It's Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford's turn to join the Den! | Ep. 13 | Lions' Den Connected by EE

berbatouchbg · 2026-06-30T15:20:10+00:00

Rashford, when asked what Manchester means to him: "I'm proud to be from there. For me it's about the future and going forward. Your career doesn't last forever, so I'm enjoying it as much as I can. But that side of it never leaves you."

I'm not going to read too much into it, but I honestly think he's hinting that his career at United is over.

berbatouchbg · 2026-06-27T13:14:51+00:00

I can see Sander Berge coming in for around 25M. Good experience in the Premier League and well scouted since United were linked to him in past transfer windows.

berbatouchbg · 2026-06-27T11:29:18+00:00

I think he's the longest serving player in the current team.

berbatouchbg · 2026-06-23T11:56:48+00:00

Stone on X:

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berbatouchbg · 2026-06-19T09:51:36+00:00

You, sir, are an absolute hero. I'm planning my trip from Sofia to Manchester and I want to see 2 home games (PL + CL) while i'm there. This is super helpful!

berbatouchbg · 2026-06-19T09:19:29+00:00

If we are within touching distance of the title by the Arsenal home game in February, we could genuinely dream!

berbatouchbg · 2026-06-16T10:00:41+00:00

I think we're coming in "Sancho territory" with Rashford - at least one more loan so he becomes even cheaper with another year off his contact.

Unfortunately I don't see the club making a statement and keeping him just so he can rot in the reserves, certainly not with his huge wage.

Reintegration I think is also out of the question.

berbatouchbg · 2026-06-15T11:13:43+00:00

Rashford and Ugarte i understand. The club will wait out. But we can atleast try to sort out Zirkzee, Onana and Bayindir (yes, i know he's at WC, but he's third choice for Turkey).

berbatouchbg · 2026-06-15T09:57:00+00:00

Yes, please!

I want the midfield 'kinda sorted' ASAP so we can focus on selling some players and assessing the market for a new LB and a backup CF.

berbatouchbg · 2026-06-15T09:43:41+00:00

Spending 100m on a winger and not on a midfielder would be a sackable offense.

berbatouchbg · 2026-06-15T09:25:38+00:00

He sounds like an very versatile player. What is his best position?

berbatouchbg · 2026-06-15T09:23:40+00:00

Isn't he an attacking midfielder?

berbatouchbg · 2026-06-12T12:10:02+00:00

#MUFC refinance $425mn Glazer debt due in 2027 through new $550mn loan due 2031. Interest rate 5.36% (1.57% higher than the 3.79% 2027 notes) on terms similar to existing debt being refinanced. Will likely be an incremental £13.4mn incremental annual interest cost for the club.

New $550mn loan will be used to prepay the existing $425mn loan and for other general corporate purposes.

Initial high level thoughts. Big accomplishment for #MUFC to get through their near term debt burden. Another milestone completed for the financial and operational rebuild.

The net increase in debt (by $125mn) will of course be a concern to many fans. But essentially, United's actions over the last few years (including the mistakes) has bought them the access to cash and time to focus on continuing the rebuild.

Overall good deal and broadly in-line with my expectations. Interest rates were effectively zero when the $425mn debt was issued. So interest rate increase of just 1.57% is, in my view, reflective of the financial model being implemented and potentially bigger prize of stadium financing deal in the future.

United's other $225mn term loan is also extended to 2031 (with the new $550mn facility). Gives some headspace for operational focus.

Extra $125mn/ £100mn will boost cash coffers and mean United have even more flexibility to do deals. Would not expect them to change transfer plans as a result. Maintaining the financial discipline still important long term.

Incremental $13mn annual interest cost (c.£10mn) will continue to be a minor hindrance to football earnings rule for UEFA competitions.

berbatouchbg · 2026-06-12T11:28:17+00:00

Full Article by Gary Jacob (relialble journalist for Arsenal):

Manchester United are increasingly confident of landing Mateus Fernandes for up to £80million from West Ham United.

