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The Polish forward found the net twice to end a six-game scoreless streak and seal a come-from-behind win for the Blaugrana

Robert Lewandowski scored both the equalising and winning goals to lead Barcelona to a comeback win over Alaves. The striker was central to a dramatic turnaround, as the Blaugrana turned an early deficit into a 2-1 win.

Alaves found the net with the first attack of the game. The visitors swept the ball from right to left, before youngster Samu Omorodion met a guided cross for an easy finish just 18 seconds into the game. He should have made it two after 14 minutes, but angled his shot wide of the post after running through on goal. Omorodion fired over again 10 minutes later, serving as a constant nuisance for the Blaugrana back line.

Barca had their chances in the first half. Lewandowski could have equalised after latching onto an Ilkay Gundogan chip, but scuffed his left-footed effort. Joao Felix offered creativity down the left.

And the Blaugrana found form in the second half. Lewandowski grabbed the leveler, flicking a signature header into the far corner. He bagged the winner, too, driving a spot-kick into the roof of the net after substitute Ferran Torres had his heels clipped in the box. Once again, the Blaugrana was well short of their best, but kept themselves in the La Liga title race with what could turn out to be a vital three points.

GOAL rates Barcelona's players from the Olympic Stadium…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Marc-Andre ter Stegen (6/10):

  Will be disappointed to be beaten from close range on the Alaves opener. Had little else to do.

  Ronald Araujo (6/10):

  Solid without being excellent at right-back. He can't work his defensive magic as well from there, and doesn't necessarily offer attacking thrust, either. Seems wasted in the role.

  Jules Kounde (6/10):

  Too easily beaten to the cross at the near post for the Alaves opener. Barged off the ball and nearly gifted the visitors a second. Provided the assist for the Barca equaliser, though.

  Inigo Martinez (7/10):

  Didn't exactly impress defensively, but his delightful through ball started the play that led to the Barca penalty.

  Joao Cancelo (5/10):

  Full of ideas, without necessarily executing them. Has dropped off in form after a memorable start.

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  Midfield

  Fermin Lopez (5/10):

  Another underwhelming display in the middle. Doesn't always thrive in tight spaces. Probably needs a few games out of the starting XI.

  Ilkay Gundogan (7/10):

  Gave the ball away in the run up to the Alaves opener. Arguably Barca's best player going the other way, full of ideas and execution in the final third.

  Pedri (6/10):

  Pushed around a bit in the middle, and lacking in his usual quality. Much improved as the game wore on, but needs time to get back to his best.

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  Attack

  Lamine Yamal (7/10):

  Really bright on the right side once again. Alaves applied pressure on him from the off, but he still found spaces to work here. He's a real talent.

  Robert Lewandowski (8/10):

  Scuffed the kind of shot he would usually bury in the first half. Took his header immensely well in the second. Blasted a penalty in to win it.

  Joao Felix (5/10):

  On the ball a lot, but afforded little space to work his magic. Not been at his best recently. Hasn't scored in two months, either.

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  Subs & Manager

  Raphinha (5/10):

  Brought on to add attacking quality, but rather clogged the final third.

  Ferran Torres (6/10):

  Won the penalty that ultimately decided the game.

  Alejandro Balde (5/10):

  Extra legs on the left side of the pitch.

  Oriol Romeu (5/10):

  Introduced late to see out the contest.

  Xavi (6/10):

  Benched a number of big names, including Raphinha and Balde to mark his two year anniversary in the job. His side were miserable for 50 minutes, but turned it on after. The three points are promising. The performance, less so.

The midfielder was limited to a bench role at the 2022 World Cup, so how can that change during this cycle?

For the first time since Gregg Berhalter's return, Gio Reyna is back with the United States men's national team. That comes with plenty of obvious talking points centering around the pair's off-the-field relationship. Can they repair what was fixed? What will that look like? What will it take for everyone involved to move past a situation that became so ugly?

That's the off-field portion, though, and, while it is a priority, that's not the only piece of this puzzle that need's figuring out. At some point, Berhalter and Reyna will need to figure out the problem that got everyone into this mess in the first place: When the USMNT is healthy and in-form, is there a spot for Reyna in the starting XI? And, if so, where exactly?

