Casemiro Helps Lead Manchester United Past Newcastle United to Claim Carabao Cup

Posted on February 27, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Casemiro is celebrating new hardware…

The 31-year-old Brazilian professional footballer helped Manchester United end their six-year wait for silverware as they beat Newcastle United 2-0 to win the Carabao Cup at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.Helps

United last won a major trophy in their 2017 Europa League campaign, but looked comfortable in their display against Eddie Howe‘s side as Casemiro’s header and a Marcus Rashford goal gave Newcastle too much to overcome in their first League Cup final appearance since 1976.

“It has been an amazing period, first trophy of the season, but we want more — it is not enough for this club, we want more and we need more because our standards demand more,” Bruno Fernandes said. “For me it was about winning trophies and finally we did it. I am satisfied but I want more. I want much more.”

There was little in the way of clear-cut chances in a frantic beginning, but United opened the scoring on 33 minutes with the first of two quickfire goals as stalwart midfielder Casemiro sent half of Wembley into pandemonium. Luke Shaw delivered a stooping ball in from a wide free kick and the Brazil international expertly glanced a header into the far corner. He was deemed to have been played marginally onside after a VAR check.

With the momentum in their favor, United doubled their lead six minutes later as Newcastle defender Botman guided Rashford’s effort into his own goal. Wout Weghorst burst forward and played Rashford in behind. The 25-year-old’s shot from a narrow angle was diverted up and over the stretching Loris Karius by Botman as United tightened their grip on the trophy.

The goal was initially ruled an own goal on Botman, but later on Sunday it was credited to Rashford, marking the England international’s first goal in a final in his seventh time playing in one.

Weghorst threatened again in first-half stoppage time with a well-struck effort from distance, but Karius — who made his first start since February 2021 — was equal to it.

Newcastle returned in the second half with an improved yet toothless performance, with Joelinton coming closest but having his shot well-blocked by Lisandro Martinez, as United comfortably saw out the victory.

“No complaints with how we played, obviously the scoreline doesn’t say that, and that’s where football can be cruel,” Newcastle manager Howe said. “I’m sorry we couldn’t deliver for the fans today.”

Newcastle’s fans, who had created a sea of black and white with give-away plastic flags at the stadium’s west side during the closing minutes, drifted away before the trophy presentation. The club has now lost each of their past nine matches at Wembley, a run that began in the 1974 FA Cup final.

By contrast, Man United‘s fans were in full voice as Bruno Fernandes raised the trophy, which they hope will be the first of many under Erik ten Hag.

United have enjoyed an improved season in their first term under the former Ajax manager. They’re third in the Premier League table and still in the Europa League draw. Ten Hag is the first manager at Old Trafford to win silverware since Jose Mourinho.

Alejandro Garnacho Agrees to New Five-Year Deal with Manchester United

Posted on February 20, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Alejandro Garnacho has a new deal…

The 18-year-old Argentine-Spanish soccer player has reached an agreement in principle to sign a new five-year deal with Manchester United, pending a few final details related to image rights, according to ESPN.

Garnacho is out of contract in 2024 but the source said there is a financial consensus for him to extend his stay at Old Trafford until 2028.

All that remains to be finalized before the terms can be made official are some aspects relating to the Garnacho’s image rights.

The new deal will see his salary adjusted according to his new status in Erik ten Hag’s squad due to the progress he has made since making his first team debut last April.

Garnacho has since made 27 appearances for United, scoring three goals, and has been one of the revelations of the Premier League season so far.

Negotiations over new terms started a few months ago and a source close to the talks confirmed to ESPN the club and the player have now reached an agreement over the financial elements of the deal and the length of the contract.

His salary will progressively increase as his role in the team grows.

The source says both parties are keen for everything to be tied up and an official announcement could follow in the coming weeks.

Negotiations remain ongoing for United to be sold — with bids from Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe confirmed — and club officials have been told that, for now, it’s business as usual meaning contract talks with players are unaffected.

