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Renee Slegers' side strengthened their position in the bid for a Champions League place with their 15th win in 18 games under her charge

Arsenal cruised to victory in the north London derby on Sunday, beating Tottenham 5-0 to increase their cushion inside the Women's Super League's European places to five points. Were it not for Spurs goalkeeper Lize Kop, it could've been an even more convincing victory, with the visiting side constantly under pressure at the back while failing to muster up any sort of attacking threat. The Gunners, meanwhile, took full advantage of their dominance, with goals from Mariona Caldentey, Frida Maanum, Alessia Russo and Emily Fox, plus an own goal by Clare Hunt, seeing them assert themselves as the best team in north London again.

There were just 15 minutes on the clock when Kyra Cooney-Cross' perfect delivery was missed by Russo but bounced in off Hunt, with Caldentey's caressed strike into the bottom corner later in the first half doubling Arsenal's advantage in more eye-catching fashion. The Gunners didn't let up after the break, though, adding another two before the hour as Maanum's shot deflected in off Hunt, continuing her misfortune, before Russo got a deserved goal after a swift counter-attack.

Things quietened down for the rest of the game, though there was still plenty for the 56,784 inside the Emirates Stadium to get excited about before the full-time whistle sounded. Chloe Kelly's second Arsenal debut, which came after she'd already sparked the stadium into generous applause just by going out to warm-up, was the cherry on the cake for a side that has now won 15 of its 18 games since Renee Slegers took charge in mid-October, with the return from injury of captain Kim Little also an encouraging sight as the Gunners approach an extremely important part of the season.

Those who stuck around until the end did get to see the goal of the game in stoppage time, too, as Emily Fox picked out the top corner from range to round off a truly fantastic day for the hosts.

GOAL rates Arsenal's players from the Emirates Stadium…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Daphne van Domselaar (6/10):

  Had very little to do against a Spurs side that just couldn't get anything going in attack.

  Emily Fox (8/10):

  Did brilliantly to be such an asset in attack without neglecting her defensive work. Capped a strong display with a sensational strike from range in stoppage time.

  Leah Williamson (7/10):

  Grew into the game and started to step up more to play those great pass from deep. Was composed at the back when she needed to be, too.

  Steph Catley (7/10):

  Another really reliable performance in the heart of defence. She's in great form.

  Katie McCabe (7/10):

  Got herself into dangerous positions so often that she was able to cause a whole host of problems, even if her final ball wasn't always brilliant.

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  Midfield

  Lia Walti (8/10):

  Kept the ball well, showed great movement and was, again, the perfect foil for Cooney-Cross.

  Kyra Cooney-Cross (8/10):

  Delivered great set pieces and a superb cross for the first goal, amid a range of other really nice attacking contributions.

  Frida Maanum (7/10):

  Was really efficient when she got on the ball, with every touch a valuable one in the Arsenal attack.

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  Attack

  Caitlin Foord (7/10):

  Was a consistent nuisance to the Spurs defence. Could've made better decisions at times, including when she was through on goal but looked to be unselfish, though that wasn't an issue for Arsenal's fourth, when she waited for the right moment to tee up Russo.

  Alessia Russo (9/10):

  Really positive performance in which she was always trying to turn her marker and create a chance for herself or someone else. Didn't get a touch on the opening goal but her movement across Hunt played a huge role in it, with her finally getting her goal to make it 4-0.

  Mariona Caldentey (8/10):

  Involved in so much of Arsenal's good play and got a deserved goal with a superb finish to make it 2-0.

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  Subs & Manager

  Stina Blackstenius (6/10):

  Was immediately involved after coming on on the hour, forcing Kop into another save almost straight away before linking up with Kelly in a move that ended with the Swede seeing her effort deflect behind for a corner.

  Chloe Kelly (6/10):

  Was positive in her half-hour cameo, creating a chance within minutes for Blackstenius.

  Laia Codina (N/A):

  Gave Catley a rest for the final 15 minutes. Slotted in seamlessly.

  Kim Little (N/A):

  Made her return from injury in the closing stages, getting some valuable minutes in the legs after missing the last three games.

  Jenna Nighswonger (N/A):

  Made her WSL debut in the final few minutes.

  Renee Slegers (8/10):

  Slegers' biggest impact at Arsenal since taking over in mid-October is arguably in these games that the team should win, but regularly failed to do so because of their inability to break down low blocks. This was another example of how well she has helped them conquer that issue. Big scoreline allowed her to give some players a rest, too, and hand Kelly her second Arsenal debut.

