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Manchester United have not made any signings as of yet in the January transfer window, but there has been plenty of speculation with a number of players linked with a move to the club this month, and one of those touted to arrive could be the perfect replacement for Paul Pogba if he does not commit to a future at Old Trafford this summer.

What’s the word?

Journalist, Conor Clancy, has given his perspective on Sergej Milinković-Savić being linked to Manchester United, and the effect he could have on the side, hailing the Lazio midfielder “another Paul Pogba”.

Clancy told GIVEMESPORT:

“I think Milinkovic-Savic is just another Paul Pogba in that they’ve got the same skill set. They’re physically quite similar. When they’ve got the ball at their feet, they’re capable of doing similar things.”

Milinkovic-Savic has been linked this month with a move to Man United, as Rangnick comes under pressure to improve the side, but no official bid has been made for the player as of yet.

Ralf must seal the signing

The £63m-rated beast could surely cure the Pogba headache Manchester United are facing with his contract ending in the summer of this year, and fans would welcome the signing of the midfielder, with one Red Devils fan tweeting;

“@ManUtd why are we not targeting Milinkovic-Savic this window. He looks like the perfect match to a rather subdued midfield.”

The Lazio midfielder is enjoying an impressive campaign so far in his 21 games, scoring seven goals, registering eight assists from a whopping total of 31 key passes and an 82.5% pass success. As a consequence of that, the 26-year-old has claimed the most assists in the Serie A this season.

According to Squawka, when you compare the Serbian to Pogba in their last full season for their respective clubs, the 2020/21 campaign, Milinkovic-Savic scored five more goals, converted more of his chances, bagged six more assists, created a higher degree of chances and completed more passes than the 28-year-old United midfielder.

It’s fair to say that he would not only be a good replacement but could potentially be an upgrade at Old Trafford, and Rangnick should not ignore how well the Lazio midfielder is playing right now, and how his influence could inject a fresh perspective into his currently underwhelming side.

In other news: Rangnick prepared to make offer for Araujo

Giovanni van Bronckhorst was unable to continue his 100% record in charge of Rangers as his side were held to a 1-1 draw on Thursday night.

The Gers ended their Europa League group with a draw against French outfit Lyon, finishing second and qualifying for the knockout stages of the competition.

Scott Wright handed Rangers the lead in the first half with a deflected effort from distance after excellent work from Glen Kamara down the left. However, an own goal from Calvin Bassey – as he diverted a cross into his own net – ensured that the points were shared on the night.

Let his manager down

One player who let the manager down badly on the night was centre-forward Kemar Roofe. He was handed the opportunity to start against the Ligue 1 side and failed to grasp his chance with both hands as he struggled throughout the match.

Whilst John Lundstram in midfield was able to show the Dutchman why he is deserving of more minutes in the team, Roofe may have played his way out of any more starts in the immediate future. The former Leeds man has scored six goals in six Premiership starts this term, but this latest display will not improve his chances of increasing those numbers.

Off the ball, he was a lightweight. As per SofaScore, he lost three of his four aerial duels and five of his seven battles on the ground, whilst also committing four fouls and making just one tackle and zero interceptions. This shows that he was too weak in his individual duels against the Lyon defenders and was easily marked out of the game, having been unable to impose himself on the physical side of the contest.

He did not fare much better in possession. As per SofaScore, he failed to get an effort on target and did not create a single chance for one of his teammates. He also failed to complete a dribble or cross, whilst only finding another Rangers player with 56% of his attempted passes, completing a meagre 10 in total. He had just 25 touches of the ball, significantly fewer than goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin (66).

Therefore, the Jamaica striker let Van Bronckhorst down badly as he struggled with and without the ball against Lyon. It could suggest to the 43-year-old that he is not a player who can be relied upon in big games, which could work against Roofe as the season progresses and the matches become more important.

AND in other news, Forget Kent: “Exemplary” Rangers beast who won 88% duels finally took his chance…

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has delivered the latest on Leeds United’s transfer plans for the upcoming January transfer window.

What’s the story?

During a Q&A for the Premier League clash against Manchester City on Tuesday night, a fan raised the possibility of Marcelo Bielsa’s side entering the January market for some new signings.

And in response, Hay said: “The intention is there after the injury to Phillips. But it will depend on budget and available options. You know the drill.”

