Manchester United: Fans not impressed with Anthony Martial during Arsenal bout

Many Manchester United fans heavily scrutinised forward Anthony Martial after his side’s 0-0 draw against Arsenal on Saturday evening.

The 25-year-old emerged as a second-half substitute in what was a quiet afternoon for both teams on the attacking front, as both defensive lines came out on top during a chilly affair in North London.

Despite being one of the club’s top earners on £250k-per-week (Spotrac), Martial was not deemed worthy enough to start this game and failed to make an impact on the tie as a whole, proving his manager right.

Sofascore recorded that the France international failed to win any duels, did not get any shots on target and made no successful dribbles.

With this in mind, supporters were incensed by another showing where Martial didn’t turn up, with some saying that he should be performing better, considering his weekly salary.

Martial slated by MUFC fans

“Anthony Martial is stealing a living. #MUFC”

Credit: @Rob_loder

“Martial doesn’t have a clue what he’s doing”

Credit: @peterEmcewan

“Martial body language is absolutely shocking. Notice it every game huffing and puffing”

Credit: @AJLawlesss

“Rashford really suffers being on the right. And- frankly- Martial isn’t worth accommodating for that.”

Credit: @andyyax

“I’d rather Telles play LW than Martial, he offers nothing.”

Credit: @Opryce92

“Rashford & Bruno look absolutely knackered. Martial is off the mark, Cavani getting no service at all.”

Credit: @TheOpinion_MUFC

In other news, Manchester United fans singled out one player after the Red Devils’ 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United.

Claim dropped on Rodgers’ Leicester future

Former Premier League manager Lawrie Sanchez has exclusively told Football FanCast that Brendan Rodgers will be thinking long-term amid speculation surrounding his future at Leicester.

The former Liverpool boss has done an exceptional job since replacing Claude Puel two years ago, and is on the verge of leading the Foxes back into the Champions League having narrowly missed out on the final-day 12 months ago.

Leicester’s victory at Manchester United, who denied them a place in July, means that Rodgers’ team require just four points from their two remaining Premier League matches to guarantee a place in the top four.

However, should Liverpool lose at Old Trafford on Thursday, then the Foxes would need just a single point against either Chelsea or Spurs.

Rodgers has also led Leicester to their first FA Cup final since 1969, with his incredible work at the King Power Stadium leading to strong reports that Tottenham want him to replace Jose Mourinho.

But he’s since revealed that he’s “very happy” at Leicester, and Sanchez told Football FanCast that the 48-year-old will have a long-term plan.

He told Football FanCast:

“Brendan is very strategic. He left Watford to come to Reading and left Swansea to go to Liverpool.

“So, I wonder whether Brendan is thinking strategically if a couple of years at Leicester, could he go to Arsenal? Someone that can really be top of the tree.”

Barisic injury news is awful for Gerrard

Whilst Rangers were able to celebrate a superb 4-1 win in the Old Firm derby at Ibrox on Sunday, it was not all good news for Steven Gerrard’s side, after influential left-back Borna Barisic was forced off through injury.

The Croatian international went down in agony after playing a pass and was taken off the pitch in some pain, which suggests that unfortunately, he could miss the final two games of the season as the Light Blues look to finish the league campaign unbeaten.

Following the game, Gerrard had this to say about the former Osijek man:

“I don’t know, it’s a quad issue, there’s certainly some tightness there.

“He seems a little uncomfortable at the moment so we’ll scan that in the coming days. We’ve got 10 days until the next game, hopefully that helps.”

As Gerrard suggests, Rangers’ next game isn’t until Wednesday 12th May when they face Livingston at the Almondvale Stadium, although given the non-contact nature of Barisic’s injury and how much pain he seemed to be in, it would be a surprise to see him feature again this season.

The 28-year-old left-back, who joined for £2.2m in 2018, has been one of Gerrard’s star performers in the Premiership this season, contributing one goal and five assists in 30 league appearances, resulting in a superb 7.35 average rating.

This is enough to rank him as the fifth-best performer in Rangers’ side so far this season, which emphasises just how important he is for the Light Blues and it is undoubtedly a huge blow that he seemingly won’t be available for the final two fixtures.

