Ruben Amorim could not hide his frustration after Manchester United were beaten 1-0 at home by 10-man Everton on Monday. The Portuguese said his team were nowhere near good enough to be competing for the places towards the top of the Premier League. He even declared that he wished his players had showed the same fighting spirit as Everton which led to Idrissa Gueye's red card.
United fail to take advantage of red card
Gueye was sent off in the 13th minute for raising his hands to team-mate Michael Keane's face in frustration after Casemiro had whistled a shot wide following passive defending from Everton. The Toffees had dominated the early stages of the game and they became emboldened by the red card, taking the lead through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's piledriver and then defending it astutely throughout the second half even as the Red Devils had 75 percent possession.
Amorim said he did not agree with the decision to send off Gueye and he was happy to admit that Everton fully deserved to win. It was the first time the Toffees had won at Old Trafford since 2013, when David Moyes was in charge of United. It was also Moyes' first victory at Old Trafford as an opposing manager in 18 attempts.
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Amorim: We deserved to lose
Amorim told a press conference: "I think they were a better team with 11. They then worked really well with 10 men for 70 minutes. So I think we deserved to lose. We didn't play well. We didn't play with the right intensity. I know which point we are in the moment. So we are not there, not even near the point that we should be to fight for the best positions in the league. We have a lot to do, and we need to be perfect to win games. We were not perfect.
"I feel afraid of returning of this feeling of last season, that is my biggest concern. So we need to work together. We are going to work together. I'm not going. The players are trying, but we need to be better so we have training tomorrow, and we are going to prepare the next one."
Amorim: Fighting is not a bad thing
Amorim admitted he was envious of Everton's determination to win the game and their desire, even though it led to a sending off. He explained: "Fighting is not a bad thing. Fighting doesn't mean that they don't like each other. Fighting is that if you lose the ball, I will fight you, because we will suffer a goal. That was my feeling. And I don't agree with that sending off. We can fight with team-mates. I know it's violent conduct, and the referee explained but I don't agree with that. I hope my players, when they lose the ball, they fight each other. Now they cannot get sent off a sent off, but that [players fighting with each other] is a good feeling, not a bad feeling."
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United 'not ready' to capitalise on Liverpool & City defeats
United had the opportunity to go up to fifth in the Premier League after Bournemouth dropped points against West Ham, Tottenham were thrashed by Arsenal and arch rivals Liverpool and Manchester City were beaten by Nottingham Forest and Newcastle respectively. Instead they are 10th in the table after 12 matches, level on 18 points with Everton and 11 points off leaders Arsenal.
The Red Devils visit fifth-placed Crystal Palace next Sunday but Amorim was disappointed that they were not energised by the other results on the weekend and performed so sluggishly against Everton.
"It is my responsibility to explain the game, and today, it was not one mistake of one individual, it was the team," said the United boss. "The way we saw the results of the weekend. We should get inside the pitch with a different level of excitement, that is, that is my feeling. It doesn't matter if you are playing well, making good passes, but the feeling and Old Trafford was there, saying we are all here to give a big step up, and I felt that we were not ready again."
Tottenham Hotspur created a triumphant atmosphere toward the end of their frenzied Premier League clash with Manchester United down N17. Two late goals had turned the clash on its head and the home side were moments away from three points.
But Red Devils defender Matthijs de Ligt headed home from a corner at the eleventh hour, and Thomas Frank’s side had to settle for a draw.
The deflation was felt across the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with this team of talented players still caught in a continuous state of ebb and flow. They may sit third in the Premier League after 11 matches, but improvements are needed both mentally and in attack.
The truth is that Tottenham weren’t up to scratch throughout the first half, and while they improved after the break, it didn’t prove to be enough as Ruben Amorim’s mini-revival continues.
Spurs' worst performers vs Man Utd
Tottenham’s draw to Manchester United was as dramatic as they come. However, it was a game that accentuated the flaws in Frank’s team, having struggled to create chances in the first half and finally up things around on home soil, with the Londoners having won only seven of 24 home matches since the start of last season.
Several stars weren’t at the races. Guglielmo Vicario should have been stronger in repelling De Ligt’s last-gasp effort, while Pedro Porro toiled from a defensive standpoint at right-back.