It has been a poor start to the season for Erik ten Hag and his Manchester United side. The Red Devils’ victory last weekend against Brentford at Old Trafford was just their third in the Premier League all season and their fourth victory in all competitions including the 7-0 thrashing of League One Barnsley.

Ten Hag’s side are having plenty of issues in front of goal. They are the second-lowest scorers in the Premier League, finding the back of the net just seven times, with Southampton the only side with fewer. They have also had four games where they have not scored at all.

This has also had a negative effect on their goal difference in the Premier League. Whilst they have been better defensively, conceding just nine goals, they have a goal difference of negative two.

They have had a few injury issues again and it has meant their Dutch boss has been without some important players at times.

United’s injuries in 2024/25

Last season, the Red Devils were incredibly unlucky with the number of injuries they had. As per BBC Sport, United had the most cases of separate injury in the top flight with 45 and had the joint-most number of players injured for one game, an outrageous 11 in total.

Luckily for Ten Hag, they have not suffered quite as much in 2024/25. Several players have missed the entire campaign so far, including summer signing Leny Yoro, England international Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, who has had a long-term knee issue.

On top of that list, there have been a number of players who have missed large portions of the season with injuries. Mason Mount, who has had numerous fitness issues since joining from Chelsea last summer, has missed four Premier League games while Rasmus Hojlund was absent through injury for the opening four games.

Now, United find themselves without the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, who has been so important for Ten Hag, as well as centre-back duo Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans. The latter, who has been superb this season, is a doubt for tonight’s game against Fenerbahce after missing training.

These injury woes at centre-back mean Ten Hag must turn elsewhere when looking for options in the heart of his defence.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Who could start in defence against Fenerbahce

Perhaps the best option the Dutchman has could be Victor Lindelof, who himself has had injury issues this term. The Sweden international joined United for £30.7m up front and £8.8m in potential add-ons.

Interestingly, the Red Devils manager at the time was Jose Mourinho, who will be facing Ten Hag on the touchline tonight. Lindelof played 45 times under the legendary Portuguese boss before his sacking in 2018.

This term, the 30-year-old has featured in just two games. He played 45 minutes against Aston Villa prior to the October international break and a solitary minute against the Bees at Old Trafford last Saturday.

His importance to the side has diminished in recent years. Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the United number two featured prominently, playing 35 Premier League games in 2019/20. He has played less under Ten Hag, although is still an experienced player; he has played 261 games in that famous Red shirt, scoring four goals, including one in a 6-2 thrashing of Leeds United, and grabbing seven assists.

The defender, who earns £120k-per-week at United, was once criticised by Mourinho following his stint as United boss.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the former Real Madrid manager explained Lindelof tends to be “bullied” by strikers, claiming that he does not excel aerially.

Leading the line for the Turkish side are Edin Dzeko and Youssef En-Nesyri, both of whom have scored against United in the past. Given the stand at 6 foot 4 and 6 foot 2 respectively, this is an area the former United boss could potentially exploit.

If Lindelof does get the nod against Fenerbahce, it could be an excellent opportunity to prove his old manager wrong and become a more important player under Ten Hag, as he looks to get back to his best following injury.

Ten Hag can replace Fernandes by unleashing Man Utd's "machine"

Manchester United will be looking to kickstart their Europa League campaign tonight.

By
Ethan Lamb

Oct 24, 2024

West Ham United are not doing so well. It’s a plain fact, one that can’t be avoided.

One that mustn’t be avoided. This is a talented team, a team of pedigree and high-class talent, but it’s also a team suffering from the leave of David Moyes, whose time in the dugout bred riches and silverware, the golden age of the club’s modern history.

It’s important, however, to refrain from looking at the travails under Julen Lopetegui through rose-tinted glasses. Moyes was hurled to the wayside in the later stage of his tenure.

The Conference League might have been won in 2022/23, but the Irons did finish 14th in the Premier League. One year on, despite a host of exciting additions (albeit having lost Declan Rice), a ninth-placed finish was one of disappointment, European football severed.

Moyes had to go, but Lopetegui, simply, has proved to be the wrong appointment. Call it pessimism, but it’s hard to see him turning the ship around.