Garnacho, who joined United from Atletico Madrid in 2020, has a Spanish father and an Argentine mother and is eligible to play for both countries.

He has been capped by both Spain and Argentina at youth level and was part of the latter’s preliminary squad for the World Cup, although he did not make the final cut in the end and is yet to debut for Lionel Scaloni‘s world champions.

Chris Armas Joining Coaching Team at Leeds United

Posted on January 25, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Chris Armas is ready to leed(s)…

The 50-year-old Puerto Rican professional soccer coach and former player will join the coaching team of fellow American Jesse Marsch at Leeds United.

The former Toronto FC and New York Red Bulls coach was most recently an assistant coach at Manchester United, working under Ralf Rangnick last season.

The former USMNT international and MLS player is expected to be in the dugout for Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup round four tie at Accrington Stanley, subject to obtaining a work permit.

About the appointment, Leeds United head coach Marsch said: “He will be a fantastic addition to the staff, he brings a wealth of experience from across the world and having worked closely with him previously, I am sure he will help us to improve every day.”

Director of football Victor Orta added: “We always have constant ideas to improve the team around Jesse and with Chris it is a perfect fit, they have both worked together in the past and he has experience of working in the Premier League.

“Chris was one of the best ever players in the history of the United States and his determination and skills will add value to our club and we are really happy he has joined us.”

Armas won 66 caps for the USMNT alongside a playing career that included spells with LA Galaxy and Chicago Fire. He played alongside Marsch at Chicago Fire. He also took over at NYRB as head coach when Marsch left for RB Leipzig in 2018.

Leeds has American players Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson in its team, and has been linked with a move for another U.S. international, Weston McKennie.

Manchester United Agrees on Fee to Sign Antony

Posted on August 30, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Antony is putting on a United front…

Manchester United has agreed on a fee to sign the 22-year-old Brazilian professional football player from Ajax.

The deal is worth an initial €95 million with another €5m in add-ons, which will make it the second-most-expensive transfer in United’s history behind Paul Pogba, who joined from Juventus for a then-world-record £89.3m (€105m) in 2016.

The deal is subject to a medical, player terms being finalized and international clearance.

Antony will be reunited with his former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag, who will complete his fifth signing of the summer after bringing in Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro.

He will give United another option in attack after Anthony Martial suffered an Achilles tendon injury in the 2-1 win against Liverpool last week.

Antony signed for Ajax from Sao Paulo in 2020 and has made 82 appearances for the Eredivisie giants, scoring 25 goals.

He has also been capped nine times for Brazil, scoring twice.

Ten Hag’s side have responded to back-to-back defeats to Brighton and Brentford with victories against Liverpool and Southampton, lifting them off the bottom of the Premier League table.

Edinson Cavani to Join Valencia on Free Transfer

Posted on August 29, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Edinson Cavani is headed to The Capital of the Turia…

The 35-year-old Uruguayan professional footballer and former Manchester United striker will join Valencia on free transfer, the Spanish club has announced.

The Uruguay team forward was available after his contract expired earlier in summer after spending the last two seasons at Old Trafford.

Cavani has agreed to sign a two-year contract and will be the reference up-front to Italian manager Gennaro Gattuso.

The former Paris Saint-Germain striker was at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium to see his new team’s loss to Atletico Madrid 1-0 in the Spanish league on Monday.

Valencia won the race to sign the veteran against Real Sociedad, who are still in the market looking for a replacement for Swedish forward Alexander Isak who was sold last week to Newcastle for a 70 million-euros transfer fee.

Cavani arrived on Monday afternoon to Valencia and talked to the local media before passing medical exams with club doctors and signing his new deal.

“I am happy to be here. I wanted to play in Spain and Valencia were willing to bet on me,” Cavani said.

“I like to be where I’m wanted, where I’m loved because you live off the strength of the fans and the club’s love.

“I talked to coach Gennaro Gattuso and Valencia have given me a lot of confidence, so I hope I can give them my best and leave a good image here.”

