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One of Sheffield’s own is now in the running to buy Sheffield Wednesday, according to reports, after taking a key step ahead of the December 5 deadline.

Sheffield United merger rejected

The Owls have reportedly set a soft deadline of December 5 to find a new owner and narrow their search down. So far, they’ve not been short on candidates. Several potential buyers have shown proof of funds worth £50m and some have even been shown around the club’s facilities.

The biggest headline so far has arrived courtesy of Sheffield United, however. Wednesday’s rivals reportedly enquired about buying the club and were keen to merge the two Steel City rivals together in controversial fashion.

Unsurprisingly, any talks of that merger taking place have been shut down almost as quickly as they started gathering pace. Sheffield Wednesday, like many others, are keen to keep the derby alive and kicking instead, which is set to see them turn to other candidates.

Just who wins the bidding war is the big question. Former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is reportedly among the interested parties, as is John McEvoy.

Many were quick to criticise Ashley at Newcastle in the past, but it’s worth noting that he cleared all of the Magpies’ debt. Financially speaking, he would arguably be a wise option.

Alas, it’s not just Ashley in the running. New names are now beginning to emerge and that includes Sheffield’s own Ryan Howsam. The Staysure founder has been based in Dubai in recent years, but could yet return to his home town to save his local club.

Who is Sheffield Wednesday takeover candidate Ryan Howsam?

So, is Howsam the man for the job? His impressive portfolio, which includes Avanti, PayingTooMuch, The Rock Group and several digital travel investments, certainly suggests that he’s got the funds to complete a takeover, but it would be his first venture into football.

The prospective owner has reportedly been given access to the club’s data in a key step towards potentially buying the club. He also recently told This is Money when asked about a return to England: “I would come back to the UK in a heartbeat if the environment was right.”

Sheffield Wednesday now braced for imminent "concrete" takeover bid

Things are looking up for the Owls.

By
Tom Cunningham

Nov 14, 2025

It would be fairly fitting for a Sheffield-born candidate to complete the takeover, but administrators would need to ignore their hearts and ensure that Howsam is the right man for the job.

Compared to someone like Ashley, Howsam is far from experienced in the world of football and the Owls simply need to steady the ship. It must also be noted that it may yet be neither of those options who emerge as frontrunners to buy the club.

With time ticking by before the December 5 deadline, Sheffield Wednesday must assess every possible option before making their final decision.

Mike Ashley position clear as Sheffield Wednesday takeover reaches final candidates

Fulham are now considering a move for Brendan Rodgers as a replacement for Marco Silva, with their current manager being heavily tipped to join a rival Premier League club.

Silva is under pressure at Craven Cottage, as a result of his side’s poor start to the Premier League season, now sitting in 15th place and just one point above the relegation zone after the 2-0 defeat against Everton at the weekend.

The 48-year-old is the third longest-serving manager in the top flight, behind only Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola, having been in charge since July 2021, but his future is now in doubt, having been unwilling to commit to a contract extension.

Consequently, the club hierarchy may need to start thinking about replacements, and they are weighing up a move for a former Premier League manager…

Fulham considering Brendan Rodgers as Marco Silva replacement

According to 67 Hail Hail’s transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey, Fulham are now considering Rodgers as a replacement for Silva, with the Northern Irishman available after resigning from his role as Celtic manager last month.

Not only is the Portuguese manager at risk of being sacked, but he has also been heavily tipped to take over at Nottingham Forest in the future, given his relationship with controversial owner Evangelos Marinakis.

It is unclear whether the 52-year-old would be willing to make the move to Craven Cottage, but there are plenty of indications that he would be a solid long-term replacement for Silva.

In his most recent Premier League job, the Carnlough-born manager impressed considerably, with Gabriel Agbonlahor describing him as “world-class” courtesy of the work he did at Leicester City.

The ex-Leicester boss led the Foxes to FA Cup glory in the 2020-21 campaign, which he followed up with a victory in the Community Shield ahead of the following season.

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71

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1.59

The former Celtic manager also knows what it takes to win, having led the Hoops to 11 trophies during his two stints at Parkhead, winning two trebles on the spin across the 2016-17 and 2017-18 campaigns.

Silva has arguably taken Fulham as far as he can, given their performances this season, and Rodgers has proven he could be an excellent replacement.

Every current Premier League manager has been ranked by Football FanCast Every current manager in the 2025/26 Premier League ranked

Every current Premier League boss ranked from best to worst.

