MANCHESTER UNITED CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES

 

MAN UTD AGREE £70 CARLOS BALEBA DEAL WITH BRIGHTON AS MIDFIELDER GOES FOR MEDICAL

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Manchester United have taken a massive step toward completing their summer rebuild after reaching an agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion for Carlos Baleba. The highly-rated midfielder is now expected to travel for a medical as Michael Carrick looks to bolster his engine room following a series of high-profile departures and injuries.

Red Devils land primary midfield target

According to The Athletic, Manchester United have successfully negotiated a deal for Brighton star Baleba, with the total package for the Cameroon international set to reach £70 million. The two Premier League clubs reached a definitive breakthrough in talks after weeks of speculation surrounding the 22-year-old's future, with United paying a guaranteed fixed fee of £65m alongside £5m in add-ons. The midfielder is expected to travel tonight ahead of a scheduled medical on Saturday.

Manchester United continue to stay active in the summer transfer window as they prepare for their return to the Champions League. The Red Devils have already bolstered Carrick's squad with the acquisitions of Andrey Santos from Chelsea, Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, and goalkeeper Karl Darlow from Leeds United.

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Addressing a crisis in the engine room

The pursuit of Baleba comes at a pivotal moment for United, whose central midfield options have been thinned by summer departures and key injuries. With Casemiro departing on a free transfer and Manuel Ugarte sidelined by a ligament injury suffered at the World Cup, reinforcing the middle of the pitch became a top priority for the club's recruitment team.

Despite the excitement surrounding his arrival, Baleba is working his way back to full fitness after a pre-season setback. The Cameroon international is currently sidelined with an ankle ligament injury sustained during the summer break, which kept him out of Brighton's goalless draw against Tromso in the first leg of their Conference League qualifier on Thursday.

Data-driven pursuit yields results

United's interest in the former Lille midfielder is far from a sudden development, with the club's recruitment team keeping close tabs on his progress for several seasons. Old Trafford scouts monitored Baleba extensively throughout the 2025-26 campaign, having already explored a potential deal for the Cameroonian last summer.

Baleba's ascent to the upper echelons of English football has been swift since arriving from Ligue 1. After joining Brighton from Lille in the summer of 2023, the midfielder made 112 appearances for the Seagulls, though he was limited to 23 Premier League starts last season.

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Brighton's summer exodus continues

Baleba will become the latest high-profile departure from Brighton this summer, following the exits of Jan Paul van Hecke to Tottenham Hotspur, Danny Welbeck to Chelsea, and Diego Coppola to Paris FC.

Brighton kick off their new Premier League campaign by hosting Aston Villa on Sunday, while Manchester United travel to face newly-promoted Hull City tomorrow, Saturday.

- Khaled Mahmoud

MAN UNITED CAN COMPLETE FIVE TRANSFERS INCLUDING BALEBA THIS WEEK BEFORE HULL CITY CLASH

The Red Devils have plenty of work left on their transfer to-do list.

Michael Carrick is looking to complete his business for the summer (Image: Getty)

Manchester United’s summer transfer window was expected to be a little busier than it has so far turned out to be. It started out strong, with Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans having both penned deals before the conclusion of the World Cup.

Karl Darlow aside, United haven’t made any other additions to their squad, with time running out before deadline day. United are still said to be pushing for new signings, while players are also being linked with moves away from the club. As such, Express Sport have picked out seven transfers United could complete before this weekend’s Premier League season opener...

Academy trio allowed to leave

It’s being reported that three players who have first-team experience with United could be allowed to leave. Chief among them being Toby Collyer, who spent the previous season out on loan at West Brom.

It’s reported that the Baggies are in talks with United about making the move permanent, while Harry Amass could also be on the chopping block. BBC Sport suggest a loan is more likely than a permanent sale at this stage, unlike the fate that awaits Ethan Wheatley.

The talented striker is attracting interest from Everton, as per Fabrizio Romano, who claims a proposal is being prepared. The 20-year-old is admired by the Merseyside outfit, who are keen to add reinforcements in attack.

Push for a left-back steps up

United have been tracking a left-back all summer, with Lewis Hall their first-choice pick. However, the chance of pulling this one off is slim, given Newcastle have made it clear they don’t intend on selling the English international.

As a result, United have been eyeing up potential alternatives, including Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly, who is said to have been offered to the Red Devils by intermediaries. Elsewhere, Jorge Salinas has emerged as a potential option, with the teenager having caught the eye at Racing Santander.

