However, what if the issue is not even about finding Fernandes a partner, what if the problem is Fernandes himself, and the fact that the 31-year-old is not suited to a central midfield role?
Scholes: play Fernandes where he does the damage
While many have tiptoed around the idea that Fernandes in central midfield is not working, Paul Scholes has not.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the United legend sent a clear message to Amorim:
“He is the most creative player on the team; he should be playing as the No. 10, there is no doubt about that.
“But he is being asked to do something different. It’s normal for a No. 10 like him to fill in for two or three games when someone’s injured or suspended. But then you get bored of constantly dropping back to defend.”
Why it is not working
Having experienced a similar positional shift himself, Scholes explained why the transition from No 10 to central midfield can be problematic:
“Defending was never my strong point. I didn’t enjoy having to think about it. As a No. 10, you’re focused on getting your team to play, creating chances, scoring goals.”
Fernandes may offer value as a deep-lying playmaker, but his defensive shortcomings are costing United.
Of the seven goals they have conceded, Fernandes has been directly at fault for two when he has failed to track his runners.
Against Fulham, his lapse allowed Emile Smith Rowe to score the equaliser in a 1-1 draw. Then against City, he failed to follow Phil Foden’s run, giving the No 47 space to break the deadlock in that 3-0 derby defeat.
Fernandes in central midfield is a defensive liability. He needs to be restored to the No. 10 role, where he can do real damage.
Amorim, stubborn as he may be, must heed the calls to return Fernandes to his natural position. It could be the tactical shift United need to rediscover their edge.
With Bruno as a number 10 option, he could rotate with new signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. Amorim can then deploy a more defensive midfield pivot, one that shores up United’s back line, until INEOS finally delivers the midfielder he wants.
Manchester United loanee Andre Onana enjoyed a strong start to life at Trabzonspor, despite the side falling to a 1-0 loss at the hands of Fenerbahce.
Last week, United confirmed that Onana had completed a loan switch to Trabzonspor, where he will spend the 2025/26 season.
United made the decision to let him leave after it became apparent that he was no longer in Ruben Amorim’s thinking. The deadline-day singing of Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp all but confirmed this position.
Onana started in Trabzonspor’s meeting with Fenerbahce on Sunday and produced an impressive performance for his side, who were reduced to 10 men. Onana certainly didn’t cover himself in glory for Youssef En-Nesyri’s goal, but it could have been much worse for the visitors without some of his interventions.
Onana’s performance
Onana prevented 1.76 goals. He made an impressive four saves from inside the box.
He stepped off his line twice and dealt with both situations well, while also making a couple of high claims that eased the pressure on his new teammates.
The Cameroonian touched the ball 57 times and managed to pick out a Trabzonspor player with 19 of the 38 passes he attempted. He aimed 31 long balls and connected with 12 of these.
The loss was a costly one for Onana and Trabzonspor, as it saw them slip down to third, with Fenerbahçe now assuming second place.
However, the United loanee will undoubtedly be looking to build on the positives ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Gaziantep. Sofascore named him the man-of-the-match against Fenerbahce.
Enzo Kana-Biyik’s performance
Another United loanee who was in action on Sunday was Enzo Kana-Biyik, who came on from the bench as INEOS-owned FC Lausanne Sport fell to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Grasshopper Club Zurich.
Muhannad Al-Saad’s goal only proved to be a consolation prize for Lausanne Sport, who were already down three goals by the time he found the back of the net.
Kana-Biyik was afforded 36 minutes and during that period, completed two of the three dribbles he embarked on and delivered six of the nine passes he attempted. One was a key pass.
The 18-year-old was brilliant defensively, winning six of the nine ground duels he delved into. He also contributed four tackles and made one clearance.
Ruben Amorim has hinted Benjamin Sesko will start in the Manchester Derby tomorrow.
The Manchester United head coach was facing the media in the embargoed section of the pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s match.
Asked about Sesko, he said:
“Maybe against City, it is a good moment for him to start the game.”
The subject then moved to Kobbie Mainoo and the fact the young star came close to leaving in the summer.
“And sometimes I think for some guys it’s enough. For him, it’s not enough. Maybe it’s not fair, but I think I’m helping Kobbie Mainoo and that’s it.
He will have opportunities like the other guys. If I feel during the week that he’s the best player to play, he’s going to play and I proved that already to every player here.
“I believe a lot in him. I have the same thing [opinion] that you have and that is a top, top player, but he can be so much better, so I’m focused on that.”
“I believe a lot in Kobbie. But some of you think Kobbie is done, but I think he can be so much better.