At the World Cup, the answer to the first part of that question was 'no', and it ultimately led us down the winding path that followed. When assessing his options, Berhalter did not see Reyna as a player that should be a starter in the biggest of moments. It may not have been handled well by anyone involved, but that was the decision that was made.

Now, nearly one year later, what's changed? And, more importantly, what can change on the way to the Copa America and the next World Cup?

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  Reyna's role on the road to Qatar

  Throughout Berhalter's first tenure in charge of the USMNT, Reyna was used primarily as a winger. The Borussia Dortmund star isn't a wide player in the traditional sense, though. He's not the get-to-the-byline type, nor the type that hugs the sideline to stretch out defenses.

  No, Reyna's game saw him drift inside more than, say, Tim Weah. While Weah stretches defenses, Reyna's job was more about creating as he would drift inside and serve as a playmaker. Reyna's biggest asset is his ability to make things happen in the final third, and he's showed that plenty of times for club and country.

  However, as World Cup qualifying began last cycle, the USMNT had to go long stretches without Reyna due to injury issues. And, as the World Cup rolled around, it was soon made apparent that his role in Qatar would be a reduced one.

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  World Cup disaster

  Anyone who follows American soccer knows the story by now. Reyna, early on, was told that he wouldn't play a big role at the World Cup. He didn't take it well and, soon after, everything began to spiral. Audio was leaked, a domestic violence incident came to light, a friendship was destroyed and a national team was plunged into chaos.

  Yet, for all of the off-field chaos, it began with Berhalter's on-field decision. When assessing his roster, the coach decided what he wanted on the wings, and it didn't include Reyna. On one side was Christian Pulisic, who, let's be honest, is undroppable. On the other was Weah, whose speed and directness would give the U.S. a threat they would lack from their other two forwards. The decision paid off almost immediately, as Weah scored the opener against Wales and generally had a good tournament.

  Reyna, meanwhile, was left on the outside looking in. It was later revealed that his reaction to being benched was far from ideal. That, hopefully, is all in the past now, though, as Reyna and Berhalter work through their issues.

  What isn't in the past just yet, though, is what led to Reyna falling a bit behind in the first place: his struggles with staying healthy.

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  Fitness issues

  Reyna's biggest issue throughout the last several years has been his own body. Unfortunately for him, it's broken down on him at some of the worst possible moments.

  He missed nearly all of World Cup qualifying, although the U.S. did the business without him, and then missed chunks of the 2022-23 season with Dortmund. To start this season, Reyna was also out as he recovered from an injury suffered during the USMNT's Nations League triumph.

  They say the best ability is availability and, despite all of the ability that Reyna does possess, he hasn't been available enough. The hope is that that will change as he grows into his body, allowing him to take the next step everyone believes he can.

  But where will that next step be positionally? Well, there are a few options…

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  Multiple positions

  Reyna can play in a variety of spots on the field, and each comes with its own positives and negatives. He was pencilled in to just one of those spots, on the wing, last cycle, but according to Berhalter, that could change as this 2026 run gets underway.

  "In terms of Gio, we see him being able to play three positions: central midfielder, attacking midfielder and winger," he said. "We use wingers in different ways. Sometimes the wingers are wide against the line and sometimes they're in between the lines. We see him as more of an in-between-the-lines winger, so those are the three positions he can be utilized in."

West Ham United are just one point away from sealing a place in the Europa League next season.

It has been one phenomenal turnaround in fortunes for the east Londoners under David Moyes. After steering them clear of relegation with one game to spare last campaign, the Irons have soared into the top half of the table and were largely in the running for a top four berth until recently.

Injuries seriously hampered their chances of beating some big names to fourth place, but the Scotsman still deserves plenty of credit.

The 58-year-old’s shrewd business in the transfer market has played a major role, and there isn’t a better case in point than Tomas Soucek, who has quickly established himself as one of the most commanding box-to-box midfielders in the Premier League.

David Sullivan, David Gold and the rest of the Hammers hierarchy have really struck gold with the 26-year-old sensation.

In January 2020, Moyes made the decision to sign the relatively unknown Czech Republic international on an initial six-month loan deal, which contained a €21m (£18m) option to buy. That was duly triggered and West Ham have never looked back since.

