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Daily Mirror
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Bruno Fernandes given clear Saudi transfer verdict as Man Utd exit 'no-brainer'
Bruno Fernandes is mulling over a big-money move to Saudi Arabia, with Al-Hilal offering him a cool £200million to quit Manchester United, who'd in turn receive a massive £100m transfer fee It's the £300million question - and only Bruno Fernandes has the answer. The Manchester United captain has been given the chance to leave the sinking ship at Old Trafford for steadier waters in Saudi Arabia. Al-Hilal, one of the big hitters in the Saudi Pro League, have offered Fernandes a mega £700,000 per week contract which the 30-year-old is understood to be seriously considering after his agent met Saudi chiefs in Riyadh last week. Three years in the Middle East would see him pocket a staggering £200m while Al-Hilal are also willing to pay United a £100m fee. That's enough to transform the Red Devils' summer transfer budget and give Ruben Amorim funds to further build the team in his own image. But at what cost? United's lowly 15th-placed finish was off the back of Fernandes' brilliant individual campaign, so would his departure deepen their ongoing crisis? Amorim, at least publicly, wants him to stay but the Portugal international hinted that he'd be open to leaving following last month's Europa League final defeat. For this week's Big Debate, we asked the Mirror Football team to give Fernandes some advice. Should he stay or should he go? Jeremy Cross Fernandes should be off from Manchester United like a shot. He owes United nothing, having carried them on his back for the last few seasons. And his reward for this is to be left stuck in a team without European football - and with a cat in hell's chance of winning the title next season. He will be 31 in September and is approaching the age when big names look to cash in one last time. And moves don't come more lucrative than ones to Saudi Arabia. He will know leaving Old Trafford would leave the team in an even deeper hole. But that's not his problem. And besides, club bosses have just made him go on a farcical post-season tour to Hong Kong and Malaysia, so he also knows where United's skewed priorities lie. James Whaling From the player's point of view, this would seem like something of a no-brainer. Bruno Fernandes is the wrong side of 30, Manchester United are in a perilous state and there is no European football on the horizon. If Fernandes had a concrete offer from one of the continent's big-hitters, there would be a decision to make. But in lieu of that, could anyone really blame him for taking the riches on offer in Saudi Arabia rather than staying at Old Trafford? Yes, the standard of football is dramatically worse. But he will be a marquee figure and there is little evidence it will affect his international involvement given Cristiano Ronaldo's enduring Portugal career despite playing in the Middle East. I'm still not convinced Manchester United have quite bottomed out yet, and Fernandes should take the opportunity to make sure he's not around to see that happen. Not to mention the £100million parting gift to swell the club's coffers. It might even save a dinner lady her job. Ben Husband The focus shouldn't be on reasons for him leaving, they should be all about why he should stay. After all, Fernandes has essentially carried United on his back for five-and-a-half years, with only two domestic cups to show for it. In a hypothetical world, he could have moved to the other half of Manchester and already be in conversations for being the league's best player. United have done nothing to improve the squad around him since he arrived in 2020 - in fact it has got significantly worse. At 30, Fernandes could be excused for lacking the patience for what seems to be another massive rebuild at Old Trafford. I would like to see him stay in Europe, but who could blame him for taking the riches on offer in Saudi Arabia? United under Sir Jim Ratcliffe seem more bothered about their balance sheet than the team sheet. Fernandes would do well to cut ties. Mark Jones There's obviously the Club World Cup pressure as Al-Hilal press for a deal during this mini transfer window, but if any player deserves a summer off then it is Bruno Fernandes, so if he can find a way to sit tight then I'd do that right now. The Portuguese has just had arguably the best season of his career, despite everything crumbling around him at Manchester United. But if he is to leave - which he probably should do if he's interested in winning things - I'd like to see him at one of Europe's top sides before making the move to Saudi Arabia. Fernandes previously had three seasons at Udinese and one at Sampdoria, is well respected at Italy's bigger clubs, and he'd certainly improve Inter Milan given their showing at the weekend. He'd make AC Milan, Napoli, Juventus and the rest better, too. Italy might not be an option for him just yet though, and it certainly won't be as lucrative as Saudi would be, but he should be sitting back and relaxing right now after the rigours of a tough season. Yes, get out of United, but take your time about it. Tom Victor The main argument against Bruno Fernandes leaving Manchester United comes from his perceived importance to everything the team does. However, if we translate that to league form, what does that actually mean? The difference between finishing 15th and 17th? United need a summer rebuild - that much is obvious. They'll need to sell in order to buy after missing out on Europe and there's only one member