Less than 24 hours after the club’s worst season since 1974, an Manchester United squad that included Alejandro Garnacho was scheduled to arrive in Malaysia for a friendly on Monday.
United defeated 10-man Aston Villa 2-0 on Sunday at Old Trafford, but Ruben Amorim, manager, has a significant rebuilding project under way this summer.
Amorim apologized to the fans after finishing 15th in the Premier League and losing 1-0 to Spurs in the Europa League final last week.
READ ALSO: Manchester United, Others, Biggest Losers of the 24/25 Premier League Season
A 32-man squad that included Argentine winger Garnacho flew to Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday for a match against a Southeast Asian XI after beating Villa on Monday.
The Chinese city’s representative team plays a game against the Chinese city on Friday in Hong Kong.
Although tickets were still available on Monday for both games, United hopes that some much-needed revenue will be generated by the two post-season friendlyties.
According to the BBC, the club will make about $10 million (£7.8 million) from the trip.
Garnacho, 20, and his United career look promising now that he and his brother have publicly criticized Amorim’s decision to let him play in the Europa League final.
Even though they didn’t play against Villa, Andre Onana and Luke Shaw, both England defenders, were on the same flight to Asia.
Leny Yoro and Noussair Mazraoui, both of whom United claimed did not travel, are expected to make up the majority of the first-team squad.
This week, Kuala Lumpur is forecasting temperatures of 37 degrees Celsius (99 Fahrenheit), and the 84, 000-capacity Bukit Jalil national stadium will have thunderstorms on the day of the game.
This week’s forecast for Hong Kong, where the humidity will be close to 100%, includes thunderstorms and showers.
The 40, 000-capacity Hong Kong Stadium will host Friday’s game.
After heavy rain had wreaked havoc with the conditions, Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio referred to the playing surface as a “killer pitch” in July 2013.
As Carlo Ancelotti’s replacement, Xabi Alonso, the new Real Madrid coach, claimed on Monday that he has the drive and enthusiasm to achieve success deserving of the Spanish giants.
Alonso will take charge of the Brazil national team at the Club World Cup this summer and will remain there for three years until June 2028.
Los Angeles lost their La Liga title to rivals Barcelona, who also defeated them in the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup finals, but they were unable to capture a significant trophy this year.
Real Madrid’s “Legend” Alonso Resigns As New Coach, Read More.
Arsenal’s heavy defeat to Real in the Champions League quarter-final was also a blow to their European trophy defense.
At Real Madrid’s training facility, Alonso stated, “We have fantastic players, a team with a lot of potential, and a team that is capable of a very good present and a very good future.”
That gives me a lot of motivation to come here with a lot of energy and a lot of hope that I can develop a great team out of all the players…
I “have the conviction that we can accomplish great things, deserving of Real Madrid, of all these European Cups, and of all these accomplishments made over many years.”
On March 28, 2025, Bayer Leverkusen’s Spanish head coach Xabi Alonso arrives in Leverkusen, western Germany, just before the German first division Bundesliga game between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and VfL Bochum. (Photo by Pau BARRENA/AFP)
Alonso won six awards, including the Champions League, while playing for the club between 2009 and 2014, and was a technically gifted central midfielder during his playing days.
Madrid won their 10th European Cup with La Decima, and they have since won five more for a record 15 Champions League victories in the past ten years.
In the 2023-2014 campaign, the 43-year-old coach helped Bayer Leverkusen win a superb unbeaten Bundesliga and German Cup, making him a top player target for Europe’s elite clubs.
Alonso described it as a “special day” under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola, and other legendary managers.
Alonso continued, “It’s a day I will have marked in my calendar for life.”
Although I’ve been away from this for a few years, I believe the relationship between Madrid and the fans has endured.
“And today, when I entered Valdebebas (the club’s training ground) an hour and a half ago, it was reborn,” the president said.
“One of our own,”
Alonso was welcomed back to the Spanish capital by Madrid chief Florentino Perez in a brief introduction speech.
For those who love Real Madrid, this day will mark the beginning of a brand-new era filled with excitement and intense emotions, according to Madrid president Perez.
“A coach arrives who is one of the best in the world, and who is aware of the significance of this shirt and badge…
“We welcome Xabi Alonso, one of our own, today. Real Madrid, welcome back to your hometown.
Before beginning his coaching career, Alonso won the 2010 World Cup and two European Championships with Spain. He also won the 2010 World Cup.
The first look at Alonso’s project will be against Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal in Miami on June 18, when Real Madrid’s Club World Cup campaign kicks off.
Shehu Dikko, the head of the National Sports Commission (NSC), has announced that the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja will be operational by the end of 2025 as part of wider efforts to restore Nigeria’s deteriorating sports infrastructure.
In response to a recent viral video that exposed the state of the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, Dikko made this known on Monday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.
