EPL: Haaland to get preferred shirt number at Man Utd

Borussia Dortmund striker, Erling Haaland, could get his preferred shirt number if he joins Manchester United, the UK Mirror reports.

United’s interim manager, Ralf Rangnick, is believed to be playing a big role in trying to lure Haaland from Bundesliga.

The Norwegian goalscorer looks certain to leave Dortmund next summer, with many European top clubs eager to land him.
If Haaland arrives at Old Trafford, he could be wearing the perfect shirt number.

Anthony Martial first took the No.9 when he signed for United in 2015. A year later, he was almost forced to give that up for Zlatan Ibrahimovic and so he switched to the No.11.

But after Ibrahimovic and the next incumbent Romelu Lukaku left, the No.9 became available again and Martial took it.

EPL: Paul Merson welcomes new Arsenal £50m signing

Arsenal legend, Paul Merson, has described attacking midfielder Gabriel Martinelli as a special talent for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Merson believes the Brazilian’s form of late has helped the Gunners turn a corner.

Following the removal of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the team, Martinelli has been given an opportunity to impress Mikel Arteta.

The Brazilian netted twice in Gunners’ the 4-1 win over Leeds at the weekend and the 20-year-old will once again be hoping to lead the line in their EFL Cup quarter-final clash with Sunderland tonight.

“Martinelli is a very special talent. I like him, but the question is: how long is he going to be fit for? If he can maintain his fitness, Arsenal have got a new signing – a £50m player,” he told Sky Sports.

Carabao Cup: Tuchel to play Chelsea U23, Academy players against Brentford

Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel, has admitted he may have to field players from the U23s and the academy for their Carabao Cup clash at Brentford.

Tuchel said he was “sad” that his team are currently unable to compete at the “highest level”.

The Blues have been hit hard by the recent spike in COVID-19 cases and had seven first-team players unavailable for their 0-0 draw at Wolves on Sunday.

One of those players – Jorginho – will be able to return for their Carabao Cup quarter-final against Brentford on Wednesday, after it was confirmed he had recorded a false positive, but the other six remain absent.

With Chelsea facing a run of four matches in 12 days, Tuchel has now said he may have no choice but to call on the club’s inexperienced young players at Brentford.

“They trained with us yesterday and today. We made them come for two training sessions because it’s necessary.

“We have to protect our players and that’s why we brought in the academy and we think about playing with them.

EPL: Manchester United top star to join Benfica this January

Manchester United defender, Phil Jones is set to leave the club and move to Portuguese giants, Benfica this January, according to Daily Mail.

The Portuguese giants had opened talk to sign Jones on loan in January. The England defender has made 165 appearances in the Premier League for the Red Devils since his arrival back in 2011, including 17 times during the 2012/12 title-winning season under Sir Alex Ferguson.

The 29-year-old’s carrier has been hit by injuries, with his last game being since January 2020 when he scored in the 6-1 FA Cup win over Tranmere.

Since his return from injury, the 29-year-old has been named on the substitutes bench on several occasions under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and new interim boss Ralf Rangnick, but never made it onto the pitch.

Rangnick has already confirmed that he’ll be focusing on selling some of his fringe players in the January window, meaning Jones could be allowed to leave if an offer was to arrive.

LaLiga: Xavi reacts as Barcelona draw 1-1 with Sevilla

Barcelona manager, Xavi Hernandez, has said he is proud of the team’s performance for Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw at Sevilla.

Ronald Araujo cancelled out Papu Gomez’s opener before Jules Kounde saw red with half an hour to play.
However, Barça were unable to take advantage of the extra man.

“We’ve dropped two points, we deserved to win, also when it was 11 v 11,” Xavi said.

“I saw a Barça side with personality, which is what I want, and the team is growing. We were good at pressing and circulating the ball. We competed well, despite the draw.”

Lolo Ijeoma Njoku Obinwannem News Writer/ Dec 22, 2021