All posts by z3u9t.icu

With their managerial search potentially coming to an end courtesy of Ryan Mason, West Bromwich Albion are now reportedly targeting a move to welcome their first summer arrival of a new era.

West Brom to hold talks with Mason

Having finished as low as ninth in the Championship, West Brom made the tough decision to part ways with Tony Mowbray towards the end of April and have been searching for their next manager ever since. Truth be told, the Baggies haven’t been the same since the departure of Carles Corberan, who has thrived at Valencia, and desperately need to get back on track.

After sacking Mowbray, those at The Hawthorns released a statement, which read: “The club would like to place on record its thanks to Tony and Mark for their efforts – but has made the decision to part company following a series of poor results. Tony and Mark will forever be welcome at The Hawthorns and their contributions to the club winning the 2007-08 Championship title will never be forgotten.”

Since then, the rumours have been coming thick and fast as to who could step into the hot seat and now West Brom fans could have their answer.

According to John Percy of The Telegraph, West Brom are now set to hold talks with Mason over their vacant role. The Tottenham Hotspur coach is yet to step into a managerial role, but has held short spells as interim boss in North London more than once.

Whilst he does lack experience in the dugout, the 33-year-old has had ample opportunity to learn at Tottenham, having been Ange Postecoglou’s assistant since 2023 following a spell in which he worked alongside veteran manager Antonio Conte.

Lukaku 2.0 included: 3 strikers West Brom could sign to replace Armstrong

West Bromwich Albion could look to these strikers to boost their firepower instead of signing Adam Armstrong permanently.

ByKelan Sarson May 27, 2025

Meanwhile, with their new manager potentially on the way, West Brom have reportedly turned their attention towards welcoming the first signing of a new era at the club.

West Brom targeting Peterborough defender Dornelly

According to Football League World, West Brom are now looking to sign James Dornelly from Peterborough alongside several other clubs this summer. The 20-year-old right-back was a mainstay during a tough season for the club and could now be on the move out of League One as a result.

For the Baggies, a deal would certainly make sense as they look to sign stars within their budget and those whose best years are yet to come. Whether Mason’s arrival will be enough to convince Dornelly into a move remains to be seen, however.

The young defender earned plenty of praise throughout the campaign, including from EFL analyst Tom Williams, who dubbed Dornelly “one to watch” and praised his “fantastic work rate”.

A player with plenty of potential, signing Dornelly would certainly do West Brom’s squad no harm this summer.

Chelsea’s Champions League ambitions are still in their own hands.

On Friday night, in a game that lacked quality for long periods, the Blues battled to a 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, with Marc Cucurella the night’s only scorer, heading home a Reece James cross at the back post.

This goal prevented Enzo Maresca’s team from slipping out of the top five, and victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on the final day will secure Champions League qualification, although anything less would almost certainly see them miss out.

With the Conference League final in Wrocław to come, followed by the Club World Cup stateside, it’s set to be a busy summer on the pitch for the Blues, while, off it, you can better your bottom dollar that they’ll be active in the transfer market, with a new striker top of their list of priorities.

The latest on Nicolas Jackson's future

One man not involved in the victory over Man United was Nicolas Jackson, commencing his three-match suspension, having been sent off, following video review, for colliding with Sven Botman’s face last Sunday.

The Senegalese striker will also be banned for next weekend’s trip to Nottingham, as well as the opening day of next season in August, but where will he find himself in the pecking order by then?

Well, Maresca certainly views Jackson as an important figure, praising his out-of-possession work rate, and he has certainly been a key figure this season, scoring 12 goals in 33 appearances across all competitions, with nine of his ten in the Premier League coming before Christmas, which Ed Dove of ESPN described as the ‘finest goal-scoring run of his Chelsea career’.

So let’s assess Jackson’s Premier League statistics this season, and how they compare to the rest of the division.

Minutes

2,220

129th

Goals

10

19th

Goals per 90

0.41

28th

Shots

76

15th

Shots on target

34

9th

Shots on target%

44.7%

28th

Goals per shot

0.13

65th

Goals – xG

-2.3

555th

Big chances missed

19

4th

The table underlines that Jackson is certainly not a clinical finisher, with only 13 players, out of 569, registering a lower goals – xG figure in the Premier League this season, while only three players have missed more Opta-defined big chances.

In summary, Jackson takes a lot of shots but not a lot of them are goals, so, if Chelsea are going to be competing to win the biggest trophies again, they probably need a better centre-forward, so could one be available?