Cavani began his career at Danubio in Uruguay before making the jump to Europe in 2007, signing with Palermo.

After four seasons in Sicily, he left for Napoli where he scored 104 goals in 138 matches, being Seria A top-goalscorer in 2012-13.

In 2013 he was signed by Paris Saint-Germain where he played for seven seasons and became the top scorer in the club’s history.

He joined Manchester United in 2020, where he played for the last two seasons.

Manchester United to Sign Casemiro from Real Madrid

Posted on August 19, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Casemiro is putting on a United front…

Manchester United has announced an agreement with Real Madrid to sign the 30-year-old Brazilian professional footballer and midfielder, whose full name is Carlos Henrique Casimiro.

The transfer is subject to the agreement of personal terms, U.K. visa requirements and a medical, according to Man United.

The deal is worth an initial £60 million, with £10m in potential add-ons, according to ESPN sources.

Casemiro is expected to sign a four-year contract with an additional one-year option.

Real Madrid also confirmed the agreement in a statement, adding that there would be a farewell event for Casemiro held on Monday.

“Real Madrid want to experience its thanks and affection for Casemiro, a player who is now part of the legend of this club,” the statement read. “Since his arrival in January 2013 at the age of 20, Casemiro has been one of the most important players in one of the most successful eras in our history… An exemplary player who has given everything for Real Madrid. Real Madrid is and will always be his home.”

The addition of Casemiro would represent a breakthrough in United’s long search for a midfielder. The club previously agreed a fee with Barca of around €85 million for Frenkie de Jong, sources told ESPN in July, but a move for the Netherlands international has stalled over his preference to remain at Camp Nou. United then opened negotiations over a move for Juventus‘ Adrien Rabiot, but talks broke down due to the midfielder’s wage demands, turning the club’s attention to Casemiro.

The Brazil international had initially decided not to leave Madrid, but sources told ESPN that he changed his mind, with United offering him a higher salary than he received at Madrid.

Sources added that while Casemiro will be one of United’s top earners, he has not doubled his salary by moving to Old Trafford.

He reported to training on Friday before Real Madrid boss Sources have told ESPN confirmed the 30-year-old had told him he wanted to leave the Bernabeu.

“We’ve spoken this morning. He wants to try a new challenge, a new opportunity. I understand this, also the club does,” Ancelotti said.

“Because of what he’s done for this club and for this team, we need to be respectful of this.”

Casemiro began his career at Brazilian side Sao Paulo and joined Madrid in 2013, where he won five Champions League titles during his nine-year spell in the Spanish capital.

Having been a key player at Madrid in recent years, Casemiro faced competition for his place in the starting XI after the club’s €80m signing of Aurelien Tchouameni this summer, and had sought assurances from Ancelotti about his role in the team this season before deciding to accept United’s offer.

Casemiro made 336 appearances in all competitions for Madrid, where he also won three LaLiga titles, three Club World Cup trophies and the Spanish Cup. He becomes United’s fourth summer signing, following Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez.

Alexis Sanchez Reaches Agreement with French Side Marseille

Posted on August 9, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Alexis Sanchez is switching leagues…

The 33-year-old Chilean soccer player has reportedly reached an agreement with French side Marseille after Internazionale ended his contract by mutual agreement, the Serie A club said.

Sanchez is joining the club on a free transfer.

Sanchez made 109 appearances and scored 20 goals in all competitions after joining Inter from Manchester United in 2019 but rarely appeared in the starting lineup last season.

“The club would like to wholeheartedly thank Alexis for these last three seasons, in which the Nerazzurri won three major honors, and we wish him all the best for his future career,” Inter said in a statement.

Former Barcelona and Arsenal forward Sanchez, who has 146 caps and 48 goals for Chile, won the 2020-2021 Scudetto, Inter‘s first league title in 11 years, and last season helped the club win the Coppa Italia and Italian Super Cup.