Upon Soucek’s arrival at the London Stadium, Moyes waxed lyrical about his credentials, telling the club’s official website: “I think that he gives us a lot of different qualities, but most importantly he fits the profile of the player we want to bring to the Club. He is young and hungry but with an established pedigree and proven talent.

“He was captain of Slavia Prague, he’s played as a defensive midfielder but he’s scored a lot of goals as an attacking midfielder as well. At the moment he ticks a lot of boxes.”

Indeed, Moyes has not been wrong as Soucek’s transfer value has already soared to £36m, as per Transfermarkt, which is double what West Ham paid for him. This has come down to his impressive and consistent performances on the pitch.

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Speaking about the midfielder’s first full season in the English top flight, former Hammers striker Marlon Harewood handed Soucek a glowing endorsement. During an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, he said: “Yeah, best signing of the season by far and he’s got everything. His stats say everything really when you compare them to anyone else in the league.”

It is hard to disagree with such claims, and that only further reinforces how the Irons have struck a dream deal with the 33-time international.

As per Transfermarkt, Soucek has delivered 13 goals in 53 appearances, despite often playing in a deeper midfield role alongside Declan Rice. His 6 foot 4 frame has seen him top the charts this season for aerial duels won per game (6.1) and he’s not too far behind for tackles (2.1 per game) and interceptions (1.6 per game), via WhoScored.

He is the only Irons player to feature from start to finish in every league game (barring a token minute after he was sent off in stoppage time against Fulham, a red card which was later rescinded), while he ranks first for duels contested and second for blocks by a midfielder in the league.

Soucek’s recent outings have led former Everton winger Yannick Bolasie to question why he isn’t being named in many pundits’ ‘Team of the Season’, as he tweeted: “How I’m not seeing Soucek in any teams of the season is a madness….the guy’s been unplayable.”

Such form has led to inevitable interest from some of the European giants, including current Champions League holders Bayern Munich, according to TEAMtalk.

Either way, the Irons are either going to keep hold of his lucrative talents for the next few seasons, or they will make mega profit on his signature. It’s a win-win, and everyone at the club deserves credit.

What a signing he has been.

AND in other news, Moyes must land 6 ft 4 forward who’s “out of this world”, it won’t cost GSB a penny…

The former AC Milan loanee showed that Carlo Ancelotti's side can survive without their star man, at least against La Liga's lesser sides

Brahim Diaz deputised admirably for the rested Jude Bellingham, scoring Real Madrid's opener and proving a creative nuisance in the middle of the park as they comfortably saw off an ambitious Las Palmas side on Wednesday. The attacking midfielder, making his first Madrid start in La Liga since 2019, proved that his team, if nothing else, have a viable alternative when Bellingham needs a rest.

Madrid came close early on, Rodrygo stinging the palms of goalkeeper Alvaro Valles after the home side won the ball in the Las Palmas box. There were further chances, too, as Joselu was denied twice in quick succession, and Brahim squandered a one-on-one.

But the midfielder kept his composure in first-half stoppage-time, firing a shot into the top corner off a Lucas Vazquez cut-back. Madrid then doubled their advantage early in the second half, with Joselu nodding Rodrygo's cross into the top corner after a flowing move.

Things died down after Brahim was replaced shortly before the hour mark, as Los Blancos created admittedly less, and had few chances. Still, they snagged three vital points in La Liga to overtake Barcelona, but stay behind surprise leaders – and their opponents this Saturday – Girona.

GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Santiago Bernabeu…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Kepa Arrizabalaga (7/10):

  Didn't have much to do whatsoever. Will take the clean sheet.

  Nacho (6/10):

  Didn't offer much attacking threat on the right, and looked far more comfortable at centre-back.

  Antonio Rudiger (8/10):

  A very composed performance at the heart of defence. After starting the season as a third choice, he might be the only fit option going forward.

  David Alaba (6/10):

  Solid before going off injured shortly before half-time. A worrying one.

  Ferland Mendy (6/10):

  Preferred over Fran Garcia, and was steady, if unspectacular.

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  Midfield

  Aurelien Tchouameni (7/10):

  Solid at the base of midfield, completing 90 percent of his passes. Put in a few nice tackles, too.

  Federico Valverde (7/10):

  His burst of pace in the middle was invaluable, and he distributed well, too. Faded a bit after moving to the right.

