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Manchester United have now identified a “phenomenal” midfielder as their new dream target, and they are hoping to get a deal wrapped up before the transfer deadline, according to a report.

Man Utd halt Baleba pursuit with Brighton demanding £100m+

Man United were willing to break the bank to sign Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba, despite being quoted over £100m, but they have now halted their pursuit of the midfielder, given that the Seagulls are extremely reluctant to sanction a departure.

Brighton boss Fabian Hürzeler has also asserted that he is “very, very confident” Baleba will remain a Brighton player beyond the September 1st deadline, and United have now been forced to move on to alternative targets.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that United are well-placed to win the race for Sporting CP’s Morten Hjulmand, despite rival interest from Juventus, but reports from elsewhere suggest INEOS are hesitant about spending £69m on the Danish midfielder.

Man Utd now preparing £130m move for "world-class" GK and "generational" CM

The Red Devils are lining up a double swoop…

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By
Dominic Lund

Aug 19, 2025

However, according to a report from Spain, the United board ‘highly value’ Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, suggesting they are big fans of the Englishman, who has now emerged as the new dream midfield target.

Wharton is viewed as an alternative to Baleba, and INEOS are clearly looking to get a deal wrapped up soon, having formulated plans to sign him before the transfer deadline, rather than waiting until the January transfer window or next summer.

There is a belief the 21-year-old would be an ideal fit for Ruben Amorim’s side, having sought a player capable of providing balance in midfield for quite some time, and the youngster could even be brought in as a replacement for Casemiro.

However, a deal will not be easy, given that Palace are in no hurry to sanction a departure, with the Eagles looking to receive at least £40m for the England international, who is one of their key players.

"Phenomenal" Wharton could be exciting Baleba alternative

The former Blackburn Rovers man is certainly held in very high regard by the Crystal Palace faithful, with Dan Cook of HLTCO singling him out for high praise during the 2024-25 campaign.

However, there are doubts over whether the Palace star would be a like-for-like alternative to Baleba, given that he excels at creating chances and advancing the ball up the pitch, while the Cameroonian flourishes defensively.

That said, Wharton is a different type of player to Baleba, he is Premier League proven, which aligns with the type of signing Man United are looking to make this summer, and the reported £40m asking price is very reasonable.

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says he's not worried about criticism he has received for his decision to leave football management and take up his current role as global head of soccer at Red Bull. Fans in Germany have made their feelings clear about his new job, but the 58-year-old says he is happy with his new life and does not regret his decision..

• Klopp swaps Liverpool for Red Bull

  Klopp left Liverpool at the end of the 2023-24 season, bringing down a successful era with the Reds that brought great success and Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League and Club World Cup trophies to Anfield. The German then started a new non-coaching role at the start of 2025, overseeing the worldwide network of Red Bull football teams, which includes RB Leipzig, Salzburg, and the New York Red Bulls. Klopp signed a long-term contract with Red Bull and reportedly earns around €12 million (£10m/$12.5m) per year in his new position. Red Bull chief executive offer Oliver Mintzlaff revealed it took approximately "20 seconds" for Klopp to say yes to the job after being approached while enjoying a sabbatical and some time away from football after leaving Liverpool.

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  Mainz fans protested Klopp's Red Bull move

  The former Liverpool boss has received plenty of criticism for his decision to move to Red Bull. Fans at Bundesliga side Mainz, where Klopp also enjoyed success as a manager, displayed banners protesting his move which read, "Have you forgotten everything we made you become?" Liverpool fans also expressed their disappointment, telling Klopp the move "absolutely stinks" and accusing him of "selling out". The reaction even led to Klopp interrupting a holiday to explain why he had moved to Red Bull in a video that he posted on social media.

• Klopp hits back at his critics

  Klopp has now been quizzed on the situation and told that he's not worried by those who do not like his move to Red Bull. He explained: "I knew it (would come). I’m German. I know what people in Germany think about the involvement of Red Bull in football. They love Red Bull. In all departments. But in football? No. So whatever, they want to do it that way.