of their squad who can fetch the big one-off fee to accelerate that process. He's already given his best years to the club, and they're some way from being back in a position of being competitive at the top end of the league. By the time that happens ( if it happens?), who knows how big a toll that average of 53 games per season for five straight years will have taken. Sure, United might miss Fernandes in the short term. As we've seen with Paris Saint-Germain post- Kylian Mbappe and Liverpool post- Phillipe Coutinho in recent years, though, forcing yourself to spread out the creative responsibilities can sometimes be the best way forward. Sam Meade Fernandes should go. He can only do so much in Manchester and he's about to find out that Amorim's system may not be overly inclusive of him as a player. Without a natural No.10 spot and more demands placed on positions, Fernandes may struggle to perform the role his manager wants. While I think he should leave the Red Devils, I'm not a lover of players heading to Saudi in their pomp, but heads get turned when mammoth sums are on offer, so it is understandable. It may not do much for his career but would be very kind to his bank balance. Fernandes has just had one of his best years to date and it got United absolutely nowhere, so it proves that one fantastic individual cannot solve a magnitude of problems. He's given it his all but a new challenge would certainly benefit him and the Middle East may be his only option.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Wales' future discussed in Cardiff by politicians and local leaders
The future of Wales was debated by politicians, business leaders, and grassroots activists in a 'Big Debate' run by the Big Issue in Cardiff. The Welsh Government, represented by the Senedd's Minister for Delivery and General Counsel, Julie James MS, faced heavy criticism from the panel and audience. Leading local journalist Will Hayward condemned Welsh Labour as "defined by very good intentions but very slow delivery." Ms James responded to the criticism by highlighting the pressures placed on her government by "14 years of austerity." Julie James at the Big Issue Big Debate. Credit: Exposure Photo Agency She also acknowledged a growing rift between Labour in Wales and the UK Government, admitting: "There have definitely been decisions that we as Welsh Labour wouldn't have made." "There are some things we fundamentally disagree with because in Welsh Labour we are different – our politics are further to the left than it is in England," Ms James told the panel. However, her comments were met with anger by one audience member, James Mapstone, who told the debate panel that he doesn't "believe in Labour anymore." "The Senedd has failed," the carer from Cardiff said. "They failed the people. "And it's the most vulnerable people in society. "There's some very serious issues going on in this country – and the young people, the elderly, in particular, and the disabled are being targeted like they've never been before." The panel also included the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales Derek Walker, Welsh Children's Commissioner Rocio Cifuentes, local entrepreneur Dylan Jones-Evans, and the Big Issue's founder Lord John Bird. Credit: Exposure Photo Agency Children's Commissioner for Wales Rocio Cifuentes criticised the "lack of clear measurable targets [which] mean we struggle to hold the Welsh Government to account", insisting Wales must "measure what we treasure". The Big Issue is calling for governments to set statutory poverty reduction targets, which would legally hold politicians to account on taking long-term, preventative action on poverty. Lord Bird argued for creating wealth and growth to boost communities and lift people out of poverty. He said: "My plan before I leave this earth is to resocialise capitalism."
South Wales Argus
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Big Issue announces Cardiff debate with free tickets
The event, which will take place at Cornerstone, will feature a panel of experts including Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, and Rocio Cifuentes MBE, Children's Commissioner for Wales. They will be joined by award-winning investigative journalist Will Hayward and Big Issue co-founder Lord John Bird. The panel will discuss the future of Wales at the Big Debate on Wednesday, May 14. The public are invited to attend for free and can bring questions for the panellists. Tickets are available on Eventbrite. It is part of a series of community events in Cardiff in mid-May, organised by the Big Issue to encourage community-led responses to societal issues. The Welsh capital is the next destination of the Big Community Roadshow, with Big Issue teams coming to Cardiff from Monday, May 12 to Wednesday, May 14 to both report on and actively support issues facing people in poverty across South Wales. The three-day line-up of events includes a five-a-side football tournament, which will be held on the evening of Tuesday, May 13 at Gôl Cardiff to raise funds for the Street Football Wales team to attend the International Street Football Tournament in Oslo this August. Paul McNamee, UK editor of Big Issue, said: "Big Issue is born of the streets and works, at our core, by listening to those we exist to serve. "Our Big Community Roadshows allow us to get closer to the action, and we're very excited to be bringing it to Cardiff this May. "We've got a great series of activities in store, made possible thanks to our brilliant sponsor Wales & West Housing Association." For more details, visit the Big Issue website.
