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Manchester United will once again be without both Edinson Cavani and Scott McTominay for their Premier League clash against strugglers Watford at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.

What’s the latest?

Both players missed United’s 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie with the reigning Spanish champions, with McTominay suffering from an illness picked up following the 4-2 win over Leeds United last Sunday.

Red Devils manager Ralf Rangnick said on the midfielder’s availability ahead of their meeting with the Hornets: “He’s still ill and he hasn’t been training with us, so hopefully he will start training with us again next week, but for tomorrow’s game they will both [McTominay and Cavani] be unavailable.”

As for Cavani, the striker has been absent since 8 February with a groin injury, having last played in the 1-1 draw at Burnley, with Rangnick stating: “The situation is exactly the same. He [Cavani] hasn’t been training with us so he won’t be available for tomorrow’s game and the same is true with Scotty [McTominay].”

Fans will be sweating

With Arsenal not in Premier League action this weekend, United have a real chance to boost their top-four bid by extending their advantage over the Gunners to four points in fourth, although Mikel Arteta’s side will have three games in hand on Rangnick’s come Saturday evening.

The Red Devils are unbeaten in their last seven top-flight outings, winning their last two fixtures against Brighton and Leeds going into Saturday’s meeting with the Hertfordshire outfit.

Watford are really struggling towards the bottom of the table, with Roy Hodgson’s side 19th and four points from safety, making it a contest that the hosts should have no issue in winning on paper.

However, the absence of two of Rangnick’s senior players, who have a combined 44 appearances in all competitions, will certainly be a blow.

Even though the Uruguayan has only scored twice this campaign, Cavani is still a recognised goalscorer who, when available, undoubtedly adds quality to the side.

As for McTominay, the 25-year-old has started 21 of the 23 league matches he’s been available for this campaign, with the Scotland international certainly one of the German interim manager’s favourite pupils.

What will be a boost for fans though, is the fact that it seems likely that the midfielder will be available for next weekend’s Manchester Derby, whilst Cavani’s return date is still unknown.

In other news: Man United can save millions by unleashing 20 y/o “winner”, he could be Roy Keane 2.0

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their interest in Montreal Impact attacking midfielder Djordje Mihailovic. 

What’s the talk?

According to French outlet Jeunes Footeux, the Magpies are one of a number of clubs eyeing up a deal for the playmaker, with Everton, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and Leeds also said to be keen on him.

The report claims that the MLS outfit will not allow him to leave for anything less than €8m (£6.6m), with his current contract expiring in December 2023.

New Cabaye

Eddie Howe can find Newcastle’s new Yohan Cabaye in a deal for the American midfielder as he could provide the same creative spark from the middle of the park.

Cabaye was constantly creating chances for his teammates during his time at St. James’ Park. He averaged 1.6, 2.0 and 1.7 key passes per game across his three campaigns on Tyneside, which shows how effective he was at linking the play and providing goalscoring opportunities for the side.

In the current Newcastle squad, Joelinton’s 0.9 key passes per game are the highest tally of any central midfielder in the Premier League. This suggests that Howe is in need of the new Cabaye to inject some creativity into his side heading into next season.

Mihailovic would be the new version of the Frenchman as he has proven in the MLS that he has an incredible eye for a pass, much like the ex-PSG man had from the same number eight role.

Last month, journalist Chris Smith dubbed him a “gorgeous passer” and his statistics back that up, as he managed an outstanding 2.3 key passes per game in 2021 for Montreal – creating an unbelievable 18 ‘big chances’ and registering 14 assists.

Journalist Manuel Veth claimed that he is “overlooked” and Newcastle can change that by bringing him to the Premier League stage next season. They can offer him a platform to display his talents at the top level and his statistics in the MLS suggest that he has the ability to come in and be a creative force for the Magpies moving forward.

Of course, it is impossible to gauge the difference in quality between the two divisions but creating 18 huge chances in one-season shows that – at the very least – he is a forward-thinking midfielder who wants to open up defences and create opportunities for his teammates. In that sense, he would be Newcastle’s new Cabaye as he would be the chief creator from the number eight position.

AND in other news, NUFC can unearth their new Callum Wilson in £20.8m predator who has “the scoring nose”…

Goal.com correspondent Neil Jones expects a Liverpool centre-back change ahead of the UEFA Champions League semi-final clash with Villarreal. 

