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Ajax manager Erik ten Tag looks increasingly likely to snub the vacant role at Manchester United, according to a fresh report.

The Lowdown: Ten Hag linked with United job

Following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal over the weekend, United are working on finding a replacement, whether it be an interim boss or someone to come in permanently straight away.

Several names have been linked with taking the job and Ten Hag is one of those, having enjoyed great success in charge of Ajax. The 51-year-old came within seconds of guiding the Dutch giants to the 2019 Champions League final and he has also won two Eredivisie titles.

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The Latest: New update emerges

A fresh update has now emerged regarding Ten Hag’s future, with De Telegraaf claiming [via Sport Witness] that the United job has become a ‘coaches graveyard’ and that the Ajax boss could even turn down ‘triple’ his current wages from the Red Devils in order to stay put in Amsterdam.

It is mentioned that Ten Hag could leave his current club at the end of the season, though, and a switch to Old Trafford isn’t completely ruled out.

The Verdict: Better option than Pochettino?

It appears as though Ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino are the current front-runners to take the United job, but both have positives and negatives.

The former has proven that he can win league titles – something the latter hasn’t done yet in his managerial career – but he has achieved that in a weaker league and with the biggest club in the country.

Ten Hag isn’t proven in the Premier League, whereas Pochettino is, so bringing in the Dutchman could have an element of risk behind it despite the excellent job he is doing at Ajax.

There is no guarantee that he would hit the ground running and get this current United squad playing his high-pressing style, so it is easy to envisage Pochettino being a safer choice. Also, with Ten Hag reportedly set to reject a lucrative offer to take the Old Trafford reins, and potentially seeing someone else appointed in the meantime, that may suggest he isn’t hugely desperate for the job anyway.

In other news, some United fans are fuming about one managerial rumour. Read more here.

Plenty of Aston Villa fans criticised Emiliano Buendia on Wednesday night for his performance against Manchester City.

The 24-year-old was left out of Steven Gerrard’s starting line-up against Crystal Palace last weekend but came back in on Wednesday for his ninth Premier League start.

The Argentine, who is the club’s most expensive signing of all time, played the entire 90 minutes at Villa Park as Pep Guardiola’s side ran out 2-1 winners. Ollie Watkins pulled a goal back for the hosts just after half-time, but Gerrard’s men couldn’t grab a second and suffered a first defeat under their new manager.

Buendia struggled for the majority of the night under the lights in the Midlands, ending with a SofaScore match rating of 6.9/10. The 24-year-old lost 80% of his duels and failed to attempt a cross or have a shot on target, while also losing possession on six occasions.

Villa fans react

Here is what these Villa fans had to say about the winger on Twitter during the game, with one labelling him as ‘absolutely atrocious’.

“I’m sorry but Buendia needs to go. Terrible, so lightweight. Not what we need”

Credit: @SJ_AV81

“Buendia is terrible. Change my mind ”

Credit: @InaneGeek

“Douglas Luiz & Buendia have been absolutely atrocious”

Credit: @JBaker_24

“Honestly Buendia I am not rating right now. Can’t pick a pass, giving the ball away. Then we concede”

Credit: @jack_1992

“Buendia is shocking”

Credit: @LucAvfc

“Buendia is a passenger”

Credit: @timhazelwood2

In other news: Lange now weighing Aston Villa bid to sign top class £30m+ man as agents work behind-the-scenes. 

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been buzzing over some news which has emerged regarding their Academy team.

As per the club’s official website, the under-19s are now through to the next round of the UEFA Youth League after beating Septemvri Sofia 3-0 at home in the second leg of their tie, completing a 7-2 victory on aggregate.

Alex Lowry, Tony Weston and Cole McKinnon all got themselves on the scoresheet on a triumphant night for the young Gers, who will discover their next opponents when the play-off draw takes place on 14 December.

These are exciting times for the Academy and some of the players certainly seem to have a bright future ahead of them, as Giovanni van Bronckhorst might now look to see who he can promote to the first team.

