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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

As quoted by Sky Sports, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed Manchester United will be targeting a new striker.

What did he say?

Following the departures of both Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez this summer, the Red Devils have just Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood as their options up front. And even United fans revealed their frustrations with their summer business.

Injuries to both Rashford and Martial have exacerbated the glaring lack of depth in the centre-forward role, and Solskjaer has now admitted the club will be looking to make an addition in this area – but only if they are right for the club.

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He said: “Of course, when we let Alexis (Sanchez) and (Romelu) Lukaku go, you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know it’s a forward we’re going to try to recruit next time.

“It was time for Romelu Lukaku to go, though – he knows that, he didn’t want to be here, and what’s the point in having players who don’t want to be here? We’re looking for some creativity and goals, but they (potential signings) have to be the right one.

“There were strikers available but not the ones we wanted. We couldn’t get the one we wanted (in the summer). There’s no point getting players in that you are not 100% sure about either. When you get players in, you need the right ones that are going to stay here for a long period of time and that’s the long-term thinking we have to show.”

Desperation

Make no mistake about it, United desperately need a new centre-forward in the January transfer window. How one of the Premier League’s biggest sides goes into a new season without a 20-25 goals a season striker beggars belief. Rashford’s poor form (he has just one goal in his last six games) and Martial’s injury have combined to really rub United’s faces in it.

Whilst Solskjaer insists the club will only go for players who fit their long-term vision, the simple fact is United need someone – even if it’s only a stop-gap measure that allows them to reassess the situation in the summer. A swoop for Juventus veteran Mario Mandzukic has been mooted, and his pedigree on the world stage can help ease the burden on the Red Devils’ young strike-force. Either way, the Manchester side need to take action in January.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

Aston Villa ran riot last weekend to pick up just their second win of this Premier League season as they defeated Norwich 5-1 at Carrow Road.

The result saw them rise out of the relegation zone and into 15th by close of play on Sunday evening.

Summer signing Wesley bagged a first-half brace, but we could easily have been writing about a hat-trick as his penalty was saved by the Canaries’ goalkeeper.

Villa midfielders Jack Grealish, Conor Hourihane, and Douglas Luiz also got on the scoresheet to make it a fabulous five in Norfolk.

Norwich were able to capture a meaningless consolation goal three minutes from time when Josip Drmic capitalised on a Tyrone Mings blunder to slot home into an empty net.

The west Midlands club have clearly had a change in fortune in attack as prior to the game, they only managed to score eight goals in seven matches.

On the Chalkboard

One player, in particular, has made a phenomenal impact since being reintroduced to the starting line up, so much so that he could be one of the key reasons behind their upturn in goalscoring form.

Hourihane bagged his first goal of this Premier League season, meaning he has scored in every division from League Two onwards – but anyone keeping an eye on his Carabao Cup exploits would know that he’s already bagged three in that competition, taking his total for the season to four.

But it’s not just goals that the 28-year-old offers.

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Football FanCast previously suggested that Jack Grealish should play further forward – that’s something that has been allowed to happen because of Hourihane’s introduction to the starting line up.

The captain’s last two games from left-wing have seen a 7.39 rating vs. Burnley followed by a goal and a season-high 8.76 rating vs. Norwich, per WhoScored.

An important thing to note is just how far forward Hourihane plays – he was actually the furthest ahead of any of the Villa squad against the Canaries, so it’s no surprise to see that he also notched up an assist on top of the goal too.

The Republic of Ireland international started the season in midfield against Tottenham Hotspur, but was unfairly dropped to allow summer arrivals Douglas Luiz and Marvelous Nakamba to settle in – he had played defensive midfield six times last season, per Transfermarkt’s recorded matches, so that made him an obvious choice.

But maybe Dean Smith has found his best position and role over the last week or so – he would be very wise to continue allowing it to pay off after the international break.

Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a late penalty as Gabon beat Burkina Faso 1-0 during a friendly.

The Gabonese striker made the difference for his country once more as his strike six minutes from time won the game at the Stade Municipal.

After a scintillating start in the Premier League, the 30-year-old – who has scored seven goals in eight Premier League games this season – transferred his domestic form onto the international stage.

His recent form earned him the EA Sports Player of the Month award for September and a real incentive for the prolific striker to continue his form as the intense Christmas period approaches.

Fans were understandably delighted with Aubameyang and the fact that he consistently finds himself on the scoresheet.

One fan stated that he is the “best striker in the world”, while another said that he should be given a lifetime contract at the Emirates.

