It’s clear that Man United don’t have enough strength in depth in central defence, and that’s highlighted when the likes of Raphael Varane or Lisandro Martinez get injured.

For any of the top clubs to sustain a season-long challenge nowadays, they need four top-class central defenders that, whilst they may not be happy to rotate, at least give their manager sufficient options.

Erik ten Hag’s side have suffered at various stages this season and for a variety of reasons, though one can point to a lack of stability at the back as being a major concern.

It’s perhaps with that in mind that the Red Devils have been scouting a new centre-back extensively, and once Sir Jim Ratcliffe arrives on the scene, it’s possible the club could land their preferred target.

‘I told you United were already scouting some players such as Antonio Silva from Benfica, who’s considered a super talented centre-back,’ CaughtOffside columnist, Fabrizio Romano, wrote in his exclusive Daily Briefing.

‘Staying in Portugal, a Sporting player called Goncalo Inacio who is left-footed and a different kind of centre-back, more technical than fast, is being looked at.’

There’s one player above all others that United have already considered signing, and despite the expected expense, the fact that he plays for Nice, also owned by Sir Jim, is likely to tip the balance.

‘Jean-Clair Todibo is having an incredible season at Nice and was already very expensive last summer when United considered the possibility of signing him,’ Romano continued.

‘At that point Nice wanted €40m/€45m, so imagine now, with the club first in the Ligue Un table, the boy is gonna be super expensive – but Man United really like him.’

At the time of writing, United will be readying themselves for a Manchester derby that has arguably seen them written off before a ball has been kicked.

The importance of a win for the Red Devils can’t be understated, however.

More Stories / Latest News

Exclusive: Arsenal & Chelsea transfer target with €60m release clause could move in 2024, says expert

Nov 1 2023, 9:14

Video: Celtic legend tips Ange Postecoglou for Man United job

Nov 1 2023, 9:08

Exclusive: Fabrizio Romano responds to apparent Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid transfer hint

Nov 1 2023, 8:37

If ten Hag’s side were to acquire the three points after Sunday’s Old Trafford encounter, it would put them sixth and just three points behind Pep Guardiola’s swashbucklers, who themselves haven’t had the best start to a season either.

It promises to be an absorbing encounter, and how United’s centre-backs deal with the likes of Erling Haaland is likely to author the result – as well as give ten Hag and Sir Jim some food for thought in the transfer market.

The post Exclusive: Man United’s new centre-back in 2024 could be heavily influenced by Sir Jim Ratcliffe appeared first on CaughtOffside.

It was a night of redemption for Man United stars Harry Maguire and Andre Onana against Copenhagen in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

The centre-back headed in what turned out to be the only goal of the game in what was another disappointing team performance, whilst the keeper flung himself to his left to keep out a last-kick-of-the-game penalty to ensure that the Red Devils earned all three points from the game.

There may be a school of thought that suggests Maguire’s game was a temporary respite from being sat on the sidelines at Old Trafford, however, the collapse of a potential January move for a new centre-back has arguably handed Maguire a new lease of life.

According to Football Insider, a move for Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo has collapsed.

With prospective minority owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, also owning Nice, having the Frenchman hop from one of Sir Jim’s teams to another would likely have made perfect sense, however, this appears to be far from happening at present.

That’s unlikely to please manager, Erik ten Hag, as he looks for longer term solutions to United’s defensive issues.

More Stories / Latest News

Exclusive: Arsenal & Chelsea transfer target with €60m release clause could move in 2024, says expert

Nov 1 2023, 9:14

Video: Celtic legend tips Ange Postecoglou for Man United job

Nov 1 2023, 9:08

Exclusive: Fabrizio Romano responds to apparent Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid transfer hint

Nov 1 2023, 8:37

Maguire’s own aspirations need to be called into question too, should he end up back on the bench and appear happy with his lot after Tuesday.

With a European Championship just around the corner he needs to be playing regularly, and the collapse of a potential Todibo deal as well as Maguire’s timely intervention really should see to it that he’s back at the heart of United’s defence more regularly.

If he becomes third or fourth choice once more when United have all of their centre-backs fit again, then Maguire simply has to leave.

The post Harry Maguire back in vogue at Man United as move for new centre-back collapses appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United have been linked with Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, but Fabrizio Romano has slightly played down those transfer rumours in the latest edition of his Daily Briefing column on Substack.