The lowdown: Big game player

Having arrived at Anfield from RB Leipzig for £36million in 2021 (Sky Sports), Ibrahima Konate has already gone from strength to strength in a short spell on Merseyside.

Signed following a wretched 2020/21 campaign with central defensive issues in Jurgen Klopp’s squad, the Frenchman was expected to act as an understudy to a returning Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez.

However, Konate has already been thrown in at the deep end on numerous occasions, starting against Manchester United at Old Trafford, in the FA Cup semi-final success over Manchester City and in both legs of the quarter-final victory over Benfica.

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Now, Klopp could be about to show the 22-year-old even more faith…

The latest: Jones drops starting XI claim

Taking to Twitter when citing an in-depth report on the centre-back, Jones suggested that Konate is in line to start when the Reds face Villarreal at Anfield.

“I may be wrong, but I expect Ibrahima Konaté to start for Liverpool tonight. As debuts seasons go, his has been more than decent, and with the promise of even better things to come.”

Meanwhile, a report from the Liverpool Echo has noted that neither Kostas Tsimikas nor Roberto Firmino were spotted in Tuesday’s training session and both could be out of contention for the European showdown.

The verdict: No dramas

Previously, the prospect of breaking up such a well-oiled partnership of Matip and Van Dijk might’ve sent shivers down the spine of even the most hard-faced Liverpool fan. However, such is the impact and quality of Konate, that the thought of the 13-cap France Under 21 colossus being involved from the outset has become the norm.

So far this season, the man once hailed as ‘exceptional’ by Kevin Campbell has made 22 appearances across all competitions, completing 55.6 passes, winning 4.4 aerials duels and making 3.5 clearances per game on average whilst earning a 7.08 rating from eight Premier League outings in the process (Sofascore).

Such is the wealth of options currently at Klopp’s disposal and the quality of recent recruitment, almost whoever is asked to lineup will almost undoubtedly do so with a high level of performance and Konate’s early showings at Anfield mean the powerful defender is certainly no exception.

In other news, an expert has made a Liverpool transfer claim. Read more here.

Manchester City are reportedly hoping to capitalise on Chelsea’s current ownership turmoil with a move for one of their key assets…

What’s the word?

According to the Sun, Thomas Tuchel’s side are fearful of losing first-team star Mason Mount to one of their top-flight rivals – namely City or Liverpool – due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the club.

The Blues have been unable to hand out new contracts due to the sanctions placed on the club as a result of now disqualified owner Roman Abramovich’s reported links to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with the Englishman currently one of the Stamford Bridge outfit’s lowest earners on £76k-per-week.

With just two years remaining on his existing deal, his current side are fearful that if they cannot agree to a new long-term deal in the coming months then the current title contenders could pounce, with Pep Guardiola believed to be an ‘admirer’ of the 23-year-old.

The report does suggest that the league leaders would not be in a position to bid this summer, although could try to secure his services if a new contract is not signed by the autumn.

The next De Bruyne?

It is a mouthwatering prospect just thinking about the 27-cap international plying his trade at the Etihad, with the Portsmouth-born playmaker seemingly the ideal heir to the club’s current talisman, Kevin De Bruyne.

While he may still have some way to go to match the quality and consistency of a man who holds the joint Premier League record for most assists in a single campaign (20), Mount is already showing signs of having the talent needed to be City’s chief creator.

He has already proven his worth against Guardiola’s side in recent times, teeing up Kai Havertz for the matchwinning goal in last season’s Champions League final with a sumptuous threaded pass, the ball having been the type which most have come to expect from the man he could replace, De Bruyne.

The current campaign has proven particularly eye-catching for the Blues academy graduate, as he has registered a mightily impressive haul of 27 goals and assists in all competitions, including 19 goal contributions in the top-flight alone.

Such form has unsurprisingly ensured he is Chelsea’s top-ranked player in the league this season, according to SofaScore, with an average match rating of 7.37 across his 30 outings, while he has also created nine big chances so far this term – the eighth-best in the division.

One of those above him is unsurprisingly City’s Belgian superstar, with the 30-year-old creating 11 big chances thus far, while he has also made 27 goal contributions of his own this term across all fronts, including 18 goals and assists in the league.

That almost identical record between the two men this season illustrates not only why Mount – who has been dubbed the “full package” by Tuchel and “magic” by Nizaar Kinsella – is so highly-rated, but also why he can be the man to fill the shoes of the man currently pulling the strings for the Cityzens.