  “Funnily enough, it was only in Germany where the reaction was like that. But that’s fine – no problem. Everybody can think what they want. You just have to accept that I do what I want as long as I don’t hurt anybody. By the way, I don’t expect people to remember what I did for a specific club. The people in Mainz in the stadium now… they were little kids when I was there (1990-2001 as a player, then seven years as a coach), so their parents had to tell them who I was. So that’s how it is, it is absolutely fine."

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• But Liverpool fans happy with Klopp's decision

  Klopp also pointed out that Liverpool fans will have been happier to see him join Red Bull than take on a coaching job at another club. He added: "I don’t expect everybody to like what I do. I have to do it for the right reasons – for my right reasons. By the way, in Liverpool, people are overly happy that I do what I do because I am not coaching another team.

  "If I went to a foreign country, to Italy or Spain, people would have said, ‘Oh my God, that’s great.’ If I go to Bayern (Munich) or whatever, then especially Dortmund fans would have said, ‘I don’t like it!’ I finished at Liverpool at 57. I was 100 per cent certain and sure that I will not finish working. I had a break for seven months or so. I enjoyed it – wow!"

Things are looking up for Wolverhampton Wanderers. With deadline day approaching, they look set to keep hold of Jorgen Strand Larsen and have now reportedly set their sights on a new midfield target.

Wolves' late transfer plans

Despite already signing Fer Lopez, Ladislav Krejci, Jhon Arias, Jackson Tchatchoua and David Miller Wolfe this summer, Wolves are still reportedly eyeing a late spending spree. With Fabio Silva on his way to Borussia Dortmund, there’s suddenly space in Vitor Pereira’s side for another attacking reinforcement and, as such, Tolu Arokodare has emerged as a serious option.

Whether Newcastle United’s decision to pursue Nick Woltemade instead of Strand Larsen changes the urgency of those in the Midlands is the question that needs answering, but reports have always indicated that Arokodare is seen as a replacement for Silva and not for the Norwegian.

In an ideal world, by the time the deadline passes, Wolves will have two very talented strikers at their disposal and ready to fire Pereira’s side to Premier League safety.

Wolves now eyeing late move to sign another "superb" striker with Arokodare

The Midlands club could be forced to replace Strand Larsen.

By
Tom Cunningham

Aug 28, 2025

The manager recently had his say on Strand Larsen and will be among those relieved that Newcastle decided to look elsewhere. He told reporters following Wolves’ 3-2 Carabao Cup win against West Ham United in midweek: “If it’s my decision, of course [Strand-Larsen stays]. Of course. Because he’s a very important player. It’s not only about the technical and tactical, it’s about the character. He’s a player with character.”

Meanwhile, it’s not just the striker department that could receive a major boost before the end of the transfer window. Reports are now suggesting that Wolves are eyeing a last-gasp midfield move.

Wolves submit Hackney offer

According to Football League World, Wolves have now submitted a bid worth £30m to sign Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough. The Championship star has been linked with a move away from the club all summer long, with interest from Ipswich Town and Wolves’ rivals, West Bromwich Albion emerging.

Now, it could be Wolves who secure his signature in what would be a deserved move. The 23-year-old has enjoyed an impressive rise at Boro and, in truth, has had the quality to step into the Premier League for at least two seasons. Compared to both Andre and Joao Gomes, it’s clear that Hackney would push all the way for a starting place at Molineux.

Described as “excellent” earlier this season by manager Rob Edwards, Hackeny has simply picked up where he left off in the last campaign. The midfield star is an incredibly talented ball progressor and combines that ability with his knack for winning possession back for his side – two traits that could make all the difference for Wolves in their bid to survive.

Everton are showing themselves to be a real threat in the forward areas based on their blistering attacking performances so far in the Premier League.

Of course, it is only early days, but the Toffees have responded to a disappointing 1-0 loss on the opening day to Leeds by putting five strikes past Brighton and Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Jack Grealish picking up a mightily impressive four assists along the way.

With Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall also in on the goals and assists, alongside Iliman Ndiaye already running teams ragged with two efforts on the board, David Moyes’ men are now far removed from their previous attritional makeup under Sean Dyche.

This is before you even throw new recruit Tyler Dibling into the equation, with the 19-year-old a bold pick-up from Southampton who is also ready to take the Premier League by storm.

What Dibling can offer Everton

Everton has managed to produce many of their own special homegrown attackers over the years, with the likes of Ross Barkley and Wayne Rooney springing to mind.

With this example, however, they have poached the cream of the academy crop from the Saints in Dibling, with the teenager costing a whopping £40m to bring in this summer, even as his ex-side suffered relegation at the end of last campaign.

When watching the young forward in action, it’s clear to see why he has cost such an extortionate amount, despite still being inexperienced, with an impressive four goals and three assists next to his name in the St Mary’s senior ranks.

One particularly memorable display from the direct winger last season against Manchester United even saw former England legend turned commentator Stuart Pearce herald Dibling as a “devotee to Grealish”, with a hope now that the entertaining attacker can be as instantly successful on Merseyside – like the ex-Aston Villa midfielder – away from loose comparisons.

Amazingly, while the Toffees have invested significantly in the future with this £40m buy, they could well have their very own homegrown Grealish brewing in the background, too, in this 18-year-old ace.

Everton's own homegrown Grealish

As previously mentioned, the Merseyside outfit has often been viewed as a club that gives their very own chances in the first-team set-up when ready.

One up-and-coming youngster that has risen the ranks and looks destined for more senior minutes soon is 18-year-old Harrison Armstrong, who was named on the bench by Moyes for the action-packed victory at Wolves.

He has since moved on to Preston North End on a season-long loan, but the highlights package posted by the Lilywhites after his move was confirmed shows off the obvious talent the skilful midfielder possesses to be viewed in the same glowing light as the assist-heavy Grealish.

Indeed, from just eight senior appearances to date for the Toffees, Armstrong has a standout three assists next to his name.

With a further ten goal contributions also coming his way for the Everton U19s and U21s – when looking at the table above – it’s abundantly clear why he has been labelled a “phenomenal” youth talent by one of his former managers in John Eustace, when previously loaned out to Derby County.

His adaptability to play all across the midfield positions only strengthens the argument more that he could be a new Grealish in the making, with the Liverpool-born starlet more than a capable performer on the left flank – much like the new Everton number 18 – away from just lining up in a central midfield spot.

It could well be that Armstrong just needs more first-team experience under his belt before he’s regularly strutting his stuff in Moyes’ senior side, with another loan out to the second tier, no doubt toughening him up.

The EFL’s elite division made Grealish the stylish performer he is today, after all, with a sturdy 14 goals and 16 assists notched up in the Championship by the 29-year-old, before further cementing himself as a Premier League star on Merseyside.

Armstrong will hope he can live up to his own hype down the line, with both the 18-year-old and Dibling up Moyes’ sleeve, making the future look very rosy at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, away from the short-term heroics served up by man of the hour Grealish.

Everton on verge of £17m move for Doucoure-esque "difference-maker"

This could be a brilliant signing for the Blues.

By
Henry Jackson

Sep 1, 2025

Jose Mourinho has been accused of inciting abuse, with Premier League referee Anthony Taylor now wary of allowing his family to travel with him across the world after becoming an unfortunate target for the 'Special One' in 2023. While Taylor admits that scrutiny of match officials has gotten a little out of control, he still considers his role as a man in the middle to be "one of the best jobs in the world".

• Confronted by Mourinho after Europa League final

  While Taylor enjoys his profession most of the time, he was caught in the centre of a storm back in 2023. It was after the Europa League final, which saw Roma suffer a penalty shootout defeat to Sevilla, that Taylor found himself targeted by Mourinho – with the outspoken Portuguese, who was in charge of Serie A heavyweights at the time, branding the Premier League match official a "disgrace" in his post-match press conference before confronting him in a car park outside the stadium.

