MANCHESTER UNITED are weighing up whether to keep David De Gea or Dean Henderson, SunSport can exclusively reveal.
Meanwhile Liverpool LOST their fourth home match on the bounce as they lost their first Merseyside derby in 22 years.
Man Utd face Newcastle later, with Manchester City playing Arsenal, while Tottenham head to West Ham.
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Read our live blog below to get the latest from around the clubs…
‘JOSEOUT’ TRENDS ON TWITTER
Tottenham’s 2-1 loss at West Ham further rocked their top-four hopes and increased the pressure on Jose Mourinho.
On Twitter #JoseOut was trending during the game with Spurs fans clearly fuming at what they are seeing.
Goals from Michail Antonio and Jesse Lingard saw the Hammers move into fourth spot in the Premier League.
Lucas Moura’s fine flick header proved scant consolation.
And fans of the North London side were quick to post their anger on social media using the hash-tag.
Graham Williams wrote: “#Joseout get this absolute joke of a manager out of this club now.”
Another fan posted: “Get him out! Awful Spurs. Shouldn’t be losing games like that. #JoseOut.”
Jake Radford wrote: “I don’t really see how this gets better with Mourinho here. I’m #JoseOut now until proven wrong.
“Bale and Reguilon looked good today, that was a positive. But there wasn’t much else.”
RESULT: ASTON VILLA 1 LEICESTER 2
The Foxes go second, three points above Manchester United, after Euro 2021 hopefuls James Maddison and Harvey Barnes struck on 19 and 23 minutes to set up a deserved win.
Bertrand Traore replied soon after the break as Villa – missing inured skipper Jack Grealish – had plenty of second-half possession but few clear chances.
UTD’S HEAVY WAITE INTEREST
Everton prospect Jarrad Branthwaite has attracted interest from Manchester United, according to reports.
The 18-year-old defender, who is currently on loan at Blackburn Rovers, is said to be on Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer’s transfer wishlist.
Blackburn loanee Jarrad Branthwaite is reportedly being tracked by Man Utd
According to the Daily Mail, the Red Devils are one of several sides who are monitoring Branthwaite’s progress.
Reports suggest Solskjaer would prefer to sign a left-footed centre-back, a category Branthwaite falls into.
The starlet has impressed since moving on loan to Blackburn in January, making five Championship appearances.
Branthwaite made the news shortly after joining Rovers as his dangerous high foot caught Middlesbrough’s Dael Fry flush in the face, coming within inches of a potentially serious eye injury.
Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti will not want to let Branthwaite go as he is a big fan.
ARSENAL VS MAN CITY – TODAY’S TEAMS
Runaway leaders City can go 13 points clear of neighbours United – briefly at least – if they win at Arsenal this afternoon (KO 4.30pm).
Click HERE for our match blog – with preview news, match action and reaction.
And here’s how they line-up:
JESSE TWINGARD
West Ham loanee Jesse Lingard loves a celebration – so much so he celebrated his goal against Tottenham on Sunday afternoon TWICE.
The Manchester United loanee continued his rich vein of form in the Hammers’ 2-1 win over their London rivals, doubling their lead shortly after half-time.
Jesse Lingard’s first celebration was cut short by the dreaded VAR check
But the England midfielder was soon celebrating with his team-mates after the video assistant referee found no reason to disallow his goal
Lingard, who is on loan at the London Stadium for the remainder of the season, celebrated by sliding on his knees and mimicking the crossed hammers on the club’s crest.
The 27-year-old’s jubilation, however, was cut short due to the much-dreaded VAR check.
But the England international was soon at it again after the video assistant referee adjudged there to have been no offside seconds before he rifled the ball past Hugo Lloris.
Elated that the goal had stood, Lingard pretended to play the recorder before being mobbed by his team-mates who mimicked playing other instruments.
Lingard’s strike was his third in four appearances for David Moyes’ side, who, despite recent defeats to Liverpool and Manchester United, have been on the up.
