Wolves manager target Erik ten Hag is open to Molineux talks following an approach, however, there is one ‘snag’ halting a potential move.
Latest Wolves manager rumours
The Old Gold are yet to find Vitor Pereira’s long-term replacement after his sacking at the weekend after the 3-0 Premier League defeat to Fulham.
It was Wolves’ eighth loss in their opening 10 top flight fixtures, with the club still without a league victory and eight points adrift of safety.
It looked as if Gary O’Neil would be the man to return to the Midlands tasked with the job of leading Wolves to safety, however, despite being in advanced talks, he pulled out of the race.
That has left Jeff Shi and Matt Jackson to look elsewhere, with Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas sharing the latest on Wolves’ manager search on Tuesday.
Rob Edwards and Ten Hag have both been heavily linked in the past few days, with contact even made for the latter, who is currently out of work after being sacked by Bayer Leverkusen.
Now, a new update has emerged over Ten Hag’s potential move to Wolves.
One 'snag' that could stop Wolves' move for Ten Hag
According to reports from ESPN, relayed by Sport Witness, Ten Hag is ‘eager to return’ to English football and is ‘open to discussing’ a move to Wolves after an approach.
It is stated that Ten Hag is aware that his time at Man Utd affected his reputation and understands that opportunities in England ‘don’t arise every week’.
However, something that could impact a move and is labelled a ‘snag’ is his age. At 55, Ten Hag is older than the likes of Michael Carrick (44) and Edwards (42), with Wolves looking to hire a younger coach.
Ten Hag, who shares the same SEG agency as Man City boss Pep Guardiola, did win the FA Cup and League Cup at Old Trafford, so his time in Manchester wasn’t a complete disaster considering how others have fared at the Red Devils.
Wins
44
Draws
14
Losses
27
Points per game
1.72
Points
146
The Dutchman’s league form is what he would be judged on at Molineux if he made the move, and should he his match his average of 1.72 points per game in the Premier League, Wolves would end on 50 points.
This is, of course, not guaranteed and the individual quality of player at Molineux compared to Old Trafford is arguably different, but by the looks of things, a move for Ten Hag is still one to watch.
Robbie Keane in talks with Wolves as Steven Gerrard gives clarity on future
Liverpool are now reportedly pushing to sign a Celtic youngster in what could deal the Hoops a frustrating blow ahead of Wilfried Nancy’s arrival.
O'Neill: Celtic have restored "confidence"
As far as interim managers go, Celtic couldn’t have done a lot better than Martin O’Neill. There would have been concerns that the 73-year-old was out of ideas in the modern game, but he’s since proved any doubters wrong by getting the Bhoys back on track and rolling back the years.
Signing off in style in his final European game, Celtic secured a much-needed victory against Feyenoord on Thursday evening and O’Neill admitted that “confidence” has been restored in the squad.
The veteran manager told reporters: “Judging from last season, the format, you are looking for 10 or 11 points to qualify. It won’t be easy, but Celtic have two home games and the confidence is in the side now.
“I told my two brothers who came to the game to start my chant, so they must have done so. Might as well enjoy it while it lasts. In the dressing room, the lads are full of it.
“It’s hard to say what I thought [when I took charge]. My two daughters were all in on going for it, but my wife said I would probably mess it up. I haven’t messed it up so far. It’s been great. The results are what you live by and they’ve been terrific.
“[The new manager] has got some players who are big winners, which is great. I’m sure he will lean on some of those lads and then it’s about improving some of the other players.
“The restoration of confidence is big and it’s keeping it going after that. Winning away from home is terrific – it’s not easy away from home in Europe. It gives them belief that they can come and compete.”
The job will now be passed over to Nancy, who could be about to lose one of his best academy stars right away amid Liverpool’s interest in Derek Jikiemi.
Liverpool pushing to sign Celtic gem Jikiemi
As reported by The Daily Record, Liverpool are now pushing to sign Celtic gem Jikiemi after sending their scouts to watch the 15-year-old Parkhead wonderkid. The central defender is one of the most talented players in Celtic’s academy, but could be about to follow in Ben Doak’s footsteps by swapping Glasgow for Merseyside.
Although Jikiemi is one for the future, losing him would represent where Celtic currently find themselves in the European pecking order. They won’t be expected to compete Liverpool in the market, but they must do better to keep hold of homegrown talent.
Nancy must unleash Celtic's most frustrating player since Engels
Wilfried Nancy must unleash this Celtic star who is their most frustrating player since Arne Engels.
