The 2024 Copa America has been a rollercoaster ride for Brazil, as they had one win and two draws in the group stage. As a result, Dorival Júnior and his team finished in second place and now have a challenging opponent in the quarterfinals: Uruguay.

Moreover, it’s not that they have to face a Uruguayan team that went perfect in the group stage, they have to do so without their star player, Vinicius Junior. In the contest against Colombia, the Real Madrid standout received a yellow card, his second of the group stage.

Ahead of Saturday’s contest, Júnior announced on Friday that he intends to replace the Real Madrid player with another Real Madrid player: Endrick.

“Raphinha, Endrick, and Rodrygo,” Júnior said (h/t TyC Sports). “I hope we can continue finding the path to goals. The team’s work revolves around providing forwards with goal-scoring opportunities. It won’t be different. We lose an important player but we find a player who seeks opportunities.”

Manchester United standout Facundo Pellistri revealed how Uruguay intends to play against Enrick and the Brazilian team. Even though the squad is facing challenges, Brazil still have high-profile names who can harm La Celeste in the attack and defense.

“We know that our style is one of pressure and that the matches are intense,” Pellistri said (h/t TyC Sports). “We want to be protagonists and sometimes you have to be in places that are not so usual, but that’s something to take advantage of.

“It’s my role to assume a position further back because it’s normal in modern football for the opposing full-backs to attack. However, these are moments in the game that you have to know how to take advantage of. It’s going to be a beautiful game to play.”

The post Brazil Count on Real Madrid Youngster as Man Utd Ace Reveals What to Expect from Uruguay appeared first on CaughtOffside.

In a tense first half of their Copa America 2024 quarterfinal against Ecuador, Argentina broke the deadlock. Despite their potent offense, a defender put them ahead.

Manchester United’s Lisandro Martínez scored from a corner kick, giving Argentina a 1-0 lead. Ecuador had managed to keep the game scoreless until then, but their inability to defend the set piece allowed Argentina to take the lead.

Additionally, the Red Devils defender made a little history, finding the back of the net in the first 45 minutes. OptaJavier pointed out on X that Martínez became the first Argentine defender to score in the Copa América since Víctor Cuesta’s goal against Bolivia during the group stage of the 2016 edition, which was also held in the United States.

1 – Lisandro Martínez es el primer defensor que anota para Argentina ?? por CONMEBOL Copa América desde Víctor Cuesta contra Bolivia en la fase de grupos de la edición 2016, también en Estados Unidos. Escenario. pic.twitter.com/TF9TCQ5oHv

— OptaJavier (@OptaJavier) July 5, 2024

Martínez will look to carry this positive momentum into the semifinals. Argentina was pushed to the brink of elimination when their contest went to penalty kicks. However, they advanced and will face either Venezuela or Canada with a ticket to the final on the line.

The post Manchester United defender creates history with crucial goal in Argentina’s victory against Ecuador appeared first on CaughtOffside.

After a tense few minutes, Argentina opened the scoring in their quarterfinal matchup against Ecuador in the 2024 Copa America. While the reigning FIFA World Cup champions have a lot of offensive power, a defensive player broke the scoreless deadlock.

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez scored off a corner kick set piece to give Argentina a 1-0 lead. After Ecuador played well to keep the score 0-0, the inability to defend a dead ball play resulted in the first goal of the contest.

LISANDRO MARTINEZ SCORES!!!!!??? pic.twitter.com/NAwCsaw4EV

— ??? ???’? ???? ???? (@TenHagBall_) July 5, 2024

The post Video: Manchester United ace gives Argentina the edge, opens scoring against Ecuador appeared first on CaughtOffside.

The Argentina defense have been an unsung hero for the reigning Copa America champions. Lionel Scaloni and his team conceded zero goals in their first two matchdays. Moreover, the unit provides excellent passing out the back for the team to build their attack.

As the Copa America group stage is wrapping up, WhoScored.com highlighted two Argentine defenders who have excelled so far in the two matches. The first that the statistical outlet spotlights is Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero.

According to WhoScored, no player has made more tackles than Romero (14) at Copa America so far. Meanwhile, the other Argentine defender impressing at the tournament is Manchester United’s Lisandro Martínez.

No player has made more tackles than Cristian Romero (14) at #CA2024 so far. ?? pic.twitter.com/c17Hwk5dGt

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) June 28, 2024

The statistical platform notes that Martínez has made more accurate passes (157) than any other player at the Copa America. If Argentina expect to repeat as champions in this tournament, they’ll need to count on this defender to keep playing at a high level.

