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Ruben Amorim is reportedly not willing to hand Marcus Rashford a lifeline at Old Trafford, with Manchester United setting a huge asking price.

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• Rashford has no future at United
• Red Devils looking to cash in on the forward
• Funds will be used to sign a fresh face in the summer

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Rashford’s departure from United in January came after a difficult period, with the English forward falling out of favour under Amorim due to attitude and commitment concerns. Since switching to Villa Park, Rashford has rediscovered his form and is thriving under Unai Emery’s guidance. The change of environment has allowed him to enjoy his football once again, and he has played a pivotal role in Villa’s push for Champions League qualification with four assists in nine matches.

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  However, according to the even with his impressive performances in the Midlands, it is becoming increasingly clear that his future does not lie at Old Trafford. Amorim has prioritised signing a new striker in the summer, reinforcing the belief that Rashford will be moved on permanently once the season concludes.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  With Amorim planning for the future, United view Rashford’s loan spell as an opportunity to increase his market value. They are reportedly seeking a permanent deal worth around £60 million ($76m), with Villa emerging as a leading candidate to secure his services. Rashford himself is believed to be keen on extending his stay in the West Midlands, viewing Villa Park as the ideal place to rejuvenate his career under Emery.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR RASHFORD?

  Rashford’s strong club form has also boosted his international prospects, earning him a recall to the England squad under Thomas Tuchel. He was handed a starting role in England’s World Cup qualifier against Albania, but despite his best efforts, he drew a blank at Wembley. With another qualifier against Latvia on Monday, the forward will be determined to make an impact and strengthen his claim for a regular spot in the national team in the run-up to the 2026 World Cup.

INEOS have sent Manchester United scouts to watch a hugely in-demand young player, according to a recent report. The Red Devils enjoyed their first Premier League game at Old Trafford under new head coach Ruben Amorim on Sunday, as they cruised to a 4-0 win over Everton. It has been a good week for United, as Amorim continues to get to grips with his new squad.

9/10 Man Utd star just proved he's a potential £100m player in waiting

Manchester United’s unbeaten run continued under the reign of Ruben Amorim.

By
Matt Dawson

Dec 1, 2024

Man Utd transfer news

Amorim will get to know his players very well over the coming weeks, as United play every three to four days in various competitions. However, as any new manager or head coach does, he may already know which players are not going to be part of his team going forward and have replacements in mind.

Midfielder Christian Eriksen looks set to leave Old Trafford at the end of this season. The Denmark international is out of contract at the end of this campaign, and as things stand, he will not be offered a new deal and therefore will be allowed to leave for nothing, as the Man United boss targets two new midfield signings.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Amorim has requested that United look to sign Patrick Dorgu from Leece in the January transfer window. It has been stated that signing a left-back is a priority for the Red Devils, and Dorgu could be that addition in the New Year.

INEOS send Man Utd scouts to watch Valentin Atangana

According to Alan Nixon, relayed by Inside Futbol, Manchester United had scouts present to watch Reims midfielder Valentin Atangana in action last week. As previously mentioned, signing a midfielder or two is on United’s radar, as Eriksen looks set to leave soon and there is still talk of an exit for Casemiro in the summer.

Atangana is 19 years old and has come through the ranks at Reims, playing 35 times for the first team over two and a half seasons. The French under-21 international has started all 13 league games he has played in Ligue 1 in this campaign but has yet to find the back of the net or register an assist.

The midfielder is not being watched just by United, as there are also many other Premier League teams keeping an eye on his situation. Teams such as Brentford, Liverpool, Everton, and Aston Villa are also tracking the player and have had scouts tracking him as well.

Interestingly, When looking at Fbref’s comparison tool, which evaluates players based on key statistical metrics, Atangana is very similar to United’s own Kobbie Mainoo.

This report states that no fewer than 26 teams have been watching Atangana, with Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund looking like serious competition for the English clubs in the mix.

Antony stole the show yet again for Real Betis as he scored and set up another goal as they destroyed Vitoria in the Conference League.

