manchester united Category
Manchester United football club news, Manchester United transfers, Premier League
Transfer balls: Mata to Liverpool, Ronaldo to Manchester United and Guillem Balague on The Metro’s speed dial
Transfer balls: The Metro’s Will Giles says Manchester United will sign Cristiano Ronaldo and pay him £1.2m a month.
WOW! Manchester United will pay Ronaldo less than Wayne Rooney, who earns up to £300,000 a week?! Ronaldo must be chomping at the bit to rejoin United.
Of course, Ronaldo can get a gigantic signing-on fee, too. Giles adds:
Manchester United will bid £92.5million next summer in an attempt to prise Cristiano Ronaldo away from Real Madrid…
Ronaldo leaving Madrid this summer is a more realistic proposition than ever before, with Spanish expert Guillem Balague claiming that the 30-year-old will have to seriously consider his future at the end of the season.
Guillem Balague… who he? Well, he’s on the Metro’s internet speed dial:
September 2014: Balague is quoted:
‘I have a pretty good idea of when he wants to go. It won’t be this month or next month, but he wants to go back to Manchester United and everything is in place for him to return to Old Trafford.’
February 2015: “Arsenal transfer target Sami Khedira ‘will sign for Bayern Munich’”
…respected journalist Guillem Balague was asked where he thinks the in-demand midfielder will be playing his football next season…. Balague suggested his team-mates at the Bernabeu are of the opinion Khadira will return to his native Germany and join Bayern Munich.
Khedira signed for Juventus.
February 2015: “Atletico Madrid ‘confident’ of sealing transfer deal for Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla as talks begin”
Atletico Madrid ARE in talks to sign Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla and are confident of signing the player, La Liga expert Guillem Balague has confirmed.
In July, Cazorla signed a new deal, extending his terms for another two years.
May 2011: “Liverpool make Juan Mata a ‘£20m priority’ for summer”
Says you know who…
Posted: 30th, September 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Chelsea: Garth Crooks, Juan Mata’s Manchester United magic, Mourinho’s shame
In the haste to pile in on Chelsea, BBC pundit Garth Crooks salutes Manchester United’s Juan Mata. He’s the Spaniard United bought from Chelsea for a then club record fee of £37.1 million in January 2014. For that much cash, it should not come as too much of a shock to realise that Mata is pretty good at football. And he’s been pretty good for some time – Chelsea signed him from Valencia for £23.5 million in August 2011.
Here’s Crooks:
It is with some irony that I find Chelsea struggling at one end of the table and Manchester United on top.
Irony?
It would be remiss of me not to mention Juan Mata at this point; the man who Mourinho couldn’t wait to get out of the revolving door at Stamford Bridge.
The man they sold for a record fee.
It has been Mata’s consistent performances for the Red Devils under Louis van Gaal that have helped transform their season. Mata was instrumental in United’s victory over Sunderland and should they win the title, his departure could prove to be Mourinho’s final embarrassment.
Er, Garth, mate, Chelsea won the Premier League title last year. Mata’s United finished fourth. the year before, United finished in seventh with Chelsea in third.
Posted: 28th, September 2015 | In: Chelsea, manchester united | Comment
Manchester United balls: a critis at Old Trafford Sunderland can only dream of
Manchester United are in “crisis“. Well, that’s what the Daily Mirror says in its report on United’s build up to a home match against Sunderland. Man United are second in the Premier League. Sunderland are bottom.
The “crisis” at Old Trafford is that Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo are both injured, leaving United with “one fit left-footed defender” in the shape of Danny Blind.
If that’s a crisis, what are Sunderland suffering?
Sunderland head coach Dick Advocaat sets the tone:
“If you have a draw there [Old Trafford], you have a great result… Normally United would beat us but we can give them a really tough time. That will happen, you will see.”
Crisis? No. This is normal service.
Posted: 26th, September 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Manchester United make inflated Muller bid on Metro’s bullshit.com template
Transfer Balls: Anorak’s search for the most clickbait football news story takes us, as ever, to the Metro, where Will Giles has news for Manchester United fans:
Manchester United made £120million worth of transfer bids to sign Thomas Muller – report
What Giles does it tot up the bids United apparently made for Bayern Munich’s German star Muller – £55m and £65m, according to Bild – and came up with a new story.
