Well, the smile has certainly been wiped off of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s face.

There isn’t really any reason to smile right now for the Manchester United fans, who’ve been haunted by the reality that their team just isn’t very good. Or particularly care.

That’s the crux of it.

To his credit, Solskjaer isn’t crumbling to this pressure. Even after the embarrassing drubbing at Goodison Park, he was the first to head into the away section to apologize to the fans. Indeed, he looked genuinely disturbed after the game and gave some bold statements to prove he isn’t sailing into the sunset anytime soon.

The Norwegian pointed out how he’ll be successful in the club and there are some players who won’t be there to share the success. A direct shot to the mediocrity plaguing the club, Solskjaer must put his money where his mouth his to back up this statement.

This means he must have complete authority over who stays and who goes. Anything else is hollow.

While a miracle can still help them qualify for the UEFA Champions League, tough games ahead mean that is almost impossible. Even if United are without Champions League duties, it can actually be a blessing in disguise for the overhaul process. Solskjaer can decide whom to push out in the summer, give time to his new signings and properly implement his structure over next season.

It’s not a race, but a marathon for United to regain long-lost glory. Solskjaer just needs to make sure they reach the finish line soon, having to make some tough decisions in determining how his Manchester United will operate going forward.

United fans, do you think Solskjaer needs total control over the squad to bring success? Join the discussion by commenting below…

If you were to tell any Sheffield United supporter at the start of the season that their side would secure automatic promotion with one game left to play in the Championship, they would have understandably been a tad bemused.

However, with Chris Wilder leading a revolution at Bramall Lane, the Blades have been one of the stand-out sides in the second tier and are fully deserving of the recognition they are now receiving for clinching a top-two finish.

Whereas the likes of David McGoldrick and Billy Sharp have been incredibly impressive throughout the current campaign, it was Aston Villa loanee Scott Hogan who kicked off celebrations at Bramall Lane last week with a fantastic flick to give his side the lead against Ipswich Town.

Although the forward has experienced success at Championship level before, in order to try and persuade Wilder to sign him on a permanent deal, he must produce an eye-catching performance at the bet365 Stadium when United take on Stoke City on Sunday.

Having scored just two goals since joining the club in the January transfer window, it could be argued that the £4.5m-rated ace (via Transfermarkt) may not be good enough to make the step up to the Premier League next season. However, by proving that he can thrive in the club’s 3-5-2 system at the weekend, Hogan may provide an ultimatum for his manager to consider over the summer.

Even if he cannot persuade the Blades to commit to a move, the Republic of Ireland international could still put himself in the shop window by illustrating his wide array of talents against Stoke. By doing this, Hogan may be able to keep his career on track after a tough two years following his departure from Brentford in 2017.

What do you think United fans? Should Wilder consider making a permanent move for Hogan in the summer? If not, who should he target instead when the transfer window opens in July? Let us know below.

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According to reports from The Sun journalist Alan Nixon, Sheffield United are interested in bringing in Oliver McBurnie from Swansea City.

The move makes sense as it is in keeping with the club’s policy of signing primarily domestic players. The 22-year-old may flourish under Chris Wilder, but Sheffield United may be taking an unnecessary risk in purchasing him.

New striker

The Blades seemingly want to strengthen their striking department, they have been linked with the likes of Lee Gregory and Gary Madine in recent weeks, and they have now reportedly shown an interest in McBurnie.

Despite the Yorkshire club having David McGoldrick and Billy Sharp leading their line at the moment, they clearly want to bring in reinforcements up front.

If they are to do this though it should be a definite upgrade rather than continually attempting to take punts on Championship strikers who may or may not step up in the top division.

Taking a risk

Although McBurnie has proved himself over the last two seasons to be one of the most potent strikers in the second division, the Blades would be taking a risk when looking to sign him.

Multiple strikers who have been prolific in the Championship have flopped in the top flight. Tammy Abraham has consistently been one of the best forwards in the division during his loan spells with Bristol City and Aston Villa, but he netted just five times when on loan at Swansea in the Premier League.

If the Yorkshire club are to look to sign a striker, they must make sure it’s a huge upgrade on what they already have, and McBurnie may not be that.

Billy Sharp outscored the 22-year-old this season, whilst David McGoldrick won the club’s Player of the Year award.

Who has been the Championship’s best player this season? The Pl>ymaker FC squad discuss in the video below…

Wilder should be looking towards a more established top-flight goalscorer for the Blades’ first term  back in the top flight, rather than scouring the Championship for untapped talent which may backfire if they are relegated back to the Championship.

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Chris Wilder must rethink his stance heading into the Premier League after his quotes in The Mirror suggested that he isn’t willing to adapt his style for the top flight.

The Blades have been promoted twice in three years playing an attractive brand of attacking football, but that style may have to change when they come up against some of the most talented squads this country has ever seen.

Wilder’s comments

Speaking to The Mirror, Wilder seemed very set in his ways, saying:

“The expectation level will be a little bit lower now.

“Nothing will really change in terms of the way we prepare the players.”

He went on to say that the team will “approach every game the same,” adding that their “philosophy, method and structure won’t change.”

