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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has stated that his side were "hungover" during their loss to Manchester United in the FA Cup final last season.

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• Man City lost FA Cup final last season
• Guardiola reveals players were 'hungover'
• City had just won Premier League title

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  City were rocked by city rivals United in the FA Cup final last season as the Red Devils took a two-goal lead before half-time with goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo. The defending champions were able to pull one goal back minutes from time but Guardiola's side were unable to get back into the game that late.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  It had been suggested that City players did not have their heads in the clash during their disappointing loss as Guardiola's side had just won an intense Premier League title fight with Arsenal just five days earlier. Following City's 2-1 loss to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, the Spanish head coach has now confirmed suspicions that his players were struggling during the final last season at Wembley.

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  WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

  Speaking to the media after his team's first defeat since that day at Wembley, Guardiola said: "This is the news, not that we lose, but how long it has been since we lose. Of course, with the FA Cup final we were a little bit hungover, but it is good news."

  At the time of the loss, Guardiola had said: "It's my mistake – the game plan was not good. The players know it, the reason why. Tactically, it was not good. I had the feeling it was not good today. You plan a game for different positions, but didn't work – it's as simple as that."

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• WHAT NEXT FOR MAN CITY?

  The Premier League leaders will now be in action when they take on Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium on Saturday as they look to keep up their lead over Liverpool and Arsenal.

Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior received strong support from his Brazil team-mates after being pipped to the Ballon d'Or by Rodri.

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• Brazil players support Vinicius Jr
• Rodri pipped Real star to Ballon d'Or
• Richarlison calls final vote 'embarrassing'

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  After playing an important role in Real Madrid winning the Champions League and La Liga in the 2023-24 campaign, Vinicius Jr. hoped to bag the prestigious Ballon d'Or for the first time in his career. However, on Monday in Paris, Manchester City's Rodri was handed over the Golden Ball instead. Real Madrid learned about the outcome hours before the ceremony, and the club decided to boycott the awards as a mark of protest.

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• WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

  After receiving support from his club, Vinicius' Brazil team-mates have also come forward to show solidarity with the winger. Juventus star Douglas Luiz wrote on Instagram: "We all know who really deserved to win the Ballon d’Or. We are all with you, brother, we will do everything so that you can win this ‘Ballon d’Or’ one day. I love you."

  Douglas Luiz Instagram

  Meanwhile, Tottenham forward Richarlison posted: "All of us who live soccer look forward to the individual awards with great anxiety each season. Today, all Brazilians who love football woke up expecting to see another player from our country win an award for the best in the world after so long. Unfortunately, by criteria no one can understand, the prize did not come. And don't get me wrong, Rodri is a bad player who deserves to be among the best. But Vini not getting that Ballon d'Or was embarrassing, and the only person who lost today was football. I remember Vini saying his dream was to see all of Brazil cheering for him. And that day was today! You are a giant and the best in the world, kido! And no trophy will change that. Move forward and never be quiet! We're all together!"

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  West Ham's Lucas Paqueta, who was linked with a move to City last season, also showed his support for Vinicius, writing on Instagram: "Just so you know that I'm proud to say that I'm your friend, that I admire you and root for you more than any victory of mine! I admire your story and the person you've become! You're the best! Even if they say otherwise! I love you and we're closer than ever! Always moving forward!!!"

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  WHAT NEXT FOR VINICIUS?

  The 24-year-old has vowed to come back 10 times stronger as the 2024-25 season gets into full swing. He will be next seen in action on Saturday as Los Blancos take on Valencia in La Liga.

Whilst there are a number of reasons as to why Manchester United's season fell flat in 2023/24, much of the blame can be attributed to the team's lacklustre displays in front of goal, something that the club are eager to change this summer.

Red Devils want to bolster attack this summer

Whilst an FA Cup win went some way to softening the blow, much of the Old Trafford faithful will have come away from last season bitterly disappointed with their side's performances.

Man United express interest in summer deal for £260k-per-week star

Manchester United could sign one of Erik ten Hag’s former players this summer.

