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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag might just be enjoying the 2022 World Cup in Qatar more than most, with a whole host of Red Devils playing pivotal roles for their national sides.

Casemiro has been a defensive rock for Brazil during their first two matches of the tournament, also clinching a late winner in the recent victory over Switzerland, whilst Bruno Fernandes has rekindled his sublime clinical prowess and scored two goals and assists apiece for Portugal. 

But it is Rashford who has stolen the limelight at present; in fine fettle throughout the tournament, the 25-year-old scored against Iran from the bench in the goal-laden opener and provided a promising cameo in the lacklustre draw against the USA, striking the target in his 12 minutes on the pitch. 

However, it was against local rivals Wales in the conclusive group fixture where the wily winger really shone through; as per Sofascore, Rashford recorded a match rating of 8.4, scoring twice as England secured top spot with a convincing 3-0 win and condemned their opposition to an early exit.

His first goal, a magnificent free-kick from the left, was met with thunderous applause at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, looping over the defence and evading the efforts of Danny Ward in the Welsh goal. 

His second, England’s third, came 18 minutes later after a deft piece of skill opened up a small pocket of space for Rashford to drill in a low, driven effort, which Ward should have parried.  

Sticking to the Welsh defence like glue, the Man United phenom recorded a match-best of four shots on target, completed three out of five attempted dribbles and won four of his seven ground duels in an all-encompassing performance for the Three Lions. 

And the 49-cap international now stands as the joint top goalscorer at the World Cup, having netted three times. 

The forward is continuing his stellar form at club level this term after suffering a severe lapse in goal return and performance for United last season, finding the net just five times across 32 appearances. 

With his spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad actually jeopardised by his dwindling presence on the pitch, the £200k-per-week maestro needed to return with emphasis to dispel the polarising views on his national inclusion. 

Having scored eight goals and provided three assists in 19 club appearances this season, Rashford, labelled “outstanding” by Jacob Tanswell, is indeed returning to form of the richest vein, a spark bright and blinding in its intensity, his offensive arsenal will prove the difference, as it has already, and he will continue to have a decisive say in England’s success in Qatar. 

And when the tournament draws to a close, Rashford will be certain that the faith boss Ten Hag holds in him will have only strengthened, with his contribution to the squad set to be key as they look to win silverware and return to the Champions League.

West Ham United could list many issues that currently plague the club as factors in their disappointing season, which has left them loitering just one point above the relegation zone.

Before the enforced World Cup break, they were enduring a run of three straight Premier League defeats where they managed just one goal across them.

Whether that leaves this six-week hiatus from domestic football as a positive or a negative is David Moyes’ decision, however it is clear that a solution must be found to rectify their league position.

That could come in the form of January reinforcements, with one, in particular, looking to offer more time to their £35.5m summer signing.

Whilst Gianluca Scamacca has only scored twice in English football, the Scottish manager could turn to the MLS to snatch a rising star from under the noses of some Premier League powerhouses.

It was reported just last week that the Hammers, alongside Everton, had entered the race to sign Jhon Duran from Chicago Fire.

This was a race that already consisted of Manchester United and Liverpool, however.

What will give the Irons hope is the reported advice for the 18-year-old to join a ‘smaller club’ rather than become a small fish in a big pond, and with writer Bence Bocsak labelling him “one to watch”, it would be a shame for him to get lost in a squad where he has no standing.

In what has been his debut season in America, the Columbian youngster boasts an impressive eight goals and five assists.

This comes off the back of some fine performances in his homeland, where he had scored eight again and assisted three the season prior.

Clearly boasting incredible talent and physicality that allows him to compete far above his age, it is no surprise to see American football expert Tom Bogert label him a “wonderkid” in a tweet that also denoted expected offers of €10m (£8.5m).

Although their Italian frontman has a huge ceiling, outlined in last season’s 16-goal campaign, given his youth and the fee attached to his overseas move it is never easy to acclimatise.

That could allow Duran to step in and offer cover for the 23-year-old, relieving the burden somewhat. Then, should he take to the Premier League with more success, he could even force Scamacca to try and displace him from a starting spot.

Newcastle United have been heavily linked with a move for Borussia Monchengladbach striker, Marcus Thuram, in recent weeks, with the Magpies having now seemingly learned what it would take to prise the Frenchman from Germany.

What’s the word?

