John Barnes reckons Liverpool and Man City are the title favourites
John Barnes thinks Liverpool and Manchester City are the favourites to win the Premier League title after the results in midweek.
After Arsenal and Man City won their matches on Wednesday evening, Sheffield United gave fans of those sides an exciting 18 minutes before eventually caving to a 3-1 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield on Thursday.

John Barnes: I still have Manchester City and Liverpool ahead of Arsenal

That has left the three-horse title race brilliantly poised heading into the final eight matches of the season with Liverpool on 70 points, Arsenal on 68 and Man City a further point adrift on 67.
And former Liverpool star Barnes has Jurgen Klopp’s side as one of two favourites alongside Man City as he expects the Reds to grow stronger as more injured players return.
Barnes told Bonuscodebets: “Liverpool beating Manchester City to the title would be a fantastic achievement. I still have Manchester City and Liverpool ahead of Arsenal as favourites.
“We’re still very much in the race having missed Trent (Alexander-Arnold), Salah, Allison and Curtis Jones. The players that have come in have done very well but of course it’s great to have your best players back. It’s fantastic.
READ MORE: Erik ten Hag to Liverpool? Mikel Arteta ‘cock up will cost Arsenal dear’ and ‘admirable’ Man Utd
Related video: United game is big but so is every game in title race - Klopp (Dailymotion)

“But we haven’t done badly without them. They’re going to be hungry when they get back but how up to speed will they be?
“”They may not hit the ground running so let’s see how it pans out.”
Liverpool travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Sunday in a huge match for their title ambitions with the Red Devils likely to take confidence from their recent 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final victory.
Barnes added: “You’re looking at the likes of Garnacho, Rashford and Højlund who are all great individual players as the biggest threats. But if they don’t perform well as a team it doesn’t matter what they do as individuals. Individuals won’t win the game for United. They will need to play well as a team.’
“They did play well in the first half against Liverpool in the Cup match but they won’t beat Liverpool with individual performances.
“The FA Cup win will give Manchester United more confidence in knowing that they can beat Liverpool but I don’t think Liverpool took Manchester United lightly in the game.


“It will boost United but Liverpool won’t need any reason to ensure they are ready for the game. Liverpool go into every game giving 100% total effort and commitment.”
“We just don’t know which Manchester United will turn up. Will it be the team that beat Liverpool and the team that drew with Brentford and should have lost? The team that lost to Chelsea? They’re still very inconsistent.
“You don’t know which Manchester United is going to turn up which is dangerous.”

John Barnes: Mainoo has been fantastic since he broke into the United team

Kobbie Mainoo has been one of the best breakout players in the Premier League this season and Barnes has been impressed by what he’s seen from the young England international.
Barnes continued: “Mainoo is a young player and young players want to play. I’m sure he wants to play every game.


“He’s been fantastic since he broke into the United team and in difficult circumstances because he’s not playing in a team that’s playing consistently well.
“The United situation would normally be a tough one for young players to show how good they are but he’s impressed me every time he’s played.
“He’d had a great attitude and been one of United’s better players and has been one of their most consistent if not their most consistent player.
“He does a lot of work in midfield. Defending, holding onto the ball, driving forward, passing forward. He’s handled the pressure well.”

Saliba the next Van Dijk? Arsenal team-mate one of five stars who can emulate Premier League icons

Declan Rice can be the next Patrick Vieira if William Saliba is the next Virgil van Dijk
“I see a little b
it of Virgil van Dijk in [William] Saliba,” Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn told Football365, inspiring us to think of Premier League players who should be regarded as ‘the next so and so’.
Saliba’s PR is outstanding. He has not been as good as his partner at the back, Gabriel Magalhaes, but gets a silly amount of attention in comparison. His ceiling is higher and Arsenal crumbled without him last season, so it is understandable, but people should give Gabriel his flowers.

 

William Saliba: The next Virgil van Dijk?

