Category: Sport

Manchester United‘s Under-21s were in action on Tuesday night at the John Smith’s Stadium, where they were beaten comfortably by Huddersfield Town in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy. It was quite literally men against boys in Town’s 4-1 triumph, but what should illicit most United pride is the vocal away crowd that turned out to support their next generation.

Almost 600 fans made the short trip over from Manchester, singing loud and proud all night, enjoying friendly song exchanges with the youthful Town support to the left of the away end.

United have long packed out allocations across the country and Europe, and though the away stand wasn’t quite full on Tuesday night, those that made the journey deserve some credit.

For many, it was an opportunity to get their weekly football fix with the senior team out of action at the weekend due to the international break. For those much younger, an opportunity to know what it feels like to travel and support their team where tickets are far easier, and cheaper, to buy in comparison to senior games.

Top support as always from the travelling reds 🇾🇪#MUFC pic.twitter.com/Xq3tL56SJ2

— Adam (@AdamLunat02) November 12, 2024

It may come as a surprise to many, but United fans travelling to support the youngsters is nothing new. They did just that earlier this season in the same competition when the Under-21s played away at Barnsley. Don’t forget, Old Trafford was filled with 67,000 fans in 2022 when the Under-18s were crowned FA Youth Cup winners after beating Nottingham Forest.

On that particular day, the United faithful saw a glimpse of their future, with two young lads called Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo both standing out on the night. Fast-forward two years and they guided the senior team to FA Cup success, both netting at Wembley in May.

The club’s Carrington academy base has long been a talent factory for the youth; the carousel has churned out stars like Marcus Rashford in recent years. And if Gary Neville didn’t mention it enough, the Class of ’92 also came through the same system.

Habeeb Ogunneye, Jayce Fitzgerald and Harry Amass, all of whom were involved against Huddersfield, have enjoyed some degree of involvement with the first team in the last 12 months.

On the final whistle, the defeated youngsters trudged over to applaud those that came out to support them. There’s no guarantee, but those who go on to enjoy a career at United will quickly learn that the away support will always do exactly what it says on the tin: support.

MORE MAN UTD COVERAGE ON F365…
👉 Man Utd: Gyokeres snubbed with Amorim told to sign ‘£120m’ alternative ‘tomorrow’ amid new ‘offer’
👉 Ferdinand questions Amorim’s first big Man Utd move as RvN is praised for not becoming ‘errand boy’
👉 Man Utd ‘offer’ record-breaking deal for ex-Spurs star as Amorim eyes exit of ‘two resounding failures’

The era of social media has given a platform to YouTubers and influencers who find it easy to hurl abuse at players and spark narratives which are backed by their thousands of followers. Garnacho faced exactly that scenario ahead of last week’s clash against PAOK in the Europa League when a fan was heard giving the Argentina international advice on what he should be doing on the pitch, all while streaming his footage.

Garnacho was then visibly subdued in his celebration of a goal against Leicester, with captain Bruno Fernandes later revealing that the 20-year-old felt he had lost the support of some of the fans.

This came despite the Old Trafford crowd being vocal in their efforts to get behind the winger, who has adopted club legend Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘Viva Ronaldo’ song. The 593 at Huddersfield could be heard singing ‘Viva Garnacho’ on Tuesday night too. A youngster who joined from Spain during the Covid lockdown will have learned a lot about United’s real fanbase this week.

United are now onto their sixth permanent manager since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson in Ruben Amorim. All five of his predecessors would probably be in agreement that the only thing they received from match-goers was support.

The culture around United’s fanbase is stark compared to other clubs. Booing performances at half-time and full-time has slowly crept into Old Trafford in recent years, but managers have been supported until their final day.

Jose Mourinho, a man who destroyed any semblance of dressing-room harmony, was supported until the very end. The Portuguese manager’s name was even sung at Old Trafford when he returned to the ground at a later date while on punditry duty with Sky Sports. Everybody had their own opinion on the recently sacked Erik ten Hag, but he too was backed by the fans until his final day.

If the incoming Amorim wants to know what to expect from match-going United fans, he would only have to watch the highlights of the Under 21s clash and note something other than the return of Tyrell Malacia.