Chelsea could land Nicolas Jackson upgrade

According to a recent report by Jörg Weiler and Yannick Hüber of Bild, Chelsea have been given the opportunity to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy, claiming that he has a €70m (around £59m) release clause in his contract.

They added that Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and Real Madrid are also interested, even if die Schwarzgelben’s sporting director Lars Ricken is insistent the striker will not move this summer.

So why are so many of Europe’s top clubs interested in Guirassy’s services?

Well, after scoring 30 goals for Stuttgart last season, he joined Dortmund for a reported fee of £14.7m in the summer, netting 33 times across all competitions during this campaign, including 13 in the Champions League, making him the joint-top scorer in the tournament, alongside Raphinha.

His Bundesliga statistics across the last two seasons are pretty impressive too.

Harry Kane

36

25

61

Serhou Guirassy

28

20

48

Loïs Openda

24

9

33

Ermedin Demirović

15

14

29

Tim Kleindienst

12

16

28

Benjamin Šeško

14

13

27

Omar Marmoush*

12

15

27

*joined Manchester City in January 2025.

As the table shows, only Harry Kane has scored more Bundesliga goals than Guirassy this season and last, the Guinean doing so in a largely dysfunctional Dortmund team this season, making his exploits all the more impressive.

As a result, Andrews Sefa of 3Sports labels him “clinical”, while Abdullah Mamaniyat of Breaking the Lines praises his ‘great movement’ and his ‘ability to create goals out of nothing’.

So, the big question remains: how does he compare to Jackson?

Well, let’s find out.

Appearances

77

74

Minutes

5,891

6,101

Goals

29

63

Assists

11

12

Goals – xG

-6

+6

Shots

179

221

Shots on target %

45.8%

44.8%

Shot-creating actions

166

171

Goal-creating actions

22

32

Touches per 90

26

35

As the table outlines, Guirassy comes out on top for almost every single metric included, with his goals – xG figure of +6 in stark contrast to the -6 posted by Jackson, which speaks to the gulf in quality between the two centre-forwards.

Ryan Benson of Opta’s the Analyst labels Guirassy ‘the complete striker’, an assertion all available statistics support, so it is clear that he would be a massive upgrade on Jackson, and his potential arrival, for just £59m, could take Chelsea to the next level with his clinical finishing in front of goal.

Worse than George: Maresca must axe 3/10 Chelsea dud to clinch UCL football

Chelsea saw off Man United to restore their place in the Premier League’s top four.

1 ByAngus Sinclair May 17, 2025

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is preparing for the Xabi Alonso era, and he wants to back his new manager with an ambitious double-deal for two Arsenal stars worth a potential £101 million.

Arsenal set for busy summer of incomings and outgoings

The north Londoners have already sealed an agreement for Martin Zubimendi, who looks set to become Andrea Berta’s first signing as the club’s new sporting director (Fabrizio Romano).

Arsenal ahead of Liverpool in race to sign £49m forward after Berta talks

The Italian is already getting busy ahead of this summer.

ByEmilio Galantini May 13, 2025

Zubimendi will come as a direct replacement for midfielder Jorginho, who is on his way to Brazilian side Flamengo once his contract expires on June 30, so Berta has acted quickly to fill the Italy international’s boots for next season.

2. Arsenal

68

3. Newcastle United

66

4. Man City

65

5. Chelsea

63

6. Aston Villa

63

7. Nottingham Forest

62

More replacements for squad members are highly anticipated as we fast approach the summer window as well, as Arsenal are believed to be in the market for a full-back to replace Kieran Tierney, who has agreed to join Celtic, and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who Berta is expected to sell.

A new central defender is also on Berta’s ever-growing reported to-do list this summer, with Arsenal among the many contenders to sign Bournemouth starlet Dean Huijsen, who is being courted by a host of top sides.

Their concrete interest in the 20-year-old is perhaps an indicator that the long-term futures of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes aren’t yet clear, despite Arsenal’s attempts to lock them down.

Arsenal have opened talks with Saliba over a contract extension, amid Real’s heavily reported interest in the France international, and it is quite simply imperative that Berta manages to keep hold of the former Saint-Étienne starlet.

Los Blancos are said to be eyeing up a few Arsenal players alongside Saliba, with goalkeeper David Raya also on their radar. However, as per a new report from Spain, left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly is now also turning heads at the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid planning £101m double deal for Arsenal stars Saliba and Lewis-Skelly

Indeed, as per the Spanish media source, Real president Perez is personally hatching an ambitious plan to lure both Lewis-Skelly and Saliba to La Liga in a “double deal”.

