Football
Paul Ince questions ‘pathetic’ Man Utd under Ruben Amorim: ‘Jury is still out’
Paul Ince has voiced his concern that Manchester United might be heading for more frustrating seasons following a troubling start under new manager Ruben Amorim.
Even though Amorim made it clear when he arrived that progress would take time, the lack of cohesion and disappointing results have alarmed many supporters.
With just seven wins from 27 Premier League matches under the Portuguese coach, United slumped to a 15th-place finish—their worst in Premier League history. Their only hope for success, the Europa League, slipped away in a painful defeat to Tottenham in the final.
Amorim has publicly accepted responsibility for the poor run and has even gone as far as to offer to leave without demanding compensation, should the club want a change in leadership. However, the club appears determined to give him more time.
Former midfielder Paul Ince, though, finds the current situation difficult to stomach and questions whether Amorim’s tactics are suited to the team. He pointed out that the squad still reflects the preferences of former manager Erik ten Hag, which creates tension when players are forced into unfamiliar roles.
Ince is skeptical about Amorim’s preference for three central defenders, noting that most elite teams rely on a back four and that the current squad seems uncomfortable with the shift in system.
Ince also highlighted several records that underline United’s ongoing struggles. For the first time in Premier League history, the club went through a season without managing consecutive wins. They also endured an eight-game winless streak and finished with just 42 points—their lowest ever total in the Premier League era.
Despite the challenges, Ince believes the squad isn’t lacking talent. He emphasized that many players are on significant wages and should be performing at a much higher level, regardless of formation.
He was especially critical of the performance in the Europa League final, calling it unacceptable and suggesting that the defeat revealed a troubling lack of fight and cohesion in the team.
Looking ahead, United have begun preparations for a summer rebuild, with Amorim keen to reshape the squad in his own vision. Talks for Matheus Cunha are progressing, but the club has missed out on Liam Delap, who is expected to join Chelsea.
Ince believes the problems go deeper than transfers and says the club must reevaluate their entire recruitment strategy. He pointed out puzzling decisions, such as spending £50 million on Manuel Ugarte only for him to miss the final, and questioned why key talents like Kobbie Mainoo, who had previously impressed for both club and country, have been sidelined.
Ince is not convinced there’s a clear vision at the club. He cited examples of high-potential players like Declan Rice and Alexis Mac Allister, questioning why United were not seriously in the race to sign them.
He also noted that many players linked with United don’t seem to attract interest from other major clubs, raising further doubts about the scouting and decision-making processes.
The lack of leadership within the current squad is another major concern. Ince warned that selling captain Bruno Fernandes would be a mistake, especially when the team is already struggling with a lack of vocal, experienced players in the dressing room.
He reminisced about the influence of figures like Bryan Robson, Steve Bruce, and Eric Cantona during his playing days, saying those kinds of characters held the team together through rough patches.
Ince pointed out that some of United’s talents, such as Scott McTominay and Antony, have gone elsewhere and flourished, suggesting the problem lies in how the club is managing its assets. He believes a few strong personalities could help lift the team, especially with so many young players in the squad.
The former midfielder concluded by reflecting on the broader stagnation at the club. He said fans have been remarkably patient, likely because they’ve witnessed nearly a decade of slow progress.
While rival clubs like Arsenal, Newcastle, and Aston Villa have grown stronger, United have struggled to keep pace. According to Ince, the path back to the top will be longer and more difficult than many supporters expect.
Juventus are reportedly set to compete with Napoli for the signing of Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho this summer.
The 25-year-old is back at Old Trafford following a season-long loan at Chelsea, where he made a solid impact with five goals and 10 assists across 41 competitive appearances. He also found the net in Chelsea’s convincing 4-1 victory in last month’s Conference League final, though his efforts were not enough to convince the club to make the deal permanent.
Chelsea were initially expected to secure Sancho for £25 million as part of their loan agreement but ultimately chose to walk away from the obligation. As a result, they were required to pay Manchester United a £5 million penalty fee.
