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UCL: Zaha called Man United spell ‘hell’, Ferguson ‘never spoke to him’

Wilfred Zaha signed for the Turkish champions this summer, leaving boyhood club Crystal Palace and bringing an end to his 11 years at the club that was split across two spells.
In between those two spells of being adored by the Selhurst Park faithful was two years at Man United.
This year marks 10 years since the Ivory Coast-born star made his £10m move to Old Trafford in the season the Red Devils won their last Premier League title.
Zaha, who had been tearing it up in the Championship with Palace in the first half of the 2012/13 season, had caught the eye of Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson, the son of Man United’s legendary boss, Sir Alex Ferguson.
It wasn’t long before Palace had agreed to sell their superstar winger, who was just 20 at the time, to the Red Devils, with Zaha returning on loan for the rest of the season to help the Eagles win promotion to the Premier League.
But the buzz of promotion and a big move to Man United soon wore off for Zaha, who had no idea Ferguson, the man who wanted him, was leaving his new club that summer.
Zaha’s future Palace boss Neil Warnock told talkSPORT Breakfast last year: “I signed him [back] when I went to Crystal Palace. He’s always loved there. I would have liked to see him go to another top club.
“When he came back to me when I re-signed him. I remember talking to him in the chairman’s office.
But the following season didn’t go as planned for him
“I said to him, ‘Did you get on alright with Sir Alex?’ He said, ‘He never spoke to me once’.
“He was only a young lad and went there and didn’t get a lot of help.”
The arrival of David Moyes spelt trouble for Zaha, too.
With minimal game time and having to live alone in Manchester, the former England youth international has since explained just how tough it was for him, even describing his situation as ‘hell’.
Speaking to Shortlist, he said: “Obviously, getting to United isn’t easy, so not being given a chance is hard to take. I don’t regret anything because it made me stronger. I feel as though I can deal with anything now.
“I went through so much with United, with England. There were rumours that the reason I wasn’t playing [many games] for United was because I slept with [then manager] David Moyes’ daughter, and no one [at the club] attempted to clear that up.
“So I was fighting my demons by myself, these rumours that I knew weren’t true. I was dealing with this at 19, living in Manchester by myself, nowhere near anyone else, because the club had a hold over where I lived.
“They hadn’t given me a car, like every other player [had]. Nothing. I’m living in this hell by myself, away from my family, and I thought, “If this doesn’t make me stronger, what will?”
Zaha was played in pre-seasons, but barely played any competitive minutes for Man United
Zaha says he was never given a chance by Ferguson’s successors
“I explain this to my friends all the time,” he continued. ” When I was at United I had [money], but I was still so down and depressed. People think your life’s different because you’ve got money, you’ve got fame, so they don’t treat you the same.”
Former Man United defender and Zaha’s ex-teammate Rio Ferdinand has also revealed since that he felt he should’ve done more and put an arm round the new arrival.
Despite wanting to return to Palace on loan, Moyes shipped Zaha to ex-Man United star Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Cardiff. But Zaha’s career didn’t improve there, either, with him recording just one assist as the Bluebirds went down bottom of the league.
By the time he returned, Moyes had been replaced by Louis van Gaal, who, after telling Zaha he would have to adapt to play as a centre forward to keep his hopes of getting in the team alive, eventually informed Zaha that he should find another club.
“I was so relieved,” Zaha told the OnTheJudy podcast in 2020. “I was thinking, ‘Thank you for telling me straight and letting me restart my career’.”
In total, the Palace legend made just four appearances for Man United, scoring no goals and registering no assists in that time.
However, his return to Palace, first on loan and then permanently, saw his career come back to life. In total, he recorded a whopping 90 goals and 76 assists in 458 appearances for his boyhood team and is very much seen as one of the club’s greatest ever players.
He’s been back to Man United 15 times since, winning four of the clashes against them. However, he insists he holds no grudges over the club, despite the struggles he faced there.
Palace more than cemented his status as a Palace legend on his return
“Obviously Manchester United’s a team that I was at before, I played for them before a long, long time ago,” Zaha said at Old Trafford. “Ten years forward, I’m 30 years old. I feel like I’ve matured in my game, I am at a big club, Galatasaray.
“I think with the help of the manager or the team we have, we have a lot of talent, a lot of experience, so, yeah, I think we’re ready for the game tomorrow.
“Obviously they’ve got a good team but at the same time we’ve got players who can hurt them as well, so me personally I’m looking forward to the game.”
Asked if what happened to him at United bothers him, Zaha said: “I’ll be honest, when you look at my face do you think I am bothered at all? No.
“Realistically I think I went through a phase where you either build from it or you die out from it. And me personally, I was never going to die out from it.
“It built my character for me to just continue my career because I was determined to not let my career die out because I went somewhere and it didn’t work out. I was just determined to reach where I wanted to reach and I am here today.”
Zaha opened his account for Galatasaray over the weekend, scoring in the 2-1 win over Ankaragucu. His goal was the epitome of what Sir Alex was likely to have been sold by all those years ago when he made Zaha his last ever signing.