It is reported that Real could splash £101 million on the signings of Lewis-Skelly and Saliba from Arsenal.

While the latter is seen as their priority target, Fran Garcia and Ferland Mendy’s unconvincing performances have prompted Real to consider Lewis-Skelly as an option as well, with the 15-time European champions pondering ways to orchestrate a deal with Arsenal.

Both Lewis-Skelly and Saliba have been vital cornerstones of Arteta’s backline, and there would be uproar over any green-light to sell both men, especially after Arsenal lost out on this year’s Premier League title to Liverpool by some distance.

It is highly unlikely to materialise, unless a truly unthinkable offer were to come Berta’s way. Even then, it would arguably need to be high above the mooted £101m mentioned by this report.

When Liverpool won the 2019/20 Premier League, ending thirty years of much-jeered hurt, the celebrations were muted somewhat by the restrictions imposed by the pandemic.

There were no such impediments on Sunday, with Liverpool blowing Tottenham Hotspur away to seal the top-flight title and send a city into an elated frenzy that, for many, has been a lifetime in the making.

It was a truly incredible occasion, Arne Slot coolly leading his team through the 2024/25 campaign and back toward the perch from which Liverpool last sat under Jurgen Klopp, five years ago.

Few saw it coming, but Liverpool have capitalised on Manchester City’s staggering drop-off and Arsenal’s inconsistency to steer toward their 20th title, levelling with Manchester United.

Mohamed Salah has been the on-field architect, scoring 28 goals and supplying 18 assists in the league alone this year. The individual accolades will abound when all is said and done.

However, he’s not been alone in his brilliance. Luis Diaz has certainly earned his flowers after an immense campaign.

Luis Diaz has stepped up for Liverpool

Diaz, 28, hasn’t always been the flavour of the month at Anfield, with fans sometimes frustrated by the Colombian’s inconsistency in front of goal.

However, he’s been in fine fettle this year, posting 16 goals and eight assists across all competitions, including eight direct involvements across his past ten Premier League outings.

Though Diaz’s stock is high and there is justification within the argument that Liverpool should cash in this summer, he’s been a source of selflessness and quality all year, especially in recent weeks.

With Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa all in danger of being sold, Diaz and Salah should form a core part of Slot’s system once again.

They are brilliant forwards of varying strengths. Slot loves both of them. So much, it seems, that Liverpool are interested in signing a player who is an amalgamation of the two.

Liverpool ready to bid for new forward

According to Caught Offside, Liverpool are in the race for Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman, who is expected to leave the Serie A club this summer.

Barcelona appear to have the lead in the race, having made contact with the Nigerian’s representatives, but given that his market price stands at €65m (£55m), Liverpool may see a chance to steal ahead of the financially-troubled Spaniards.

The 27-year-old also has suitors in Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle United, however, with all five interested clubs said to be ‘planning’ to hold talks ahead of a summer move.

Why Ademola Lookman could be perfect for Slot

An alleged breakdown in relationship with Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has left Lookman determined to leave the club this summer.

Last year’s hat-trick hero in the Europa League final, to be sure, has the dynamic skills that a club such as Liverpool are looking for this summer, developing a sharp goalscoring edge over the past few years to complement his athletic underlying skill set.

Hailed as a “superstar” by journalist Sean Walsh after his staggering triumph over hitherto invincible Bayer Leverkusen, Lookman is the giant-killer, the resurgent sensation who has bounced back from a tough start to life in the Premier League, never quite hitting his stride with Everton, Fulham and Leicester City.

Across the past two campaigns for the Nerazzurri, Lookman has scored 35 goals and supplied 17 assists across all competitions. His multi-facetedness suggests he would be a perfect fit in Slot’s Liverpool squad.

As per FBref, Lookman ranks among the top 1% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored, the top 2% for touches in the attacking penalty area

His combination of fleet-footedness and clinical shooting has led the data-driven site to record Salah and Diaz as two of his most comparable players, which only strengthens the argument for FSG to make their move.

Diaz might not have Salah’s predatory instinct in front of goal, but his pace, power and ability to shift between the flank and a makeshift centre-forward position have been essential this term.

Lookman is cut from a similar cloth, but one which also contains Salah’s prolificness.

Atalanta

115

50

24

Charlton

49

12

3

Everton

48

4

2

Leicester

42

8

5

Fulham

35

4

4

RB Leipzig

24

5

4

Though many supporters would hope for an out-and-out number nine this summer, Lookman’s dynamism has already been proven to work within Slot’s system through the efforts of Salah and Diaz.

