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      Man Utd striker woes laid bare as shock stats reveal Premier League’s worst finishers – but where does your team rank?

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are the second worst finishers in the Premier League.Erik ten Hag’s strugglers have scored just 13 goals from 178 shots this season, with all of their forwards misfiring.
      Marcus Rashford has not been at his best this seasonCredit: PA
      In fact, Marcus Rashford is the only United forward to have found the back of the net in the league this season – with the England star’s solitary strike coming against Arsenal in a 3-1 defeat.
      That means the Red Devils have a conversion rate of just 7.3 per cent – only 0.16 per cent better than bottom-ranked Luton.
      The next worst ‘Big Six’ side is Chelsea who place ninth with a conversion rate of 12.14 per cent.
      United are surrounded by relegation-threatened Burnley, Bournemouth and Fulham, despite spending hundreds of millions of pounds on their attack.
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      Newcastle top the conversion table with 17.2 per cent of their shots becoming goals, thanks in part to some sharp accuracy from Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak, who boasts an individual conversion rate of 40 per cent – per the BBC.
      Douglas Luiz’s five goals from just 11 shots has pushed Aston Villa up the rankings into second spot with the Brazilian scoring 45 per cent of his shots this season.
      Manchester City and Arsenal round off the top four – an impressive showing for the Gunners considering the number of pundits who believe they need to sign a striker in January.
      Ivan Toney has been tipped with a move to the Emirates and former United star Lee Sharpe believes he would be a good fit at most big six clubs.
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      Sharpe told Offers.Bet: “I think Ivan Toney would be good at most of the top six or eight clubs.
      “I think he’s proven what a strong centre forward he is, how good he is holding the ball up, doesn’t get injured much and is someone you consistently name in most teams.
      “I think Toney and Ollie Watkins at Villa are two centre forwards that most of the top six-eight clubs will be looking at.”
      Sharpe also criticised United’s lack of efficiency up-front and laid some of the blame on Rashford.
      He added: “It’s frustrating because they are creating a lot of chances – enough chances to see games off. They’re not as clinical as they should be in front of goal, and it’s coming back to bite them on the backside costing them points and wins, so it’s very frustrating at the minute.
      “I always thought Rashford would be a good number nine, but I’m questioning that after watching him for the periods that I’ve seen him there.
      “The age Rashford is now he should be producing week in week out, and he seems a bit inconsistent at the moment. It’s difficult to pick one player out when the whole team is inconsistent, but I would like to see a bit more from Rashford in his decision making.”
      Ivan Toney could be brought in to solve United’s problems in front of goalCredit: PA More

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      Luke Shaw set to be back in Man Utd squad THIS WEEKEND as Ten Hag reveals he’s trained for two weeks

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      LUKE SHAW could return to the Manchester United squad when they take on Everton this weekend.The defender has spent the last few months on the sidelines due to a muscle injury.
      Luke Shaw could face Everton after returning to trainingCredit: Getty
      But Erik ten Hag has revealed Shaw could be involved after returning to training during the international break.
      He said: “Luke Shaw has been training for two weeks with the team.
      “We are quite hopeful that he will return to the squad for Sunday’s game.”
      Shaw, 28, played in United’s first two Premier League games before suffering injury, which means he has been out of action since August.
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      That has caused Ten Hag all kinds of problems with second-choice left-back Tyrell Malacia also a long-term injury sicknote
      Sergio Reguillon has played in the duo’s absence when fit, with midfielder Sofyan Amrabat also called upon in United’s more desperate time of need.
      Shaw has been one of the Red Devils’ most consistent performers in recent seasons and fans are hopeful his return will help Marcus Rashford re-discover his best form.
      Supporters will hope Shaw starts against Everton but Ten Hag may opt to start him on the bench instead to allow the defender to build his fitness gradually.
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      United will be aiming to build on their 1-0 win over Luton last time out, with Everton seeking to extend their four-game unbeaten streak.
      The game is at risk of becoming overshadowed by Everton’s protests against the Premier League after they were docked ten points for breaking financial fair play rules. More

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      Gary Neville blasts Premier League as a ‘defunct organisation’ that’s ‘lost trust’ as he savagely tears them apart

