It has been an incredible three years to be a Sheffield United supporter hasn’t it?

The Blades’ appointment of Chris Wilder in 2016 turned out to be a masterstroke for the club as they stormed to the League One title at the end of that season before finishing in the top half of the Championship last year.

The 2018/19 campaign has seen them reach new heights as United are now within touching distance of a return to the top flight of English football after 12 years away.

Wilder’s side are currently second in the league standings and hold a one point-lead over Leeds United yet they are by no means guaranteed to achieve automatic promotion with the club facing eight season-defining fixtures.

To achieve their goal of Premier League football next season, they will need their players to avoid becoming complacent against sides who they realistically should be beating giving the nature of their performances this season.

One individual in particular could provide the spark needed for the Blades to get over the finishing line by finally proving his worth at the club. Kieran Dowell joined United on loan from Everton in January and was thought to be the solution to Wilder’s side’s occasional issues with providing creativity for the likes of Billy Sharp and David McGoldrick.

However, the midfielder has yet to show the consistency needed to succeed at Championship level despite clearly being a promising young player. His winning goal against West Bromwich Albion in February outlined just what he is capable of and if he can provide more moments like that in the coming weeks, it could make all the difference between automatic promotion and the lottery of the play-offs.

More importantly for Dowell, by demonstrating Premier League-level qualities in the Championship, he may finally be given a chance to play in the top-flight on a regular basis, whether it be with his parent club Everton or as part of the Blades’ squad next year.

What do you think Blades fans? Does Dowell hold the key to your promotion hopes? Should Wilder make a move for the 21-year-old in the summer? Get in touch below.

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Arsenal host Manchester United on Sunday in what is surely a must-win game for both sides if they want to qualify for the Champions League next season.

The mood at Old Trafford is surely at its highest in recent memory after the Red Devils did the unthinkable in coming back from their first leg loss to PSG to progress to the Champions League last eight; Arsenal, meanwhile, fell to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Rennes on Thursday night.

The clash promises goals and, despite form indicating that United are the favourites, it will be anyone’s game. Speculating ahead of these heavyweight ties is often difficult as both teams are certainly capable of taking all three points – Football Fancast’s Arsenal apologist Will Jones and the TT’s resident Chelsea fan Alex Rigby are going to do their best, though.

Below they offer their predictions ahead of the huge game…

Both sides have been hit with lots of injuries this season but who do you think has had it worse? 

Alex: “Probably not so much about who’s had it worse as who’s dealt with it better. Manchester United have shown these past few weeks that they’ve got the quality and guile to pull through anything, whereas Arsenal have been falling down with a fight. “

Will: “We’re missing some key men in Rob Holding, Hector Bellerin and Danny Welbeck, but when you look at the sheer number of first team stars that Manchester United had to cope without in their clash with PSG it’s hard to argue that injuries aren’t hitting them harder at the minute.

“The problem for Arsenal is that the Red Devils have a squad better equipped to cope with such a crisis, whereas Unai Emery is having to play Shkodran Mustafi at right-back when, of course, he probably shouldn’t be a professional footballer at all.”

Indeed, Bellerin’s non-appearance in particular has surely cost Arsenal in recent weeks – the Spaniard offers crucial width to the Gunners’ attack. Emery’s list of wounded might be few but the absences are still notable, particularly when, as Will says, an error-prone Mustafi is deployed on the right of defence in Bellerin’s stead.

At the other end of the spectrum, United’s injury list stretches into double figures – Solskjaer was without a number of big names on Wednesday, including Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard.

Fortunately for the Red Devils, though, they have unbelievable strength in depth and, with Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford firing on all cylinders, they have been able to get results regardless.

Who should start up front in this game and why? Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or Alexandre Lacazette?

Will: “Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is our top scorer and one of the most natural goal-getters in English football. However, he’s not himself at the minute. The late penalty miss against Spurs looks to have battered his confidence.

