While Manchester United’s only goal now should be to appoint a technical director to oversee the rebuilding process, they must’ve been impressed with what they’ve seen from Axel Tuanzebe at Aston Villa.

Indeed, the 20-year-old was once again excellent, helping the Villans book a spot in Wembley for the play-off final.

Despite missing a few months due to injury, Tuanzebe’s been in excellent form since returning last month. He showcased his brilliant defensive skills by restricting West Brom’s attack, dominating Jay Rodriguez in both matches. He helped to make important clearances, timely tackles and also allowed Villa to dominate the games with his stunning distribution skills.

Impressively, throughout this season, Tuanzebe’s been a key part in their success, forming a formidable defensive partnership with Tyrone Mings. Unlike his aggressive counter-part, the youngster’s a much more assertive defender. He’s recorded 1.1 tackles, 3.9 clearances, 3.1 aerials won per game, while also boasting an excellent 84.2% passing accuracy (stats via WhoScored).

He’s kept some daunting forwards quiet with smart defending and definitely must have impressed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Excitingly, the Norwegian’s already voiced his excitement at uniting with the centre-back in pre-season. If his impressive loan stint proves anything, Tuanzebe should be integrated into the team quickly.

The 21-year-old’s definitely much better on the ball than Chris Smalling or Phil Jones and not as error-prone as either. He’s very mature considering his age, having the capability of maintaining a calm vibe in his defending. The reliable Tuanzebe’s ready for the spotlight and can add more depth to fortify United’s defensive structure next season.

United fans, do you think Tuanzebe should be a first-teamer next season? Join the discussion by commenting below…

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According to The Times, Chinese club Shandong Luneng Taishan have offered £15m for Crystal Palace forward Christian Benteke, who has struggled for form in front of goal in the past two seasons, netting just four league goals since the start of the 2017/18 campaign.

The Belgian behemoth fell behind Michy Batshuayi in the pecking order once his compatriot signed for the Eagles on loan in January and it seems now that he could be on his way out.

What’s the word?

Well, The Times report that the 28-year-old could join his international teammate, Marouane Fellaini, in the Far East this summer after three mixed seasons at Selhurst Park.

The former Aston Villa and Liverpool striker was signed for £27m in 2016 and went on to score 17 goals in his first campaign in red and blue under Alan Pardew and then Sam Allardyce, although it’s all been downhill since.

Injuries have curtailed the hitman’s opportunities in the starting XI but his performances when fit haven’t helped either – Palace fans in the Holmesdale end will be familiar with the 6 ft 3 flop taking aim at goal, mainly because the ball usually hits them rather than the back of the net.

Take it and run, Palace

The Selhurst Park outfit could face a big reshuffle in the coming months, with the futures of star men Wilfried Zaha and Aaron Wan-Bissaka uncertain and a number of players surely deemed surplus to requirements. While the transfer sagas concerning the aforementioned duo will likely dominate the remainder of the window, Palace should have no doubts about accepting this bid for Benteke.

A Crystal Palace fan shares his most gutting moment of the last 10 years supporting the Eagles in the video below…

The striker takes up an extraordinary amount of the Eagles’ wage budget, raking in £130,000-a-week – a figure Palace surely can’t justify any longer – and, with just a year left on the 34-cap international’s current deal, they could face losing him on a free next summer if they don’t sell him soon.

Steve Parish and co likely won’t get a better offer than this between now and January so they should be biting the Chinese suitor’s hand off and packing Benteke’s bags.

Manchester United’s summer transfer business is set to be the main focus of many press releases in the coming weeks you would imagine.

The Red Devils, led by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, are looking to rebuild following a terrible end to the season which saw plenty of question marks asked about the club yet again.

United have already allowed the likes of Ander Herrera to move on from the club, so it’s now a case of seeing just who the club can add, following on from the signing of Welsh winger Daniel James this past week.

Defence is going to be the big issue United need to resolve though, with the 54 goals conceded last season only second to West Ham in the top ten in the Premier League.

This weekend has seen the club reportedly make a massive £84m bid for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, who has been in superb form for the Naples club over the last 12 months.

Koulibaly has been a dominant force in Serie A, with his impressive stats backing up his potential to take the Premier League by storm. Averages of 1.7 tackles per game, 1.1 interceptions per game, as well as getting in a block per game, all point to Koulibaly being the sort of defender who is nothing but all action in his work.

Speed too is something the Senegalese star brings to the table, and we have seen at the likes of Man City with the likes of Benjamin Mendy and Kyle Walker that having pace in the backline is something which can be a massive asset.

United have to make a stand this summer and propel themselves back into the limelight. While signing the likes of James is all well and good for the future, a marquee signing who can shore up the defence like Koulibaly can is just what the club needs.

