All posts by n8rngtd.top

Whisper it quietly, but Manchester United are close to being a proper team once again. They have a competent goalkeeper at last in Senne Lammens, as well as top-level forwards who cannot only create quality chances but also finish them off in Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. They have also developed some resilience, as evidenced by their crucial late goals at Nottingham Forest, Tottenham and Liverpool of late.

But they are still missing a crucial element of any team with aspirations to return to the Champions League and compete for the Premier League title: a consistent and top-class midfield. Ruben Amorim's side have been getting by with Bruno Fernandes sitting deeper alongside Casemiro, who is enjoying an Indian summer. Both players have been performing admirably in their respective circumstances, but they both have asterixis by their names.

Fernandes is 31 and the spectre of him winding down his career in Saudi Arabia has not fully gone away despite him resisting the advances of Al-Hilal last summer. Casemiro, meanwhile, might be rolling back the years right now, but he turns 34 in February and his contract is up in June, albeit with the option to trigger a one-year extension. 

Neither player screams long-term planning, and it is no secret that United need and want to sign a top-class midfielder who can lead the team for many years. It is becoming increasingly clear, too, that the man they should be looking at to return them to the highest level is Elliot Anderson, who just happens to also be the future of the England team.

• AFP
  

  Top of the class

  Anderson was one of the main driving forces behind Nottingham Forest’s brilliant 2024-25 campaign as they finished seventh in the Premier League in their third season back in the top-flight, narrowly missing out on the Champions League while reaching the FA Cup semi-finals. But while the Tricky Trees’ results have nosedived amid the upheaval of having three separate coaches already this term, Anderson has continued to stand tall. Taller than every other midfielder in the Premier League, in fact.

  Name every attribute you want a midfielder to have, and there is a good chance Anderson will lead the way in it. According to , he sits No.1 among Premier League midfielders in passes attempted, passes completed, progressive passes, passes into the final third, short passes attempted and completed. 

  He also has the highest passing distance among midfielders (and the fourth-highest in the league) and highest progressive passing distance of any midfielder. In that last category, he is ranked 20th in the league in a field dominated by goalkeepers. The closest midfielder to him is Fernandes in 30th, then Granit Xhaka at 45th while his England team-mate Declan Rice is 50th. Anderson has an accumulated progressive passing distance of 3844 metres, 447 more than Fernandes, 986 more than Xhaka and 1049 more than Rice. 

  In addition, he has more touches on the ball than any other midfielder, and the most ball recoveries.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Doing it all

  "Elliot Anderson can do it all," said former United and England winger Ashley Young. "He can defend, he can get on the front foot, he can play line-breaking passes. He can create, he can do the other side of it as well and win the tackles and release the players further forward."

  Anderson displayed that passing vision with an assist for Chris Wood on the opening day of this season, threading the ball into the forward's path from behind the halfway line. In England’s 5-0 win away to Serbia in September, meanwhile, he provided a pre-assist with his forward pass to Morgan Rogers, whose flashy flick of the boot released goal-scorer Noni Madueke. No Serbia player managed to dribble past him that night, while in the 5-0 drubbing of Latvia last month which sealed England’s spot at the World Cup, Anderson completed 121 passes, the most by any player in an England away game since 2008.

  What has really stood out for England has been Anderson's ability to take the ball from defence and glide past opponents to distribute it further downfield. "His physicality for a player of his size, the way he can keep people away from the ball and get about the pitch is a big strength," said his England team-mate Dan Burn, who also played alongside him at Newcastle. "He's always wanting the ball wherever he is. He's so calm when he gets it, he's got that eye for the passes that we probably need."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  On autopilot

  Speaking after his excellent debut for England against Andorra amid an otherwise dreary team performance in June, Thomas Tuchel said of Anderson. "He has the physicality, he's a very mobile No.6. He has the body, he loves to defend, he loves to put his body inside to win duels. He loves passing, he loves to break the lines. And he's just very mobile in his game."

  Rice, who has lacked a consistent partner for England since Kalvin Phillips' peak at Euro 2020, is really enjoying playing alongside Anderson: "He has taken it all in his stride and is playing like he plays for his club. When you have a lad who is that confident and comes in and feels he does not have to do anything different, it's like autopilot the way he plays. We are building up a nice little partnership."