Man Utd want to recruit Carlos Baleba from Brighton (Image: Getty)

Carlos Baleba joins as final midfield addition

Midfield was the priority position before the start of the summer, and with Santos and Tielemans, United have made inroads. But there is still work to be done.

United still want to sign a third midfielder and Carlos Baleba is the man they want. Brighton are expected to reject their initial bid - £60m with £5m in add-ons - but an agreement is expected soon.

Joshua Zirkzee leaves and replacement joins

And finally, it hasn’t been the move to United that Joshua Zirkzee would’ve hoped for. The Dutchman hasn’t been able to establish himself in the starting XI under United’s last three managers and is now being linked with a return to Italy.

It has been suggested that if United were to lose Zirkzee, Carrick is keen to see him replaced. While there are only two weeks of the window left, it’s clear there is still plenty left on United’s to-do list.

- Amos Murphy

MICHAEL CARRICK STATS SINCE APPOINTMENT | MANCHESTER UNITED

 

ANGRY ARNE SLOT SAYS VAR HAS BEEN AGAINST LIVERPOOL ALL SEASONADTER BENJAMIN SAlESKO GOAL

Arne Slot hout out at VAR after Benjamin Sesko's goal against Liverpool was allowed to stand in Manchester United's 3-2 win over the Reds

Arne Slot was furious after Liverpool's defeat

Arne Slot launched into an impassioned rant criticising VAR interventions and a recurring failing of his Liverpool team after a frustrating loss at Manchester United.

The injury-hit Reds were beaten 3-2 in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon having overcome a dreadful first-half showing to level with Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo goals after the break before Kobbie Mainoo struck the winner 13 minutes from time.

United had scored twice inside the opening 14 minutes, first through a deflected Matheus Cunha strike and then a Benjamin Sesko close-range effort that was allowed after a lengthy VAR check despite replays indicating the striker handled the ball.

And while unimpressed at his team allowing Sesko to have the chance to score, a riled Slot pointed the finger at what he believes is the latest in a long line of questionable VAR calls against his team this season.

"If it was a touch, which I think it is because if you know a bit about ball sports, you know that if a ball has a certain curve and the curve changes, there must have been a contact," said the Reds boss.

"But if it's light then we should have a debate in football about whether that's enough to disallow a goal.

"But the rule is if there was a touch then it should have been disallowed.

"I don't think it's a surprise to anyone this season that if there's a VAR intervention or if there's something that could be left or could be right (50-50) then the decision goes against us.

"That has been the whole season every single time this season. I remember Paris Saint-Germain at home, getting a penalty for a soft touch on Mac Allister but of course the VAR intervenes and says no, no, no, this is not a penalty. Then one week later when I see Paris Saint-Germain play against Bayern Munich and get that same soft touch but the penalty stays.

"I saw last week my goalkeeper on the floor with an injury and the referee doesn't stop the game. I see a player of United off the pitch today and the referee stops the game when we try to play on. That has been our whole season."

Slot added: "But the second goal we didn't concede because of a handball, we conceded it because we lost the ball in a stupid position and we lost a few big moments afterwards in duels.

"We have to first look at ourselves, that is completely clear and obvious, but that decisions have gone every single game against us, that's also completely clear and obvious.

"When we played United the first time this season, I had one of my players needing five stitches on the floor, and the referee didn't stop the game and we conceded. This is a complete pattern over the whole season, but there is also a pattern that we concede ridiculous goals when we are the better team, one or two are switching off and then we concede a goal.

"That we have more influence on, so I should focus much more on that than on these referee decisions that go against us. It's clear that it's the whole season the same."

- Ian Doyle

ALEX FERGUSON TAKEN TO HOSPITAL AHEAD OF MAN UNITED VS LIVERPOOL

 

Sir Alex Ferguson has been taken to hospital after feeling unwell at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

The former Manchester United boss was at the ground ahead of the Red Devils' showdown with Liverpool in the Premier League.

Ferguson was taken to hospital as a precautionCredit: Getty

The 84-year-old was taken to hospital as a precaution and it is not believed to be serious.

He was believed to have been taken to hospital more than an hour before kick-off.

talkSPORT's Adrian Durham reports that Ferguson has since been taken home to recover.

Man United take on Liverpool in Sunday's 3:30pm kick-off.

The game sees third take on fourth as Michael Carrick's side look to cement their hold on the top three.

The Red Devils can open up a six point gap on Arne Slot's team with a win, with just three games remaining after Sunday's clash.