It is awful timing for Gerrard too, as second-choice left-back Calvin Bassey is also missing the final two games of the season due to suspension, which leaves the 40-year-old manager painfully thin in that position, which was clear to see on Sunday when Joe Aribo moved there after Barisic was forced off.

[freshpress-quiz id=“593776”]

Former Hoops defender Mark Wilson was full of praise for Barisic last season, saying:

“He performs at good level week-in, week-out and has terrific quality in the final third of the park.”
The Croatia international has caused a lot of problems with his crosses down the left-hand side this season and you feel that in his absence, Rangers will lose a serious attacking threat, which will leave Gerrard worried that his side can’t finish the season as invincible.
And, in other news… Bye-bye Kamara: Wilson should seal Rangers swoop for “very good” 22 y/o

Saints fans react to Semmens news

Many Southampton fans have been reacting to the news that Martin Semmens is being targeted by another Premier League club.

Earlier this week, the European Super League died a very quick death (The Guardian). Manchester United were one of the clubs involved, and it was reported that Ed Woodward handed in his resignation as the club’s executive vice-chairman as he could not support the project (Sky Sports).

Whether that is true is up for debate, but his departure means that United have a hole to fill. As such, they are said to be looking at Semmens, who is currently with the Saints (via Alex Crook).

Semmens is a popular figure at Southampton, and as such, it seems that many fans would be disappointed to see him depart. Norwich’s Stuart Webber is also said to be on the Red Devils’ shortlist.

The news was shared on Twitter, and it attracted plenty of attention from Saints supporters. These fans took to the social media platform to share their worries that Semmens could leave.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Semmens news below

“Bring back Les!”

Credit: @Crossers50

“Bring back Les wow he spent well”

Credit: @Gordonturner3

“Just delete us off the face of the earth already. Staplewood next season is just gonna be James Ward-Beckham whipping FK’s top bins for fun”

Credit: @saint_fandom

“Nooooooooo!”

Credit: @AkshayHaridas17

“Oh no, I feel he seems to be doing a fantastic job. Will our talent ever stay long-term”

Credit: @AntiqueNick

“Please stay Martin Semmens we want Mr Gao to sell the club”

Credit: @DavidAs38212854

In other news, Southampton want to sign this defender.

Klinsmann eyes Spurs job

Jurgen Klinsmann has refused to rule out replacing Jose Mourinho as Tottenham manager.

Klinsmann discusses Spurs job

Klinsmann spent two seasons at Tottenham during the 1990s and, although he was only there for a short time, he become something of a club legend as he netted 29 goals in 56 Premier League matches (premierleague.com) – he was named the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year award during the 1994-95 campaign.

He was asked on ESPN FC whether he could take the vacant manager’s position at Tottenham, and he said:

“I tell you, anything is possible in life. I never thought I would coach Germany at a World Cup. I never thought I would coach the USA for six years or Bayern Munich. 

“So we’ll see in a couple of months who will be the Spurs manager!”

Wrong option

Klinsmann may have been a wonderful player, but that has not translated into management. The two-year spell with Germany remains the highlight of his career as he took them to the 2006 World Cup semi-final – he failed to last a season at either Bayern or Hertha Berlin, however.

For all of Mourinho’s faults, there is no doubting he was a manager of pedigree. While previous successes don’t determine how well someone well do in any job, it certainly helps to have experience of winning. Given Tottenham’s standing, they can surely do better than Klinsmann, who is neither a fresh-faced revolutionary like Mauricio Pochettino or an proven winner like Mourinho.

In other news, this man is set to leave Tottenham this summer.

Leeds target Yangel Herrera shone vs MUFC

If anyone from Leeds had one eye on Manchester United’s Europa League clash against Granada on Thursday night, then they would have been left suitably impressed by the performance of Yangel Herrera.

Reports in recent days have suggested that Marcelo Bielsa’s side are interested in signing the Venezuela international, and he put in a star showing despite his side’s 2-0 defeat on the night. As per Sofascore, he won a mammoth nine duels at Old Trafford, which was the second-most of any Granada player on the pitch, despite playing in a more advanced number 10 role.

