Manchester United’s promising young midfielder, Kobbie Mainoo, has shared that he looks to former Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets as a source of inspiration for developing his football craft.

The 19-year-old has made an impressive impact at Old Trafford during his breakthrough season in 2023/24, scoring five goals in 33 appearances. Alongside United talents Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho, Mainoo has even been likened to the iconic Cristiano Ronaldo after replicating one of the Portuguese star’s famous goal celebrations, stirring excitement among fans.

Mainoo’s standout performances highlight his potential in a team that has struggled for consistency in recent years.

Reflecting on the players who have influenced his style, Mainoo told *GQ*, “I like to watch [Sergio] Busquets, the way he used to turn. Players like [Clarence] Seedorf, [Luka] Modric. Players like Yaya Toure – I like the way he used to play.”

Discussing his approach on the field, Mainoo added, “I see a guy here, then I’ll turn this way. Or if I don’t have to do that, I can just bounce out. I don’t think, like, I’m gonna turn here… it’s more that if the defender gives me an option, then I’m gonna take it.”

Busquets, a product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, became a pillar of the team, accumulating 722 appearances before moving to Inter Miami. Watching the Spanish great has impacted Mainoo’s game, helping him refine the balance between decision-making and natural skill.

Reflecting on his journey at United, Mainoo also expressed what it means to be part of the club’s proud tradition of nurturing young talent: “I feel like at United it’s very much in the history that they play young players, going all the way back to the Busby Babes. There’s big writing up on the wall [at Carrington] saying, ‘If they’re good enough, they’re old enough.'”

Currently sidelined due to injury, Mainoo last featured for United in October against Aston Villa. His return to the squad is eagerly awaited as he looks to continue his promising trajectory and make a lasting mark on the pitch.

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• Nightmare scenario for Man Utd as Leny Yoro injury WORSE than first feared & Rasmus Hojlund out for six weeks to add to Erik ten Hag’s woes

Manchester United have been dealt a significant blow with injuries to key players Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund following their pre-season defeat to Arsenal.

Both players were forced to leave the pitch before halftime. Hojlund, a promising striker, managed only 16 minutes on the field before pulling his hamstring, which will keep him out for six weeks according to reports from The Athletic.

Yoro, the French defender who recently joined United from Lille in a £52 million deal, played for just over 30 minutes before sustaining a foot injury, later identified as a broken metatarsal.

He will be sidelined for approximately three months and was seen using crutches and wearing a protective boot.

This is a considerable setback for United, especially as Yoro was expected to be a key starter under Erik ten Hag. The team’s injury woes echo the previous pre-season, where injuries to Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo affected their preparations significantly.

Adding to United’s injury list, Marcus Rashford and Antony both suffered setbacks in their 3-2 win over Real Betis. Rashford picked up an ankle injury in the second half and was seen limping post-match, while Antony was visibly distressed after exiting the game just 23 minutes in.

Erik ten Hag will be particularly concerned, as injuries derailed United’s 2023-24 season. The team has little time to regroup, with a friendly against Liverpool scheduled for the early hours of Sunday.

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The Premier League has announced the nominees for the Player of the Month and Manager of the Month awards for February 2024.

Liverpool dominated last month, with Diogo Jota winning the POTM trophy and Jurgen Klopp taking home the MOTM award, but neither reached the February shortlist.

Here’s a closer look at this month’s nominees:

Premier League Player of the Month shortlist for February 2024

Phil Foden (Man City)
Joao Gomes (Wolves)
Pascal Gross (Brighton)
Rasmus Hojlund (Man Utd)
Rodrigo Muniz (Fulham)
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

The standouts from this month.

Back February's @PremierLeague Player of the Month now: https://t.co/xz2IGc9jvn#FC24 pic.twitter.com/ZxoAaq0XNX

— EA SPORTS FC (@EASPORTSFC) February 29, 2024

In February, Phil Foden showcased his consistency by playing every minute of Manchester City’s five games and notching up an impressive four goals. Meanwhile, across town, Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojlund emerged as a strong contender for the award, boasting five goals and an assist in just four games.