The England international has been a key performer for Palace in recent times, and is also starting to become more of a regular for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions side as well.

Man Utd are interested in a top signing at centre-back for 2024, according to Romano, but for the time being he’s only aware of four targets that he’s previously reported on – Antonio Silva, Goncalo Inacio, Jean-Clair Todibo and Edmond Tapsoba.

The Red Devils could also surely do well to sign someone like Guehi, but it seems the links to the 23-year-old might be a tad premature if Romano’s info is anything to go by.

MUFC fans might be disappointed that there’s not too much to read into the Guehi stories, as he has the advantage of being proven in the Premier League, unlike those other names on their list.

“Marc Guehi is continuing to do really well for Crystal Palace and for England as well, so we’re inevitably seeing some fresh rumours about his future, with Manchester United linked with him by some media outlets,” Romano said.

More Stories / Latest News

Exclusive: Arsenal & Chelsea transfer target with €60m release clause could move in 2024, says expert

Nov 1 2023, 9:14

Video: Celtic legend tips Ange Postecoglou for Man United job

Nov 1 2023, 9:08

Exclusive: Fabrizio Romano responds to apparent Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid transfer hint

Nov 1 2023, 8:37

“As I’ve previously reported here, we know Man United want a top centre-back for 2024, so we’re going to see a lot of names linked. Personally, I have had no updates since sharing my information that the names they’re watching are Goncalo Inacio, Antonio Silva, Jean-Clair Todibo, and Edmond Tapsoba.

“Guehi is another fine option, but I personally rate all those players – they all have their different qualities and could be good signings. Still, for now there are no concrete talks, it’s just about scouting. Someone like Guehi has the advantage of being proven in the Premier League, of course, but they’re all top players.”

The post Exclusive: Fabrizio Romano responds to Manchester United transfer links with Premier League star appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Hello and welcome to my latest column for CaughtOffside – click here to subscribe to the Daily Briefing for more from myself, Fabrizio Romano, Ben Jacobs and our other columnists!

What Manchester United fans can expect from Sir Jim Ratcliffe

We’re seeing Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS move closer to purchasing a 25% stake in Manchester United, but as much as fans of the Red Devils might not want to read this, their ownership of Nice hasn’t been a huge success.

We have to recognise that when INEOS came in they had a very ambitious project to challenge PSG at the top of Ligue 1 and they haven’t done that. They haven’t really made any kind of progress domestically or in Europe, so it’s been a very frustrating period for the club’s fans.

Ratcliffe’s continual flirtation with clubs in England has also been a source of frustration to the Nice fan-base, as it’s not just Manchester United he’s shown an interest in, but also Chelsea and Liverpool in the past. Had it just been Man United, given his childhood support of the club, then I think fans might have been a bit more understanding, but given that there’s clearly been a long-running interest in buying a Premier League club, I think the Nice fans have tired of it.

More recently, Nice have made some encouraging changes – they’re the only team unbeaten in Ligue 1 and they’re going very well under highly-rated new manager Francesco Farioli. They’ve got a couple of real gems in their ranks as well, but overall you can’t paint a picture of Ratcliffe’s reign and make it look like a success. It’s been largely a tale of frustration and wasted potential.

It looks like we could see Paul Mitchell brought in as sporting director at United if the INEOS deal goes through, and it’s no surprise to see him being linked with a big Premier League job after leaving Monaco.

Even if things didn’t go quite as well for him at Monaco as he perhaps would’ve hoped, I do rate Mitchell. He did a very good job of streamlining a very bloated squad, and also did well to strengthen that connection with their Belgian feeder club Cercle Brugge.

More Stories / Latest News

Exclusive: Arsenal & Chelsea transfer target with €60m release clause could move in 2024, says expert

Nov 1 2023, 9:14

Video: Celtic legend tips Ange Postecoglou for Man United job

Nov 1 2023, 9:08

Exclusive: Fabrizio Romano responds to apparent Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid transfer hint

Nov 1 2023, 8:37

In terms of form and achievement on the pitch, Mitchell probably didn’t quite deliver what was hoped for, with the club being out of the Champions League undoubtedly a failure. They’re doing better this season, so it could be argued that that’s some redemption for Monaco after the foundations laid by Mitchell.

Mitchell’s time at Monaco isn’t everything though, as he has other work he can look back on proudly, particularly with RB Leipzig, and I’m not surprised he seems set to return to the Premier League. He’s been linked with the likes of Chelsea and Newcastle in the past and he remains one of the top names in that line of work.