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Garnacho’s Partner Unfollows Him Amid Split Rumors

Alejandro Garnacho’s girlfriend , the mother of his child, has unfollowed him on Instagram amid fresh rumours of a split.
The Manchester United exile has recently been spotted with Spanish influencer Ona Gonfaus, the women who was allegedly at the centre of a dispute between the couple last year.
Garnacho’s partner Eva Garcia unfollowed him on that occasion before they publicly reconciled when pictures of their romantic family holiday together in Tenerife surfaced.
However, 12 months on, it appears their relationship is again on the rocks, with GSM HQ alleging that Garnacho and Gonfaus shared a caravan together during a recent trip.
The outlet also revealed that Garcia – mother to Garnacho’s one-year-old son Enzo – has signalled a rift in their union.
The news comes as the 20-year-old faces an uncertain future at his club, with United boss Ruben Amorim keen to see the forward depart after a rift at the end of last season.
Alejandro Garnacho’s girlfriend , the mother of his child, has unfollowed him on Instagram amid fresh rumours of infidelity.
The Argentina international has been linked with Serie A champions Napoli, who had a £40million bid rejected for him in January. United are thought to be holding out for more than £50m.
This week, Napoli president Aurelio Di Laurentiis announced his side’s renewed interest and took as swipe at the Old Trafford club’s youth development.
‘Garnacho’s got pace, flair and potential,’ Di Laurentiis said. ‘But that’s not even why we want him.
‘We want him because he’s at United. Get him out and he becomes twice the player. There’s a fault at United that I can’t explain.’
A move to Napoli could be a tantalising prospect for Garnacho, not least because they can offer him Champions League football.
It would also offer the chance to reunite with former United team-mate Scott McTominay, who has been loving life out in Italy, becoming a fan-favourite and title winner.
Garnacho’s time is all but up at Old Trafford after a cataclysmic fall-out with Amorim, which resulted in the manager telling him ‘you better pray that you can find a club to sign you,’ as exclusively revealed by Mail Sport.
In June, the winger sparked anger after opting to wear an Aston Villa shirt with Marcus Rashford’s name on it while on holiday in Ibiza.
Garnacho was told to leave United just days after their Europa League final defeat by Tottenham in Bilbao.
The Argentinian winger had been unhappy to be left on the bench for more than 70 minutes of the final, while his brother Roberto had accused Amorim of ‘throwing him under the bus’ in Bilbao.
Dailymail.co.uk
News
#NoToMadueke: Why Arsenal Fans Are Protesting