  Eduardo Camavinga (7/10):

  Constantly involved, and made plenty of driving runs from midfield. Completed the most dribbles in the match.

  Brahim Diaz (8/10):

  Stepped in for the rested Bellingham. Missed a couple of chances early before taking his goal well. A solid performance that outlined his credentials for further opportunities.

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  Attack

  Rodrygo (8/10):

  Active around the box, assisted Joselu's goal. His understanding with the big striker is constantly improving. Was even better when playing alongside Vinicius.

  Joselu (7/10):

  Had three efforts wonderfully saved in the first half. Scored with his first effort after the break — a deserved goal.

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  Subs & Manager

  Lucas Vazquez (6/10):

  Introduced for the injured Alaba. Set up Madrid's first.

  Dani Ceballos (7/10):

  Made his first appearance of the season after struggling with a knock. Turned in an excellent 25 minute showing.

  Vinicius Jr (6/10):

  Back from injury quicker than expected and looked a little rusty.

  Toni Kroos (6/10):

  Pinged the ball around for 20 minutes.

  Fran Garcia (7/10):

  Came on when the game was won. Looks better when he doesn't have to defend as much.

  Carlo Ancelotti (8/10):

  Made a bold call to bench Bellingham, but Madrid had enough about them to win. He will undoubtedly be pleased by Brahim's impact, as well as Vinicius' promising cameo. Madrid haven't played particularly well, and have still won six of seven.

Gary Neville was left outraged by the red card shown to Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones in the first half of their clash against Tottenham.

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• Jones initially given yellow card
• Changed to red after VAR review
• Decision angered pundit Neville

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Jones was initially shown a yellow card for a challenge on Yves Bissouma, but play was delayed as VAR reviewed the challenge. Referee Simon Hooper was soon called over to have a look at the replay and the punishment was soon upgraded to a red card.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The sending off was a key moment in the game as Jones was sent off just 26 minutes in with the match still tied at 0-0.

  Less than 10 minutes later, Luis Diaz had the ball in the net for Liverpool, but it was ruled out for offside and, shortly afterwards, Spurs went up to the other end and snuck in the opening goal through Son Heung-min.

• WHAT THEY SAID

  Neville predicted that the red card would be a turning point as he said it would spoil the match during the VAR review.

  "A yellow is right, they are checking it. [VAR is] showing [referee Simon Hooper] the end motion, which looks bad," Neville said while on commentary duty for . "That's not how it's ended up there. His foot just slips off the top of the ball. Not for me a red card. He's probably going to get one and it's going to ruin the game, probably.

  "You can slow it down all day long and it looks like a leg breaker but I think he's gone in genuinely and his foot's just slipped over the top of the ball. My initial reaction as an ex player was that wasn't a player looking to do the opposition player."

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  After Saturday's game, Liverpool are in action against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League on Thursday, while Tottenham's next match is away to Luton on October 7.

Former Leeds United defender Danny Mills believes that Raphinha can get even better for the Whites, having shone in his first season at the club.

The Lowdown: Superb first season

The Brazilian joined Leeds from Rennes last autumn and has undoubtedly been one of the Whites’ key performers this season. Raphinha has scored six goals and registered eight assists in the Premier League in 2020/21, catching the eye with his silky touch and dribbling ability.

The Latest: Raphinha tipped to get even better

Speaking to Football Insider, Mills claimed that the 24-year-old – who he dubbed a “class player” – could now go up another gear for the Whites next season. He said:

“He’s had his first season in the Premier League now it’s about building that robustness to play at that level week in, week out. The experience of this season will stand him in good stead for next year.

“We’ve talked about it many times, Bielsa almost works his teams to death at times. They are incredibly fit but it does mean, from time to time, new players who aren’t as used to it are going to break down and are going to pick up little injuries.

“After a season you’d expect those little bumps in the road to be ironed out and he can have a real good tilt at it next season.”

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The Verdict: Vital figure for Leeds

As Mills has hinted, Raphinha may potentially have dipped a little in recent times, with a relentless season taking its toll as he has now gone four matches without scoring, but he is a huge player for Leeds moving forward.

When foreign imports come to England, they can sometimes struggle to adapt to life in the Premier League. However, the Leeds winger has hit the ground running, with Tony Cascarino describing him as ‘incredible’.

