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Manchester United have endured yet another topsy-turvy start to the season, but Ruben Amorim is determined to turn things around and remains stubborn in his belief that his cast-iron system will remain the philosophy implemented.

For better or for worse. The Red Devils welcome Chelsea to Old Trafford on Saturday evening as they look to claim a second Premier League win of the season, and it’s crucial that they indeed score some points on the board and climb away from the foot of the division, having so shockingly finished 15th last year.

Having been trounced in the Manchester derby last weekend, Amorim will be feeling rather hot under the collar, aware that more misery might spell the end of his turbulent tenure, less than a year after his appointment.

The Portuguese tactician has been buoyed, however, by Matheus Cunha’s return to fitness, with the Brazilian forward having injured his hamstring before the September international break.

Why Cunha's return is so important

He’s yet to get off the mark for Manchester United this season after joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a bumper £62.5m package this summer, but Cunha, 26, has only played two full 90s in the Premier League so far, forced off after only half an hour with a hamstring injury against Burnley.

Described as having the qualities to be “one of the most transformational United players” by writer Wayne Barton, Cunha is the real deal, proven within the English game and boasting one of the most dynamic attacking skillsets across Europe.

United might have sold Alejandro Garnacho to Chelsea – a warm welcome back to the Theatre for him on Saturday – and loaned Marcus Rashford out to Barcelona, but this versatile attacking force, usually out on the left but called into a number nine berth across the opening weeks of the term, has the chance to erase such former stars from the fanbase’s mind with a string of impressive showings.

We’ve already seen what he can do in a red shirt, and having been confirmed fit for this forthcoming fixture, all eyes will be riveted on him when the ball is claimed and space is found in the danger area.

However, he’s not the only one who could make an impact, and Amorim should consider unleashing his new version of Rashford on Enzo Maresca’s Blues.

Amorim's new version of Rashford

Rashford was once a superstar under the Old Trafford lights, but there’s no doubt that he ebbed and he flowed, and that his finest days as a Manchester United man passed some time ago.

But in Amad Diallo, Amorim might be guiding the new version to the fore.

Amad is still only 23, and came into his own as a United first-teamer last term, notching 21 goal involvements across 43 matches in all competitions.

69 games he has played in total for the club, posting 14 goals and 13 assists. Singled out by Sky Sport pundit Jamie Carragher for his “sensational” performances in a poor team last season, he must be unleashed in a role fit for his skillset against Chelsea, who boast an overload of firepower themselves.

Described as a “wizard” of a winger by journalist James Copley, Amad’s fast, furious dribbling style and innate potency have allowed him to cement a place in Amorim’s matchday squad. A strong grasp of the technical side of the attacking game is what he has, that and an eye for the spectacular.

Remind you of anyone? Was it not Thursday evening that Rashford rifled in from range to sink the Magpies around St. James’ Park? It was a bittersweet one to watch for those of a Man United persuasion, but not all that surprising for those aware of exactly what the Three Lions star is capable of.

As per FBref, the Ivorian winger ranks among the top 4% of positional peers for pass completion, the top 16% for shot-creating actions and the top 10% for progressive carries per 90, emphasising his ball-carrying skill, yes, but also the creative spark which could be crucial in serving a forward such as Cunha with ammunition from which to strike on goal.

Amad’s tactical range has been showcased across his years as a professional so far, but if Amorim opts to deploy him alongside Mbeumo in a more advanced berth than the wing-back role he has been placed in three times already this season, his attacking strengths could be maximised, thus providing United with the balance and fluency they need to finally make things tick.

Right winger

128

42 (35)

Attacking midfield

33

10 (3)

Centre-forward

22

9 (1)

Left winger

20

9 (4)

It’s curious that the nifty forward manages to maintain a degree of prolificness no matter where he is positioned across the frontline, and that’s something Amorim has clearly latched onto.

Rashford, too, could play in different berths, and though each prefers a different foot, there is much the same about their shared directness and natural goalscoring sense.

In November 2024, with United at a low ebb, only Rashford and Amad were in the positive in regard to xG totals, as per Statman Dave.

Given that that trend has continued into the current campaign, with no Premier League side having created a higher xG total than 14th-placed Man United, someone of Amad’s clinical calibre must now stand up and turn things around for Amorim and the club.