Moreover, his title-winning hat-trick bespeaks a propensity for the big stage, further evidence that Lookman’s electric movements and deadly outlook have been refined to a point which could see him return to the Premier League as a bona fide success.

Lookman has developed a potent quality in the danger area while bringing an intense kind of energy to the fold. It’s not out of the question, given his positional versatility, that Slot would get his hands on a hybrid version of Salah and Diaz, one who could prove the difference-maker in winning multiple major honours next year and beyond.

He can surpass Gravenberch: Liverpool ready big bid to sign £50m "machine"

Liverpool are already preparing to defend their Premier League title by making ambitious moves in the transfer market.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 28, 2025

An “unbelievable” Premier League player is now ready to leave his club this summer, amid interest from Nottingham Forest, according to a report.

Forest set to bolster attacking options

Forest will be in a good position to attract some top players this summer, should they manage to qualify for the Champions League, and Nuno appears to be particularly keen on strengthening his squad in attacking areas.

With signing a new striker on the agenda, the Tricky Trees have recently emerged as potential suitors for AFC Bournemouth’s Evanilson, having shortlisted the Brazilian, alongside Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, who could be available for £50m.

Not only does Nuno want to bring in a new striker, but the manager is also interested in signing a new winger, with Manchester City’s Jack Grealish of interest, while teammate James McAtee has been named as a target in attacking midfield.

Napoli and Roma chase £80k-p/w Nottingham Forest ace amid new contract talks

Forest have a battle on their hands to keep hold of one of their best attackers.

ByBrett Worthington Apr 28, 2025

There is a feeling the midfielder could be available for £25m this summer, with Forest keen, and there has now been a new update on the City ace’s future, which suggests he may not remain at the Etihad Stadium for much longer.

According to a report from Football Insider, McAtee is now ready to approve a move away from Man City this summer, amid interest from Nottingham Forest, given that he has struggled to force his way into Pep Guardiola’s plans.

The 22-year-old has only featured sporadically this season, meaning he is eager to reignite his career, and a move to the City Ground could be on the cards, although there is also interest from the likes of West Ham United and Fulham.

By June, the Salford-born midfielder will have just one year remaining on his contract, with City keen to agree a contract extension to ensure they receive a fee that reflects his value.

"Unbelievable" McAtee needs regular game time

The former Sheffield United loanee caught the eye in the early stages of his career, picking up nine goals and three assists for the Blades during their promotion-winning 2022-23 campaign, but he has struggled to make a breakthrough at Man City.

At 22-years-old, the attacking midfielder needs to be receiving regular game time, so it is little wonder he is thinking about moving on for the good of his career, and there are plenty of indications he could make an impact at Forest.

Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap was left particularly impressed with the England U21 international after bagging a brace in his side’s 2-1 victory against Ukraine U21s earlier this season.

Delap believes McAtee can achieve great things in the game, but that will only be possible if he receives regular game time, and a move to Forest could be an attractive proposition, should they manage to qualify for the Champions League.

What did we witness last night at Old Trafford? Manchester United reached the Europa League quarter-final in the most incredible circumstances, beating French side Olympique Lyon 5-4 on the night, and 7-6 on aggregate, in what will go down as an all-time classic at Old Trafford.

It’s hard to know where to begin describing the action, but United were 2-0 up at half-time, thanks to goals from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot. However, they let that lead slip in the second half, with Lyon clawing it back to 2-2 on the night, taking the game to extra time.

The French side, who were down to 10 men after Corentin Tolisso was sent off for a second bookable offence, went 4-2 up on the night in extra time. The impressive Rayan Cherki scored their third, and Alexandre Lacazette the fourth, from the penalty spot.

However, this is Man United; they are never down and out. With 114 minutes on the clock, Bruno Fernandes pulled one back for the Red Devils, also with a penalty, before Kobbie Mainoo equalised in the 120th minute of the game. Enter Harry Maguire, who gave United a 5-4 lead in the 121st minute. His fantastic header met Casemiro’s cross and rifled into the back of the net, winning the game for the Red Devils.

It was an extraordinary night, with Mainoo making a huge impact off the bench.

Mainoo’s stats vs. Lyon

United fans will always get behind their academy graduates, so for Mainoo to score the equaliser in an instant classic, it must have been special for the United midfielder, who actually played at centre-forward, and the fans. What a goal it was, too.

Getting on the end of a smart touch by Casemiro, the England international showed exceptional composure to bring the ball down with the outside of his right foot.

