Football transfer news

Anthony Martial is expected to be absent for Manchester United’s Premier League fixture with Brighton on Sunday evening.

The forward picked up a knee problem while playing for France during their 2-0 win over Kazakhstan, getting his studs stuck in the pitch turf and receiving treatment for a few minutes.

The former Monaco star was eventually replaced by Kylian Mbappe just before the hour mark and United were waiting for clarification over the injury.

L’Equipe now say the 25-year-old won’t be fit to face the Seagulls at the weekend and is also a doubt for the following Europa League fixture against Granada next week. The Red Devils’ next game after those two is a trip to Tottenham, which could be a more realistic return date should he miss the next two games.

Martial has struggled for consistency throughout the 2020/21 season. After managing 17 Premier League goals last term, the Frenchman has mustered up just four this time around, though his side sit second in England’s top flight regardless of his output.

Martial’s potential absence hands manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a major selection conundrum ahead of the weekend.

? Find out how Ole’s Reds are shaping up for this weekend’s return to action… ??#MUFC #MUNBHA

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 1, 2021

Mason Greenwood was lost to injury during the international break, while Marcus Rashford also had to withdraw from the England squad with a foot problem he has been carrying. Juan Mata is also recovering from a muscle problem.

Daniel James scored Wales’ winner against the Czech Republic and could start on the right against Brighton, while Paul Pogba could also be used in a more offensive position due to the lack of alternatives. Edinson Cavani would be the likely candidate to start up front with main goal threat Bruno Fernandes in the number ten role.

United are 14 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City and a point ahead of Leicester as they look to improve upon last season’s third place finish.

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Ainsley Maitland-Niles has signalled his intention to leave Arsenal at the end of the season amid growing interest from a number of clubs.

The 23-year-old was the subject of intense transfer speculation last summer, with Wolves lodging a £20m bid for the youngster.

However, a stellar display at full-back in the Community Shield win over Premier League champions Liverpool in August convinced Mikel Arteta to snub Wolves’ advances.

But after that Maitland-Niles struggled to hold down a place in the Gunners’ starting XI and was shipped out on loan to strugglers West Brom in January, having completed 90 minutes of league football on just four occasions so far this season.

The England international has been an ever-present in Sam Allardyce’s side since securing a temporary move to the Baggies, and The Telegraph report he’s now informed parent club Arsenal that he’ll be leaving in the summer.

Maitland-Niles was handed his senior debut for the Three Lions last year and has won five caps for his country.

He was omitted from Gareth Southgate’s squad for the March internationals and that may have driven his desire to leave the Emirates Stadium this summer in search of first-team football at a high-profile club.

Wolves are said to be keen to revive their interest in the Arsenal man this summer, while Leicester and Southampton are also monitoring his performances at the Hawthorns with a view to a possible summer move.

The report adds that Maitland-Niles considers his primary position to be in midfield, though he accepts he may be forced to play at right-back if he wishes to join a top side.

While his versatility will prove an attractive proposition for most clubs, there’s also the added bonus that he would be a homegrown player for any English sides competing in Europe.

The 23-year-old still has two years remaining on his deal at the Emirates, so Arsenal are unlikely to be forced into selling the youngster for any less than the £20m they rejected from Wolves last summer.

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A limited number of fans will be permitted to attend the Carabao Cup final later this month between Tottenham and Manchester City.

The occasion is being used as a pilot event as the government looks to trial the return of fans to football stadiums before lockdown restrictions are fully lifted in June.

The Evening Standard report that anyone who wishes to attend the clash between Spurs and City will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test before entering Wembley, while social distancing guidelines will remain in place once in the ground.

The exact number of tickets available for the final has yet to be revealed, but it is expected that between 4000-8000 tickets will be on sale as the government looks to test the impact of fans returning to football grounds prior to the number being increased to 10,000 in May.

One other key aspect that the announcement failed to address was whether fans of Manchester City will be allowed to travel from Manchester for the game.

Brent Council, the London authority covering Wembley, has confirmed that Leicester’s FA Cup semi-final with Southampton a week prior to the Carabao Cup final will also see fans in attendance, but tickets will only be allocated to local residents including health workers, Brent council staff, teachers and pupils over the age of 18.

Those permitted to attend the Carabao Cup final will be chosen from the same group of people, along with a limited number of City and Spurs fans.

In a brief statement released by Brent Council, they explained their reasoning for said groups being chosen, writing: “These groups have been chosen as they are largely already in regular testing regimes.”

Brent Council has already written to residents asking them if they have any interest in attending the matches, and anyone lucky enough to be selected to attend either game will be given two match tickets.

Despite the announcement regarding Leicester’s FA Cup clash with Southampton, fans will not be allowed to attend the other semi-final between Chelsea and Manchester City.

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While many of us find ourselves rolling our eyes at the sight of an international break, for some players it can come as a welcome hiatus from club football.

