European Super Football

Manchester United 2 - 1 Brentford The Red Devils came from behind to claim a vital win over Brentford at Old Trafford, easing the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag. Author - Olivia T United found themselves trailing at half-time after Ethan Pinnock headed Brentford into the lead in controversial fashion, with the goal coming while Matthijs de Ligt was off the pitch receiving treatment for a head injury. However, early in the second half, a stunning goal from Alejandro Garnacho ended United’s 316-minute Premier League goal drought with a stunning first-time strike from Marcus Rashford’s cross, bringing the home side level. The decisive moment came in the 62nd minute when Rasmus Højlund latched onto a brilliant flicked pass from Bruno Fernandes, expertly chipping the ball over the onrushing Brentford goalkeeper, Mark Flekken, to secure the win for United. While the match didn’t have the late drama of last season's injury-time double from Scott McTominay that dashed Brentford’s hop

How big of an impact could these new players have on United's season? The Red Devils have brought in Bayern Munich duo Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui in a deal that could total nearly £60 million. Brothers in arms 🇳🇱🇲🇦 Our signing interview with @MdeLigt_04 has just dropped — exclusively to #MUTV subscribers for the first hour 🙌 #MUFC — Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 15, 2024 De Ligt has signed a five-year contract, with the option to extend for an additional year, while Mazraoui has agreed to a four-year deal, also with the possibility of a one-year extension. United have agreed to pay £38.5 million, plus £4.3 million in add-ons, for 25-year-old centre-back De Ligt, who previously captained Erik ten Hag’s Ajax team that reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2019. Mazraoui, who also worked under Ten Hag at Ajax, has praised the manager’s influence on his career. The 26-year-old Moroccan defender joins for an initial fee of £12.8 million, with an extra

 Bayern Munich 3 - 0 Lazio (Bayern Munich win 3-1 on aggregate) FC Bayern clinched a resounding 3-0 victory over Lazio, securing their spot in the Champions League quarter-finals.  Harry Kane and Thomas Müller led the charge, overturning Lazio's 1-0 first-leg lead in the opening half, with Kane sealing his brace in the second half for a 3-1 aggregate triumph. Footage from  COMEBACK COMPLETE! Quarter-finals, here we come | FC Bayern vs. Lazio Rome 3-0 | Highlights & more (youtube.com) The Bavarians fielded a formidable lineup, with Manuel Neuer guarding the goal and Joshua Kimmich, Matthijs de Ligt, Eric Dier, and Raphaël Guerreiro forming the defensive wall. In midfield, Aleksandar Pavlović and Leon Goretzka provided stability, while Leroy Sané, Müller, and Jamal Musiala orchestrated the attack alongside Kane.  Alphonso Davies, Mathys Tel, Konrad Laimer, and Serge Gnabry made late appearances in the second half, replacing Guerreio, Müller, Sané, and Musiala respectively. U

Southampton 0 - 3 Manchester United Matthijs de Ligt netted his first goal for Manchester United, helping Erik ten Hag's team secure a crucial Premier League victory over Southampton. The Red Devils had entered the international break on a low note, following a heavy defeat to Liverpool, and were in dire need of a strong response upon their return. After a shaky start, United found their rhythm, with Andre Onana’s penalty save from Cameron Archer proving a key moment. Shortly afterwards, they seized the advantage. Summer signing De Ligt broke the deadlock , expertly heading into the bottom corner from a brilliant cross delivered by Bruno Fernandes. Just six minutes later, United doubled their advantage when Marcus Rashford scored his first goal of the season, threading a low shot through a crowded box to find the net—his first since March. The quickfire double appeared to take the wind out of Southampton's sails, allowing United to control the second half with relative eas

Another defeat for Manchester United where they had plenty of opportunities to win but couldn't get over the line. Their players must improve their game management in the season ahead. The Red Devils were beaten 2-1 at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday in our first away match of the Premier League campaign after Seagulls striker Joao Pedro headed a 95th-minute winner. It was the sixth time since the 2022/23 season that Ten Hag's side have lost a league game from a goal scored in second-half stoppage time. They will be hoping to bounce back from the disappointment on the south coast when Arne Slot’s Liverpool visit Old Trafford on Sunday 1 September, What are they currently doing well at and how can they build on it? One of the most noticeable improvements in this team during the first two weeks of the Premier League season is their pressing game, both in its organisation and the intensity with which they apply it. Having Fernandes play as a false nine has been a key fa

Crystal Palace 0 - 0 Manchester United Manchester United missed several big chances in their goalless draw at Selhurst Park in the Premier League. Fresh from their 7-0 EFL Cup win over Barnsley on Tuesday , Ten Hag's side cut Palace open at will in a dominant first half. Alejandro Garnacho, who replaced Marcus Rashford in the starting XI, had an early shot saved by the goalkeeper before Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez were denied by the home goalkeeper Dean Henderson's feet. The visitors continued to pile on the pressure with Garnacho sweeping against the bar after being played in down the left. The rebound fell to Bruno Fernandes, who was often the orchestrator for the Reds. His effort bounced off the pitch before it clipped the top of the bar. The home side eventually grew into the half and came closest when Eberechi Eze slotted into the hands of Andre Onana when unmarked on the penalty spot. The second half was definitely more even. Fernandes curled wide before a

