Man Utd
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…
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.
“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.”
Man Utd
United’s Next Manager Shortlist Takes Shape Around Carrick Pressure
United are weighing Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte as Carrick’s future comes under pressure.
Manchester United are already being linked with possible replacements for Michael Carrick, with Eddie Howe said to be the leading candidate if change is made at Old Trafford.
Carrick’s position is understood to be under increasing pressure, and anything other than victory at Stamford Bridge on Saturday would only add to the speculation surrounding his future. According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, United have already begun conversations with possible options for the role.
“[Man Utd] also, because it’s the reality, they also had some conversations with agents, camps, representatives of other managers, because Manchester United had some conversation and that’s absolutely normal,” said the Italian.
“I’m not accusing Man Utd of anything wrong. It’s normal when things are not going well you start preparing for a potential change. So Man Utd had conversations with agents of managers.”
Romano then identified three names he believes sit on United’s list should Carrick be removed. In the order he gave them, those names were Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte.
“I told you that the three names we should take in consideration as free managers are in this order—Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann, Antonio Conte.
“Three managers very different one from the other and also in terms of approach.
“United are yet to say ‘Okay, let’s go for this coach.’ So the moment is still open but these are three names and obviously to talk with representatives, intermediaries or anyone close to these coaches is absolutely something normal in this situation, in this position for Manchester United.
“Then obviously there could be other managers who can be very attractive but very difficult to get.”
Howe, 48, has been out of work since leaving Newcastle at the end of July and is viewed as the current front-runner. His Premier League experience and man-management are thought to have caught United’s attention, even if there are lingering doubts about whether he has yet managed at a level comparable with Old Trafford.
Nagelsmann, 39, offers a very different profile. He has never coached in England, but his tactical reputation and attractive style have kept him in view. At the same time, his spell with the Germany national team did not fully convince, leaving him with questions of his own.
Man Utd
Sancho weighs Saudi switch after Getafe deal collapses
Sancho has turned down Getafe, with Saudi Arabia now emerging as the likeliest next step.
Jadon Sancho is reportedly closing in on a surprise move, with a switch to Saudi Arabia now said to be the likeliest outcome after his proposed transfer to Getafe broke down.
According to MARCA, Sancho rejected the La Liga side because he is still seeking a higher salary. The report says he wants €3 million ($3.3 million) per year, a figure that is seven-and-a-half times above what Getafe were ready to offer. That has left the deal dead.
The same report claims a Saudi club has now made a more attractive proposal, and discussions are under way between his representatives and the Middle East. No team has been named.
Sancho is currently out of contract, which means he can sign for a new club outside the transfer window, although registration rules still vary depending on the league. He has been training away from a club since leaving United this summer, while his agents continue to search for a permanent landing spot for the 26-year-old.
talkSPORT also say Sancho has been offered to West Ham United in the Championship, while several other English clubs have been made aware that he is available on a free transfer. Whether any of those sides will move for him remains unclear.
Earlier reports suggested Sancho understands the appeal of playing outside England after five difficult years at United. During that period, he remained under scrutiny even when on loan with Chelsea and Villa.
Chelsea
Palmer Avoids Premier League Ban as Chelsea Suspension Falls in Carabao Cup
Palmer serves his ban in the Carabao Cup, so Chelsea avoid a Premier League absence for him.
Cole Palmer will not miss a Premier League match after his red-card suspension was absorbed by Chelsea’s midweek Carabao Cup tie with Liverpool. The one-game ban will be served in that fixture, leaving him available for league duty despite the dismissal.
The midfielder’s night turned late in the contest after stand-in goalkeeper Mike Penders helped the visitors in front with a costly own goal in the 77th minute. Soon afterwards, Palmer picked up a second yellow card, having already been booked for running into Mateus Fernandes. On another occasion, that incident might have brought a red card immediately, but the greater problem came when he stood on Conor Gallagher’s ankle.
The scheduling and the FA handbook have combined to spare Palmer from a Premier League absence, although he will miss Chelsea’s next match, which is the trip to Anfield. That means he will not be available for the fourth round Carabao Cup tie on Wednesday night.
Chelsea’s record at Anfield remains a poor one. They have not won there in front of fans since 2018, when Eden Hazard inspired a side managed by Maurizio Sarri to a Carabao Cup third round victory. This time, however, their No. 10 will be watching from the sidelines.
Palmer addressed the fallout on social media the next morning. “Not good enough by me,” he wrote on Instagram. “Live n learn. Apologies. On to the next.”
The manager was more restrained in his assessment and chose not to publicly escalate the issue. “I need to check the action to talk with Cole, but it is one to learn for the future for sure,” he said after the match.
He added: “I think that Cole, when he is focused on the game, when he is enjoying, and today after the 1–0, it is a moment to keep calm, a moment to keep mature and for everyone.”
