Phil is an experienced sports journalist, editor and content creator with more than nine years of experience in the industry.
This includes working for Football London, talkSPORT and Football Insider before returning to Give Me Sport in October 2025.
Phil is also an avid Middlesbrough fan and content creator. He runs Bonkers For Boro With Phil Spencer on YouTube, as well as hosting a weekly radio show on The Red, dedicated to Middlesbrough FC.
His first book was published in 2022, titled: “Everybody Round My House For A Parmo!” about Middlesbrough’s Carling Cup win in 2004 and the two-year adventure in the UEFA Cup under Steve McClaren.
Manchester United are among a number of clubs plotting a move to sign Brazilian sensation Rayan, according to Eduardo Burgos of AS.
The Red Devils are looking to build a team that can challenge for major honours in the years to come, with Ruben Amorim already rebuilding the squad at Old Trafford with the future in mind.
Sitting sixth in the Premier League, Man United have enjoyed a much better campaign than last term, however Amorim is still under scrutiny with expectations naturally high at the Theatre Of Dreams.
But with an exciting young signing in their sights, things could be looking up.
Man United Eye Rayan Deal
Rayan’s situation is being monitored by Manchester United and a number of other clubs. A winger by trade, the 20-year-old currently plays for Vasco da Gama and has scored 23 goals in 98 games.
As per Eduardo Burgos of AS, the Vasco da Gama starlet has a release clause worth around £69.7million.
Taking to X, Burgos wrote: “AC Milan, Manchester United and several Saudi Arabian clubs are monitoring Rayan’s situation. Vasco da Gama refers to its buyout clause, valued at 80M€. A move now seems more than complicated. It is expected to progress by summer.”
Man United’s interest in Rayan — described as ‘an extremely unique’ and ‘deadly’ player — comes as no surprise given his bright start to life in football.
A right-winger who loves coming onto his left foot, Rayan has represented Brazil’s star-studded under-20 side on no less than 11 occasions already.
Subscribe to our newsletter for transfer-market insight Curious about transfer targets such as Rayan or how clubs rebuild? Subscribe to the newsletter for expert transfer-market analysis, scouting context and clear breakdowns that explain targets, club strategy and the wider market forces at play. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
With a contract that expires in December 2026, it seems that Vasco Da Gama are looking to be in an increasingly vulnerable position as interest from Europe’s top clubs continues to grow.
Man United Must Build For Future
Manchester United are building for the future and while it’s early days in that process, it feels like the Red Devils are on the right track. The club have already moved on some of the higher-earning stars and that situation will improve even further next summer when a decision will be made on stars such as Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and others.
The club also have some talented young players, such as Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven who are raw, but talented and will continue to get better over the next 12 months. If the club can continue beating rivals to signings such as Rayan then the club could be in an excellent position in a few years’ time and could even be prepared to challenge for major honours once again.
Related Man Utd ‘Offer’ £68m for ‘One of World’s Most Talented Players’ Alongside Cunha
Ruben Amorim could have a new-look attack next season.
Posts By Matthew Guyett
