Manchester United can look forward to a big FA Cup semi-final at Wembley after comfortably defeating Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 on Saturday night.
Heading into the match there was plenty of pressure of Jose Mourinho’s outfit after a shocking European exit mid-week, but his side delivered, if not in performance then certainly in the result.
The majority of the players failed to impress across the 90 minutes but the Red Devils could rely upon two Mourinho favourites – Nemanja Matic and Romelu Lukaku.
The duo scored the two goals to put United through and in the case of Matic, produced a man of the match calibre performance, dominating the midfield.
He kept his side pushing forward to put Brighton on the back foot and also assisted Lukaku’s opener. He’s emerged as one of the most important players in Mourinho’s side this season, a fact that hasn’t gone unnoticed with supporters.
They took to Twitter to share their thoughts on his Saturday display…
It’s little surprise that rumours of Liverpool being interested in Wilfred Ndidi started doing the rounds on Twitter on Sunday evening, courtesy of Alpha Balde who is credited with first breaking the news of the delay in Naby Keita’s move to Anfield, after an incredibly impressive performance against Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
The Nigerian international has already made himself a mainstay of this Foxes side at the age of 21 by filling the void of the man he directly went toe-to-toe with on Sunday in Blues star N’Golo Kante, who famously clinched the title with Leicester City before replicating the feat at Stamford Bridge last season.
And while few would dispute Kante is the more polished midfielder at this moment in time – many putting him in the realms of world-class – the differences in their performances seemed largely minimal at the King Power Stadium, despite Ndidi eventually ending up on the losing side.
Indeed, with ten tackles, three interceptions, four successful aerial duels, 76 passes and 102 touches to his name, Ndidi actually outshone his midfield predecessor on all five fronts on Sunday, although Kante did create more chances including the assist for Pedro’s extra-time winner.
Liverpool certainly need that kind of presence in their team too. While Ndidi’s passing game lacks consistency at times, the Reds’ engine room is crying out for a genuine holding option at its base with Jordan Henderson, more of a box-to-box, undertaking that role on the most-part this season.
Ndidi already looks ready to take the next step in his career, so would you back a bid for the midfield enforcer – who Transfermarkt value at £16.2million – this summer Liverpool fans? Let us know by voting below…
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As far as Manchester derbies go, few have rivalled the importance of this Saturday’s instalment. A win will result in a record-breaking Premier League title for Manchester City, and humiliation for Manchester United in the process.
Don’t rule out a Joe Mourinho masterclass in party-pooping though, especially with City now needing a huge victory over Liverpool on Tuesday night to get through to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
But can history tell us anything about this fixture? How could the referee influence the match? Who enters Saturday’s clash in better form? And which manager is faced with the more pertinent injury problems?
Here’s everything you need to know for a potentially historic Manchester derby…
What History Tells Us
Even though United have been the far more dominant club throughout the Premier League era, City have always held their own in this fixture, actually beating the Red Devils five times in the top flight between 2002 and 2008 when they were little more than mere mid-tablers. And in recent years, City have been well on top – they’ve won eight of the last 13 meetings, while never suffering any of their three defeats by more than two goals.
However, two of those losses came at the Etihad Stadium and that has been a recurring theme for City against United, who actually boast a better win rate on City’s patch than the Sky Blues themselves.
That will give the Red Devils real confidence despite City’s utter dominance at home this season, but United do have a curious knack of picking up red cards against their local rivals.
Form Guide
Although City suffered a humbling defeat to Liverpool in midweek, in terms of recent Premier League form there really isn’t all that much to choose between both Manchester clubs, the only difference being that City have dropped a mere two points – away to Burnley at Turf Moor – compared to United’s three in the form of a shock loss to Newcastle.
However, we are still talking about a team that has lost just one Premier League game all season, a prior loss at Anfield, compared to another that is 16 points behind in the table after five defeats – including one in the reverse fixture back in December. In terms of goals and clean sheets too, the gap between these two sides has remained obvious during the last six league games.
If there’s one clear positive for the Red Devils though, it’s the immaculate form of Romelu Lukaku, matching Sergio Aguero’s input during United’s last six outings. In fact, across all competitions, the Belgium international has scored or assisted in eight of his last nine games.
Referee influence – Martin Atkinson
Mourinho will no doubt be hoping Martin Atkinson can inadvertently aid his mission to stifle City on Saturday but ironically, he would probably benefit from a stricter referee.
Compared to the other 19 referees to work in the top flight this season, Atkinson is very much in the middle of the pack for fouls per tackle, fouls per game and yellow cards per game – in contrast, a real disciplinarian would have helped United slow down City’s play with streetwise fouls and niggling challenges.
At the same time, Atkinson hasn’t shown the level of lenience to suggest he’ll let United get away with overtly physical tackles either, so there isn’t really much for United – or City – to gain from having Atkinson in charge of this one.
