Rob Dawson
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Articles by Rob Dawson
Man United's Martínez issues apology for post-match outburst after meeting
Lisandro Martínez has issued a formal apology after criticising Manchester United 's board following Tuesday's 2-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid The Argentina defender took aim at director of football Jason Wilcox during his post-match interviews and suggested head coach Michael Carrick has been let down by a lack of summer signings.
Man City can't compete with PSG, the Champions League's gold standard
MANCHESTER, England -- Paris Saint-Germain laid out their credentials to win a third straight UEFA Champions League title by dismantling Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. The back-to-back European champions won thanks in part to a blistering first-half performance that saw Luis Enrique's team go in at the break 3-0 up.
Maresca insists Man City 'close' to PSG after 2nd-half rally falls short
MANCHESTER, England -- Enzo Maresca said he believes Manchester City are "close" to the level of Paris Saint-Germain despite losing 4-2 to the reigning European champions on Wednesday. The back-to-back Champions League winners raced into a 3-0 lead at the Etihad Stadium after a blistering first-half performance.
Man City can't compete with PSG, the Champions League's gold standard
MANCHESTER, England -- Paris Saint-Germain laid out their credentials to win a third straight UEFA Champions League title by dismantling Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. The back-to-back European champions won 4-2 thanks in part to a blistering first-half performance that saw Luis Enrique's team go in at the break 3-0 up.
Sources: Man United assessing Lisandro Martínez comments
Manchester United bosses are assessing Lisandro Martínez's comments in the aftermath of the 2-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid before deciding whether to take disciplinary action against the Argentina defender, sources have told ESPN. Martinez criticised United director of football Jason Wilcox during a bombshell post-match interview on Tuesday night.
Enzo Maresca on Man City celebration at Anfield: 'What do you want us to do?'
Enzo Maresca has hit back at criticism of Manchester City's celebrations at Anfield on Sunday by saying: "What do you want us to do?" City won 3-0 against Liverpool in their first game since the club were found guilty of breaching the Premier League's financial rules, a verdict they have appealed. Maresca and his players have faced criticism for their celebrations at the final whistle given the anger being directed at the club.
Man United should've beaten Spurs. Not doing so shows how much trouble Carrick & Co. are in
MANCHESTER, England -- The Manchester United fans who turned up at Old Trafford on Saturday hoping to enjoy themselves at Manchester City 's expense left disappointed. They've got too many of their own problems for that. The chants of "You cheating bastards, you know what you are" were loud before kickoff against Tottenham Hotspur .
Michael Carrick: No timeline for Benjamin Sesko's Man United return
Michael Carrick has said there is no timeline for Benjamin Sesko 's return after the Manchester United striker suffered a second shin injury. Sesko withdrew from international duty with Slovenia after missing the 1-1 draw with Fulham before the break. Carrick has confirmed the 23-year-old is recovering from a similar problem that kept him out for three months over the summer.
'We're not really here': As Man City sanctions loom, it's the fans who suffer
Manchester City fans have sung "We're Not Really Here" at stadiums up and down the country for years. No one is quite sure about how or why it started, but it has become a nod to eras -- both good and bad -- that supporters could hardly believe. Since the Abu Dhabi takeover in 2008, the terrace chant has been repeated at Premier League title parades, on numerous trips to Wembley and at two UEFA Champions League finals.
Michael Carrick: No timeline for Benjamin Sesko's Man United return
Michael Carrick has said there is no timeline for Benjamin Sesko's return after the Manchester United striker suffered a second shin injury. Sesko withdrew from international duty with Slovenia after missing the 1-1 draw with Fulham before the break. Carrick has confirmed the 23-year-old is recovering from a similar problem that kept him out for three months over the summer.
Michael Carrick on Man City: Retrospective medals can't replace 'moments'
Michael Carrick has said being awarded medals retrospectively as a consequence of Manchester City's financial rule breaking will not replace the winning "moments" he was denied. Carrick was a player under Sir Alex Ferguson when United came second in the Premier League behind City in 2012 and also when Jose Mourinho's team finished runners-up to City in 2018. Both seasons fall within the Premier League's investigation into City's finances between 2009 and 2018.
Enzo Maresca: Man City titles not tainted by guilty verdict
Enzo Maresca has said he would still have joined Manchester City as manager if he had known the club had been found guilty of breaching financial rules while insisting that none of the club's success under Abu Dhabi ownership has been tainted by the damning judgement. Maresca faced reporters for the first time on Friday since the findings of the independent commission were published during the international break.
Man City manager Enzo Maresca says he 'trusts the club completely'
Enzo Maresca has said he "trusts the club completely" in his first interview since Manchester City were found guilty of breaking financial rules. Maresca is preparing his players for the trip to Liverpool on Sunday -- City's first game since the publication of the damning judgement in their case with the Premier League The Italian spoke to in-house media on Thursday. He's due to hold his first news conference with reporters since the verdict on Friday morning.