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• Real Betis beat Vitoria 4-0
• Antony had two goal contributions
• In superb form since Man Utd exit

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Heading into the second leg with a narrow lead, Manuel Pellegrini’s side wasted no time asserting their dominance with Cedric Bakambu putting the visitors in control with a brace inside the opening 20 minutes, leaving Vitoria struggling to respond. Shortly after the break, Antony extended Betis’ advantage in emphatic fashion. Latching onto an inch-perfect through ball from Isco, the Manchester United loanee drove into the penalty area before smashing a powerful shot past Bruno Varela at the near post.

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  With the tie all but decided, Antony wasn’t finished. In the closing stages, he outpaced Mikel Villanueva down the wing before laying the ball off to Isco, who slotted home to complete the rout. The dominant win secured Betis’ place in the quarter-finals of a European competition for the first time since the 1997-98 campaign.

• WATCH THE CLIP

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Since swapping Manchester for Seville, Antony has hit the ground running. The Brazilian winger has now recorded four goals and three assists in just 10 appearances for Betis, equaling his tally for United from the start of last season.

Tottenham Hotspur might just be the most inconsistent team in the Premier League.

In the last month or so, Ange Postecoglou’s side have handed Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town their first wins of the season while then demolishing Aston Villa 4-1 and, most impressively, embarrassing Manchester City 4-0 at the Etihad.

Fans will be hoping that the unexpected result against Pep Guardiola’s juggernaut will see the North Londoners embark on a run of good form, and based on the performances of their players in that game, we wouldn’t be surprised if that happens.

From top to bottom, Postecoglou’s starting lineup reminded the rest of the league just how good they are, and there’s one player in the Australian’s squad who’s beginning to look like Tottenham’s answer to Martin Odegaard.

Spurs' creative midfield talent

Before we get onto the player in question, let’s examine a few of the other creative midfielders exceeding expectations for Spurs this season, starting with someone who loves playing at the Etihad, Dejan Kulusevski.

Now, the Swedish maestro did start off the right of Dominic Solanke for the game on Sunday but has mainly played in midfield this season, and to say he’s adapted to life in the middle of the park well would be a colossal understatement.

Of his eight goal involvements this season, six of them have come in central or attacking midfield roles, and according to FBref, which compares players in Europe’s top five leagues, the former Juventus ace sits in the top 1% of midfielders for expected assists, touches in the opposition’s penalty area and the top 4% for shot-creating actions, per 90.

Another of the club’s midfield gems who hasn’t been quite as impressive as Kulusevski but has still shown glimpses of promise is fellow Swede Lucas Bergvall.

The 18-year-old has only played 325 minutes of first-team action so far, but in that, the “uber-complete” talent, as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, has provided two assists and shown more than enough for fans to get excited about just how good he’ll be a few years down the line.

That said, neither he nor his older compatriot are looking like the club’s answer to Odegaard. That accolade goes to another creative midfielder.

Spurs' own Odegaard

So, it’s probably fairly obvious at this point that the Spurs ace who is Ange’s own Odegaard is, of course, James Maddison, whom FOTmob now value at €75m, which is £63m.

The Englishman was once heavily compared to the Norwegian in 2021 when it looked as if Arsenal were trying to decide which one to sign, and while things haven’t been all plain sailing for the former Foxes star in North London, he’s starting to show that he can be just as good.

For example, like the former Real Madrid wonderkid, he’s just as adept at scoring goals as he is creating them, as evidenced by his Lilywhites tally of nine goals and 13 assists in 46 appearances, compared to 11 goals and 14 assists in 55 appearances for the Norwegian in the same period.

Moreover, while the Drammen-born dynamo is the Gunners’ captain, Postecoglou made the 27-year-old “magician,” as dubbed by analyst Statman Dave, one of the club’s co-vice-captains last summer, which is about the most he could do with Son Heung-min still in the side.

Furthermore, Maddison’s leadership qualities were on show in the match against City, as he maintained his composure, scored two goals and continued to lead by example as the game progressed.

Finally, when we look at their underlying creative numbers from the entirety of last season, as the Arsenal man has missed so much of this season, we see that, once again, the pair are incredibly similar.

For example, according to FBref, they rank very closely in several important metrics, including non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes and carries, key and live passes, shot and goal-creating actions and passing accuracy, all per 90.

Ultimately, while there are times Maddison fades out of games, his unreal innate talent is undeniable, and as he continues to improve this season, it will become more apparent that he is Postecoglou and Spurs’ answer to Odegaard.