Victor Orta must act

A combination of injuries and just pure rotten form has meant that the January transfer window has taken more importance than perhaps it has ever done under Bielsa’s tenure at Elland Road.

They sit 16th in the table at the moment and have only won two of their last 11 matches.

Premier League safety, therefore, is absolutely paramount, and strengthening the squad to ensure that Bielsa’s side aren’t hit as hard as they have been by injuries and illness is crucial.

The likes of Kalvin Phillips and Patrick Bamford, among many others, have been and will be out for extended periods of time, and it’s no surprise that people have implored the club to act.

Speaking to Football Insider, Danny Mills said: “Who is next after Phillips? They have to consider that. He’s their star man and that is something they need to think about in the long term. Whether it is right to bring that person in January, there’s some debate over that.

“Is that the most important thing? What sort of players can you really get in January? Players get injured after international duty in November and December. You don’t need a degree in sports science to tell you that. That little bit of fatigue can make the difference.”

News that Leeds do now have the intention to sign players is sure to excite fans, especially when you consider that even just recently, it was being suggested that the Whites wouldn’t be that active in the transfer market.

Meanwhile, Leeds are eyeing this Uruguayan star…

Many Southampton fans have been slamming the performance of Ibrahima Diallo in their 2-1 loss at Norwich City on Saturday.

After a promising start with Che Adams giving the Saints the lead inside the first four minutes, the visitors were almost immediately pegged back by Teemu Pukki, before Grant Hanley gave the hosts all three points with a header from a second half corner kick.

Diallo started the match well but badly tailed off in the second half. Asked to play as a right midfielder by Ralph Hasenhuttl, he failed to record a shot, lost six of his 12 duels and made only one accurate cross throughout the match, while he was also guilty of losing possession 12 times, the joint-sixth most out of any of his teammates at Carrow Road (SofaScore).

Southampton fans slam Diallo

These Southampton supporters slammed the 22-year-old’s performance on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that he was ‘hopeless’ against Norwich:

“Our squad is still not good enough. Theo Walcott coming onto the pitch in 2021 is a horrifying indictment of the state of the club. So is not having a single option to switch a Diallo who had an absolute nightmare of a second half”

Credit: @DanJean09

“McCarthy is the first player who needs to be dropped, closely followed by Bednarek and Diallo. I hope Walcott never puts a #saintsfc shirt on again. Can’t wait for his contract to end”

Credit: @miserygutscoop

“Walcott, Broja, Diallo all hopeless in 2nd half”

Credit: @L1minus10

“#saintsfc undoing all of their good work from the first half. KWP neutered, Diallo not getting it right, too many misplaced passes. Norwich have wanted it more and will get the result. Also, how Theo is stealing a living is beyond me. Poor Nathan Tella”

Credit: @TomParker81

“Diallo’s passing today has been some of the worst I’ve ever seen. I’m not sure how he’s still on the pitch”

Credit: @wilcoryce

“#SaintsFC pushing our luck again in the 2nd half – same against Villa. Someone remind Diallo we’re playing in red.”

Credit: @RedondoSaint

In other news, find out whose display against the Canaries was also slammed by many Southampton fans

Leeds United reportedly have a deal in place to sign exciting Espanyol youngster Mateo Joseph Fernandez in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: January additions needed

The Whites have made a slow start to the season, with injuries arguably holding them back and Marcelo Bielsa’s squad depth being tested.

It means new faces in January could be important, ensuring Leeds pull clear of the relegation battle and look towards another mid-table finish.

One player who has been linked with a move to Elland Road in the past is Fernandez and a fresh rumour suggests a transfer will happen.

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The Latest: Youngster set for Leeds switch

According to The Daily Mail‘s Simon Jones, Leeds have a ‘deal in place’ to sign the 18-year-old Espanyol striker next month.

He is set to join the Whites on January 1st after the club triggered his release clause of £1.3m, having initially offered around £420k, with Victor Orta getting his man.

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The Verdict: Exciting long-term acquisition

While Fernandez wouldn’t necessarily come in as an immediate key man, he would be a long-term signing who could eventually challenge Patrick Bamford for playing time.

It is vital that Leeds continue to shine beyond the Bielsa era and signing players of the Espanyol man’s youth and quality can ensure that happens.