“The manager now has a tough call to make – does he play Aubameyang through this sticky patch or turn to Alexandre Lacazette? Personally, I’d opt for the Frenchman, and plan to bring on Aubameyang’s pace in the second half to stretch the tired opposition defence “

Alex: “Lacazette. Big game player who’s done tremendously well when he’s needed most.”

Few managers in the Premier League can attest to having two fantastic strikers to choose from – Emery can though. The Spaniard has ummed and ahhed between the two hitmen all season and both offer so much to the Gunners attack.

Aubameyang hit the ground running after signing from Borussia Dortmund and recently broke the record for the fastest Arsenal player to reach 25 Premier League goals, achieving the feat in just 37 games. Lacazette, however, took a little longer to get going but has now proved himself to be, as Alex says, a big game player.

The Gabonese forward’s pace is unrivalled and will cause the United defence plenty of problems while the Frenchman’s ability to operate in tight spaces will also make him a threat wherever he receives the ball. Whichever Emery opts for on Sunday, Chris Smalling and co have a difficult task on their hands.

Where are the key battles going to take place in this game? 

Alex: “Arsenal’s back line surely. Big Romelu Lukaku absolutely bullied the Gunners in the FA Cup – recently enough for them to still be feeling it – and his performances against Southampton and PSG look like he’s not slowing anytime soon.”

Will: “Going forward there’s no doubt that Arsenal have the quality to hurt United. However, the likes of Rashford and the in-form Lukaku ought to be savouring the prospect of facing the Gunners’ rearguard on Sunday.

“They may struggle against Sokratis and Laurent Koscielny, but Emery’s full-backs have to step up. If the Red Devils repeatedly get the better of Arsenal on the flanks then the hosts could be in for a long afternoon.”

Lukaku’s midweek brace took his tally for the last three games to six, with the striker also hitting doubles against Southampton and Crystal Palace; Rashford scored his maiden penalty for United on Wednesday, too, in about as high pressure circumstances possible.

The pair are the epitome of confidence at the moment and have looked like men possessed under Solskjaer – they will certainly cause the Gunners defence all kind of problems and the entire back four will have to be on their best form to deal with them.

Solskjaer has revived the classic striker combination here – Rashford is the lightning to Lukaku’s thunder – and it will be fascinating to see how they contend with the recently impressive Sokratis and Koscielny.

Are Rashford and Lukaku currently the most dangerous duo in the Premier League, then? 

Will: “Certainly, they’re in great form. However, I really do back Sokratis and Koscielny – who did a great job on Harry Kane recently – to make them toil. If Solskjaer’s forwards can get into the channels though, and exploit the space inside the full-backs, then Bernd Leno will have to be at his best to keep them out.”

Alex: “Short one – yes. Not often you see two strikers nowadays, but Solskjaer has channelled his inner Ferguson and made it work. Both look like they’re enjoying each other’s company.”

Watch the video below to see the most insane overhead kick you will see this week…

Front threes tend to be all the rage in the modern game, with two-striker approaches largely limited to the teams with considerably more stringent budgets and resources.

Such is the form of Lukaku and Rashford that one expects United’s wingers – Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez – will have a tough time earning minutes once they return to fitness and they should have no complaints.

Finally, what’s your score prediction?

Alex: “2-0 United.”

Will: “2-1. A measured prediction based on Arsenal’s home advantage or blind, desperate optimism? Your call.”

Injury: that short, unmistakable word; the heart wrenching ping, snap, twist, pull, tear or break.

It is a harsh reality sportsmen must face when competing at the highest level: that their bodies could, at any point, give in on them.

The tragic event which could befall anyone – the end of their career as they know it, at least.

Louis Saha is one of these people, one of the unfortunate few that were chosen and could do little to battle their way through the trials and tribulations of recovery.

The former Manchester United man made the switch from Craven Cottage to Old Trafford in 2004¸ presumably full of hope and anticipation for his then fledging career at one of the world’s most iconic clubs.