  With anger stirred in a passionate group of supporters, Taylor – who showed 13 yellow cards during the match and oversaw 25 minutes of added time – required extra security when leaving through Budapest airport as he and his family endured some scary scenes.

  Reflecting on that ordeal with , Taylor said: "That's the worst situation I've dealt with in terms of abuse. Not only because I was travelling with family members at the time, but it also highlights the impact of people's behaviour on others. Even in a match like that, where there was actually no major mistakes in the game."

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  Blame culture: Officials subjected to abuse

  Taylor added on the blame culture in modern football, with coaches and players often stirring that pot: "For me, that's a great source of disappointment, frustration, anger. Why that's acceptable, I don't know – because I'm sure those individuals wouldn't like somebody to turn around and say that to them or their own children. It makes you reflect back on whether you made a mistake travelling with your family in the first place. They haven't been to one [match] since."

  Taylor went on to say of abuse, be that online or in-venue, impacting the mental health of officials – with the Premier League seeking to address an issue that infiltrates every level of the game, from the top-flight to grassroots: "If you're continually told you're not very good, whether that be by people in the media, by pundits, or even ex-officials, then people's mental health could potentially suffer. The footballing culture in general is, 'we need to win this game at all costs'. The lengths that people go to post-game with a lot of things now to spread false narratives, to spread malicious conspiracy theories… it creates a hugely negative environment for people to operate in."

• Referees under pressure to get every decision right

  Elite referees operate under the brightest of spotlights, with Taylor saying of the pressure that they face to get every big decision right: "I wouldn't argue against scrutiny being there. I'm not saying scrutiny isn't to be expected, but everybody who watches football always sees a game through the eyes of their team. And the result of a football match and the culmination of a football season is multi-faceted. It's not dependent on one match official's decision. It's not dependent on one player missing one penalty in a game. It's not dependent on one coach making one tactical error during a game.

  "The argument one decision has cost somebody the whole season, it's just factually not true because there'll be plenty of other incidents in a game or over that season where the results of games have been affected. What I'm saying is that you can have scrutiny and you can have critique. But it's very rarely balanced. Nobody really talks about the positive side of things these days, either."

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  Taylor future: Enjoying job with no end in sight

  Taylor is into his 17th season as a Premier League referee. He has worked at World Cups, European Championships, Super Cups and the Nations League and concedes that his position is not all bad. He said: "When it comes down to it, it's one of the best jobs in the world. You're right in the centre of the action in the most exciting league in the world."

  Taylor is hoping to officiate at next summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the 46-year-old unsure how long he will continue for. He intends to make the most of his time with a whistle in hand, with Premier League action set to resume on October 18 after the latest international break.

Developing plans for a buy-out of Manchester United could include the return of one of the club's most celebrated former stars after Eric Cantona was named as a potential ambassador if the Glazer family decide to sell-up. And while those planning a mega-money bid haven’t officially announced their interest, talk of Canton’s return has excited United fans.

• Return of King Eric?

  Cantona remains a terrace hero at Old Trafford and his name is still sung regularly by the Stretford End faithful. His return would be celebrated, even if it was only in an ambassadorial capacity. The Frenchman arrived in 1992, bringing flair, leadership, and a winning mentality that helped United secure their first league title in 26 years. He went on to win four Premier League titles and two FA Cups with the club, showcasing technical skill, creativity, and the ability to score important goals. His charisma, combined with his famous upturned collar and confidence, resonated with fans, earning him the nickname "King Eric".

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  Who calls the shots at Old Trafford?

  Man Utd's ownership structure is a unique blend of majority control by the Glazer family and significant minority ownership by Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS group. The Glazers initially took control of the club in 2005 through a leveraged buyout, and retain a majority stake, while Ratcliffe and INEOS acquired a 28.94 per cent stake in the club in February 2024, becoming the largest single shareholders and gaining control of football operations. Ratcliffe has also injected $300 million for infrastructure improvements and, while the Glazers still hold overall control, Ratcliffe's influence on the club's direction is substantial. 

