SETTABLOID

Man United could complete sensational Marcus Rashford swap to correct summer transfer mistake

Marcus Rashford’s future at Manchester United is uncertain after the forward dropped a bombshell interview this week revealing he is ready for a new challenge away from Old Trafford.

The 27-year-old is a product of United’s academy having joined the club as a youngster. He made his senior debut in 2016 and has now amassed over 400 first-team appearances across all competitions.

This season, Rashford has scored seven goals in his 24 appearances so far, but was left out of Ruben Amorim’s last two matchday squads against Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. Although he has a number of years left on his contract at United, speculation around his future is intensifying ahead of the January transfer window.

A recent report from talkSPORT suggests at least three Saudi Pro League clubs are interested in signing Rashford should he depart Old Trafford. Al Ahli, Al Ittihad and Al Qadsiah are all rumoured to be potential suitors, while Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked.

Interestingly, United-linked Ivan Toney joined Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli in the summer when he departed Brentford. The 28-year-old was initially tipped to join either Arsenal or United in the last transfer window, but a move to either club failed to materialise and he insisted opted to move abroad.

Toney has scored eight goals and registered three assists across all competitions so far this season, which is a marked improvement on his stats from the previous campaign, in which he spent the first few months on the sidelines due to suspension.

Manchester United squad vs Bournemouth confirmed as Marcus Rashford update emerges

There was no sign of Marcus Rashford as Manchester United’s players arrived at Old Trafford to face Bournemouth.

Ruben Amorim dropped Rashford from the squad for the Manchester derby and didn’t select him to face Tottenham on Thursday, despite Alejandro Garnacho being welcomed back.

Rashford and Garnacho were both omitted from the squad against Manchester City but Garnacho returned in midweek and Amorim praised the youngster for how he responded to being dropped in training. Rashford wasn’t spotted with the squad as the players arrived at Old Trafford.

Toby Collyer, who is an academy graduate just like Rashford, has made the squad to play Bournemouth and the youngster has replaced the injured Victor Lindelof. United confirmed Matthijs de Ligt was unwell after he missed the defeat to Spurs on Thursday and he was not spotted arriving ahead of the clash with Bournemouth.

21 players have arrived at Old Trafford and although Tom Heaton was among the arrivals, the goalkeeper will likely drop out and so the remaining players are all expected to make the 20-man squad.

RB Leipzig’s David Raum named “toughest opponent” by Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal

Raum (r.) and Yamal came face to face at last summer’s Euros in Germany. – © IMAGO/UWE KRAFT

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RB Leipzig and Germany defender David Raum has come in for praise from 2024 Golden Boy winner and FC Barcelona star Lamine Yamal.

The 17-year-old talent came up against Die Roten Bullen’s full back when Spain faced off against hosts Germany at last summer’s UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final in Munich, which La Roja and Yamal won 2-1. Speaking to Tuttosport – the Italian publication behind the Golden Boy award – the Spanish international said, “David Raum has been the toughest opponent I’ve had to face. In the Euros, against Germany, he was tough to beat. A solid defender.”

Yamal was named as the best young player at Euro 2024 while he also won the Goal of the Tournament award for his effort against France in the semi-finals. He made his senior Barcelona debut at just 16 and has already racked up 17 caps for Spain, scoring three goals.

Raum recently missed several encounters for Leipzig and Germany with a troublesome ankle injury but returned at the weekend to feature briefly in the Saxony-based side’s Bundesliga defeat against Bayern Munich.

The news of the versatile left-back’s welcome return was tempered by the announcement that defender Benjamin Henrichs will be out of action for several months with a ruptured achilles tendon he sustained in Friday’s encounter at the Allianz Arena.

Three talking points from Barcelona 1-2 Atletico

FC Barcelona v Atletico de Madrid - La Liga EA Sports

How did Barcelona lose that?!