The video, which has been widely shared on social media, depicts decaying tartan tracks, crumbling stands, overgrown vegetation, and defunct lighting systems—signs of ongoing neglect at a stadium that once housed famous sporting events like the 1980 and 2000 African Cup of Nations finals and the 1973 All-Africa Games. The Lagos stadium has been inaccessible for a while despite its historical significance, which has rekindled public outrage and renewed calls for immediate action.
However, Dikko stated that the current administration is implementing unprecedented measures to address the country’s sports sector’s infrastructure decay. He disclosed that the Abuja stadium, one of the first to undergo significant transformation, has already received funding for renovations.
I visited London a few months ago to meet with the best stadium infrastructure companies. Last month, they were in Abuja. By the end of the year, we should be able to start fixing Abuja, and the stadium should be operating at a foundational level, said Dikko.
He continued, “The budget of the National Sports Commission has increased by more than 30%. In the last 60 years, this is the best sports budget. Funding is available to repair and build mini-sports facilities in local communities all over the country.
The first step was made by the president (Bola Tinubu). According to Dikko, the funding for sports is not intended for competitions; instead, it is clearly targeted at crucial infrastructures, “Dikko stated.
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He continued, adding that the Commission is also collaborating with international partners to ensure the stadium upgrades meet international standards while granting concessions to some significant facilities.
Dikko also revealed plans to construct full-fledged sports cities around important locations like Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, and Ibadan.
We are creating entire ecosystems around the stadiums with shopping malls, hotels, convention centers, amusement parks, and arenas, he said, “to make sure these facilities can generate revenue 24/7, not just when a match is played.”
utilizing domestic sports
Dikko criticized Nigeria’s narrow focus on international competitions while ignoring local development, bringing up the structural issues that plague Nigerian sports.
The English Premier League was cited as a model for revenue and the potential economic benefit it could provide, according to the chair of the sports commission.
The focus on competitions is the main issue with sports in this country, according to the president. Nobody is asking what we’re doing on the domestic scene, the NSC chief said, but everyone is thinking about the Olympics or the World Cup.
The domestic industry serves as the foundation “all over the world.” We must create a climate that supports the sport of our homes.
England hasn’t won a major tournament since 1966, but they have the world’s best football league. Imagine how much money the three million people who watch football make each weekend. That is what we must re-create.
Facility Gap Bridging
Dikko also emphasized the need to address the nation’s lack of sports broadcasting infrastructure.
The biggest obstacle to our economy’s success lies in the development of sports content, according to the statement. Because of this deficit, he claimed, it could cost 20 to 30 million to produce one football game in Nigeria.
We are attempting to break the cycle, they say. We’re speaking with suppliers who can assist in the restoration of previously abandoned systems, and every region of the nation needs dedicated infrastructure.
The NSC Chair also announced the establishment of a national e-sports federation to combat youth unemployment.
We’re establishing an e-sports federation. Millions of dollars are employed, and there are numerous opportunities. This is where we can channel their energy and make money because over 70% of Nigeria’s population is young, he said.
Gateway Games 2025
Dikko further praised the ongoing Gateway Games 2025 as a major achievement for Nigerian sports, highlighting its economic impact on small businesses and communities.
He declared, “This is the best festival we’ve had so far,” Some people will cry when the games are over because Gateway Games created wealth for small businesses. We want to offer the most events.
He described Ogun State as the “hub” of this new economic activity in sports and revealed that plans are being worked out for the under-18 and under-20 championships in July.
In a bold move that will give emerging football stars a platform to shine, Cardtonic, a top fintech company in Africa, has established a football club in Nigeria.
Tonic Football Club, a community-based club founded in April 2025, was established to find and develop young football talent in the nation.
The initial birth of Cardtonic, a gift card marketplace, has since grown into a platform where Nigerians and Ghanais can purchase goods, purchase virtual dollars, pay bills, and make many other things.
The company has established itself as a major player in the African fintech sector thanks to its cutting-edge products and prompt service delivery.
In an effort to support the development of sports in Nigeria, Cardtonic has now entered the financial world and launched Tonic FC.
Nigeria’s abundance of talent is no gain for anything. Numerous exceptionally talented Nigerians are present everywhere, from entertainment to sports, technology, and the creative industry. The country’s African Best Player of the Year, Grammy Awards, and numerous other honors are among them.
But here’s the catch: many of these talents lack the support and platform to truly shine. Therefore, many rising stars never reach their full potential. Who knows how many of our nation’s lost to Victor Osimhens, Olamides, Pete Edochies, and P-Squares?
All hands must be on deck, including NGOs and businesses, to solve this issue.
With the launch of Tonic Football Club, Cardtonic is already setting the standard. Then perhaps Ademola Lookman’s successor won’t go unnoticed.
Tonic FC: A community-based football team
The vision behind Tonic FC is what sets it apart from the typical football teams you know.
From the streets of Lagos to the city of Kano, Tonic Football Club was established as a business venture. It was intended to foster hope for untapped football talent.
Many Nigerian football fans have since lost interest in grassroots football. The majority of people now follow local dreams, while others fade to Chelsea, Arsenal, or other foreign clubs.