De Bruyne himself, of course, traded life in London for life in Manchester – via a brief stint in Wolfsburg – with the current Blues man potentially set to follow suit in the near future.

In other news, Man City eyeing £45m-rated “Portuguese Mbappe”, he’s the dream Jesus replacement – opinion

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring James Ward-Prowse to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Daily Star, who claim that Spurs, alongside the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle United, are tracking the Southampton central midfielder closely, ahead of a potential swoop for the 27-year-old at the end of the season.

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However, the report goes on to state that any interested party would have to pay Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side a figure in the region of £60m in order to prise him away from St. Mary’s this summer – and even then, Saints may still not be willing to sell the England international.

He’d be a “machine” under Conte

Considering just how impressive Ward-Prowse has been for Southampton over the last few years, in addition to the fact that Conte is known to be looking to add some creativity to his central midfield options in north London ahead of 2022/23, it is easy to see why the 52-year-old would be keen on a deal for the Saints star this summer.

Indeed, over his 33 Premier League appearances this season, the £33.5m-rated talent has been in electric form for Hasenhuttl’s side, scoring nine goals, registering five assists and creating eight big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.5 shots and making 2.1 key passes per game.

The £100k-per-week midfielder has also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 1.1 interceptions, 1.2 tackles, 43.2 passes, 1.8 long balls, 2.2 crosses and winning 2.8 duels per fixture.

These returns have seen the 27-year-old dubbed a “machine” by his Southampton teammates average a breathtaking SofaScore match rating of 7.31, not only ranking him as Saints’ best performer in the league but also as the joint 14th-best player in the division as a whole.

Furthermore, the signing of Ward-Prowse would also immediately make Tottenham a much more dangerous proposition from free-kicks, with the 10-time capped international having scored 14 Premier League goals from dead balls, ranking him second – behind only David Beckham – in the top flight’s free-kick scoring charts.

This ability saw Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola – one of the managers thought to be keen on a move for the midfielder this summer – dub Ward-Prowse as the best set-piece taker in world football, with the Spaniard stating:

“He is the best taker I have ever seen, right now in the world. He is so good, maybe this quality of a football player. He’s a team player, great quality without the ball. Set pieces and corners is exceptional.”

As such, being a player who is deadly in the final third, creative and tough in the heart of midfield and possesses a lethal free-kick, it is clear to see why the Southampton sensation is a player Conte would love to add to his Spurs squad this summer.

However, with a great deal of interest in the 27-year-old, Fabio Paratici will certainly have his work cut out if he is to secure the £60m+ singing of the South Coast star, but it would undoubtedly be well worth the trouble for the Tottenham sporting director.

AND in other news: “Eyeing move…”: Journo drops big Spurs transfer claim, he’s a “young Paul Gascoigne”

Manchester City have never been shy when it comes to getting involved with various transfer deals over the past few years.

Now that the next summer transfer window is around the corner, this will give the Manchester club yet another opportunity to make whatever changes to their squad that they see fit.

However, it seems as though a clue has emerged around one deal that could take place behind the scenes at the Etihad Stadium. Although, it’s not regarding a player.

What’s the talk? 

Speaking to Football Insider, Gabby Agbonlahor had this to say about the possibility of Guardiola putting pen to paper on a new deal with the Citizens.

“I’m sure Pep will sign a new deal as well and Liverpool and Man City will be winning the league for a long time. Pep will think he wants to sign a new deal but he knows there is no rush. There is nobody good enough to take his job, he’s doing so well.

“He’s got two years left on his contract so there is no rush and he can sign a new one next season. I’m sure Pep will be fine. There’s talk of [Erling] Haaland [signing] so I’m sure Pep will want to stay for a long time and get the best out of Haaland.”

Great news for City fans

Since his appointment back in the summer of 2016, Guardiola has taken charge of 347 games in total across all competitions, making him the longest-serving manager in the club’s history.

In those games, City have won 257, drawn 38 and lost just 52, winning a whopping ten trophies along the way. As a result of that, the Spaniard is the most successful manager in the history of the club, making him a legend at the Etihad Stadium.

Thus, taking into account how successful and domestically dominant the Manchester club have been under the 51-year-old’s reign, it’s undeniable that City fans will be over the moon to hear Agbonlahor’s claim that Guardiola would be willing to sign a new deal at the Etihad Stadium.

If the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager does pledge his future to his current club for some more years of service, it will surely lead to even more titles for the Citizens, an eventuality that will no doubt leave supporters buzzing.