By
Josh Barker

Jun 16, 2024

Most prevalent to the Red Devils' woes was their failure to find the back of the net. United scored 57 league goals last season, leaving them on negative goal difference for the first time in their Premier League history. The goal tally put up by United also paled in comparison to the league's top six, only adding to their poor season.

In order to rectify their issues in attack, the Red Devils have lined up deals for a number of highly rated attackers. Joshua Zirkzee appears to be at the top of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's wishlist with the Bologna striker scoring eleven goals in the league last season. United have also been keeping an eye on Stade Rennais and France under-23 international Desire Doue, who has impressed at just 19 years of age.

With an attacking talent clearly the number one target for the higher ups at Old Trafford it appears that Erik ten Hag has made it clear who he wants the club to sign.

Ten Hag wants Man Utd to target Argentine forward

As first reported by Sport Witness, the Italian press have claimed that United have identified AS Roma’s Paulo Dybala as a target for the summer window. The outlet states that the Red Devils could tempt the 30-year-old to Manchester after ten Hag made a "specific request" for his side to sign the forward this summer.

Dybala currently has a release clause of around £10million inserted into a current contract which wouldn't be an issue for a club of United's stature. The only stumbling block in the deal could be the Argentine's wage reuqests, which reportedly sit at a little over £100,000 per week.

Despite the wage packet he would be commanding, Dybala would be a strong addition to the Red Devils' attack. The 30-year-old won the World Cup with Argentina back in 2022 and had 52 goal contributions in 77 games during his most recent spell with Roma.

It was his performances for the Rome outfit that caught the eye of former Roma and United boss Jose Mourinho, who sang Dybala's praises back in January: "Dybala is a truly special player, who in recent years has played in teams with lots of other special players. We don’t have another with his characteristics."

With improvements in attack an important part of Ratcliffe's transfer strategy this summer, bringing in a player of Dybala's quality would be a strong move from the Red Devils.

Ruben Amorim assured Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte he has his backing ahead of their reunion at Old Trafford.

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• Amorim backs Man Utd flop Ugarte
• Uruguayan has failed to live up to the expectations
• Duo worked together at Sporting

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ugarte joined Manchester United from Paris Saint-Germain this summer for a deal worth £51 million ($60m). However, the midfielder has endured a tough start to his new journey in the Premier League. The 23-year-old has appeared in 10 matches across all competitions since arriving at Old Trafford, out of which he has started in only four games and failed to live up to expectations.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Considering the massive fee that the club shelled out to bring in Ugarte in the summer, fans expected an instant impact from the defensive midfielder. However, new boss Amorim, who is set to arrive in Manchester on Monday, has assured the Uruguay international that he will have his full support. Ugarte had spent two seasons at Sporting CP under the Portuguese coach's tutelage between 2021 and 2023.

• WHAT RUBEN AMORIM SAID

  Speaking to reporters, Amorim said, "All the Uruguayans I managed are incredible and that’s why I love them. Ugarte is a very talented boy and has a lot of room to grow. I am very happy to know that I have him back at Man United."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR RUBEN AMORIM?

  Amorim will be on the sideline for a Sporting CP game one last time on Sunday as they take on Braga in a Liga Portugal clash away from home. His first game in charge of United will come after the international break away at Ipswich Town on November 24.

Chelsea’s massive spending under Todd Boehly doesn’t show any signs of slowing down, with the club still desperately wanting to build on last season’s sixth-placed Premier League finish.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has already arrived at Stamford Bridge this summer, joining new boss Enzo Maresca from their time together at Leicester City last season where the pair claimed the Championship title.

However, more needs to be done to bolster the ranks, with the Italian keen on further adding to his squad – as demonstrated by the links with Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo.

The Uruguayan is also subject to interest from Premier League rivals Manchester United, with either side needing to fork out €100m (£84.5m) for his signature this summer.

Araujo isn’t the only player who’s been targeted by the two sides, joining one other talent who’s caught the eye of Maresca and Erik ten Hag.

Chelsea interested in signing £35m talent this summer

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Chelsea have scouted Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez as a potential option at left-back for next season.