However, the top scorer title for February went to Bukayo Saka of Arsenal, who netted six goals in four games, delivering a flawless performance for his team.

Other notable mentions include Rodrigo Muniz from Fulham, who scored four goals in just 329 minutes of play, and Ollie Watkins, whose exceptional form continued with four goals and two assists.

Joining the shortlist is Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes, who stood out in victories over Chelsea and Tottenham, leading the league in tackles. Pascal Gross of Brighton also earned recognition with four assists and a goal to his credit.

Seven stars worthy of your vote ✨

Who should be named February's @EASPORTSFC Player of the Month?#PLAwards | Vote 👉 https://t.co/jGVGEKJ5Rp pic.twitter.com/cNKl0Bdmfj

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 29, 2024

Premier League Manager of the Month shortlist – February 2024

Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
Erik ten Hag (Man Utd)
Pep Guardiola (Man City)

This month, the Manager of the Month award features just three contenders.

First up is Mikel Arteta, whose Arsenal side achieved a flawless winning record in February. The Gunners secured victories against Liverpool, West Ham United, Burnley, and Newcastle United, scoring an impressive 18 goals while conceding just twice.

Erik ten Hag earns his nomination for the second time this season. Leading Manchester United, he guided the team to three wins out of four matches, propelling them back into contention for a top-four finish. Notable victories over Aston Villa and West Ham United underscored his impact.

Completing the trio is Pep Guardiola, whose Manchester City side garnered more points than any other team in February. Despite playing five games, they accumulated 13 points, with only a 1-1 draw against Chelsea marring an otherwise faultless record.

🔴👔 Mikel Arteta
🔵👔 Pep Guardiola
👹👔 Erik ten Hag

Only one can win February's @BarclaysFooty Manager of the Month award! #PLAwards | Vote 👉 https://t.co/ynFTphsa0X pic.twitter.com/W3cnwW7Jzx

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 29, 2024

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In a thrilling Premier League match at Molineux on Thursday, Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford scored the opening goal, and Kobbie Mainoo netted a superb late winner, securing a 4-3 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Despite being left out of United’s 4-2 Cup win over Newport County, Rashford made a notable return by scoring the opening goal just five minutes into the match. He then played a role in assisting Luke Shaw, who set up Rasmus Hojlund for the second goal in the 22nd minute.

Wolves managed to pull one back when substitute Pablo Sarabia converted a penalty in the 71st minute, but Scott McTominay, entering the game as a substitute, swiftly restored United’s two-goal lead in the 75th minute.

The match reached a thrilling climax with Max Kilman scoring for the Wolves in the 85th minute and Pedro Neto leveling in stoppage time. However, Kobbie Mainoo’s strike in the 97th minute secured the win for Manchester United, propelling them to seventh in the table with 35 points, while Wolves sit in 11th place with 29 points.

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The Red Devils have faced injury challenges throughout the 2023–24 season, with Hojlund and Antony being among the players sidelined.

Hojlund, recovering from a hamstring strain that kept him out of Denmark’s November internationals, and Antony, who recently suffered a knock, missed the 3-0 win against Everton on Sunday. However, both players were seen back in first-team training ahead of the Champions League match.

Ten Hag confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Hojlund and Antony are part of the 22-player traveling squad for the Galatasaray fixture, indicating a potential return to action for the upcoming crucial match in the Champions League campaign.

When asked about the duo’s availability, Ten Hag simply replied: “They are in the squad.”

After impressing in the weekend victory at Everton, 18-year-old midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is in line for another start. Ten Hag quickly sought to play down any issues the teenager could have playing in front of a hostile atmosphere.

“We don’t have fear. If players are good enough, then they are old enough,” he added.

United will be eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage if they lose to Galatasaray on Wednesday as the Turkish giants would open up a four-point gap with just one matchday remaining. Should United be defeated and Copenhagen beat Bayern Munich, they will be dumped out of Europe altogether.

