LAFC & Club America may meet for Club World Cup spot

Fifa is considering a play-off game between LAFC and Club America to replace Club Leon at this summer's Club World Cup.

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'He's only been on for two minutes' - Marmoush nets Man City winner

Manchester City's £59m January signing Omar Marmoush scores just two minutes after coming off the bench to seal a 2-1 victory at Bournemouth in the FA Cup.

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How to follow this weekend's FA Cup quarter-finals

How to follow this weekend's FA Cup quarter-finals on the BBC, with two games being shown live.

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Kenya keeper suspended amid match-fixing investigation

Kenya goalkeeper Patrick Matasi is provisionally suspended for 90 days amid an investigation into match manipulation in the East African country.

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Arsenal and Chelsea sent clear transfer message over signing Everton flop

Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle have all been alerted to Moise Kean’s performances in Italy (Picture: Getty)

Fiorentina head coach Raffaele Palladino has poured cold water on rumours linking Moise Kean with a return to the Premier League, insisting the forward is ‘happy’.

Kean flattered to deceive across an underwhelming three-year spell with Everton, but the 25-year-old finally appears to be fulfilling his potential back home in Italy.

Since joining Fiorentina from Juventus last summer, Kean has racked up 15 goals and three assists in 26 Serie A appearances across an excellent debut season in Florence.

Kean’s impact has been such that his performances have attracted the attentions of a number of top teams in England, namely Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle United.

All three clubs are on the hunt for attacking reinforcements ahead of the summer transfer window and have reportedly placed Kean on their shortlist of targets.

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Reports emanating out of Italy last week suggested Newcastle had even opened talks with Kean’s agent over a potential deal. Arsenal and Chelsea’s interest remains just that for the time being.

There has also been some speculation surrounding the future of ex-Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, but Palladino insists both players remain committed to his project at Fiorentina.

Kean has scored 20 goals in all competitions across a fine debut season in Florence (Picture: Getty)

The forward scored twice against Germany during the international break (Picture: Getty)

‘When a player has to make a decision, he doesn’t look at the money, but at the love of the club and their ambition,’ Palladino replied when asked how Fiorentina plan to keep hold of sought-after stars like Kean and De Gea.

‘Our players have exceptional human and sporting value. David [De Gea] and Moise are happy here.

‘They came from a particular situation and they’ve found love and trust. In the end, it will be their choice.’

Everton never saw the best of Kean (Picture: Getty)

Kean’s goalscoring exploits this season earned the forward a place in Luciano Spalletti’s squad for Italy’s Nations League quarter-final with Germany this month.

The former Everton man scored twice in a thrilling second leg in Dortmund, but it was not enough to see Italy progress.

Asked how Kean had managed to rediscover his scoring boots, Palladino responded: ‘I think the credit should be given to the boy for everything he has done and for the path he has built.

‘Then also to the fans and team-mates who have supported him so much.

‘He has ambition and maturity, he can still grow and he is the present and the future of the national team.

‘He must never lose his physical shape and we work on it every day.’

It’s understood Kean’s contract with Fiorentina contains a €52million (£43.5m) clause.

His deal at the Stadio Franchi runs through to the summer of 2029.

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Ruben Amorim ready to hand debut Man Utd starlet, 17, compared to Bukayo Saka

Mantato expected to sign new contract next week (Picture: Manchester United via Getty Images)

Ruben Amorim is eager to hand a first-team debut to Manchester United youngster Bendito Mantato before the end of the season.

The 17-year-old has established himself as one of United’s brightest young talents during another impressive campaign for the Under-18s having registered seven goals in 13 appearances.

Mantato has also shone in United’s FA Youth Cup campaign, scoring the winner against Arsenal in the quarter-final stage of the competition.

His performances have also caught the eye of first-team coach Amorim, who has included the winger in first-team training this week.

He was joined by Reece Munro, Godwill Kukonki and Jim Thwaites working with the first-team at Carrington on Friday, alongside Chido Obi and Harry Amass who have already been handed senior debuts this term.