It wouldn’t surprise me if Mitchell took on an even bigger role than just sporting director, perhaps in a multi-club environment with a role at Nice as well as United. Let’s see how that works out, but overall his appointment is a bit of a no-brainer for United, who have room to improve in terms of their recruitment and the overall structure of the club – I think that’s the kind of challenge he’s been looking for for a while.

Eduardo Camavinga close to well-earned Real Madrid deal

Eduardo Camavinga is close to signing a new contract with Real Madrid in a deal which should be officially announced quite soon. He’s certainly had an interesting development at the club since his move from Rennes in 2021.

He joined at such a young age, but Camavinga hasn’t just been there to make up the numbers – he’s proven himself more than adept when trusted in his preferred midfield position, and he’s also developing as a left-back, which has been really intriguing. He’s been used there for Real Madrid and increasingly for France as well, because that’s an area which, within the French talent pool, there actually isn’t as much quality in the two full-back areas as there is in midfield or indeed any other position on the pitch.

I think Camavinga has developed well in both roles, so I think it clearly points to a big future in the national team, wherever he ends up playing in the long-term.

Camavinga’s new contract has been in the works for some time, with further details here from Fabrizio Romano, and it’s well deserved. He wasn’t a proven player yet when he joined, but he’s got a couple of titles under his belt and I think has earned himself a new deal to reflect his growing importance to the team.

He looks completely at ease in the environment he’s in, so hopefully once this new deal is signed he can continue to focus on developing, as it seems he’s in the best place for that at this moment in time.

The post Exclusive Jonathan Johnson column: What Man Utd can expect from Sir Jim, new Real Madrid deal imminent & more appeared first on CaughtOffside.

If Sir Jim Ratcliffe is going to be as hands on at Man United as expected, Erik ten Hag could soon find his position under threat at Old Trafford.

It’s yet to be ratified, but the Glazer family should soon be signing over 25 percent of the club to Sir Jim, who will take an active role on the sporting side of the business.

Clearly, for a club of United’s standing, 10th place in the Premier League and one of the worst starts in their history is unacceptable.

Ten Hag enjoyed a stellar first season in the job so he has a benchmark from which to work, however, the Red Devils have been so poor in 2023/24, it does beg the question as to what’s gone wrong.

Perhaps the business in the transfer market hasn’t been the best, though confidence also plays a big part for any player and United have suffered a collective crisis in that regard.

If the Dutchman isn’t able to get his side going to the degree required, Sir Jim could look to replace him with a protege of Roberto De Zerbi, the Brighton and Hove Albion manager that has been lauded for the way in which his side are playing football.

Francesco Farioli currently works for Sir Jim at his other club, Ligue Un giants, Nice, and Sport Bible suggest he could hop across the channel and see in another new dawn at the Theatre of Dreams.

“One day, I wrote an article about Foggia on the internet on a website called Wyscout,” Farioli told L’Equipe (h/t Sport Bible).

More Stories / Latest News

Exclusive: Arsenal & Chelsea transfer target with €60m release clause could move in 2024, says expert

Nov 1 2023, 9:14

Video: Celtic legend tips Ange Postecoglou for Man United job

Nov 1 2023, 9:08

Exclusive: Fabrizio Romano responds to apparent Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid transfer hint

Nov 1 2023, 8:37

The post Man United could hire De Zerbi protege if Erik ten Hag doesn’t cut the mustard for Sir Jim Ratcliffe appeared first on CaughtOffside.

French football expert Jonathan Johnson has warned Manchester United fans that they might not be too excited about the impact Sir Jim Ratcliffe had with Ligue 1 side Nice.

Ratcliffe is aiming to complete the purchase of a 25% stake in Man Utd after Sheikh Jassim pulled out of a potential takeover deal, but it’s fair to say the INEOS chief hasn’t had the most successful period in France.

Writing exclusively for the Daily Briefing, Johnson explained that Nice have failed to make the kind of progress they will have been hoping for, with the club not any closer to competing with Paris Saint-Germain or making progress in Europe.

Red Devils fans will be desperate for change after a dismal period under the ownership of the Glazers, but it remains to be seen if the influence of Ratcliffe is really the answer to their problems.