The 23-year-old also racked up five shots on goal, by far the most of any player on either side, and also completed two of his four dribbles, showcasing a real South American flair with his touch and skill.

La Liga Lowdown’s Heath Chesters raved about the Venezuelan, and in particular his ability to win the ball back for his side and then do something productive with it, saying that he is “full of energy, his movement on and off the ball is excellent”.

Chesters continued: “He’s taken to the jump in levels like a duck to water, and particularly impressive is his reading of the game. Most impressive is his pressing, how he steals the ball and immediately sets his sights on shooting or playing a killer pass.”

La Liga pundit Terry Gibson also lauded Herrera’s knack of timing his runs into the penalty box, which is no surprise given that he has already bagged eight goals in all competitions this season.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Latest Leeds transfer rumours and news”]

Gibson said: “He’s been outstanding it was a real coup to get him to stay (at Granada). He’s a really athletic, dynamic player who has a habit of getting into the box at the right times. He’s a threat in the air too. He’s a fantastic acquisition (for Granada). He’s shown his talent, he’s really good.”

Given the kind of rave reviews he has earned, and the performance he put in at Old Trafford in a major European tie, Herrera looks like he’s got all the tools in his locker to be a real star for Bielsa at Elland Road.

If Victor Orta had his eye on the match, then he would surely have been left in no doubt that Herrera is a must-sign for Leeds this summer.

Meanwhile, Leeds could finally wave goodbye to this liability…

Arsenal will rue selling Serge Gnabry

Not a day goes by without Arsenal surely ruing letting Serge Gnabry go in the summer of 2016.

Sold for just £5m to German side Werder Bremen, Gnabry has since blown into superstardom, becoming a star at both club and international level with Bayern Munich and Germany, respectively.

The forward, now 25, is currently lighting up the Bundesliga with Bayern, and has already scored nine goals and provided a further three assists in just 22 games in the league this season.

With Germany, Gnabry’s record is even more impressive netting 15 times in just 19 senior games, and that’s a real testament to how much he’s grown over the years.

Speaking just last summer, Arsene Wenger – the manager who of course sold him back in 2016 – delivered his verdict on the winger and the situation behind his surprising exit, saying: “We had an agreement with him you know. I had given him out on loan to West Brom and he didn’t play a game. He came back, he was injured. We worked very hard with him for six months and he went out with the German national team, under-21’s, and Bayern made a deal with Werder Bremen.

“He wanted to sign in the end, didn’t want to extend his contract (with Arsenal) and I was very sad. But we couldn’t get over the line with him because I knew he would have a great career.”

Now, CIES value him at a massive £102m, more than twenty times what Arsenal actually sold him for a few years ago – if there ever was a move that underlined the kind of bad business the Gunners have done in recent seasons, then Gnabry is arguably right there at the top of the list.

Gnabry has become an established star shining at the very highest level, even helping Bayern to Champions League glory just last league – a run that saw the German winger tear apart Tottenham in their new stadium by netting four in a thumping 7-2 triumph.

Arsenal will surely never be able to live down letting Gnabry go.

Bernardo Silva was poor for City in March

Manchester City continued their march towards a potential quadruple in March, winning five of their six games this month, which saw them progress in the FA Cup and Champions League, whilst also pushing themselves closer to the Premier League title.

Although Pep Guardiola’s side have undoubtedly been in sensational form in recent months, not all of his players have been at their best and Bernardo Silva, in particular, had a disappointing month.

The Portuguese forward appeared in all five of City’s wins, in which they managed 16 goals, and yet the former AS Monaco man failed to register a single goal or assist.

The 26-year-old has been utilised in a number of different positions by Guardiola this season, featuring as a false nine, on the wing and in midfield, yet he struggled to really have much influence on any of the games he appeared in during March.

His first appearance came in the 4-1 win against Wolves, where he earned a solid, if unspectacular, 6.7 rating – which is lower than his 7.09 average in the top-flight so far this season.