Rangers fans on Academy win

These Light Blues supporters buzzed as the result was shared on Twitter, with one Rangers fan claiming that it was ‘brilliant’ from the youngsters:

“Superb from the young team, the future is very bright with this side”

Credit: @Cammy26_2

“Brilliant result”

Credit: @harricrowe

“Amazing! Well done lads.”

Credit: @DollHughes22

“Fantastic”

Credit: @Giovani2021Ward

“Boys played well tonight, young McKinnon’s goal was outstanding”

Credit: @daviekane90

“Yaaaaaaaaaaaaas lads!”

Credit: @Passenger__57

In other news, a worrying claim has been made on this ‘top class’ Gers player

Lots of Everton fans have been lauding a transfer link to former Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum.

As per a report from earlier in the week by 90min, which has since been shared by EFC Daily on their Twitter feed, Rafael Benitez is now ready to battle his former club Newcastle United to sign the Paris Saint-Germain player, of whom he is a ‘big fan’.

Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Leicester City and Aston Villa are other Premier League clubs believed to be interested in signing Wijnaldum in the January transfer window, should he be made available by the Ligue 1 leaders.

Even though he is a former Liverpool player, the Netherlands international would likely improve Benitez’s team given his pedigree in the game, having won both the Premier League and Champions League with the Reds and earned 85 caps for his country.

He has shown that he is more than capable of adding goals and assists from midfield in the English top flight, with 43 such contributions in 217 games in the division (Transfermarkt), and he could be a very shrewd addition at Goodison Park.

Everton fans on Wijnaldum transfer news

These Everton supporters lauded the transfer news as it was shared on Twitter, with one of them hailing the Dutchman as a “proper player”:

“DU DU DU DU DU DU GINI WIJNALDUM”

Credit: @EFC_Martin1

“He would be perfect for Everton tbh. A shame he played for Big Red but his legs and energy with Doucoure would be class”

Credit: @gregofallgregs

“Who knows, I think he would be a good signing if the interest is genuine”

Credit: @AidyDews

“He’s quality mate, it’s a no-brainer on loan”

Credit: @Richlloyd1984

“Finally, a proper player to add to the team”

Credit: @chefmainia

“Job for the boys”

Credit: @askEvertonian08

In other news, find out which official club post has left these Toffees fans buzzing

A number of Manchester United supporters have called for Dean Henderson to leave the club after an update by journalist Fabrizio Romano.

David De Gea has made a welcome return to top form for United this season, arguably reaching the level he was at before his loss of form.

One player who that hasn’t benefited is Henderson, however, with the England international very much playing second fiddle between the sticks.

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The 24-year-old hasn’t played a single minute of Premier League action this season and it could be that a move away from United makes sense for all parties.

According to Romano on Twitter, Henderson is indeed willing to leave Old Trafford in the January transfer window, although a summer exit is also mentioned as a possibility.

Man United fans want Henderson to leave

These United fans took to Twitter to react to the rumour, saying it makes sense for the goalkeeper to find a new club, with one supporter even going as far as to call the former Sheffield United loanee ‘Ole’s deadwood’…

“Should leave, not good enough for Manchester United level but too good to be wasted on the bench. Should be a starter somewhere he is talented, best for both parties”

Credit: @LogicalRaj7

“Should go, if he stays he will be just wasting his time…”

Credit: @RedDevil618711

“Good! Clear out Ole’s deadwoods”

Credit: @gboftiii

“He should go with his disrespectful cult”

Credit: @J_E_S_S_E_Jay

“Great news!”

Credit: @Gerry_Deakin

“He’s so bad that there are no offers for him?”

Credit: @_vwake

In other news, some United fans are buzzing after an update regarding one Premier League player. Find out who it is here.

Celtic have been linked with a January move for Hibernian defender Josh Doig, according to The Sun.

The Lowdown: Doig profiled

Labelled as ‘phenomenal’ by former Queen’s Park boss Ray McKinnon, Doig is 19 years of age and is primarily a left-back who can also line out at centre-back or on the left of midfield.

The Scotland under-21 international has been with Hibs since July 2020 and has made 55 appearances for the club, 19 of which have come this season.

Celtic were linked with a move for Doig towards the end of the January window earlier this year, and it now seems as if Ange Postecoglou has his eye on the youngster.