1 ByDan Emery Nov 26, 2025
If the teenager did complete a move to Anfield then Celtic would only receive compensation for the years that he came through their system in an added blow.
The Hoops can, however, secure their young star to professional terms at the end of the season when he’s 16 years old. Whether they get the chance to do that remains to be seen, however.
Celtic now confident they'll beat Man City to history-making first signing for Nancy
Leeds United are struggling to string together a run of form, and they may now have identified a successor to replace Daniel Farke at Elland Road.
The Whites came back off the back of the international break keen to find an upturn in form. However, a Morgan Rogers double condemned them to a damaging defeat at home to Aston Villa despite taking the lead early on in West Yorkshire.
If it wasn’t already tough to make a case, pressure has now cranked up on Farke as Leeds sit inside the Premier League relegation zone before the daunting reality of a trip to face Manchester City this weekend.
However, the former Norwich City coach doubled down on frustration from supporters when opting to take off substitute Ao Tanaka against Aston Villa, claiming that despite discontent in the stands, he had to withdraw the midfielder as he was on a final warning before being red carded.
He told BBC Sport: “It is totally OK for fans to chant for subs – everyone has views on changes and game management. But I will not do a round table or poll before each match. I can’t be driven by emotions, I can’t make subs on 55, 60 minutes just because someone is singing.”
While Farke could be backed with the arrival of Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Garcia, it is becoming more likely that he could be about to part ways with the club after a series of frustrating results.
Making changes in mid-season can have varied results, but there is definitely an appetite for change at the club, and this isn’t the first time the 49-year-old has come under scrutiny. Who could replace him at Elland Road? Fans could be about to find out.
Leeds identify Brendan Rodgers to replace Daniel Farke
According to TEAMtalk, former Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is in line to replace Farke at Leeds, with the Whites’ current boss now at increasing risk of being sacked following his side’s poor form.
Intriguingly, the Irishman would be open to taking charge at Elland Road, with his ability to galvanize struggling sides making him a fit that is hard to ignore.
Stiliyan Petrov praised Rodgers’ player development skills during his time in Glasgow, something which is sure to endear him to a Leeds support who are used to seeing local and academy talents emerging from Thorp Arch.
Brendan Rodgers’ second spell at Celtic
Matches
123
Wins
83
Draws
20
Losses
20
Trophies
Scottish Premiership x2, Scottish Cup x1, Premier Sports Cup x1
Only last season, he saw off the likes of RB Leipzig and guided Celtic through to the knockout playoff round of the Champions League before a 3-2 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich across two legs, albeit his side were unlucky not to progress.
Nevertheless, a public fallout with Dermot Desmond means he is a free agent, something that Leeds could now take advantage of as they look to his previous Premier League experience at Swansea City, Liverpool and Leicester City to guide them out of trouble.
Manchester City are now expected to sign an “unbelievable” Premier League star, having moved into pole position in the race for his signature.
Man City keen to strengthen amid defensive struggles
Man City have looked potent from an attacking point of view this season, having already scored 32 Premier League goals, five more than any other club, with talisman Erling Haaland leading the way at the top of the goalscoring charts.
However, there have been some defensive frailties on display, with the Blues only just managing to edge out Fulham in a 5-4 thriller last time out, and pundit Clinton Morrison has made it clear that it is an issue Pep Guardiola will need to rectify.
Speaking after the victory at Craven Cottage, Morrison said: “You would never see this Arsenal team be 5-1 up and concede three goals. They need to get that sorted out.”
“Maybe, if they have a bit of money to spend in January, they need to look to strengthen at the back, especially in the right full-back area.”
A new right-back is of interest, with the Blues now ready to snap up Newcastle United star Tino Livramento, but they may also look at strengthening at centre-back.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, who recently told Football Insider that Man City have moved into pole position in the race for Marc Guehi’s signature.
Wyness said: “I think that he will end up at City and I think that’s where I expect him to be. There is a lot of interest but I think he’s actually shown me that he’s actually thought things through and acted quite sensibly and taken some decent advice. He handled the Palace thing quite well.”
“And so I would expect him to move to City and I think he would be a great replacement, basically for John Stones is what we’re thinking about now.”
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Stones’ contract is set to expire next summer, and City may be in two minds about offering him an extension, given the centre-back’s terrible injury record over the past four seasons, missing a plethora of games for club and country.
Season
Games missed due to injury
2022-23
13
2023-24
12
2024-25
36
2025-26
3
Guehi, on the other hand, has been very reliable for Palace, having made 145 Premier League appearances over the past five campaigns, and he received high praise from football writer Ed Aarons amid links to Liverpool in the summer.