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      GARY NEVILLE has launched a blistering attack on the Premier League.That’s by labelling it a “defunct organisation” that’s “lost trust.”
      Gary Neville has lashed out at the Premier LeagueCredit: PA
      Sean Dyche’s Everton were deducted 10 points for one financial breachCredit: Getty
      Neville blasted the English top flight following the decision to dock Everton 10 points for financial breaches.
      The Toffees find themselves back in the relegation zone after recording a loss of £124.5million across three seasons.
      It exceeded the Premier League threshold by £19.5m.
      And Sean Dyche’s team now face a major battle for Premier League survival.
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      Following their punishment, Everton released a damning statement calling their points deduction “unjust.”
      It came as Manchester City continue to challenge 115 charges of financial breaches.
      The Treble winners face allegations of financial dodges between 2008 and 2019.
      And Neville feels the Premier League has lost the trust of many due to their decision to immediately punish Everton with a huge deduction for just one breach.
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      He said: “Everton’s trust and faith [in the Premier League] has gone completely. The greed and selfishness is out of control – it’s lawless. 
      “The Premier League is a defunct organisation because they’ve got 20 clubs all voting with self-interest. This has been coming for many years.
      “The Super League clubs that tried to destroy the whole of European football…
      “They were fined a total of £22 million, £3.5 million for each team, which is an absolute disgrace and a scandal for what they attempted to do, which was the attempted murder of our game.”
      Gary Neville was speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet More

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      Arsenal on brink of completing first transfer of 2024 with Mikel Arteta and Co ‘to seal £27million signing’

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      ARSENAL are set to complete a permanent deal for Brentford loanee David Raya.Raya joined the Gunners on loan from the Bees last summer with an option to buy this coming June.
      Arsenal are set to seal a permanent deal for Brentford loanee David RayaCredit: Getty
      Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta rates Raya very highly between the sticksCredit: Getty
      However, the North Londoners are already planning ahead and are set to seal the goalkeeper’s future at the Emirates at the turn of the year.
      According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, a deal to complete the Spain international’s move in 2024 is “all guaranteed”.
      The Premier League giants will complete the switch by triggering the 28-year-old’s £27million release clause.
      Raya has already penned a “potential long-term contract” with Arsenal that comes into effect in June.
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      Brentford have also accepted the structure of the deal due to Financial Fair Play regulations.
      This poses as a major boost for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who rates his fellow Spaniard very highly.

      So much so that Arteta established Raya as his new No1 almost immediately after his arrival at the Emirates last summer.
      The Spanish tactician has received plenty of criticism for his decision to omit Aaron Ramsdale as his starting keeper.
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      A series of errors by Raya also fuelled protests from fans demanding the return of Ramsdale to the starting line-up.
      However, Arteta doesn’t look set to budge any time soon now that the Spanish shot-stopper is ready to commit his future in North London.
      That could force Ramsdale out of Arsenal as he will need consistent first-team football to seal an England call-up for the summer’s Euro 2024 finals in Germany. More

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      Man Utd blow as star man ‘considering switching international allegiance for Afcon’ as fans say ‘I beg please no’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED ace Aaron Wan-Bissaka could switch his international allegiance from England to Congo.Such a decision would be a significant blow for United as they could lose Wan-Bissaka for an entire month after the Christmas holidays.
      Manchester United ace Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been approached by CongoCredit: Getty
      Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag would be without Wan-Bissaka for a whole month due to AfconCredit: Rex
      That is because the full-back would have to jet off to the Ivory Coast and link up with the Leopards for the Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off on January 13 and ends on February 11.
      Congo have advanced to the finals and will take on Morocco, Zambia and Tanzania in the group stage.
      According to The Athletic’s insider David Ornstein, Wan-Bissaka has been approached by the African country’s football association.
      The 25-year-old has yet to decide but he is considering a potential switch.
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      The ex-Crystal Palace star was born in Croydon but is of Congolese descent and even played for the country’s Under-17s back in 2015.
      And funnily enough, that was for an international friendly against England who won 8-0.
      United fans took to social media immediately after the news broke as they were devastated with the thought of losing another player amid an injury-stricken campaign.
      That would mean manager Erik ten Hag would only have one right-back available in Diogo Dalot.
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      However, some supporters admit Wan-Bissaka deserves a crack at international football having failed to play for England at senior level with Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Reece James ahead of him.
      One fan tweeted: “No I beg please no.”
      Another posted: “Massive blow for us if he goes to AFCON, but would be a good decision for his international career.”
      A third commented: “Man United must have some bad news almost daily.”

      This fan said: “Bad situation in a good manner. Oh no.”
      And that one stated: “A significant decision that could impact Man Utd’s right-back position during the tournament. All eyes on the 25-year-old’s choice!”
      Wan-Bissaka (centre) has not been called up to the senior England squadCredit: Getty More

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      Real Madrid’s staggering transfer budget revealed as all signs point to Galactico arriving with Erling Haaland linked

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      REAL MADRID look set to move for both Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe as their whopping transfer budget has been revealed.Real look ready to usher in another Galactico era following Jude Bellingham’s record £115million move from Borussia Dortmund last summer.
      Real Madrid have the money to sign Manchester City star Erling HaalandCredit: Alamy
      Real could also sign Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian MbappeCredit: AFP
      And according to AS, Los Blancos are now looking to add Paris Saint-Germain’s Mbappe as well as Manchester City’s Haaland starting this coming summer.
      The Spanish giants also have the funds to pull off such a sensational double swoop in the near future.
      The Madrid outfit has £111million (€128m) in cash and £230m (€265m) in unused loans granted to attract both star forwards.
      And Real’s imminent move to the new Santiago Bernabeu, which is expected to take place next year around spring, “ensures” a set of “flashy signings” for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
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      The LaLiga team has been keeping tabs on Mbappe for a long time and almost signed him last year until he had a last-minute change of heart and opted to extend at PSG.
      However, the France international’s contract runs out in June after he opted against triggering a player clause that would have seen his deal run until 2025.

