Manchester United have some talented youngsters thriving in their academy who could be ready to challenge for a first team spot sooner rather than later.

The likes of Manni Norkett, Marc Jurado, Joe Hugill and Alvaro Fernandez have either shone out on loan this term or impressed in the youth age groups and Erik ten Hag will be delighted that he has a range of talent to cherry-pick over the next few years.

One youngster who has been superb during a temporary move is Amad Diallo.

The winger has been impressive for Sunderland this term, helping them reach the playoffs, and he has scored 13 times for the club, showing much of the promise which convinced United to splash out £19m for him in 2021.

Does he have a long-term future at Old Trafford, however?

Ten Hag may have plans for him next year, although there is another starlet coming through at Carrington which could disrupt Diallo’s development in Mateo Mejia.

Who is Mateo Mejia?

The former Real Zaragoza winger joined United from the Spanish second-tier side in 2019 at the tender age of 16, and he has since progressed through the age groups with swift progress.

Although not as big a goal threat compared to Diallo, his positional dexterity – having played across the front three this season – will allow Ten Hag to have multiple uses for the 20-year-old should he graduate to the first team over the next 12 months.

Four assists from 15 appearances in the Premier League 2 prove he is always creating opportunities for his teammates and this selfless nature will stand him in good stead during his career.

Broadcaster Bolarinwa Olajide even described the 20-year-old as a “wonderkid” before he arrived in Manchester, and he is certainly living up to this praise, with even greater things to come, surely.

Mejia is among a group of youngsters who are ready to make that jump to the next level and gain some first team experience.

Ten Hag signed Antony in order to operate on the right wing, and he isn’t likely to be going anywhere anytime soon, however, if the Red Devils find themselves in a fixture predicament in playing twice a week for the majority of the campaign as they have done this term, then the Dutchman will require a far bigger squad.

Instead of splashing out millions on another winger who will fight with the Brazilian over a first team berth, it makes more sense to ease the Colombian in gently and seeing what he is made off, and he could surprise a lot of people with his ability.

Liverpool could be set to keep Adrian at Anfield beyond the end of this season, with Football Insider reporting that the Reds have now begun new contract negotiations with the player.

Is Adrian staying at Liverpool?

The goalkeeper has been with the club since a transfer switch back in the 2019/20 season. Having been available as a free agent, Jurgen Klopp opted to bring the former West Ham man in as a depth option in goal and he has since gone on to make 14 Premier League appearances for the side.

Whilst never a first-team regular, he initially helped the club when called upon. He reaped the rewards of that too, claiming a Premier League winners medal in his first campaign with Liverpool. However, his appearances in the top flight have since dwindled and he has still yet to get onto the field for a single domestic league game this season, having been criticised for his Champions League mishaps against Atletico Madrid.

With his contract set to expire this summer, it looked like Adrian could therefore be sent on his way as a free agent again. Reports in recent months have expected the player to be one of the first shipped out from the expiring contracts group, even to the point where ESPN (via Teamtalk) believed he would actually leave before the rest in January. However, there has now been a rather significant twist involving the 36-year-old.

According to a report from Football Insider, Liverpool have now decided to open fresh contract talks with the shot-stopper and could keep him on beyond the summer. The club are believed to be identifying who they would like as their squad options in the goalkeeping positions and it looks as though Adrian is one of them, with the Reds wary Caoimhin Kelleher could leave in search of more regular playing time.

Who are Liverpool releasing this summer?

It did look as though the Anfield outfit may announce the goalkeeper amongst the names leaving the side when the season concludes but he appears to have a Reds future – if he puts pen-to-paper on a new contract of course. If they do hold onto him, they'll have themselves an experienced backup option despite his woes vs Atletico, with former boss Sam Allardyce calling the keeper "outstanding" back when the two worked together at West Ham.

The Reds though did announce the departure of several other players who have been key to the club over the past few seasons. The most notable exit is that of Roberto Firmino, who has played in 254 Premier League games for the side with 80 goals – and not to mention a top flight title victory too. James Milner is another to be shown the door after eight seasons with Liverpool, while Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will also leave.