Randal Kolo Muani will feel aggrieved to have been withdrawn at half-time, but the French centre-forward drifted through the opening half and struggled to latch onto any balls and find space to strike on goal. Across 191 minutes of Premier League action this season, Kolo Muani has taken just one shot, and he is yet to score or assist.
Ahead of Spain international Porro was Brennan Johnson, who continues to be something of an enigma, endowed with such speed and an eye for goal, and yet drifting through matches all too often.
Johnson needs to do better, but he was arguably more energetic and active in his display than his counterpart on the other wing. For sure, Frank will be left frowning over his combination on the left, having witnessed a discordant performance.
Frank must never start Spurs duo together again
Credit must be handed to Richarlison for his striker’s instinct in flicking Wilson Odobert’s shot past Senne Lammens and into the back of the net, but he flattered to deceive for much of the contest and did little to suggest he is the talismanic force Tottenham need to sustain a place at the very top of English and European football.
Regarding Djed Spence: one analyst remarked that the placement of the 25-year-old on the left is “killing Tottenham on the flank”, with the side finding “zero balance in possession” when he is flipped onto his left side.
Had Mohammed Kudus been fit and darting about in front of him, it might have been less apparent against United, but Richarlison was not at the races, even though he scored late on.
The truth is that Richarlison’s fine flick masqueraded over another poor performance, lots of huff and puff, but not enough by the way of impact.
And, as we already know, the contest reaffirmed the truth of Spence, who is not a left-back and does not promote Tottenham’s full efficiency and fluency when placed there, especially behind a wide forward in Richarlison, who was described by writer Halal Wyler as being a “real-life cartoon villain”.
Once Destiny Udogie and Odobert, who impressed and then some in his cameo, had entered the field and dynamised the left-hand side, Spurs looked a cleaner, more polished outfit for it.
It is for this reason that the duo cannot be allowed to play down that channel together again. Richarlison is limited in technical scope, and Spence is left trying to connect in an unnatural role with an imperfect attacking partner. In harsher terms and as analyst Raj Chohan put it, it’s a pretty “garbage” duo when they play together.
The duo’s statistics from the clash underscore this. While the left-back produced some convincing defensive numbers, and Richarlison indeed bagged himself a goal, neither can be truly content with their performances.
Richarlison & Spence vs Man United
Stats
Spence
Richarlison
Minutes played
90′
90′
Goals
0
1
Assists
0
0
Touches
68
38
Shots (on target)
0 (0)
3 (1)
Accurate passes
33/42 (79%)
17/22 (77%)
Possession lost
16x
9x
Chances created
0
0
Crosses
0/2
0/0
Dribbles
0/2
0/1
Recoveries
5
1
Tackles won
3/3
1/2
Clearances
3
2
Duels won
4/11
4/10
Data via Sofascore
Writing about the respective performances after the match, football.london’s Alasdair Gold saw it fit to hand Spence a 6/10 match rating and a 7/10 score to Richarlison. However, this is somewhat generous, and there’s no question that Tottenham are a more fluent outfit with a different combination running down the left.
The left-sided pair, who earn a combined salary of £130k per week, will have brighter days ahead of them in a Spurs shirt, but as Frank continues to develop his understanding of this team, he will surely accept that this is a duo who cannot be fielded together again.
Richarlison may well be playing his final season with the Lilywhites, but Spence will no doubt have taken note of Porro’s “disaster” of a performance at right-back, as was said by Polish journalist Michael Okonski during the match, and set his sights on a return to his natural berth.
In any case, tactical changes are needed when Tottenham return to action after the imminent international break. Frank has the potential to succeed in north London, but he has to start getting the big calls right.
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Tottenham Hotspur could be about to make yet another high-profile addition in January.
Nottingham Forest have now made an approach to sign a “fast” £22m defender, with Sean Dyche replacing Ange Postecoglou in the City Ground hotseat.
Forest make contact to sign centre-back as Dyche joins
Postecoglou’s awful stint as manager came to an end on Saturday, following a 3-0 home defeat against Chelsea, in which Forest once again struggled defensively, having also shipped three goals at home against FC Midtjylland at the beginning of the month.
Evangelos Marinakis perhaps has one eye on the January transfer window, given that the Tricky Trees are at risk of being drawn into a relegation battle, having taken just five points from their opening eight Premier League games.
With the City Ground outfit currently in the bottom three, it would perhaps make sense to bring in a manager with a proven track record of guiding teams to safety, and Dyche has just that from his time at Everton and Burnley.
