All posts by z3u9t.icu

It’s no secret what Arsenal’s biggest weakness has been this season: their attack.

Injuries and poor form have seen Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool all score more goals than Mikel Arteta’s side in the Premier League.

Yet, for everything that’s gone wrong this year, the Gunners have still got the best defensive record in the competition, largely thanks to the incredible centre-back partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.

Unfortunately, the pairing could soon be broken apart, with Real Madrid now upping the ante in their pursuit of the Frenchman.

However, it’s not necessarily all doom and gloom, as recent reports have linked Arsenal with another sensational centre-back who could prove to be a perfect replacement.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Arsenal's search for Saliba's successor

Because he has been performing at such a high level for a considerable period now, Saliba has long been linked with Real Madrid.

However, a recent report from French outlet L’Equipe has claimed that the Arsenal ace is now one of Los Blancos’ primary targets and someone they want to come in and lead the defence next season.

Losing the Bondy-born monster would undoubtedly be a massive setback for the North Londoners, but if they can secure the previously reported £86m for his services, then they can at least go out and look for a replacement.

In fact, that appears to be what they are doing already, as, according to a recent report from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal have maintained their strong interest in Bournemouth star Dean Huijsen, who is “the most in-demand centre-back in the world” in the words of data analyst Ben Mattinson.

Alongside the Gunners, Romano has revealed that Liverpool and Chelsea are also in the “race to sign” the Spanish international, who has a £50m release clause in his current contract.

It might be a lot to spend on a youngster, but given his ability and immense potential, it would be worth it, especially as he could be the ideal Saliba replacement.

Why Huijsen would be a great Saliba replacement

If Arsenal can get ahead of the chasing pack and sign Huijsen in the coming weeks and months, what makes him a potentially great replacement for Saliba?

First and foremost, even though he has only recently turned 20, he already has plenty of top-level experience.

For example, in addition to the two senior caps he’s won for Spain, the potentially “world-class” gem, as dubbed by one analyst, has made 33 appearances for Bournemouth this term, 27 of which have been starts, scored three goals and provided one assist.

On top of that, Arsenal fans will already be annoyingly aware of his immense ability, as not only did he start in the Cherries home win over the North Londoners in late October, he started in their win over the weekend, where he won his fourth Man of the Match Award this season and scored his third goal.

Finally, when we directly compare him to the Gunners’ supremely talented number two, the “perfect” Spaniard, as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, actually comes out on top.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.15

0.10

Non-Penalty G+As

0.16

0.06

Progressive Passes

4.68

4.15

Progressive Carries

1.45

0.50

Passing Accuracy

83.4%

94.2%

Key Passes

0.56

0.22

Passes into the Final 1/3

5.89

5.42

Passes into the Penalty Area

0.28

0.19

Shot-Creating Actions

1.61

0.81

Goal-Creating Actions

0.12

0.03

Tackles Won

0.93

1.11

Blocks

1.45

0.74

Interceptions

1.98

0.65

Clearances

7.06

3.44

Errors Leading to a Shot

0.16

0.19

Ball Recoveries

3.87

4.52

Aerial Duels Won

2.58

1.80

For example, he does better in practically every relevant metric, including but not limited to, expected and actual non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive and key passes, passes into the final third and penalty area, shot and goal-creating actions, blocks, interceptions, clearances, aerial duals won and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, while keeping hold of Saliba should be Arsenal’s primary objective, Huijsen looks like he’d be the perfect replacement.

If anything, he’s someone they should look to sign regardless of what happens to the Frenchman.

He'd revive Odegaard: Arsenal aiming to sign "the new Mbappe" in £85m deal

Arsenal need to sign a player who could revive the fortunes of Martin Odegaard.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes May 5, 2025

This summer is a fresh start for Everton, having the opportunity to create a new era for the football club upon their move to the new Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium.

For the last couple of years, the side have been constantly in the bottom half of the Premier League table, often having to rely on last-day relegation battles.

