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Eric Bailly offered to Turkish club Fenerbahce this summer with player seemingly unwanted

11 August 2020 by

Manchester United central defender Eric Bailly has reportedly been offered to a number of clubs so far this summer with the latest being Turkish side Fenerbahce, who have had dealing with United in the past five years with Robin van Persie and Nani both signing for the club when they left the Old Trafford club. Just last week, Bailly was offered to AC Milan with the Italian club rejecting the opportunity to sign the Ivorian defender this summer.

The Sun has reported that United have now offered the 26-year-olf to Fenerbahce which makes it look like, despite starting against LASK and FC Copenhagen in the UEFA Europa League, his future at the club is going to be cut short. Whilst that does not seem fair, it has to be considered that the player’s injury record does not look all that great but Phil Jones should be out of the door before him. That said, Bailly’s contract will expire in the summer of 2022 with Jones’ contract expiring a year later.

This season, Bailly has made just 11 first team appearances, making one more in the Premier League 2 playing as one of the three overage outfield players in accordance with the rules at that level, playing jus 780 minutes of football in total this season. United have at least one more match to play this season, against Sevilla in the semi-final of the UEFA Europa League, which could lead to a further and final match of the season if the club reaches the final, which could be against either Inter Milan or Shakhtar Donetsk.

Since signing for United from Villarreal for £30 million during the summer of 2016, under the management of Jose Mourinho, Bailly has suffered four long-term injuries at the club; his first a knee injury seeing him miss eight matches during his debut season at the club. His second injury, a bruise, saw him miss five matches during the 2017/18 season, then suffering an ankle injury that same season, missing 21 matches. The player required knee surgery last summer, missing 28 matches for United, recovering over the Christmas period.

That injury record could stop United trusting the player moving forward. If Jones’ nine years at the club has shown anything, a player that suffers injury after injury is going to be a liability. Jones, who should be forced out of the club before Bailly, is out of action currently after playing just eight times this season. The former England defender has suffered 19 separate injuries in his time at United which has led to him missing 121 matches for the club – this is not ideal at all.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be itching to get his summer rebuild sorted with the aim of getting his squad ready for the new season, which is more than 30 days away – although those English teams still participating in European competition; United and Manchester City, will be granted a later start to the new Premier League season, giving their players a sufficient break before heading into another long season – hopefully not as long as this one, which still has another week and a few days to play.

Written by John Walker

Filed Under: First Team, Managers, News, Opinion, Transfer Rumours Tagged With: , , , , ,

Juan Mata linked to Fenerbahce this summer could continue youth conveyor belt at Manchester United

6 July 2020 by

Manchester United attacking midfielder Juan Mata has reportedly opened the door to an Old Trafford exit this summer with links to Turkish club Fenerbahce, the club that both Robin van Persie and Nani left the Theatre of Dreams for in recent years. Mata has been forced out of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s plans by the arrival of Bruno Fernandes.

Mata has been a great player for the club since his arrival, which was the most positive aspect of David Moyes’ reign as manager of the club, apart from his sacking, of course. Since signing for United from Chelsea in January 2014, over six years ago, Mata has played 252 times, scoring 48 goals and 42 assists, which has been a big help.

This season, Mata has made just 34 appearances for United, starting 20 times with 12 of those being in cup competitions. He has scored three goals and assisted five more, which is not bad considering his lack of playing time. If this was going to be his last season at the club, he will be a big loss for the squad and the dressing room but United will move on.

Turkish outlet Sansursuz Futbol have suggested that the 32-year-old is eager to leave United this summer for the Super Lig with Fenerbahce the club interested in acquiring him. They would need to purchase the player as he signed a new contract which would keep him at United until the summer of 2021, also having the option of another year to be added.

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted that he will exploit the transfer market this summer, giving the indication at along with additions, there will be departures. This is a good thing as every team will need to grow. Mata’s departure could be good for the talented youth at the club. Angel Gomes could have taken advantage, had he not left.

However, with players such as Hannibal Mejbri, James Garner, and Dylan Levitt all seeking to fight for a place in the first team, Solskjaer could see a conveyor belt of talent heading his way from the youth ranks, which will strengthen United as they gain experience. Mata would leave a hole in the squad but holes can be filled.

Filed Under: First Team, Managers Tagged With: , , , , ,

Fenerbahce seeking to sign Manchester United defender on loan before the ​transfer window deadline

14 August 2019 by

Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo is reportedly in talks with Turkish club Fenerbahce for a loan spell with the club. The 29-year-old is a player that United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to offload after his move to Everton broke down on deadline day. Turkish newspaper, Posta has reported the news, via Sport Witness.

The Turkish club signed Huddersfield Town defender Mathias Zanka last week with the club looking for another central defender. It was suggested that Fenerbahce was interested in signing Roma defender Aleksandar Kolarov as he could play as both a left-back and a central defender but the Italian club did not want to let him leave, hence the interest in Rojo.

Rojo still has two-years remaining on his contract, plus the option of a further year and instead of him having next to no playing time this season, the club would rather get him off the wage bill, on loan, at least until the next transfer window, whether it be in January or next summer, where Solskjaer will be seeking to sell the Argentinian once again.

The transfer window in Turkey does not close until the 2 September 2019, giving around three weeks before the closure of the window to get something sorted. Obviously, Rojo will want to be playing football regularly, which is something he may not get at United, even playing as an overage player in the U23 squad.

With the arrival of Harry Maguire this summer, Rojo’s minutes on the pitch will have been decreased considerably, even with the fact that Eric Bailly is out of action until Christmas because of a knee injury. Axel Tuanzebe will have also taken minutes off Rojo with his performances in pre-season and the fact Solskjaer wanted him to stay this summer.

It basically suggests that Rojo has, in effect, no future at the club. United have many central defenders at the club this season with Victor Lindelof, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling also, giving Solskjaer many players to choose from. Of course, Maguire and Lindelof were partners against Chelsea with Tuanzebe on the bench.

Even at left-back, which is a position Rojo has played many times, he does not seem to fit in as Luke Shaw seems to be the first choice in the position with Ashley Young and Diogo Dalot both able to play in that position and both seemingly ahead of Rojo in the pecking order. Solskjaer will probably see younger players ahead of Rojo in the pecking order.

Last season, Rojo made just six appearances for United; three under Jose Mourinho, starting twice and that under Solskjaer, starting once. He played a total of 256 minutes out of a possible 540 minutes. It was clear that he was a player who had lost his stature at the club. He did miss 20 matches through injury last season though.

Solskjaer obviously does not see a player like Rojo in his plans in which he wants to bring in younger players, preferably British players, to return the club to the glory days of old. It is very refreshing to see although getting rid of these players will be the tough option with them on good contracts with a high rate of pay each week.

Filed Under: First Team, Managers, News, Opinion, Transfer Rumours Tagged With: , , , , , ,

copyright: JW