Tsygankov, Lunin, and Buyalsky will miss important Nations League matches for various reasons. Rebrov's team is training in Turkey, and Dovbyk is separated from the training group due to knee problems.

This Saturday, November 15, the Ukrainian national team will play an away match against Georgia in Group B1 of the 2024/2025 Nations League, and next Tuesday, November 19, Ukraine will play its final match of the season against Albania. The matches will be key, as they will decide the fate of which league Ukraine will continue to play in. UNN decided to gather the latest news from the national team camp before the important matches.

Details

The players of the national team playing in the domestic championship have already left for Belek, Turkey, where they will hold the main stage of training. The foreign players will arrive immediately in Turkey, where the team will prepare until November 15, 2, when they will go to Batumi.

Ukraine's national team begins preparations for the final two matches of the Nations LeagueNov 11 2024, 02:09 PM • 15771 view

In early November, Serhii Rebrov announced the team for the final matches of the Nations League against Georgia and Albania. Yegor Yarmolyuk from English club Brentford received his debut call-up, and for the second time in a row, Polissia's wing midfielders Oleksandr Nazarenko and Oleksiy Tsutsulyak Oleksandr Nazarenko and Oleksiy Hutsulyak and Oleksandriya midfielder Ivan Kalyuzhnyi.

However, recently it became knownthat the Wenger of the Spanish "Girona" Viktor Tsygankov will miss the national team matches for the second time in a row due to injury. Prior to that, Tsygankov was eliminated from the application for the October matches of the Nations League due to an injury that he suffered in the Champions League game against the Dutch "Feyenoord".

Instead of Tsygankov, Rebrov called up Dynamo Kyiv captain Vitaliy Buyalsky, who was on the reserve list. However, at a press conference after Dynamo's 2-1 victory over Polissia, Buyalsky said he had a minor injury. Later, the UAF confirmedthat the midfielder would not be able to help the national team.

Also, the goalkeeper of Real Madrid Andrey Lunin will not help the national team due to family circumstances. Instead of Lenin from the reserve list , Dmitry Reznik, the goalkeeper of Shakhtar Donetsk, was called up.

In addition, there were rumors that Roma forward Artem Dovbyk might not take part in the national team's November matches. According to media reports, after the last match with Roma, the striker complained of discomfort in his knee, which had bothered him several times this season. However, an MRI scan showed no damage.

But the UAF reported that Dovbyk had joined the national team's training camp in Turkey.

According to the Italian press, yesterday Rebrov's team held its first training session without Dovbyk working with the general group. It is noted that today the team's doctors will examine the forward and, together with their Roman colleagues, will decide whether to keep Dovbyk or release him back to Italy.

The day before, head coach Serhii Rebrov spoke in an interview with the Pryamaya Chervona YouTube channel about the condition of the national team players, the players' motivation and shared why he did not call up Andrii Yarmolenko to the national team.

"The story with Yarmolenko shows that there are enough players in his position who have shown and are showing a high level. I was interested to see the same Hutsulyak, although we had called him up before, but he only got practice in the match against Bosnia. The same applies to Nazarenko, who at that time scored enough goals and showed a very mature game in the national championship, so I was very interested in inviting these players, but not as the fourth player for the position, but to give them a chance," Rebrov said.

The coach also spoke about the ban of foreign clubs on the departure of foreign national team players to Ukraine.

"I would love to, but our legionnaires are not allowed to go to Ukraine by the clubs. Unfortunately, this is impossible. I'm sure all the players want to play in Ukraine for their fans. When you play in Ukraine, it is a completely different matter and emotions. We hope to return as soon as possible. It is very important for our people. We all understand this, and we are even trying to do something, but it is currently impossible," Rebrov said.

Rebrov also singled out several national team players, including Ivan Kalyuzhnyi, who has only recently received a call-up to the national team.

"Ivan Kalyuzhny is a real discovery. He shows a very good game and desire. His work is an example for other players. This is an example of the balance that every player should have. That's why Ivan really showed what he wants and can do," the coach said.

The head coach also shared his opinion on the performance of Bournemouth center back Ilya Zabarny.