According to Italian outlet Gazzetta, the Bundesliga side are set to demand a fee in the region of €10m (£8.6m) if they are to part ways in January, with the 25-year-old – who is the son of World Cup winner Lilian Thuram – having just six months remaining on his existing deal.

Although not named in the report – which details interest from Inter Milan – the Tynesiders have previously been named as one of the suitors for the 6 foot 4 colossus of late, with The Sun recently stating that Eddie Howe’s side are eyeing a possible swoop in the New Year.

The St James’ Park outfit seemingly won’t be alone in the bid to sign the former Guingamp sensation, however, with Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Liverpool having all been linked with his signature, as well as Bavarian giants, Bayern Munich.

‘World-class’ signing

The imposing marksman has warranted that clamour not just due to his expiring contract, with the seven-cap menace having been in particularly clinical form in front of goal so far this term, having scored 13 goals and chipped in with four assists in just 17 games in all competitions this season – taking his total Gladbach tally to 41 goals in 119 games.

That includes a tally of ten goals in just 15 games in the German top-flight – a record only bettered by compatriot Christopher Nkunku (12) at RB Leipzig – with Thuram having thrived after taking on a more central role in the early months of the current campaign.

Also capable of playing on the left flank, the Parma-born marksman is not just a mere goalscorer as he also ranks in the top 7% in Europe among those in his position for dribbles completed, while also showcasing his defensive acumen after ranking in the top 8% for interceptions made.

That all-round quality saw the £53k-per-week gem included in Les Bleus World Cup squad for Qatar, with the explosive forward having since gone on to make three substitute appearances in the competition so far, registering one assist in that time.

A player seemingly on the rise, Thuram would no doubt help to bolster Howe’s attacking ranks heading into the second half of the campaign, having notably been dubbed a “world-class striker” by Wolfsburg sporting director Marcel Schafer.

That glowing assessment has also been echoed by former teammate Denis Zakaria, who stated that “what he brings to the pitch is phenomenal”, with there likely to be notable excitement among Newcastle supporters if a deal can be agreed.

To be able to secure the services of such a world-class talent for a relative bargain fee is a hugely attractive prospect for the northeast side, with the race now on to see just who can win the race amid the hefty rival interest.

Rumoured Leeds United transfer target Boulaye Dia is someone who could excel in the Premier League, according to reliable journalist Ed Aarons.

The Lowdown: Dia linked with Leeds move

In recent times, the 26-year-old has been linked with a move to the Whites, having scored once in four appearances for Senegal at the 2022 World Cup.

Dia is currently plying his trade on loan at Salernitana on loan from Villarreal, where he is in form, netting six times in just 10 Serie A starts so far this season.

A move to England now feels likely, however, and Leeds will certainly be hopeful – with La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness) recently claiming Jesse Marsch’s side are in the running to sign him.

The Latest: Attacker backed to excel in PL

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Aarons, reacting to Leeds’ recent contention for the player, claimed that Dia could take to English football like a duck to water – further adding credence to the idea of him moving to Elland Road:

“He’s on loan in Serie A this season with Salernitana from Villarreal.

“And he made a bit of an impression in Spain last year as well, but I think he’s the sort of player that could do well in the Premier League. He’s 26 now, perhaps it’s time for him to make the move.”

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The Verdict: Exactly what Whites need

Dia has been predominantly used as a centre forward this season and that is an area where Leeds have looked weak, with Patrick Bamford struggling with injuries and Joe Gelhardt still a raw footballer.

The Senegalese could be a brilliant signing to add quality and depth in attack for the Whites, with Sadio Mane once saying he was ‘really impressed’ by his compatriot.

It’s also very worth noting that the former Ligue 1 star has broken records at club level, becoming former side Reims’ record top flight goalscorer this century back in 2020.

Dia’s record of 24 goals in 78 games in France in the past shows he can do it in a top European league, and if Leeds could beat others to his signature, it would feel like a coup.

Liverpool have suffered a concerning start to their Premier League season not only on the pitch but off it too, with several changes ahead for the Merseysiders.

Not only have the Reds fallen into sixth in the table, but it has been revealed that FSG are plotting to sell the club as soon as they can find the right buyer, while sporting director Julian Ward has resigned from his role at Anfield after just six months.

As a result, Jurgen Klopp could be about to experience a huge transition period during his remaining managerial tenure on Merseyside, and although the upheaval will be concerning, there is an opportunity for a fresh start to take place.