More transfer news from Old Trafford and Goodison Park Everton have turned down a second offer from Manchester United, this time around £45m, for their defender Jarrad Branthwaite . Last month, the Toffees also rejected a £35m bid from United for the 22-year-old England international. It's believed that United's revised offer included potential additional payments if certain targets were achieved. This still falls short of Everton's valuation. Branthwaite has shone as a left-sided central defender at Goodison Park, playing a crucial role in helping the Merseyside club avoid relegation last season despite two points deductions for breaching financial loss rules. United are eager to bolster their central defence options and have been in talks over Bayern Munich's Matthijs de Ligt , who is currently representing the Netherlands at Euro 2024. With Raphael Varane having left the club, there has been no confirmation yet of a new one-year deal for veteran Northern Ireland

Does there need to be a change in tactics? Do they need a new manager? What's next for the Old Trafford club? Despite last season's FA Cup win, United fans views on the future of Ten Hag were split. After finishing eighth in the Premier League last season, many fans wondered if he was the right man to lead the club back to its former glories.  Some supporters also argued that his tactical approach was too rigid, and there was additional growing concerns about his ability to adapt to the demands of the English game.  Debate about Ten Hag's future again Once again, the Dutchman's position at the helm of one of football's giants has shifted from persistent uncertainty to genuine crisis following a 3-0 defeat against Tottenham. For United's hierarchy, the choice to stick with the ex-Ajax manager is proving to be one that may cast a shadow over the early phase of his reign at Old Trafford. But the question now is whether they should double down on their decision

Manchester United's plans for the new season appear to be going well. The Red Devils have signed French defender Leny Yoro from Lille on a contract until 2029.  The deal is valued at €62 million (£52.18m), with an additional €8 million (£6.73m) in potential add-ons. The 18-year-old centre-back has committed to a five-year stay at Old Trafford, with an option to extend for another 12 months. Yoro, who debuted for Lille at 16, had attracted interest from Real Madrid, Paris St-Germain, and Liverpool. Last season, he made 32 league appearances, scored two goals, and was instrumental in helping Lille secure fourth place in Ligue 1 . His performances earned him a spot in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season. In total, Yoro played 44 matches across all competitions for Lille, reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League, where they were narrowly defeated on penalties by Aston Villa. Yoro's signing follows Manchester United's recent acquisition of forward Joshua Zirkz

Roma 3 - 4 Juventus Roma and Juventus produced one of the best games of the season. The home side with 3-1 up with only 20 minutes left. However, there was a stunning comeback from Juventus.  Roma's Lorenzo Pellegrini also had a late penalty saved after Matthijs de Ligt was given a second yellow card for handball. The win keeps Juventus in fifth place, but they are only three points behind Atalanta. Roma stay in eighth place, and Jose Mourinho said his side suffered a psychological collapse. You can watch the highlights in the video below. Footage from the Serie A YouTube channel.  More reaction This is one of many tweets posted by the Juventus account after a wonderful match had been concluded. 𝘼𝙖𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚... 😮‍💨 How are your heart rates after that, Bianconeri?? 📈 #RomaJuve #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/UBasDhIUMJ — JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) January 9, 2022 The Roma account posted the thoughts of Jose Mourinho: "3-1 and 3-2 are different scorelines bu

 France 4 - 0 Netherlands Kylian Mbappe scored his first goals as France captain. The World Cup finalists began their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a fine win against the Netherlands. France were ahead after just two minutes when Antoine Griezmann curled in from Mbappe's pass. Defender Dayot Upamecano made it 2-0 six minutes later as he bundled in. Mbappe then scored again for France when he drove in, before powering home his second late on. Griezmann had reportedly been unhappy at being overlooked for the captaincy role given to Mbappe, but there were no signs of friction between the pair as they celebrated Mbappe's first of the night in the 21st minute. There is a lot of positive team spirit amongst these players.  We can also see that they have recovered from the heartbreak of losing the World Cup Final.  World Cup: Argentina triumph after classic final (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com) Kylian Mbappé has now scored more goals for France than Karim Benzema. He's

West Ham United 2 - 1 Manchester United Manchester United will be wondering how they have lost this game. Jarrod Bowen scored a penalty in injury time to condemn The Red Devils to a 2-1 defeat. Author - Olivia T A closer look at what happened at the London Stadium That late penalty from Jarrod Bowen handed Manchester United a 2-1 defeat in the Premier League, easing the pressure on West Ham’s manager, Julen Lopetegui. Casemiro had briefly revived United’s hopes of taking a point, heading in with less than ten minutes to go to cancel out Crysencio Summerville’s 74th-minute goal.  Controversy struck with just three minutes remaining when referee David Coote was called to the pitchside monitor by the Video Assistant Referee to review Matthijs de Ligt’s challenge on Danny Ings in the box. Despite protests from United’s players, who claimed a handball by Ings, Coote awarded the penalty, and Bowen kept his cool to slot the ball past André Onana. Click here for more Premier League news

Let's take a look at some of the greatest Champions League semi-finals.  With the 2023 Champions League semi-finals just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to look back at some legendary matches at this stage of the competition.  From AC Milan to Manchester United and Didier Drogba to Zinedine Zidane, iconic clubs and players have come of age and built their modern mythology in these matches. However, which games were the best?  AC Milan v Monaco - 1994 The Champions League was still a very different competition when it officially changed its name from the European Cup in the earlier part of the 1990s.  In this game against Monaco, Milan went up early through Marcel Desailly but suffered a significant setback when Alessandro Costacurta was sent off after 40 minutes. However, they were determined not to let their advantage slip. In the end, they only held their lead but also added to it with further strikes in the second half. The season would only get better for Milan.