Is that ceiling the same as Van Dijk’s prime, though? Perhaps. There are similarities already and Winterburn likening the two is a massive compliment to Saliba and hardly an insult to the Liverpool captain.
With that in mind, here are five other Premier League players with the potential to become world-class and have the chance to become ‘the next…’ and emulate an Our League icon. These are pretty ambitious comparisons and this is a warning to the nostalgia merchants to look away now. You’ve already given us a click anyway.
Do read those Winterburn quotes comparing Saliba to Van Dijk. After this, of course.
 
Declan Rice: The next Patrick Vieira
As much as I wanted to avoid comparisons with a legend of the current player’s club, it was quite hard. We see Declan Rice as a future Arsenal captain – who might never become that because Martin Odegaard is only a month older – and he is someone who resembles Patrick Vieira on the pitch.
Related video: Virgil van Dijk hopes composure will help Liverpool win title (Daily Mail)

Vieira’s absence in the Gunners midfield was felt for a long time following his departure and many believed for the best part of 15 years that he had not been adequately replaced. From Abou Diaby – who could have been that guy if not for injuries – to Francis Coquelin, we have seen many physical midfielders try and fail to be a catalyst and leader in the Arsenal midfield, at least to anything close to Vieira’s world-class level.
Finally, after all these years, the redundant opinion that Vieira has not been replaced can finally become a thing of the past. Rice is a colossal midfield presence with similarly long legs to the French legend, recovering the ball when he has no right to before getting a transition up and running. He is a joke and there is more Vieira and Roy Keane than Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in his game.
 
Alexander Isak: The next Thierry Henry


Every Arsenal fan would love for a player to become as influential as the great Thierry Henry and plenty of supporters also like the idea of Alexander Isak joining from Newcastle United. The Swede has shades of Henry in his game, so why not kill two birds with one stone?
It will take a lot of work from Isak if he wants to get anywhere near Henry’s level but he has shown in his first year-and-a-half in the Premier League that he has the potential to be one of the best strikers in the country.
An incredible runner with the ball at his feet who doesn’t seem to lose any pace when in possession, Isak does not have the same power as Henry did, but there is plenty of time for the 24-year-old to bulk up a little bit. Physical traits aside, Isak has the same inside-of-the-foot finish in his locker, which was Henry’s trademark back in the day.
 
Jarrad Branthwaite: The next Rio Ferdinand


Another player who could move on to the club where the ex-player in question became a legend, it would not be a surprise to see Manchester United spend a triple-threat tax on Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite.
The Red Devils have had some great central defenders in the Premier League era. Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand instantly come to mind and are the presences Erik ten Hag and his predecessors have missed dearly.
Like with every player here, we are not saying Branthwaite is nailed on to reach the levels of or even surpass Ferdinand, but in terms of on-pitch characteristics and potential career path, we like the comparison.
Branthwaite is quick, strong, decent with the ball at his feet, good in the air, and defensively sound and if any young centre-backs in the Premier League are showing similarities to Ferdinand, it’s him.
READ MORE: Rio Ferdinand tops ranking of Man Utd media mafia for unbearability

 
Evan Ferguson: The next Didier Drogba
He should not go to Chelsea but Evan Ferguson has shown shades of a Blues legend. The Irish international is strong, clinical and effective with his back to goal, but what Didier Drogba was best known for was his ability to influence every big game he played in. Ferguson has not played in any cup finals or title-deciders but he is destined to in the future, and that is where we can fully judge if he can be the next Drogba.
 
Alejandro Garnacho: The next Cristiano Ronaldo
There was a reluctance to include this one – hence the reason it is last – considering Ronaldo is the greatest player of all time in the eyes of many people and is definitely in the top five, but why not dream? Garnacho is only 19 years old and has already shown the ability and character to carry a rubbish Manchester United team on his back, something Ronaldo was never forced to do as he always had world-class players around him.

Garnacho is a Ronaldo fanboy and has already shown glimpses of the same career path. What comes to mind is the teenager fixing his teeth just as the Portuguese superstar did after making a few bob. The comparisons go further than their appearance, to be fair. Garnacho is a silky winger whose confidence has not been snatched away from him despite the toxicity at Old Trafford.
He knows he is good and he should use that to his advantage. Ronaldo was as cocky as they come and my word did he back it up.

