JUST IN: WHY ROY KEANE SAYS £62M STAR MATHEUS CUNHA IS "THE REAL DEAL."
Roy Keane labels Matheus Cunha "the real deal" but blasts Manchester United’s defence after a 2-1 loss to Villa.
After Manchester United's loss to Aston Villa, Roy Keane pointed out one player who impressed him.
Morgan Rogers scored a great goal to get things going at Villa Park, but United's Matheus Cunha, who joined in the summer, evened the score right before halftime.
Even though Ruben Amorim's team played better overall, Rogers scored a second goal, giving Aston Villa a 2-1 victory and their tenth straight win since November 6.
This win means Aston Villa will be in third place in the Premier League on Christmas Day, just one point behind Manchester City and three points behind Arsenal.
Manchester United, on the other hand, is now seventh in the league, three points away from the Champions League spots.
Even though the Red Devils went home with nothing, Keane saw some good things in United's play and is still impressed with Cunha, who joined the team this summer.
Cunha, who came from Wolves for £62.5 million last summer, scored his second goal for United in the game against Aston Villa. He also had a great chance to tie the score in the second half, but missed.
When asked on Sky Sports if he saw potential in Cunha, Keane said, He's more than just potential; he's the real deal.
There was no doubt about the goal; it was a fantastic finish. But then he misses an easy shot in the second half, which doesn't make sense. It's hard to believe he missed it.
Keane, a former captain, also talked about United's performance in general, saying, I wouldn't say they were unlucky; they gave up two goals.
They've let in six goals in the last two games, which isn't good enough. We praise their attack, and they're more of a threat, but they're giving up too many chances and goals. You can't improve if that keeps going on.
United can fight, and they showed it again, but they need to be more intense when defending and show more.
You can't let in six goals in two games and expect to win because you're making it too difficult for yourselves. They're not good enough when they don't have the ball.
Amorim said in his post-match interview that Manchester United was the 'better team' against Aston Villa.
"I think we were the better team," Amorim said. We were better.
We stopped their attacks well, and they did a great job. We did a very good job, but no one will remember it tomorrow because the result is what matters.
I think we deserved much more, but the better team didn't win.
GARETH BARRY URGES MANCHESTER UNITED TO SIGN ELLIOT ANDERSON FOR £100M
Gareth Barry identifies Elliot Anderson as the ideal Casemiro replacement as the Brazilian prepares to leave Man Utd.
_1775158482.webp)
Gareth Barry, the former Premier League midfielder, thinks Manchester United should target Elliot Anderson to take Casemiro’s place. Casemiro, now 34, already said he’s leaving Old Trafford when his contract ends this summer.
United’s decision not to extend Casemiro’s deal fits with their plan to shake up the squad. They paid Real Madrid an initial £60 million for him in 2022, and with add-ons, the deal reached £70 million. Casemiro’s on big wages around £300,000 a week, which gets closer to £350,000 if United make the Champions League. There’s also uncertainty about Manuel Ugarte’s future. With both potentially on the way out, plenty of names are being floated as replacements.
Carlos Baleba, Sandro Tonali, and Adam Wharton are all in the conversation, but Barry sees Anderson as the best option.
Talking to BOYLE Sports, Barry explained, “Manchester United will definitely be searching for someone to fill Casemiro’s shoes. Anderson isn’t the same kind of player, and there’s a big age difference, too. What he brings is pretty unique.
“I really rate Elliot Anderson. If you’re a United scout, you’re talking about him. Off the ball, there aren’t many better. He presses, he shuts down space, and he’s great at winning the ball back. Plus, he can play forward too.
“That’s why Thomas Tuchel starts him for England over some big names, and why he could easily start at the World Cup. I’m sure he’s getting discussed in various boardrooms, not just at Manchester United.
“If a move’s going to happen, it’s better to get it over the line quickly. It just makes everything smoother for both clubs and the player, especially with a big tournament coming up.”
Barry added, “No one wants uncertainty hanging over Anderson while he’s focused on England at the World Cup. It doesn’t help anyone. And if he has a standout tournament, his price could easily go up.
“So if everyone agrees it’s time for a move, getting the deal sorted before the World Cup just makes sense.”
Even so, Nottingham Forest won’t be keen to let Anderson go. Since joining Newcastle in 2024, he’s become a vital part of their midfield. Forest supposedly set its price at £100 million, but their relegation fight could change things. Right now, Vitor Pereira’s squad sits 16th in the table, just three points clear of the drop zone with seven games to play. names and
FA CHARGES HARRY MAGUIRE FOR "IMPROPER BEHAVIOR" FOLLOWING COSTLY BOURNEMOUTH DISMISSAL
Michael Carrick’s side faces a defensive crisis as Harry Maguire is charged by the FA for improper conduct.
Harry Maguire has been charged by the Football Association over his conduct following the red card he received in Manchester United’s 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.
The defender was sent off after officials judged that he pulled back Evanilson inside the penalty area during their Premier League meeting last month. Maguire challenged the decision with both referee Stuart Atwell and fourth official Matt Donohue once VAR confirmed the call.
That penalty allowed Junior Kroupi to score the equaliser, helping Bournemouth claw back a point against Michael Carrick’s side.
According to an FA statement, Maguire faces charges relating to improper behaviour and/or the use of abusive or insulting language towards the fourth official after his dismissal. He has until April 2 to respond to these allegations.
As things stand, Maguire is due to serve a one-match ban for the red card, which would rule him out of Manchester United's game against Leeds at Old Trafford on April 13. If his ban is extended following this charge, he could also miss the clash with Chelsea on April 18, an encounter that could be crucial, given United sit third and hold a seven-point cushion over sixth-placed Chelsea in the battle for Champions League spots.
Earlier, Daily Mail Sport reported that Manchester United lodged a formal complaint with the PGMOL after the Bournemouth draw. The club were particularly frustrated over a denied second penalty, where Amad Diallo appeared to be brought down in the box while they led 1-0. Bournemouth then equalised through Ryan Christie in the ensuing play, and a VAR review did not overturn the decision, which may have swung momentum considerably.
Inside the United camp, there’s a sense that Maguire’s foul, which led to Bournemouth's second equaliser, mirrored the unpunished challenge on Diallo involving Adrien Truffert. That comparison fuels their belief that some decisions during the game didn’t go their way.
