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Jadon Sancho has been warned that he must avoid moving to Manchester United at all costs, with Dean Windass saying “he can do better than that.”

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, the former Hull City striker believes it wouldn’t be the right fit for Sancho to grow or improve as a player due to the lack of silverware United have won recent years.

The 20-year-old was closely linked with a switch to Old Trafford in the summer, but a transfer failed to materialise, with Borussia Dortmund refusing to budge on their £108m valuation.

Ed Woodward has been put under immense pressure over a perceived lack of spending and even had a group of angry fans gather outside his house in Cheshire in protest at the club’s failed transfers at the start of the year.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had made it clear that the England international was his top target in the transfer window, but he was forced to settle for relatively unknown youth talents in Amad Diallo and Facundo Pellistri in the end instead.

Sancho stayed at the Signal Iduna Park for the time being at least but Dortmund have won just two out of their past seven games across all competitions, via Transfermarkt.

They have scored fewer goals than their Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen and are eight points behind the defending champions as they currently lie fifth in the table, with their former boss Lucien Favre sacked after an embarrassing defeat at the hands of newly-promoted VfB Stuttgart.

When asked if he feels Sancho should push for a move to Old Trafford, Windass told Football FanCast:

“Not now. At the time in the summer when everyone was talking about him (then maybe) but I think he can do better than that, he’s only a young kid.”

“Why would you want to go to Manchester United now? You’re not going to win anything!”

“If they came knocking on your door four or five years ago, there’d be queues outside the place trying to get in. There are no queues there now.”

Sancho has no shortage of suitors, with the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Premier League leaders Liverpool all retaining an interest in the right-winger.

The former City academy product has provided three goals and six assists in 17 games across all competitions, via Transfermarkt, although he is yet to score in the Bundesliga so far this season.

As it stands, given his contract will run out in 2023 and that Dortmund have remained steadfast in their valuation, it seems unlikely any club will want to take the risk in a market that has been severely hit by the economic trauma caused by the pandemic.

However, whether or not Sancho will want to move to Old Trafford at the end of the season remains to be seen.

AND in other news, Manchester United striker Anthony Martial defied his critics against Leeds United…

Sheffield Wednesday will need to act during the upcoming transfer window if they are to salvage their season in the Championship, and there’s one name that could help them tenfold…

What’s the word?

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast over the weekend, Owls legend Carlton Palmer tipped his former club to make a move for prolific goalscorer Dwight Gayle.

He believes the 30-year-old would be a “good fit” for the Yorkshire outfit whilst reliable reporter Dom Howson revealed last month that the Newcastle United forward was someone the club had looked at previously.

The £7.2m-rated talisman is yet to feature this campaign due to injury but is set to return in the New Year, and he could well face a battle for minutes at St James’ Park with Callum Wilson looking the obvious first-choice for Steve Bruce.

Striking solution?

Gayle is also out of contract in the summer, so his future as a Magpie is by no means certain, so Hillsborough chief Dejphon Chansiri ought to strike next month.

It’s no surprise that Wednesday are rock bottom of the Championship given they started the season with a points deduction but the signs would still be there regardless.

They are among the lowest scorers in the division, managing just nine goals in 17 appearances – that’s barely a goal every other game. That right now is Pulis’ biggest headache.

Garry Monk never truly replaced the goalscoring exploits of Steven Fletcher, his 13 from last term will take some doing to match this time around.

Currently, there are three players on two goals as the Owls’ top scorers – Barry Bannan, Callum Paterson and Josh Windass – whilst Jordan Rhodes only has one goal and summer signings Izzy Brown and Elias Kachunga are yet to score, per WhoScored.

In Gayle, the Yorkshiremen would be getting a proven striker at this level as he’s bagged 59 goals in 100 appearances in the Championship, most recently notching a whopping 23 in 39 matches whilst on loan to West Brom in 2018/19.

Former PL shot-stopper Paul Robinson praise Gayle to Football Insider earlier this year, he said: “He is a great striker. His movement, he brings something different to Joelinton. He needs players around him but Gayle brings other players into it. He brings the team together.”

Whilst Kyle Bartley once hailed him as “immense” and “dangerous,” also claiming that he’s a “proven goalscorer.”

This is exactly who the Owls need to target in January, so it’ll be on Chansiri to get a deal done for the £40k-per-week monster.

AND in other news, Sheff Wed passenger who had fewer touches than Wildsmith let Pulis down vs Huddersfield…

Liverpool return from the international break with an injury-ravaged squad and Jurgen Klopp’s side couldn’t have asked for a much tougher game in their return fixture, as they face top-of-the-table Leicester City at Anfield on Sunday evening.

