Risky business for Amorimpublished at 15:48 6 February
15:48 6 February
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim defended his decision not to bring in any more experienced players during the winter transfer window because the club did not want to repeat past mistakes.
By that, he meant signing players that turned out not to be worth the sums invested in them.
However, there is a flip side to that.
Having decided to keep Erik ten Hag during the summer, United then spent £200m on five senior players, including Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee. Just over two months into the season, Ten Hag was sacked.
It could be argued United do not want to spend more money on players for a coach whose job prospects are uncertain - Amorim himself says he is 'fighting for his job until the summer'.
The United boss knows he needs results. He knows the squad he has to work with.
He has to deliver.
'Awful news' that brings 'additional pressure' for new signingspublished at 15:48 6 February
Steve: While the injury is disappointing, it's not as doom and gloom as it would be if we were playing with verve. Martinez has had an average season thus far, as has the team in general. Hopefully, this will now mean we can see more of Lenny Yoro and hopefully give some minutes to Ayden Heaven as we build for the next season.
Mike: Yet another setback. Ruben Amorim must be wondering what's hit him. I probably will not be the first to say this but it is time we looked at the under-21s. There has been a few coming through and, after watching some of their matches, there are a few more that could be brought through. I was disappointed that we didn't make any more signings but that time has gone and we have to cope with what we've got.
Andre: Awful news for Martinez and United. I am praying that we somehow get Shaw back so we have a left-footer capable of filling the gap.
Matt: Licha is one of my favourite United players but he hasn't adapted as well to the Amorim system as we would have expected. We've got a few options - Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire (with Matthijs de Ligt moving over into the middle), Luke Shaw (if he ever approaches fitness again), or Ayden Heaven as the left-field choice. So I think we'll be OK but it's so tough on Martinez to have two unrelated serious injuries in a relatively short United career so far. Get well soon, Licha.
Mike: Shaw is a fine left centre-back. He'll easily cover the first 15 minutes or so of Martinez's absence. After that, I think permanently adding Mazraoui to the back three will get us to the summer. At that point, a decision will need to be made about adding a further centre-back or gambling on Martinez.
Royston: Gutted that Martinez is again out with a long-term injury. This will put additional pressure o the new signings to adequately cover for him or else I can only pray United do not slip further down the table.
Man City's 'know-how' will seal top threepublished at 15:48 6 February
15:48 6 February
Image source, Getty Images
Now that we know who has what in terms of transfers for the Premier League's run-in, I have tipped Liverpool to win the title, with Arsenal in second and Manchester City in third.
City have made some good January signings and injured players are starting to return now, so it looks more promising for Pep Guardiola's men.
And we all know how City have the capability of going on a run of games which apply pressure to the teams around them. They still have the status to do that despite having a rocky season.
They have a tricky period coming up now and it is off the back of a battering to Arsenal, but I think they have enough to turn results around and comfortably finish third.
Amorim on Martinez, Shaw and transfer windowpublished at 14:14 6 February
14:14 6 February
Phil Cartwright BBC Sport journalist
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been speaking to the media before Friday's FA Cup game against Leicester City (kick-off 20:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Following confirmation that Lisandro Martinez sustained a serious knee injury against Crystal Palace, Amorim said: "He is in a difficult situation. He's going to be out for a while. We don't know the extent of the injury but it's an injury that is going to take time."
Amorim also said Luke Shaw has had a "small issue in a different area" from his previous injury and the club "will try to be careful" with his recovery.
The United boss would not confirm whether new signings Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven will be involved against Leicester, but said they are available: "They are ready to play and are two more solutions to help us."
On whether he is happy with United's transfer business: "What I feel is the club is taking its time. We know the urgency of the moment, but everybody here doesn't want to make the same mistakes that were made in the past. We have to improve the players we have and win some games. Then in the summer, we will see. But we are being really careful with transfers because we did some mistakes in the past."
Amorim was asked whether he may have to accept that the team's position in the Premier League table may not change much, given no experienced players were signed during the window: "It's a moment that is hard to turn things around in just a few games. It's going to be really hard until the end of the season. We are taking that risk that you talk about because we want a different thing in our team and different profiles. That is my area, so it was my decision to do that."
He continued: "We are taking some risks but it is the way we want to proceed. We want to win some games. We will have time to train because I'm always complaining about the time to train, so now we have time to train we are going to improve the team. I want a certain type of player with a different profile and we are changing right away."
On his available attacking options available to him: "We have to find players to play in different positions. We create chances and we don't score - we have many shots in the box and we catch one player. These are small things we can improve. Amad can score more, Bruno can score more, Kobbie can score more playing in that position a little bit further up the pitch. We have a little bit more time and let's see at the end of the season."