Spurs star who got sold by Poch for big money has become an 'embarrassment'

The veteran international has not had a great season so far.

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By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Nov 26, 2024

Former Manchester United star Phil Bardsley, who once famously knocked out Wayne Rooney, has called out KSI for a Misfits Boxing match.

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• Sparked Rooney during kitchen sparring
• Bridge has withdrawn from bout with KSI
• Ex-Red Devils star is prepared to step in

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Back in 2015, Old Trafford academy graduate Bardsley starred in a video that quickly went viral. The clip in question showed him sparring with Rooney in the Manchester United striker’s kitchen – with the pair admitting to having “had a skinful” to drink.

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  While messing about, Bardsley caught Rooney flush on the chin and sent him slumping to the ground, leaving “blood all over”. Rooney, who is taking another break from coaching at present, has previously expressed a desire to climb inside the ring.

• WHAT PHIL BARDSLEY SAID

  Bardsley says that he would happily do likewise, especially if he was given the opportunity to lace up against one of the social media stars that form part of the Misfits fighting stable. Speaking to , who offer Premier League odds, Bardsley said: “I would step in there with anyone, including KSI.

  “I had an operation recently but it won’t take me long to get my fitness up when I’m back in the gym. I’d love to give it a go and I think I’d really enjoy the routine of it, it’s something I’d really look forward to.

  “I’d never turn down a fight on one of the Misfits cards, but it’s not in my nature to go out there promoting myself. Let’s see what happens.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  KSI, who is involved with the newly-launched Baller League UK, was being lined up for a fight with ex-Manchester City and England defender Wayne Bridge. Said contest was cancelled following an in-ring quip from KSI that saw him reference the alleged affair that Bridge’s ex-girlfriend had with former Chelsea team-mate John Terry.

A former Tottenham employee says that one player could be out until February next year after hearing news this week, which would be more bad news for manager Ange Postecoglou, as he deals with a lengthy ban for Rodrigo Bentancur.

Rodrigo Bentancur hit by seven-game ban at Spurs

Earlier this week, the FA confirmed Bentancur’s seven-game domestic ban, after racial comments made during an interview on Uruguayan TV in June.

Tottenham determined to bring £player back to the club in January for £32m

Ange Postecoglou is pushing Tottenham to re-sign a former player, after impressing so far this season.

1

By
Brett Worthington

Nov 17, 2024

The £75,000-per-week midfielder, who scored his first goal of the season in Spurs’ dismal 2-1 defeat to Ipswich Town nearly two weeks ago, stated “they all look the same” when talking about Son Heung-min, as he was asked to provide a shirt belonging to a Tottenham player (via The Guardian).

“Sonny’s?,” Bentancur said.

“It could be Sonny’s cousin too, as they all look the same.”

This reckless comment means that Bentancur is set to miss their top-flight games against Manchester City, Fulham, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Southampton and Liverpool, not to mention their all-important Carabao Cup quarter-final against Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United.

The international will resume his duties in a Lilywhites shirt against high-flying Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day, but it is quite the lay-off for a mainstay player who’s made 15 appearances under Postecoglou across all competitions.

“An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed a seven-match suspension and £100,000 fine on Rodrigo Bentancur for a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a media interview,” wrote the FA in a statement.

“It was alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder breached FA Rule E3.1 as he acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought the game into disrepute. It was further alleged that this constitutes an “aggravated breach”, which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference – whether express or implied – to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin.

“Rodrigo Bentancur denied this charge, but the independent Regulatory Commission found it to be proven and imposed his sanctions following a hearing. Its written reasons for these decisions can be seen below.”

Wilson Odobert could be out until end of February

As Bentancur is slapped with a hiatus and hefty fine, Tottenham also recently announced that winger Wilson Odobert has undergone surgery on his right hamstring.

The “exciting” winger, signed from Burnley in the summer, has endured a nightmare start to his north London career plagued by injury problems.

This latest blow for the Frenchman is set to take another chunk out of his season, and former Spurs scout Bryan King has told Tottenham News that Odobert could be out until late February as a result of his procedure.

“I can’t see him returning before the end of February,” King said.