He has been described as a player of ‘great potential’ by journalist Javier Rodriguez Alonso, making him a potentially exciting arrival.

In other news, a journalist has made a Leeds transfer claim. Read more here.

Former Celtic midfielder Olivier Ntcham has been spotted wearing Hoops attire, The Daily Record report.

The Lowdown: Ntcham at Swansea

Ntcham was one of a number of long-serving Parkhead members who left the club over the summer.

He eventually joined Championship side Swansea City on a free transfer, where he has gone on to make eight appearances during the current campaign.

However, the Frenchman, who won nine honours with Celtic, still has his Hoops attire and decided to bring it out in the week.

The Latest: Instagram post

Ntcham, who follows the likes of Christopher Jullien and Mikey Johnston on Instagram, posted a picture from a gym session on the social media site, wearing an old Hoops tracksuit.

The Daily Record shared the snapshot of the 25-year-old, with Ntcham working on his fitness after a final 12 months to forget at Parkhead, making just seven league starts in the 2020/21 season.

The Verdict: Good to see…

Even though Ntcham’s four-year stay at Celtic petered out somewhat acrimoniously earlier this year, it’s good to see he’s still happy to wear the club’s colours.

The midfielder, who Neil Lennon labelled as ‘unbelievable’, posted a classy message when he left Celtic and his latest antics down in Wales may well strike the right note with Hoops fans.

In other news: Ange shares ‘frustrating’ injury news for ‘consistent’ Celtic regular who may now miss 16 games.

Antonio Conte is facing plenty of important decisions as he embarks on his first game in charge of Tottenham Hotspur this evening.

The north London outfit appointed the 52-year-old on Tuesday after handing Nuno Santo his marching orders less than 24 hours earlier following a 3-0 defeat to Manchester United at the weekend.

It’ll be no easy task for the Italian, who won a Premier League and FA Cup during his last stint in England, but he could do himself a massive favour by axing Ben Davies.

The Red Devils had been leaking goals for fun before they turned up at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday afternoon, so it was perhaps a huge surprise to see Nuno opt for the 67-cap Welshman over the more attack-minded Sergio Reguilon.

Ultimately, it was a decision that cost him dearly as Spurs looked lacklustre in attack once again and they leaked three goals in yet another league outing.

The 28-year-old left-back was given the run around by United’s veteran frontline of Edinson Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo and he was caught ball watching for the latter’s superb opener.

Davies was also Spurs’ lowest-rated outfield player (6.1), as per SofaScore figures, which only further highlights his struggles.

Across the full 90 minutes, the £14.4m-rated star won just one of four ground duels (25%), lost possession 16 times, failed to deliver a single accurate cross and even earned a booking for his troubles.

He has often failed to impress in the big matches, as seen by Sunday and last season. One game against Liverpool saw ex-Leeds striker Noel Whelan deem him “appalling” to Football Insider.

Whilst Vitesse are no great shakes, the £93k-per-week Wales international captained the side when these two faced each other in the Netherlands 14 days ago and he was once again one of the poorer players on the pitch, earning a 6.3 rating – the joint-third lowest, as per SofaScore.

Conte is likely to utilise an attacking formation with wing-backs, so Davies’ time at the club could be thrown into doubt. Therefore, it seems a wise decision for the Italian to ruthlessly axe him, starting with tonight’s encounter.

If he were to start, it could prove costly and the new manager will want to kickstart his reign with a bang.

AND in other news, Spurs have “close agreement” with “devastating” £34m-rated beast, Conte surely buzzing…

Leeds United winger Raphinha may have become even more crucial for the Whites than Kalvin Phillips, according to journalist Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: Raphinha excels on Brazil debut

The 24-year-old has been superb for Leeds since arriving from Rennes in 2020 and he has taken his form with him to the international stage.

Raphinha registered two assists on his Brazil debut on Thursday evening, helping them to a 3-1 victory away to Venezuela in a World Cup qualifier.

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The Latest: Hay hails winger

It was a performance that summed up Raphinha’s brilliance, and taking to Twitter on Friday morning, The Athletic‘s Hay admitted that he could be the first name on Leeds’ team-sheet, ahead of even Phillips:

“One of the questions in the mailbag was ‘Is Raphinha Leeds’ most important player?’ and even though Phillips is the player Leeds really miss, you could easily make an argument for Raphinha.”