'Pep's inflexibility' and can Lewis play wing-back?published at 12:22 6 February
12:22 6 February
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for one thing nobody is talking about at Manchester City.
Here are some of your comments:
Kahn: No-one is talking about Pep's inflexibility - his refusal to change styles and adapt. Omar Marmoush is shouting for the ball all the time while Erling Haaland has given up on runs behind the defensive line. If your players are ageing and can't press, maybe stop asking them to press. If they are caught on the counter with such regularity, maybe stop holding such a high defensive line, and employ a more balanced approach. The same team, even without January signings, would do better in the hands of a manager that plays to the strengths of players at his disposal.
Matt: I think no-one is talking about the obvious need for appropriate wing-backs in a 3-4-3 system. Lewis a hard-working gifted player but I fear his calling is not that role. Perhaps someone like Jeremie Frimpong is what we need.
Ian: No-one mentions that the reason we give goals away is the negative way we're playing. Always passing backwards. There is no service into the box, even with the best striker in the world in there.
Stewart: Watch out for Divine Mukasa - a very impressive under-18 attacking midfielder who has scored 13 goals and had 18 assists so far this season in all competitions.
Alex: Passing, passing and more passing. Overnight, that has gone. It's not the way to win now. Running with the ball and beating a player is the way to success - all done at a high pace and not defenders standing over the ball on the halfway line for minutes on end.
Simon: New left-back from New York City Christian McFarlane. Might he be integrated into the first team? The teamsheet on Saturday against Leyton Orient will provide a clue.
Injury woes in defence look set to continuepublished at 12:01 6 February
12:01 6 February
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
There have been conflicting reports around Manchester United defender Luke Shaw, with one source saying he was out for another four weeks and others predicting a return to training next week.
Given he was part of the senior squad training at Carrington last Wednesday ahead of their Europa League trip to Romania and the club have not dismissed queries around Shaw's fitness, it seems certain that head coach Ruben Amorim will confirm the England man has had some kind of setback when he speaks to the media this afternoon.
Shaw has not started a game for Manchester United since 18 February last year. He has made six appearances, three for England at Euro 2024 and three for his club as a substitute, the last of which was on 1 December.
With Lisandro Martinez looking set for an extended spell on the sidelines with a serious knee injury, Amorim would have wanted Shaw as an option for the left-sided central defensive slot.
Club officials do not believe Martinez will play again this season. It is his fourth - and most significant - injury of eight weeks or longer since joining Manchester United in 2022.
The news could mean a more prominent role for former Arsenal youngster Ayden Heaven, who joined the club as a first-team squad member over the weekend.
Another significant injury for Martinezpublished at 11:58 6 February
11:58 6 February
Club officials at Manchester United do not believe Lisandro Martinez will play again this season.
It is his fourth – and most significant - injury of eight weeks or longer since joining Manchester United in 2022.
The news comes at a time when there are renewed doubts over the fitness of Luke Shaw, who has not started a game for United in almost 12 months and could mean a more prominent role for former Arsenal youngster Ayden Heaven, who joined the club as a first-team squad member over the weekend.
Leyton Orient v Manchester City: Did you know?published at 11:45 6 February
11:45 6 February
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Since losing 1-0 to Wigan Athletic in a fifth-round tie in February 2018, Manchester City have won their past 17 FA Cup matches against teams from a lower division by an aggregate score of 67-8.
It is the longest winning run by a top-flight team against sides from lower divisions, with their 8-0 win over Salford City in the third round overtaking Arsenal's 16-game run between 1998 and 2005.
Fans protest against ticket price hikepublished at 11:44 6 February
11:44 6 February
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Seven prominent Manchester City fans groups have jointly sent an open letter to the club complaining about ticket price rises and the prospect of local fans being frozen out.
The letter was sent to chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak and the fans' groups have pointed out that, with the exception of COVID-19 affected year, City has made a profit "each season since 2014-15".
"The club are quick to emphasise their connection to Manchester," the letter explains. "In our most recent annual report, chief executive Ferran Soriano spoke to his love for the City of Manchester.
"We are asking that we do not lose that link. After all, what is this club without Manchester? Even our nickname - the Citizens - is in reference to our Mancunian roots.
"By making it practically impossible to obtain a standard season ticket, ticketing policy decision makers at Manchester City are severing the generational link between fans and their club."
Gossip: Napoli pulled out of Garnacho transfer race over wagespublished at 07:46 6 February
07:46 6 February
Napoli ended their interest in 20-year-old Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho because his wage demands were too high. (Fabrizio Romano), external