This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
After getting back to winning ways against Leicester on Saturday, Manchester United open up their Europa League campaign with a clash against Ukrainian side Astana on Thursday night.
It may not have the same glitz and glamour of the Champions League, but the competition still has plenty of advantages, not least of which is the opportunity for younger players to make their mark.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have plenty of up-and-coming talents just waiting on the side-lines, and the clash against Astana is surely the perfect moment for the United boss to unleash them. And with that in mind, here’s a look at how the Red Devils could potentially line up on Thursday.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Solskjaer confirmed the side’s number two goalkeeper, Sergio Romero, would get the nod ahead of David de Gea. In front of him, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof’s fledgling partnership will be given a rest, with the United boss confirming Axel Tuanzebe will be given a rare start. Alongside him, Phil Jones could make his return from the wilderness for a rare appearance too.
Fred’s impressive cameo against Leicester is enough to get himself a place in the starting eleven, whilst Nemanja Matic has been pretty vocal about his desire to play more this season. Experience in the middle of the park is a must.
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United fans could be most excited about the kind of players Solskjaer chooses to use in the attacking positions. Tahith Chong and Mason Greenwood were two of the stars of the club’s pre-season tour over the course of the summer, and the Europa League no doubt represents their best chance of first-team football.
Solskjaer has already confirmed Greenwood will start from the off, and there will no doubt be hope for someone like Chong to follow his academy teammate into the line-up too.
And with Anthony Martial still having not recovered from his injury, Marcus Rashford looks set for another chance in the number nine role. It may not be a side completely dominated by youngsters, but the likes of Chong and Greenwood would help make for an exciting team should Solskjaer decide to throw them in.
This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Samuel Umtiti’s Barcelona career has unfortunately taken a swift tumble. Ever since his career was disrupted by serious knee problems, the great Frenchman’s game time has diminished greatly.
And with the news that he has once again been sidelined, maybe the time has finally arrived for Jean-Clair Todibo to assume a bigger role within the Blaugrana squad.
But Umtiti hasn’t always plagued by these fitness problems. It all started in 2018 with his first serious knee injury and since then the Frenchman has refused to have surgery to fix the issue, instead opting for alternative treatments.
And it seems that that decision has come back to haunt him as he hasn’t been able to completely shake the injury ever since.
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To make things even worse, Umtiti has also been struck by the infamous “FIFA virus” and suffered another setback during his outing with France just recently. This time, though, it’s his foot that’s proven problematic rather than his knee.
With all those injury problems, Barcelona might have a real conundrum to face but, luckily, there is still someone who can take over from Umtiti and finally make a big step up.
And it wouldn’t be the first time they tampered with the pecking order in their defence. Ever since Umtiti’s injuries have come to light, Barcelona have reshuffled the cards at centre-back. At first, Umtiti and Gerard Pique were the two designated starters but soon Clement Lenglet took over from Umtiti as the 25-year-old started experiencing issues with his knee.
But even with that being said, Umtiti was still the third-choice centre-back and, as such, he played 14 games last season in La Liga and started a total of 13 of those. Todibo, on the other hand, only played two in 2018/19 – the only two games in his Barcelona career so far.
His lack of opportunities made it clear that he would be limited to the role of fourth choice centre-back. It was a rather weird move by Barcelona, who were betting on an injury-prone player rather than putting some trust into the young 19-year-old talent.
Back then there still may have been some lingering optimism regarding Umtiti’s issues but now, with yet another injury coming his way, it is time to start investing into Todibo instead.
Having such a talented player rotting on the bench because of Umtiti should not be acceptable. If the former Lyon enforcer was fit and firing on all cylinders, then there would be no dispute at all.
But with the situation being as it currently is and Umtiti unfortunately spending more time in the stands than on the pitch, Blaugrana might want to reshuffle the deck once again.
West Ham United fans have hailed defender James Collins on his birthday.
The Hammers’ official Twitter account wished the defender many happy returns on Friday as he turned 36.
