Updated 17.28
MANCHESTER UNITED HAVE made an official bid for Everton left-back Leighton Baines, according to widespread reports.
The bid, which would reunite incoming United boss David Moyes with the player whom he first signed from Wigan while manager of Everton, is understood to be between £10million and £12million.
This news comes despite Baines only yesterday rejecting speculation linking him with a move to Old Trafford.
United have also been strongly linked with Thiago Alcantara of late, though Baines would be Moyes’ first major signing as manager.
Meanwhile, the club confirmed on Wednesday that first team coach Rene Meulensteen was leaving the English champions.
The Dutchman’s exit had been widely forecast following the departures of both Mike Phelan and Eric Steele, two other members of the backroom staff, since David Moyes replaced Alex Ferguson as manager following the veteran Scottish boss’s retirement at the end of last season.
“I would like to thank Sir Alex Ferguson, the owners, all colleagues, players and fans who made my time at Manchester United very special and one I will never forget,” said Meulensteen in a United statement.“I wish everyone at this great football club all the best.”
United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward added: “I’d like to thank Rene for his contribution to the club, particularly since he returned to Old Trafford in 2007.
“He has been first-team coach for five years and in that time he has given great assistance to Alex and Mike Phelan in keeping the team at the top of the game, not only in this country but in Europe as well.
“On behalf of everyone at United, I wish him well for the future.”
Additional reporting by Paul Fennessy
First published 16.35
#4 is madness (if Ive read it right), a team that doesnt get to the Ulster final (eg Armagh lets say) will have a knock out game against (randomly) either a Dublin/Kerry etc or a Clare/Westmeath.. The provincial championships are too unbalanced to be the basis of any seeding
A definite no on the first one. The others might be interesting, though unlikely to see every club introduce an underage hurling team.
@Ian Cunningham: Me thinks number one a great idea. Watching underage players now when they get onto a divisional never mind county panel, think they don’t have to show up for club games. Club ought to always come first for players, unfortunately though, there’s no money for the association incoming from club games, it’s inter county that generates that, alas this motion be turned down
@Jed Ward: Cork have enough injury concerns without having to worry about fellas playing meaningless RedFM League matches. If it was county championship matches maybe. That’s what the split season is for.
@Jed Ward: . The demands on inter county players at both underage and senior level are huge. Younger inter county players between the ages of 19 and 22 have in many cases the very significant additional demands of university competitions to cope with. A balance has to be struck. These huge demands are leading to soft tissue injuries. Additional demands being placed on this group of players are highly questionable.
@Richard Ford: as you say “the demands” on amateur players. There is actually no need to elaborate on this. The top brass don’t give a fiddle about “the demands” on players, players are just a commodity for their chunky pay packets and Croke Park
Would love to see football format returned to lose a game and you’re out of provincial championship. Four province winners go to all Ireland semi final and winners of that game onto final. Then again, it’s all about the money, so not a hope of ever seeing that format again in either code
@Jed Ward: given the commitment and training that players put in these days, you can’t have fellas knocked out after one game.
@Jed Ward: Catch yourself on. That format is outdated and way past its sell by date.
@Richard Ford: all about the money money money,
@Ian it’s taking to absolute Michael out of players who are amateur with all the training and commitment they put in. Again it’s all about the money money money. The Grab All Airgead association.
@Jed Ward: OK, you’re one of them. A GAA hater, who knows nothing about the GAA, but has a smart nickname.
@Ian Cunningham: 100% correct there Ian. Actually I’m an ex county player, now coaching an underage level and vice chairman with my juvenile club.
@Jed Ward: what a crock of … .