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Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Man Utd scout £20m star from Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Nice as Ruben Amorim demands more physical players in transfer window
But a deal cannot take place until the final day of the transfer window FRENCH FANCY Man Utd scout £20m star from Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Nice as Ruben Amorim demands more physical players in transfer window Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MANCHESTER UNITED have been scouting a holding midfielder from fellow Ineos-owned club Nice as they consider cut-price options. United sent a scout to Sweden's international friendly against Algeria last week to check on the player, who has been tipped to leave the Ligue 1 club this summer. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Manchester Utited are scouting Hicham Boudaou from Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Nice Credit: Getty 4 Ratcliffe's company, Ineos, own 100 per cent of Ligue 1 side Nice Credit: AFP The Red Devils' official went to Friends Arena in Solna to monitor Hicham Boudaoui, according to reports in Algeria. Despite coming off after an hour, with his team trailing 4-0, Boudaoui demonstrated why many in France think he is ready for the Premier League. The 25-year-old won all of his ground duels and looked unruffled when put under pressure inside Algeria's half. He also showed a great range of passing with one excellent switch of play out to the right flank. And he even came close to grabbing a goal with a drilled effort from the corner of the penalty area that flew only a yard or so wide of the far post. Boudaoui is coming off an excellent season in France in which he emerged as one of the best in Ligue 1 in his position. In figures published in April by Datascout, he came out on top among 49 defensive midfielders for sprinting speed, fourth for the number of accelerations and sixth for high-intensity distance covered. Ruben Amorim is desperate to bring players with a more physical profile to the Old Trafford and Boudaoui certainly fits the bill. 4 Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford The Red Devils were unable to sign players from Nice last summer because both clubs were set to feature in the Europa League. Sir Jim Ratcliffe agreed not to move any players between the clubs until September 2025 to satisfy Uefa's concerns over multi-club ownership. Man Utd stars 'intimidated' by weight of shirt but can still thrive after leaving like McTominay, says Angel Gomes That means any deal for Boudaoui cannot take place until the final day of the summer transfer window with the deadline for Premier League clubs set for 7pm on September 1. Other Premier League clubs have been sniffing around while reports in France have linked Boudaoui, who has two years left on his contract, with unnamed clubs in Spain and Germany. Nice could demand £20m for the midfielder but transfer funds are likely to be tight at Old Trafford. United have already splurged £62.5m on Matheus Cunha and may now need to sell in order to finance further high-profile transfers.
The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Man Utd scout £20m star from Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Nice as Ruben Amorim demands more physical players in transfer window
MANCHESTER UNITED have been scouting a holding midfielder from fellow Ineos-owned club Nice as they consider cut-price options. United sent a scout to Sweden's international friendly against Algeria last week to check on the player, who has been tipped to leave the Ligue 1 club this summer . 4 Manchester Utited are scouting Hicham Boudaou from Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Nice Credit: Getty 4 Ratcliffe's company, Ineos, own 100 per cent of Ligue 1 side Nice Credit: AFP The Red Devils' official went to Friends Arena in Solna to monitor Hicham Boudaoui, according to reports in Algeria. Despite coming off after an hour, with his team trailing 4-0, Boudaoui demonstrated why many in The 25-year-old won all of his ground duels and looked unruffled when put under pressure inside Algeria's half. He also showed a great range of passing with one excellent switch of play out to the right flank. READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS And he even came close to grabbing a goal with a drilled effort from the corner of the penalty area that flew only a yard or so wide of the far post. Boudaoui is coming off an excellent season in France in which he emerged as one of the best in Ligue 1 in his position. In figures published in April by Old Trafford and Boudaoui certainly fits the bill . Most read in Football 4 Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford The Red Devils were unable to sign players from Nice last summer because both clubs were set to feature in the Europa League. Sir Jim Ratcliffe agreed not to move any players between the clubs until September 2025 to satisfy Uefa's concerns over multi-club ownership. Man Utd stars 'intimidated' by weight of shirt but can still thrive after leaving like McTominay, says Angel Gomes That means any deal for Boudaoui cannot take place until the final day of the summer transfer window with the deadline for Premier League clubs set for 7pm on September 1. Other Premier League clubs have been sniffing around while reports in Spain and Germany . Nice could demand £20m for the midfielder but transfer funds are likely to be tight at Old Trafford. United have already splurged £62.5m on 4 Boudaoui represents Algeria with new Manchester City signing Rayan Ait Nouri
Daily Mirror
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd star's emotional message after being released by Amorim – 'Once a red'