Ten Hag’s side have picked up three points from their opening four matches, compared to the four points of Galatasaray and Copenhagen and 12 of Bayern, who visit Old Trafford in December.

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In 2023, Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham claimed the prestigious Golden Boy award, recognizing him as the best footballer under the age of 21.

Established by the Italian outlet Tuttosport in 2003, the award is decided by journalists’ votes. Previous recipients include football luminaries like Wayne Rooney (2004), Lionel Messi (2005), and Paul Pogba (2013), with Barcelona’s Gavi securing the honor last year.

Bellingham’s achievement comes on the heels of his Kopa Trophy win at the Ballon d’Or awards in October, where he was acknowledged as the best under-21 player globally. Notably, the 20-year-old midfielder finished 18th in the senior men’s Ballon d’Or based on his performances with his former club, Borussia Dortmund.

Since joining Real Madrid from Dortmund during the summer transfer window, Bellingham has garnered praise for his outstanding performances, registering 13 goals and three assists in 14 appearances across all competitions this season.

In a historic feat, he became the second player in Real Madrid history to score in his first three Champions League games.

Despite stiff competition from nominees such as Rasmus Hojlund, Jamal Musiala, and Benjamin Sesko, the England international secured the award. Additionally, Real Madrid’s Linda Caicedo was honored with the Golden Girl award, recognizing her as the standout player in the 2022 Copa America.

Among the Premier League nominees were Manchester United’s Hojlund, Chelsea’s Levi Colwill, Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez, and Brighton’s Evan Ferguson.

The nominees in full

• Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
• Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)
• Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig)
• Antonio Silva (Benfica)
• Alejandro Balde (Barcelona)
• Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
• Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig)
• Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta)
• Rasmus Hojlund (Manchester United)
• Levi Colwill (Chelsea)
• Johan Bakayoko (PSV Eindhoven)
• Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth)
• Arthur Vermeeren (Antwerp)
• Evan Ferguson (Brighton)
• Lucas Gourna-Douath (FC Salzburg)
• Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)
• Ousmane Diomande (Sporting Lisbon)
• Arnau Martinez (Girona)
• Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich)
• Andy Diouf (Lens)
• Arda Guler (Real Madrid),
• Bilal El Khannouss (Genk),
• Martin Baturina (Dinamo Zagreb)
• Joao Neves (Benifca)
• Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

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In a thrilling and unexpected turn of events, Manchester United’s Champions League clash with FC Copenhagen became a rollercoaster ride in Denmark.

Rasmus Hojlund, a young Dane, put Manchester United in control with two goals. However, Marcus Rashford’s 43rd-minute red card changed the game’s dynamics.

FC Copenhagen pulled a goal back and equalized in added time at the end of the first half, largely due to a medical emergency in the crowd. Manchester United, despite being a player down, regained the lead through captain Bruno Fernandes‘ penalty.

But in a wild finish to the match, FC Copenhagen scored twice in the dying minutes through captain Lukas Lerager and substitute Roony Bardghji, leaving Manchester United with a challenging task to reach the knockout stages.

Copenhagen’s spirited coach Jacob Neestrup had warned of the intense atmosphere at Parken Stadium, and the Danish crowd made their presence felt with banners and a passionate display.

The match featured an early injury to Jonny Evans, leading to Raphael Varane’s introduction. Rasmus Hojlund shone as he scored two goals, but his performance was overshadowed by Marcus Rashford’s red card.

Despite Manchester United’s late penalties, FC Copenhagen staged a remarkable comeback, scoring twice to seal a dramatic victory.

The match was a testament to the unpredictability and excitement of football, with both teams contributing to an unforgettable night in Denmark.

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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag anticipates an inspired performance from striker Rasmus Hojlund as he prepares to face his former club, Kobenhavn, in the Champions League.

Hojlund, a 20-year-old striker, was born in Copenhagen and began his senior football career with the Danish club in 2020, making 32 appearances for them. He subsequently moved to Sturm Graz and then Atalanta. Earlier in the summer, he made a £72 million transfer to Manchester United.