It’s a marvellously contrived story that SEOs must admire.
And, accordingly, we can expect more of the same vein. Look out for:
* Chelsea made £76million worth of transfer bids to sign John Stones – report
* Spurs made £62million worth of transfer bids to sign Saido Berahino – report
* *** made *** worth of transfer bids to sign **** **** – report
Easy.
Posted: 24th, September 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United: Alex Ferguson ‘reveals the real reason’ he quit Old Trafford (again)
Sir Alex Ferguson today “reveals the real reason for his retirement as Manchester United manager” to the Daily Telegraph. It’s an “exclusive“. But really it’s just part of Fergie’s marketing for his new book, Leading. And is the news a revelation? Not really, no.
Sir Alex Ferguson would have stayed on as the most successful manager in English football history, but for the death of his wife Cathy’s twin sister, Bridget Robertson, which persuaded him to retire to be by her side.
Says the great manager:
“I definitely would have carried on. I saw she [Lady Cathy Ferguson] was watching television one night, and she looked up at the ceiling. I knew she was isolated. “Her and Bridget were twins, you know?… When I told her this time I was going to retire she had no objection whatsoever. I knew she wanted me to do it.”
And that’s it.
In his last autobiography, Sir Alex told readers why he left Manchester United:
The seeds of my decision to step down had been planted in the winter of 2012. Around Christmas- time the thought became sharp and clear in my head: ‘I’m going to retire.’ ‘Why are you going to do that?’ Cathy said. ‘Last season, losing the title in the last game, I can’t take another one like that,’ I told her. ‘I just hope we can win the League this time and reach the Champions League or FA Cup final. It would be a great ending.’ Cathy, who had lost her sister Bridget in October, and was struggling to come to terms with that bereavement, soon agreed it was the right course. Her take was that if I wanted to do other things with my life I would still be young enough.
Contractually I was obliged to notify the club by 31 March if I was going to stand down that summer. By coincidence David Gill had called me one Sunday in February and asked if he could come to see me at home. A Sunday afternoon? ‘I bet he’s resigning as chief executive,’ I said. ‘Either that or you’re getting sacked,’ Cathy said. David’s news was that he would be standing down as chief executive at the end of the season. ‘Bloody hell, David,’ I said. And I told him that I had reached the same decision. In the days that followed, David rang to tell me to expect a call from the Glazers. When it came I assured Joel Glazer that my decision had nothing to do with David relinquishing day-to-day control. My mind had been made up over Christmas, I told him. I explained the reasons. Cathy’s sister dying in October had changed our lives. Cathy felt isolated. Joel understood. We agreed to meet in New York, where he tried to talk me out of retiring. I told him I appreciated the effort he was making and thanked him for his support. He expressed his gratitude for all my work. With no prospect of a change in my thinking, the discussion turned to who might replace me.
…
One great difficulty, in the days around the announcement, was telling the staff at Carrington, our training ground. I particularly remember mentioning the changes in my life and Cathy’s sister dying, and hearing a sympathetic, ‘Aaah.’
Not quite the revelation it’s billed as, then.
Posted: 19th, September 2015 | In: Books, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United: Luke Shaw wants us to see this gruesome photo of his broken leg (probably NSFW)
Manchester United’s Luke Shaw will have a second operation on his broken leg. Shaw, currently being treated at Holland’s St Anna Ziekenhuis, broke his right leg in two places during United’s 2-1 Champions’ League defeat away to PSV Eindhoven.
Shaw’s tibia and fibula were fractured in a tackle from Héctor Moreno (who was later named man of the match. Roy Keane, the former United captain, called it a “brilliant challenge”. Moreno has expressed his regret at the injury and visited Shaw in hospital.)
Shaw has posted this photo of his hideous wound for us to see:
Next time a rugby fans tells you footballers are soft, laugh at him.
Posted: 18th, September 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United: Luke Shaw cries in the changing room
Thoughts are with Manchester United’s Luke Shaw, who suffered a double fracture to his right leg in last night Champions’ League match in Eindhoven. (The match finished 2-1 to the Dutch.)