However, David Moyes has returned to the club and turned their fortunes around, losing just twice in the league to Manchester City and Merseyside rivals Liverpool.

If the Scotsman is to take the club to the next level in 2025/26, the hierarchy desperately needs to hand him the funds he needs to make the changes he desires to the first-team squad.

With the summer transfer window just around the corner, it appears the board have wasted no time in identifying players to make the first season at the new stadium one to remember.

The latest on Everton’s hunt for new signings this summer

There’s no denying the striker role has been a constant issue at Goodison Park, with the Toffees desperately needing to address such an issue in the coming months.

Former Arsenal star Mika Biereth has emerged as one player on their shortlist, starring after his January move to join French outfit Monaco, scoring 12 times in his 13 league games since his transfer.

However, it remains unclear how much they will have to fork out for his signature, given he joined the Ligue 1 side for a reported £15m less than four months ago.

Another name has reemerged on their list of targets, in the form of Chris Rigg, who has starred in the Championship with Sunderland at the tender age of just 17.

According to Football Insider, the Toffees are leading the race for his signature, with the Black Cats demanding a whopping £38m to part ways with the talent this summer.

Why the £38m star could be Everton’s biggest star since Rooney

Wayne Rooney will remain one of the best talents to ever come out of Everton, after bursting onto the scene in the first-team as a 16-year-old back in 2002.

It was unheard of for a player of that age to make such an impact on the first team, scoring his first professional goal against Arsenal – in spectacular fashion too.

His first spell at Goodison Park saw him make 35 appearances, scoring eight goals, leading to a huge move to an English giant that would catapult him to stardom throughout his professional career.

Rooney eventually joined Manchester United for a fee in the region of £25.6m during the summer of 2004, before returning to his boyhood club for a second spell between 2017 and 2018.

However, a move for Rigg this window could allow the club to land a star who could be as talented as Rooney, undoubtedly set for huge things at the top level given his achievements as a teenager.

The Sunderland ace has already notched 67 appearances for the Black Cats since his debut in January 2023, cementing himself as a first-team regular in their hunt for Championship promotion.

He’s notched four goals and one assist in his 40 league outings to date, creating 1.2 chances per 90 for his teammates – showcasing the threat he poses in attacking areas.

Rigg has also completed 1.2 successful dribbles per 90, along with an 80% pass success rate, having the tools to transform their fortunes within the final third throughout 2024/25.

Games played

40

Goals & assists

5

Pass completion rate

80%

Successful dribbles

1.2

Chances created

1.2

Duels won

5.1

Tackles won

57%

Whilst he’s mainly an attacking player, he’s also starred out of possession, winning 5.1 duels per game along with a 57% tackle success rate – having the ability to improve massively in the future, given his tender age.

It’s been a long time since the Toffees have had a talent as good as Rooney, but Rigg could finally end their wait, having the skill set to be a key player on Merseyside for many years to come.

£38m may appear to be a mammoth fee for such a young star, but given the figures he’s produced coupled with his potential, it’s a risk worth taking, with Moyes reaping the rewards in the Premier League should he make the move in the coming months.

Outscoring Salah in 2025: Everton chasing DCL upgrade who's "like Haaland"

Moyes needs to strengthen Everton’s frontline this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 22, 2025

After such a below-par campaign by their usual high standards, Manchester City have a huge summer on their hands to right the wrongs of recent months.

Pep Guardiola’s side could still end the season in a top-four spot in the Premier League, subsequently securing Champions League football, whilst also having the opportunity to win another FA Cup trophy.

However, if they are to return to the summit of the division next time around, it’s pivotal that the hierarchy back the manager in the transfer market to make the additions he needs.

Over the years, the board haven’t been afraid to splash the cash, as seen last January, when they forked out over £150m on new talent to combat the early-season slump in form.