Trade Arabia
04-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Seatrade event to spotlight key maritime issues
Maritime geopolitics, sustainability, trade disruption, tariffs and AI will all be under the spotlight during the coming UAE Maritime Week, which features the flagship conference and exhibition, Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East, in Dubai. Several thousand international and regional shipping experts will take part in the week which is held under the patronage of the Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure and organised by Seatrade Maritime and supported by strategic partner, DP World. In its 11th edition, Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East takes place from May 6 to 8 in the Za'abeel Halls 5 & 6 at Dubai World Trade Centre. For the first time, the conference agenda features 3 stages and multiple conference sessions. Again, in a first for the event, it is working with 15 supporting organisations from the industry who are lending their industry expertise in the form of curated content. The 15 official Supporting Organisations include: Abu Dhabi Maritime Hub; Dubai Shipping Agents Association (DSAA); Emirates Shipping Association (ESA); Emirates Maritime Legal Association (EMLA); International Bunkering Association (IBIA); ICS Middle East; IMarEST UAE; IMPA Save; The Ship Suppliers Association Dubai (ISSA); Mission to Seafarers; National Association of Freight and Logistics (NAFL); The Nautical Institute; UAE Blue Pass; UAE Harbour Masters Association; and WISTA UAE. Between them, they will be hosting a carefully curated mix of thought leadership conference sessions, panel discussions and in-depth technical workshops fronted by members and covering all aspects of maritime. This includes digitalisation, energy transition, sustainability, engine room operations, bunkering and alternative fuels, port safety, workforce diversity, ship finance and freight rates, innovation in trading and seafarer welfare. In other sessions, managed by the Seatrade Maritime content team, there will be a dedicated session from Shanghai International Shipping Center & North Bund Forum; several deep-dive focus forums from DP World and a return of the popular Big Debate. In this parliamentary style debate, industry specialists present their 'for' and 'against' arguments for the motion: 'This house believes that the integration of AI in the maritime industry poses a greater threat to safety and ethical standards than it offers in operational efficiency'. Some feisty exchanges in front of the audience are expected before attendees get their say and the final vote is announced at the end of the session. Taking the Main Stage on Day 2 is global maritime futurist, K D Adamson. Known as a sharp, funny and straight-talking renegade she is a writer, commentator, presenter, and top keynote speaker loved by audiences the world over who have compared her inspirational performances to both a TED talk on steroids, and a Tarantino movie where no one died! Other highlights include an Offshore Outlook Focus, the Vital Role of Digitalisation at Sea, the Significance of Seafarer Training for New Alternative Fuels and The Need for Industry-wide Training Overhaul. Also on Day 2 is a ceremony to celebrate the announcement of the Seatrade Maritime News 20under40 finalists. The culmination of an initiative to find global leaders of the future aged under 40, this campaign has garnered huge interest and several hundred entries for the judging panel to discuss. Day 3 brings the Nautical Institute's global conference and AGM to Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East for the first time, and dedicated sessions from Abu Dhabi Maritime Hub; DP World and DSAA (Dubai Ship Agents Association). Aside from the three content stages, a packed exhibition stretches across Za'abeel Halls 5 and 6 and include international exhibitors representing the complete maritime supply chain. According to Chris Morley, Group Director, Seatrade Maritime, part of Informa Markets: 'Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East has been a firm fixture on the maritime calendar over the past 20 years in the UAE and this year is once again the central maritime meeting place of UAE Maritime Week. Working closely with our patron, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, and a very senior steering committee, we are confident that this edition will continue to amplify the UAE's place on the global maritime cluster map.' -