• How close are the Glazers to selling up?

  Despite recent claims by Turki Al-Sheikh, a Saudi Arabian government official, Man Utd deny being in advanced talks for a full takeover. Al-Sheikh's initial social media post said: "The best news I heard today is that Manchester United is now in an advanced stage of completing a deal to sell to a new investor. I hope he’s better than the previous owners." He later clarified he wasn't the potential investor, nor were they from his nation. Al-Sheikh is believed to be referencing a UAE-based consortium and have approached club legends, including Cantona about potential involvement. 

  Ben Jacobs, speaking to United Stand, said: "It is in no way near as advanced as El Sheikh has implied, nor have the Glazers had any direct contact yet. There’s no guarantee this even develops into anything, but Cantona is one of the names who has been approached."

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  Next steps for takeover hopefuls

  The Glazer family has previously entertained offers, including Sheikh Jassim's ultimately unsuccessful £4.79 billion bid for 100 per cent of the club in 2023, they seem content with the current arrangement with Ratcliffe's INEOS group holding a minority stake and controlling football operations. And there is a  ‘drag-along’ clause, activated in August 2025, which allows the Glazers to force a sale of Ratcliffe's shares if they receive a 100 per cent offer before February 2027, provided the share price is above $33. After that date the Glazers can accept any offer, which could see Ratcliffe lose money. 

  And Man Utd face a massive test this weekend when they face their north west rivals Liverpool in a derby clash at Anfield. United come into the game on the back of a win against Sunderland, but Arne Slot’s Liverpool have lost their last three matches and are desperate for a win after losing top spot to Arsenal in recent weeks.

The Lewis family have been tipped to pump more money into Tottenham, following the shock departure of ex-chairman Daniel Levy last week, and these funds could be put towards their recruitment plans.

That is according to Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol, who shared news on a live broadcast that ENIC are planning a cash injection.

Levy helped to transform the Lilywhites into one of world football’s highest-revenue generating clubs over his 24-year tenure running the club, with Tottenham also moving to their state-of-the-art new stadium to seriously bolster their commercial appeal off the field.

However, Levy attracted criticism for a perceived lack of transfer spending compared to Spurs’ Premier League rivals, and this was undoubtedly a factor in them winning just two major trophies since 2001.

Thomas Frank could now be backed by the ENIC and the Lewis family as CEO Vinai Vinkatesham, who is set for a more hands-on role after Levy’s departure, aims to deliver more success.

Tottenham signed an array of star players during the last window under Levy, with Mohammed Kudus, Joao Palhinha, Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani chief among them.

The latter two are poised to make their Premier League debuts against West Ham in a crunch London derby clash this weekend, and according to ex-Levy employee Bryan King, ex-Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher could be a target to watch out for in this post-Levy era.

Tottenham tipped to sign Conor Gallagher in £45 million deal

They’ll have to wait until January, but King believes that Tottenham signing Gallagher from Atlético Madrid is a very realistic proposition.

As uncertainty continues to surround Yves Bissouma’s future, Gallagher could come as an excellent replacement for the Mali international who has fallen out of favour with Frank.

The England international can play as an attacking midfielder when required, known for his excellent ball-winning ability, energy and tenacity in the middle of the park, and would help to fill Tottenham’s ‘locally trained’ quota for European competitions.

The only caveat is whether Gallagher, given his Chelsea roots, would want to swap Diego Simeone’s side for an ex-rival.

If he decides that is worth the move back to London, Frank would undoubtedly be securing a real asset, and one who Moises Caicedo has called a “machine”.

Newcastle United are still searching for form, over a month into the 2025/26 campaign, but it’s hardly as if there is anything to worry about for Eddie Howe and co.

After all, the Magpies have only conceded in one of their five Premier League games, a 3-2 defeat to Liverpool at St. James’ Park that was as infuriating as it was compelling.