Several Manchester United academy graduates have joined veteran first teamers in being released by the Red Devils as Ruben Amorim looks to build his new era at the club Manchester United academy starlet James Nolan has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the club after parting ways with the Red Devils. It was reported early last month that three youngsters - Nolan, Jack Kingdon and Sam Murray - would be allowed to leave as free agents this summer. United published their retained list on Monday and the aforementioned players' departures were made official. Nolan spent last season on loan with Inverness Caledonian Thistle in Scottish League One, where he made 33 appearances and scored his first career goal. The 19-year-old defender will now look for a new club to begin his next chapter. Taking to Instagram, Nolan wrote: "My time at Manchester United has now come to an end. "From joining at the age of seven to now leaving at 19 it has been my second home. I just want to say a massive thank you to the coaches, players and everyone at the club for making my time unforgettable. I've made memories to last a life time. "Once a Red always a Red." Nolan is a versatile player and mainly played at full-back for Caledonian Thistle. Central defender Jack Kingdon also shared his gratitude in a similar social media post, saying: 'After nearly 5 years at this club, it is my time to move onto the next chapter in my career. 'The experiences this club has given me I will always be grateful for. The lads, staff and fans have been outstanding with me whilst I've been here. "Manchester United will always have a place in my heart, but it is time for the next chapter. Thank you, Reds." Kingdon as an academy product was instrumental in the Under-18 treble-winning team in 2023/2024. The 19-year-old, who is a Scotland youth international, was also excellent on loan with Rochdale after signing for the club in the winter window. It's understood that Kingdon was on the verge of signing for Ineos-owned FC Lausanne Sport on loan in January before he signed for Rochdale, who he helped reach the National League play-offs. Academy goalkeepers Tom Myles and Tom Wooster have also been released this summer, with the official club website's statement reading: 'The Academy is proud of all of our departing young players throughout the age groups. They will be supported in securing contracts at new clubs, provided with a bespoke aftercare programme, and will always have a lifelong association with Manchester United.' Joining them in the mass clearout after a disastrous season for the first team are established stars Christian Eriksen, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof. Tom Heaton is also included on the list of free transfers, however, the club remains in discussions with the goalkeeper about a new deal that would see him remain part of the squad for the 2025/26 season. It is understood that there will be a limited number of spots available in Ruben Amorim's squad next season as the Portuguese head coach looks to transform the club's fortunes with new additions.
France 24
17-05-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Nice take Champions League place, Saint-Etienne relegated in French season finale
Champions League finalists Paris Saint-Germain had already clinched the title while Marseille and Monaco wrapped up qualification for Europe's elite club competition before the Ligue 1 campaign reached its climax. However, one more spot at the continent's top table remained up for grabs on the last day with fourth-placed Nice in pole position to take it if they could hold off the challenges of Lille, Strasbourg and Lyon. The Ineos-owned club made sure of a top-four place by crushing Brest 6-0 on the Cote d'Azur with Gaetan Laborde scoring twice. Ivorian international Evann Guessand put Nice in front with his 12th Ligue 1 goal this season, with Badredine Bouanani later netting a penalty before Terem Moffi and Ali Abdi also hit the target. Nice will enter next season's Champions League in the third qualifying round in early August and will have to win two two-legged ties to make the league stage. Lille finish fifth and go into the Europa League after substitute Chuba Akpom's late penalty secured a 2-1 win at home to Reims, while Strasbourg suffered a dramatic 3-2 loss against Le Havre in a result which created a stunning late twist in the relegation battle. Le Havre needed to win and hope one of Reims or Nantes lost in order to escape the drop zone, and the Normandy side showed remarkable resolve to come from behind twice before snatching victory in extraordinary fashion. Abdoulaye Toure's second penalty of the game, in the ninth minute of stoppage time, propelled Le Havre out of the drop zone and means Reims will go into a play-off against second-tier Metz for the right to play in Ligue 1 next season. Reims will now have to navigate the two legs of that tie either side of next weekend's French Cup final against PSG. Lacazette's 200th Lyon goal Strasbourg's defeat allowed Lyon to climb above them and take sixth place as they beat Angers 2-0 with Alexandre Lacazette scoring twice. The former Arsenal striker's brace saw him reach a double-century of goals for his boyhood club as he now prepares to leave Lyon, the side where he made his Ligue 1 debut in 2010. Rayan Cherki, another of Lyon's standout performers, later indicated that he would be leaving the club. "I am going to remain prudent but I think that was my last game for Lyon," said Cherki. Lyon are guaranteed European football next season and will be in the Europa League if PSG win the French Cup, which would mean Strasbourg go into the Conference League. Saint-Etienne needed a positive result as