Man Utd Academy Weekly for 8 January to 14 January 2024

Omari Forson makes first-team debut Huge congratulations to Omari Forson who made his first-team debut in our 2-0 defeat of Wigan Athletic in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup. “After three first-team debuts last year, we’re delighted to see another so soon into 2024,” Nick Cox said.  “It was only three weeks ago that we were celebrating Willy Kambwala becoming the 248th Academy player to graduate into the senior side and now Omari has become 249. Whatever he goes on to achieve in the game, this is a landmark moment for him and his family to celebrate. “Congratulations to Omari and those around him and to the multitude of staff who have contributed to his development. “As we emphasise to all our young players, even after a great deal of hard work, this is just the beginning for Omari. “For the Academy, it’s another step closer to a landmark 250th graduate. That will be a fantastic occasion to reflect on 90 years of incredible work at Old Trafford, The Cliff and now Carrington. We know we’re following in the footsteps of greats here and while we’re excited to hit 250 and celebrate, the focus will very quickly turn to 251, 252 and all the way to 300 and beyond.” #Man #Utd #Academy #Weekly #January #January Read the full article

Franz Beckenbauer Dies At 78, But His Values Will Live On

One of the finest players and greatest celebrators of soccer, Franz Beckenbauer, has died at the age of 78. The Germany and Bayern Munich icon’s family confirmed the news via DPA, a German news agency, on Monday, revealing he had passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday night (January 7). Beckenbauer was not only one of the greatest of the game, he was also a trendsetter, the personification of the game’s unyielding spirit. Throughout his playing and coaching career, ‘Der Kaiser’, as he was affectionately called, trailblazed, inspired millions, and propelled his teams to unprecedented success.

Franz Beckenbauer: The Liberator

Beckenbauer revolutionized the way the game was played by reimagining the ‘Libero’ role. Until the German redefined it in the 1970s, the ‘Libero’ or ‘Sweeper’, only served as a defensive cover. They operated behind the defensive line, primarily coming alive when the original backline was penetrated and a body was needed to protect the goalkeeper. Beckenbauer gave the role a new spin at Bayern Munich, adding attacking traits to it. Instead of just sitting back and waiting to kick the ball away, Beckenbauer used his impeccable intelligence and ball-playing ability to drive into midfield. He would go on little adventures in every game, carrying the ball from defense to midfield, and even beyond at times. Teams rarely had an answer for ‘Der Kaiser’s’ driving runs down the middle, and, as a result, they were often outnumbered during a counter-attack.

Franz Beckenbauer: The Conqueror

Beckenbauer was a tactical mastermind, an impeccable ball player, and a fearless leader all rolled into one. His leadership and timely masterclasses instigated the golden eras of both the Bavarians and Die Mannschaft. He helped his country to the 1972 European Championship before guiding them to FIFA World Cup glory in 1974. At Bayern, he won three consecutive UEFA Champions League between 1974 and 1976, four Bundesliga titles, and four DFB Pokals. Beckenbauer’s heroics deservedly won him two Ballon d’Or Awards in 1972 and 1976. In 2000, Germany honored him with the Footballer of the Century title. Unsurprisingly, the Germany icon also had an impressive managerial career. In 1990, he took his country to the FIFA World Cup, becoming only the second player in history, behind Brazil’s Mario Zagallo, to win the esteemed trophy both as a player and manager. France’s Didier Deschamps joined the esteemed duo when France won the FIFA World Cup in 2018. Beckenbauer also won it all as Bayern’s manager, including nine Bundesliga titles, a Champions League trophy, and six DFB Pokals, amongst others.

Franz Beckenbauer: The Immortal

Soccer has seen its fair share of great players over the years, but very few can hold a candle to the legendary ‘Der Kaiser’. He was more than a player. He was the embodiment of progress. Beckenbauer was aggressive without being brash. He was brilliant without being arrogant. He was a leader even without the armband, one who regularly inspired but never commanded. The soccer community has lost one of its brightest stars, but the values he exemplified will live on forever in every player, manager, and spectator. They will keep us true and hopefully prevent the world’s game from surrendering its soul. #Franz #Beckenbauer #Dies #Values #Live Read the full article

Spurs eyeing better option than Todibo in titan with £430m release clause

Might it be fair to say that the work that Ange Postecoglou is doing at Tottenham Hotspur is going under the radar? Or, perhaps at the least, the Australian manager's remarkable rekindling of the formerly struggling side has not received the praise it deserves after the dip before the festive period. Timo Werner is closing in on a surprise loan deal, while Postecoglou's "priority" to sign a centre-back backs up recent transfer rumours that the backline will welcome a fresh face.