Judging by Johnson’s analysis, it’s debatable if Sir Jim will bring about the change needed at Old Trafford, while he’s far from popular at Nice after so much interest in clubs in the Premier League in recent years.

“We’re seeing Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS move closer to purchasing a 25% stake in Manchester United, but as much as fans of the Red Devils might not want to read this, their ownership of Nice hasn’t been a huge success,” Johnson wrote.

“We have to recognise that when INEOS came in they had a very ambitious project to challenge PSG at the top of Ligue 1 and they haven’t done that. They haven’t really made any kind of progress domestically or in Europe, so it’s been a very frustrating period for the club’s fans.

More Stories / Latest News

Exclusive: Arsenal & Chelsea transfer target with €60m release clause could move in 2024, says expert

Nov 1 2023, 9:14

Video: Celtic legend tips Ange Postecoglou for Man United job

Nov 1 2023, 9:08

Exclusive: Fabrizio Romano responds to apparent Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid transfer hint

Nov 1 2023, 8:37

“Ratcliffe’s continual flirtation with clubs in England has also been a source of frustration to the Nice fan-base, as it’s not just Manchester United he’s shown an interest in, but also Chelsea and Liverpool in the past. Had it just been Man United, given his childhood support of the club, then I think fans might have been a bit more understanding, but given that there’s clearly been a long-running interest in buying a Premier League club, I think the Nice fans have tired of it.

“More recently, Nice have made some encouraging changes – they’re the only team unbeaten in Ligue 1 and they’re going very well under highly-rated new manager Francesco Farioli. They’ve got a couple of real gems in their ranks as well, but overall you can’t paint a picture of Ratcliffe’s reign and make it look like a success. It’s been largely a tale of frustration and wasted potential.”

The post Exclusive: Manchester United fans warned about Sir Jim Ratcliffe by French football expert appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Jurgen Klopp performed a total revamp of his midfield this summer but the German coach could look to sign another player for the middle of the park in 2024.

Four midfielders came through the door at Anfield, while key players such as Fabinho and Jordan Henderson left the Merseyside club. One name the Reds chased throughout the last transfer window before making any midfield signing was Nice’s Khephren Thuram but it never materialised as Klopp went for other options.

According to Tutto Juve, Liverpool are still in and are winning the race to sign the French star, while there is also interest from Newcastle United and Real Madrid.

? Liverpool are winning the race to sign Khephren Thuram from Nice amid interest from Newcastle United and Real Madrid.

(Source: Tutto Juve) pic.twitter.com/a9kRxjfjC3

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) October 6, 2023

More Stories / Latest News

Exclusive: Arsenal & Chelsea transfer target with €60m release clause could move in 2024, says expert

Nov 1 2023, 9:14

Video: Celtic legend tips Ange Postecoglou for Man United job

Nov 1 2023, 9:08

Exclusive: Fabrizio Romano responds to apparent Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid transfer hint

Nov 1 2023, 8:37

Where Thuram would fit in at Liverpool is hard to see given the new signings the Reds made this summer. It is highly possible that Thiago will leave the Merseyside club next summer and the 22-year-old could be his replacement.

Teams such as Newcastle are in need of the Nice man’s services more and there is less competition for him in Eddie Howe’s squad.

Thuram looks destined to leave the Ligue 1 side in the near future but whether that is Liverpool or not, remains to be seen.

The post Liverpool winning race for midfielder they had interest in this summer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Fabrizio Romano has once again discussed Manchester United’s plans to sign a new centre-back in 2024, with Antonio Silva, Jean-Clair Todibo and Edmond Tapsoba among the main names on their list.

Speaking exclusively to CaughtOffside on the Debrief podcast today, Romano confirmed that Man Utd are keen to make a major defensive signing next year, though it’s not yet clear if it will be in January 2024 or in the summer.

Silva looks like a top young talent who could be an ideal long-term successor to the likes of Raphael Varane and the out-of-favour Harry Maguire, while Todibo and Tapsoba also look like players whose peak years are still ahead of them.

Examining Big Ange's Big Plan at Spurs https://t.co/1V2Ap0qNVX

— CaughtOffside (@caughtoffside) October 2, 2023

More Stories / Latest News

Exclusive: Arsenal & Chelsea transfer target with €60m release clause could move in 2024, says expert

Nov 1 2023, 9:14

Video: Celtic legend tips Ange Postecoglou for Man United job

Nov 1 2023, 9:08

Exclusive: Fabrizio Romano responds to apparent Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid transfer hint

Nov 1 2023, 8:37

United currently have an issue with an injury to Lisandro Martinez, so it will be interesting to see if that persuades the club to speed things up and make a signing in January, rather than waiting until next summer.

