Dream for Mainoo: Man Utd looking at “one of the best coaches in the world”

It has been a real struggle for Ruben Amorim so far during his time at Manchester United.

Their latest result, a 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers, encapsulated everything that has been wrong with his tenure so far. The Red Devils struggled to create chances and dominate a game against one of the worst sides we’ve seen in the top-flight in recent years.

Indeed, the club’s record in the Premier League in 2025 was below par to say the least. They only won 13 of the 38 games they played, drawing 11 and losing 14, which is far from where United want, or need, to be.

INEOS may have no choice but to sack Amorim if things don’t improve soon, and they could have already identified his replacement.

Man United discussing move for Premier League manager

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the man with the final say at Old Trafford when it comes to decisions like sacking a manager, has shown he has the ruthlessness to do so. Erik ten Hag was removed from his post just over a year ago after a string of bad results.

If he does decide to do the same with Amorim, then Caught Offside are reporting that one of ‘the names being discussed internally’ by United is Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner. The club view him as a ‘safe pair of hands’ after his success with the Eagles.

One of the appealing factors with this deal is the fact that the Austrian is out of contract in the summer, meaning United are not going to need to activate a release clause or negotiate an exit from Selhurst Park.

They won’t get a clear run at his signature, though, with Chelsea also keen after parting company with Enzo Maresca.

Why Glasner would be an upgrade on Amorim

Whilst Amorim’s time at Old Trafford has been nothing short of underwhelming, Glasner has shone at Palace. He guided the club to two trophies, winning the FA Cup at the end of last season and the Community Shield as the curtain raiser for the current campaign.

Described as “one of the best coaches in the world” by journalist Buchi Laba, he’s turned the Eagles into a side that can churn out results in the Premier League effectively, thanks to explosive counter-attacking football.

Their attack has been spearheaded by Jean-Philippe Mateta, and Glasner has adapted well to losing Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze over the last few years.

When comparing the Premier League records of United’s current manager and the Palace boss, it is a stark contrast. Indeed, the Portuguese has a Premier League win rate of just 31.82%, whereas Glasner has won 39.13% of his matches in charge.

Glasner & Amorim PL record compared

Stat

Glasner

Amorim

Matches

69

44

Wins

27

14

Win rate

31.82%

39.13%

Losses

20

19

Goals for

101

63

Goals against

85

70

Points per game

1.49

1.2

Stats from Transfermarkt

One of the real sticking points with Amorim is the lack of opportunity he’s given to Kobbie Mainoo. The 20-year-old is the jewel of United’s academy in recent years, but his manager simply will not give him an opportunity.

Mainoo has played 40 times under the Portuguese manager, but has only played an average of 19 full 90-minute games.

It is especially frustrating when you consider what he has already achieved in his short career so far. The Stockport-born midfielder scored the winning goal in an FA Cup final back in 2024, and started England’s Euro 2024 final. Those are but two examples.

Those fears may be squashed if Glasner takes the role at Old Trafford. He has perfectly platformed a player in a similar situation to Mainoo at Selhurst Park. Adam Wharton has shone under the Austrian since his move to South London, developing a reputation as one of the best young midfielders in the Premier League.

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Glasner has shown full faith in Wharton, operating in the pivot of his 3-4-2-1 system, ironically the same one that Amorim favours at Old Trafford. The ex-Blackburn Rovers star has played 65 times under the Eagles boss, averaging 51 full 90 minutes. That is the perfect example of platforming a young talent and giving him a full opportunity.

According to Sam Matterface, Glasner is a “top quality” manager, and it would not be a surprise to see United move for him. Not only has he got a far better record than Amorim, but it seems like he’d be willing and able to give Mainoo the chance he deserves at Old Trafford.

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Preview: West Brom vs Boro

Steve Bruce’s West Bromwich Albion side head into Tuesday’s Championship clash against Middlesbrough in a disastrous run of form, with the Baggies having won just one of their last ten outings in the second tier of English football.

The latest defeat in this catastrophic series of results came on Saturday, when Albion continued their five-game sequence of failing to find the back of the net, with Luton Town running out 2-0 winners over the 61-year-old’s lacklustre outfit.

