Man Utd
Report: United had resolved to dismiss Ruben Amorim before his post-match outburst
United decided to sack Ruben Amorim before his Elland Road outburst, the report says. ahead of match
Manchester United had already resolved to part company with Ruben Amorim before the manager’s public criticism of his role, according to a report in The Telegraph.
The story says the decision predated Amorim’s post-match outburst and came even before a ball was kicked at Elland Road. The breakdown began, the report adds, after a pre-match meeting between Amorim and sporting director Jason Wilcox. The meeting “blow up” and Wilcox left convinced the relationship would not recover.
United ultimately sided with Wilcox and, taking Amorim’s disappointing numbers into account, prepared to part ways. Amorim’s subsequent remarks, in which he rejected his formal title and challenged the recruitment set-up, crystallised a situation the club had already deemed unsustainable. At the press conference he challenged both the scouting department and sporting director to “do their job,” underlining his dissatisfaction with the remit he was given.
The report explains the distinction Amorim was drawing between the roles he sought and the title he formally held. Managers tend to have greater involvement over every aspect of the club, including transfers, while the modern notion of a head coach is somebody asked to prioritise tactics and challenged to work with the resources provided to them by those upstairs.
Amorim had repeatedly questioned the club’s approach to transfers in a clear attempt to put pressure on United, and club officials ultimately decided against changing their strategy. With such a firm divide, Amorim’s position quickly became untenable.
The episode also drew comparisons with recent events at another club. Enzo Maresca met the same fate at Chelsea in similar circumstances just days earlier.
Former United striker Wayne Rooney, who had questioned Amorim’s suitability for the club in the past, criticised Amorim’s public intervention before the departure was confirmed. “I think you need to earn the right to be able to dictate exactly what happens at a football club, especially a football club like Manchester United,” Rooney told his self-titled show before Amorim’s departure was made official. “If [Pep] Guardiola comes into United for instance, I don’t think anyone would question what players he wants to bring in, or the system.
“I feel for [Amorim] a little bit because the squad is not good enough, the players he’s got on the bench are young academy kids—it’s great to see them on the bench, but are they ready at this moment in time? It’s very difficult to put young players on to a football pitch when the team is not very good, so I feel for him a little bit.
“But he’s not Pep Guardiola or Jürgen Klopp. He hasn’t got that history or that background, so I don’t think he should be speaking with that authority in what he is and I just think the words he’s saying are very confusing to me.”
Barcelona
Marcus Rashford’s latest Manchester United outing and what followed
Rashford is back at United, and his last appearance came in December 2024 against Viktoria Plzeň.
Marcus Rashford is back on Manchester United’s books, and the timing has brought fresh focus on how long it has been since he last played for the club. Barcelona allowed both the purchase option and release clause in Rashford’s contract to expire, opting instead to move for Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi. United manager Michael Carrick has since confirmed that the winger will rejoin training with his boyhood club during the next part of the summer tour of northern Europe.
Carrick, speaking after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain, said: “I’ve played with him. I played in the game he made his debut, so we have a history,” Carrick said after Saturday’s 1–1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain. “We have got a full squad this week in Dublin. We fly straight there and have a few days where we have the whole group back together.
“Marcus is part of that, and Kobbie [Mainoo] and Lisandro [Martínez]. We look forward to seeing them.”
For supporters, Rashford’s return may take some adjustment, because his final appearance for United came some time ago. His most recent outing arrived against Viktoria Plzeň on Dec. 12, 2024, in the Europa League at the Doosan Arena in Plzeň, Czechia. He started as a second striker, positioned just behind Joshua Zirkzee, but found it difficult to influence the contest.
Rashford was withdrawn in the 56th minute, eight minutes after Plzeň had gone in front through Matěj Vydra. United then recovered, with Rasmus Højlund emerging as the decisive figure. The Danish forward, who has since left United for Napoli, scored soon after his introduction and added a second in the 88th minute to complete the comeback.
After that defeat, Rashford’s United career effectively stalled under then-manager Ruben Amorim. He was omitted from the squad for the Manchester derby against Manchester City three days later, although Amorim insisted the decision was not disciplinary. Rashford then stated that he was “ready for a new challenge.”