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Liverpool fans are not interested in their club making a summer swoop for Borussia Dortmund attacker Mario Gotze.

The 26-year-old ended the 2018-19 campaign with seven goals and seven assists in 34 appearances in all competitions.

There is absolutely no question that the 63-time Germany international is a talent but injuries have harmed him throughout his career.

The Liverpool Echo have claimed that the Reds should look to sign Gotze on the cheap this summer with his contract due to expire in June 2020.

However, the majority of the Merseyside club’s fans are simply not interested in a swoop for the versatile attacker.

Gotze, who won the 2014 World Cup with Germany, has played 66 times for Dortmund over the last two seasons despite concerns over his fitness.

Has Alisson been Liverpool’s most important signing of the season? Check out the video below to find out why Jurgen Klopp thinks so…

The Liverpool fans are not convinced, though, and have told their club to forget a move for the 5 ft 9 ace in this summer’s transfer window.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

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According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United might be “tempted” to revive their interest in Danny Rose after the Tottenham star’s admission that he could be leaving the north London side this summer.

What’s the word?

The report centres around the 28-year-old’s comments after England’s penalty shoot-out win over Switzerland in the Nations League, when he admitted he would just have to wait and see what happens over the next few weeks.

United’s interest in Rose has been long-standing, with a report by The Independent back in the summer of 2017 claiming that the England international was interested in making a move back up ‘north’.

A move for the defender even two years later still makes sense, particularly with Luke Shaw the only out-and-out left-back at the club and the future of versatile full-back Matteo Darmian uncertain.

Could Harry Maguire be on his way to Old Trafford? Check out the video below to see why it would make so much sense…

Experienced and proven quality

The jury has been out on how good a player Rose actually is, but bear in mind this is a defender who was the first-choice left-back of a Tottenham team that reached the Champions League final.

Whilst Shaw came good particularly in the second-half of the season, former boss Jose Mourinho’s public comments and constant jibes about his fitness and character are something for United to really consider in the long-term; can he be a consistent performer for the side? Are his injury problems well and truly behind him? Does he have the required attitude to make it to the top?

Rose on the other hand has proven year in and year out at Spurs that he can be regarded as one of the finest full-backs on his day, and often turns up for the big games on the big occasion.

When the north London side’s Champions League future was on the line at the Camp Nou, Rose enjoyed one of his finest games in a Tottenham shirt and but for some profligate finishing from his teammates, could have ended up with a couple of assists.

At 28, Rose is at the perfect age and the proverbial peak years of his career, and moving back to more comfortable surroundings up in Manchester might just see him step his game up another level; some of the world’s best players have struggled in environments away from home, and yet Rose has shown the professionalism and temperament to put that to one side and deliver impressive performances in London.

So whilst Shaw might have won United’s Players’ Player of the Year award, signing Rose as a back-up to the Englishman would present Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a huge selection dilemma, and it’s hard to envisage a world where Rose doesn’t win that battle.

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Former Scotland international Jackie McNamara thinks Alfredo Morelos won’t be at Rangers next season, as reported by Football Insider.

What’s he said?

Morelos has had an excellent season at Ibrox, netting 30 goals in all competitions for Steven Gerrard’s side.

It’s the kind of attacking output that makes him an attractive transfer proposition for teams all over Europe and many expect that interest to firm up when the summer window opens for business.

Watch the video below to see the most insane overhead kick you will see this week…

McNamara is one of those who thinks he may leave, believing that the player’s desire to play elsewhere, along with his record in big matches, will tempt Rangers into cashing in.

As quoted by Football Insider, he said:

“From what I hear and read, he’s off. Morelos has made it clear with what he’s said publicly that’s what he wants.

“I think Rangers will have a valuation and if that’s met he will go, maybe £10million, a bit more perhaps.

“Don’t think he’s [Gerrard] lost patience, I think he’ll look at it about reliability in certain games. He’s not scored in any Old Firm games, where he’s judged, he’s been sent off a number of times.

“If they get the right money for him, you imagine they take that money and try to invest it in other positions they’ll need to try and get closer to Celtic.”

Keep or sell?

Before Rangers consider selling Morelos they need to have an elite replacement ready to come into Ibrox.

His goal contribution needs to be replaced and although Jermain Defoe has shown his class since arriving in January, another top striker will be needed to net on a regular basis.

Still, Morelos’ sale should definitely be considered.

Unless he goes on to have a stellar season in Europe next season, he is arguably at his peak transfer value as it stands right now. It’s important Rangers take that into account and cash in on that market value when it’s available.

That allows them to invest in a new wave of talented young players that again can be sold at peak value. It’s that kind of cycle that will allow the Gers to truly progress in the long-term.

In the short-term it would of course allow Gerrard to strengthen in other positions too.