“That is quite a serious operation that he has had. For someone to have it at this age, it is very hard on him, he was progressing quite well.

“Now he has had to undergo surgery which will leave him out for quite some time.”

West Ham United are desperate to secure a return to European football this season after missing out on a place under David Moyes in 2023/24 after finishing ninth in the Premier League.

It led to the Scotsman’s departure from the London Stadium, ending his second stint in charge of the club, allowing for Julen Lopetegui to take the reins of the Hammers.

The board backed the new boss spending around £120m on new talent during the summer, giving him all of the tools to be a success during his debut campaign in charge.

However, it has yet to have a huge impact on results, restricting them to 14th place in the Premier League going into the third international break.

The last starting lineup against Everton included four of the summer arrivals in East London, but they were unable to provide the difference in a meeting that ended 0-0.

They might wish they had kept hold of a couple of attacking talents who departed the Hammers during the 2023/24 season.

West Ham’s departures in 2023/24

Academy graduate Declan Rice enjoyed seven years in the club’s first team before departing to join London rivals Arsenal in a £105m deal – a record for an English player.

He wasn’t the only midfielder to depart the Hammers during that summer window, with attacking-minded midfielder Nikola Vlasic leaving after just 12 months at the club – joining Serie A outfit Torino for a fee in the region of £10m.

It was another disappointing transfer from hierarchy, losing around £20m in the space of a year on a player who ultimately wasn’t at the level required for England’s top flight.

January 2024 was another window of departures for the Hammers with £30m signing Said Benrahma ending his three-and-a-half years at the club after joining from Brentford in the summer of 2020.

The Algerian scored 24 times in his 155 appearances during his time in the capital, but it wasn’t enough to secure his future in London – swapping England for France and joining Lyon.

However, the departure of one other attacking-minded player may have been too premature given his form away from the London Stadium in the last few months.

The player who West Ham must regret offloading

Spanish talent Pablo Fornals spent four-and-a-half years as a West Ham player, playing a crucial role in their Europa Conference League triumph during the 2022/23 season under former boss Moyes.

The now 28-year-old scored the winning goal in the semi-final victory over Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, sending the Hammers to the final in Prague, ultimately allowing them to claim their maiden Conference League title.

Fornals featured over 200 times, scoring 23 times often featuring as a ten or even in a wide left position, cutting inside into his stronger right football – similarly to that of Benrahma who operated off that flank.

However, he was eventually sold in January 2024 to Spanish side Real Betis for just £6.8m – a decision that has proven to be a huge mistake given his recent form for the LaLiga outfit.

The Spaniard managed to score three times after his move towards the back end of 2023/24, but it’s his form from the current campaign that has seen him rival one of Europe’s best young talents.

Lamine Yamal has been catapulted into the limelight in recent months after his displays with Barcelona and the Spain national side, but the 17-year-old has struggled to get the better of Fornals in numerous key areas.

The “unbelievable” Fornals, as dubbed by journalist Karl Matchett, may have registered far fewer combined goals and assists, but he’s matched the youngster for goals per shot on target so far this campaign.

He’s also registered 27 passes into the opposition’s penalty area, just three fewer than Yamal, a statistic that remarkably ranks him sixth in Europe’s top five leagues, showcasing his attacking qualities – something which West Ham desperately lacks with their tally of just 13 league goals scored this season.

It’s great to see a former Hammer starring, especially after his long stint at the club, but many will be questioning why he was sold given his performances and figures from the last few months.

Lopetegui has struggled since his appointment, with his compatriot potentially helping him get out of trouble had Moyes not offloaded him at the start of the year.

West Ham could hire Premier League legend to brilliantly replace Lopetegui

West Ham must replace Lopetegui with this Premier League legend

By
Connor Holden

Nov 14, 2024

Adams and Reyna have rejoined the U.S. men's national team, with several MLS stars from January camp also featuring

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• Pochettino names final squad for Nations League
• Adams and Reyna looking for first appearances since Copa America
• January camp stars Luna, Agyemang, White named to team

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  U.S. Soccer announced the final 23-man squad for the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League finals. The USMNT will take on Panama first in the semifinal round on March 20, with either Mexico or Canada awaiting in the finale three days later.

