‘It’s a game in a hostile environment’
Ruben Amorim has told the Manchester United teenagers Jack Fletcher, Shay Lace and Bendito Mantato that they need to be ready for Sunday’s hostile environment at Leeds United.
Amorim has been forced into giving all three their debuts as substitutes in recent games because of a depleted squad. The head coach again expects to be without eight frontline players for the weekend visit to Elland Road. Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Mason Mount are all injured, while Noussair Mazraoui, Bryan Mbeumbo and Amad Diallo are away on Africa Cup of Nations duty.
Fletcher, 18, has appeared in United’s last three games – the 2-1 loss at Aston Villa, a 1-0 win over Newcastle and Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Wolves. Lacey, who is also 18, featured against Villa, while Mantato, 17, played against Wolves. Amorim was asked if he feels the trio can handle playing away to one of United’s fiercest rivals. “They have to,” he said. “It’s a game in a hostile environment, but they need to be ready and they need to experience that. But it’s going to be hard for any player. Even the guys with a lot of experience, but again, we already experienced that. [Athletic] Bilbao last year was amazing, the sound.
“You can see the squad – it’s impossible, we cannot stretch the players. Of course I will try to put a team that is ready to cope with that [the Elland Road atmosphere] and then I will try to read the game and try to understand what I should do to help them to win the game.
United had targeted Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo but the wide forward is set to join Manchester City instead. Amorim suggested he may not now strengthen the squad. “The transfer window is not going to change. We have no conversation at this moment to have any change in the squad,” said the 40-year-old. “There’s a process, there’s an idea that is going to continue. We are near the places of the Champions League but we are near to like eight teams behind us. So let’s focus on the next game, just that.”
Amorim was asked if any player had asked to leave during this window. “None of them,” he insisted. “I don’t expect them to come to me to ask anything.” Jamie Jackson
Semenyo ready to play against Arsenal
The Bournemouth manager, Andoni Iraola, said Antoine Semenyo would face Arsenal, the leaders, on Saturday, amid continuing talks over a transfer to Manchester City.
Second-placed City have reportedly agreed to meet Semenyo’s £65m release clause. Iraola said nothing has been signed and believes the 25-year-old Ghana international may remain at the Vitality Stadium long enough to also feature against Tottenham on Wednesday.
“Yes, Antoine is going to play in this match,” Iraola said of Arsenal’s visit. “I think the idea at least that he’s going to be available in these two home games in a short turnaround. I hope he can be here for more time. But I don’t know what’s going to be happen.”
Of the move to City he added: “There is nothing signed. There are conversations, I understand the noise around [him] but Antoine is our player. I hope to keep him for a lot of time.”
Bournemouth’s top scorer, who is poised to make his 100th Premier League appearance, has registered nine goals and three assists in 18 top-flight outings this term. “He’s playing very well,” said Iraola, whose side have gone 10 games without a win with Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at Chelsea. “He’s doing the right things, a top professional and top guy. He wants to help the team, I have no doubts that he will do his best.” PA Media
Emery: no permanent Villa move for Elliott
Unai Emery has revealed he decided not to sign Harvey Elliott permanently two months ago. Elliott joined Aston Villa from Liverpool on transfer deadline day on a season-long loan, with an obligation to buy that was conditional on appearances.
The 22-year-old winger has made only five appearances for Villa, with Emery now opting not to play him and trigger the permanent deal option. “The problem we have with Harvey is that this year he is on loan, and in case he plays matches we must buy him,” Emery said.
“We decided two months ago that we are not convinced to sign him, spending the money we would need to sign him. This is the only issue. He is training every day, always every day with very good behaviour and to help us in training sessions.
“This is not something good for him and good for us, but this is football and sometimes we must take some decisions which are not good for everyone.” PA Media
Le Bris hails Sunderland’s home fortress
Régis Le Bris believes Sunderland’s home draws against the Premier League title contenders Arsenal and Manchester City have proved they can be competitive at this level.
The Black Cats earned another valuable point with a goalless draw against City on New Year’s Day, extending their unbeaten home record. That run includes a 2-2 draw with Arsenal, the leaders, in November, and Sunderland are seventh at the halfway stage of their first campaign back in the top tier.
“It’s really positive for the club, for the squad, for the lads because we are playing against the best in Europe and we showed it’s possible to be competitive,” Le Bris said. “It’s good for the confidence, it’s good for the collective and individual projects. At the same time we know that we need to reset quickly because this league is relentless.”
Le Bris added: “I think it’s important to show it’s a tough place here because we are really well connected with fans. They feed our defensive energy. This connection is really positive.” PA Media
Wolves ready to be busy in transfer window
Rob Edwards has said Wolves will do “a lot of work” in the transfer market this month in a bid to revive their desperate season. Wolves picked up their third point of the campaign with a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Tuesday but are still winless this season.
Edwards’ side are 15 points adrift of the last safe spot and will need to bring in reinforcements if they are to somehow pull off a miraculous escape from relegation. Wolves also need to make decisions on whether to keep hold of star players such as the striker Jørgen Strand Larsen.
“There’s conversations I’m involved in, there will be conversations I’m not involved in, but when I need to know something I can get involved,” Edwards said. “There will be a lot of work going on behind the scenes on both incomings and outgoings.”
On Strand Larsen, Edwards added: “His attitude has been brilliant. He is working extremely hard and there is no concerns about that. Because of the position we’re in, we have some good players so there is going to be speculation.” PA Media
Maestre to lead London City Lionesses
London City Lionesses have appointed the Spaniard Eder Maestre as their head coach, on a contract until 2028. The 39-year-old former CD Tenerife manager replaces Jocelyn Prêcheur, who was sacked in December despite guiding the team to promotion last term and into the top half of the Women’s Super League table this season. Maestre’s first game will be 11 January’s trip to face the bottom side, Liverpool. He said: “I am delighted to join London City Lionesses. Working in English football has always been my goal, and representing this club is a real honour. In my opinion, the project presented to me by the club is one of the best projects in women’s football.” Tom Garry
Toone extends contract at Manchester United
Manchester United have this week exercised options in the contracts of Ella Toone, Elizabeth Terland, Lisa Naalsund and Gabby George to extend their time at the club until 2027, the Guardian understands. All four players had been set to enter the final six months of their deals but the WSL club have moved during this winter break to extend their stays for at least another season.
The England midfielder Toone who is – like George – a lifelong United fan, has been at the club for seven and a half years, as a mainstay since they reformed a senior women’s side in 2018. The Norway striker Terland has been at Carrington for two years, while her compatriot Naalsund joined the club in 2023, helping the club reach three consecutive FA Cup finals. Tom Garry
