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Manchester United playing in next season's Champions League is vital for summer spending – with or without the Glazers – according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

Will the Glazers sell Man Utd?

The ownership of the Red Devils is one of the biggest talking points in football at the moment, with the saga continuing to rumble on. Bids for the club have been tabled by Qatar's Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS Group, but the Glazers have rejected the first batch of offers.

Many United fans are desperate for the current owners to move on after an up-and-down era at Old Trafford, with many believing new owners could herald a new era, not least Gary Neville, who has spoken negatively about the Glazers, criticising their inability to redevelop Old Trafford, for example.

Tottenham's 1-1 draw away to Everton on Monday night has suddenly left United fifth in the Premier League, and while they are level with the north Londoners with two games in hand, there are now doubts over a top-four finish.

Will Red Devils secure a top-four finish?

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jacobs admitted that securing Champions League football is imperative in terms of summer spending, regardless of who the club's owners are moving forward:

"I think the most important thing for Manchester United is qualifying for the Champions League, regardless of who any new owner may be, because that will impact the budget.

"If the Glazers stay, it will be because they've decided to be invested in the football club. Although that won't be popular with the fan base, if Manchester United qualify for the Champions League, and they [the Glazers] remain, they will need to spend.

"If they depart, the Champions League will still impact the budget come summer."

There is no doubt over the importance of Champions League qualification, as despite United showing their capability of signing good players regardless of their situation in the past, they risk falling behind their rivals if they are able to offer an immediate pathway to that competition.

Thankfully, they have two routes to reach it, with Europa League glory also guaranteeing them a spot, but they should still be expected to finish fourth at worst in the league given their aforementioned games in hand on Spurs.

There may be worries that United are running out of steam a little following a long season, but there is clearly enough quality for the Carabao Cup winners to get over the line, and victory at home to Brentford on Wednesday evening would help get back on track.

Aston Villa have endured a tumultuous campaign thus far, but new boss Unai Emery's instant impact has led them to finally attaining some degree of comfort as they enter the run-in.

Swanning into a club in crisis, the Spaniard kept a cool head and comfortably guided the Midlands outfit to safety, with an 11-point gap separating them from the rest of the league battling it out for survival.

They too were once firmly entrenched in that relegation scrap, with Steven Gerrard's struggling side seemingly destined for a season of peril.

Whilst the short tenure of the Liverpool legend was largely disappointing, there were admittedly particular facets of his reign that could be deemed a success, particularly in the transfer window where he did add some talent to the squad.

However, last summer it was actually his work in retaining one of his prized assets that was most important, as he fought off numerous advances to retain Douglas Luiz.

Did Douglas Luiz nearly leave Aston Villa?

The Brazilian boasted many suitors throughout a summer of vast change at Villa Park, as Gerrard was backed wholeheartedly to lead the club into a brighter future.

It was clear that Luiz was to play a huge role in any future success though, yet Liverpool, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid all showed interest.

However, it was on deadline day that they endured the toughest battle, rejecting no less than three bids from Arsenal who sought to take the former Manchester City man to the Emirates. With just 12 months left on his contract at the time, this refusal to sell marked a huge show of faith, which the 24-year-old would repay by signing a new long-term deal, estimated at £75k-per-week, in October.

It arguably marked Gerrard's most impressive feat, and whilst he ultimately failed in his task to return Villa to the top he did lay the foundation for future success by retaining one of their most impressive performers.

He has since gone on to feature in all but one of their Premier League games this season, most recently opening the scoring in their 3-0 rout of AFC Bournemouth, and maintaining an average Sofascore rating of 7.05.

This campaign has already marked a creative best for Luiz too, as his three goals and five assists have surpassed any of his previous tallies in the league.

It seems that the midfielder is building upon his good form from around this time last year, where Gabby Agbonlahor praised his attacking impetus: "He’s flying forward and getting into the box. He’s been outstanding and transformed."