That being said, penalties seem incredibly unlikely, which may well help United’s cause if they’re pinned back in their own box for large periods, and only two referees to officiate more than one Premier League game this season have overseen a lesser percentage of home wins.
Team News
After using a 3-5-2 system against City and something between 3-4-3 and 4-5-1 in the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool, we’re expecting Guardiola to return to basics this weekend – City’s basics, that is, which is still far more complicated than what most teams could imagine.
That translates as reinstating the 4-3-3 system which has most consistently produced City’s best football this season, with David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne pulling the strings in loose midfield roles.
Overall then, that’s three changes from the side that lost to Liverpool on Wednesday night, with Fabian Delph, Raheem Sterling – who Transfermarkt value at £72million – and Sergio Aguero all returning to the starting XI.
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The latter remains a doubt for Saturday but Guardiola has suggested he could still feature, and we’re tipping the Argentine to be thrown back into the starting XI if he’s deemed fit enough to be involved.
Manchester United boast pretty much a clean bill of health heading into Saturday’s game, the only exceptions being backup goalkeeper Sergio Romero and potentially utility man Daley Blind, who has been far from a prominent figure in Mourinho’s plans this season anyway.
However, bearing in mind how desperate Mourinho will be not to concede the title to United’s closest rivals and his own arch enemy in Guardiola, we’re expecting a change in system from the 4-2-3-1 formation that was used in the 2-0 win over Swansea. England international Jesse Lingard could well be the one sacrificed, with Mourinho reverting to a 4-3-3 that allows him three huge bodies in midfield – Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay.
However, that could well pave the way for another United academy product to feature. Exciting youngster Marcus Rashford has often made an impact in big games for the Red Devils, and Saturday’s is about as big as it gets.
Manchester City went into Saturday’s crunch clash with Tottenham Hotspur on the back of three straight defeats.
This season has seen Pep Guardiola and his men receive almost universal praise but suddenly the critics were circling and one man in the firing line was Raheem Sterling.
Fielded as a central striker against Manchester United in City’s last league game, the England international – valued at £72m on Transfermarkt – blew a host of chances that would have clinched a historic title win.
Now, he has been confirmed as a Premier League winner and netted as the champions beat Spurs 3-1 at Wembley to get back on track after a tumultuous period.
He showed his impressive character by getting into the positions to have five shots, but also contributed two key passes as Guardiola’s men dominated throughout.
His passing was reliable and solid and he even got involved at the other end, making two clearances to help ensure that Tottenham didn’t mount a comeback.
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Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha produced another stunning English Premier League performance on Saturday, leaving Manchester United fans pining for his return to Old Trafford.
Scoring a double, he inspired his side to a vital 3-2 victory at home to Brighton & Hove Albion, moving them six points clear of the relegation zone in the top-flight.
He’s now scored seven goals across the season and his form has been good enough recently that fans of other clubs are showing interest in signing him this summer.
At the front of that queue are Man United fans, who of course once had the player at the club but saw him appear in four matches before going out on loan and eventually leaving permanently back to Palace.
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Now he’s in his prime at 25 years of age, could he make a bigger impact at the Red Devils than he did previously?
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Rated at £22.5m by Transfermarkt, he’d be an interesting option for Jose Mourinho this summer and could blossom further surrounded by better players.
United supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts on his current form…
Emre Can is unlikely to play for Liverpool again this season due to injury, but there are questions over whether he will don the red shirt ever again.
The midfielder’s contract expires at the end of the season, and there is uncertainty whether he will extend his stay at Anfield.
As it stands, the 24-year-old has not agreed fresh terms and there is no indication that he will.
Earlier this month, Calciomercato reported that Can is a top priority for Juventus, but the transfer gossip surrounding the midfielder has since gone cold.
Last week, Liverpool fans expressed concern on social media when the Germany international was notably absent from the club’s new kit launch.
With three Premier League games, the Champions League semi-finals and possible final left to play for the Merseyside outfit this season, it will not be long before Can’s future becomes clear.
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Amid the uncertainty, we asked you whether it is likely that the Reds will lose their midfielder this summer, and the outcome is certainly one-sided…
Can, who moved to Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen in 2014, has made 35 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring four goals and creating four assists.
West Ham United’s disappointing 2017-18 campaign went from bad to worse when they suffered a 4-1 home defeat to Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.
Losing to the English champions was not a major shock, but it would be fair to say that the club’s supporters were not happy with their team’s performance.
To be blunt, the fans want the board and head coach David Moyes to leave their football team.
A number of players have also been criticised this season, but one individual that seems as popular as ever is Austrian attacker Marko Arnautovic.