Can’t have this approach

Sheffield United can’t afford to have this all guns blazing approach in the Premier League that they had in the lower leagues.

For Wilder to say “when we are 5-0 down after 20 minutes to Man City, I might have my head in my hands,” shows that he is aware of the faults in his system, but he seems willing to allow his stubbornness to scupper results.

Although the top six seem unbeatable at times, the points that the lower teams pick up against them are often the difference between relegation and survival.

Brighton proved that this season. The Seagulls stayed up by just two points, and the five points they picked up against Arsenal and Man United proved to be decisive.

The 51-year-old seems to have already written off his side’s chances against the Premier League’s top dogs, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Wilder should move away from his patented 5-2-1-2 system with overlapping centre-backs when he comes up against the top sides. He should instead revert to a system more akin to the one he used when he was Northampton boss.

During his time at Sixfields, he utilised a 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1 which was much more rigid and disciplined than the formation he currently uses at Bramall Lane.

This tactic proved to be just as effective as his the one he employs with his current team, as he got the Cobblers promoted from League Two with 99 points.

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

Wilder should think about bringing back this tactic when the Blades face off against one of the top six, as it is much more suited to playing against the best teams in the Premier League than his current system, which could come unstuck against more talented opposition.

دعم رونالد كومان، المدير الفني لفريق برشلونة الإسباني، لاعبه ليونيل ميسي، بعد أن فقد قائد البارسا هدوء أعصابه مع الصحفيين قبل أيام خلال فترة التوقف الدولي.

وتم استجواب اللاعب الأرجنتيني حول دوره المزعوم في منع أنطوان جريزمان من إيجاد أفضل مستوياته في كامب نو ورد بصراحة قائلاً: “لقد سئمت من كونني المشكلة دائمًا في برشلونة”، الأمر الذي تسبب في إحداث ضجة حول النادي. (طالع التفاصيل كاملة من هنا).

لكن كومان يتفهم إحباطات ميسي، خاصة بسبب توقيت وطريقة طرح الأسئلة، وتحدث الهولندي عن الأمر، خلال مؤتمر صحفي قبل مباراة برشلونة مع أتلتيكو مدريد ونشرت صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية تصريحاته.

وقال كومان: “أتفهم سبب غضب ليو، كانت لديه للتو رحلة طويلة وكان طرح الأسئلة بعد ذلك مباشرة أمرًا غير محترم”.

وأضاف: “ربما كانت الخطة هي إثارة الجدل، لم أر أي شيء في غرفة الملابس يشير إلى وجود مشكلة بين ميسي وجريزمان”.

وواصل كومان: “لا أحب البحث عن المشاكل، الشخص الذي تحدث لم يعمل مع جريزمان منذ سنوات، إنه هراء”. 

وعن إمكانية انتقال ميسي لمانشستر سيتي، حيث ينتهي عقده بنهاية الموسم الحالي، رد كومان: “لا أراه خارج النادي ولن أجيب عن هذا الأمر بعد الآن”.

وبشأن جريزمان، أكد مدرب البلوجرانا: “أرى أنطوان سعيدًا، يعمل بشكل جيد، ويحاول التحسن مثل أي لاعب”.

وأتم بشأن تجديد عقد ميسي: “ليو لديه سنة أخرى على عقده، إنه مستقبل ليو، آمل أن يكون هنا، لست الشخص الذي يجب أن يحاول بقاء ليو، سنرى المستقبل، إنه لا يزال لاعب برشلونة”.

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Marcelo Bielsa has been praised this weekend for his showing of sportsmanship after he allowed Aston Villa to equalise against his side having judged they had scored unlawfully.

Mateusz Klich netted the opener at Elland Road on Sunday despite an injury to Jonathan Kodjia which had the majority of players unfocussed. After the goal, Bielsa instructed his team to allow Villa to walk through the whole team and equalise.

Irrelevant result

If the Whites would have won rather than drawing on Sunday it really wouldn’t have meant much in the grand scheme of things.

Sheffield United’s goal difference is far superior to Leeds’ so even if Bielsa’s side had won, the Blades’ promotion would have been delayed by only a week barring a 12-goal swing.

Leeds are now confined to the playoffs where they may potentially meet their opposition from this weekend in the final.

Removing ammunition

Playoff finals are often about who wants it more. The two teams are equally matched and whoever turns up on the day usually ends up the victor.

If the Argentine hadn’t allowed Villa to equalise straight away, then Dean Smith would have no problem getting his team up for it if they were to face off against the Whites at Wembley.

The scenes after the goal showed how aggrieved every Villa player was and if that sort of intensity was carried through to the playoff final, then there would be no doubt as to which team would be more motivated on the day.

Smith would have the easiest team talk in history. The former Brentford boss could tell his players to go out and get revenge and give his players that extra incentive needed to put in a top performance.

Instead Bielsa’s decision to give the visitors a goal calmed everyone down and put out the fire that was in the bellies of the Villa players.

Smith will no longer be able to use this injustice as ammunition to provoke his players which could, in turn, affect their performance in the final.