  Anderson’s versatility explains why he has managed to perform well for each of his three Forest coaches, going from the counter-attacking football of Nuno Espirito Santo to the positional play of Ange Postecoglou and then back to the more reactive play of Sean Dyche. Nuno deployed him all over the midfield, from an anchoring No.6 to a driving No.8 to a creative No.10 when Morgan Gibbs-White was unavailable. 

  Eddie Howe also played Anderson in more attacking roles when in charge of him at Newcastle before he was sold to Forest for £35 million ($46m) in a move that was widely considered to have been to ease the Magpies' PSR concerns.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Worth the money

  Forest might be about to make a massive return on that investment as the latest reports claim they will demand between £100m and £120m ($131.5m-$158m) for Anderson. It is a similar price tag that United were quoted by Brighton for Carlos Baleba over the summer, which ultimately led to them turning away from the Cameroon international. 

  Anderson’s stock has risen way above Baleba’s in the last three months, and a £100m-plus fee is not actually that outlandish when compared to the two leading midfielders in the league over the last couple of years, Rice and Moises Caicedo. Arsenal paid a club-record £105m to sign Rice from West Ham in 2023. He was 24 at the time and was also an England regular at that stage, albeit with considerably more experience than Anderson given he had both a European Championship and a World Cup under his belt. Caicedo, meanwhile, moved from Brighton to Chelsea at the age of 21 that same summer for £115m.

  Rice has been the main driving force behind Arsenal’s consistent results over the last three seasons while Caicedo was instrumental to Chelsea finishing fourth in the league last season and to them winning the Club World Cup. And if Anderson, who only turned 23 at the start of November, continues on the same path he is at the moment, there is no reason why he could not do the same for United.

  His ability to play in different midfield roles will also be useful for the club’s succession planning. He could fill in for Casemiro next season as Amorim’s primary holding midfielder if the Brazilian leaves this summer before taking the baton from Fernandes in 2027, when the captain’s current contract will be up.

Do not pinch yourself, Sunderland fans, your beloved team does actually sit in a mind-blowing fourth position in the early Premier League standings right now.

Ever since Regis Le Bris’ transformative appointment last summer, the Black Cats have found themselves slowly but surely rising to absurd new heights, with a dramatic promotion via the playoffs, now being met with an incredible five victories from their opening nine top-flight contests.

The Wearside underdogs even got the better of Chelsea last time out in the Premier League to secure that amazing top-four position, as a last-gasp Chemsidine Talbi effort left Robert Sanchez rooted to his spot.

The Black Cats’ away end was anything but stationary, though, as flailing arms galore were seen at Stamford Bridge, as the hardened travelling masses try to grow used to their side competing with the big boys, and even beating them.

It’s been quite a breakneck journey for Le Bris and Co. since the ex-Lorient boss was handed the Stadium of Light reins back in the summer of 2024, with the Black Cats very much putting the transfer market to good use in signing some fantastic gems over the last year or so.

Sunderland's best signings since Le Bris joined

There would have been plenty of apprehension in the air when Le Bris was first announced as Sunderland boss, as the then-Championship underachievers gambled on a managerial option that had never taken charge of an EFL game before.

Thankfully, their left-field thinking paid off, with Wilson Isidor undoubtedly sticking out as one of the Frenchman’s finest bits of business since moving to England.

Already, Isidor has shown he can cut it in the Premier League with four top-flight strikes next to his name, with the sweetest effort of them all arguably being this instinctive effort that got the ball rolling for Le Bris’ men in West London.

With 13 Championship goals also under his belt, which ensured the glory of promotion was achieved, he is certainly a firm fan’s favourite now, after also being seen as an out-there purchase when initially joining the ranks on loan from Zenit St. Petersburg.

Isidor’s fellow compatriot in Enzo Le Fee is also in this conversation, with Le Bris flexing his Ligue 1 connections to bring in the ex-Roma midfielder in January, proving to be a crucial moment in their hunt for promotion.

Without Le Fee’s added star quality, the Black Cats might well have come up short in their goal to finally return to the Premier League, with two assists picked up from their three cagey playoff matches, resulting in the number 28 being seen as an ice-cold customer on Wearside in tense moments.