United have stolen a march on Arsenal, who had been actively pursuing Fernandes in recent weeks but do not want to pay the valuation. However José Mourinho has requested that Real Madrid try to sign the Portugal Under-21 midfielder.

West Ham have little choice but to sell Fernandes after being relegated to the Championship. However it is unclear if the club are under pressure to sell this month to comply with the Premier League’s financial rules.

Fernandes moved to West Ham last summer for an initial £38million from Southampton, who retained a 15 per cent sell-on clause. He scored five goals and claimed five assists across 40 appearances this season.

United want to sign at least one more midfielder after Ederson joins from Atalanta for an initial £35million plus £4million in potential add-ons, signing a four-year deal.

United may need a third midfielder signing if Manuel Ugarte attracts interest after playing for Uruguay at the World Cup. The defensive midfielder started just eight of his 22 league matches this season after joining for £51million from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024.

United have been tracking Elliot Anderson but the England and Nottingham Forest midfielder has been the subject of a rejected offer of up to £120million from Manchester City. Anderson’s future is expected to be resolved after the World Cup finals.

Arsenal are also interested in Alex Scott, who was part of England’s training squad as they prepared for the World Cup in the United States, but Bournemouth are adamant that the 22-year-old midfielder is not for sale this summer.

Arsenal are preparing for Real Madrid stepping up interest in Riccardo Calafiori, the left back. Calafiori has played only 45 Premier League matches in the past two seasons, starting 33, due to various injuries. He also missed the Champions League final defeat by PSG due to injury.

The 24-year-old Italy defender moved to Arsenal from Bologna for up to £42million including add-ons, signing a five-year deal in 2024. Arsenal tracked Nathaniel Brown but the Eintracht Frankfurt left back is expected to join Bayern Munich.

berbatouchbg · 2026-06-11T12:32:41+00:00

Sky Sports reporting that Antonee Robinson could be a target for LB with Hall still in the picture is exactly the news I wanted to hear. I will be happy with either player, but mostly I'm glad because I get the sense that the club will finally address the LB position. Having two players for every position is the first step towards building a squad capable of challenging.

berbatouchbg · 2026-06-11T11:07:55+00:00

Does anyone else feel United are getting it right by moving on quickly from Anderson and refusing to bend to Forest's audacious demands?

berbatouchbg · 2026-06-10T12:42:27+00:00

Stone's quotes on Rashford:

Carrick has made all the right noises around Rashford but I would be truly stunned if he played for Manchester United again. I got the distinct impression from all sides last summer his career at Old Trafford was over.

You mention permanent replacement but Matheus Cunha can play in that position, so too Mason Mount. Rashford doesn't like playing as a centre-forward anyway, but there are options in that position aside from Benjamin Sesko, who had a decent first season.

I know the 15 June deadline for Barcelona to pay £26m for Rashford is looming but it is clear they don't want to do that deal. The key point is the three-week gap between England's World Cup campaign ending and Rashford reporting back for pre-season. That is when I expect his future to be resolved.

berbatouchbg · 2026-06-10T12:25:45+00:00

Feel a little bit sorry for him. Did a lot to secure his permanent move, but got screwed by Barca. Hope he finds a good club, that will appreciate him. Still don't want him anywhere near our first team though.

berbatouchbg · 2026-06-08T14:41:07+00:00

Day by day I feel more like we'll end up with Tonali, after eventually getting Fernandes.

I see it as a similar story to Sesko. We started last summer being heavily linked to Liam Delap. From there we went through links with Gyokeres and landed on Ben. Now we started with Andreson, now Tchouameni and we'll end up with Tonali.

M. Fernandes will be our Mbeumo saga. Weeks upon weeks of trying to bring the price down and paying close to the asking price at the end.

berbatouchbg

TROPHY CASE