Ferguson's record

Since retirement more than a decade ago, the former Red Devils boss has been a regular spectator at both home and away games.

He was a club ambassador for 12 years following his retirement, before his £2m-a-year arrangement was ended by co-owner Jim Ratcliffe last year.

Ferguson is widely regarded as one of the greatest managers of all time.

Ferguson won 13 Premier League titles at Old TraffordCredit: Getty

He took charge of Man United between 1986 to 2013 and made them into one of the powerhouses of world football.

Fergie won a staggering 38 trophies in his time at the club, including 13 Premier League titles.

Alongside the 11 trophies he won in Scotland, he is the most decorated manager in the history of the game.

Ferguson suffered a brain haemorrhage in May 2018 and was rushed to hospital.

However, he made a full recovery and returned to Old Trafford in September the same year.

He would later reflect on how lucky he was to survive the incident.

Ferguson retired as Man United boss 13 years agoCredit: Getty

In his 2021 movie ‘Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In’, he said: “There were five brain haemorrhages that day.

“Three died. Two survived. You know you are lucky.”

- Josh Fordham

SIR ALEX FERGUSON | RECORD SIGNINGS FOR MANCHESTER UNITED

 

RUBÉN AMORIM'S BLUNT SACK ADMISSION AHEAD OF MAKE-OR-BREAK MAN UNITED MATCH

Ruben Amorim is facing increasing pressure at Manchester United, with the Red Devils having made their worst-ever start to a Premier League season under his stewardship

Ruben Amorim has spoken about a potential Man United exit(Image: Jan Kruger, Getty Images)

Ruben Amorim has confessed he faces the axe at Manchester United if he fails to turn around the club's dismal form. The Portuguese boss is staring down a crucial clash against Sunderland at Old Trafford today, following United's catastrophic Premier League campaign that has yielded a measly seven points from six matches.

The embattled coach acknowledged he must start delivering victories, or else the Red Devils will have little choice but to dismiss him and his backroom team after less than 12 months at the helm.

"Nobody here is naïve," declared Amorim. "We understand that we need results to continue the project.

"We will reach a point that is impossible for everyone, because this is a very big club with a lot of sponsors, with two owners. It's normal. You can't run away from the results. Then you have the baggage from last season, but last season for me doesn't matter.

"We have had six games this season, and we lost three. So it's the results. But imagine if we won the first game against Arsenal and then you don't miss the penalty and you win against Fulham, even without playing really well.

"Imagine if this happened, then the trust in everything about our club, the system, the way we play, would be completely different.

"So if you win, everything is okay. If you lose, you're doubting everything about yourself, about your team-mates, about the coach - everything.

"What I want is to see my team - winning or losing - playing the same way and we're not doing that. I just need one more game, because football is like that. We need one more game, we win, we get some hope and then in the next game we will see.

"That is always the same thing, so I don't need a lot of time. All that matters is the next game and the next game. We have to perform and we need to win."

United sit 14th in the Premier League ahead of this weekend's crucial clash against Sunderland at Old Trafford. Should they lose and results go against them over the next few days, the Red Devils could potentially find themselves marrooned in the relegation zone - something that will surely set alarm bells ringing at Old Trafford.

- David McDonnell Chief Manchester United Football Correspondent and Daniel Orme Football Writer

MAN UTD GOALKEEPER ANDRÉ ONANA AGREES TRABZONSPOR LOAN MOVE

The 29-year-old joined the Red Devils from Inter Milan in 2023 for an initial 51m euros (£43.8m), plus a potential 4m euros (£3.4m) in add-ons.

Andre Onana joined Manchester United from Inter Milan in 2023 (Adam Davy/PA) (PA Wire)

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has agreed to join Trabzonspor on a season-long loan, the PA news agency understands.

The 29-year-old joined the Red Devils from Inter Milan in 2023 for an initial 51million euros (£43.8m), plus a potential 4m euros (£3.4m) in add-ons.

But a string of errors quickly led pressure to mount on Onana, who ended his first season with an FA Cup winners’ medal, only for more issues to follow under Ruben Amorim last term.

A hamstring injury prevented him from making a pre-season appearance and he made an awful error in his first game of the season as the Red Devils made a humiliating Carabao Cup exit at Grimsby.

It looks set to be his only United appearance of the campaign as PA understands a loan move to Trabzonspor has been agreed.