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The Verdict: Phillips still the key man

Raphinha is a wonderful footballer who is unquestionably one of Leeds’ star men, but Phillips is still the player they miss the most when he isn’t there, losing seven out of the nine fixtures he was absent for in the top flight last term.

That was highlighted in the 5-1 defeat at Manchester United on the opening weekend of the season when the Whites’ midfield fell apart without him in the team.

Phillips has averaged 2.3 tackles per game in the Premier League this season – only Liam Cooper (2.7) has more – as well as an 84.6 percent pass completion rate.

The England international brings so much energy, quality and all-round influence in the middle of the park that he has the edge over Raphinha, which isn’t to diminish his own class as a footballer.

In other news, one Leeds player has been tipped to make a ‘breakthrough’. Find out who it is here.

Plenty of West Ham United fans have been reacting to Jesse Lingard’s tweet following Manchester United’s 5-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.

Sunday witnessed contrasting fortunes for the Hammers and the Red Devils. The Irons won 1-0 against Tottenham thanks to a goal from Michail Antonio to move into fourth place in the Premier League, while the Red Devils were hammered by their fiercest rivals as they were humiliated for 90 minutes.

The £19.8m-valued Lingard (Transfermarkt), who has started just one of his club’s 13 matches so far this season, was an unused substitute for the Old Trafford clash, and he was warming up towards the end of the match. A video has emerged of him being told to work harder by a Manchester United fan even though he was not on the pitch, something which was pointed out by the England international himself.

The 28-year-old then doubled down on Twitter by addressing the situation, although he did make it clear that it wasn’t abuse.

Plenty of Hammers fans saw the post and implored Lingard to return to the London Stadium, where he spent the second half of last season on loan and excelled by scoring nine goals in 16 games under David Moyes.

Let’s see what these fans had to say to Lingard

“Get yourself back to West Ham kid . There is a manager at that club that appreciate you”

Credit: @IANLAT82

“I know every West ham fan has said it already. But come back. Club that respects you & gives you every opportunity to make the English squad for the World Cup. If you stay there with no game time, you gotta feel like you’ll be overlooked. Despite stellar games for England.”

Credit: @WestHamInOz

“You would be top 4 if you stayed at West Ham. Playing week in week out.”

Credit: @thegarybarnett

“come back to the club who’ll support you week in week out”

Credit: @whubenbagged

“Come to West Ham, a good club.”

Credit: @Nando_RBB_RM

“Come home where your appreciated”

Credit: @reecetranter

In other news, some West Ham fans were unhappy with this man’s comments on Declan Rice

West Ham United will be looking to extend their unbeaten start to the 2021/22 campaign as they welcome David Moyes’ former club Manchester United to the London Stadium later this afternoon.

The Hammers began their Europa League quest with a win over Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday night and the 58-year-old manager made plenty of changes to his starting XI.

But now his side returns to domestic action, he has a lot to think about in terms of team selection.

Here’s how the Irons could line up in east London today…

Moyes is likely to have a fully-fit squad to choose from, although we know that he will be without the services of leading talisman Michail Antonio after he was sent off late against Southampton last weekend.

That gives him a big call to make in attack and it’s one that could see Jarrod Bowen lead the line as West Ham lack much depth behind the 31-year-old forward.

As a result of that change, we could see a different system to usual, with Said Benrahma expected to come back into the XI, taking the place of Nikola Vlasic, whilst Pablo Fornals may partner him in attacking midfield.

Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek are two of the first names on the teamsheet these days but they could be joined by club captain Mark Noble, who takes the place of Manuel Lanzini from Thursday night.

There is also likely to be two more changes to the backline but after an impressive debut, it would be a surprise to see Kurt Zouma lose his place. Instead, Angelo Ogbonna is likely to replace Issa Diop, with Vladimir Coufal coming in for Ryan Fredericks.

Aaron Cresswell and Lukasz Fabianski keep their places.

Predicted West Ham XI vs Man Utd (4-3-3): Fabianski; Cresswell, Ogbonna, Zouma, Coufal; Rice, Noble, Soucek; Benrahma, Fornals, Bowen.

AND in other news, Signed for £15m, now worth 140% more: Moyes struck gold over “unplayable” West Ham gem…