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West Ham defender Oliver Scarles was hauled off in their 2-1 loss to Leeds United with what looked to be a serious injury, and insider ExWHUemployee has now shared how long he’ll be out for.

The Hammers are second-bottom in the Premier League and have conceded more goals than any other side in the division thus far.

In his last two games, under-pressure new boss Nuno Espirito Santo has gone with a centre-back pairing of Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo, with both men struggling to deal with opposition attacks.

West Ham have precious few alternatives to Kilman and Todibo, with Konstantinos Mavropanos sidelined for the foreseeable future.

The Greek international, who had been selected for nearly every game since West Ham’s only victory of the campaign at Nottingham Forest, faces up to six weeks out after picking up a hamstring injury at home to Brentford (GiveMeSport).

The last thing Nuno needs is another defensive injury, but according to insider Ex, Scarles has joined Mavropanos on the sidelines with the extent of his injury revealed.

The academy graduate was deployed at full-back against Brentford and started again away to Leeds, but was forced off in the opening 20 minutes after fracturing his collarbone.

West Ham have since confirmed that the 19-year-old has undergone successful surgery on the problem, with Performance Director Richard Collinge estimating he could return in December.

However, while this is the official line from the club, insider Ex believes that Scarles could be out for even longer.

West Ham dealt Scarles blow with real return timeline revealed

Writing via his West Ham Way Patreon, Ex states that Scarles actually faces as long as three months on the sidelines — meaning the teenager might not be back in action until 2026.

The England Under-20 international seriously impressed at youth level for West Ham before breaking into the first-team — even bagging three goals and 14 assists in 50 appearances for the Under-18s.

The attack-minded full-back also notched 13 goal contributions (six goals, seven assists) for the Under-21s, with Scarles since making 19 senior cameos in total for the east Londoners.

He was clearly starting to impress Nuno too, after being given the starting nod in each of West Ham’s last two Premier League games, so this layoff will be a major blow to him personally.

It was Julen Lopetegui who handed Scarles his Premier League debut last season, with Graham Potter then using the youngster on a pretty regular basis towards the end of 2024/2025.

With Mavropanos out injured too, it represents a golden opportunity for summer signing Igor Julio to battle his way into the starting eleven.

Nuno must give Igor Julio a chance amid West Ham defensive crisis

The Dodgers regained control of the NLCS with an 8-0 win against the Mets at Citi Field in Game 3.

With a 2-1 series lead, the Dodgers will try to take a commanding advantage in this series with its best pitcher on the mound, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who will be making his first road postseason start. Can the Dodgers ace navigate a Mets lineup desperate for some timely hitting?

Here's our betting preview for Game 3.

Dodgers vs. Mets Odds, Spread and Total

Run Line

• Dodgers: -1.5 (+126)
• Mets: +1.5 (-150)

Moneyline

• Dodgers: -142
• Mets: +120

Total: 7 (Over -118/Under -104)

Dodgers vs. Mets How to Watch

• Date: Thursday, October 17th
• Game Time: 8:09 PM EST
• Venue: Citi Field
• How to Watch (TV): FOX
• Dodgers Lead 2-1

Dodgers vs. Mets Probable Pitchers

Los Angeles Dodgers: Yoshinobu Yamamoto (1-1, 5.63 ERA)

New York Mets: Jose Quintana: 2-0 (0.00 ERA)

Dodgers vs. Mets Key Players to Watch

Los Angeles Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani: Ohtani parked a monster three-run homer that ended any hope of a late Mets rally in Game 3, his first home run of the series. The hope is the Dodgers' designated hitter can get it going now, as he entered just 2-for-7 in the first two games as the Mets have made a point to pitch around him. He has been walked three times in the first two. 

New York Mets

Pete Alonso: Alonso only has one hit this series, which isn’t going to cut it against a potent Dodgers lineup. Hitting in the heart of the Mets order, the club will lean on the slugger to get going after smashing three home runs in the prior two postseason series. 

Dodgers vs. Mets Prediction and Pick

The Mets are undervalued heading into this one with an in-form Quintana taking the mound and a lineup that has proven it can put runners on base all series long. 

