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Manchester United have cultivated an enviable reputation for producing a constant stream of talented youngsters in their academy, and striker Anthony Elanga is the latest prodigy to come off their conveyor belt.

The Sweden U21 international departed his homeland back in 2014 in order to chase his dream of becoming a Premier League footballer and burst onto the scene last term, scoring in the Red Devils final-day victory over Wolves on only his second appearance for the club.

Since then, he’s continued to take great strides towards becoming a permanent fixture in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first-team setup.

After finding the back of the net during a pre-season game over the summer, United’s Norwegian manager was quick to praise Elanga, hinting he could feature more prominently in the senior side throughout 2021/22.

Solskjaer told the club website: “The boy is electric, has energy and enthusiasm, he’s really enjoying himself. He’s done himself the world of good. We know he’s a good player, we know he’s a good lad.

“He works so hard, he’s always smiley, bright, asking what more he needs to do, he’s so hungry to improve and get better. He can play wide left, wide right, upfront, so anywhere along the front line. He’s going to be an asset.”

Elanga’s only minutes in the first-team so far this season have come as an emergency left-back in the 20-time English champions shock 1-0 defeat to West Ham United in the Carabao Cup, though.

However, he’s continued to impress at youth level. He underlined his burgeoning reputation with a match-winning performance for United’s U23s against bitter rivals Liverpool last time out, scoring one and laying on an assist as the academy side earned a 3-0 victory.

And Elanga’s rise to prominence could come at the ideal time for both the player and the club.

With Edinson Cavani’s contract set to expire at the end of the current campaign, Anthony Martial desperately struggling for form and Cristiano Ronaldo deep into the twilight zone of his career, a new forward is believed to be high up on the hierarchy’s wishlist.

The youngster has previously outlined an Arsenal legend as his biggest influence in an interview with The Athletic, saying: “Thierry Henry was my idol, and I tried to match my game with his.

“He was quick. He could play anywhere across the front three – striker, left-wing, right-wing – and that’s how I want to replicate my game.”

But United will be hoping their latest homegrown star can replicate one of their own; Ronaldo.

Just like the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Elanga started his career as a skilful, pacey, goalscoring left-winger, but has already made the leap to becoming a central striker on many occasions.

Of course, it will take some stunning performances to replicate the great Portuguese attacker but his dribbling, goals and creativity certainly show shades of their famous number 7.

Solskjaer and co. will be hoping their Scandinavian starlet carries on his meteoric rise in the weeks and months ahead, providing the Old Trafford outfit with yet another outstanding asset in the final third of the pitch.

And, in other news…Murtough must seal Man Utd move for £70m magician, he’s “destined for great things” 

Tottenham Hotspur have suffered a huge injury setback over defender Matt Doherty this week…

What’s the latest?

Spurs manager Antonio Conte has revealed that the full-back will miss the remainder of the campaign due to his injury, despite the club hoping that he will be able to return without going under the knife.

The ex-Wolves man was forced off during the first half of the 4-0 win over Aston Villa last weekend and will now have to wait until 2022/23 to play in a competitive match again.

Charlie Eccleshare Tweeted: “Conte says that a doctor has told Doherty that he can recover without surgery, but #THFC are going to get a second opinion. His season is definitely over.”

The head coach also said: “This is really bad news for us. We know very well the improvement in our team and it is a pity because to lose a player like him for the rest of the season. We have to try and cope in the best possible way until the end of the season.”

Supporters will be infuriated

This confirmation from Conte that Doherty will play no further part this term will surely leave the fans furious as it comes as a major blow to the side.

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The Ireland international averaged an impressive SofaScore rating of 7.06 in the Premier League across 15 outings this term. In those matches, he won 56% of his duels, made 2.1 tackles and interceptions per game and created three ‘big chances’, showing off his consistency and ability at both ends of the pitch.

He managed two goals and three assists in his six appearances leading up to the clash with Villa. This shows that he was getting into his full stride and making a huge impact for Conte’s team playing on the right and the left of the defence when needed.

Therefore, losing him is a major blow as they will now be without his attacking talent from wing-back for the final seven matches of the league season. This has come at a terrible moment for the club as they are in a tight battle to finish in the top four, currently sitting three points clear of Arsenal in fifth – who have a game in hand – and six points ahead of West Ham in fifth in the Premier League table.

Fans will be worried with the timing of the blow and will be praying that other players at the back are able to step up in his absence to ensure that the team can secure Champions League football for next season.