“He is a top, top player, but I think he can be better than that.”
The head coach was asked what he feels Mainoo needs to improve to earn a regular place in the side.
“I think he needs the technical ability he has, but more pace,” he replied. “He needs to understand the position better, to play in different speeds. Sometimes it’s lower, sometimes it’s faster. I think he can improve on that.”
Amorim’s comments in the first section of the presser can be read here.
Manchester United allowed Christian Eriksen to leave on a free upon the expiration of his contract in the summer.
After enjoying a fantastic six months in his first season in Manchester, Andy Carroll’s horrific challenge saw him pick up a knee injury.
Upon his return, he was no longer the same player. He notched 10 assists and two goals in his first season, before his form dropped off in his subsequent campaign as he managed only one goal and three assists.
His pace decreased further, and Ruben Amorim was forced to cast him aside. While the Red Devils failed to sign a replacement, the Denmark international has found himself a new club.
And as revealed by Bild, the ex-Tottenham Hotspur maestro agreed to take a massive pay cut to seal a move to the Bundesliga.
He was getting paid €10 million per year at Old Trafford, and now, he will earn €3.5 million, which is not even the club’s highest wage packet.
And the FA Cup winner with United had far more lucrative offers from both the MLS and Saudi Pro League, yet he wanted to remain in Europe and play at the highest level.
“According to BILD, the Danish record international player is said to earn around €3.5 million gross per season. However, this doesn’t put him among the Wolves’ top earners; captain Maximilian Arnold (31) is the top earner with an estimated €5 million.
Wage details
“Eriksen had recently been keeping fit at Swedish club Malmö FF. At the same time, the playmaker had numerous clubs on their radar, including teams from the desert, the USA, and English second-division side Wrexham. Eriksen chose Wolfsburg – and foregoes the money for that.
“According to BILD, the right-footer reportedly earned around €10 million per year at Manchester United (2022 to 2025). In comparison, he earns around 65 percent less at the current sixth-placed Bundesliga club.
“A significant cut at this level, one that could have been avoided with a move to the desert or the USA. But Eriksen wanted to join the Wolves!”
That means more time on the training pitch for Ruben Amorim, but the lack of games both in the cup and in Europe means a huge revenue shortfall.
Last season, Sir Jim Ratcliffe had spoken of the financial difficulties staring the club in the face, which forced the co-owners to cut jobs.
Lucrative mid-season plan in the offing
INEOS also arranged a post-season tour of Asia, which not too many players were happy with, but it did help raise £7.8 million. And this campaign, the club could partake in mid-season friendlies abroad to boost their cash reserves as per The Sun.
The 20-time English league champions are in talks with several clubs in Europe, including AC Milan, RB Leipzig, Lazio and Sevilla, who are all in the same boat as the Old Trafford side.
“Manchester United could use midweek friendlies abroad to help fill the club’s financial blackhole after failing to qualify for Europe this season.
“United’s failure to qualify for Europe, followed by their shock Carabao Cup exit at Grimsby means the Old Trafford side have just ONE midweek fixture – the December 3 home game with West Ham – before Christmas.
“But SunSport can exclusively reveal that Ruben Amorim’s side might make the most of their extra preparation time by facing off against a host of top European sides in a string of mid-season friendlies.
How will players react?
“With United potentially having eight days between Prem games outside of the three autumn international breaks, semi-competitive friendlies could give the squad a chance to prepare for more high-quality football.
“The Premier League strugglers could set up matches against the likes of AC Milan, RB Leipzig, Lazio and Sevilla – who all failed to secure European football this term.”
While these matches would provide the fringe players and the recently-recovered players the chance to get minutes into their legs, it poses a serious injury risk to key players.
Sponsorship reasons often dictates team selection during such games, and it will be interesting to see how Amorim and his players react if such a move is indeed greenlit by INEOS.
Legendary Manchester United defender Paul Parker is happy the club has brought in a new goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, even though he would have preferred a more experienced option.
Speaking exclusively to The Peoples Person courtesy of WhichBookie, Parker explained why sending Andre Onana on loan to Trabzonspor is the right decision by INEOS.
Back to basics
“Getting him out of the club’s a good thing,” he said. “You couldn’t have him around with the new young goalkeeper coming in, because you just don’t know how he was going to be with him.
“I’d rather see out with the old and in with the new, even if it’s only a loan. You want the young lad to come in. He’s 22 years of age. 22 years of age goalkeeper now is not the same as a 22-year-old goalkeeper from 10, 20 years ago. Different mentality.
