Manchester United look to be moving closer to sealing their next signing of the summer, as talks to sign two potential new defenders are said to be making “progress”, but it is thought only a deal for one is likely to be completed.
The Red Devils already completed their first signing of the INEOS era after securing the services of Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee over the weekend, another addition to Man United’s gradually shifting forward line, but are keen to bolster their defensive ranks given the slate of injury problems last season.
With the likes of Raphaël Varane, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martinez and more all injured at one point or another throughout the previous campaign, players such as Casemiro and Sofyan Amrabat had to be deployed in defence – a situation they need to avoid this year.
As a result, two of the deals reported to be moving forward are for central defenders, Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt, though it seems the chances of United signing both are less probable.
🔴📰 | #mufc have achieved progress on both Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro, although the expectation is that only one of them will be signed. [@David_Ornstein] pic.twitter.com/430J4MVB3y
According to The Athletic‘s David Ornstein, “Progress has been achieved on each front recently, though the current expectation is they would recruit one or the other as opposed to both.”
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De Ligt has been an on and off target at Old Trafford for a number of years already, having emerged as a breakthrough star at Ajax and even being once tipped to become “the world’s best defender” by his former manager, Erik ten Hag, so a reunion would make a lot of sense.
However, the 24-year-old hasn’t quite maintained his best form since leaving the Netherlands, first joining Juventus and then Bayern Munich, where he’s struggled to play his very best football.
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LOSC Lille centre-back Yoro, on the other hand, looks to be a very promising teenage talent whose career is just getting underway and has already attracted interest from various clubs across Europe, though it looks to be less of a ‘back on track’ bit of match-making than his Dutch counterpart.
🚨 Leny Yoro’s future depends again on player’s decision.
Lille president, pushing for Yoro to join Man United after official bid accepted for €50m plus add-ons last week.
Yoro’s preference remains Real Madrid, it’s only up to the player.
As corroborated by fellow transfer source, Fabrizio Romano, despite a transfer fee between Lille and Man United having been agreed, the 18-year-old’s preference would be a move to Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, the acquisition of De Ligt would be ten Hag’s second signing of a former player and his second countryman following the £36.5 million deal for Zirkzee, who finished as the Italian side’s top attacking contributor last season, with 12 goals and seven assists in 37 games.
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The 23-year-old also picked up the award for Serie A’s Young Player of the Year in just his second season with the club.
United are clearly looking to build a new team around the younger rising stars such as Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Ramsu Højlund, so players like Zirkzee, Yoro and indeed De Ligt all fit the recuitment strategy.
While this new venture is focused on youth football, it’s their second in the United States after New York City FC and could help create new pro pathways into the sport at a grassroots level.
Introducing CFG franchise number 13: Man City North Texas FC.
As per an official statement on their website, “Man City North Texas FC delivers youth soccer programs for boys and girls aged 8–19, led by Manchester City coaches and built on the same coaching methodology developed within the Club.
“Every session is designed to help players become better soccer players, technically, tactically, and mentally, through modern, enjoyable training that builds confidence on and off the pitch.”
Basically serving as another academy setup across the pond, North Texas FC will no doubt help not only develop and create opportunities for aspiring young footballers over in the US, but likely serve as yet another feeder programme/outlet for tapping up the latest American talents.
We’ve already seen fairly recently examples such as ex-players Jack Harrison and Zack Steffen coming through the likes of New York and remaining on City’s wider books and either making the move over for a taste of first-team football or being loaned out to other teams.
Even if they ultimately go on to be sold, the aim is to help nurture youngsters and promise three main takeaways: an “authentic Manchester City methodology”, delivered by actual MCFC coaches, and a clear development pathway.
CITYCOACH gives coaches around the world access to the Manchester City methodology – sharing the knowledge, practices, and philosophy that shape how we develop players at every level ⚽️
This most recent ‘youth soccer club’ is just the latest in a long line of fresh Manchester City Football Programs created over the past decade or so, with coaching now being provided to children of all ages across a total of 38 cities in 14 countries.
At present, more than 40,000 kids are estimated to participate in these schemes every year, and thanks to Man City North Texas FC, that number is set to climb even further.
So, if you or someone you know happens to be based in or near the ‘Mean Green’ sporting hub of the ‘Lone Star State’, you can register interest HERE.
Meanwhile, in news closer to home, there are plenty of other big developments happening over at the Etihad Campus. Find out more down below.
The Premier League is keeping its crucial cap on away game ticket prices – for now
Danny Jones
The Premier League has announced it is extending its crucial price cap for away games, as the general cost of match tickets continues to creep up all over the country.
Most season card holders, be they here in Greater Manchester or elsewhere, are likely looking at their annual spending going up simply, so steps like these are key in keeping first division football as affordable as possible.
And that’s just the ongoing cost of living, let alone the clubs that are continuing the trend of charging more each year and, unfortunately, even pricing some supporters out entirely.
With that in mind, the news of England’s top-flight sides voting unanimously to keep the £30 cap intact for at least another two years comes as relief to those who spend most of the year putting their hard-earned cash towards following their team home and away.
BREAKING: The Premier League extend £30 cap on away tickets for another two seasons 🚨 pic.twitter.com/L336aZwmn3
Now confirmed to remain in place until the end of the 2027/28 campaign, travelling fans obviously still spend plenty of money on transport and so on every year, but at least they don’t have to worry about rising general admissions.
At least not for the time being…
Writing in a statement, the Premier League said: “Away fans help create the incredible atmosphere Premier League matches are renowned for. Since the cap’s implementation in 2016, it has contributed to attendance at away games increasing from 82% to 91%.”
They also acknowledged the significant and regular funds that supporters still spend on these trips, with plenty of people online also praising the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), which helped spearhead the campaign over a decade ago.
With so many other obstacles still getting in the way of fans making it to games either at their usual stadium or on an away day – not least of all the constant and increasingly frustrating rescheduling of fixtures – it’s good to see this isn’t an area the Prem are trying to target.
As always, the multi-billion-pound business can always seek out other, newer money spinners, and we’re absolutley certain they will. For instance, there’s at least one happening over in Spain that we’d happily see carried over here.
Following the news, this now means that fans will ultimately have enjoyed 12 back-to-back seasons of the benefit, and long may it continue.
Nevertheless, the biggest barrier for people to watch the beautiful game at its highest level in the UK remains the cost of standard tickets.
The likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Leeds and more have already let matchgoers know that their season ticket prices will be going up, and the likes of Man City have already seen backlash for increasing rates amid the expansion of the Etihad Campus.
Danny Jones -
16th July 2024 