Collins spent four years in east London between 2005 and 2009 and returned in 2012, staying at the club until 2018, when he left to join Ipswich Town.
He is currently without a club but, in total, he made 214 appearances for the Irons at centre-back, scoring an impressive nine goals.
And a number of fans have taken to Twitter to hail the Welshman, who also won 50 caps for his country throughout his career.
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Indeed, the Hammers have struggled at the beginning of the season under Manuel Pellegrini, losing 5-0 to Manchester City on the opening weekend and drawing 1-1 with Brighton & Hove Albion last time out.
And some supporters wish that he was still on the books in east London.
Take a look at the best of the reaction on social media below!
This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
It has undeniably been one of the major highlights of Manchester United’s pre-season so far; the emergence of so many talented young players appearing to stake their claim for an opportunity for the upcoming campaign. Until Thursday, the name on everybody’s lips had been Mason Greenwood. But after scoring the winner against Tottenham in the International Champions Cup, it could well be his teammate Angel Gomes who makes the step-up first.
The 18-year-old’s goal against Spurs was a real thing of beauty; after collecting the ball on the left-hand side, the 5 foot 3 midfielder drove into the box before playing a one-two with Juan Mata. Gomes’ first-touch from the pass was excellent and his elastic-like dribbling took him through on goal before calmly slotting the ball into the far corner of the net. It was pace, technique and composure at its best.
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Indeed, speaking after the game, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “It was a great goal by Angel (Gomes) – a great response. The little boy is bright and sharp. A great finish, so I’m delighted for him because he’s been, since day one, really sharp in pre-season so we have high hopes for him. All in all, the tour has been very good.”
Whilst Greenwood has understandably taken all the plaudits so far, it could well be that Gomes makes more of an immediate impact on Solskjaer’s first-team. His low centre of gravity means he can be a tricky player to stop, and in the new world of VAR, any kind of contact on trying to prevent him from driving into the box could result in a penalty.
United have an abundance of talented players who can play out wide, but Gomes’ pace and dribbling from just behind the striker can cause teams a whole load of new problems. His versatility and ability to play from the left-hand side also will naturally help the Red Devils’ attackers to interchange and give opposition teams something to think about.
It’s the kind of movement and creativity that Solskjaer has looked to impose on his side, and Gomes’ knack of changing gears and upping the tempo with his incredible dribbling and close control can help United unlock packed defences.
So whilst it may be Greenwood who looks on course to enjoy the stellar career at Old Trafford, Gomes’ impressive strike against Spurs has just subtly reminded everyone that United have another great academy product on their hands, who is ready to make his mark sooner rather than later.
Leeds United fans on Twitter are refusing to believe the reason Pontus Jansson has given for leaving the club.
Speaking to Aftonbladet, the Swede stated that he was sold by the Yorkshire club so that they could balance their books in order to comply with financial fair play regulations.
However, the story that has been spun in recent days is that the 28-year-old was a disruptive presence in the dressing room, and many fans have chosen to believe that narrative instead.
Many refused to believe Jansson’s series of events due to the fact he was sold for such a small fee as he moved to the London outfit for an initial £4m which could eventually rise to £5.5m.
Perhaps we will never know Leeds’ true reason for selling Jansson as conflicting stories are coming from different sources, but the supporters aren’t willing to trust that the Swede is telling the truth.
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Here’s what the Elland Road faithful have been saying on Twitter…
In August 1995 Alan Hansen famously proclaimed on Match of the Day ‘you can’t win anything with kids’, referencing Sir Alex Ferguson’s youthful Manchester United side. By the conclusion of the season, United had completed the double by winning the Premier League and FA Cup. The United faithful will be hoping for similar fortunes in the upcoming campaign as Ole Gunnar Solskjær looks to rebuild his squad with a notable emphasis on young and emerging, ideally British talents.
