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Leeds United have never been known to splash the cash on transfer deadline day.

Rather, the Whites are more known for taking a reserved approach to the drama, and that didn’t change this time around, as zero last-minute captures were secured, while Sunderland welcomed in another three new faces to their ever-growing camp in the Premier League.

It could well leave Leeds light on their feet as tense fixtures near the bottom of the division pile up, with just one goal scored from their opening three league matches adding another worry regarding their lack of business in the forward department late on.

However, the West Yorkshire outfit did fork out £18m to land Noah Okafor before the grumbles of deadline day took over, with a hope he can add some much-needed firepower when up to speed.

What Okafor can offer to Leeds

Leeds had been somewhat busy in the market before the letdown of deadline day, with the number of new summer incomings standing at a hefty ten.

A flurry of business saw Daniel Farke try to bolster his side’s weak attacking personnel, having publicly bemoaned the lack of quality in the forward positions in pre-season, with Okafor a statement buy in this regard.

Indeed, the Swiss international has a healthy career haul of 100 goal contributions plying his trade for the likes of RB Salzburg and AC Milan, with scout Jacek Kulig even dubbing the promising 25-year-old as “electric” when lighting up the Austrian Bundesliga.

Capable of operating on the left flank and as a centre-forward option, the expectation will be that he can become Leeds’ next Wilfried Gnonto in time.

With the addition of another face down the left who hasn’t come cheap – with the new Leeds number 19 also pocketing a high £72.5k-per-week salary – this could well finally signal the end of one underperformer at Elland Road…

Jack Harrison must finally be finished at Leeds

Farke and Co. did get rid of some deadwood this summer that was burning a hole in the wage costs, with Patrick Bamford now no longer on Leeds’ books, having earned the same lavish £70k-per-week salary as Okafor for some time.

He was routinely the highest earner in West Yorkshire, despite noticeable dips in form, with that unwanted mantle now being passed onto an equally hit-and-miss Jack Harrison.

Once upon a time at Leeds, Harrison was seen as a shining star in attack, with a bumper 16-goal contributions under his belt during the 2020/21 season in the top-flight, when the Whites were still being steered by the iconic Marcelo Bielsa.

However, in the here and now, he isn’t seen as the same bright spark he once was, having deserted Leeds during their depressing return to the Championship, where he then jumped ship to Everton and consistently failed to deliver.

Games played

65

Goals scored

4

Assists

4

Wage per week

£90k-per-week

Wage cost over a season

£4.6m

From his last 65 games in the challenging division, Harrison has only managed to muster up an underwhelming eight goal contributions, with Leeds now handed back the burden of the high earner, who is without a goal or assist from his two Whites cameos this season.

Staggeringly, despite his sour relationship with the Premier League new boys, he is their highest earner currently – as per Capology – at an eye-watering £90k-per-week.

This is the case even as he has previously been branded “non-existent” by journalist Beren Cross when donning Leeds white, on top of being further labelled as “disappointing” back in 2023 by ex-striker turned pundit Chris Waddle when his Elland Road form started to wobble.

With Okafor in through the door now, it will be intriguing to see how long Farke is willing to persist with his below-par number 20.

For Leeds’ long-term sake, he should be axed sooner rather than later – having also given up possession 25 times to Championship opposition Sheffield Wednesday in the EFL Cup recently – as fresh blood is instead prioritised in their bid to beat the drop.

Leeds launched late bid to sign "standout" star who was desperate to move

Daniel Farke wanted an attacking option.

ByTom Cunningham Sep 2, 2025

Glasgow Celtic have made some brilliant signings during their history, with the Hoops dominating Scottish football, especially in the modern era.

The likes of Henrik Larsson and Stylian Petrov made the move to Parkhead in the late 1990s and became club legends, whereas more recently, Premier League title-winning goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel decided to head to Scotland in a transfer that caught the eye.

Some high-profile names have played in green and white, however, plenty of other iconic stars almost made the move to Glasgow down the years in cases of what could have been at Celtic Park.

Lionel Messi names the top fans between Celtic and Rangers, calls them "the best"

The Argentine icon has played at both Parkhead and Ibrox.

ByCharlie Smith Aug 15, 2025 10 stars who Celtic almost signed 10 David Ginola

After starring for Paris Saint-Germain in the 1990s, David Ginola was a man in demand in the UK, with Celtic battling numerous Premier League clubs for his signature in 1995.

