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Eriksen: Amorim’s ‘worst team’ claim compounded pressure on United players

Eriksen says Amorim’s ‘worst team’ remark piled pressure on players and hurt dressing-room morale…

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Ruben Amorim’s decision to describe the Manchester United players as the “worst team in the history of the club” drew a public rebuke from Christian Eriksen, who said the remark added unnecessary pressure on a squad already under strain. Ten Hag was relieved of his duties after a dismal start to the 2024–25 campaign and Amorim was convinced to leave Sporting CP mid-season to take over as manager.

Eriksen, now playing for VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga as he heads towards the twilight of his career, criticised the timing and tone of Amorim’s comments. “That didn’t help,” Eriksen told The Times of Amorim’s remark. “Yeah, that didn’t help at all. I mean, that was not… I don’t think that helped the players at all. Some stuff you can say inside and it’s not too clever to say outside, to put extra pressure and put an extra label on the players who were already trying to do their best.

“I don’t think that helped at all, no. Then if he’s right or wrong, whatever, but I think for us it was a bit of like, ‘Oh, here we go again. Another headline.’ ”

Eriksen also reflected on Amorim’s approach after arriving from Sporting CP. “He came in with his ideas. He tried to change things as you still see, tried to get it his way. Certain players for certain positions, for a certain style of play, that’s how he sees success. He has to change a lot because the players were not used to that system. Also, historically, United always liked a different system.

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“And yeah, he’s been very honest and also, yeah, honest with me from the beginning. Very, very, very honest, I would say.”

United’s wider difficulties were also addressed by Eriksen, who noted the burden of constant comparison with past greats. “The main thing at United is just the perception of how you have to play and how you have to be as a player, because everything you do is compared to who was there before,” he said. So any position, you’ll be like, ‘Oh yeah, now we have Casemiro but you have to compare him to Roy Keane,’ or, ‘We had [Robin] van Persie here, so this striker now has to be able to do this.’

“So everything at United is like straight away when you wear the logo, you bring all that history with you, you have to follow up what was there before and change that or make it better, which, of course, is almost impossible when you win [the title] eight out of 11 years in the Premier League.

“So that puts a lot of pressure on the players and then, obviously, when you get into a situation where you change a lot of managers, a lot of structures, then yeah, it’s tough as a player to really succeed.”

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Man Utd

Man Utd Target Crysencio Summerville as Left‑Wing Options Are Weighed

Man Utd assess Crysencio Summerville as one of several left-wing options, West Ham face sales. soon.

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Manchester United are “paying serious attention” to West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville as part of their search for a left-sided wide player this summer. Sources suggest the club view Summerville as one of several candidates while evaluating alternatives and squad options.

Summerville, 24, drew fresh interest after an impressive World Cup showing against Japan in which he scored and offered a combative display off the ball. The Athletic reports Manchester United have “enquired” about his situation. At an estimated $67.1 million (£50 million) he sits at the lower end of the price range compared with other reported targets.

Other names United have considered include Yan Diomande, Iliman Ndiaye, Morgan Rogers and Bradley Barcola. Leipzig are likely to demand about $116 million (€100 million, £86.5 million) for Diomande, a figure that would place him well above Summerville and potentially push any move beyond the immediate window. Barcola has been linked amid reports of frustration over his minutes at Paris Saint-Germain.

Domestically, reintegrating Marcus Rashford remains a discussed option within the club, although it may be regarded as a last resort. Michael Carrick has not ruled out that path while also acknowledging the desire to add a new wide player.

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Summerville’s form last season included a run of four successive Premier League goals in January after an indifferent start to 2025–26, but a minor injury in March interrupted his momentum and reduced his influence in the closing weeks.

West Ham paid roughly half of the reported United valuation to sign Summerville from Leeds United in 2024. Relegation has increased the likelihood of interest in the club’s top performers, a list that also contains midfield target Mateus Fernandes and attacker Jarrod Bowen.

Daniel Křetínský, the incoming principal shareholder at West Ham, has insisted the club will not sell for financial reasons. “We have a very credible strategy,” Křetínský told The Times. “We don’t need to sell the players for financial reasons. We are doing this to make sure we are promoted back to the Premier League immediately. That is our only goal.”