His knowledge of the league should, as Mills said, “stand him in good stead” for next term, although he must avoid the footballing equivalent of a difficult second album, and hopefully he can continue to excel with his end product and all-round effectiveness.

In other news, Leeds are reportedly eyeing up another left-back – find out who it is here.

The troubling accusations against the Brazilian have rocked Erik ten Hag's side but the manager has a number of options in the winger's absence

After another bad start to the Premier League season compounded by an injury crisis and damage to the club's image following their handling of the Mason Greenwood situation, the last thing Manchester United needed was fresh allegations of assault against Antony.

The latest accusations against the Brazilian winger, which he denies, have shocked the football world and United fans, leading to yet more criticism of how the club deals with serious allegations against their players.

The saga has also impacted the team directly as United have decided to give Antony a leave of absence while he deals with the allegations, leaving Erik ten Hag without a player who he pushed the club to sign for £85 million ($106m) little more than a year ago.

Even though Antony had not scored or provided an assist this season, he is highly valued by Ten Hag due to his defensive work and he had started all four of United's Premier League games. However, his absence presents a big opportunity to other members of Ten Hag's squad, who now have a chance to prove their worth and seize the vacant position in the starting XI.

GOAL assesses the manager's options ahead of a crucial run of matches, with United hosting Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday before kicking off their Champions League campaign against Bayern Munich on Wednesday…

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  Push Bruno Fernandes out to the right again

  The most obvious option available to Ten Hag – and arguably the most likely outcome – is to do what he has done on the previous occasions when Antony has been absent: play Bruno Fernandes on the right. This is what the Dutchman did in the FA Cup final against Manchester City (United lost 2-1) and the league matches against City, Aston Villa and Leicester last season, all of which United ended up winning.

  The only problem is that this risks pushing Fernandes, arguably United's most important player, too far away from the action and limiting how much he can influence the team's play. It also does not play to the captain's strengths as he lacks the pace of most wide players and is better suited to playing as a No.10 or a No.8.

  Although Fernandes has proved he is willing to play in any role where he is needed, and is more than happy to sacrifice his creativity to help the team, the last thing the coach will want to do is clip the wings of his talisman, who dragged United to victory in their last home outing against Nottingham Forest while playing as a No.10.

  Fernandes also produced a dominant performance for Portugal against Luxembourg in the No.8 role on the right of a three-man midfield, scoring once and contributing three assists in the 9-0 drubbing.

  The arrival of Sofyan Amrabat should mean the team are less exposed in midfield if Fernandes is called upon to immediately fill Antony's position, but it is clear this is not a long-term solution to what could well be a long-term problem.

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  Give Jadon Sancho a second chance

  The report that shined more light on the allegations against Antony appeared less than 24 hours after Sancho had opened up a rift with Ten Hag after the Arsenal game and gave United yet another headache.

  Sancho's days at the club appeared numbered after he accused Ten Hag of making him a scapegoat in an unwise social media post, and he came close to joining Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq just before the Saudi Pro League's transfer window shut. However, Antony's leave of absence comes at the perfect time for Sancho, opening up a spot in his position in the starting XI and giving him the chance to put his dispute with Ten Hag behind him.

  Sancho has not come close to living up to his £74m ($92m) transfer fee since switching from Borussia Dortmund in 2021 but he has had his moments. If he can knuckle down and work hard, putting his history of poor time-keeping behind him, then he can play his way back into the side.

  The big question is whether Ten Hag can forgive the winger for embarrassing him by speaking back to him in a public forum. The Dutchman is famously ruthless with players who question his authority or underperform and Sancho has been guilty on both counts.

  But, compared to the alleged crimes Antony is being accused of, Sancho's misdemeanours can surely be put to one side. And the winger has taken the first step towards reconciliation by deleting the offending social media post. Even though Ten Hag is right to be furious with the 23-year-old after being patient and sensitive with him last season, he cannot afford to completely discard a player of his talent. Especially after losing Antony.

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  Start Alejandro Garnacho again

  Replacing Antony with Garnacho would appeal to many fans as the Argentine has captured supporters' imagination ever since leading United's under-18 side to the FA Youth Cup in 2022, then having a stunning breakthrough last season.

  Indeed, from only a handful of starts and substitutes' appearances, he managed to get five goals and five assists in all competitions, compared to Antony's eight goals and three assists despite starting practically every match.

