EPL
‘Build momentum’ – Marcus Rashford reveals what he needs at the moment
Marcus Rashford looked revitalized as he scored twice in Manchester United‘s 7-0 demolition of League One side Barnsley at Old Trafford, propelling the Red Devils into the Carabao Cup fourth round and handing Erik ten Hag his most significant win as manager.
Rashford, leading the attack for United, had ended his six-month goal drought with a strike in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Southampton.
Ten Hag’s decision to keep faith in him paid off, as the 26-year-old confidently added United’s fifth goal with a first-time finish.
“When I see the teeth [smiling] from Marcus Rashford, I’m calm, I’m composed, and I’m confident that he will score,” Ten Hag shared with Sky Sports after the match.
Rashford nearly secured a hat-trick but unselfishly allowed teammate Antony to take a penalty. Antony, who hadn’t scored since April, converted the spot-kick past Chelsea loanee Gabriel Slonina, further boosting United’s lead.
Alejandro Garnacho, who had been left on the bench during the Southampton match, also netted twice. He first scored from close range in first-half stoppage time and then made it 4-0 on the break with a composed finish after Christian Eriksen sliced through Barnsley’s fragile defense.
Eriksen himself joined the scoresheet with two late goals, just four minutes apart. He turned in a cross from substitute Bruno Fernandes before curling a shot into the bottom corner for the seventh. Notably, it was his first club goal in over a year.
With this commanding victory, United now await their next Carabao Cup opponents in Wednesday’s fourth-round draw. The team will return to Premier League action against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Rashford’s future at United appeared bleak last season, with many suggesting a move away might be his only option for reviving his career.
However, Ten Hag’s persistence in backing his forward has started to pay off. Just five games into the new season, Rashford is already close to halfway to his total tally of eight goals from the previous campaign.
While these three goals have come against lesser opponents like Southampton and Barnsley, Rashford’s renewed confidence is reminiscent of his first season under Ten Hag, where he scored 30 goals.
Commenting on Rashford’s resurgence, Ten Hag said, “In my first season also, he had this vibe, this good mood. When I see the teeth [smiling] from Marcus Rashford, I’m calm, I’m composed, and I’m confident that he will score.”
Although tougher challenges lie ahead, starting with Saturday’s visit to Selhurst Park, the early signs are promising for Rashford as he works to return to his best form.
After the game, Rashford remained grounded but expressed hope that his performance could help reignite the form that made him crucial for Ten Hag early in his United tenure.
“Football is football; sometimes you have ups and sometimes downs,” he told Sky Sports. “You have to use these games to build momentum, find consistency, and try your best to bring your top level in every match.”
He continued, “It’s early to say [if the goals will continue], but I hope so. We’ll focus on the next match, rest, recover, and keep pushing forward. As a front unit and midfield, I thought we did really well today.”
Rashford’s resurgence has given United a much-needed boost, with the upcoming fixtures set to test if he is truly back to his best.
BUNDESLIGA
Alphonso Davies’ Agent Sets Up Talks With Real Madrid And Man Utd After Bayern Fallout
Real Madrid’s pursuit of Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies has been reinvigorated after a series of developments that suggest the Canadian defender’s future remains undecided. While Bayern had recently shown confidence in retaining Davies, Real Madrid has been given fresh hope of securing his signature.
Davies is unlikely to commit to any decision before January, allowing Real Madrid time to prepare an official contract offer.
According to Christian Falk via The Daily Briefing, Davies’ agent, Nedal Huoseh, was supposed to meet with Bayern officials in Munich.
However, the meeting was shifted to a virtual call, and Bayern’s Director of Football, Max Eberl, did not attend, reportedly frustrating Huoseh. This isn’t the first instance of strained relations between Bayern and Davies’ representative.
The next set of negotiations is now expected to happen in January. Although Bayern remains hopeful that Davies will sign a contract extension, Huoseh has scheduled meetings with both Manchester United and Real Madrid to review their offers.
Real Madrid’s current proposal is similar to Bayern’s, which could give Manchester United an edge if they table a significantly better offer. Despite Bayern’s push for a swift resolution, it appears the situation will extend into the new year.
EPL
OFFICIAL: Mohamed Salah Is The EPL Player Of The Month For November
Mo Salah has been named the Premier League Player of the Month for November, solidifying his status as one of the league’s top performers.
The Liverpool star outshone rivals Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Ryan Gravenberch, Martin Ødegaard, João Pedro, Bukayo Saka, and Yoane Wissa to clinch the award.
In November, Salah played a crucial role in Liverpool’s success, contributing to five of the team’s seven goals through either scoring or assisting.
His contributions helped the Reds secure victories in all three matches, keeping them at the top of the Premier League table.
This marks the sixth time in his career that Salah has claimed the Player of the Month honor.
He now stands alongside football icons Steven Gerrard and Cristiano Ronaldo in the all-time rankings. Salah is just one award away from matching the joint record of seven, currently held by Harry Kane and Sergio Agüero.
EPL
William Saliba Delivers Huge Arsenal Boost With Clear Message On His Future
William Saliba has significantly boosted Arsenal by committing his future to the club. The French defender has been pivotal to Mikel Arteta’s squad since cementing his place in the starting lineup during the 2022-23 season.
At just 23 years old, Saliba has already surpassed 100 appearances for the Gunners and has featured in 13 Premier League matches this season as Arsenal chase the title.
His standout performances have reportedly attracted interest from Real Madrid, with the Spanish giants identifying him as a key transfer target.
Despite the speculation, Saliba, who is under contract until 2027, made it clear that he feels “at home” at Arsenal and has no intention of leaving.
When asked about his future, he told The Mirror: “Yeah, of course, I feel at home. I signed for the club five years ago, but this is only my third season, and I’m enjoying everything — the players, the staff, and the fans. I feel at home, so of course, why not?”
Saliba’s consistent form has earned him a spot in the PFA Team of the Year for the past two seasons.
His defensive contributions have been crucial to Arsenal’s success, helping the team maintain the second-best defensive record in the league with just 14 goals conceded in 14 games. Only league leaders Liverpool have a better record, with 11 goals conceded.
Even though Arsenal trail Liverpool by seven points, Saliba remains confident that the gap can be closed. “Everything is possible,” he said. “The season is very long, and we’ve experienced that in the past two years. We just have to focus on ourselves. It’s still only December, so a lot of things can happen.”
Saliba was instrumental in Arsenal’s recent 2-0 win over Manchester United, scoring a crucial second goal that helped narrow the gap to Liverpool.
The Gunners now aim to build on that momentum when they face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday, seeking to avenge last season’s defeat at the same venue.
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