The Hungarian, who has featured at Euro 2024 for his nation, has also previously attracted interest from Manchester United, with neither side yet to make an official move for the 20-year-old.

Kerkez, who joined the Cherries for £15m last summer, made 33 appearances in the Premier League last campaign, settling straight into life in England’s top flight.

Jacobs confirmed that Bournemouth are reluctant to part ways with their talented youngster and value him at around the £35m mark – a tempting price for Maresca’s side.

He fits perfectly into Boehly’s current recruitment, signing talented youngsters with huge potential, with Kerkez’s talents potentially allowing one current Blues player to realise his potential next season.

Why Kerkez could finally ignite Mudryk’s Chelsea career

Winger Mykhailo Mudryk joined Chelsea for a staggering £88.5m back in January 2023, arriving with huge potential following his time at Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk.

However, his time in London has been anything but successful, scoring just seven goals in his 58 appearances for the club since his big-money transfer.

He’s looked unsettled at times, failing to make a huge impact on games, but should Kerkez arrive at Stamford Bridge, the Ukrainian international could seriously reap the rewards and start to look like the player Boehly signed 18 months ago.

With the Hungarian being a full-back, his main responsibility is to regain possession for his team, a role at which he excelled at last season, winning an average of 2.2 tackles per game in the Premier League.

The "incredible" Kerkez, as described by talent scout Jacek Kulig, also demonstrated his defensive qualities by making 0.9 interceptions per 90 alongside 1.4 blocks – helping Antonio Iraola’s side record a 12th-placed finish.

However, he’s also impressed with his aggressive nature in attacking, completing an average of two progressive passes per 90, as well as 2.1 progressive carries – demonstrating his desire to get forward at every opportunity.

His direct playstyle sees him overlap the wideman on the left-hand side, a feature of his play that could aid Mudryk who likes to drift inside onto his favoured right foot.

The Ukrainian simply hasn’t done enough to provide value for money since his move to the club, with the upcoming season crucial in his

development at Stanford Bridge.

Injuries to Marc Cucurella and Ben Chilwell have hampered his progress, with Mudryk unable to strike a solid partnership down that side of Chelsea’s attack.

However, should Kerkez arrive at the club, it could be the springboard for the 23-year-old to succeed at the club, whilst the club can finally solve the left-back role that has caused them no end of issues in recent times.

Liverpool fans have taken a huge hint about the futures of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk after seeing the 2025 calendar.

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• Liverpool release calendar for next year
• Three stars placed in interesting months
• Reds could lose trio at end of the season

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The three Reds stars could leave the club at the end of the season as their contracts expire in the summer. Liverpool are hopeful of convincing all three to stay at Anfield, but the release of their official calendar for next year has fans talking.

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  Journalist Sam Munnery pointed out that the trio all appear in the early months of the new calendar, with Alexander-Arnold chosen as the face of February, Salah appearing in March and Van Dijk's picture placed in April. Should any of them leave in the summer, they will not be appearing on fans' walls during the 2025-26 campaign.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  While Liverpool would prefer to keep Salah, they are already said to be lining up a successor with Omar Marmoush and Ryan Cherki linked to the Reds. Van Dijk, meanwhile, has said that "discussions are ongoing" between him and the club over a new deal, while Alexander-Arnold has stayed silent amid reports he is on his way to Real Madrid next year.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

  Liverpool are top of the Premier League with a five-point lead over Manchester City. Arne Slot's side are in action again on Sunday when they visit Southampton, but it has been reported that Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk are injury doubts.

Leeds United will aim to be in and around the top places in the Championship again next season, even with the news that Archie Gray won't be lining up for the Whites to aid another promotion push.

The West Yorkshire boy wonder left for the allure of Tottenham Hotspur in a move that cost Ange Postecoglou's men a bumper £30m, with Daniel Farke and Co gaining former loan star Joe Rodon back on a permanent basis in the process.

That might not be the only former loan player that rejoins Elland Road this summer in defence, however, with Leeds eyeing up more bodies in the right-back spot ahead of the challenging second-tier campaign to come.