Emery has been quick to praise him too, as he recently hailed the silky enforcer: "I am very happy with Douglas Luiz. His skill, characteristic in the squad is very important. He’s important in terms of taking our time with our centre-backs and midfielders and his characteristic is necessary in this team.

“Saturday was the match, I think, overall, his performance was the best with us since I arrived here.”

It is clear that he is now a favourite of the new regime too, with his role playing a huge part in their new way of playing. Should their new boss seek to continue their blistering form and thrive in the future, he will hope to have this midfield magician at the core of it.

In the race to win the Premier League title once again, Arsenal are on course for yet another action-packed campaign under Mikel Arteta. This time around, as we approach Christmas, the Gunners are above champions Manchester City for a second consecutive season at this stage, having already achieved something they failed to do last time out in defeating the Citizens.

Given how tight things are at the top, the January transfer window could make all the difference. And that could see Arsenal welcome some extra firepower in the form of one particular forward, who has enjoyed an excellent campaign so far.

Arsenal transfer news

Perhaps aware that last season was no fluke under Arteta, Arsenal splashed the cash to improve the Spaniard's side even further during the summer, welcoming Declan Rice, David Raya, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, with the former particularly flourishing at The Emirates. Now, those in North London could look to repeat their transfer trick by adding more goals to their side in the winter window.

According to The Daily Star, Arteta could now push to sign Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke in January if the Gunners fail to land Ivan Toney from Brentford. Those around the Emirates have reportedly been impressed by the former Liverpool man, who has also attracted interest from West Ham United.

Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are also eyeing moves for Toney, so Solanke could be the perfect alternative for Arsenal, as they search for another goalscorer to lead the line. After excelling in the Premier League for Bournemouth so far this season, Solanke could now get his big move when the winter window swings open.

"Complete" Solanke could make surprise difference in title race

When Solanke left Liverpool on a permanent deal in 2019, it was uncertain whether he'd bounce back at Bournemouth. But almost five years later, it's clear that the forward always had plenty of talent. Current Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is certainly a big fan, praising the Chelsea academy graduate by saying:

“I think he’s really complete. He helps us without the ball, on the ball he can go, he’s good technically too. He can play well with his feet, he uses his body well, and if they leave him space at the back he can also exploit it. He had his chances, he scored, he hit the post, I think he was really dangerous and he helped his teammates a lot, so I’m really happy for him.”

Solanke's stats compared to Gabriel Jesus' numbers this season show that he could be the goalscoring forward that Arsenal are crying out for. The Bournemouth star has scored nine goals in all competitions – eight of which have been in the Premier League. Jesus, meanwhile, has scored just three of his seven goals in all competitions in England's top flight this season – proving the extra firepower that Solanke could bring to north London.

Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro has launched a scathing critique of Real Madrid's hierarchy, accusing Florentino Perez of leaving Xabi Alonso "isolated" at the Bernabeu. The German club's chief claims the culture in the Spanish capital treats managers as a "necessary evil", contrasting it sharply with the support Alonso enjoyed at the BayArena.

Shaky run for Real Madrid

Alonso's tenure at Real Madrid, once viewed as the homecoming of a managerial prodigy, has quickly turned into a trial by fire. Back-to-back home defeats to Celta and Manchester City added fuel to reports that Alonso's future at the club is in doubt heading into the weekend clash against Deportivo Alaves, which they won 2-1. Amidst growing reports that the 44-year-old is facing the sack already, his former boss at Leverkusen has spoken out to defend the coach, pointing the finger squarely at the structural differences between the two clubs. Carro, the CEO of the Bundesliga side, believes that Alonso has been left exposed by a Madrid board that fails to protect its managers in times of crisis.

Alonso departed Leverkusen in the summer to take the reins at the Santiago Bernabeu, tasked with leading a new era for Los Blancos. However, results have been mixed, and the Spanish press has already begun to sharpen its knives. For Carro, who oversaw Alonso’s historic unbeaten domestic double in Germany, the issue lies not with the tactician’s ability, but with the ruthless and often lonely environment fostered by Madrid president Florentino Perez.