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ByEthan Lamb Sep 18, 2025

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Abel Ferreira ganhou um importante reforço para encarar o Flamengo neste sábado (8), no Allianz Parque, em confronto válido pela 14ª rodada do Brasileirão 2023.

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+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Rony participou dos últimos ajustes feitos pelo técnico na Academia de Futebol nesta manhã de sábado e está confirmado no time titular alviverde. A informação foi dada inicialmente pelo portal ‘Nosso Palestra’ e confirmada pelo Lance!

O camisa 10 do Verdão havia ficado de fora do duelo diante do São Paulo, na última quarta-feira, pela Copa do Brasil, por conta de um entorse no tornozelo esquerdo, sofrido no empate diante do Athletico-PR, na última rodada do Brasileiro.

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Com o retorno do vice-artilheiro do time na temporada, com 10 gols, Abel Ferreira deve escalar o que tem de melhor no Verdão para o duelo diante do Flamengo de Sampaoli. Zé Rafael, ainda em transição física, fica fora de combate, mas pode voltar ao time na quinta-feira, diante do São Paulo.

O provável Palmeiras para enfrentar o Flamengo é: Weverton, Mayke, Luan, Gómez e Piquerez; Richard Rios, Gabriel Menino e Raphael Veiga; Artur, Dudu e Rony.

continua após a publicidade

O atual campeão brasileiro conta com força máxima para derrubar um incômodo tabu diante do Flamengo no Allianz Parque. A última vitória sobre os cariocas em sua nova arena foi pelo Brasileirão de 2017, com dois gols de Deyverson.

Para voltar a vencer no Brasileiro após três rodadas, o Verdão conta com o carrasco do Flamengo, Raphael Veiga, que apesar de não estar vivendo uma boa fase, já marcou sete vezes diante do atual campeão da Libertadores.

Wayne Rooney has revealed the true nature of his relationship with former Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, claiming the pair held each other in high regard, despite their war of words in recent years. And Rooney has also shed light on his feelings over who he thinks is better: Messi or Ronaldo.

• AFP
  

  No love lost between superstar duo

  Rooney and Ronaldo's on-field partnership was highly successful, but differences in opinion emerged later. In 2022, Rooney criticised Ronaldo's behaviour during his second spell at Manchester United calling him an 'unwelcome distraction' after Ronaldo refused to play and walked off down the tunnel against Tottenham. Ronaldo, in turn, retaliated by commenting on Rooney's early retirement and even made personal remarks about his appearance. 

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• It became personal between them

  In an interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo said: "I don’t know why he criticises me so badly… probably because he finished his career and I’m still playing at a high level. I’m not going to say that I’m better looking than him. Which is true." Ouch!

• So, does Rooney hate Ronaldo?

  Rooney told Rio Ferdinand Presents: "People think I hate him. I love him! I think he's an absolute genius; what he's doing is incredible. I don't think people realise how close he and I were. Just because I've said Messi is better than Ronaldo, people think I don't like Cristiano. To be honest, over the last couple of years, I'm thinking, 'Do you know what?', he's probably gonna be the one when you look back, Cristiano, because he keeps going. I absolutely love Messi, I love watching him play, and that was the only reason because I think Messi had a little bit more in terms of how he played, and taking players on."

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Rooney holds Ronaldo in high esteem

  In further, gushing testament to Ronaldo, Rooney said: "Cristiano's an absolute genius in what he's doing; he's just turned 40, and what he's doing is incredible. I take my hat off to him, I think, 'You know what, fair play,' and I can't speak a bad word about him."

Crystal Palace are no strangers to losing some of their best assets to Premier League rivals.

Wilfried Zaha is the first obvious example that springs to mind, with the Eagles academy star ditching Selhurst Park for Manchester United back in 2013, only to then return to solidify his presence among the Palace greats.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka travelled down the same Zaha path in 2019 when he also relocated to Old Trafford, with Yannick Bolasie also another notable exit to Everton in 2016, when the enigmatic attacker left South London for good, for around the £30m mark.

The departure that could sting the most, however, is the impending exit of Eberechi Eze to Arsenal – no, not Tottenham Hotspur – having been catapulted to star-man status at Selhurst Park over the past few seasons, culminating in a hefty haul of 40 goals and 28 assists being tallied up.

Palace will aim to dress up their wounds quickly, though, as some statement arrivals look to be in the works.