"I really like his attitude to football. He is a professional, understands how to prepare for games, and is focused on every game. Understands that where he is now, at Bournemouth, is not the final stop. He is progressing, he wants to progress further, get into a bigger club, and for this, which is very important, you need to work. He does it in the national team and at Bournemouth now, " said the coach.

Debutant of the national team Igor Yarmolyuk, who was called up from the English "Brentford", in a comment to the UAF shared his impressions of the call-up.

"Rebrov greeted me and told me not to get nervous, because everything would be fine. I liked the training session. Everyone is friendly, we worked hard, and we are going to the hotel with a good result. Every person who is in the national team will have jitters at the first training session, at least," Yarmolyuk said.

Yarmolyuk also shared that it would be a success for him to make his debut for the national team and win 2 games.

Addendum

On Saturday, November 16, the Ukrainian national football team will play away against Georgia in the 5th round of the UEFA Nations League Division B. The match will take place at the Batumi Arena in the Georgian city of the same name. The match starts at 19:00 Kyiv time.

Ukraine's national team is currently in last place in the group, with 4 points thanks to a victory over Georgia and a draw with the Czech Republic.

Theoretically, Ukraine can take any other place in the group. If our team takes first place, it will qualify for League A. If it takes second place, it will play in the butt matches for promotion to League A with the third-place team from League A. The third place will play head-to-head matches to retain their place in League B with the team that took second place in League C.

The last place will demote Ukraine to League C.

Manchester United have had high hopes for their young centre-back Leny Yoro since he arrived at the club in the summer from Lille.

United fended off interest from Real Madrid to seal the signing of one of Europe’s hottest prospects, though for United fans, they have had to be patient in seeing their new man play for the club.

Yoro started matches against Rangers and Arsenal in pre season, but he had to come off in the latter after suffering an ankle injury.

The setback meant Yoro didn’t actually play under Erik ten Hag in a competitive game, the man who signed him, with the Dutch boss losing his job last month.

Ten Hag’s successor Ruben Amorim arrived at Carrington earlier this week, with the former Sporting Lisbon coach pictured with Yoro.

According to the reliable Fabrizio Romano, Amorim and his staff view Yoro as one of the most interesting players to develop as United aim to build a long term project.

The Italian journalist also revealed United consider the 19-year-old a generational talent, with Amorim in agreement on that.

Yoro’s full recovery is said to be at the final stages, with the wait almost over for the French teenager to show out at Old Trafford.

🔴🇫🇷 Ruben Amorim and his staff consider Leny Yoro one of the most interesting players to develop for Man United’s long term project.

He’s considered a generational talent by the club and Amorim with his staff fully agree on that.

Yoro’s full recovery is also at final stages. pic.twitter.com/Yvl8t75Voz

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 13, 2024

Yoro played 60 games for his boyhood club Lille, though was sought after among clubs across Europe from his earliest stages. Many within the game have compared him to former United and France defender Raphael Varane, due to his figure, profile, nationality and the age in which he made his big move.

MORE MAN UTD COVERAGE ON F365…
👉 Man Utd: Gyokeres snubbed with Amorim told to sign ‘£120m’ alternative ‘tomorrow’ amid new ‘offer’
👉 Ferdinand questions Amorim’s first big Man Utd move as RvN is praised for not becoming ‘errand boy’
👉 Man Utd ‘offer’ record-breaking deal for ex-Spurs star as Amorim eyes exit of ‘two resounding failures’

Varane was also just 18-years-old when he switched RC Lens for Real Madrid. Madrid pipped United to Varane’s signature, though the Reds were sure to land their man this time round after seemingly realising they secured the services of Varane after he had passed his best.

It will be interesting to see how United line up under new boss Amorim, who has adopted a three at the back system ever since his early days in career as Casa Pia boss.

Should that be the case at United, Yoro would be expected to play as the right centre-back, alongside fellow summer signing Matthijs De Ligt and Lisandro Martinez, who could be deemed as a natural fit for the left-sided position.

Martinez excels on the ball, while having also covered at left-back this season with United still without a recognised full-back on that side.