Burnley are reportedly interested in signing Rangers star Ryan Kent this summer as they look to bolster their attacking options ahead of the Premier League campaign, and the former Liverpool man could be a dream replacement for Nathan Tella at Turf Moor.

Could Burnley sign Ryan Kent?

According to TEAMtalk, a number of English clubs including Leeds United, Sheffield United, Everton and Burnley are keen on signing the 26-year-old winger this summer, after he made it clear that he will be leaving Ibrox.

The skilful wide man has refused to sign a new deal with the Scottish side and will be free to depart when his contract expires at the end of June, which could make him a great pickup on a free transfer for any bottom-half Premier League side.

However, the Clarets will have to act fast if they want to sign Kent on a free transfer, with the report also suggesting that Turkish side Fenerbahce have offered him a lucrative contract, but he may be swayed by the prospect of playing in the Premier League.

Vincent Kompany may well need to recruit a new winger this summer if a deal cannot be done with Southampton for Tella, with the loanee finishing as the top scorer for Burnley last season as they won the title.

Would Kent be a good replacement for Tella?

If Southampton are keen to keep the 23-year-old, as they no doubt have aspirations of also returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking, then it could prove difficult to prise Tella away from St Mary's.

He would undoubtedly need replacing after hitting 17 goals and five assists in the second tier and in Kent, Burnley would be getting a similarly creative outfit who can also be relied upon to find the back of the net.

Since joining Rangers in 2018, the tricky winger has gone on to make 218 appearances, in which he has contributed an impressive 33 goals and 57 assists, which emphasises that he can be a consistent threat in the final third.

Even in a disappointing season for Rangers, where Kent has 'underwhelmed' according to Scottish media, he still boasts three goals and eight assists in the league for Michael Beale's side, with a superb 7.31 average rating from WhoScored for his performances.

Dubbed "sensational" by Steven Gerrard during his time as manager at Ibrox, Kent could be an excellent option for Kompany to have next season, especially given he would arrive on a free transfer and has experience playing in Europe, having helped Rangers to the Europa League final last term.

According to WhoScored, the Englishman excels at passing, playing key passes, dribbling and holding onto the ball, which could make him a big threat in Kompany's possession-hungry side and an ideal replacement for Tella down the left-hand side.

To appreciate the full perfection of this day’s cricket, it may be useful, just for a moment please, to recall this ground in December: the grass is tussocky and barely green at all; the outfield is marked out for junior football games