Crystal Palace add £45m star to shortlist

The South London outfit already has targets in mind to fill Eze’s void, with the former Queens Park Rangers midfielder’s move away from the club looking inevitable, even if the destination has been altered.

Reports have suggested that the Eagles could explore bringing in Hwang Hee-chan from Wolverhampton Wanderers to add in some needed firepower, alongside other rumours indicating that the top-flight outfit is edging ever closer to adding Bilal El Khannouss from Leicester City to boost their options in the number ten spot on the pitch.

Away from both of those options, other rumours are circling involving Palace going after Southampton youngster Tyler Dibling.

TalkSPORT has recently revealed that the Eagles are the next Premier League club to enter into the queue for the standout teenager’s services, with Palace going as far as to shortlist Dibling as a potential heir to Eze.

It could cost Oliver Glasner and Co. a whopping £45m to land the Saints prodigy, but this might well be viewed as a worthwhile gamble, with the 19-year-old already possessing the potential to be a bigger talent than the soon-to-be Spurs midfielder down the line.

Why Dibling could even be a bigger talent than Eze

After all, when placing both their career trajectories side-by-side, Eze is a relative slow burner in comparison to Dibling’s explosive ascent.

The London-born midfielder wouldn’t make his debut in the bright lights of the Premier League until he was 22 years of age, while the Saints number 33 already has 33 top-flight clashes next to his name, having made his own first steps in the tough division aged just 18.

Senior side

44

4 + 3

U18s

42

11 + 5

U21s

27

8 + 6

Just a mere five clashes into this top-flight journey on the South Coast, Dibling would find the net with some confidence against Ipswich Town, with a further three big chances carved out across his 20 Premier League starts in the league. That reinforces the notion that he is a “special” talent to keep an eye out on, as he was labelled by former U21 coach Adam Asghar.

At a similar point in his own development as a teenager, Eze was making waves in the Championship with QPR, but it would take him a lot longer to get up to speed with the pressures of the Premier League, compared to his 19-year-old counterpart.

His first two campaigns at Selhurst Park would see him collect a reasonable 12 goals and assists from 53 first-team outings, not helped by Achilles tendon issues that derailed his 2021/22 season.

All of this is in the past now, obviously, with Eze going on to be known as an “unbelievable” ace for the South London side, as he was dubbed by Glasner last season, on the way to the Eagles triumphantly lifting the FA Cup in part because of the 27-year-old’s heroics.

While it has taken Eze time to get to the level he is at today, Dibling looks ready-made right now – at just 19 – to take the top-flight by storm, donning Palace claret and blue.

In time, the much-talked-about attacker could be viewed in the same light as Zaha and Eze before him, as the Eagles hope landing Dibling’s signature makes the painful loss of the 12-time England international more manageable.

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Leeds United are preparing for a season in the Premier League and are looking to bolster their squad with new additions before the end of the summer transfer window.

Football Insider reported earlier this summer that the club are not planning to build their attack around Joel Piroe, who they have doubts over heading into a top-flight campaign.

That may be due to a lack of physicality, ahead of a relegation scrap. In the Championship, the Dutchman lost a whopping 73% of his duels and only won 0.7 aerial battles per game, which shows that opposition defenders found it too easy to get the better of him.

Given the step up in quality, Piroe may not have the time and space he needs to score the 19 goals he bagged in the second tier, which is why the physical side of his game will come more into focus.

Leeds remain keen on Premier League forward

This may be why the Championship champions are now reportedly looking at two Premier League centre-forward options who have a lot more to offer physically.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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Speaking to LeedsUnitedNews, journalist Graeme Bailey has revealed that Everton number nine Beto, who was signed from Udinese for £26m in 2023, is still an option for the club this summer.

When asked about alternatives to Fulham forward Rodrigo Muniz, the reporter said: “From what I’m told, I still don’t think Beto’s completely off Leeds’ list and off the table.

“I still think Everton are looking at other strikers as well, so if they brought another one in, Beto might still be an option. I wouldn’t rule him out at all. He’s still on the radar and a work in progress still, even if he’s not Leeds’ first-choice.”

These comments from Bailey show that Leeds are working on Beto as an alternative to Muniz, and Daniel Farke could land his own version of Chris Wood if the club decide to pursue the Portuguese forward.

Why Beto could be Chris Wood 2.0 for Leeds

The New Zealand international, as shown in the graphic below, scored a stunning 44 goals in 88 games during his time at Elland Road before being sold to Burnley.