As such, with a much more challenging trip – on paper, at least – to Chris Wilder’s seventh-placed Boro coming up this evening for West Brom, Bruce will know he has to get his team selection absolutely spot on if his side are to have any chance of leaving the Riverside Stadium with all three points.

So, how many alterations will the 61-year-old make to the side that started the loss against the Hatters last time out? Here’s how we think the Baggies could line up against Middlesbrough, along with the latest team and injury news…

With Dara O’Shea appearing ready for a return to the starting lineup – with the defender having not started a game for West Brom since August – while Jake Livermore remains unavailable for selection due to suspension, we predict that Bruce will make three changes to the team that lined up at Kenilworth Road last weekend.

The first of these changes comes in the back five, with the £16.5k-per-week Semi Ajayi – who Adrian Goldberg once dubbed “dreadful” – dropping out of the XI after an extremely poor showing against the Hatters, while the aforementioned O’Shea returns to the starting lineup.

In midfield, the “fearless” – in the words of Valerien Ismael – Taylor Gardner-Hickman is handed his first start under Bruce, with Jayson Molumby making way for the 20-year-old, while Callum Robinson takes the place of Adam Reach in the number 10 role.

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Up top, both Andy Carroll and Karlan Grant retain their place in the front two, meaning Grady Diangana once again has to make do with a spot on the Albion bench.

In other news: Major boost: Maher drops teasing WBA injury update ahead of Boro, fans will be buzzing

Sunderland injury news on Alex Pritchard

James Hunter has shared some Sunderland injury news from Alex Neil on Alex Pritchard, who hobbled off in the 0-0 draw away to Charlton Athletic on Saturday.

The Lowdown: Star man

Giving him an 8/10 rating in his player ratings piece for The Chronicle, Hunter thought that Pritchard was the Wearsiders’ star man against the Addicks, claiming that he ‘pulled the strings’ and ‘set up so many chances’.

Indeed, the attacking midfielder won three of his duels and recorded one shot on target and one tackle, along with a team-high six key passes and three accurate crosses (SofaScore).

The Latest: Pritchard injury update

Taking to Twitter, Hunter has now shared a concerning injury update from Neil on Pritchard.

He outlined: “Alex Pritchard’s injury doesn’t look good. He’s rolled his ankle and will need a scan. It’s a big concern.”

The Verdict: Big blow

From this update, it sounds like Pritchard may now be facing a lengthy spell on the treatment table, which is no doubt a big blow for Sunderland and their promotion hopes.

The 28-year-old currently ranks as their fifth-best player in League One so far this season, having scored four goals and supplied a further seven assists for his team (WhoScored).

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He also ranks highly among his team-mates in terms of average shots, key passes, crosses and through balls per game (WhoScored), so losing him for the next matches would clearly be a massive miss for Neil and the Black Cats.

In other news, these were Sunderland’s three worst performers against Charlton

Leeds: Graham Smyth drops backroom staff update

Leeds United correspondent Graham Smyth is expecting Jesse Marsch to bring in more staff members alongside Cameron Toshack, with the club revealing two more appointments this morning.

The Lowdown: Toshack and co join Marsch

It has been a busy week at Elland Road, with the Whites parting ways with Marcelo Bielsa and his four assistant managers after the 4-0 defeat to Tottenham on Saturday.

Marsch was swiftly appointed as the club’s new head coach, penning a deal through to 2025.

Reports had already suggested that Toshack has joined Marsch as his assistant, and there could be more to come, with the American set to address the media this afternoon ahead of his first game in charge against Leicester City.

The club have now officially confirmed two other additions, with former RB Salzburg man Franz Schiemer and current Under-23s Head Coach Mark Jackson joining Toshack.

The Latest: Smyth’s post

Smyth was asked on Twitter on Wednesday about who exactly will be doing the club’s analysis ahead of the trip to the King Power Stadium on Saturday, while also being quizzed on how many coaches are left at Thorp Arch.

This is what he had to say in reply, revealing he is ‘expecting a small number’ of additions alongside Toshack.

“Expecting a small number of incoming staff members with Marsch. Cameron Toshack one that’s confirmed. We’ll hear more from Marsch himself tomorrow I’m sure. Not everyone left with Bielsa.”

