Graeme Souness says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has work to do at Manchester United
Graeme Souness says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has work to do at Man Utd (Pictures: Sky Sports / Getty)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s ‘biggest challenge’ at Manchester United is how to get the best out of inconsistent Red Devils forward Anthony Martial, according to Graeme Souness.

Martial became the most expensive teenager in history when Man United spent an initial £36million to sign him from Monaco in 2015.

Despite showing glimpses of his undoubted potential, there is a feeling that there is still more to come from Martial, who has scored 78 goals in 254 appearances at Old Trafford.

Solskjaer has admitted this season that Martial has not been at his best, with the Frenchman scoring four goals in 20 Premier League appearances.

Souness says Martial’s form remains an issue for Solskjaer and has rated Man United’s chances of finishing in the top four this season.

He told The Times: ‘Manchester United were not great against Newcastle last weekend, but they end up getting the goals and the job done.

‘I said at the start of the season that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s biggest challenge was keeping a fire lit under Anthony Martial and nothing has happened since to change my opinion.

Solskjaer expects Martial to come through his 'difficult patch'
Solskjaer expects Martial to come through his ‘difficult patch’ (Picture: Getty)

‘But Edinson Cavani has been a plus and they are getting the job done in most cases, so I reckon they will end up in the top four.

‘Right now, Chelsea also have momentum, so, along with Manchester City and Leicester City, that would be my top four right now, but you could ask me every fortnight from now until the end of the season and I’d change my opinion every fortnight.

‘That’s how mad this season is.’

Speaking last week, Solskjaer backed ‘hard-working’ Martial to come through his ‘difficult patch’ at Old Trafford.

‘Anthony knows what we want, and he is working really hard to do well for the team and that’s what is pleasing me the most when I see him every day in training,’ said Solskjaer.

‘He is not going to sit down and wait for things to happen, he knows he will have to make it happen himself and we encourage him, we coach him, and we know he has going this quality and class.

‘Everyone goes through difficult patches from time to time and I think we saw again tonight, he is working hard and that is the main thing.’

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 28: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 28, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Harry Kane is midway through a six-year deal at Spurs (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) Photographer: Marc Atkins Provider: Getty Images Source: Getty Images Europe

Tottenham talisman Harry Kane has been warned he risks wasting his career at the club if he fails to angle for a move to rivals Manchester City or Manchester United this summer.

The 27-year-old is on course to become the club’s record scorer, while he’s in contention to break Alan Shearer’s Premier League scoring record if he continues at his current rate.

Kane is yet to win major silverware with his boyhood club, though he has a chance in late April when Spurs taken on Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.

Nevertheless, it will take a strong turnaround for Spurs to qualify for the Champions League and former Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy believes this summer is Kane’s last chance to push through an exit from the club.

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Kane has struck 21 goals so far this term (Photo by GLYN KIRK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

‘It’s a huge summer for Harry Kane. If he doesn’t leave Tottenham now, he never will. He’ll finish as the club’s record goalscorer and have a statue built outside the stadium if he stays but at the expense of winning the trophies his talent deserves,’ Murphy wrote in the Daily Mail.

‘I’m sure he’s thinking about it every day because time isn’t on his side. Right now, he is among the best three strikers in the world and would improve any team.

‘But he turns 28 this summer, with younger models Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe becoming increasingly attractive to the elite clubs every year.

‘Kane clearly loves Spurs and wanted to give Jose Mourinho every chance this season. But they are miles off challenging for a Premier League title or Champions League so now it’s decision time.

‘Does he want to be like Thierry Henry, who left Arsenal for Barcelona and won the Champions League?

‘Or Jamie Vardy, who stayed at Leicester when he was coveted by other clubs and could have won more silverware but will be remembered as the Foxes’ greatest player?

‘One thing looks clear. From this summer onwards, future offers will be harder to come by. So I do think he should twist rather than stick.’

While Kane is undoubtedly one of the finest forwards in the world, his age means suitors may be unwilling to meet Spurs’ £150m valuation of the England skipper.

With the coronavirus pandemic having a grave effect on club finances across the world, the money clubs do have to spend is arguably better spent

That’s led the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City to target Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, rather than Kane.

But Murphy believes Manchester United would be another option, even if Kane may have to wait a little longer for top honours.

‘Kane’s situation is complicated by having another world-class centre-forward in the marketplace in Haaland, while Mbappe, the hottest property of the lot, might want to sample life outside Paris Saint-Germain at some stage,’ continued Murphy.

‘Picking the right club would also be vital for Kane, who doesn’t have the luxury of helping to build a long-term project.

‘For example, Manchester United would be improved by signing the England captain and could afford his transfer fee and wages but, for Kane, is it worth leaving Spurs without that guarantee of immediate success?

