MANCHESTER CITY are marching to the Premier League title after a 20th win on the bounce in all competitions.
Manchester United’s draw at Chelsea left them 12 points behind Pep Guardiola’s side.
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Meanwhile, Erling Haaland’s future remains up in the air with three English sides chasing the Norwegian superstar and Lionel Messi could leave Barcelona.
Follow our LIVE blog below to get the latest from around the clubs…
S-MART MOVE
John Barnes has claimed that Anthony Martial should QUIT Manchester United.
He told BonusCodeBets: “Anthony Martial has never been a centre forward, despite Manchester United playing him there.
“If he can’t get a place in the starting team in his preferred wide position, following the emergence of Mason Greenwood, then maybe it is time for him to leave Manchester United.
“Lots of clubs nowadays have benches full of superstar players, who are happy to be there, but I don’t know if Martial is one of those players, or what Manchester United’s intentions are with him, but I would suggest a change could be good for both him and the club if they aren’t getting what they want from him playing there.”
‘WELSH MAFIA’
Gareth Bale has revealed what is behind his and Son Heung-min’s ‘WM’ celebration.
The Welsh wizard rediscovered the supreme talent he showed during his first spell at Spurs with two goals in a 4-0 win over Burnley on Sunday.
Gareth Bale was back celebrating after a double for SpursCredit: AP:Associated Press
And Bale celebrated by making a ‘W’ with his fingers while Son stood next to him depicting an ‘M’.
The celebration has now been confirmed as Bale’s way of recognising the work done by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
And Bale also explained why a confused-looking Lucas Moura simply showed the cameras an ‘L’.
Speaking to Spurs TV, he said: “Because everyone is saying ours is Welsh Mafia, he’s decided to go with just Lucas!”
The ‘Welsh Mafia’ reference originates from something Bale and Spurs left-back Ben Davies came up with while on international duty.
SAL OF THE CENTURY
Mo Salah is too expensive for Real Madrid, former Blancos president Roman Calderon has asserted.
He told Egypt’s ONTime Sports: “[Salah] is a great player and a goalscorer.
“He helped Liverpool by giving his best, but I don’t think they will let him go.
“It is expected that, if they were to think about it, they would only let him go for a lot of money.
“Salah is wanted, of course, by Real Madrid. But Liverpool would ask for a lot of money and, if that deal were to be completed, it would be crucial.
“Salah is a great player with fantastic potential, and any club wishes to acquire such talents, but for Real Madrid I do not think they have the financial means to sign Salah.”
ZLAT’S ANNOYING
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will miss BOTH of AC Milan’s Europa League games against Manchester United with a groin injury.
The former Red Devil was hoping to play against his old side but will not be available for either leg of the last 16 tie after being ruled out for three weeks.
The teams meet first at Old Trafford on March 11 and the second leg is one week later at the San Siro on March 18.
But Milan boss Stefano Pioli will have to do without his star man for the next three weeks, according to EuroSport.
The Swede, 39, is in blistering form this season with 14 goals in 14 Serie A games.
His side are second in the league – just four points behind bitter rivals Inter who are top.
GRIEZY MONEY
Manchester United could try and land Antoine Griezmann in a £50million deal if Jadon Sancho is too expensive, according to reports.
The 20-year-old Dortmund star would set the Red Devils back over £100m this summer.
And Spanish reports claim that Griezmann could be available for half that fee.
OK Diario say that Barcelona are looking to recoup about £50m for the 30-year-old having signed him for £104million two years ago.
That price might tempt Manchester United into a summer swoop as they look for more quality up front.
The World Cup winner has scored just 15 LaLiga goals for Barcelona in two seasons and the Catalans are facing a financial crisis.
SPOT ON
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claims Manchester United are ‘not getting penalties after the noise being made about them’.
And the stats appear to back up the United boss after a drop in the amount awarded to his team.
The penalty count before and after Jurgen Klopp’s rant
JOAO-CH
Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix shushed his own team-mate after ending his dry spell.
The youngster smashed home from 20 yards to seal a 2-0 win at Villarreal with his first goal since January.
Joao Felix produced a cheeky shush celebration to his own bench on Sunday night
According to Spanish radio station Cadena Cope, Felix had reacted to pre-match taunts from team-mate Renan Lodi.
The Brazilian defender, one of the Felix’s best friends at the club, is said to have teased him over a recent lack of goals – with only two in 2021 ahead of the game.
WILL I NEVER
Willian has amazingly shot to joint-top for Arsenal’s assists this season despite being slammed by the majority of the club’s fans.
The Brazilian helped the Gunners to seal their most-impressive victory since their Boxing Day thumping of Chelsea with their 3-1 win at Leicester.
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Willian played his part in that by making two of the goals – which took him joint top of the assist charts for the North London side.
Despite only previously notching two assists on the opening day win over Fulham.