ByCharlie Smith Nov 8, 2025

تنقل مباراة منتخب مصر تحت 17 عامًا ضد منتخب سويسرا، المقرر إقامتها اليوم الجمعة، في منافسات بطولة كأس العالم للناشئين، على قناتين مجانيتين، عبر قمر النايل سات.

ويلتقي منتخب مصر مع سويسرا، في إطار مواجهات دور الـ 32 من عمر مباريات بطولة كأس العالم للناشئين تحت 17 عامًا، المقامة في قطر.

منتخب مصر كان قد فاز في لقاء الجولة الأولى على هايتي بنتيجة 4-1، وتعادل مع فنزويلا في الجولة الثانية 1-1، وفي لقاء الجولة الثالثة والأخيرة من دور المجموعات خسر أمام إنجلترا 3-0.

طالع | تشكيل منتخب مصر المتوقع أمام سويسرا في كأس العالم تحت 17 عامًا

منتخب مصر استطاع التأهل إلى دور الـ32 من منافسات كأس العالم، بعدما حل في المركز الثالث للمجموعة الخامسة برصيد 4 نقاط، ليضمن تواجده في الدور القادم كأفضل المنتخبات الـ 8 التي احتلت المركز الثالث للمجموعات الـ 12. موعد مباراة مصر وسويسرا اليوم في كأس العالم تحت 17 عامًا

تقام مباراة مصر ضد سويسرا، اليوم الجمعة 14 نوفمبر، الساعة 3 عصرًا بتوقيت مصر، 4 عصرًا بتوقيت السعودية. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة مصر وسويسرا اليوم في كأس العالم تحت 17 عامًا

تنقل مباراة مصر وسويسرا، عبر قناة “بي إن سبورت” المفتوحة وقناة “الكأس 3” المفتوحة على النايل سات.

Newly-appointed West Ham boss Nuno Espírito Santo has the almighty task of coming away from Premier League title chasers Arsenal with a result this afternoon, but he is already making his mark at Rush Green.

Nuno looking to build upon solid West Ham record vs Arsenal

The last time these two sides met at the Emirates Stadium, Graham Potter was just one month into his own West Ham tenure, and a goal from star winger Jarrod Bowen gifted the Hammers all three points in a 1-0 win.

Before that, David Moyes’ Irons sealed a surprise 2-0 victory at the Emirates in December 2023 — courtesy of strikes from Tomas Soucek and Konstantinos Mavropanos — so Nuno could actually seal a hat-trick of consecutive West Ham away wins against Arsenal today.

Arsenal are the Premier League’s widely regarded set-piece specialists, while seven of West Ham’s 14 conceded league goals have come directly from corners.

Everton’s opening goal against the East Londoners on Monday was also the result of a corner, although not directly, so it’s clear what Nuno’s first, second, third and fourth priority should be against Arsenal — defend the dreaded dead balls.

In the build up to their trip to North London, Nuno has already been stamping his authority on the squad — most notably axing midfielder James Ward-Prowse from his first ever matchday squad against Everton.

The 30-year-old was an ever-present under Potter, but reports now claim that Ward-Prowse is resigned to leaving in January after being told he has no long-term role in Nuno’s plans.

Nuno decision to axe Ward-Prowse raised eyebrows at West Ham

Journalist Pete O’Rourke, speaking to Football Insider, says that Nuno’s decision to omit the Englishman “raised a few eyebrows” at West Ham, and backs other reports that the ex-Southampton star is a top candidate for the exit door.

Since being dropped, it has been reported that Ward-Prowse could re-join Southampton, but whether Sport Republic can afford his £115,000-per-week wages in the Championship is another matter entirely.

The 11-cap England international was excellent in his debut season under Moyes, scoring seven goals and assisting 12 others in 52 appearances, and is still just one free kick goal away from David Beckham’s all-time Premier League record of 18.

However, Julen Lopetegui didn’t fancy him — shipping the player off to Nottingham Forest on loan in 2024/2025 only for Nuno to send him back midway through the campaign.

Despite being called “world-class” for his dead ball specialism by pundits like Alan Shearer, Nuno has made his feelings on Ward-Prowse crystal clear.

La Liga will take the Spanish players' union (AFE) to court, claiming player protests against the recently-cancelled Miami match were an 'illegal strike'. Union president David Aganzo denies this, citing a "lack of transparency." The fallout continues as a furious Villarreal CEO blames Florentino Perez and Real Madrid for the project's collapse, calling their opposition hypocritical.