However, the skilful winger chose to join Newcastle over the Hoops, admitting he turned down the chance to head to Celtic Park. Talking back in 2016, Ginola said:

9 Didier Drogba

Striker Didier Drogba would go on to become a Chelsea and Premier League icon after moving to the UK in 2004, however, by the sounds of things, he could have done so sooner with Celtic.

Former Celtic defender Momo Sylla played with Drogba at Le Mans and admitted that the centre-forward asked about a move to Glasgow in the early 2000s.

A case of what could have been for the Hoops, who at the time had the likes of Chris Sutton and John Hartson leading the line.

8 Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Another forward on Celtic’s radar in the early 2000s was Zlatan Ibrahimovic, although the club would land a Swedish star in Larsson.

Former SFA Chief Gordon Smith recommended Ibrahimovic to Martin O’Neill in 2001 when he was still a teenager, however, the Hoops stuttered which allowed Ajax to sign him for £7m from Malmo.

Games

3

Wins

2

Losses

1

Goals

0

7 Alessandro Del Piero

After spending close to 20 years as a Juventus player, Alessandro Del Piero was on the search for a new club at the age of 37 in 2012.

The Italian icon had an offer from Celtic on the table, however, instead of remaining in Europe, Del Piero would head to Australian with Sydney FC, scoring a goal every there game in just under 50 appearances.

6 Hernan Crespo

Another world-class attacker who could have ended his career in Scotland with Celtic was Hernan Crespo. The Argentine played and scored goals for the likes of Lazio, Chelsea, AC Milan and Inter Milan.

Celtic wanted to secure Crespo’s services in January 2010 when Tony Mowbray was in charge, however, he snubbed the Hoops and returned to Parma.

5 Rivaldo

Five years on from winning the Ballon d’Or in 1999, Brazil legend Rivaldo was on the search for a new club after leaving AC Milan.

The forward was 32 and heading into the twilight years of his career, and instead of tabling a contract offer, Celtic and O’Neill instead offered Rivaldo a trial. The Brazilian was left puzzled and instead signed for Greek giants Olympiacos.

4 Olivier Giroud

Continuing the long list of forwards who almost moved to Scotland is Olivier Giroud, who netted an impressive 21 goals in the 2009/10 season while with Ligue 2 side Tours.

Celtic and Mowbray wanted to sign him as a result, but he chose Montpellier instead and would go on to become France’s all-time record goalscorer.

3 Sol Campbell

In what would be his final move as a player in 2010, legendary English centre-back Sol Campbell could have moved to Scotland.

In fact, the former Arsenal and Tottenham defender was even given a tour of the city centre and Celtic’s Lennoxtown training base ahead of linking up with Neil Lennon’s side.

However, he would turn down the transfer at the last minute and sign for Newcastle, where he was released a year later.

2 Alfredo Di Stefano

Way back in the 1960s, Celtic almost shocked Europe by signing Real Madrid icon Alfredo Di Stefano.

The Argentine attacker scored more than 200 goals at the Bernabeu and was into the final years of his career when leaving Madrid in 1964.

Celtic manager Jimmy McGrory flew over to Spain with defender John Cushley, who acted as an interpreter, looking to lure Di Stefano to Glasgow. However, the two-time Ballon d’Or winner decided to remain in Spain with Espanyol.

1 Ivan de la Pena

Rounding off the list of stars Celtic could have signed is former Barcelona midfielder Ivan de la Pena.

Starring under Bobby Robson at the Nou Camp, De la Pena was of interest to the Hoops and O’Neill in 2003, with the Spaniard evening training with Celtic before returning to Espanyol.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is currently assessing the remainder of his squad that haven’t gone out on international duty, and the Italian has promised one thing to a highly-rated youngster who’s now looking to turn heads at Cobham.

The Blues take on Brentford in their first game back from the break, four days before a blockbuster opening Champions League game against Bayern Munich at Stamford Bridge on September 17.

After a summer of trimming down Maresca’s squad, partly to comply with UEFA as Chelsea looked to register a ‘positive transfer balance’, Maresca named a 23-man squad for his European A-list — notably missing out summer signing Facundo Buonanotte.

Goalkeepers: Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen

Defenders: Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah,

Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto, Jorrel Hato,

Reece James.

Midfielders: Moises Caicedo, Dario Essugo, Enzo Fernández, Andrey Santos.

Forwards: Liam Delap, Alejandro Garnacho, Jamie Gittens, Marc Guiu, Pedro Neto,

Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, Estevao.