Attacking fluency will return, and no mistake. Nick Woltemade is integrating after his big-money move from Stuttgart, the record-fee striker replacing Alexander Isak after the rebellious forward forced his way out and over to Anfield.

In the end, the Toon completed a quietly impressive transfer window, signing players of different shapes and sizes to bolster the pre-existing ranks.

However, Newcastle are still guided through by their leading light, the skipper, Bruno Guimaraes.

He’s been ever-present right through Howe’s tenure.

Bruno Guimaraes' Newcastle form

Guimaraes was one of the first to join this nascent Newcastle project, signing from French side Lyon for £40m and never looking back.

Almost four years later, the 27-year-old remains one of the nuclei at Newcastle, one of the first names on the teamsheet. Isak might have been considered in the same breath, but Isak has gone, whereas Bruno has not, despite fierce summer interest from the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City.

He’s started four Premier League fixtures so far this season, absent against Bournemouth after that European clash with Barcelona, covering so much ground and working tirelessly both to protect the defence and progress his team’s attacking play.

Against the backdrop of Isak’s absence, Guimaraes put in a captain’s performance against the Premier League champions, and he spoke of his deep-seated love for the Magpies post-game.

However, it would also be fair to say that the Brazilian is lacking his usual fluency in attack at the moment, yet to create a big chance across his five matches in the Premier League.

We all know Bruno will hit his stride, but he hasn’t been Howe’s standout performer so far this season.

Newcastle's best player so far this season

It would be an outrage to award this figurative title to anyone north of the backline at Newcastle, whose three-goal haul in the Premier League this term betters only that of lowly Aston Villa, one strike to their name.

Defensively, though, United have been redoubtable, and Dan Burn stakes a claim for being the standout performer, indeed boasting four clean sheets across five league outings and having been one of the chief organisers in defence, ensuring everyone is where they should be and that they understand their duties, just so.

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Like Guimaraes, Burn was one of the first to sign for Newcastle after the PIF takeover, leaving Brighton & Hove Albion in January 2022 to join his boyhood club after so many years, having plyed his boyish trade at Newcastle until being released when he was 11.

Now, he’s shaped into a mainstay for one of the most exciting projects in world football, and, aged 33, he is showing little sign of slowing down.

Guimaraes and Fabian Schar, who was already part of the toon squad, are the only players to have eclipsed his 154 appearances in black and white under Howe’s wing, and there’s a good reason that Big Dan Burn has played with such regularity, for in many ways he epitomises Howe and his tactics: gritty and tenacious, balanced against a technical undercurrent which has led to silverware and European escapades.

It was Burn who rose highest before the break at Wembley in March, striking first to set Newcastle on their way in the Carabao Cup final. He has been written into club folklore, and there he will remain.

There will come a point when Sven Botman will expect to return to the starting line-up without fail, playing from the first whistle each and every week.

But we can’t ignore the industrious and composed presence Burn projects in front of Pope’s goal, with Sofascore recording that he has averaged a whopping 6.4 successful duels and 6.2 clearances per game, yet to make an error.

The 6 foot 6 defender made his England debut earlier in 2025, called up by the Three Lions hierarchy for the first time when he was 32 years old. Truly, development is not linear in football.

And that emphatic form of 2024/25 has indeed lifted over the disruptive summer transfer window, Burn travelling a smooth through line which has seen him retain his defensive solidity and his unflappable manner besides. Nick Pope boasts four clean sheets already this year, and he ranks only 11th in the division for saves made thus far (ten).

His leadership skills and organisation on the left side of the central defence eliminate and concerns over his lanky frame and limited passing range and mobility. Howe, after all, hailed the veteran as “an incredible signing” who has exceeded expectations.

The defensive giant may not match Botman’s athleticism or technical command, but he has been an essential part of this wonderful patch in Newcastle’s modern history – a period which may well be remembered as the foundation of a new age on Tyneside.