After a rough couple of weeks in La Liga, Barcelona rose to the occasion against Atletico and secured an important win. Except they didn’t. They should have. They played a great game, but they didn’t take their chances and were made to pay by an Atletico side who created very little but scored twice.

Hansi Flick’s were good value for the three points and will be kicking themselves for not taking what would have been a huge win. The team looked hungry and full of intensity – two things that have been missing in recent games – but simply were not ruthless enough.

Pedri bagged the opener in the first half and Barca had plenty more chances to score. Indeed we’re all still wondering now how Robert Lewandowski managed to miss after being serve up a chance on a plate by Ferran Torres. “Inexplicable” was how Pau Cubarsi described the loss afterwards.

Yet Lewandowski wasn’t the only one. Raphinha, Pedri and Fermin Lopez also could – and probably should – have scored but couldn’t beat Jan Oblak. It’s becoming something of a recurring theme too, Barca need far more composure in front of goal.

In contrast Atletico created absolutely zilch. But a poor intervention by Marc Casado fell to Rodrigo De Paul and he somehow conjured up a brilliant finish that curled low into the bottom corner. It was a harsh lesson for Barca.

Title race takes massive turn

The win means that Atletico now sit top of the table, three points clear of Barcelona with a game in hand. The Catalans could even head into Christmas in third place in the table if Real Madrid beat Sevilla later. Los Blancos also, ominously for Barca, have two games in hand on Hansi Flick’s side.

The six-point lead Barcelona enjoyed at the top of the table now feels like a long time ago, as wasteful performances by Flick’s side have thrown away the lead and allowed their rivals to take the initiative.

The German boss was defiant after the game, insisting he’s “not worried” and backing his team to come back in 2025. Yet recent results show Flick has plenty of work to do with his team if they are to get back on track in January and challenge for titles.

This defeat in particular will be hard to swallow for many fans, particularly after seeing Barcelona dominate. Meanwhile, one win from the last seven La Liga games is a really dismal way to finish off the year.

Sharpen up, Barcelona

One of the biggest concerns for Flick will be just how many chances are going begging this season. The Catalans are La Liga’s leading scorers with 51 goals from 19 matches but have also missed 50 big chances in those games.

Lewandowski will know he should have been on the scoresheet, and Raphinha too. The Brazilian oozed confidence all night, showing off a chested pass and nutmegging Conor Gallagher. Yet Pedri’s gorgeous pass through to the Brazilian deserved better than a lob onto the crossbar.

Quite how Pedri ended up on the losing side is a mystery. The Spain star was the best player on the park, scoring the goal, creating three big chances and seemingly playing at a level no-one else could reach.

Alan Shearer names the Arsenal player that must step up in Bukayo Saka injury absence

Alan Shearer has called on Gabriel Jesus to continue his recent superb run of performances in the expected injury absence of Bukayo Saka. The latter departed Selhurst Park after just 24 minutes because of a hamstring issue, however the Gunners were still able to beat Crystal Palace 5-1 in the Premier League.

Following on from his hat-trick against Oliver Glasner’s side earlier this week in the Carabao Cup, Jesus grabbed a brace after just 12 minutes with Kai Havertz also on target in the first half. Gabriel Martinelli and Declan Rice later found the back of the net in the second period.

Mikel Arteta’s decision to start Jesus immediately paid off with fellow striker Shearer offering a clear verdict on his goals and overall performance.

“He was having such a tough time in front of goal, but I think Mikel Arteta deserves a lot of credit because of what happened in midweek, he gets his goals and you can see the belief he would’ve had in training,” he said on BBC Match of the Day. “He had to start him and it was a wonderful performance. He’s got a spring back in his step.”

On Jesus’ second goal, he added: “This is a really clever finish. The way he guides it in and maybe three or four weeks ago that might hit the post, but such is his confidence, he feels back amongst it and full of belief again.”

While Arteta will be pleased that Jesus is firing on all cylinders, there is a real concern that Saka could miss the upcoming period through injury. The Arsenal talisman went down clutching his hamstring with the decision to bring him off made swiftly and he was later spotted departing the stadium on crutches.