Bomb squad members Axel Disasi and Raheem Sterling were unsurprisingly omitted, with reports still suggesting the pair could leave soon, even after the UK transfer window shut its doors at 7pm on Monday.

Disasi has been subject to an approach from Saudi side Neom SC, while former Man United chief scout Mick Brown believes Chelsea could terminate Raheem Sterling’s deal in a bid to rid the club of his £325,000-per-week wages.

As we’ve seen from the last window, you can never rule anything out at Chelsea, with Liam Delap’s injury prompting BlueCo to both re-negotiate a more favourable exit for Nicolas Jackson whilst recalling Marc Guiu from his loan at Sunderland.

The teenager was also named in Maresca’s Champions League A-list squad, so the intention to play him is crystal clear, and Guiu is believed to have received the Chelsea boss’ word on a key issue.

The former Barcelona gem was set to further his development with more guaranteed game time at Sunderland, and had already made his mark by scoring for Regis Le Bris’ side in the EFL Cup against Huddersfield Town.

Marc Guiu desperate to impress in Chelsea training after Maresca promise

Now back in west London, Guiu is desperate to impress in Chelsea training, with Maresca promising the 19-year-old that he will be handed game time in the coming weeks.

That is according to GiveMeSport, who state that the Spaniard has set his sights on dazzling Maresca behind-the-scenes as he looks to stake his claim in the Chelsea squad.

It is also noted that, if Guiu can prove to be a constant threat in the final third, then there will be a chance for him to become a prominent figure in the club’s plans moving forward.

The youngster scored six goals in seven Conference League appearances last term, playing a major role in the group stages before missing out on nearly every knockout game with a hamstring injury — bar a three-minute cameo in the final.

Celtic are in action in the quarter-finals of the League Cup this weekend as they prepare to take on Partick Thistle to battle it out for a place in the semi-finals of the competition.

The Hoops thrashed Falkirk 4-1 in the last 16 of the League Cup earlier this season, thanks to goals from Daizen Maeda, Alistair Johnston, and Dane Murray, along with a Liam Henderson own goal.

This clash with Partick Thistle will provide Brendan Rodgers with a chance to rotate his side, which could see Arne Engels handed a rare chance to impress.

Why Celtic should be worried about Arne Engels

After selling Adam Idah to Swansea City for a deal worth up to £7m, £1.5m less than they paid Norwich City for him last year, the Hoops should be worried that Engels is the next big-money signing to ultimately flop at Parkhead.

The Belgium international, who signed for a club-record fee of £11m from Augsburg last year, has only started two of the club’s five matches in the Scottish Premiership this season, and was an unused substitute against Kilmarnock last time out.

Engels has failed to score a goal and provided one assist in seven appearances in all competitions this season, after a return of ten goals and 13 assists in the 2024/25 campaign, per Transfermarkt.

The 22-year-old midfielder has found himself out of the side and potentially clinging onto his career at Parkhead, and it is because of the summer signing of Benjamin Nygren.

Why Benjamin Nygren could end Arne Engels' career at Celtic

The Sweden international, who sometimes played as a striker before his move to Celtic, was compared to legendary centre-forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic when he was 16.

First Impressions

What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast’s ‘First Impressions’ series has everything you need.

Nygren is Swedish and also has a lanky build, which is why it is not a surprising comparison, but he has established himself as a central midfielder at Parkhead, rather than as a centre-forward like Ibrahimovic.

Despite mainly playing as a right winger for Nordsjaelland in the 2024/25 campaign, per Transfermarkt, the £1m (£1.3m) signing has locked in a spot alongside Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate in central midfield, which was the slot that Engels filled last term.

Appearances

5

Starts

5

Goals

3

Key passes per game

3.2

Big chances created

2

Assists

1

As you can see in the table above, Nygren has scored three goals and created 3.2 chances per game across five outings in the Premiership so far this season for the Hoops.

Engels, however, only scored two non-penalty goals and created 1.7 chances per game across 34 appearances in the top-flight for the Hoops last term, per Sofascore.

These statistics suggest that Celtic have improved their midfield by signing Nygren for £1.3m to replace Engels in the XI because of the quality that he has already provided as both a scorer and a creator of goals.

This is bad news for the Belgium international because it will now be difficult for him to break back into the starting line-up unless he is able to improve on his performances from last season and on Nygren’s this term.

If he cannot oust the Sweden international from the midfield before the January transfer window or next summer, there could be a decision to be made on his future, as there was with Idah when it was clear that Rodgers did not fancy him as the first-choice number nine moving forward.