Here you will find some of the best responses from Arsenal fans:

Everton fans have taken to Twitter to express their desire to see Tom Davies get more of a role in the team, with many wanting him to start against West Ham United.

Davies has played just 20 minutes of Premier League action all season and has had his chances limited with Marco Silva favouring the likes of Fabian Delph, Andre Gomes and Morgan Schneiderlin in the centre of the pitch.

It is understandable to see why fans are so desperate to see the academy graduate start when you consider the form of others in the position. Schneiderlin has averaged a rating of 6.09 so far this season and most recently earned a 4/10 rating from The Liverpool Echo for his torrid display against Burnley.

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Silva stated in his press conference when asked about Davies playing in a deeper role: “It’s always a possibility. Of course he can play in a different role, a little bit more forward, but is able to play in both positions if I decide he’s able to start the game.”

In his press conference, Silva also added how Delph is a doubt and it was revealed earlier this week that Jean-Philippe Gbamin is set for another long spell on the sidelines. With this in mind, plus the poor form of Schneiderlin, surely it is time for Davies to start for Everton.

After all, they sit inside the relegation zone on just seven points after eight games, so the former Watford boss has to change something.

Here’s what the fans have had to say…

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Wolves sporting director Kevin Thelwell has commented on the situation surrounding young midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White by claiming that a loan move wouldn’t be right for him this season.

What’s he said?

Speaking at the recent fans parliament, Thelwell was questioned about the plans regarding their talented development squad ahead of January with the 45-year-old also talking about Gibbs-White, who is one of their only success stories to date.

He claimed that there could be several emerging prospects that could benefit from a loan move in the upcoming transfer window, but the 19-year-old is not one of them.

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Currently, the midfield starlet has been battling injury, although, that hasn’t taken away from the fact that he’s played just 120 minutes in the Premier League this season with the bulk of his appearances coming in their Europa League campaign – 63.5% to be precise, per Transfermarkt.

Thelwell said:

“We see him as a very, young player who will add more game time this season with us in Europe. I don’t think he has stalled at all. He’s in the right place with Nuno. He’s a top talent and going to be a fantastic player.”

Career in jeopardy?

The England U21 international has played 63 matches for the Wolves senior side since making his debut in January 2017, but just nine of those appearances have come this season.

Therefore, to say that he hasn’t ‘stalled’ is a little too premature as he’s clearly not been involved as much as he used to be regardless of being out injured right now – he’s been named on the bench in the Premier League six times without featuring.

By not playing, the youngster’s progression as a footballer will only be hindered long-term as he’s not getting valuable game time at the level in which Wolves are competing.

A loan move could do him a world of good, and if his performances gain some traction, he could easily return and become a regular in Nuno Santo’s future plans.

It would be a wise decision because he isn’t going to break into that long-term vision by not playing – he currently can’t prove anything to his manager as to why he should actually be involved other than when on the training pitch.

Gibbs-White won’t be short of suitable teams either considering he’s the sort of character that puts himself forward for captaincy on the international stage.

Arsenal will face Liverpool in the League Cup on Wednesday as they look to bounce back from their 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace.

With this being the least important of the four competitions in which the Gunners are competing, plenty of changes can be expected, but it should still be a strong side with the European champions as the opposition.

Watch the moment Granit Xhaka’s Arsenal career may have come to an ugly end in the video below…

Here, we try to predict Unai Emery’s starting XI.

With this being in a cup competition, Emiliano Martinez will come back into the side to make his fourth start of the campaign. He has kept three clean sheets so far, although he could have a hard time doing that against the Reds.

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Having not played against the Eagles, Sead Kolasinac should come in, with Hector Bellerin doing the same on the right side of the defence.

In the middle, we might expect to see Rob Holding and Calum Chambers. It will be interesting to observe how they get on against Liverpool’s strikers considering the pair of Sokratis and David Luiz conceded three and generally struggled in the Premier League match earlier this season.

Following on from the unsavoury incident at the weekend, Granit Xhaka is unlikely to feature, whilst Matteo Guendouzi should be rested. Emery has plenty of talent amongst his replacements, though, and as such, Lucas Torreira and Joe Willock should be adequate alternatives in the middle of the park.

Only Reiss Nelson is out injured currently, which gives the former Sevilla boss plenty of options.

Bukayo Saka, having only been a substitute against Roy Hodgson’s side could be included, as might Dani Ceballos who should move into a number 10 position.

Having previously impressed up front for the Gunners, scoring five goals so far this term, it could be a surprise to see Gabriel Martinelli on the right flank here, but it will all make sense in a moment.

