It had to happen at some point, didn’t it? Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first domestic defeat as Manchester United manager has proved again that tactically he’s not up to the standard of his Premier League rivals.

Of course, it’s only early on in his managerial career and he’s only held the United job since Christmas, but if he’s being mentioned as the man to get the job permanently, he should be held to the same standards as other bosses. He had to change his system from the get-go on Sunday, and that shows he got his preparation wrong.

The players will have been preparing to face Arsenal in a certain way and will have been confident in their system, but Emery outsmarted him and his coaching staff leaving the Norwegian to scrap his plan A. Sometimes that’s acceptable, if you win, but he didn’t and so the manager must take reasonability for the loss.

Yes, Marcus Rashford missed good opportunities and there was a controversial penalty thrown in there too, but sometimes it seems like Solskjaer’s only tactic is to win the ball and attack quickly. Without the ball, when they’re defending a fast attack themselves, it still seems the defence isn’t protected enough, despite both Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera both being capable of that role.

That’s all been well and good so far against teams who would let them attack and dominate, but Paris Saint-Germain at home and this Arsenal game were clear indicators of structural inadequacies behind the attacking midfielder. It’s true United need significant investment at the back, Jose Mourinho knew that in summer, so that is probably a major factor too.

However, there’s now a top four race on and United are looking in trouble again. Arsenal are ahead and Chelsea are one point behind with a game in hand. It’s important they continue to entertain their fans, but they must also grind out results against big teams when it’s required, and they didn’t do that against Arsenal.

The Red Devils must react well next weekend against in-form Wolves in the FA Cup to regain momentum ahead of what will be a fascinating race for third and four spot.

United fans, where do you think your team needs to strengthen in the summer? Join the discussion by commenting below.

After a promising run in the FA Cup, Crystal Palace’s dream of silverware this season is over.

The Eagles were dumped out of England’s oldest football competition on the weekend by Watford as Andre Grey’s 79th-minute winner sealed Roy Hodgson’s fate in the FA Cup in a 2-1 loss.

It was a disappointing loss for the south London side, who fancied themselves as dark horses of the competition after knocking out Tottenham in the fourth round and making it to final of the FA Cup three years prior.

Ultimately, it was a fair result, but what would the consequences be if Palace were to win against Watford and make it to the semi-finals of the FA Cup?

Palace face tough tie against Wolves

In our reality, Watford were drawn with Wolves in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, so for argument’s sake, we will say Palace are drawn against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side as well.

Wolves have been the giant killers in the Cup this season, knocking out both Liverpool and Manchester United comfortably, making them outside favourites for FA Cup glory this season, and in the league as well the West Midlands-based club have been great against teams in the top-six.

Palace would go into this game at Wembley as the underdogs given their earlier result against Wolves this season, a 1-0 loss at Selhurst, and one of Nuno’s most impressive wins of the season was against Tottenham at their temporary home, a 3-1 win over the Christmas period.

However, with Palace having experience at this stage in the competition, Hodgson’s side will be confident of causing an upset and making their second FA Cup final in three years.

Hodgson keeps job, for now

Speaking of Hodgson, making it to a FA Cup semi-final would have kept the oldest manager in Premier League history in the job for at least another season.

Palace have had an underwhelming season despite the level of quality the Eagles have in the squad, and with the scars of Frank de Boer’s horrific managerial appointment more than healed over, the Palace board might be reluctant to replace Hodgson for an ambitious coach.

Hodgson could have strengthened his argument to be given another season to salvage more than a below midtable finish for Palace on the merit he made it to a FA Cup semi-final.

Crystal Palace fans, would a FA Cup semi-final appearance be a high-point this season?

It has been quite a few weeks for Sheffield Wednesday supporters hasn’t it?

The Owls moved within just three points of the play-off positions following their 4-2 victory over Blackburn Rovers as Steve Bruce’s side allowed the Hillsborough faithful to dream of a top-six finish.

However, after drawing 0-0 at Stoke City last week, Wednesday fell to 11th in the Championship and knew that they would have to pick up all three points against Aston Villa on Saturday to remain in contention this season.

Despite taking the lead in the first-half of their clash with the Lions, the Yorkshire-based outfit were pegged back by a strike by Lions midfielder John McGinn. Steven Fletcher then spurned a great chance to put his side back ahead by missing a penalty and was made to suffer by Albert Adomah and Tammy Abraham who both scored in second-half injury time for Villa to break Wednesday’s hearts.

Although they now find themselves six points behind the play-off positions and in need of a miracle to extend their season beyond the usual 46 game mark in the Championship, it is overwhelmingly clear that Bruce is the right man for the job at Hillsborough.

The 58-year-old has transformed the club’s fortunes since taking over in February and could very easily lead them to an immensely successful season next year if given the chance to bring in his own players in the transfer window. With no fewer than four promotions from the second tier on his resume already, Bruce will be confident that he can be the man to secure a top-flight return for the Owls.

