Manchester United are surely set to strengthen their squad heavily in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The Red Devils spent big last summer by bringing Fred and Diogo Dalot to the club. However, the Brazilian midfielder has struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford while the Portuguese is seen as a signing for the future despite some bright cameo appearances. After Jose Mourinho’s dismissal, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has completely revitalised the United squad.

Their excellent form under the Norwegian’s stewardship has drastically increased his chances of landing the job on a permanent basis in the summer. Regardless of who is in charge, they will likely be backed by a transfer war chest as United look to challenge for the title yet again. Their budget will be bolstered by a host of fringe players who could leave the club.

One man United could target is Benfica wonderkid – Joao Felix. Valued at £13.5m by Transfermarkt, the attacking midfielder has progressed through the club’s academy after being released by rivals Porto in 2015. Felix has blossomed into a vital first-team player and is enjoying his finest season to date in Liga NOS.

The 19-year-old has been in lethal form in front of goal, finding the back of the net nine times already this season. Felix has also been the creative force for his side, registering six assists for his team-mates. The Portugal U21 international possesses excellent technical ability and pace to cause defenders problems – his expert vision allows him to constantly carve open opposition back fours.

The youngster is improving with each passing game – signing him in the summer could prove to be a masterstroke.

Manchester United fans, thoughts?

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A number of former international players and now pundits have been debating Declan Rice’s decision to switch his allegiance from the Republic of Ireland to England, with John O’Shea one who has expressed his concern at the move.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the London-born midfielder appeared three times for Ireland before announcing earlier this month that he had chosen to represent the country of his birthplace instead, which has created plenty of debate.

Lee Dixon, Chris Sutton and the Irons star’s ex-international teammate O’Shea were among the pundits having their say on BBC Radio 5 live’s Monday night club, with the latter praising the 20-year-old but also suggesting he could live to regret his decision.

The Reading defender said, via BBC Sport: “I saw him involved with the Ireland squad and he looked the real deal – then England came calling and his mind was changed.

“He’s a very good player – his temperament, attitude is top-class.

“At the minute, he looks like he could get into England squad and improve it, but that could change very quickly.

“You don’t know what is around the corner, injuries, form, other English players coming through and the competition he could face.”

Is he right?

Yes and no.

As things stand, England don’t have a plethora of defensively-minded central midfield players to choose from with Eric Dier and Jordan Henderson perhaps most suited to the role right now, and therefore there is plenty of scope for Rice to be involved in the squad at the very least.

The West Ham star has been a shining light for his club this season and if he continues to put in the same level of performance on a consistent basis, then Gareth Southgate will be left with little option than to put him in or around the starting XI – something he won’t be complaining about.

That said, O’Shea is right when he says things can change quickly at international level with younger players emerging all of the time, but as long as the 20-year-old continues to do what he is doing and keeps his feet firmly on the ground, he won’t have anything to worry about.

Rangers’ performance on Tuesday looked pretty spineless, right? It didn’t seem they were up for the small matter of keep their Scottish Cup hopes alive, and the post-match interviews reflected the whole night.

Jermaine Defoe, who only played 20 minutes on the night and signed in January, was sent out to be interviewed by RangersTV. Now forget all the usual media-trained answers he and every other player provides, the fact one of Rangers’ top players wasn’t available to talk speaks volumes.

Where was captain James Tavernier, or centre-back Connor Goldson who should have been keeping Aberdeen out all night? Rangers fans expect better at Ibrox and to have their most influential players hide in the dressing room after the defeat was gutless. High expectations are at the club for a reason, and the players must understand that or move on.

All credit to Defoe for coming out to speak, but he came on when Rangers were already 2-0 down. Why should he be acting as a spokesperson for the dressing room after that disappointing performance. Of course, Gers fans will stick by the team no matter what the result, but there was clear discontent at the full-time whistle and someone who had played the full game should have faced the music.

There’ve been positive steps forward this season by Steven Gerrard and his squad, and enthusiasm has been as high as it’s been since their return to the Scottish Premiership, but the last thing the club need is a disconnect between the fans and the players.

They play Kilmarnock next at home on Saturday, so there’s a clear opportunity to work towards redeeming themselves from Tuesday’s disappointment. Defeat can be tolerated, but a lack of heart and accountability won’t be.

Rangers fans, what do you now see as success for your club this season? Join the discussion by commenting below.

It wasn’t really that long ago Saido Berahino was being touted for big things in the Premier League.

After impressing at West Bromwich Albion, fame seemingly got to his head. Berahino wanted to reach the top quickly and disrupted his relationship with the Baggies in order to force a move to Tottenham Hotspur.

However, after not being allowed so, his downfall began. Berahino’s discipline was questioned, as rather than trying to keep on improving himself to become a top striker, he continued living a precarious lifestyle. His poor attitude coupled with lack of discipline caused big problems, as he started gaining weight and losing match-fitness.