Such high spending could be set to continue this summer, with one player already high on their list of targets to bolster the current first-team squad at the Etihad.

Man City favourites land £87m sensation this summer

According to TBR, City are favourites to land Bayer Leverkusen’s star man Florian Wirtz this summer, but face stiff competition from multiple other Premier League clubs.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea are all credited with an interest in landing the 21-year-old star who’s managed to notch nine goals and 10 assists in his 25 Bundesliga outings this season.

It’s not the first time the Citizens have pushed to land the German international, with Guardiola also targeting the youngster last summer, but to no avail, with this summer offering a fresh opportunity.

The report states that Wirtz is valued at £87m, with City huge admirers of the attacking midfielder as seen by their tireless attempts to persuade him to move to England.

Whilst it would be yet another huge sum splashed out by the hierarchy, it’s a superb investment in a star who’s only going to get better, also offering an upgrade on one talent set to depart the Etihad.

Why Wirtz is a bigger star than De Bruyne for City

City’s task of returning to the top of England’s top flight next season was dealt another blow after it was confirmed that Kevin De Bruyne would depart the club at the end of the season.

The Belgian has spent the last decade in Manchester, making over 400 appearances and notching over 250 combined goals and assists – arguably being one of the best midfielders to ever grace the Premier League.

It’s been a tricky few years for the 33-year-old, struggling to meet the high standards he’s set for himself, with numerous injuries plaguing his progress at the Etihad.

However, his pending departure opens up another issue for the manager to solve this summer, with a move for Wirtz doing just that whilst also landing a star who can develop further in the years ahead.

His goal and assist tally from the ongoing season are evidence of the talent he possesses, undoubtedly being a bigger star than De Bruyne in the present day.

When comparing their respective figures from this season, the German has massively outperformed the Belgian, highlighting what a phenomenal addition he would be despite the mammoth price tag.

The Leverkusen star, who’s been labelled a “superstar” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has registered 11 more combined goals and assists than the Belgian, whilst also achieving a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate – showcasing the threat he poses in the final third.

Games played

25

21

Goals & assists

19

8

Progressive carries

5

2.9

Shot-on-target accuracy

45%

28%

Pass accuracy

80%

76%

Through balls completed

1.1

0.6

Take-on success

53%

37%

He’s also managed to register more through balls completed per 90, whilst also achieving a higher take-on success rate, highlighting the creativity he’s capable of producing – filling the void of the departing midfielder.

£87m for a star who could cement his place at the heart of the side for the next decade is a deal worth exploring, with Guardiola getting himself one of Europe’s biggest young stars.

De Bruyne’s move away from the Etihad is one that will leave fans worried, but Wirtz has showcased he has all of the tools to fill the void, whilst also providing an upgrade given the stats produced in the past 12 months.

De Bruyne 2.0: Man City chasing £50m star who's "similar to Bellingham"

Man City will need to find a replacement for their outgoing legend

ByJoe Nuttall Apr 8, 2025

Liverpool are on their way to becoming Premier League champions and could soon have more positive news to share with their supporters as they hold an advantage in the race for an exciting midfielder, per reports.

Liverpool gear up for summer window after Salah announcement

Liverpool fans were treated to the news on Friday that Mohamed Salah has signed a new two-year extension at Anfield following months of speculation over his future.

The Egypt international has become an iconic figure among supporters and a talisman under Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot, who will now hope to convince Virgil Van Dijk that he should follow his counterpart’s path.

In essence, rectifying internal issues is the first step towards squad planning for next season. Looking towards the market, Liverpool are reportedly in pole position to sign Nicolo Barella from Inter Milan for a fee in the region of £87 million.

Defensively, Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo is on the Reds’ wishlist as Slot aims to bolster his side to fight on all fronts. With the Premier League title on the way, showing ambition in pursuing premium stars will be the main priority once the off-season comes around.

Liam Delap is another player that Liverpool want to sign as Ipswich Town veer closer to relegation. Nevertheless, Chelsea are also pursuing a deal that could amount to £30 million.