At 25-years-of-age there were no immediate signs of ill-health or physical fatigue – he was in the prime of his career, having already established himself as a talent at his former club Fulham, netting an impressive 26 league goals in 73 appearances.

From January to the end of the season Louis Saha was everything Manchester United could have hoped for.

He released some of the immense pressure which had been piling on Ruud van Nistelrooy in the wake of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s injury, scoring seven times in 12 Premier League appearances.

It truly was very promising stuff.

But fate reared its ugly head and cruelly struck the forward down the following season.

Saha would spend a month out of action after picking up an injury on international duty – a largely unnecessary risk players faced during the period of obsolete ‘friendly’ matches, pre-UEFA Nations League.

He returned but was never the same. Indeed, like with most injuries, players carry scarring; not the kind you can see, but the type that harbours itself inside the players head – those niggling worries that the injury may hit again.

And it did – a savage blow of stark similarity rained upon him – the same infliction under the very same circumstances on international duty.

He would spend two months out.

And again. Three months sidelined at the start of the following season.

In an amazing display of defiance Saha would return and re-establish himself in the first-team scoring 15 goals during the 2005/06 campaign, later replacing the outbound Ruud van Nistelrooy, who joined Real Madrid in summer 2006.

Saha burdened the responsibility well. He had become the player Manchester United initially invested in; the pacey, mercurial, goalscoring talent that belonged in the starting line-up.

There was some consistency about his game until he was hit with more complication – this time affecting his groin and hamstring.

A single, paltry goal would sit solitarily alone on Saha’s record that season – a sad indication that the injuries had taken their toll.

An absence from Manchester United’s famous Champions League victory would be the final nail in the coffin for Saha, and he would agree to be moved on later that year.

Injuries would ultimately hamper his career at Everton, Sunderland and Lazio, where he eventually retired.

When asked by Shortlist who the best forward he played with was Wayne Rooney answered: “That’s so hard. There are so many… [thinks hard] I’m going to say Louis Saha. He’s a fantastic player; a real handful for anyone and I just really enjoyed playing off him. He was so lively and made great runs in behind. Always making space for others.”

This is both a testament to his quality and the catastrophic turn his career took.

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Leeds United maintained their momentum in the Championship title race with a 3-0 win over relegation-threatened Reading at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Whites went ahead via a Mateusz Klich strike before a well-taken Pablo Hernandez brace sealed the points. It would have been a far more emphatic margin of victory, though, had Patrick Bamford managed to convert any of his numerous goal-scoring opportunities. However, the No. 9 failed to be clinical and spurned the chances.

Since signing for the Yorkshire club in the summer, Bamford has endured an injury-hit first campaign at Elland Road. The 25-year-old has only managed fourteen league outings so far. As per Transfermarkt’s stats, the striker has racked up six goals in that time.

Despite his struggles against the Royals, Bamford has certainly been in good form recently. However, he is a striker who often needs a number of chances to present themselves before he is able to take one and score.

This is a luxury he can be afforded in the Championship. In the top flight though, which Leeds are aiming for, such profligacy would not go unpunished. Failure to take chances in the Premier League invariably has negative consequences.

If the Whites do go up this season, they’ll want to be heading into the new campaign with a first choice striker they can rely upon to be clinical. For all the positives in his game, Bamford does not offer that security or sense of comfort. The Englishman is talented, but doubts over his ability to be prolific at the highest level persist. He may well prove to be the man capable of firing Leeds into the Premier League, but he certainly shouldn’t be the man they invest all their faith in to keep them up there.

Who do you want to see promoted this year? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have picked their 3 favoured teams in the video below…

Danny Mills, speaking on the LS11 podcast, as quoted by This is Futbol, recently stated that “the way he plays is probably better suited to Premier League football.” Bamford is yet to prove he can thrive in the Premier League though, and has had a number of opportunities to do so in the past, with the likes of Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Norwich City, Burnley and Middlesbrough. 