While Yamamoto is off a sterling five innings of shutout work against the Padres in an elimination game, he also was pulled after three innings of work in his postseason debut against San Diego with only one strikeout. 

With a thin bullpen that has been taxed throughout this postseason behind Yamamoto, the pressure can turn to LA quickly. If the Mets can continue to work counts and get him out of the game early, the advantage can lie with New York, who has more options in the pen given the construction of each team’s pitching staff. 

So far in this series, the Mets are stranding runners at an alarming rate, including going 0-for-4 with RISP and stranding eight total batters in Game 3. 

This series is far too competitive to skew too far towards the Dodgers. I’ll play the home underdogs. 

Cristiano Ronaldo has seen a move into management ruled out by Manchester United legend Teddy Sheringham, with it considered to be more likely that the Portuguese GOAT will emulate David Beckham by heading into club ownership. CR7 has admitted that retirement is not too far off for him, at 40 years of age, with speculation raging regarding his next move.

• What will Ronaldo do once retired?

  Ronaldo has committed to a new contract at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr that is intended to take him through to the summer of 2027. He is expected to grace next summer’s World Cup finals, while continuing to chase down 1,000 career goals.

  He concedes that record-shattering boots will be hung up for the final time in the not too distant future, with it impossible for him to go on forever. Having given his all to perfecting the art of football, it would come as a major surprise if CR7 were to sever ties with the game entirely once bringing his playing days to a close.

  Many have billed him as a potential manager of Portugal, given how proud he is to represent his country, but coaching would deliver stress that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner does not need. Instead, he could look to pump some of his vast personal fortune into a new franchise or an established global superpower.

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  Next Beckham: Why Ronaldo will avoid coaching

  Sheringham, who formed part of United’s 1999 Treble-winning squad, believes that Ronaldo is more likely to tread the same path as a fellow iconic No.7 than he is to follow the likes of Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick into management.

  Ex-England striker Sheringham told : “I can’t see Cristiano Ronaldo going into management after he retires. He’s far more likely to own a club rather than manage one – like what David Beckham has done at Inter Miami.

  “There are bigger and better things than being a manager for Ronaldo. He’s someone that wants to take on the world; it’s in his nature and he’s shown that on the football pitch for decades. In an ownership position, he’d have complete oversight over a club’s operations and personnel, in comparison to becoming a manager, where he’d be at the mercy of the club board.

  “The world of football club management is completely different to the career of a player, and I can’t see Ronaldo entering that environment as a manager.”

• Return to Man Utd? What the future could hold

  Another former United star, Wes Brown, has previously said that Ronaldo could do anything that he puts his mind to once retired. He said when asked if CR7 will follow the lead of Ryan Reynolds and Tom Brady by becoming an investor: "You never know what Cristiano Ronaldo wants to do, but you can’t doubt him after everything he’s achieved. I think first of all, it depends how he’s doing in Saudi Arabia, because it’s not clear he’ll be stopping any time soon – he’s still banging them in for Al Nassr. But he could definitely move into the boardroom, he’s got the ability to swerve away from coaching and into the executive level, 100 per cent. Why not? If he’s enjoying it, it’ll be perfect for him.”

  Danny Simpson, another of those to have worked with Ronaldo at Old Trafford, has told GOAL of the Portuguese potentially returning to Manchester in a directorial capacity: "I wouldn’t say no. If you look at his mentality, he obviously cares about the club. I think he would say that because he would like to come back again but in another way. I don’t think he liked the way he left so he’d like to come back and make United great again, on some kind of level making decisions.

  “The business side is obviously very different, but he’s also a businessman. You can’t knock that team he’s got around him. I’d love him to because I think he’s got a lot to offer, even on that side of the game going forward. Just his mentality and everything he does, he achieves it. That’s what United need.”

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  Trophy bids & Cristiano Jr: Ronaldo's immediate goals

  Ronaldo has revealed that he still keeps an eye on how United are faring, having taken in two spells with the Premier League giants, but has more pressing issues to contend with at present. He is chasing down more major silverware with Al-Nassr and has seen it suggested that he will play on for long enough that son Cristiano Junior becomes a club colleague.