Lisandro Martínez has made more accurate passes (157) than any other player at the 2024 Copa America. ?#CA2024 pic.twitter.com/shshAbEGte

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) June 29, 2024

The post Man Utd and Tottenham stars bolster Argentina’s defense at Copa America, stats reveal appeared first on CaughtOffside.

There was a time when Matthijs de Ligt had the world at his feet.

Moves to Juventus and then Bayern Munich transpired after impressive displays for Eredivisie giants Ajax.

Yet, now, the Dutchman is looking down the barrel of permanent exit from Säbener Straße. Former boss Erik ten Hag could take advantage of this new reality, with Manchester United now prepared to pay half of Bayern’s €70m [£59.2m] price tag.

“FC Bayern have to sell players in order to be able to continue purchasing. Erik ten Hag, who is currently negotiating a contract extension with Manchester United, would like to bring in Mathijs de Ligt,” Christian Falk wrote in his exclusive Fact Files column with CaughtOffside.

“Accordingly, ten Hag should be prepared to pay a high transfer fee for de Ligt. Bayern want up to €70m, but Manchester United should only want to pay half.

“The new coach Vincent Kompany wants to rely on other players in defence. In addition to the transfer of Hiroki Ito (from Stuttgart), the Munich team still wants to bring in Jonathan Tah from Leverkusen. Tah is one of the regular players for the German team at the European Championship.”

Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly looking for €40m [£33.8m] for Jonathan Tah’s signature – €20m more than Bayern were prepared to pay. The good news for the Bavarians, however, is that the German national’s current terms are set to expire next summer.

MORE: Exclusive: What Christian Falk has now heard about Bayern and Arsenal target Amadou Onana

Erik ten Hag could instantly upgrade his defence

If Bayern Munich are prepared to sanction the sale of De Ligt, one can’t help but wonder at the opportunity available to the Red Devils.

Playing as the right-sided centre-back, the former Ajax star would arguably represent an instant improvement on current Manchester United defender Harry Maguire (31).

At 24 years of age, too, it’s fair to say that the Munich star could also be a mainstay in United’s backline for potentially a decade.

What has Jamie Carragher said about De Ligt?

Following a run in the Champions League that saw Ajax carve a path to the semi-finals of the competition, Jamie Carragher admitted he’d love to see De Ligt at Anfield.

“I’d love that!” the MNF pundit told the Echo.

“I have never seen such a good defender at 19-years-old. He plays as if he’s 29 and at his peak already.

“You can only imagine how good he will be when he actually is 29.”

Fast forward five years and the 24-year-old centre-back could soon be plying his trade for Liverpool’s arch rivals!

The post Manchester United pushing for on-sale Bayern star Carragher once wanted Liverpool to buy appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Uruguay is off to a strong start in the 2024 Copa América, aiming for their second consecutive win. Following a 3-1 victory over Panama on Matchday 1, Marcelo Bielsa’s squad has taken an early lead against Bolivia.

Manchester United’s Facundo Pellistri opened the scoring in the eighth minute, putting Uruguay up 1-0. Moreover, the winger joined an impressive club following his goal in the competition.

OptaJavier highlighted on the platform X that Pellistri’s goal against Bolivia at 22 years and 190 days old, making him the youngest player to score for Uruguay in the Copa America since Atlético de Madrid’s José María Giménez, who scored against Paraguay in 2015 at 20 years and 151 days old.

22 – Facundo Pellistri ?? marcó ante Bolivia con 22 años y 190 días de edad, el más joven en anotar con Uruguay en la CONMEBOL #CopaAmerica desde que José María Giménez le convirtió a Paraguay en 2015 con 20 años y 151 días. Afianzado. pic.twitter.com/WWJRPKHgGz

— OptaJavier (@OptaJavier) June 28, 2024

A win for La Celeste will see them finish first in Group C after the United States lost to Panama on Thursday. Furthermore, Uruguay can rest some players if they choose to in their matchup against the USA on Monday in Kansas City.

The post Man Utd Star Joins Elite Ranks After Scoring for Uruguay Against Bolivia appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Bariş Alper Yilmaz is now understood to be attracting attention from Europe’s top clubs thanks to his impressive performances for Turkey at 2024 European Championship.

The 24-year-old winger, who currently plies his trade with Galatasaray, particularly caught the eye in the 2-1 win over the Czech Republic yesterday.

Sources close to CaughtOffside have confirmed that Premier League clubs, such as Tottenham and Manchester United, are keen.