  Coach Mauricio Pochettino's squad includes 16 players who have been a part of at least one Nations League final, including the return of both Gio Reyna and Tyler Adams, who are back in the squad after extended absences.

  Adams joins the USMNT group for the first time since the Copa America, while Reyna returns for the first time since suffering a groin injury ahead of friendlies against Canada and New Zealand in September. Christian Pulisic returns for his fourth Nation's League Finals, while several MLS players who starred in the January camp – including Diego Luna and Patrick Agyemang – also made the roster.

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  SQUAD IN FULL

  GOALKEEPERS: Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew), Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace) 

  DEFENDERS: Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic), Marlon Fossey (Standard Liege), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach), Auston Trusty (Celtic) 

  MIDFIELDERS: Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund), Tanner Tessmann (Olympique Lyon) 

  FORWARDS: Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC), Yunus Musah (AC Milan), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Josh Sargent (Norwich City), Timothy Weah (Juventus), Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps) 

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  Reyna and Adams are in for their first camps under Pochettino, as are Cameron Carter-Vickers and Marlon Fossey. Among the notable absences are Brenden Aaronson, Alejandro Zendejas and Brandon Vazquez, who were all left out of the squad.

  Striker Josh Sargent, who is in incredible form for Norwich, leads the forward group, which will be without his two biggest rivals for that No. 9 spot: Ricardo Pepi and Folarin Balogun, both of whom have battled injuries. He's joined by Agyemang and Brian White after both impressed during the annual January camp.

  In defense, Fossey gets the opportunity to come in after impressing in the fall. Pochettino has leaned on a familiar group of centerbacks with Carter-Vickers, who he previously worked with at Tottenham, the only newcomer in that group. Carter-Vickers is joined by his club teammate, Auston Trusty, after starting alongside one another consistently at Celtic.

  Yunus Musah is listed as a forward, which could indicate how Pochettino plans to use him. The midfield is lifted by the return of Adams, while Tanner Tessmann and Johnny Cardoso are options to play in a double pivot alongside the Bournemouth star. Weston McKennie has largely been used as a No. 10 recently with Juventus, although Luna, who stepped up in January camp, could also play that position – as could Reyna.

  Six MLS-based players return from the USMNT’s January Camp: Agyemang, Luna, Tim Ream, Patrick Schulte, Zack Steffen and White.  

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  WHAT POCHETTINO SAID

  “This is a massive opportunity to win a trophy and that is our clear objective,” USMNT boss Pochettino said. “We must continue to show our quality, our bravery and our commitment."

Chucky Lozano and Raul Jimenez have both been named among Mexico's preliminary roster for March's fixtures, with Memo Ochoa also in the mix

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• Lozano, Jimenez, Memo Ochoa named to preliminary roster
• New Milan forward Santi Gimenez also among squad
• Only one MLS player made the cut to 60-man squad

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Mexico released its preliminary Nations League Finals roster Monday afternoon, with some experienced faces returning to the fold following time out of the squad. Legendary goalkeeper Memo Ochoa and long-time winger Chucky Lozano are in the initial list. Meanwhile, Raul Jimenez is back after impressing in a duo of friendlies in October. Milan forward Santi Gimenez is also in the squad – and will offer stiff competition for the Fulham striker.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The 60-man squad is just a preliminary list for the games – which aren't until the end of March. will announce a narrowed-down, 23-man squad closer to the fixture. March 10 is the final deadline for roster submission.

  Here is the full list:

  Goalkeepers

  Ángel Malagón (Club América), Guillermo Ochoa (AVS Futebol SAD), Raúl Rangel (CD Guadalajara), Carlos Moreno (Pachuca), Alex Padilla (Pumas UNAM)

  Defenders

  Jorge Sánchez (Cruz Azul), César Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow), Israel Reyes (Club América), Víctor Guzmán (CF Monterrey), Johan Vásquez (Genoa), Jesús Orozco (Cruz Azul), Jesús Angulo (Tigres UANL), José Castillo (CD Guadalajara), Luis Romo (CD Guadalajara), Ramón Juárez (Club América), Gilberto Sepúlveda (CD Guadalajara), Alan Mozo (CD Guadalajara), Kevin Álvarez (Club América), Gerardo Arteaga (CF Monterrey)