While Tony Pulis rejected his bad attitude, Mark Hughes tried to reignite his flame upon joining Stoke City. Things turned worse when Berahino was handed a lengthy suspension for failing a surprise drug test by the FA. It turned out as the deathly blow on his international career for England.

However, rather than getting back on his feet and trying to find back his lethal touch, Berahino only delved into the darkness. Recently, he was arrested in London for drinking and driving at 3 AM, as per the Daily Mail.

Having scored only three league goals for them in over 50 appearances, Berahino’s Stoke City career is done.

They’ll surely sell him in the summer and considering his reputation, no prominent side will take him. However, Berahino’s downfall is all due to his recklessness, which killed what could’ve been potentially the career of a star England striker.

كشف جناح وصانع ألعاب منتخب الجزائر الأول، يوسف بلايلي، عن وجهته المفضلة المقبلة بعد فسخ تعاقده مع ناديه السابق أهلي جدة في الساعات القليلة الماضية.

وأصدر فيفا قرارًا أمس الثلاثاء لصالح بلايلي بفسخ تعاقده بعدما تأخر النادي السعودي في دفع راتبه لمدة 3 أشهر. (طالع التفاصيل)

وأجرى بلايلي حوارًا مع مجلة “فرانس فوتبول” الفرنسية يتحدث فيه عن مستقبله بعد الرحيل عن السعودية، وقال: “الأمر بسيط للغاية، أريد الانتقال إلى مستوى عالٍ من كرة القدم وأولويتي هي العودة إلى أوروبا”.

وتابع: “تستهويني فكرة العودة مرة أخرى إلى الدوري الفرنسي، لأنه مسابقة مميزة وتتمتع بمنافسة قوية بين الأندية، لذلك أتمنى العودة وإظهار قدرتي الفنية”.

وكان بلايلي قد انتقل في موسم 2017/2018 إلى صفوف أنجيه في الدوري الفرنسي في الدرجة الثانية، لكنه لم يشارك كثيرًا ثم عاد إلى الترجي التونسي.

وبرر الجزائري عدم مشاركته مع أنجيه في ذلك التوقيت، وقال: “هذه هي اختيارات المدرب في النهاية، عليك أن تسأله”.

وبسؤاله، لماذا عدت إلى الترجي بهذه السرعة، أجاب: “كان السبب وراء ذلك هو استعادة مستواي الفني والبدني في أسرع وقت ممكن للمشاركة مع الجزائر في كأس أمم إفريقيا 2019، ولم يكن لدي وقت للانتظار في فرنسا، وبالفعل نجحت في تقديم أداء جيد في تلك البطولة”.

وعن طموحاته مع المنتخب الجزائري: “هدفنا الوصول إلى كأس العالم، هذا هو الهدف الكبير الذي أطمح للوصول إليه في مسيرتي، عندما ألعب بقميص المنتخب، أقدم كل ما لدي للدفاع عن هذا الشعار”.

الجدير بالذكر أن يوسف بلايلي هو هدف الأهلي بطل الدوري المصري في الفترة الحالية، ولكن يبدو بعد تصريحات الجزائري سيكون بعيدًا عن العملاق القاهري في المستقبل.

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Crystal Palace fans have taken to Twitter to discuss their team’s woeful form at Selhurst Park this season.

The Eagles have scored just six goals from open play at home this season, with one of them an own goal, and only bottom-placed Huddersfield have a worse record at home than the south London-based side.

Which player with “no potential” has just been named Crystal Palace’s worst ever January signing? Find out in the video below…

In stark contrast, Palace’s away form is excellent, but fans who regularly attend the fixtures at Selhurst Park will be continuously left feeling hard done by as a result of the toothless performances.

Palace have lost eight games at home already this season, and have just one win in their last seven fixtures on their own turf.

With eight games left to play and having already amassed 33 points, the general consensus is that Palace will stay up, but the fans are getting more and more frustrated at watching their team constantly suffering defeat at their own place.

Let’s see what the Eagles supporters are saying on Twitter…

أكد الجنوب إفريقي بيتسو موسيماني، المدير الفني الجديد للنادي الأهلي، أنه يعلم جيدًا الإيجابيات والسلبيات بالفريق، مشددًا على أنه يقوم باعلمل عليها في الفترة المقبلة.

وكان موسيماني وجهازه المعاون قد وصلوا إلى القاهرة صباح أمس الجمعة؛ لتولي قيادة الأهلي، حيث بدأ الجنوب إفريقي مهمته بقيادة مران الفريق مساء أمس؛ استعدادا لمواجهة المقاولون العرب المقرر لها بعد غدٍ الأحد ضمن منافسات الدوري المصري الممتاز.‏

أقرأ ايضًا.. موسيماني: أطالب الجماهير بدعمي مع الأهلي ولم أدرب فريقًا أقل من 7 سنوات

أضاف موسيماني خلال لقاءه عبر قناة الأهلي: “أعلم الايجابيات والسلبيات للنادي الأهلي وشاهدتها واعمل عليها، ولكن الأهم بالنسبة ليٌ الآن هي بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا”.

