INEOS are currently reportedly planning to sign the impressive young centre-back to Manchester United in 2026 for a potential transfer fee of over £50m.
Amorim shares update on Fernandes injury
It was a memorable afternoon for Man United against Aston Villa. While their performance once again deserved all three points, Lenny Yolo learned a harsh lesson against Morgan Rogers. Morgan Rogers scored two great shots to give the hosts an impressive victory. However, it was Bruno Fernandes’ injury that made matters worse.
Many have wondered for years what the Red Devils would be without their captain, and Ruben Amorim is now faced with the task of providing an answer.
The Manchester United manager provided an update on his talisman, telling reporters: “It’s a soft tissue so it’s going to take some time,” said the Portugal international, who has decided to miss all matches after the match against Newcastle on Boxing Day.
“I don’t know (the severity). It’s soft tissue. I think he’s going to lose a few games. I don’t know for sure, so we’ll see. You can never control these things, so we’ll see. He’s always been a healthy guy, so I think he’ll recover pretty well, but I don’t know.”
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It remains to be seen whether that changes United’s January transfer plans. There have been plenty of rumors about the potential transfer of Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, who would at least add another goal-scoring threat, but it could be argued that Amorim’s side have deeper problems.
With Harry Maguire set to leave as a free agent this summer, it’s no surprise that those at Old Trafford are keeping an eye on the centre-back market.
According to Caught Offside, INEOS are now planning a move to sign Honest Ahanoglu from Atalanta ahead of several rivals next year, following the emergence of Atalanta’s price tag.
Manchester United plot transfer of Honest Ahanoglu
The 17-year-old has already featured eight times in Serie A this season and is fast becoming one of the most promising teenagers in European football. It’s no surprise, then, that Atalanta bid around €60m (about £52m) for the young star, with Real Madrid, Man United, Chelsea and Bayern Munich all eyeing his signature.
So it would be a huge coup if United could lure Ahanolu to Old Trafford and welcome a Yoroi upgrade in the process.
The Frenchman has struggled and Aston Villa’s two goals on Sunday were undoubtedly a fault, but Ahanoğlu showed every sign of being a true rising star in the position.
“I wouldn’t use the word ‘cheating’ but they’re not doing enough. And after the game I looked at him (Yoro) and without looking at the rest I asked him, ‘Are you going to stop him?'” Roy Keane exclaimed on Sky Sports.
“Like the first goal, when Rodgers gets the ball wide, we’re all sitting there and we know there’s danger. Don’t they know there’s danger?”
League statistics per 90 25/26 | Ahanor | Endowment |
|---|---|---|
minutes | 552 | 1,003 |
progressive path | 2.46 | 4.59 |
tackle win | 1.15 | 0.9 |
block | 2.3 | 0.81 |
Ahanoğlu particularly excelled in possession, outperforming Yoro in tackles and blocks. On the other hand, on the ball side, he has also shown that he has a good chance of playing for a team that doesn’t see much of the ball.
The potential is clear for all to see, and it would be a deal that suits Old Trafford’s recent trend of young defenders. Amorim already has Yolo and Aiden Heaven at their disposal, but could now bring in Ahanor to complete an impressive set of future stars.