Man City manager Enzo Maresca says he 'trusts the club completely'
Enzo Maresca has said he "trusts the club completely" in his first interview since Manchester City were found guilty of breaking financial rules. Maresca is preparing his players for the trip to Liverpool on Sunday -- City's first game since the publication of the damning judgement in their case with the Premier League. The Italian spoke to in-house media on Thursday. He's due to hold his first news conference with reporters since the verdict on Friday morning.
Pep Guardiola set to attend first Man City home game since guilty verdict - sources
Pep Guardiola is expected to attend Manchester City's Champions League fixture against Paris Saint-Germain, sources have told ESPN, the club's first home game since being found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules. Guardiola is set to be in the stands at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday for the first time since quitting as manager at the end of last season.
Another bad Man United run has Carrick feeling the heat. Should he?
For many supporters, the Manchester United cycle appears to be back in full swing. An uptick in form under Michael Carrick renewed hope that the club could finally be moving in the right direction toward the end of the 2025-26 campaign, but it's been followed by a difficult start to the new season and pressure is mounting on the head coach. It was a similar story for José Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim.
Another bad Man United run has Carrick feeling the heat. Should he?
For many supporters, the Manchester United cycle appears to be back in full swing. An uptick in form under Michael Carrick renewed hope that the club could finally be moving in the right direction toward the end of the 2025-26 campaign, but it's been followed by a difficult start to the new season and pressure is mounting on the head coach. It was a similar story for José Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim.
JJ Gabriel representatives demanded game time at Manchester United - sources
Representatives of JJ Gabriel demanded that the teenager played at least 20 minutes in games against Sabah FK Brighton and Bournemouth before beginning talks about signing a scholarship with Manchester United , sources have told ESPN. Gabriel, 15, has not trained with United since walking out on the club ahead of their Carabao Cup tie with Brighton on Sept. 16. He is pictured in United's squad photo, which was released on Monday.
Man City appeal guilty verdict in Premier League breaches case
Manchester City have confirmed the club have lodged a "comprehensive appeal" after being found guilty of breaching the Premier League 's financial rules. The decision of the independent commission was published on Tuesday and detailed how City arranged "sham" commercial deals to inflate revenues and reduce costs by £900 million ($1.2b billion) during a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018.
Man City appeal guilty verdict in Premier League breaches case
Manchester City have officially lodged an appeal against their guilty verdict in the Premier League financial breaches case. The club statement on Friday read: "Manchester City Football Club can confirm that at 7pm on Thursday 1st October 2026 the Club lodged its comprehensive Appeal against the opinion of the Premier League Commission, in relation to the Premier League disciplinary matter.
How Man City players, staff are handling Premier League verdict
The strength of the judgement against Manchester City , following their legal case with the Premier League , has shocked the club, its employees and their players. Most of those inside the City Football Academy (CFA) accept that the verdict -- made public for the first time on Tuesday -- is a worst-case scenario. There's been speculation and discussion on and off at the CFA for more than three years since the charges were announced in February 2023 about what might happen.
Cómo afrontan jugadores y empleados del City el fallo de la Premier
El veredicto genera nerviosismo en Manchester City mientras jugadores y empleados esperan la apelación y posibles sanciones. La contundencia del fallo contra Manchester City, tras su disputa legal con la Premier League, ha conmocionado al club, a sus empleados y a sus jugadores. La mayoría de quienes trabajan en la City Football Academy (CFA) reconoce que el veredicto, divulgado por primera vez el martes, representa el peor escenario posible.
How Man City players, staff are handling Premier League verdict
As the reaction to Man City’s guilty verdict continues to ripple across the sporting world, the club’s internal messaging is very much one of confidence and carrying on. It may be easier said than done.
Man City to appeal guilty verdict in Premier League breaches case
Manchester City have until Friday to lodge an appeal against the guilty verdict handed down in their case with the Premier League and have stated publicly they intend to do so. City's guilt in relation to "all charges related to serious breaches of the Premier League's financial rules" between 2009 and 2018 was detailed in a bombshell statement from the Premier League on Tuesday along with an accompanying written judgement from the independent commission which heard the case.
Man City's guilt the talk of the town around English soccer
STOCKPORT, England -- On the brisk approach to Edgeley Park on Saturday afternoon, the topic of conversation among the soccer fans streaming toward the stadium was not Stockport County or their visitors, Peterborough United. It wasn't the state of the League One table, or how England would get on against Spain later the same day either.
