Manchester United
Amorim instructs United to reject January approaches for Mainoo and Zirkzee
Amorim plans to reject January offers for Mainoo and Zirkzee to protect United’s squad options plus.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has instructed the club to turn down any January approaches for Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee, according to a report from Fabrizio Romano. Both players are understood to be unsettled and are expected to explore moves when the transfer window reopens, with both currently outside the thinking of their respective international managers.
Amorim is said to view Mainoo and Zirkzee as useful squad options rather than players to be sold. He is reportedly concerned about a congested schedule across the festive period, the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and a potentially frenetic run-in to the season. The manager wants as many rotation options as possible to manage workload and reduce the risk of injuries to preferred starters.
Interest in both players has been persistent. Napoli are named admirers of Mainoo and are believed to have tried to sign him in the summer. Their reported interest is expected to resume after summer signing Kevin De Bruyne suffered a hamstring injury that is likely to keep him sidelined for several months. La Gazzetta dello Sport note Roma are pushing to sign Zirkzee, and both players have been linked with West Ham United, though David Ornstein has admitted the Hammers are unlikely to end up with either Mainoo or Zirkzee.
Mainoo’s standing as a club-trained player is a complicating factor. United have included one club-trained player in every matchday squad for the past 88 years, and Mainoo is one of only two senior options available to Amorim to maintain that streak, alongside third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton. The manager has publicly said he does not want to be the one to end that run.
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand recently urged Mainoo to respond to his current situation, challenging him to work harder and to “show some fight” as he attempts to convince Amorim of his value to the squad.
Arsenal
October 2025: Premier League Player and Manager of the Month Shortlists
October Player and Manager of the Month shortlists feature Cash, Guimarães, Haaland and Amorim. fans
The shortlists for the Premier League Player and Manager of the Month awards for October have been published.
Matty Cash’s individual form was central to Aston Villa’s resurgence in October. The Villans went three for three, with Cash making a huge impact at both ends of the field. His second goal of the campaign downed Manchester City last time out, after a glorious pass the week prior had put Tottenham Hotspur to the sword.
Bruno Guimarães dominated Newcastle United’s highlight packages this month. A delicious strike from range stole the show in victory over Nottingham Forest, and he saved the best for last with a 90th-minute winner against Fulham to keep the Magpies climbing the table.
Erling Haaland, September’s Player of the Month, remains among the favourites. Three goals in three games saw Haaland reach 11 for the campaign—nobody else in the squad has more than one to their name.
October was a breakout month for Bournemouth summer signing Junior Kroupi. He marked his first Premier League start with two goals against Crystal Palace and followed that with another strike against Nottingham Forest to lift the Cherries into second in the standings.
Bryan Mbeumo forced his way into the race with a dazzling October. Nobody in the league managed more than his four goal involvements—three goals, one assist—as United roared to a three-game winning streak.
Sunderland’s understated summer signing Nordi Mukiele has proven to be a masterstroke. His goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers helps his case, and he was a defensive force across October while adding menace with long throws.
Igor Thiago moved into second in the Golden Boot race with two goals for Brentford this month, scoring against West Ham United and converting a penalty to see off Liverpool. Arsenal defender Jurriën Timber emerged as one of the most in-form right backs and helped the Gunners build a record-breaking defence which did not concede a single goal this month.
On the managerial front, Ruben Amorim enjoys his first nomination as Man Utd manager after a dream October that delivered back-to-back Premier League victories and three consecutive wins over Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion. Mikel Arteta, Unai Emery and Andoni Iraola also feature among the nominees.
Previous winners listed include Jack Grealish (Everton, August) and Erling Haaland (Man City, September).
Manchester United
Berbatov: Šeško Must Demand the Ball to Deliver at Manchester United
Berbatov told Šeško to demand the ball, be aggressive and put himself into scoring positions. this.
Benjamin Šeško’s early weeks at Manchester United have prompted public advice from a former club striker. The 22-year-old arrived in a big-money summer transfer and required six weeks to open his account for United. He has since scored twice in his last three Premier League starts, but remains under scrutiny as he adapts to a new league and country.
Dimitar Berbatov addressed Šeško’s development during an appearance on Rio Ferdinand Presents, recommending a more forceful approach in live play and in team interactions. “Be confident in yourself. Be arrogant in a way that you demand the ball from your team-mates when you make the run,” he said.
Berbatov underlined the practical purpose of that confidence: to make teammates recognise and respect a striker’s movement. “When you make a good run, if the ball doesn’t come for you, say it or express it in a way that your teammates will understand that, ‘I am here. I’m making the run for you. Respect my run. Not every time but try to see me and believe in what I can do with that run,’” he added.
He was candid about the need for visible emotion at times. “Sometimes be angry. Scream, swear, whatever. [It’s] not personal. Just in a way that ‘I’m here, man. That’s why I’m here. Just give me the ball. Pass to me. I will try to score for you’.”
Berbatov also advised vocal communication beyond the moment of a run. “Halftime, before and after the game, speak. Sometimes I think the players need to be more aggressive and emotional, in a way like, ‘Pass me the damn ball, man!’”
The former United forward drew on his own experience at Old Trafford, noting he was older and more established when he arrived in late summer of 2008. He became United’s record signing at £30.75 million, a mark not surpassed until Juan Mata’s £37.1 million move in January 2014. Berbatov scored 56 times for United in four seasons and won the Premier League Golden Boot in 2010–11.
He concluded with a reminder of the striker’s simple metric of success. “In the end, it comes down to the goals for the strikers. If they don’t score enough goals, people will be on them,” he said, urging Šeško to put himself into the right positions and expect service.
Analytics & Stats
Fernandes at 300: How His Manchester United Record Stacks Up to Ronaldo’s
Bruno Fernandes reached 300 Manchester United games; his statistics now invite comparison to Ronaldo
Bruno Fernandes made his 300th appearance for Manchester United in the weekend 4-2 win over Brighton & Hove Albion, becoming only the second Portuguese player for the club to reach that mark after Cristiano Ronaldo. The pair spent 18 months together at Old Trafford following Ronaldo’s return in 2021, and while their on-field relationship provoked debate at times, they remain close off the pitch. “I spoke with Cristiano about the situation, Saudi and everything,” Fernandes recently admitted.
Fernandes chose to stay at United rather than leave and that decision brought an inevitable milestone in 2025–26. He is the 52nd player in club history to reach 300 games, a total he amassed quickly thanks to a strong injury record. At his current rate, the midfielder “will soon top Ronaldo’s haul of 346 United games,” a comparison that has prompted analysis of their respective records.
The statistical picture is mixed. Both players reached 300 appearances, but Fernandes has more starts (284) than Ronaldo had at that point (250). Ronaldo scored 124 goals in his first 300 United matches, 50 of which came from the bench, while Fernandes has 100 goals and 87 assists, giving him 20 more assists than Ronaldo’s 67.
Minutes-based metrics favour Ronaldo. Fernandes averages 255 minutes per goal compared to Ronaldo’s 185.3, and Fernandes records a goal contribution every 136.4 minutes against Ronaldo’s 120.3. Ronaldo’s first 300 appearances included major trophies: three Premier League titles and both domestic cups. Fernandes has also contributed to silverware, lifting the EFL Cup and FA Cup under Erik ten Hag, both victories arriving after Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr at the end of 2022.
Ronaldo’s pathway included extended success at Real Madrid and Juventus between his United spells, and his 300th United appearance came 14 years after his 200th. Fernandes has matched the milestone in a different context: often carrying a team that has not always matched Ronaldo’s collective achievements.