He followed that up with two fairly strong performances against Southampton and Fulham, although when you consider the number of chances City had in both of those games, it is disappointing that he wasn’t able to get himself on the scoresheet or provide an assist.

This may have knocked his confidence, as he then slipped back down to a 6.7 rating for his performance against Borussia Monchengladbach, before producing his worst display of the month against Everton last time out, earning a less than impressive 6.37 rating for his performance.

After recent seasons where he has been a solid contributor of goals and assists, his measly return of two goals and three assists in just 22 Premier League appearances this season is slightly concerning, and also baffling when you consider how dominant City have been in recent months.

Therefore, you could definitely argue that Silva, who is currently valued at £63 million by Transfermarkt, dropped his standards in March after an impressive February, as he once again failed to contribute a single goal or assist in all competitions.

And, in other news… Some City fans were ‘underwhelmed’ by 23 y/o beast, but Txiki has delivered again

Abraham could miss Leeds vs Chelsea clash

Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham is an injury doubt for this weekend’s Premier League clash with Leeds United at Elland Road, potentially a big relief for the Whites’ shaky defence.

Leeds host the Blues on Saturday afternoon, in what has the potential to be an entertaining meeting between two of English football’s most famous clubs.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side will be looking to respond after Monday’s 2-0 defeat away to West Ham, with Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea side in a rich vein of form, remaining unbeaten in 11 matches in all competitions since the German replaced Frank Lampard in January.

Abraham likely to miss out for Chelsea

The west Londoners have almost a clean bill of health ahead of the game, but Abraham is Tuchel’s one injury concern going into the weekend.

According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, the 23-year-old, who has 12 goals this season, is still struggling with an ankle issue. He hasn’t featured since the 1-1 draw away to Southampton last month.

Transfer Tavern take

Abraham’s likely absence is a blow for Chelsea, they still have an embarrassment of riches to call upon in attack.

The likes of Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi will all be vying for a start at Elland Road, highlighting the options Tuchel has in his squad.

That said, not having to face a player who has bagged double-digit goals this season is still a big boost for a Leeds defence who have struggled in recent times, losing four of their last five matches.

In others news, pundit tips Leeds to go back for Ben White this summer!

Everton fans slam Gomes vs West Brom

Many Everton fans have been left to slam the display of Andre Gomes despite their 1-0 away win at West Brom in the Premier League on Thursday evening.

Richarlison ended up getting the only goal of the game midway through the second half to give the Goodison Park faithful all three points and thus help them climb up the table.

However, although there were some very good performances for the Merseyside club, Gomes flattered to deceive several members of the Toffees faithful.

The central midfield player lost out on nine of his duels in the match, the most lost out of any of his teammates, as he also lost possession of the ball no fewer than on 16 separate occasions, the joint-second highest of any Blues player (Sofascore). Losing your battles and giving the ball away relentlessly is hardly a good combination for a midfield player.

Everton fan reaction to Gomes display

These EFC supporters slammed his performance on Twitter, with one fan even going as far as to say that the former FC Barcelona man is ‘dreadful’:

“Why is Andre Gomes even here, he was literally one of our worst players today. Allan should have been the fourth scout for MOTM #efc. Up the Toffees as we march on to top 4 glory #everton”

Credit: @gersonselema

“Another solid if unspectacular victory for #EFC. Both achieved with fair few injuries. Thought Gomes and Iwobi very poor today. Defensively we are sound though. Bit of quality from Sigurdsson and into Top 4! #COYB”

Credit: @D_Button

“Another ugly win but we will take it. Siggy showed why he can’t be dropped at the moment, especially when James is out. Great finish from Richarlison. Negatives were an appalling first half and the performances of Gomes and Bernard in particular who shouldn’t play again. #efc”

Credit: @sicurrie

“Gomes has stunk the place out today, but we squeak the win #EFC”

Credit: @ItsJohnThomson

“Gomes, Bernard and Iwobi are dreadful FACT #EFC”Credit: @MrGriff1878“Gomes & Iwobi are doing my head in! #efc”
Credit: @boycey1978
In other news, find out what Carlo Ancelotti comments on one star’s future has left Everton fans buzzing here!

Game
Register
Service
Bonus