Lopetegui dangling by a thread

West Ham are among the lower-table fodder having stepped into November, and it’s clear that much work is needed if success is to be found toward the European-qualifying spots.

Having been thumped by surprise package Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Lopetegui’s tenuous hold on his position worsened. However, it’s understood that his job is not yet at imminent risk of severance.

Instead, West Ham chiefs have held such an eventuality in abeyance, with 17th-placed Ipswich Town heading to the London Stadium next weekend. It’s a big one though, to be sure.

There’s just such little inspiration or attacking intent. This is a team carrying plenty of high-level forwards, a team that has spent £120m on fresh faces this summer.

Turn toward Old Trafford, and perhaps Manchester United’s hesitance in sacking Erik ten Hag is something that the Irons should take note of. As The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas puts it: “I don’t think Lopetegui is capable of turning this around. He was the wrong appointment. This team has regressed, has no identity, the players look despondent and the formation/tactics are questionable.”

Lopetegui might be safe for now, but technical director Tim Steidten and his team are already looking at success plans, with Graham Potter among the candidates.

Manager Focus

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Graham Potter would be the perfect replacement

Potter is an accomplished Premier League manager but has been out of work since being fired by Chelsea in April 2023, merely six months after appointing Brighton & Hove Albion’s boss.

Recent reports have suggested that Edin Terzic, who once served as assistant manager for West Ham, is keen on taking the job, and the man who took Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final last year might indeed be a good pick.

However, Potter knows the run-of-the-mill in the Premier League and has managed 141 matches in the division. The 49-year-old is also starting to be viewed by many as the likely fit for the east Londoners.

And according to GIVEMESPORT, Potter is already being considered by West Ham bosses, which makes a rather plain comment on the faith that is held in Lopetegui’s capabilities.

Would Potter be an upgrade? He certainly plays the style of football that could turn things around. Hailed as a “tactical genius” by podcaster Ibukun Aluko, he’s sure to get more out of West Ham’s most exciting talents than the current boss.

“I want a tactically flexible, possession-based team,” Potter once said to The Athletic. “Players who are brave, who aren’t afraid to make mistakes, who can get on the ball and show courage and really try to enjoy their football.”

Potter’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation could also play to the Hammers’ strengths: Lucas Paqueta might be revived in the number ten role, while Jarrod Bowen could operate with fluidity on the right, serving the central striker or dynamically playing that part himself.

But possibly the biggest winner might be Mohammed Kudus, who has certainly been below his best so far this season. West Ham signed Ajax’s maverick in a deal worth £38m in August 2023, on a five-year deal.

Kudus is one of the most electric ball carriers in Europe, also ranking among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for successful take-ons (3.95) per 90, as per FBref.

He’s flattered to deceive this term though, only scoring twice across ten appearances in all competitions and stupidly getting himself sent off during West Ham’s bruising 4-1 Premier League loss against Tottenham Hotspur.

Potter could bring him back to the fore, utilising a flexible attacking shape that relies on pressure and high intensity, two things that the Ghana international excels in.

Even without playing at his best this term, Kudus has still averaged 3.5 dribbles and 6.6 successful duels per top-flight fixture, as per Sofascore, emphasising the robust and active role that he plays in Lopetegui’s team.

Now imagine that player in Potter’s set-up, moving with greater freedom, operating in a squad offering greater ball control. His fleet-footedness and direct assaults at enemy lines would surely find him restored, back to his best.

The English manager has never lost across seven clashes against Moyes, which points toward an attacking approach that holds superiority over West Ham’s former style.

Lopetegui’s tactical set-up is candidly indefinable. Something needs to change. Perhaps it is Potter who could conjure up some magic and lead this proud club back to prominence.

West Ham should sack Lopetegui and replace him with fantastic 4-2-3-1 boss

West Ham must sack Lopetegui to bring in this “fantastic” coach as his replacement.

By
Connor Holden

Nov 4, 2024

The pop superstar’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour has forced a change of venue for the Liga MX side’s last-16 Champions Cup tie.

