Premier League

MAN UTD are seeking a 14th successive home win in a row when they welcome rivals Leeds to Old Trafford on Wednesday night.Erik ten Hag’s men can move level on points with second-place Man City with a victory over the managerless visitors – who sacked Jesse Marsch on Monday.
Erik ten Hag has spearheaded a superb turnaround at Old TraffordCredit: Getty
How Man Utd are expected to line up against Leeds on Wednesday evening
And Man Utd supporters will be supremely confident heading into the clash, with their side on the up and Leeds without a league win since November.
However, Ten Hag does face a midfield crisis heading into the midweek fixture.
Casemiro, who has become one of United’s most important players in recent months, is suspended following his red card against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Ten Hag then confirmed on Tuesday that Scott McTominay is unavailable through injury.
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Christian Eriksen is still sidelined with an ankle injury, Donny van de Beek has a knee problem, and even winger Antony has been ruled out.
Those selection issues mean Bayern Munich loanee Marcel Sabitzer is expected to receive his first Man Utd start.
Aside from the middle of the park, Ten Hag is not set to make too many changes for the match.
David de Gea, Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane will almost certainly keep their places in the defence – albeit while club captain Harry Maguire pushes for a starting berth.
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Another way Ten Hag could choose to line up at Old Trafford
And Aaron Wan-Bissaka will be confident he can fend off competition from Diogo Dalot at right-back.
Bruno Fernandes will occupy the attacking midfield role, with Marcus Rashford keen to keep up his sensational goalscoring form coming off the left-hand side.
Wout Weghorst is set to lead the line once more, particularly given Ten Hag ruled out Anthony Martial during his pre-match press conference.
And, with Antony not in contention, Alejandro Garnacho is the most likely option on the right ahead of Jadon Sancho. More

LEEDS’ next manager faces a tough start in their new role with a busy fixture schedule over the next few weeks.Jesse Marsch was sacked on Monday with Leeds 17th place in the Premier League.
Carlos Corberan is the favourite to succeed Jesse MarschCredit: Reuters
Ange Postecoglu has also been linked to the jobCredit: Reuters
The Whites are above the drop zone only on goal difference and are in desperate need of wins to steer clear of relegation.
But with back-to back games against rivals Manchester United first up, Marsch’s replacement is set for a baptism of fire.
After that are two easier teams, on paper at least.
But Everton and Southampton are fighting their own relegation battle so the pressure will be on the new boss to pick up points.
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Leeds then get a respite with an FA Cup clash against Fulham or Sunderland, before a trip to Chelsea.
That will leave little time on the training ground for the new manager to implement his ideas.
West Brom boss Carlos Corberan is the favourite to take over and he had an instant impact at The Hawthorns when he joined earlier this season.
He also has the added advantage of having worked at Leeds before – as Under-23s manager between 2017-20.
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Celtic gaffer Ange Postecoglu has also been linked to Leeds and former goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes he is the right man for the job.
He said: “I know there has been talk of Carlos Corberan at West Brom, but I personally would love to see Postecoglou come down from Celtic.
“They have to get somebody who hits the ground running.
“People talk about someone who knows the league inside out and know the players.
“But for me it has to be a man-manager.” More

PEP GUARDIOLA had a face of thunder when he was seen for the first time since the news of Manchester City’s alleged financial breaches broke.The Premier League released the shocking findings of their four-year investigation yesterday morning, plummeting the champions into turmoil.
Pep Guardiola looked unhappy as he took Manchester City trainingCredit: Getty
The Spaniard has a lot on his mind both on and off the pitchCredit: Getty
But Guardiola, 52, quickly had to put the bombshell, unprecedented allegations aside to prepare for Sunday’s home clash with Aston Villa.
The City boss was pictured sitting on a drinks cooler box as he watched his players in action, seemingly deep in touch.
On the pitches, his players got on with their drills, less than 24 hours after the defeat to Tottenham in North London.
Guardiola had complained about the “exhausting” trip to the capital – but clearly had little sympathy for his stars following the loss.
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It seems those who did not start the match – such as Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Kalvin Phillips – were called in and put through their paces.
On the pitch, Guardiola will be plotting how to beat Aston Villa when they arrive at the Etihad.
And off the pitch, Guardiola has plenty to think about too.
The Premier League accused City of breaching more than 100 financial rules and failing to cooperate with the investigation.
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The charges relate to hiding the true source of income, lying about the salaries of players and ex-manager Roberto Mancini as well as breaking Premier League and Uefa regulations.
If found guilty by an independent commission, City’s punishment is still unclear but could include transfer bans, points deductions, spending limits, stripping of titles and even expulsion from the Premier League.

Their top-flight rivals will demand City are relegated – although there is no guarantee they could drop into the EFL.
Angry City insisted they would be “vindicated” in a defiant statement, but Premier League clubs want blood and a swift verdict AND punishment before the end of the season.

One club chief said: “If these charges are proven there must be proper punishment – and the only fitting one is for them to be relegated.
“We’re talking about a decade of alleged abuses and want the Premier League to do the right thing.”
Should they be found guilty, the ramifications could be catastrophic for City – and even Pep Guardiola.
The ex-Barcelona boss threatened to quit as manager if it transpired the club’s owners had lied to him about any wrongdoing.

Speaking in August 2022, he declared he would not want to be in charge of a club that he felt had breached financial fair play rules.
Guardiola said: “I said to our people, ‘Tell me’ about the suspicions. I looked at them and believed them 100 per cent from day one so I defended the club because of that.
“I did say, ‘If you lie to me, the day after I am not here. I will be out and you will not be my friend any more.’
“I like to represent a club that is doing things properly. In the end, it’s not about winning the Champions League or Premier League, it’s about always doing it well, for our people and our fans.
Kevin De Bruyne was a second-half substitute at TottenhamCredit: Getty
Ilkay Gundogan was back on the training pitch on MondayCredit: Getty
Kalvin Phillips did not get any minutes at SpursCredit: Getty
Josh Adam and Cole Palmer trained with the senior starsCredit: Getty
“What CAS said meant a lot. It broke all the suspicion.
“I can not forget that nine teams in the Premier League pushed to sack Manchester City from European competitions, I know who they are.”
As the club did in 2020 with the Uefa appeal, the Etihad side have always denied wrongdoing and will likely establish a significant legal team of expert lawyers to fight their case, even if they cannot take it to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
City have until February 23 to respond to the charges, by which time leading KC Murray Rosen, head of the League’s Judicial Panel, will have confirmed the make-up of the three-member commission, which will be headed by a senior lawyer.
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While the Premier League could not give a timescale last night, that could allow a hearing by as early as next month.
However, both parties would be entitled to ask for an appeal panel to hear the evidence again if the verdict went against them. More