Hojlund is set to have a swift reunion with his former club as Kobenhavn heads to Old Trafford for Champions League action, and Ten Hag is expecting a motivated display from the young striker in the match.

“You know it is a special game for him, he grew up there, you know he will be highly motivated,” Ten Hag said of Hojlund ahead of the game. “For me, for the team, and for him he has to send that in the right direction, the right balance.”

While Rasmus Hojlund has yet to score his first Premier League goal for Manchester United, he has been quite prolific in the Champions League, having scored three goals in just two appearances in the competition. This suggests that he has been more effective in European competition compared to domestic league matches.

Ten Hag backed Hojlund to continue his European form, adding: “First of all, we have to work our routines; he misses pre-season, the first four games, but I think from the moment he came in, he gave the team a lot.

“We’re building the routines, and that split moment will give him more time to make better decisions for more goals, but the goals against Galatasaray were two brilliant goals. As well, also the one in Munich.

“I think he’s a player who will always be in scoring positions in our team. I’m sure, I’m confident [he’ll score goals] and Marcus Rashford the same.”

Finally, Ten Hag stressed that Hojlund’s place in the team does not impact Anthony Martial, who was the central striker last season before the Dane’s arrival this summer.

“They can play together because Anthony Martial is also available to play from the side,” he said.

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Erik ten Hag criticized the “mental errors” that led to Manchester United’s humiliating loss to Galatasaray on Tuesday night.

Despite twice leading throughout the match at Old Trafford, the Red Devils ultimately fell short 3-2 as a result of several defensive errors, notably one from Andre Onana that led to Casemiro receiving a red card for a frantic challenge in the penalty area.

Man United’s sixth loss of what has been an utterly awful season now puts the team at the bottom of their UEFA Champions League group following two losses in their first two games.

Ten Hag was eager to point out the errors his players committed on the night in his comments after the loss to TNT Sports:

“The mental errors we make, you cannot allow them at this level. You get punished. This is difficult to control. We are all in this together. We were twice up and in control of the game. We expect more together.”

One such error was made by star player Marcus Rashford. In the second half, with his team at 1-1, the wide forward broke through one-on-one on goal but chose to pass to Bruno Fernandes instead of shooting, which did not work.

Ten Hag commented on the incident, saying: “That’s up to Marcus. In such a moment he has to make a decision.”

Rasmus Hojlund’s excellent performance was the game’s one bright spot despite the terrible nature of the outcome.

On Tuesday night, the new player scored his first brace for the team in extremely good fashion. Following the game, Ten Hag lauded the young player’s performance:

“Rasmus scored two great goals. We’re happy with that but of course but we didn’t win the game. He can be really happy with his goals.”

Man Utd will be aiming for two victories over Kobenhavn in Group A to put them back in the running for advancement to the knockout stages of Europe’s top club competition.

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Rasmus Hojlund, playing for Manchester United, scored a goal against Galatasaray in the Champions League, a feat that saw him emulate Erling Haaland’s record from 2019.

The young striker found the back of the net in the 17th minute, giving the Red Devils the lead, following a brilliant combination with Marcus Rashford.

Hojlund later scored another goal in the 67th minute to regain the lead for his team, but despite his efforts, Manchester United suffered a 3-2 loss to Galatasaray on the night.

Remarkably, Hojlund has now scored three goals in his first two Champions League appearances. His maiden strike came against Bayern Munich on matchday one.

With his goal on this Tuesday evening, Hojlund became the youngest player to score in his first two Champions League appearances since Erling Haaland achieved this feat in 2019 (at the age of 19 years and 73 days).

Back in 2019, Haaland, then playing for Borussia Dortmund, made his Champions League group stage debut against KRC Genk.

In a memorable performance, he scored a hat-trick in front of an enthusiastic Signal Iduna Park crowd and followed it up with another goal against Liverpool at Anfield in his second match.

