Man Utd issue mixed injury update with two stars set for extended spell on sidelines​

Rúben Amorim has said he expects to have the final say on Manchester United transfers despite being handed the title of head coach at Old Trafford rather than manager.

Amorim arrived from Sporting CP as part of a revamped structure at the club, which includes sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox.

A source has told ESPN that while Amorim will have a voice in recruitment decisions, he will have less influence that predecessor Erik ten Hag and the process will be led by Ashworth and Wilcox.

Speaking at his first United news conference on Friday, Amorim insisted it is vital that he signs off any additions and departures.

“Everybody has to work together and for that we have to improve the process of recruitment, the data, the profile of players we want,” Amorim said.

“But I have to have a strong position on that because I am the coach. I know how to play, so I think it’s all together but the final word should be the manager.

“Not just because it’s your right but your responsibility. Because, in the end, the result is to me, so I think it’s all together to improve the process of recruitment.

“I have a great responsibility when we choose players because this is something that should be done this way. I’m the manager, the head coach, so I have to choose the players.”

Amorim smiled throughout his first meeting with the media since accepting United’s offer and looked relaxed ahead of his first game against Ipswich Town on Sunday.

He said that he has “belief” in the players he’s inherited despite the team sitting 13th in the Premier League table.

However, he accepted that maybe the players have lost belief in themselves after a difficult start to the season under Ten Hag.

“That’s for sure but this is normal in every team,” he said. “When you don’t win games, you start to be suspicious of the way of playing. You can understand when they walk to the game or the warm up, you can feel if they are confident or not, so that is a normal thing.

“I think I have to help them to feel that. It will take time but they are ready to cope with the demands of the Premier League because they have proved that.

“You can see even this year and last year sometimes they have a bad first half and then in the second half without any tactical change, they will turn up and change things. They have to find the mindset to play this way through all the game.”

Rodri has said Pep Guardiola’s contract extension is “an important incentive” for him to continue at Manchester City but left the door open for a transfer to Real Madrid by calling their reported interest “an honour.”

Rodri, who tore his right ACL in September, celebrated the news that Guardiola signed a two-year deal to remain at the Etihad stadium through June 2027.

“It is a joy that Pep has decided to continue,” Rodri, 28, told Cadena Ser radio in Spain. “It’s clear that he has been the most influential coach of my career. It’s a joy for the club and for the Citizens for him to continue for at least two more years. When I signed there [with City in 2019], they told me that Pep would only stay for one or two years…”

When asked about his future, Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, said: “My focus is on my recovery. I have two years left on my contract, the time is approaching to sit down and speak again. It’s clear that it [Guardiola’s contract extension] is an important incentive. I feel very valued at the club. For the time being I’m very happy.”

Rodri, who joined City in the summer of 2019 from Atletico Madrid, in fact, does not rule out ending his playing career at the Etihad even if he is a target of Real Madrid next summer.

Asked if he would consider joining Madrid, Rodri said: “Obviously when Madrid, the best and most successful club in history, calls you, it is an honour. You always have to pay attention. But obviously of course not. I don’t look too far ahead but it’s a possibility that I could perfectly end my career in England.

“It’s a country that has given me everything, I have fallen in love with football there. The club is spectacular, not just from a sporting level but how it’s structured. I feel comfortable and loved there. But Spain is my country. I am always aware of the League, the level of the teams is growing more and more. I’ve been lucky to play in both leagues, to have the best coaches in the world and I feel very satisfied.”

Rodri, who was voted the best player at Euro 2024 after leading Spain to the title, is aiming to return before the end of the season.

“Right now I’m not thinking about football, about winning,” he said. “I’m just thinking about giving myself a chance to recover to regain the level I had before.

Asked if he could return to play in March or April, Rodri said: “Yes. From a mental standpoint, my aim is to play this season. Each year, the seasons are longer. I don’t know how much I will be able to contribute but having the Nations League and the Club World Cup in June and July, I think I will be able to do so.”

City have struggled without Rodri.

The club are second in the Premier League, five points adrift of leaders Liverpool, and are 10th in the Champions League group standings.

“It’s clear that we are going through a negative spell,” Rodri said. “It’s not the first time. If there’s a team that has shown that it can bounce back it’s our team. I have no doubt that we will come out of this. We have a strong team. I’m eager to return in order to give the team encouragement.”

Javier Mascherano is set to become the new head coach of Inter Miami in the upcoming days as the two parties finalize contract negotiations, sources have confirmed to ESPN.

Mascherano will leave his post as manager of Argentina’s youth team to lead Lionel Messi and the Herons throughout the 2025 campaign. He replaces Gerardo “Tata” Martino, who exits the club after a year and a half due to personal reasons.

Inter Miami kicked off the search for a new head coach Nov. 16 just hours after co-owner Jorge Mas and president of football operations Raúl Sanllehi were informed of the departure of Martino.

“I found out on Friday, I had a conversation with Gerardo Martino on Saturday morning at 11 a.m.,” Mas said in a news conference Friday. “Our coaching search started at 11:01.

“We had a list; this is an extremely attractive job and position for a coach. We got it down to three final candidates by Tuesday and we made — David Beckham, Raúl, my brother José Mas and myself — made the decision two days ago and we will announce the coach in the next few days. Knowing that this isn’t our first coaching search, I’ve been involved in interviewing the world’s greatest since 2019.”

Mas emphasized that the team did not prioritize Major League Soccer experience, but instead looked for a leader who could manage the locker room well considering the caliber of players on the roster.

Before finalizing the name, the Inter Miami co-owner looked to Lionel Messi for advice on how to proceed with the candidates.

“Experience in MLS would be good, but I don’t think it’s the principal criteria. I think it’s more about how you manage the roster with unlimited potential,” Mas said. “I spoke to Leo on Saturday after he and Tata spoke. I asked him what is important to you and what is important to get the best of our roster. How do we improve? Leo shared with me his thoughts, not dissimilar to what I explained.

“Without a doubt a familiarity with Leo and the other stars is an advantage in every aspect. I want Leo to feel comfortable with the new trainer and coach. We went out and spearheaded that. Leo gave me what I asked him, which is input. But that was his involvement and engagement with me.”

Mascherano and Messi played together for eight seasons at Barcelona and also competed regularly for the Argentina national team.

In Spain, Mascherano and Messi inspired Barcelona to the 2011 and 2015 Champions League titles and five LaLiga trophies.

Mascherano, who also played for Liverpool and West Ham, led Argentina’s U23s to the quarterfinals of the soccer competition at the Paris Olympics in August.