Despite being under contract with United, Sancho is not considered part of manager Ruben Amorim’s long-term plans. If he fails to secure a transfer in the coming weeks, the winger is expected to be left out of the club’s pre-season tour to the United States.
Juventus enter the race for Sancho
Napoli had previously emerged as the frontrunner for Sancho’s signature, with the player reportedly reaching a verbal agreement with the Serie A champions. However, a deal between Manchester United and Napoli has yet to be finalized.
According to Sky Sports News, Juventus have now entered the picture, exploring the financial and contractual terms of a potential move. The Turin-based side is seriously evaluating the opportunity to sign the England international, who has earned 23 senior caps.
Is Juventus the right fit for Sancho?
Juventus manager Igor Tudor is preparing for his first full season in charge after leading the team to a top-four finish last term. Known for deploying a 3-4-2-1 formation, Tudor’s system does not traditionally utilize wide wingers like Sancho.
If he joins Juventus, Sancho would likely compete for one of the two attacking midfield spots behind the main striker—a role that currently sees strong competition from Kenan Yildiz, Francisco Conceicao, and Nico Gonzalez. Unless one of these players is sold, Sancho might struggle to find regular playing time in Turin.
Napoli, on the other hand, could offer a more suitable environment for the former Borussia Dortmund star. With the club still looking to replace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who departed in January, Sancho may find more opportunities to thrive in his preferred position on the wing.
Nicolas Jackson endured a nightmare cameo as Chelsea collapsed in the second half against Flamengo during their FIFA Club World Cup clash, suffering a 3-1 defeat that puts their tournament hopes at risk.
Chelsea initially took the lead through Pedro Neto, whose composed finish through the goalkeeper’s legs gave the Premier League side a promising start. However, the momentum quickly shifted after the break.
Flamengo responded in ruthless fashion, netting twice in quick succession. Substitute Bruno Henrique capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot home from close range, followed by another back-post finish from Danilo that stunned the Blues and put the Brazilian side ahead.
Matters worsened for Chelsea when substitute Nicolas Jackson was shown a straight red card just four minutes after entering the pitch.
His dangerous challenge saw his studs connect with Lucas Ayrton’s shin, leaving the referee with little choice but to send him off immediately.
Flamengo sealed the win with a third goal, as Wallace Yan added the final blow to a chaotic second half that Chelsea will want to forget.
The result means Chelsea must now beat African side ES Tunis in their next match on Tuesday to progress to the last 16. However, finishing second in the group could set them up for a much tougher path, likely facing the winner of Group C, which may include Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich.
Flamengo’s victory strengthens their bid to top Group D and extends the unbeaten run of South American teams in the Club World Cup’s newly expanded format.
Flamengo vs Chelsea Highlight
Monterrey secured their spot in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup by winning the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League, now known as the CONCACAF Cup.
Fast forward four years, and the team returned to the international stage at the Rose Bowl with only one player from that title-winning squad still in the lineup: veteran goalkeeper Esteban Andrada. The club had not lifted any silverware since that 2021 triumph, which made what happened next even more unexpected.
In a surprising twist, Monterrey opened the scoring against Inter Milan in the 25th minute, as Sergio Ramos delivered a perfectly placed header.
The Spanish defender, who joined the Mexican outfit earlier this year on a one-year deal reportedly worth $4 million, had cited the Club World Cup as a major influence in his decision to sign. His goal sent the Monterrey fans into wild celebrations.
However, their joy didn’t last long. Inter’s star forward Lautaro Martínez—fresh off a World Cup win—responded with a close-range finish following a perfectly orchestrated set-piece.
The Argentine’s goal silenced the Rayados-dominated crowd and brought the game level at 1-1 before halftime.
The second half saw both teams tighten up defensively, limiting each other’s chances as the game wore on.
Inter, still recovering from a heavy defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in last month’s UEFA Champions League final, looked eager to reassert themselves. But it was Monterrey who rose to the occasion, matching their European opponents stride for stride and leaving the pitch with their heads held high after a gritty performance.
Monterrey 1-1 Inter Milan Highlights
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