تابع: “أعلم الفريق جيدًا ولكن معرفتي به عن قرب شيء أخر، وبيبو اتاح ليٌ الفرصة أن أكون هنا، ولا أحد يستطيع أن يقول لا لنادي القرن”.

وواصل: “أنا سعيد وسوف أجعل الشياطين الحمر ايضًا سعداء، أعلم أنهم يقدرون كرة القدم والفوز ولكن الأهم أن نلعب جيدًا”.

استكمل: “أود أن اقول لجمهور الأهلي أن الفوز وحده لا يكفي ولكن الأداء المذهل مهم ايضًا”.

اختتم: “الأهلي فريق قوي ولكن الأهم في الفترة الحالية هو الفوز ببطولة إفريقيا، ليس فقط هذا العام ولكن لـ 7 أو 8 أعوام قادمة”.

يذكر، أن الأهلي مقبل على مباراة هامة أمام الوداد البيضاوي المغربي، في نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا، حيث من المقرر أن تقام مباراة الذهاب في المغرب يوم 17 من شهر أكتوبر الجاري، على أن تُقام مباراة العودة في مصر يوم 23 من الشهر نفسه.

[ad_pod ]Charlton’s Josh Parker became the sixth Addick to earn a call-up to his national side this month with Antigua and Barbuda naming the forward in the squad for their CONCACAF Nations League qualification match against Curacao this weekend.The 28-year-old January arrival from Gillingham joins club teammates Josh Cullen, Chris Maxwell, Krystian Bielik, Lyle Taylor and Igor Vetokele in receiving the call every football player dreams of, and will be hoping to fire the Benna Boys to victory on Saturday.Regardless of the options available to Antigua and Barbuda boss Rolston Williams, 5 ft 11 Parker may count himself lucky to be included having endured a pretty poor season.Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…The number 10 has netted just four times in 24 league appearances this campaign and is yet to score for Charlton, with the aforementioned Taylor and Vetokele stepping up after Karlan Grant’s January departure instead.Here’s what the Valley faithful had to say in response to the update, with many taking the opportunity to make jibes at the Slough-born player…

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Rangers fans have taken to Twitter to react after Alfredo Morelos recorded a stunning four-goal haul against Kilmarnock, as the Gers hit them for five in the Scottish Cup.

The Colombian international’s four goals sandwiched an effort by Andy Halliday to give Steven Gerrard’s men a resounding victory, but Morelos will obviously grab all of the headlines after a masterclass in finishing.

‘El Búfalo’ has now hit 25 goals in all competitions this season, as well as picking up four red cards in what has been a true blockbuster of a season for the 22-year-old.

The former HJK Helsinki forward has been the star man for Gerrard this season, and whilst his disciplinary problems look to have cost them the title – they are now eight points behind Celtic – Morelos is worth his weight in gold to the Scottish giants.

Let’s see how the Rangers fans on Twitter reacted after the four-goal haul…

After exactly 30 games of the Premier League it is quite clear to see the massive difference Unai Emery has made as the new Arsenal manager this season.

After years of turmoil and disappointment, the Arsenal faithful was desperate to get someone in charge who could steer the club to a new direction with new belief amongst all involved and Emery has certainly delivered that, or at least started to change the course and goals set out to achieve.

Arsenal are 12 points better off at the moment compared to exactly the same stage last season, while they are only three points behind reaching their total points of the whole of last campaign.

Those stats might not indicate that success is destined to reach the club soon, but is a sign that Emery has a plan which he believes could maybe reap rewards in the near future.

For the Arsenal fans, it was a case of showing improvement from last season and to be honest it probably isn’t that difficult seeing how bad they were in Wenger’s last season.

But, Arsenal have now won nine consecutive home games in the league, currently posing with the second-best home record in the competition, while they have shown a great deal of improvement against the ‘top six’.

Having already played all the other ‘big’ five clubs twice in the league, Arsenal have managed ten points in total against their rivals, double of what they achieved last season.

And, they have managed to pick up valuable wins at home by grinding out games against quality opposition.

The 4-2 over Tottenham Hotspur in December was followed by 2-0 victories over both Chelsea and Manchester United this year.

In the past, these were the matches where the Gunners might have slipped up or maybe settle for a point.

But, in all three of those matches did Emery show the ambition he has brought to the club and why there is a proper reason to be optimistic about the future.

Arsenal fans, how happy have you been with Unai Emery this season? Join the discussion by commenting below…