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The Latest: Links resurface

Reliable reporter Alan Nixon shared a story on Sunday afternoon regarding the Hoops’ interest in Barnsley’s Callum Styles.

Nixon then added that ‘another’ left-back who has been linked with a move to Parkhead is Doig.

The Verdict: Doig or Styles?

It appears as if Celtic may well be bringing three Japanese players to Parkhead in the New Year in Reo Hatate, Yosuke Ideguchi and Daizen Maeda, so it could be a case of one or the other when it comes to Doig and Styles.

The pair are at the beginning of their careers and they would both offer versatility to Postecoglou. Styles can play on the left or in two different central midfield roles, whereas Doig would give the Hoops manager another centre-back option.

Doig and Styles have also attracted interest from Premier League clubs in 2021, so you could argue that both could be shrewd signings by Celtic as Postecoglou continues his Parkhead rebuild.

In other news: Nicholson makes Celtic move on the day of Hampden Park final to sign speedster with ‘great feet’

Everton have a number of ageing players in their squad, which has an average age of 28.1, and Rafael Benitez will likely be looking to add new players in the transfer window to build for the future.

There is one player who has been heavily linked with the Toffees who could solve a substantial issue for the manager.

What’s the word?

Rangers youngster Nathan Patterson continues to be linked with a move to Everton, and now former Ibrox defender Alan Hutton has weighed in on the potential signing for the Toffees, telling Football Insider: “We’re talking £10million-plus. He’s not playing, it doesn’t look like Tavernier is going to go anywhere anytime soon.

“I think you’re looking at probably £10million plus add-ons. I know he’s not held down a regular place in the Rangers team but we’ve seen, given the opportunity, he can play at a high level.

“He’s played in European competitions, he’s an international player. Obviously, what he can become in the future, the talent is there for everybody to see.”

The 20-year-old has made 11 appearances for Rangers so far this season across all competitions and has featured in the Scotland national team, scoring his first goal for his country in November against Moldova. He also set up Che Adam’s second goal in the 2-0 win which clinched a place in the World Cup play-offs.

Scotland team-mate Adams showered the defender with praise after the game against Moldova, saying: “Nathan’s an amazing player and a great guy off the pitch so I’m delighted for him.

“He’s a good young prospect coming through for the nation and hopefully he can continue and keep adding goals as well.”

Benitez could solve big issue with Patterson

Everton captain Seamus Coleman is now 33 and will be out of contract in 18 months’ time, so Benitez will be looking for a reliable and consistent right-back who can come into the fold at Goodison Park and take over from the £3.15m-rated Irishman, who has 363 appearances over 13 seasons, with the manager likely to begin phasing the defender out of the starting line-up in the near future.

If Patterson does join in January he would have the perfect opportunity to work with a hugely experienced right-back in Coleman, which could be highly beneficial to his development in succeeding the 33-year-old when he ends his lengthy Merseyside stay.

Signing Patterson would be great for both him and Everton, allowing Benitez to implement a freshness to a crucial area of the pitch, and to replace someone in Coleman who is perhaps turning into a liability given his defensive lapses of late.

In other news: Mykolenko could earn this dizzying sum if he signs

Arsenal remain interested in Bruno Guimaraes but they may have to wait until the summer to sign him…

What’s the word?

Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano delivered a series of updates over the Gunners’ interest in the Lyon midfielder over the weekend. He first claimed that the north Londoners had been “following him since long time” before later adding:

“Arsenal are working to sign a new midfielder. Bruno Guimarães appreciated but currently not discussed as January target – deal too complicated, €45m fee.”

Goal linked Arsenal with a move for the Brazil international back in July, also suggesting that they tried to sign him in January 2020, so clearly, he’s a long-term target for Mikel Arteta and co.

Sign him up

A number of circumstances this month have seen Arsenal’s priorities change in the transfer market.

Both Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny are unavailable for selection due to their involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations, whilst the club have sanctioned the exit of Ainsley Maitland-Niles to AS Roma.

It makes Arteta very light on midfield options, leaving him with only livewire Granit Xhaka and Albert Sambi Lokonga for the two deeper roles in the engine room.