Liverpool’s successful squad which was built by the German alongside his reliable recruitment team have started to take on new paths at other clubs or are coming to the latter stages of their careers, with many key players now into their 30s.

Virgil van Dijk, Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara, James Milner and Joel Matip are all 30 or over, and with several contracts expiring in the summer, it’s the perfect time for Klopp to start thinking about the next generation of success.

Indeed, there will be opportunities to strengthen the squad in the upcoming transfer windows, with Enzo Fernandez and Jude Bellingham two players Liverpool are pushing to sign, although they could already have some of their stars in the future in the youth setup.

One player who penned his first professional contract for Liverpool on Thursday was Michael Laffey, a young midfielder who could be part of the future in the middle of the park.

The Merseyside-born midfielder has risen through the ranks of the youth setup to become a key player in the U18s, with Liverpool’s official website claiming that the youngster earned his new contract due to his ‘good passing range’ and ‘impressive awareness’.

Laffey earned high praise from a Liverpool legend upon securing his future at the club, with Jamie Carragher hailing the player as a “great prospect” on Twitter.

The talented 17-year-old has been polishing his trade in Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s side since earning his U18 debut last season, tallying 12 appearances and registering three assists so far.

It has been claimed by Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth that Liverpool could part ways with Naby Keita in the New Year, which would be the perfect opportunity for Laffey to capture the attention of Klopp by taking his opportunities to impress when they eventually arise.

The future is looking very bright for Laffey, and if he can continue to flourish in the U18s, it will surely be no time at all before he is given the chance to prove himself in the first team.

Tottenham Hotspur finally returned to Premier League action on Monday afternoon, however, despite Antonio Conte having over a month to work with a large portion of his first-team squad during the Qatar World Cup, the club’s defensive issues from before the break were still very much evident in the 2-2 draw with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Indeed, Vitaly Janelt’s 15th-minute strike to put the hosts 1-0 up ensured that Spurs have now fallen behind in nine consecutive games across all competitions, before Ivan Toney doubled the Bees’ advantage shortly after half-time.

And, while goals from Harry Kane and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg did seal a point for the top four hopefuls, Conte will nevertheless be furious that his side once again started a fixture so slowly – with Yves Bissouma, Matt Doherty and Eric Dier all having something of a game to forget in west London.

However, while the aforementioned trio were all well below par on Monday afternoon, it was undoubtedly the performance of Japhet Tanganga that will have most disappointed the 53-year-old Italian, as the centre-back well and truly failed what could easily be his last “big chance” to impress in a Tottenham shirt against Brentford.

Indeed, over his 67 minutes on the pitch, the £8m-rated defender was largely bullied by Toney in the Spurs backline, with the 23-year-old winning just four of his nine duels – a failure rate of 56% – up against the Bees striker, with The Sun journalist Tom Barclay stating his belief that the 26-year-old was “proving difficult for Tanganga to handle” in a post on Twitter.

The £25k-per-week talent also committed three fouls – one of which was for “rugby tackling Toney” – lost possession of the ball on six separate occasions and failed to make a single interception, with these returns seeing the player who journalist Rory Robinson claimed plays like a “construction worker” earn an extremely disappointing Sofascore match rating of just 6.50.

Alasdair Gold also awarded the centre-back a match rating of just four in his own player ratings for football.london, as well as writing of the former England U21 international’s display: “His first start of the season and he was up against one of the toughest challenges in the Premier League right now in Ivan Toney and it showed as the Brentford man ran him ragged throughout.”

As such, with Tanganga being linked with a move away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium already next month, his performance on Monday afternoon will have done little to convince Conte that he is a defender who should be kept on in north London beyond the end of January, as the 23-year-old well and truly failed his big chance against Brentford.

Newcastle United appear to have found themselves in a battle to land Shakhtar Donetsk sensation, Mykhaylo Mudryk, with the Ukrainian international also believed to be attracting interest from Premier League rivals Arsenal.

The latest suggestion is that the Gunners have made a bid for the 21-year-old ahead of the January transfer window, although it would appear that offer has fallen short of the player’s reported £85m price tag.

That may well have left the door open for the Magpies to pounce and get ahead in the race for the youngster’s signature, with reports last week having claimed that the northeast side are ready to go toe-to-toe with the north Londoners, after PIF gave the ‘green light’ to spend next month.