Calafiori breaks silence after injury return, but red card controversy scares Arsenal fans

Italy international Riccardo Calafiori celebrated Arsenal’s win over Crystal Palace and his return to action after an injury, even if a Nathaniel Clyne challenge in the second half scared the Gunners supporters.

Calafiori made his 9th Premier League appearance this season on Saturday, coming off the bench in Arsenal’s 5-1 win over Crystal Palace.

The versatile Italian defender was introduced from the bench for the final 32 minutes.

Even if Cala returned from an injury and had reduced playing time, an incident that involved him in the second half had fans talking and scared the Gunners supporters.

Palace defender Nathaniel Clyne made a nasty tackle on the ex-Bologna defender, leaving him on the ground in pain.

Clyne was initially shown a yellow card, but the referee’s decision was subject to a VAR check.

Match officials in the VAR hub confirmed the referee’s decision, which was later explained by a Premier League statement.

Raheem Sterling breaks Arsenal injury silence with five-word message amid huge Bukayo Saka worry

Raheem Sterling has sent a clear message after missing Arsenal’s 5-1 win against Crystal Palace due to injury. The Chelsea loanee played 70 minutes earlier this week against the Eagles in Carabao Cup action but was noticeably absent from the squad to face the same opponents in a Premier League clash on Saturday.

Speaking on Sky Sports ahead of the game, Arteta revealed that Sterling had felt something in the final training session before the game. And just 24 minutes into the match at Selhurst Park, the Gunners lost another attacker to injury with Bukayo Saka pulling up holding his hamstring.

Despite that, Arsenal still got the job done with Gabriel Jesus (2), Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Declan Rice all on target in a dominant away victory. Those two fresh injuries will be a concern for Arteta though, with the Arsenal boss providing an update on both after the game.

“We lost Raheem yesterday [Friday] and we don’t know for how long,” he said in a press conference. “To lose two players in 24 hours is not good. With this schedule it doesn’t surprise me. The team will react to that.”

On Saka, he added: “He felt something in his hamstring. He will have to be assessed. Pretty worried about that. It’s difficult to guess now. They have tested him but difficult to say how bad it is.” Arsenal will be hoping neither player misses too much action with the busy schedule that awaits.

After Christmas, Ipswich are the visitors to Emirates Stadium with Arsenal back on their travels in early 2025 for Premier League games away at Brentford and Brighton. Arteta also has two very important cup games to think about in January.

Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli reveals private Ian Wright message after Crystal Palace goal

Gabriel Martinelli has revealed he received a message from Arsenal legend Ian Wright after scoring in the 5-1 victory against Crystal Palace. The Brazil international netted his side’s fourth at Selhurst Park after he diverted a Declan Rice effort into the back of the net from close range.

With Bukayo Saka taken off because of injury, Martinelli switched to the right and played a huge role in the Gunners’ third goal which was scored by Kai Havertz. After beating Tyrick Mitchell, Martinelli sent a cross perfectly onto the head of Gabriel Jesus and though he was denied another hat-trick by the post, Havertz fired home the rebound.

Earlier in the clash, two goals from Jesus put the visitors in front on two separate occasions with Ismalia Sarr initially equalising for Palace. Arsenal quickly took the game away from their opponents however, with Rice adding a fifth after Martinelli’s first Premier League goal in five.

After the win, which saw Arsenal move to within three points of Liverpool, Martinelli was interviewed on Premier League Productions where Wright was a guest. Upon learning he was speaking to the Gunners Icon, Martinelli said: “How are you legend? Are you ok?”

With it clear to see Martinelli has significant respect for Wright, his response to the actual question about his recent impressive displays was perhaps telling of why he is loved by the current squad.

