Pep Guardiola says his Man City side are "fragile", while they are also labelled "weak" and "frail" after surrendering a 3-0 Champions League lead against Feyenoord at Etihad Stadium.
Will Amorim bring the glory days back?published at 18:46 1 November
18:46 1 November
Manchester United fans have 10 days to wait until Ruben Amorim takes charge at the club, following the announcement that he will be their new head coach.
On the latest episode of The Football News Show, experts analyse what the Portuguese manager will change at United, how they will play under him and how successful he could be.
'Comes with credentials' but 'would not expect miracles' from Amorimpublished at 18:44 1 November
18:44 1 November
Earlier, we asked for your views on Ruben Amorim's appointment as head coach and what his first tasks will be at Manchester United.
Here are some more of your comments:
Liam: Comes with credentials and an impressive record over a short time. Would not expect miracles. Ten Hag bought some bad players. Rashford seems at times like he does not want to make the effort. Seems to be a problem with player power at Man Utd. If the players do not make the effort, the manager gets sacked. So the new man will have to sort this out first.
Eldon: As a United fan all my life (50 years) I have seen managers come and go so we must be careful not to get carried away with the new man. He certainly plays the attacking football of old United so only time will tell if those glorious days and a fortress at the Theatre of Dreams can be reinstated.
Philip: It's interesting that he is listed as being head coach and not manager with a contract only until 2027. Ineos seem to be playing it smart. It does show credit on his side that he wants some time to finish off with Sporting before he officially takes charge. United just need to start showing a reason for fans to believe.
Walker pleased with Ballon d'Or 'recognition' for Rodripublished at 16:53 1 November
16:53 1 November
Speaking on a new episode of You'll Never Beat Kyle Walker on BBC Sounds, the Manchester City captain paid tribute to City team-mate and Ballon d'Or winner Rodri.
"For him, it's absolutely fantastic," said the England full-back. "I think he's been nothing short of probably perfect in the last couple of seasons. You can see what he means to Man City.
"I think this season we've adapted very well without him but in the last couple of seasons when he's not really been there, we've not really been the same Man City. The goals that he's scored, the assists that he's provided, it's not really a defensive midfielder.
"'Gundo' [Ilkay Gundogan] said something in a post someone sent me and for a defensive player to get that award, for us defensive-minded players it means a little bit more.
"If you look at the last 10-15 years, you've got Messi and Ronaldo without a shadow of a doubt, then Luka's [Modric] got it and then Benzema. It's recognition for the work that he's putting in without getting the headlines."
Who is taking the bigger risk - Amorim or Man Utd?published at 16:25 1 November
16:25 1 November
Ruben Amorim was announced as the new head coach of Manchester United on Friday, beginning his role on Monday 11 November.
The Sporting CP boss has turned their fortunes around in recent years and the reaction on Friday suggests United fans hope he can do the same at Old Trafford.
'A stellar appointment'published at 16:25 1 November
16:25 1 November
Earlier, we asked for your views on the appointment of Ruben Amorim as Manchester United head coach.
Here are some of your comments:
Matthew: For me, it seems players like the centre-backs, Ugarte and the physical Hojlund might benefit from this new potential back-three style. However, part of me fears for Bruno, or wingers like Rashford and Garnacho, as it seems they can't all be integrated into a 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 team, unless Fernandes drops deeper alongside Ugarte. But bring it on!
Chris: A stellar appointment that was well overdue - great pedigree, football intellect and attractive football. This is the inspirational appointment we have been waiting on since Fergie departed.
Mark: I am encouraged by the fact that he has taken an underperforming club and made them into serious winners. Sir Alex Ferguson did something similar with Aberdeen. His man-management and coaching skills will be tested. I wish him well.
'Amorim comes in with a good pedigree'published at 16:25 1 November
16:25 1 November
Former Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live about Ruben Amorim becoming Manchester United head coach: "It is a great club and a great job for him to have a good run at it. Maybe he is the right man but time will tell.
"He comes in with a good pedigree and it is a different type of football. It is different to when Jose Mourinho came over and he became that great manager after success in Europe.
"This is a little bit different. The great thing is he has a great club and fanbase behind him. Hopefully he is a big success because I think everyone needs to see Manchester United up there.
"If he can get a tune out of the players then he will do really well."
Guardiola wrestles with injury issuespublished at 15:49 1 November
15:49 1 November
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
As soon as Pep Guardiola answered my opening question at Friday's press conference with "you'll see tomorrow", I got the sense the Manchester City boss was not going to be too forthcoming about his side's injury issues.
Part of it will be to keep Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola guessing over who will be in the City side at Vitality Stadium, but part will also be because he is waiting to discover exactly who is available and for how long.
Guardiola accepted it is not unusual for clubs to suffer a long injury list. He also knows what a negative impact it can have.
He mentioned Liverpool. In 2022-23 Jurgen Klopp's men in the end did well to finish fifth, with 67 points, a year after they had finished second with 92.
That is the scenario Guardiola will be anxious to avoid this season.
City are top. But you get the sense if they win a fifth Premier League title in a row, he would regard this one as the best.
'Coach' Amorim, not 'manager'published at 14:49 1 November
14:49 1 November
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
A couple of things stood out in the statements from Manchester United and Sporting about Ruben Amorim's move to Old Trafford.
Firstly, United named Amorim as "head coach". Just over two years ago, Erik ten Hag came in as manager.
That suggests Amorim will not have the same input on the recruitment side as Ten Hag had - which many might think is not a bad thing.
The other is Sporting confirming United have paid an additional 1m euros to bring in Amorim before the end of the 30-day notice period he was supposed to serve.
United are clearly keen to get their man during the international break. It is expected his coaches will be on board by then too.
What that means for Ruud van Nistelrooy is open to question. The Dutchman made a point yesterday of confirming his intention to return to the assistant manager's role and that he had 18 months left on his contract.
United will have to pay their former striker to leave.
Is Amorim the right man?published at 14:49 1 November
14:49 1 November
Manchester United fans can contemplate a new beginning.
So how are they feeling about Ruben Amorim? The Football News Show found out.
Guardiola on Savinho and 'not feeling sorry for themselves'published at 14:26 1 November
14:26 1 November
Katie Stafford BBC Sport journalist
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Bournemouth (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Savinho could be available for Saturday's trip to Vitality Stadium as it was "just a strong knock" he suffered against Tottenham and "no fracture".
Guardiola says he "has many doubts" about who else could recover in time and he will "talk to players and the doctors" on Saturday morning.
He said "we are in an emergency in certain positions" but the academy players are there to support and he trusts them.
More on City's growing injury list: "It is what it is. It happens in many clubs and we're not the only club in the world to be going through it."
Guardiola said he has told the players to "not feel sorry for ourselves".
He said "the squad is enough when completely focused and fit" in response to whether he will look to bring players in during the January transfer window.
On whether a conversation needs to be had about the football calendar and its toll on players' health: "We know it [is too many games], but it is the reality. We try to take care of them. We’ve not done anything differently to previous seasons. If anything we’ve trained less. But it happens and you have to adapt."