“I’m hoping this lad is quite strong mentally. Goalkeepers generally grow up very, very quick. But you have to be stupid as well. You have to be stupid to dive at people’s feet!
“I don’t want a good-looking goalkeeper. You want someone who looks like a goalkeeper, with good hands, and presents himself as a goalkeeper. He doesn’t go around talking about keeping passes to the minimum, playing on the edge, passing through the back. No! Save the ball! Catch it!
“When a corner’s coming, don’t allow different coloured shirts to affect your judgment on where the ball’s going to and where it’s coming from. See the ball at all times. That’s what you want. And when you save it, don’t push it back to where it comes from. Try and catch it.
“When you go to punch, try and punch in a manner that you’re not going to take out players and allow VAR to give penalties.”
Mentality is everything
The former England man said that signing Lammens carries a lot of risk.
“So, I would say this new goalkeeper, he’s number two in Belgium, but …we’ve signed a number one from Turkey, that didn’t work out, did it, really?”
Parker added that he would have rather United had signed Emiliano Martinez or Gianluigi Donnarumma, “because of their coolness, because they both had presence.”
On the other hand, he conceded that “they’ve got somebody who’s hungry, they’ve looked at longevity and gone down that road, which is absolutely perfect. You get a really good young goalkeeper who will have his moments if he’s young, but still you can bounce off the back of them. Somebody who wants to improve.”
Panic at the Cottage
Parker mentioned the emotion generated in United’s first two Premier League matches against Arsenal and Fulham and Altay Bayindir’s performance under pressure.
“You need a presence in there who’s got stature. If he is being blocked off, he’s big enough to say a knee in the back ain’t going to hurt too much.
“Just the presence will make a difference rather than what we saw when Arsenal played.
“Fulham put a corner in the box every time and it was frightening. I was commentating on the game. I think people thought I was on a helter skelter. Just the noises that might have been going through the mic every time Fulham and Arsenal got corners!
“There was a panic on there, there was a panic. It was everything, everything was scary. “
Although the 61-year-old said that Martinez or Donnarumma would have brought immediate presence, he noted that either would have been a relatively short-term fix and said he hoped the club were making a similar shrewd investment on a young keeper as they had in the past.
“It was that £600,000 I think Pete[r Schmeichel] was. And look what happened to him. So you really don’t know.
“And Pete, as you know, Pete still is, but was, ambitious. All you hope is that Lammens has got that little bit in him to want to be a Schmeichel, to want to be a Van der Sar as well…he’s got that body shape hasn’t he? That greyhound look.”
“Whereas you look at Onana, he’s a whole box of muscles. No great agility in that way, no movement, just a bundle of muscles. Today’s goalkeepers are lean. Let’s hope he’s mean.”
Andre Onana might not be the only Manchester United star to be headed to Turkiye before the transfer window slams shut.
As per YS TV reporter Reşat Can Özbudak, Eyüpspor have reached an agreement with Manchester United for the loan transfer of Tyrell Malacia.
The only thing pending is the left-back’s green light. Once it arrives, the lone member of the bomb squad will be packing his bags and heading to the Turkish Super Lig.
“Exclusive: Eyüpspor has reached an agreement with Manchester United for the loan transfer of Tyrell Malacia.
Malacia off to Turkiye
“The player’s decision is pending!,” the journalist wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The 26-year-old even won the Eredivisie there, but the league champions chose not to permanently acquire the defender due to his unimpressive displays back at his homeland.
Tyrell Malacia has no future under Amorim, who tried to play him at left wingback on occasions last season, but the former Feyenoord ace struggled big time.
Turkiye’s transfer window remains open till September 12, and INEOS will be hoping to agree all the formalities by then.
The Netherlands international’s deal is up at the end of the season, so the Red Devils can only earn a fee if Eyüpspor agree to sign him permanently in January.
But at least, INEOS will save a reported £3.9 million on wages (via capology) should the Turkish side agree to pay his full salary. Details should be out soon.
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has pulled no punches in his assessment of Andre Onana’s imminent departure.
Onana set to leave United
Onana’s future was the subject of speculation during the summer transfer window, despite United’s insistence that they were not actively looking to offload him.
However, once the season started, it became apparent that Onana had lost his place in the starting XI to Altay Bayindir, who was named in goal for all three of the club’s Premier League fixtures.
Onana was given a chance to reclaim his spot when he started against Grimsby Town but he failed spectacularly, making mistakes for both goals that the League Two side netted in the first half, while also saving just one of the 13 penalties that were taken in the penalty shootout as United came crashing out of the EFL Cup.
