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Manchester United’s midfield department has been a problem area over the last couple of months, with Ruben Amorim still yet to discover his best partnership at the heart of the side.

The 40-year-old has operated with a two-man partnership ever since he took the reins last November, with the midfielders crucial to his 3-4-2-1 system.

The likes of Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte and Mason Mount have often shared responsibility in starting as part of the duo, but the manager still wants reinforcements in such a position.

Kobbie Mainoo is just another option at Amorim’s disposal, but he’s often decided against utilising the Englishman, as seen by his measly tally of zero starts in the Premier League this campaign.

As a result, INEOS have been tasked with identifying potential options during the January transfer window to try and provide a long-term fix to the issues in the midfield department.

Man Utd’s hunt for new additions during January

Over the last couple of weeks, United have been one of the Premier League clubs interested in a move to land Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson.

It’s been reported that Amorim’s men have already held talks with Sean Dyche’s side over a potential move, but it could be an expensive one, with a £100m price tag currently being mooted.

They aren’t alone in their pursuit of the 23-year-old, with rivals Manchester City also said to be keeping a close eye on his progress ahead of the upcoming window.

However, Anderson isn’t the only midfielder on the Red Devils’ radar, with Real Madrid sensation Jude Bellingham another option INEOS are reportedly considering.

According to one Spanish outlet, Amorim’s men have made a €150m (£130m) bid for the England international in an attempt to solve their current issues.

The report also states that his current employers aren’t looking to offload him at present, which could make a deal somewhat tricky to complete in the near future.

Why Bellingham would be perfect for Bruno Fernandes

Despite being an attacking midfielder, Bruno Fernandes has been asked to play in a somewhat deeper midfield role in United’s squad this season – often partnering Casemiro at the heart of the side.

However, it hasn’t stopped the Portuguese international from starring at the heart of the side, as seen by his excellent goals and assists tally in the Premier League.

In his first 15 appearances of the league campaign, he’s already registered ten combined goals and assists, with three of his efforts coming at Wolves on Monday night.

However, the manager is yet to strike a balance at the heart of the side, especially considering Casemiro is now 33 and set to leave at the end of his contract in the summer.

As a result, Bellingham could well be the answer to the current issue in midfield, especially if his stats from LaLiga in 2025/26 to date are anything to go by.

The numbers he’s produced showcase his remarkable box-to-box nature, which could well make him the perfect partner for Bruno at the heart of the side.

Bellingham, who’s been described as “the best midfielder in the world” by Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes, has been a tad off the pace this term but he’s certainly still the best when you consider raw talent and his potential. There is a reason, after all, that Madrid trusted him to wear Zinedine Zidane’s famed number 5 shirt at the biggest club in the global game.

To illuminate his qualities, he’s completed 8.9 progressive passes per 90, all of which being made into the final third. That sounds pretty perfect for Fernandes, doesn’t it?

Such numbers showcase the creative nature he possesses, with such tallies potentially taking some of the strain and responsibility on Bruno to constantly provide the goods in central areas.

However, out of possession is where the 22-year-old has excelled this campaign, as seen by his tally of 2.9 tackles won per 90 – subsequently ranking him in the top 5% of all players in LaLiga.

He’s also made 0.9 interceptions and won 1.5 aerials won per 90, which also ranks him in the top 5% of midfielders – highlighting his remarkable talents out of possession.

Bellingham’s dominance is showcased in his tally of 67% of tackles entered that he’s won this season, finally ending United’s hunt for a new ball-winner if a deal can be completed.

£130m would be a remarkable amount of money spent on just one player, but the Madrid star has demonstrated world-class levels for many years despite his tender age.

The prospect of him linking up with Bruno is one to get excited about, with the pair potentially having the quality to catapult the club to a title challenge in the near future.

The new Ji-Sung Park: Man Utd star is fast becoming as important as Bruno

Manchester United have another star who is becoming as important as Bruno Fernandes.

By
Ethan Lamb

3 days ago

A turning point, or another false dawn at Liverpool?

The relief was palpable when Cody Gakpo swept home at the London Stadium on Sunday, confirming in the late stages Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over West Ham United, arresting a landslide in form that had seen nine defeats dished out across 12 matches in all competitions.

Arne Slot is still a man under pressure, and no mistake. But it’s important to remember the Dutchman has FSG’s backing at this stage. That could change, however, if the Reds sink back into negative habits over the coming weeks, and that win over the Hammers stands as a lonely winter outlier.

The latest on Arne Slot's future at Liverpool

Slot definitely has credit in the bank after his incredible Premier League triumph last season, taking Jurgen Klopp’s squad and fashioning them into champions once again.

However, the owners’ leniency will only stretch so far, and forthcoming Premier League fixtures against Sunderland (H) and Leeds United (A) feel significant. Liverpool won at West Ham, but they must prove that they have stopped the rot.

And if this doesn’t prove the case, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been earmarked as the perfect successor.

As per Spanish reports, the 43-year-old Spaniard is very much on FSG’s radar, and, moreover, he would consider an approach from the English champions.