  The problem is that Garnacho is far more effective off the bench than when starting. Of his 10 goal contributions, eight of them came in matches when he was a substitute. See how he put the ball in the net against Arsenal in United's last outing – the goal was eventually ruled out for offside – less than four minutes after coming on.

  Contrast that with his starts against Wolves and Tottenham, in which he mustered only one shot on target and struggled to combine effectively with his team-mates. He was also a liability defensively, failing to give Luke Shaw the support he needed down the left wing and not helping Casemiro in the middle either.

  There is also the fact that Garnacho usually plays off the left wing rather than the right, which Antony has vacated. However, given that Marcus Rashford will likely be occupying that role for many years to come, this could be a great opportunity for the teenager to lock down a starting berth in the team.

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  Show faith in Facundo Pellistri

  The Uruguayan returned from a loan spell in August 2022 and got a smattering of appearances last season amounting to 214 minutes, nearly all of which were as a substitute.

  It was expected that he would go out on loan again in search of more first-team action but it was eventually decided he should remain to give Ten Hag another option in attack. Indeed, the Dutchman will be hoping it's another long season full of cup opportunities after reaching the finals of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup last term, while United also made the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

  Ten Hag praised Pellistri's attitude in training last season and took him on the pre-season tour of the USA, also bringing him off the bench late in the games against Wolves and Tottenham. The 21-year-old was also included in the squad against Arsenal, unlike Sancho.

  Pellistri is quick and a confident dribbler but, rather like Garnacho, seems more effective as an impact substitute and is too inexperienced to fill Antony's boots and become a regular starter just now. But the fact Ten Hag decided to keep hold of him despite sending the talented Alvaro Fernandez out on loan to Granada shows that he believes in the player and Antony's off-field problems mean he should get far more opportunities this season, particularly in cup competitions.

The Red Devils are set to walk away from a deal for the England international – which could work in their favour

Manchester United's surprise pursuit of Mason Mount has been the story of the summer transfer window so far, with Chelsea open to a sale after reportedly seeing the midfielder turn down multiple contract extension offers. Mount's current deal is due to expire in 2024, but the Blues are still demanding over £60 million ($76m) from United, who have already had three bids rejected.

It has been reported that United are leaving their final offer of £55m ($70m) on the table, but they are determined not to overpay for a player who will be available on a free transfer in 12 months' time. Mount's 2022-23 campaign was the worst of his Chelsea career to date, too, and it's not immediately clear how he would even fit into Erik ten Hag's line up.

Mount is simply not the transformative midfield signing that United need right now. A third-place finish in the Premier League represented progress for the club in Ten Hag's first season at the helm, but world-class recruits will be needed for them to now go on and bridge the gap to champions and arch-rivals Manchester City.

Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes were standout performers for United in 2022-23, but there was a clear lack of quality alongside them in the engine room. Christian Eriksen struggled for consistency while Fred and Scott McTominay continued to divide opinion, and Bayern Munich loanee Marcel Sabitzer was nothing more than a stop-gap.

The question is, who do United turn to now? Well, as always, there are a whole host of top players being linked with summer moves to Old Trafford. Some rumours are non-starters, such as the club's reported interest in Utrecht and United States midfielder Taylor Booth, who is certainly not the right kind of profile for Ten Hag.

But there are some genuinely great options out there for United too, starting with a certain Juventus star approaching his contract expiry date…

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  Adrien Rabiot

  There is a sense of deja vu about this one for United fans, who watched on in frustration last summer as United tried and failed to sign Adrien Rabiot after a drawn-out negotiation process. The two parties were ultimately unable to reach an agreement on personal terms, with the Frenchman staying in Turin for the final year of his contract.

  Juventus endured a miserable 2022-23 season as a collective, finishing seventh in Serie A after being stung by a points penalty and exiting the Champions League at the group stage, but Rabiot excelled on an individual level. The 28-year-old recorded 11 goals and six assists in 48 appearances, the best numbers of his career to date, and it has been reported that he is now back on United's radar.

  Rabiot, who also shone for France at the 2022 World Cup, has made it clear that the Premier League holds great appeal to him. "I have always said that I would like to play in England in my career," he said in December. "Will it be at the end of my contract? I don't know, but I have this goal."

