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Erik ten Hag admitted that Manchester United hit the "lowest point of the season" after the 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace but vowed to "keep fighting".

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• Man Utd humiliated at Selhurst Park
• Ten Hag took responsibility for the defeat
• But also slammed players for "not following the plan"

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  United suffered one of their worst defeats of the season at Selhurst Park, where Michael Olise stole the show with a remarkable two-goal display. Olise's brilliance, coupled with goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell, compounded United's misery, with the 4-0 drubbing leaving them in eighth place in the Premier League standings and out of the European qualification spots. However, Ten Hag is still not ready to throw in the towel and insisted that he will give his all to turn around the fortunes of the club.

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  WHAT TEN HAG SAID

  In the aftermath of the defeat, when Ten Hag was asked if he was the right man for the job, he responded affirmatively, stating: "Absolutely. The right players are there. We have a good squad. I will keep fighting. I prepared the team in the best way I could. It was not good enough, it was by far not good enough. I have to take the responsibility for that. But I will find energy and I will prepare them for Sunday's game."

  When further pressed if he thought the defeat was the lowest point of the season so far, he stated: "Yes. It was very poor how we gave the goals away, especially when we prepared the team and the conceding of the first goal is very disappointing. How easy and the easy giveaways. That shouldn't happen and certainly not in the circumstances we are in because we have problems but then we have to help each other out. It is very disappointing. Under-performing. Definitely the worst defeat."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Although Ten Hag took responsibility for the defeat, the Dutch manager believes that the players should also take their fair share of the blame as they made "big mistakes" and did not follow "the plan and the script."

  "We should have done better," he said. "We are aware as a team performance, we were not correct, making big mistakes and not following the plan and the script. And the rules we have. Of course also individual mistakes, but then we should cover each other which we didn't do. We let each other down and then you get the worst defeat.

  "This was the fourth defeat in 2024, so far, you have always seen a team that was following a script, we had a lot of wins and were hard to beat, and today we weren't hard to beat. Yes, I am sure they had the right intention, they were eager from the start, but once we were playing we didn't perform, individuals didn't perform and as a team, we didn't perform."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  The Red Devils will slump to their lowest-ever Premier League points tally under the watch of Ten Hag as they can only reach 63 – a point less than the 2013-14 campaign when they finished seventh.

Emma Hayes is geared up for a "fitting finale" to her Chelsea career with the Blues set to play for the WSL title against Manchester United.

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• Hayes set for her final game at Chelsea
• Could end tenure on a high by lifting WSL trophy
• Will take charge of the USWNT in the summer

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  In what promises to be a thrilling climax to the season, Hayes aims to cap her 12-year tenure at Chelsea with one final piece of silverware. Chelsea's recent 1-0 victory over Tottenham put the reigning champions back in control of their destiny. Maika Hamano's decisive first-half strike ensured the Blues reclaimed the top spot in the table, setting up a nail-biting showdown with Manchester United in the season finale.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The win was a crucial turnaround for Chelsea, who just two weeks ago saw their title hopes waver after a late collapse against Liverpool. However, a twist in the title race emerged when Arsenal staged a dramatic comeback to defeat then-league-leaders Manchester City, reigniting Chelsea's aspirations. Chelsea capitalized on this opportunity with a commanding 8-0 victory over Bristol City, propelling them back into the title race with renewed vigour.

• WHAT HAYES SAID

  Hayes is ready to soak it all in for the final time in the Chelsea dugout. As she prepares for yet another title decider, her confidence in her team's ability to rise to the occasion remains unshaken. "Winning titles on the final day of the season is nothing new for Chelsea," Hayes told BBC Sport. "Trying to do it again on Saturday won't faze me."

  Acknowledging the challenge ahead, Hayes conceded, "I think we have the tougher of the two games. We have to go to Old Trafford and it's a fitting finale for me, being my final game. As I said to the players, if someone gives you a second chance in life, make sure you don't need a third one. We're in the position we want to be in, and we'll give it everything on Saturday no matter what."

  Nonetheless, the emotional toll of her farewell and the rigours of the Chelsea job is evident. When asked if she was ready for the occasion, she candidly replied, "I won't swear but I'm absolutely knackered. Knackered."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Hayes' departure from Chelsea marks the end of an era. The 47-year-old has been a transformative figure in women's football, leading Chelsea to four consecutive WSL titles and establishing the club as a dominant force in the sport. Yet, the anticipation is palpable as the season culminates in a decisive matchday. Chelsea's fate will be determined not only by their performance at Old Trafford but also by the outcome of Manchester City's match against Aston Villa – as the Blues find themselves level on points but marginally ahead on goal difference. Hayes' next chapter will see her take charge of the United States women's national team.