The hope will be that sporting director Dan Ashworth can use his powers of persuasion to get a deal over the line, with the high-flying outfit seemingly seeking that extra sprinkling of quality to further bolster their hopes of securing Champions League qualification.

The addition of the young Mudryk could well help to take Eddie Howe’s side to “another level” – according to pundit Tam McManus – with the fleet-footed sensation seemingly the “calibre of player Newcastle should be going for.”

The wing wizard has sparkled for his current club to date both domestically and in Europe, with the “unreal” talent – as lauded by journalist Jack Collins – having scored ten goals and registered eight assists in just 18 games across all fronts this term.

That impressive tally includes a tally of five goal contributions from his six Champions League group stage outings, with the highly-coveted “baller” – as described by journalist Sacha Pisani – appearing to thrive on the big occasion.

Such clinical and devastating form has ensured that the emerging talent now boasts an overall tally of 12 goals and 17 assists in just 44 games in all competitions for his current side, having enjoyed a fine entrance to life at senior level.

The explosive asset has also notably been lauded by The Athletic’s Nick Miller, with the respected journalist writing earlier this week that: ‘At this stage of his career, he’s still a little unrefined but is essentially an agent of chaos, raw and incredibly talented, someone you can drop in the middle of most defences and cause panic.’

That glowing assessment will likely have set pulses racing at St James’ Park, with Newcastle supporters likely to love the chance to see such a direct and dynamic figure pull on the black and white jersey in the near future.

The indications are that should Ashworth manage to secure an agreement sooner rather than later it could well only help in the quest for a top-four finish, with Mudryk potentially set to allow Howe and co to kick on even further.

Leeds United could be set to strengthen their squad at Elland Road during the January transfer window and now a reliable source has given an update on the club’s opportunity to sign a potential target this month.

What’s the latest?

According to journalist Pete O’Rourke, Southampton striker Che Adams would be open to a move to Leeds if they were to pursue their interest in the player.

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “Obviously nobody wants to be involved in a relegation fight, and I’m sure if an offer did come in it’s something that Che Adams would seriously consider.

“Again, if he did move clubs he’d probably be on a more lucrative contract as well, so that will come into his thinking.”

A crucial signing

If Jesse Marsch is serious about strengthening his forward line at Elland Road ahead of the second half of the season, Adams could be a big coup for Victor Orta when acquiring the services of a player who can make a difference in the team.

The Whites are currently 14th in the Premier League table after picking up an important point from their clash with Newcastle United which has put them three points clear of the relegation zone, however, there is still a long way to go with 22 league fixtures left to be played in 2023.

Patrick Bamford has suffered numerous injury problems over the last 18 months and with Joe Geldhart clearly not trusted yet to be a starting player for Marsch, it has left Rodrigo occupying the centre-forward role out of his strongest position.

As a result, the signing of Adams could give the Leeds boss some crucial depth as they endeavour to avoid another relegation battle and earn a more comfortable position in the Premier League over the second half of the season.

Over 16 appearances so far this season, the £15m Saints signing – who was hailed “clever” by Ally McCoist – has scored four goals, registered one assist and successfully completed 50% dribbles, as well as averaging 1.1 key passes, 2.1 shots on goal, one clearance and 4.6 duels won per game.

With that being said, it will be interesting to see if the powers at Elland Road sanction a move for a forward over the transfer window or whether they will expect Marsch to rely on the fitness of Bamford and Rodrigo’s form in front of goal. Either way, a new centre-forward is simply a crucial signing.

Aston Villa are placing the blocks to solidify the club’s position in the Premier League since the appointment of distinguished head coach Unai Emery in October, and are now scouring the market for top-class talent to deploy into the fold and rally for European endeavours under their manager’s tutelage.

And despite the marked improvement over the five league fixtures with Emery in charge – three wins, one draw, and one defeat – there are still floating question marks around several departments of the field.

Recently speaking on talkSPORT, England legend Stuart Pearce proclaimed that Manchester United’s Harry Maguire needs to consider departing the Theatre of Dreams in search of pastures new, with manager Erik ten Hag seemingly designating him a utility role within his system.

Pearce said: “If I was West Ham, if I was Newcastle, if I was Aston Villa, I’d be all over trying to get Harry Maguire out of there.

“I’d be asking the question whether he’s available. He’d be a brilliant addition to a football club. He’s the right age, the right stature, right experience.