Reportedly, it’s young, aspiring players with considerable potential that Solskjær will target this window. While onlookers will rightly question whether these young talents have the necessary quality to make an immediate impact at a club of United’s standing, the move towards young, hungry and determined players is a smart one for the Old Trafford outfit.
The acquisition of Daniel James from Swansea City could be the first of many promising players who will move to United this summer. Despite only attaining 39 senior appearances at club level, there should be considerable excitement around the 21-year-old’s signing after finishing last season with four goals and nine assists to his name in the Championship.
The Wales international will provide United with an abundance of creativity and a frightening degree of pace. Most crucially, the winger is willing to attack directly and he doesn’t shy from one-on-one situations. A total of 13 league goal contributions in his first full season of senior football is a commendable tally and surrounded by higher quality at United, one can envisage James contributing purposefully to their cause.
If United are to restore former glory and attempt to derail their neighbours’ domestic dominance, they need talented, resilient and industrious players. Generally, young players are more prepared to work for the collective good of the team as they’re yet to demonstrate their significance or earn their positions, particularly at clubs placed in the upper echelons of football.
If the theory proves fruitful, signing young players could be the most effective way of restoring desire and fight at the club, fortifying connections with disenchanted supporters and ending an era which has been largely defined by superstar signings of questionable success, from Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao to Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku. Di Maria and Falcao lasted just the one season, while Lukaku and Pogba could both leave before the summer’s over.
Another youngster who has interested the United hierarchy is West Ham United’s Issa Diop. The Telegraph report that the Hammers have set a £75m price tag to thwart the Red Devils’ interest. United’s need for defensive recruitment should be their foremost concern this summer; they only conceded a goal fewer (54) than West Ham’s total (55) in the league last term – a clear indication of weaknesses at the back.
Diop is a commanding presence thanks to his height and imposing stature. The Frenchman demonstrates excellent defensive awareness, is physically dominant and decent on the ball with an 86% pass completion rate last season. While the 22-year-old is a far cry from the esteemed names that United are typically linked with, he would add much-needed resolve to a frail and fleeting defensive unit.
According to Manchester Evening News. Newcastle United’s Sean Longstaff is among United’s desired midfield shortlist. Again, superficially, Longstaff wouldn’t be one of the most inspiring signings of the summer, but to focus solely on players’ reputations would negate the club’s vision and shift towards long-term acquisitions.
The 21-year-old’s lack of top-level experience with only nine Premier League games under his belt is a legitimate concern; Diop has already experienced a season of Premier League action, while James has attained four international caps. However, Longstaff showed promise in his outings for the Magpies, averaging 1.9 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per game while doing a great job of orchestrating possession.
His passing ability is an obvious strength, and for someone of his limited experience on the biggest stage, he reads the game well – already earning comparisons to Michael Carrick. Given Ander Herrera’s departure, United need a midfielder who can fuse creativity and tenacity and Longstaff certainly fits the bill.
Soccer Football – FA Cup Third Round Replay – Blackburn Rovers v Newcastle United – Ewood Park, Blackburn, Britain – January 15, 2019 Newcastle United’s Sean Longstaff celebrates scoring their first goal with Jacob Murphy REUTERS/Andrew Yates
Eric Dier is another possible target for United to pursue, as Team Talk report that United are interested in signing the midfielder. While slightly older than other reported targets, he does come with a good blend of age and experience. At 25, Dier has made 40 appearances for England and featured in Premier League and Champions League title hunts.
A host of unfulfilled managerial appointments aligned with pragmatic and mundane football has led to the dereliction of United’s formerly revered footballing identity. The playing style has disappeared and their approach in the transfer market has been scatter-gun.
Turning towards promising young footballers in conjunction with a fresh approach could breathe renewed life into a club desperately requiring rejuvenation. United’s pride is hurt; their dominance of yesteryear defeated; the need for reinvention is urgent.
Their recruitment is strategy is undoubtedly a risk, but the acquisition of young players could set the foundations for the development of a new identity and the building blocks for prospective success. After all, perhaps United will prove once again that you can win something with kids and make Hansen eat his words for a second time.