  Rabiot is an excellent ball carrier and boasts impressive physical attributes – standing at the imposing height of 6'2. He's strong, hard-working and adept when it comes to breaking up play and kick-starting attacks.

  Casemiro could certainly use a midfield partner like Rabiot, and United can snap him up for nothing after June 30. That would mean Ten Hag potentially solving his problem in the middle of the park while saving funds for a new striker and goalkeeper. No-brainer.

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  Ryan Gravenberch

  United were one of several top European clubs to track Ryan Gravenberch while he was at Ajax, but Bayern Munich ended up winning the race for his signature last summer. The German champions snapped the midfielder up for just £16m, which felt like a bargain at the time, but his maiden year at Allianz Arena didn't go according to plan.

  Gravenberch only started three Bundesliga games for Bayern last term as he toiled in vain for a regular starting berth under both Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel. The 21-year-old is already being linked with a move away from Bayern, after publically expressing his frustration over his role.

  “I want to play more… preferably at Bayern," Gravenberch recently told . "Otherwise at a club where I'll 100 percent play. That's my plan. I don't want to have another year like the one I've just had — I’ll speak to the coach in the next weeks then we will see."

  GOAL has confirmed that Liverpool have been exploring a potential £25m swoop for Gravenberch, who remains ideally suited to the Premier League. At his best, he can turn defence into attack in the blink of an eye, and his ball distribution is top-notch.

  United have also been credited with an interest in Gravenberch once again, and he might be tempted by a reunion with former Ajax boss Ten Hag. The United boss highlighted Gravenberch's qualities in his final year at Johan Cruyff ArenA, saying: “He's very important for our team because he's a box-to-box player. He accelerates out of positional play, does good dribbling, has tremendous passing ability and participates in the build-up play. Due to his athleticism and physique, he is also strong in the transition game and can also win the balls. He's come a long way, but can still learn a lot."

  If a cut-price deal can be arranged with Bayern, Gravenberch could be a shrewd addition to United's ranks. He doesn't appear to have a future in Germany, but Ten Hag will know exactly how to bring the best out of him.

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  Moises Caicedo

  United had the opportunity to sign Moises Caicedo when he was still a teenager at Independiente del Valle in January 2021, but walked away from the deal due to concerns over agents' commissions and interference from intermediaries. Brighton swooped in to sign the Ecuador international for just £4.5m a few weeks later, and United have lived to regret their decision ever since.

  Caicedo has developed into one of the best midfielders in the Premier League at the Amex Stadium, and is now being valued in excess of £80m ($102m). Arsenal went all out to try and sign the 21-year-old in the winter transfer window, but Brighton held firm on their price tag.

  It is now being reported that Chelsea and United are set to do battle for his signature, and the Red Devils may have a slight advantage if a bidding way erupts. “My dream is to play for Manchester United," Caicedo said in 2020. "Antonio Valencia is an example to follow. With his strength and dedication, he was able to get to that level. That motivates me to keep working hard and do the right things.”

  It is highly likely that Caicedo would jump at the chance if United come calling again. And he could potentially be the final piece in Ten Hag's midfielder puzzle. The Brighton star is a master at regaining possession, as he rarely mistimes a tackle and has a knack for anticipating where the ball will drop. He is also a fierce competitor and can cover a lot of ground quickly, which is why he has been compared to outgoing Chelsea star N'Golo Kante.

  Caicedo's presence could give United's attackers more freedom to do damage in the final third, and he'd be a vital shield in front of the defence. The Ecuador international will come at a high price, but he still has his whole career ahead of him, and would be worth the extra investment.

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  Mohammed Kudus

  Like Gravenberch, Mohammed Kudus is another player that benefitted from Ten Hag's wisdom during the early stages of his career. The Ghana international was given his chance in the Ajax senior team by the Dutchman in 2020, and has since scored 23 goals for the club across 84 games, winning two Eredivisie titles and the KNVB Cup.

  Kudus nailed down a starting spot at Ajax last season, and despite their downturn in form after Ten Hag's departure to United, he still managed to post his best Eredisivie scoring tally yet (11 goals). The 22-year-old still has two years left on his contract at the Johan Cruyff ArenA, but has reportedly turned down a new deal and wants a summer move.