The German manager will be without first-team regulars Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold for the visit of the Foxes, meaning he will have to make some serious changes to his defence.

Fortunately for the Reds, it was confirmed earlier this week that both Fabinho and Thiago could be fit to play on Sunday evening, so it is perhaps likely that the Brazilian will return to the side as a starting centre-back, alongside Joel Matip.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Klopp to line his side up against Leicester City on Sunday, with the German manager forced into four changes from the side that faced Manchester City before the international break…

Even if Fabinho isn’t completely match fit, it would be a surprise if Klopp didn’t start the Brazilian against Leicester City, as the inexperienced Rhys Williams and Nathaniel Phillips may both struggle to deal with the threat of Jamie Vardy in the Foxes attack.

Andy Robertson did have a slight injury concern during the international break but played the full 90 minutes against Israel on Wednesday, so should be fit to keep his place at left-back.

Meanwhile, with the injury to Alexander-Arnold, Neco Williams could make his first Premier League appearance of the season at right-back, having been described as a “machine” by Klopp in the summer.

If Thiago is fit to play, the Spanish midfielder should come in for the injured Jordan Henderson, whilst Georginio Wijnaldum keeps his place and Curtis Jones should start ahead of Naby Keita after the Guinean’s poor start to the season.

Mohamed Salah misses out after testing positive for the current viral outbreak, so Diogo Jota takes his place on the wing, making up an attacking trio that also includes Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.

Although Liverpool are seriously blighted by injuries at the moment, they cannot let the chances of a second-successive title slip away from them early in the season, so this will be a hugely important game against Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester side.

Sunderland travel to Gillingham this Saturday on the back of a 2-2 draw with Rochdale, and Black Cats boss Phil Parkinson must consider changes to his starting line-up at Priestfield Stadium.

The Stadium of Light natives have fallen out of the League One Play-Off positions following Tuesday’s stalemate at the Crown Oil Arena, with Parkinson’s men now trailing Charlton Athletic by a point.

Sunderland had started the season in sublime fashion with an unbeaten run of six games, but allowing five goals to be scored in their last two fixtures has taken the wind out of the sails before visiting a side they have failed to beat in their last four meetings.

Gillingham, themselves, are struggling this season having lost five of their nine third-tier fixtures already, and boast one of the division’s worst defensive records with 13 goals shipped.

But Parkinson’s hope of taking a first Sunderland win at Gillingham since 2018 must come with changes to his starting line-up. So, with that in mind, here’s a predicted XI he could favour…

Parkinson has favoured a 3-5-1-1 formation in three of Sunderland’s last five League One fixtures, with the shape used against Charlton Athletic, Crewe Alexandra and Portsmouth before changing to a 3-4-3 at Rochdale for the first time since September’s 1-0 win over Peterborough.

The change in system did not return the Black Cats to winning ways, however, and the performances of certain players must see North East giants revert to more a successful formation.

Lee Burge will more likely than not retain his place in goal having started all eight of Sunderland’s third-tier fixtures to date, while making on average 1.8 saves per game accounting for 70% of all efforts struck, per SofaScore.

In defence, Parkinson will be expected to recall Luke O’Nien after he saw red late on for a second yellow against Portsmouth and sat out the Rochdale affair as a result, where the £3,600-per-week Tom Flanagan deputised but could only win two tackles and two interceptions, per WhoScored.

Dion Sanderson also featured against Rochdale and should retain his place on the right-hand of Parkinson’s backline amid concerns over Jordan Willis’ patella tendon injury, given the Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee’s eight clearances and 81% pass success rate at the Crown Oil Arena.

Sunderland’s midfield should be the focus of much of Parkinson’s tinkering this weekend, with the change in shape allowing for Josh Scowen to return to partner George Dobson and Max Power in the engine room after starting on the bench at Rochdale.

The 27-year-old has so far averaged 1.0 shots, 1.3 key balls, an 83% pass success rate, 1.3 tackles and 2.7 duels won a game in League One this term, per SofaScore.

Parkinson must also consider bringing Chris Maquire back into a central role in behind top-scorer Charlie Wyke, having struggled on the wing at Rochdale with no successful dribbles, shots on target or key passes.

Lynden Gooch also failed to impress on the left-flank against Rochdale and ought to be replaced by Aiden O’Brien, who Sunderland icon Kevin Phillips is excited to see in action following his summer arrival.

“I have made some enquiries because I know the people down at Millwall and they have given me some very good feedback about him,” Phillips told Football Insider. “I am excited to see this kid performs in League One.

