Premier League
MANCHESTER CLUBS RAID ARSENAL TO CAPTURE SANCHEZ
Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez may be Manchester-bound from London if the move of either City or United should sail through. Manchester United have made a shock move for Sanchez who has been a target by Manchester City.
The Chilean international has fewer than six months remaining on his current contract and will become a free agent in the summer. Most had expected Sanchez to join United’s rivals City either in the summer or this January with reports heavily linking the star to link up once again with Pep Guardiola.
It seemed to be a formality that the 29-year-old would complete a move to the Etihad and join Guardiola’s project at Manchester City, but Jose Mourinho may have just thrown a spanner in the works for his long-term adversary.
According to SkySports, the Gunners are willing to sell their prized asset this month if a favourable offer comes in and Di Marzio claims that Mourinho may have just gained the edge over Guardiola with the offer of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, as a sweetener in any potential deal.
Sanchez came close to joining the blue half of Manchester on transfer deadline day last summer but Arsenal pulled the plug on a £60m deal, as they were unable to secure the £92m signing of Thomas Lemar from Monaco in time.
It’s unclear where the ex-Barcelona winger will ply his trade beyond this window, but it’s safe to say an exit from north London looks the more likely predicament at the moment.
Mkhitaryan has been linked with an Old Trafford exit in recent weeks, as he appears to have fallen out of favour with Mourinho and has also been linked with a move to Serie A Inter and former club Dortmund.
Premier League
Manchester United fight back twice from behind to beat Sheffield United
Manchester United’s chaotic high-scoring form continued at Old Trafford as they twice came from behind to overcome spirited Sheffield United at Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund struck in the final nine minutes to ensure the win.
Manchester United captain Fernandes followed up an excellent pinpoint 25-yard drive by hooking back the cross five minutes from time that allowed Hojlund to score his first goal since February.
As in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Coventry, it was a favourable outcome in the end for under-pressure manager Erik ten Hag.
But there are some staggering statistics to go with their recent results. In total, 27 goals have now been scored in their past five games. They have conceded and scored at least two in all of them.
In entertainment terms, it is sensational. However, there is zero sense of structure and it can only be wondered what new technical director Jason Wilcox made of it as he watched his first game in the Old Trafford directors’ box since his appointment was confirmed last week.
After railing against the media the day before the game, labelling coverage of the Coventry match “embarrassing” and “a disgrace”, Ten Hag’s team failed to follow up by convincing on the pitch.
Without a win since February and with only three in the league all season, Sheffield United led twice, through Jayden Bogle in the first half and Ben Brereton Diaz in the second.
The home side levelled each time, courtesy of Harry Maguire’s deft header and Fernandes’ penalty.
And Manchester United eventually claimed the points to move back into sixth spot.
Premier League
Five-Star Arsenal hammer Chelsea to move three points clear at the top
Ruthless Arsenal threw down the gauntlet in the Premier League title race with a 5-0 thrashing of London rivals Chelsea to roar three points clear at the top of the table on Tuesday.
Any remaining doubts about Arsenal’s staying power were answered emphatically as Leandro Trossard gave them an early lead before Ben White and Kai Havertz scored two each in a dazzling spell after the break to sweep aside a dazed Chelsea.
It was a powerful statement by Arsenal who have recovered impressively from a home defeat by Aston Villa and bowing out of the Champions League and with four games remaining they are piling the pressure on Liverpool and Manchester City.
Arsenal have 77 points from 34 games with Liverpool, who face Everton on Wednesday, on 74 from 33. Reigning champions Manchester City have 73 points but have two games in hand starting with a trip to Brighton and Hove Albion on Thursday.
It was the sixth time Arsenal have scored five or more in a Premier League game this season and in such a tight race they have a huge goal difference advantage which could prove crucial.
For ninth-placed Chelsea it was their heaviest ever defeat by Arsenal and a hammer blow in their bid to creep into a European place just days after their narrow FA Cup semi-final defeat by Manchester City.
-Reuters
Premier League
Man United’s Rashford, McTominay doubts for Sheffield United game
Manchester United could be without forward Marcus Rashford and midfielder Scott McTominay through injury when they take on bottom-side Sheffield United at Old Trafford, manager Erik ten Hag said on the eve of Wednesday’s Premier League game.
The 26-year-old Rashford had a stellar 2022-23 campaign, scoring 30 goals in all competitions and went on to be named United’s player of the year, but the England international has only netted eight times this season.
McTominay, meanwhile, has 10 goals across all competitions this season.
The duo picked up their respective injuries during Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Championship side Coventry City, which United won on penalties after surrendering a 3-0 lead at Wembley.
“We had a problem with (Alejandro) Garnacho, that’s why we took him off during the game, but I think he will be fine,” Ten Hag told reporters.
“Scott we have to assess today, really doubtful. Marcus is also doubtful, and there was also an issue with Bruno (Fernandes) with the hand but I think he can make it.
“We have some doubts going into the game tomorrow.”
United are already facing a defensive crisis due to injuries to Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
United are seventh in the league standings with 50 points, 16 behind fourth-placed Aston Villa with six games to go. Sheffield United are fighting relegation and sit bottom, having won just three of their 33 matches.
“We have to win every game. That’s what United stands for, that is our approach, go from game to game but we have to qualify for Europe and we have two opportunities in the league and the FA Cup final,” Ten Hag said.
Ten Hag, who has taken the club to two FA Cup finals and a League Cup final, which they won, in his two seasons at the helm, also described the external criticism his side received for their display against Coventry as “embarrassing”.
“Top football is about results, we made it to a final and we deserved it not only by this game but also the other games,” the Dutchman said.
“We lost control for 20 minutes, we also had bad luck, 3-2, 3-3. We were very lucky in the end, clear. Penalties was very good and we made it to the final, it is a huge achievement.
“Twice, in two years — is magnificent. For me as a manager, four cup finals in four years. The comments are a disgrace.”
-Reuters
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