Last year, Burn got the ball rolling at Wembley, putting paid to a woeful Liverpool side and sparking the victory that led to gold.

It was a career-defining moment from the boy from Blyth, but he’s not done yet, this boyhood Toon, and he’s ready to write another chapter into an incredible journey.

Newcastle’s “explosive” star once looked like Shearer, now he needs to go

Newcastle star’s struggles mirror team’s attacking woes in Bournemouth draw.

By
Will Miller

Sep 22, 2025

Manchester City remain level on points with arch-rivals Manchester United and six adrift of Premier League leaders Arsenal after suffering a 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa on Sunday. Pep Guardiola’s side headed to the West Midlands unbeaten across their last nine fixtures in all competitions, but a solitary strike from Matty Cash proved to be the difference in a match that saw Erling Haaland draw a blank for just the second time this season.

City started brightly at Villa Park, with the ball being worked into promising wide areas that lacked a more pinpoint delivery. The hosts did, however, grow into the game and saw Ollie Watkins’ movement pose plenty of problems to City’s high defensive line, though the England international’s uncharacteristic struggles in the final third continued as he failed to make the most of opportunities that came his way.

Cash endured no such issues when breaking the deadlock in the 19th minute. Bernardo Silva and Haaland failed to close the Villa full-back quickly enough on the edge of the box, allowing him to drift onto his left foot from 20 yards out and crash an effort into the bottom corner.

Haaland fired a tame shot at Emi Martinez as City sought an immediate equaliser, while Josko Gvardiol did Morgan Rogers a favour when making little of an apparent shove inside the penalty area, but Villa came closest to a second before the break as captain John McGinn fizzed another strike from distance narrowly past the post.

Haaland has 24 goals for club and country this season, with Tottenham the only team to have kept him out before running into Villa, but the prolific Norwegian was surprisingly quiet as City lacked an attacking spark as a collective. They were unable to turn possession into something more tangible, with Villa prepared to sit deep and break out on the counter.

Savinho almost forced a leveller on the hour mark, but his low drive from seven yards out was somehow flicked over the crossbar by Pau Torres. At the other end, former City academy star Jadon Sancho forced Gianluigi Donnarumma into a double save, before Haaland had a goal disallowed for offside and painfully collided with the post as Villa held on.

GOAL rates Manchester City's players from Villa Park…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Gianluigi Donnarumma (5/10):

  Could do nothing about the goal, with those in front of him failing to close Cash quickly enough. Happy to act as a sweeper keeper and displayed impressive reflexes to keep Sancho out, having caused himself problems when palming into the winger’s path.

  Matheus Nunes (4/10):

  Not a natural full-back despite being asked to fill in there on a regular basis. Villa would have expected Sancho to pose the Portugal international more problems, having slipped beyond him with ease at one stage.

  Ruben Dias (5/10):

  Left isolated with the lively Watkins at times, particularly in the first half, leading to him chasing back towards his own goal more often than he would have liked. City’s high press was beaten too easily far too often, leaving their defensive unit exposed.

  John Stones (4/10):

  Stepped into midfield at every opportunity, leaving City with three at the back. Is comfortable on the ball, but was unable to make Guardiola’s side tick. Was given a tough time by the movement of Watkins.

  Josko Gvardiol (5/10):

  Always encouraged to get forward, but that can leave space behind. Could have made more of a push from Rogers in the first-half that would have given VAR a big penalty call to make, but offered no appeal.

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  Midfield

  Tijjani Reijnders (5/10):

  Capable of driving through midfield with the ball, but needs to make better decisions when pushing on. Fired one wayward shot well off target when a pass should have been made. Booked for a clumsy challenge on Watkins.

  Phil Foden (5/10):

  Has enjoyed filling a central playmaking post this season, but was unable to pull the strings on this occasion. Had one well struck second-half shot blocked and struggled to find space between the lines. Booked when chasing back to stop a Villa counter.