Ultimately, the move to Anfield fell through, despite Guehi completing a medical, and with the Reds enduring a torrid campaign, most recently drawing 1-1 at home to Sunderland, City should seize the chance to get one over on their rivals by signing the England international.
Last season, Arsenal’s squad depth, or lack thereof, was tested to the absolute limit. Really, it was amazing that this team got as far as they did.
The Gunners were not a million miles away from the title and reached the Champions League semi-finals.
That all happened without a number of key players. Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel all missed large chunks of the campaign with serious hamstring problems.
Skipper Martin Odegaard also missed a lot of the early exchanges through an ankle injury, a problem that subsequently dampened his form for much of 2024/25.
So, with Andrea Berta at the helm for his first summer window, the message was loud and clear; add depth.
Add depth they did, in abundance too. The likes of Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres have improved numbers in forward areas. At the back, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie have been added to the collection.
Yet, all of that means that competition for places is now intense. Some of the club’s finest young talents are struggling for game time.
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Mikel Arteta has not been afraid of making big calls since becoming Arsenal manager if it means his squad improves.
The most notable example is undoubtedly Aaron Ramsdale. The England international looked like the Gunners’ number one for the next decade but Arteta was dissatisfied and swooped for David Raya, now one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
In the current side, a number of players are suffering from similar treatment. Jurrien Timber’s emergence as one of the Premier League’s finest right-backs means that Ben White is now reduced to a regular role among the subs.
Before then, Kai Havertz’s leading role as the striker meant Gabriel Jesus had become a fringe player.
In midfield, the arrivals of Eze and Madueke has also dampened Ethan Nwaneri’s game time.
When Saka was out, it was Madueke who deputised. With Odegaard now out, it’s Eze who is deputising. Nwaneri’s moment will no doubt come but he’ll have to be patient to get regular opportunities again.
Nwaneri’s fellow attacker in the shape of Gabriel Martinelli has also been hit with reduced starts so far in 2025/26.
The positive is that it has inspired improved performances. Martinelli has only started four games in all competitions but has scored three times and registered an assist.
Yet, for one of Hale End’s finest, he’s perhaps been hit the hardest this season.
Hale Ender is being given the Smith Rowe treatment at Arsenal
When Arteta first became Arsenal manager he relied on two players to carry his project forward.
One of them was Bukayo Saka, still the poster boy of this project, and Emile Smith Rowe, who appeared for Fulham in their 1-0 defeat to the Gunners on Saturday.
For Smith Rowe, his exit in the summer of 2024 was a sad one. He is an Arsenal boy, he loves the club, but he simply couldn’t re-find his form or reclaim his place in the team after a succession of injury problems.
This was a player who once scored ten goals in one Premier League campaign. That came back in 2021/22 and since then it has been a struggle. During his final year with the club, he featured in the matchday squad for a league fixture on 31 occasions but only started three times and came off the bench on ten occasions.
Smith Rowe was fit for much of the season but simply didn’t get his opportunity; instead he was kept out by Odegaard and Co.
The same now appears to be happening to a few players. Nwaneri is one of them but the other is Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Myles Lewis-Skelly reacts to being sent off
Now, it must be stated that Lewis-Skelly is still only 19 years of age. He’s an England regular and was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award last season. The teenager has the world at his feet and will no doubt become a regular under Arteta again.
However, at the moment, there are certainly echoes of the Smith Rowe situation. A sparkling and dazzling Hale Ender who saved Arteta’s lack of depth last season, the youngster is now paying the price for an increased squad size and the form of his teammates.
Liam Delap
Ipswich
Dean Huijsen
Bournemouth
Milos Kerkez
Bournemouth
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Arsenal
Ethan Nwaneri
Arsenal
Morgan Rogers
Aston Villa
Hailed as a “future captain” by club insider Hand of Arsenal, Lewis-Skelly’s potential is enormous but it is slightly in danger of being wasted, certainly this term.
He has been in the squad for all eight Premier League matchdays but is yet to start, has come off the bench five times and has only featured for 83 minutes.
So, why is that? Well, Riccardo Calafiori – who spent much of last campaign on the treatment table – has enjoyed a finer time of it with regards to fitness.
Calafiori hasn’t picked up a single injury yet and has been an ever-present member of the starting XI in the league. He’s been magnificent, too.
It was the Italian who scored the winning goal against Manchester United on the opening week and it was the defender who also picked up two assists a game later against Leeds.