Ange Postecoglou will be delighted with his Tottenham Hotspur side's victory over Newcastle United on Sunday evening, ending an abject run of form that had seen four losses and one draw from five Premier League matches.

This bout of results highlighted Spurs' fragility, still beset with residual problems from last year's eighth-placed finish, before the Australian's summer appointment.

The quality is there – such was evidenced following the tremendous ascent to the top of the table over the first months of the campaign – but reinforcements are needed in January if the London club are to fashion an impressive end to the term.

Tottenham transfer news – Samuel Iling-Junior

According to a recent report from Football Insider, Tottenham have bustled their way into pole position to sign Juventus winger Samuel Iling-Junior, with the young Englishman causing quite the storm with his precocious performances.

The 20-year-old is also on Newcastle United's radar but appears to be more likely to head to London, with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy making the player his top priority for the January transfer window.

It's understood that the Old Lady would be willing to accept a £20m offer for Iling-Junior, whose contract in Turin expires in 2025, which makes for an affordable and interesting proposition for Postecoglou and co to consider.

How Samuel Iling-Junior compares to James Maddison

Iling-Junior is a former Chelsea academy prospect who departed for pastures new in Italy, learning his craft with Juventus and since wedging his way into first-team reckoning, albeit very much on the periphery this term with no starts in the league, though he has placed one assist.

Praised for his "flamboyant" style by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Iling-Junior is versatile and endowed with electric pace, with Old Lady manager Massimiliano Allegri fielding him both as a left-back and further up the channel during his time at the club.

Given that the £11k-per-week star is left-footed, Iling-Junior tends to linger out wide and stick to the touchline, where he can unleash balls into the box and stretch opposition defences, making good on his skill as an "assist machine", as was said by journalist Michele Neri.

As per FBref, the talented dynamo ranks among the top 4% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 16% for shot-creating actions, the top 17% for progressive carries, the top 14% for successful take-ons and the top 11% for tackles per 90.

This range of abilities highlights just how well he could perform in Postecoglou's fluid Spurs side, perhaps even proving to be a repeat of the summer deal to sign James Maddison from Leicester City for £40m in the summer.

Now, while Iling-Junior's compatriot is also among the finest creators in the Premier League, having been described as a "magician" by Statman Dave and creating a remarkable 2.9 key passes per game, assisting five times, to draw concrete comparisons is rather tenuous.

But both are exciting attacking outlets and, more importantly, Iling-Junior is being pursued by Newcastle, just as Maddison was before Spurs snapped up his signature.

The Magpies failed with a £50m offer in 2022 and ultimately missed out when Postecoglou made his move, but it must be one that Eddie Howe rues given that the 26-year-old is among the most influential players on English shores.

Having moved into pole position for Iling-Junior, the Lilywhites could repeat the feat, and must now do so to continue the resurgence and cement a permanent spot among the leading names at the forefront of the division.

Nottingham Forest are close to securing a January signing after it emerged that Nuno Espirito Santo's side are in advanced talks with the man in question, according to a report.

Nottingham Forest prepare for the transfer window…

Change has engulfed Nottingham Forest in recent times as Nuno has replaced Steve Cooper in the dugout; nonetheless, the East Midlands-based outfit defeated Newcastle United on Boxing Day to breathe new life into their faltering Premier League campaign.

Nonetheless, focus will soon turn to their endeavours in the January transfer window once the Tricky Trees conclude their next fixture against Manchester United on Saturday.

Nottingham Forest accept bid for "creative" player

It hasn’t worked out at The City Ground.

By
Charlie Smith

Dec 22, 2023

Following the clash against Erik ten Hag's outfit, Forest will have nine days before taking on Blackpool in the FA Cup, paving the way for some potential business to be done in that period. According to reports earlier this month, Sunderland midfielder Pierre Ekwah has emerged as a midfield target at the City Ground.

In more recent times, Genoa defender Radu Dragusin has also been mentioned in connection with Nottingham Forest as a prospective arrival by reports in Italy. The outlet claim that Tottenham Hotspur are also keen on the Romania international, who will not be allowed to leave for less than €25 million. Contact has been made regarding the 21-year-old; however, it is unclear whether either side would be willing to stretch to that fee.