With Aston Villa returning to the Premier League, the English game once again has one of it’s oldest and most successful clubs back in the top flight.
The Villans are looking to make an impression now they are back in the Premier League, and under Dean Smith, there is every chance that the Villans could indeed make a big mark now they are back among the elite in English football.
However, big spending could well be needed by the club to ensure they do perform well, with the club utilising the loan market last season as the likes of Tammy Abraham and Tyrone Mings made big impacts with the club.
This weekend then has seen them linked with a mega-money move for Stoke City ‘keeper Jack Butland, but here in the Tavern, we feel that Villa need to way of overspending on this one.
The Potters are reportedly seeking a sum in excess of £20m for the England stopper, but with Villa only just getting back to the top flight, we feel that fee might be something that the club needs to avoid paying.
While Butland is of course a top talent and someone who can be relied upon to deliver quality performances week in week out, there has to be a question raised over whether paying such a fee is the wisest thing for Villa to do.
We saw last season with Fulham that the tactic of splashing the cash and over spending can indeed prove to be a nightmare, and you’d assume this is something that the Villa board have taken note of.
This is not to take away from the fact that Butland would be a superb number one for the club, but in a time when making the right decisions in the market is going to be so crucial, it’s a decision the club needs to seriously take their time over.
You know the transfer window is open for business when West Ham are linked with every player under the sun.
It is set to be a massive summer for the Hammers, with players expected to leave and even more likely to join. Every area of the pitch could do with some work, and for Manuel Pellegrini, finding the perfect members for his side will be his utmost priority for the next two months.
With a limited budget to work with, it could be a summer where West Ham gets players in on the cheap, and the latest rumours have the east London side linked with a newly crowned Premier League winner, just not one that will get Hammers fans off their feet.
According to Football Insider, Pellegrini is eyeing up a move for City Swiss Army knife Fabian Delph, who could leave Manchester this season after a lacklustre campaign of sitting on the bench and being subject to only eight Premier League starts.
Whilst the England international’s versatility could make him a useful player in both the midfield and defence for West Ham, if the club wants to progress, they should be avoiding the likes of Delph this summer.
The former Aston Villa captain won’t be the player to score the goals or create chances in the attacking third, which you can argue is what West Ham need the most this summer, not a defensive minded player.
Delph’s experience and ability to play multiple positions might make him a solid signing on the cheap, but the England international isn’t a marquee ‘wow’ signing that fans want, nor the man to win those vital points for West Ham next season.
West Ham fans, would you take Delph this summer? Let us know!
Neil Lennon being offered the permanent job at Celtic reeks of Peter Lawwell and the Parkhead board taking the easy option. The Hoops know that Lennon can win silverware, and he’s proven that before, but they run the risk of being caught by Rangers if funds aren’t made available in the next couple of months of the transfer window.
The next two or three years are going to be massive for Celtic. Scott Brown, Mikael Lustig, Craig Gordon, Emilio Izaguirre, Jonny Hayes and Scott Sinclair are coming to the end of their time at Parkhead and will need to be replaced over the next few years, which can only be done if adequate funds are made available for Lennon to go out and splash in the market.
Then there’s the threat that Rangers are providing. The Gers may not be in a position to challenge next season for the Scottish Premier League title, but should Lennon be left to feed off of scraps in the market then ten in a row will be monumentally harder, and it was never going to be easy to begin with. Steven Gerrard will be eyeing up title #55 to prevent ten in a row, and it cannot be allowed to happen.
Lennon won’t exactly need a war chest to match the fees spent by the European giants this summer, but making funds available to finally replace Moussa Dembele and bring in some new fresh faces will be imperative if the club wants success. Glasgow has been green and white for a long time and the way football is going to keep it that way it will cost money, which the Parkhead higher-ups will all know, so making it happen is going to be crucial.
Celtic fans, do you think Lennon will have any cash to splash this summer? Let us know, comment below!