One imagines most MUFC fans would be happy to see any one of Silva, Tapsoba or Todibo moving to Old Trafford in the months ahead.

The post Exclusive: Fabrizio Romano names three Manchester United transfer targets for 2024 appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Although the 2023/24 Premier League campaign has barely begun, Man United already have some names in their list for purchase next year.

Erik ten Hag will understand that his Red Devils outfit is far from the finished article, and as injuries continue to bite, the lack of strength in depth in the squad is noticeable.

One area where the Dutchman appears to really be struggling to get any sort of continuity and high level of performance is in central defence.

Raphael Varane can be prone to injury and with Lisandro Martinez now out for an extended period, per the official Man United website, the prospect that Harry Maguire will need to be utilised again is very real.

Whilst Maguire often seems completely at home defensively for the Three Lions, ten Hag’s style makes if difficult for the England international to ‘fit.’

It’s worth bearing in mind that the 30-year-old is also key for the club landing their transfer priority – another centre-back – in 2024.

Former Barcelona man, Jean-Clair Todibo, who is currently at Nice, is a player of interest to the Red Devils.

‘It depends on the Harry Maguire situation but Jean-Clair Todibo remains a player appreciated by Manchester United, so they will keep tracking and scouting him,’ Fabrizio Romano wrote in his exclusive Daily Briefing.

‘Also, Tapsoba from Bayer Leverkusen who was on the list at Tottenham, remains a player appreciated by United but it’s not an easy deal because he extended his contract at Bayer Leverkusen a couple of weeks ago.

‘Another player that Man United keep following and keep scouting from what I’m hearing is Antonio Silva from Benfica and, for sure, they will add more players to the list.’

More Stories / Latest News

Exclusive: Arsenal & Chelsea transfer target with €60m release clause could move in 2024, says expert

Nov 1 2023, 9:14

Video: Celtic legend tips Ange Postecoglou for Man United job

Nov 1 2023, 9:08

Exclusive: Fabrizio Romano responds to apparent Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid transfer hint

Nov 1 2023, 8:37

At this stage, it seems as though there’s lots of information gathering in play and Man United’s number one target will be revealed in due course.

In the meantime, ten Hag will hope to keep the squad competitive and on its toes.

The post Exclusive: Former Barcelona ace still appreciated by Man United and is in their list for 2024 appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Monaco (1st in Ligue 1) take on Nice (4th in Ligue 1) on Friday 22nd of September, at Stade Louis II, at 20:00 PM (BST).

The last time the two sides faced, Nice beat Monaco 3-0 at Stade Louis II. Goals from Terem Moffi (x2) and Khephren Thuram securing the victory on the day.

Monaco drew their last Ligue 1 game, 2-2 with Lorient. Goals from Tosin Aiyegun and Romain Faivre for Lorient, and goals from Aleksandr Golovin and Folarin Balogun for Monaco.

Nice managed a great victory in their last Ligue 1 outing, beating PSG 3-2. Goals from Kylian Mbappe (x2) for PSG, and goals from Terem Moffi (x2) and Gaetan Laborde for Nice.

How to watch Monaco vs Nice

• Date: Friday, September 22nd, 2023
• Kickoff: 20:00 PM (BST)
• TV Network: TNT Sports
• Venue: Stade Louis II

Team News:

Monaco will be without Eliesse Ben Seghir, Mohammed Salisu, Edan Diop and Breel Embolo through injury. The rest of the squad seems to be fit and available for selection.

Nice will be without their star midfield Khephren Thuram who remains out with a thigh injury. Apart from that, Nice have a full squad to select from, as there have been no new injuries reported ahead of Friday’s fixture.

Predicted XI:

Monaco: Kohn, Magassa, Maripan, Singo, Henrique, Fofana, Zakaria, Vanderson, Golovin, Balogun, Ben Yedder.

Nice: Bulka, Bard, Dante, Tobido, Lotomba, Rosario, Ndayishimiye, Sanson, Diop, Moffi, Laborde.

The post Monaco vs Nice: Live stream, TV Channel, Start time and Team news appeared first on CaughtOffside.