Both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are close to returning to full fitness, with the latter having featured for the Under 21’s against Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night.

Arsenal have reportedly added Atalanta frontman Mateo Retegui to their striker shortlist alongside Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres.

Gyokeres has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United following the departure of his head coach, Ruben Amorim, for Old Trafford.

He has been in outstanding form this year, scoring a silly 48 goals across all competitions for Sporting.

His performances have caught the eye of several top clubs. Manchester City – who he recently scored a hat-trick against – and Arsenal have also been linked.

Gyokeres has a 100 million euro (£83.2m) release clause in his Sporting contract, though some reports suggest he could be available for less.

Arsenal are reportedly monitoring the Swedish international but Atalanta striker Retegui has emerged as an alternative.

MORE ON GYOKERES FROM F365
👉 Five Premier League flops Ruben Amorim salvaged at Sporting includes Liverpool outcast
👉 Rasmus Hojlund must prove he’s Viktor Gyokeres, or Man Utd will sign Viktor Gyokeres
👉 Five Sporting players Ruben Amorim should bring with him to fix Manchester United

Retegui had a penalty saved by Gunners goalkeeper David Raya in the Champions League earlier this season and has scored 11 goals in 12 Serie A matches in 2024/25.

He is yet to score in Europe but scored in Italy’s UEFA Nations League matches against Belgium and Israel in October.

Arsenal identify ‘Plan B’ to Viktor Gyokeres

A report from CaughtOffside claims Retegui has been identified as ‘something of a Plan B’ for Arsenal.

Atalanta want at least €50m (£41.6m) for the 25-year-old but are reluctant to sell their star striker.

Regardless of their transfer stance, a £41.6m offer ‘is expected to test their resolve’.

Arsenal could sign Retegui to fill the gap left by Gabriel Jesus if the Brazilian is sold.

The former Manchester City striker has been linked with Newcastle United in recent weeks but former Premier League goalkeeper Paul Robinson does not think the Magpies should target him.

“He doesn’t score enough goals,” he told Football Insider. “It’s as simple as that, he just doesn’t score goals.

“He can play wide and in different positions, but he’s a striker, that’s the issue Arsenal have had.

“Newcastle went into last season light with [Alexander] Isak and [Callum] Wilson who are both susceptible to injuries.

“So they’re light in that area as it is, and if you’re going to sign a striker then you want one who can provide a consistent source of goals.

“Arsenal are constantly linked with signing a new number nine because they haven’t got an out-and-out goalscorer in that team.

“Kai Havertz has done really well, but with a striker who scores regularly, they’d get better results.

“From a Newcastle point of view, if they’re looking to replace Isak or just add to what they’ve got, they need to sign a striker who can score goals.

“If they’re looking to play him out wide and not through the middle, he doesn’t get in ahead of Joelinton.

“With two years on his contract at Arsenal, he’ll be more happy than the club will be.”

The high number of players dropping out of the England squad has been blamed on the Football Association delaying Thomas Tuchel’s start.

Tuchel was named as England head coach in October and will officially take charge on January 1.

That means Lee Carsley will remain in charge for this month’s international break and is currently preparing his players for a UEFA Nations League double-header against Greece and the Republic of Ireland.

Under-21 manager Carsley has been forced to adapt this week after eight players dropped out.

Arsenal pair Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka have withdrawn having failed to last the full 90 minutes against Chelsea at the weekend, while Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold is also out having suffered an injury against Aston Villa on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Manchester City’s Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill, and Southampton’s Aaron Ramsdale are unavailable.

Many people believe these players could have featured for England – and would have if it was Tuchel’s first camp – but have decided not to risk their availability for their club.

Morgan Rogers, Jarrod Bowen, Jarrad Branthwaite, Tino Livramento and James Trafford have all been called up by Carsley as a result. It is a maiden call-up for Aston Villa attacker Rogers.

Thomas Tuchel start date to ‘blame’ for England ‘mass exodus’

A report from The Telegraph says Premier League clubs have ‘blamed’ the ‘mass exodus’ on the FA’s decision to delay the start of new head coach Tuchel.