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United are now planning to reward the teen with a new long-term contract next week, according to Fabrizio Romano with the club regarding him as ‘part of the project for present and future’.

Mantato has drawn early comparisons with Arsenal star Bukayo Saka, predominantly featuring on the right this season.

Mantato is an England Under-17 international (Picture: The FA via Getty Images)

Like Saka, Mantato previously played at left-back for United’s academy side before progressing into a more advanced role on the right.

The England Under-17 international could be looked at as an option at right wing-back by Amorim should he decide to hand him his first-team bow this season.

Amorim has demonstrated his eagerness to turn to the club’s youth academy this season, naming seven youngsters in his squad against Tottenham in February after a series of injury blows.

Of that group, Obi has gone onto make four appearances off the bench.

Obi has made his senior debut this year (Picture: AMA/Getty Images)

The 17-year-old striker, who joined United after leaving Arsenal last summer, turned in a thrilling cameo appearance in the FA Cup defeat to Fulham having also featured against Everton and Leicester City.

Amass meanwhile made his debut in the 3-0 win over the Foxes prior to the international break.

The left-back impressed during the pre-season tour last summer and was handed his first-team bow on the day of his 18^th birthday.

‘It is an incredible experience,’ Amass told MUTV after his debut. ‘I am just proud at the moment and I think my family, everyone watching at home, will be proud of me.

‘I am just grateful for the opportunity and hopefully there is many more to come.’

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Antony opens up on how he feels about Manchester United after exit

Antony is loving his time at Real Betis so far (Picture: Getty Images)

Antony harbours no ill will towards Manchester United despite his difficult time there, but is now loving life on loan with Real Betis.

The summer of 2022 saw the Red Devils embark on a long pursuit of the Brazilian winger, which eventually ended with them agreeing to pay Ajax £86.3m for his services.

It was an eye-catching sum for the Brazilian, but he started brightly, scoringon his debut against Arsenal to get the United faithful very excited.

That initial promise did not lead to much though, with his first season being average at best and then going downhill in his second campaign.

Antony fell down the pecking order and was no longer really in contention when Erik ten Hag, who had signed him from Ajax, was replaced by Ruben Amorim.

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He is now having a much better time at Real Betis where he has been starting regularly since his January loan move.

The Brazil international is not too down about how things happened in Manchester, saying he is grateful to the club for showing such faith in him when they splurged a wild amount of cash three years ago.

Antony struggled to find form at Manchester United (Picture: Getty Images)

‘If they pay that kind of money for you, it’s because you have talent and quality,’ Antony told DAZN.

‘Wherever I go, I’ll always speak highly of United. ‘I’m very grateful to the club and to Erik ten Hag for what we experienced together, for the titles, and for everything I’ve learned.

‘I had difficult times there, but also very good ones. I think it prepared me to be here today, enjoying myself. My mind is here, and I’m very happy.’

Antony quickly found his form again after joining Real Betis (Picture: Getty Images)

Antony enjoyed a blistering start to life with Real Betis scoring three times in his first four games.

The goal-scoring fireworks have fizzled out a bit, but he netted a fourth goal for the club against Vitoria Guimaraes as they booked a spot in the UEFA Conference League quarter-finals.

He has quickly become a regular in the first team, making 11 starts since his January arrival, and he feels very much at home.

‘I found myself, I needed to find myself and be happy,’ said the 25-year-old. ‘I needed my family to be happy too. Every day that goes by I see that it was the best decision I could have made.

‘I’m enjoying the city, the club and everything. It reminds me a lot of Brazil because of the sun, the food, the people are also very happy. All of that is important for someone like me who is used to it.’

Ruben Amorim had a short time with Antony at Manchester United (Picture: Getty Images)

Red Devils boss Amorim suggested that the winger will enjoy more success outside of the Premier League due to the reduced physicality.

‘When you play against any team in England, the physicality is there. If you don’t have physicality, you will struggle a lot,’ the Portuguese told TNT Sports.

‘Antony is so much better now in Spain. It’s [because of] a lot of factors but I guarantee you it’s physicality.’