The Sun says Shaw was injured by a “reckless tackle” by PSV’s Mexican defender Hector Moreno. The referee deemed the tackle fair.
Manchester United manger Louis Van Gaal disagrees with the official:
“You can judge for yourself, but when I say it’s a penalty and a red card, I am a bad loser. Every word is interpreted in the wrong way, but it was a very bad tackle with two legs.”
Van Gaal is then invited to assess the extent of the damage:
“I am not a doctor but when you have a double fracture it is six months and he will not play in the group phase. I hope he can play again this season.”
Posted: 16th, September 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United: Watch Memphis Depay’s goal against PSV
Memphis Depay said he’d celebrate should he score against his former club, PSV, in the Champions’ League. Well, he scored for Manchester United. And he celebrated. No po-faced look for inner turmoil for Depay. Good.
Score a goal and go nuts. The fans can take it:
Posted: 15th, September 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United: Depay will celebrate with joy against PSV
Louis Van Gaal has been talking ahead of Manchester United’s return to the Champions’ League:
“I think the fans shall see a Manchester United who fight for their chances but we have to show on the pitch if we are able to win matches at the highest level and that’s also a challenge for us now. “Last year we were fourth in the Premier League and now we have to show if we are able to play at this level. I don’t know either, we just have to wait and see, because I think the Champions League is a higher podium than the Premier League, but maybe it is not like that.”
On Memphis Depay:
“I have to be patient with Memphis and so do the fans. You can’t demand at 19, 20 or 21 that players are consistent. You have to accept that. The Premier League is very different to play [in than the Eredivisie] and Memphis is seeing that and feeling that.”
One good thing about Depay is that the should the former PSV player score against his old club, he won’t go all po-faced, bow his head and out of respect turn the delight at scoring a goal into a monkish test of spirit and control:
“Of course I have respect for PSV but I play for Manchester United now so if I score I will celebrate.”
Please do. One of the worst thing about modern football is the returning player’s refusal to celebrate the joy of scoring a goal. Fans aren’t all idiots. We get it. Score and go bonkers. We would.
Posted: 15th, September 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United: the Daily Mail’s obsession with Wing’s restaurant
Does the Daily Mail have a deal with Manchester eatery Wing’s? Today the paper says:
“Manchester United star Anthony Martial trades pub for restaurant as he samples popular footballers’ haunt Wing’s with wife Samantha and baby daughter.”
Footballer eats! It’s news in the Mail.
August 30:
Kevin De Bruyne celebrates all but confirmed £52m move to Manchester City with meal at Chinese restaurant Wing’s
August 10:
Manchester United’s Memphis Depay arrives at Wing’s Chinese restaurant following the game against Spurs
August 8:
Van Gaal was spotted heading to popular Chinese restaurant Wing’s with his wife Truus in Manchester city centre.
July 30:
Everton new boy Tom Cleverley back at Manchester United favourite Wing’s for night out with wife Georgina
July 6:
Coleen and Wayne Rooney continued to spend time with the ones they love in Manchester on Sunday. With their young sons, Kai, five, and Klay, two, in tow, the couple were in good spirits as they headed home after a meal at Wing’s Restaurant.
April 13:
Toni Duggan apologises for photo with Louis van Gaal at Wing’s restaurant after Manchester United’s derby win over City
April 13:
Wing’s Chinese restaurant is the go-to place for Manchester’s footballers and celebrities… so, what is it about the venue that attracts so many stars?
April 12:
Louis van Gaal thanks fans for patience and says ‘It’s great to be a supporter of Manchester United right now!’ as he prepares for celebration Chinese meal
Feb 27:
Wayne Rooney and wife Coleen dine out at Manchester restaurant Wing’s Chinese
Feb 18:
Wayne Rooney celebrates the Chinese New Year at Wing’s
Feb 10:
England captain Wayne Rooney could not stop smiling after a traffic warden left a ticket on his £100,000 silver Range Rover outside his favourite Chinese restaurant in Manchester.
Feb 10:
Wayne Rooney poses with dragon as Manchester United and England captain learns about Chinese New Year during Wing’s Restaurant promotional campaign
Wing’s prmotional campaign seems to be a regular feature in the Mail.