With players ‘less willing to take risks with their fitness’, it is believed that the FA ‘left the door open’ for England call-ups to withdraw by delaying Tuchel’s start date until New Years Day.

It is stated: ‘Tuchel’s late start as permanent head coach is also seen as a reason inside some clubs as to why so many players have pulled out of this month’s games.’

There is speculation more players will drop out of Carsley’s squad before Thursday night’s match in Greece and before the Wembley clash against Ireland, the report adds.

MORE ON ENGLAND FROM F365
👉 The famous F365 England ladder crowns a new No. 1 and spends a lot of time shrugging uncertainly
👉 Will Thomas Tuchel sing the national anthem? WTF would he?
👉 Amorim Man Utd honeymoon over with ‘concerns raised’ as Tuchel wastes ‘precious time’

A source told the website: “I’d guess that at least half of those players would still be with the squad if Thomas Tuchel was in charge for these games.

“That’s not to say they don’t have injuries or issues, but players aren’t going to take any risks when they know the current manager won’t be there after this break.

“Players are physically and mentally tired, and many of them, and their clubs, see this as the only opportunity for a break before a run of a lot of games packed into a short space of time.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we see more withdrawals after the first game against Greece.”

Tuchel’s late start is justified by the initial decision to give Carsley three senior camps and the German’s desire to ‘solely focus on the 2026 World Cup’.

Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Martin Baturina reportedly ‘rejected’ an offer to join Real Madrid amidst interest from Manchester United and Barcelona.

Baturina, 21, is one of the hottest talents in Croatia and has nine goal contributions in 17 matches across all competitions this term.

His best performance of the season came in the Champions League against AS Monaco, who had beaten Barcelona the matchday prior. He scored and assisted in a 2-2 draw at home to the French side.

The young playmaker also has seven caps for the Croatian national team, scoring and assisting against Poland in his most recent appearance for his country.

Several clubs are reportedly keen on signing Baturina from Dinamo Zagreb and interest from Real Madrid, Barcelona and Man Utd shows just how highly rated he is.

Man Utd ‘interested’ in next Luka Modric

According to German journalist Patrick Berger, Baturina has ‘rejected’ a contract offer from Madrid.

Indeed, the European champions attempted to ‘lure him with a five-year contract’ and the chance to play on loan in Spain for the next two years.

The idea of replicating Croatian legend Luka Modric surely appeals to Baturina but the 21-year-old ‘wants to be a permanent fixture in a top team from the summer onwards’.

Berger adds that Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Man Utd ‘are also interested’.

MORE ON MAN UTD FROM F365
👉 Onana on course for Golden Glove but Pope best in Premier League
👉 Premier League winners and losers: Liverpool strengthen grip as Dr Tottenham saves another patient
👉 REVEALED: Why Liverpool will officially be massive bottlers if they don’t win Premier League title

Furthermore, Baturina ‘plans to leave Dinamo’ at the end of the season and views Bundesliga as the ‘perfect step’ in his career.

There is no release clause in the player’s contract and will cost ‘around €20-25m’ (£16.6-20.8m).

Berger wrote on X: ‘Croatia’s top talent Martin Baturina (21) has rejected an offer from Real Madrid! The Spaniards lured him with a five-year contract, but the Royal’s plan also included loaning Baturina out within Spain for two years.

‘The attacking midfielder, who has a big fan and supporter in Luka Modric (39), wants to be a permanent fixture in a top team from the summer onwards.

‘Barca, Atletico and Manchester United are also interested. Baturina plans to leave Dinamo Zagreb after the season and sees the Bundesliga as the perfect step.

‘No release, price tag is around €20-25m.’

Man Utd: Malacia finally returns after 518 days out

Meanwhile, Man Utd left-back Tyrell Malacia returned to action on Tuesday evening, 518 days after his last appearance.

He started for the club’s Under-21 side against Huddersfield Town in the EFL Trophy.

It has been a long road back for the Dutch defender but his return is a great moment and decent timing as well following the arrival of Ruben Amorim as head coach.

👉 READ NEXT: Tyrell Malacia: Have Manchester United bought another Aaron Wan-Bissaka?