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Saka could return to Arsenal squad against Fulham

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka could be named in the squad to face Fulham in the Premier League next week.

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West Ham charged for fans' alleged homophobic chant

West Ham are charged by the Football Association over alleged homophobic chanting by their fans during last month's 2-1 loss at Chelsea.

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Man Utd open talks to sign Arsenal transfer target dubbed a ‘marvel of nature’

Manchester United appear to be in the driving seat to sign the Greek wonderkid (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United have made contact with Greek club Olympiacos over Arsenal transfer target Charalampos Kostoulas, according to reports.

The Gunners are interested in a deal for the forward, who has been labelled a ‘marvel of nature’ by Olympiacos sporting director Darko Kovacevic.

United and Arsenal are not the only clubs linked to the 17-year-old wonderkid, though, with a number of other Premier League sides keeping tabs on his progress including Chelsea, Tottenham and Aston Villa.

Kostoulas is also wanted by some of the biggest clubs across Europe with Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, AC Milan and unnamed Spanish teams thought to be in the race for the teenager’s signature.

But United appear to be in the driving seat at the moment after officially making contact with Olympiacos over a move, The Sun have reported.

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Kostoulas has made 33 first-team appearances for Olympiacos to date, conjuring up six goals and two assists, having joined the club in 2019 from Agia Anna Volos.

He has scored two goals across his first two caps for Greece U21s and is known for his impressive physicality, quick pace and natural eye for goal.

Charalampos Kostoulas is wanted by Man Utd and Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

Kostoulas is sometimes known by the nickname ‘Babistuta’, which is a nod to former Argentina striker Gabriel Batistuta.

The Greek starlet – who is over six foot tall – is capable of scoring with both feet, thrives with his back to goal and rarely loses aerial duels.

Olympiacos, understandably, are reluctant to lose Kostoulas in the next summer transfer window with the player under contract until June 2030.

Arsenal are hoping to win the race for Charalampos Kostoulas (Picture: Getty)

But given that such a high number of Europe’s elite clubs want to sign Kostoulas, it seems inevitable that he will eventually leave the Greek side.

Kostoulas burst onto the scene when he was still in the Olympiacos academy, helping the club clinch the UEFA Youth League title and being named Super League Greece 2 Young Player of the Season in 2024.

The ‘marvel of nature’ has since been promoted to the first team and became the youngest player in Olympiacos history to play professionally.

Kostoulas was impressively named Super League Greece Player of the Month in December.

As well as featuring for Greece U21s, Kostoulas has also played at U19, U17 and U16 level for his country.

Kostoulas was set to join Greece’s first team during the international break for the Nations League showdown against Scotland.

He didn’t make the cut, though, after not recovering in time from a hamstring injury he picked up in a Europa League match against Bodo/Glimt.

Kostoulas looks set to make his return for Olympiacos against Panathinaikos on Sunday.

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Borussia Dortmund send message to Jadon Sancho after Chelsea star ‘submits transfer request’

Jadon Sancho is reportedly keen on a third stint in Germany (Picture: Getty)

Borussia Dortmund are unlikely to try and resign Jadon Sancho despite reports that the Englishman is keen on a return to the club this summer.

Sancho has already enjoyed two spells with the German club, initially breaking through at the Signal Iduna Park prior to his big-money move to Manchester United and then returning last season on a six-month loan.

Now at Chelsea on loan, the winger has shown glimpses of full potential but has registered no goals and only one assist since the turn of the calendar year.

Enzo Maresca’s side have an obligation to buy Sancho from United for £25 million in the summer and are likely to do so despite it emerging that the Blues can pay a £5million fee to back out of the agreement.

However, recent reports in Germany suggest that Sancho is instead angling for a return to Dortmund, with his desire to return to the Bundesliga ‘growing daily’.

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Bayer Leverkusen are also also be interested in a move for Sancho if Chelsea change their plans and don’t sign the 25-year-old permanently in the summer.

But while Sancho may be keen on a return to the club where he enjoyed the best form of his career, Sky Germany suggests that Dortmund are unlikely to move ahead with a move should the possibility present itself.