Posted: 14th, September 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Manchester United will sell De Gea for a guranteed £30m
You or Real Madrid can buy Manchester Untied goalkeeper David De Gea for £30m. that, says the Sun, is the amount stipulated in the player’s new contract.
The new deal was pretty much a win for everyone:
Manchester United get a great goalkeeper for the currentseason
Dea Gea gets his pay hiked from £35,000 a week to £200,000 a week
De Gea gets to keep in shape for next summer’s European Championships
Man United get a big fee for their player when Real Madrid come calling again
Real Madrid will pay £30m cash rather than cash plus a player
De Gea gets a signing-on fee to replace any gap in salary
His agent buys a mid-sized Caribbean island
Easy.
Posted: 13th, September 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment (1)
Watch: Anthony Martial scores brilliant debut goal for Manchester United against Liverpool
Is Anthony Martial any good? Manchester United made the 19-year-old Frenchman the world’s most expensive teenager. Much to prove, then, on his Old Trafford debut. And he only went and scored a belter against Liverpool. There will be films made about this goal:
[VIDEO] Anthony Martial! Goal debut! What a goal! Brilliant! ManUtd 3-1 Liverpool. #mufc #lfc pic.twitter.com/87r4gl4on7
— Juan Mata García (@MataGarcia_ID) September 12, 2015
Posted: 12th, September 2015 | In: manchester united | Comment
Manchester United: Watch Louis Van Gaal chant himself in the third person
Are we warming to Louis Van Gaal, Manchester United’s hammer-headed Dutch manager? One thing is for certain: he can be entertaining (and more entertaining than his teams – ed). In this video, Van Gaal reveals that he is encouraged by the fans chanting “Louis Van Gaal’s Army”.
“The fans are shouting every week ‘Louis van Gaal’s army! Louis van Gaal’s army!’ So the fans are very satisfied with Louis van Gaal and the players are satisfied with me.”
What he lacks in melody, and rhythm he makes up for in self-aggrandizement.
(Anyone else think a word is missing between ‘Gaal’ and ‘army’? ‘Louis Van Gaal’s hungry Army’, perhaps, or ‘Louis Van Gaal’s private Army’?
Posted: 12th, September 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United: David De Gea signs new four-year contract
David De Gea has signed a new four-year contract with Manchester United, keeping him at Old Trafford until at least 2019. There is an option to extend it for a further year.
The Spain international, 24, joined the Reds back in 2011 and has registered 175 appearances for the club, winning the Premier League title in 2013 and two Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year awards. David De Gea said:
“I am delighted to be starting this new chapter in my United career. I have always enjoyed playing with these great players in front of our fantastic fans. Manchester United is a special club and Old Trafford is an ideal place for me to continue to develop my career. I’m looking forward to putting a difficult summer behind me and concentrating on working hard to improve and help my teammates to be successful.”
Louis van Gaal said:
“I am absolutely delighted David has signed a new contract. He is one of the best goalkeepers in world football. I am very pleased that he will be part of the team for many years to come. David made a very important contribution to our performance last season and he has been the club’s Player of the Year for the last two seasons. He is a popular player who is keen to learn and enhance his game. At such a young age for a goalkeeper, he has many years ahead of him.”
World ends.
Posted: 11th, September 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Manchester Untied will have to pay £768m for Cristiano Ronaldo
Transfer Balls: How much is Cristiano Ronaldo worth? Paris St-Germain and Manchester United have asked just that question. The Mail says the reply from Real Madrid told them the former Manchester United player could be theirs for… £728m.
That translates into €1billion.
And its more than the £87m the Ligue 1 side bid for Ronaldo on the most recent transfer deadline day.
Still, if you don’t ask, you don’t get.
Posted: 11th, September 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment (1)
Transfer balls: Manchester United offer David De Gea and his agent a fortune to stay
The Sun leads with news that David De Gea “could make a shock U-turn and sign a new £200,000-a-week deal with Manchester United”.
He hasn’t. But he “could“.
The Sun says De Gea’s Mr 15% Jorge Mendes has been deep in talks with Man United’s deal makers. We also learn that Real Madrid are “believed to have given up on ever landing De Gea”.