well as favours from elsewhere in order to avoid being relegated but they slumped to a 3-2 loss at home against Toulouse. Yann Gboho scored what proved to be the winner for Toulouse, as 10-time champions Saint-Etienne make an immediate return to Ligue 2. "I take full responsibility for our relegation," said Saint-Etienne coach Eirik Horneland. "I think we could have done much better with this team but we can be optimistic about the future." PSG title party PSG warmed up for their upcoming finals, including the Champions League showdown with Inter Milan in Munich on May 31, by coming from behind to beat Auxerre 3-1. Lassine Sinayoko put Auxerre ahead as the visitors threatened to spoil PSG's title party, but Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored twice in the second half for the hosts either side of a Marquinhos header. Goncalo Ramos also had a penalty saved. Marseille made sure of finishing second as they beat Rennes 4-2 at the Velodrome with Mason Greenwood scoring twice, including once from the penalty spot, while Adrien Rabiot also grabbed a brace. Greenwood scored 21 goals in his debut Ligue 1 season to finish as the division's joint-top marksman alongside PSG's Ousmane Dembele. Third-placed Monaco slumped to a 4-0 loss at Lens. Neil El Aynaoui netted twice for Lens, whose coach Will Still later announced his departure from the club.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Last Champions League place, relegation to be decided in Ligue 1 finale
Nice hope to be celebrating Champions League qualification on Saturday but are one of four teams still in with a chance of finishing fourth in Ligue 1 on the last night of the season (Valery HACHE) Title-winners Paris Saint-Germain still have the Champions League final to look forward to later this month but the Ligue 1 season reaches its climax on Saturday with European places still up for grabs and a quartet of clubs scrapping to avoid relegation. PSG secured a fourth consecutive domestic title more than a month ago and will collect their trophy following Saturday's match at home to Auxerre. Advertisement Luis Enrique's side will then turn their thoughts to the French Cup final against Reims on May 24 and the Champions League final against Inter Milan in Munich a week later. Behind them, Marseille and Monaco clinched podium places, and guaranteed access to next season's Champions League, with victories last weekend combined with favourable results elsewhere. That leaves one spot in Europe's elite club competition to be decided, with four teams -- Nice, Lille, Strasbourg and Lyon -- still in contention for a place in the third qualifying round of the Champions League. Nice, who fell short in the Champions League play-offs in 2017, are best-placed to take the remaining spot as they come into their final match at home to Brest in fourth place and with the best goal difference. Advertisement A 1-0 win for the Ineos-owned outfit would leave Lille needing to win by six goals, or Strasbourg requiring an eight-goal margin of victory for them to go above Nice. "I prefer to be slightly above the others in the table than slightly below them," admitted Nice coach Franck Haise, who took Lens into the Champions League two years ago. "To get fourth place, which would not be trivial, first of all we need to win. We know that." A slip-up would give a real chance to Lille, who finished fourth last season and then came through the qualifying rounds of the Champions League before going on to reach the last 16. Advertisement Strasbourg also retain hope of a first campaign in Europe's elite competition since 1979/80, despite the frustration of seeing a 12-game unbeaten run ended in a 2-1 loss at Angers last weekend. - Saint-Etienne to survive? - Lille and Strasbourg are both at home to relegation-threatened opponents, in the shape of Reims and Le Havre respectively. Lyon, meanwhile, know their chances of taking fourth are extremely slim. They must win at home to Angers and hope the three teams above them all lose, with the consequences of missing out on the huge prize money on offer in the Champions League likely very serious for them. Advertisement "First of all, we need to focus on ourselves," said Lyon coach Paulo Fonseca. "We know it's going to be very difficult for all the other teams to lose, but we must go out looking to win our match without thinking about the rest." The team finishing fifth will go into the Europa League with sixth entering the Conference League, although seventh place will be enough to qualify for Europe provided PSG win the French Cup. At the bottom, Saint-Etienne gave themselves a lifeline last weekend in their bid to avoid an immediate return to the second tier. A win at home to Toulouse will see them grab the lifeline of a two-legged play-off against either Dunkerque or Metz to stay in the top flight -- provided Le Havre do not win. Advertisement Reims and Nantes are also not yet safe from the danger of finishing in the bottom three. Key stats 4 - Four teams go into the last night of the season with a chance of taking France's fourth and final qualifying spot for the Champions League 21 - PSG's Ousmane Dembele has 21 goals and is on course to end the season as Ligue 1's leading scorer, although Marseille's Mason Greenwood is just two behind on 19 9- The number of PSG players named in the Ligue 1 team of the season -- Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier and Lyon forward Rayan Cherki were the only two from elsewhere to make the select XI Advertisement Fixtures on Saturday (kick-offs 1900 GMT) Lens v Monaco, Lille v Reims, Lyon v Angers, Marseille v Rennes, Nantes v Montpellier, Nice v Brest, Paris Saint-Germain v Auxerre, Saint-Etienne v Toulouse, Strasbourg v Le Havre as/ea