In other news: Guardiola can unearth his next Aguero as MCFC plot bid for “outstanding” £17m predator

Phil Hay has dropped an update on reported Leeds United transfer target Noa Lang.

What’s the word?

In a recent Q&A on The Athletic, the Leeds United correspondent suggested that, should Raphinha go on to seal a move away from Elland Road at the end of the current campaign, in addition to the Whites securing survival in the Premier League, Victor Orta could reignite his interest in the Club Brugge winger – who was reportedly a target of the Spanish sporting director last summer.

When asked whether the Whites would be interested in a move for the 22-year-old, Hay said: “The club were very keen on him last summer. [Marcelo] Bielsa less so, which is why they left it alone.

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“If Raphinha goes, Leeds will need to build up their attack (and they need more attacking players regardless IMO). That said, we can all forget about players of Lang’s quality if Leeds go down. But Lang would potentially be a very good investment.”

Orta must move

While the calibre of players Leeds will be able to target this summer very much hinges on whether or not they remain a Premier League side in 2022/23, should Jesse Marsch be able to keep the Whites up, Orta simply must make a move for Lang in the off-season.

Indeed, over his 34 Jupiler Pro League appearances this season, the £19.8m-rated forward has proven to be a continuous threat on the Brugge left flank, scoring seven goals, registering 12 assists and creating 19 big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.0 shots, making 1.9 key passes and completing 1.8 dribbles per game.

These returns have seen the £20k-per-week sensation average a rather breathtaking SofaScore match rating of 7.21, not only ranking him as Alfred Schreuder’s sixth-best player in the Belgian top flight, but also as the joint 20th-best player in the division as a whole.

As such, should Leeds’ main creative outlet this season, Raphinha, indeed move on to pastures new this summer, Lang would very much appear to make a fantastic replacement for the Brazil international in Marsch’s squad, leading us to believe that Orta must do all he can to convince the 22-year-old of a move to Elland Road.

AND in other news: “100%”: Insider drops teasing Leeds United transfer claim, supporters will be buzzing

Thursday night saw Aston Villa take on Burnley in an eventful game which ended as a 1-1 stalemate.

Emi Buendia was the main character in this week’s storyline for the hosts, having been involved in both goals.

He was responsible for the penalty which was slotted home by Ashley Barnes on the stroke of half-time, after inviting the trickster that is Maxwell Cornet onto his dangled leg. The former Lyon ace quite literally chucked himself at the opportunity, although he didn’t have much choice as he was fouled.

However, the Argentine – whose resurgence has seen Philippe Coutinho’s minutes decrease as of late – saved his blushes by finding the net just three minutes after the interval to make the game all-square.

Despite dominating the ball, achieving 71% possession and generating 22 shots in the process, Gerrard’s side could not find the winning goal against a stubborn Burnley outfit.

In terms of xG though, it was Mike Jackson’s side who came out on top, with the Clarets’ 1.63 pipping Villa’s 1.48. This is down to the two big chances created from a team playing five-at-the-back and also demonstrates that they were able to play through the middle third of the pitch on multiple occasions, a pattern that Gerrard clearly identified.

His frustration was apparent with youngster Carney Chukwuemeka, who was handed a rare start – indeed, it was his first under Gerrard’s tenure. Unfortunately, the youngster fumbled his opportunity to impress, with the Villa boss clearly frustrated with the 18-year-old.

Consequently, the teenager was subbed off in the 57th minute, making way for Bertrand Traore. Whilst the youngster managed a pass completion percentage of 92%, completing 22 out of his 24 passes, this was the lowest pass total across the Villa midfield and third lowest total out of the Villa starting XI, just ahead of goalkeeper Martinez and striker Watkins.

With just 31 touches, Chukwuemeka registered fewer than Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope. He also had a poor game defensively, winning just three duels out of a possible eight, a success rate of just 37.5%.

It was a night to forget for the 18-year-old, and with the uncertainty surrounding his future at Villa, it remains to be seen as to whether he will start for Gerrard again.