AND in other news, “Paratici is crazy…”: Insider delivers big Spurs transfer claim that’ll excite Conte…

Wolves need to bring in both a centre-back and a midfielder in the January transfer window, according to journalist Luke Hatfield.

The Lowdown: Heartbreak against Liverpool

Bruno Lage’s side suffered an agonising 1-0 defeat at home to Liverpool on Saturday, with Divock Origi pouncing at the death at Molineux.

The loss is no disaster in the grand scheme of things, however, with Wolves sitting eighth in the Premier League after the weekend action – their season will not be decided by fixtures against teams like Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Still , it may be that January reinforcements are needed if Wanderers are to mount a genuine European push, given the quality of the teams around them – West Ham for example were able to grab three points against title-chasing Chelsea on Saturday.

The Latest: Journalist backs double signing

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Hatfield says that should be the case next month, claiming there are two clear areas that need to be improved upon:

“They need a really dominant centre-half, would be ideal for them along with an energetic midfielder.”

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The Verdict: Ideal for squad depth

It makes complete sense for these areas to be focused on, with Wolves appearing to run out of the steam against Liverpool on Saturday.

In Max Kilman, Conor Coady and Romain Saiss, Lage has a strong to back-three to call upon but another option would allow him to rotate and give his key defenders the odd breather.

Someone like Lille’s Sven Botman would be ideal, having been linked with a move, with the 21-year-old’s average of 2.5 aerial duel wins per game in the league this season only bettered by Saiss (2.9).

In midfield, the likes of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho are arguably too similar, oozing technical class but not covering endless ground, so a more combative middle man could be a perfect foil for the pair – perhaps the endlessly linked Renato Sanches.

In other news, three Wolves players struggled in the defeat to Liverpool. Find out who they are here.

With just one win in their 11 previous Premier League games, Everton have not had a particularly successful season under Rafa Benitez so far this season.

Now that the January transfer window is close to opening, this could give Benitez a good opportunity to make some changes to his squad that he thinks would benefit the team as a whole, whether that be bringing new players in or getting rid of current ones.

One current Everton player that should be in consideration for a January exit is midfielder Andre Gomes.

Even though he’s only made six appearances in the Premier League for the Toffees this season, Gomes has failed to show Benitez why he should be a regular figure for Everton, particularly in a defensive regard having been described as being reckless at the back in the past by Everton journalist Dave Prentice.

In those six appearances, the 28-year-old has only managed to rack up an average of 0.2 clearances and interceptions per game, an average of getting dribbled past 2.2 times per game as well as winning just 30% of his duels, which goes to show why Everton have conceded four goals in the two league games he’s started this season.

His previous appearance for Everton in their 1-1 draw against Chelsea away at Stamford Bridge saw Gomes, who is currently valued at £18m according to Transfermarkt, deliver a poor display that ultimately earned him an overall match rating of 5.8/10 from SofaScore, making him comfortably Everton’s lowest-rated player on the day.

Gomes’ overall performances this season have earned him a disappointing overall rating of 6.2/10 from WhoScored, making him the lowest-rated Everton player to have started more than one league game so far this season.

With all of this in mind and the fact that he has a significant injury record under his belt since arriving at Goodison Park from Barcelona back in 2018 on loan before signing on a permanent basis a year later in a deal worth a reported fee of £22m, it could be time to bring his time at Everton to a close.

If Benitez does axe Gomes in January, they will have to make sure they sign a new midfielder to replace him if they can.

In other news: Moshiri could replicate Gray masterclass at Everton with Jan move for 30 G/A starlet – opinion

An update has emerged on Sunderland and their interest in signing Cardiff City defender Aden Flint in the January transfer window…

What’s the talk?

According to Football League World, the Black Cats are eyeing up a swoop for the centre-back as Lee Johnson looks to improve his squad at the Stadium of Light.

The report does not reveal whether they are looking into a loan or permanent switch for the giant enforcer, or whether or not Cardiff are willing to part ways with the 32-year-old.

Imagine him & Doyle

Johnson must ensure that he is able to get a deal over the line for Flint, as he could seal a dream partnership for Sunderland by starting him alongside youngster Callum Doyle at the back.

The Cardiff monster is as experienced as they come in the EFL and has been playing in the Championship for a number of seasons. He has racked up 242 appearances in the second tier, having played 112 times in League One prior to getting his chance higher up the leagues.

Last year, former Bluebirds boss Mick McCarthy heaped praise on the player, saying: “He has been great, hasn’t he? I always admired him and thought he was a top defender when he got his moves. I was kind of surprised that he had been out on loan. But I had a word with him, the first week I was in and he has been brilliant. I am amazed at his resilience, how he has come back, having been three months off with a hamstring. He has been brilliant.”