The Cameroonian’s fate was all but sealed after United completed a deadline-day swoop for Senne Lammens.
Turkish side Trabzonspor tabled an offer for Onana, which United accepted. The Red Devils left it up to Onana to make the final decision on his future and after some deliberation, he accepted the terms that were put on the table.
A report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that Onana stands to earn far more at Trabzonspor than he did at United, thanks to a hefty signing bonus and performance-related incentives.
The shot-stopper is expected to travel to Turkey on Thursday to officially seal the switch.
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Ferdinand expressed his satisfaction with the ruthless manner in which United moved Onana out of the club.
Ferdinand’s take on Onana’s exit
Ferdinand said, “I think [Omar [Berrada], who is running the football operations at the club, I think he’s made the point that they’re not going to have players sitting around that are not worthy of being at the football club anymore.”
“They’re not going to have players that either aren’t good enough, haven’t performed well enough or are not the right people to be at the football club. He’s not going to have them around like bad smells. I think, for far too long, we’ve had at that at the football club.”
“We’ve been forced to keep players because of bad financial situations that the club have put us in with players and we’ve had to keep them here, sit with them and had to suffer some of these players.”
Ferdinand continued, “I think this is a step in the right direction. As happy as I am with the players that are coming in and providing a difference in terms of speed, dynamism, pace and goal threat, I’m as pleased, if not more, with the way they’ve got players out that the club deemed weren’t right to be there.”
“That side of it has been as important, if not more, than the incoming players because I think it sends out a fantastic message and a strong message to the players that are there: you ain’t hanging about here if you ain’t what we want.”
“That’s what it should be like at every club. If you’re not right for the football club, you’ve got to get out. That’s why I’m so strong on it when a player wants to go, he should be able to force and go… I think it should work both ways.”
United are back in action on Sunday when they face cross-town rivals Manchester City at the Etihad.
Manchester United were left scrambling for midfield cover in the closing stages of the summer window, after it emerged that a move for Carlos Baleba was not feasible.
Ruben Amorim had made it clear to the INEOS hierarchy that the Brighton and Hove Albion star was the perfect fit for his tactical style.
Intermediaries opened contact but in the end, the Seagulls’ valuation meant a move never materialised, with the United co-owners opting to splurge big on improving the attack instead.
Surprisingly, the 20-time English league champions had enquired with Chelsea over the availability of Romeo Lavia (UiF via Football Fancast).
The Belgian is currently sidelined, and has terribly unlucky with injuries since his €62 million move from Southampton to Chelsea back in 2023.
He has missed almost 70 games but Enzo Maresca is clearly a fan, as he refused to sanction the 21-year-old’s exit.
“Manchester United did plenty of work on potential midfield options towards the end of the window, as we know. Speaking to sources, away from the likes of Baleba, Hjulmand and Gallagher – another they did ask about was Lavia.
Lavia talks
“Lavia is a very interesting option and not one Chelsea thought about letting go am told, but let’s see what happens with him. Andrey Santos has come in now too, things could be different in January.”
However, once he does come back, it will not be easy for him to reclaim a starting berth given the options at Maresca’s disposal, which is why there is a chance of a January departure, even if on an initial loan.
The Peoples Person has relayed United’s plans of trying again for the former Manchester City academy graduate should he regain his fitness. Whether Chelsea will agree to let him join a direct rival remains to be seen.
INEOS’ main priority will obviously be to try and sign Baleba in a record deal in the winter. Hopefully, quality can be added to the squad then.
Roughly 3,000 visiting supporters take up their place in the bottom corner of the Anfield Road End every other week in the Premier League, but some are noisier (and sounder) than others.
Factoring in general volume, chant creativity and class, here’s our guide to the best and worst away fans the top flight has to offer…
I quite enjoy that they appear to have leaned into their reputation as upper-class train snack enjoyers, but when the whistle goes, they might as well not be there.
18. Burnley
I haven’t got much for this one, sorry! Very football league, very on brand.
Their fans had a go when they gave us a little scare in February, but it’s never been a fixture that feels you with much dread.
17. Chelsea
They’ve got more songs about Steven Gerrard than we have which, given the success they’ve enjoyed since 2005, smacks of insecurity.
Of the traditional ‘big six’ clubs, they’ve definitely got the least about them as far as travelling support is concerned.
16. Bournemouth
The novelty of their almighty climb up the English football pyramid appears to have worn off as they have been pretty tame upon recent jaunts to L4.
There is plenty to like about Bournemouth and their fans have always been gracious towards us, but aside from their Dominic Solanke chant of a few years ago, I’m not sure I could name you a Bournemouth song.