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Barcelona

Rashford’s Options After Barcelona Decline: Return, Sell or Stall

Barcelona declined to trigger Marcus Rashford’s purchase clause; he returns to Manchester United 2026

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Barcelona have opted not to trigger the purchase clause for Marcus Rashford, making the temporary move effectively over and leaving the forward to return to Manchester United once his World Cup duties with England finish. The decision on June 16 closes one chapter but opens several possible outcomes for the 28-year-old.

Rashford enjoyed a productive season at Barcelona, making 49 appearances and recording 14 goals and 14 assists. He impressed primarily on the left wing while also filling in on the right and as a central striker, his versatility a feature that first attracted interest.

Early in the campaign a permanent deal for around €30 million seemed straightforward, but the narrative shifted. Barcelona’s subsequent €70 million signing of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United demonstrated the club had transfer funds available. Reports suggest the real sticking point was amortization and the financial impact spread over contract years, with Gordon viewed as having a more favourable effect on the club’s accounts partly because he is three years younger than Rashford. Inside Camp Nou the view is that Gordon’s defensive work rate better suits Hansi Flick’s tactical demands.

Despite choosing Gordon, Barcelona remain open to Rashford if circumstances change. They reportedly tried to negotiate a lower fee with United and were prepared to agree terms for a reduced price, but Manchester United declined further discounts and gave an unenthusiastic response to suggestions of a second loan. Barcelona’s stance is that Rashford is welcome back, but not at the club’s current valuation.

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Reports indicate Rashford would welcome a return to Barcelona, yet his fate hinges on United lowering their demands. La Liga sources believe Barcelona are counting on Rashford refusing other offers to force United into a choice: pay his reported weekly wages of around $435,000 or reopen talks.

Rashford’s exit from United originally occurred under former manager Ruben Amorim. The environment at Old Trafford has since changed, with Michael Carrick now in the dugout permanently. A return to Manchester to rebuild has been floated and remains possible, likely driven by necessity rather than preference.

Other clubs linked in speculation include Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur. According to The Athletic, United have a clause making Rashford available for $54 million (£40 million) this summer to all suitors except Liverpool and Manchester City. The player reportedly prefers not to remain in England with another Premier League club if it is not with Manchester United.

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AC Milan

Amorim to Milan: What the Move Means for Manchester United’s Preseason

Amorim’s move to AC Milan reduces United’s compensation and focuses attention on Aug. 15 friendly. .

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Reports that Ruben Amorim is negotiating to become AC Milan manager change more than compensation figures for Manchester United. Amorim’s time out of work is not expected to drag on, with Saturday coverage identifying him as the preferred candidate to take over at AC Milan this summer. As noted by The Telegraph, an anticipated agreement with Milan will spare United from paying the full share of their compensation to the Portuguese tactician.

United finalised their preseason schedule earlier this month, electing to stay in Europe for the first time in 24 years to help players respond to a summer full of World Cup action across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Opponents listed for the Red Devils’ preparations include Wrexham (July 18, Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland), Rosenborg (July 24, Lerkendal Stadion, Trondheim, Norway), Atlético Madrid (Aug. 1, Strawberry Arena, Stockholm, Sweden), Paris Saint-Germain (Aug. 8, Ullevi Stadium, Gothenberg, Sweden) and Leeds United (Aug. 12, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland).

United will round out their preparations with a friendly against AC Milan. United and Milan will lock horns at Tarczyński Arena in Wrocław, Poland, on Aug. 15, and all the signs suggest it will be Amorim leading the Italian outfit. While few conclusions can be drawn from preseason fixtures, supporters will demand a positive result against their former boss and many will watch how Milan adapt under Amorim and to the 3-4-2-1 formation to which he appeared so wedded during his tenure at Old Trafford.

The match will also offer a first public assessment of the rivalry between the two men responsible for United’s recent transition. It will be a chance for newly appointed permanent United manager Michael Carrick to take on his predecessor, having overseen drastic improvement compared to Amorim’s time in charge. The fixture therefore carries financial, tactical and narrative significance for both clubs as they head into the new season.

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