The news Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign winger Noni Madueke from Chelsea for just over £50m has prompted a backlash from some Gunners fans.
A petition has been set up and signed more than 4,000 times, #NoToMadueke has gained traction on X, and murals outside the club’s Emirates Stadium have been vandalised with ‘Arteta out’.
At 23, Madueke is already an England international, so why are some so against his signing?
What are the fans saying?
Arsenal have signed six players from Chelsea in recent years – and Madueke will be the second this transfer window after goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. Some fans believe the club should be chasing what they perceive to be ‘bigger’ names.
The Gunners have, for example, been linked with Real Madrid winger Rodrygo and Crystal Palace attacker Eberechi Eze.
Responding to a post on our Arsenal page, Gunners fan Steve said: “It’s underwhelming, really. A lot of money for a back-up player. He won’t be a first-team choice over [Bukayo] Saka on the right and [Gabriel] Martinelli on the left.
“They should have got a cheaper back-up player and used the excess money to seal the [Viktor] Gyokeres deal.
“I think the other thing about this is that some Arsenal fans were hoping to get Rodrygo. This is now not happening as Arsenal don’t have the money to spend.
“Is Madueke that sort of player that will win you the Prem? No, Rodrygo is, which is why there is disappointment in the ranks at Arsenal.”
Andrew – a season ticket holder – said there was a difference between match-going fans and those on social media.
“The key word is ‘online’,” Andrew said. “These people signing petitions aren’t Arsenal fans. They live in some parallel fantasy universe on social media where football is viewed like a video game.
“I’m a season ticket holder, and people who go to games believe in Arteta and trust his judgement because he’s usually right.
“Madueke might not be an exciting signing now, but he could prove to be a very good one.
“[Nico] Williams was never coming, Rodrygo is a waste of money, [Anthony] Gordon is overrated and I don’t think this affects Eze. We’ll see how it all works out.”
Will, meanwhile, thinks a lot of the frustration is around the money Arsenal are going to be paying to Chelsea.
“I reckon over half the fans don’t think Madueke is a bad player. It’s just the nature of the deal – £50m for a player who is going to sit on the bench behind Saka or look out of place on the left wing seems like poor business – particularly when this feels like a make-or-break season for major silverware.
“It’s also that the money is going to Chelsea.”
Where could Madueke play?
Madueke is part of Chelsea’s Club World Cup squad, and came on as a substitute as they reached the final by beating Brazilian side Fluminense 2-0.
He joined the Blues from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023 for £30m and has scored 20 goals in 92 appearances.
Madueke was in the Tottenham academy before moving to the Netherlands in 2018.
He plays predominantly on the right, with 88% of his Premier League minutes having come on a side of the pitch that is dominated by Saka at Arsenal.
Saka, 23, started 108 of 114 league matches from 2021-22 to 2023-24 but missed three months of last season because of a hamstring inury.
Madueke would be a capable option as back-up to Saka but can also play on the left.
He was one of England’s standout performers in the recent international break and his assist from the left for Harry Kane’s winning goal against Andorra was one of three in his first seven matches.
Madueke also started four of the Blues’ final five Premier League matches of the season on that side – plus the Conference League final – and he could be direct competition for Martinelli there.
Why he can be a success at Arsenal
Madueke is seen by Arsenal as a good fit, as someone who has played consistent trophy-winning first-team football over the past two seasons.
He has settled well on the international stage and, at 23, there is a feeling he will continue to develop and also increase his value.
There is, obviously, an awareness that Arsenal have signed players from Chelsea in the past but there are success stories within those deals.
Forward Kai Havertz has become vital to the Gunners, midfielder Jorginho was one of Arteta’s most trusted leaders within the squad, and Kepa has joined after an impressive season at Bournemouth.
Sources around Arsenal say the initial fee for Madueke is under £50m – less than Newcastle’s move for Anthony Elanga and Tottenham signing Mohammed Kudus.
How does Madueke compare to Arsenal’s wingers?
When looking at the stats, you can see why Arteta might be excited about the prospect of signing Madueke.
His expected goals (9.6), his number of shots (80), touches in the opposition box (199) and progressive carries with the ball (242) were all higher than Martinelli and Saka in the Premier League last season.
Saka only played in 25 league matches compared to Madueke’s 32, so it is a fairer comparison with Martinelli, who played 33 times.
Madueke also contributed a combined 10 goals and assists to Chelsea last season and could boost Arsenal’s much-criticised attack.
Injuries plagued Arteta’s side last season and they ended the season with limited options in attack as they fell away in the title race.
Madueke is one of the most direct wingers in the league and Arsenal, who mainly play against teams who defend deep against them, could benefit from his eagerness to beat his defender and get a shot at goal.
Bbc.com
News
Bernabeu To Host 2030 World Cup Final

According to Jose Felix Diaz’s report in MARCA, the iconic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid is expected to host the final of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, following an agreement reached between FIFA and Real Madrid.
While the decision has not yet been made official, sources close to the situation have confirmed that the deal is in place.
The 2030 World Cup will be a historic one, as it will be jointly hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. Within Spain, cities like A Coruna, Barcelona, Bilbao, Las Palmas, Madrid, Málaga, San Sebastian, Sevilla, and Zaragoza are set to host matches.
But when it comes to the grand finale, the Santiago Bernabeu has emerged as the frontrunner.
FIFA’s strong working relationship with Real Madrid has been a key factor in this decision. Over the years, both entities have shared a smooth and cooperative partnership, and this latest development is another sign of their growing alignment.
Camp Nou bid weakened
Santiago Bernabeu is expected to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup final. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Barcelona had also put forward their own bid to host the final at the newly renovated Spotify Camp Nou.
Club vice-president Elena Fort had officially stated last month that Barcelona’s home stadium deserves the honour of staging the World Cup final, saying,
“Everyone has the right to play their cards, but the Camp Nou is worthy of hosting the final of a World Cup.”
However, the project to complete the new Camp Nou has faced multiple delays and uncertainties, which appear to have weakened the city’s bid.
Though the World Cup is still five years away, FIFA is said to be prioritising infrastructure stability and readiness, areas where Madrid currently holds the upper hand.
With Real Madrid’s renovated Bernabeu already hosting high-profile matches and events successfully, and with its central location and modern facilities, it now looks set to welcome the biggest match in world football come 2030.
Madriduniversal.com
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