Whether the arrival of Schiemer and promotion of Jackson is the end of the changes in the dugout is not yet clear.

The Verdict: Interesting…

Bielsa had a big team around him in Yorkshire, however, it is interesting to know that there are some staff members left at Thorp Arch.

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Goalkeeper coach Marcos Abad and head of analysis Guillermo Alonso have reportedly remained at the club, a call possibly made by Victor Orta, with the pair working under the director of football at Middlesbrough.

It seems as if Marsch is keen to bring in more staff members as well as Toshack, though, with Schiemer and Jackson now added, so we may learn more this afternoon.

In other news: ‘Sadly for Leeds fans’ – Journalist reveals more bad news after what he’s heard from Elland Road. 

Everton: Toffees need defensive overhaul

The Athletic’s Patrick Boyland has slammed Everton’s defence after their performance in the Toffees’ 5-0 loss to Tottenham, claiming that the club need a total overhaul there in the summer.

The Lowdown: Relegation-threatened

Frank Lampard’s start to life at Everton has not gone as he would have planned, as his side have lost four of their five Premier League matches with the ex-Chelsea man in charge.

As a result, the Toffees remain dangerously close to the relegation zone. They currently lead Burnley by one point, with just one game-in-hand over Sean Dyche’s side.

Everton still have to play West Ham, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal – who are all battling it out at the top of the table. Therefore, the possibility of relegation has never been more real than it is right now.

The Latest: Boyland’s claim…

Following the Toffees’ embarrassing display against Tottenham, Boyland took to Twitter, claiming that Everton need a complete overhaul of the defence:

“There is a soft centre to Everton which is preventing them pick up points on the road. Without Mina, the spine looks weak & they played into Spurs’ hands. 

“A defence in urgent need of overhaul this summer.”

The Verdict: Defensive overhaul essential

With Yerry Mina still side-lined, fans will be worried by the lack of a strong presence in the Toffees’ back-line. Everton’s win percentage this season with the Colombia international in the team is monumentally different to the percentage without him: 40% with, 13% without.

During Sky Sports’ broadcast of the Spurs game, Jamie Carragher described Everton’s defence as “a Championship back four”, before later saying that was being harsh on some second-tier sides. Having conceded 46 league goals already, this seems hard to argue with.

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Therefore, it is crucial that Everton commit to a defensive overhaul in the summer transfer window, otherwise they may find themselves in the same situation next year – if they avoid relegation this season.

In other news: Everton: Pickford, Coleman and Keane’s nightmare performances vs Spurs

Spurs can seal real bargain in £29m star

Tottenham Hotspur can seal a “real bargain” in Dejan Kulusevski, according to former goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

What’s been said?

The former Premier League shot-stopper waxed lyrical about the Juventus loanee after his impressive start to life in north London. He told Football Insider:

“Oh, he’s certainly hit the ground running.

“He looks a real player. He fit the system [Antonio] Conte plays perfectly. Coming in off the right-hand side onto his left foot, he’s such a threat. He has the ability to pick a pass.

“It looks like he is going to be a real bargain for them. I think it was an initial loan deal because he was untried at the top level. He hadn’t played a great amount of regular football before he came to Spurs.

“He has taken his chance with both hands though. When you look at [Heung-min] Son, [Harry] Kane and Lucas Moura. Kulusevski has overtaken Moura the way he is playing.”

Dream deal

Spurs have the chance to make the Sweden international’s loan deal a permanent one for just £29.2m, having paid an initial £8.3m to have him on a temporary basis for 18 months, as per the BBC.

Had they paid that all up front, then it wouldn’t have been questioned given just how well he has performed since arriving at Tottenham.

Indeed, the 23-year-old dynamo has delivered two goals and three assists in only five Premier League starts for the club, averaging a direct contribution once every 126 minutes, via Transfermarkt.

He has also proven to be a massive threat in the final third, ranking second to Heung-min Son for chances created, averaging 1.6 key passes per game, and third for dribbles, averaging 1.6 per match, behind the South Korean (1.7) and Lucas Moura (2.1).

For further context, he’s already level with the Brazilian winger for goals scored (two) and is just the one assist away from tying in that regard too, suggesting that he has been a major – and instant – upgrade to that right flank.

