Erik ten Hag urgently required a strong performance from his Manchester United side against Chelsea, especially after their lackluster showing at Newcastle the previous Saturday. A subpar display would have invited criticism for the Dutch coach, especially amid reports of discontent within the United squad. In response, Wednesday’s 2-1 victory at Old Trafford showcased a significant improvement. The majority of Ten Hag’s players demonstrated their support for the manager, dominating the game and forcing Chelsea into numerous mistakes. Scott McTominay emerged as the hero with goals on either side of Cole Palmer’s equalizer. The energetic and high-pressing display was noteworthy,…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Manchester United is actively considering offers for seasoned players, including Raphael Varane and Casemiro, in the upcoming January transfer window. The club, under the management of Erik ten Hag, is looking to part ways with Varane, Casemiro, and Jadon Sancho as part of a squad overhaul. Sancho’s exclusion from the team is attributed to a falling out with ten Hag, while Varane has lost his spot in the starting lineup. Ten Hag is also seeking a midfielder with a different playing profile than Casemiro. The decision to trim the squad reflects the ongoing challenges inherited from previous managers, and reports…
Manchester City’s midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has been selected for the club’s roster in the upcoming 2023 FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia, marking his return after nearly four months of injury absence. De Bruyne’s last appearance for City dates back to the Premier League season opener against Burnley on August 11, where he suffered a hamstring injury just 23 minutes into the game. In a recent statement, the Belgian likened his hamstrings to “wet kitchen towel” but expressed his hope to return to the field in early 2024. While it remains uncertain whether De Bruyne will see playing…
Due to a calf injury and potential participation in Japan’s Asian Cup campaign, Takehiro Tomiyasu may not feature for Arsenal until February, according to information obtained by 90min. Following his substitution in the recent 2-1 victory against Wolves, manager Mikel Arteta disclosed the unfortunate news about Tomiyasu’s calf issue, projecting an extended absence. Sources from 90min suggest that the injury may keep Tomiyasu out for a minimum of four weeks, possibly sidelining him until Arsenal’s visit to Burnley on February 17. Assuming Tomiyasu is fit, he is anticipated to join Japan for the 2023 Asian Cup from January 12 to…
Real Madrid is poised to present an offer to Kylian Mbappe, a long-term target whose contract with Paris Saint-Germain concludes in the summer. However, the Spanish giants stipulate a decision must be reached by 15 January. (AS) Noni Madueke is gearing up to seek a January exit from Chelsea, just a year after his return to England, following limited appearances under Mauricio Pochettino. (TeamTalk) Juventus is anticipated to withdraw from a winter loan pursuit of out-of-favor Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho, who remains on the sidelines at Old Trafford amid discord with Erik ten Hag. (Tuttosport) Borussia Dortmund is considering…
Erik ten Hag attributes Scott McTominay’s goal-scoring prowess to his intuitive instincts, following the Scottish international’s two crucial goals in Manchester United’s 2-1 victory against Chelsea on Wednesday night. McTominay found the net twice, sandwiching Cole Palmer’s equalizer, elevating his Premier League goal tally to a personal best of five for the season. The double triumph propelled the Red Devils to sixth place, just three points behind local rivals Manchester City. Reflecting on McTominay’s performance, Ten Hag commented, “He has the skills. When he is arriving, he has the skills to arrive at the right moment; he has the instinct,…
Mauricio Pochettino has acknowledged that Chelsea fell short in matching the energy displayed by Manchester United during their defeat at Old Trafford on Wednesday. The 2-1 loss marked Chelsea’s sixth of the season, with Scott McTominay scoring both goals for Man Utd. Expressing his disappointment in the post-match press conference, Pochettino attributed the defeat to his team’s failure to match the Red Devils’ energy levels. He stated, “I am disappointed because we didn’t start the game well. The feeling is that they started better than us, showing more energy than us. We couldn’t match the energy. I think they were…
Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, has responded to recent criticism by urging his critics to consider his track record. Despite achieving significant success in his debut season, securing the Carabao Cup and a third-place finish in the Premier League, the current campaign has been more challenging for the Red Devils, with ten losses across various competitions and a seventh-place position in the Premier League. In the lead-up to the Premier League clash with Chelsea, ten Hag faced additional scrutiny as four journalists were banned from his pre-match press conference due to reports of discord in the dressing room. However,…
Liverpool is gearing up for a trial event to assess the new Anfield Road Stand ahead of their highly anticipated clash with Manchester United on December 17. Delays in construction earlier this year, stemming from the bankruptcy of the overseeing firm, prompted Liverpool to start the season with the top tier of the stand closed. In a bid to partially open the expanded top tier for the clash against Manchester United, Liverpool is awaiting a license from Liverpool City Council. To secure this license, a trial event is scheduled for December 11. Over 3,000 fans have been invited to the…
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has dismissed reports of dressing room unrest, countering recent allegations that players were questioning his tactics and signings. Several journalists were barred from Tuesday’s press conference amid claims of disunity following the team’s defeat to Newcastle United. Ten Hag refuted the reports, addressing the issue during the press conference attended by select journalists. He acknowledged the natural discontent among players not in the starting lineup but insisted there were no significant issues. “In every team, there are always players who are not playing as much and may be less happy. In some circumstances, you…