15. Tottenham
They’ve been present at two of the biggest days of our lives and, judging by how long they stayed behind when we won the league, they didn’t seem to mind!
A couple of decent songs and relatively inoffensive, this seems a fair enough place to put them.
14. Wolves
They get very noisy and angry if a VAR decision goes against them because they’re convinced it was designed to ruin their lives.
They do have a few catchy tunes, and then there’s the ones they’ve not copied from us.
13. Arsenal
Speaking of pinching songs!
Real-life Arsenal fans should by no means be tarred with the same brush as those you encounter online, but their sub-par Anfield record across the last decade seems to have left a few scars.
For all his flaws, Mikel Arteta has raised the bar at the Emirates somewhat. Whether that translates on the road with some proper silverware remains to be seen. We might never find out, at this rate!
12. West Ham
Certainly not as good or as important as they seem to think they are, but also one of the capital’s louder sets of fans, in fairness.
Judging by their team over the first couple of weeks of the season, though, we might get a little break from them after this season!
11. Man City
While their home support lends itself to jibes and stadium nicknames like ‘The Emptihad’, the core group of matchgoing Man City supporters appear to have survived the Sheikh Mansour revolution and all its ill-fated cultural trimmings.
They are by no means the nicest bunch, but they do know how to make themselves heard, more than making up the numbers at some of the Premier League‘s greatest-ever clashes.
You won’t catch me doing the Poznan nonsense at Oasis later this month, though.
10. Sunderland
It has been far too long since the Mackems have rocked up to the Anfield Road End and, if I’m honest, I’ve had to dig deep into the memory bank in order to afford them a fair rating.
It will be no picnic when they arrive in December, but for me, they have always been slightly dwarfed by their northeast neighbours.
They won’t like to hear that, don’t grass me up!
9. Aston Villa
On their day, Aston Villa fans are among the best in the division.
For whatever reason, it has been a little more hit and miss in recent years. Still, the evidence has been sufficient to land them a top half place on this occasion.
8. Brentford
Unacquainted observers might reasonably assume singing about your own team comes as a prerequisite, but the Brentford faithful are a breath of fresh air in that regard.
Still basking in the glory of jumping two divisions in less than a decade and locking down a stable top-flight slot, the Bees are among the most likeable supporters in the league.
7. Everton
It is difficult to compare those turning up for a derby to those attending on more ‘normal’ occasions, though the pre-determined misery often inflicted upon them at Anfield isn’t particularly conducive to showing defiance across the park.
That grown adults still turn their backs towards YNWA is in fact really funny, but the 3,000 that made the short trip prior to the Bramley Moore move certainly haven’t left quite the same footprint on proceedings that tended to hamper us at the Old Lady.
6. Nottingham Forest
One of the loudest sets of away fans in the league, sometimes let down by chants that ought to be beneath them.
The banner condemning tragedy chanting presented at our home meeting in 2023 was certainly a welcome step in the right direction.
5. Man United
It pains me to do this, but it is hard to deny that our Mancunian neighbours travel better than most.
While the fun continues to be drained by Jim Ratcliffe (and long may that continue, by the way), Man United supporters continue to show up and make themselves known – certainly more than the players, anyway!
They remained in the ground during that famous 7-0 whooping a lot longer than I would have done in their shoes.
It might be a while before we see them this high up an actual table, so I suppose we should give them something!
4. Newcastle
They have become a bit annoying and picked up ideas above their station since coming into wealth, but this is unquestionably one of the most passionate fanbases in the entire country.
It would appear being topless or sporting an official club jersey are the only two acceptable methods of meeting the dress code, but the noise certainly offsets some of the weirdness.
3. Brighton
It is difficult to find much to dislike about Brighton.
Their fans are great. They have built a top-flight team about as organically as the 21st century will permit and, I’ll say it again, they sing about their own team. Plus points for that, always.
2. Leeds
Not especially pleasant, but Leeds fans will always bring the noise and their showing during the 6-0 thrashing in 2022 has always stuck with me.
Like them or loathe them, Leeds are a club that belong in the Premier League and it will be an occasion, one way or another, when we welcome them back to Anfield over Christmas.
1. Crystal Palace
If Liverpool ceased to exist and I had to pick another Premier League team to care about, I think I’d go with Crystal Palace.
A really good bunch. No club deserved the day they had at Wembley in May more than they did and they bring the pugnacious, vibrant energy from Selhurst Park every time they come.
I’ll say it one more time, they sing about their own team and that goes a long way in this day and age. You won’t hear any of the usual nonsense from them, proper football club.