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Dyche has agreed to join Forest on the condition they give him a long-term deal. He is of course well-known for a more defensive style of play than Ange, which means the 54-year-old may be keen to bolster his options at the back in January, and a new centre-back has now emerged as the first target.
That is according to a report from Spain, which reveals Nottingham Forest have now accelerated contact over a move for CA Osasuna defender Enzo Boyomo, who has caught the eye with his spectacular performances for the La Liga side.
Boyomo has a €25m (£22m) release clause included in his contract with the Spanish club, and Osasuna would not consider a sale for any less, given his importance to the side, but there is certainly no shortage of interest from England.
Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion are also in the race, alongside the Tricky Trees, with the three Premier League clubs said to be in pole position for his signature.
"Fast" Boyomo could be solid addition to Forest's backline
Forest are likely to be happy with their current centre-back options, given that Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo formed a formidable partnership in the Premier League last season, with the duo missing just three games between them and helping secure European qualification.
However, should the new manager be keen to bring in more depth, there are signs the 24-year-old could be a solid signing. When asked to describe his own game after arriving at Osasuna, the Cameroonian said: “I think I’m a calm center-back, with good ball control, and I think I’m also fast.”
Not only that, but the France-born defender is also strong at winning back possession, placing in the 88th percentile for tackles per 90 over the past year, when compared to other centre-backs.
At £22m, Boyomo would be an affordable signing for Forest, who are clearly in need of a fresh injection of quality after a very poor start to the campaign.
Tottenham Hotspur are now determined to open talks to sign a “spectacular” attacker in the January transfer window, with a £35m bid planned.
Spurs looking to sign new attacking midfielder
Tottenham’s pursuit of a new attacking midfielder lasted for the majority of the summer, before finally getting a deal for Xavi Simons over the line at the end of August, with the Dutchman arriving from RB Leipzig.
With James Maddison ruled out due to an ACL injury, it was clear that Spurs needed to bring in another option in that area of the pitch, but Simons has been utilised as a left-winger so far, with Thomas Frank recently explaining the decision to play the 22-year-old out wide.
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When asked whether the decision to deploy the former RB Leipzig man out wide was made to introduce him gently, Frank said: “No, I think it’s how we let the team grow and develop,
“Where we came from in the summer. I was thinking the other day, I don’t think I said it, that we last year and the last two seasons, but definitely the last year, it was like Kulusevski, Son, Maddison, Solanke. None of them is available. So it’s a completely new front four.”
As such, there may still be room for Spurs to bring in another attacking midfielder, and they have now set their sights on bringing in a La Liga star in the January transfer window…
That is according to a report from Spain, which states Tottenham are now determined to open talks over a deal for Real Sociedad star Brais Mendez, expressing a strong interest in securing his signature.
Such is their determination to sign Mendez, the Lilywhites have planned a bid, which could amount to €40m (£35m), with the Spanish club said to be in a position where they need to listen to offers.
"Spectacular" Mendez could excel at Tottenham
Claudio Giráldez has spoken very highly of the Real Sociedad star in the past, saying: “He’s a player I like. He’s having some brilliant seasons, with spectacular developments in his game. He’s very complete.”
The 28-year-old certainly deserves the plaudits, having impressed in La Liga over a sustained period of time, picking up 37 goals and 29 assists in the competition, across spells with Real Sociedad and Celta Vigo.
The Spaniard, and fellow transfer target Oihan Sancet, also excel with their long-range shooting, regularly finding the back of the net from outside the box.
Mendez clearly has the talent to succeed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, so it is exciting news that an approach could be made during the January transfer window.
