1. “This is a game in a hostile environment.”
Manager Ruben Amorim has told Manchester United teenagers Jack Fletcher, Shay Race and Bendito Mantat they must prepare for a hostile environment at Leeds United on Sunday.
Amorim was forced to use all three debutants as substitutes as the team’s strength declined in recent matches. The head coach is once again expected to be without eight of his frontline players for this weekend’s trip to Elland Road. Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, Koby Mainu, Matthijs de Ligt and Mason Mount are all injured, while Nousair Mazrawi, Brian Mbuumbo and Amad Diallo are absent on African Cup of Nations duties.
Fletcher, 18, has featured in United’s last three games, including the 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, the 1-0 win at Newcastle and the 1-1 draw at Wolves on Tuesday. Lacey, also 18, featured against Villa, while Mantato, 17, played against Wolves. Amorim was asked if he thought the trio would be able to withstand an away game against one of United’s fiercest rivals. “You have to,” he said. “It’s a game in a hostile environment, but they have to be ready and they have to experience it. But it’s going to be difficult for any player, even the most experienced players. Again, we’ve been through it already. Last year (Athletic) Bilbao was great and they sounded great.”
“You look at the team and you’ll see that’s not possible. You can’t stretch the players. Of course I’ll try to put a team in place that’s ready to deal with that situation (the atmosphere at Elland Road). Then I’ll read the game and try to understand what they need to do to win the game.”
United had targeted Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth, but the wide forward is set to join Manchester City instead. Amorim suggested that he may not strengthen his team for now. “The transfer window remains unchanged. There are no conversations about changing teams at the moment,” the 40-year-old said. “There is a process, there is an idea to continue. We are close to qualifying for the Champions League, but we are still eight teams away, so let’s just focus on the next game.”
Amorim was asked whether any players had asked for their leave during this period. “None of that,” he insisted. “I don’t expect them to come to me and ask me anything.”Jamie Jackson
2. Semenyo ready to face Arsenal
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has announced that Antoine Semenyo will play against leaders Arsenal on Saturday as negotiations over a move to Manchester City continue.
Second-placed City are reported to have agreed to meet Semenyo’s release clause of £65m. Iraola said no contracts had been signed and believes the 25-year-old Ghanaian international could remain at the Vitality Stadium long enough to feature against Tottenham on Wednesday.
“Yes, Antoine will play in this game,” Iraola said of the visit to Arsenal. “I think there’s an idea that at least in the short term he’ll be able to play these two home games. I hope he’s here longer, but you never know what’s going to happen.”
He added of his move to City: “I haven’t signed anything. There have been conversations and I understand the noise around (him), but Antoine is our player and I want to keep him for a long time.”
Bournemouth’s top scorer is on the brink of making his 100th Premier League appearance, having scored nine goals and provided three assists in 18 appearances in the top flight this season. “He’s playing very well,” Iraola said. The team’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea on Tuesday ended a 10-game winless streak. “He’s doing the right thing. He’s a top professional, he’s a top guy. He wants to help the team. I have no doubt he’ll do his best.” PA Media
3. Emery: Elliott won’t move permanently to Villa
Manager Unai Emery has revealed his decision 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 and play.
The 22-year-old winger has only made five appearances for Villa, with manager Emery currently choosing not to play him and electing to activate his permanent contract option. “The problem we have with Harvey is that he is on loan this year and we have to get him in case he plays a game,” Emery said.
“We decided two months ago that we didn’t feel comfortable signing him after spending the money necessary to sign him. That’s the only problem. He trains every day, always behaves very well and helps us in the training sessions.”
“This isn’t good for him or for us, but this is football and sometimes you have to make decisions that aren’t good for everyone.” PA Media
4. Le Bliss praises Sunderland’s home base
Regis Le Bris believes Sunderland’s draws at home to Premier League title contenders Arsenal and Manchester City have shown they can be competitive at this level as well.
The Black Cats held out a goalless draw with City on New Year’s Day, picking up another valuable point and extending their unbeaten home record. This result, which also includes a 2-2 draw with leaders Arsenal in November, leaves Sunderland seventh in the table midway through their first campaign back in the top tier.
“It’s a really positive thing for the club, the team and the players, because we showed that we can play against the strongest European teams and be competitive,” Le Bris said. “It’s good for confidence and good for collective and individual projects. At the same time, we know that we need to reset quickly because this league is unforgiving.”
Le Bris added: “I think it’s important to show that this is a tough place because we connect really well with our fans. They feed off our defensive energy. This connection is really positive.” PA media
5. Urs are ready to get busy in the transfer market
Rob Edwards says Wolves will have “a lot of work” to do in this month’s transfer window to revive a hopeless season. Wolves picked up their third point of the season in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Tuesday, but are yet to win this season.
Edwards’ side are 15 points clear of the final safety zone and will need to bring in reinforcements if they are to somehow miraculously escape the relegation zone. Wolves also have to make a decision on whether to keep star players like striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.
“Some conversations I’m a part of, some I’m not a part of, but if I want to know something, I can be a part of it,” Edwards said. “There’s going to be a lot of work going on behind the scenes, both inbound and outbound.”
Of Strand Larsen, Edwards added: “His attitude has been great. He’s working very hard and I have no worries about that. Because of the position we’re in, we’ve got some good players, so there’s going to be speculation.” PA media
6. Maestre leads London City Lionesses
London City Lionesses have appointed Spaniard Eder Maestre as head coach on a contract until 2028. The 39-year-old former CD Tenerife manager will replace Jocelyn Precheur, who was sacked in December despite leading the team to promotion last season and into the top half of the Women’s Super League this season. The Maestre’s first game will be on the road on January 11th against bottom-of-the-table Liverpool. The player said: “I am delighted to be joining London City Lionesses. It has always been my goal to work in English football and it is a real honor to represent this club. In my opinion, the project presented by the club is one of the best in women’s football.” tom garry
7. Toune extends contract with Manchester United
Manchester United this week exercised the option to extend the contracts of Ella Thun, Elisabeth Talland, Lisa Narsund and Gabby George until 2027, the Guardian reported. All four players were due to enter the final six months of their contracts, but the WSL club moved to extend their stays for at least another season during this winter break.
England midfielder Toone, who like George is a lifelong United fan, has been at the club for seven-and-a-half years and has been a mainstay of the women’s senior team since 2018 when they revamped the team. Norwegian striker Terland spent two years at Carrington, while compatriot Nársund joined the club in 2023 and helped the club reach the FA Cup final for the third year in a row. tom garry