Man Utd chief to leave in ‘clean separation’ as Ashworth £10m Newcastle ‘compromise’ is mooted

Dan Ashworth is likely to become the new sporting director at Old Trafford
Man Utd are confident that they will land Dan Ashworth as their new sporting director from Newcastle, according to reports.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has wasted no time in trying to make big changes at Man Utd since completing a deal to buy 27.7 per cent of the Red Devils from the Glazer family.

Man Utd are still looking to bring in Dan Ashworth before the summer

Ratcliffe was given control of the football operation as part of the agreement and he’s already appointed Omar Berrada as the new CEO from arch-rivals Man City.
Jason Wilcox also looks set to join as the new technical director from Championship side Southampton, while Man Utd are still locked in negotiations to land Ashworth as their new sporting director from Newcastle.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano gave an update earlier this week on the Red Devils’ pursuit of Ashworth, he wrote in his Caught Offside column: “The negotiation with Newcastle is still ongoing for Dan Ashworth.
“It’s not been easy, as expected, but Man United are still working to have Ashworth and Jason Wilcox as soon as possible.
READ MORE: Erik ten Hag to Liverpool? Mikel Arteta ‘cock up will cost Arsenal dear’ and ‘admirable’ Man Utd
“This delay can of course make the process slower in terms of the club’s strategy, but the vision will always be there thanks to the co-owners and new people at the club.”
Related video: What's Going Wrong For Man Utd & Newcastle? | The Premier League Panel (Dailymotion)

And now TEAMtalk insist that Man Utd ‘remain optimistic of appointing Dan Ashworth as the club’s new sporting director before the summer transfer window opens’.
Newcastle initially demanded around £20m from Man Utd in order to release Ashworth, who is currently on gardening leave, but TEAMtalk add that ‘Man Utd officials are optimistic of reaching a compromise with their Newcastle counterparts of around a £10m compensation fee for the remainder of his contract at Newcastle until 2025.’

‘All parties now accept a clean separation’

And now John Murtough is the man who will face the axe ahead of the summer transfer market with Man Utd look to let him go.
The Athletic claims that Murtough has now accepted that “a clean separation makes most sense” after weighing up whether to keep him on in a different role.
The report from The Athletic said: ‘There had been a loose proposal he could continue working in a reduced role, but all parties now accept a clean separation makes most sense. Murtough’s exit should be confirmed once hires on the structural side are formalised.’

Ten Hag sack: Man Utd boss makes strong future statement as he hits back at ‘ridiculous’ claims

Erik ten Hag insists his job is safe at Manchester United and he is not in danger of the sack
Erik ten Hag is adamant he will still be the manager of Manchester United next season after furiously hitting back at claims he faces the sack and having also responded to what many feel is the most serious failure by the Red Devils’ season.
The Dutchman won the Carabao Cup and finished third in the Premier League during his first season at the helm in what many saw as a season of real progress. But this season has seen Manchester United suffer a dramatic downturn in results, crashing out of the Champions League in embarrassing circumstances and finding themselves way off the pace in the race to qualify for UEFA’s top club tournament for a second successive year.


And while United can reach a second successive FA Cup final if they manage to overcome Championship outfit Coventry City at Wembley on 21 April, it is their form in the Premier League – that has witnessed the club suffer 12 defeats from their 30 matches played so far that leaves Ten Hag‘s job in serious jeopardy.
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Indeed, TEAMtalk broke the news last month that many at Old Trafford feel Ten Hag is a deadman walking at United amid a strong belief that the sack will be forthcoming once the current campaign ends.
In the days after our article, both the Manchester Evening News, who admittedly have to tread more carefully around the Dutchman, and the Daily Mail both followed suit with copycat reports, suggesting the end was indeed nigh for Ten Hag.
Related video: Ten Hag: 'We have to make better decisions' after Man United suffer stunning 4-3 defeat at Chelsea (SNTV)

In the weeks that have followed, there has been strong talk that Gareth Southgate is being lined up for his job; speculation that the England manager has very quickly denied.