He has a career average WhoScored rating of 7.12, winning an impressive 5.7 aerial battles per game throughout his playing days. This suggests that McCarthy’s comments are accurate, as Flint has proven with his performances that he is a top defender at Championship and League One level.

By contrast, Doyle is at the other end of his career and still learning his trade as a defender. The 18-year-old has started 24 games for Sunderland this season and averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.79. This shows that the Manchester City loanee has had a strong start to life at senior level, and playing next to an experienced head in the form of Flint could further aid his development.

This means that they could be the perfect pairing, as Johnson would be mixing Flint’s experience and guile with Doyle’s youthfulness and ability on the ball. They could complement each other well and the latter could benefit greatly from having such an established EFL player alongside him in the second half of the campaign.

AND in other news, Sunderland plotting swoop for 72-goal machine who’s a “real threat”, Johnson would love him…

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Tottenham fans have taken to Twitter to react after it was revealed that Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot would prefer a move to Liverpool over their club, according to Paris United.

As mentioned in the article, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has allegedly spoken to the French international in a bid to convince him to swap Paris for north London.

Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin may be out for the season but it’s given him a chance to show off his new accesory. Check out the video below to see for yourself…

However it is understood that the 23-year-old would prefer to team up with Jurgen Klopp and league leaders Liverpool, if he were to move to England.

Tottenham have lost Mousa Dembele this month as he was sold to Guangzhou R&F (as per the BBC), so the north London-based side need a new face in midfield to replace the imposing Belgian international.

Let’s see how Spurs supporters reacted on Twitter amid claims the Frenchman is far more keen on a move to Anfield…

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been dealt a huge blow ahead of their upcoming Premier League clash.

What’s the latest?

According to a report by The Guardian, Bruno Lage will be unable to call upon Francisco Trincao on Saturday afternoon as the winger is yet to complete his quarantine period after falling ill while on international duty with Portugal last week.

It had originally been reported that the Barcelona loanee was a doubt for the game, as it was unclear exactly when his aforementioned quarantine would end, and it has now been confirmed that Wolves will be without the 21-year-old for the trip to Aston Villa today.

Lage will be gutted

Considering just how impressive Trincao has been for Wolves since joining the club on a temporary basis this summer, Lage will be gutted that he will have to make do without the forward for the all-Midlands clash this afternoon.

Indeed, despite being yet to directly contribute to a goal over his six Premier League appearances, the £19.8m-rated winger has nevertheless demonstrated his ability in abundance, taking 2.5 shots, making one key pass and completing 3.2 dribbles per game. None of his team-mates have averaged more shots per match, while only the league-leading Adama Traore can better his dribbling average at Molineux.

These metrics have seen the £140k-per-week man earn an average SofaScore match rating of 6.90, ranking him as the club’s joint eighth-best performer in the top flight.

While Lage is not exactly short of options in the wide attacking areas of his squad – with Traore looking the most likely candidate to come in for the Portugal international against Villa – it will undoubtedly come as a big blow to the Wolves boss to be without Trincao, as the winger has already proven that he can offer a threat in the final third of the pitch.

In other news: “Huge” £51k-p/w Wolves target “able to leave” in January, he’d be a major coup for Shi

Liverpool are interested in a deal to bring Serge Gnabry to Anfield in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Goal, who claim that, with there being no sign of the 26-year-old and Bayern Munich reaching an agreement regarding the extension of the winger’s current contract at the Allianz Arena – with is due to expire in the summer of 2023 – the Germany international is now considering a move away from the Bundesliga side.

The report goes on to state that this has alerted both Liverpool and Real Madrid to the forward’s potential availability this summer, with Jurgen Klopp’s side said to have identified the former Arsenal attacker as a candidate to replace Mohamed Salah – who is himself being linked with a move away from Anfield due to similar contractual issues.

Bye-bye Salah

While it would be an extremely difficult task to find a supporter of Liverpool who would be happy to wave goodbye to Salah at the end of the season, should the £225k-per-week forward go on to secure a move away from the club this summer, Gnabry would very much appear to be a near-perfect replacement for the Egyptian sensation.

Indeed, since making an €8m (£6.5m) move to Bayern back in July of 2017, Gnabry has gone on to establish a reputation as being one of the most deadly wingers currently playing the game – having scored a quite astonishing 61 goals and registered 40 assists over just 163 appearances for Die Roten – averaging 0.62 direct goal contributions per game.