Sancho still looks likely to join Chelsea at the end of the season (Picture: Getty)

Niko Kovac’s side, who currently sit a disappointing 11th place in the league, are currently well stocked with options in wide areas.

Karim Adeyemi and Jamie Gittens predominantly occupy the wide spots in Kovac’s 4-2-3-1 formation, with youngster Julien Duranville and the versatile Maximilian Beier providing ample depth.

Perhaps more crucially, the report suggests that Dortmund are unlikely to be able to fork out the necessary finances to agree a deal with Sancho and United.

A fee of around €32-35m (£27-30m) would likely be required, while Sancho would also command a salary in the ‘double-digit million range’ which is seen as an ‘insane amount of money’.

Sancho is expected to be back in action for Chelsea next Thursday as the Blues take on London rivals Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.

The winger has two goals and four assists in his 23 league appearances so far this season.

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Why a permanent Chelsea move for Sancho is no longer certain

With talk of Chelsea paying a £5m clause not to sign Jadon Sancho permanently from Man Utd, BBC Sport looks at the factors.

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'You want to play the best' - Spencer on Sweden test

Northern Ireland defender Brodie Spencer says "you want to play against the best" ahead of Tuesday's friendly in Sweden.

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Partey nets twice for Ghana while Ivorians win again

Thomas Partey nets twice as Ghana strengthen their bid for a place at the 2026 World Cup, while Ivory Coast return to the top of their qualifying group.

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Karetsas stunner gives Greece aggregate lead over Scotland

Seventeen-year-old Konstantinos Karetsas curls a fine strike into the top corner to put Scotland two down at Hampden and gave Greece the aggregate lead in the Nations League play-off.

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Nick Kyrgios makes ‘overrated’ claim as he comes to Emma Raducanu’s defence

Emma Raducanu is into the last-16 at the Miami Open (Picture: Getty)

Nick Kyrgios has claimed that coaches are ‘overrated’ as he came to the defence of Emma Raducanu in the wake of her run to the last 16 of the Miami Open.

After just three wins from her first nine matches of 2025, Raducanu has enjoyed a welcome return to form in Miami where a walkover victory over McCartney Kessler saw her into the last-16.

Prior to that, Raducanu produced just her third career victory against a top-ten opponent when she dumped out World No.10 Emma Navarro in the second round.

The uptick in performances comes after the Brit sacked the seventh coach of her career, Vladimir Platenik, just days prior to the tournament.

Platenik’s departure was perhaps the most ruthless so far from Raducanu, with the Slovak only lasting 14 days and one game in his role before he was sacked.

Raducanu has faced criticism from several quarters for the constant chopping and changing of her set-up as she looks to get back to the kind of tennis that saw her win the US Open in 2021.

But Kyrgios believes that her most recent run of form is evidence that not everyone needs a coach overseeing their devolpment.

Raducanu has impressed in Miami without a coach by her side (Picture: Getty)

Nick Kyrgios has supported Raducanu’s trigger-happy approach to firing coaches (Picture: Getty)

‘People awfully quiet that Radacanu is winning now,’ the Australian wrote. ‘Where all the experts at now? Lol coach’s overrated [sic].’

Kyrgios, who was knocked out in the second round at Miami, has not had a coach for almost eight years, with the 29-year-old admitting back in 2023 that he wouldn’t want to put anyone through the trouble of working with him.

‘I wouldn’t want to put them through that,’ he told Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast. ‘Some days I just don’t feel like playing. They can’t. I’ve had coaches before and it’s been okay.

‘I just think for me it’s really hard to bring someone on your team, especially now. Everything I’ve created has been like my best friend, a tight-knit group. I just can’t bring someone else into the team now. It’s just too far gone.’

Following her most recent coaching split, Raducanu’s team suggested that she will resume her search for the ‘right coach’ after Miami.

And the Brit may have plenty more offers on her table if she can Amanda Anisimova on Monday, which would mark the first time she has won four matches at one event since her 2021 US Open title.

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Alisson returns to Liverpool after 'suspected concussion'

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker returns to the club after sustaining a "suspected concussion" on international duty with Brazil.

