Man Utd
Assistant Cândido: United never fully put Amorim’s ideas into practice
Adélio Cândido says United failed to implement Amorim’s ideas fully during a turbulent 14 months…
Adélio Cândido, the assistant to Ruben Amorim during a 14-month spell at Old Trafford, has offered a clear account of what he sees as the key shortcoming of that tenure: the coach’s methods were not fully applied.
The period began with a draw and two wins in Amorim’s first three matches, including a 4–0 victory over Everton that hinted at early promise. Amorim warned that “the storm is coming.” That warning was borne out as inconsistent results followed and, in January, Amorim and his backroom staff were dismissed.
The Angola-born coach told A BOLA: “Experience is always experience, whether the outcome is good or bad, we always come away with learning.” He added: “In Manchester, I really liked the city and the way the fans experience football, more focused on the project than on the immediate result. What I liked least was, without a doubt, feeling that our ideas weren’t fully implemented.”
Cândido rejected suggestions that pressure derailed daily routines. “With the existing pressure, it’s normal for people to get more upset than usual on a coaching staff, and that wasn’t the case for us,” he said.
Cândido declined to comment on the club’s resurgence under Michael Carrick, who now has the same players and is getting better results. Benjamin Šeško admitted that the squad have cranked up their work ethic under Carrick, and Lisandro Martínez praised Carrick’s soft touch. Luke Shaw said the “biggest” difference between Amorim and his successor is that Carrick “knows the club.”
Matheus Cunha offered an inside explanation for the struggles, blaming the intense scrutiny of Amorim’s 3-4-2-1: “The pressure for that tactic to work was so great that we forgot how simple the overall context was and focused too much on the negative.”
Amorim persisted with a back three for his first 60 games and defended his approach when forced into makeshift selections for a Boxing Day trip to Newcastle United. He argued, “We don’t have a lot of players, and we need to adapt, so they understand why we are changing,” and added: “It is not because of the pressure of you guys [media], or the fans. When you [media] talk about changing the system all the time, I cannot change because the players will understand I’m changing because of you and I think that is the end for the manager. When we are playing well in our system, that is the moment to change.”
In the end, a clash with director of football Jason Wilcox precipitated Amorim’s exit. The tenure included heavy spending of around $330 million across two full transfer windows and controversial decisions over Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, as well as January 2025 signings such as Patrick Dorgu and acquisitions including Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo that aligned with Amorim’s preferred system. As the January 2026 window approached, Amorim grew increasingly frustrated at the perceived lack of backing in midfield.
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.
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.
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.”
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
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.
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.
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. .
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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