'I am a realistic man' - Erik ten Hag opens up on Man Utd's Champions League hopes
Manchester United
'I am a realistic man' - Erik ten Hag opens up on Man Utd's Champions League hopes
Erik ten Hag has addressed Manchester United's slim chances of earning Champions League qualification
Dutchman claims he is a 'realistic man'
Red Devils' injury list is mounting ahead of important fixtures
By Katie Catherall
Apr 4, 2024
Ten Hag says he is 'realistic'
Ten Hag says he is 'realistic' / Justin Setterfield/GettyImages
Erik ten Hag is aware that Manchester United will struggle to qualify for the Champions League this season and admits he is a 'realistic man'.
With a mounting injury crisis and important fixtures on the horizon, Ten Hag admitted he knows United will need to 'catch up' if they are to be competitive for the remainder of the season.
The Red Devils travel to Chelsea for a Premier League clash on Thursday, but they will be without the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw. A win would only cut the gap on fourth-place Aston Villa to eight points and Tottenham Hotspur in fifth to six points.
Addressing the current standard of the top-flight and the chances United have of reaching next season's Champions League, Ten Hag said: "I have high standards and I would be disappointed if we didn't qualify. I know it will be very difficult because we are not in a good position.
Cole Palmer
Man Utd beat Chelsea 2-1 in the reverse fixture / Stu Forster/GettyImages
"But we want to win every game, that is the standard we have here among each other. We will keep going and keep believing in those standards. We have to catch up. Also I know we have had a lot of problems so I am a realistic man.
"In a competition that is so competitive and the teams are so close in terms of levels with each other, then you need the players to be available to make a consistent team to bring the routines in your way of play.
"If you have to make compromises your levels will drop, you will drop points. If you play in a consistent team your levels will go up. When you bring in the best players in your squad you will collect more points and that is a fact."
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FC Barcelona
Why uncertainty over Xavi's future is impacting Barcelona transfer plans
Xavi announced his intention to step down as Barcelona manager at the end of the season
It remains uncertain whether the Spaniard will remain with the club or leave
Barcelona's summer midfield targets could change depending on decision
By Katie Catherall
Apr 4, 2024
Xavi's future is still uncertain at Barcelona
Xavi's future is still uncertain at Barcelona / Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/GettyImages
The uncertainty over Xavi Hernandez's future as Barcelona manager is impacting their summer transfer plans, according to reports in Spain.
The legendary former midfielder announced his intention to leave Barcelona at the end of January, saying at the time that the Catalan giants needed a "change of dynamic" after a period of poor form.
But performance levels have improved immeasurably following Xavi's bombshell announcement - they have now leapfrogged surprise package Girona into second in La Liga - and that's led to calls from supporters for him to change his mind and stay on.
Barca president Joan Laporta is confident he can change Xavi's mind about leaving, but it's likely he'll want significant transfer funds to boost a squad that has struggled to cope with a myriad of injury problems.
A new defensive midfielder has been on the agenda ever since Sergio Busquets departed for Inter Miami last summer, and Diario Sport suggest Barca will look to approach Girona's Aleix Garcia, Feyenoord's Mats Wieffer, Nice's Khephren Thuram, or Everton's Amadou Onana if Xavi does end up leaving.
Martin Zubimendi
Barcelona may make a move for Zubimendi in the summer / Ion Alcoba Beitia/GettyImages
Luring the latter could prove to be problematic, however, with Onana's asking price likely to be steep regardless of whether Everton are relegated from the Premier League.
If Xavi does stay, it's suggested that Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi will be the lead player in Barca's crosshairs - the 25-year-old who has been linked with a move to Premier League leaders Arsenal and has a £51m release clause written into his contract.
Zubimendi has played 29 times for Real Sociedad, who appeared in this season's Champions League, during 2023/24, and has five international caps for Spain under his belt, four of which have come over the past 12 months.
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Arsenal
Mikel Arteta shares 'love' for Emile Smith Rowe after Luton victory
Mikel Arteta spoke to the media after his side's 2-0 win over Luton Town
He believes Emile Smith Rowe is a 'joy' to watch on the pitch
Arsenal now sit at the top of the Premier League table
By Katie Catherall
Apr 4, 2024
Smith Rowe was sensational against Luton
Smith Rowe was sensational against Luton / Visionhaus/GettyImages
Mikel Arteta has branded Emile Smith Rowe a 'joy to watch' as Arsenal rise to the top of the Premier League after defeating Luton Town at the Emirates.
Smith Rowe was handed a rare start as the Gunners hosted the Hatters in a midweek Premier League clash. A goal from captain Martin Odegaard and a pass into his own net from Luton's Daiki Hashioka put Arteta's side 2-0 up, but it was the performance of midfielder Smith Rowe that really caught his eye.
Making just his 11th league appearance this season, Smith Rowe played 85 minutes against Luton and earned the player of the match award for his showing.
When asked what the performance will do for the 23-year-old's confidence, Arteta said: "A lot. I love him as a player, he is a joy to watch. How he moves, changes direction and how physical he was today without the ball.
"He went into duels and won a lot of them and was thinking with that killer instinct to play forward and make things happen. When Emile is in that moment, it's very difficult to stop him. He helped us a lot to win the game."
Gabriel Magalhaes, Emile Smith Rowe
Arsenal recorded a 2-0 victory over Luton town on Wednesday / Catherine Ivill - AMA/GettyImages
The Hale End graduate played a part in both goals against Luton and was quick to credit the 'family' that the Arsenal team has become.
Speaking to club media after being awarded player of the match, he said: "It’s been a really tough season for me and some of the other players haven't played as much as we'd have liked to. It's important that we came in tonight and put in a performance to show the manager that we can be a part of this team.
"All season, the boys are ready to step in and put in a performance and I think it just shows how tight we are as a team - it's like a family. We're really happy that players can come in and still perform. That’s what it's about, the strength in depth is really good."
Smith Rowe recorded the most minutes he's played in a league match since April 2022, and admitted that he was disappointed that he couldn't mark the outing with a goal:
"I'm a bit disappointed I couldn’t get a goal because it's been so long, but I’m really happy with being part of two goals. I'm really happy with my performance and minutes, so let’s see what’s next."
Arsenal will return to Premier League action on Saturday when they travel to Brighton & Hove Albion, before preparing for their huge Champions League quarter-final clash with Bayern Munich on Tuesday.
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