Leeds could soon swoop for former loan gem

Football journalist Graham Smyth has claimed, whilst speaking on the Inside Elland Road podcast, that there is no deal yet in the works for the Whites to sign Burnley defender Connor Roberts at this stage.

It had previously been reported that the failed promotion hopefuls were keen on tying down the Welshman to a permanent move to Leeds, but Smyth has now revealed that there's nothing "imminent" as of now.

Leeds will know, however, that they need to start thinking about recruits in the right-back spot as the first few pre-season fixtures gradually come into focus, with rumours also linking Farke and Co with the potential purchase of Trai Hume from Sunderland.

Previously a promotion winner at the level, Roberts could view his time with Leeds as ending on unfinished business, therefore, with his short-term switch underwhelming those who thought he'd be an inspired purchase in January.

New Clarets manager Scott Parker might well also have other ideas for Roberts, opting to utilise him again in a league he knows well, after the Welshman was pushed to the periphery in the top flight by Vincent Kompany.

But, Leeds could win an ideal Gray successor – that could be fantastic in the second tier again – if this move gets over the line, with Farke striking gold in a similar way to Rodon returning for good.

What Roberts can offer Leeds

The 28-year-old never really got going during his brief time in West Yorkshire last campaign, only making 15 appearances for Farke's men, before returning back to Turf Moor as a forgotten face to Whites supporters.

Yet, if he returns and gets back to his A-Game for the division – with his "boundless energy" once spoken of as a major plus in his skillset according to The Athletic's Laurie Whitwell – Leeds could catch many a team cold in the second tier, on the way to another promotion push happening.

Comparing both Roberts and Gray, when looking at the 28-year-old's exploits across Burnley's title-winning 2022/23 campaign compared to Gray's season just finished, the agile 5 foot 8 right-back betters his teenage counterpart in many different areas, and would fit in well to Farke's style of attacking football if a first-team spot was readily available week in week out.

The £30k-per-week defender – as per Capology – could strike up an effective relationship with Rodon at the back in the process, having played alongside him last season briefly, and having been around the ex-Spurs man with the Wales national team in the past.

Both players could make Leeds extremely hard to break down, and easy on the eye simultaneously, with Farke now putting together the pieces to make the Whites stronger to bounce back from their still raw play-off heartbreak.

Farke could forget about Gnonto with Leeds swoop for "ridiculous" star

The Whites were linked with a potential swoop for the winger earlier this summer.

By
Dan Emery

Jul 10, 2024

There's only so much you can take away from friendly games from the perspective of a fan, with poor results before the season starting never reading well, but the cobwebs could then be blown straight off back in the bread and butter of Championship action.

Leeds United have performed well so far this pre-season, overcoming League Two opponents Harrogate Town 3-0 in comfortable fashion, before venturing out to Germany for a training camp and the opportunity to test themselves against tricky opponents from further afield.

Mateo Joseph has particularly impressed those watching on this off-season, with the young Spanish hotshot potentially now kicking down the door for more first-team chances this campaign to come, after netting two quickfire goals against Hannover 96 last time out.

Joseph's performances so far this pre-season

Away from firing home two second-half goals in that behind closed doors 4-1 win against Leeds' Bundesliga 2 opponents recently, Joseph also shone back in Yorkshire when facing off against Simon Weaver's men.

He wouldn't get on the scoresheet against the lower league hosts, but he would set up Junior Firpo for the opening strike of this contest at the Exercise Stadium, after quick feet from Daniel James played the bright 20-year-old into space, for the ex-Barcelona man to then convert from close-range.

Joseph has very much taken his chance in the spotlight so far, with Patrick Bamford nowhere to be found in and around Daniel Farke's teams picked so far owing to injury concerns, with his impact against Hannover steering the Whites to a second friendly win on the trot.

His positive showing in that behind closed doors friendly even saw Leeds Live journalist Beren Cross reward the tenacious youngster with a 9/10 rating in his post-match thoughts, describing the academy product's performance as 'so impressive' and yet another top display that could see him push for a more prominent first-team spot when competitive football comes into view.