• Monterrey's home leg against Vancouver Whitecaps moved to Torreon
• BBVA Stadium unavailable due to Shakira's world tour
• Fans express frustration over last-minute venue switch

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Monterrey FC has been forced to relocate their CONCACAF Champions Cup last 16 second leg against Vancouver Whitecaps due to a scheduling conflict with Shakira's world tour. The match, originally set to take place at BBVA Stadium on March 12, will now be held at Estadio Corona in Torreon, home of Liga MX side Santos Laguna. Reports indicated that the Liga MX side considered pushing the game but that option was scrapped after they found a replacement.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Monterrey are heavy favorites for their tie against the MLS side. In addition, the Liga MX side has a strong history in the Champions Cup, having won the tournament five times — the last win coming in 2021.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Vancouver doesn't have the same level of history as Monterrey in the Champions Cup. The farthest the team has gone in the tournament was in the 2016-17 season, where the club reached the tournament's semifinal.

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  WHAT’S NEXT?

  Before their CONCACAF Champions Cup tie against Monterrey, Vancouver Whitecaps will focus on their second league game of the season against LA Galaxy on March 2. After that, the Whitecaps host Monterrey at the BC Place on March 6 and then welcome CF Montreal in the MLS before facing Monterrey in the second leg of their last 16 tie.

With the World Cup just nine months away, GOAL looks at how the U.S. squad might look next summer

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Just three international windows separate the U.S. men's national team from the selection of the 2026 World Cup roster. It's a crazy thought. The tournament is closing in and, after a September that included more experimentation from Mauricio Pochettino, the player pool, in general, remains in a state of flux.

Part of that is by design. Even after the USMNT's 2-0 win over Japan, Pochettino reminded players that the door remains open – and it's up to them to walk through. There are some locks in this player pool, for sure, but Pochettino  says spots remain up for grabs, and that there's still much work to be done to finalize the roster.

For someone such as Alejandro Zendejas, who stood out in this September window, it was more of a case of playing himself into contention rather than onto the squad. For someone such as Josh Sargent, who didn't get the goal he so desperately needed, the dream isn't over – even if the window is closing.

Pochettino appears to want some of these battles to come down to the wire, and he wants the winners of them to have earned them when all is said and done.

So who's in and who's out? What are the tough calls Pochettino will have to make? Which youngsters have a realistic shot of making the squad for 2026? GOAL takes a look.

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  GOALKEEPERS

  GOAL's picks: Matt Freese, Zack Steffen, Matt Turner

  With his choices for September call-ups, Pochettino made it clear: he wanted another look at Freese. He'll be pleased with what he saw, for sure, too, as Freese made multiple big saves across the two games after being selected to start both – he has now started all eight USMNT matches since the start of the Gold Cup.

  At the moment, it's fair to assume that Freese is in pole position for that No. 1 shirt based on these performances, but things can change quickly. The question mark is around Turner, who is back playing again after rejoining the New England Revolution. Since making that move, he's looked more like his old self and, if that continues, he'll surely give Pochettino something to think about going forward.

  Let's see what October camp looks like and if Turner can re-enter the fight for that No. 1 shirt. As for the third goalkeeper spot, Pochettino can go in a number of directions. Steffen is an option, of course, and he could very well be in the competition itself if not for a series of untimely injuries. He's one to keep an eye on, too, over the next few months.

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  DEFENDERS

  GOAL's picks: Max Arfsten, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Sergino Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Joe Scally, Antonee Robinson, Walker Zimmerman

  With the new switch to a three-at-the-back system, deployed by Pochettino against Japan, all eyes are on the centerbacks. Richards and Ream seem to be locks. McKenzie, too, should feel good about his spot given his comfort in this system on the club level. Zimmerman, meanwhile, is a perfect late-game closer, and a solid veteran, too.

  In terms of depth, there will be a battle, for sure, one that is now tougher for both Carter-Vickers and Trusty due to their lack of Champions League soccer. Does that open the door for someone such as Banks, particularly if he breaks through in the Bundesliga?

  At wingback, Dest and Robinson are certainties, while Freeman and Arfsten are capable backups. That leaves Scally, who is in an interesting position as a more defensive option. The good news is that Scally can provide depth at left-back, right-back or as a third central defender, and that type of versatility does make him useful in a World Cup squad.

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  MIDFIELDERS

  GOAL's picks: Tyler Adams, Johnny Cardoso, Diego Luna, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Tanner Tessmann, Malik Tillman

  Most of the external criticism about September's roster selection involved the midfield, which was missing signifiicant talent. Of the leading candidates for the World Cup squad, only Adams and Luna were involved for the matches against South Korea and Japan. This group, then, is very much in flux.