According to reports, Real Madrid have made Arsenal centre-back William Saliba their ‘priority’ for the 2025 summer transfer window but are ‘considering’ making a bid in January.

Arsenal signed Saliba from Saint-Etienne for £27million in 2019 but he did not make his first competitive appearance for the club until August 2022.

He spent time on loan at his former club, Nice and Marseille before Mikel Arteta made him a regular in his starting XI.

Neither Arteta or Saliba have looked back since. The Frenchman has formed one of the best centre-back partnerships in world football next to Gabriel Magalhaes and helped the Gunners compete for the Premier League title.

They have not won a trophy since their FA Cup success in 2020 but have finished second in back-to-back Premier League seasons with Saliba and Gabriel together at the back.

As one of the best defenders in the world, Saliba has found himself linked with European champions Real Madrid, as well as Paris Saint-Germain.

The 23-year-old was born just outside of Paris so that move could appeal to him, though Madrid is deemed the pinnacle for most footballers.

Saliba leaving Arsenal? Real Madrid make Gunners star 2025 ‘priority’

Links to Los Blancos are not going away and a fresh report from French outlet Le10 Sport claims Arsenal are ready to offer Saliba a new contract.

The French international signed a new four-year deal last July, meaning he will only have two years left at the end of the season.

Real Madrid have made the signing a ‘priority’ in the 2025 summer transfer window but are tempted to make an offer when the window opens in January.

MORE ON ARSENAL FROM F365
👉 Edu leaving Arsenal: Five Chelsea rejects included in ranking of every signing made under Brazilian
👉 Saliba the next Van Dijk? Arsenal team-mate one of five stars who can emulate Premier League icons
👉 Overrated Liverpool midfielder one of five Premier League players happy international break is here

Carlo Ancelotti’s side could accelerate their interest after Eder Militao was ruled out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury.

That injury means a ‘duel’ between Madrid and Arsenal has started and ‘things are moving forward’.

Despite Los Blancos’ ‘very strong interest’, it is claimed that ‘Arsenal are not giving up’ on keeping Saliba, who ‘feels really good’ living in London.

The Gunners are ‘aware of Madrid’s interest’ and have ‘great confidence’ in the Frenchman staying, with discussions starting over a contract extension.

As touched on, Madrid are ‘thinking about taking action’ in the winter window and Saliba ‘does not remain insensitive to their interest’.

The player is finding it ‘difficult not to listen or even consider joining such a project’, though it is early days and the Spanish giants ‘have not sent the slightest proposal’ to Saliba or Arsenal.

Despite this, ‘the Saliba offensive could arrive sooner than expected given the serious injury to Militao’ and a winter window bid is being ‘considered’ as Madrid ‘intend to recruit a new central defender’.

AC Milan's legendary forward Andriy Shevchenko has been inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame in the Foreign Players category. At the ceremony in Coverciano, he read an emotional letter in which he thanked Italy and AC Milan.

Former footballer and coach Andriy Shevchenko, now president of the Ukrainian Football Association, has been inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame in the Foreign Footballers category.

This was reported by the Italian Football Federation, UNN reports.

Details

As reported by the Italian Football Federation, Andriy Shevchenko was nominated in the Foreign Footballers category and received his award at a ceremony in Coverciano.

The Hall of Fame also includes Italian footballer and former Roma coach Daniele De Rossi, Italian national team coach Luciano Spalletti, Ariedo Bride, Roberto Boninsegna, Valentina Giacinti, Agostino Di Bartolomei, Vincenzo D'Amico, and Manlio Scopinho. At the ceremony, Shevchenko read out his letter, which he addressed to Italy and AC Milan. “This is a letter from a Ukrainian child who dreamed of coming to you.

Our first meeting was on TV, and I immediately fell in love with you. I saw Maldini, Baresi, Maradona, Platini, Van Basten, Baggio, Vialli and froze, as one does in front of the greatest works of art. I saw the passion of people, almost a religion. I saw stadiums full of history. My first trip abroad as a child was to Italy, first to Rome and then to Agropoli for a tournament. I was immediately struck by everything about the people, especially their generosity. I felt good here and thought:

I have to come back here no matter what.” And so it happened. Dear AC Milan, thank you for believing in me. You made me feel like a member of your family right from day one. We won a lot together, and I met extraordinary people, especially the Berlusconi family, Adriano Galliani, Ariedo Braida, and the Maldini family. You become a Milanese from the first day and forever

– Shevchenko said.

