Premier League
Opening Weekend Round-up: Bayindir Error Decides Arsenal at Old Trafford; Eze, Forest and Ramsey Stories
Bayindir error hands Arsenal 1-0 at Old Trafford; Eze, Forest, Ramsey and Brentford updates today now
Arsenal took the honours in the first big clash of the Premier League season, edging Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford after an early set-piece miscue. Altay Bayindir’s blunder handed Arsenal victory and undid a positive Manchester United performance in Sunday’s pulsating Premier League encounter.
Old Trafford rocked as Mikel Arteta’s runners-up headed to the rebuilding Red Devils in the most eye-catching fixture of the opening weekend. United looked far better than the side that finished 15th last season, yet Amorim’s men fell to another loss as Riccardo Calafiori capitalised on Bayindir’s early flap.
United’s summer signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo looked sharp on their debuts, while Patrick Dorgu hit a post in the first half. Arsenal keeper David Raya also produced a string of important stops to keep the hosts at bay. Bayindir was given the nod to start the game with Andre Onana still working his way back from injury.
Amorim defended his keeper after the goal and stressed the difficulty of the situation. “You’re allowed to do a lot of things in the corner, we need to do the same,” he said. “When you touch that way the goalkeeper, he needs to use his hands to catch the ball, not push players, or he chooses to push players and let the ball past.”
On Bayindir’s previous error and wider context Amorim added: “He suffered a goal like this where? Against Tottenham? It was without VAR. With VAR it was a foul.
“Then in the next game against Arsenal , who saved the penalty? Who saved the game? You don’t remember the game but I remember the game and Altay was unbelievable in that game. I am happy with the three goalkeepers.”
Crystal Palace began their campaign with a goalless draw at Chelsea, Eberechi Eze having a first-half free-kick controversially ruled out by VAR. Palace manager Oliver Glasner said Eze will play while at the club. “As much as I know, Eze has a contract with Crystal Palace, he’s a Crystal Palace player and he showed it today,” he said. “As long as he is a Palace player and performs like this, he will play for us. Nobody has told me something else.”
Nottingham Forest beat Brentford 3-1 as Chris Wood scored twice and Dan Ndoye netted on his debut; Igor Thiago converted a second-half penalty for Brentford. New signings Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee were unveiled before kick-off.
Newcastle completed the signing of Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey. The 24-year-old has signed a long-term contract after an initial £39million fee, with £4m in add-ons; he made 167 appearances for Villa, 10 of them in last season’s Champions League. Ramsey said: “I’m delighted to be here. It’s been a mad two or three days, but I’m really happy to be here and I can‘t wait to get started.” Eddie Howe added: “His qualities will bring us something different on the pitch and he fits the profile of being young and hungry to develop, but also with a wealth of Premier League football under his belt.”
Leeds mark their return to the Premier League on Monday when they host Everton, with Daniel Farke’s side hoping to use the Elland Road crowd to trouble the visitors. Jack Grealish could be in the Everton squad. Facing the Toffees, meanwhile, could be forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who spent nine years on Merseyside before departing at the end of his contract earlier this summer.
Arsenal
Midwinter Market: Big-money valuations and loan manoeuvres dominate the rumour mill
Transfers: Leão to Arsenal; Bellingham priced; Pepi medical booked; loan interest grows. Many clubs.
The transfer chatter remains dominated by high fees and pragmatic loan options as clubs across Europe prepare for significant summer moves. Arsenal have been linked with AC Milan forward Rafael Leão, a target reported to command $92.3 million (£69.1 million, €80 million) as the Gunners weigh reinforcement options amid speculation over Gabriel Martinelli.
Manchester United’s interest in Joshua Zirkzee has cooled as the striker plots a return to Serie A. His likely Italian suitors, including Juventus, Milan and Napoli, are reportedly only interested in a loan deal.
Manchester City have pursued Barcelona center back Pau Cubarsí with what has been described as an “obsession.” City are understood to have proposed a swap involving Omar Marmoush as a potential makeweight in the negotiations.
Arsenal are also the centre of a different story, with Crystal Palace, Everton and West Ham United all exploring a loan move for Arsenal’s “frustrated” left back Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Chelsea are active on several fronts. They have submitted offers for Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy, while also being linked to Inter target Alessandro Bastoni. Inter rejected an initial Barcelona approach of up to $75 million (€65 million) and are reported to be asking closer to $92.3 million. Guirassy has been floated as a replacement option and could be available for $69.2 million (€60 million), with Chelsea and Inter among those said to have made offers.