Le Fee entering the building on loan and then staying put permanently arguably paved the way for Sunderland to be very ambitious this summer, with faces such as Omar Alderete leaving the glamour of La Liga behind for a chance at Premier League success with Sunderland, a wild thought when the Black Cats were once marooned in the second tier.

Of all the standout purchases this summer, Granit Xhaka is surely the one that sticks out the most, with the Swiss international a regular once upon a time at Arsenal, before becoming a Bundesliga-winning warrior with Bayer Leverkusen.

It almost felt too good to be true; therefore, when the 33-year-old battler ditched Germany for Sunderland this summer, with there surely being a catch along the way.

Yet, Xhaka has proven to be a fine wine on his return to England, with the £13m summer buy currently ranking fifth in the division for big chances created (four), despite being in the supposed twilight years of his career.

Chipping in with three assists, too, it must still be hard for Sunderland fans to come to terms with the spectacular talents their side can now convince to move to Wearside, with Le Bris commenting after the Chelsea win that his brand-new captain is “setting the standards” for everyone around him.

While Xhaka is rightly stealing the headlines for being a masterstroke of a signing, there is another figure who has slipped under the radar, who could be deemed as an even better signing that Le Bris has pulled off, away from the number 34’s wild return to England.

Sunderland's best signing under Le Bris

If Xhaka were to have an off-day, the Frenchman thankfully has fellow midfield talent Noah Sadiki to call upon, with the summer signing from Belgium yet another face who has been “incredible” this season, as he was recently labelled by journalist James Copley.

In the heart of defence, though, Sunderland are arguably not blessed with the same levels of depth, with an ageing Luke O’Nien perhaps not cut out for the pressures of the Premier League, in reserve.

Thankfully, ever since his £9.5m arrival to the building during the action-packed summer transfer window, Nordi Mukiele has been a trustworthy component of Le Bris’ side in this spot on the pitch, with the assured number 20 already being referred to as a “colossus” by journalist Andy Sixsmith, off the back of him looking near faultless since entering the Black Cats ranks.

While Xhaka has also looked equally imperious and confident, he already knew all the rhymes and rhythms of the unforgiving division, having been put through the wringer at Arsenal.

Mukiele, on the other hand, only knew Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga before his switch, but has since stepped up to already be seen as an undroppable part of Sunderland’s unfolding success story, as can be seen by looking at his phenomenal Premier League numbers to date.

Amazingly, despite the ex-Gunners midfielder also holding a fierce reputation for being a “monster”, as he was once labelled by Arsenal-based writer Connor Humm while still at the Emirates, Mukiele has managed to win more duels on average this season with a commanding 7.3 duels conjured up, next to Xhaka’s slightly lesser 6.2.

To further back up the argument that Mukiele is Le Bris’ best bit of business since leaving Lorient behind for Wearside, the 27-year-old has also been vital so far this season with his ability to be adaptable and versatile for his team’s cause, with a goal even coming his way against Wolverhampton Wanderers in mid-October, when drafted out to a right-back spot to fix some injury concerns.

Landing such a committed character for just £9.5m, which is also cheaper than the modest amount forked out to win Xhaka, surely means he is a frontrunner to be seen as Le Bris’ smartest move since becoming Sunderland manager, with Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley even stating last month that he “can’t believe” the Premier League newcomers managed to pick him up.

The concern, too, with their captain is that he is 33 years of age, with more seasons on the agenda where he’s running himself into the ground – past this campaign – perhaps a tall order.

Whereas, Mukiele has time on his side, with a hope that his full-blooded efforts just continue on, as Sunderland strive to remain near the top of the Premier League tree for as long as possible, courtesy of their never-say-die number 20.

Le Bris can axe Traore for £18m gem who’s "grown into the Sunderland shirt”

Regis Le Bris could be looking to replace Bertrand Traore with this Sunderland star.

By
Kelan Sarson

Oct 25, 2025

Leeds United now have time to dust themselves down and reassess with another international break in play.

It has been far from a nightmare start for Daniel Farke’s Whites back in the Premier League, with two league wins already on the board, but that could well have been bumped up to three last time out, if it wasn’t for some fortunate deflections handing Tottenham Hotspur a 2-1 victory at Elland Road.