The full-back then had a remarkable finish ruled out against Fulham on Saturday, cruelly denied a scintillating goal courtesy of the offside flag.
Calafiori was everywhere on Saturday, and it gave us all the evidence needed to demonstrate why Lewis-Skelly isn’t starting. His fellow full-back has been a man possessed this season and without an injury, isn’t budging from that position anytime soon.
So, how can Lewis-Skelly get more minutes? Well, like Smith Rowe, he must be wondering what on earth he needs to do. With Hincapie also signed and due to return from injury imminently, it surely only dampens the prospect of Arsenal’s Hale End prodigy getting playing time even more.
A midfielder by trade, a spot may well open up there but considering Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi have locked down those two positions, there isn’t a huge amount of hope that he’ll get chances there in 2025/26.
For a player who is the “future of Arsenal and English football” in the words of scout Jacek Kulig, it has been sad to see Lewis-Skelly’s decline in minutes. It is similar to Smith Rowe, but he has the talent, pedigree and fitness levels to ensure he doesn’t leave the club as early as his fellow Hale Ender.
Martin O’Neill boasted an imperious record against Rangers when he was first Celtic manager, so can he continue that now that the 73-year-old is back in the Parkhead hot-seat two decades later?
To date, the Northern Irishman has won 16 of his 27 Glasgow derbies, losing only eight, the first of which was certainly the most memorable, a 6-2 victory in 2000, in which both Chris Sutton and Henrik Larsson bagged braces.
Now though, having been parachuted back into the role, following Brendan Rodgers’ shock resignation on Monday, O’Neill is faced with a huge League Cup semi-final on Sunday, coming after Wednesday night’s confidence-boosting 4-0 victory over Falkirk.
If the Hoops are going to prevail at Hampden, thereby setting up a final date with either St Mirren or Motherwell, O’Neill has to make some tough selection decisions, but simply must start one star in place of Celtic’s club-record signing.
Arne Engels' Celtic form
Arne Engels arrived at Celtic on deadline day in the summer of 2024 with sky-high expectations, given that he was replacing Matt O’Riley, one of the best midfielders the club has seen in modern times, as well as the fact that he cost £11m, a club-record fee.
Most expensive SPFL signings before the 2025 summer window
Well, so far, the Belgian international has not flourished in the way many hoped, or indeed expected.
In 68 appearances for the Hoops, Engels has scored ten goals and registered 15 assists, but just two of these goals have come from open play, most recently on target against St Mirren on 1 March, converting a penalty during a 5-2 victory in Paisley.
Prior to starting the last three matches, Engels had not been a regular in the lineup this season, introduced off the bench on nine occasions, with Rodgers favouring summer signing Benjamin Nygren in his position.
Well, the 22-year-old has not grasped these recent opportunities with both hands, considering the Scotsman awarded him a 5/10 rating following last Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle, a match in which he lost possession on 25 occasions, nine times more than any other Celtic player.
The Celts can ill-afford that level of wastefulness at Hampden on Sunday, so O’Neill should relegate Engels back to the bench and start a midfield alternative.
Who Martin O'Neill should start in place of Arne Engels
O’Neill does have plenty of midfield options.
Callum McGregor is a lock, while Nygren returned to the midfield three on Wednesday, having been deployed further forward for Rodgers’ final two fixtures, with Reo Hatate the obvious candidate to complete the trio.
Since arriving in January 2022, the Japanese international has made 156 appearances in hoops, scoring 28 goals and registering 28 assists.
His only goal of this campaign, to date, was a rocket at Pittodrie against Aberdeen in August, thereby only brought on for the final 13 minutes against Falkirk this week.
Nevertheless, Hatate’s statistics from last season underline his importance to this Celtic side.
Minutes
3,849
6th
Goals
11
5th
Assists
9
5th
Shots
92
1st
Big chances created
18
1st
Average rating
7.29
7th
As the table highlights, Hatate was a vital figure in Celtic’s team last season; in fact, of the four players who scored more goals than he did, only Daizen Maeda is still at the club, with compatriot Kyōgo Furuhashi, Adam Idah and Nicolas Kühn having all departed.
Hatate also led the way in terms of shot and big chances created, while he has previously netted three times against Rangers, on target twice during his Glasgow derby debut in February 2022, one of the most famous nights Parkhead has witnessed in a long time, as well as firing into the bottom corner in vain back in March.
