United humiliated

SHAUN BOTTERILL/ GETTY IMAGES 

Bryan Mbeumo (above) has nowhere to hide after his missed penalty 

sends Grimsby through to the Carabao Cup third round

Amorim apologises to fans after calamity

28 Aug 2025 - The Guardian

Jamie Jackson

A shellshocked Ruben Amorim apologised to fans and questioned his players’ desire, saying they “spoke really loud about what they want” after Grimsby’s penalty shootout win dumped Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup.

United trailed 2-0 at the break following goals from Charles Vernam and Tyrell Warren. The panicked visitors forced penalties via Bryan Mbeumo’s 75th-minute strike and Harry Maguire’s header 60 seconds from the end. But when Mbeumo missed his second kick and 26th of the tie-breaker United had lost against fourth-tier opposition for the first time in the competition, 12-11 on penalties.

Amorim was clear the defeat has to be the nadir. “I think this [tonight] is a little bit the limit,” he said. “Something has to change. In this moment, we need to focus on the weekend and then we have time to think.

“Everything [was wrong]. The way we started the game, we were not even here. When everything is so important in our club, everything that happened – it’s a problem in our club. We should do so much better. I just have to say sorry to our fans. I felt my players spoke really loud today about what they want.”

Amorim was asked to expand on the last comment. “I think it’s easy for you [to know],” the head coach said. “Let’s focus on the next game and then we have the stop for the international games. We will think things through. I think football was really fair today. The best team won.”

Amorim was asked if he could believe what had been witnessed. “No, but I’m the manager,” the Portuguese said. “It should be my job to understand what happened. Again, I’m really sorry for our fans.”

Last season United finished in a record Premier League low 15th. Amorim admitted that his side has not improved. “That is more than a result. That is the biggest problem in the team. I think it was really clear today. I would like to say very smart things and very important things but I have nothing to say.

“This is the biggest problem also – to see the same mistakes. It’s too much sometimes.”

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Chelsea close on deal for Old Trafford outcast Garnacho

28 Aug 2025 - The Guardian
Jacob Steinberg

Chelsea are close to an agreement to sign Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho in a deal likely to be worth between £35m and £40m.

Talks are yet to conclude but there is an expectation United will lower their £50m asking price and reach a compromise. Chelsea are waiting to hear back from United and are confident the deal will go ahead. Garnacho has no future under Ruben Amorim but Chelsea regard the Argentinian as a top talent and believe they can get his career back on track.

It is understood Chelsea are confident they will not have to wait for the proposed sales of Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson to go through before completing a move for Garnacho. Chelsea need to meet the terms of a Uefa settlement agreement stipulating they must have a “positive transfer balance” to register new players for the Champions League. The club are relaxed about the situation, however, with sources at Stamford Bridge stressing that suggestions they are under pressure to raise funds have been exaggerated.

Enzo Maresca, the Chelsea head coach, uses a system that depends on players staying wide and stretching the play. Chelsea want four wingers and see Garnacho competing with Jamie Gittens for a spot on the left.

Garnacho fell out of favour last season and has faced questions over his attitude. Yet his talent is not in doubt and Chelsea have done extensive background checks on his character. Chelsea believe Garnacho will thrive in a different environment.

Maresca wants plenty of depth in attack and has signed Liam Delap, João Pedro, Gittens and Estêvão Willian. Chelsea hold an interest in Fermín López but Barcelona do not want to sell the attacking midfielder.

Chelsea are confident they will sell Nkunku and Jackson. Nkunku has interest from leading European sides, as does Jackson, a target for Aston Villa, Bayern Munich, Newcastle, Juventus and Napoli.

Roma, Leizpig and teams in England are interested in the 19-year-old winger Tyrique George. Chelsea are still waiting for firm interest to materialise in Raheem Sterling. Fulham are a possible destination for Sterling.