While there were plenty of positives to cling onto as Noah Okafor grabbed another strike in West Yorkshire, there were also other individuals on the day that let the side down, who will be fearing for their starting spots when Leeds travel to Burnley when the break has finished.

Leeds' biggest underperformers vs Spurs

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is one figure who will surely be anxious about his starting position as Leeds’ main marksman after another goalless showing versus Thomas Frank’s side.

So far this season, the former Everton striker has already missed five big chances, with another added to his unwanted resume when squandering a major opportunity against Spurs.

Mathys Tel would show Calvert-Lewin how to finish in style; on the contrary, as the Frenchman only needed 13 touches of the ball to place a fierce effort past Karl Darlow.

Gabriel Gudmundsson also looked uncharacteristically shaky during the Saturday lunchtime kick-off, after a solid start to his Elland Road career otherwise, with the number 3 run ragged by Mohamed Kudus’ pace for Spurs’ second-half winner.

Still, with Calvert-Lewin scoring against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Gudmundsson winning 4.9 total duels per match this season in the Premier League, there is some credit in the bank on both ends.

While both are likely to keep their place once Premier League football returns after the break, the same cannot be said for one of Leeds’ longest-serving players.

Leeds star is now on borrowed time

Time be given to both the Englishman and the Swede, with Calvert-Lewin a proven Premier League goalscorer when he gets going, while his Scandinavian counterpart will require time to get up to speed with what is expected of him week in week out on English soil.

On the other hand, patience could be wearing rather thin with long-standing Leeds servant Pascal Struijk now, especially after both of Spurs’ goals last time out were deflected off the “unfortunate” Dutchman, as he was branded by Leeds journalist Beren Cross.

Still, Struijk standing off the lightning quick number 20 almost invited him to have a pop at Darlow’s goal, with the 26-year-old looking in over his head again when it comes to consistently battling it out in the top-flight.

To date, the former Ajax youth product turned Leeds first-teamer only has a worrying 13 Premier League sheets next to his name from three full seasons at the level, with iconic journalist Phil Hay even noting that “he might not be Premier League quality” way back in 2023.

With 92 games at the very top of the English game now under his belt with Leeds, the overarching worry will be whether Struijk will ever improve and not look so shaky in the daunting division, having also been a part of the Whites’ defence that was humbled 5-0 by Arsenal earlier this season.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Jaka Bijol might well fancy his chances of coming in and taking over from the 26-year-old imminently, having been dubbed a “monstrous” presence previously by analyst Ben Mattinson for his assured performances in Serie A.

Bijol, who cost Leeds a significant £15m this summer, would jump at the chance to impress, having picked up eight clean sheets last season in Italy, when also winning 4.8 duels per Serie A clash.

However, the forceful Slovenian is yet to get up and running at Elland Road, with a recurring spot on Farke’s bench all he has been afforded so far in the Premier League.

This could soon change, though, with a concern that Struijk staying put in the heart of defence might culminate in another devastating relegation occurring.

Not just Aaronson: "Superb" star has saved his Leeds United career

This Leeds United star has revived his career at Elland Road and it is not Brenden Aaronson.

By
Dan Emery

Oct 6, 2025

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk was in contact with Real Madrid through his entourage last season regarding a potential free transfer in the summer. Van Dijk rejected offers from several other clubs, including Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, as his priority was to join Madrid. However, the Spanish side chose to look elsewhere and instead signed defender Dean Huijsen.

• Van Dijk's wish to play for Madrid

  According to Spanish outlet AS, Madrid were reportedly unconvinced about signing Van Dijk due to concerns over his age and the serious ACL injury he suffered in 2020. Despite having a contract extension offer on the table from Liverpool last season, the Dutch defender was keen on a move to the Spanish giants and offered his services to them through his agents. Van Dijk’s desire to join Madrid saw him turn down approaches from several other clubs, with Al-Hilal offering a lucrative deal.

  However, Madrid ultimately choose instead to sign young defender Huijsen from Bournemouth as part of their long-term defensive planning. With Madrid no longer an option, Van Dijk eventually accepted Liverpool’s two-year contract extension. 