He then created space and took a couple more touches, shifting the ball into a favourable position to shoot, before he let fly. Mainoo’s strike nestled in the far right corner, a sublime goal in extraordinary circumstances.

Tyler Fell, a journalist for GiveMeSport, was incredibly complimentary of Mainoo, giving him a 7.5/10 for his efforts against Lyon. The journalist praised the United number 37 for his ‘phenomenal’ effort.

After a performance like that, the 19-year-old surely has to become a more prominent starter under Ruben Amorim, especially now that he’s over his recent injury issue. The same can certainly be said for another of United’s top performers in the historic clash with Lyon.

The player who should be a key starter under Amorim

You might struggle to find a performance with as much character this season as the one Leny Yoro put in against Lyon. After scoring a crucial first goal in the first leg last week, he was sensational at Old Trafford on Thursday, putting his body on the line and showing excellent ability with the ball at his feet.

Fell clearly thought that Yoro was excellent against the French side. Just as he did for Mainoo, the GiveMeSport writer gave him a 7.5/10, exclaiming that he ‘defended heroically’ and ‘used his pace to bail his side out’ if Lyon found a way past United’s defensive line.

Indeed, the 19-year-old’s stats from the game show just how well he played. As per Sofascore, Yoro had 66 touches of the ball, made nine clearances and won four out of his five attempted tackles.

Touches

66

Pass accuracy

93%

Passes completed

43/46

Clearances

9

Ground duels won

5/9

Tackles won

4/5

Interceptions

2

Chances created

1

Described as a “generational” player by writer Liam Canning, it felt like a statement performance from the United number 15 against Lyon. In high-pressure moments, he was there, throwing his body on the line to stop the opponents from finding a way through.

It was a colossal showing from the teen sensation, who showed once again why he should, and has, become such a key player under Amorim. United have made it to the semi-finals of the Europa League, where they face a tough tie against Athletic Club.

It certainly feels like Yoro will be a pivotal part of this Red Devils side if they are to go all the way and lift the trophy in Bilbao at the end of the season.

Saved by Maguire: Man Utd must axe star who lost the ball every 4.8 touches

Harry Maguire proved to be Man Utd’s unlikely hero in Thursday’s crazy game at Old Trafford

ByRobbie Walls Apr 18, 2025

Mikel Arteta has been in the hot seat at Arsenal for over five years now, and it wouldn’t be an overstatement to say the club today is practically unrecognisable from the one he took over in December 2019.

He’s led the North Londoners from mid-table mediocrity into one fighting for Premier League titles and who have just smashed Real Madrid 3-0 in the Champions League.

While much of this incredible turnaround has been down to the Spaniard’s methods, tactics and philosophy, it has also been helped by his signings, like the club-record acquisition of Declan Rice.

The £105m man, who was utterly sublime against Real Madrid, has arguably been Arteta’s best signing since taking the job, but if recent reports are to be believed, he could be about to secure the services of another international star who’d be the best signing since the Englishman.

Arsenal transfer news

It’s no secret that Arsenal’s priority heading into the summer is to sign a new striker, and as things stand, one of the names most heavily touted for a move to the club is Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The Swede is supposedly available for a fee as low as £58m, which may prove to be a bargain considering he’s scored 44 goals and provided 11 assists in 44 games this season, but he’s not the only target.

Another name constantly linked with the Gunners is RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko, who could be available for around £67m.

The Slovenian hasn’t been as productive this season, racking up 25 goal involvements in 39 games, but is just 21 and playing in a top-five league.

However, there is another striker now supposedly high up on the Gunners’ wishlist, someone who’s an output machine and has plenty of experience in the toughest competitions: Lautaro Martinez.

Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, the Inter Milan forward is now one of the North Londoners’ top targets.

In fact, the report has claimed that Arteta and Co are ‘preparing an offer’ for the Argentine, an offer which could be as much as €150m, which is about £129m.

It would be an incredibly costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Martinez’s immense ability, one well worth fighting for, especially as he’d be Arsenal’s best since Rice.

Why Martinez would be Arsenal's best signing since Rice

So, the first thing to say is that since Rice’s arrival was announced in July 2023, Arsenal have made other impressive additions to the squad, like David Raya and even Mikel Merino, but it would be fair to say that none have had quite the impact he has.

For example, he’s already made 94 appearances for the first team, scoring 14 goals, providing 18 assists, and helping transform the midfield as a six and then eight.

In short, removing him from the team would have a detrimental impact, so for a future signing to be the best since his arrival, they’d have to be pretty game-changing, which is just what Martinez would be.

