Chelsea pay United 5m to have Sancho back | Kirby announces international retirement | Bruno snubs Saudi move
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Welcome to Back Pages, bringing you everything you need to know about the biggest sports stories making the headlines in the morning's newspapers. I'm Teddy Draper and joining me are the Daily Mail's chief sports feature writer, Riyad Thal Samurai, and The Sun's football editor, Charlie Wyatt. Welcome to you both.

Well, Charlie, welcome along. I'll come to you and your paper there with a back page of Bruno, family and Amarim key to Fernandes snubbing Saudis. How much do Manchester United have Bruno Fernandes' wife to thank for this and some probing questions she put to him?

Well, absolutely. I mean, finally some good news for Manchester United. Finally some good news for Ruben Amaran. And Manchester United's fans will be delighted with Fernandes. I mean, he was a hero anyway, but now he's just gone up another level, hasn't he? Because quite clearly he could have, what, doubled his money and some. And let's not forget, he's on, you know, half-decent wage at Old Trafford. But, of course, that doesn't always make any difference. If you've been offered £700,000...

a week to play in Saudi Arabia, I'd say the majority of footballers would go for it. But Fernandes has spoken to his manager. His manager's begged him to stay. He's obviously spoken to his family as well. And he's decided to make that decision. And this is huge for Ruben Amram because I think that really strengthens his position at United in many respects. Not to say he was in danger or anything like that, but I think United fans will appreciate that he's had some sway over football

a key player along with Fernandes' wife. So yeah, and for United to start building this summer, having that player still at Old Trafford and not in Saudi Arabia is obviously huge. It would have been an utter disaster if they'd have ended up deciding to leave.

Yeah, interesting quotes from Bruno, wasn't it, Riyadh? There's a Telegraph term it, Fernandez snubs £200 million offer from Al-Halal. Probably a little bit more respectful than that maybe terminology suggests. But Bruno Fernandez's wife saying, what are your career goals, was quite an interesting one, your professional goals, wasn't it? How refreshing do you find this story? You cover a lot of golf as well. It's been a hot topic there and usually people follow the money, but not this occasion.

We know the kind of profile of players that the Soundies are looking for. They're wanting people closer to their prime years. I think we've just seen from Bruno, even though he's 30, he's still absolutely the best player in that club by a vast distance. That's even before you get into the leadership debate, having the strength of personality. I think

I think that's one of the aspects United would have lost most. I think when I look over that team, I see quite a few spineless individuals. I don't think they finish...

15th in the league with the technical caliber of player they've got if they had if they had more if they had more people with with Bruno's character with his drive with his his refusal to to to accept some of these performances so I think that aspect in in addition to what he actually brings as a player is massively important to United but going going to the clients they're

that he's made there. He's been very honest about the fact that his agent has met with them. He's been very impressed with Al-Halal. I would be inclined to sort of take the view, yes, if someone's going to put sort of 200 million in front of you, 700 grand a week tax-free, however it

However, it breaks down. You probably are going to have the conversation. But I think the fact that he was willing to entertain it, I do wonder if that maybe just puts a bit of a thought in the back of United fans' minds a little bit. Let's just say someone comes forward from one of the major leagues. I would still use the term more credible leagues.

competitive leagues. Someone comes forward, are they able to turn his head? He talks about wanting to play in the big competitions. Well, United, of course, they're in the Premier League, but what are the signs that there's going to be any better next season? I'm really not sure there are any yet. They've made a move early with Kunja, but that's still an absolutely dire squad by United, by

United's standards. So, has he still got an idea in the back of his mind that this is the club that he wants to be at? He's turned down Al-Hilal, but the fact that he was willing to meet with them, have the conversations, it does just make you think.

It does make you think. Unfortunately, Charlie, we'll never probably have to answer the question of whether we take 700 grand a week tax-free. But nonetheless, let's reflect on Manchester United. Riyaf's not overly optimistic about their chances. How do you feel, though? Is there reason for hope from United fans? We saw Kunya and Mbomo pictured there. It's actually in connection in the Telegraph with Newcastle. But Manchester United have got Kunya, possibly Mbomo as well. Fernandes staying. There's potentially goals there at least next season, isn't there?