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Van Dijk's glorious career at Liverpool

  Van Dijk joined Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018 for what was then a world record fee for a defender. Since his arrival, Van Dijk has made 333 appearances for the club, scoring 30 goals. The Dutchman has been a key figure under both Jurgen Klopp and current manager Arne Slot, helping Liverpool secure major trophies including two Premier League titles, one Champions League and one FA Cup. His influence goes beyond team success, as he redefined the role of a modern defender with his consistency, positioning, and reading of the game.

  Individually, Van Dijk was named UEFA Men’s Player of the Year for the 2018–19 season and finished second to Lionel Messi in the 2019 Ballon d’Or rankings, recognition of his outstanding performances and immense contribution to Liverpool’s rise to the top of European football.

• Van Dijk in for criticism amid Liverpool struggles

  Liverpool have struggled for consistency this season despite retaining Van Dijk and investing heavily during a major summer transfer window. The Reds began the campaign strongly, winning seven consecutive matches across all competitions, but their form has since dipped sharply. A series of poor performances has raised concerns about the team’s balance and defensive stability. Their slump was highlighted by six defeats in seven games, including four consecutive losses to Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, Chelsea and Manchester United in the Premier League and Champions League. The disappointing run has cast doubt over Liverpool’s ability to challenge for major honours despite their strong start and talented squad.

  The recent results have drawn criticism towards Van Dijk, with United legend Wayne Rooney questioning his leadership. Rooney said: "Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, they've signed new deals but I don't think they've really led that team this season.

  "I think body language tells you a lot, and I think we're seeing slightly different body language from the two of them. They are the top two players in that team and if their body language is not right, that affects everyone else."

  Meanwhile, Real Madrid sit comfortably at the top of La Liga, five points clear of rivals Barcelona following their recent 2-1 victory in El Clasico. Xabi Alonso’s side have been in exceptional form, losing only once across all competitions this season. Their success has been built on a solid defensive foundation, boasting the best record in La Liga with just 10 goals conceded. The signing of Huijsen has proven instrumental, further strengthening Madrid’s already resilient backline.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  Liverpool facing Madrid test

  Liverpool will host Real Madrid at Anfield in the Champions League today. Van Dijk will be aiming to help turn Liverpool’s form around and silence his critics with a big performance and a crucial win over Madrid.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has revealed he took the drastic action following the damaging 2-1 defeat by Liverpool in a bid to halt the Premier League champions worrying slide, which had seen them lose four matches on the bounce. The Netherlands international made the intervention ahead of the Champions League clash with Eintracht Frankfurt, which the Reds won comfortably 5-1.

• Champions' difficult second season

  Liverpool have endured a challenging season, their second under Dutch boss Arne Slot, marked by a sharp decline in results and overall performance. The defending champions have struggled with uncharacteristic inconsistency, highlighted by a four-match losing streak across all competitions before the Champions League win in Germany. Defensively, the team has lost some structure and stability, conceding 18 goals in just 13 games, which is a stark regression from last term. The once-vaunted pressing system has appeared uncoordinated, allowing opponents to exploit large spaces in midfield, this has also exposed a damaging vulnerability from set-pieces, costing the team crucial points. Though Liverpool often dominate possession and create opportunities, a lack of cutting edge has meant they fail to convert chances into goals. This combination of tactical and structural failings has left the team searching for the consistency that defined their previous success.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Mega-money signings fail to gel

  Liverpool invested heavily this summer in a bid to refresh the squad and mount a major bid to defend their Premier League crown, but expensive summer signings, Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, have struggled with inconsistent performances and fitness issues. Isak cost an eye-watering £125 million ($166.4m) but has scored just one goal in his first seven games across all competitions while attacking midfielder Wirtz has shown glimpses of brilliance, but taken time to adapt. Though his recent two-assist performance in the Champions League has been hailed as a breakthrough moment. Hugo Ekitike has performed well, the overall integration of the new talent has been hugely difficult for Slot.

• Liverpool leader demands action

  Speaking after the win in Germany, Van Dijk said: "On Monday, everyone was sad because we lost to United at home. We haven't lost many games at home during my time at Liverpool. It was tough under the circumstances so on Monday we came together, but it wasn't a crisis meeting. We all know how things can change. We're only in October. Obviously, we also had a proper debrief with the manager but we also had a separate one as players. I wanted to say some things. It's not something I do after every game. Let's keep it that way. The only way to get out of a situation like that is to stay together, keep your mind on the task ahead, try to improve, keep the confidence, embrace the moment. They are all things that are easier to say than actually do. But if you want to get out of it, you have to do it. We live in a world now where there is always noise, always something to be said, always someone who knows better. We have to stay focused on ourselves. Before my meeting, yes (the mood was low) but after my meeting, everyone was happy!"