Scouts wowed: Liverpool now stepping up push to sign 14-goal Feyenoord star

He could replace Luis Diaz.

ByTom Cunningham Apr 10, 2025

Undoubtedly, competition is set to be fierce this summer among the Premier League elite. Manchester City, Arsenal and others will want to rebuild to provide a sustained title charge, so Slot and FSG will have their work cut out in pushing agreements over the line.

Having said that, Liverpool may have a key advantage over Pep Guardiola’s men as both sides fight tooth and nail to sign one of Europe’s brightest midfielders.

Liverpool confident of winning Xavi Simons race

According to CaughtOffside, Liverpool feel they can beat Manchester City to sign RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons due to the strong Dutch contingent they already have present at Anfield.

Slot, Van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch are part of the Reds’ fabric, which they feel can entice the Netherlands international to opt for Merseyside over other destinations.

Xavi Simons’ key Bundesliga statistics in 2024/25

Goals

7

Assists

5

Chances created

42

Touches in opposition box

67

Completed dribbles

25

Duels won

107

Valued at just over £60 million, Simons could potentially come in as a replacement for Luis Diaz, while Manchester City are eyeing the 21-year-old as a long-term successor to Kevin De Bruyne.

Labelled “amazing” by ex-teammate Dani Olmo, the Amsterdam-born man has registered eight goals and six assists across all competitions, featuring either in attacking midfield or off the left flank.

Now, the onus is on Liverpool to push a deal over the line. Fresh blood is needed to maintain the hunger for silverware in years to come, and Simons would be a statement signing to bolster the ranks.

Whilst Leeds United have only managed to win one of their last five Championship matches, Daniel Farke’s side still remain on course to secure promotion come the end of the season.

The Whites sit second, just two points behind leaders Sheffield United, with striker Joel Piroe deserving a lot of credit for his performances in the first team throughout 2024/25.

The Dutchman has notched 15 goals in the league throughout this campaign, sitting as the club’s top scorer and second-highest in the division – highlighting his impact.

Jayden Bogle has also cemented his place at right-back in Farke’s side, featuring in 37 outings, with the £5m forked out for his signature in the summer now appearing to be a bargain.

However, high hopes were held for numerous players in recent years, with none of them able to feature at Elland Road anymore after failing to reach their full potential.

Leeds talents who failed to live up to their potential

Midfielder Lewis Bate joined Leeds in a £1.5m deal from Chelsea back in the summer of 2021, with high hopes of becoming a first-team regular in Yorkshire.

However, the 22-year-old would only make five appearances at Elland Road over a four-year period, before leaving on a free transfer and joining Stockport County last summer.

Cody Drameh was another player tipped to have a key role for the Whites as a youngster, having the potential to be a crucial player in the club’s backline after arriving from Fulham in 2020.

After just 10 first-team appearances and three separate loan spells, he also departed on a free transfer in the summer, looking to kick-start his professional career at division rivals Hull City.

The aforementioned pair aren’t the only players to fail to deliver in Yorkshire, with one other star sold after being unable to match the ambitions placed on his shoulders.

The former Leeds star who could’ve been their own Van Dijk

Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk has been a leading talent in world football over the past few years, being a leading figure in the Reds’ success under various managers.

Many argue the Dutchman is the best centre-back of all time, winning eight major honours during his time at Anfield, including a Champions League title – helping him finish in the top three of the Ballon d’Or.

Stars like him don’t come around very often, but Leeds could’ve had their own version in the form of Leo Fuhr Hjelde, who was sold to Sunderland back in January 2024.

The 21-year-old originally joined the Whites from Celtic back in 2021, with the potential to emulate the success of Van Dijk given the praise previously heaped on him.

Former Ross County boss John Hughes tipped him to be “the next Van Dijk” before his move to Yorkshire – highlighting how impressive the addition of the defender was at the time.