They can obviously only get better. Mboma would be a terrific signing. It's a signing that you've been making over the last two, three years. A proven player. What, 20 goals last season? Works really hard. And just quite simply, it wouldn't be a gamble. Looking at some of the players this sign, like Hoyland and Jerkshe, they were gambled.

And, you know, they might still come good. But you know that Mbombe would go into that team next season and, you know, add a real spark into United's attack. And they obviously need it as well. And the same for Cunha as well, to a degree. You know, good, solid signings. They're just going to hit the ground running. Of course, if they can keep Fernandes as well. I still think, you know, it might seem way off at the moment, but I still think Amarant could turn United around. I really do. It's obviously a huge...

task ahead but I'm not writing United off. They're obviously not going to challenge for the Champions League next season but they can obviously, they have to get better, they will get better and it's good to see these are the type of signings that will make them a better side in the course of keeping the main man their captain.

It's felt at times, hasn't it, Riyad, a bit of a crisis of confidence amongst the players and even the fans at times. But as this Telegraph article points out, Mbomo has made Old Trafford his preferred destination. Alison Rudd's been writing in The Times to say that it could be United's Salah. What do you take on these developments coming off the heels of Kunja joining the club? Is it bolstering to United's collective ego that players still want to go there? Amazing for us to say that, I suppose.

Absolutely. Look, I made the point in a column a few weeks ago, the people that screwed it, but I've tended to think that Amram's honesty can count against him in these scenarios. I mean, clearly he's not sharing any great revelation when he says United aren't very good. I think we see that replicated on a weekly basis across the season. We can make our own judgment. But I did wonder whether that was going to put people off.

If you hear a manager speaking such, I would say at times, Amarim has bordered on despondent in his comments about the state of this team and also the state of the club, how much needs to be fixed behind the scenes. It does raise that slight doubt in the back of your mind.

If you're a player who has a sort of knife-edge decision to make, do I go, do I stay, do I need to be persuaded? And you hear a manager who expresses very little confidence in a variety of aspects about Man United. Do you really want to go there? So this is clearly the fact that, you know, it will always be Manchester United. It will always have that appeal. They will always be able to pay players.

an astonishing amount of money relative to other clubs as well. So they are going to have that appeal, but it's possibly a little bit reassuring that players like Mbambo, for one, wanting to go there, being very keen to go there, then that is going to be heartening. It is going to be reassuring, I think, for United fans,

One thing as well is that it's very clear they do need to have the goals. I think Kenya, I think it's a very good start. They've done it early and I think

Also, the direction that they're moving in. They're looking for proven Premier League players. And when we do go back and look at sort of the Hoylands or Xerxe or guys who they've come and brought in who haven't actually delivered over here, there's always that little bit of an extra gamble. So I think that slight pivot in strategy is...

I wouldn't share any real optimism for a quick upturn. Anyone they bring in, they're still going to need to bed in. And we're not talking really about

minor surgery at United. We're talking about an enormous overhaul. Keeping Bruno sort of averts the worst elements of that, but they do need a striker. They do need to have a proper ball winner in midfield. Casemiro's earning a fortune. He had a little bit of a revival last season, but I think he needs to be replaced. I know they're looking at a backup goalkeeper as well. They need a centre-half. We're talking about an entire spine of the team that needs to be replaced. So,

if there's a conversation about how much can United turn it around next season, I think it helps not having the European obligations around it. But I think they've got an absolutely massive amount of distance to travel and that's before you get into the conversation about Amram and what he's delivered. Because I've been really underwhelmed by what he's done since going there, other than serving up useful headlines for Charlie, myself and

all of the other media outlets. Fair enough, Riaf. You've dampened down any optimism I tried to create there for the Manchester United fans. But let's move on, I suppose, to a player that technically is a Manchester United player. He won't be staying at Chelsea. Jadon Sancho, Telegraph Sports Supplement. Chelsea pay £5 million to send Sancho back to United. He was such a bright talent, wasn't he, Charlie? What's your gut reaction to this? Is it a bit sad?