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  Small steps as Reds rediscover form

  The win in Frankfurt was a timely boost for Liverpool’s Dutch boss, but many questions remain over the performance levels of key stars and he has a host of injuries to deal with, too. Can he get a tune out of high-profile summer signings and he’ll keep his fingers crossed the likes of Alisson, Ryan Gravenberch, Jeremie Frimpong and Alexander Isak return to fitness as soon as possible. Another win this weekend would be very welcome too as the Reds travel to London to face Brentford. 

One of the areas Manchester United were reportedly looking to strengthen for Ruben Amorim over the summer was in midfield. In the end, the Red Devils never brought someone in to play in the middle of the park, but it was a key focus for the club.

They were heavily linked with Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba. It was reported at the start of August that United had made contact via intermediaries to sign the midfielder, although the move never happened.

Indeed, over the last few years, United have struggled to sign a permanent replacement in midfield for the great Michael Carrick.

Man Utd's struggle to replace Carrick

It often feels like Carrick does not get the praise he deserves. You do not play 464 times for United if you aren’t a top-level player. As Rio Ferdinand once said, he was “the most underrated and undervalued player in the league” throughout his career.

So, replacing him was never going to be easy for United. Unfortunately, it still seems like the Red Devils are yet to find the man who can properly fill Carrick’s boots. Since his retirement at the end of 2017/18, the Red Devils have signed seven midfielders.

Bruno Fernandes has been the only true success. United’s captain can also be grouped with Donny van de Beek and Mason Mount as players who are attacking midfielders rather than a number six like Carrick was.

Another two of those midfield signings have now left the club. Fred was a marmite figure among United fans, although left to join Fenerbahce last summer. Sofyan Amrabat was only at the club on a season-long loan, and now plays at Real Betis.

So, that leaves Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte. The Brazilian legend has had peaks and troughs at Old Trafford, although at 33 years of age, he hasn’t played for the club in his prime.

As for Ugarte, he’s struggled to cement a place in the midfield under Amorim – as evidenced by his lack of action in the Europa League final – and does not possess the quality of Carrick.

So, the wait goes on to replace Carrick. However, United may have had an academy star on the books who could have been the perfect option.

United’s in-house Carrick replacement

Replacing a midfielder as important and talented as Carrick was never going to be easy for the Red Devils. Often, their esteemed Carrington academy is the place to turn for exciting young talents.

Well, back when Erik ten Hag was the club’s manager in 2023, they chose not to offer Ethan Galbraith a new contract. Described as a “little Iniesta or Xavi” by former Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough, the 24-year-old could have been United’s Carrick replacement.

He has previously been called “Carrick-esque” by journalist Richard Fay of The Manchester Evening News. It might be with regret for the higher-ups at United to see him doing so well at his current club, Swansea City.

This season for the Swans, he’s nine games across all competitions, scoring and assisting one apiece. The 24-year-old also featured twice for Northern Ireland in the most recent international break, where he impressed against Germany.

His stats from the season so far in the Championship highlight Galbraith’s ability with the ball at his feet.

For example, he averages 2.12 progressive carries and 6.72 progressive passes per 90 minutes, which rank him in the top 3% and 17% of Championship midfielders, respectively.

It is easy to see how Galbraith compares to Carrick. The former United number 16 had “wonderfully varied, extremely creative passing range, is two-footed and glides across the pitch”, according to his former manager at West Ham United, the late Glenn Roeder.

Galbraith certainly ticks those boxes, as the stats and the eye test both show. If only United had kept hold of the rising star a couple of years ago, he could have been a key part of their midfield under Amorim and their Carrick replacement.