His absence continued for weeks, with more than 10 games missed and only one unused place on the bench. Amorim later said he would not choose any player unless he felt they were giving maximum effort every day.
A loan move to Aston Villa followed in February, giving Rashford a chance to reset. He produced a strong spell there, finishing with four goals and six assists in 17 appearances.
Man Utd
Anthony Martial’s rise and decline: from United’s record gamble to free agency
Martial’s United rise, role changes, injuries and release left a career that never matched its early promise.
Anthony Martial’s Manchester United story began with promise and ended with a sharp fall. When he arrived from Monaco in the summer of 2015, he was a surprise headline signing and a forward few outside France knew well. Yet the club paid heavily for his potential, with one add-on even linked to a Ballon d’Or win.
His background suggested a player built for the highest level. Born in the suburbs of Paris, Martial started out at Les Ulis before moving to Lyon at 14. He made his senior debut shortly after turning 17, then joined Monaco seven months later. In the principality, he progressed from the B team to the first team and eventually delivered 12 goals in 48 appearances in his second season.
United’s faith looked justified almost immediately. Martial scored on his debut against Liverpool with a solo run from the left, then followed that with two goals against Southampton. He also struck a stoppage-time winner against Everton in the FA Cup semifinal, helping set up the club’s first major trophy since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. That first campaign finished with 11 Premier League goals and 17 in all competitions.
But his role changed when new competition arrived. Zlatan Ibrahimović took his No. 9 shirt, and later Romelu Lukaku pushed him further from the centre of the attack. Martial had his moments, but his numbers fluctuated and his starts often gave way to substitute appearances.
There was a bright spell in 2019-20 under Ole Gunnar Solskjær. Used centrally, Martial produced 23 goals in all competitions and looked as though he had finally found the right platform. Instead, that proved to be his peak. His output dropped sharply afterwards, with injuries, fitness problems and a red card interrupting his rhythm.
Martial’s final United years brought a loan spell at Sevilla, where he failed to score in nine La Liga appearances, before his contract ended in 2024. Across his best two seasons at the club, he scored 40 goals in 97 matches, but his last four years produced only 19 in 95. A free transfer to AEK Athens brought seven goals in 16 Super League Greece appearances, though the limited number of games underlined how far his career had drifted.
Fulham
Manchester United face fresh Lewis Hall setback as Newcastle dig in
United lose ground on Hall as Newcastle plan to keep the defender and strengthen their stance.
Manchester United’s hopes of landing Lewis Hall have taken another hit, with the Newcastle United left back now expected to stay at St James’ Park this summer.
Hall had been identified as a leading option to strengthen the left side of the pitch at Old Trafford, where work still remains if United are to mount a serious challenge for silverware next season. Michael Carrick is still searching for additions in midfield and at left back, but the England youth international appears set to remain out of reach for now.
“I do not expect Lewis Hall to be coming to Man United,” journalist David Ornstein revealed on The Athletic FC podcast. “Following the departure of Eddie Howe, Newcastle will be more determined to keep him, maybe even tie him down to a new contract.”
That stance is understandable. Hall is under contract until June 2029 and Newcastle are looking to preserve stability after a difficult period. The club has already seen Anthony Gordon move to Barcelona and Sandro Tonali join Tottenham Hotspur, while Bruno Guimarães is seemingly headed to Arsenal. Alexander Isak also departed last September, a loss that fed into Newcastle’s 12th-place finish in the Premier League in 2025-26. With Howe stepping down and Matthias Jaissle now in charge, there is little appetite for further disruption.
If United cannot get a deal done, they will have to look elsewhere. Luke Shaw, at 31 and carrying a difficult injury record, cannot be the only natural left back in the squad. Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, Ayden Heaven and Lisandro Martínez can all cover, but with Tyrell Malacia gone and Champions League soccer returning, the need for another senior left back is clear.
Antonee Robinson has already been mentioned as an alternative. The Fulham defender, 28, brings six seasons of Premier League experience and arrives off a strong World Cup campaign with the U.S. men’s national team. He would offer a short-term answer while United continue to pursue Hall, or another younger option, in the years ahead.