“He has a bit of everything about him. He can play as a nine, a ten and he can play out wide. A player that gets himself in the box and can score a goal, I am very excited to see this lad play.”

AND in other news, Phil Parkinson has been urged to start a Sunderland star who “has a bit of everything”.

It has been an extremely busy couple of days for Newcastle United who have finally properly dipped their toes into the summer transfer market. And of course, the signing of Ryan Fraser must be the cherry on top for the Magpies.

With AFC Bournemouth getting relegated at the end of the 2019/20 Premier League season, their players, even the biggest stars, have suddenly been put on sale, either willingly or forcefully, and Newcastle are just one of the teams looking to profit from that.

Getting someone of Fraser’s quality into the team is an incredible piece of business and this is indeed looking likely to be a prosperous relationship for the immediate future.

According to Alan Hutton, his old manager Steve Bruce has managed to seal a brilliant deal with Fraser. He was simply gushing over the player when speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

Here’s what he had to say: “Oh, it’s got to be one of the best when you think about it. Was it two seasons ago it was probably his best season? He was brilliant.

“He looked so confident, he was flying, loads of pace, scoring goals, setting up goals, it was great to watch from my point of view for Scotland. He’s a great signing for them.”

Of course, Fraser really is a big reinforcement for Newcastle and it will be interesting to see him perform in the new colours in the coming weeks.

The new season is just around the corner…

Verdict

Last season was a real struggle for Fraser but that’s partly because the team as a whole were struggling as well. But in 2018/19, he scored seven goals and assisted further 14 across 38 Premier League matches.

So the quality is certainly there and it will be up to Bruce to help him rediscover his flame for the new campaign.

West Bromwich Albion are back in the big time after a two-year absence, but if they are to remain, then Slaven Bilic must bolster his backline…

What’s the word?

According to The Athletic’s Steve Madeley, the Baggies have held discussions over a potential move Celtic centre-back Kristoffer Ajer.

It’s claimed that the 22-year-old is of interest to Bilic as an alternative to Brighton’s Shane Duffy but he may only be available at an eight-figure fee, so it remains to be seen if West Brom could afford the move.

The Scottish champions are also keen on the Seagulls’ man, meaning the door could perhaps open for the Norwegian colossus.

Colossal solution

It’s no secret that Albion’s biggest problem was defensively – Bilic’s men leaked nearly a goal a game in Championship with a total of 45 conceded.

Many of which were from set-pieces, where the Baggies ranked fourth-worst for goals conceded via a dead ball situation, so it’s no wonder that the boss is interested in adding a 6 foot 6 giant to his back four.

Semi Ajayi, Kyle Bartley and Ahmed Hegazi probably isn’t going to put much doubt into the minds of the opposition strikers this season.

In Ajer, they’d be getting an absolute animal whose also capable of playing in defensive midfield and at right-back, a position he was once described as “Cafu-like”.

The 22-year-old man-mountain has also been praised by Mark Wilson as the best centre-back in the SPFL as “he’s aggressive” whilst teammate Christopher Jullien echoed ex-Bhoys boss Brendan Rodgers’ comments and said: “Kris has a bright future and a good present. He’s a young player and everyone here knows his quality. He has good leadership skills.”

It’s believed, per Calciomercato, that Celtic’s asking price is around €25m (£22.5m) so if those at the Hawthorns can fork out the funds, then they’d bolster their chances of remaining in the top-flight.

Forget Duffy, this is the central defender Bilic needs to end his defensive nightmare.

AND in other news,ÂWest Brom should look to £15m sensation to replace Kenneth Zohore…

Everton appear to be closing in on their first move of the summer transfer window and whilst it’ll raise a few eyebrows, it certainly shouldn’t be frowned upon.

What’s the word?

According to Novosti, Carlo Ancelotti is in talks to bring his former Chelsea powerhouse, Branislav Ivanovic, back to the Premier League for another spell under the Italian.

The 36-year-old has been playing for Zenit St Petersburg since 2017 after nine years in west London where he won three PL titles, a Champions League as well as being named in the PFA Team of the Year on two occasions.

Discussions with Ivanovic are said to be in the ‘final stage’ with the veteran Serb free to join who he pleases this summer following the expiry of his contract.

Ancelotti sees the 6 foot 1 enforcer as a potential pillar of his defence and given the Toffees have young duo Mason Holgate and Jarrad Branthwaite, it could be a smart move indeed.

Shades of Distin

Everton have been linked to PSG legend Thiago Silva, who is of similar age, but as the illustrious Brazillian would come at a hefty premium – he’s been on around £340k-per-week in France – it would be a financial disaster.