In the present day, Wood plays for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League and is coming off the back of a 20-goal haul for the Tricky Trees in the top-flight.

Even when he is not scoring goals, though, the 6 foot 3 marksman provides a strong physical presence in the centre-forward position, which is what Beto, 6 foot 4, has also proven in the division.

24/25 Premier League

Chris Wood

Beto

Appearances

36

30

Minutes played

2,976

1,541

Goals

20

8

Ground duel success rate

34%

38%

Aerial duel success rate

39%

49%

Duels won per game

3.5

5.2

Fouls won per game

0.7

0.8

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Everton attacker may not have scored 20 goals in the league, but he did win his fair share of physical duels and averaged 5.2 duels won per game.

This suggests that he would be a big upgrade on Piroe from a physical perspective, providing the team with a better outlet when they need to alleviate pressure, as Farke’s own version of Chris Wood.

Beto, who reporter Paddy Boyland claimed was “thriving” in the Premier League earlier this year, also scored his eight goals from 7.86 xG in just 15 starts.

This suggests that he has the potential and quality to hit double figures for goals in the division as a fairly clinical finisher, if Leeds are prepared to make him their starting number nine.

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Therefore, Leeds could find their own version of Wood by signing Beto, as he is a powerful, towering, and traditional number nine who has proven that he can score goals in the Premier League, which could make him an ideal signing to fire the team to safety.

West Bromwich Albion have already displayed an outside-the-box approach with their transfer activity this summer.

Whilst Nathaniel Phillips is a well-known name to most Championship fans, Aune Heggebo is definitely more of an unknown entity to the average supporter. Yet, West Brom have gambled on the former Brann goal machine to come good on English shores, having spent £4.7m on the Nordic striker.

It remains to be seen whether Heggebo will go on to be a rip-roaring success in England, but his blistering goal record in his native Norway is definitely encouraging to look at.

Why Heggebo could be a success at West Brom

After all, Erling Haaland infamously hails from the same nation, with the lofty attacker now one of the most feared strikers in world football after beginning his career in Scandinavia.

Of course, nobody will be anticipating Heggebo to storm into his new environment and be as instantly clinical as the Manchester City powerhouse, but the signs are there that he could be a lethal finisher at the Hawthorns if he can manage to navigate the step-up well.

In total, for Brann, the £4.7m forward would power home a potent 51 goals from 146 games, with the Eliteserien outfit no doubt putting up a valiant fight to try and keep their star asset around for longer.

Unfortunately, whilst £4.7m is a steep amount to splash in go, West Brom’s lavish spending has been overshadowed somewhat by near neighbours Birmingham City routinely flexing their muscles.

Across the Midlands, the £10m forked out on ex-Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi around the same time has certainly sent a message to the division’s best clubs.

However, the Baggies could shoot back into the limelight if they manage to get another left-field piece of business over the line, with a new target perhaps going down as Ryan Mason’s very own Kyogo if all clicks into place.

West Brom's answer to Kyogo

Before being renowned as a venomous goal threat with 85 strikes next to his name at Celtic, Kyogo would have been viewed as a bold pick-up by the Hoops, considering the Japanese gem had only ever played in the comforts of the J League, before Glasgow came calling.

West Brom might well look to tap into the Asian markets themselves with their next summer buy, with reports from earlier in the month suggesting that the Championship side had bid £1.1m for Jeonbuk Hyundai attacker Jeon Jin-Woo.

Games played

163

182

Goals scored

32

66

Assists

20

36

Jin-Woo might well follow in Kyogo’s footsteps in establishing himself as a menace up top when making the same daunting geographical leap, having amassed an electric 52 goal contributions plying his trade in Korea for both Jeonbuk and ex-employers Suwon Bluewings.

The brand-new Birmingham buy was able to devastatingly reach double Jin-Woo’s goal tally when starring for the likes of Vissel Kobe, but the two-time South Korea international will surely feel less nervous about taking that next step to the Baggies, knowing others have moved to the United Kingdom and thrived in some challenging environments.

To help the 25-year-old even more, Mason will also have Heggebo available for selection in attack, who will be equally eager to hit the ground running in his fresh location.

It does remain up in the air how well West Brom will do next season, with Mason also being a rookie manager away from their daring summer business, but Jin-Woo could become a firm fan’s favourite at the Hawthorns if he manages to excel in the English game to the same lofty heights Kyogo managed in Scotland.