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Chelsea tipped to hijack Man Utd’s £50m transfer move for England star

Could Chelsea make a late swoop? (Picture: Getty)

Pat Nevin has tipped Chelsea to swoop in and hijack Manchester United’s plans to sign Everton and England defender Jarrad Branthwaite this summer.

United are expected to revive their efforts to sign Branthwaite at the end of the season having failed twice to agree a transfer fee with Everton for the centre-back last summer.

Branthwaite has continued to impress this season under Sean Dyche and David Moyes but is said to be keen to move to a club playing in Europe as he looks to force his way into Thomas Tuchel’s reckoning ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

And with the contracts of Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof expiring in the summer, Ruben Amorim’s will be in need of defensive reinforcements and could sanction a bid of £50million for Branthwaite.

United may well have to win the Europa League if they are to provide the European football that Branthwaite craves, but Nevin believes his former side Chelsea could also thwart United’s hope of signing the Englishman.

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‘If it had been me at Chelsea, I would have gone for Jarrad Branthwaite a year ago over any player that Chelsea did sign in that defensive area,’ Nevin told CasinoHawks.

‘For me, for over a year, he’s just looked like the best up-and-coming centre back in business.

Jarrad Branthwaite is high up on Manchester United’s summer shopping list (Picture: Getty)

‘Dean Huijsen at Bournemouth is also special, he could become a Virgil van Dijk type, but we shall see. Certainly with Chelsea, Branthwaite ticked every single imaginable box.

‘But it would be expensive. So if Manchester United took him it wouldn’t be a surprise. If Chelsea took him it wouldn’t be a surprise.’

Despite his impressive performances for Everton, Branthwaite was overlooked by Tuchel when the German announced his first England squad.

But Pat Nevin believes Chelsea could well win the race to sign the English centre-back (Picture: Getty)

And Nevin feels that Branthwaite may well be a victim of Tuchel’s short-term thinking as the former Bayern Munich and Chelsea boss turns his full focus towards the 2026 World Cup in little under 18 months.

‘Jarrad Branthwaite would start for England for me, but I think he’s a victim of a short-term manager, it’s just as simple as that,’ the Scotsman added.

‘If you’re a long-term manager you need a squad to build up players and develop the internationals, if you’re short-term, what do you do? You pick people that have done it for a long time and are experienced at international level. That’s it.

‘If you were building an England team for the next campaign, you’d have him in there. But if you’re only interested in this campaign and nothing else then no, I know what he’s doing.

‘I understand what the manager’s doing and although it’s a bit saddening and a shame for Jarrad and for England and developing young players, it makes perfect sense. If it was me, he’d be in the squad. But then I’m a huge fan.

‘I think in a few years down the line he’ll be England’s number one centre back and he will be for a long-time.’

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Chelsea come from behind to snatch late win over Man City

Erin Cuthbert's injury-time header seals a 2-1 comeback win for Chelsea in their third of four matches in a row against Manchester City, extending the Blues' lead at the top of the Women's Super League table to eight points.

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What is managing England really like?

Former England managers Sven-Goran Eriksson, Sam Allardyce and Roy Hodgson, speaking in 2018, shared their experiences of the job Thomas Tuchel has taken on.

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Cristiano Ronaldo responds to Rasmus Hojlund copying his celebration vs Portugal

Rasmus Hojlund scored Denmark’s late winner against Portugal on Thursday (Getty)

Cristiano Ronaldo insists he has no issue with Rasmus Hojlund copying his ‘Siu’ celebration after the Manchester United striker used it in Denmark’s 1-0 victory against Portugal this week.

Hojlund scored Denmark’s late winner in their Nations League first leg quarter final on Thursday night and pulled out Ronaldo’s iconic celebration before celebrating with his teammates.

The United striker, who was signed in a £72 million deal from Atalanta in 2023, insisted after the game that he was not trying to mock Ronaldo.

When asked if he was offended by Hojlund’s actions, Ronaldo said at a press conference on Saturday: ‘For me, it’s not a problem.