A “world-class” manager has now emerged as a shock candidate to replace Ange Postecoglou as Nottingham Forest manager, following the Australian’s dismissal on Saturday.

Forest set out to appoint new manager following Ange exit

Ange only lasted a little over a month as Forest manager, which has sparked debate over whether he was given enough time, having replaced Nuno Espirito Santo at the beginning of September, before going on to implement a more attacking style.

Former defender John Curtis has since claimed it was the wrong decision to appoint the former Tottenham Hotspur boss in the first place, with Nuno enjoying a successful 2024-25 campaign, overseeing the Tricky Trees’ return to Europe.

With Ange gone, Evangelos Marinakis is now tasked with bringing in a replacement, and it could make sense to bring in a more pragmatic manager, given that the attacking philosophy didn’t produce the desired results.

The Aussie failed to win any of his eight matches in charge, which leaves the Europa League side in a precarious position, falling into the Premier League relegation zone after the 3-0 defeat at home against Chelsea on Saturday.

As such, getting the next appointment will be crucial for Marinakis, and it has now been revealed that Sean Dyche, who has a track record of guiding teams to safety, is in advanced talks about taking over as manager.

According to a report from Football Insider, however, there is an alternative option on the shortlist, with Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers emerging as a ‘shock’ new candidate for the Nottingham Forest job.

Rodgers is set to be sounded out by Forest about a move to the City Ground, with the Celtic boss out of contract at the end of the season, and the Scottish club have thus far failed to make any progress in talks about an extension.

Dyche remains the frontrunner for the job, but former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini and Fulham manager Marco Silva are also in contention.

Nottingham Forest chiefs want Marinakis to replace Postecoglou with "master" tactician

The Greek billionaire has finally called time on Ange’s nightmare stint.

By
Emilio Galantini

Oct 18, 2025

"World-class" Rodgers could be savvy appointment for Forest

The 52-year-old is vastly experienced in the Premier League, taking charge of 204 matches as Leicester City manager, during which time he led the Foxes to victory in the 2020-21 FA Cup final, with Gabriel Agbonlahor lauding him as “world-class”.

The Northern Irishman, who won the FA Cup with Leicester, has since gone on to have another very impressive stint with Celtic, winning the Scottish Premiership and League Cup last season, meaning he has now lifted 13 trophies across a successful managerial career.

Dyche would perhaps be the safer option, having developed a reputation as a manager capable of leading relegation-threatened sides to safety, but Rodgers could be a more exciting long-term appointment, given his track record of winning trophies.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes could depart Old Trafford at the end of this season for a cut-price fee with a supposed 'secret release clause' offering him an escape. The Portuguese midfielder has long been linked with a move away from the Red Devils and, this summer, had been the target of a series of unsuccessful approaches by clubs in the Saudi Pro League.

• Fernandes to become available on the cheap

  With United continuing to struggle for consistency in the Premier League this season, Fernandes may start to believe he is better off seeing out the latter end of his career elsewhere – and he could be presented that opportunity via a release clause. According to , from next summer, Fernandes can be bought for just £57 million ($75.9m/€65.6m) by clubs outside of England.

  The suggested fee is remarkably lower than what some Saudi clubs were floating United’s way earlier this year and could prove to be quite the coup for a side looking to bring in the excellent, albeit ageing, midfielder.

  The Red Devils will be desperate to keep their captain who, despite his mixed start to the season, is still one of their most important players. Finding a replacement who can produce for Ruben Amorim’s side immediately, for a similar fee to the release clause, may prove a very difficult task for United’s scouting department.

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  Fernandes reveals stance on Saudi switch

  Fernandes turned down a move away from Manchester last summer, choosing to remain at the struggling Red Devils. He explained that, because he loves the club and wants it to be successful, he never wanted to depart Old Trafford for Saudi Arabia.

  Fernandes previously quashed the idea that he turned the lucrative move to the Middle East down because he wanted to remain in contention for Portugal's World Cup squad, but he did leave the door open to a move away.