AdvertisementAFPCarrow pledges support to Alonso

Speaking to , Carro did not mince his words when comparing the supportive environment of Leverkusen with the cut-throat politics of Madrid. 

"We didn't advise him on anything," Carro said when asked if he had spoken to Alonso about his current predicament. "At the time we would have liked him to stay here, but we know he is a coach with enormous talent who, yes, finds himself in a different context in Madrid.

"If the president says that a coach is a necessary evil, if the coach is left alone and it is always he who receives the criticism, well then the situation is very different from the one he experienced in Leverkusen, where we all rowed in the same direction and did not leave the coach politically alone."

A bond that remains unbroken

Despite the tense situation surrounding Alonso’s future, Carro revealed that his personal relationship with the Basque coach remains incredibly strong. The two forged a close bond during Alonso’s three-year stint in Germany, a period that transformed Leverkusen from underachievers to history-makers.

Carro confirmed that he recently visited Alonso in the Spanish capital, emphasising that their connection transcends the professional sphere.

"During the international break I was in Madrid for a weekend, and the coaching staff and the family were at our house twice," Carro revealed. "We have a very good relationship; after all, during those three years we were like a family. I also know that they follow our matches and we follow theirs, we follow each other. We feel a lot of appreciation for each other and maintain very close contact."

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Getty Images SportThe pressure cooker of the Bernabeu

The contrast described by Carro serves as a warning to Madrid fans and pundits calling for Alonso’s head. However, pressure will only continue to build on the coach unless he brings consistency after a stunning start to his tenure. They started the season with 13 wins from their first 14 games under Alonso, including a victory against Barcelona, but a defeat to Liverpool sparked a dismal run that saw them drop four points behind in La Liga and in danger of falling out of the Champions League's top eight.

While Leverkusen soldier on without him, watching their former manager struggle under the weight of the "white house" expectations has evidently struck a nerve with the German club's hierarchy. Whether Perez heeds the subtle warning from his counterpart remains to be seen, but as the sack rumours intensify, the accusation that Alonso has been "left alone" will likely resonate with those who feel the manager is being made a scapegoat for wider structural issues.

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino was delighted with the spirit his side showed in Saturday's draw with Manchester City but rued missed opportunities.

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Pochettino delighted with 'aggressive' first halfRegrets not scoring crucial second goalBlues head to Wembley with renewed optimism WHAT HAPPENED?

The Blues caused the champions all sorts of problems before going ahead just before half-time when Raheem Sterling finished off yet another threatening counter attack. City piled the pressure on during the second half, creating a host of chances but Chelsea had opportunities to double their lead before Rodri rescued a late point for the hosts. After the game, Pochettino reflected on a performance that he believes is another step forward in the development of his team.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT MAURICIO POCHETTINO SAID

"Very pleased," Pochettino told after the match. "I think that is the spirit that we want to show. We are working for that. I think today against the the best team in the world, to show this type of performance, we need to be feel very proud. I congratulated the players at the end of the game because we were so brave.

"First half was really good. I think we were very aggressive with the ball going forward and winning duels. In the second half I think they dominated and they forced us to defend deeper. But I think we sustained the effort and we created chances that we should score and win the game. I am so happy. It is a good draw for us and when you face this type of team I think it is important to be brave and to fight in every single aspect.

"Manchester City have the quality and capacity to create chances and they have amazing players. It is fantastic for us because we are a young team and we need these types of experiences to grow."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

It's less than two weeks since Chelsea's collapse at home to Wolves appeared to put Pochettino on borrowed time. But an FA Cup win at high-flying Aston Villa backed up by two strong league performances has suddenly changed the mood at Stamford Bridge with a young and haphazardly assembled squad finally showing some signs of cohesion. Chelsea fans can now head to Wembley dreaming rather than dreading the Carabao Cup final next Sunday.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

That first silverware of the season is on the line when the Blues make the short trip to Wembley Way next weekend. Pochettino has a free midweek to prepare his side, while injury-hit opponents Liverpool have to inspect their walking wounded as well as attending to league business against Luton Town on Wednesday.