Ten Hag sack: Ten Hag makes strong claims on Man Utd future

United are next in action in Sunday’s Premier League clash against Liverpool at Old Trafford and Ten Hag would benefit from a similar performance that saw his side dump Jurgen Klopp’s team out of the FA Cup and end their hopes of a quadruple for the season.
A win on Sunday would not only derail Liverpool’s title hopes but also prove to Ten Hag’s bosses that he is capable of steering the club in the right direction.
Regardless of that, trusted reporter Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic, is adamant Ten Hag’s job is NOT on the line and insists he will remain at the helm next season, despite something of a major reshuffle behind the scenes.
Now the United manager himself, in conversation with Sky Sports, has spoken of his love for the United job, having also spoke of his confidence that his position is not under threat.

“I don’t have any doubts,” Ten Hag said. “I’m just focusing on my job, focusing on this process, in this project. I really love to be here, I’m enjoying it. For me it’s a challenge.”
United are currently sixth in the Premier League, some nine points behind Tottenham in fifth and a further two back from Aston Villa in fourth. The Red Devils’ goal difference for the season is minus one.
Nonetheless, Ten Hag is adamant he is planning for the future though admits all has not gone to plan this season.
“It will not go always in the right way, it’s not going always the results in the way we wanted but I’m sure we’re in the right direction and we will get where we want to be,” he said.

Ten Hag hits back at damning Man Utd statistic

United faced a whopping 28 shots against them in their 4-3 defeat against Chelsea on Thursday and is has been a similar story for much of the season with opponents managing to break United’s lines all too easily.
They were also second best and conceded far too many shots in their recent draw at Brentford.

All the same, Ten Hag is adamant that is not a stick that should be used to beat him with, despite many feeling that has been the club’s biggest weakness this season.
“It is ridiculous. We showed that we ranked fourth [best] for goals conceded before tonight, and everyone is talking to each other [about the shots] after.
“We are good, and we have good defending as a team and a good goalkeeper so I cannot do nothing.” In their previous game against Brentford, United faced 31 shots as they became only the second club to concede more than 30 chances in a game this season after bottom-of-the-league Sheffield United.
United lost Jonny Evans, Casemiro and Raphael Varane to injury during the Chelsea game and Ten Hag is unsure if they will be fit for Sunday.
“That doesn’t help in such moments if you have to manage the game,” Ten Hag said. “Our leaders on the pitch, Casemiro, we also have to take off, that doesn’t help, they know how to deal and bring a win over the line.

“So I can’t tell now in perspective to Sunday but we had to take them both off. In this moment, I don’t know [if Varane will be fit for the Liverpool game].”

Dutchman wants Man Utd players to show anger

Reflecting on that dramatic 4-3 loss at Stamford Bridge, Ten Hag wants his players to use the anger of that loss to get the better of arch-rivals Liverpool on Sunday.
“We have to recover very quick,” he said in his pre-match press conference. “We have to turn this around. So from [Friday] on we will be in a positive mood.
“We will be looking forward. We have to take energy but we will be mad, angry. From anger, you can take a lot of energy and that is how we have to do it.”
Despite all that, Gary Neville thinks judgement day is coming and Ten Hag faces a fight for his future.
Speaking last month, he commented: “Last season was really good in the sense of winning a trophy, getting into the Champions League, getting to an FA Cup final. There were a lot of good things about last season in terms of setting a foundation for Erik ten Hag.
“I would have expected this season, not to win the league as no one expected Manchester United to win the league, but I didn’t expect them to be in sixth and so far off.
“The moment of truth is now. In Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] and David Moyes’ periods at the club, they had games against Man City and Liverpool in very quick succession.
“Erik ten Hag has a game against City and then two against Liverpool in the next month. He will be judged on these matches. INEOS aren’t going to wait until the end of the season to make a decision. This is a massive month for these players and the manager.”
After Liverpool, United then face Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, before that crunch FA Cup semi-final against Mark Robins’ Coventry.
READ MORE ~ Next Man Utd manager: Five Gareth Southgate alternatives analysed as Ratcliffe reflects on Ten Hag future