Bournemouth would require compensation for Iraola’s departure, but if push does come to shove, he might be the perfect option for Richard Hughes, formerly sporting director at the Vitality Stadium, to lure to Anfield.

Why Liverpool are considering Andoni Iraola

Iraola’s Bournemouth system is built on high-energy, aggressive principles. These are key tenets of his philosophy.

This bespeaks his players’ elite physicality, and that is a product of his schooling.

This young manager is the real deal, and if Liverpool were to complete his signing, they would land themselves the next version of Mikel Arteta, who is working wonders with Arsenal in north London.

Praised as “the best coach in the Premier League” by journalist James Horncastle, Iraola might not have the same calibre of players as teams like Arsenal and Liverpool, but he’s whipped his Cherries into shape, alright, creating a front-footed and aggressive outfit that rival the Gunners for actions in the offensive third.

Indeed, Iraola may hail from the same Basque region as Arteta, but there is also a likeness in regard to the managers’ respective tactical visions and the way they tackle obstacles in the Premier League.

There’s also Iraola’s ability to craft a special, close-knit feeling at his club, something Arteta has masterfully achieved at the Emirates, so miserable were Arsenal at the end of Unai Emery’s tenure.

Liverpool are already known admirers of Bournemouth talisman Antoine Semenyo, and Milos Kerkez was purchased from the south coast side this summer.

Whether the Redmen manage to string together a run of consistency under Slot’s wing remains to be seen. Fans will reserve judgement until the win over West Ham is followed by a series of wins that propel the Merseysiders back into something resembling the ascendancy.

But Iraola could be the perfect fallback, if things don’t improve. He is young and hungry, and the tactical similarities with his Basque peer Arteta suggest he could be the long-term solution at Liverpool, a club looking to cement their position at the very top.

Gakpo upgrade: Liverpool open surprise talks to sign "magic" £70m PL star

Liverpool are planning to strengthen their flanks after a tough start to the season.

1

By
Angus Sinclair

Dec 1, 2025

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has left the door open to a potential future move to Liverpool, admitting that while he is focused on his current role, "you never know what can happen" in football, amid intense speculation linking him with a return to Anfield. The coach's response comes amid claims he is in danger of being sacked, while questions have been asked of Arne Slot's future at the Merseyside club.

• Alonso and Slot under pressure

  The former Reds midfielder has found himself at the centre of a managerial merry-go-round rumour mill. While Slot is currently feeling the heat at Liverpool due to his side languishing in 10th place in the Premier League despite significant summer investment, Alonso is navigating his own storm at the Santiago Bernabeu. Following a chaotic 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo, the Spaniard is facing a defining week, with a Champions League clash against Manchester City looming.

  However, despite the immediate pressure in the Spanish capital, questions about a potential switch to the Premier League have persisted. Alonso reportedly turned down the chance to replace Jurgen Klopp in order to stay at Bayer Leverkusen, before eventually taking the Madrid job in the summer.

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  Madrid boss addresses his future

  When asked directly about the possibility of managing in England, specifically regarding a return to his former club Liverpool, Alonso offered a tantalising response that stopped short of a full denial.

  "For sure, it's something to consider with the English clubs, with my former club," Alonso admitted. "But for now, this is the place that I want to be, and in the future, you never know what can happen."

  Slot's situation grew even worse as the coach finds himself in a dressing room rift involving talisman Mohamed Salah, who sensationally criticised the Dutchman after their 3-3 draw against Leeds at the weekend. Alonso remained diplomatic, however, when asked about the situation.

  "Those are decisions they have made at Liverpool. No doubt we're missing a lot of details. So it's not for me to give an opinion on that," he said.

• Two giants in crisis

  The comments come at a fascinating juncture for both clubs. Liverpool's title defence has crumbled spectacularly, leaving Slot on the brink. The Dutchman's relationship with Salah has fractured, with the Egyptian forward omitted from the squad to face Inter this week.

  Meanwhile, at Madrid, Alonso is fighting to keep his own tenure on track. The defeat to Celta has left Los Blancos trailing leaders Barcelona by four points, and reports suggest a heavy defeat to Manchester City could be fatal for his prospects.

  "The next one is the best one. I think I know myself, and the fans know Manchester City very well from facing them many times in recent years, but I see it as an opportunity more than anything," Alonso said.

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  What comes next?

  Alonso also touched upon his own player management challenges, drawing a parallel between the Salah situation and his handling of Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian forward reacted poorly to being substituted against Barcelona earlier in the season, a flashpoint that Alonso insisted he would not handle differently in hindsight.

  "I would not change anything," he noted, reinforcing his stance on discipline – a trait that German legend Lothar Matthaus recently highlighted as a potential point of friction with Madrid's creative stars.

  "It’s not about changing, it’s about adapting. I knew pretty much what it was, that’s why Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world. You need to adapt to it, to learn from it. After you have to perform, you have to have that interaction with the players. Some days are good, some days are not so good. But from every game, we take steps, and we are in this position now, and we have to face it with good energy, positivity, that’s the only way to turn it around."