The Turkish transfer window remains open and former Fenerbahce shot-stopper Altay Bayindir, last year’s back-up to Onana, had previously been linked with a return to his homeland.

The Turkey international has started all three Premier League games this term and United made the deadline-day signing of Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens for 21m euros (£18.2m) plus add-ons.

Amorim’s United return to action away to Manchester City after the international break.

- Simon Peach

MANCHESTER UNITED'S JIM RADCLIFF MEETS MANCHESTER UNITED'S TANZANIA COMMUNITY

JAMES MADDISON EXPLAINS CELEBRATION AS ROY KEANE LEFT WITH EGG ON FACE AFTER MAN UTD GOAL

James Maddison celebrates his winner (Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

James Maddison scored the winning goal as Tottenham beat Manchester United 1-0 and the Spurs star sent a message to Red Devils legend Roy Keane with his celebration

James Maddison has suggested his celebration was a response to Roy Keane after he scored the winning goal in Tottenham's 1-0 victory over Manchester United.

The win was Tottenham's first Premier League victory at home since November, while it is only the second time they have won back-to-back games so far this season. And it was Maddison's first-half strike which earned Spurs the win, with the 28-year-old firing home a rebound on his first start since recovering from a calf injury.

However, United legend Keane was not expecting Maddison to make much of an impact on his return. "We saw James Maddison at Tamworth, he was taken off! Tamworth are non-league," on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet.

"People say, 'Maddison's the man', but when is he going to step up to the plate? He got relegated with Leicester and [looks like] with Spurs. Maddison isn't bad but if you think he's going to come back and get Spurs top six, you're in cuckoo land.

"He's a talented player, but if you're a player in the Spurs dressing room and he's back in the squad, you wouldn't be looking and going, 'James is back today – we're going to be fine!'."

Maddison celebrated his goal with his trademark dart-throwing motion, before putting his finger to his lips in a shushing gesture. Although Maddison did not specifically say the celebration was aimed at Keane, he did admit it was a response to "outside noise

He told Sky Sports: "It's always difficult being out injured. You miss one game or 10, you are always champing at the bit to get back. I went into the game today knowing I can be the difference.

"I'm really proud of the boys, obviously it has been an up and down season, we are not where we want to be in the league table. I'm really happy for the lads and for the fans, we're sending them home happy. I've always been a goalscoring midfielder.

"That's why Spurs brought me to the club. I'm there to be that creative outlet and score goals. There was a little bit of outside noise this week. People will have their opinions. Nobody is more critical of me than myself.

"The gaffer prefers when we are in our own bubble but it's difficult with social media, you see this stuff. To be fair to the boys who have been fit all season, we don't want to make excuses, but the last few months have been really difficult.

"The lads who have relentlessly been going every three days, it's nice to be an injured player coming back to take the pressure off them. It's about us being present now and leading like they did during the bad run."

- Matthew Cooper

MANCHESTER UNITED HIT A HISTORIC LOW

MANCHESTER, England -- There has been a simmering discontent at Manchester United for a while now, but at Old Trafford on Monday night the dial was turned up to near mutiny in a loss to Newcastle United.

With just 30 minutes gone and Man United already 2-0 down, Joshua Zirkzee was substituted by head coach Ruben Amorim. Any of the 11 players could have been replaced -- they were all that bad in a shocking first half hour -- but it was Zirkzee who bore the brunt from the irate supporters in the stands.

When Zirkzee's number went up, there were loud cheers around the stadium. The Dutchman, only signed from Bologna in the summer, grabbed his coat and jogged down the tunnel to scattered jeers. He emerged again moments later to take his place on the bench. When the half-time whistle blew, there were boos from all four sides of Old Trafford. There were more at full-time, although by then a large number of the fans who turned up had long since decided it was time to go home.

It's now four straight defeats for Man United and six in their past eight games. For the first time since the 1978-79 season, they've lost three consecutive league games at Old Trafford. Three Premier League defeats in a row mean they will start 2025 in 14th, just seven points above the drop zone.

Man United's woes have reached the point where Amorim is being asked about the possibility of relegation.

"It is really hard on everybody and you can feel it," Amorim said after the 2-0 loss. "We show some improvement in the first games especially against [Manchester] City and Tottenham but we are losing that because of the lack of training and belief after so many losses. It is a really tough moment for everybody.

"It is a bit embarrassing to be Manchester United coach and lose a lot of games. I think our club needs a shock and we have to understand that."