‘United might still be a year or two away from winning the big trophies which makes me think Manchester City looks a better fit.

‘City are blowing everyone away at the moment but Pep Guardiola is too shrewd to want to go into next season relying on Gabriel Jesus or a ‘false nine’ now it’s clear Sergio Aguero is playing fewer games.’

MORE : Timo Werner opens up on ‘worst time of his career’ at Chelsea


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Timo Werner has struggled for his bet form at Chelsea (Picture: Getty/AFP)

Timo Werner said his goal drought at Chelsea was the worst time of his career but insists he has learned from the problems he went through.

The German striker made a solid start to his career at Stamford Bridge after his high profile move from RB Leipzig in the summer, but then hit a serious stumbling block.

The 24-year-old went 15 Premier League games without a goal, a dreadful run which he finally halted against Newcastle last week and he was very glad to do so.

‘The smile wasn’t on my face all the time,’ Werner told Sky Sports. ‘You have to keep smiling, that’s the most important thing because when you are not happy and you don’t enjoy football, and you are always angry or mad, you can’t go back to moments where you can play good football.

‘The period where I didn’t score was the worst time of my career because I’d never missed so many big chances. I’d never been so long without a goal, so I was very happy it ended two games ago. It was a difficult time without those feelings.’

It may have been a struggle for the Germany international since his move to the Premier League but he has now taken his Chelsea goal tally to 10 in all competitions and is set on taking the positives even out of his struggles.

‘When I look back at my half a year with Chelsea, it wasn’t the most difficult time in my career, but the best time to learn new things,’ he explained. ‘When you have a period without goals you learn something from yourself.

‘You learn a lot about how you can handle these situations and it was the best time for me to learn the most in my career.

‘From bad moments you learn the most and that’s exactly what happened in the last month.’

Chelsea v Newcastle United - Premier League
Werner got back on the score sheet against Newcastle this month (Picture: Getty Images)

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel feels Werner has been hampered by the way the side have been playing since he arrived, dominating possession and leaving little room for the striker to run in behind.

‘Maybe it is our fault because we have a lot of possession and we push opponent teams very, very deep in their half so spaces are not too big,’ said Tuchel.

‘The biggest strength of Timo is to attack the space behind the last line so it is maybe also our fault in the dominant game that we play in the moment, it is very natural that the spaces are closed by the opponents.’

Chelsea host Manchester United in the Premier League at 4.30pm on Sunday.

MORE : Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel reveals he ‘fought hard’ to sign Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes

MORE : Willian speaks out on problems with Antonio Conte at Chelsea

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Paris Saint-Germain v Manchester United - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg
Thomas Tuchel and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer meet again (Picture: AMA/Getty Images)

Chelsea remain unbeaten under Thomas Tuchel but that record will be put to the test against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The Blues have won six and drawn two of their matches under the German and are coming off an impressive victory against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.

They are right back in the hunt for a Champions League spot and can climb into the top four with victory over United.

The Red Devils are in decent form themselves and will look to keep their slim hopes of the title alive with victory in west London.

When is Chelsea vs Man Utd?

The match kicks-off at 4.30pm on Sunday 28 February at Stamford Bridge.

What TV channel is Chelsea vs Man Utd on and is there a live stream?

Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League will be showing the game live with subscribers able to stream on Sky Go or on the Sky Sports app.

Chelsea vs Man Utd team news

Chelsea are in good shape fitness-wise, with only Thiago Silva rules out of this one.

Things are less clear for Manchester United, with Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Daniel James all out, while Edinson Cavani, Scott McTominay and Donny van de Beek are all doubts and face late fitness tests.

Chelsea vs Man Utd odds

5/4 Chelsea
23/10 Draw
12/5 Man Utd

Odds courtesy of Betfair

Chelsea vs Man Utd head-to-head in last five meetings

24 Oct 2020: Man Utd 0-0 Chelsea – Premier League
19 Jul 2020: Man Utd 1-3 Chelsea – FA Cup
17 Feb 2020: Chelsea 0-2 Man Utd – Premier League
30 Oct 2019: Chelsea 1-2 Man Utd – League Cup
11 Aug 2019: Man Utd 4-0 Chelsea – Premier League

MORE : Ole Gunnar Solskjaer provides injury updates on Edinson Cavani and Paul Pogba

MORE : Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reacts to Thomas Tuchel’s controversial Callum Hudson-Odoi decision

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Lionel Messi is expected to leave Barcelona at the end of the season . (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP) (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)

Barcelona legend Rivaldo believes Manchester City would be a ‘very solid’ choice for Lionel Messi should he choose to leave the Camp Nou at the end of the season.

The Argentine has less than six months to run on his contract with the Catalans and it’s increasingly likely that he will leave the club at the end of the campaign.

Messi was keen to leave last summer but was convinced to stay for another 12 months after a contract dispute with the club’s hierarchy.