Sheffield United has removed Paul Heckingbottom as the first Premier League manager to face the sack this season, with Chris Wilder returning to the club as his successor. Heckingbottom, 46, faced dismissal after Sheffield United amassed just five points from their opening 14 matches, securing only one win—a controversial 2-1 victory against Wolves at home last month. The final blow came in a 5-0 defeat against Burnley on Saturday, prompting the club to confirm the decision on Tuesday. In an official statement, Sheffield United announced, “Football manager Paul Heckingbottom has been relieved of his duties. Additionally, coaches Stuart McCall and…
Katsina United is currently facing repercussions from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) for breaching the recently instituted dress code for players and staff. In their recent encounter against Sporting Lagos, a Katsina United player was spotted wearing a jersey with a handwritten number, leading the NPFL to take disciplinary measures against the club. League officials are considering reporting the match officials involved in the game to the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) for allowing the player to participate despite the violation of the dress code. Davidson Owumi, the Chief Operating Officer of the NPFL, stressed the league’s commitment to upholding…
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta declined to assign any blame to goalkeeper David Raya despite his two errors that resulted in goals during their 4-3 victory over Luton Town on Tuesday night. Raya’s lapses allowed the hosts to score twice in eight minutes, taking the lead in the second half. The on-loan Brentford goalkeeper was caught out of position from a corner kick, leading to Elijah Adebayo’s equalizer, and later allowed a Ross Barkley shot to slip beneath him, putting the hosts in the lead. However, Kai Havertz leveled the score, and Declan Rice headed in the winner in the seventh…
Former Nigeria midfielder, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, has expressed his belief that Victor Osimhen is worthy of winning the CAF Player of the Year. The recipient of this esteemed award is scheduled to be revealed at an event on December 11 in Morocco, with Osimhen being regarded as one of the frontrunners for the prestigious individual accolade. Competing against notable players such as Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi of PSG, and former Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez, Osimhen has earned recognition for his outstanding performances. “He [Osimhen] deserves it because for me, he was the most consistent player of…
Barcelona has officially announced that goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will undergo surgery for his back injury. Ter Stegen, who had been absent from Barcelona’s recent matches due to the ailment, had initially hoped to avoid surgery, but the decision has now been made to proceed with a surgical solution. As a consequence, Ter Stegen is anticipated to be sidelined for at least two months. This extended absence raises concerns about his participation in the Champions League knockout stages, which commence on February 13, 2024. The timeline provides Ter Stegen with approximately three months to regain full fitness. During Ter Stegen’s…
Manchester City and Liverpool remain resolute in their pursuit of Florian Wirtz, despite the ongoing interest from Bayern Munich. Wirtz made a successful comeback from an ACL injury at the beginning of 2023, and his outstanding form this season has played a pivotal role in Bayer Leverkusen’s current lead in the Bundesliga as they vie for their inaugural title. Operating from the ‘number 10’ position, the 20-year-old has notched three goals and provided five assists in 13 Bundesliga appearances. Additionally, he has contributed to eight goals in six games across the Europa League and DFB-Pokal. While Leverkusen has already stated…
Chelsea’s head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, has acknowledged his admiration for Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho. As the Blues prepare to face the Red Devils on Wednesday in a bid to revive their respective struggling seasons, Pochettino shared his thoughts on Garnacho, a compatriot who recently earned a spot in the Argentina senior team. After Chelsea’s hard-fought victory against Brighton & Hove Albion propelled them back into the Premier League’s top half, Pochettino, in anticipation of the Old Trafford clash, commended Garnacho’s qualities. The young winger had previously made a name for himself in Spain before joining Manchester United. Describing Garnacho…
Arsenal secured a hard-fought 4-3 victory at Kenilworth Road, with Declan Rice’s stoppage-time winner rescuing goalkeeper David Raya from two significant errors. Raya’s mistakes allowed Elijah Adebayo and Ross Barkley to score, giving Luton a 3-2 lead by the 60th minute. However, Kai Havertz leveled the score at 3-3 shortly after. As it seemed Raya’s errors might cost Arsenal, Rice stepped up in the last minute of added time, securing the crucial goal. In the initial stages, Arsenal dominated possession, but Luton’s counterattacks and high pressing created nervy moments for the visitors. A poor back pass from Amari’i Bell led…
Luis Suarez is on the verge of joining Inter Miami, with sources confirming that the agreement between the player and the club has been finalized. As previously disclosed in June, Suarez expressed a desire to reunite with former teammates Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets in Florida. Despite initial intentions to make the move during the summer, Suarez remained bound by a contract with Brazilian side Gremio. The 36-year-old, whose deal with Gremio extends to 2024, activated a release clause, paving the way for his move to Inter Miami. Speculation surrounding Suarez’s imminent arrival intensified last week after head coach Renato…
Arsenal and Liverpool had representatives scouting Bayer Leverkusen full-back Jeremie Frimpong during the Bundesliga clash against Borussia Dortmund on Sunday, as per information received by 90min. The match concluded with a 1-1 draw at Leverkusen’s BayArena, maintaining their unbeaten start to the 2023/24 season under the management of Xabi Alonso, who is steering them towards their first-ever Bundesliga title. Frimpong, the former Celtic full-back, was reportedly the main focus of attention for both Arsenal and Liverpool. The 22-year-old is expected to take the next step in his career in 2024, and he has a £35 million release clause set to…