Alejandro Garnacho was benched by Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag against Southampton and the reason for his absence has been explained. WHAT HAPPENED? Garnacho was not included in United’s XI against Southampton, with Marcus Rashford preferred on the left of Ten Hag’s attack. There were rumours that the reason for his exclusion was his liking of a social media post that shared Cristiano Ronaldo’s criticism of the Dutch manager, but it has now been reported that is not the case. THE EXPLANATION Fabrizio Romano reports that the reason for Garnacho’s benching is a tactical one. Indeed, the Argentina international has…
Author: DearMama Gurutrends
The Red Devils rode an early storm on a sun-lit south coast to beat the Saints with a helping hand from their goalkeeper and new defensive recruit Manchester United survived an early scare to beat Southampton 3-0 on Saturday as Erik ten Hag was leant a helping hand from his former Ajax charges Andre Onana and Matthijs de Ligt before Marcus Rashford ended his long goal drought. United made a rocky start in their first game since the international break, and they feared the worst when Diogo Dalot was twisted inside out by tricky teenager Tyler Dibling and conceded a…
A young Manchester United fan was hailed by the Red Devils faithful for “motivating” Marcus Rashford to end his goal drought against Southampton. WHAT HAPPENED? The 26-year-old forward had struggled to find the back of the net in the new campaign but a message from a young fan named Grayson seemed to be just the encouragement he needed. Rashford’s subsequent performance in United’s 3-0 victory over Southampton on Saturday saw him deliver a much-needed goal, with the player dedicating the strike to the 10-year-old fan. THE BIGGER PICTURE On Thursday, September 12, Rashford shared a moving Instagram post in which…
Former Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero and his partner Sofia Calzetti have welcomed their first child. WHAT HAPPENED? Aguero has announced the birth of his first child with his model girlfriend, Calzetti, who is 36. The ex-striker was forced to retire from football in 2021 after a heart condition was discovered, and he has now become a father for the second time. He also has a child with Gianina Maradona, but the pair were divorced in 2012 after four years of marriage. Getty THE BIGGER PICTURE Aguero has confirmed that his new child is a girl and has been named…
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says he’s become lazier as he’s grown older and explained why he has to watch more of Liverpool under Arne Slot. WHAT HAPPENED? Guardiola has enjoyed many battles with Liverpool during his time at City but faces a different challenge this season with Arne Slot having replaced Jurgen Klopp at the helm. The Dutchman has enjoyed a perfect start to life at Anfield, winning his first three games of the new campaign to join City at the top of the early table on nine points. AFP THE BIGGER PICTURE Slot’s arrival has also forced Guardiola to work…
Phil Parkinson has been named League One Manager of the Month for August after guiding Wrexham to an unbeaten start. WHAT HAPPENED? The Red Dragons have made a flying start to the season, going unbeaten through their opening five games and sitting in first place in League One. In August, they collected 10 points from a possible 12, beating Wycombe, Reading and Peterborough, and last week’s win over Shrewsbury saw them climb to the top of the standings. Getty Images Sport THE BIGGER PICTURE Wrexham have enjoyed a meteoric rise since the arrival of co-owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds in…
Aaron Ramsdale has opened up on his relationship with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta after leaving the Gunners and joining Southampton. WHAT HAPPENED? Ramsdale lost his place in the starting XI after Arsenal brought in David Raya from Brentford on an initial loan before signing the stopper permanently in the summer. The Gunners goalkeeper went on to win the Golden Glove last season, while Ramsdale ended up playing a bit-part role. The 26-year-old has now moved on to Southampton in a bid to reignite his career and enjoy regular football once more. Imago THE BIGGER PICTURE Despite enduring a difficult time with Arsenal, Ramsdale says…
Manchester City star Chloe Kelly has shared more wedding footage, with England team-mates Ella Toone and Khiara Keating showing off their dance moves. WHAT HAPPENED? Kelly tied the knot with long-term partner Scott Moore in July at a glitzy ceremony in Cheshire. Several of Kelly’s England team-mates attended, including Toone, Keating and Mary Earps, as the City star celebrated her special day. THE BIGGER PICTURE The hero of England’s Euros triumph has shared a collection of summer snaps on Instagram. Among the carousel is a video of guests dancing at her wedding, including Toone and Keating. “Summa Luvin. Not so much…
Pochettino’s confidence and ambition were clear to see in his introductory USMNT news conference After a month of sifting through various reports and waiting for Mauricio Pochettino, the Argentine finally arrived and was introduced as the new U.S. men’s national team coach in his first press conference in New York City’s Hudson Yards. Here are five takeaways from Pochettino’s inaugural comments as the new USMNT coach. Embracing America From Pochettino’s opening comment, the veteran coach was confident and appeared genuine about the opportunity to jump into international management and to do so with the U.S. “I am really happy to…
Rodrigo Bentancur has been warned by Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou that he will have to bear the consequences of his remark about Son Heung-min. (C)Getty Images WHAT HAPPENED? In a June television interview in Uruguay, Bentancur made an offensive racist remark about South Koreans. When the host asked the midfielder for a Spurs player’s shirt, he responded: ‘Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same’. Following the incident, South Korea captain Son shared on social media that he had accepted Bentancur’s apologies and that the two would always be “brothers” THE BIGGER PICTURE The English Football…