Paul Edwards at Southport18-Jul-2016
ScorecardLuke Procter raises his bat to a century – and so much more•Getty ImagesTo appreciate the full perfection of this day’s cricket, it may be useful, just for a moment please, to recall this ground in December: the grass is tussocky and barely green at all; the outfield is marked out for junior football games; there are dishcloth skies and lowering dusks; and crows are perched in the bare balsam poplars like black commas, punctuating the winter.Now a Monday in July and summer is suddenly emerging from grey bedragglement. The sycamores at the Grosvenor Road End stand as if saluting its tardy arrival In the middle Haseeb Hameed and Luke Procter are building the 114-run partnership that will take Lancashire into the lead. From the direction of Harrod Drive, Ben Stokes is running in, determined to win the game for Durham and prove his fitness for the Manchester Test. But for all that Stokes and Borthwick may be in the selectors’ minds, this is not an international occasion. It is Lancashire and Durham badges which proliferate along with those of fine local clubs: Ormskirk, Fleetwood Hesketh, Sefton Park.Then Hameed, having taken 14 runs off a frolicsome four balls from Graham Onions and passed fifty for the sixth time in 15 innings this season, arches back but can only fend a fearsomely nasty short ball from Stokes to the substitute fielder, Jeremy Benton – almost a utility cricketer? – at third slip. Hameed, his sadness momentarily infinite, troops off without waiting for Rob Bailey’s finger. He receives a warm round of applause and the crowd settles again. Blue pastels and panamas are almost a uniform in the marquees. Petersen opens his account with a swept four off Borthwick, who is getting ever more joy from Grosvenor Road. There is a rattle of crockery as lunchtime approaches.Dreams may, indeed, take their time to arrive and be gone in a casual glance but that is no reason not to enjoy the reverie, be it a day at the cricket or the scent of a once-familiar perfume. Decembers come soon enough.But this day held its flawlessness through the afternoon session and on into the evening. A sip of Manzanilla before lunch Petersen was leg before to Borthwick when attempting to force the ball to leg and that dismissal heralded a Durham fightback on the resumption. Bowling from the Harrod Drive End, 19-year-old Adam Hickey, he of Benwell Hill CC, took his first Championship wickets when Steven Croft underclubbed a drive to Borthwick at mid-on and Karl Brown prodded him to Keaton Jennings at short-leg. Poor Brown is struggling badly at the moment and it is sad to see. .Those reverses left Lancashire with a lead of just 121 and only five wickets in hand but Tom Moores proved his mettle first by driving his ninth ball, bowled by Borthwick, for six and then by accompanying Procter to his second century of the season. Frankly Lancashire’s No3 needed all the nursemaiding that was on offer. Already he had nearly run himself out twice, once when simply dawdling and once, on 73, when his misunderstanding with Croft was unpunished thanks to Hickey’s fumble.Procter, though, is a true fighter and he has developed a method which suits him. True he crouches in his stance not so much like a fierce tiger about to pounce as an aged butler about to keel over. But like others with bizarre comportment at the wicket – Michael Yardy, Shivnarine Chanderpaul – his technique works for him and when he plays his cover-drives and pulls, the execution is as classical as Palairet could have wished. A scrambled single was called by the alert Moores and Procter sprinted to the bowler’s end before giving a little leap of joy and holding his bat aloft to all and to sundry. He had batted for four minutes less than five hours and he may have played an innings which sets up a victory.The crowd stood to Procter when he reached three figures and they stood again nine overs after tea when he returned to the pavilion having made 122 off 282 balls. They applauded as well when the details of his innings were announced over the public address system for this was a day when people seem determined to relish every good thing. One saw their point.Two overs after Procter was out Moores failed to make his ground when called for a single by Kyle Jarvis. It says something about the 19-year-old’s sangfroid during his second first-class innings that a run out seemed his most likely mode of dismissal. He had made 35 and had looked the part of a Division One cricketer. On the final day of this game, he will keep to Simon Kerrigan and Matt Parkinson on a turning pitch. Every day offers young Moores a new test, a new adventure and he looks as if he is enjoying every dashed minute of it.When Moores was out Lancashire’s lead was 196, competitive perhaps but nothing like the 250 for which Ashley Giles was looking. That was all but achieved thanks to a 27-run stand for the ninth wicket between Kerrigan and Nathan Buck and then thanks to Buck levying 16 runs off four balls from Borthwick, one of the sixes sailing over the Indoor School. Unlike the enjoyment derived by the crowd from this day, that ball is gone for over.Stokes ended the innings when Parkinson was caught at short leg but, as a bowler anyway, the all-rounder does not look quite at his fighting weight. Whether his batting is ready for the challenge of Mohammed Amir and Yasir Shah…well that, as Alan MacGilvray used to say, “is for tomorrow.”This evening spectators can smile ruefully at their sunburn and reflect on their day’s cricket. Tennis players are on their courts now but the light is still crystal-bright at a blessed Trafalgar Road. On the patio there is excited chatter and more clinking glasses as people discuss the several glories of the day. Someone is belting out “Flower of Scotland”, although God knows why. On second thoughts, there should be songs.

Journalist Dean Jones has claimed that the Chelsea team has been "unfit" all season but Mauricio Pochettino will fix that.

What will Mauricio Pochettino change at Chelsea?

It's a season that started with Thomas Tuchel in charge, that will end in mid-table obscurity under Frank Lampard (via Graham Potter) with a new man set to take over in the summer.

In other words, it's been a disastrous campaign for the Blues but with just three Premier League games to go, they have at least taken on big step towards improvement.

Indeed, it looks as though Pochettino will be at the helm next season, but he'll certainly have plenty of issues to address right away.

Notably, he'll have to trim the bloated squad and also restore confidence in those who have been at the heart of this chaotic mess in recent months.

What's more, while talking on the Chasing Green Arrows podcast, Jones revealed that the squad's fitness has been a major problem too but the 51-year-old won't stand for that.