After restricting Delhi Capitals (DC) to 133 for 7, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) were in the driver’s seat before rain washed out the game in Hyderabad, thus ending their diminishing hopes of making the playoffs. Even if they win their three remaining matches, SRH can get only to 13 points. Four teams already have 14 or more.”That was an improved performance, but sometimes it’s a little bit too late,” Former New Zealand keeper-batter Katey Martin said on ESPNcricinfo Time Out. “I think it probably took them halfway through the tournament to realise that their approach with the bat might not necessarily have to be similar to what worked last year.”SRH’s ultra-aggressive approach with the bat saw them make it to the finals last year. Before the start of this season, there were talks about whether they could become the first team to breach the 300 mark in the IPL. They started emphatically, posting 286 for 6 against Rajasthan Royals in their opening game, but their approach backfired after that.Related
Rain knocks SRH out and hands DC a reprieve
Vettori: 'Conditions in Hyderabad weren't what we expected this year'
“There will definitely be some soul searching because you have to put into the equation what conditions dictate to you,” Varun Aaron said on the show. “You can’t be like, ‘You know, we’re going to play one style.’ Because if conditions don’t support you, you’re going to be found wanting, which they have been this year.”I think the best template is that of GT or MI. They have the players to combat conditions. They have two or three options in any condition given to them, but Sunrises, if the conditions didn’t favour them, they were always found wanting as a batting unit.”After the DC game, SRH head coach Daniel Vettori said the conditions in Hyderabad this year were not what they had expected, which made things difficult for their batters.”This is like the theme of the IPL – isn’t it? – give us the wicket we want,” Martin said. “But I think you have to be able to adjust the conditions. We have said that all year, all IPL and the best teams have done that. It’s been built around the personnel who can control the middle overs.”[Heinrich] Klaasen has struck and struck alright. Ishan [Kishan] and Abhishek [Sharma] had those big hundreds, but bowlers also work out what they need to do against batters like that. And I think the more exposure they’ve been getting, the more they have an idea of how to bowl to them. And I think being conditions-dependent, they [SRH batters] didn’t make those adjustments as well.”
Glasgow Rangers have new owners in the 49ers Enterprises, and they have already splashed the cash in the transfer market, but who is the current record signing at Ibrox?
Football FanCast has taken a look at Rangers’ most expensive signings in their history, with a detailed look at the top 10.
Rangers’ most expensive signings of all time
Rank
Player
Fee
Signed from
Year
1
Tore Andre Flo
£12m
Chelsea
2000
2
Youssef Chermiti
£8m
Everton
2025
3
Ryan Kent
£7m
Liverpool
2019
4
Michael Ball
£6.5m
Everton
2001
=5
Mikel Arteta
£6m
Barcelona
2002
=5
Danilo
£6m
Feyenoord
2023
7
Andrey Kanchelskis
£5.5m
Fiorentina
1998
8
Giovanni van Bronckhorst
£5.25m
Feyenoord
1998
=9
Arthur Numan
£4.5m
PSV Eindhoven
1998
=9
Barry Ferguson
£4.5m
Blackburn Rovers
2005
=9
Bert Konterman
£4.5m
Feyenoord
2000
=9
Oscar Cortes
£4.5m
Lens
2025
=9
Ronald de Boer
£4.5m
Barcelona
2000
=9
Cyriel Dessers
£4.5m
Cremonese
2023
=15
Paul Gascoigne
£4.3m
Lazio
1995
=15
Mohamed Diomande
£4.3m
Nordsjaelland
2024
17
Gaby Amato
£4.2m
RCD Mallorca
1998
=18
Michael Mols
£4m
FC Utrecht
1999
=18
Duncan Ferguson
£4m
Dundee United
1993
=18
Kemar Roofe
£4m
Anderlecht
2020
=18
Lorenzo Amoruso
£4m
Fiorentina
1997
Here's a detailed look at Rangers' 10 most expensive signings…
10
Barry Ferguson
£4.5m from Blackburn Rovers
One of six players to cost a reported £4.5m was iconic Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson. The Scot came through the Ibrox academy before moving to the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers in 2003.
He’d return to Glasgow in 2005, though, and in total, Ferguson would end his Rangers career with more than 400 appearances and 15 major honours.
9
Arthur Numan
£4.5m from PSV Eindhoven
Arthur Numan also cost £4.5m from PSV Eindhoven in 1998.
The full-back ended his playing career in Scotland in 2003, winning 10 major honours at Ibrox under Dick Advocaat and Alex McLeish. Since then, Numan has gone into scouting for the likes of Aston Villa and AZ Alkmaar.
8
Giovanni van Bronckhorst
£5.25m from Feyenoord
Giovanni van Bronckhorst
Versatile left-back Giovanni van Bronckhorst already knew Advocaat from his youth days and moved to Rangers from Feyenoord in 1998. The Dutch defender would spend three years at Ibrox before moving to Arsenal in 2001, with the Gers making a profit in the process.
Van Bronckhorst would return to Rangers as manager in 2021, lasting 12 months before being sacked despite leading them to the Europa League final.