  Adams seems set as a starter, but there's certainly discussion about who will line up next to him in a potential 3-4-2-1. Is it it longtime friend and partner McKennie? Is it the dynamic Musah, fresh off a big Atalanta move? Could it be Tessmann given his breakout at Lyon?

  What about Cardoso, having made his own big move to Atletico Madrid? More than any other position, Pochettino has major decisions to make in central midfield, due to the wide variety of profiles and skillsets. Tillman wasn't in this camp as he works his way into form after transferring to Bayer Leverkusen, but was the breakout player at the Gold Cup.

  Players such as Berhalter, De la Torre and McGlynn have shown things in recent USMNT appearances, while Roldan's form in MLS could carry him to a spot. And, of course, keep an eye on Reyna, who could shake everything up if he breaks through at Borussia Monchengladbach.

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  FORWARDS

  GOAL's picks: Patrick Agyemang, Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, Alejandro Zendejas

  Pochettino has tough calls to be make here. Zendejas seems to have played his way in. Pochettino basically admitted as much after his goal against Japan, saying specifically, “He’s in the race for the roster for the World Cup.”

  It's easy to see why, too: Zendejas has been fantastic for Club America over the last year or so and can play either as a No. 10 or on the wing. As for other wing options, Pulisic and Weah, of course, are locks, while Luna and Musah, listed among the midfielders, can also help out there in a pinch.

  Then there are the strikers. Balogun is a certainy, as Pepi, assuming both are fully fit. That third spot, though, is tricky. If you're going on club form, it's clearly Sargent, but this window did little to ease the doubts about his play with the national team.

  Agyemang, meanwhile, has a different profile that Pochettino clearly values. We'll have to see how he fares in the Championship, where go to head-to-head with Sargent on the goalscoring charts.

Leeds United have long been in a position in the footballing pecking order where they know that they are always in danger of having to sell their best players.

In the early 2010s, the Whites routinely lost their best talents, with the likes of Bradley Johnson, Luciano Becchio, Jonny Howson, and Robert Snodgrass all joining Norwich City, Lewis Cook signing for Bournemouth, and Ross McCormack making the move to Fulham.

Fast forward many years later and it is still the case for the West Yorkshire outfit, who cashed in on several of their key players in the recent summer transfer window.

After Leeds failed to secure an instant return to the Premier League, losing 1-0 to Southampton in the play-off final, the club moved on four of Daniel Farke’s regular starters ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter, and Glen Kamara all moved on from Elland Road, to join Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Rennes respectively.

These exits came as big blows for Leeds because of the individual quality that they provided on the pitch in the 2023/24 campaign for the German head coach, notably Summerville and Rutter.

Georginio Rutter's form last season

The French forward initially made the move to Elland Road when the team was in the Premier League under Jesse Marsch, but failed to help them to avoid relegation down to the Championship.

Playing in the second tier, however, helped the left-footed star to thrive in West Yorkshire, as he enjoyed a mightily impressive season last term under Farke.

Rutter established himself as one of the finest attacking players in the division, despite struggling with his finishing, as he showcased his creative quality on a regular basis.

The left-footed whiz ranked within the top 2% of forwards in the league for shot-creating actions per 90 (4.41) and the top 2% for Expected Assisted Goals per 90 (0.29).

This shows that he was one of the most creative players in the second tier amongst his peers, which is also backed up by his goal contributions in the Championship.

As you can see in the table above, Rutter consistently created ‘big chances’ for his teammates to find the back of the net, but struggled to score on a regular basis.

His form did, though, convince Brighton to swoop in to secure a deal for a reported fee of £40m, and he has produced two goals and two assists in eight Premier League starts for his new club so far.

Crysencio Summerville's Player of the Year form

Meanwhile, Summerville was even more influential than Rutter for Leeds in the Championship, because he combined ruthless goalscoring with elite creativity.

The Dutch attacker won the PFA Championship Player of the Year award for the 2023/24 campaign, thanks to his incredible efforts on the left flank.

He ranked within the top 12% of wingers and attacking midfielders in the league for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.39) and the top 4% for Expected Assisted Goals per 90 (0.30).

These statistics show that he coupled consistent goalscoring with consistent creativity, whilst Rutter only had the latter, and that was reflected in his end product in the league.

As you can see in the table above, Summerville contributed with 36 goals and ‘big chances’ created combined in just 41 starts for the West Yorkshire outfit.