Shevchenko noted that “entering the Italian Football Hall of Fame is a huge privilege, and for this I thank all my Milan teammates, the club's management and its fans.

Coversciano, where I am today, is not only the birthplace of Italy, it is known everywhere. All the greatest coaches have come from here, and I would like to tell you, the guys from the Italian national team, one thing: Italian football is loved all over the world. Protect it and honor it. Finally, I would like to thank the whole of Italy for supporting Ukraine in the most difficult moment of our history. What is normal for others is hope for us. Hope that we are still here, every day and forever. Italy, I love you

– Shevchenko added.

Addendum Addendum

Andriy Shevchenko began his football career with Dynamo Kyiv, for whom he made his debut on November 8, 1994, as a substitute in a match against Shakhtar Donetsk. With Dynamo, Shevchenko became the champion of Ukraine 5 times and won the Ukrainian Cup three times.

In the summer of 1999, AC Milan paid $25 million for Andriy. On August 29, 1999, he made his Serie A debut in a match against Lecce, and in his first season became the top scorer in Serie A, scoring 24 goals in 32 league games. In total, Shevchenko played for AC Milan from 1999 to 2006, where he won medals in the Italian championship, the Italian Cup, and also won the Champions League. In 2004, Shevchenko received the Ballon d'Or.

In 2006, Shevchenko moved to the English club Chelsea for 30.8 million pounds. This transfer was called one of the most disastrous by English fans. Unable to gain a foothold in the senior team, Shevchenko returned to Milan on loan for a year. The 32-year-old failed to win a place in the starting lineup and spent most of his playing time in UEFA Cup and Italian Cup matches or as a substitute in Serie A matches.

In total, Shevchenko scored 175 goals and provided 45 assists in 322 matches for AC Milan. In August 2009, it became known that Shevchenko was returning to Dynamo Kyiv, where he spent three years, and in 2012, after the home Euro 2012, he retired from football.

From 2016 to 2021, Shevchenko led the Ukrainian national team, with which he made it to the last 16 of Euro 2020. After his career in the national team, Shevchenko took over the Italian club Genoa, where he worked for only a year and was fired due to poor results. In January 2024, Andriy Shevchenko was elected the new president of the Ukrainian Football Association. Delegates at the UAF extraordinary Congress voted for the decision.

Man City boss Pep Guardiola has an ‘agreement in principle’ to take over as the head coach of the Brazil national team, according to reports.

The Citizens had made a good start to the new Premier League season but they have struggled more after losing Rodri to a serious knee injury, which has ruled the Spain international out for the rest of the season.

Man City have lost four matches in a row in all competitions in an unprecedented run of form for Guardiola’s side with their second-half performance in their 2-1 loss to Brighton at the weekend particularly poor.

Guardiola has won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, one Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup and one FIFA Club World Cup.

The Catalan’s contract is up at the end of the current season with major doubts whether he will sign a new deal or draw a line under his time at the Etihad Stadium.

Man City, of course, are desperate to see him stay with speculation that they have given him a deadline of Christmas to decide whether he wants to remain or allow the Citizens to search for his successor.

Their current hearing over alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial fair play rules is an extra complication with some reports claiming that Man City could face points deductions, relegation or even expulsion if found guilty.

Man City deny any wrongdoing but the outcome of the case could have a big impact on whether Guardiola chooses to stay at the Etihad or move on.

MORE MAN CITY COVERAGE ON F365…
👉 Guardiola ‘chooses’ £37m Rodri replacement as Man City ‘withdraw from negotiations’ for Barcelona star
👉 Man City: APT ‘new challenge’ mooted with upcoming Premier League ‘vote unlikely to solve dispute’
👉 Premier League winners and losers: Liverpool strengthen grip as Dr Tottenham saves another patient

A report in TBR Football yesterday insisted that Man City are hopeful they can get Guardiola to agree to a new contract over the international break.