Games played

10

Goals & assists

1

Pass accuracy

78%

Chances created

1.2

Tackles won

1.2

Duel success rate

55%

Interceptions made

1.7

However, during his first two years at the club, he was restricted to just six appearances, unable to break into the side given their Premier League status.

An impressive loan stint at Rotherham United saw him return to the fold under Farke in 2023, but would only last six months before being permanently offloaded – joining the Black Cats in a £2m deal.

Whilst he’s only made 12 appearances this campaign, at the age of just 21 he still has bags of time to fulfil the hype that was placed on him as a teenager.

However, any success he will achieve won’t be for the Whites, with the club potentially living to regret their decision to sell him should he get anywhere near Van Dijk’s level.

Farke has found Leeds' new Pablo Hernandez & it's not Aaronson

Daniel Farke has unearthed a star who’s followed in the footsteps of fan-favourite Pablo Hernandez.

2 ByEthan Lamb Apr 3, 2025

Will Arsenal’s winning streak continue?

On Tuesday night, the Gunners swatted aside Slavia Prague 3-0 in the Champions League, with Bukayo Saka breaking the deadlock from the penalty spot in the Czech capital, before makeshift centre-forward Mikel Merino scored twice to rubber stamp the points.

That made it ten successive victories for Mikel Arteta, as well as being an eighth consecutive clean sheet, equaling Arsenal’s club record set in 1903, a sequence ended by Glossop North End all those years ago.

Only once before has a top-flight English club won eight games in a row all without conceding, this achieved by Liverpool in February 1920, a record the Gunners can break with victory at the Stadium of Light when they take on Sunderland on Saturday evening.

However, if they’re going to leave Wearside victorious, they will need to silence a familiar foe.

Granit Xhaka's roller coaster Arsenal career

Few players in football history have ever enjoyed quite the character arc at one club experienced by Granit Xhaka during his seven seasons at Arsenal.

The Swiss international was a key figure in the team that won the FA Cup under Arsène Wenger in his first season, but was then part of a team in decline, which ultimately led to Wenger’s departure and Unai Emery’s, at best, mixed reign.

This came to a head in October 2019 when Xhaka was infamously jeered off against Crystal Palace but, as someone who was in attendance that afternoon, it was all a massive misunderstanding.

Arsenal had raced into a 2-0 lead inside nine minutes only to, in trademark fashion under Emery, sit back, allowing Palace to grow into the game and equalise shortly after half time.

Thus, Emery decided to introduce a teenager by the name of Bukayo Saka, whatever happened to him?, and as fourth official Tim Robinson raises his board with a red number 34 on it, Xhaka trudged off the pitch at the speed of a naughty schoolboy sent to the head teacher’s office.

Having seen their side relinquish a two goal advantage, at first, supporters began shouting “get off”, meaning get off the pitch so we can resume this match and beat Crystal Palace, but Xhaka interpreted this as a personal attack, thereby emphatically cupping his ear and removing his shirt before angrily storming down the tunnel.

At this point, it appeared as though the midfielder would never play for the club again, but Emery was sacked later that month and everything changed following the appointment of Arteta.

Xhaka would go on to make 297 appearances for the club, only 12 men have made more for Arsenal in the Premier League, departing a hero, having been a key figure in the 2022/23 side that unexpectedly came so close to winning the title, laying the foundations for where the team is now.

After helping Bayer Leverkusen claim a first-ever Meisterschale, winning the unbeaten Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double, Xhaka surprisingly returned to English football this summer, joining newly-promoted Sunderland, playing every minute of every game with the Black Cats flying high, sat fourth in the Premier League table, scoring his first goal for the club against Everton on Monday night.

Barry Glendenning of the Guardian asserts that the Swiss international has been the ‘most influential’ member of Régis Le Bris’ team so far this season, meaning stopping Xhaka will surely be key to Arteta’s game plan, so which current member of the Arsenal team is best equipped to do just that?

Arsenal's "aggressive" star who can silence Granit Xhaka

A concern for Gooners is their growing injury list, given that Martin Ødegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Viktor Gyökeres, Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus will all miss this weekend’s trip to Wearside due to injury.

Others, such as Gabriel, William Saliba, Jurriën Timber and Declan Rice are having to take on a high workload while, in contrast, it has been a quiet week for Martín Zubimendi, so he will be raring to go at the Stadium of Light.

Having been booked in each of the first three Champions League matches, the Spaniard did not travel to Prague due to suspension, with Christian Nørgaard deputising at the base of midfield.

Largely because it was finalised right at the start of the window, Zubimendi’s arrival in North London was not met with the fanfare it deserved, but he has pretty inarguably been the Gunners’ most impressive summer recruit so far, with the table below supporting this assertion.

Minutes

1,099

4th

Goals

2

6th

Completed passes

721

3rd

Pass completion %

88.5%

3rd*

Key passes

11

5th

Passes into final 3rd

59

2nd

Progressive passes

79

2nd

Shot-creating actions

30

4th

Tackles

21

2nd

Interceptions

13

1st

Distance covered per 90

11kms

6th

Touches

917

3rd

Average rating

7.31

4th

*minimum 300 passes completed.

As the numbers highlight, Zubimendi ranks highly for pretty much every metric this season, most notably when it comes to passing, defending, distance covered and touches.

The Spaniard opened his account against Nottingham Forest in September, actually scoring twice that afternoon, this jaw-dropping strike named the Premier League’s goal of the month.

His performances have led to Football Transfers believing his estimated market valuation has increased to around £48m.

Meantime, Adam Keys notes that Zubimendi both “positions himself perfectly for second balls” while also orchestrating play when in possession, while Hand of Arsenal adds that he is a “sublime” player who is “deceptively aggressive” and “knows how to control the tempo and when to break lines and progress”

All of this is going to be needed if the Gunners are going to beat Sunderland on Saturday, thereby moving nine points clear of Manchester City, for 23 hours at least.

With the Black Cats likely to set up in a low block to start, while also posing a threat, often through their midfield general Xhaka, Zubimendi’s overall quality will be vital, with Tuesday acting as a timely reminder, without wanting to denigrate Nørgaard, of how important the Spaniard is, this crystallised in his absence.

Forget Rice & Gabriel: Arsenal "monster" deserves to win PL Player of the Year

The outrageous international has been even better than Rice and Gabriel for Arsenal this season.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 6, 2025

Manchester United have been known to make numerous big-money additions over the years, but many of which have fallen way below the levels expected of them by the fanbase.

Antony has arguably been their biggest disaster during the last five years, with the Brazilian unable to match the pressures brought by his £86m transfer fee.

The 25-year-old was able to rack up a total of 96 appearances for the Red Devils over a two-and-a-half-year period, only scoring on 12 occasions – with only five of which coming in the Premier League.

As a result of his lack of impact at Old Trafford, he was subsequently shipped off to Real Betis for just £21m last summer – resulting in the hierarchy taking a £65m loss on his signature.

However, it appears as though INEOS have failed to learn from previous mistakes in the market, as seen by their big-money transfer to land one player during the summer window.

How Benjamin Sesko compares to other PL strikers in 2025/26

After a dismal 2024/25, Ruben Amorim’s men were handed a significant chance of redemption this campaign after the hierarchy handed the manager £200m worth of funds to utilise in the market.

Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha were just two of the additions made by the hierarchy in an attempt to bolster the options available in the final third of the pitch.

Both have made an immediate impact to life at Old Trafford, already scoring a combined six goals between them – subsequently sitting in seventh place going into the third international break of the season.

The former of the duo even won the division’s Player of the Month award, further showcasing how impressive he’s been since his own big-money switch to join the Red Devils.