If Wednesday can replicate the form that they have produced under their new manager over an entire campaign, they should emerge as one of the favourites to secure promotion in 2019/20, especially if they can keep a hold of their best players in the summer.

Whereas there have been periods of uncertainty at the club in the previous decade, the future suddenly looks a lot brighter for the Owls under the management of Bruce.

What do you think Wednesday fans? Are your hopes of reaching the play-offs all-but over for this season? How impressed have you been with Bruce since he took over at the club? Get in touch below.

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Steve McClaren has been operating on borrowed time in recent weeks – the results have worsened as the season nears the end – but, finally, QPR decided that enough was enough on Monday and gave the former England boss the boot with seven games to go.

McClaren departs Loftus Road having overseen 46 matches in charge since taking Ian Holloway’s place at the helm last summer – the former Palace boss was sacked a week previously after a poor run of results towards the end of the 2017/18 season.

The R’s have won just once since Boxing Day and are currently in the worst form of the league; whoever comes in and replaces McClaren has an almighty job to turn the season around and guide the Hoops to a respectable finish come May.

Could that man be Holloway? It certainly seemed that the eccentric honcho has some unfinished business at Loftus Road, as he spoke to TalkSport in the wake of his successor’s sacking:

“He took my job. I still had another year left at the club. I’m still being paid by them now.

“He was talking to the chairman while I was in the job, saying what he’d do and what he’d change. He hasn’t been able to do that.

“What goes around comes around. Where the hell are the young lads I was told to bring through? [Ebere] Eze isn’t playing, what about [Ryan] Manning? They’re not playing. I was told to promote the youth and bring people in who cared about the club, it’s not happening.

“Would I go back? It depends who calls me, Les [Ferdinand, director of football] didn’t want me to go.”

Watch the best fails from the world of indoor football in the video below…

Indeed, neither Eze or Manning have featured under McClaren recently, whose QPR team could certainly have done with some youthful exuberance, with the likes of Luke Freeman preferred in Eze’s central, attacking-midfield role.

Holloway also refused to rule out a sensational return to the helm on the condition that QPR legend Ferdinand was the one to speak to him. Could it happen? Let us know in the comments, QPR fans, whether you would like to see Holloway return or not.

سافر الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي مانشستر يونايتد إلى فرنسا، من أجل مواجهة باريس سان جيرمان في الجولة الأولى من دور المجموعات من بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويحل مانشستر يونايتد ضيفًا على باريس سان جيرمان في ملعب “حديقة الأمراء” غدًا، في تمام الساعة التاسعة مساءً بتوقيت “القاهرة”، بقيادة الحكم الدولي الإسباني ماتيو لاهوز.

وأفادت شبكة “Manchester Evening News” الإنجليزية أن الثنائئ إدينسون كافاني وهاري ماجواير لم يسافران مع البعثة المتوجهة إلى باريس.

يأتي ذلك رغم مشاركة ماجواير بشكل طبيعي أمام نيوكاسل في المباراة السابقة ببطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز وأحرز هدفًا، بينما كان كافاني متواجدًا في تدريبات مانشستر يونايتد بالأيام الأخيرة وتدرب مع الفريق بعد قضاءه 14 يومًا كحجر صحي عقب وصوله من فرنسا بعد التوقيع مع الفريق في آخر أيام الميركاتو الصيفي (طالع التفاصيل).

ولكن الشبكة الإنجليزية قد أفادت بأن هناك إمكانية ضعيفة ليلحق كافاني بالبعثة بمفرده من خلال بعض وسائل المواصلات الخاصة التي تنقل لاعبي مانشستر يونايتد للمباريات خارج “أولد ترافورد”، بعد عدم ظهوره بالإضافة ماجواير في مطار مدينة “مانشستر”.

Barry Bannan put in an outstanding performance against Blackburn Rovers at Hillsborough on Saturday, and Wednesday fans were quick to heap praise on the Scottish midfielder.

The 29-year-old had no less than three assists in the Owls’ 4-2 win, and his form had seen him win a call-up to the Scotland national squad.

The Sheffield Star report that Bannon has subsequently withdrawn from that squad, with a slight injury thought to be the reason, but Wednesday fans will not be too disappointed, as long as it means he will be fit for their next game at Stoke a week on Saturday.

So influential has the midfielder become to the Owls, that fans have been lining up on Twitter to laud the player.

Here are a few of the reactions:

It’s fair to say he is a definite favourite among the Owls faithful, and fans will be hoping he can carry them through to a play-off place come May.