Take Timo Werner, for example. He may have had a hand in a number of Chelsea’s goals this season, but a measly return of five Premier League strikes in 28 outings has seen questions raised over the £47.5m man’s future at Stamford Bridge.

But don’t worry, Timo. Joachim Low clearly still had faith, naming him in the Germany squad for their March internationals and joining up with a side who hadn’t lost a World Cup qualifier for nearly 20 years.

Yeahhhh…about that.

Die Mannschaft kicked off their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign in their usual imperious fashion, recording back-to-back wins against Iceland and Romania without conceding a goal.

Their final clash against North Macedonia looked the easiest of the lot on paper, but with the score locked at 1-1, Low summoned Werner from the bench and it was the Chelsea man’s time to shine.

Then it came – his big moment. With ten minutes to play, Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan broke free of the North Macedonia defence. Despite being in the goalscoring form of his life, the former Dortmund man picked his head up and opted to square it to Werner, affording the Blues forward the simple task of slotting home and handing his side the three points.

Cue the Benny Hill theme music.

How did Timo Werner miss? ?pic.twitter.com/29ox0x1t7J

— 90min (@90min_Football) March 31, 2021

Seriously, just how has he missed that?

It’s the kind of finish you see on a Sunday morning down the local park, as big Dave – fresh from two hours sleep and three pre-match tactical pukes – slowly watches what he thinks to be about four footballs slowly rolling towards him before taking a swipe at the one most likely to be the actual ball.

In fairness to Werner, he’s mastered the art of looking disappointed after messing up – lord knows he’s had enough practice.

The way he sits on his haunches with his head down is absolutely textbook. Then to show the composure to maintain the stance for a good few seconds so to avoid the glare of his manager and teammates is utterly breathtaking. If you can’t see them they’re not there – we all know that Timo.

To make matters even worse, North Macedonia went on to grab an 85th-minute winner as Germany suffered defeat in a World Cup qualifier for the first time since England’s 5-1 victory in Munich all the way back in September 2001.

When asked of the shocking miss after the game, Germany boss Low replied: “Timo normally has to do that,” as reported by German news outlet Kicker.

We’re not even sure what that means, but we think he’s annoyed.

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Everyone loves a bit of sh*thousery, don’t they?

If like us you think it’s absolutely hilarious, then Sergio Ramos is probably one of your favourite players. That unashamed swagger as he does absolutely anything within his power to hand his side an advantage. Love him or hate him, you’ve got to admire the man.

Well, contrary to popular belief, there is one thing that’s better than sh*housery – sh*thousery gone wrong.

Cuando copias pero te suspenden el examen por errores ortográficos.? pic.twitter.com/gO0X5tSHEz

— Lorea Bakero (@loreabakero) April 1, 2021

Y’know, like when a mate boots your footy away just to be annoying, before you remind him that it’s actually his ball. No? Just me? Alright, moving swiftly on.

With Real Madrid’s titanic La Liga clash against fierce rivals Barcelona on the horizon, Los Blancos captain Ramos thought he’d take the opportunity to ramp up the tension between the two sides in the buildup to the match.

A huge picture of Ramos was unveiled on the side of a building in Barcelona recently, with the words ‘look forward to seeing you again’ printed next to his picture.

For those of you who don’t really understand why this is such a big deal, basically he’s just laughing at newly announced Barcelona president Joan Laporta.

#HolaMadrid? pic.twitter.com/eSmCkVWyeb

— Joan Laporta Estruch? (@JoanLaportaFCB) December 15, 2020

Following his initial reign as Barça president between 2003-2010, Laporta revealed he would be campaigning to become president yet again last year with one of the weirdest, most self-indulgent pictures revealed of himself on the side of a building as he looked to drum up support.

The words ‘look forward to seeing you again’ were printed on top of the advertisement (sound familiar?) in reference to him yet again running for president.

So basically, Ramos has tried to mock the newly appointed Barcelona chief by copying his cringeworthy advertisement – the only problem is Ramos won’t see them again at all.

Despite being sidelined for ten of Real Madrid’s last 12 league outings, Ramos was called up by Luis Enrique for Spain’s March internationals.

Clearly not fully fit, Ramos was named in the starting XI for just one of the three outings, though his vain attempt to become the most capped international player of all time – a record currently held by Egypt’s Ahmed Hassan with 184, four caps ahead of Ramos – got the better of him.

In the 86th minute against Kosovo, the 35-year-old was wheeled out to enjoy a five-minute kickabout and earn himself another cap – only it wasn’t a kickabout and he got crocked and is now out of Real Madrid’s clash with Barcelona.

Ah.

Do you reckon there’s room on that billboard to add a few more words? ‘Look forward to seeing you again Barcelona. Oh by the way, I won’t be there because I was desperate to inflate my ego by becoming Spain’s most capped player ever and I got crocked against Kosovo, but good luck fellas’.

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