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To coin a classic phrase, Manchester United have made their top-four challenge a mountain out of a molehill.

The Red Devils are a far cry from the side that dominated so fiercely under the tutelage of a certain Sir Alex Ferguson but one particular signing could help steer them along the right path again.

What’s the word?

Man United have long been in the market for a holding midfield player and it would appear that won’t change heading into the summer.

That’s the word of transfer guru Fabriano Romano who commented on their transfer plans this summer.

Speaking to Hammers Chat, the Italian reporter said:

“He is top of the list for Man United since a long time. Man Utd dream of Declan Rice, they consider him the perfect player for their approach for the new season. Man United will sign a defensive midfield and Declan Rice is the player they want.”

Rice heading to United?

Acquiring the West Ham titan this summer would be a monumental sign of intent from the Red Devils.

First of all, it’s evidently clear that Ralf Rangnick’s midfield is not the greatest when it comes to complete overall quality. Secondly, with Paul Pogba seemingly destined to leave, bringing in Rice makes total sense.

The Irons gem could be freed from the shackles of the bubbles that surround the London Stadium in 2022 to offer whoever the new manager is at Old Trafford talents that very few reign more supreme in throughout the continent.

For instance, as per FB Ref, the England international ranks in the top 30% for every single passing metric barring key passes, expected assists and progressive passes.

However, what Rice makes up for in a lack of forwardness with his passing, he certainly makes up for when driving with the ball instead.

The West Ham bulldozer ranks in the top 6% in Europe’s top leagues for progressive carries per 90 (7.01) and in the top 2% for both total carrying distance and progressive carry distance per 90 (178.76).

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Also ranking in the top 5% in Europe for interceptions per 90 (2.76) and the best 5% again for a percentage of aerial duels won (65.3%) per 90 minutes, it’s clear to see that Rice would offer a great deal to United particularly when it comes to dribbling and doing the dirty work.

If a deal is there to be done, they simply have to swoop. It’s a deal, considering his qualities, that would leave supporters absolutely elated.

AND in other news, “Bad news..” – Fabrizio Romano update is worrying for Manchester United…

Glasgow Rangers have been dealt an injury setback concerning Alfredo Morelos ahead of their upcoming Premiership fixture.

What’s the latest?

In recent comments cited by Rangers Review, Giovanni van Bronckhorst revealed that, following his withdrawal in the 4-2 Europa League aggregate victory over Red Star Belgrade on Thursday evening, the 25-year-old requires assessment to determine whether or not he will be available for selection for the trip to Dundee on Sunday.

When asked if there was an update on the current condition of the centre-forward, the Dutchman said: “No, not yet. We came in quite late [on Thursday] into Glasgow so [on Friday] we have recovery and players will come in to evaluate their fitness.

“So far there is no news for Sunday so hopefully we have everyone available. We have a big squad and a lot of players are fit so it’s just a case now to see today and tomorrow who is available.

“Who looks fresh, who doesn’t look fresh and then make the best possible line-up to go to Dundee and get the three points after the game.”

Van Bronckhorst will be fuming

Considering how important a part of Van Bronckhorst’s Rangers side Morelos has proven to be over the last few months, in addition to how late the centre-forward picked up his injury in the 2-1 defeat at Red Star on Thursday, should the Colombia international be ruled out of Sunday’s trip to the Kilmac Stadium, the 47-year-old Gers boss will undoubtedly be fuming.

Indeed, over his 25 Premiership appearances so far this season, the £11.7m-rated striker has been in fantastic form for the Light Blues, bagging 11 goals, registering seven assists and creating nine big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 4.4 shots and making 2.1 key passes per game.

These returns have seen the £31.5k-per-week hitman average a quite remarkable SofaScore match rating of 7.32, ranking him as the seventh-best player in the top flight of Scottish football.

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As such, it is clear for all to see that losing the services of Morelos for any stretch of time would come as a huge blow to Van Bronckhorst and his side, especially with a potentially season-defining Old Firm fixture up next for Gers following Sunday’s meeting with Dundee FC.

AND in other news: Left for nothing: McCoist made huge Rangers howler over “absolutely outstanding” tank

Chelsea are ready to make a move for Chile international striker Eduardo Vargas, as Nicolas Anelka’s time at the club comes to an end.

The Blues’ have had an inconsistent campaign so far, and manager Andre Villas Boas is expected to be given free reign to overhaul his squad come January.