Worth more than Tounekti: Celtic are brewing the new Reo Hatate at Parkhead

Celtic have a brilliant midfield star who could be the club’s next Reo Hatate in the middle of the park.

ByDan Emery Sep 16, 2025

Therefore, Nygren, once compared to a legendary striker, may be the player who ends Engels’ career at Parkhead if he continues to impress in midfield for the Scottish giants.

Tottenham Hotspur are now racing Arsenal for the signature of a £130m+ attacker, who’s been described as a “true icon in the making”.

Tottenham eyeing new attacking midfielder amid Simons' slow start

It is still very early days, but Xavi Simons hasn’t exactly set the world alight since his arrival from RB Leipzig, most recently failing to create any big chances and completing just one of the four dribbles he attempted in the 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

In fairness, the Dutchman is arguably being deployed out of position, having predominantly been given the nod at left-wing by Thomas Frank up to this point, and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes the 22-year-old will be a success in north London long-term.

Tottenham now expected to submit £25m+ offer for "special" Brazilian forward

Spurs are poised to submit an opening bid for a new forward, who’s been dubbed a “quality finisher”.

ByDominic Lund Sep 28, 2025

The former striker said: “Simons has only just started, but I like Simons. I really like him. I think he’s going to be a big, big, big success at Spurs. He can play on the left or as a No. 10, but he’s also not scared, and that’s why I like him.”

Lucas Bergvall started in the number 10 role against Wolves, but given that the Sweden international is only 19-years-old, it would make sense to bring in another attacking midfielder.

According to a report from Caught Offside, Tottenham have now joined the race for Real Madrid star Arda Guler, having sent scouts to watch the youngster in action, but there could be competition for his signature, with a number of other big clubs also keen.

Arsenal, Newcastle United, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund are also named as potential suitors for the attacking midfielder, but any of the interested parties may have to shell out a huge fee to get a deal done, with it previously being revealed he is valued at over £130m.

The report makes it clear that Madrid are reluctant to sanction a departure, given that Guler has emerged as a crucial player since the arrival of Xabi Alonso.

Guler living up to his potential at Real Madrid

After impressing at international level in the summer, scoring against the USA and Hungary, scout Jacek Kulig suggested the Turk could go on to be a future star.

Since then, the 20-year-old has gone from strength to strength, picking up three goals and three assists in his opening seven La Liga games, with the starlet establishing himself as a key player for Real Madrid.

Having also been lauded as a “special talent” by scout Ben Mattinson, Guler could be a fantastic signing for Tottenham, but it seems very unlikely that a deal will be possible, given his astronomical price tag.

Tottenham co-sporting directors Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange appear to already be working on the club’s recruitment drive in unison, with Thomas Frank and the pair reportedly eyeing a new centre-back.

Spurs transfer plans amid Paratici and Lange appointments

Spurs announced on Wednesday that Paratici has returned to N17 as a sporting director, over two years after he was forced to resign amid his worldwide ban from football.

Paratici’s comeback to the club is a major boost for the Lilywhites, with the Italian’s extensive contact list and reputation as a fearsome negotiator already paying dividends at Tottenham in the past.

1. Cristian Romero

£42.5m

2. Dejan Kulusevski

£25.5m

3. Rodrigo Bentancur

£21.5m

4. Pedro Porro

£40m

5. Djed Spence

£20m

The 53-year-old worked as an advisor to Frank, CEO Vinai Venkatesham, Lange and ex-chairman Daniel Levy over the summer window, but Paratici will now take up an official full-time role once again as he spearheads the club’s transfer strategy.

He will work alongside Lange, who’s been promoted to the same role, though the pair have very different responsibilities.

Paratici is seen as the dealmaker, tasked with securing high-profile signings and using his influence to get transfers over the line, while Lange is described as the talent spotter who’ll work mostly on Tottenham’s date-driven recruitment plans, scouting and the academy (Sky Sports).

Amid reports Tottenham want to sign another centre-half in January to back up star duo Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, a report from CaughtOffside suggests that Paratici and Lange have identified an intriguing option.

Tottenham expected to move for Lazio defender Mario Gila

As per their information, that man is Lazio defender Mario Gila.

Tottenham are seriously considering a January move for Gila, with the club emerging as a “serious candidate” to land the defender. His contract at Lazio runs until the summer of 2027, and while the Italians are not in a rush to sell, they value Gila at roughly £39-43 million.

It is claimed that Spurs aren’t afraid to meet this price, showing a willingness to pay, with Paratici and Lange expected to make an approach for Gila once the window reopens.