• Major issue in La Liga

  La Liga is set to launch a formal legal complaint against the AFE after a tense meeting between the two bodies, according to a report from . The dispute centres on the coordinated player protests that preceded the eventual cancellation of the controversial league match between Villarreal and Barcelona, which was scheduled to be played in Miami.

  La Liga president Javier Tebas, who did not speak to the media, reportedly informed Aganzo that the league considers the players' on-pitch protests to be an illegal strike. The protests saw players in every top-flight match last weekend stand still for the first 15 seconds of play. Aganzo, however, has firmly rejected this classification, insisting the action was a "gesture" to highlight a "lack of transparency" from the league.

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• Getty Images Entertainment
  

  Aganzo confirms legal threat: 'A court will decide'

  Speaking after the meeting, Aganzo confirmed the league's hard line stance and its intention to escalate the matter through the courts, despite the Miami match now being officially cancelled.

  "We also discussed how he said we were on strike, and we simply made a gesture that had nothing to do with the strike," Aganzo explained. "According to him, it will be resolved in court. He made it very clear that a court will decide.”

  The AFE president stressed that the union's primary issue was the league's failure to consult the players before finalising such a significant project, which would have been the first-ever La Liga match played overseas.

  "This meeting should have been held much earlier and not when it was cancelled," Aganzo stated. "We pointed out the lack of transparency… I insist that these projects require conversation with everyone, with maximum transparency and information to make a significant project happen."

  Aganzo defended his members, stating "common sense prevailed" and that the union's role was to protect players' rights. "I'm looking out for the players, for their labour rights… We've come to defend our rights."

• Villarreal CEO blames Real Madrid for cancellation

  The fallout from the cancelled fixture has also created a significant rift between clubs, with Villarreal CEO Fernando Roig Negueroles launching a stinging attack on Real Madrid, blaming them for the project's collapse. Villarreal, who were the designated home team for the Miami fixture and had supported the initiative, are furious at the outcome.

  Speaking to , Roig Negueroles did not mince his words, pointing directly at the capital club as the main culprit behind the protests and eventual cancellation.

  "LaLiga can make mistakes, but Real Madrid seems to be going against everyone," he said. "The other day I was in Rome at the ECA, and at the European level it's losing more and more influence because no one believes the rhetoric anymore, but at the Spanish level, especially the press, you pay a lot of attention to what Real Madrid says. And they're against everything."

  Real Madrid had been vocal in their opposition from the start, filing formal complaints and arguing that playing a league match abroad would "distort the competition". Roig Negueroles expressed incredulity at their position, suggesting they protest indiscriminately.

  "I agree with them on many of the things they protest about, but they lose legitimacy because they also protest absolutely everything that's proposed," he insisted. "Even the things that are good, like how they approved this very match four years ago in a delegated committee. Now they've changed their minds… If something was good for Real Madrid, they would also protest."

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• 'An absolute lack of respect' – Villarreal fury over timing

  Villarreal's anger was compounded by the timing of La Liga's official cancellation announcement, which was released during the half-time break of their Champions League match against Manchester City. The club's manager, Marcelino Garcia Toral, openly expressed his disgust in his post-match press conference.

  The club, which had invested in the project and was planning compensation packages for its season-ticket holders, released its own harsh statement condemning the league's management of the situation. Roig Negueroles was seen in the stands of La Ceramica on his phone at the moment the news broke, a moment described by as one "they will not soon forget at Villarreal."

“He’s definitely got that… whatever they say nowadays… ‘aura’.”The “they” Jacob Bethell refers to when searching for the term used to describe someone who commands attention and keeps it, is “kids”. The “he” is Virat Kohli, of course, his recent Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammate.Mentions of Kohli are always good for business, but in this case it is a little less transactional. Bethell, only 21 but not with modern online slang, was speaking after a devastating innings of 82 off 53 deliveries that killed Thursday’s first ODI against West Indies as a contest, even if it was not the sole difference in the eventual 238-run margin.A player-of-the-match turn – he also took 1 for 18 with the ball – had come after close to two months of bench-warming at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. In that period, he had played just twice, though that included a maiden IPL half-century in the last of those against Chennai Super Kings. It added up to a very small part in RCB’s qualification for their fourth IPL final, and their quest for that elusive maiden title.Yet there were evidently no splinters or rust to shake off, just a bit of strain from hotel-hopping which – even for someone with a nomadic upbringing that involved swapping Barbados for Birmingham at the age of 12 – still takes some getting used to.”The only thing I struggle with is the beds,” Bethell said. “A lot of these hotel beds are way too soft. I’ve got a bad back and I’m only 21, so we need to sort that out!”Not that there were any signs of a creaking body as he blammed all but 20 of his runs in boundaries. Five of them were crisp sixes – as many as the five ahead of him in the top six – with four of them coming in a final 10-over blitz that carried England, eventually, to 400 for 8.Bethell and Virat Kohli opened the batting together at RCB•Getty Images