However, the La Liga giants are heading for a last-16 Champions League exit at the hands of PSG after a thumping 4-1 defeat in the first leg at the Camp Nou.

City, by contrast, are 2-0 up against Borussia Monchengladbach and are favourites to win the tournament for the first time in the club’s history.

And Rivaldo believes Messi would make City the strongest force in Europe for the foreseeable future if he decided to move to the Etihad.

Sevilla v FC Barcelona: Copa del Rey Semi Final First Leg
Messi is out of contract at the end of the season (Picture: Getty)

‘Pep Guardiola has one of the best squads in Europe and Manchester City are in incredible form right now after 19 consecutive wins, jumping to a 10-point lead in the league and taking a solid step forward in Europe this week,’ Rivaldo told Betfair.

‘City are a very rich club and that allows them to sign the best players in the world. For that reason, they would be a very solid destination for Lionel Messi if he leaves Barcelona.

‘Mix the great moment of form they’re going through with the fact that Guardiola has already coached Messi with huge success, and it’s clear that the English club would become even stronger with the Argentinian star on their ranks.

‘In fact, with Messi, they would be the favourite to win any competition.’

City were favourites for Messi’s signature last summer but Paris Saint-Germain launched a charm offensive earlier this season and are currently heading the race for the Argentina captain.

The Ligue 1 giants are confident of tying Kylian Mbappe and Neymar down to new long-term extensions in the French capital, with the duo potentially buoyed by talk of Messi arriving at the club.

For more from Betfair Ambassador, Rivaldo head towww.betting.betfair.com/football/rivaldo/

MORE : Leicester vs Arsenal TV channel, live stream, time, team news, odds and head-to-head


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Arsenal v Leicester City - Premier League
Brendan Rodgers can guide his side to second in the table on Sunday (Picture: Getty Images)

Leicester can move back into second place in the Premier League when they host Arsenal on Sunday lunchtime.

The Foxes go into the contest level on points with Manchester United and only behind the Red Devils on goal difference, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side travelling to Chelsea later on Sunday.

Arsenal are languishing down in 11th in the table, but a point would see them clamber back into the top half, above Leeds United.

After a promising spell in December and January, Mikel Arteta’s men have hit another sticky patch, winning just one of their last five Premier League matches.

When is Leicester vs Arsenal?

The match kicks-off at midday on Sunday 28 February at the King Power Stadium.

What TV channel is Leicester vs Arsenal on and is there a live stream?

BT Sport 1 will be showing the game live with coverage starting at 11.30am. Subscribers can stream the action on BT Sport Player or the BT Sport app.

Leicester vs Arsenal team news

Leicester are struggling with a number of injuries as James Maddison, James Justin, Dennis Praet, Ayoze Perez, Wesley Fofana and Wes Morgan are all out.

Arsenal are in comparatively excellent shape, with no one out as Rob Holding returns after suffering a concussion.

Leicester vs Arsenal odds

8/5 Leicester
23/10 Draw
15/8 Arsenal

Odds courtesy of Betfair

MORE : Rob Holding available to return for Arsenal’s clash with Leicester City

MORE : Kevin Campbell urges Arsenal to sell Reiss Nelson on one condition

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Atalanta BC v Liverpool FC: Group D - UEFA Champions League
Jurgen Klopp hopes to be working with Mohamed Salah for a long time to come (Picture: Getty Images)

Jurgen Klopp says he feels awkward when publicly praising his own players, but has done so for Mohamed Salah as he hopes the Egyptian will stay at Liverpool for years to come.

Salah is enjoying another excellent season on a personal level, even though it is proving to be a very difficult campaign for the Reds.

The 28-year-old has scored 24 goals in 34 matches, taking his Liverpool tally to an incredible 118 goals in 186 matches since arriving from Roma in 2017.

Having won the Champions League and Premier League with the Reds it was no surprise that Salah was linked with a move to other giant clubs and he did little to play down any bubbling speculation.

‘I think Madrid and Barcelona are two top clubs,’ Salah told Spanish publication AS in December. ;Who knows what will happen in the future, but right now I am focused on winning the Premier League and the Champions League with Liverpool again.’

Klopp feels there is no real need for him to come out and hail the Egyptian superstar, given his outrageous statistics, but is clear that he wants him to remain at Anfield for a long time to come.

‘It’s just a bit awkward when I have to praise my own players, which I like to do to be honest, but especially in Mo’s case, the numbers speak for themselves,’ Klopp said.

‘Mo is not only a goal-scorer, he has developed as a footballer as well. He is a very, very important player for us and hopefully he will be that for a very long time of course.’

Salah is under contract at Liverpool until 2023, last signing an extension in 2018, so if the Reds do indeed want to keep him long-term then they will have to make him a new offer in the near future.