The 25-year-old, who was once a Real Madrid youth player, has attracted serious interest from other Premier League clubs, like Brighton and Bournemouth, who’ve both held talks with the player’s representatives this year.

However, Tottenham’s openness to meeting Lazio’s valuation could give them an edge.

Gila’s knack for ball progression, which Frank seriously desires from his backline, is apparently a key reason why Spurs are keen on the Spaniard.

It is also worth noting that Gila has already suggested he’s open to offers, expressing his commitment to Lazio last year but also refusing to rule out an exit in the near future.

The hindsight patrol are now in full force with regard to Manchester United, with every departing star now looking like a ‘world-beater’ away from Old Trafford.

Every goal, every assist, every Man of the Match award is held up as a reason to mock the Red Devils, ignoring the fact that almost all of those who were sent packing had been given ample time to impress back at Old Trafford.

Take Rasmus Hojlund, for instance, a player of undoubted potential, yet one who scored just 26 times in 95 games for United in all competitions, a grim record for any striker worth their salt.

His current exploits for both Napoli and Denmark may suggest that Ruben Amorim and co were wrong to show him the exit door this summer, although the 22-year-old had ended 2024/25 with just four Premier League goals to his name.

With Omar Berrada seemingly keen to implement a two-season rule – giving new signings just two campaigns to make an impact – Hojlund was rightly shown the door this summer, with not even his recent hot streak able to change that.

Why Man Utd were right to offload Hojlund

In a dismal decade at Old Trafford, there have been few ‘wow’ moments, but Hojlund’s debut cameo may rank among them.

Somewhat forgettable now, although the sight of the £64m man terrorising the Arsenal backline in September 2023 was something to behold, having run William Saliba and Gabriel ragged in that second half.

Close to earning a penalty for his side, having also played his part in Alejandro Garnacho’s eventually disallowed ‘winner’, the new man was electric.

The sight of Casemiro grabbing him by the jersey – akin to Hojlund grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck – echoed the sentiment.

His subsequent Champions League form was also captivating, namely his brace against Galatasaray, tearing away from inside his own half before dinking the ball over the onrushing ‘keeper for his second of the night. A ‘star’ was born.

Frustratingly for all concerned, such form could not be maintained, with his December to February run in the Premier League – in which he scored in six successive games – the notable high point of his two-year stint in Manchester.

With just ten goals in all competitions last term, despite having been the only senior striking option at one stage, Hojlund had left United with no choice but to seek a centre-forward upgrade.

Having taken until Boxing Day himself to get off the mark in the league in 2023/24, the Dane has since seen Benjamin Sesko score twice in just his first seven Premier League outings, with the Slovenian superstar already beginning to find his feet.

Four goals for Napoli, alongside four goals for his country, have marked a fine start to 2025/26 for Hojlund, yet barring something drastic, the ex-Atalanta won’t be returning to the Theatre of Dreams, with the Scudetto winners holding a £38m obligation to buy as part of their loan swoop.

For all his potential, such a move simply hasn’t worked out, left now looking to be a player whose best work will come in Serie A, or at international level – sound familiar?

Man Utd have already sold another Hojlund

Two years was enough for the die to be cast on young Hojlund, with concerns mounting over the lack of faith his teammates had in him, while his errant hold-up play was also a pertinent issue, considering he won just 25% of his duels last term, as per Sofascore.

Two years was also what was afforded to a figure of the past in Romelu Lukaku, with the Belgian signed from Everton on a £75m deal in 2017, only to depart for Inter for a similar fee just two seasons later.

Of course, unlike his new Napoli teammate, Lukaku had proven himself in the Premier League before signing for United, scoring 104 goals in all competitions for West Brom and the Toffees combined, having initially been on the books at Chelsea.

While on reflection, his United record of 42 goals in 96 games looks favourable, particularly in contrast to Hojlund, Lukaku just never seemed like the right fit at Old Trafford, criticised for his “woeful and costly finishing” in 2018/19 by journalist Samuel Luckhurst.

Like his fellow left-footer, the Belgian at his best appeared to relish the chance to burst in behind a defence, having not exactly been adept at linking the play or acting as a target man.

A preoccupation with trying to improve on those latter traits led to criticism that the striker had bulked up too much, with his professionalism called into question by the likes of Gary Neville.

Swiftly cast aside by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to Serie A, Lukaku’s 2019 exit to San Siro sparked an immediate change of fortunes, having scored 64 goals across the next two seasons in all competitions for the Nerazzurri.