7
Andrey Kanchelskis
£5.5m from Fiorentina
Russian winger Andrey Kanchelskis returned to the UK after spells with Man Utd and Everton in 1998, joining from Italian side Fiorentina.
Kanchelskis won six major honours at Ibrox before moving to Southampton in 2002.
6
Danilo
£6m from Feyenoord
Centre-forward Danilo made the move to Scotland with Rangers in 2023, costing £6m from Feyenoord.
The Brazilian is under contract at Ibrox until 2028, and he has now made more appearances for the Gers than any other club.
5
Mikel Arteta
£6m from Barcelona
Rangers were the first of three British clubs during Mikel Arteta’s playing career, sealing a move from Barcelona back in 2002.
The midfielder was just 20 years of age at the time and spent two years in Scotland before returning to Spain with Real Sociedad. He’d go on to become a regular in the Premier League for Everton and Arsenal and has managed the Gunners since 2019.
4
Michael Ball
£6.5m from Everton
Rangers splashed the cash on left-back Michael Ball in 2001 from Everton, however, his four-year stay in Scotland had several controversies.
Ball was fined after a Glasgow derby altercation with Advocaat, and years later, a clause in the transfer resulted in Rangers and Everton being embroiled in a legal battle which meant the player was left out of the squad for months.
3
Ryan Kent
£7m from Liverpool
Glasgow Rangers forward Ryan Kent.
After an impressive spell on loan in Glasgow during the 2018/19 season, Rangers signed winger Ryan Kent on a permanent transfer from Liverpool for a reported £7m.
The Gers and then-manager Steven Gerrard pipped Leeds United to a deal for the Englishman, who would go on to make more than 200 appearances for the club. He left for Fenerbahce in 2023 when his contract expired, but remains the Gers’ most expensive signing in nearly 20 years.
2
Youssef Chermiti
£8m from Everton
The 49ers’ marquee signing in their first transfer window at Rangers was Youssef Chermiti, with the young forward costing around £8m from Everton.
The Portuguese forward never scored for Everton in 24 appearances and was previously on the books at Sporting CP.
1
Tore Andre Flo
£12m from Chelsea
Former Rangers striker Tore Andre Flo.
Comfortably top of the table is striker Tore Andre Flo, who has held the title of Rangers’ record signing for more than 20 years.
The Norwegian swapped Stamford Bridge for Ibrox in 2000 and spent close to two years in Scotland. Flo scored on his debut against Celtic and would net 38 goals in all competitions before being sold to Sunderland in summer 2002.
أشاد خافيير ماسكيرانو مدرب إنتر ميامي، بجوردي ألبا الظهير الأيسر، والذي سيعتزل كرة القدم، ووصفه بأنه أحد أفضل اللاعبين في التاريخ.
وكان ألبا قد سجل هدفًا في فوز إنتر ميامي ضد أتلانتا يونايتد، يوم السبت، برباعية نظيفة، وسيسدل الستار على مسيرته مع نهاية موسم ميامي في الدوري الأمريكي لكرة القدم.
وكان ألبا قد استمتع بفترة مميزة مع إنتر ميامي في الولايات المتحدة، إلى جانب ليونيل ميسي وسيرجيو بوسكيتس، ويشعر ماسكيرانو بالحزن باعتزال ألبا حيث كان يلعب بجانبه في وقت سابق والآن أصبح مدربه في ميامي.
اقرأ أيضاً.. سكالوني يعلن موقف ميسي من المشاركة ضد بورتوريكو بعد الفوز على فنزويلا
وقال ماسكيرانو في تصريحات نقلتها “بي إن سبورت”: “إنه لشرف لي، أنا وألبا وبوسكيتس، أن أتمكن من العودة لهما بعد سبع سنوات وأوصل العيش معهما يوم بيوم وأتشارك معهم يوم بيوم”.
وأضاف: “للأسف ربما أكون آخر مدرب لهما وهذا يشعرني بالحنين للماضي، لقد كان ألبا من أفضل اللاعبين في التاريخ”.
وأشاد ماسكيرانو بميسي في المباراة التي تألق فيها مع ميامي ونجح في تسجيل هدفين وصناعة هدف: “قبل مباراة منتخب الأرجنتين يوم الجمعة تحدثت مع سكالوني وقال لا، إنه لن يشرك ميسي وسيجلسه على دكة البدلاء، تحدثت مع ليو لمعرفة إذا كان بإمكانه اللعب”.