THE BIG THREESY FOR UTD
Manchester United will target a centre-back, right-winger and forward in the summer transfer window, according to reports.
With United falling 10 points behind rivals Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has identified the areas he wants to strengthen ahead of next season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will reportedly prioritise three positions for strengthening this summer
Journalist Andy Mitten says Solskjaer is set to meet his bosses to discuss individual targets in the next few weeks.
At centre-back, ESPN reported last week United have drawn up a five-man shortlist of potential partners for £80m Harry Maguire.
Sevilla stalwart Jules Kounde tops that list if reports in Spain are to be believed, with United weighing up a £61million offer for the 22-year-old.
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, out of contract this summer, and his Madrid team-mate Raphael Varane are also targets. Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings and Braga defender David Carmo, both left-footed, are also being tracked by United.
ESPN claimed this week Solskjaer would prefer to sign a left-footed centre-back this summer, and United opted out of the race to sign Bayern Munich-bound Dayot Upamecano as a result.
Bayern’s David Alaba, also out of contract at the end of the season, would fit the bill but the Austria international is believed to have a verbal agreement with Real Madrid. On the right, German newspaper Bild claims United have put together a package to tempt Bayern winger Kingsley Coman away from the Allianz Arena.
MARC OF A NEW DEAL
EXCLUSIVE: Marcos Alonso is open to signing a new deal at Chelsea after his revival under Thomas Tuchel.
The Spanish left-back’s camp had been working on a move away from the Blues after he was frozen out by ex-Stamford Bridge boss Frank Lampard.
But now Alonso, 30, who started his career at Real Madrid, is hoping for a one-year extension to his stay at Chelsea.
He had been looking at a final switch to a Premier League rival, or a return to Serie A where he played for Fiorentina.
But the defender’s situation at Stamford Bridge has improved dramatically since Tuchel’s arrival in January.
PLOY OF THE ROVERS
EXCLUSIVE: Blackburn’s owners are hoping to sell the club’s training ground in a £20million deal to balance the books, writes ALAN NIXON.
The Venky’s have submitted plans to the local council to build 170 houses at their Brockhall HQ.
It would bring in cash for the Lancashire club who have been making heavy losses in recent years as they learn to live outside the top-flight.
Venky’s have just written a £7m cheque to bolster Rovers during the current troubling financial crisis and expect to have to find more to cover wages this year.
Selling Brockhall, their base since the Jack Walker era, will not go down well with fans but there are few options when it comes to raising cash.
Rovers have their ‘old’ training ground in the area which is still being used and could accommodate both the first team and academy.
MANE TO FOOT BILL
Liverpool star Sadio Mane is in talks to invest in a French fourth tier club.
The forward is keen to pump his own money into developing Bourges Foot as he wants to help the French minnows.
The mayor of Bourges, Yann Galut, told Le Berry Republicain: “The relations and exchanges that we have with Sadio Mane are serious.
“The contacts with the town hall are really there. Will they succeed or not? Given the international context, given the crisis, I don’t know.
“What I can say is that if it had not been for the Covid, we would have already welcomed Sadio Mane to Bourges to speak.
“In the exchanges I had with Sadio Mane, I really liked his philosophy, the fact that if he came to Bourges, and I still insist on the conditional, it would be in an approach that would not be a business approach.
“It would be an approach where training, the medium term, people, would be put forward. I, myself, insisted with him on the importance of women’s sport. There is interest and enthusiasm with us.”
FOX HUNT
Leicester are 2-0 up away at Aston Villa!
James Maddison and Harvey Barnes have fired the Foxes into an early lead at Villa Park.
Brendan Rodgers’ sit will go second should they hold onto the three points.
SANCH-OH NO!
Jadon Sancho’s post-match interview following Borussia Dortmund’s demolition of Schalke left fans in hysterics – with claims his accent has taken on a German tinge.
Sancho is in his fourth season in Germany after joining the Bundesliga club from Manchester City as a youngster, and fans believe the stint abroad has taken its toll on his voice.