Veteran attacker Anelka is in the last year of his contract at Stamford Bridge, and having started only three games this season for the London club is eager to find first team football.

The France international realises that Villas Boas wants to focus on young players, and has accepted that his future lies elsewhere.

“I’ve known for a little while where I’ll be on January 2,” he said to the club’s official website.

“The club, which is going through a difficult time, has decided to work with Chelsea’s players of the future and, as I am a good professional, I have accepted this.”

Meanwhile, The Daily Mail indicate that Universidad de Chile forward Eduardo Vargas is the man to replace outgoing Anelka, with The Blues ready to make a bid in January.

The 22-year-old South American attacker is rated at a value of £9 million, and the English newspaper have revealed that negotiations have began over a possible transfer in the new year.

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Arsenal, Liverpool, Napoli and Valencia are said to be interested also, but ascertaining a work permit could be an issue for the English teams, as Vargas has only played nine times for Chile.

By Gareth McKnight

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Newcastle host Wigan on Saturday in their second consecutive home fixture looking to preserve their unbeaten start to the season that has catapulted them into fourth.

The Magpies have been this seasons surprise package so far gatecrashing the top four and have yet to taste defeat in their eight Premier League games. As many have pointed out they have yet to be fully tested with the fixture list being kind to Alan Pardew and his side as they yet to face any of the top-flights big guns. They came away unscathed from their first real examination against Tottenham last weekend with Shola Ameobi further enhancing the Geordies love for him with a late leveller at St James’ Park to secure a 2-2 draw. Pardew’s side more than held their own against Spurs and could have won the game had Fabricio Coloccini converted a late chance. The skipper along with the Steven Taylor, his namesake Ryan and keeper Tim Krul have been impenetrable and have contributed no about to their 11 match unbeaten run – their best sequence since 1997. One aspect of Pardew’s reign on Tyneside that has been a problem for the club in recent years is consistency. Eight players have started every league games this season with the rapport built up amongst the squad a key factor in their success so far. Only Leon Best, Gabriel Obertan and Demba Ba aren’t ever presents but have certainly made some telling contributions with the latter scoring five goals in the last three games including the Toon’s first goal against Spurs. The omens are good for Newcastle, who have been strong on home soil this season, with Wigan yet to win on their six visits to the North East.

Roberto Martinez’s side are stuck in a rut having lost their last five games in a row slipping into the relegation zone which will be  familiar territory for them. Their start to the campaign raised the optimism levels at the DW Stadium but they have fallen back into their old habits and will need to pick up if they are to pull themselves away from another desperate relegation battle. Improving on the road is something that needs to be addressed with only eight wins away from home in the two years since Martinez took charge. They’ll need to be more ambitious in attack if they are to break down a tough Newcastle defence after they managed only get only two of their 16 shots on target against Bolton last week. The return of Hugo Rodallega from injury will certainly add some much needed fire power in the final third but they’ll need more than just the efforts of the Colombian to beat the Magpies. Tightening up at the back is also something Martinez needs to address after they gifted the Trotters their goals last week and Maynor Figueroa’s return will give the back line some much needed steel and experience.

Key Players

Demba Ba – Five goals in three games have changed the Geordies opinions of the Senegal international after a series of lifeless displays at the start of the season. His performances since then have been superb with his pace, strength and prowess winning over supporters he’ll be a handful for the Latics defence this week.

Ben Watson – Despite Wigan’s poor form Watson has been a shining light with his all action midfield performances adding some much needed grit to the side. His defensive work and ability to break up attacks has been vital for the Latics at time and he’ll need to be on top of his game against a swashbuckling Newcastle side.

Prediction: 2-0

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Demba Ba continued his brilliant run with his 5th goal in three games. His run is reflected in his move up the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index table. He is now ranked 34th. Ba has hit 64% of his 14 shots on target this season Wigan midfielder Ben Watson will also give Newcastle a tough time, and is 4th in the tackling table having won 25 tackles this season 93% of those attempted. Watson has also made 20 interceptions. Mohamed Diame completes a Wigan hat trick of player in the top ten tacklers having won 24 tackles (83% of those attempted)

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It has become something of a given that Arsenal will produce some new young starlet every season. The famed Hale End academy that has produced Cesc Fabregas, Ashley Cole, Jack Wilshere, Alex Song and numerous others has been complimented by the signing of young talent from elsewhere to make it truly one of the most formidable academies in the world. We all know about the latest crop of youngsters to come out such as Frimpong and Wilshere but here we’re going to take a look at the next in line.