The insider explained (45:29): “One of the big talking points that we made – and it's because we get told it by people in and around Chelsea – this Chelsea team are unfit.

"I don't mean unfit as in I am unfit. Obviously, like I couldn't play in the Premier League. This team cannot be intense for 90 minutes, they cannot press properly. They don't have the legs that it takes to be up there challenging anymore.

“And that will change under Pochettino 100 per recent. But it's something that has been a recurring problem throughout this season. It's been brought up several times about the fact that the levels just aren't there.

"It goes all the way back to the summer, when Tuchel was really annoyed at Chelsea's preseason plans and said he wasn't getting enough time with them at the training ground, he wasn't happy with their preseason plans. They never recovered from it."

How does Pochettino make his teams fit?

If you go back to pre-season, it's not hard to see why Tuchel wasn't happy as Chelsea were thumped by Arsenal 4-0 in a game that foreshadowed the campaigns both teams were set to have.

Pochettino will no doubt hope to address this issue straight away and The Telegraph have already reported that his new players could be in for gruelling training sessions.

On top of that, former Southampton player Rickie Lambert told TalkSport what it's like to work under the Argentine, saying: "He pushes you in training so much that match days feel like a rest."

While that may sound daunting for the squad, it also sounds like exactly what they need if they are to succeed next term.

With takeover talks ongoing over the sale of Manchester United, Sky Sports pundit Kieran Maguire has reacted to the latest rumours from Old Trafford in an interview with Football Insider.

What is the latest on Man United's potential takeover?

The Red Devils are on the market, with several parties interested in potentially buying the Premier League outfit. A sale has been on the cards for months now too, with current owners the Glazers allowing the team to go through three stages of a bidding process so far in order to see any further offers for the side.

The two frontrunners to takeover at United are currently Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani from Qatar. Both have made bids to be handed the reins at Old Trafford but, as of yet, neither has officially been confirmed as being accepted by the Glazers. However, recent reports suggest that it is the offer from the Qatar-based group that is the "preferred" offer.

If Al Thani was to buy the Red Devils, it would be a "full takeover" from the new owners. If Ratcliffe was to buy the Premier League outfit, he could leave the Glazers on the board, with this latest report stating he may buy only just over 50 per cent of the team. That is an option that is likely to "anger" Man United supporters according to Sky Sports pundit Kieran Maguire via Football Insider, who stated that it could "allow the Glazers to have an element of input".

He said: "If they’re [The Glazers] allowed a 20 per cent threshold, there’s no obligation from Sir Jim Ratcliffe to give them a seat on the board. But that could be part of the negotiation strategy by the Glazers to demand that they stay in the boardroom. However, having a voice on the board isn’t the same as controlling the board.

"Ultimately, that would be by Sir Jim’s team, but it would allow the Glazers to have an element of input. I have a suspicion that it would anger quite a few Manchester United fans."

Would either takeover option be better for Man United?

The Red Devils supporters have displayed their annoyance at current owners the Glazers on several occasions since their tenure began, with fans even angry at them taking over before any deal had been completed.

Their ire has only increased since, with protests regularly arranged at Old Trafford in order to show their unhappiness at the Americans. It would therefore be a better option for the businessmen to have no further involvement with the club when they do decide to sell up, as supporters have recently demanded a complete sale. Whilst Ratcliffe's ownership would take some power away from the Glazers, they could still have some involvement – and therefore the Qatar bid seems the better option for everyone involved at Old Trafford.

Tottenham Hotspur chiefs have been left "hugely impressed" by Feyenoord boss Arne Slot as they now open talks, according to reports.

What's the latest Spurs manager news?

Spurs and chairman Daniel Levy are reportedly winding down their shortlist of managerial candidates in north London, with former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann now out of contention.

The heavily linked Xabi Alonso, who has done a brilliant job at Bayer Leverkusen, has also confirmed his intention to remain in Germany next season – ruling out a prospective move to Spurs.

As the summer window slowly approaches, Tottenham must step up their chase for Antonio Conte's replacement, so he has time to undergo a full pre-season and identify transfer targets.