In other news: Villa eye summer move for “exceptional” £50m brute, he’s their next Idrissa Gueye 

Teenager named Player of the Match for unbeaten 40 off 26 as Diamonds come up short

ECB Reporters' Network05-Sep-2021Alice Capsey shrugged off a mid-innings collapse to smash 40 off 26 balls and hand South East Stars the inaugural Charlotte Edwards Cup with a five-wicket victory over Northern Diamonds.The 17-year-old Capsey, a Hundred sensation with victors Oval Invincibles, arrived in the midst of four wickets falling in 14 balls to both steady the ship and take her side to the finish line.Stars were chasing 139 to win after Diamonds captain Hollie Armitage made an unbeaten 59, and they had a 71-run platform set by their openers, Bryony Smith and Aylish Cranstone. But it was Capsey who once again underlined her big-game temperament to take Stars over the line with two overs to spare in front of 1270 at the Ageas Bowl.Diamonds found a formula in their victory over Southern Vipers in the eliminator earlier in the day, and replicated it steadfastly. Again, they won the toss, batted carefully in the Powerplay, one of their top four – Armitage rather than Lauren Winfield-Hill – did the bulk of the scoring and Jenny Gunn scored an unbeaten 22.This time the openers reversed their dismissals, with Leah Dobson caught at mid-off and Bess Heath run out – by an incredible pick-up and direct hit from Emma Jones.England batter Winfield-Hill scored 65 in the victory over the Vipers but fell for a third-ball duck when she was leg before to Grace Gibbs. But Armitage, whose previous highest score for Diamonds this season was 21, took control with a run-hard approach – only scoring four boundaries despite a strike rate in excess of 120.The skipper reached her half-century in 41 balls, identical to Winfield-Hill in the afternoon, as she added 43 with Sterre Kalis – who was caught and bowled by Linsey Smith – and an unbroken 50 with Gunn.Where the Vipers stuttered in response, Stars attacked in the Powerplay, Smith and Cranstone both striking three fours apiece, with the former also adding a slog-swept six as 50 was smashed in the first six overs.After a further 26 runs in 13 balls, Cranstone stepped on her own stumps before Smith chopped her namesake on in the following over. A collapse was in full effect when Katie Levick’s legspin accounted for Gibbs and Phoebe Franklin – caught deep midwicket and mid-on respectively – in four balls, with four wickets falling in quick succession.Amid the chaos, the precociously talented teenager Capsey had arrived at the crease, scooped to the boundary first ball and was motoring. A straight six, a sweetly timed flicked through midwicket were the eye-candy among 14 singles and two twos.She added 51 with the equally impressive Alice Davidson-Richards, who was caught at extra cover with three still required, before Capsey flicked off her legs to give her side their first piece of silverware.

Ben Aitchison takes four as Kent lose 7 for 48 during evening session

ECB Reporters' Network12-Sep-2021England batter Zak Crawley again failed to convert a fifty into a century on the opening day of the LV= Insurance County Championship match against Derbyshire at Derby. Crawley passed 50 for the sixth time in the Championship this season but three figures again eluded him as Derbyshire recovered from a poor start.Jack Leaning scored an unbeaten 82 after Daniel Bell-Drummond made 69 and Crawley 53 but Derbyshire took 7 for 48 after tea to bowl Kent out for 285. Ben Aitchison took 4 for 83 but Derbyshire lost Harry Came to close on 1 for 1.Derbyshire’s decision to put Kent in was undermined by poor bowling in the first session which allowed the visitors to pass 100 by lunch.Two catches also went down, with Crawley the batter on both occasions, and the only success for Derbyshire in the morning was the wicket of Jordan Cox who played on as he tried to leave a ball from Aitchison. But Aitchison and the other seamers offered up to many loose deliveries with Bell-Drummond driving and clipping him for three consecutive fours in the 19th over.Crawley was missed on 41 by wicketkeeper Brooke Guest who failed to cling on to an edge off Anuj Dal as he dived to his right and the opener was dropped six runs later when he drove Matt Critchley to short cover.Bell-Drummond reached his fifty from 60 balls in the last over before lunch and Crawley completed his in the first over of the afternoon session when he swept Critchley for his seventh four. But he added only two more runs before he aimed a cut at Dustin Melton and was caught behind.Bell-Drummond also failed to go on when he prodded Dal to slip but Leaning emerged from a scratchy start to play with increasing assurance. He took three successive fours off Melton and with Sam Billings, added 95 in 27 overs before Derbyshire hit back after tea.Dal clung onto a fierce return catch to remove Billings for 36 before Guest pulled off a smart stumping when Ollie Robinson pushed forward to Critchley. Sam Conners struck immediately with the second new ball when Grant Stewart gloved a lifter and Harry Podmore edged Aitchison to second slip.The last three wickets fell in six balls before Stewart bowled Came in a dramatic end to the day.