Could Yilmaz be on the move this summer?

There’s no question that Yilmaz’s performances in Germany have encouraged Spurs and Erik ten Hag’s outfit to follow the forward more closely.

That said, the two English outfits aren’t the only clubs keeping a watching brief on the Super Lig star.

Brighton & Hove Albion, Lazio, Frankfurt and RB Leipzig all continue to be linked with the Turkey international (18 caps).

Sources closest to the situation have informed CaughtOffside that Galatasaray have set a price tag of over €25m [£21.1m] for Bariş Alper.

How has Yilmaz performed in Turkey?

The former Ankara Demir man registered 13 goal contributions in 37 top-flight games in 2023/24.

Yilmaz is able to play across the forward line, though does feature primarily as a right-sided winger.

The post Exclusive: Manchester United will upgrade watching brief on Turkey gem after Euros showing appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Joshua Zirkzee’s next destination in football may soon be clarified with significant developments now expected over the coming weekend.

CaughtOffside understands that AC Milan do remain in the race to sign the Bologna forward despite recent speculation to the contrary. Manchester United are also believed to have contacted the Dutchman’s agent and are now in talks.

Whilst this interest remains ongoing, the Red Devils are also evaluating the possibility of signing Borussia Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi as another option to bolster their forward line.

MORE: Exclusive: Talks open: Arsenal could cut wage bill by £200k-a-week as Saudi chase personal terms

What is the latest on Joshua Zirkzee?

The situation between AC Milan and Bologna remains unchanged. The Rossneri are keen to activate his release clause.

Despite concrete interest from Manchester United and Chelsea, Zirkzee is currently prioritising a switch to Paulo Fonseca’s outfit.

However, sources close to the situation are aware that Erik ten Hag’s side has confirmed their interest is solid. Regardless of the fact that the Premier League club is initially focussing on the departures of Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood before attempting to finalise moves elsewhere.

AC Milan, for their part, have a strategic policy in place that prevents them from paying high agent fees for transfers. In this case, if another club offers €15m to his agent – Milan will lose the deal.

The post Exclusive: Manchester United could now steal Chelsea & AC Milan target by paying €15m agent fee appeared first on CaughtOffside.

In a tightly contested 2024 Copa América match between Canada and Peru on Tuesday evening at Children’s Mercy Park, LOSC Lille standout Jonathan David broke the scoreless game with a goal in the 74th minute.

David’s goal is crucial not just to help Canada advance but also to boost his profile. The 24-year-old is rumored to be on the move this summer as there are links to Chelsea and Manchester United.

A quality showing at the Copa América for David will only boost his profile for any team to pull the trigger on a deal with Lille.

??? GOAL | Canada 1-0 Peru | Jonathan David

CANADA HAVE TAKEN THE LEAD!pic.twitter.com/vacAajCvKd

— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) June 25, 2024

The post Video: Chelsea, Man Utd-linked forward breaks deadlock in chippy Canada-Peru match appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United’s talks with Joshua Zirkzee are progressing thanks to the request of Erik ten Hag.

The Bologna star has yet to agree personal terms with the Red Devils, though is understood to be impressed with the extent of the club’s interest, according to sources close to CaughtOffside.

The Europa League outfit is understood to want to hold further talks with the Dutch striker this month in order to get his signing over the line.

What is Zirkzee looking for from United?

It’s CaughtOffside’s understanding that the 23-year-old – also courted by the likes of AC Milan and Arsenal – is looking for a four to five-year contract from the Premier League side.

Manchester United aren’t putting all their eggs in one basket, however, just in case talks through. This is why they have identified Lille’s Jonathan David as an alternative target should a move fail to transpire.

Who else is interested in Joshua Zirkzee?

Sources close to the ‘world-class’ (as described by one scout on Breaking the Lines) player have noted the possibility of both AC Milan and Arsenal making renewed attempts to sign Zirzkee this summer.

Intriguingly, arch rivals Liverpool could emerge as contenders for the Serie A hitman who has registered 19 goal contributions in 37 games for La Rossa in 2023/24.

Dutch head coach Arne Slot, who has succeeded Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, is understood to be appreciative of the footballer’s abilities.

Indeed, Zirkzee could be an option for the Reds, who are believed to be open to the possibility of signing a striker, if he can’t agree on terms with United.

The post Exclusive: Arne Slot could now steal ‘world-class’ Manchester United target for Liverpool if deal falls through appeared first on CaughtOffside.