Manchester United players ‘astonished’ by form under Ruben Amorim, Arsenal to step up Bukayo Saka contract talks – Paper Round

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According to reports, members of Manchester United's squad are "astonished" by their start to the 2025/26 season. However, the club are said to not have one primary candidate lined up to succeed Ruben Amorim as head coach. Elsewhere, Arsenal are reportedly set to make Bukayo Saka one of their top earners with a lucrative new contract and Chelsea are backing head coach Enzo Maresca.

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Manchester United’s players are "dispirited and astonished" by their start to the new season, but the club do not have one name lined up to potentially replace Ruben Amorim, The Sun reports.

The defeat to Brentford on Saturday has added more pressure on Amorim, with United sitting 14th in the Premier League.

The Sun writes: "Dressing room sources admit the squad is dispirited after the galling 3-1 defeat to Brentford on Saturday, their third Premier League reverse already this term.

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"The United squad was genuinely optimistic of having a successful season after a harmonious pre-season in Chicago but there is already uncertainty over the future of Amorim.

"United are monitoring potential replacements for Amorim, with Premier League-based coaches Oliver Glasner, Andoni Iraola and Fabian Hurzeler all under consideration.

"Club sources insist United have no one lined up to replace Amorim but United are 14th in the Premier League table."

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Saka in contract talks

Arsenal will step up their efforts to tie Bukayo Saka to a new deal as the winger looks set to become one of their top earners, the Mirror reports.

After William Saliba reportedly agreed a new five-year deal, The Gunners are now focussing on getting Saka to commit his future – and that could happen in the next few weeks.

The Mirror adds: "The club are also hopeful of reaching an agreement and, while there is nothing imminent, talks are understood to have left both sides positive that a deal can be done which would see him become one of Arsenal’s top earners and among the Premier League’s biggest stars.

"Saka knows his status as one of the best forwards of his generation for club and country means that he can command not just one of the top contracts at Arsenal but also in English football.

"The England star is a huge influence at Arsenal, incredibly popular, has a very high market value and is also a massive commercial draw."

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Chelsea backing Maresca

Enzo Maresca’s job is currently safe at Chelsea with the club’s hierarchy not panicking despite an indifferent start to the season, the Daily Mail reports.

Chelsea have won two, drawn two, lost two in the Premier League so far this season and with two red cards to boot, that has been taken into account when assessing the new campaign.

The Mail adds: "Maresca has also had to deal with an injury crisis, with Cole Palmer and Liam Delap among a long list of those sidelined, and Blues bosses have complete confidence in their head coach picking up the team's form.

"Champions League football remains a priority for Chelsea this season along with respectable runs in the cup competitions they are involved in. They are set to face Jose Mourinho's Benfica in Europe's elite competition at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, followed by the visit of Arne Slot's Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday.

"Chelsea went through a longer slump last season and ended up winning two trophies – the Conference League and the Club World Cup – while finishing in the top four."

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