Instead, raiding Ivanovic on a free transfer would be cunning from Ancelotti, so much so that it would feel similar to when the Merseysiders welcomed Sylvain Distin to Goodison Park.

Despite his advancing years, Moyes brought in the uncapped Frenchman to ‘keep us steady’ yet he stayed for five years and was colossal in the heart of the defence.

Comments from Jose Mourinho sum up what the Toffees would be getting, the former Chelsea boss labelled Ivanovic a “competitive animal with a big heart” whilst City superstar Raheem Sterling dubbed him the scariest opponent he’s faced back in 2013 before dubbing him a “tank”.

At 36, he’ll have to be managed in terms of fitness, but don’t underestimate his likely impact given the trophy-laden career he’s enjoyed and the potential long-term impact he could have on those around him.

For a season or two, this makes complete sense.

AND in other news, Everton can land huge Iwobi upgrade in “phenomenal” PL target…

You wouldn’t be wrong in saying that Tottenham need to add some quality to their team this summer after missing out on a Champions League spot for the first time since 2015.

Luckily, the London club have been linked to a number of new additions, but it would seem that they’re looking at strengthening in the wrong area.

Jose Mourinho’s side have been linked to both Willian and Demarai Gray in recent weeks, and while adding two players from teams competing for top-four spots seems like a good idea, it’s a hard sell to say that Tottenham need a winger.

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The Lilywhites already have a plethora of talent able to play out wide with the likes of Erik Lamela, Heung-min Son, Steven Bergwijn and Ryan Sessegnon more than capable of filling those roles.

Depth is never a bad thing, and with Gray reportedly available for cheap and Willian able to move on a free, these moves wouldn’t set the club back too much, but even with the prices not being that high, you’d still have to say that the wages would be better off used elsewhere.

Willian is 32 next month, and while he’s a good player, scoring nine league goals this season, the fact that he wants a three-year deal is questionable to say the least, considering the fact that he’ll nearly be 35 by the time his contract is up.

Gray isn’t up to standard either, starting just three league games for Leicester this term, and it’s hard to see him getting much more of a game at Tottenham with Bergwijn and Son ahead of him on the left-wing pecking order while adding more competition for Sessegnon risks stifling his development even further, which is the last thing you want for a 20-year-old who signed for £25m just last summer.

Tottenham are right to be looking for additions, but wingers are the last thing they need right now.

Liverpool are said to be interested in signing AS Roma’s Nicolo Zaniolo.

The Italy international ruptured his cruciate ligament earlier this campaign but he is still one of the up-and-coming stars in Serie A. He has already made 60 appearances for the Giallorossi since signing from Internazionale and he has also scored twice in five caps for the Azzurri.

According to Il Sussidiario, the Reds are interested in the 20-year-old, for whom they may need to pay up to €60m (£53.9m). Also, it is reported that the Italian side would want Dejan Lovren in exchange in any deal to sign the youngster – they have been linked with the Croatia international in the past (Corriere di Roma via Calciomercato).

The former Southampton defender is far from a popular figure on Merseyside and many of the club’s supporters appear delighted with the suggestion that he may be offered in a deal for Zaniolo. They have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts and you can see some of the best comments from the social media platform below:

Liverpool fans, do you want to see Zaniolo arriving at Anfield with Lovren going the other way? Let us know what you think by commenting below!

Manchester United are ready to face Tottenham Hotspur away on Friday as the Premier League is set to restart this week.

The Red Devils are currently fifth in the table, four points clear of Spurs, who are now managed by former Old Trafford boss Jose Mourinho.

United have won the last two games between the teams, which could give Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side an advantage as both sides must win in order to boost their hopes of a top four finish. Marcus Rashford, who is the club’s top scorer this season, bagged a brace in December to condemn Mourinho to his first defeat as Spurs’ head coach.

Earlier this week, the Premier League announced that Jonathan Moss will take charge of the match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Moss qualified as a referee in 1998 and has often been on the receiving end from the Old Trafford faithful over the years. Indeed, he endured the wrath of supporters for his decisions during the match against Burnley last season (SportBible).

It is worth pointing out the Red Devils have lost three of their past five games Moss has refereed. He also handed Rashford a red card in the 2-0 win over the Clarets back in September 2018.

Unsurprisingly, many United fans slammed the “atrocious” decision, with one fan tweeting “Spurs W incoming” and another adding “we’ve lost then”.

Scroll through some of the scathing reactions so far…

United fans, do you think the Red Devils will beat Spurs? Let us know in the comments section below!