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استقر عماد النحاس، المدير الفني المؤقت لفريق الأهلي، على التشكيل المقرر له مواجهة إنبي اليوم في بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

ويلتقي الأهلي مع نظيره إنبي، ضمن منافسات الجولة السادسة من بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز، على ملعب المقاولون العرب بالجبل الأخضر.

طالع| قائمة الأهلي لمباراة إنبي في الدوري المصري.. عودة إمام عاشور وياسين مرعي

الأهلي يدخل اللقاء وهو في المركز الخامس عشر برصيد 5 نقاط، بعدما خاض أربع مباريات؛ تعادل مع مودرن سبورت 2-2، ثم فاز على فاركو 4-1، قبل أن يكتفي بتعادل سلبي مع غزل المحلة، ويخسر من بيراميدز 0-2.

أما فريق إنبي، فيدخل اللقاء وهو يحتل المركز الثامن برصيد ثماني نقاط، حيث تعادل في مباراتين وفاز في مواجهتين، وخسرفي لقاء وحيد ببطولة الدوري. تشكيل الأهلي المتوقع اليوم أمام إنبي في الدوري

حراسة المرمى: محمد الشناوي.

خط الدفاع: محمد هاني – مصطفى العش – أحمد نبيل كوكا – ياسين مرعي.

خط الوسط: أليو ديانج – مروان عطية – أشرف بن شرقي – تريزيجيه – زيزو.

الهجوم: محمد شريف.

Liverpool are “clearly ahead” of rivals Chelsea in the race to sign a “magnificent” player in the summer transfer window.

Kerkez to join Liverpool this week

The Reds have now officially signed Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in a British-record £116m move, in a piece of business that has made the rest of Europe sit up and take notice.

There is unlikely to be a bigger signing made this summer, with Wirtz considered one of the world’s top attacking players, but Liverpool are not expected to be done there, still planning on adding fresh faces to the squad.

It looks as though Milos Kerkez will be the next name through the door at Anfield in the coming days, with journalist Fabrizio Romano claiming over the weekend that a minor issue has been ironed out and that he could be unveiled as soon as Tuesday.

David Ornstein of The Athletic has gone one better, however, saying that a medical is now expected to be done on Monday after flying into the UK, with the deal set to be worth £40m for the Bournemouth left-back.

Liverpool leading race to sign "magnificent" ace

Now, reliable Sky Sports journalist Sacha Tavolieri [via Sport Witness] has said that Liverpool are “clearly ahead” of Chelsea and others in the battle to sign Lyon winger Malick Fofana this summer.

He states that the Reds’ head of recruitment, Barry Hunter, admires the 20-year-old and has him at the top of his list of summer targets. The Premier League champions will need to sell Federico Chiesa first, though, and Fofana could possibly cost as much as £60m.

Fofana could be a brilliant long-term signing for Liverpool, with scout Jacek Kulig describing him as a “magnificent” prospect last year.

At just 20 years of age, the young Belgian has already bagged 22 goal contributions (15 goals and seven assists) in 62 appearances for Lyon, also winning one cap for Belgium at senior level, and those numbers should only improve as he matures as a player.

Predominantly a left-sided attacking player, it seems slightly strange that Liverpool would push so hard for Fofana, though, especially as Chiesa is right-sided in general.

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Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo appear to be staying put, so it would arguably only make sense for the Reds to sign the Lyon ace if one of them moves on, or if Arne Slot sees him as a backup option to Mohamed Salah on the right. But his talent is undeniable, so the idea of him in a Liverpool shirt is exciting.

Arsenal are ready to spend big this summer and could now gain the upper hand on Chelsea in pursuit of a talented star plying his trade at the Club World Cup, according to a report.

Arsenal ready to make statement signings

The Gunners hope to establish themselves as a frontrunner in the race for the Premier League title and Mikel Arteta is set to be backed this window as high-profile targets are identified at the Emirates Stadium.

In an honest assessment of his former side’s hunt for a striker, Arsenal icon Theo Walcott has pointed out that the club need to pursue someone in Liam Delap’s mould as they search for a new source of goals.

Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are Arsenal’s two main striking targets, and the latter has given his priority to Arteta’s side following an excellent campaign at Sporting.