Having missed a large part of the campaign already, Alexandre Lacazette is fresh and his experience will be needed against a side with the quality Liverpool possess As such, the France international should start as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang begins on the bench.

With all of those amendments in mind, it could mean the Arsenal boos makes as many as eight changes from last time out.

Liverpool fans are concerned with the lack of form of Joe Gomez and believe he needs to improve quickly if the team is to cope without Joel Matip.

The Cameroon international has been ruled out for up to six weeks and Gomez could be in line to start against Arsenal on Wednesday, possibly alongside Dejan Lovren as Virgil van Dijk is also a doubt with a dead leg.

That could fill some supporters with worry, as the Croatian has failed to impress recently, too. The Reds have only kept three clean sheets from 17 games this term as well, which suggests it is an area of the team that requires improvement.

Gomez impressed last season prior to his long-term injury, and his form was rewarded with multiple call-ups to the England squad.

However, he has struggled since his return, and was at fault for some of the goals conceded in a disappointing display against RB Salzburg.

As a result, some of the Anfield faithful are worried about his current situation, and have taken a firm stance in their view of the player, as the following reactions show…

After knocking out Chelsea in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, Manchester United may have been hoping to avoid some of the remaining Premier League big-hitters for the next round.

Arch-rivals Manchester City and Liverpool had similarly progressed thanks to wins over Southampton and Arsenal respectively, whilst Everton and Aston Villa were also in the mix.

Instead, in the draw for the quarter-finals on Thursday morning, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side received a massive slice of luck. The Red Devils were handed a home tie against Colchester United, with the winners heading onto the semi-finals stage.

After hearing of who they had gotten in the next round of the competition, United fans flooded to Twitter to voice their thoughts on the matter.

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Whilst there may have been an expectation that supporters of the Manchester side would have been absolutely delighted by what had transpired, that did not appear to be the case with some sections of the support.

A few Red Devils fans appeared to fear the worst, and suggested that they will now be heading out of the League Cup in embarrassing fashion.

Check out some of the reaction of United fans below:

Barcelona are currently struggling to find their form.

Their latest two bouts were not really a success as the Catalans drew their Champions League clash with Slavia Prague and ended up losing against Levante last weekend.

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By all accounts, not really favourable results for a club of their magnitude.

But what was even more surprising to many of the Blaugrana fans was Ernesto Valverde’s reported reaction after the mid-week goalless draw.

According to David Ibanez, a journalist for Telecinco and Desportes Cuatro, the Basque coach has given his players a day off after the disappointing Slavia Prague game.

Upon hearing this update, however, many of the supporters simply couldn’t believe it and they quickly bashed their coach for bad management.

Some of them seem to believe the players don’t deserve such soft treatment after those poor displays and think that it isn’t the right way to handle the situation.

You can see some of their replies down in the collection of tweets below:

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

Sheffield Wednesday may be heading into the international break outside of the playoff zone, but they should be hugely encouraged on their return.

Garry Monk’s side currently sit in eighth position and have suffered from a spell of indifferent form, if you can call it that.

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Since the 40-year-old took charge at the start of September, the Owls have only lost twice in ten league matches while recently they have only managed to win one of their last five games.

It is quite hard to grasp just how well Monk is doing at the club, but when comparing it to their previous somewhat successful seasons, it makes for positive reading.

On the Chalkboard

Wednesday could quite easily be as high as second place, considering that they have thrown crucial points away in three of their last five matches.

Swansea City snagged a point last time out after defender Ben Wilmot scrambled home an attempt in injury time, just minutes after the Owls thought they had won it through Morgan Fox’s 91st-minute strike.

While Blackburn Rovers came from behind to snatch all three points at Ewood Park and Cardiff City fired home a dubious free-kick to do the exact same not too long ago.

Currently, their total of 25 points has them one point better off than what they managed in both of former boss Carlos Carvalhal’s playoff campaigns.

Last season, Wednesday were sat in 17th at this stage while under the Portuguese native in those aforementioned successes, they were tenth and ninth.

The Owls’ goal difference is also considerably higher than last season, and both the playoff runs with their total of 21 goals being no worse than any season in the previous five years.

Given much of the squad were part of those playoff runs – the likes of Keiren Westwood, Steven Fletcher, Adam Reach, Tom Lees, Sam Hutchinson, Barry Bannan, and Fernando Forestieri, they know exactly what’s ahead, and they can surely use that experience to get them over the line this time around.