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As such, the £27m-rated maestro, who has also been described as having “explosive” qualities by ex-Villa man Marcus Allback, has been quite the signing by Fabio Paratici and co.

They must look to tie him down permanently in what would be something of a dream deal for Conte, given his influence. Just as Robinson says, he seems to be an absolute bargain already.

AND in other news, Spurs target “unbelievable signing” in £40.5m-rated “monster”, Conte badly needs him…

Rangers’ Aribo has impressed this season

Rangers have had a fairly eventful season at Ibrox so far having said goodbye to one manager and replacing him with their current boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst who has been trying to regain the title for the Gers.

At this stage of the campaign, Rangers are currently in the quarter-finals of the Europa League too and will be neck and neck with Celtic if they manage to beat them in the upcoming Old Firm Derby once the latest international break draws to a close.

In terms of their individual players and which of them have stood out from the crowd to push the team towards reaching their goals, one figure that deserves praise and recognition is midfielder Joe Aribo, who has been described as “dynamic” in the past by Van Bronckhorst.

Since arriving from Charlton Athletic back in the 2019 summer window on a free transfer, the Nigerian has made a total of 136 appearances across all competitions, scoring 24 goals and providing 23 assists along the way.

This season has highlighted just how crucial the midfielder is to the team by appearing in the vast majority of their domestic and European games, finding the back of the net seven times with eight assists provided in the process.

In the league, only defenders James Tavernier and Connor Goldson have played more minutes than Aribo, who is currently earning a weekly wage of £14k-per-week according to Salary Sport, showing that he is wholeheartedly Rangers’ first-choice midfielder.

The dynamic Nigerian has also been superb for his country, being described as a “beautiful footballer” and “unplayable” by journalists Josh Bunting and Oluwashina Okeleji during AFCON.

In terms of what he offers Van Bronckhorst’s side on the pitch aside from his very useful goals and assists, which is what could help fire the Gers to the league title, on the ball, the midfielder has racked up an average of 1.8 key passes per game, the joint-third highest of any player in the squad as well as 1.8 shots per game.

Off the ball, the 25-year-old has not shirked away from his defensive responsibilities when his side doesn’t have the ball, which isn’t very often with Van Bronckhorst’s men boasting an average possession percentage of 64%, with an average of  1.6 tackles per game, the third-highest of any Rangers player to start more than three league games.

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While Alfredo Morelos may be the Gers’ main man in terms of scoring goals on a regular basis, it’s arguably Aribo that could fire Van Bronckhorst to the title if he can keep adding to his tally in that respect, but could also be seen as a more important player for the team given his work on and off the ball around the pitch.

In other news: Wilson disaster: Rangers dropped the ball over “unbelievable” £2.2m-rated “class act”

Newcastle & Brighton Ashworth talks stall

Craig Hope has revealed that Dan Ashworth could now be made to wait until November before taking up the role of sporting director at Newcastle United.

The Lowdown: Waiting game

Brighton and Hove Albion confirmed in February that Ashworth would be leaving the Seagulls, and it is thought by reliable sources that he is jumping ship to St. James’ Park.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/newcastle-news-4/” title=”Newcastle news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

However, he has not officially taken on the new role in the North East yet, suggesting that some talks over the deal have reached a stumbling block – Lee Ryder revealed earlier this year that the compensation talks with Brighton were proving difficult.

The Latest: Hope update

Taking to Twitter, The Daily Mail journalist Hope has revealed that Ashworth could now be made to wait until November before he can take up the sporting director position on Tyneside, adding that ‘no progress’ has been made in PIF’s ‘negotiations’ with the Seagulls:

“Dan Ashworth could be made to wait until November before taking up NUFC sporting director role.

“Negotiations with Brighton continue but no progress yet.

“Club relaxed if Howe/Nickson/Staveley oversee summer transfers, as was case in Jan.

“Scouting meetings this wk.”

He continued:

“Told that Ashworth has a nine-month notice period and, as it stands, will be made to see it out.

“Brighton not making it easy for him to join Newcastle, as is their right.”

