In a surprising sporting story, ex-Manchester United forward Diego Forlan is set to restart his days as a professional athlete half a decade on from hanging up his boots – only this time it will be as a tennis star.
Former Man United striker Forlan, now 45 years old, played for the Red Devils between 2002 and 2004, going down as a bit of a cult hero among fans even with only just over a dozen goals for the club – mainly because of that one he scored against Liverpool.
The Uruguayan officially retired back in 2019 following a successful career that spanned nearly three decades, but now Uruguay’s 2010 World Cup Golden Boot winner is set to swap his studs for a tennis racquet this November.
At an age when the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are retiring from the sport, Forlan is getting back in action.
Former Manchester United forward Diego Forlan will make his professional tennis debut at next month’s Uruguay Open 🇺🇾😮 pic.twitter.com/5ZaSDzLXwm
While it might sound a little left-field at first, the fact is that before Diego Forlan the footballer who arrived in the Premier League just after the Millennium, the striker actually played plenty of tennis as a kid and at one point looked destined for tennis.
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It was only in his teens that he officially decided to direct all his attention towards the beautiful game and started his youth career at his boyhood club, Peñarol, before getting his first senior contract at Independiente in 1997.
After impressing in a number of amateur games, the former athlete will make his professional tennis debut alongside 32-year-old Federico Coria in a double event back in his home country.
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An official announcement from the tournament organisers reads: “Attention tennis and sports fans! This year at the Uruguay Open, we have an UNMISSABLE duo in doubles: Argentine tennis player Federico Coria and former Uruguayan football player Diego Forlan.”
Diego Forlán was 16 when he gave up tennis to focus on his football career.
Now 45, he’s playing tennis outside of Uruguay for the first time in his career and has dropped just three games in his last two matches on the ITF circuit in Lima. pic.twitter.com/mTpb7mOHRL
The Uruguay Open fixtures are at Challenger Tour level – the second-highest professional tier in tennis – but should Forlan and Argentine partner Coria progress, this could be the start of a whole new career who’s already enjoyed a lifetime as a professional athlete.
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If you look back through history, there have been all manner of sports personalities that have changed disciplines and gone on to have plenty of joy too.
Michael Jordan trying his hand at baseball, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson was an American footballer before a wrestler and even Stockport’s very own Paralympic hero Dame Sarah Storey was winning medals as a swimmer way before she became a cyclist.
We don’t know how serious the prospect of becoming a full-time professional tennis player is in his mind and his age will no doubt be a big factor but who knows, maybe Forlan will see the same fortune?
Featured Images — Ailura (via Wikimedia Commons)/Diego Forlan (via Instagram)
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Manchester City reach ‘agreement in principle’ to sign winger Antoine Semenyo
Danny Jones
Yes, if the latest reports are to be believed, Man City are further bolstering their offensive options with a deal for another wide forward in Bournemouth star, Antoine Semenyo, now virtually done.
Having emerged as one of the Premier League’s hottest properties over the past couple of years, Antoine Semenyo has gone from not only being an extremely prolific winger, but beyond a flavour of the month, with multiple teams expressing their interest in recent months.
That being said, despite being linked with local rivals Manchester United, current champions Liverpool and an already heavily staffed Chelsea side, it looks as though City have now won the race to sign Semenyo – one they seem to have been leading since the start.
According to sports journalists Ben Jacobs and Alex Crook, the Blues have now reached an ‘agreement in principle’ for the Ghanaian international, meaning it is merely just a case of crossing Ts and dotting Is.
🚨 BREAKING: Antoine Semenyo's move to Manchester City from Bournemouth is now agreed in principle. Clubs in process of drafting paperwork.
Clarity on Semenyo's move date expected in the next 24 hours.
As per the update on New Year’s Day (and the opening 24 hours of the 2026 January transfer window), the talkSPORT correspondents claim that while final personal terms are still to be fully confirmed, the deal is effectively done.
Semenyo’s release clause was set at £65 million, which is approximately the same figure they sold former striker Dominic Solanke to Spurs for, but inevitable add-ons and bonuses are likely to set a club record fee in terms of player sales.
Writing on social media, Crook said: “Semenyo move from #AFCB to #MCFC pretty much done now. Deal agreed in principle, and contracts being drafted by the two clubs.”
Moreover, Semenyo joining City could also set a few other dominoes in motion once officially over the line and fully announced…
However, it is also thought that manager Andoni Iraola’s insistence that the draw against Chelsea was “definitely not” his last game suggests that City fans will still have to wait some more before they see him in the sky blue strip.
The Cherries’ boss has been clear that he wants his attacking talisman to feature in their upcoming game against Arsenal this weekend.
As a result, this will most likely see completion of the albeit all but done transfer delayed even further, hence why Pep Guardiola and co. will have to wait to try him in the starting XI.
It’s also worth noting that although the 25-year-old made it clear he doesn’t just want somewhere he can win trophies, but has already named the Etihad Stadium as his desired destination, many have suggested that he could end up losing momentum amid the wealth of attackers being rotated.
Happy with the business, Blues? And as for you neutrals, do you think it’s the right next step for him?
Manchester United recall three youth academy players from loan moves
Danny Jones
Manchester United have recalled three academy graduates from their respective loan spells.
With the January transfer window now officially open and Man United facing a mini injury crisis, it’s possible that at least one of them could remain with the squad.
Based on the positions that the first team is currently suffering from absentees, it’s possible that a pair could be restored to the wider squad.
First and foremost of those is Toby Collyer, who made his debut last year and has already made a baker’s dozen appearances for the Red Devils.
As you can see, Championship outfit West Bromwich Albion confirmed that Collyer would be returning to his parent club on New Year’s Day 2026.
The 21-year-old Worthing-born and 251st United academy graduate could be a useful rotation option for Ruben Amorim for the rest of the season.
With creative cogs Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo currently out injured, not to mention Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, fellow youngster Jack Fletcher, and even once again fit defender Lisandro Martinez sharing roles in the middle of the park, the midfielder could come in handy.
Fletcher’s twin brother, Tyler (both sons of former player Darren Fletcher), could also be set to play his first game for his boyhood club very soon.
As for the other two youth players having their loans cut short, BBC Sport has reported that defender Sonny Aljofree and goalkeeper Elyh Harrison are being recalled to the Carrington Training Complex.
United have officially recalled Toby Collyer from his loan spell at West Brom. Will be a few similar moves this month with Elyh Harrison and Sonny Aljofree also coming back to the club. United exploring various loan exits in January #mufc
In addition to Collyer having his progress hampered by injury problems, Aljofree and Harrison simply haven’t enjoyed enough regular playing time.
Despite making promising starts, both Aljofree and Harrison haven’t been part of the starting XI for Notts County and Shrewsbury Town, respectively, since September.
Who do you think could stay for the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign and who do you think is likely to leave before the end of the month.
Beyond that, do you think Man United should bring anyone else in this winter?
Danny Jones -
22nd October 2024 
