27/08/2025

SPORTS WEDNESDAY | AUG 27, 2025

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‘No excuses now’ Amorim must start getting results quickly, says Rooney

Ű ED ELLIOT

the club “has a point to prove” as he ambitiously targets an improbable title challenge. Head coach Amorim has outlined a primary aim of leading United back into Europe with a view to competing for the top-flight crown in future years. But Dorgu, who feels the arrivals of Sesko, Cunha and Mbeumo have increased optimism at Old Trafford, is determined to strive for loftier objectives. “One hundred per cent we are aiming to win the Premier League and we just need to take it game by game,” said the 20-year-old Denmark international, who was bought from Italian club Lecce in February. “We are Manchester United, so that’s always going to be our goal. I think new signings have helped (brighten the mood). They bring a lot of good energy, quality into the group. “We tried to be positive about our new season. Everyone has a point to prove this season. “We need to stick together, be happy, positive, and try to do what the coach asks.” – The Independent

W AYNE ROONEY believes Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has “no excuses” for underperforming this season and could soon be fighting to save his job. United splashed £200 million (RM1.16b) on a new forward line during a summer rebuild but have begun the 2025-26 campaign in inauspicious fashion by picking up a solitary point from their opening two fixtures. Former Sporting Lisbon coach Amorim has accumulated just 28 points from 29 top-flight fixtures since succeeding Erik ten Hag last November. The Red Devils finished 15th last term – their worst Premier League campaign – and club record goalscorer Rooney fears there are already alarming indications of a lack of progress. “There are no excuses now for the manager this season,” the 39-year-old said on his BBC podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show . “He’s got to start getting results and getting

missing a penalty and surrendering a lead in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Fulham. Asked if Amorim is the right man for the long term, Rooney replied: “It’s difficult to sit here and say, ‘yeah 100%’ – I don’t think anyone could do that. “I don’t think Ruben would probably say that himself with what we’ve seen since he’s been at the club. “I think the recruitment has been good in the summer – I still want to see two or three more players brought in. “But it’s difficult (to say), ‘right, this is going to be our manager for the next five years’ on what we’ve seen.” Wingback Patrick Dorgu admits everyone at

results quickly because once you start getting into October, November, if results don’t change drastically then that’s when pressure comes. “United really needed to hit the ground running this season and one point from six is a worry. “It’s only two games into the season but the worrying sign is we’re seeing things that we saw last season and that’s a concern.” Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo arrived in big-money deals to refresh United’s attacking options. Yet the 20-time English champions, who lost the Europa League final to Tottenham in May, were beaten 1-0 at home by Arsenal on the opening weekend of the new season before

Isak should be allowed to leave, says Henry THIERRY HENRY believes it would be in Newcastle’s best interests for striker Alexander Isak to leave the club. The Sweden international is currently frozen out of the first-team picture at St James’ Park amid a stand-off over his future. Isak became unsettled when the Magpies rejected a £110 million (RM638m) bid for his services from Liverpool more than three weeks ago and has since trained away from the rest of the squad. The 25-year-old has also issued a statement claiming promises made to him by the club have been “broken” and “the relationship can’t continue”. Newcastle have been adamant the player is not for sale and Henry, the former Arsenal, Barcelona and France forward, feels he could yet be re-integrated by manager Eddie Howe. However, he thinks it would be better if Isak was allowed to go. Henry, working as a pundit ahead of Newcastle’s clash with Liverpool on yesterday, told Sky Sports : “You cannot put yourself in a situation when you don’t come to train. “I think for me, in an ideal world, the best thing for him is – I think, for everybody – is if he can leave. “But I also do believe that when someone makes a mistake, if he sees it as a mistake and after (so does) his dressing room, if he apologises, then we can move on. “If he scores goals and he starts to play the same way he played last year, then the Newcastle fans will be OK about it. “The best for me right now, the way it is, for Liverpool and Newcastle, is if he goes.” According to Daily Mail Sport, Newcastle co-owner Jamie Reuben and a Saudi Public Investment Fund delegation spoke to Isak at the striker’s home before yesterday’s game in an attempt to convince him to stay at the club and return to Howe’s squad. Newcastle chairman Yasir Al Rumayyan was in attendance at the Liverpool game. He was not part of the meeting but is said to have given his full backing to the effort to bring Isak back into the squad as soon as possible. – Express Newspapers/Agencies

Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali reacts after sustaining an injury. – REUTERSPIC

Howe issues injury updates after ‘pretty bad day’

Ű BY MICHAEL JONES

especially because both looked in a little bit of pain, they’d be huge blow for us if they’re not available. “Anthony (Gordon) will be suspended and Fabian (Schar) had concussion, so not good.” Newcastle have had a

his post-match interview. “Sandro (Tonali) doesn’t look good, he was in quite a bit of pain. I don’t know the full extent of his or Joelinton’s injury, but they both look quite threatening to us.” The Newcastle boss later issued a further update on defender Fabian Schar who

EDDIE HOWE issued a concerning update on injured midfielders Sandro Tonali and Joelinton after both players were subbed off the pitch during Liverpool’s dramatic 3-2 win at St. James’ Park. Newcastle’s start to the season has been difficult with the off-field issues concerning Alexander Isak dominating the headlines across their opening two matches against Aston Villa and Liverpool respectively. Howe’s side have played well in both games but have lacked a clinical eye in front of goal in Isak’s absence and Anthony Gordon unable to step into the vacancy in the forward line. To make matters worse, Newcastle lost Gordon – who picked up a red card against Liverpool and will miss the next few matches through suspension – and Tonali and Joelinton to injury during yesterday’s meeting with the Premier League champions. Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Howe labelled the incidents a “pretty

picked up a concussion during the match and was also replaced. Howe told BBC’s Match of the Day : “I don’t know with Joe and Sandro, it doesn’t look good when a player comes o f f ,

difficult summer transfer window losing out on targets, such as Hugo Ekitike, to other clubs and having bids rejected from other Premier League sides. With a week left

before the window closes they may need to accelerate deals in order to bring in potential replacements for their injured and suspended players or risk worsening a start that has seen them collect just one point from two strong performances. – The

bad day’ for his team and admitted that both injured players could be out for a while. “A bruising game for us,” he said during

Newcastle United’s Joelinton (left) in action with Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch. – REUTERSPIC

Independent

Forest players ‘seriously impacted’ by Nuno fallout with owner SENIOR PLAYERS at Nottingham Forest are reportedly fighting to keep harmony in the squad following the fallout between manager Nuno Espirito Santo and owner Evangelos Marinakis. half goal from Callum Hudson-Odoi rescued a point for the visitors. According to Sky Sports News , senior squad players are now determined to behave as if it is “business as usual” at the club.

and Tottenham man remains the subject of intense speculation. He only signed a new three-year deal this summer, taking him through to the summer of 2028. That means he would be eligible for a sizeable payoff if he were to be sacked from his role. Indeed, many pundits have perceived his comments as an attempt to be axed, despite Nuno now implying he wants clear-the-air talks with Marinakis and the club’s Global Head of Football, Edu. The appointment of the ex-Arsenal chief has led to tension between him and Nuno. He’s expected to remain in charge for Sunday’s home game with West Ham, Forest’s last before the international break. – Express Newspapers

The club was rocked last week when Nuno, who led Forest to a seventh-place finish and European football last season, said his relationship with the Greek businessman had deteriorated. The Portuguese boss stated in a press conference that he no longer had a“very good relationship”with Marinakis and didn’t know about his future at the club. He later denied that he was planning to resign, but the owner was said to be baffled by the outburst. The fallout dominated the build-up to Forest’s 1 1 draw at Crystal Palace on Sunday, where a second

The events of the past week have appeared to impact squad stability, with a number of stars said to be affected by the public fallout. Marinakis, 58, has always been adamant that disagreements among club personnel are discussed in private. Nuno’s speaking out so candidly has reportedly left him feeling angry at what he considers a betrayal of trust. Despite describing suggestions he would quit the club as “absurd,“ the future of the former Wolves