“I feel like I’m a better player now than I was a couple of months ago,” Bethell said, lauding the practice facilities and the quality of net bowlers he had encountered on a day-to-day basis at the IPL. It’s a sentiment that is now commonplace among Engish players who need to justify getting paid decent money not to play cricket in India, rather than play County Cricket in April and May.His innings against West Indies, however, adds an important undertone of sincerity, particularly when Bethell elaborates on his learnings against spin in particular, a usual sticking point for England’s 50-over team. Gudakesh Motie emerged from England’s onslaught broadly unscathed, with 0 for 39 from 7 overs. However, Bethell was able to strike 10 off four balls from the left-arm spinner, including the only boundary off Motie – a slog-sweep into the stands at midwicket.”I don’t want to give away everything,” Bethell said. “It’s just the way those batters go about playing spin, they’re clinical in how they pick length and the deliveries they try to hit for four and six.”That was nice, to have more of a power-game input into my game, rather than a bit of touch around spin as well. So then, just trying to mesh the two together would help a lot.”As for his interactions with Kohli and that exposure to the “aura”: that included invaluable time spent with the cricketer and the man. They opened together during Bethell’s twin appearances, sharing a 97-run stand on the second occasion as they pocketed half-centuries in an RCB win.Bethell may have re-opened the No.3 Test debate with his exploits at Edgbaston•AFP/Getty Images

“I think he quite enjoys the overseas boys because we’re just pretty chill around him,” Bethell said. “He’s definitely got that feeling. And when he walks out to bat, it’s pretty electrifying to walk out with him.”It (advice) was just like an accumulation over the couple of months of just chatting to him. You get information that keeps coming in ways that you don’t really know, and it’s kind of just drip-fed.”It was just nice to speak to him off and on the field, away from cricket, so yeah, it was just cool to experience someone of his calibre and how he goes about doing things.”He’s got a certain intensity with him that just kind of… he flips that switch on, as soon as he crosses that line, which is pretty cool to see.”As far as mimicking Kohli’s career path, Bethell’s already playing catch-up. He may only turn 22 in October, but he’s trailing on a number of fronts, not least the century count. By 21, Kohli had eight of the 101 he currently possesses across formats, including four in first-class cricket. Bethell is still without one in 119 innings, with Thursday’s knock his fourth-highest score as a professional.Squint, however, and you could make out the merest hint of Kohli in the shifting of gears and manner in which Bethell was imposing himself on an admittedly wayward West Indian attack. Even in these early stages, it is clear Bethell’s approach to batting focuses on heaping pressure on others rather than feeling it himself.That may even include his own teammates. Just as the dust had settled from Ben Stokes’ double-speak at last week’s Zimbabwe Test – when he was quizzed on what Bethell’s eventual reintroduction might mean for Ollie Pope’s spot in the XI – the left-hander’s firm-wristed flourishes have stirred the pot once more, even after Pope had seemingly secured his India starting berth with 171.Related

• Buttler, Bethell and Jacks set to miss IPL playoffs

• Stokes blames media 'agenda' for pre-match pressure on Pope

• Switch Hit: Zim sing while England win

• Bethell the headline act as Brook era begins with crushing 238-run win

• Brook calls on England to forget the past after crushing opening victory

With Brendon McCullum wowed in Birmingham, as he was on last year’s Test tour of New Zealand when he said Pope versus Bethell was something they would have to work out, the No.3 for next month’s Headingley opener is not set in stone.Bethell, as the disruptor, is not worried. He remains the chaser rather than the chased, pre-occupied by the day-to-day establishing of himself in the white-ball sides to focus squarely on what Test cricket might hold for him this year. Nevertheless, this season’s highest-profile challenge is next month’s five-Test series against India, which leads into the winter’s Ashes. As for any awkwardness that his precocity may have caused his Test captain and vice last week, the IPL gave him the perfect alibi.”I was pretty far away to be honest,” he said. “I tried to stay pretty clear of social media anyway, so me not even being in England, I didn’t really hear a lot of it until I think one of my friends messaged me and said the whole thing was going on. But I haven’t really followed it.”I obviously played in New Zealand as a replacement for a replacement (replacing Jordan Cox in the XI, who was covering for Jamie Smith on paternity leave). So whatever happens, it’ll be, and when the time comes, it’ll be fine.”