That development comes in spite of interest from Manchester United, which will undoubtedly provoke optimism among a support desperate to see the final piece of the jigsaw added over the coming months.

Arsenal approach £170k-per-week forward with Berta ready to pay £53m

The Gunners are making “real moves” for him.

3 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 14, 2025

However, it has to be taken into account that signing a forward isn’t the only requirement to exceed their rivals’ points tally next season; you also need an effective foil to maximise attacking output across the board.

With that in mind, Arsenal now have a winger on their radar that they could steal from under the nose of rivals Chelsea, according to reports.

Arsenal prepare bid to sign Borussia Dortmund star Jamie Gittens

According to reports in Spain, Arsenal are preparing a bid to sign Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens, and he is viewed internally as someone who would fit their philosophy to develop talent over the long-term.

Berta and company are ready to put forward an offer that could amount to roughly £42.5 million, while Chelsea have also been heavily linked with Gittens and came close to signing him before the Club World Cup registration window closed. There have even been claims the Blues still want him and could make a new bid in days.

Jamie Gittens in 2024/25 – Bundesliga (FBRef)

Shot-creating actions

73

Goals-creating actions

10

Progressive carries per 90

5.53

Touches in opposition penalty area per 90

5.53

Successful take-ons per 90

3.57

Labelled “fantastic” by Nuri Sahin, the England Under-21 international registered 12 goals and five assists as Borussia Dortmund left it late to secure Champions League qualification.

Bukayo Saka’s injury issues throughout the campaign demonstrated that additional depth is needed for the Gunners to juggle domestic and European endeavours. Taking that into consideration, what better way for Arsenal to secure another talented outlet out wide than to beat Chelsea to Gittens’ signature.

Sheffield United head into this afternoon’s clash with Blackburn Rovers at Bramall Lane knowing that the result of the match is largely irrelevant to them.

The Blades have already finished in third place in the Championship and will head into the play-offs with the aim of gaining promotion back to the Premier League.

Irrespective of whether or not Chris Wilder and his men achieve that goal, Sheffield United are likely to be in the market to bolster their squad in the summer transfer window, and that could be bad news for club captain Jack Robinson.

Why Sheffield United need to upgrade on Jack Robinson

The long-serving defender, who has been at the club since his move from Nottingham Forest in 2020, has been a regular starter in the Championship this term.

Robinson has started 31 of his 34 appearances in the division, but has had some struggles of late. The 31-year-old dud lost three of his four ground duels and five of his eight aerial battles in the disappointing 2-1 defeat to Plymouth Argyle.

Wilder dropped him for the following game against Cardiff and it led to a 2-0 win over the Bluebirds, before he came back into the team for a 2-1 defeat to Burnley.

This suggests that Robinson, who has given away two penalties and made one error that directly led to a goal this season, is a player whom the club could improve upon in the summer transfer window.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

It was recently reported that Sheffield United are one of the teams, alongside Middlesbrough and Norwich City, interested in a deal to sign Oxford United centre-back Ciaron Brown, who could come in as an upgrade on Robinson.

Why Ciaron Brown would be an upgrade on Jack Robinson

Wilder could finally move on from the English defender as a regular starter and ditch him from the side by swooping to sign the Oxford United star this summer.

Firstly, Brown could provide more of a goal threat from the centre-back position. The left-footed defender has scored four goals and provided three assists in 41 matches in the league this season, compared to Robinson’s zero goals and zero assists in 34 games.

The Oxford United colossus, who former manager Gary Holt claimed has “real hunger”, could also be more reliable in his defensive work, as he has not made a single error that has led to a shot, goal, or penalty for the opposition this season.

As you can see in the table above, Brown has the beating of Robinson in several key defensive statistics, whilst also providing a greater goal threat from set plays, which suggests that he could prevent Michael Cooper from being worked as much by making vital clearances, tackles, and interceptions.

He is also four years younger than the Sheffield United man and could, therefore, be a longer-term option for Wilder in the left-sided centre-back role.

He pocketed Brereton Diaz: Sheffield United racing to sign "fantastic" star

The Blades know all about his quality.

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By
Tom Cunningham

May 1, 2025

This is why the Blades must pursue a deal for the Oxford United brute in the summer transfer window because they could improve their play at both ends of the pitch by ditching Robinson to bring Brown into their starting XI next term, whether that is as a Premier League or a Championship club.