Rangers fans have complete faith in Steven Gerrard to fire them back to their past glories sooner or later, and to do so work needs to be done in the summer transfer window. Goals have come freely for the Gers, but adding Lawrence Shankland, the Ayr United man with a combined 42 goals and assists, is an absolute must as they aim for title number 55.

Shankland is just 23-years-old and is local to Glasgow having been born in the famous footballing city. This season in the Scottish Championship, the Scottish U21 international has bagged an unprecedented 34 goals and has eight assists to match too, and now with Ayr United not prepared to stand in his way as his contract expires this summer the Ibrox faithful could benefit and sign him up on a free.

It looks like Shankland (linked with the Light Blues by the Daily Star in March) will be plying his trade in the Scottish Premier League next season even if Ayr United aren’t. The Honest Men finished 4th in their first season back in the second tier of Scottish football setting up a play-off clash with Inverness, of which they lost the first-leg 3-1 at home last night. It won’t have been pleasant for Shankland to lose that clash, but with a summer move ahead he shouldn’t worry too much.

The hard graft and work has already been done by the 23-year-old and it would be no surprise if finds himself starring for Rangers in Europe and in the biggest domestic clashes next season. Ibrox would welcome a young Glaswegian goalscoring with open arms, and if he can continue his hot run of form that he’s found over the last two seasons, scoring a combined 50 league goals for Ayr, then he’ll be a hit.

It could force a couple of Steven Gerrard’s options that he has now out of the side, but with Alfredo Morelos’ discipline proving to be a tricky issue and Kyle Lafferty’s lack of game time and goals, having the partnership of Shankland and Defoe next season could be key.

That duo could also work wonders for the youngster as working with the prolific Defoe could be so beneficial in his development.

Rangers fans, do you want to see Lawrence Shankland at Ibrox? Comment below!

It is fair to say that Mateo Kovacic’s loan move from Real Madrid to Chelsea has not quite gone to plan.

The 25-year-old has really failed to kick on following his impressive debut against Wednesday’s Europa League final opponents Arsenal, and has since lost his spot in the team to Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

But with Loftus-Cheek out of the London derby in Baku and set to miss the start of next season, Kovacic now has a massive chance.

Marca (via Sport Witness) reports that Chelsea are set to make his loan move a permanent one, and a good display in the Europa League final could go a long way once the next campaign arrives.

Even with Loftus-Cheek unavailable for selection, competition for a midfield spot is set to be fierce with N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, Ross Barkley and possibly Mason Mount all still in the equation.

Given their transfer embargo, you would expect Chelsea to sign Kovacic regardless of what happens on Wednesday night, with the Croatian and Gonzalo Higuain being the only two players the club can buy in the summer (Goal).

But if Kovacic really wants to prove his worth and show that the Blues are not just going to purchase him for the sake of it, then he needs to raise his game at the Baku Olympic Stadium.

Another not up to scratch performance, and Chelsea supporters will start to ask some serious questions about his permanent transfer.

Chelsea fans, can Kovacic make an impact against Arsenal? Join the discussion by commenting below.

Heading to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland was always going to be difficult for Portsmouth, but Pompey should count themselves lucky it was only 1-0.

The south coast side were dominated by the Black Cats from the first minute to the last as Sunderland drew first blood in the first-leg of the League One play-off semi-final with a 1-0 win, which was even more impressive when you take into account the hosts were down to 10-men for most of the second-half, and now Portsmouth face a big uphill battle.

Promotion is an absolute must for the club this season if they are to retain onto key players who have been courted with moves away, and for Portsmouth making it back into the Championship will be a massive step in the right direction for a club with dreams of returning to the Premier League.

The return leg at Fratton Park will be Portsmouth’s biggest game of the season, and one man could be the difference between a second Wembley appearance this year or another campaign in League One, Omar Bogle.

The striker has been impressive for Portsmouth this season since joining on loan this January from Cardiff City, scoring five in 14 appearances, and with Kenny Jackett likely to change things up on Tuesday night, Bogle could have a big part to play in getting Pompey into the Championship.

Bogle, who is valued at £450,000 on Transfermarkt, has always made an impact on the pitch either by scoring or by playing a part in the build-up, and the striker’s impact could be the difference between Portsmouth being promoted or spending another season wasting time in League One.

Portsmouth fans, will Bogle have an impact in the second-leg? Let us know!

أكد سلافين بيليتش مدرب فريق وست بروميتش ألبيون أن اثنين من لاعبيه سيغيبان عن مباراة اليوم المرتقبة أمام مانشستر يونايتد، بعد تأكد إصابتهما بفيروس كورونا المستجد، كوفيد 19.

وسيتواجه الفريقان، في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، في الجولة التاسعة من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وحسب الموقع الرسمي لنادي وست بروميتش، فإن بيليتش أكد إصابة اثنين من لاعبي الفريق بفيروس كورونا، ومن ثم لن يشاركان في مباراة الليلة أمام الشياطين الحمر.

وأفاد بيليتش أن الثنائي هما جيك ليفرمور وكيران جيبس.

يُذكر أن وست بروميتش يحتل حاليًا المركز الثامن عشر برصيد 3 نقاط.