]. You can't physically make somebody sign a contract. Then it's your decision, do you keep him to the length of his contract or do you sell him?”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  Will Konate join Real Madrid? Who will Liverpool sign as a replacement?

  Liverpool were disappointed to lose home-grown star Alexander-Arnold to La Liga giants in the summer of 2025. A small fee was paid there, with Real prepared to complete a transfer prior to the England international officially becoming a free agent – with the Blancos’ FIFA Club World Cup campaign being factored into the equation.

  Konate has revealed that fellow countryman Kylian Mbapppe “calls me every two hours to sign for Real Madrid", with the World Cup-winning forward acting as an agent for those at Santiago Bernabeu.

  It may be that Konate ends up joining Mbappe in the Spanish capital. He has taken in 148 appearances for Liverpool across four-and-a-half seasons, registering six goals. Konate has formed part of Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup-winning squads.

  While Liverpool would like to retain his services, they were heavily linked with Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi over the summer. He is another that is heading towards free agency in 2026, meaning that the Reds could land themselves a ready-made replacement for Konate. They also acquired highly-rated Italian defender Giovanni Leoni in the last transfer window and are expecting big things from him once a complete recovery from an unfortunate ACL injury has been made.