وختم: “كان القرار قرار ميسي وقد رأى أنها فرصة سانحة، إذا لم يكن سيلعب ضد فنزويلا فإننا يمكننا الاستعانة به، ليو كان مستعدا لذلك، هو رمز ولاعب مميز للغاية ورغم أنه لم يتدرب الأسبوع الماضي فقد رأينا ما فعله، لقد ساعدنا على الفوز وسجل وكان ذلك مهماً له”.
Tottenham Hotspur are now expected to make a new approach to sign an “incredible” summer target once the January transfer window opens, it has been revealed.
Spurs set to renew efforts to sign major summer target
Tottenham suffered their fair share of setbacks during the summer transfer window, with Arsenal most notably hijacking the deal for Eberechi Eze, but Thomas Frank has made it clear he is very happy with the addition of alternative signing Xavi Simons.
Frank said: “I think he can bring on a day where I can say our structure building up and all that because it’s not only about that, then sometimes you need a player that can do something (clicks his fingers) a little bit out of nothing,”
“Go past the player, produce a cross, a shot, a pass, with that extra quality that you need on the day, and that’s what I think he can bring.”
Simons is undoubtedly an exciting signing, having performed very well in the Bundesliga last season, chipping in with ten goals and seven assists in 25 appearances for RB Leipzig.
However, the Dutchman was far from Spurs’ first-choice target, with Fabrizio Romano revealing they had agreed a deal to sign Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White at a much earlier stage in the transfer window.
The £60m move fell through, with the England international ultimately opting to renew his contract at The City Ground, but that may not be the end of the story…
According to a report from Caught Offside, Tottenham are expected to make a new approach for Gibbs-White in the January transfer window, with the Forest midfielder’s future still up in the air.
The 25-year-old is set to consider his options once again this winter, with Aston Villa, West Ham United and Newcastle United also credited as interested parties.
Signing "incredible" Gibbs-White would be crazy twist
It would undoubtedly be a crazy twist if Tottenham were able to get a deal over the line this winter, given all the drama that unfolded this summer, with the move falling through after questions were raised about how the north Londoners discovered the release clause.
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Any move is likely to hinge upon how Simons adapts to life in the Premier League, given that the Netherlands international operates in the same position, although there have been suggestions Spurs’ new signing may need to improve some aspects of his game.
Former West Ham coach Edu Rubio said: “He can add goals to the team too, but he may struggle at times with his weakest foot.
“He may need to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League, but there is no doubt he is a very exciting modern attacker with a lot to offer.”
That said, despite being lauded as “incredible” by ESPN’s Janusz Michallik, it would be a surprise to see Tottenham move for Gibbs-White, given that their relations with Evangelos Marinakis probably aren’t at an all-time high.
A £20m Arsenal player who Mikel Arteta called “exceptional” now “wants to leave”, and a move across Europe is “very likely”.
Arteta praises his side after victory at Old Trafford
The fixture list handed the Gunners a tricky start to the 2025-26 campaign, as travelling to Old Trafford is always a daunting task, but Arteta’s side got the job done courtesy of a first-half header from Riccardo Calafiori, and the manager was pleased with the performance.
The Spaniard was particularly impressed with his side’s “phenomenal” display from a defensive standpoint, while he also praised the way in which they were able to handle the occasion, given the raucous atmosphere at Old Trafford.
William Saliba and Gabriel were, of course, at the heart of the defence, as the centre-back duo usually are if they are both fit, which means the north Londoners’ back-up options only receive limited game time.
That may not be too much of an issue for younger players, such as new signing Cristhian Mosquera, but defenders in the prime of their career are unlikely to want to play second fiddle.
As such, there is a feeling that Jakub Kiwior could now be heading for the exit door this summer, with Włodarczyk recently taking to X to reveal the Polish defender “wants to leave”, amid interest from FC Porto.
In fact, a move to the Liga Portugal club is deemed “very likely”, as they “haven’t given up”, after submitting an official offer back in July.
The 25-year-old, who joined the Gunners for £20m back in 2023, was left out of the squad that travelled to Old Trafford, and talks over an exit are currently “ongoing”.
Losing "exceptional" Kiwior could be blow for Arteta
Given that Saliba and Gabriel are almost nailed on to start in the Premier League if they are available, it is always going to be a difficult task for the Poland international to force his way into the side, but he has impressed when given the opportunity.