Not Sesko: Bruno has found his new Martial & Rashford in Man Utd "machine"

Bruno Fernandes appears to have a new partner in crime at Manchester United…

By
Robbie Walls

Sep 24, 2025

Antonio Cassano has jumped to the defence of Juventus boss Igor Tudor after their 1-0 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, insisting the Croatian shouldn’t be blamed for the team’s poor run. The outspoken former striker instead called out the Bianconeri’s squad quality, warning the club that sacking Tudor would be a huge mistake.

• Cassano backs Tudor after Real Madrid defeat

  Juventus’ winless run stretched to seven games after a 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League, leaving boss Tudor under growing scrutiny. Despite the result, the Italian giants showed flashes of promise at the Bernabeu, pushing Madrid for large spells before English starlet Jude Bellingham’s close-range finish decided the game.

  Former Italy striker Cassano has, however, leapt to Tudor’s defence, claiming the problem lies with Juventus’ underwhelming squad rather than the manager. Speaking to , Cassano praised the Croatian’s tactical organisation and mentality, arguing that the 46-year-old is doing his best with limited resources.

  “Igor Tudor is great: a great person, a great coach, a great communicator, he has a great personality, and I'm on his side,” Cassano said. “At the Bernabeu, he showed that he played a great match, in a world-class stadium. He could have scored a couple of goals, he could have conceded, he played the game brilliantly. But then, guys… what kind of players does Juve play with?”

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  ‘Tudor is not the problem’ – Cassano's verdict

  Cassano continued his defence by stressing that Juve’ tactical discipline and effort under Tudor were clear to see in Madrid. Despite missing several chances, including Dusan Vlahovic’s late opportunity denied by Thibaut Courtois, the Bianconeri competed toe-to-toe with Xabi Alonso’s side for much of the contest.

  “Juve played a great 65 minutes, they attacked, they had space to attack, but then when they finished… guys, they don't have Juve-caliber players,” Cassano said. “And it's not the coach's fault, he's trying to get what he can out of them. And Juve played a great match. Real Madrid didn't steal anything because they had their chances, but if you have 3-4 players of a certain level at your disposal in that team, this time you'll score three or four goals against Real Madrid. Maybe you concede four, but if you score three, you scare them.”

  His comments reflect growing frustration among pundits who believe Juve have been weakened by years of poor recruitment and short-term planning. Tudor, who took over amid a turbulent period, has been credited with bringing back intensity and structure, but Cassano warned that without better players, results will remain inconsistent. “With a team like that… Tudor is the best coach right now, the one who can keep the ship afloat,” Cassano concluded.

• Juventus improving under Tudor but still lacking bite

  Tudor’s Juventus have shown signs of tactical evolution, especially in defensive structure and pressing organisation. The Croatian deployed a 5-4-1 system against Real Madrid, ensuring defensive solidity while allowing width through wing-backs Andrea Cambiaso and Pierre Kalulu. Players like Teun Koopmeiners and Khephren Thuram brought physicality in midfield, while Vlahovic led the line alone.

  The plan initially worked, and Juventus frustrated Real for long spells, creating several chances before Bellingham’s decisive strike. However, the lack of a clinical edge and creative spark continues to haunt the Turin side. Key absences, including Federico Chiesa and Nicolo Fagioli, have also limited their attacking variety.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  Lazio clash offers chance for reset

  Juventus now turn their focus back to Serie A with a crucial away fixture against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, October 26. The Bianconeri have not won in seven matches across all competitions, piling pressure on Tudor to deliver a turnaround.

  Statistically, Juve remain one of Serie A’s most active attacking teams, ranking third for total shots behind Inter and Napoli. However, their conversion rate and decision-making in the final third continue to undermine their efforts.

  Juventus have historically dominated this fixture, winning 87 of their Serie A meetings with the Biancocelesti. Yet Lazio, backed by their home crowd, will be eager to exploit Juve’s fragile confidence.

  For Tudor, the message from Cassano is clear, Juventus must hold their nerve, but Cassano’s warning could prove timely if Juventus are to avoid yet another managerial reset.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is confident the goals will soon start to flow for forward Viktor Gyokeres.

Sweden striker Gyokeres, on more than £10m per season, has drawn a blank in his last five matches having been frustrated again in Wednesday’s 2-0 Champions League win over Olympiacos.

However, it was the 27-year-old’s shot which was deflected on to a post to allow Gabriel Martinelli to score Arsenal’s opener, while he was also denied by some last-ditch defending.