‘I know it wasn’t an act of disrespect. I’m smart enough to realise that.

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Not only him, all over the world, several athletes celebrate me.

‘For me it’s an honour, but I hope he can see my celebration tomorrow.’

Rasmus Hojlund pulled out the ‘Siu’ celebration with Cristiano Ronaldo watching on ( Getty)

Speaking after copying Ronaldo’s celebration on Thursday, Hojlund said: ‘It’s for my idol.

‘It wasn’t to mock him or anything. He’s had such a huge impact on me and my football career. Maybe it’s a bit ambivalent, but to score against him and Portugal, it’s huge.

‘I remember him scoring from a free kick in 2011 when I went to watch the match, and since then I’ve been a huge Cristiano fan.’

Portugal host Denmark in the second leg of their Nations League quarter-final tie in Lisbon on Sunday night.

Cristiano Ronaldo: ‘If the team wins and I don’t score, I’ll go home happy.’ (EPA)

Ronaldo, meanwhile, has dismissed suggestions that he would be unhappy if he failed to score but Ronaldo beat Denmark to reach the Nations League semi final.

‘We have played well in many games. I don’t believe there isn’t a teammate who doesn’t want to play well or score. Sometimes things just don’t work out,’ Ronaldo said.

‘If I score tomorrow, thank you very much. If another player scores, it’s the same. If I don’t play and someone else plays, it’s the same for me.

‘I’ve always said that and it will always be the same, even when I’m no longer here. I will defend Portugal until the death. If the team wins and I don’t score, I’ll go home happy.

‘Anyone who is proud to represent this symbol must have ambition. We lost the first half and I have never lost in the first half. Tomorrow is the second half.

‘It was not the first time we lost in Denmark, there are days when nothing happened, I did not play at all, the team did not play at all. Tomorrow, I want to leave with my head held high, which means progressing in the tie.’

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Rangers hit five past Hibs to retain SWPL Cup

Rangers cruise to a 5-0 win over league leaders Hibernian to retain the SWPL Cup at Fir Park.

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Bryan Robson tells ‘unbelievable’ Man Utd outcast to make transfer U-turn

Marcus Rashford has returned to form after joining Aston Villa on loan from Manchester United (Picture: Getty)

Former Manchester United captain Bryan Robson has urged Marcus Rashford to fight for his future at Old Trafford and prove Ruben Amorim wrong.

Rashford appears a player reborn after completing a loan switch to Aston Villa in January, racking up four assists in his opening nine appearances under Unai Emery.

A month prior to the move, Rashford revealed he was actively seeking a fresh challenge away from United, the club he had joined as a schoolboy at the age of just seven.

Rashford’s resurgence has seen the forward return to the fold with England and he was named in Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI for the Three Lions’ 2-0 win over Albania on Friday night.

It’s understood Rashford has already told close friends that he is keen to join Villa on a permanent basis when the summer transfer window opens for business, with the 27-year-old thriving under the tutelage of Emery.

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But Robson is confident Rashford could still have a future at the Theatre of Dreams and hopes to see the attacker playing in United’s colours again next season.

‘Marcus has unbelievable talent and should be doing better for Manchester United,’ the legendary ex-United skipper told Express Sport.

Rashford returned to the fold with England this month (Picture: Getty)

Robson hopes it’s not the end of the road for Rashford at Old Trafford (Picture: Getty)

‘He shouldn’t even be moving on to Aston Villa. He should be giving his best for Manchester United.

‘[Whether he comes back] is the manager’s and Marcus’ decision. But for me, he’s got the talent, and you’ve got to get the best out of him.

‘Marcus has got to get the best out of himself and he should be a Manchester United player next year.’

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The two-time Premier League winner is ‘driven crazy’ by former players who have suggested Rashford is suddenly ‘enjoying his football again’ following the January move.

According to Robson, Rashford should realise he is ‘so fortunate to be a football player’, especially when representing a club of United’s stature.

‘I haven’t come out publicly and said anything, but the TV pundits drive me crazy,’ he added.