Aston Villa have been linked with a move for Sevilla defender Marcos Acuna this summer and a significant update has now emerged regarding the situation.

How many times has Marcos Acuna played for Sevilla?

The 31-year-old left-back has enjoyed a strong career for club and country, most notably winning the 2022 World Cup with Argentina last December. He made six appearances in the tournament, four of which were starts, putting his experience to good use.

Acuna has also played 125 times for Sevilla since arriving from Sporting CP in 2020, winning the Europa League with them last season, in what has arguably been the most successful period of his career.

The Argentine has emerged as a primary transfer target for Villa this summer, as Unai Emery looks to add more quality and depth to his squad. Lucas Digne has been a disappointing signing from Everton and can be improved upon, and it looks as though the Sevilla man has been identified as the No.1 target in that position.

A move to Villa Park certainly appears as though it is increasingly likely at this point and another update has only further added fuel to the fire.

Will Aston Villa sign Marcos Acuna?

According to Football Insider, talks are continuing over the weekend between Villa and Acuna representatives, as they look to complete another strong signing:

"Aston Villa are continuing talks on Saturday over a deal to sign Sevilla left-back Marcos Acuna.

"Unai Emery has made it a priority to sign a new left-back to compete with January signing Alex Moreno, who is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury."

It really does feel as though it would be a surprise if Acuna didn't complete a move to Villa at this point, considering talks are seemingly progressing at a good speed and Digne looks to be on his way out.

Assuming a deal is agreed in the near future, he could be a great signing at left-back, adding experience, fight and ability to a Villans side that is improving all the time, regardless of last weekend's 5-1 defeat away to Newcastle United.

Pep Guardiola has described Acuna as a "top defender", which speaks volumes about the calibre of footballer he is, while Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas has heaped praise on him in the recent past, saying:

"Acuna is someone who transmits his experience to the young players. He is one of the best wing-backs in the world in a three-man defensive system."

At 31, Acuna is admittedly not getting any younger, but he is such fit player, providing constant energy down the left flank, that he should remain in and around the peak years of his career for the foreseeable future, slotting in seamlessly at Villa and making them an even more formidable outfit under Emery.

Arsenal could be set to add the crowning jewel to their already stunning transfer window, by bringing in a young superstar to prop up Mikel Arteta's regime…

Who else could Arsenal sign this summer?

The Spaniard has taken great strides with each year he has spent at the helm of the Gunners, yet seeks to make the largest step yet this campaign.

Having pushed Manchester City so close last year, the plan will be to finally end their monopoly over English football with a Premier League title of their own, cementing their manager's legacy as one of the best young coaches in the world.

Read the latest Arsenal transfer news HERE…

To do so, perhaps they could seek to invest even more heavily in him, reigniting their reported interest in Ansu Fati and capping off a fine summer of signings.

However, his £90m price tag could prove a stumbling block especially given the fees already expended on their three other permanent additions. Perhaps some outgoings might have to first be prioritised before their spending can resume.

How good is Ansu Fati?

Of all the deadwood still circulating around the Emirates, few stand out as brazenly as Nicolas Pepe.

Signed for a club-record fee, which has only since been broken this window, the Ivorian winger was expected to transform Unai Emery's reign into a truly outstanding one, with his pace and trickery almost certain to take the Premier League by storm.

However, under the weight of such an enormous price tag, it would have been an impossible task to reach the expectations immediately placed upon him.

He has since made just 112 appearances for the north London side, with the now-Aston Villa boss having since admitted he did not even want the 28-year-old, with the hierarchy opting for him over Wilfried Zaha.

Such a poor career at the club even led pundit Jermaine Pennant to suggest:

"There have been some awful Arsenal signings down the years but because of the amount, how much he’s played and the performances then you have to say Pepe is one of the worst signings".

Saudi Arabia now seem to be circling around the lucrative dud, finally set to bring an end to this ugly period.