  Midfielders

  Jesús Gallardo (Toluca), Carlos Rodríguez (Cruz Azul), Edson Álvarez (West Ham United), Luis Chávez (Dynamo Moscow), Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Roberto Alvarado (CD Guadalajara), Diego Lainez (Tigres UANL), Sebastián Córdova (Tigres UANL), Orbelín Pineda (AEK Athens), Fidel Ambriz (CF Monterrey), Elias Montiel (Pachuca), Jeremy Márquez (Atlas), Gilberto Mora (Tijuana), José Ramírez (León), Jordi Cortizo (CF Monterrey), Raymundo Fulgencio (Tigres UANL)

  Forwards

  Alexis Vega (Toluca), César Huerta (Anderlecht), Ozziel Herrera (Tigres UANL), Raúl Jiménez, Guillermo Martínez, Alfonso Alvarado, Ángel Sepúlveda, Henry Martín, Julián Quiñones (Club América), Germán Berterame (CF Monterrey), Santiago Giménez (Feyenoord), Efraín Álvarez (Tijuana), Hirving Lozano (San Diego FC)

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Lozano's inclusion is something of a surprise. The winger, now of MLS expansion franchise San Diego FC, has not been named to the Mexican side since Javier Aguirre's appointment in July 2024. Assuming he remains fit, Lozano's return would figure to add some attacking firepower to the side.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MEXICO?

  will announce their final squad prior to the March 10 deadline. They play in the Nations League semifinal against Canada on March 20. Should they beat Jesse Marsch's side, they will face the winner of the United States and Panama on March 23.

Arsenal continued their fine start to the new Premier League season with victory over Brentford on Sunday afternoon, with the Gunners’ display having been a far cry from their limp showing away against the Bees just over a year ago.

A side looking full of confidence, the table-topping outfit produced a ruthless first-half performance to ease past Thomas Frank’s side, ensuring a sixth victory from their opening seven top-flight games of the season.

While that triumph notably saw summer signing Fabio Vieira fire in a 30-yard stunner for his first goal for the club, the game’s headline moment came in the form of a substitution, with Mikel Arteta handing academy starlet Ethan Nwaneri his senior debut from the bench.

That first team bow for the versatile midfielder notably caught the attention due to the youngster’s age, with the 15-year-old becoming the youngest player ever to feature in the Premier League in the competition’s history.

The 2007-born gem not only served to leave a host of fans and pundits alike feeling rather old, but also laid down a marker of just how highly thought of he is by the north Londoners, with it a testament to his quality that he has already been handed the trust of his manager.

Although it was a mere late cameo, the suggestion is that the England U17 international will go on to assume a more prominent role in the years to come, having been tipped for a “big, big future” by teammate Granit Xhaka.

Also lauded as a “special” talent by the Switzerland international – who has even coached the youngster at youth level as part of his coaching badges – Nwaneri has likely set tongues wagging among the club’s supporters, with the Gunners fanbase no doubt intrigued as to just how high this emerging prospect can go in the years to come.

The club have of course seen the likes of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe emerge from the academy in recent times, albeit with arguably one of the biggest talents to have been produced that of a certain, Jack Wilshere.

Although the hope will be that Nwaneri can avoid the injury woes that plagued the now retired gem’s later career, Wilshere is still a notable example of the type of impact that a young player can make if thrust into the first team.

Also a playmaking midfielder – like his compatriot – the former England international was handed his debut by Arsene Wenger in a league meeting with Blackburn Rovers back in 2008 at the age of just 16, before going on to a permanent fixture under the iconic Frenchman after a brief stint on loan at Bolton Wanderers.

Arguably the 5 foot 8 gem’s most memorable outing in the red jersey came against Barcelona in the Champions League in 2011, as he simply ran the show at the tender age of just 19 against Pep Guardiola’s imperious outfit.

While unable to truly build on that sparkling start to life at senior level – largely due to injury – the midfield magician still produced notable moments of quality in his 198 games for the club in all competitions,  including netting a sensational team goal against Norwich City in 2013.

A true natural talent, Wilshere showcased that age truly is just a number if the player is good enough, with Nwaneri potentially able to have a similar impact if his recent outing leads to a more regular role.