Yeah, I do. I mean, it sounds as though that one of the reasons Chelsea is sending him back and willing to pay this five million clause is they can't agree personal terms with Sancho, which is a real shame because I'm not sure he's going to get to a better place than Chelsea at the moment. And, you know, as you said, it's been a bit of a shame, his career so far. The last four years is what after the Euros, Euro 2020 in 2021. Yeah.

He played in the final. He's not played for England since the loss to Italy. But he moved to Manchester United and obviously arrived from Dortmund with a real...

Great reputation. Played some superb stuff in Germany. And it's just not worked. And some of that's misfortune. Some of that is attitude. I don't think quite clearly Gareth Southgate wasn't always convinced by him. I just stopped selecting him. So he's definitely not made the best of his career. And it's still not too late. Obviously, Chelsea rated him.

So whether he then decides to head abroad again, but of course, quite clearly, the money is an issue and the wages that he wants. But equally, we shouldn't forget that, you know, Sancho really did, you know, he wasn't the first player, of course, to leave England for Germany, but he did make a big impact. And, you know, others have followed. And of course, you know, Jude Bellingham as well. So, you know, he did sort of,

really, I think, encourage other players to do that. And he sort of illustrated what can be achieved if you do move to another country. Because previous to that, there's not always been that many players who are willing to take that gamble. But so far now, his career has gone backwards. And I think he's made a mistake. And even if it had been a pay cut, I think he should have stayed at Chelsea.

Interesting point. Let's get Sam Wallace's thoughts in the Telegraph, Riyadh. We've got a break pressing, but I wanted to get your thoughts on this. Sam Wallace writing, lost boy of English football finds future up in air again. There may just be about time left for the next act that salvages Jadon Sancho's career at the top. But in a game that moves as quickly as this, it will have to come soon for the one time great hope of English football. He's only 25, but time moves fast in football. Riyadh, what do you think he should do? What's the best outcome here?

You just made the point yourself that he's 25. He's obviously, he does have a chance to turn it around, but it goes to Charlie's point. How much does he want it? Why won't he take a pay cut? I know it's easy for us to say,

with other people's money take a pay cut but you know why not he needs this United have now tried and failed to get rid of him twice Dortmund now Chelsea people this is a guy who is going to come in for him who is going to be the club that swoops in

saves it. He's got to do this for himself now because he is a brilliant player and I like Sam Wallace's description there. He is the lost boy. He was absolutely astonishing. He was the kid of his generation or certainly shaping into it and then we move into this conversation about a brilliant attacking Englishman

England players out wide central areas he was he was in that conversation he was that guy and it's all just it's disappearing down the drain I think the first thought about it is it's all

It's all quite sad, but again, 25, he's got time, he's clearly got talent. We saw that when he went back to Dortmund. I've not been convinced by him at Chelsea. I was actually quite surprised they were willing to offer him a deal of any description, to be honest. I think he's probably maxed out about a 7 out of 10 there. He's had moments, but...

We do know that there's a player in there. I don't think his injury record is sufficiently bad that it's just disappeared. So what is it? How much does it come down to mentality? So, Riyad, come to you with the back page of The Times then. News of a potential new goalkeeper for Chelsea targeting French number one. Mignon could move from Milan as club considers alternatives to Sanchez and Jorgensen. How big could this be in terms of Chelsea's ambitions of winning the big trophies?

You don't win anything without a proper goalkeeper. I don't wish to be disparaging to Sanchez there but he's had a number of high profile errors this season. I think what would perhaps surprise me a little bit about Manuel is that he's obviously a brilliant goalkeeper but it's the age profile. He's a little bit older than what Chelsea have been looking

Looking towards lately, they've also got about 200 goalkeepers in the squad as well. So what does it mean for guys like Penas and Petrovic? They've spent some very good money on keepers in the last, say, two seasons. I think they've brought in about four. So they've been planning this goalkeeping review and there was clearly a need to take a look at what they're prioritising.

who they're bringing in have the decisions been correct I would suggest that the turnover would be that would indicate the answer is not he's an excellent goalkeeper he was in the team of the tournament at the last Euros he's you know he's a France international he's won league titles in two countries I think he's

I think he's a proven quantity and he's a winner. He'll be good for the dressing room. I think it would be a good signing for them. I'd be amazed if they could sign him and keep Sanchez as well. I think he'd have to go to clear a little bit of room. But it's an interesting move. Thoughts, Charlie, quickly on Mignon?