Therefore, should Fati be brought in to replace him, the standards for an alternative would be on the floor, therefore easing expectations for the exciting new forward.

It's mesmerising just how much experience the 20-year-old already boasts for his age, with 111 appearances for Barcelona's first-team, posting an impressive 39 goal contributions.

Despite recent years having been marred by injury, just last term he still recorded seven goals and four assists in LaLiga.

His proficiency is best outlined by FBref, who help to compare him against other wingers across Europe. There, he ranks in the top 1% for total shots, touches in the attacking penalty area and expected non-penalty goals per 90.

He is clearly prolific when fit, and has so much of his glittering career yet to be played. Perhaps he could now make the bold decision to enjoy it in England, helping to usher in an era of dominance for Arteta.

After all, his current boss Xavi had suggested he was a "generational" talent just last year, likely explaining his ludicrous price tag.

Although it would not be hard to replace the 27 goals that Pepe managed during his time at Arsenal, if Fati was the man to finally push him out, fans already would be in awe of the young trickster.

Twenty-one Pakistan players, including Saeed Ajmal and Imran Khan, and commentator Aamer Sohail found themselves in a pay dispute with the Afro T20 Cricket League organisers and decided to return home without completing the tournament. The players’ return tickets were also cancelled at one point but according to Ajmal, their flights were rebooked for December 21 after talks with the Uganda Cricket Association (UCA).The Afro T20 Cricket League, featuring eight teams, is supported by the UCA and was approved by the ICC, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The tournament started on December 17 and was scheduled to run until January 1. However, a few days into the tournament, the organisers were not releasing payments for players. The league had reportedly set USD $50,000 for the winning team with each player having a contractual agreement. Ajmal said he got multiple verbal assurances from the organisers who later flew to Dubai with yet another promise that they were going to arrange the payments and return.”The organiser wasn’t paying us and we insisted for our payments as per the contractural agreement,” Ajmal told ESPNcricinfo. “But he deserted us with a promise that he is going to Dubai to arrange payments and will return but he hasn’t and we decided to return in protest. Our return tickets were blocked and we had informed Uganda Cricket Association and with some pressure we managed to rebook our return flight for December 21. But we are perfectly fine in Uganda, we are in touch with the Pakistan consulate as well and things are under control.”The PCB issued a press release saying the ICC had been in touch with the board about the availability of the players for the league, and things were firmed up by the PCB on that basis. The board said it is looking into the matter and will decide how to act once the facts are established, while also stating that it had been up to the players to negotiate their terms with the organisers.*”PCB received applications from players to participate in the Afro T20 League being played in Uganda. Upon inquiring of the bonafides of this League from ICC, we were advised by the ICC that Afro T20 League has been approved by them and that it is been played under the umbrella of Uganda Cricket Association (UCA). The ICC sent us a list of players which were provided to the ICC by the League organisers and asked us to allow them to take part in the tournament. Upon receiving confirmation from ICC, PCB issued NOCs to all Pakistani players who were mentioned in the approved list.”PCB is currently looking into the incident which has taken place in Uganda during the Afro T20 League and once complete information is received, further course of action will be advised.”It may be mentioned that it is the responsibility of the players to negotiate the terms of their engagement and not that of the PCB whose role is confined to the issuance of NOCs on the condition that the players are not required for PCB duty at home or abroad.”*

Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Arafat Sunny took combined figures of 2 for 50 from 10 overs to choke Chittagong to 139, a total they chased down with 11 balls to spare

The Report by Mohammad Isam14-Nov-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsRaton Gomes/BCB