Morelos will be a big miss for Rangers supporters, but letting him go may be the best thing for the club.

Arsenal fans thought that Olivier Giroud would always be a hero at The Emirates. However, it seems the Frenchman is doing everything he can to distance himself from the North London club. In doing that, he’s made some bold claims in an interview on The Mail Online, leading to loads of abuse from Arsenal supporters.

Giroud has not been the most clinical striker that Chelsea have ever had. However, the Frenchman has been the Europa League Ronaldo. His 10 goals and three assists in 13 games have made him one of the most clinical players in UEFA’s second string competition, yet when he faces Arsenal the Gunners are intent on making the Frenchman’s trip to Baku as painful as their travels will likely be.

The Europa League final is already being looked at as a massive shambles and motivation for the clash will be hard to muster for a lot of Arsenal fans. Now, though, Giroud has sorted that problem for the Gunners, as they’ll get just as much joy in winning the Europa League as they will in seeing Giroud crying after losing seeing as he’s come out with comments like ‘my blood is blue now’.

You can read the Gunners’ thoughts on Giroud here:

The Gunners hate the idea of seeing Giroud score the winner against them, but they will be delighted if the Frenchman is left in tears after a loss given his recent comments.

علق الأسكتلندي أندي جراي، لاعب أستون فيلا السابق والمحلل التلفزيوني الحالي، على خروج محمد صلاح الغاضب في مباراة ليفربول وبرايتون الأخيرة في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ليفربول تعادل بهدف لمثله أمام برايتون يوم السبت الماضي، وخرج محمد صلاح أثناء تقدم الريدز في النتيجة بهدف نظيف، ودخل بدلًا منه ساديو ماني.

محمد صلاح خرج من المباراة وهو في قمة الغضب، ورفض مصافحة يورجن كلوب المدير الفني، وتجاهله أثناء اتجاهه إلى مقاعد البدلاء.

وقال جراي في تصريحات لشبكة “بي ان سبورتس” العالمية: “محمد صلاح عادة ما يخرج من الملعب ويعانق يورجن كلوب، لكن هذه المرة لم يفعل”.

وأضاف: “كان يسير أمامه ولم ينظر له، لم يكن من المستغرب أن نرى رد فعل محمد صلاح بهذه الطريقة، خاصة وأن فريقه لم يضمن النتيجة”.

واختتم: “لم يغضب منه أحد في جماهير ليفربول، الجميع يُدرك أنه غاضب لأنه أراد تسجيل هدف أو ضمان الفوز لـ الفريق”.

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According to The Sun, Aston Villa want to sign Liverpool attacker Ryan Kent in this summer’s transfer window.

And a number of Villa fans are keen for their club to swoop for the 22-year-old.

Kent has spent the 2018-19 campaign on loan at Rangers – scoring six times and contributing nine assists in 43 appearances in all competitions.

The attacker has actually only represented Liverpool’s first team on one occasion.

Indeed, the bulk of his first-team action has come during loan spells with Coventry City, Barnsley, Freiburg, Bristol City and Rangers.

According to The Sun, Villa are determined to purchase Kent in a £10m deal.

Rangers fans are desperate for their club to sign the former England Under-20 international on a permanent deal this summer, which shows just how dazzling he was for the Gers this term.

However, Villa appear to be in the driving seat and the club’s fans are keen for a swoop to take place ahead of the new campaign.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

دافع جياني إنفانتينو رئيس الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم عن تقنية الفيديو، وسط مزاعم بأن التكنولوجيا تضر باللعبة.

وانتقد اللاعبون والمدربون والمحللون تقنية الفيديو، مع شعور الكثير بأنها تجاوزت هدفها الأصلي المعلن وهو تصحيح الأخطاء الواضحة والملحوظة.

وقال إنفانتينو في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ميرور” الإنجليزية: “أعتقد أن تقنية حكم الفيديو تساعد كرة القدم، فهي بالتأكيد لا تضر باللعبة”.

وأضاف: “علينا أن نتذكر أن تقنية VAR تم تقديمها لأول مرة منذ عامين، وليس قبل 20 عامًا، يجب ألا نخلط بين تقنية VAR وبين قرارات خاطئة يتم اتخاذها أحيانًا بسبب الطريقة الخاطئة التي يتم بها استخدام هذه التكنولوجيا ربما في بعض الأماكن بسبب نقص خبرة أولئك الذين يستخدمونها”.

وقال أيضًا إنه “لا يوجد أي التزام” على البطولات باستخدام التكنولوجيا إذا لم يرغبوا في ذلك، مما يعرض على الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز طريقًا محتملاً للابتعاد عن استخدام هذه التقنية بعد إثارتها الكثير من الجدل مؤخرًا.