His form convinced Premier League side West Ham to swoop in and sign him for a reported fee of £25m, that could rise to £34m with add-ons, in the summer.

Market Movers

Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?

This means that Leeds raked in a minimum of £65m and a potential of £74m from the sales of Rutter and Summerville. There is one former Whites star, however, who is now worth more than both of them combined – Raphinha.

Raphinha current market value

A report in Spain recently reported that Barcelona would not consider cashing on the Brazil international for a fee of less than a whopping €100m (£83m).

This means that the Spanish giants currently value the impressive winger at a fee of at least £83m, and that is significantly more than the £55m deal they agreed to sign him from Leeds in the summer of 2022, and is more than both of Rutter and Summerville’s fees combined.

Raphinha scored 17 goals and supplied 12 assists in 67 appearances for the Whites during two years in Yorkshire between 2020 and 2022, before his move to Barcelona.

He had a fairly average first couple of years in Spain, with 13 goals and 16 assists in his first two LaLiga seasons combined, before bursting into life this term.

The 27-year-old wizard, who was once hailed as a “magician” by former teammate Dan James, has produced an eye-catching 12 goals and ten assists in 17 games in all competitions – more than one goal contribution every match on average.

As you can see in the table below, Raphinha has been in stunning form in LaLiga for Barcelona, with a mind-blowing 21 goals and ‘big chances’ created combined in 13 outings.

Wasteful finishing from his teammates has prevented his already impressive tally of goals and assists from being even greater, which speaks to just how incredible his performances have been.

Raphinha, in November, is only seven goal contributions away from matching his tally for his entire career at Leeds in the current season, illustrating how much he has developed and improved since his £55m exit from Elland Road.

Alongside Joseph: Leeds have a "wasteful" star in danger of being dropped

The Leeds attacker did not enjoy his best afternoon at Elland Road on Saturday.

By
Dan Emery

Nov 10, 2024

It is a shame that Leeds were in a position where they felt they had to cash in on the forward in the summer of 2022, particularly given that they then went on to be relegated from the Premier League.

Harry Kane has seen a future in NFL mooted, but he may explore alternative options after revealing the best round of golf that he has ever played.

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• Goal-scoring remains the priority at present
• Future in American football speculated on
• Remains a big fan of life on the fairways

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Having reached the pinnacle of one sporting profession, the England captain has hinted at heading down another route once the day comes to hang up goal-scoring boots. The qualities that he possesses when it comes to ball striking could transfer favourably into American football.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Kane is, however, just as passionate about life on the fairways as he is the field. The 31-year-old often trades football clubs for the wood and iron variety, with the Bayern Munich striker taking as much pleasure from finding the bottom of the cup as he does hitting the back of the net.

• WHAT HARRY KANE SAID

  With that in mind, Kane has been discussing his best round on – with a score being posted that Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods would be proud of. He said: "My best round is actually a 66, six under par. Don’t ask me how! I’ve never been close to it since.

  "But that was about three years ago now. Just had one of those days where everything went well for me. I had eight birdies, two bogeys and the rest pars. I don’t know if I’ll be beating that any time soon, if I’m honest.

  "I’ve had a three under before, 69, had a few two unders and one unders. But they were all a few years ago. I need to get my game back in shape and hopefully try and hit those numbers again."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Kane’s day job is keeping him busy at present, as he chases down long-awaited major silverware, and that is preventing him from spending endless hours on the golf course. He will see his calendar cleared at some stage, though, and it may be that he starts taking chips and driving a little more seriously.

Over the last couple of years, Manchester United haven’t been afraid to splash the cash as they aim to return to the summit of the Premier League after over a decade without the title.

The hierarchy massively backed former boss Erik ten Hag during his tenure at Old Trafford, with the Dutchman spending around £600m to allow him to be competitive in what is one of the most demanding jobs in world football.

However, it’s safe to say that some of his additions have been a complete disaster, looking nowhere near value for money – bleeding the club dry of millions in transfer fees and wages.

His first season at the helm saw him drop a fortune on Real Madrid star Casemiro, trying to inject that needed quality and winning mentality to the side to aid their ambitions.

He’s since made 100 appearances for the Red Devils following his £70m transfer, but the 32-year-old has demonstrated signs of decline in his performance levels as he edges towards the end of his professional career.

The Brazilian is just one of many big-money additions made by the club over the years, with many, like Casemiro, unfortunately not worth the massive fees spent on their services.