Rumours may continue to do the rounds in the coming weeks concerning transfer dealings in the East Midlands as Nuno settles into life at the club. Now, he looks close to making a breakthrough on his first signing at the club in the form of an attacking player, according to a report.

Nottingham Forest closing in on Gelson Martins…

According to reports in Portugal, Nottingham Forest are closing in on the signing of AS Monaco winger Gelson Martins, who has just six months left to run on his contract at The Stade Louis-II.

Despite receiving advances from the United States and teams in Russia, it is believed that the former Portugal international is now in advanced talks to move to the City Ground on a permanent transfer.

Labelled "incisive" by former boss Diego Simeone, the 28-year-old hasn't featured for Monaco this term and joining compatriot Nuno on a new venture at Nottingham Forest could be the ideal tonic to get his career back on track. Despite his lack of involvement at the principality side, the Cape Verde-born wideman did show an eye for goal last campaign, recording around 1.1 shots on goal per game in Ligue 1 (Martins statistics – Sofascore).

The Tricky Trees could do with more options in the final third and it now appears that they have acted to strengthen a position where they have been fairly light on numbers heading into the second half of the season, so a move for Martins will be one to watch in the New Year.

JJ Watt admits that shock talk of Vincent Kompany leaving Burnley for Bayern Munich is filling the “adrenaline void” created by his NFL retirement.

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• American football icon involved with Clarets
• Could be about to lose head coach
• Belgian boss reportedly wanted in Bavaria

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The American football legend is accustomed to facing the stresses of life in professional sport. He forged a successful career out of facing those challenges head on, but has been forced to branch out after hanging up his cleats in the States for the final time.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Watt, along with his former USWNT star wife Kealia, acquired a stake in Burnley as Kompany was guiding them to the Championship title in 2022-23. The highs of that promotion-winning campaign have been countered by relegation out of the Premier League in 2024.

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  WHAT JJ WATT SAID

  There may be more bad news on the way at Turf Moor, with former Manchester City captain Kompany supposedly ready to swap Lancashire for Munich and an opportunity to work with Harry Kane and Co at Bayern. Watt has responded to those rumours by posting on social media: “People often ask if European football ownership helps fill the adrenaline void from playing…There are definitely days!”

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• WHAT NEXT?

  Watt and the rest of Burnley’s board may be about to find themselves in the market for a new manager, with the Clarets preparing to enter a busy summer that will also deliver plenty of movement on the transfer front as they ready themselves for life back in the second tier of English football.

Lionel Messi bagged his 11th goal of the MLS season Wednesday evening, firing home a low-driven effort in a loss to Atlanta United.

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• Miami falls to Atlanta 3-1
• Messi scores 11th of MLS season
• Herons hosting first of two games in 4 days

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Argentine cut in on his left foot, took one touch and let go a belter of a low-driven effort, finding the bottom corner of the net. It was his 11th goal of the MLS season.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Argentine's goal brought them back into the match in the second half, making it 2-1 in the 62nd minute. They had conceded two prior, with both goals being shots from outside the box by Georgia international Saba Lobzhanidze.

  The Herons couldn't fight back, though, as Jamal Thiare scored to make it 3-1, leading Atlanta to victory.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MIAMI?

  The Herons take on St. Louis CITY SC Saturday evening at Chase Stadium. They'll invite the Western Conference side over to their ground as they look to continue their hot May form.

Leeds United appear to want to sign a new attacker this month and are seemingly eyeing up a loan move for an international forward.

Leeds transfer news

The 49ers Enterprises, Nick Hammond and Gretar Steinsson could be active in Yorkshire during the January transfer window, looking to bolster Daniel Farke’s squad for the second half of the Championship campaign. However, the manager has played down a frantic winter window, but said the club “won’t fall asleep” over possible moves.

“I expect a much more quiet and calm January to the last transfer period for example. We wish for a quiet January, but won’t fall asleep and when there are decisions to make, we will also make decisions and you never know what happens. I have been working too long in this business not to rule anything out.”

EFL Championship done deals: Every January 2024 transfer

As the January transfer window closes, FFC has you covered for every in and out involving your club in the EFL Championship.