The clearest example of why he’d have such an impact on the team is his utterly stupendous level of output from the last few seasons.

For example, since moving to Inter Milan in July 2018, the World Cup-winning monster has scored a staggering 148 goals and provided 49 assists in just 323 appearances, totalling 22597 minutes.

Appearances

323

Starts

259

Minutes

22597′

Goals

148

Assists

49

Points per Game

2.08

Goal Involvements per Match

0.60

Minutes per Goal Involvement

114.70′

That means the 27-year-old, whom renowned football podcaster Angelo Valdes described as “the best 9 in the world,” has averaged a goal involvement every 1.63 games, or every 114.70 minutes, for almost seven years.

Just imagine that level of consistent output leading the line for Gunners with Bukayo Saka to his right and Martin Odegaard behind him; he’d transform their attack.

Ultimately, while it would cost an extraordinary amount of money, Arsenal should do what they can to bring Martinez to the Emirates this summer, as he’d be their best signing since Rice.

Arsenal have struck gold on "unplayable" star who's their own Bellingham

The incredible talent looks destined for greatness with Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 9, 2025

Manchester United’s recent woes have only been further highlighted by the success of those who have left the club in recent times, with a handful of high profile stars having been unburdened by the decision to depart Old Trafford.

Indeed, recent months have seen both Antony and Marcus Rashford find their groove out on loan at Real Betis and Aston Villa, respectively, with the Brazilian already chalking up eight goals and assists in just 12 games for the LaLiga side, while the latter man has registered two goals and four assists in ten games at Villa Park.

Even Anthony Martial, meanwhile, who scored just twice in all competitions last season, has hit form since moving to Greece on a free transfer, with the mercurial Frenchman netting nine times in just 20 outings for AEK Athens to date.

It would appear that breaking free of United shackles can do the world of good for a player, with that having notably been evident on Tuesday night, as Anthony Elanga proved the matchwinner at the City Ground.

The Swedish speedster – who was allowed to leave Old Trafford on a £15m deal back in the summer of 2023 – ran almost the length of the pitch before slotting past Andre Onana in the opening exchanges, with that marking the 22-year-old’s 29th goal involvement in 73 games since moving to Nottingham Forest.

Such an impact may spark a tinge of regret among those of a United persuasion, with there also perhaps fears that a similar scenario could be set to occur with regard to another of Ruben Amorim’s current crop.

Anthony Elanga's game in numbers vs Man Utd

As is often the way for United – having notably seen academy graduate Danny Welbeck score on six occasions against them over the last decade or so – they were undone by ‘one of their own’ on Tuesday evening, despite putting in a largely encouraging performance up against their high-flying hosts.

The Red Devils had 23 shots in total yet once again failed to showcase that much-needed cutting edge in front of goal, while Elanga, meanwhile, needed just one early chance to break the deadlock.

The speed at which the Malmo native drove from just outside his own penalty area was simply frightening, with both Patrick Dorgu and the sliding Alejandro Garnacho having failed to even get close to him in truth.

Touches

Bruno Fernandes (110)

Accurate passes

Leny Yoro (75)

Key passes

Bruno Fernandes (6)

Successful dribbles

Anthony Elanga (6)

Duels won

Anthony Elanga (9)

Tackles

Noussair Mazraoui (6)

Clearances

Murillo (12)

Dribbled past

Noussair Mazraoui (4)

Possession lost

Bruno Fernandes (31)

That moment of magic also marked one of six successful dribbles that Elanga completed on the night – more than any other player – having also been a real asset for his side defensively, after winning nine total duels.

There could well have been a second for the 21-cap Sweden international had it not been for a stunning intervention from Leny Yoro late in the second half, with the teenage Frenchman just about managing to keep pace with the electric winger.

In all, such a statement showing from the Forest starlet served to highlight United’s own attacking flaws, having also shown the benefits to others of flying the nest, particularly considering he only registered four goals and four assists during his first-team stint back in Manchester.

Man Utd star is in danger of becoming the new Elanga

The debate will continue over whether Elanga simply needed a fresh start to be able to truly flourish, or whether he was actually not afforded a fair chance at the Theatre of Dreams, having made just 26 appearances under Erik ten Hag during the 2022/23 campaign.

Whatever the case, the £15m man now has 14 goals and assists to his name in the top-flight this season – only Bruno Fernandes (18) betters that tally among Amorim’s ranks.

There may be a concern that a repeat scenario could occur with the aforementioned Garnacho, with talk having been rife in recent months regarding a potential sale for the Argentine youngster.