Manchester United’s five most expensive signings

Paul Pogba remains United’s club-record signing after joining the Red Devils for £89m – a then world-record fee – from Italian side Juventus just a handful of years after departing the English outfit.

The Frenchman arrived for his second spell with high expectations, understandable given the nature of the price tag, but ultimately, he was unable to provide value for money.

He would provide flashes of his quality during his 226 appearances, but was unable to demonstrate his talent on a regular basis, leading to yet another move away from Old Trafford – rejoining Juve for free in the summer of 2022.

Current first-team member Antony is the club’s second most expensive signing, joining for £86m two years ago, linking up Ten Hag in Manchester after their time together at Ajax.

However, despite scoring on his debut against Arsenal, it quickly became apparent that the hierarchy had massively overpaid for the 24-year-old, with his skill set simply not at the level required for England’s top flight.

He was known for his showboating during his stint in the Netherlands, often catching the eye with his infamous spin, which has often seen him ridiculed given his lack of tangible impact.

The Brazilian has only managed a total of 12 goals in 87 appearances, falling down the pecking order last season after his lack of form, with it remaining to be seen if he will have any part to play under new boss Ruben Amorim.

Jadon Sancho was another exciting attacking addition who arrived in the North West with high hopes of transforming the club’s forward line, after costing a mammoth £73m from Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2021.

Like the aforementioned duo, the talent simply was unable to produce his best performances during his time with the club, even enduring a huge fallout with Ten Hag which resulted in his omission from the first team picture.

He would be sent back to his former side for 2023/24, before returning ahead of the current campaign – but the damage was already done in his relationship with the former boss, leaving on loan once again.

However, his temporary stint to join Premier League rivals Chelsea includes a mandatory option to buy for just £20m, with United once again losing a fortune on one of their big-money signings.

They aren’t the only players who have failed to deliver in Manchester, with one other huge signing making more of an impact, but still not living up to the sizeable sum forked out for his signature.

The player who Amorim has to offload at United

Amorim has been known to utilise a back-three system, as seen during his first game in charge against Ipswich Town last weekend, hoping to have a similar success in charge of United as he did at Sporting CP, where he claimed two league titles.

Despite his tactics offering more chances for the defensive unit, centre-back Harry Maguire could find himself plying his trade away from Old Trafford in the coming months, as the club look to cut their losses on the 31-year-old.

The England international cost £80m back in 2019, surpassing the fee paid by rivals Liverpool for Virgil van Dijk as the most expensive defender in football history.

Whilst in the opening months of his United career he provided some short-term improvement at the back, he’s since failed to kick on, coming under fire for his performances whilst also struggling with various injuries.

Maguire, who was previously dubbed as “one of the best centre-backs in the game” by Ole Gunnar Solskjær upon his arrival, has failed to make over 30 league appearances in any of the last two campaigns, falling down the pecking order in recent times.

He’s already suffered two separate fitness setbacks in the opening stages of 2024/25, restricting him to eight matches – accumulating a total of just 433 minutes of first-team action.

Amorim’s arrival could see the 39-year-old deploy the likes of Lisandro Martínez, Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt as the main options, making minutes even harder to come by for the former Leicester ace, who earns a reported £190k-per-week at United.

United’s new-look hierarchy has also implemented a cost-cutting approach which has seen the likes of the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson be taken off the payroll, but they could also save themselves millions by offloading some of the deadwood currently in Amorim’s squad.

With his contract set to expire in the summer, January could be the last opportunity for the club to recoup as much of the £80m transfer fee as possible, preventing them from having another Pogba situation.

He hasn’t had the impact many would’ve anticipated given his monstrous fee, with a fresh start needed for both parties after the appointment of Amorim if the Red Devils are to take the step to the next level.

Man Utd star who Solskjaer sold for just £1.2m is now on par with Fernandes

The former Manchester United talent has still demonstrated his talents away from Old Trafford.

By
Ethan Lamb

Nov 27, 2024

América advanced to the Champions Cup quarterfinals after defeating Chivas, with Cruz Azul awaiting in next round

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• América dominated in a 4-0 victory over Chivas

• Brian Rodríguez, Diego Valdés, Alejandro Zendejas, Álvaro Fidalgo score
• Las Águilas now will face Cruz Azul for a ticket to semifinals

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  After securing América’s spot in the Champions Cup quarterfinals, Erick Sánchez said that the team let their performance on the field do the talking, and didn’t get caught up in outside comments.