And, while the €70m (£58m) valued German’s record is poorer than Salah’s at Liverpool – with the £90m-rated forward having scored 153 goals and provided 57 assists over his 240 outings for the Reds, averaging 0.89 direct goal contributions per game – it should be pointed out Gnabry’s record is still incredibly impressive, it is just that Salah has been on a different level from almost everyone in world football over the past four years.

Indeed, with the £115k-rated talent who Michael O’Neill dubbed “unplayable” being three years Salah’s junior, it is arguable whether or not the 26-year-old has even entered the prime of his professional career as yet – while the 29-year-old is certainly well into his.

Either way, should the Egypt international move onto pastures new this summer, Klopp could do a great deal worse than signing the Bayern star as his replacement, as Gnabry very much appears to be one of a very select group of players who would be able to soften the blow of losing the Liverpool talisman.

AND in other news: Source: Klopp now wants Liverpool to sign £150m “explosion”, he’s better than Thiago

Taking to Twitter, Goal Brasil reporter Thiago Fernandes has now shared a big update on West Ham United’s pursuit of FC Basel powerhouse striker Arthur Cabral.

The Lowdown: West Ham eye new forward…

It is no secret that manager David Moyes has been targeting fresh forward additions since club record signing Sebastien Haller departed the club for Ajax a year ago.

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Bids have been made for new strikers since last January with many names entering the fray since then, including prolific Basel ace Cabral.

The Irons and new head of recruitment Rob Newman have been linked with a move for the in-form 23-year-old since the end of 2021 amid West Ham’s striker search as Fernandes now shares a major update on social media.

The Latest: Fernandes makes major claim…

According to the reporter’s sources, West Ham ‘promises’ a formal offer to sign Cabral ‘in the coming days’ with a move for the player now imminent.

“West Ham promises formal offer for Arthur Cabral in the coming days,” he explained on Twitter.

“Basel wants 15 million euros, player asks for 2.5 million euros per season.”

The Verdict: Right move?

Scoring an incredible 27 goals and assisting eight others in all competitions already this season (Transfermarkt), it’s little wonder West Ham are about to make their move for Cabral.

At just 23, the Brazilian could also come with significant potential for sell-on value and has been lavished with praise on multiple occasions for his talent.

Basel ‘squad planner’ Philipp Kaufmann lauded Cabral’s ‘phenomenal’ numbers (via Nau.ch) whilst Swiss journalist Andre Oechsner told Hammers News that the South American also has a ‘phenomenal’ eye for goal.

The powerful 6 foot 1 attacker, according to Oechsner again, possesses ‘excellent physicality’ – a redeeming quality of his playing style which could make him a more-than ideal fit for the Premier League.

Given his club are apparently demanding just €15 million (£12.5m), this offer surely must be made.

In other news: West Ham source: Newman also eyeing bid for brand new forward target as club green light sale, find out more here.

As Manchester City cruised to a 2-0 victory against bitter rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on derby day, many Sky Blues were left disappointed by the performance of Ilkay Gundogan.

Today’s Manchester derby marked the first clash between both sides to be played in front of a crowd since COVID-19 and it’s safe to say City supporters will be happy with what they’ve seen today.

Barring one Cristiano Ronaldo snap shot in the first half, Pep Guardiola’s side never really looked under much threat as City built upon their impressive record at Old Trafford in recent years.

Eric Bailly’s own goal gifted the Sky Blues an early lead before Bernardo Silva took advantage of Joao Cancelo’s cross just before half time to sneak a toe-poked effort in at the back post.

City had chances to extend their lead in what was a dominant afternoon against their rivals, but one man who didn’t seem to impress fans was Gundogan.

The Germany international, missing a big chance to get on the scoresheet himself, hit the woodwork and was among the lowest-rated City players according to SofaScore.

He also couldn’t really stamp his authority on the game, taking less touches than every City man today bar John Stones and Ederson (SofaScore).

As a result, many Citizens took to Twitter and voiced their criticism of last season’s top scorer in all competitions.

Find all of their verdicts down below.

Man City fans slam Gundogan…

“Gundogan been a bit disappointing”

Credit: @reclusee

“Alright get Gundo off i’ve seen enough”

Credit: @mcfcskywalker10

“Gundo is playing against us rn”

Credit: @sultxnqt

“gundo needs to be taken off”

Credit: @diaskadais

“Sell Gundo man”

Credit: @MoSakoooo

“Gundo hasn’t been too good has he”

Credit: @RishiMcfc

“So dissapointed in Gundo there, not had the best game tbh

Gotta slip Foden in or finish it himself”

Credit: @Ethan4707