Reportedly valued at around £60m, amid January interest from Chelsea, the 20-year-old could prove a casualty of United’s desire to meet PSR regulations, with the sale of the academy graduate set to prove pure profit – much like Elanga.

Much like his former teammate too, there may be a question mark over his role under the new management regime, with Garnacho registering just six goals and assists in 24 games for Amorim, after previously racking up 32 goal involvements in 98 games under Ten Hag.

In the case of Elanga, the promising winger burst onto the scene in 2021/22 following Ralf Rangnick’s appointment, with three of his four goals for the club coming during the German’s interim spell. Under Ten Hag in the following campaign, he wasn’t even involved in the matchday squad for the final 13 league games of the season.

Garnacho – who scored in the FA Cup final back in May – was Ten Hag’s man, but can he be Amorim’s?

If not, the Spain-born forward may find himself following in Elanga’s footsteps by finding his feet elsewhere, with that likely to be a scenario that both United and INEOS would live to regret.

Yes, as his profligacy on Tuesday showcased, the £50k-per-week ace has the ability to frustrate, yet ever since his promotion into the first-team ranks, Garnacho has been a player to get the crowd off their seat. As journalist Samuel Luckhurst previously noted, he is a “game-changer”.

Part of an otherwise lifeless forward line, Garnacho is currently the one capable of igniting it, with it set to be no surprise if he does flourish elsewhere should a move be made, much like Elanga has.

Forget Garnacho: Man Utd must drop 4/10 star who lost the ball every 5 mins

Man Utd’s dismal Premier League campaign continued on Tuesday evening…

1 ByRobbie Walls Apr 2, 2025

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is expected by some sources to sign an “exciting” 23-year-old this summer, with manager Mikel Arteta admitting that his first transfer window at the club is set to be a “big” one.

Excitement surrounds Andrea Berta appointment at Arsenal

With Liverpool seizing a huge gap at the top of the Premier League table, and Arsenal now putting the majority of their focus into a good Champions League run, attention is already turning to the summer transfer window.

Arteta dealt injury blow with Arsenal "difference maker" out for "weeks"

It is a significant loss for the Spaniard.

ByEmilio Galantini Apr 1, 2025

Barring a miracle, Arsenal won’t be winning their first domestic league crown in 21 years after all, which has arguably been down to consistent injury problems suffered throughout the Gunners’ squad, including some pretty key names.

Everton (away)

April 5th

Brentford (home)

April 12th

Ipswich Town (away)

April 20th

Crystal Palace (home)

TBD

Bournemouth (home)

May 3rd

Bukayo Saka made a stunning return to the fold on Tuesday night after recovering from a hamstring injury, scoring in a 2-1 win over Fulham, but star defender Gabriel Magalahaes was hauled off in the early stages after picking up a fresh injury problem.

Arsenal’s need for strength in depth is prevalent, as Arteta suggested this week in his pre-match press conference, and the Spaniard is fully anticipating a busy first summer window following Berta’s arrival.

“We want to increase the depth of the squad but as well we want to increase the quality and the skills that we need to go to the next step,” said Arteta on Arsenal’s summer transfer plans.

“It’s going to be a big one, and we are very excited about it.”

Some reports suggest that Berta could spend up to £300 million on seven new Arsenal signings (GiveMeSport), with co-chair Josh Kroenke expressing real excitement over the 53-year-old’s appointment.

“He understands our values and what we stand for, and we have no doubt he will help us push on and take the next steps in our bid to win major trophies,” said Kroenke.

“We undertook a thorough recruitment process, and we were hugely impressed with the level of all the other candidates, but it was Andrea’s experience and the success he has enjoyed that stood out. We are really looking forward to working together and welcoming him into the Arsenal family.”

Arsenal expected to sign Joan Garcia from Espanyol

One of Berta’s goals this summer is to sign a new second-choice keeper behind David Raya, with Bournemouth loanee Neto currently a temporary solution.

Espanyol starlet Joan Garcia was heavily linked with a move to the club last summer, and Fabrizio Romano confirmed that the 23-year-old even agreed personal terms over a move to Arsenal at the time.

Garcia’s current release clause stands at £21 million, but this could rise to £25 million or even drop to as low as £12.5 million, depending on Espanyol’s La Liga status.

In any case, as per Sky Sports journalist David Garrido, speaking to the outlet’s ‘Back Pages’ podcast, Spanish sources fully expect Garcia to join Arsenal from Espanyol this summer after a deal fell through in 2024.

“They’re also looking at a goalkeeper,” Garrido said.