Of course, he is older now, more experienced and developed, and perhaps more ready to face the challenge of the top flight. However, for Leeds to expect just him and Kemar Roofe to be able to keep them in the top tier next season would represent a huge gamble. 

Bamford has the chance to make himself a Leeds hero this season. If he is able to do so, the resulting promotion should be the catalyst for the club’s search for a new first choice striker. Manager Marcelo Bielsa must recognise this reality and be prepared to bring in stern competition for his current strikeforce this summer. A failure to do so would see his side struggle to score the goals needed to compete in the Premier League.

أعلن نادي بلاكبيرن روفرز منذ قليل حصوله على خدمات اللاعب هارفي إليوت، من صفوف فريق ليفربول، في آخر أيام موسم الانتقالات الصيفي في إنجلترا.

ويحق للأندية الإنجليزية، من الدرجات المختلفة، إبرام الصفقات بينهم حتى منتصف ليل اليوم الجمعة.

اقرأ أيضًا.. تقارير: كلوب حريص على ضم أداما تراوري لـ ليفربول

وأصدر بلاكبيرن روفرز بيانًا رسميًا أعلن من خلاله تعاقده مع هارفي إليوت من ليفربول، وذلك على سبيل الإعارة لمدة موسم واحد.

ويُعد هارفي إليوت هو رابع الراحلين عن ليفربول اليوم الجمعة، بعد كل من هربي كين إلى بارنسلي وبين وودبورن إلى بلاكبول، ثم هاري ويلسون إلى كارديف سيتي.

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According to The Mirror, West Ham United are considering a move for Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic in this summer’s transfer window.

What’s the word, then?

Mitrovic spent the second half of last season on loan at Fulham before joining the Cottagers on a permanent deal from Newcastle United last summer.

The 24-year-old has been unable to prevent Fulham from dropping straight back into the Championship, but his form during the 2018-19 campaign has been good.

Indeed, the striker has netted 10 Premier League goals for Scott Parker’s side, which is a brilliant return when considering the team’s struggles this season.

It seems unlikely that Fulham will be able to keep hold of the Serbia international this summer and, according to The Mirror, West Ham are interested.

Football.london report that Mario Husillos and Pellegrini have identified Gomez as a priority signing, but they should forget the Uruguay international and sign Mitrovic instead.

Why would Mitrovic be the better fit?

There is no question that Gomez is a talent. Indeed, the striker has scored 11 La Liga goals for a struggling Celta team during the 2018-19 campaign.

The 22-year-old is untried in England, however, and it would be a big risk for West Ham to shell out a sizeable price for a player who could take a while to settle, if he does at all.

Mitrovic, on the other hand, knows the English game and has proved that he can score goals at the top level.

West Ham will be in the market for a new striker this summer as Andy Carroll prepares to move on, whilst Marko Arnautovic could also finally leave.

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

Newcastle did not want Mitrovic, but it is not too difficult to understand why West Ham are interested in a summer deal.

And Hammers head coach Manuel Pellegrini should insist that Mitrovic and not Gomez is the club’s number one attacking target ahead of the 2019-2020 campaign.

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Millwall host Brighton this weekend in the FA Cup quarter-finals and will surely go into it with full confidence after their impressive victory away at Birmingham on Wednesday and the knowledge that they have the quality to beat Premier League opposition after besting Everton in the fifth round.

The Seagulls, meanwhile, are also in a buoyant mood – they beat bitter rivals Crystal Palace last time out in what was only their second win of 2019.

Below, Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas offers his predictions ahead of what promises to be a gritty clash…

“The one thing you’ll know you’ll get is blood and guts. A little bit of quality in there and they can show it. Steve Morison is a handful. It’ll be volatile with the crowd as we know it can be down there at the Den.