Therefore, it would be wise to consider Guimaraes now, rather than waiting for the end of the season.

The £27m-rated midfielder has excelled for Lyon in recent seasons, and last term he rated out as one of their most consistent performers – as per WhoScored, he averaged 2.3 tackles per game and an impressive 90.5% passing accuracy, earning a seasonal rating of 6.81.

His form has gone up a notch this season as he rates out as the French outfit’s second-best performer, averaging a WhoScored rating of 7.04.

The 24-year-old enforcer, who stands at 6-foot, has a similar playing style to that of Wolves’ Ruben Neves and former Gunners target Manuel Locatelli.

Meanwhile, football talent scout Jacek Kulig believes the Brazilian is an “elite talent” with “world-class potential”, so it’s no wonder Arsenal have been keen on him for quite some time.

On the above evidence, he would be a fine addition to the squad and one that Arteta badly needs this month. Edu Gaspar must make a U-turn and consider making his move, sooner rather than later.

AND in other news, Arteta could finally axe Arsenal’s £110k-p/w flop by signing £16.2m-rated “big talent”…

Newcastle United are reportedly now the ‘most interested’ in signing Seko Fofana in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Standout season

Fofana is having a standout season in Ligue 1, starting off by winning their Player of the Month Award (POTM) in September.

He ranks as one of the best central midfield players in the division to have made 10 or appearances this season, and the second-best player at Lens, scoring five goals and averaging the most shots and dribbles per game out of his teammates (WhoScored).

Described as the ‘heartbeat’ of the team by journalist Josh Bunting, it is not a surprise at all to see the St. James’ Park faithful now linked with a move for Fofana this month.

The Latest: Newcastle ‘most interested’

As per Foot Mercato journalist and transfer expert Santi Aouna, the North East club are now the ‘most interested’ in signing Fofana, but there is also ‘real interest’ from both Leeds United and Burnley for his signature.

However, Lens have not received any offers for the Ivory Coast international as of yet.

The Verdict: Sign him up

With Fofana thriving in Ligue 1, he is surely ready to make the step up to the Premier League.

Dubbed a ‘phenom’ by journalist Zach Lowy after a dominating performance against PSG’s midfield last month, the six-foot-one star would really freshen things up in the middle of the park for Eddie Howe’s team, and at 26 years of age, he has likely not yet hit his prime.

Nonetheless, if there is a deal that can be done within the next few weeks, especially with the competition that they face, surely it is a no-brainer to bring him to Tyneside.

In other news, find out who Howe is now ‘pushing’ to sign here!

Loads of Everton fans have been left fuming over an official post that has emerged from the Goodison Park faithful on Lucas Digne.

The Toffees have now released a statement confirming his sale to Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee, but it did seem very underwhelming, with only three lines of a goodbye message and with no comments from Digne himself or those inside the Merseyside club.

The left-back made a total of 127 appearances for the Blues over the course of the last four seasons, scoring six goals and making a further 20 assists (Transfermarkt), and was a loyal servant over the years.

Thus, the statement does seem strange considering his time with them, and it is no surprise to see so many EFC supporters fuming over it.

Everton fans on Digne statement

These Evertonians were left fuming as the statement on Digne’s exit was shared on Twitter, with one Toffee even going as far as to claim that it is ‘pathetic’:

“Embarrassing to be an Evertonian these days”

Credit: @Cam_Green73

“Disgusting statement to make on the departure of a player who has captained the club on multiple occasions.”

Credit: @JamieMellor81

“Pathetic, I’ll do it for you then, thanks @LucasDigne and good luck.”

Credit: @NikolasHeyes

“No word of thanks, @Everton? Very disappointing.”

Credit: @dtaylor334

“That’s IT???!!!!…….No acknowledgment of his service??!!! You under orders, Admin?…….Poor form that, Everton. #WereBetterThanThat”

Credit: @CathyMcAlle

“Shocking statement that, The People’s Club showing it’s true colours.”

Credit: @TheEvertonEnd

In other news, find out what injury update before Norwich City has Toffees buzzing here!