‘I’m talking about ex-players saying that as soon as he went to Villa, he was enjoying his football again.

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‘Hold on a minute. You are so fortunate to be a football player.

‘If I’m at Manchester United, I’m enjoying my football, or I should be enjoying my football, and I’m going to work hard to try and make the team successful.

‘So when you go to Villa, it’s no different from playing for Man United. You try and enjoy your game and do the best you can. So there’s no excuses.’

It would require a remarkable turnaround for Rashford to save his United career, though, with Amorim reportedly slamming the door shut on the England international after a series of sub-par performances on the training ground.

Villa have an option in their deal with United to sign Rashford outright for a fee of £40million at the end of the season.

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England and Chelsea legend Frank Lampard tipped for surprise managerial job

Frank Lampard has enjoyed a positive start to life at Coventry (Picture: Getty)

England and Chelsea legend Frank Lampard has been tipped for a third managerial stint at Stamford Bridge after his encouraging start to life at Coventry.

Lampard had big shoes to fill when he replaced the hugely popular Mark Robbins at Coventry in November last year.

But the 46-year-old has worked wonders with the Championship side, taking them from 17th in the table to promotion hopefuls having won six of their last seven league games.

His stint with the Sky Blues has also served to revitalise his managerial stock after Lampard endured two difficult spells in the Premier League.

Despite keeping Everton in the top flight under difficult circumstances, Lampard was later dismissed after a series of poor results in the 2022-23 season.

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And after a short time out of the dugout, he returned to Stamford Bridge for another managerial stint, this time serving as a caretaker following the departure of Graham Potter.

And while that job was only a short-term role, Lampard presided over just one win from his 11 games as Chelsea ultimately finished in a lowly 12th spot.

Lampard has taken Coventry into the Championship playoff positions (Picture: Getty)

Now enjoying life back in the Championship, Lampard’s full focus will no doubt be on achieving promotion with Coventry having fallen just short of that feat when he managed Derby County back in 2018/19.

But his former teammate William Gallas believes that Lampard could well work himself back to the top table of management and insists a third stint in charge at Stamford Bridge is not beyond the realms of possibility.

Lampard endured a tough interim spell back in the Chelsea dugout (Picture: Getty)

However, Gallas did urge caution and said the Englishman would likely have to prove his talents with another club in the Premier League first before being considered by Chelsea again.

‘After what happened to Frank Lampard, we had to be patient. He is doing well right now with Coventry City, if he can give them the chance to get into the Premier League that would be the best thing for him,’ Gallas told Spin Genie.

‘But you never know, he could go back. That’s why it’s good for him to improve and do something really good with another Premier League team in the future, maybe helping them into Europe in the Europa League or Champions League.

‘That would give him more experience and then one day, we could see him at Chelsea again. But right now, I don’t know.

‘The best thing that can happen for him now is Coventry City to go to the Premier League. That will be the best story for him.’

Lampard’s Coventry return after the international back with a tricky visit to second-place Sheffield United. They currently sit fifth in the table.

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Mohamed Salah sets unwanted record as Liverpool star flops in Carabao Cup final

Mohamed Salah reacts after Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final defeat (Picture: Getty)

Mohamed Salah’s blistering form was nowhere to be seen as Liverpool were beaten by Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final.

Salah has enjoyed his most productive campaign to date at Anfield, scoring 32 goals and making 22 assists in all competitions.

His form has led to calls for Salah to win the Ballon d’Or award and be officially recognised as the best player in the world.

The 32-year-old was hoping to fire Liverpool to yet another trophy at Wembley on Sunday but came up short as Newcastle sealed a 2-1 win to end their long wait for silverware.

Dan Burn’s powerful headed put Newcastle in front on the stroke of half-time and in-form striker Alexander Isak doubled the Magpies’ lead shortly after the break.

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Federico Chiesa pulled a goal back for Liverpool in injury-time but Newcastle held on to win their first trophy since 1969.

With just 23 touches of the ball, Salah was surprisingly subdued at Wembley as part of a Liverpool attack that rarely threatened Nick Pope’s goal.