The 29-year-old, who is valued at £16.2m by transfermarkt.co.uk, has been in good form for the Hammers in recent months, and has managed 10 Premier League goals during the 2017-18 campaign.
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Arnautovic was one of a few West Ham players that approached the fans after Sunday’s match, and that has gone down very well, with the attacker receiving praise on social media during a very difficult period for the club.
A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:
Everton fans have been waiting for Sam Allardyce to be sacked at the end of a miserable season for quite some time now but there was just time for the former England manager to annoy the fanbase one more time before the campaign was out.
The crux of the issues have been Allardyce’s negativity and caution in charge at Goodison, even after it became apparent that the Toffees would comfortably survive and his team selection on the final day of the season has further aggravated a fanbase already baying for blood.
A five at the back, with three defensive midfielders has not gone down well at all with a set of fans who are already at the end of their tether.
We’ve taken a closer look at the more hostile reaction towards a team that Everton fans hope will be Allardyce’s parting shot at the end of a season where he has brought survival to Goodison but not much more…
As Manchester City clinched a record breaking 100-point haul in the Premier League, the comparisons with the Invincibles Arsenal team of 2003-04 were always inevitable.
Is it better not to lose a single game but to have 12 draws or to lose twice but pick up a record number of wins, goals and points?
That debate can rumble on but it is clear that Arsenal fans are not keen on the suggestion that a team may have bettered their achievement – especially in the same season that legendary manager Arsene Wenger stepped aside and they want to savour his glories after years of forcing him out.
The objective is to get as many points as possible so some might argue that City’s is the greater achievement.
However, it is key to mention that both seasons came as European glory – that really should have been clinched or at least brought closer to assert the European dominance of two teams who swept all before them at home – slipped away early…
It’s easy to blame Jose Mourinho for all of the current ills at Manchester United.
There appears to be a discord between the manager and his players. The football is stale and uninspiring. His mistreatment of some members of his squad has bordered on bullying and since his arrival at Old Trafford Mourinho has faced accusations of being out of touch with modern football.
He appears incapable of handling a younger generation of footballer and looks like he’s lost his touch. A trophyless season this year will only exacerbate that and the style of play is the cherry on top as far as his detractors are concerned.
On the other hand, just one glance at the starting back four for the FA Cup final shows that blaming Mourinho may well be shooting the messenger.
Valencia, Jones, Smalling and Young: that back four is a disgrace.
All four are Ferguson-era players, but only two of them were even Ferguson-era defenders. To have spent half a billion since his departure in 2013 and field that defence in a major cup final is staggering – and clearly not all down to Mourinho.
This season, the fact that his side have been solid at the back and turgid in attack does suggest a side playing ‘the Jose Mourinho way’. But for the moment he can at least make an argument that this is a tactical decision made out of necessity rather than an out-of-date philosophy.
United fans haven’t been treated to joined-up attacking football for years. Under Louis van Gaal, the aim was to keep possession of the ball, but the impotent nature of the sterile domination enjoyed by the Red Devils was at odds with the fans’ desire for a more direct game. It was a negative gameplan in that everything the Dutchman’s United side did was designed to minimise the risk of being caught on the counter-attack.
Under Mourinho, the football might seem boring in a different way – ‘Park the bus Man United’ – but the result is the same. It is risk-averse football that exposes the lack of trust between manager and players, even if it involves sitting deep rather than keeping hold of the ball just for possession’s sake: Mourinho simply doesn’t trust his defenders to hold their own on the counter if he lets his attackers off the leash.
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In a sense, that’s why Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young have looked so good this season. Mourinho has found a formula which lets both of those players excel in full-back roles because their defensive weaknesses are masked by the cautious system. That’s not to say both players haven’t been excellent for the club this season, but part of the reason they’ve looked so good is the fact that their manager has protected them. In a sense, the whole team is geared up to nullify their weaknesses.
And so despite the fact that United feel different now under Mourinho to what they did a few seasons ago under Van Gaal, the problems stem from exactly the same root.
Why? Because neither manager trusts what is exactly the same defence. They both had the same problem, and both are trying to work around it in particularly dull ways.
This isn’t to absolve Mourinho. He has bought players (or has at least been in charge when United have splashed the cash). Some of the signings are truly world class names, too. But he has created an environment where they certainly aren’t flourishing.
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Of all his signings, only really Nemanja Matic has been a success. Some have been frozen out or underused (Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof). Others have simply played badly (Alexis Sanchez). Others still simply seem like poor fits for the manager (Paul Pogba).
But it feels so clear that Mourinho’s United are suffering the same problems that have been evident at the club for years. Maybe the buck stops at Mourinho for failing to address the problem adequately, but simply blaming the current manager for five years of recruitment failings seems too simple.
Surely United don’t need attacking players this summer, but rather a whole new defence.