Linking up with new signing Jayden Bogle for the final goal of the afternoon versus Hannover will surely excite Leeds fans, but there might well be less of a need now for the Championship promotion hopefuls to pursue any more lethal finishers in the form of Blackburn Rovers star Sammie Szmodics, if Joseph has a breakout campaign to come.

Joseph's importance next season

The in-demand Riversiders attacker could well fancy a move up to the Premier League over another season in the second tier anyway, as Ipswich Town attempt to get the on-fire forward in through the door this summer, having bagged a ridiculous 27 league goals from 44 games last season.

Joseph won't be as prolific in front of goal, you imagine, and that would be an unnecessary expectation to burden the homegrown gem with, but he could still play an important role in Leeds' attacking game going forward, away from Farke and Co having to splash cash lavishly.

Only averaging 12 minutes on the pitch in the second tier last campaign, there could be some regrets from Farke's end that he didn't chuck Joseph into games more often, over a leggy Bamford who struggled in the latter stages of the season to add to Leeds' firepower.

When Joseph was on the pitch, he looked lively and brave, showcased in his whirlwind showing away at Watford in March, where he needed just a minute of action on the Vicarage Road turf to fire home.

Stating that he hopes this season to come sees him explode even more in the men's game, Leeds fans would love to cheer on another young star straight off their production line, as promotion is eyed up once more.

Leeds could unearth new star duo by landing Szmodics and "ridiculous" star

The Whites have been linked with an interest in both players, who starred in the Championship last season.

By
Dan Emery

Jul 25, 2024

Dele Alli has suffered yet another injury setback in what is a crushing blow to his hopes of earning a new Everton contract.

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• Midfielder currently training at Everton
• Hoping to earn contract at club
• Suffers hamstring strain

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Dele's last competitive appearance came during a loan spell for Turkish side Besiktas all the way back in February 2023. The midfielder has struggled with injury since then but had been hoping to make his long-awaited comeback in the 2024-25 season. However, those hopes have taken another hit as Dele has suffered a setback with his hamstring in training – according to Everton insider .

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  Dele's contract at Everton expired in the summer but he had been hoping to earn a new deal with the Toffees. The club have allowed the former Tottenham star to train with them but former club scout Bryan King has warned Sean Dyche's side may run out of patience by the end of the year if there is no end in sight to Dele's continued injury issues.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Injuries may have prevented Dele from playing for over a year but he has still reportedly attracted interest from other clubs. Italian side Genoa and Ligue 1 club Lille have both been linked with trying to bring in the former Tottenham man on a free transfer.

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  WHAT NEXT

  The severity of Dele's latest injury is not known but there's no doubt it's another crushing blow to his hopes of reigniting his Premier League career. Everton are also struggling currently, with Dyche's side having managed just two wins so far this season in the Premier League, and they sit just two points off the drop zone.

Arsenal are without defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori for their clash with Manchester United on Wednesday evening.

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• Gabriel and Calafiori absent from Arsenal squad
• Gunners confirmed that defenders are injured
• Arteta's side face Man Utd at Emirates Stadium

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Gabriel was taken off at half-time with an injury during his team's 5-2 win against West Ham on Saturday, with Mikel Arteta clarifying that it was a lingering issue from the Champions League win against Sporting CP last week. Calafiori, meanwhile, was substituted early in the second half of the game and the Gunners have confirmed the pair's absence.

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  Jakub Kiwior, who replaced Gabriel against West Ham, has been trusted to start in the Brazilian's place for the clash at Emirates Stadium. Oleksandr Zinchenko will make just his second Premier League start of the season as he stands in for Italian full-back Calafiori.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Arsenal have won their last three matches, scoring a whopping 13 goals in that run, and sit nine points behind league leaders Liverpool. They come up against a United side fresh off of their first league win under Ruben Amorim, having beaten Everton 4-0 on Sunday.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

  Arteta will be hoping for good news on the defensive duo's condition as his side gear up for another busy month. After United, they visit Fulham on Sunday and then Monaco in the Champions League three days later.