It may have ultimately proved to be fleeting and flawed, although there was a time where it looked as if Manchester United were fashioning a new fearsome forward line under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

2019/20 – albeit while latterly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic – was a particularly fruitful campaign for the Norwegian’s bright young attack, with the 4-0 thrashing of Chelsea on the opening day setting the tone for what was to come.

Reinstated as the number nine once again, amid Romelu Lukaku’s swift exit, Anthony Martial was in fine fettle leading the line, having got off the mark himself after bundling home against the Blues.

In all, the mercurial Frenchman reached career-best figures of 17 Premier League goals, a tally matched by teammate Marcus Rashford for his own joint-best top-flight record.

While Rashford – who bagged a brace on the opening weekend – would be hampered by injury in the latter stages of the campaign, it is noteworthy that nine of Martial’s league goals came in February onwards.

Wonder what could have happened to help spark that scoring spree….

Bruno Fernandes' connection with Martial & Rashford

Ah yes, the 2020 January transfer window marked the arrival of a certain Bruno Fernandes, with the Portuguese playmaker instantly hitting the ground running with a Man of the Match display on debut against Wolves.

As Luke Shaw stated later that year, Fernandes struck up a particularly “flowing” partnership with Martial straight off the bat, with the pair memorably combining for that inventive Manchester derby free-kick in March.

According to Transfermarkt, the pair enjoyed a joint goal participation of 14, with that the third highest of Fernandes’ career to date, behind ex-Sporting CP teammate Bas Dost (17), and the aforementioned Rashford (26).

To see the Englishman leading the way is perhaps no surprise, with his ability to run in behind and put a defence on the back foot, partnered with Fernandes’ creative brilliance, proving a simply deadly combination.

In 2020/21, for instance, five of Rashford’s goals were assisted by the one-time Udinese man, as per WhoScored. That figure rose to six in 2022/23, with only Erling Haaland and Manchester City’s chief provider, Kevin De Bruyne, enjoying a more fruitful marriage that season (8).

The way in which United’s two main men combined that season, in particular, was a joy to behold, with Fernandes speaking at the time about his ‘connection’ with the United academy graduate:

While both Rashford – now out on loan at Barcelona – and Martial have since departed, the opportunity remains for the 31-year-old to strike up a new bond under Ruben Amorim’s watch.

Why Fernandes may have found his new Fernandes & Martial

As time goes on, hopefully marquee summer signing Benjamin Sesko will begin to catch fire in his new surroundings, with six games having now come and gone without a goal for the £74m Slovenian.

Still just 22, the ex-RB Leipzig man has largely been restricted to cameos thus far, with chances so far at a premium.

There was a neat one-two with Fernandes in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Chelsea, although the United skipper uncharacteristically overhit his return pass, forcing Sesko wider than he would have liked with the goal in sight.

That connection will need to be struck – as it seemingly wasn’t with Sesko’s predecessor, Rasmus Hojlund – if United are to have a fruitful season, albeit with the early signs at least promising regarding Bryan Mbeumo.

Off the mark already with goals against both Grimsby and Burnley, the £65m signing from Brentford has undoubtedly been the shining light of 2025/26 so far for Amorim and co, putting in his “best game yet” against the Blues, as per journalist Samuel Luckhurst.

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Direct, dynamic and remarkably unfazed, the 26-year-old – described as an “output machine” by content creator Ronaldo Brown – appears to have the best of Martial and Rashford rolled into one, if the early evidence is anything to go by.

As his composed, calm finish against the Clarets indicated, Mbeumo is truly an elite finisher, having notably scored 20 league goals last term in west London. The manner in which he can almost stroke the ball home does evoke memories of Martial at his best, with it worth re-watching some of the Frenchman’s early days, in particular.