The Verdict: Blow

As The Times journalist Martin Hardy puts it, this is a ‘blow’ for the Magpies’ transfer plans if they cannot get Ashworth in before the summer window opens.

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The 51-year-old has received glowing reviews, as The Times’ Henry Winter has said that he will bring ‘relentless enthusiasm’, a ‘great work ethic’ and a lot of contacts to the Toon, once he takes up the role.

Newcastle World journalist Liam Kennedy has previously hailed the pending appointment as ‘seriously good’, claiming that NUFC are starting to make ‘big moves’.

However, it looks as if they will now have to operate in the window without his skills, meaning that some of their targets may not be as easy to get, and perhaps even putting their masterplans on hold until Ashworth arrives.

In other news, find out the latest on a potential NUFC move for Neymar here!

West Brom: Grant let Bruce down v Blues

West Bromwich Albion’s star striker this season, Karlan Grant, registered fewer touches than goalkeeper Sam Johnstone in an extremely poor display against Birmingham City.

Grant, who is the top scorer for the Baggies this season was nowhere to be seen as his side lost 1-0 to their local rivals who pick up their first win in four.

The 24-year-old made the move to The Hawthorns for £15m from Huddersfield when West Brom were in the Premier League, but it appears his celling is at this level.

He was substituted in the 68th minute of the game at St Andrew’s and was replaced by Andy Carroll who offered something different but still couldn’t find the back of the net.

To make matters worse for Grant, as well as the rest of his team, he failed to register a shot on target throughout the game.

When it comes to passing he made only three, with only Carroll who came on for him, the one West Brom player to make fewer or less.

Grant’s accuracy rate was also one of the worst on the whole pitch at a dismal 43%.

These stats come as more of a shock for the £7.2m rated forward who has registered at least one shot on target in each of his last four starts -registering 3+ in two of those games.

Throughout the season his ‘unlikely’ partnership with Callum Robinson has been working for the Baggies who have been making a late push for the play offs.

However, defeat now leaves them five points off sixth place, and with tough fixtures still to come it’s looking unlikely they’ll make it.

Manager Steve Bruce will be disappointed with the team’s performance at St Andrew’s against his former side, and the question is will he try something different in their next game or will he stick with Grant?

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Carroll had the best chance of the game and is now back from injury, so if he can stay fit perhaps Bruce will look to him further.

This may only be a one-off, but West Brom will be hoping that Grant can get his form back on track if they are to see their slim play-off chances come true.

IN other news: Sold at £13m, now worth £49.5m: WBA will have nightmares over 6ft4 “beast of a man”…

Liverpool given Mo Salah contract boost

Liverpool look increasingly likely to tie down Mohamed Salah to a new deal at Anfield, according to a significant transfer report which has emerged from Spain.

The Lowdown: Will Salah stay at Liverpool?

The future of the Reds superstar has been a big talking point in recent weeks, arguably affecting his performances on the pitch, with his influence decreasing slightly after a run of no goals in open play since February.

It remains to be seen what Salah’s decision will be regarding his next move, but recent claims have suggested that he could end up extending his stay at Anfield.

Another report is now doing the rounds which lends further weight to the theory that the 29-year-old could stay put.

The Latest: Big update emerges in Salah saga

According to Sport [via Sport Witness], ‘things have taken an unexpected turn’ with Salah’s future, and rumours of him leaving have been ‘turned upside down’.

It is stated that Barcelona have lost faith in signing the 29-year-old this summer and that the player is ‘about to say yes’ to Liverpool, coming just weeks after transfer claims from the same outlet that he had been strongly considering an exit from Merseyside.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-liverpool-transfer-news-26/” title=”Latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Vital to Liverpool’s future

This is a significant update regarding such a critical saga, with Salah a strong contender for being the world’s best player over the past 12 months, scoring 20 Premier League goals in 2021/22 to date.

Given his incredible level of fitness and dedication, there is no reason why the forward can’t remain in his prime for another four or five years, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema all still going strong well into their 30s.

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Salah signing a new deal would feel like a huge moment in the Reds’ present and future, showing that they are no longer a selling club and standing out as arguably Europe’s most exciting team instead.

In other news, Liverpool have been linked with a move for one top attacking player. Find out who it is here.

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