Chuks Aneke

Aneke, of Nigerian descent but playing for England at youth level, signed for Arsenal in 2001 aged just seven years old. However after impressing for Arsenal’s youth and reserved sides Barcelona attempted to poach both Chuks Aneke and Benik Afobe from the North London Club. Both Arsenal youngsters were invited to Barcelona’s training camp in 2009 but both decided that Arsenal was where their futures lay. Aneke is a powerful central midfielder who has recently been likened to Yaya Toure by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.

Aneke’s early form for the Gunners’ reserve team has been turning heads and he told the Arsenal website: “I’m feeling good so far this season. I’m optimistic that this will be a big year for me. I intend to produce good things on the field and show people how good I am, and so far I think I’ve done ok…I’ve played three times for the Reserves and been in decent form – scoring a couple of goals and playing pretty well. So overall I’m happy and want to push on from here”

Aneke, who made his debut in the Carling Cup this season, is now thought to be heading out on loan with a host of Premier League clubs interested in taking the youngster. Many Arsenal fans lament the loss of former captain Patrick Vieira who was arguably the complete midfielder – able combine defensive solidity with attacking prowess. With Aneke Arsenal fans will be hoping that finally they have produced a player in a similar mould.

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Benik Afobe

Benik, the other player to be approached by Barcelona, is a powerful striker for the gunners who has formed a powerful on field relationship with midfielder Aneke. Afobe was on loan at Huddersfield last season and helped the Terriers reach the League One play-off final. The speedy striker scored eight times in thirty six appearances for the Northern club and continued his good form at international level too as he was part of the under-17 team that won the 2011 European Championships. He was also named player of the tournament after scoring four goals and notching up three assists.

Afobe is a powerful out and out striker with deadly finishing and pace to match, the type of striker that Arsenal have not had since Adebayor left. Despite the success of the Arsenal academy the one thing they have so far failed to produce is a truly world class striker. Maybe Afobe is about to change that…

Reice Charles-Cook

To put a spin on an old cliché: goalkeepers at Arsenal are like buses; they never turn up when you need one and then suddenly three come at once. Whilst Szczesny has established himself in the first team and young Argentine goalkeeper Damian Martinez is getting stronger by the day you could be forgiven for forgetting about Arsenal’s latest youth team keeper Reice Charles-Cook. Nephew to James Cook MBE, a former British and European super-middleweight boxing champion, Reice shares the reflexes and presence of his uncle.

Described as an exceptional shot stopper with a firm command of his area the young goalkeeper, at just seventeen years of age, may have a long way to go before he can even think about breaking into the first team. However the improvements noted in him in the past years have been vast and his reputation at the club is growing as fast as his talent.

Most Arsenal fans would say that they are extremely happy with their current goalkeeper but there’s nothing like competition to get the best out of your players.

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For more Arsenal news and stories follow Hamish on Twitter @H_Mackay

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The Metro are reporting that Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Islam Feruz – dubbed the ‘Scottish Wayne Rooney’ – from Celtic.

Boss Andre Villas-Boas has moved swiftly to bring the 16-year-old to Stamford Bridge. Feruz has joined on a scholarship deal, although it’s expected that he will sign a professional contract when he turns 17.

Celtic are now prepared to fight for compensation after nurturing Feruz’s talents for 10 years and also helping his family avoid deportation back to his native Somalia and settle down in Scotland.

His agent Rui Alves revealed a number of clubs from across Europe expressed an interest in the teenage forward but Feruz chose to join Chelsea as he felt they could match his lofty ambitions.

‘The possibility of training with [John] Terry, [Didier] Drogba and [Frank] Lampard will be fantastic for him.” Alves said.

“The structure at youth level at Chelsea is great. It would be a gift from God to see him playing in the English Premier League.”

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It’s yet another step in the youthful direction for Villas-Boas who has moved to freshen up his ageing squad with some fresh faced talent. Romelu Lukaku, Juan Mata and Ulises Davila have already joined – although it may be a few years before Feruz joins them in the first team.

A debut goal from Emmanuel Adebayor and a strike from partner Jermain Defoe was enough to hand Tottenham their first win of the season in an open encounter with Wolves at Molineux.