The Gunners face struggling West Ham at home in the Premier League on Saturday, when the floodgates could open for Gyokeres.

“I don’t know, but hopefully, yes, and hopefully it will be on Saturday,” added Arteta.

Bukayo Saka came off the bench to wrap up another satisfactory night’s work in Europe for Arsenal, who now have six points from their opening two games.

Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi played the full 90 minutes in his first taste of the Champions League at Emirates Stadium.

“I’m really happy,” he told the club website: “The atmosphere was amazing. We scored two and kept a clean sheet.

“It was really demanding. We started really well but at the end they pushed a lot in the second half. I think we suffered in some moments where we shouldn’t have.

“We want to keep the momentum and win as many games as possible. We will recover well and prepare for the next game against West Ham.”

The New York Yankees are the current favorites to win the AL East at +165. Every team returns plus money if they win the division, and loyal Boston Red Sox fans have the potential for a 13-to-1 payout.

New York Yankees +165
Baltimore Orioles +205
Toronto Blue Jays +400
Tampa Bay Rays +650
Boston Red Sox +1300

After signing outfielder Juan Soto in the offseason, and with early reports that starting pitcher Carlos Rodon may be back in form, the Yankees are currently the betting favorites, despite the fact they finished in fourth place with just 82 wins and were one of only two teams in the division not to make the postseason in 2023.

Tottenham Hotspur appear set for major changes this summer, with Daniel Levy reportedly eyeing up new managers to potentially replace Ange Postecoglou, and an overhaul could also occur in the Lilywhites squad.

Tottenham face Bodo/Glimt in season-defining Europa League tie

Despite their woes domestically, Spurs still have a chance to make history by winning a first major trophy since 2008.

£165k-a-week Tottenham star requests transfer as big club work to sign him

He’s informed the club of his desire to go.

By
Emilio Galantini

Apr 29, 2025

Norwegian minnows and 2025’s fairy-tale underdogs, Bodo/Glimt, await them in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final tie on Thursday, and a highly-anticipated victory would go a long way in sealing Spurs’ first European final since 2019.

Tottenham could face Athletic Bilbao, spearheaded by in-demand Spain sensation Nico Williams, or Premier League rivals Man United in the final, provided they get past Bodo/Glimt.

The Scandinavians cannot be underestimated, and they knocked Serie A giants Lazio out in the last round, but Spurs have more than enough quality on paper to get the job done.

However, even if the Lilywhites do go on to win the Europa League and make history by doing so, Postecoglou could still part ways with Tottenham this summer – leading to a host of different managers being linked with the job.

According to The Telegraph, Spurs are also facing a difficult summer transfer window, with the prospect of a ‘sell to buy’ strategy looming amid rumoured outside interest in the likes of Cristian Romero and Pedro Porro.

Tottenham could have to cash-in on Romero, who is believed to be eyeing a move away from N17 as Atlético Madrid put in extensive work on signing him for Diego Simeone ahead of next season (Marca).

There could also be changes nearer boardroom level, with ex-managing director Fabio Paratici still in the picture for a return to the club.

Fabio Paratici inclined to re-join Tottenham after failed AC Milan talks

The Italian was repeatedly linked with a reunion at Spurs, as his worldwide FIFA ban from footballing activity is due to expire on June 30th.

Reports earlier this month claimed Levy personally held talks with Paratici about re-joining Tottenham, and he was spotted at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium during their 1-1 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League quarter-finals.

Paratici’s negotiations over a move to AC Milan also collapsed in early April, but according to an update via Milan News, the 52-year-old held a recent meeting with the Rossoneri to discuss his appointment once again.

The prospect of becoming Milan’s sporting director was on the table again for him during these discussions, but it is currently believed Paratici is more inclined to work at Tottenham and continue his adventure away from Italy.

After being forced to resign from his Spurs post in 2023, Paratici remains a popular figure among supporters, having led the club’s pursuit of key signings like Rodrigo Bentancur, Dejan Kulusevski, Yves Bissouma, Romero, Porro, Djed Spence, Destiny Udogie and Pape Sarr.

Known for his tireless work ethic behind-closed-doors, it will be intriguing to see if Levy is still tempted by the prospect of welcoming him back.