Of the names still contending, it is believed that Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim is a firm target, with Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi and Slot all featuring prominently.

Celtic's Ange Postecoglou is also viewed as a candidate, according to reliable reports, but it appears Slot is entering pole position.

According to Football Insider and journalist Pete O'Rourke, Spurs have now opened talks to appoint the Dutchman, coming after the Tottenham hierarchy were left "hugely impressed" by him after holding an interview.

Spurs are apparently very confident that he is the right choice and want to make a managerial appointment next week as they increase the intensity of their search.

Talks are apparently progressing very well and, perhaps most intruigingly, there is a "willingness from both parties to complete a deal".

What could Slot bring to Spurs?

The former AZ Alkmaar boss has just won his first ever league title, guiding Feyenoord to the 2022/2023 Eredivisie title.

Slot's reputation as an exceptional manager is growing rapidly, with some circles even drawing comparisons to Man United boss Erik ten Hag.

Former AZ star Alireza Jahanbakhsh, speaking in an interview with The Athletic, called Slot “one of the best managers" he'd ever seen during their time together.

Meanwhile, Dutch football journalist Marcel van der Kraan seems to believe his attacking style is reminiscent of Man City boss Pep Guardiola.

“He is very similar to Pep Guardiola, his ideas are very similar, he is a massive fan of Pep and he plays the same time, said Van der Kraan (via talkSPORT).“He goes ultra-attacking, he is almost like a maniac. Not on the touchline but it is fantastic to see how he has turned an average side into a wonderful attacking machine."

Liverpool's pursuit of Alexis Mac Allister has certainly been no secret, and manager Jurgen Klopp is now homing in on his first major signing of the summer.

What's the latest on Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool?

According to Football Insider, Brighton & Hove Albion's imminent capture of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud indicates that Mac Allister's transfer to Liverpool is approaching completion.

These claims are bolstered by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, who recently tweeted to say that the Reds have a full agreement on personal details with the Argentine, with a deal expected to be concluded in June.

Arsenal and Chelsea are also keen on a deal for the 24-year-old but with Liverpool moving swiftly and with conviction, the Seagulls ace's signature should be shortly secured, with fees as high as £70m being touted.

How would Mac Allister do at Liverpool?

Mac Allister has enjoyed something of a meteoric rise since arriving in England to sign a deal with Brighton, leaving his homeland and club Argentinos Juniors in 2019, where he made 83 appearances, scored 12 goals and provided nine assists.

Last season, he played an important role for Albion and found success in the Premier League, scoring five times and earning 22 starts as he grew into his skin on the English south coast.

And now, the £50k-per-week star is flourishing with unrelenting might, having scored ten goals from 33 matches in the top-flight and playing an important role in Argentina's monumental triumph in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he was heralded as "sumptuous" by Gary Lineker.

As per FBref, the dynamo ranks among the top 17% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 20% for progressive carries and the top 17% for successful take-ons per 90, indicating he possesses a robust core and is willing to seek out offensive openings through his driving presence on the ball.

This progressive element to his game is something that could bode well for Klopp's stratagems when considering how the midfielder would link up with Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose superlative ball-playing skills from deep could benefit Mac Allister when making surging runs into the final third.

Liverpool's £180k-per-week right-back ranks among the top 12% of positional peers for rate of assists, the top 4% for shot-creating actions, the top 2% for passes attempted and the top 2% for progressive passes per 90, recently hailed as a "genius" by Goal's Neil Jones.

The 24-year-old's newfound success following a tactical tweak, inverting from his usual marauding up and down the wings to occupy a role within the half-spaces and inflicting creative damage from deep could also be of interest to Mac Allister.

Indeed, he would find Alexander-Arnold in closer proximity and able to pick exquisite passes from behind as he makes his darting runs into danger areas, becoming the Reds' "golden boy" – as he was hailed by Albion-focussed content creator Ryan Adsett.

While Liverpool may not qualify for the Champions League this season, bolstering the middle of the park with Mac Allister will only enhance the intensity and verve of Klopp's outfit, and with Alexander-Arnold returning to his best after a lacklustre campaign, it could be a devastating concoction that truly takes the Liverpudlian to the next level.