  “I didn't close the door on moving to Saudi Arabia because of the World Cup. That was never in my mind. I wanted to stay at Manchester United, and the club wanted me to stay. That's all there is to it,” he explained.

  Fernandes was speaking ahead of Portugal’s win over Ireland two weeks ago and hinted that his time at Old Trafford could come to an end soon. “I like to enjoy the moment, and the most important thing for me now is representing the national team,” he said. “It's a source of enormous pride to be able to play, and I still don't know if I'll play, let alone if I'll leave Manchester United in a year.”

• United at make or break point

  After two consecutive wins in the Premier League for the first time under Amorim, Fernandes and his team-mates will be determined to keep their momentum going. The Red Devils followed up their 2-0 victory over Sunderland at home with a surprise 2-1 victory away at Anfield last weekend to fire them back up the table.

  With 13 points from eight games, United sit in ninth place but just three points off second-placed Manchester City. It marks quite the turnaround for Amorim’s side, who looked in crisis after a disappointing loss to Brentford at the end of last month.

  Despite their uptick in performance levels, Fernandes is still not playing his best football in a Manchester United shirt. The captain has had to take on a deeper role to accommodate the new, flashy attacking signings and has seen his output drop.

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  Bogeymen Brighton come to Manchester

  United will have to overcome bogey team Brighton if they are to keep their winning streak going. The Red Devils have a shocking record against their upcoming opponents, losing six of their last seven games in the Premier League against the Seagulls.

  Brighton are also just one point behind Amorim’s men and can climb into the European qualification spots with a win. They will be hopeful that former United striker Danny Welbeck can also add to his recent goal-scoring form.

Anthony Gordon is convinced Newcastle United can be “anything we want to be” this season after playing a key role in igniting their Champions League campaign.

The 24-year-old England international started the Magpies’ impressive 4-0 victory over Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise in Brussels on Wednesday evening as Eddie Howe’s new-look side finally rediscovered its swagger.

Goals had been in short supply for much of the season previously, dulling the effect of good performances, in particular the 3-2 home defeat by champions Liverpool with 10 men following Gordon’s dismissal.

Asked what the season could hold for his team, Gordon replied: “We can be anything we want to be this season. We can beat anyone in any game.

“I never go into a game thinking we’re going to lose. As long as we can keep that defensive structure, that creativity, we can beat anyone.

“You saw that in the Liverpool game. For the first 30 minutes before I got sent off, we dominated them and they’re the champions of England.”

Better than Gordon: Newcastle star is now one of the best in the world

Newcastle romped to a big win in the Champions League this week, with Anthony Gordon starring.

By
Kelan Sarson

Oct 2, 2025

Newcastle had won just two of eight games in all competitions before they ran out at Lotto Park, and they did so knowing a failure to add to that tally after a 2-1 home defeat by Barcelona in their opening European fixture would significantly dent their qualification hopes.

However, they need not have worried as they turned in perhaps their most coherent display to date to brush aside a team that had won 3-1 at PSV Eindhoven last month.

Gordon reacts to comments on Newcastle striker Woltemade

Nick Woltemade’s cheeky 17th-minute flick, which went in off defender Kevin Mac Allister, set the ball rolling, and two penalties calmly dispatched by Gordon and a fourth goal from substitute Harvey Barnes completed the job in style.

Record signing Woltemade had found himself in Karl-Heinz Rummenigge’s firing line ahead of kick-off with the Bayern Munich executive claiming Stuttgart had found “an idiot” to pay £69million for a player the German club had also been chasing.

£150,000-a-week Gordon’s assessment of Rummenigge’s comments on a man who scored for the third time in four starts, however, was withering.

Woltemade might have added to his tally had he managed to get his hands on either of the two penalties, but having seen former team-mate Alexander Isak boost his goals tally from the spot during his time on Tyneside, Gordon was in no mood to let that happen.

He said: “I don’t mind him wanting to take it. A striker should want to take it. But I’ve won too many and not taken them at this club. Now Alex is gone, they’re definitely mine.”

Cristiano Ronaldo’s glittering career has rarely faced criticism for effort, but a surprising revelation from Andrea Pirlo’s former assistant suggests otherwise. Alparslan Erdem, who worked with Pirlo in Turkey, explained that the coach's tactical system clashed with Ronaldo’s style, leading the Italian to secretly prefer Alvaro Morata during his time at the helm in Turin.

• Why Pirlo preferred Morata over Ronaldo at Juventus

  Ronaldo’s spell at Juventus brought goals, trophies and unmatched professionalism, yet behind the scenes, it wasn’t always a perfect fit. During Pirlo’s only season as head coach in 2020–21, the Italian legend struggled to mould a system that could balance his ideas with Ronaldo’s free-flowing, goal-hungry instincts.

  Now, Erdem who was Pirlo’s former assistant at Turkish side Karagumruk has shed new light on the tactical tension that defined that season. Speaking to , Erdem revealed that while Pirlo respected Ronaldo’s talent, his data-driven approach showed the former Manchester United star wasn’t ideal for his preferred pressing system.

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  Erdem spills the beans on Pirlo

  The 36-year-old Shkupi manager revealed some candid details about Pirlo. Erdem claims the Juventus legend preferred Morata over Ronaldo but couldn't bench the former Real Madrid winger as Serie A side spent a whooping €117m on him in the same year.

  "We did an analysis, and his analyst gave us some data. One thing was clear: [Pirlo] didn't like [Paulo] Dybala, and Cristiano Ronaldo wasn't at all suited to his style of play," Erdem said.

  He further added: "He wanted to press high, and the data showed that Cristiano Ronaldo was the worst at sprinting. He didn't want him, but there was nothing he could do. That was just Cristiano Ronaldo.

  "He liked Álvaro Morata much more, who was perfect for his 4-4-2 system. His system couldn't cope with Ronaldo, but he just couldn't do anything against him."

• The challenge of managing a superstar

  Managing Ronaldo has consistently tested even the most experienced coaches, a challenge Pirlo also faced during his time at Juventus. Ronaldo’s commanding personality, unmatched ambition and relentless pursuit of excellence often made it difficult to balance individual brilliance with tactical discipline.

  Maurizio Sarri, who coached Ronaldo at Juventus in 2019–20, admitted that integrating him into a rigid system wasn’t easy. He often felt frustrated trying to balance Ronaldo’s instinctive, attacking nature with the structured play he wanted to implement. Despite moments of tension, Sarri acknowledged Ronaldo’s remarkable ability to stay focused and quickly move on from setbacks, highlighting his elite mentality.

  Jose Mourinho’s experience with Ronaldo at Madrid was defined by mutual respect but also by the clash of two strong egos. He often described managing Ronaldo as an exercise in letting go of excessive control, understanding that certain players perform best when granted freedom rather than restriction.

  At United, Erik ten Hag and Ralf Rangnick both encountered similar challenges. Ten Hag had to deal with Ronaldo’s dissatisfaction over reduced playing time, which culminated in his refusal to come on as a substitute in one match. Rangnick, too, faced public criticism from Ronaldo, who questioned his authority and managerial credentials. Both situations underscored the difficulty of managing a superstar whose personal standards and influence often overshadowed team directives.

  Even Fernando Santos, who shared a long and successful stint with Ronaldo in the Portugal national team, saw the relationship strain during the 2022 World Cup. Tactical decisions to substitute Ronaldo led to visible frustration and a noticeable shift in team morale.

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  Ronaldo's final year at Juventus

  In his last year at Juve, Ronaldo scored 36 goals in 44 appearances, winning the Serie A Capocannoniere with 29 league goals. He became the fastest Bianconeri player to reach 100 goals in just 131 games. Despite his individual success, Juventus finished fourth, but won the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana. Ronaldo's goal-focused style contrasted with coach Pirlo's possession-based system, yet their relationship remained respectful. That season marked the end of Juventus's nine-year Serie A title streak.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have had a frustrating start to the campaign and Vitor Pereira has been dealt an injury blow involving one of his key players.

Wolves turn focus to Everton clash after defeat at Newcastle

The Old Gold are still to pick up a point in the Premier League and find themselves rooted to the bottom of the table after a frustrating 1-0 loss to Newcastle United last weekend.

Despite a closely contested encounter with plenty of solidity from both sides, Nick Woltemade’s header proved to be the difference, and in a way, he also highlighted Wolves’ lack of attacking potency.

Furious at how the flow of the match was halted, Pereira vented his frustration on Match of the Day by claiming the officials’ willingness to dish out yellow cards slowed his side’s momentum.

He said: “I’m very proud of my team. I think we competed since the first minute until the last minute in a difficult stadium.

“In the end I have a question. How is it possible for a team to press and be aggressive and win duels if we got yellow cards? It spoiled our game. It’s not possible to be aggressive and compete at this level with yellow cards in the middle of the field.”

Nevertheless, their lack of creativity has had a knock-on effect in the final third, something that will need to be rectified as Wolves gear up for a crucial double-header against Everton in the EFL Cup before Leeds United visit Molineux this weekend.

Dele Alli could provide an out-of-window dose of inspiration for the Old Gold. However, Pereira has now been dealt another blow in his search for coolness in front of goal that will frustrate supporters.

Wolves fear Jorgen Strand Larsen injury is now 'more serious'

As relayed by The Yorkshire Evening Post, Wolves may be without Jorgen Strand Larsen for the visit of Leeds this weekend, after Pereira admitted last week the Norway international’s Achilles injury is ‘more serious’ than first feared.

Explaining that the timeline for his return can’t be set in stone, he said after Saturday’s defeat to Newcastle: “Day by day, it’s his Achilles tendon, we cannot push — we need to be patient.”

Wolves' most expensive signings of all time

Football FanCast takes a detailed look at Wolves’ 10 most expensive signings of all time.

By
Charlie Smith

Sep 5, 2025

During the summer, Strand Larsen was the subject of significant interest from Newcastle and was valued at around £65 million by the Old Gold, hence why he ended up remaining at Molineux.

In a frustrating turn of events, the 25-year-old may be missing a while longer and unable to add to his return of 16 goals and five assists in 41 appearances across all competitions since joining initially on loan from Celta Vigo last summer.

Tolu Arokodare made his debut in the defeat at St James’ Park, and he may now be called upon for the coming run of matches following his move to the West Midlands from Genk.

Manchester United's newest star Senne Lammens supposedly became a goalkeeper to 'avoid running and being substituted', with his brother revealing the secrets of the Belgian stopper. Signed from Royal Antwerp this summer for £18.2 million ($24.5m), the 23-year-old has quickly caught attention with his commanding presence between the sticks. His clean sheet on debut in a 2-0 victory over Sunderland before the international break gave United fans a glimpse of his potential.

• Lammens' trial of character awaits at Liverpool

  On Sunday, the young Belgian goalkeeper will walk out at Anfield to take on champions Liverpool, in what promises to be the most intimidating test of his career. However, away from the glitz of the Premier League, his footballing story started in Erpe-Mere, a quiet town nestled between Brussels and Ghent. There, in the modest surroundings of KRC Bambrugge, one of four local clubs that would later merge to form Erpe-Mere United, he kicked his first football. The sport runs deep in the Lammens family. His great uncle Paul is now the honorary chairman of the club, while uncle Steven serves as the sporting director. His father, Eddy, a former Bambrugge player, used to coach youth teams that included Senne’s elder brother, Tom. And it was Tom who first noticed Senne’s unusual determination to stand out right from his childhood. 

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  Lazy Lammens turns goalkeeper

  For the first few years, Lammens played as a striker. Fast, physical, and strong, he was a nightmare for defenders. But at just 10 years old, everything changed, not because of a tactical tweak, but because he disliked running. 

  In an interview with Tom revealed why Senne went in goal: "Mainly because he didn’t want to get substituted. He also didn’t like all the running in training." 

  His father, suspecting this might just be a phase, sent him to a goalkeeper training camp, thinking it would cure his boredom. Instead, it did the opposite. Senne thrived as his height and agility made him a natural fit. 

  "As a player, he was always quite tall and strong for his age, and had a powerful shot," Tom added.