Premier League

62

14

Champions League

6

5

Europa League

15

6

FA Cup

8

1

League Cup

4

0

Community Shield

0

0

Total

95

26

Premier League

66

28

Champions League

17

7

Europa League

n/a

n/a

FA Cup

9

6

League Cup

3

0

UEFA Super Cup

1

1

Total

96

42

A title winner in 2020/21, he was rewarded with a seismic £97.5m return to Chelsea and to Premier League football that summer, albeit with things soon turning sour as he scored just eight league goals in that second spell.

Like Hojlund – who joined United after scoring ten times in his solitary season in Bergamo – Lukaku simply looks much more at home in Italian football, notably scoring 21 goals in just 47 games on loan at Roma, alongside contributing 25 goals and assists in his first 38 games in Naples.

While considered something of a “flat-track bully” on English shores, the 32-year-old is regarded as “one of the best strikers in the world” in Italy, as noted by Luca Toni, emphasising just how he has flourished since leaving United.

Hojlund looks set to follow in his footsteps, almost quite literally, considering he was snapped up by Conte’s side this summer to cover for the injured Lukaku, emphasising how he is viewed as an able deputy to the experienced marksman.

That likeness between the pair can also be seen in the fact that Lukaku is deemed to be the most statistically similar striker to Hojlund in Europe’s top five leagues, as per FBref, while the latter man is also beginning to emulate his new club colleague by shining at international level.

Lukaku, remarkably, has scored 89 goals in 124 caps for Belgium, and while Hojlund has a way to go to reach such heights, his four-goal haul across his last three World Cup qualifying games has ensured that his record now sits at 12 in 30 for Denmark.

As he is proving, and likely will continue to go on to prove, Hojlund is an elite striker. That said, much like few of a United persuasion have regretted Lukaku’s exit in recent times, there should be an acceptance that Old Trafford was just not the right environment for him to succeed.

Like Lukaku, he looks like being a machine in Italy and on the international stage – but, despite his early promise, he certainly wasn’t one for United.

Man Utd have homegrown Wharton in 18-year-old who's lighting up Carrington

Manchester United remain heavily linked with a move for Adam Wharton, although they could have a perfect alternative far closer to home…

1 ByRobbie Walls Oct 14, 2025

Manchester United look to be on an upward trajectory under INEOS and could now submit a sizeable bid for one of the world’s best attackers in January.

Man Utd summer signings deliver again in win over Brighton

Ruben Amorim has endured his fair share of criticism since arriving at Old Trafford. However, he will now feel vindicated in his decision not to change his complex 3-4-3 system after stringing together three consecutive Premier League victories.

Brighton & Hove Albion played some fine football at times at Old Trafford on Saturday. Nevertheless, this sometimes worked to their own detriment, and the Red Devils duly capitalised on a day where Bruno Fernandes and Bryan Mbeumo were unrelenting.

False dawns have been a frustration in recent years, though this time feels different. There is a togetherness that seems to have been forged after a £225 million transfer spend at the club, and Gary Neville believes Matheus Cunha and Mbeumo’s previous experience of top-flight football has helped drastically amid both making an instant impact since arriving in Manchester.

He told Sky Sports: “With Cunha and Mbeumo, the risk of those signings was removed because in the sense they had played in the Premier League before and they had the hunger to deliver at a different level.

“Mbeumo looks like he belongs. He looks hungry and that he wants to score goals. Manchester United have something to build on. Cunha and Mbeumo will win a lot of matches for Manchester United.”

While the summer arrivals take a lot of the credit, January will be just as important if Manchester United want to make a fist of continental qualification.

Amorim could raid his old club Sporting to sign Ousmane Diomande, though he may also have designs on making a headline signing at the other end of the field.

Man Utd preparing bid for Rafael Leao

According to reports in Spain, Manchester United are preparing a bid in excess of £87 million to sign Rafael Leao from AC Milan, while Liverpool and Manchester City are also lurking in the background, hoping to make their move.

Talks have been initiated with his camp, and the Serie A giants are unlikely to sell for any less than what the Red Devils are keen to put forward, and the final decision will be left with him to determine whether a transfer to the Premier League would be a smart move at this stage in his career.

Starting the campaign in fine form, Leao has scored four times in his opening five appearances across all competitions. Veteran AC Milan midfielder Luka Modric described him as a “truly fantastic” asset to the Rossoneri earlier this week, and it is easy to see why when you delve into his underlying numbers.