  'We like to let our game do the talking. The team proved it, everyone gave their all. I’m proud of what we did. We were clinical, but it was all built on humility," Sánchez said after the match.

  Sánchez also sent a message to Cruz Azul, their opponent in the Champions Cup quarterfinals: 'We know Cruz Azul is a great opponent, but it's clear that América is the biggest club."

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• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Sánchez has become a key player in André Jardine's system. América paid $10 million for him last tournament, and after a somewhat disappointing start, the midfielder has finally secured a spot in the Azulcrema starting lineup. Sánchez has scored two goals in 12 matches for América this year.

  Despite his good form, Sánchez was not called up by Javier Aguirre for the Final Four of the CONCACAF Nations League due to the strong competition in Mexico’s midfield.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT ANDRÉ JARDINE SAID

  'In this tournament, everyone knows how much a victory like this means for the entire club," André Jardine said. "This win was going to define a lot about our future, and if you analyze everything, the team has very good numbers in both attack and defense. There’s growth from practically everyone, and the group is ready for decisive moments."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR AMÉRICA?

  América will face Atlas this Saturday as visitors in Matchday 12 of the Clausura 2025. Las Águilas, currently second in the standings with 24 points, are on a four-game unbeaten streak in Liga MX. Meanwhile, Atlas comes into the match after a historic 4-3 comeback victory over Xolos, where they were trailing 3-0.

Tottenham Hotspur have made contact over signing a Netherlands international who could leave for his club at a bargain, with La Liga leaders Barcelona hesitating over a deal and leaving the door open for Ange Postecoglou’s side.

Spurs face Roma in Europa League after 4-0 win over Man City

Postecoglou made the perfect start to club football’s resumption last weekend, battering Premier League champions Man City 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, and the Australian is now looking to build upon that exceptional result with victory over Serie A giants Roma in North London on Thursday.

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The Nerazzurri are seriously considering his sale.

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Nov 26, 2024

Roma are ripe for the picking, having made an underwhelming start to their season with just three wins from a possible 13 in the league, and Claudio Ranieri’s side have lost their last three consecutive Serie A matches.

Spurs will be flying high from their impressive victory at Eastlands, but as we’ve seen so far this term, the Lilywhites can blow very hot and cold.

Postecoglou’s men are finding it difficult to maintain consistent form, with big wins over the likes of Aston Villa, West Ham and City overshadowed by disappointing defeats to struggling Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace.

There are clearly still gaping holes in Tottenham’s squad that need to be addressed, and some reports have claimed that Pedro Porro’s “inconsistent” form has led technical director Johan Lange to look at alternative right-back options.

Tottenham are considering a January move for Tariq Lamptey as one option, with Brighton potentially willing to sell at a cut-price winter fee, rather than let the Ghanaian depart for nothing at the end of this season when his contract expires.

The 24-year-old has been sporadically linked with Spurs for quite some time, with Lamptey on Tottenham’s radar all the way back in 2021 (Sky Sports).

“He can play as a wing-back or full-back, he’s a bundle of energy,” said former Spurs right-back Alan Hutton on Lamptey in 2021 (Football Insider).

“I think that’s a move that the fans would be really excited about. He’s an exciting player, and he’s going to get better as he gets more experienced. I think it’s one the fans would like.”

Tottenham make approach to sign Ajax defender Devyne Rensch

The caveat to a potential Lamptey move is his lack of action recently, with the defender playing just 10 Premier League minutes all season.

Looking out of favour at the Amex, an alternative to Lamptey who’s been in excellent form this season, and could also be available at a cut-price January fee or nothing next summer, is Ajax full-back Devyne Rensch.

The Netherlands international has started nine Eredivisie games for them and has been Ajax’s third best-performing player by average match rating, according to WhoScored.

Spanish newspaper Sport, via Sport Witness, claim Tottenham have asked about signing Rensch, alongside title contenders Liverpool. He’s also on Barcelona’s radar, but the European heavyweights are hesitating, and haven’t decided whether they’re going to press ahead with a move for the 21-year-old.

This could be a golden opportunity for Daniel Levy to sign a very astute back-up for Porro, or even a replacement for the Spaniard, as he continues to be linked with a high-profile move to Real Madrid.