Man City learned of guilty verdicts in summer before transfer activity - sources
Manchester City were first informed that they had been found guilty of more than 100 breaches of the Premier League 's financial rules in the summer, sources told ESPN, before spending heavily in the transfer market. News of a verdict in the case against was made public Friday . But sources told ESPN that club chiefs were initially made aware of the findings of the independent panel in July.
Patrick Dorgu returns to Man United after suspected hamstring injury with Denmark
Patrick Dorgu has returned to Manchester United for assessment after suffering an injury on international duty with Denmark. The 21-year-old was substituted after 30 minutes of Denmark's 2-0 win over Wales in the Nations League on Sunday. He received treatment for a suspected hamstring injury and has returned to Carrington for more tests with United's medical staff. Dorgu will miss Denmark's game against Portugal and the return fixture against Wales during the rest of the international break.
JJ Gabriel and the 'nightmare' battle for Premier League academy talent
The battle for talent is intense in the Premier League Manchester City and Manchester United went head-to-head for Elliot Anderson in the summer. Chelsea and Arsenal fought it out for Morgan Rogers But the race to sign the world's best players is only part of it. There's also a scramble for players tipped to become stars of the future. Manchester United are still dealing with the fallout of 15-year-old JJ Gabriel 's decision to leave Old Trafford.
Man City charges: Premier League clubs seeking legal advice amid expected guilty verdicts - sources
A number of Premier League clubs are seeking legal advice amid an expectation that Manchester City have been found guilty of hundreds of breaches of financial regulations, sources told ESPN. The decision of the independent panel that heard the Premier League's case against City has not been formally communicated. However, a source has told ESPN that they've been made aware that a decision has been reached after deliberations which lasted 22 months.
Man City refuse to deny guilty verdicts in Premier League 115 breaches case - sources
Manchester City have refused to deny there has been a guilty verdict in the majority of charges of financial breaches in their legal case with the Premier League, sources have told ESPN. Both the club and the Premier League have been approached by ESPN over reports that City have been found guilty in 114 of 115 counts by an independent panel.
Man United transfer strategy 'financial sustainable' as losses increase - CEO
Manchester United's summer transfer strategy had "financial sustainability in mind," according to CEO Omar Berrada, after the club reported increased financial losses. On Wednesday, United posted record full year revenues of £677.6m ($900m) and an operating profit of £22.6m ($30m). However, the club still reported an overall loss of £43m ($57m), up from £33m ($44m) the previous year. Borrowing increased by £95m ($126m) to a total of £583m ($773m).
Matheus Cunha urges calm after disproving 'Man United will go to Championship' fear
Matheus Cunha has said it's too early to write off Manchester United this season after reminding critics they were able to recover from a poor start a year ago to finish third in the Premier League United won just two of their first seven games in all competitions under Ruben Amorim last season. The 1-1 draw at Fulham on Sunday means they've started the new campaign with the same record.
Matheus Cunha urges calm after disproving 'Man United will go to Championship' fear
Matheus Cunha has said it's too early to write off Manchester United this season after reminding critics they were able to recover from a poor start a year ago to finish third in the Premier League. United won just two of their first seven games in all competitions under Ruben Amorim last season. The 1-1 draw at Fulham on Sunday means they've started the new campaign with the same record.
Carrick squashes notion Manchester United are out of shape
Michael Carrick played down concerns that Manchester United's poor start to the season has been caused by a lack of fitness within the squad. United needed an 89th minute equaliser from Matheus Cunha to salvage a 1-1 draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday after Lisandro MartÃnez knocked the ball into his own net to stake the hosts with a lead.
Michael Carrick keen to find Man United positives, but there aren't many right now
LONDON, England -- For Michael Carrick, the international break won't feel like much of a break at all. The games will stop, but after Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Fulham on Sunday, the spotlight and the scrutiny will remain. It's going to be a long three weeks for United's head coach. It could have been even worse. Matheus Cunha's 89th-minute equaliser prevented a first defeat at Craven Cottage for 17 years and stopped the pressure on Carrick ramping up to another level.
Michael Carrick: 'Ridiculous to think' I'm under pressure at Man United
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has said it's "ridiculous" to think that he could be under pressure so early in the season. Carrick won the permanent job at Old Trafford after winning 12 of his 17 games as interim boss last season. The new campaign has started slowly with just two wins from six games in all competitions and back-to-back home defeats to Manchester City and Brighton.
Is Man City teen Samba a backup for Haaland, or new Pogba?
Sep 18, 2026, 05:27 AM ET If Manchester City fans didn't know the name Floyd Samba before the Carabao Cup tie against Norwich City then they do now. The 17-year-old was handed his senior debut up front by manager Enzo Maresca and repaid his faith with two goals in a comprehensive 5-0 win. His second finish was composed as it was clinical.