Over in the Express, their version has De Gea “snubbing” Real, the club that only days ago he was “distraught” not to have joined. It adds:
Real president Florentino Perez insists the Spanish club would “definitely not” move for De Gea in January and described his relationship with super agent Mendez [sic] as “broken”.
Is the agent dictating the player’s career?
The Guardian recalls that Van Gaal has not exactly wooed De Gea:
United had already put a new contract on the table last season, believed to be offering the goalkeeper £200,000 a week over a five-year period, but the likelihood of that being signed receded after Van Gaal accused him of not wanting to play for the club in the light of Real’s overtures.
That rift between goalkeeper and manager widened when De Gea professed himself “baffled” at the comments, and after his proposed £29m move to Real collapsed embarrassingly on transfer deadline day, it had been assumed that the Spaniard would wait until his contract ran down next summer before moving home.
Maybe his agent needs the cash? If De Gea signs a new deal at Old Trafford, any transfer fee will rise – and with that the agent’s cut of any move. If the Spaniard sees out the final year of his current contract (£35,000 a week) – forcing his way back into the side – a monkey with a bell could negotiate a better deal at Real Madrid.
Posted: 11th, September 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Manchester United paid only £6m for Bastian Schweinsteiger
Criticised for spending £58m on Anthony Martial (a sum Louis Van Gaal called “ridiculous“), it turns out that Manchester United scored a bargain elsewhere in the summer transfer market. Bastian Schweinsteiger’s former club TSV 1860 Rosenheim says United paid £6.5m for the Germany midfielder. The £15m figure previously reported in all media is wrong.
Spotter: Pies
Posted: 10th, September 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United: players and Louis van Gaal in row over ‘rigid’ training methods
Louis Van Gaal and his Manchester United players have been involved in a “row” over his “rigid” training methods, says the Times. The story goes that a few United players approached the manager and bemoaned his lack of interest in creativity. They want to play with more flair and expression. They find his methods stifling. Instead of playing an instinctive pass they look to the bench for an instruction to obey.
That this “confrontation” occurred “several weeks ago” makes us wonder if it influenced Van Gaal shipping out Robin Van Persie or the panicky purchase of attacking Anthony Martial. Last night, Van Gaal called the projected £58.8 million fee paid by Manchester United for Martial “ridiculous”.
The paper adds:
The concern of the players is less to do with manpower, or squad strength, after a massive gross outlay under Van Gaal that is now close to £300 million, than the inflexibility of his methods. He has always been a very exact, demanding coach — and, at times, a fierce one — but players reared under Sir Alex Ferguson are still finding it hard to adjust, even into his second season.
Van Gaal has not backed down, insisting that “the success of his training methods was the reason why United have not suffered any injuries this season compared to the glut they encountered when he joined 14 months ago.”
Posted: 10th, September 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United transfer news: Gareth Bale rumours is a Star U-turn
This will come as news to readers of the, er, Daily Star, which thundered:
Such are the facts.
Posted: 9th, September 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
SEO Football: Liverpool ‘move’ Clyne in robot news masterclass, Daily Telegraph link Arsenal to Cavani
SEO Football: a look at mainstream media football news stories written for robots.
The Daily Express.
Scoop 1:
Liverpool star Nathaniel Clyne set for shock move
WHAT? He only joined in the summer!
The England international has been eyeing up the £600,000 house next to Rodgers’ Merseyside base…
Ah. He’s moving house.
Scoop 2:
Chelsea ace Terry in Arsenal transfer admission
John Terry is joining the Gunners? It’s an “admission“, after all.
JONN TERRY has revealed he would never leave Chelsea
John Terry not leaving Chelsea. Or to put it another way: “Terry in Manchester United transfer admission.”
Scoop 3:
Paul Pogba: Why I turned down £69m move to Chelsea
Pogba says he had no desire to leave Juventus. Mentions of Chelsea: nil.
The Express makes two headline out nothing by headlining another story:
Pogba’s Chelsea vow
Daily Telegraph:
Scoop 1:
Man Utd news: David de Gea could play against Liverpool
Or to put it another way: “David De Gea might not play against Liverpool.”
Scoop 2:
Gunners to bid for Edinson Cavani in January
That’s according to The Star via The Express, via some vague reports in Spain… According to said Spanish reports, PSG are willing to sell the striker if they receive a bid of around £45m.