There was little shock that Newcastle were by far the better team and deserved to win their first league game at Old Trafford for more than a decade. Man United managed to calm some of the anger with a more competent second-half performance, but by then the damage had already been done.

Alexander Isak scored for the sixth game in a row after just four minutes to make it 1-0. Before 20 minutes had elapsed, Joelinton made it 2-0. It could have been much worse. Isak had a goal ruled out through offside, and Sandro Tonali hit the post when he should have scored.

Only then did Zirkzee come off. He was replaced by Kobbie Mainoo and Man United finally turned up to play. By half-time, Newcastle had taken 11 shots at André Onana's goal. As the game drifted towards its conclusion, the travelling Newcastle fans sang, "You're getting sacked in the morning," at Amorim.

After the initial optimism of his arrival to replace Erik ten Hag in November, it has been a bruising December for the Portuguese coach with Premier League defeats to Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Wolves and now Newcastle. Man United haven't lost five league games in a calendar month since 1962.

Throw in the Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham and it's six losses in all competitions, a low point not seen since September 1930. For the first time in more than 100 years, a Manchester United manager has lost five of their first eight league games.

Casemiro, left, and Harry Maguire react with anguish in Manchester United's latest loss on Monday, this time to Newcastle United in Premier League play. Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images

The question, though, is whether it's Amorim or the players who should be shouldering the blame. For now, Amorim is refusing to criticise his squad despite further evidence week after week that the majority are not good enough.

He's routinely peppered with questions about his 3-4-3 system and whether he will -- eventually -- have to adapt. But his formation had nothing to do with Isak having a free header six yards out after getting in between Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martínez to head past Onana.

It had nothing to do with Joelinton bulldozing Martinez out of the way to head in the second. It had nothing to do with all the missed tackles and missed passes.

"I am responsible," said Amorim. "I don't like to arrive here and make excuses. I think people are tired of excuses in this club. I never watch a coach winning games by not protecting the players. What I have to say to the players I say in the dressing room. "I have to sell my idea. If I change all the time it is going to be even worse. It is a very difficult moment and we have to fight for the next game and to also have a performance."

Writing in his programme notes ahead of the game, Amorim said he had "no doubt" that the run of miserable form "will not last forever." It is, however, unlikely to end immediately with United scheduled to visit runaway leaders Liverpool next weekend.

Defeat at Anfield would send Amorim and his players deeper into the mire. The anger is already deepening, the mood worsening by the day.

Even for a club that has made a habit of lurching from crisis to crisis, United are reaching new levels of despair.

- Rob Dawson, Correspondent

SIR JIM RATCLIFFE ON MANCHESTER UNITED

 

RÚBEN AMORIM: MAN UNITED 'A MASSIVE CLUB, NOT A MASSIVE TEAM'

Ruben Amorim said he has inherited a "difficult position" at Manchester United and described his new side as "a massive club but not a massive team."

Having racked up 20 top-flight titles, United are English football's most successful club, domestically. But their impressive history has not been mirrored by results on the pitch over the last decade.

Amorim has arrived at Old Trafford with United, who haven't won the title since 2013, in the bottom half of the table and they head into Saturday's game six points behind opponents Nottingham Forest -- who were playing in the Championship as recently as 2022.

"We're a massive club but we're not a massive team and we know it so it is no problem to say it," Amorim told a news conference on Friday.

"Our players have to understand that it's a very difficult position.

"We're not one of the best teams in the league and we have to say and think that clearly but our past, our club is maybe the best one in the league.

"So here we have a problem and we have to focus on the little things and little details."

Amorim has had little time on the training pitch since taking over from Erik ten Hag because of a packed fixture list.

Ruben Amorim won three Primeira Liga titles during his time as head coach of Sporting CP. Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

The 39-year-old has been careful to play down expectations while the squad gets to grips with a new tactical set-up.

However, he insists one non-negotiable is the amount of effort put in by his players and warned them they had to "run like mad dogs" if they want to be successful.

"I think the way we sprint back, the way we sprint forward, the way we fight, we have to be very clear with the team, this is the first point we have to address then the tactical and technical aspects come later," Amorim said.

"What I see is that they're making an effort and there's a lot of room to improve. Changing that thing you can sometimes say is simple because it's just running but it's something in the head of the players.

"If you want to win we have to do it. Even with the best starting XI on the planet without running they will not win anything, that is very clear. If we want to win the Premier League we have to run like mad dogs. If not, we are not going to."

- Rob Dawson, Correspondent

MANCHESTER UNITED | RED DEVILS | THE SQUAD