Fans compared him to Steve McClaren, who infamously morphed his voice into a Dutch accent during his spell in charge of Twente, and Joey Barton who attempted a French accent while with Marseille.
Sancho faced the cameras with fellow Dortmund star Erling Haaland after their 4-0 victory in the Revierderby, with fans claiming the winger – who grew up in Kennington, South London – has taken on a decidedly Germanic lilt.
Twitter user Danny said: “I think being in Germany he made Sancho have a German accent!”
AdamUnitedRed added: “He’s defo [sic] faking it. He will sound British again once he comes to United.”
Meanwhile Mark Handforth joked: “I think he’s suffering from Barton McClaren Syndrome.”
NEW BOU
Leicester have reportedly joined Manchester United in the race for Boubakary Soumare.
The Lille midfielder has just 18 months left on his contract and is one of France’s brightest talents.
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Foxes are interested in Soumare and many clubs have inquired about his availability.
One of those may be AC Milan, who were linked with him last month.
Leicester’s reported interest in the 21-year-old may frustrate United, who have been linked with him for more than a year.
The Red Devils were said to have scouted the youngster in January 2020 with a view to a move that window.
Soumare, 21, has been linked with a host of clubs during the last 12 months
FULL-TIME
It’s over! West Ham and held on!
And the East Londoners are now up to fourth in the table and are now just one point off second spot!
For Spurs they remain in ninth spot – losing five out of their last six Premier League games.
GOT GER MAN
Bayern Munich youngster Jamal Musiala will choose to play for Germany over England, according to reports.
The 17-year-old, who could make his international debut next month, was born in Germany but spent most of his childhood in England.
According to the Daily Mail, Musiala is expected to accept an offer from Germany boss Joachim Low to join up with the senior team next month.
And as Germany’s three games are World Cup qualifiers, he will not be able to play for England in the future if he features.
The teenager is also reported to sign a new long-term deal with Bayern, ending any rumours of him joining Manchester United.
The news will disappoint Gareth Southgate as the England manager is said to be a big fan of Musiala.
NEED MOUR
Lucas Moura has pulled one back for Spurs and now the visitors are chasing an equaliser.
The Hammers are living dangerously.
BIELXIT?
Leeds are preparing for life without Marcelo Bielsa next season, admits chairman Andrea Radrizzani – but the Elland Road chief would be “delighted” if the popular boss stays.
Bielsa’s contract at the promoted side expires in the summer, sparking speculation he could be elsewhere next season.
Radrizzani told CBS Sports: “Marcelo knows we are happy with him. If he stays, we are really delighted to continue. If the group is happy with him, I am also happy and we should continue.
“So, it’s up to him. We wait on his decision but in any case, myself and Victor [Orta] have already analysed the options and what to do in case Marcelo does not want to be with us.
“We hope he will continue but in any case we are preparing the club. But I believe this team is not finished yet, and Marcelo as well.
“They need to come and enjoy Elland Road with the fans in the Premier League. It’s what he deserves as a manager, and it’s a unique experience.”
GARD OF HONOUR
Jesse Lingard has fired West Ham 2-0 up against Tottenham!
After a VAR check, the England international is judged to have been onside.
Click HERE to follow the SunSport LIVE blog of the clash.
PARTY LIKE IT’S 1999
Everton’s players celebrated widly in the away dressing room after a first win against Liverpool at Anfield since 1999.
Goals from Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson helped Carlo Ancelotti’s side to a hard-fought 2-0 win in the Merseyside derby to end Liverpool’s unbeaten run in the fixture.
Everton left-back Niels Nkounkou posted footage of the Toffees’ post-match celebrations on Snapchat – with assistant coach Duncan Ferguson even joining in with the antics.
The likes of Lucas Digne and local boys Mason Holgate and Tom Davies could also be seen in the video, as Everton earned a first Merseyside derby win – home or away – for more than 10 years.
Players could be heard screaming with delight in the clip.
And some embraced each other and jumped up and down with joy.