Arsenal will offer £45m for a sub-Giroud finisher in January?
Such are the facts.
Posted: 8th, September 2015 | In: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment
The next Thierry Henry is playing For Manchester United, Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Chelsea And Schalke
Anthony Martial
The Daily Mail hails Anthony Martial as “the next Thierry Henry“.
We’ve been here before.
The National (AE): “Wenger’s search for next Thierry Henry is over” (it’s Marouane Chamakh)
The Bleacher Report (2011): “10 Players Who Can Be the Next Thierry Henry”
Names included: Joel Campbell.
The Guardian (2012): “Theo Walcott could be the next Thierry Henry, says Arsène Wenger”
Goal.com (2013): “Remy: I want to be the next Thierry Henry”
The Metro (2014): “Arsenal news: Danny Welbeck is the new Thierry Henry”
Daily Mail (2014): “Wenger closing in on £30m Draxler, the new Thierry Henry”
More to follow.
Posted: 8th, September 2015 | In: Arsenal, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United: Sergio Romero warms up for De Gea’s Liverpool recall
As David De Gea wonders about love and loss, one other Manchester United goalkeeper is upbeat. Sergio Romero has been talking to the media:
“Playing for United is a dream and if God helps me this dream will never end. As I have been saying: I have to thank Van Gaal for trusting me. But let me tell you, I don’t think that the goalkeeper spot in United is already mine. I do know that I have a huge support from Van Gaal and his staff.”
Other Man United goalkeepers – Victor Valdes and Sam Johnson – might roll their eyes.
“Although I had not done a pre-season, I started playing for the biggest club in the world. It’s important for a goalkeeper to have this support. That is because there is no rotation between goalkeepers — a goalkeeper starts or he is benched. They are the only two choices — there is not a third one. And Van Gaal has given me his trust.”
Romero must be pretty amazed to be first choice Old Trafford. The former Sampdoria player adds: “Although I played in the World Cup and Copa America, it was difficult for me to find a new club.”
But is he going to play all that much for United now that De Gea is not off to Real Madrid? The Times says he isn’t:
Van Gaal is thought to be prepared to throw De Gea into action against Liverpool, despite the goalkeeper’s rustiness and concerns about his focus, in much the same way as Sergio Romero was thrust into the United first team against Tottenham even though the Argentina goalkeeper had barely trained after signing on a free transfer 12 days earlier.
Romero is keeping the shirt warm. He’s not as good as De Gea, for whom one good game for United against Liverpool will have the fans begging for more.
Posted: 8th, September 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
For sale: the ultimate Manchester United car (photos)
Spotted for sale over on the Trade Cars Clackheaton site, this stunning vehicular homage to all things Manchester United could be yours for just £790.
As you can no doubt see, the previous owner of this 2001 Mazda 323 hatchback has really gone to town in transforming his car into a rolling tribute to his beloved football club.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: 7th, September 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports, The Consumer | Comment
Manchester United: Memphis Depay and how to heal a family rift
Manchester United’s Dutch forward Memphis Depay is a heartless swine. Well, that’s we anyone sensible can deduce from the Sun’s story:
Memphis, I miss you – EXCLUSIVE: The real reason £25m Man Utd star drops ‘Depay’ from shirt
The reason Memphis dropped Depay from his shirt is something the player commented on in 2013, telling Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant:
“You get reactions like: ‘What’s that boy thinking? That he’s a star?’But those people don’t know what’s going on. It’s very tricky for me, because you’d prefer to play with your last name on your jersey, like everybody. But the rift with my father is irreparable. I don’t speak to him. I have no contact with family on my father’s side. And I never will again.”
Now the Sun tells us:
THE heartbroken father of Manchester United ace Memphis Depay has begged his son to heal their bitter rift. In an exclusive interview with the Sun on Sunday, Dennis Depay reveals for the first time how Memphis has shunned him, his half-brother and half-sister since becoming a star footballer.
Nothing heals a rift faster than speaking to the Sun about the child who “shunned” you. In the list of ways to heel a rift, the top five are:
5. Washing your dirty linen in public
4. Calling them a ‘slag’ on Jeremy Kyle
3. A televised fight with Ricky Gervais
2. A tabloid rift ‘n’ tell
1. Kidnap
The Sun says:
The 21-year-old Dutch winger even refuses to have his surname Depay on the back of his shirt, using his first name instead, because he claims his father abandoned him at the age of four.