Related Spurs in talks to sign £50m Werner partner who would supercharge Maddison Ange Postecoglou's side appear to be busy in the January transfer market. There is a hope that January transfers will ameliorate any problems that have risen from the fragility of the squad, and with talisman Heung-min Son and midfielders Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr all on international duty for the next month or so, Werner's signing will likely be backed up with an approach for a midfielder. In defence, Radu Dragusin is the prime target but whether Spurs will succeed in securing his services remains uncertain, with Napoli also interested; should they fail, other options have been lined up...

Spurs transfer news - Andreas Christensen

Last week, Spanish reports revealed that Tottenham are among the contenders to sign Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen, with the Premier League clubs attentive to the La Liga champions' fraught financial situation. Barcelona signed the Danish star on a free transfer at the start of last season after his contract ended with Chelsea, and while he holds a €500m (£430m) release clause, Spurs might be able to agree on a favourable fee given the circumstances.

But with Manchester United and Newcastle United also pushing for a deal, Spurs will need to decide quickly whether they wish to advance their intrigue or focus their attention elsewhere.

Andreas Christensen's style of play

Christensen made 161 appearances for Chelsea and won the Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup before joining Barcelona, where he played an important part in winning the league last term. As per Sofascore, Christensen played 23 times during the 2022/23 La Liga campaign and kept eight clean sheets, completing 94% of his passes and winning 69% of his aerial battles. There has been conversation surrounding the 27-year-old's sporadic role this season, but then he has started 14 of La Blaugrana's league matches and remains an important member.

However, should an enticing offer be put forth then Xavi and his transfer team may well be convinced to grant his departure, with Barcelona not short of first-class defenders. Postecoglou is building something at Tottenham and is understandably pursuing reinforcements in defence, with star defensive pair Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero both in and out of the team this season due to injuries and suspension for the latter. Christensen, as per FBref, ranks among the top 1% of central defenders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 7% for passes attempted and progressive passes, the top 12% for progressive carries and the top 14% for shot-creating actions per 90. Clearly, he is among the finest passers of the ball within any backline across Europe and this is fitting given that he plays for Barcelona, but with Tottenham now refining their own technical play under Postecoglou's wing, he would be a fantastic acquisition. Andreas Christensen: Similar Players # Player Club 1 Jules Kounde Barcelona 2 Antonio Rudiger Real Madrid 3 William Saliba Arsenal 4 Danilo Juventus 5 Fikayo Tomori AC Milan *Sourced via Football Transfers The £149k-per-week ace is not naturally left-footed but he is at ease on the left side of the backline and has played there with regularity throughout his career, having been praised for his "intelligent" approach by one-time boss Thomas Tuchel. Given this, he would be the perfect alternative to the left-sided centre-half Van de Ven, whose injury absence over the past few months has forced left-back Ben Davies into his position. While the aforementioned Dragusin is the favourite to join the fold, there is indeed uncertainty regarding his move to north London, and while OGC Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo has also been of a vested interest, Christensen might just be the perfect fallback.

How Andreas Christensen compares to Jean-Clair Todibo

Spurs have held an interest in Todibo, aged 23, for some time but discussions are understood to have collapsed as the Lilywhites wanted a quick solution to their defensive quandary. That hasn't happened, and the pursuit of a new addition goes on. And while Fabrizio Romano's words on transfer matters are often binding, reports persist in linking Tottenham to the France international. Todibo is a very good defender and he would bring robustness and physical prowess to the Spurs backline, also averaging 7.9 ball recoveries and 3.2 clearances per game and winning 65% of his aerial duels. But Postecoglou would be wise to sign Christensen if possible, with the former Chelsea defender's composure the perfect foil for Romero - with his style indeed also easing the burden on Van de Ven's shoulders. 23/24: Andreas Christensen vs Jean-Clair Todibo Stat (per 90) Christensen Todibo Matches played 14 15 Assists 1 1 Pass completion 96% 91% Progressive carries 1.07 0.74 Progressive passes 6.12 4.85 Shot-creating actions 1.57 1.47 Tackles 0.74 1.99 Blocks 0.74 1.47 Interceptions 0.99 1.32 Aerial duels won 2.31 1.47 *Sourced via FBref The table above helps to elucidate the respective skill sets and, crucially, why both players have been touted for transfer to Tottenham. While Todibo is evidently more active and commanding in his defensive duties - having been described as "solid as a rock" by talent scout Jacek Kulig in the past - Christensen is a more fitting signing. Furthermore, the 6 foot 2 titan has proved himself in the Premier League more and could instil confidence and security throughout the defensive ranks, also confident on the left and providing the preferred profile more appropriately. To be honest, all of the aforementioned targets would be a credit to Postecoglou's side and the coach would succeed in bringing their best qualities to the fore. But, pedantically, Christensen might just be the better option and could bring an elite passing game to enhance the overall fluency at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. #Spurs #eyeing #option #Todibo #titan #430m #release #clause Read the full article