What are your thoughts on Bannon’s performances lately? Has he benefited from the Bruce effect? Let us know your thoughts…

[ad_pod ]Sunderland fans have been heaping praise on Luke O’Nien during the international break.The Black Cats made a rip-roaring start to their League One campaign, losing just once in their first 20 league matches.Jack Ross’ side went off the boil at the turn of the year though, registering score draws in six out of seven games, but they have now won four of their last six with the two failures being draws in difficult away games. Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals why Tyne-Wear is a more intense derby than anything London can offer – check out the video below….And it’s no coincidence that the recent return to form has coincided with O’Nien hitting a purple patch, as the 24 year-old’s energy from right-back has made a huge different to the side.O’Nien, who is capable of playing pretty much anywhere across the midfield or on either defensive flank, has five goals and five assists to his name this campaign.

On top of that, the versatile ace just seems to “get†Sunderland, constantly interacting with fans and showing off his passion for the badge.

Loads of fans have been discussing his form, and judging from the Twitter reactions down below the summer signing is already a fan favourite at the Stadium of Light…

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It is no secret that Marcelo Bielsa is a manager that is stubborn and largely set in his own ways, but the weekend defeat against Sheffield United was probably the clearest sign yet that he has a pecking order of players – especially when it comes to substitutions.

On the chalkboard

Had it not been for a series of injuries and suspensions, the Argentine boss may well have stuck with the same core of 18-20 first-teamers given what he has done at his previous clubs.

Unfortunately since he arrived at Elland Road he hasn’t had that luxury and has had to delve deeper into his squad to use the likes of Leif Davis, Aapo Halme and Jordan Stevens on occasions.

However, while it may be the case that players like Stuart Dallas, Adam Forshaw and Barry Douglas are guaranteed a spot in the 18-man squad if they are available, the same can’t always be said for youngsters like Jack Clarke, Izzy Brown and Jamie Shackleton.

Clear pecking order

It seems that way.

Are Leeds set for another spectacular fall from grace? Ingood Nick believes so in the video below…

Even when Leeds are in need of a goal and a fresh threat in the final third – as they were against the Blades on Saturday – the proof is that Douglas or Dallas seem more likely to enter proceedings first than either Clarke and Shackleton, with the latter ending the game as an unused substitute at the weekend.

The presence of the summer addition from Wolves on the field saw Alioski push forward into a left-wing role – with the Scot replacing Harrison is a change that we have seen time and time again from Bielsa in recent weeks – and you have to wonder whether the manager should change his ways.

Likewise, Dallas came on at the same time as Clarke and replaced Ayling, even though Shackleton filled in excellently for the 27-year-old when he was injured earlier in the season and would arguably provide more of an attacking threat.

All in all, Bielsa needs to ditch his preferred pecking order and give more minutes to talented individuals like Brown and Shackleton rather than keep relying on experienced pros that aren’t delivering.

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The vast majority of Rangers fans will be hoping they can sign Ryan Kent on a permanent deal in the summer, but a recent report from the Daily Record suggests they could be priced out of the deal.

What’s the word?

The Daily Record claim that Steven Gerrard, who is hoping to make Kent’s move permanent in the summer, feels he is already fighting a losing battle to keep the 22-year-old at Ibrox, with clubs at the lower end of the Premier League as well as Championship clubs potentially willing to meet Liverpool’s asking price.

Speaking of the asking price, the same report claims that his parent club will demand a fee between £8m and £10m – a huge sum of money for a club of Rangers’ limited financial power.

And sources have claimed that Liverpool believe this summer represents the perfect opportunity to sell a player who has failed to boost his stock in four previous loan spells.

Is Kent overpriced?

From Liverpool’s perspective, Kent’s season couldn’t have gone much better. He is clearly below the standard required to break into the first-team at Anfield and his loan move was merely a feasible way of placing him in the shop window.

However, for a club of Rangers’ stature and torrid financial history, it’s fair to say that the reported price-tag is extortionate, especially when considered in the context of his past failures.

Sky Sports journalist Charles Paterson has described Kent as a player who “has shown flashes of brilliance when he’s been fit”.

Relatively speaking, that verdict is not one which you would attribute to a player commanding a price-tag of up to £10 million.

Kent has been electric on his day and a devastatingly creative spark when in full flow, but how often does that day come round?

If Rangers are to progress and genuinely challenge the status quo in Scottish football they need more than just sporadic bursts of quality from a £10 million player; they need consistent quality and preferably at a modest price.

The Gers faithful will undoubtedly rue Kent’s departure but, as Paterson has hinted, he is overpriced for a player whose brilliance has been limited to flashes.

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Everton fans have been on social media debating whether Jordan Pickford is good enough to be the club’s long-term number one goalkeeper.

And it would be fair to say that there are a lot of mixed opinions on the subject.

Pickford has made 79 appearances for Everton since a 2017 move from Sunderland.

The 25-year-old, who is very much England’s number one, has conceded 42 times in the Premier League this term, keeping just nine clean sheets in 31 appearances.

The Everton fans have been debating whether the Englishman is quite good enough as there have been some dodgy displays from the stopper this term, including recently against Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

Whilst a number feel that Pickford will only get better in the coming seasons, other believe that he will never be good enough to be the long-term first-choice stopper.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the Everton supporters can be viewed below: