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Flocking to Twitter, many Manchester United fans have been left thrilled by what they call an ‘exciting’ update as some behind-closed-doors news emerges.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to oversee United’s rise back to the pinnacle of English football this season with his side last winning a Premier League title nearly ten years ago.

In that time, their bitter rivals Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea have all gone on to become top flight champions while United looked on with the aim of reaching that same level again.

After a head-turning, blockbuster summer transfer window – signing the likes of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane before completing a sensational return for club legend Cristiano Ronaldo – it has been a fairly promising start in parts.

United are well in the mix near the top of the Premier League table but will be disappointed to drop crucial points against the likes of Aston Villa and Everton recently.

In a possible boost for Solskjaer, however, some news has emerged which has excited plenty of United fans.

As star forward Marcus Rashford continues his recovery from shoulder surgery, he has now marked a playing return by getting on the scoresheet twice in United’s 3-0 win over Blackburn Rovers behind-closed-doors – according to Laurie Whitwell.

The Red Devils could very well be boosted by his imminent return as it edges ever closer, prompting many supporters to erupt as this ‘exciting’ Rashford update drops.

Find all of their best verdicts from Twitter down below.

Man United fans flock to ‘exciting’ Rashford update…

“The Prem is in trouble o.”

Credit: @SamKwasiBoateng

“I know its just a behind-closed-doors but this is exciting”

Credit: @Eddie_Fpl

“He’s come to save us”

Credit: @Lukeandreas_

“no one’s ready”

Credit: @manunited_vibezz

“SIUUUUUU”

Credit: @KingUTD2

“Wooh that’s good news for united”

Credit: @Eng_Severine

“This makes me so happy”

Credit: @Blueninja658

“Okay. We’re back in business.”

Credit: @Oliveresuana

A development has emerged on Rangers defender Nathan Patterson, regarding interest in the Gers’ full-back’s future at Ibrox.

What’s the talk?

According to 90min, Manchester United are lining up a swoop for the full-back ahead of the January transfer window.

The report claims more than 12 teams across Europe are keen on the youngster, whilst United also hold a tentative interest in Gers captain James Tavernier. Everton are named as one of the other clubs looking at Patterson, whilst United have alternative options in Kieran Trippier and Max Aarons.

Concern

This development on Patterson will surely leave Rangers fans feeling concerned over the possibility of a large blow in January. His potential has clearly caught the attention of a host of teams and that opens the door to the prospect of him leaving Ibrox in one of the upcoming transfer windows.

If more than 12 clubs are interested in the teenager then that could make it difficult for Rangers to keep hold of him. His agent could be fielding enquiries from sides left, right and centre and hearing that teams in the Champions League, such as Manchester United, are looking at him could turn his head.

Having the chance to go and play in the Premier League and Champions League, competing for the top trophies, could convince him to quit Ibrox, if United – or another side in Europe’s premier competition – make a serious move for him. This is precisely why Rangers fans should be worried.

The club’s head of academy Craig Mulholland once heralded the full-back as a great example for young players, saying: “Nathan has been fantastic for us this year.

“If you go and look at Nathan in the last 16 of the Europa League, if you look at him in the Old Firm game, it’s a great example for all the young players in here of what we’re trying to achieve.”

The 19-year-old has lived up to this high praise on the pitch. Last season, he averaged a solid SofaScore rating of 6.85 in the Europa League, showing that he can compete at a high level despite his young age.

In his only Premiership appearance this term, he provided an assist and recorded a score of 7.6 against Hibernian last weekend.

Patterson has shown that he has the potential to be a big player for Steven Gerrard moving forward and thus, supporters will be gutted to see him go.

He has already proven that he can play to a high standard in the Europa League and the Premiership and at the age of 19, he is James Tavernier’s ideal heir at right-back. With that in mind, it would be a hefty blow to lose him. After all, when Tavernier was missing last season, Patterson came in and performed admirably.

Should the former be missing again and the latter departs, the club would not be in good stead.

AND in other news, Wilson masterclass: Rangers dynamo sees value soar by 85.7% in one year, he’s exciting…

Graham Roberts believes that a clutch of young Tottenham Hotspur players could be given a major opportunity to impress in the Europa Conference League this season.

Spurs qualified for the competition after finishing seventh in the Premier League last season.

It certainly wasn’t their main objective, with the Conference League the third-tier European competition, behind the Champions League and the Europa League.

New Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo has involved a number of youngsters in pre-season, including Alfie Devine and Dane Scarlett.

Devine is just 16, while Scarlett is 17, and they have each made their first-team debuts for the club.

The former played in the FA Cup clash with non-league Marine last season, scoring in the 5-0 win, while Scarlett has made three appearances, a one-minute cameo against West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League and also against both Ludogorets and Wolfsberger in the Europa League, providing an assist in the latter.

And Roberts believes that players of their kind will have a major opportunity in the Conference League this term.

He exclusively told The Transfer Tavern: “It’s brilliant to play in that Europa Conference, I think a lot of youngsters will be given chances in that. What you’ve got to be careful of is that you don’t play too many and you get knocked out, and everyone’s having a go at you because it’s the Conference.

“So they’ve either got to take it 80 or 90 per cent serious or they just say ‘it’s just for the youngsters and we’re not bothered about it’.

“So it’s down to what the manager and what the club want to do with it. But those two could learn a lot in that competition this year, very, very much so.”

With the latest international break now out of the way, West Brom’s next Championship test sees them take on Huddersfield Town away from home on Saturday afternoon.

Speaking ahead of the match in his latest press conference, Baggies manager Valerien Ismael revealed that only Dara O’Shea, Kean Bryan and Kenneth Zohore will be unavailable for the match against the Terriers through injury.

With this in mind, here’s how we feel West Brom will line up for the match and what changes Ismael could make from their 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough before the break. We expect three alterations from that line-up.

In goal, it would be hard to see Sam Johnstone not start for the Baggies after playing in all but one of their league games so far this season.

For the back three, we think Ismael will put Clarke back into the side after recovering from the head injury which forced him off the pitch in the early stages of the clash against Middlesbrough. He starts alongside Kyle Bartley, who replaced him in that game, and Cedric Kipre.

We can see Conor Townsend and Darnell Furlong occupying the wing-back positions, with Adam Reach dropping out after he had a mixed display in a left-wing back role against Middlesbrough.

In midfield, now that both Alex Mowatt and club captain Jake Livermore are back fit again, we imagine that Ismael would want to get them both back on the pitch ahead of Jayson Molumby and Robert Snodgrass, who is currently earning a weekly wage of £24k-per-week according to Salary Sport, dropping down to the substitutes’ bench.

At the top of the pitch, we think Ismael will stick with the same front three which started against Middlesbrough. with Karlan Grant and Grady Diangana, who scored in the 1-1 draw, on either side of Callum Robinson in the middle, who netted in Ireland’s recent 3-0 win over Luxembourg.

In other news: Lai could deliver WBA’s first January signing with “intelligent” £27k-p/w machine

Reliable reporter John Percy has had his say on Aston Villa’s links to Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey.

The Lowdown: Bailey links

Villa’s interest in Bailey emerged on Wednesday, with reports suggesting the club were eyeing up a £30m swoop for the wide man.

The 23-year-old is viewed as an attainable target by Villa and are thought to be readying an approach to the Bundesliga side.

Bailey, who scored 15 goals and registered 11 assists last season, has just under two years left on his Leverkusen deal.

The Latest: Percy’s post

Percy, who writes for The Telegraph, responded to a Villa supporter on Wednesday evening suggesting Bailey fits the criteria for Villa in terms of position and price, however, he didn’t feel a move is imminent.

Another Villa fan then quoted his tweet, sharing his disappointment, with Percy replying to the supporter in question, saying:

“Never said he wasn’t on the list mate”

Percy, who has over 120,000 followers, can get hundreds of retweets and thousands of likes on his transfer posts, but as this was a reply to a fan, it seemed to go under the radar with just two retweets.

The Verdict: Sign

Bailey could well be on Villa’s shopping list, according to Percy, and a move for the Jamaican could turn out to be an excellent piece of business.

He’s capable of playing on either flank or as a centre-forward, with his main position coming on the right.

Should he move to the Midlands, Dean Smith may well then decide to use Jack Grealish in a central role, if he stays at Villa Park of course.

A front four of Bailey, Grealish, Emiliano Buendia and Ollie Watkins looks dangerous on paper, but a lot could happen between now and Villa’s opener against Watford on August 14.

In other news: Everton ace keen on Villa move, find out more here. 

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Wolves winger Adama Traore as Jurgen Klopp looks to bolster his attacking options.

What’s the story?

The Midlands outfit are reportedly open to offers on a number of their key players as they look to rebuild the first-team squad following Nuno Espirito Santo’s exit.

And according to 90min.com, Jurgen Klopp’s charges are interested in acquiring Traore’s signature this summer, although they face stern competition from fellow Premier League outfit Leeds United.

Edwards must avoid

Following an £18m move from Middlesbrough to Molineux back in 2018, the Spain international has gone from strength to strength.

An impressive return of six goals and 12 assists in 54 appearances throughout 2019/20 appeared to indicate that Traore had taken another significant step in his development.

However, the 25-year-old struggled to make a similar impact in the recently concluded campaign as Wolves slumped to a disappointing 13th placed finish in the Premier League standings.

Although that can partly be explained by the extended absence of star striker Raul Jimenez, the likes of Traore are to blame following a significant drop-off in form.

The former Barcelona man found the back of the net on just two occasions last season, laying on a further two assists for his teammates.

With Liverpool thought to be in the market for a new forward player over the upcoming transfer window, director of football Michael Edwards must avoid the inconsistent Traore.

He’s proven himself to be a liability on occasions throughout his time in England, incapable of producing consistent displays on a regular basis.

Klopp needs competition and cover for Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino after the usually dependable duo struggled last term, but both men comfortably outperformed Traore even though they were way below their best.

Leeds United winger Raphinha has also been linked with a move to Anfield in recent weeks, and the Brazilian star appears to be a much more suitable candidate for the Reds.

The £27m-rated Traore may be a talented player ready for the next step in his career, but Liverpool would be making a mistake bringing him in over the coming months as they aim to regain their Premier League crown.

And, in other news…Edwards must sanction Liverpool swoop for “spectacular” 18 y/o lauded by Thiago

Aston Villa could launch a £15m bid for Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones in the final days of the window, according to The Sun’s Alan Nixon.

And, as to be expected, a number of Villa supporters have been reacting to the links on social media.

Nixon shared a story late on Saturday evening, claiming Villa are set to try their luck regarding the 20-year-old with an enquiry.

Jones can play as a central, attacking or left midfielder and still has four years left on his Anfield deal. He’s made 47 senior appearances for the Reds and has been involved in 13 goals, scoring seven and providing six assists.

The Englishman is yet to feature this season, though, and it appears as if Villa could launch a late swoop for the Liverpool man.

Villa fans react

@AVFCFaithful_ shared Nixon’s claims on Jones on Twitter. This is what these Villa fans had to say in reply, with some for and against a potential move.

“another 8, i’m sick of this season man”

Credit: @M10Packed

“wait WHAT”

Credit: @1874Jacob

“Would rather Harvey Elliot than him”

Credit: @AlexAstonVilla

“Please”

Credit: @sam_my_6

“no”

Credit: @IB2511FC

“Now we’re talking! What a signing this would be”

Credit: @Villabo58965244

In other news: ‘The pain never stops’ – Lots of AVFC fans erupt as ‘disgraceful’ news emerges.  

An update has emerged on Watford midfielder Will Hughes, regarding his transfer to Crystal Palace.

What’s the talk?

According to The Athletic, Crystal Palace are finalising a deal to sign Watford midfielder Will Hughes for a fee that could rise to £10m.

The report claims that the ex-Derby man is now set to undergo a medical and discuss personal terms with the Eagles before being officially unveiled as the club’s latest signing.

Over the moon

Palace boss Patrick Vieira will be over the moon with this news as it means that his fifth senior outfield signing is close to being completed. The club have already brought in Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi, Michael Olise and Conor Gallagher (loan), with Hughes on the verge of joining them at Selhurst Park ahead of next Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

Vieria will be buzzing because it is a much-needed reinforcement to his midfield options heading into the rest of the season. Gallagher, James McArthur and Luka Milivojevic are currently the only out-and-out central midfield options he has available, with Jairo Riedewald and Chiekhou Kouyate being used in a variety of positions across the pitch.

This means that bringing in Hughes could offer the French head coach more variety in his team selections and allow him to rest players when needed. For example, if one of the starting midfielders suffer an injury or suspension, he can bring Hughes in – or whoever the Watford man displaces – and that allows Kouyate and Riedewald to be used elsewhere if there are other gaps to fill.

In the Championship last season, Hughes averaged an impressive SofaScore rating of 6.98 in 30 appearances as the Hornets finished second in the league and secured automatic promotion to the Premier League.

He averaged 3.1 interceptions and tackles combined per game in the second tier, showing that he has a knack for winning the ball back in the middle of the park.

Vieira would love having a player like Hughes in the middle of the park as his industry and defensive work rate could allow the attacking players more freedom to go and do what they do best.

The Englishman would work his socks off in the engine room to then give the ball to the likes of Wilfried Zaha, Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and Christian Benteke to score the goals to win matches for Palace.

AND in other news, Palace suffer major blow in pursuit of “explosive” 19-y/o prodigy, Vieira will be gutted…

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has suggested that Valerien Ismael is a better fit for Crystal Palace than Steve Cooper.

Both the Barnsley and Swansea City managers have been linked with the Palace job, with Sky Sports reporting that they are currently being considered for the vacancy.

Meanwhile, Football Insider claims Palace director of football Dougie Freedman is pushing for 45-year-old Ismael to be brought in in particular.

This, of course, comes after it was announced that this will be Roy Hodgson’s final season in the Selhurst Park dugout.

It will now be interesting to see who replaces the 73-year-old. But if it is a toss up between Ismael and Cooper, Hendrie believes it should be the former.

He told FFC in an exclusive interview:

“If I was having a punt, I’d possibly go for Ismael because I just feel he’s one of those managers that will certainly get that little bit of bite at Palace, and I think he’d be one that would suit going in there if I’m being deadly honest.

“I think Steve Cooper likes a very sort of… I would say sexy style of football if I’m being quite honest with you, and I think Ismael is completely different. He likes the aggressive style, he likes to win his battles in those forward areas and then he likes to play football.

“So, certainly for me, I’d certainly have a punt on Ismael.”

Whoever comes in, they could have a big rebuild job on their hands. As things stand, the likes of Christian Benteke, Patrick van Aanholt and Mamadou Sakho, to name a few players, are set to leave the club as their contracts continue to run down.

Leeds United will make a last-ditch attempt to sign Calvin Ramsay, according to reports…

What’s the word?

The Sun’s Alan Nixon claims the Yorkshire giants will “battle” Premier League rivals Liverpool over his signature this summer with the Reds eyeing him as cover for Trent Alexander-Arnold, though the Whites could offer a faster track to the first-team.

It’s thought that Aberdeen’s teenage right-back is available for around £3m as interest continues to rise across Europe.

The Dons are understood to have knocked back bids from Leicester City, Bologna and even Leeds in recent times, as per Goal.com.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-leeds-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-marsch-raphinha-dest-philhay” title=”Read the latest Leeds news!”]

Sign him up

If the 18-year-old gem is indeed available for as little as £3m, then his arrival should be an absolute no-brainer for director of Victor Orta and manager Jesse Marsch.

Tapping up a player with big potential like this for a fee as little as that could prove to be a masterclass from the Elland Road hierarchy.

His biggest qualities are those that he can provide in the final third, ranging from his excellent distribution through passes and crosses, his willingness to take on his man and his set-piece ability.

“His quality of delivery from set-pieces and open play has brought him plenty of assists for Aberdeen. For someone so young to come in and make the impact he has is a great credit to him,” former Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes told The Scotsman (via Goal).

Meanwhile, Dons chairman Dave Cormack believes Ramsay is “in the elite upper bracket, right up there, for a young right-back in Europe” – could the young Scot emerge as a major threat down the right flank for many years to come?

You’d imagine so given Marsch’s high-pressing attacking system.

The emerging sensation, recently dubbed a “wonderkid” by Goal on Twitter, has been likened to Man City’s Joao Cancelo in terms of playing style, largely due to his ambidexterity to play on either foot and thus, on either flank and his attacking prowess.

Further lauded as “so special” by scout Jacek Kulig, Ramsay could well become Leeds’ own Cancelo-like presence at right-back, should Orta and co manage to win the £3m race for his signature.

AND in other news, Scouting mission: Leeds eyeing 6 ft 3 titan who “fits the bill”, Marsch would love him…