Yeah, apart from the fact that Chelsea are probably going to need a separate changing room for their keepers. It could be six now. Yeah, you know, decent signing. It's been an all right, well, really good week. I think Liam Delap's a bargain at 30 million. But I think in terms of a goalkeeper moving somewhere, I think Brentford have done the deal of the week by getting Kelleher from Liverpool for 18 million. I think he's a brilliant keeper. And if I'd have been Chelsea, I'd have got him.

him to Stamford Bridge. I think he's one of the top six in the Premier League, and not a gamble, and has been consistently good, obviously, for a good team. But yeah, Mignone is who Chelsea are talking to at the moment. He's just got one year left at Milan, and yeah, solid keeper.

Certainly a solid keeper. Come back to you, Riyad, with a fantastic striker at times, a golden boot winner three years ago, Hong-Win Son, possibly on his way out though. Sam Wallace reporting in The Telegraph amongst other journalists. Tottenham open to Son exit amid Saudi interest. If true, what kind of legacy does he lead, Riyad? He's been electric at his best, hasn't he? I think it's absolutely huge. Winning the Europa League...

Obviously, he didn't have a massive role to play in the final. I think by his standards, this season has been a decline. He's had more injuries. His output has been reduced. But his legacy at the club, I don't think you could find a Tottenham fan who doesn't love Son. He's a brilliant player. He's a passionate player. His relationship is fantastic.

His relationship with Harry Kane when they played together, that was iconic, even if the trophy didn't come. I think, you know, look, he's 32. They triggered the extension in January, I think it was. And that was, I would imagine, with one eye on resale value.

I would assume very much that a decision in that direction will be taken when it's finalised about what's happening with Andrew Postacoglu, who's going to be the manager next season. Because I can't imagine, for argument's sake, it's Thomas Frank or anyone else arrives and Son's gone. I think you'd want to have...

bit of a look at him first to be honest about it but he's a tremendous player he

He certainly is as well. And interesting that, Charlie, your paper says that it won't be easy, son. Tom Barkley reporting Spurs may play hardball. But I want to talk to you about England's women now, Charlie, if we can. In the Telegraph, England failed to hold off Spain after key changes, lost in the Nations League. But the big news, really, that Fran Kirby is the latest England player to announce her retirement. What have you made of the way this has all played out, Charlie?

Yeah, another shock. I mean, you know, it wasn't a particularly great evening for England, not a particularly good performance. They got penned in by Spain, really. We've got another one more game before the Euros. And yeah, it's obviously a shame. She's, you know, discovered that she's not going to be in the squad, but there's still a month to go. And that's what surprises me, really. And, you know, with one more game, three or four weeks to go, anything could happen. So it

It appears from the outside that she's been a bit hasty. She's obviously been terrific for England. You know, a great backstory, really fought hard. She's been an inspiration to younger players. She's had her health battles and bounced back and played in four major tournaments and been a real hero. So, yeah, yet another hero.

Just superb character that the Lionesses have produced over the last few years. Got about 30, 40 seconds, Riyadh, but some quotes from Frank Kirby came down, didn't they, from ESPN saying she felt like she'd outstayed her welcome. What do you make of the way that Serena Vigman's handled this with Mary Earps departing as well? In The Guardian here, the quotes from ESPN as well.

Yeah, it's a pretty significant sea change. I think the Earps one perhaps came a little bit more out of left field. Kirby herself, you know, the situation self-explanatory. If she wasn't going to be going to the Euros, it was time. But, you know, she has used emotive language. Dagger to my heart. It's a weight off her shoulders. She felt she'd outstayed her welcome there. I think it's quite a dramatic ending for a player who I would...

I would clearly argue, was one of the best of her generation. Lucy Bronson was describing her as mini-Messi earlier. And I think when you go to her prime, that wasn't a massive exaggeration, actually, much as Frank Herbie apparently absolutely hates the nickname. But she has been a fantastic player for England and obviously at club level too. Riyadh, Charlie, you've both been fantastic tonight. Appreciate your time on Back Pages tonight. We'll see you again soon.