“I think people in Spain are very much expecting Joan Garcia from Espanyol to go to Arsenal too. So there’s plenty of work to be done.”

The Spaniard has been called an “exciting” young goalkeeper by members of the press, and he played a major role in Espanyol’s promotion to La Liga last season. Their persistence in targeting Garcia also highlights how Arteta must seriously rate the player.

Would it be hyperbole to suggest that Kobbie Mainoo provided the best, or most significant, moment at Manchester United in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era?

Faced with an imperious Manchester City side in the 2024 FA Cup final, Erik ten Hag’s men defied the odds to claim a richly deserved 2-1 win, a year on from having tamely been defeated by their neighbours en route to treble glory.

Alejandro Garnacho had pounced early on to open the scoring, before fellow academy graduate Mainoo popped up at the backpost to add a second, slotting home perfectly following Bruno Fernandes’ ingenious reverse pass.

The then-teenager, like the thousands decked out in red at Wembley, roared in celebration, revelling in the crowing moment of a stunning, six-month rise from relative obscurity.

The Old Trafford faithful have been wedded to United’s golden boy since then, although there has been no such warmth from new boss Ruben Amorim.

What Amorim said about Mainoo after West Ham

From the highs of that Wembley showpiece, and his subsequent role in England’s run to the final at Euro 2024, Mainoo’s impact has plummeted since then, having hardly had a look-in following an injury-hit start to 2024/25.

Seemingly fighting a losing battle from the off following Amorim’s arrival in November 2024 – having failed to start the Portuguese’s first game in charge against Ipswich Town – the Stockport native has drifted onto the periphery, with 2025/26 proving particularly frustrating thus far.

The forgotten man, Mainoo is yet to start a single Premier League game this season, playing just 171 minutes in all, having been an unused substitute for the fourth time against West Ham United in midweek.

Speaking after that dismal 1-1 draw, Amorim went on the defensive regarding his treatment of the youngster, while laughing off suggestions that the midfielder could have been an “offensive” alteration.

Asked if he understood why Mainoo’s status as a homegrown talent made him such a talking point for fans and pundits alike, the 40-year-old replied:

Mainoo, unsurprisingly, is seeking a January exit amid his bizarre fall from grace, although he surely isn’t the midfielder INEOS should be looking to move on.

Man Utd must sell flop who's getting the Mainoo treatement

Perhaps the biggest source of frustration regarding Mainoo’s situation is that Amorim isn’t exactly blessed with regard to midfield depth, with his current squad boasting just four recognised, senior midfielders to choose from.

For much of 2025/26, the ex-Sporting CP boss has selected ever-present skipper, Fernandes, alongside the ageing Casemiro, with both Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte limited to mere late cameos off the bench.

Like the FA Cup final hero, Ugarte has also become a notable talking point amid his limited role under Amorim, despite having previously worked with the 3-4-2-1 boss in Lisbon.

Indeed, it was reported last month that the ex-Paris Saint-Germain man had been criticised by his manager in front of teammates at Carrington, following the Europa League final defeat.

Like Mainoo, who enjoyed just a mere last-gasp cameo in Bilbao, Ugarte was also something of an afterthought even as United toiled, having failed to even make it off the bench on the night.

Games

9

10

Starts

0

2

Goals

0

0

Assists

0

0

Big chances created

0

0

Key passes*

0.6

0.1

Pass accuracy*

87%

86%

Total duels won*

36%

60%

Balls recovered*

1.1

2.0

Dribbled past*

0.1

0.4

Much like Mainoo too, the Uruguayan has been forced to settle for a watching brief for much of this season, starting just twice in the top-flight, while notably being hooked at the break following an “embarrassing” display against Grimsby Town, in the view of writer Alex Turk.

Of course, there isn’t the groundswell of support for Ugarte like there is for his midfield colleague, with the decision to fork out almost £50m on the 24-year-old standing out as one of the worst decisions of recent years at Old Trafford.

Whether the £120k-per-week talent, again like Mainoo, is being helped by his manager is another matter, however, with Amorim hardly backing his man after revealing that Ugarte is “struggling” to adjust to life in the Premier League.

Either way, if it comes down to choosing between which peripheral midfielder needs to be shown the door, it should surely be Ugarte whom INEOS cash in on, with the safe and steady asset doing little to warrant a third-season stay in Manchester.

Cunha 2.0: INEOS to fast-track Man Utd bid for 'best winger in England'

Manchester United look set to make a huge move for one player in the upcoming January window.

ByEthan Lamb 6 days ago