Fotmob shows that he has placed five of his nine shots on target in Serie A this season, providing evidence that his record in front of the target stems from acute awareness of his surroundings.

Ultimately, Leao is someone who could lift Manchester United into another dimension, though it remains to be seen whether they have the financial clarity to pull off such a move in mid-season.

Amorim considering Man Utd move for £25m star who's a "joy to work with"

The Red Devils are looking to improve their squad after an upturn in fortunes.

BySean Markus Clifford Oct 26, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur created a triumphant atmosphere toward the end of their frenzied Premier League clash with Manchester United down N17. Two late goals had turned the clash on its head and the home side were moments away from three points.

But Red Devils defender Matthijs de Ligt headed home from a corner at the eleventh hour, and Thomas Frank’s side had to settle for a draw.

The deflation was felt across the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with this team of talented players still caught in a continuous state of ebb and flow. They may sit third in the Premier League after 11 matches, but improvements are needed both mentally and in attack.

The truth is that Tottenham weren’t up to scratch throughout the first half, and while they improved after the break, it didn’t prove to be enough as Ruben Amorim’s mini-revival continues.

Spurs' worst performers vs Man Utd

Tottenham’s draw to Manchester United was as dramatic as they come. However, it was a game that accentuated the flaws in Frank’s team, having struggled to create chances in the first half and finally up things around on home soil, with the Londoners having won only seven of 24 home matches since the start of last season.

Several stars weren’t at the races. Guglielmo Vicario should have been stronger in repelling De Ligt’s last-gasp effort, while Pedro Porro toiled from a defensive standpoint at right-back.

Randal Kolo Muani will feel aggrieved to have been withdrawn at half-time, but the French centre-forward drifted through the opening half and struggled to latch onto any balls and find space to strike on goal. Across 191 minutes of Premier League action this season, Kolo Muani has taken just one shot, and he is yet to score or assist.

Ahead of Spain international Porro was Brennan Johnson, who continues to be something of an enigma, endowed with such speed and an eye for goal, and yet drifting through matches all too often.

Johnson needs to do better, but he was arguably more energetic and active in his display than his counterpart on the other wing. For sure, Frank will be left frowning over his combination on the left, having witnessed a discordant performance.

Frank must never start Spurs duo together again

Credit must be handed to Richarlison for his striker’s instinct in flicking Wilson Odobert’s shot past Senne Lammens and into the back of the net, but he flattered to deceive for much of the contest and did little to suggest he is the talismanic force Tottenham need to sustain a place at the very top of English and European football.

Regarding Djed Spence: one analyst remarked that the placement of the 25-year-old on the left is “killing Tottenham on the flank”, with the side finding “zero balance in possession” when he is flipped onto his left side.

Had Mohammed Kudus been fit and darting about in front of him, it might have been less apparent against United, but Richarlison was not at the races, even though he scored late on.

The truth is that Richarlison’s fine flick masqueraded over another poor performance, lots of huff and puff, but not enough by the way of impact.

And, as we already know, the contest reaffirmed the truth of Spence, who is not a left-back and does not promote Tottenham’s full efficiency and fluency when placed there, especially behind a wide forward in Richarlison, who was described by writer Halal Wyler as being a “real-life cartoon villain”.

Once Destiny Udogie and Odobert, who impressed and then some in his cameo, had entered the field and dynamised the left-hand side, Spurs looked a cleaner, more polished outfit for it.

It is for this reason that the duo cannot be allowed to play down that channel together again. Richarlison is limited in technical scope, and Spence is left trying to connect in an unnatural role with an imperfect attacking partner. In harsher terms and as analyst Raj Chohan put it, it’s a pretty “garbage” duo when they play together.

The duo’s statistics from the clash underscore this. While the left-back produced some convincing defensive numbers, and Richarlison indeed bagged himself a goal, neither can be truly content with their performances.

Minutes played

90′

90′

Goals

0

1

Assists

0

0

Touches

68

38

Shots (on target)

0 (0)

3 (1)

Accurate passes

33/42 (79%)

17/22 (77%)

Possession lost

16x

9x

Chances created

0

0

Crosses

0/2

0/0

Dribbles

0/2

0/1

Recoveries

5

1

Tackles won

3/3

1/2

Clearances

3

2

Duels won

4/11

4/10

Writing about the respective performances after the match, football.london’s Alasdair Gold saw it fit to hand Spence a 6/10 match rating and a 7/10 score to Richarlison. However, this is somewhat generous, and there’s no question that Tottenham are a more fluent outfit with a different combination running down the left.