Since then, Haaland has established himself as one of the most lethal strikers globally, tallying 39 goals in as many matches in the competition and leading his team to their first Champions League title in the 2022-23 season.

While Manchester United will next face Brentford, Haaland will be determined to help Manchester City bounce back to winning ways against RB Leipzig following a surprising defeat to Wolves in the previous weekend.

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Manchester United suffered their third Premier League defeat of the season, succumbing to a 3-1 loss against a formidable Brighton & Hove Albion side at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Despite a promising start, United conceded in the 20th minute when Danny Welbeck, left unmarked in the penalty area, calmly slotted the ball home against his former club.

United showed resilience and appeared to have equalized just before halftime through their high-profile signing Rasmus Hojlund, making his full debut. However, the VAR review ruled that the ball had crossed the line before Marcus Rashford’s pass reached the Danish player.

Capitalizing on the VAR decision, Brighton extended their lead in the second half with splendid goals from Pascal Gross and a strike by João Pedro, leaving Old Trafford filled with dismay.

A late effort from substitute Hannibal Mejbri provided a consolation goal for the hosts with 18 minutes remaining, but Brighton comfortably held on to secure third place in the standings with 12 points from five matches, while United dropped to 12th place with six points.

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The 2023 Kopa Trophy nominees for the Ballon d’Or’s top young player award have been unveiled. Among the contenders are the reigning champion, Gavi, and the Real Madrid sensation, Jude Bellingham. The Kopa Trophy is an accolade presented annually as part of the Ballon d’Or ceremony, recognizing the most outstanding player under 21 years of age.

Gavi represents one of the three Barcelona players in the running for the award, alongside full-back Alejandro Balde and the 2021 victor, Pedri. Their exceptional contributions played a pivotal role in guiding Barcelona to their first La Liga championship in four years.

Most likely, someone from the other side of the Clasico split will get the award. After a spectacular season at Borussia Dortmund, Bellingham was signed by Real Madrid for a record £85 million plus add-ons throughout the summer. The England international has made an immediate impact, scoring five goals in his first four La Liga games.

The midfielder is now largely regarded as one of the top players in the world, not only among the best young players but among all footballers.

Bellingham is joined by fellow Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga in being nominated for the award, with the rest of the nominees coming from across four different European leagues.

Manchester United’s recent acquisition, Rasmus Hojlund, who was signed for an initial £64 million from Atalanta, is the sole representative from the Premier League on the list of nominees.

Meanwhile, Elye Wahi from Lens represents Ligue 1, the skilful defender Antonio Silva represents Benfica and the Primeira Liga, and the Bundesliga is represented by Xavi Simons, currently on loan at RB Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain, and Jamal Musiala from Bayern Munich, rounding out the list of nominees.

Kopa Tophy 2023 nominees

• Jude Bellingham – Borussia Dortmund/Real Madrid
• Alejandro Balde – Barcelona
• Eduardo Camavinga – Real Madrid
• Gavi – Barcelona
• Rasmus Hojlund – Atalanta/Manchester United
• Jamal Musiala – Bayern Munich
• Pedri – Barcelona
• Xavi Simons – PSV Eindhoven/RB Leipzig
• Antonio Silva – Benfica
• Elye Wahi – Montpellier/Lens

When is the Kopa Trophy 2023 winner announced?

The Kopa Trophy will be presented to the top young player in Europe on October 30 during an event at Paris, France’s Theatre du Chatelet.

Here are all of the 2023 Kopa Trophy nominees
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Jude Bellingham @realmadrid
🇪🇸 Gavi @FCBarcelona
🇩🇪 Jamal Musiala @FCBayern
🇫🇷 Eduardo Camavinga @realmadrid
🇪🇸 Pedri @FCBarcelona
🇳🇱 Xavi Simons @RBLeipzig
🇪🇸 Alejandro Balde @FCBarcelona
🇵🇹 Antonio Silva @SLBenfica
🇩🇰… pic.twitter.com/0MDlU5M6hp

— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) September 6, 2023

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