  Arsenal, Brighton and Newcastle have been mooted as potential next destinations for Kudus, but United are reportedly in pole position to sign him. The Ten Hag factor could be key, as he hailed the former Ajax boss for aiding his development in an interview with in December. “In his style of play, creative and attacking, I saw myself," said Kudus. ">It was exactly in line with my personal qualities and how I wanted to develop.”

  Kudus typically operates as a right-winger, but he has the versatility to adapt to different systems. United could utilize his talents in an attacking midfield role, and he has far more to offer than Mount given his pace, strength and impressive dribbling skills.

  It has been reported that Ajax could let Kudus go for around £40m ($51m), but there is a risk of United being squeezed for far more. The Red Devils had to fork out almost £150m ($191m) to bring Antony and Lisandro Martinez to the club last summer, and the Eredivisie giants might not take kindly to another raid for one of their top talents.

  But Kudus could slot straight into Ten Hag's line-up, perhaps as a direct replacement for Antony, who flattered to deceive in his debut season with United. Dutch legend Marco van Basten certainly believes there is a gulf in class between the two men, as he told in February: “I find Mohammed Kudus a much better football player than Antony. Kudus has much better technique and he knows what he is doing. He is much more of a footballer, you can place him anywhere on the pitch, an all-rounder for the team. He’s more fun to watch play.”

The Champions League season is drawing to a close, so it's time to reflect on the very best goals from the 2022-23 edition

Manchester City and Inter stand 90 minutes away from footballing immortality as they prepare to do battle for the European Cup at Istanbul's Ataturk Stadium, location of one of the Champions League's greatest-ever finals. It's been another memorable year in European football's premier club competition, with drama, upsets and goals throughout – loads of goals.

The list of the very best of those strikes across the group stage and knockout rounds is inevitably littered with the very biggest names in the game, but who deserves the crown of Champions League Goal of the Season as things stand?

GOAL ranks the 21 best goals from the 2022-23 Champions League season. Enjoy!

• 21Fede Valverde (Real Madrid vs Celtic)

  This was all about technique from Real Madrid midfielder Valverde, who was having the time of his life in the first half of 2022-23. The Uruguay international didn't even require a touch as he swept home this sumptuous first-time finish in Los Blancos' group stage rout of Celtic.

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• 20Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid vs Liverpool)

  A study in how to manipulate space when you seemingly have absolutely none to work with. With Real Madrid two goals down and in dire need of a response at Anfield, Vinicius combined cutely with Karim Benzema on the edge of the box before jinking inside and curling a wonderful finish into the bottom corner, despite being surrounded by defenders.

• 19Darwin Nunez (Liverpool vs Real Madrid)

  While Darwin Nunez's debut Liverpool season didn't exactly go entirely to plan, he demonstrated his elite potential in certain moments. His opener against Real Madrid in the last 16 was a good example of that, as he dashed onto Mohamed Salah's pass and produced an instinctive flick to send the ball beyond Thibaut Courtois and Anfield into raptures.

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• 18Marcus Edwards (Sporting CP vs Tottenham)

  Marcus Edwards was a man possessed in both group-stage clashes with Spurs as he looked to prove a point against his former club. What better way to do that, then, than a wonderful individual goal back in north London? The Sporting star drove from close to the halfway line before picking out the bottom corner from range with a low drive. Perfection.

Barry Fry has told Football FanCast that Liverpool’s season has been nothing short of a “disaster”.

The club are facing a genuine battle to finish in the top four, a comedown after last season’s brilliance as they won the Premier League title at a canter.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are fighting with Chelsea, West Ham United, and Tottenham Hotspur to qualify for the Champions League, with their hopes taking a fresh blow on Saturday as they were held to a last-gasp 1-1 draw against Newcastle United at Anfield.

But they could well finish in the Europa League, as they have battled with a number of injury issues.

Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Jordan Henderson, Alisson Becker and Divock Origi have all struggled with injury issues, with the first two missing the majority of the season.

Liverpool only dropped points in six games last season, drawing three and losing three, but following the clash with Newcastle United, they have now drawn nine and lost nine.

And Fry believes that they have run out of luck this term.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, he said: “I mean, after the previous two years, where they’ve been absolutely brilliant, this season’s been a disaster in as much as he’s had horrendous injuries for a horrendously long time and things like that, everything’s gone wrong for Liverpool this season.”