Football
Roy Keane says Scott McTominay was ‘tarnished’ by £47m Man Utd signing
Roy Keane believes Scott McTominay’s time at Manchester United was negatively impacted by his midfield partnership with Fred.
Despite making over 250 appearances for his boyhood club, McTominay was sold to Napoli last summer for £25 million, a move partly influenced by financial fair play regulations.
McTominay was a regular presence at Old Trafford for five seasons, consistently playing more than 35 games each campaign from 2019 to 2024.
However, this season has seen him flourish in Italy, scoring 12 goals in 34 appearances and becoming a key figure in Napoli’s push for the Serie A title under Antonio Conte. His strong performances have led many to question whether United were too hasty in letting him go.
Roy Keane, the former United captain, doesn’t necessarily agree that selling McTominay was a mistake, but he acknowledges the midfielder’s reputation may have suffered due to his pairing with Fred.
The two formed what was often dubbed the “McFred” partnership, which came under regular scrutiny from fans and pundits alike. Keane admitted that while McTominay had promise and attacking ability, the combination with Fred never quite worked, leaving United weak in midfield.
Keane was critical of both players during their time together, often questioning manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s faith in them. Despite this, Keane now concedes that McTominay has taken his game to another level at Napoli, particularly with his improved goal-scoring form.
While McTominay’s success has sparked debate about United’s decision, Keane points out that not every departure warrants regret.
He emphasizes the importance of focusing on building a team capable of returning to the top and highlights the club’s ongoing recruitment problems.
In his view, United have failed to bring in players better than McTominay, which is part of a broader issue with the club’s transfer strategy.
Meanwhile, Solskjaer continues to voice his disapproval of the sale, describing McTominay as a player who consistently gave his all and questioning why United would choose to let him go.
Jaap Stam also expressed regret over the decision, stating McTominay had been an influential figure at the club, even when not a guaranteed starter.
Stam noted that the midfielder’s impact, particularly his goal contribution, made him someone United could have benefited from keeping.
Interestingly, Fred has also been performing well since his departure, now playing for Turkish side Fenerbahce. Both former United midfielders are showing strong form abroad, further highlighting the decisions made by the Old Trafford hierarchy.
In summary, McTominay’s rise at Napoli has reignited discussions about his time at Manchester United, his partnership with Fred, and the club’s decision to move on from both players.
While some argue he should have stayed, others maintain that departures are inevitable in football, especially when better replacements are the goal—a goal United have yet to consistently achieve.
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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