Callum McFadden describes Hatate as “one of the most naturally gifted players” Celtic have had in recent decades, while Martin Crawford of Breaking the Lines asserted that he is ‘the best player in Scotland’, adding that the ‘naturally refined technician’ possesses incredible ‘energy, determination and…. football intellect’.
Arriving from Kawasaki Frontale for just £1.5m, Football Transfers believe the midfielder’s current market value to be around £9.23m, representing one of the best bargain buys in Scottish football history, and there were a few contenders during the Ange Postecoglou-era.
Bringing it back to this Sunday’s derby, Hatate’s on-ball quality and out-of-possession work-rate makes him a must starter for O’Neill.
Danny Röhl is set to deploy Rangers in a 3-4-2-1, giving the midfield pairing of Mohamed Diomandé and Nicolas Raskin a lot of ground to cover, so Celtic need to do everything they can to win this midfield battle.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Unlike Engels, Hatate has proved consistently capable of producing big moments in the biggest matches, so the Japanese international, alongside captain McGregor and Nygren, is surely the way to go, with midfield the real strength of this Celtic team.
Centre-back and centre-forward, given the ongoing injury crisis….. not so much!
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Celtic look set to finally confirm the appointment of their permanent successor to Brendan Rodgers in the dugout at Parkhead with the arrival of Wilfried Nancy from Columbus Crew.
Rodgers tendered his resignation at the end of October, after a 3-1 loss to Hearts, and experienced manager Martin O’Neill has taken the reins as interim head coach for the past month or so.
The former Celtic boss, as shown in the graphic above, won the Scottish Premiership title in his first two seasons back at Parkhead, and it will be down to Nancy to overcome Hearts to win the division in his first season.
Journalist Graeme Bailey claims that the Hoops are set to confirm the appointment of the MLS boss before the weekend, but that means that it remains to be seen if he will be in the dugout for the weekend’s clash with Hibernian.
Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen and Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna were also said to be in the running for the role, but it is the Frenchman who is poised to replace Rodgers.
Whilst Nancy will have to deal with the players that he inherits for the first month or so of his reign in Glasgow, the incoming boss has already been linked with a move to bring one of his Columbus Crew stars to Scotland.
The Columbus Crew star Wilfried Nancy could bring to Celtic
Earlier this week, it was reported that Celtic are lining up a move to bolster their attack by swooping for one of the French head coach’s key players from the MLS side.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Nancy is reportedly set to swoop for Columbus Crew centre-forward Wessam Abou Ali to provide him with a proven and lethal number nine at Parkhead for the second half of the 2025/26 season.
The Palestine international scored three goals in five MLS games for Nancy towards the end of the 2025 campaign, per Sofascore, after a £5.7m move from Egyptian giants Al Ahly back in July.
Prior to his almost £6m move to the MLS in July, Abou Ali’s form for Al Ahly in Egypt caught the eye, as he showcased his reliability in front of goal in the Egyptian Premier League.
Appearances
19
16
Goals
18
10
Minutes per goal
76
118
Big chances missed
5
1
Conversion rate
40%
23%
Big chances created
3
2
Assists
4
3
As you can see in the table above, the 26-year-old frontman scored a staggering 28 goals in 35 appearances in those two seasons, which shows that he can find the back of the net on a regular basis.
However, it remains to be seen how much money Columbus Crew would want for the prolific striker because they paid almost £6m for him earlier this year, and he has already scored three goals in five league games.
If the MLS side demand a hefty fee that Celtic are either unable or unwilling to pay in the January transfer window, Nancy will have to look at alternative ways to bolster his attacking ranks at Parkhead.
For example, the French boss could unearth his next version of Abou Ali by helping young striker Callum Osmand fulfill his potential when he is back fit and available for selection.
Why Osmand could be Celtic's own version of Abou Ali
The Jersey-born star is currently out with a hamstring injury and a timeline has not been given on his return date, so it remains to be seen when he will be available to the incoming Hoops boss.
With Kelechi Iheanacho and Osmand both missing through injury, Ireland international Johnny Kenny is the first-choice number nine at Parkhead. The young forward has had an impressive run under interim boss O’Neill with four goals in five matches, per Sofascore.
However, it may be the former Fulham youngster who is the most likely to emerge as the star goalscorer of the Nancy era when you consider his record at first-team and academy level to date.
Appearances
150
83
Goals
47
49
Games per goal
3.19
1.69
Assists
11
13
Games per assist
13.64
6.38
As you can see in the table above, Osmand has scored and created goals at a much more impressive rate than Kenny has throughout his career to date, with an exceptional haul of 49 goals in 83 matches.