Defeat for Mick McCarthy’s side ended their three game unbeaten run as they struggled to deal with the pace and power of the visitors new striking partnership.

Another new face at Spurs, Scott Parker, was also instrumental as Harry Redknpapp’s side bounced back from the 5-1 thrashing they received at home to Manchester City two weeks ago.

The first half was a wide open affair with Brad Friedel denying Karl Henry with a superb stop whilst Roger Johnson headed wide from Michael Kightly’s free kick.

Wayne Hennessey was also busy in the home side’s goal tipping  Defoe’s stinging long range effort wide. Niko Kranjcar also saw his effort cleared off the line by Christophe Berra with Spurs taking the ascendancy leading into the second half.

Adebayor finally broke the deadline in the 67th minute taking Parker’s wonderful pass into his stride before rounding Hennessey and slotting into an empty net.

The points were secured 10 minutes from time by Defoe who swapped passes with Krancjcar before smashing a delightful effort into the bottom corner to hand Spurs only their fourth win in 15 games.

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Remember you can catch all the action from today’s action here courtesy of ESPN Goals.

Sir Alex Ferguson has stated that he does not want to retire for another two to three years, but admitted that his eventual successor at Manchester United needs to be someone with a wealth of experience.

The Scottish coach recently completed 25 years in charge at Old Trafford, but has revealed that he is not planning to walk away from the game just yet.

“I think you always want to go out on a winning note,” Ferguson told Sky Sports.

“Hopefully we can do that. I don’t know how long I can last now, but if my health stays up I don’t think another two or three years would harm me,” he admitted.

Ferguson also stated that whenever he does leave the Premier League champions his replacement must be someone who has a track record of success.

“I think United need to have someone experienced. If I was coming into United today I would struggle because of the beast it is.

“When I came in we were in a valley because Liverpool were the dominant team and United were well adrift from that so we had to rebuild the club and it wasn’t easy, it took time.

“But the experience I had was the success from Aberdeen and that gave me a chance in terms of respect from the dressing room and gave me self-confidence I could do the job.

“If I was taken from the job in Aberdeen today it would be a much more difficult task even though I was successful,” he continued.

Finally, despite all the success that Ferguson has seen during his tenure with The Red Devils, he admits that he has made a mistake or two.

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“I could have bought Joe Hart for £100,000 [in 2005] so we all make mistakes,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

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Sir Alex Ferguson says his 25yrs at Manchester United have been something of a dream come true, as he approaches his anniversary. Tributes have been flooding in for the Scot from all levels of football with the general theme being what a phenomenal man he is who never loses the desire to win.

Elsewhere in the news Alan Pardew keeps expectations in check; Toure wants City to replicate the achievements of Barcelona, while Michael Essien is set to give Andre Villas-Boas an injury boost.

               

News

Wayne Rooney left devastated by ban

Kenny Dalglish confident without key duo

Alan Pardew keeps expectations in check

Toure: We want to be as good as Barcelona

Ferguson hails fairytale spell at Manchester United

Essien set to give Chelsea an injury boost

Transfer News

Tottenham set to be offered cut-price deal in January – FFC

Malaga eyeing loan move for Chelsea striker – Talksport

Hoilett told to target top four – Sky Sports

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Juventus planning summer splash for Man United and Spurs wingers – Talksport

Cisse still wants exit – Sky Sports

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The Telegraph are reporting that Barcelona are set to make one final bid for Cesc Fabregas and bring an end to the transfer saga.

A second offer nearing the £35 million is set to be made after their original £27 million bid was rejected by Arsenal.

Fabregas is also willing to see his salary reduced by around £5 million for the duration of his contract, which would encourage Barcelona to raise their bid.

The offer would be worth the £35 million Arsenal are looking for and would include up to £5 million in potential add-ons.

It’s understood that the Spanish clubs’ President Sandro Roselli is already travelling back from the United States where Pep Guardiola and his men are on tour.

Guardiola also hinted that Fabregas was the final piece of the Nou Camp jigsaw saying, “We’re short of just one player and everyone knows which one that is.”

Despite Barca’s willingness to meet the Gunners valuation it isn’t entirely certain that the bid will be accepted.

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However boss Arsene Wenger has become tired and frustrated at the entire saga and there are no assurances that he will immediately say yes to the Catalan clubs latest offer.

If the bid were to be accepted it would put an end to one of the longest running transfer chases in Premier League history.