Manchester United
Dorgu: United team felt ‘shock’ as Højlund left — a Danish teammate’s account
Dorgu: United in ‘shock’ after Højlund’s move to Napoli. He expects regular meetings on Denmark duty.
Patrick Dorgu, Manchester United wingback, described a sense of “shock” inside the squad when it became known that Rasmus Højlund would be leaving for Napoli this summer.
The departure remained a talking point despite heavy incoming signings. Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha arrived from Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers for a combined £133.5 million. Højlund had publicly insisted at the end of July: “My plan is very clear, that is for me to stay and fight for my spot, whatever happens,” and added, “Competition is fine with me. It sharpens me. I’m more than ready.”
Those statements did not produce the opportunity he expected. According to Dorgu, manager Ruben Amorim did not hand the 22-year-old a route back into matchday squads and Højlund was dropped. The club then moved for Benjamin Šeško, paying an initial £66.3 million in August, a development Dorgu says the player accepted reluctantly.
Dorgu had already seen another Danish teammate, Christian Eriksen, leave when his contract expired in June. Even so, the exit of Højlund surprised those close to him. “That’s how it is in football,” Dorgu told assembled media ahead of Denmark’s World Cup qualifier with Scotland on Friday. “You never know when it’s your turn to move on. We knew it would happen to Christian, but it was perhaps a bigger shock that Rasmus had to move on. I talked to him a lot during the process and could sense which way it was going. Hopefully, we will now see each other every time on the national team.”
Dorgu’s account underlines how transfer activity and squad selection combined this summer to reshuffle options at Manchester United and to prompt an unexpected exit for a young forward who had publicly vowed to stay and compete.
Manchester United
Onana Accepts Loan Move to Trabzonspor as Transfer Window Looms
André Onana has agreed to a season-long loan to Trabzonspor and will travel to Türkiye. to stay fit.
André Onana has agreed to join Trabzonspor on loan for the remainder of the campaign, sources say. Fabrizio Romano reported that the Cameroon international, who had been reluctant to leave Manchester United, accepted the Turkish side’s proposal and is preparing to travel to Türkiye to finalise a season-long loan.
The Turkish transfer window remains open until September 12, but Trabzonspor are aiming to complete the move quickly and hope to welcome Onana straight into their starting line two days after the transfer deadline. That timeline underpins the club’s desire to bring him in and use him immediately.
At Old Trafford Onana had been determined to fight for his future, but the prospect of becoming the third-choice option under Ruben Amorim changed that calculation. Lammens is expected to become the new starter, while usual reserve Altay Bayındır had started the first three games of the season ahead of Onana.
A year on loan with Trabzonspor would allow the 29-year-old to remain match fit and keep himself in the shop window ahead of a potential permanent departure from United next summer. Should Trabzonspor wish to make the deal permanent, they would need to reach a fresh agreement with United over the goalkeeper, whose contract at Old Trafford still has three years left to run and includes a 12-month extension clause.
The move, if completed, offers Onana immediate playing opportunities while leaving the longer-term situation dependent on negotiations between the Turkish club and Manchester United. For now the focus is on finalising the paperwork and integrating Onana into Trabzonspor’s squad as soon as the loan is confirmed.
Manchester United
Onana poised to decide after Manchester United approve Trabzonspor loan
Man Utd accept Trabzonspor loan bid for Onana; player deciding as Turkish window runs until Sept 12.
Manchester United have accepted a season-long loan proposal from Trabzonspor for goalkeeper André Onana, with the move subject to the player’s approval, according to The Athletic.
United’s decision follows changes in their goalkeeping hierarchy. Altay Bayındır has been the preferred starter but faces a potential demotion after the summer signing of Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp. With Onana possibly slipping to third choice under Amorim, the club have agreed to the Turkish side’s loan approach.
The terms agreed between the clubs are straightforward. United will send Onana to Türkiye without a loan fee, and Trabzonspor would not have any purchase clause to make the move permanent next summer. The Red Devils are understood to be seeking relief of Onana’s salary, while a season-long loan would allow the goalkeeper to retain as much of his transfer value as possible ahead of a potential departure in the summer of 2026.
Onana, 29, is reported to be open to the transfer and is awaiting discussions on the exact terms. Privately, he is believed to have backed himself to reclaim United’s starting spot even after the arrival of Lammens, but an awareness of the competition he faces has seen the Cameroon international “give serious thought” to joining Trabzonspor.
The timing is important. The Turkish transfer window remains open until September 12, yet Trabzonspor want to conclude the deal promptly so they can nominate Onana in their starting lineup for the fixture scheduled two days after the window closes. United’s acceptance of the bid leaves the final decision in the hands of the goalkeeper and his representatives.
Analytics & Stats
Owen hits back on X with statistical rebuttal to Rooney comparison
Owen furiously responded on X, defending his teenage goalscoring record and listing statistics post.
Michael Owen has publicly rejected a social media comparison between himself and Wayne Rooney, posting a detailed numerical response on X. The former striker defended his early career record and challenged any suggestion that Rooney was the superior youngster.
Owen set out specific figures in the comment thread, writing: “At 17, I scored 18 PL goals (winning the Golden Boot), Wazza scored six. At 18, I again scored 18 goals (again winning the Golden Boot and coming fourth in the Ballon d’Or), Wazza scored nine,” Owen replied on X. “In our opening seven seasons, Wazza didn’t outscore me once (117 goals vs. 80). In which time I became the second youngest Ballon d’Or winner ever.
At 17 I scored 18 PL goals (winning the Golden Boot), Wazza scored 6. At 18 I again scored 18 goals (again winning the Golden Boot and coming 4th in The Ballon d’Or), Wazza scored 9. In our opening 7 seasons, Wazza didn’t outscore me once (117 goals v 80). In which time I became…
“Injuries hindered me from then on while he sustained his level. Therefore, he’ll go down as a better player than me. But, at 17, please……”
The exchange underlines two clear threads from the draft: Owen emphasised his precocious goalscoring output, and he acknowledged that injuries limited his later career while Rooney maintained consistency. The draft notes Owen remains the last English player to win the Ballon d’Or, having scooped the prize in 2001. It also contrasts career Premier League totals: Owen finished with 150 strikes in 326 matches, while Rooney produced 208 goals but required 491 games to reach that number.
The debate revolves around raw early numbers and subsequent career trajectories. Owen used the platform to assert the superiority of his teenage output, while the broader picture includes Rooney’s greater longevity and a playing style described in the draft as likely to resonate with a larger percentage of English supporters.
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