Whilst the majority of those goals have been at youth level, the 20-year-old star also showcased his quality in the first-team with a poacher’s finish against Rangers in the semi-final of the League Cup at Hampden Park earlier this month.
Unfortunately, Osmand then suffered his hamstring injury off the bench against Midtjylland in the Europa League in the very next game, shortly after winning a penalty from which Reo Hatate scored.
The ex-Fulham youngster, who was also hailed as “lightning quick” by Fulham expert Jack Kelly, scored one goal and won a penalty in his first three first-team outings for the Scottish giants, which is an impressive start to senior football for the young attacker.
His exceptional goalscoring record in his career suggests that he has the potential to emerge as a real star for Celtic in the future, once he is back from injury, because he has the quality to deliver goals and assists on a regular basis.
Therefore, the summer signing could be unearthed as Nancy’s next version of Abou Ali, who has been a prolific scorer for his last two teams, as another number nine who can provide a lethal presence in front of goal, if the Hoops are unable to get a deal done for the MLS star.
£1.5m Celtic flop has been an even bigger waste of time than Balikwisha
This Celtic flop has been an even worse signing than Michel-Ange Balikwisha for the Scottish giants.
Ruben Amorim’s polarising tactical set-up is reliant on fluent and efficient wing-backs. Establishing a winning formula down the flanks has proved difficult for the Manchester United manager in his year at the Old Trafford helm, though.
Though the right-sided pairing of Bryan Mbeumo is an imperfect combination, there is much to like about this front-footed and dynamic dimension.
The same can’t be said for Patrick Dorgu down the left, who Amorim admitted last week creates an air of “anxiety” when on the ball at the moment.
Harsh words, but not without the ring of truth. The Red Devils are short on effective options on the left, with Diogo Dalot the stand-in. However, he too leaves much to be desired, as was clear as United secured a from-behind Premier League win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Dalot flatters to deceive at Selhurst Park
Dalot has struggled under Amorim’s wing, having found tough work in adapting to the new system. Content creator Liam Canning actually said a month ago that the Portuguese defender is “becoming a worry long term”, given that he “doesn’t look like he suits the wing back role”.
Such words rung true against Palace at the weekend, albeit with the intensity and aggression improving after the break.
While content creator Adam Joseph feels the left side is “completely toothless”, there are signs of life.
Dalot did win eight duels on the afternoon, as per Sofascore, succeeding with his one tackle and making six ball recoveries besides. But he also failed with two attempted crosses and didn’t create a single chance, illustrating the on-the-ball imbalances that Amorim has yet to iron out.
However, given Dorgu has been so unconvincing and the alternative options are few and far between, it’s unlikely we will see any drastic upheaval in the immediate future.
But Amorim may look to chop and change another part of his backline.
Amorim must drop 3/10 Man Utd star
There has been a promising increase in levels at Manchester United this season, but Amorim still has much ground to cover before his tenure can be confirmed as a success.
Going forward, he may need to make a few tough calls, and one of those calls centres on dropping Leny Yoro, who has struggled of late and must be pulled to the bench.
Yoro, 20, is considered one of the most talented centre-backs in the world, and United scored a coup when beating Liverpool and Real Madrid to his signature.
However, he’s been out of form this season, and journalist Nathan Salt believes he “needs a break from the XI to restore some confidence”.
Yoro was at fault for the penalty which Jean-Philippe Mateta dispatched – controversially – to put the hosts 1-0 up before half-time. The Manchester Evening News gave him a 3/10 match rating after an error-strewn performance that saw him hooked before the hour mark.
Minutes played
54′
Goals conceded
1
Touches
33
Accurate passes
22/23 (96%)
Unsuccessful touches
3
Recoveries
3
Tackles won
0/2
Clearances
3
Duels won
3/6
The timing is at least fortuitous. Lisandro Martinez has completed his long-anticipated return from injury, and the Butcher at his best will be sure to nail down a starting berth in Amorim’s team.
Yoro is strong on the ball and a progressive passer, ranking among the top 14% of positional peers in the Premier League this season for shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref, but he’s also shorn of confidence.
United fans must retain their excitement over the dynamic, promising defender, who has what it takes to become one of the very best in the business. But, for now, he needs to put the brakes on his campaign.
After the match, content creator Adam Joseph acknowledged that the Frenchman is “going through a tough period in his development”, but that he was “brilliant last season” and will bounce back soon.
This is true, but, for now, Amorim would be wise to take the young centre-half out of the firing line, especially now that Martinez is match fit once again.
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