“You have played the game. You know how tough it is to be on this side,” he said. “I’d like to say thank you for the message you sent me the other day. It means a lot to me. It’s really good to score and win the game. It is an honour to, as I said, receive a message like that, the one you sent me, so again thank you so much.”

Arsenal star sends huge statement to Mikel Arteta after Crystal Palace victory

Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus has issued a strong message to manager Mikel Arteta, declaring he’s “ready for more” after an explosive return to form with five goals in two matches against Crystal Palace.

The Brazilian striker ended an 11-month Premier League goal drought in style, netting twice in Arsenal’s emphatic 5-1 win at Selhurst Park on Saturday. This came just days after his hat-trick in the Carabao Cup against the same opposition, a performance that helped Arsenal progress in the competition.

Jesus struck his first league goal since January within six minutes and added a second before halftime, showcasing the clinical edge Arsenal have been missing at times this season.

Despite injuries disrupting his rhythm earlier this season, Jesus’ return offers a new dimension to Arsenal’s attack. While Kai Havertz has been Arteta’s preferred central option for much of the campaign, Jesus’ versatility and title-winning experience with Manchester City make him an invaluable asset in Arsenal’s title charge.

Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Sterling – Latest Arsenal injury news and return dates for Ipswich

Mikel Arteta has been handed two fresh Arsenal injury concerns following the 5-1 Premier League win against Crystal Palace. Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori handed Arteta a double boost in the build up as the duo returned to the matchday squad for the trip to Selhurst Park.

One player noticeably absent however was Raheem Sterling, after playing 70 minutes against the Eagles in Carabao Cup action earlier that week. With one attacking injury blow emerging, Arteta was handed a second during the first half when Bukayo Saka was forced off with a hamstring injury.

Rice and Calafiori were introduced for the final 30 minutes with the former grabbing Arsenal’s fifth. Despite the win, concern will be high surrounding Saka in particular with the Gunners to play three games in quick succession after Christmas.

Bukayo Saka

Injury: Hamstring

Saka was taken off after just 24 minutes because of injury. The England international appeared to be holding his right hamstring, an area he has already suffered two issues in this season. It was later revealed he left the stadium on crutches.

What Arteta has said: “He felt something in his hamstring. He will have to be assessed. Pretty worried about that. It’s difficult to guess now. They have tested him but difficult to say how bad it is.”

Possible return date: Unknown.

Raheem Sterling

Injury: Unknown

Having played 70 minutes in the week against Crystal Palace, Sterling was missing from the matchday squad to face the Eagles at Selhurst Park

What Arteta has said: “We lost Raheem yesterday and we don’t know for how long. To lose two players in 24 hours is not good. With this schedule it doesn’t surprise me. The team will react to that.”

Possible return date: Unknown

Declan Rice

Injury: Unknown

Rice played the final 30 minutes against Palace and scored Arsenal’s fifth with an excellent finish.

What Arteta has said: “Dec only had one training session, that’s why he’s on the bench but good news that he’s available.”

Possible return date: Returned.

Riccardo Calafiori

Injury: Knee/Groin

Like Rice, Calafiori was back in the Arsenal squad to face Palace. He appeared to pick up a fresh injury moments after coming on following a late challenge by Nathaniel Clyne, but he was able to continue.

What Arteta has said: “They are both [Rice and Calafiori] available to be in the squad.”

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Injury: Unknown

Despite Arteta’s comments on Friday, Zinchenko missed out for Arsenal over the weekend.

What Arteta has said: “Zinchenko could probably be available as well. Tomiyasu won’t be.”

Possible return date: Ipswich Town (H) – Friday, December 27.

Ben White

White has not played for Arsenal since the 1-1 draw against Chelsea back in early November. He underwent minor surgery in the following international break

Injury: Knee

What Arteta has said: “Ben is going to be out for months. We had to make a decision in the last few weeks, unfortunately. It got to a point where we had to protect the player, and we decided to do the surgery.”

Possible return date: Unknown

Takehiro Tomiyasu

Injury: Knee