However, Benjamin Sesko has struggled to match the pair in such an aspect, with the Slovenian international unable to produce the goods as yet after his £74m switch from RB Leipzig.

The 22-year-old was tasked with the responsibility of spearheading the frontline, but his tally of just two goals in his 11 league appearances showcases his inability to impress in England’s top-flight.

He’s only managed to complete 64% of the passes he’s attempted to date, with such a tally ranking him within the bottom 10% of all players in the division at present.

Sesko’s lack of passing ability has often restricted Amorim’s side from reaching the next level, often struggling to provide the focal point and target man they have craved.

Other figures, such as 0.2 successful dribbles per 90 and 3.6 touches in the opposition box per 90, further demonstrate his lack of positive impact in attacking areas – undoubtedly contributing to his measly goal tally.

Both tallies rank him in the 25th percentile of other attackers in the division, meaning 75% of players in the same position have produced better numbers in the same department.

Forget Sesko: This is INEOS' biggest waste of money

United’s inability to land any top-level attackers has been apparent over the last couple of seasons, with Amorim unable to get the best out of the options at his disposal in 2024/25.

Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund were the two centre-forwards on the books prior to the 40-year-old’s arrival, but neither failed to nail down the number nine position as their own.

The latter of the duo subsequently left during the recent transfer window to make room for the big-money addition of Sesko – but it appears that he could also suffer the same fate.

At just 22, he has plenty of time of turnaround his fortunes around at the Theatre of Dreams, but he will certainly need to find some form amid his recent lack of impact.

However, he’s not alone in struggling at present, with midfielder Manuel Ugarte another player who could be on borrowed time after his own disappointing spell in England.

The Uruguayan joined the Red Devils in the summer of 2024 from PSG for a reported £42m, but such a transfer now looks to be one of INEOS’ worst signings in recent years.

His transfer generated huge excitement within the fanbase, but he’s failed to deliver, as seen by his recent drop down Amorim’s pecking order in 2025/26.

Ugarte now finds himself behind 33-year-old Casemiro in the United squad, with the former PSG star often an unreliable figure and unable to produce the goods when called upon.

His latest showing off the bench against Spurs highlights his recent decline at Old Trafford, as the side conceded two goals after being brought on to replace the aforementioned Brazilian.

The 24-year-old’s underlying stats from this season further showcase his dismal performances in and out of possession, with his pass accuracy of 84% – which ranks him in the 33rd percentile of midfielders in the league.

Ugarte has also created just 0.3 chances per 90 and achieved an expected assist tally of just 0.01 per 90 – the lowest in the United squad.

On that evidence, it was no surprise that one United content creator suggested that he looked “so anxious” on the ball and was “frightened to death of passing forwards”.

Games played

9

Minutes played

301

Chances created

0.3

Expected assists

0.01

Interceptions made

0.7

Tackles made

2.1

Pass accuracy

84%

Dribbled past

1.4

The latter of his two aforementioned stats also ranks him in the 5th percentile of any midfielder in the Premier League – showcasing his lack of skill in possession.

However, he was mainly brought to the club for his ability to break up the play, but that part of his game has also been satisfactory at best over the last few months.

Ugarte has only made 0.7 interceptions per 90 and has only completed 2.1 tackles per game – which further highlights the decline he’s enduring since Amorim’s arrival.

There’s little disputing that Sesko has struggled to make an impact of late, but it’s to be expected from such a young talent who has made a leap of faith to further his career in a completely new country.

As for Ugarte, he’s already had over a year to adapt to the demands of the Premier League, but ultimately, it’s evident that he’s no longer a player who should be a key member of the first-team squad.

£50m for his signature has been nothing short of a waste of money, with INEOS desperately needing to remember such a deal during the upcoming January window.

Perfect for Sesko: Man Utd open talks to sign £100m star in club-record move

Manchester United are set to make a mammoth offer for one talent in the January transfer window.

ByEthan Lamb Nov 11, 2025