The report claimed:

‘Man City hope that Guardiola could commit to signing a new deal with the club during the forthcoming international break.

‘In terms of City’s poor run of form, there is no wavering in their support of Guardiola and the club’s hierarchy have been continuing contract talks in the background.

‘Terms are not an issue for Guardiola, who’s current deal expires in the summer, it’s just a question of whether the 53-year-old wants to continue or not.

‘City sources have confirmed that there is confidence within the club that Guardiola will commit to a new deal before the end of the year, ideally in the coming weeks.

‘Outgoing director of football, Txiki Begiristain, has indicated to the club’s owners that he believes that Guardiola will stay and club CEO Ferran Soriano has the deal ready to go.’

But now reports in Spain insist that Guardiola ‘has an agreement in principle to take control’ of the Brazil national team and is now likely to leave Man City.

It is claimed that ‘the project of the former Barca and Bayern Munich player is showing clear signs of exhaustion’ and ‘the idea that convinces him the most is to take a sabbatical year, to be able to rest from the media pressure and persecution’.

Guardiola is ‘keen on the possibility of becoming the national coach of a country’ and ‘the option that is still on the table is that of joining the Brazilian national team, which has been looking for a new leader for some time, after the resignation of Tite and the signing of Dorival Junior’.

After being rejected by Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, the Brazil FA’s ‘big target is Guardiola, taking advantage of the fact that he is free from his commitments with City in 2025’.

READ NEXT: Mediawatch: Amorim Man Utd honeymoon over with ‘concerns raised’ as Tuchel wastes ‘precious time’

A football finance expert has warned the Premier League that Manchester City may ‘launch a new challenge’ against Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules.

Man City has insisted on their innocence after being accused of breaching more than 100 of the Premier League’s Financial Fair Play rules.

Pep Guardiola‘s side were charged at the start of 2023 after the Premier League conducted a four-year probe into their conduct between 2009 and 2018.

This case was subsequently referred to an independent commission. The hearing is currently ongoing and could drag on until next year.

Earlier this year, a further spanner was thrown into the works as Man City launched a legal battle against the Premier League to campaign for APT rules to be removed.

Man City’s APT case has already concluded. Each side is understood to have had success, but the club reportedly “won on penalties” due to one ‘main success’.

READ: Man City FFP: ‘No argument against’ expulsion and ‘stripping PL titles’ with Juventus repeat demanded

Last week, former Man City advisor Stefan Borson backed the Premier League to perform a ‘U-turn’ as new “changes will take us back to the original 2021 associated party rules” after a couple components of the current regulations were deemed unlawful.

“It’s not a huge surprise in terms of the changes proposed,” Borson said.

“What we know is there is going to be a vote on 22 November to consider effectively changes that will take us back to the original 2021 associated party rules.

“It will effectively unwind those changes that have been made in 2024 that the tribunal deemed to be unlawful.

“The interesting part of it is we don’t yet know if any additional questions were put to the tribunal in terms of whether the fix can be as proposed here by the Premier League.”

MORE MAN CITY COVERAGE ON F365…
👉 Guardiola ‘chooses’ £37m Rodri replacement as Man City ‘withdraw from negotiations’ for Barcelona star
👉 Man City star Erling Haaland has ‘surprise Plan B’ in ‘bomb’ transfer with one factor ‘key to decision’
👉 Walker, Gakpo, Arsenal’s ‘best £20m spent’ – Every Premier League club’s worst player in 24/25

In an interview with Football Insider, Borson has tipped Man City to ‘launch a new legal challenge’ as the Premier League vote on November 22 is ‘unlikely to solve the dispute’.

He said: “We will see whether the changes get through.

“It will be interesting to see what happens and whether this is just going to end up being a bit of a rerun of what happened in December 2023, where Man City said ‘We don’t think this stuff is legal and, if you go ahead, we may challenge it legally’. Ultimately, City were right.

“It will be interesting to see. I think it’s likely to just be the first step in the process as opposed to a complete solution to it.

“But it may be that just in this notice period before the actual vote, it may be that we get some official notification of what the tribunal has said in supplemental questions, but let’s see.”