  Bernardo Silva (4/10):

  Made a bright start as he drifted wide from his central berth and found pockets of space. His influence waned from there, with the Portuguese unable to impose himself on proceedings. Was taken off as Guardiola sought inspiration from the bench.

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  Attack

  Savinho (5/10):

  Boasts quick feet and is full of running, but lacks end product. Got into plenty of promising positions, but his final ball let him down. Picked up a yellow card for a reckless tackle on Rogers and failed to hit the net with two second-half strikes that struck shirts and boots in claret and blue.

  Oscar Bobb (4/10):

  City were unable to get him on the ball in areas where he could hurt Villa. His most notable contributions early on came when tracking back to help defend. Came as no surprise when he was replaced midway through the second half.

  Erling Haaland (4/10):

  Had more touches in his own box than Villa’s during a quiet first half – with his only sight of goal coming when opening up his body too much and firing straight at Martinez. Barely had a kick after the break, with his one notable contribution seeing a close-range goal chalked off after Marmoush drifted offside in the build up.

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  Subs & Manager

  Jeremy Doku (5/10):

  Always full of direct running, which ensured that Cash was forced to sit much deeper. Got to the byline on a couple of occasions, but was unable to drill a dangerous cross into the box.

  Nico Gonzalez (4/10):

  Collected a yellow card for a needless challenge on Digne, and snapped into at least one more that left him walking a disciplinary tightrope. Finished the game bloodied and bruised.

  Nico O’Reilly (5/10):

  Caught ball watching shortly after being introduced, which almost proved costly, but made amends and was allowed to surge forward from left-back as he overlapped beyond Doku.

  Rayan Cherki (5/10):

  Brought on to add more creativity to City’s midfield, but was unable to get into the game. Will expect more from himself.

  Omar Marmoush (N/A):

  Drifted offside which cost Haaland a late equaliser.

  Pep Guardiola (5/10):

  Will have been left disappointed with City’s display in the opening 45 minutes. They improved after the break, but were unable to get key men into the game. Has a chance to make sweeping changes for the midweek Carabao Cup clash with Swansea.

Chelsea star Cole Palmer has been carrying a niggling groin injury for some time, but a new problem means the Englishman is now facing some time out.

Cole Palmer forced off in 2-1 Chelsea defeat to Man United

Enzo Maresca’s frustration was evident during an afternoon to forget at Old Trafford last Saturday, with their 2-1 loss away to Man United made worse only by Palmer’s haunting groin issue.

It is a problem that has plagued the Blues’ superstar player for some time.

Palmer has been carrying it since the start of 2025/2026, forcing him to miss their wins over West Ham and Fulham, with the ex-Man City sensation only getting around half an hour of match action in their 2-2 draw at Brentford.

The 23-year-old got on the scoresheet against Keith Andrews’ side, and scored a stunning goal on the counter-attack in Chelsea’s 3-1 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League – all whilst playing with a groin injury.

Speaking in his latest pre-match press conference before Chelsea take on Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup, Maresca said it is a problem being monitored day by day, but was quick to quash fears that Palmer might need surgery.

Now, as per journalist Simon Phillips, there has been a new update on Palmer’s condition, and it doesn’t make for pretty reading.

Cole Palmer suffers "new" injury to groin as Chelsea dealt blow

Writing via his Substack, the reporter claims that Palmer has suffered a “new” injury to the same groin that has been plaguing him non-stop this season, and he now faces several weeks on the sidelines.

The prospect of surgery also isn’t completely ruled out.

Phillips also stated that Chelsea have been managing his groin with painkiller injections before each game, and the forward started having further problems in that area late on in the Bayern game.

Despite this, Maresca started Palmer last Saturday, and it is a decision which the Blues will be ruing.

Sources have apparently made clear that he shouldn’t have participated in Manchester, and at the worst, Palmer could miss some crucial clashes.

Chelsea will also regret not signing Xavi Simons in the summer window after being hijacked by Tottenham, with Maresca arguably in need of a quality playmaker alternative amid Palmer’s reoccurring struggles.