Chelsea are also said to be close to signing Valentín Barco from Strasbourg, a move described as at an “advanced stage.” Meanwhile, Aston Villa are demanding a club-record fee in excess of $133.5 million (£100 million) for Morgan Rogers amid Chelsea interest.
On the wider market, Real Madrid are willing to listen to offers for Jude Bellingham, who has been valued at $173 million (£129.6 million, €150 million) and is attracting reported interest from Manchester United and Chelsea. Borussia Dortmund remain confident they can secure a permanent return for Jadon Sancho once his contract at Manchester United expires, with the club “confident” of a deal. Fulham have lined up a medical for Ricardo Pepi in a deal set to be worth $38 million (£28.5 million), and Newcastle United have scouted Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser, valued at $46.1 million (£34.6 million, €40 million).
Chelsea
UK Government Moves to Sue Over Frozen Chelsea Sale Funds
UK government moves to sue to gain access to frozen funds from Roman Abramovich’s 2022 sale. In U.K.
The UK government is preparing legal action to obtain access to the $3.2 billion held from Roman Abramovich’s sale of Chelsea in 2022. A consortium led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital paid a total of $5.2 billion (£4.25 billion) for the club, with $3.2 billion the final sale price and a pledge of $2 billion in investment over the next 10 years.
The $3.2 billion remains frozen in a U.K. bank account controlled by Fordstam, Abramovich’s company, because the parties have not agreed on the funds’ intended use. The government now says it will pursue litigation to secure the money after negotiations failed to reach a resolution.
A government spokesperson said: “We gave Roman Abramovich his last chance to do the right thing. Once again, he has failed to make the donation he committed to.
“We will now take further steps to ensure that the promise he made at the time of the Chelsea sale is kept.”
The disagreement stems from the wording of the 2022 agreement. Both sides say the money should support victims of the war, but they differ on how that is defined. The government wants to send the entire sum to Ukraine, while Abramovich has argued there are victims of the conflict outside of Ukraine, including in his native Russia.
Legal action was seen as the likely outcome more than 12 months ago, and another year of unsuccessful talks has left the government concluding there is no alternative. Reports of an investigation in Jersey, where some of Abramovich’s money was managed, have added to the uncertainty surrounding the funds.
The draft sale and much of Abramovich’s Chelsea investment were funded through a series of offshore loans, including more than $2 billion interest-free from a Jersey company, Camberley International Investments.
Man Utd
Carrick confirms Martínez will miss Bournemouth; hopes for Leeds return
Carrick: Martinez will miss Bournemouth but should be fit for the Leeds game after the break. please.
Michael Carrick has confirmed Lisandro Martínez will not be available for Manchester United’s trip to Bournemouth on Friday, but said the Argentina international is progressing and is expected to be ready following the international break. “He’s getting there,” Carrick admitted. “So after this one, I think he’ll be alright.”
Carrick also addressed the wider defensive injury picture, highlighting the ongoing problem with Matthijs de Ligt. The Dutch defender was first sidelined in November, and early tests suggested a short absence, but he has not been seen since and a return date remains unspecified. “It’s [a] similar [situation] really and frustrating for Matta,” Carrick continued. “He’s obviously trying to work to get back but it’s just the back issue, really, that’s proving difficult. We’ll keep working as hard as we can, to get him back as quickly as we can.”
With De Ligt still sidelined, Martínez’s likely comeback after the break is a tangible boost for a side with limited central defensive options. At present the senior choices named are Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro and 19-year-old Ayden Heaven.
The manager also offered an update on Mason Mount, who has faced repeated fitness problems since his move from Chelsea in 2023 in a package worth up to $75.7 million (£60 million). Mount has managed 66 appearances across all competitions for the club and has missed 58 matches through various fitness concerns. He returned to the bench as an unused substitute for the 3–1 win over Aston Villa at the weekend, and Carrick stressed caution over his reintroduction. “Starting would be too much, I think, at this point,” Carrick said of the midfielder.
Carrick’s remarks underline a careful approach to managing recovery across the squad as United prepare for a busy period that includes the visit of Leeds United on April 13 after the international break.