Tonic FC was established to change that. It’s a grassroots talent discovery project that aims to rekindle our own game-playing passion. Young players now have a reason to dream once more, along with their supporters.
This football team’s objectives transcend stats, awards, and matchday hype. Impact is the key to Tonic FC. Its goal is to give young, rising footballers a real platform to showcase their abilities, changing their lives at the grassroots level.
Purpose over performance is not just a phrase around here; it’s culture.
Nigeria’s third-tier of professional football, Nationwide League One (NLO), is where Tonic Football Club is currently competing. The club is expected to transform the local football scene as a community-driven initiative with a strong foundation in grassroots involvement.
Tonic FC is on track to become Nigeria’s most active, purpose-driven football team, a place where creativity, culture, and football collide to make real impact both on and off the field.
Final Thoughts
Beyond football, Cardtonic’s partnership with Tonic FC is a bold move in bolstering the aspirations of young people in Nigeria. No matter what their background, they can also become the next Ademola Lookman, so it’s up to them.
Nigerians’ use of virtual dollar cards, gift cards, electronics, virtual currency, and bill payments all changed thanks to Cardtonic in just a few years.
With this bold move to the football industry, it will only take a few years for Tonic FC to become one of the nation’s most promising clubs.
As the 2024/25 season wrapped up on Sunday, Liverpool lifted the Premier League trophy at a cheery Anfield.
The campaign’s winners and losers are examined by AFP Sport:
Liverpool
Liverpool were in a league of their own for the majority of the season as Arne Slot’s men won the title with four games to play, winning for a record-equaling 20th time.
The Reds made light of Jurgen Klopp’s departure 12 months ago, drawing inspiration from Mohamed Salah’s sensational form, who was both the league’s top goalscorer and assist player.
While Slot has already begun his plans to grow from a strength, Klopp was present at Anfield to pay tribute to the champions on Sunday.
A big hole needs to be filled for Trent Alexander-Arnold, but Liverpool are reportedly close to signing Milos Kerkez and the Bournemouth duo Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz.
Newcastle
Despite a shocking 1-0 home defeat at Everton in the final game of the campaign, the Magpies moved up to fifth place and a place in the Champions League for the following season.
Fans on Tyneside were just happy to see that after Newcastle ended a 56-year drought for a major trophy this term, a return to Europe’s elite competition was just the icing on the cake.
In a one-club city with a sizable following, Eddie Howe’s men stunned Liverpool 2-1 in March, creating wild scenes of celebration.
Only Salah had scored more Premier League goals than the Swede, who scored the decisive goal at Wembley. Alexander Isak also scored the crucial winner.
Crystal Palace
Before winning the FA Cup final against Manchester City for the first major trophy in their 119-year history, Palace had been anticipating winning silverware even longer.
Despite a poor campaign start, the Eagles managed to finish 12th with a club record 53 Premier League points.
Early on, Oliver Glasner’s side struggled because four of the England team’s members made it to the Euro 2024 final and because Jean-Philippe Mateta, a star striker, played a key role in France’s pursuit of the silver medal at the Olympics.
After a pre-season that was disrupted, Palace only managed to win one of their opening 13 games, but they also lost just six of their final 25 as a result of a run of form that, if it had been replicated over the course of 38 games, would have put them in the Champions League contention for first place.
READ MORE: Liverpool Wins Premier League Trophy, Man City, Chelsea, Newcastle Secure Champions League, and Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool.
Losers
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola’s men would have been disappointed if anything had happened to them other than the title after an unprecedented run of four consecutive Premier League titles.
However, the division was shocked by how much of their decline came during a challenging winter.
The previously all-conquering defending champions won once in 13 games between late October and December after losing Rodri to injury.
A defeat to Palace in the FA Cup final marked the conclusion of Guardiola’s first trophyless campaign since arriving in England eight years ago.
However, City did recover to at least finish third and finish in the Champions League for the 15th time in a row.
Manchester United
After their worst season since being relegated in 1974, United had no other options.
Ruben Amorim apologized to the media on Sunday for a “disaster” of a campaign that saw United place 15th overall and fail to qualify for Europe for the second time in 35 years.
Erik Ten Hag’s appointment as manager quickly turned out to be ineffective, as the Dutchman was fired in October.
Amorim has only won seven of his 27 Premier League games since joining a disorganized club off and on the field.
Amorim’s ability to mold the squad into his own image could suffer as a result of his defeat in the Europa League final against Tottenham, which cost United approximately $ 100 million ($135 million) in Champions League qualification.
promoted trio
With 59 points combined, the trio of relegated clubs combined to set a record-breaking record for the trio of relegated clubs.
Additionally, they were one of the three organizations that received Championship promotion last year.
That had only happened once in English top-flight history, in 1997/98, prior to the 2023/24 campaign.
The growing disparity between the Premier League and the second tier has caused it to happen for the past two seasons, raising questions about the English top flight’s competitive balance.