Klopp insisted he is not worried by his star player’s situation when asked about it last month, saying: ‘It is a normal thing in the world of football.

Liverpool v Manchester City - Premier League
Salah is the top scorer in the Premier League so far this season (Picture: Getty Images)

‘Mo didn’t make a speech, It’s not that we go out and talk about things that we think are important. It’s pretty rare that happens.

‘We get asked questions and we answer – that is the end of the story. But it always sounds like we started the conversation.

‘In Mo’s case it is not like that. I don’t think it will distract this season.’

Salah is likely to be in action when Liverpool travel to South Yorkshire to play Sheffield United on Sunday evening.

MORE : Jurgen Klopp faces the sack if Liverpool miss out on Champions League, says Paul Merson

MORE : Alan Shearer predicts Liverpool or Chelsea will finish outside Premier League top four

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Manchester United v Liverpool: The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round
Edinson Cavani is struggling for full fitness (Picture: Getty Images)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was still unaware on Friday whether Edinson Cavani would be available for Manchester United’s clash with Chelsea on Sunday, although Paul Pogba remains sidelined through injury.

Cavani has missed United’s last three matches with a muscle injury and while he is nearing a return to fitness, he has not been ready enough to train this week.

Solskjaer remained hopeful that the 34-year-old would be willing to play against the Blues despite this, but could not confirm his availability when he spoke to the media on Friday.

‘Honestly, I hope but I don’t know. I have got to say he has still not trained with the team and he is one of those who wants to train really hard before he plays,’ Solskjaer said of Cavani.

‘Hopefully he will say to me on Saturday ‘I am ready’ but I don’t know because has not trained with us.’

The Uruguayan has been impressive this season since arriving at Old Trafford on a free transfer.

He has netted six times in the Premier League and been a very useful addition to Solskjaer’s squad. However, the Norwegian is not short of options up front with Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood all fit.

Pogba will not be playing at Stamford Bridge, though, as he continues to recover from a thigh problem which, frustratingly for Solskjaer, hit the Frenchman in the middle of a good run of form.

‘Paul was really coming to his best, his form was brilliant, his fitness was brilliant,’ said the United boss.

‘Of course it was a big blow for us to lose him now in this important period but hopefully after the international break at least, so in April, May, we have got Paul back, hopefully before. But when he comes back, he is going to be a fresh addition.’

Chelsea host United at 4.30pm on Sunday with the Blues looking to go just three points behind the Red Devils with a victory as their impressive unbeaten run under Thomas Tuchel continues.

MORE : Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reveals Bruno Fernandes is NOT Manchester United’s ‘worst loser’

MORE : Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel reveals he ‘fought hard’ to sign Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes

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Jorge Masvidal
Masvidal says his title rematch is locked in for August (Picture: Getty)

Jorge Masvidal has confirmed he will make his UFC return this September to take on welterweight champion Kamaru Usman again – and revealed his hopes of boxing Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez one day.

Masvidal was in attendance as Canelo dismantled Avni Yildirim in a successful defence of his WBA and WBC super-middleweight titles in Miami on Saturday.

The UFC star was on commentary duty for ESPN’s Latin America coverage of the contest and interviewed the pound-for-pound great post-fight.

Speaking to Boxing Social later that night, Masvidal revealed the subject of fighting Canelo inevitably came up, with ‘Gambred’ eager to test himself against the Mexican superstar.

‘The first thing I said was congrats brother,’ Masvidal said.

Canelo beats Yildirim
Masvidal was in attendance as Canelo crushed Yildirim (Picture: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom.)

‘I’m not going to rain on nobody’s parade, it was a hell of a performance. Later on one of the commentators brought up maybe us boxing in the future and that’s definitely a possibility.

‘We can definitely cross promote. But I’m here as a fan. I wasn’t here to call out Canelo or anything like that. I’m just a fan of the man, I love what he does, I love boxing, it’s simple.’

Masvidal came up short in his long-awaited crack at the welterweight championship last July, dropping a unanimous decision to Usman.

But the Florida fighter told the same channel a deal is now in place for the rematch – before adding the draw of boxing’s pay-per-view riches could lure him over next.

‘Right now, I’m focused on me fighting for the belt. In September, we have just got word.

‘That’s what I’m worried about. Then we will see, whatever the future holds. I love boxing and boxing gives the big pay cheques.

‘What I mean is they pay out for the PPVs we bring in than more than in my current sport so would I love to be in boxing? No brainer, yes.

‘When the time comes we will cross that bridge and get the right opponents.’

MORE : Canelo Alvarez tells Jake Paul fan to ‘get the f**k out of here’ after mystery pair crash post-fight interview

MORE : Canelo Alvarez vs Billy Joe Saunders confirmed with date revealed for unification clash

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