That unerring ability to almost caress the ball into the corner hasn’t been evident among many United forwards of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, yet Martial – when fit and firing – was a master. As Mbeumo’s strike against Grimsby showcased, he too possesses that silky quality in front of goal.

Like Rashford too, however, the pacy left footer has the speed and power to stretch a defence, having expertly latched onto Sesko’s flick on in the build-up to Robert Sanchez’s red card at the weekend.

The early connection with Fernandes also looks promising, with the playmaker notably picking out his new teammate with a delightful, searching pass in the early knockings of the Burnley win.

Mbeumo pulled away from his man in Rashford style to get on the end of that chance, before expertly killing the ball dead, a la Martial, to cut inside and test Martin Dubravka from range.

It is, of course, still early days, yet the Cameroon international looks set to be central to everything good about United, both this season and beyond.

Having briefly struck gold with both Rashford and Martial, Fernandes may well have found a new, exciting partner-in-crime to dovetail with at the Theatre of Dreams. He no longer has to do it all on his own.

Worth more than Bruno: Man Utd star could soon be a "Ballon d'Or candidate"

Manchester United boast a few rising talents with the potential to become superstars.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Sep 22, 2025

Former France captain Olivier Giroud has explained the key behind Ousmane Dembele’s Ballon d’Or success after admitting he never imagined his former France teammate would one day win the award. The Paris Saint-Germain forward capped off a remarkable season with 35 goals and a Champions League win, becoming the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner on Monday night.

From Barca flop to Ballon d’Or winner

Dembele’s career has had its ups and downs. At Barcelona, he struggled with injuries and inconsistency, leading many to doubt if he could ever live up to his price tag. But his move to PSG in 2023 proved decisive, as he regained form and fitness and became a key figure in their first-ever Champions League title win.

AdvertisementGiroud admits surprise after Dembele’s exceptional PSG season

Speaking to , Giroud admitted that while Dembele’s ability was never in question, he did not see him as a future Ballon d’Or winner during their time together with the French national team.

“Would I see him as a potential Ballon d'Or winner? It’s hard to say, but when I saw him every day in the French national team, no, I didn’t necessarily see it as a possibility,” the former France captain added.

“To win the Ballon d’Or, you have to have the talent, but also a good season. He has the talent, but he had to have a good season, at the right club, while winning everything. The Ballon d’Or always depends on collective successes.”

AFPDembele joins French greats with Ballon d’Or win

The PSG star became only the sixth Frenchman in history to lift the Ballon d’Or, following in the footsteps of Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini, Jean-Pierre Papin, Zinedine Zidane and Karim Benzema. In his career-best season, the Frenchman led his team to the Quintuple, scoring 35 goals and providing 16 assists. 

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Getty ImagesWhat's next for Dembele?

Dembele sat out PSG’s rescheduled Ligue 1 clash with Marseille on Monday as he continues to recover from an injury picked up during the international break. The winger is targeting a return this weekend, with hopes of being available for the club against Auxerre on Saturday.

AC Milan & Inter have hired the architects behind Manchester United's new stadium to build a 71,500-capacity ground, with San Siro set to be demolished. The €1 billion project will see the two fierce rivals come together off the pitch in a once-in-a-generation move. Work is scheduled to begin in 2027, with doors opening to fans in 2030.

Man UtdOld Trafford masterminds receive new project

To design the new stadium, the clubs have turned to the same architects currently leading the reconstruction of Old Trafford. Lord Norman Foster’s firm, Foster + Partners, and David Manica’s MANICA Architecture have been handed the keys to the ambitious project. Foster is already crafting United’s proposed 100,000-seater stadium, and his new Milan mission adds yet another football fortress to a career defined by bold, global landmarks.

AdvertisementGlobal giants behind the design

Foster’s CV reads like a roll call of modern icons. From Apple’s glass-walled headquarters in Cupertino to the Hong Kong and Beijing airports, to the Millennium Bridge in London, his stamp is on the world’s most eye-catching structures. He also masterminded the Wembley Stadium precinct redevelopment, which is now buzzing with shops, restaurants and housing.

MANICA, meanwhile, has carved out a reputation as a leader in sporting arenas. Their resume includes Allegiant Stadium, home of NFL franchise Las Vegas Raiders, and the Chase Centre, where NBA giants Golden State Warriors play. The firm is also behind two of America’s next mega-projects: the Chicago Bears’ new home and Miami Freedom Park, Inter Miami’s soon-to-open fortress.