By
Luke Randall

Feb 1, 2024

A new left-back could be of interest to the Whites, and reports have claimed that Leeds have already held talks over a move to sign Hellas Verona full-back Josh Doig. Spezia goalkeeper Bartomej Dragowski is another rumoured target for the Whites, whereas those at Elland Road appear ready to make a move for Hammarby defender Nathaniel Adjei. However, additions in the final third could also be made to rival the likes of Joel Piroe, Georginio Rutter and Patrick Bamford, with an update emerging in the last 48 hours.

Leeds linked with Kieffer Moore

According to The Sun, Bournemouth are open to letting Kieffer Moore leave the club this month, with a number of Championship clubs linked, including Leeds. They say that the Wales international's £40,000-a-week wage could result in a loan exit, with the Whites, Birmingham City, Cardiff City, Ipswich Town, Middlesbrough, Sunderland and West Brom all named as possible destinations.

A new centre-forward arriving at Leeds could surprise some, especially with the likes of Piroe, Rutter, Bamford and Mateo Joseph all available to Farke.

However, Moore has plenty of Championship experience and helped the Cherries to promotion in 2021/22, so could be open to helping Leeds target an immediate Premier League return. The 31-year-old was previously praised by former Cherries boss Scott Parker, who called the 31-year-old a striker who is “horrible to play against”.

“I think Kieffer is probably a little bit of a throwback in that sense. He’s probably a modern day nine in his stature and his profile, he’s mobile, you can get things into him and he can bring players into play. But certainly, he is horrible to play against.”

Parker also added:

“He makes it uncomfortable for you. He can threaten you in behind, in terms of because of his mobileness and he can then come into feet and hold the ball up, make it stick and bring in other players into play as well. So he’s an all round nine.”

Moore is an out-and-out striker, so Leeds could be better off targeting a creative attacking midfielder to supply Piroe and Rutter, with the likes of Crysencio Summerville and Dan James continuing out wide.

Gary O’Neil will be pleased with the progress his Wolves side has made this season.

The Old Gold have shown a togetherness that allows them to play as a team rather than individuals, and that was on show against Brentford in the 1-1 FA Cup draw last weekend.

Despite being 11th in the Premier League, the Wanderers will look to strengthen their squad in January.

Wolves transfers latest – striker hunt at Molineux

According to The Athletic, Wolves are interested in signing Danny Ings on loan from West Ham.

The Wanderers have been keeping an eye on Ings’ situation, but talks are yet to begin between the clubs. As a result, we may have to wait until later in the winter window to see if things develop into a formal offer for the player.

The deal is allegedly dependent on Michael Antonio’s recovery from injury, with the Irons forward reportedly out for the best part of six weeks.

All confirmed Premier League done deals: January transfer window 2024

With the January transfer window coming towards its conclusion, FFC has all the info for tracking your club’s winter transfer activity.

By
Luke Randall

Feb 1, 2024

How Danny Ings compares to Raul Jimenez

Sasa Kalajdzic was the latest player signed in an attempt to replace the goals that Raul Jimenez brought in the 2019/20 Premier League season (17). However, the 6 foot 6 striker has just joined Eintracht Frankfurt on loan after failing to secure a place in the starting XI. He joins a pretty wretched list of forward players who have simply failed to make the grade in the Midlands.

Therefore, Ings could be drafted in as a short-term fix to a long-term issue, who coincidentally is a similar player to Wolves icon Jimenez according to FBref’s similar players model.

The former Liverpool player has struggled with injuries throughout his career, but he has only missed one game since the start of 2021.

Despite being available, the 31-year-old has failed to nail down a spot in the starting XI at West Ham, with either Antonio or Jarrod Bowen being preferred in the number nine role, which has led to Ings playing just 108 minutes in the Premier League this season. Wolves, therefore, could offer him a valuable short-term exit.

The West Ham striker would bring experience and goals to the Wolves attack, as according to one football writer Ings is a “clinical finisher," and in fairness, the table below does prove that he knows how to put the ball in the back of the net, notably in the Premier League.

Ings is the definition of a goal-scorer, but his technique and ball-striking ability are what make him so dangerous.

Indeed, if the striker gets half a chance, he will most likely bury it, which is needed when playing for a side like Wolves, who have created the 12th most big chances in the Premier League this season. This makes him like Jimenez, who has overperformed his xG this season for Fulham.

But just how do they compare specifically? Well, when it comes to how involved they are in the play, where they take their shots from, passing and carrying, there's not much to separate the pair.

Overall, the potential signing of Ings is by far from one that the Wolves faithful will be extremely excited about, but given the fact that Hwang Hee-chan will be their only available striker for the rest of the season (when he returns from the AFC Asian Cup), the move does seem smart.