TIM OUT
Former Manchester United defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah has torn his ACL weeks after signing for Bayer Leverkusen.
The Dutch defender, 23, left Old Trafford for the Bundesliga in January but suffered the blow in yesterday’s 2-1 win over Freiburg.
Ex-team-mate Marcus Rashford showed his support for his pal online.
HOSPITAL BLOW
Shrewsbury boss Steve Cotterill is back in hospital.
QATAR ZEROES – EXCLUSIVE
Fifa is already flogging tickets for the Qatar World Cup Final for a whopping £42,270.
Organisers have released details of hospitality packages for high-rollers for the tournament shoot-out – and the seats don’t come cheap.
Fans signing up must buy a minimum of two tickets for a total of £42,270 for the game at the Lusail Stadium next year.
Supporters meet in a lounge in the ground and fans get a four-course meal, including soft drinks, mocktails, cocktails, Champagne, spirits, wines and beer.
The service is available before kick-off, during half-time and after matches.
The price tag also entitles buyers to seats at both semi-finals and the third-place game.
Fifa’s official partner firm MATCH Hospitality is flogging the packages and the world governing body has warned fans not to deal with third-party firms offering deals to the event.
TAKE ZLAT
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was branded ‘dumb as hell’ by a former basketball player for his attack on LeBron James.
The Swedish striker told James that he shouldn’t get involved in politics – leading to a furious backlash from the basketball icon.
The LA Lakers superstar, 36, has been a leading voice against police brutality and racism over recent years.
However, the 39-year-old Ibrahimovic did not seem to be that impressed as he told the American to ‘do what he’s good at’ instead earlier this week.
And former NBA player Davis, 41, hit out at Ibrahimovic on Twitter before jokingly making reference to Adam Sandler’s comedy film ‘You Don’t Mess With The Zohan’.
He wrote: “Zlatan stay yo ass out of LA. Galaxy suck anyway. And you dumb as hell.
“Take that stolen Zoohan look and give it back to Sandler. Now let the King Speak!!!!”
FINE ART
Mikel Arteta was pleased with his side’s 3-1 win over Leicester.
NEW LOW
Germany manager Joachim Low has opened the door to Thomas Muller and Mats Hummels returning to the national team.
The pair were discarded after Low’s side were embarrassingly dumped out of the 2018 World Cup in the group stage.
Mats Hummels and Thomas Muller could get a second chance with GermanyCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
But now it appears Low, who won the World Cup with Hummels and Muller in his team in 2014, is more receptive to the idea of them coming back into the fold.
Speaking to Kicker, he said: “Special circumstances can justify an interruption in the upheaval.
“That (the future of the trio) will be a difficult and important question, also for me.
“The character of Thomas Muller and Mats Hummels is that they don’t oppress others.”
JI-Z LOUISE
Chinese football has been thrown into crisis after Super League champions Jiangsu FC ‘ceased operations’.
The club won its first title in November thanks to goals from former European football stars Eder and Alex Teixeira.
A buyer has unsuccessfully been sought by owners Suning, leading to the team being shut down.
A statement read: “Even though we are reluctant to part with the players who have won us the highest honours, and fans who have shared solidarity with the club, we have to regretfully make an announcement.
“From today, Jiangsu Football Club ceases the operation of its teams.
“In the past six months the club has been looking around to seek a takeover.”
Jiangsu’s squad includes ex-Atletico Madrid title winner Miranda and former Italy forward Eder, while one-time Liverpool target Teixeira is reportedly bound for Arabian football.
TAD EXCESSIVE
Ajax star Dusan Tadic was struck by a coin after his side’s 1-1 draw at rivals PSV Eindhoven.
Tadic was boarding the team bus when PSV fans attacked him in shocking scenes outside the stadium.
The former Southampton man scored a 92nd-minute penalty to equalise and tempers flared after.
Some objects were thrown from the fans and a coin hit Tadic on the head before he got on the coach.
Tadic can be seen clutching his head as he walked in an ugly end to the rivals’ clash.
Ajax star Dusan Tadic attacked by PSV Eindhoven fans and hit in head by coin outside of stadium after late equaliser
MAN OF THE MOMENT
Real Madrid have joined Manchester City in a race to sign Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli.
The 23-year-old has impressed for the Serie A side so far this season as they currently occupy eighth place in the table.
And while Man City appeared to be the front-runners to sign the Italian at the end of the campaign, Calcio Mercato have now reported that Madrid are also keen to secure his signature.
At the end of the January transfer window, Sassuolo’s managing director Giovanni Carvenali commented on Man City’s interest in Locatelli.
He said: “Being on everyone’s lips is a good thing, it means that we are doing a positive job.
“These are all talks that we will have in the summer market.”
Pep Guardiola is said to be keen on Locatelli replacing Fernandinho at the end of the season as the Brazilian comes towards the end of his career.