Salah looks dejected after Liverpool lost to Newcastle (Picture: Getty)

According to Opta, it was in fact the first time in his Anfield career that Salah neither attempted a shot nor created a chance when he has played the entire 90 minutes of a match.

Liverpool were eyeing a stunning treble this time last week but Arne Slot’s side were knocked out of the Champions League in midweek before their Wembley defeat to Newcastle.

The Reds will, of course, win the Premier League barring a remarkable turnaround, with second-placed Arsenal currently 12 points behind in the title race.

Newcastle ended their long wait for a trophy (Picture: Getty)

Speaking after lifting the Carabao Cup final, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said: ‘I am very, very emotional and been all day which is unlike me.

‘We knew what was at stake today for all of our fans, we wanted to do them proud and win the trophy.

‘I am so, so pleased with the result and the performance – we deserved to win today.

‘It was tough when Liverpool scored. I was thinking about extra time, we always make it difficult for ourselves it was never going to be 2-0.

‘We were well aware of the history and we wanted to do the club proud. We wanted to score, we wanted to perform and we wanted to win.’

Howe, who arrived at St James’ Park in 2021, added: ‘We are breaking new ground, I thought we were magnificent today.

‘We worked consistently for two weeks on set plays just for this game and if you had seen us in practice you would have said we had no chance.

‘We couldn’t believe Dan Burn scored – he didn’t train like that! He was a colossus for us.’

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Paul Merson makes confident Arsenal vs Chelsea Premier League prediction

Arsenal have held the upper-hand over Chelsea in recent seasons (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal legend Paul Merson has made confident prediction ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League London derby against Chelsea.

The Gunners have held the upper-hand in this rivalry in recent years but the Blues gave an indication of their improvement when the two teams met earlier in the season at Stamford Bridge.

On that occasion Chelsea earned an impressive point after Pedro Neto cancelled out Gabriel Martinelli’s opener.

In the corresponding fixture last season, Arsenal romped to a 5-0 win but Mikel Arteta is envisaging a far tighter contest this time around.

‘I think it’s going to be a very different game,’ he said. ‘I think the way they’ve developed as a team is very impressive, what Enzo has done, the amount of talent that they have in the squad. A really tough match and we’ll have to be at our best.

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‘Two teams that want to be very dominant in the way of playing, very aggressive on the high press and the way we have to have the ball. A lot of individual quality on that pitch.

‘It’s about imposing what you want and the direction that you want to take the game and keep them very far from their strengths.’

Enzo Maresca is set to change his goalkeepers again(Credits: Adam Davy/PA Wire)

Like Arsenal’s manager, Merson feels the gap between the two clubs is narrowing but is still sure that Arsenal will find a way to win.

He told Sportskeeda: ‘When Mikel Arteta refused to bring Raheem Sterling on against Manchester United I thought it wasn’t the right decision. They had to win that game and I can’t believe he didn’t play at all!

‘Sterling impressed me against PSV in the Champions League. In fact, I thought he was one of Arsenal’s best players in the second leg.

‘What do I even say about Chelsea? They bored Leicester into submission last weekend. Chelsea have no threat up front without Nicolas Jackson. I’ve always said that Christopher Nkunku is more of a No.10 and you can’t expect or rely on him to do what a No.9 does.

Mikel Arteta needs to get Arsenal back to winning ways (Copyright: 2025 CameraSport)

‘Arsenal need to win this game. A defeat to Chelsea would pull the Gunners back into the race to finish in the top four. They are now 15 points behind Liverpool and just eight points ahead of Manchester City in fifth-place (prior to Saturday’s games).

‘Another loss and you would have to start worrying about them finishing inside the top four and I can’t believe I’m saying that.

‘Chelsea are a better team when Cole Palmer is firing, but without Jackson he has struggled.

‘I expect Palmer to find more space to operate in during this game, but I’m not sure Chelsea have enough to trouble Arsenal. Sterling is not eligible to play against his parent club, so I expect Mikel Merino to continue in attack. I’m not a big fan of the midfielder playing there, but what else can Arsenal do now? Prediction: 2-0.”

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