AFC Asian Cup 2023: Every Premier League & Scottish Premiership player going

With the AFC Asian Cup 2023 now upon us, FFC takes a look at which players from the Premier League and Scottish Premiership will feature.

By
Luke Randall

Jan 2, 2024

Even if he doesn’t feature heavily. This transfer has absolutely no risk attached, and therefore, there can only be an upside to the loan.

Lionel Messi is expected to feature against St Louis City before departing for the Copa America with Argentina.

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• Messi declared fit
• Expected to play vs St Louis City
• Final game before Copa America

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Both Messi and Luis Suarez are expected to feature in the upcoming clash against St Louis City this weekend. The fixture will be the final game the playmaker can feature in before he joins up with the Argentinian national team for the upcoming Copa America tournament.

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  WHAT MORALES SAID

  Inter Miami's assistant manager Javier Morales offered an update on Messi during Friday's press conference, saying: "Everyone is optimum to play.Today we will train, and the coaching staff will watch players but there is no physical problem. Afterwards we will talk to the players but most of all Gerardo Martino will feel the game, and what it needs. But we will play the strongest team to conclude this part of the season strongly before the international window…But everyone is fit and wants to play."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Messi and Suarez both featured in the recent 3-1 loss to Atlanta United, with the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star scoring the consolation goal on the evening.

  Miami still sit at the top of the Eastern Conference, but their lead on Cincinnati is just one point. The Herons will now have to try and extend this gap without Messi, who could be away from the team until July 14.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

  After facing St Louis City, Messi will link up with his World Cup-winning team-mates for friendlies against Ecuador and Guatemala. He will then embark on defending the Copa America title he won in 2021. Peru, Chile and Canada are the other teams that make up Group A. The first fixture in the group stages will be against Canada on June 21 and will be held at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Atlanta.

Manchester United are set to see numerous faces leave the club this January, but incomings are not guaranteed with a rocky financial fair play situation staring the club in the face.

That said, Erik ten Hag is desperate to find a solution to his side's attacking issues, which has seen them score just 24 goals in 21 Premier League games.

Therefore, the Red Devils could look to secure a deal for a new number nine in January.

Man Utd’s search for a striker

According to Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg via X, Ten Hag is keen to sign Brian Brobbey this month, rather than in the summer.

The Dutch forward has been in contact with United since the summer, and he appreciates his former boss.

However, due to Brobbey’s contract until 2027, Ajax want to keep hold of their star striker until the end of the season at least. It's also thought the exciting Joshua Zirkzee is on the list.

How Brian Brobbey could revive Marcus Rashford

This season, Marcus Rashford has looked and performed like a player who is lost for confidence and lacking ideas, which is a shock considering he netted 17 goals in the Premier League last campaign.

Yet, unfortunately, this time around, the number ten has only scored four times in 20 league matches.

That said, he has shown signs of improvement recently, and he has scored in United’s last two Premier League matches, but a player who could fully revive Rashford is Brobbey, who has been unbelievable this season, leading the line at Ajax to devastating effect.

Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig alluded to the fact that Brobbey “loves to score" and that is most definitely highlighted by his nine goals in 16 Eredivisie matches this term. The table below shows some of Brobbey’s statistics from the last 365 days and how he compares to positional peers across leagues most similar to the Dutch top flight.

As we can extract from the data, the ex-Leipzig forward is the definition of a modern-day target man who thrives in and around the box, using his strength and goal-scoring instincts to cause chaos.

Rashford is one of United’s most creative outlets, as shown by the fact he’s created the second-highest number of chances for the team this season (6), Therefore having a true number nine who is reliable in front of goal would take the decision-making away from the England star in some situations and allow his creativity to flourish.

Brobbey, notably described as a "beast" by scout Jacek Kulig, also ranks highly for key passes, assists, and shot-creating actions, which proves he can elevate others with his combination play. This would bring Rashford into the game more frequently in those left-sided inverted areas where he is most dangerous, making the attacker much more direct and ultimately boosting his output.

The Netherlands ace is also a striker who can practically excel in any game state due to his technical ability and intelligence, which is perfect for Ten Hag’s transition-focused approach.

Overall, Brobbey would be the ideal striker to rival or replace Rasmus Hojlund, who has netted just twice in 16 Premier League games, and he would provide Rashford with the foundations to once again become one of the deadliest attackers in Europe.