AFPA partnership decades in the making

This isn’t the first time Foster and Manica have crossed paths. Their collaboration stretches back nearly 30 years, starting with the new Wembley project. They also joined forces in the successful bid for Qatar’s Lusail Iconic Stadium, the centrepiece of the 2022 World Cup where Lionel Messi lifted the trophy. For Milan and Inter, that long-standing relationship brings confidence as they are not strangers thrown together but a seasoned partnership that has delivered stadiums of global renown.

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A billion-euro colossus

The future stadium will rise on the land currently occupied by car parks behind the west stand of San Siro. It will seat 71,500 fans, with 13,000 premium spaces dedicated to corporate guests and hospitality. The design promises cutting-edge facilities, an eco-conscious build, and commercial attractions to cement it as more than just a football ground. The estimated cost, over €1bn, marks one of the biggest infrastructure investments in Italian sport.

A couple of years ago, Kobbie Mainoo was seen as the latest talent to emerge out of the Manchester United academy, potentially cementing his place in the first-team squad.

The excitement around his performance was understandable, especially after he popped up with key goals, including a late winner against Wolves, before scoring in the FA Cup final back in 2023/24.

However, last year was an injury-hit campaign for the youngster, only making 25 appearances in the Premier League, with just 19 of which coming from a starting position.

Mainoo has also had to face competition from the likes of Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro for the starting role, but has rapidly dropped down Ruben Amorim’s pecking order at Old Trafford.

Things could be about to get a lot worse for the 20-year-old in the months ahead, especially considering the hierarchy are targeting added reinforcements in such an area in the coming weeks.

The latest on United’s hunt for a new midfielder

A new name has entered the mix for United over the last couple of days, with Stuttgart talent Angelo Stiller a player the Red Devils are considering, according to recent reports.

The German, who made 47 appearances across all competitions last season, could be available for around £50m this summer – a potential bargain if they don’t land one other target.

Another player has been firmly in their sights over the last few weeks, with Crystal Palace talent Adam Wharton one option the club are considering, according to one report.

They claim that Amorim’s side have made an approach for the 21-year-old, who helped the Eagles win the FA Cup and Community Shield under Oliver Glasner.

It’s also been confirmed that the player has been valued at around £100m this summer, a potential hefty fee, given he’s only made 36 appearances in England’s top-flight.

Why United’s latest target is a bigger talent than Baleba

It’s no secret that United have been pursuing a move for Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba this summer, even holding talks to land the 21-year-old.

At one stage, it appeared as though a move for the Cameroonian was rapidly progressing, with the player himself open to a switch to move to Old Trafford before the September 1st deadline.

However, a deal has somewhat evaporated over the last couple of days, leading to the Red Devils accepting the Seagulls’ stance that the youngster is not for sale this summer.

As a result, the hierarchy have had to look down other avenues, leading to the recent rumours to land German star Stiller after his rapid rise in the Bundesliga in recent months.

Whilst he would be a superb addition, a move for Wharton must now be the priority, potentially being an expensive pickup, but one that would be worth every penny if he carries on his current trajectory.

In his short career, he’s already picked up two more trophies than Baleba, getting a taste for success – something which the Red Devils desperately need in the near future.

When comparing their respective stats from the recent campaign, the Englishman managed to massively outperform the Cameroonian in key areas – showcasing why he’d be a bigger talent for Amorim’s side.

Games played

20

34

Goals & assists

2

4

Progressive passes

7.6

3.9

Key passes made

1.8

0.7

Passes into final third

5.3

3.6

Interceptions made

1.6

1.5

Clearances made

1.9

1.4

Carries into final third

1.6

1.5

Recoveries made

7.1

6.6

Wharton, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by HLTCO, notched more passes into the final third and more key passes completed – having the tools to provide the players ahead of him with chances in front of goal.

He also made more recoveries per 90 and registered more interceptions per 90, outperforming Baleba in such an area – highlighting the defensive quality he possesses.

Given the similarities in the fees touted for the aforementioned duo, either player would be an expensive addition – further showcasing the ambition shown by the board this summer.

The nature of the money involved makes it pivotal that the club make the right decision about whom to sign, with Wharton showcasing that he would be a better addition ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

It would be extremely harsh on Mainoo, with any deal massively disrupting his progress in the side, but unfortunately, the world of football is a cutthroat industry, with the academy graduate needing to try and force himself back into the manager’s plans.

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