Lionel Messi’s injury woes are over, as the Argentine is in contention for selection against the Philadelphia Union Saturday. WHAT HAPPENED? Lionel Messi is officially back and ready to compete for minutes on the pitch with Inter Miami, manager Tata Martino confirmed to media Friday. The Argentine has not played for the Herons since Sunday, June 1, after leaving the club for Copa America 2024 with Argentina. In the final match of the tournament, he suffered an ankle sprain that kept him out of the MLS All-Star game and the 2024 Leagues Cup. WHAT MARTINO SAID “He’s fine,” Martino said…
Conor Gallagher says he already “feels at home” following his move from Chelsea to Atletico Madrid – after a turbulent transfer saga. WHAT HAPPENED? The 24-year-old finally swapped Chelsea for Atletico late last month in what was a topsy-turvy transfer saga. Upon his arrival, more than 30,000 fans turned out at their Metropolitano Stadium to greet the new recruit. After just two appearances at the Spanish side, he admits he is settling in nicely in his new surroundings. AFP WHAT CONOR GALLAGHER SAID He said, via The Mirror: “It was amazing, really good experience. First time meeting Atletico Madrid fans and it was…
In a massive match, NWSL’s best offensive team takes on the league’s best defensive team The Orlando Pride are in a place that they’ve never been before, riding a NWSL record 20-game unbeaten streak into the weekend. Forget the Pride never having been here, it’s a place that no other NWSL team has been before. But the bigger they are, the harder they’ll fall. And there’s not a team in the league right now that isn’t aiming to end that streak. One of them is the Kansas City Current, who have good reason to be on the attack. They’ll play…
Carlo Ancelotti has admitted Rodrygo could become jealous of superstar team-mates Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr at Real Madrid. Rodrygo has cut a frustrated figure of late. The Brazilian has expressed his disappointment at being left off the shortlist for the 2024 Ballon d’Or award despite winning La Liga and the Champions League last season. To make matters worse, he’s had to watch team-mates Mbappe, Bellingham and Vinicius being named on the shortlist, with his fellow Brazilian the current favourite to lift the prestigious Golden Ball trophy. (C)Getty Images THE BIGGER PICTURE Rodrygo has also called for more recognition for his efforts…
Dan Scarr believes Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney will be seeking bragging rights over counterpart Tom Brady when Wrexham take on Birmingham. WHAT HAPPENED? NFL legend Brady joined Reynolds and McElhenney in the ownership sphere when he acquired a 3.3 per cent stake in the League One club last year. Brady would love for even a fraction of the success the Hollywood stars have achieved at Wrexham, achieving back-to-back promotions and earning worldwide recognition thanks to their Emmy-winning Welcome to Wrexham documentary. AFP THE BIGGER PICTURE The two teams will go head-to-head on Monday evening when Wrexham travel to Birmingham. Phil Parkinson’s side…
Jude Bellingham has revealed Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti joked he’d signed the wrong brother after Jobe Bellingham scored a brace. WHAT HAPPENED? The older Bellingham brother was keeping tabs on Jobe from afar as Sunderland took on Rotherham United in the Championship in August 2023. Jobe helped the Black Cats to a 2-1 victory with a fine brace, much to Bellingham’s delight. However, that delight turned to shock when Ancelotti told him of his intentions not only to sign Jobe, but to play him in Bellingham’s position. Getty/GOAL WHAT BELLINGHAM SAID Speaking on the first episode of his ‘Out…
Manchester United had to splash out £3 million to bring in sporting director Dan Ashworth from Newcastle but already consider it “money well spent”. WHAT HAPPENED? Ashworth eventually swapped Newcastle for United in July after the two clubs agreed a deal. The 53-year-old spent five months on gardening leave before finally taking up his position at Old Trafford after the Red Devils shelled out a £3m ($3.9m) for his services. United already consider it “money well spent” as Ashworth has brought “a sense of stability and professionalism” to the club following his arrival, according to The Athletic. Youtube/GOAL THE BIGGER PICTURE Ashworth’s appointment was part…
Former Premier League defender Ronnie Stam has gone on trial after being accused of smuggling two tons of cocaine. WHAT HAPPENED? The former Wigan player was labelled a “major player in the drugs world” by a prosecutor after being arrested in June on suspicion of drug offences. According to The Sun, Stam is on trial after being accused of trafficking 2,217 kilograms of cocaine. He’s also being investigated for alleged money laundering. Getty Images Sport THE BIGGER PICTURE Stam has been on remand since being arrested by Dutch police alongside his parents, brother and girlfriend. Police reportedly solved an encrypted messaging…
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has opened up on the decision making at the club before signing Raheem Sterling from Chelsea on loan. Arsenal.com WHAT HAPPENED? Sterling was outcast from the Chelsea squad upon the takeover of Enzo Maresca this summer, and as such, the 29-year-old winger had been told to leave the club or spend his time in exile. While a number of clubs were gunning for the former Manchester City star, it was the Gunners who struck a loan deal in the dying embers of the transfer window last month. Arteta has revealed it only took him ’10 seconds’…
Emi Martinez has been told that his “weird” behaviour is preventing a deserved standing among the top three keepers in world football being taken up. WHAT HAPPENED? The Aston Villa and Argentina shot-stopper has shown with his performances for club and country that he should be part of that conversation. He landed the prestigious Yashin Trophy in 2023 and FIFA Best Men’s Goalkeeper award after helping the Albiceleste to World Cup glory at Qatar 2022. Getty THE BIGGER PICTURE Martinez has also formed part of two triumphant Copa America squads, while helping Villa to a top-four finish in the Premier League and Champions…