      But recent reports suggested Real’s interest has cooled due to the 24-year-old’s enormous salary demands.
      Thus, Ancelotti’s team has turned its focus on Haaland who continues to dominate the goalscoring charts in the Premier League with 17 goals and four assists in 18 appearances already under his name.
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      Speculation mounted after the Norway international’s agent Rafaela Pimenta was spotted at the Bernabeu to watch the Champions League match against Braga earlier this month.
      However, Pimenta insisted after the game there were no talks regarding the 23-year-old.
      Reports also suggested there haven’t been any meetings between the two sides yet and negotiations are reserved for the summer. More

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      I’m a Man City cult icon and I know what Pep’s blueprint for beating Liverpool should be… but it doesn’t involve Haaland

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      JEREMY DOKU could hold the key for Manchester City against Liverpool, according to Shaun Wright-Phillips.The winger has impressed since his summer arrival and City cult hero Wright-Phillips thinks he will pose a lot of problems for the Reds.
      Shaun Wright-Phillips thinks Jeremy Doku is the one to watch against LiverpoolCredit: Alamy
      The pundit claims Manchester City are not reliant on Erling Haaland despite his 17 goals in 18 gamesCredit: Alamy
      Erling Haaland has scored 17 goals in 18 games this season but Wright-Phillips believes City are not reliant on the striker to win games.
      Instead he believes the pace and tricks of Doku, combined with Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva, could be key to undoing Liverpool when the title rivals clash on Saturday morning.
      Wright-Phillips told Tribal Football: “With regards to Haaland, as many goals as he scores and has scored, I wouldn’t say they necessarily rely on him as much with Alvarez and Doku chipping in.
      “Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva has also scored a few and once Jack Grealish gets back to scoring ways, there’s yet another option.
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      “Doku especially lends a different dimension for City to play. He’s a very tricky winger who creates a lot of problems, it’s something else that we needed.
      “He’s been phenomenal.”
      Doku broke two Premier League records by assisting four goals and scoring in City’s 6-1 win over Bournemouth earlier this month.
      He became the youngest person to equal the record for the most assists in a single Premier League game (four) and is now the youngest player to ever be involved in five goals.
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      The Belgian, 21, has two goals and five assists in the Prem and has taken Grealish’s place in the team in recent weeks.
      However he struggled against Chelsea in the 4-4 draw before being hooked and is yet to shine against a big six club.
      There will be plenty of pressure on his young shoulders too as a win for Liverpool will see Jurgen Klopp’s side jump above City into first place. More

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      Mauricio Pochettino demands Chelsea HIJACK £35m Tottenham transfer for prolific striker in January

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      MAURICIO POCHETTINO has reportedly demanded Chelsea hijack Tottenham’s £35million move for Feyenoord star Santiago Gimenez.The Mexico striker netted 23 goals in all competitions last term as his side cruised to the Dutch title.
      Mauricio Pochettino has urged Chelsea to sign Feyenoord’s Santiago GimenezCredit: Getty
      The Argentine is ready to take on Spurs for the Mexican strikerCredit: AFP
      But Gimenez, 22, has been in even more prolific form this season, already netting 15 times in as many games for Arne Slot’s side.
      It’s reckoned the hitman is now being lined up for a big-money January switch, with Spurs leading the way.
      Ange Postecoglou is determined to add a new forward after winning eight of his opening 12 Premier League games, despite not having replaced Harry Kane.
      And Gimenez’s profile makes him the ideal candidate, with a £35m valuation also well within Tottenham’s limits.
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      However, the north Londoners are now set to face competition from rivals Chelsea.
      The Blues look to have turned a corner after firing eight goals past Spurs and Manchester City in their last two games.
      But doubts remain over Nicolas Jackson’s ability to regularly hit the target.
      Christopher Nkunku is edging back to fitness after a lengthy injury absence.
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      And Pochettino wants to sign a new No9 once the winter market opens.
      Brentford’s Ivan Toney and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen are two players on his radar.

      But TeamTalk claims Gimenez has now emerged as the Argentine’s top choice.
      And he has urged Todd Boehly to get his chequebook out once again, with Gimenez likely keen on moving to Stamford Bridge.
      Should the striker move to Chelsea, Armando Broja could find his future in question.
      The Albania international has just two goals in 24 games for Chelsea after picking up a serious injury last term.
      And it’s believed West Ham are lining up a bid this January to coincide with Chelsea’s offer for Gimenez. More