Maresca has been pushing all the right buttons in perfect Man City start
MANCHESTER, England -- Enzo Maresca could not have drawn up a more perfect start at Manchester City There's still a long way to go before the Italian proves he's up to the task of succeeding Pep Guardiola. But after six games and six wins, it's so far, so good. On Thursday night, Norwich City were dispatched 5-0 in the Carabao Cup . Maresca rested key players, gave valuable minutes to others and booked a place in the next round.
Maresca has been pushing all the right buttons in perfect Man City start
Despite using an alternative team, Manchester City made it six wins from six under Enzo Maresca.
Man United's collapse puts Carrick under pressure for first time
MANCHESTER, England -- Michael Carrick isn't the first Manchester United manager to go through a crisis, but this is now the first of his reign.
Michael Carrick: 'We can't accept' Man United showing in Carabao Cup exit, 'I take responsibility'
MANCHESTER, England -- Michael Carrick branded Manchester United 's capitulation as unacceptable, after watching his team lose 3-2 to Brighton in the Carabao Cup after leading 2-0. United were dumped out despite goals from 19-year-old Shea Lacey and Mason Mount in the opening 10 minutes on Wednesday. Fabian Hürzeler's side battled back thanks to goals from Charalampos Kostoulas, Pascal Gross and Maxim De Cuyper to win at Old Trafford for the fifth time in their last six visits.
Man United's collapse puts Carrick under pressure for first time
MANCHESTER, England -- Michael Carrick isn't the first Manchester United manager to go through a crisis, but this is now the first of his reign. Carrick's team led 2-0 against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday and somehow conspired to lose 3-2.
Barcelona, Real Madrid monitoring JJ Gabriel situation at Man United - sources
Barcelona and Real Madrid are among the clubs monitoring JJ Gabriel's stand-off with Manchester United, sources have told ESPN. The 15-year-old and his representatives have stunned Old Trafford bosses by demanding to leave. United, according to sources, will not cancel his contract and he cannot be de-registered. But Gabriel's stance has opened the door to a departure next summer. He's eligible to sign scholarship forms after his 16th birthday, which is on Oct. 6.
Man United starlet JJ Gabriel, 15, asks to leave club - sources
Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel has asked to leave the club, sources have told ESPN. Gabriel, 15, has formally stated his intention to leave Old Trafford with immediate effect. Sources have told ESPN that club bosses are not clear on Gabriel's reasons and are surprised by his decision. Head coach Michael Carrick was planning to include the teenager in the squad to face Brighton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
Michael Carrick calls on Man United squad to 'move on' after derby loss, Erling Haaland goal 'injustice'
Michael Carrick has told his Manchester United players to put their derby disappointment behind them quickly despite feeling frustration that Erling Haaland's winner for Manchester City was allowed to stand. Referees body Pro Ref was forced to admit an "error of judgement" on Sunday night after City's goal was given, despite Enzo Fernández appearing to interfere with play from an offside position.
Manchester derby reaction: Short-handed Man City outplay Man United
MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester City produced an impressive second-half display to beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford despite playing with 10 men for almost 70 minutes. Phil Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute for kicking out at United captain Bruno Fernandes , who was fortunate he wasn't punished for appearing to kick the City midfielder first.
Lisandro Martínez, Michael Carrick blast 'injustice' to allow Erling Haaland, Man City's winner in derby
MANCHESTER, England -- Lisandro Martínez branded the decision to allow Manchester City's winning goal against Manchester United as "an injustice" while Michael Carrick said it was an "obvious" error. City, who played more than half the game with 10 men after Phil Foden's early red card, won 1-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday courtesy of Erling Haaland's second-half strike. But it was mired in controversy after initially being ruled out for offside.
Manchester derby reaction: Short-handed Man City outplay Man United
MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester City produced an impressive second-half display to beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford despite playing with 10 men for almost 70 minutes. Phil Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute for kicking out at United captain Bruno Fernandes, who was fortunate he wasn't punished for appearing to kick the City midfielder first.
Dalot still dreams of putting Manchester United back on top
Diogo Dalot puffs out his cheeks. The question is whether, during his eight years at Manchester United , it has been hard to watch neighbors Manchester City be so successful, and he needs a moment before he's ready to answer. "I'm not going to say that it's not been painful because it has been," he tells ESPN. "There were seasons where we couldn't even compete against them. It's painful to say." It's not that Dalot hasn't had any highs.
Luke Shaw to face late fitness test ahead of Manchester derby - Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick has said Luke Shaw will be assessed before deciding whether the defender is fit to face Manchester City. Shaw was left out of the 4-0 win over Sabah FK on Thursday after being forced off in the 2-2 draw with Everton. The 31-year-old started every Premier League game last season, but he's in danger of missing Sunday's Manchester derby if he cannot prove his fitness. "We'll have to see," Carrick said. "We just kind of looked after him a little bit.
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