Roston Chase, the 24-year-old West Indies batting allrounder, had endured an underwhelming debut in the first Test against India in Antigua. He scored 23 and 8, sent down 34 fruitless overs, giving away 102 runs.However, Chase put the disappointment behind and picked up his maiden five-wicket haul on Monday in India’s first innings score of 500 for 9 at Sabina Park. “It is a great feeling to get five wickets in any match, but at Test level, it is a great feeling for me,” he said. “I have just started my Test career and it is a great confidence boost for me that I can do it at this level.”Chase had earned his maiden call-up to the Test side after a good run in the WICB’s regional first-class tournament in which he was fourth on the run-scoring charts with 710 runs at 59.16.In Kingston, West Indies were made to earn every wicket as India’s batsmen mentally wore them down by displaying ample patience and discipline in their defence and shot-making. “Yes, it was hard for me. It’s Test cricket, so you are never taught that it will be easy,” Chase admitted. “But [in] the first game, I found out that my line was a bit too wide. So I adjusted my line and length in this match and the skipper told me to do that – to attack the batsmen more and hold a tighter line, and it worked for me.”Chase, whose wickets included those of Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli, felt that variations helped him improve in this game, and cutting down on pace helped him extract more turn. “As I am 6’4″, I tend to get a lot of bounce, but I found that I wasn’t only getting bounce this time but I was also getting some turn as well, so that helped me a lot,” he said. “I was spinning some balls and straightening some of them as well. I also tried to vary my pace in the game as I found that in the last match, I was a bit too quick. So when I slowed the ball down, I got more results in the match.”Chase turned his arm over for 36.1 overs, the most for his team in India’s first innings, but said he was used to it despite being in the side as a batting allrounder. “I am mainly a batsman, but earlier, in our local first-class season, I wasn’t bowling a lot earlier on. But some of our players left for West Indies duty, so that’s when I got an opportunity to express myself as a bowler. I am a bit accustomed to bowling now.”While there was uncertainty on the weather front due to expected tropical storms, West Indies may have to bat for a significant amount of time, rain interruptions notwithstanding, with two days left in the match. With a 304-run deficit after India’s declaration, Chase admitted that they would need more than the odd spark of brilliance.”We are a bit behind the eight-ball, but I believe that once the team pulls together, we have been seeing glimpses in the first game and this game that we have the ability to compete at this level. But we just need to streamline it a bit more so that we can have a better collective effort. As I said, we have had some glimpses, but we just have to streamline it and we will be fine”.

يرى لاعب وسط نادي ليفربول الأسبق، دون هاتشيسون، أن يجب على إدارة الريدز السعي نحو كيليان مبابي حال الحصول على أموال كثيرة لبيع، محمد صلاح.

وارتبط اسم ليفربول بإمكانية ضم مبابي في الصيف، حال رحيل محمد صلاح إلى الدوري السعودي مع اهتمام الهلال والاتحاد هناك بالفرعون المصري.

كان آخر عرض من الاتحاد في الصيف الماضي لصالح ليفربول بقيمة 150 مليون جنيه إسترليني، ويرى هاتشيسون أن هذا المبلغ يجب أن يمنح الإدارة القدرة للتحرك من أجل مبابي.

اقرأ أيضًا.. جلين جونسون: ليفربول لم يتأثر بغياب محمد صلاح بفضل هذا اللاعب

وقال هاتشيسون في تصريحات لشبكة “ESPN”: “كم لدينا من المال؟ هل نحن سنشتري لاعبين في لعبة فانتازي”.

وتابع: “إذا كانت هناك أموال، علينا التحرك من أجل مبابي، إذا امتلك ليفربول 150 مليون عليه أن يتعاقد مع كيليان ويمنحه هذا المبلغ كراتب على مدار سنوات العقد”.

واستمر: “إذا لم يكن لدينا كل هذه الأموال، فعليك النظر نحو جارود بوين (جناح وست هام يونايتد)”.

واختتم: “التفكير في مبابي، سيكون في حالة واحدة فقط أن يكون لديك أموال غير محدودة، إذا لم يكن فهناك بديل أرخص كما قلت”.