Devastated Dennis, 50, said: “Saying that I didn’t see him after he was four is a lie. It is unbelievable, it is not nice. He is my son and I love him. I am the man who gave him his first ball. He was not abandoned by me. That is not true. I was always there for him. I saw him on YouTube talking about his dad, saying he didn’t want to put my name on his back. It made me feel terrible. I would love to be back in touch with him. I miss him so much.”
Dad Dennis, who lives in a “modest home in a rundown suburb of Amsterdam” adds:
“We used to do so much together when he was young. I loved him so much. He loved swimming, but he loved football more. I bought him his first football and you could see he was talented. He was so strong. We even played inside the house because the living room was so big. When we went swimming we would take a ball and play outside on the grass afterwards. Everywhere he went he had to take a ball. When we went to church he would take a ball with him. He was crazy about football from an early age, you could see this was a boy who loved football.”
Pro footballers loved playing football when he was kid. Who knew?
When Memphis was 4, Dennis split from the boy’s mother Cora:
“There was no problem with access. I could see Memphis whenever I wanted. He stayed with me lots of times and I’d buy him clothes — and footballs. I was always visiting him and they know it.”
Having established the link between himself and the boy’s football career, Dennis says Cora moved in with father-of-ten who hit him.
“One day Memphis arrived at my home and had brought all his things. He said, ‘I don’t want to live with my mum any more, I want to live with you’. I called his mum, who was crying. She only had one child, so he returned home.”
In 2012, Memphis signed for the once mighty PSV Eindhoven. Dennis has a theory:
“His family said I would be after his money and to leave me alone, that I will take his money to Africa. But I don’t need his money. I have been working all this time. That’s when the problems started…. Everything they have said is a lie.”
Adding:
Dennis, who has not been paid for this interview, said: … “The family is enjoying the success but that is not for me. I am happy with what I have. I don’t want money but I would like to have contact with him. I hope that one day this will sort itself out. I love my son and he knows it. He knows the truth. I miss him so much, what is happening is miserable, not nice. The family know I have done a lot for them but then money comes along and they ruined my name. It is crazy.”
Memphis Depay earns around £100-000 a week.
Posted: 7th, September 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United bid £21m for Martial a week before the transfer deadline
Florentino Pérez, the Real Madrid president, says Manchester United tried to sign Gareth Bale, Raphael Varane and Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos. They got none of them.
Pérez’s spokesman at Real told media: “If you let one slip through your fingers into the back of the net, ultimately the culpability is yours.”
In addition, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the Bayern Munich president, says Man United had made a “very high” for Thomas Müller, the Germany star.
The Times say:
The litany of failures indicates that United’s stated aim to sign players of the highest calibre every summer may prove rather easier said than done.
Oliver Kay looks at who United did sign:
The word from within Old Trafford is that Van Gaal and Woodward are content with their summer transfer business. Content that United, after five transfer windows post-Ferguson, have still not signed a top-class central defender? Content that, among their attacking options, Wayne Rooney and, at a push, James Wilson and Martial, are the only ones who can play through the middle? Content that they have three international goalkeepers but only one specialist right back, one specialist left back and a variety of injury-prone central defenders?…
Whether on the pitch or in the transfer market, very little of what United have done post-Ferguson — under Moyes or Van Gaal — has been impressive. Their most dramatic, eye-catching, headline-grabbing deals (the signings of Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata under Moyes, the enormous new contract for Wayne Rooney, the signings of Ángel Di María, Radamel Falcao and now Martial under Van Gaal) all reflected desperation and, in many cases, a lack of joined-up thinking…
According to Vadim Vasilyev, the Monaco vice-president, United opened discussions over Martial a week before the transfer deadline, starting out at £21.6 million and hiking their offer in increments of roughly £8 million before ending up at a projected — and frankly absurd — £57.6 million.
Premier League teams are locked in a mad arms race based on greed, greed and did we mention greed. The whole thing is utterly soulless.
Posted: 5th, September 2015 | In: manchester united | Comment