Indeed, with Gabriel sidelined due to injury, the former Spezia man was given the nod against Paris Saint-Germain the Champions League semi-final last season, and he certainly caught Arteta’s eye with his performance.
The Arsenal boss said: “He deserves a lot of credit because he hasn’t played too much throughout many months, and suddenly he’s been thrown into the most difficult context, at the highest level, playing against the best opponents, when you haven’t had the physical rhythm or the confidence to do it, and I think he’s been exceptional.”
Dependable back-up options are hard to come by, so it would be disappointing to lose Kiwior this summer, although not the end of the world, given Mosquera’s arrival.
Leeds United had a problem between the posts last season. First-choice goalkeeper Illan Meslier had an inconsistent campaign, despite keeping 21 clean sheets and conceding just 27 goals in 39 Championship games. As per Sofascore, he had a save percentage of 70.1%.
However, he made constant errors throughout the season. One of those came against Sunderland, where he failed to catch a ball slowly bouncing towards him in the penalty box, allowing the ball to shoot through his hands and into the back of the net. Former Leeds player Aidy White told BBC Radio Leeds that his old club have “got to drop” the Frenchman.
Leeds United's IllanMeslier
So, it might not come as a surprise that Daniel Farke’s side are after a new goalkeeper this summer, with a couple of names seemingly on their shortlist.
Leeds target new goalkeeper
So, it seems the Whites are definitely in the market for a new shot stopper this summer. After some poor mistakes from Meslier last term, Farke appears to want a new number one. According to a recent report from TEAMTalk, Yahia Fofana of Ligue 1 side Angers is an option.
However, he is not the only goalkeeper from the French top flight that Leeds are targeting. The same report suggests that the Yorkshire side’s number one target is Lyon’s Brazilian shot-stopper Lucas Perri. He has been described as a ‘prime target’ for the Whites.
TEAMTalk clarify that ‘contact has been made’ with the Brazilian’s camp already, having ‘caught the attention of Leeds’ recruitment team’ after impressing for Lyon. A fee of around £20m could be enough to secure his services this summer.
Why Perri would be a good signing
27-year-old Perri got a big move to Europe back in 2024, after impressing in the Brazilian top flight, most recently with Botafogo. He has since gone on to perform well in a Lyon shirt, which seems to have certainly piqued Leeds’ interest.
Last term for Les Gones, Perri, who was born in Valinhos, just outside of Sao Paulo, made 45 appearances across all competitions in 2024/25. In that time, he conceded 60 goals and kept 13 clean sheets.
Looking at Ligue 1 specifically, his numbers are impressive. He played 33 top-flight games, conceding 44 times and keeping ten clean sheets. Football analyst Ben Mattinson described him as “one of the best” in his position when he was at Botafogo, and it is not hard to see why, looking at those numbers.
Of course, Leeds have a good history when it comes to buying Brazilian talents from Ligue 1. Former winger Raphinha, who is now tearing things up in La Liga with Barcelona, is “ahead” in the race for the Ballon d’Or, according to the legendary Thierry Henry.
Leeds fans will never forget the contributions he put in at Elland Road before his move to Barca. In two seasons at the club, he scored 17 goals and grabbed 12 assists.
That included one last vital goal, a penalty away to Brentford in his final game for the club, which helped Leeds stay in the Premier League.
The Elland Road faithful would surely love to find the second coming of Raphinha in Perri. The track record of newly-promoted clubs staying in the top flight is not good recently, with all six sides going straight back down in the last two years.
However, the stats from Squawka suggest he is a goalkeeper who can help keep them in the Premier League. Perri had a 72.5% save percentage, higher than Meslier’s last season, and averaged 3.6 saves per 90 minutes in 2024/25.
Save percentage
72.5%
72.5%
Clean sheets
10
0.4
Long passes completed
122
3.7
Goals conceded
44
1.4
Saves made
116
3.6
Raphinha was the hero for Leeds at one end of the pitch during his spell at the club. If Farke’s side can secure the services of another Brazilian star from Ligue 1 in Perri, perhaps he could have the same impact as his countryman at the other end.
For just £20m, this could be a fantastic addition for Leeds. The “undervalued” talent – as described by Mattinson – would represent an upgrade on Meslier and could be a key part in their survival.
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