UNITED FRONT
Manchester United should have been given a penalty when Callum Hudson-Odoi handled in the box, WRITES EX-REF MARK HALSEY.
Under ‘Law 12 — handling the ball’, referee Stuart Attwell had to ask himself the following:
Callum Hudson-Odoi was not penalised for handballCredit: Getty – Pool
Was Hudson-Odoi’s arm in an unnatural position? My view is yes it was.
Did he deliberately move his arm or hand towards the ball? Again, that’s a yes for me.However, this was a subjective call and a really tough decision for Attwell in real time.
I didn’t think VAR needed to get involved as it wasn’t a clear and obvious error. In fact, at first I thought United’s Mason Greenwood had handled.
Once Attwell went to the monitor, I expected a penalty. And although United will be frustrated, I respect him for sticking to his decision.
NOT VAR FETCHED
Manchester United are reportedly weighing up an £86million move for Raphael Varane.
The Real Madrid defender is out of contract in 2022 and has attracted the interest of United.
Manchester United will reportedly go in for Raphael Varane if he decides to leave Real Madrid
According to AS and Mundo Deportivo, Varane’s future at Real Madrid is uncertain.
The Spanish giants reportedly do not want to sell the defender but will consider it if he is keen to leave.
The 27-year-old has entered the final 18 months of his contract and this could spark a bidding war.
If the France star decides against agreeing a new deal at the Bernabeu it is likely Real Madrid will look to cash in on him.
Sergio Ramos is out of contract this summer and Real Madrid do not want to risk losing another defender on a free transfer.
PER-FIK TACKLE
Chelsea loanee Fikayo Tomori pulled off an unreal tackle for AC Milan against Roma in Serie A.
SCHOL-DED
Paul Scholes has criticised Thomas Tuchel for praising the ‘quality’ of Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United.
Neither the Blues nor Red Devils were able to break the deadlock in a drab Sunday evening stalemate.
Tuchel said afterwards: “It was a high quality game between two very strong teams.
“We suffered in the first-half but overall it was an even game. In the second-half I thought we were really strong.
“I thought we were closer to winning it, but there was a lot of quality on the pitch.
“Performance-wise I’m satisfied. We defended very well in the last line and I’m very happy with that.”
Scholes explained on Premier League Productions: “I actually think Tuchel was watching a different game on his iPad when he said it was a game ‘full of high quality’.”
POLICE RAID
Catalan police have searched the offices of LaLiga giants Barcelona and arrested former president Josep Maria Bartomeu in a corruption investigation.
Last year, it was claimed that the club had paid a social media company to plant online criticism of key club figures in a scandal dubbed ‘Barcagate’.
Barcelona’s then-president Bartomeu denied the accusations last February.
On Monday, Cadena SER reported on police arresting Bartomeu in his home along with three other men.
Chief executive Oscar Grau, legal head Roman Gomez and Bartomeu’s former advisor Jaume Masferrer – fired in October for his role in the scandal – were also detained.
Police were earlier picture raiding the club offices, namely the legal, financial and compliance departments.
BELL CURVE
Arsenal star Hector Bellerin reportedly ‘has an agreement in place’ to join Barcelona if Joan Laporta becomes the club’s new president.
Spaniard Bellerin, 25, is a graduate of Barca’s famous La Masia academy.
Hector Bellerin could quit the Gunners to return to Barcelona
The Daily Mirror claims Laporta has held talks and has an agreement with the Gunners defender’s representatives to try to negotiate a fee with Arsenal to bring him back.
Bellerin, who is also of interest to Paris Saint-Germain, arrived in North London as a 16-year-old and has gone on to play over 200 times for the first team.
He remains under contract until 2023, but today’s report states ‘he is open to rejoining his old club and returning to his home city’ in the summer.
VAN DE LEAK
Donny van de Beek made an embarrassing gaffe during Manchester United’s draw at Chelsea after being caught short.
The Dutch midfielder was so desperate to take a leak he ended up using the LADIES toilets.
About 35 minutes into the second half, Van de Beek was spotted heading for the toilets.
But the former Ajax star appeared to misread the signs and wandered into the Ladies, according to the Mirror.
To the relief of everyone, the toilets were empty and Van de Beek was able to avoid the embarrassment of an unexpected encounter.
NOT THE WAN
Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka is set to snub England as he considers representing the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The 23-year-old right-back has not yet been capped by Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate due to the wealth of options he has in the position.
And the fact that he is continually being overlooked is reportedly making him re-think his England future, according to The Athletic.
If Wan-Bissaka is not selected in Southgate’s side’s upcoming matches at the end of March, it is thought he will decide to represent Congo.
The former Crystal Palace man played for both England and Congo at youth level, but is yet to play senior international football.
He was picked by Southgate for England’s Euro 2020 qualifiers against Kosovo and Bulgaria in August, but pulled out of the squad due to a back injury.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