Manchester United Signs Lisandro Martinez from Eredivisie Champions Ajax

Posted on July 17, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Lisandro Martinez is putting on a (Man) United front…

Manchester United has agreed on a deal to sign the 24-year-old Argentine professional footballer from Eredivisie champions Ajax, the club announced.

Martinez will sign a five-year contract at Old Trafford to reunite with former manager Erik ten Hag in a deal worth an initial €57.37 million, which could rise to €67.37m through variables. The move is subject to a medical.

A statement from United said: “Manchester United is delighted to announce the club has reached agreement with Ajax for the transfer of Argentine international defender Lisandro Martinez, subject to medical, to player terms being finalised, and to UK visa requirements.”

ESPN previously reported the 24-year-old was keen on a move to the Premier League with United his favored destination.

Sources told ESPN that a breakthrough had been made and that Martinez rejected interest from Arsenal.

Martinez can play in defense and in midfield, which are both areas of the squad that Ten Hag is keen to strengthen.

Martinez made 118 appearances for the Dutch champions after joining the club in 2019.

Liverpool Agrees on Transfer Deal for Benfica Forward Darwin Nunez

Posted on June 12, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s official… Darwin Nunez is Liverpool bound.

Liverpool has agreed on a deal to sign the 22-year-old Uruguayan professional footballer and Benfica forward in a transfer worth up to €100 million, according to ESPN.

It was previously reported that both clubs were in advanced talks over a deal, and sources confirmed that Liverpool is set to break the team’s transfer record to sign the striker.

Nunez will sign a five-year contract at Anfield, according to sources, and he has left the Uruguay national team to travel to England to undergo a medical.

Sources have told ESPN that an agreement was reached on Saturday between the two clubs worth €75 million, plus €25 million in add-ons.

Liverpool have seen off competition from Manchester United and Arsenal to land the striker.

According to ESPN sources, Nunez is keen for regular Champions League football, which put Liverpool ahead in the race to sign him.

Nunez, who joined Benfica in September 2020, was the top scorer in Portugal’s top flight last season and added some stellar performances in the Champions League, ending the year with 34 goals in 41 appearances.

The striker began his career at Uruguayan side Penarol before moving to Spanish second-division side Almeria in 2019, where he scored 16 goals in 32 games. Almeria will receive 20% of the profit from Nunez’s transfer.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp praised Nunez after his team’s Champions League quarterfinal clash against Benfica in April, saying that Nunez is “really good and has a big career ahead of him.”

Liverpool FC In Talks to Sign Darwin Nunez from SL Benfica

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Darwin Nunez could be heading to England soon…

Liverpool F.C. is in talks with S.L. Benfica over the signing of the 22-year-old Uruguayan professional footballer, according to ESPN.

Nunez is set to break Liverpool’s transfer record, with the deal expected to be worth around €80 million plus €20m in add-ons. The agreement between the clubs has yet to be completed, but talks are progressing well.

Benfica were initially only willing to negotiate Nunez’s departure for around €130m.

The Uruguay forward, who joined Benfica from Almeria in the summer of 2020 for €24m, is under contract through June 2025 and has a €150m release clause.

Almeria will receive 20% of any profit from Nunez’s transfer.

Nunez attracted the attention of top European clubs after an impressive 2021-22 season in which he scored 34 goals in 41 appearances for Benfica.

Nunez was the top scorer in Portugal’s top flight this past season with 26 goals.

Manchester United and Arsenal had also shown an interest in Nunez, while Premier League champions Manchester City considered signing him if they failed to acquire Erling Haaland.

City signed Haaland from Borussia Dortmund last month for an undisclosed fee.

Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp had praised Nunez after his team’s Champions League quarterfinal encounter against Benfica, saying that Nunez is “really good and has a big career ahead of him.”

Nunez, who is on international duty with Uruguay, has remained tight-lipped about his future, but chose his strike at Liverpool on April 13 as the best goal of his career.

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: Manchester United