The left-sided pair, who earn a combined salary of £130k per week, will have brighter days ahead of them in a Spurs shirt, but as Frank continues to develop his understanding of this team, he will surely accept that this is a duo who cannot be fielded together again.

Richarlison may well be playing his final season with the Lilywhites, but Spence will no doubt have taken note of Porro’s “disaster” of a performance at right-back, as was said by Polish journalist Michael Okonski during the match, and set his sights on a return to his natural berth.

In any case, tactical changes are needed when Tottenham return to action after the imminent international break. Frank has the potential to succeed in north London, but he has to start getting the big calls right.

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Newcastle United just can’t string together a consistent run of results in the Premier League this season.

Three wins have been collected back on home turf at St James’ Park, but Eddie Howe’s up-and-down Magpies remain winless on their travels, with back-to-back defeats in London at the hands of West Ham United and Brentford very much souring the mood on Tyneside.

Howe is under severe pressure to turn the Toon’s fortunes around four years into his position as their boss, with journalist Jordan Cronin labelling the current situation as “unacceptable”, as Newcastle now loiter just two points above the relegation zone.

Journalist Luke Edwards further weighed in by saying there are “huge problems all over the pitch”, with the sad decline of Dan Burn an indictment of this.

How Dan Burn let Newcastle down vs Brentford

While it was a collective effort that saw Newcastle slip to their third away defeat of the season, the 6-foot-7 defender did, ultimately, gift Brentford a platform to win when he was sent off late on, which then handed Igor Thiago a penalty.

When he was still on the pitch, the calamitous number 33 was all over the shop, standing in as a left-back option again as the 33-year-old only completed 20 accurate passes and successfully won just one tackle.

He has been saved, somewhat, by being the hero who gave Newcastle a 1-0 lead in the Champions League against Athletic Club.

But, that was only a temporary respite from his awful form in the Premier League, with Burn also poor at the London Stadium when winning none of his ground duels.

Chalkboard

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Even when Newcastle were victorious versus Fulham to see out October, the Blyth-born warrior looked way off the pace, with only three of his 11 duels won during the 2-1 win. Thankfully, on that occasion, it didn’t cost his team dear.

But, with two horror shows on the road now in a row, and Burn finding himself suspended, it feels like the perfect opportunity to ditch the 33-year-old for Lewis Hall to come in.

Burn isn’t alone in looking like he’s on borrowed time as a Howe mainstay, however, with another waning first-teamer needing to be replaced if the Toon want to turn around their topsy-turvy campaign.

"Petrified" Newcastle man is also on borrowed time

Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes came out after the 3-1 defeat at Brentford to deliver a rallying cry, stating that “we need to stick together” to navigate the current choppy waters at St James’ Park.

While a sense of togetherness and a strong core have helped Howe to succeed at Newcastle in the past, it’s clear that Burn and his defensive teammate in Nick Pope, aren’t at the required standard anymore, and will soon need to be shelved from his starting XI.

Games played

110

Minutes played

9845 mins

Goals conceded

107

Clean sheets

43

This will be easier said than done for the under-fire Newcastle boss, though, with Pope 110 games down now on Tyneside under the former AFC Bournemouth manager’s reign, with the 33-year-old once even branded as “one of the best shot-stoppers” he has worked alongside.

Still, much like with Burn, the 6-foot-6 ‘keeper might well have overstayed his welcome now as a key part of the first-team jigsaw, having been described as “petrified” last season by journalist Adam Clery, when injuries had frustrated his campaign.

Now, he’s looking unsure and shaky with unconvincing displays in between the sticks, with Pope unable to put his towering frame to good use when Kevin Schade scrambled home his equaliser last time out from a long throw-in.

With the England international also, arguably at fault against West Ham when failing to palm away Lucas Paqueta’s stinging effort, it’s clear that Aaron Ramsdale should be handed more first-team chances shortly, over the declining number 1, with Pope further set to miss matches for the Three Lions in the international break through injury concerns.

If he remains out of action, Ramsdale is the easy choice to replace him, with one Newcastle-based social media account going as far as to state that Pope’s constant errors are “crucifying” Howe and Co. It’s a pity for somebody who has largely been so consistent during the Howe era. Such has been his reliability that it’s not too big a stretch to suggest he’s been one of the best signings of the present day.

That said, Newcastle desperately need to turn results around when the break is over, and the aforementioned duo of Pope and Burn simply have to be discarded to try and kickstart that positive sequence.

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