“He might just need another challenge now as he’s not getting regular football.”

Next Mellberg…

Signing for the Red Devils in a world-record £80m move, Maguire has had a tumultuous journey at Old Trafford, often the scapegoat for the club’s lacklustre performances and ushered out of the starting spotlight by Ten Hag, starting only three league matches this term.

Despite this, the 29-year-old’s exploits for England at the 2022 World Cup are evidence enough that the colossus can make a notable mark at any team he plays for, with Sofascore recording his average rating at an excellent 7.34, integral in the structure and flow of his nation’s efforts.

Should Villa instigate a transfer, he could emulate the feats of beloved Villan Olof Mellberg, who signed for the Midlands outfit in a £5m move from Racing Santander in 2001.

Supporters of Aston Villa will always hold a warm place in their hearts for Mellberg, their Scandinavian sensation at the back that played a pivotal role in establishing the outfit as a top competitor in the Premier League two decades ago; he made 263 appearances and was pivotal in securing a sixth-placed finish in the 2003/04 campaign.

Like Maguire, the defensive stalwart was very much an aggressive centre-half, one that used his immense physicality to brush attackers to one side. A sensation in the air, the Swede won three aerial duels per game in the latter stages of his career, with there certainly plenty of parallels to be drawn with the United centre-half who has won 3.3 aerial battles per match in his career.

The £190k-per-week Maguire knows a thing or two about playing for a high-level outfit, and could be the shining light in the club’s pursuit of European endeavours once again, acting as a leader and no-nonsense defender to pave the way to green pastures, much like Mellberg.

Ex-teammate Paul Pogba once joked that he called Maguire “the beast”, in a favourable remark to his imposing demeanour on the pitch and physicality; he must bring these attributes to Aston Villa, it is a match made in heaven for both player and club.

Manchester City are reportedly keen on signing Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka this year, and Txiki Begiristain could be about to pull off an ambitious swap deal with the Gunners.

What’s the word?

In a recent interview with GIVEMESPORT, transfer insider Dean Jones gave his lowdown on the Premier League champions’ interest in Saka, suggesting that Jack Grealish could even head in the opposite direction as a part of any potential deal.

Jones said: “Grealish is working hard to make sure this £100million City move works out – but it’s worth being aware that the club have a constant eye out for ways to keep evolving.

“Rafael Leao is a player they like but so too is Bukayo Saka. Neither are attainable in this moment but that may change later in the year, depending on contract talks.

“One idea being mooted is that Grealish could even end up going in the opposite direction to either of those players.”

Saka’s contract at the Emirates Stadium is set to expire at the end of next season, and unless Mikel Arteta can tie him down to a new deal before then, it is possible that the Gunners could be forced to cash in on one of their star players this year.

Txiki’s best deal yet?

There is no doubt that Grealish is yet to consistently show that he has been worth his transfer fee of £100m in a City shirt, boasting just seven goals and seven assists in 59 appearances for the club.

Meanwhile, Saka has contributed seven goals and six assists this season alone, with WhoScored awarding him a superb 7.37 rating for his performances in the Premier League.

Still just 21, the Arsenal academy graduate possesses a huge amount of experience at the top level, having starred for the Three Lions at the European Championship and World Cup in recent years and making almost 180 senior appearances between club and country.

It is a testament to his mental strength that he has gotten better after missing the crucial penalty in the Euro 2020 final defeat against Italy 18 months ago, with Arteta full of praise for the Englishman after his excellent start to the 2021/22 campaign following that miss.

The Arsenal boss said of Saka: “That was a big boost for him, to realise: ‘in difficult moments, these people are really going to give me support’ and the club did the same as his team-mates. Then it is about giving him that space. At his age what he is doing is phenomenal.”

Begiristain has completed some memorable transfers during his spell at Manchester City, with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland and Ruben Dias all joining for what proved to be bargain deals. However, the prospect of swapping an expensive 27-year-old flop in Grealish for one of the world’s best young talents in Saka would surely be his best deal yet in Manchester.

If the Arsenal and England winger could continue his fine form with a move to Guardiola’s side, then he could easily be a mainstay for the next decade. Also, Grealish’s underwhelming start to life at the Etihad Stadium, as well as the fact that he is six years older than Saka, suggests that this would be an incredible swap deal for the Citizens to complete if they pull it off.