{"id":626194,"date":"2023-08-06T17:05:34","date_gmt":"2023-08-06T21:05:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=626194"},"modified":"2023-08-06T17:05:34","modified_gmt":"2023-08-06T21:05:34","slug":"oxford-united-opening-day-defeat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2023\/08\/06\/oxford-united-opening-day-defeat\/","title":{"rendered":"Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: Opening Day Defeat for the U’s"},"content":{"rendered":"

Oxford United<\/a> kicked off their new League One campaign but it ended in defeat on the road against Cambridge United.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere this week, there have been transfers, both in and out, as Liam Manning looks to establish his squad for his first full season in charge of the U’s.<\/p>\n

Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: Transfer News and Opening Day Defeat<\/h2>\n

Young Goalkeeper Leaves on Loan<\/h3>\n

On Monday, Oxford goalkeeper Eddie Brearey joined St Ives Town on loan until January.<\/p>\n

The 19-year-old, who came through the club’s academy before earning his first professional contract, is yet to make a senior appearance for the U’s.<\/p>\n

The goalkeeper has also spent time on loan at Hungerford Town and North Leigh, while this is his second stint with the Saints.<\/p>\n

With James Beadle, Simon Eastwood and Ed McGinty all ahead of the youngster, goalkeeping coach Lewis Price revealed a move away will help his development.<\/p>\n

Speaking to the club’s official website<\/a>, he said: \u201cEddie needs to test himself and get senior appearances and this is an ideal chance for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Manning on Liverpool Striker<\/h3>\n

Liam Manning insists that Liverpool youngster Max Woltman may still have a chance with the club.<\/p>\n

The 19-year-old was a trialist during the U’s win over Swansea City and has been training with the club.<\/p>\n

Speaking about his plans for Woltman<\/a>, Manning said: \u201cWe\u2019re talking to Liverpool and exploring what that looks like.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s more of a development project than it is coming in and impacting the team straight away.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn terms of the personality he was and the character he showed, and some of the quality he showed in glimpses, I think he\u2019s the type of player that fits how we want to play.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you look at competition in his position with Ruben [Rodrigues] and Billy [Bodin], what we don\u2019t have is the next one coming up under that.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt depends on what the deal looks like, that\u2019s the big bit. It\u2019s all on what the deal looks like ultimately.”<\/p>\n

Out of Contract Midfielder Close to Full Fitness<\/h3>\n

Oxford United midfielder Alex Gorrin is close to a return to full fitness, according to head coach Liam Manning.<\/p>\n

The 30-year-old is out of contract but has been training with the club after picking up a knee injury in December, a knock-on which followed an ACL injury in November 2021.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been cleared and we\u2019ve integrated him into training,\u201d said Manning<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are certain stages with surgeons and processes to go through, and he\u2019s been all-cleared.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s now about getting him close and he\u2019s pretty much there anyway, he\u2019s done a full session with full contact.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s now in terms of that psychological aspect, and the random nature of football and contact, and things like block tackles \u2013 those unpredictable movements.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s having a period now in training where it\u2019s slightly more controlled and he gets high repetition from that.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a terrific character, I can\u2019t speak highly enough of him as a person and what he brings.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s realised in terms of the level he\u2019s come back at.\u201d<\/p>\n

Asked whether there is a future at the club for Gorrin, Manning said: \u201cI\u2019ve had an honest, real chat with Alex about it, in terms of his contract being up in the summer and the changes with new staff.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst and foremost, with someone who\u2019s done what he\u2019s done at the club and how he is as a person, we have a duty of care to look after him and get him fit.<\/p>\n

\u201cUltimately for me, it\u2019s a case of let\u2019s judge him when he\u2019s fit and then we\u2019ll have a conversation along the way.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t speak highly enough of him as a pro, and as a person he\u2019s been outstanding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Max Woltman Joins from @LFC<\/a>! \ud83d\ude0d<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udfe1\ud83d\udd35 #OUFC<\/a> | #COYY<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/rZG1REliZE<\/a><\/p>\n

— Oxford United (@OUFCOfficial) August 3, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n