  After two years at his hometown club, Lammens followed his brother to F.C.V. Dender, a professional side not far from home. It was there that he began his transformation into one of Belgium’s most promising young goalkeepers. From Dender, he progressed rapidly through the youth ranks, catching the attention of scouts and earning a move to Club Brugge, where he developed his reputation for commanding his area and handling pressure. When Royal Antwerp offered him first-team football, he seized the opportunity, and his performances there soon put him on United’s radar.

• Courtois has some advice for Lammens

  Ahead of the clash at Anfield, Lammens received some tongue-in-cheek advice from Belgium team-mate Thibaut Courtois, who knows the challenge of Liverpool’s fortress. 

  "It’s a hard stadium," he told Belgian media. "Maybe I should tell him to clap the home fans when he arrives at the Kop!"

  Courtois who has 107 caps for Belgium and two Champions League titles with Real Madrid, made clear the enormity of the task. "His first game was a flavour of what United will get," he said. "He’s a tall guy, he is not afraid to come on crosses, and he’s a kid with personality. I’m sure he can do a good job. He has a tough game this weekend, so I hope if he plays, it will go well for him. All the best to him."

  The Real Madrid star will visit Anfield on November 4 for a Champions League fixture and added: "I will go there myself in a few weeks. It’s always a tough game there, and I guess Liverpool also have to bounce back after losing a few games."

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  A monumental challenge for Lammens

  Liverpool’s recent form has been shaky, with three defeats in a row across all competitions, but that makes them even more dangerous. Whereas, for United, it’s about momentum. Amorim’s side have found some rhythm, thanks to a win over Sunderland, and with the backline looking solid, they’ll count on their new Belgian shot-stopper to hold firm under relentless pressure. For a 23-year-old who once switched to goal just to avoid running laps, this could be a night that defines him.

Manchester United are now racing Chelsea for the signature of an attacking midfielder, who has been compared to former midfielder Thiago Alcântara.

Sesko tipped to struggle after Man Utd fail to sign playmaker

Former Man United man Louis Saha has suggested Benjamin Sesko has the talent to be a success at Old Trafford if given the right service, but could struggle in the short-term given that Ruben Amorim failed to bring in a playmaker during the summer transfer window.

Saha said: “I think he’s capable if the manager managed to get that link between midfield and striker,

“Unfortunately we didn’t get the midfielder we wanted. So we’re still very weak in that department. And this is why I think Sesko will struggle maybe a little bit until we get that sorted.

“He’s got the quality because he’s tall, he’s going to score goals in the air, and he’s very technical as well.”

United did manage to sign two Premier League-proven forwards in the form of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, who should be able to provide more goals this season, with the latter player opening his account against Burnley last time out.

However, Amorim’s side have also now entered the race for a different attacking midfielder, according to a report from Spain, which states Man United are looking to sign Barcelona’s Dro Fernandez, who has started to attract widespread interest.

Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea are among the clubs set to battle it out for Fernandez’s services, having impressed in youth competitions, while the 17-year-old’s versatility also makes signing him an attractive proposition.

53 y/o manager Man Utd's top target to replace Amorim, has won 11 trophies

An “unbelievable” manager has now entered the frame as United’s first-choice option to replace Ruben Amorim.

By
Dominic Lund

Sep 10, 2025

That said, it could be difficult to tempt the La Liga champions into a sale, given that they are thought to be reluctant to sanction the highly-rated youngster’s departure.

Fernandez could be the new Thiago

The teenager’s former coaches, Javi Roxo and Luis Perez, believe he could be destined for the very top, having compared him to former Barcelona midfielder Thiago, saying: “Dro is a talent of Thiago’s level, I have not seen anyone as technical as Thiago but Dro’s vision of the game is even superior.

“If he relieves himself of pressure and plays freely, he is capable of anything, his talent is infinite.”

The young Spaniard, who is capable of playing in attacking midfield and on the left-wing, is yet to make a senior appearance for Barca, but he has started to make an impact at youth level, scoring two goals in seven UEFA Youth League games last season.

That said, while Fernandez may be capable of being a future star, Man United’s main focus in January should be bringing in an established central midfielder, having missed out in the summer, with Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba among the most exciting targets.