“This is a hard match to call. Brighton have still got some work to do in the Premier League. But why not go for it? Play your strongest team. I think it will be very tight.”

The wrong striker

Nicholas predicted a scoreline of 2-1 to the visitors, although his comments about the threat Millwall pose to Brighton are interesting considering the impact Lee Gregory made on Wednesday night.

Gregory teed up Ben Thompson twice in the first half and has surely earned his starting spot this weekend if Neil Harris is going to throw everything at the tie, while the 4-5-1 the Lions boss went with in that game was effective at keeping the Blues out after Millwall had gone two ahead – that leaves no room for a second striker.

Brighton will surely look to go to The Den looking to impose their style and there will undoubtedly be space for Millwall when they look to attack – perhaps they don’t need to rely on Morison’s physicality to get the job done and can instead continue with Gregory.

Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Pl>ymaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…

It’s surprising considering how well the Lions number 9 did on Wednesday that Nicholas has mentioned Morison instead – sure, the veteran striker has been a key player for Harris’ side in the previous rounds but he’s only made three starts since the end of January and Gregory’s latest showing surely deserves mention.

[ad_pod ]Manchester United fans on Twitter are riled after Paul Pogba spoke of his admiration for Real Madrid in the media, saying that they are a ‘dream club for every player’.The France international has been at Old Trafford for three years now since returning to the club in 2016 for a then world-record fee of £89m, having been let go by the Red Devils in 2012 – Pogba ended up joining Juventus on a free transfer.Which “global superstar” has just been named Man Utd’s worst ever January signing? Find out in the video above…Talk of the World Cup winner being unhappy in Manchester was rife towards the end of Jose Mourinho’s tenure in charge of the 20-time Premier League champions, and whilst he appears happier under the tutelage of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, that hasn’t stopped him flirting with the Spanish giants.Understandably, United fans aren’t too happy with the 26-year-old’s comments, especially at a time where it looks like the club is heading in the right direction under Solskjaer.Many have questioned his commitment to the cause, so let’s take a look at what some of the United fans on Twitter are saying about Pogba’s silly comments…

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Arsenal’s Under-18 team came from 2-0 down to beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 on Tuesday.

After falling 2-0 down, an exceptional late comeback saw the young Gunners emerge victorious.

Bukayo Saka pulled a goal back in the 85th minute before Brooklyn Lyons-Foster scored an own goal, inadvertently turning in a Saka cross. And, in injury time, Ben Cottrell scored the winner as the Gunners’ Under-18 side ended Spurs’ impressive unbeaten run this season.

Arsenal have now won 18 and lost just two of their 20 games this term, while Spurs have won 16, drawn two and lost one.

The Gunners have a four-point lead over Spurs at the top of the Under-18 Premier League South, though the young Lilywhites do have a game in hand.

And fans have revelled in the result, which came less than 24 hours after Arsenal leapfrogged Spurs in the Premier League following their 2-0 win over Newcastle United at the Emirates.

Take a look at the best of the reaction on Twitter below!

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Tottenham Hotspur icon Paul Gascoigne has used his official Twitter account to urge the club to allow him to play in an upcoming legends’ game against Inter Milan.

The former England international, a star of the 1990 World Cup, became a hero at White Hart Lane, spending four years at the club prior to a move to Lazio in 1992.

Indeed, ‘Gazza’, as he is affectionately known, played a major role in the club’s 1991 FA Cup triumph after scoring a phenomenal free-kick in the semi-final against Arsenal.

And with Spurs hosting a legends’ match against Inter at their new stadium, Gascoigne has taken to Twitter to ask to be involved.

The London Evening Standard report that Spurs hope he will be involved, with Gary Mabbutt, a good friend of Gascoigne, said to be in contact with him over the possibility of the ex-midfielder playing.

And Spurs fans and ex-players alike have pleaded with the club to make it happen, reacting in their droves to their former hero’s tweet.

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!