Everton players celebrate beating Liverpool in the dressing room
Left-back Lucas Digne could be seen dancing on a bench
SOU TOUCH
It’s half-time at the London Stadium, and Tomas Soucek has evoked memories of Terry Butcher with blood pouring from his head after a clash with Davinson Sanchez.
The West Ham star got in the way of Sanchez to prevent a Tottenham equaliser in Sunday lunchtime’s London derby, but got his head split open for his troubles.
With referee Craig Pawson waving play on despite Soucek’s plight, the Czech hardman carried on defending with blood streaming down his face.
Soucek was forced off the field to have stitches after the incident in the 16th minute, before returning to the field seven minutes later.
Tomas Soucek suffered a gruesome head injury against Tottenham
BACKING TU
Thomas Tuchel has been backed in his controversial decision to hook substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
The Chelsea boss replaced Hudson-Odoi with Hakim Ziyech in the 76th minute of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Southampton, with the England under-21 star having only come on at half-time for Tammy Abraham.
Tuchel was questioned by some for singling out the 20-year-old, but he found support in the shape of Wenger.
The former Arsenal boss had sympathy for Hudson-Odoi – but backed Tuchel in the decision, admitting he had done the same in his managerial career and that the youngster was “not in the game.”
He told BeIN Sport: “I’ve done it once in my life really because I was scared to lose the game because the guy was completely lost.
“Basically he [Hudson-Odoi] played in a Christmas tree, in that position behind the central striker which became Werner in the second half and he [Hudson-Odoi] never found the right position in there.
“I see him more in a wide position and he was not in the game. Was he the guy especially to take off? He didn’t do a lot of positives and not a lot of negatives as well.”
COVID KO
Man Utd have been hit by a coronavirus outbreak just hours before their Premier League clash at home to Newcastle.
Nicky Butt and Mark Dempsey will join Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the Manchester United bench for the game with some other members of the coaching staff in self-isolation, the club have announced.
Butt, a long-time team-mate of Solskjaer’s at Old Trafford during their playing days, is the club’s head of development.
Former United player Dempsey returned to the club in 2018 as part of Solskjaer’s staff, having previously worked with the Norwegian at Molde, and is now primarily working with the academy set-up.
The individuals in self-isolation are not being identified due to the privacy of medical information.
It is understood there are no concerns that any players will need to isolate and Sunday’s fixture, scheduled to kick off at 7pm at Old Trafford, will go ahead.
HAMMER TIME
West Ham have taken the lead against Tottenham through Michail Antonio early on at the London Stadium!
Click HERE to follow the SunSport LIVE blog of the clash.
HAA MUCH?
Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland will demand a £300,000-a-week contract from his next club, according to reports.
The Norwegian superstar has been linked with numerous sides, including Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.
According to the Daily Star, the 20-year-old wants a basic £300k weekly wage and a five-year deal to leave Dortmund this summer.
Real Madrid are also said to be interested.
Haaland’s agent is Mino Raiola, who also represents United star Paul Pogba.
The striker has been in sensational form this season, scoring 17 Bundesliga goals in as many games.
BREAKING
Jonatha Woodgate will remain in charge of Bournemouth until the end of the season.
The Cherries confirmed on Sunday that the caretaker boss has had his deal extended.
Former Arsenal striker and current Montreal boss Thierry Henry had been linked with the role.
But reports on Sunday morning said that Bournemouth’s hopes of landing him had faded.
And hours later Woodgate was confirmed as manager until the end of the season.
SAY IT AIN’T SO
EXCLUSIVE – Marcos Alonso is open to signing a new deal at Chelsea after his revival under Thomas Tuchel.
The Spanish left-back’s camp had been working on a move away from the Blues after he was frozen out by ex-Stamford Bridge boss Frank Lampard.
But now Alonso, 30, who started his career at Real Madrid, is hoping for a one-year extension to his stay at Chelsea.
He had been looking at a final switch to a Premier League rival, or a return to Serie A where he played for Fiorentina.
But the defender’s situation at Stamford Bridge has improved dramatically since Tuchel’s arrival in January.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