Comilla Victorians beat Chittagong Kings by six wickets, in almost the same fashion as their other two wins in the tournament. After restricting their opponent to 139 for 4, Imrul Kayes and Jos Buttler almost walked them to the target.The pair added 74 runs for the third wicket before both were dismissed with not left to chase. Imrul top-scored with 45 while Buttler got out for 44 off 31 balls, which included three fours and two sixes.Chittagong, who have now lost three out of four games, lost just four wickets in their innings, but struggled for fluency right through. The Comilla spin trio – Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Arafat Sunny – put the brakes on with combined figures of 2 for 50 from 10 overs.Brisk start, slow finish, againLuke Ronchi provided Chittagong with another brisk start, with 31 off 19 balls. No other batsman score more despite consuming more deliveries. Sarkar used 32 balls for 30 runs, with two fours and a six over midwicket, before he was stumped off Nabi. Dilshan Munaweera made 19 off 25 balls, which had one six, before he was bowled by a beautiful Rashid Khan googly.Sikandar Raza found just one boundary in his 24-ball 20 which ended with a scoop to Al-Amin Hossain at short fine leg. Ronchi’s 19-ball 31 included five fours and a six that was hit over long-on off Nabi. He fell lbw to Mohammad Saifuddin.Imrul steadies another chaseMunaweera removed the returning Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das in seven overs but Imrul Kayes and Jos Buttler took control quickly. Imrul struck Subashis Roy for first six pulled over midwicket before lifting Sikandar over square leg for his second in the tenth over.His third six was his best, swatting Chris Jordan over midwicket off one knee as he struggled with cramps. He made 45 off 36 balls, having also struck two fours. It was his third successive match-winning innings, having remained unbeaten on the two previous occasions.

West Ham United have plenty of money to play with in the remaining weeks of the transfer window after landing £105m through the sale of Declan Rice.

However, with just three weeks to go until the new Premier League season begins, it appears that the Irons may be getting desperate in their search for new recruits.

Who are West Ham United's strikers?

While a midfield replacement for Rice is a priority for Moyes, West Ham could also do with strengthening in various other positions, not least up front.

United spent £35.5m to sign Gianluca Scamacca from Sassuolo last summer, but the Italian striker failed to make the impact expected of him in his debut campaign at the London Stadium.

Other than Scamacca, David Moyes has just Danny Ings, Michail Antonio, Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma to call upon in attack – hardly the most prolific list of goalscorers.

A number of potential options have emerged for West Ham in the striking department, with AC Milan striker Divock Origi the latest on the list.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, via Sport Witness, the club have held talks with the Italian side over a possible deal.

How many goals has Divock Origi scored?

Origi joined Serie A giants Milan on a free transfer last year after bringing an end to his seven-season stay at Liverpool, with whom he became a fan favourite.

The Belgium international had a knack of scoring important goals, but a return of 22 from 107 Premier League appearances was hardly much to shout about.

That has been a similar story at the San Siro, having netted only twice – while assisting another – in 27 league appearances for Milan. Origi's slow start led to him being labelled Serie A's worst signing last season by Italian journalist Alvise Cagnazzo.

A change of surroundings has not exactly led to a change of fortunes for Origi, and it begs the question of exactly why Moyes' men would want to bring him on board.

Indeed, with 0.15 non-penalty goals per 90 minutes over the past year, Origi ranks in the bottom 10% of all forwards across Europe's top five leagues, as per FBref. Scamacca does not fare much better in that regard, mind, as he is in the bottom 17% with 0.24 non-penalty goals per 90.

Moyes would surely be better off putting his faith in Scamacca, who was often unfairly left out of the side at times last season, as the former Sassuolo ace not only scores at a better rate than Origi (0.29 v 0.18 goals per 90 respectively), but he also comes out on top in various other metrics.

That includes goals per shot (0.10 v 0.07), aerial duels won (44.7% v 30.6%) and tackles and interceptions per 90 combined (1.36 v 0.88) – an increasingly important trait for a forward – while they are pretty much identical in terms of pass-completion percentage (66.7 for Scamacca; 66.3 for Origi).

Previously described as a "terrible" player by football reporter Leigh Curtis, it is difficult to see how 28-year-old Origi – on wages of £85,000 a week, according to Capology – can improve West Ham's attack.

Instead, Moyes would be better off biding his time in search of the right man, even if that means taking his search right down to the wire.