Haney High And Dry: Garcia Walks Away, Leaving The WBC Champ Scrambling

Devin Haney and his father, Bill, have been left high & dry after Ryan Garcia moved on, choosing not to go ahead with the fight. The Haney’s could throw fuel on the fire, making things worse for themselves depending on who they pick for their next opponent. Ryan will be on the sidelines, snickering when Haney’s next fight is announced if it’s one of the obscure contenders in the 140-lb rankings. Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) seemed utterly vindictive yesterday, lashing out at Ryan on social media, talking about how he’s only fought once on PPV recently. The Haneys haven’t said which direction they’ll go in now that the fight with popular social media star Ryan Garcia isn’t happening.

Ryan Calls The Shots

Devin may not like it, but Ryan Garcia is the King of the 140-lb division based on his past success and his 11 million Instagram followers, many of whom will eagerly purchase his next fight against WBA light welterweight champion Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero on May 5th. As Ryan suggested, Haney can defend his newly won WBC light welterweight title against Richardson Hitchins next. Ryan will be laughing at Haney if he dares to put a potential fight with Hitchins on DAZN PPV, as the buys might not even hit 30K. For Haney to keep that belt, he might have to defend against his WBC mandatory Sandor Martin, and that’s not a marketable fight either. As the WBC light welterweight champion and former undisputed champ, Devin wants to be the A-side in a fight with Ryan Garcia, but that doesn’t mean anything because Kingry is the one that sells on PPV. Ryan has a superior buyrate than Haney based on the one million+ buys his fight with Gervonta Davis brought in last year. Haney Blew It You can argue that Haney shot himself in the foot by choosing to fight WBC 140-lb champion Regis Prograis on PPV last December on DAZN, pricing it at $75, making things worse. That was the dumbest move imaginable on Haney’s part, sticking this albatross on PPV, thinking fans would want to buy it, and packaging it with a horrible undercard that was one of the worst this writer has ever seen on an expensive pay-per-view card. That was NOT a PPV-worthy fight, and the reported 50K buys the fight brought in have undermined Haney’s ability to call the shots as the A-side against Ryan Garcia, who is the only one in the 140-lb division that would sell in a fight with him. In boxing, money makes the world go around, and nothing else matters. Whoever sells is the King, and right now, Ryan (24-1, 20 KOs) is sitting on the throne at 140. The champions Haney, Teofimo Lopez, and Subriel Matias might as well be regular contenders because they’re not on Ryan’s level in the money-making department. #Haney #High #Dry #Garcia #Walks #Leaving #WBC #Champ #Scrambling Read the full article

Bayern Munich, Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer dies aged 78

Franz Beckenbauer, a World Cup winner with West Germany as a player and coach who was regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, has died at the age of 78.German news agency DPA said the family confirmed Beckenbauer's death via statement."It is with deep sadness that we announce that my husband and our father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday, Sunday, surrounded by his family," the family said."We ask that you allow us to grieve in silence and refrain from asking any questions."Beckenbauer, born in Munich, shaped German football as a player, coach and official. His elegance and leadership qualities on the pitch with Bayern Munich and his country won him the nickname "Der Kaiser," which translates as "The Emperor." Pelé called him "one of the best I ever saw play."Beckenbauer won the 1972 and 1976 Ballon d'Or awards and was named Germany's Footballer of the Century in 2000. He received the FIFA Centennial Player and Football Personality Award in 2004.Franz Beckenbauer won the World Cup with Germany in 1974. Werner Schulze/ullstein bild via Getty ImagesBeckenbauer defined the role of the Libero, the free player behind the defensive lines who set the pace of the game.Winning 103 caps for Germany between September 1965 and February 1977, he led Germany's "golden generation" to the 1972 European Championship and triumphed on home soil at the 1974 World Cup.Beckenbauer is one of three people to have won the World Cup as both a player and coach, alongside Mário Zagallo with Brazil and Didier Deschamps with France.At club level in Germany, he won three European Cups, a European Cup Winners' Cup, five Bundesliga titles and four German cups with Bayern Munich and Hamburg."The Bundesliga family is devastated to learn of the death of Franz Beckenbauer. A true icon, then, now, and always. RIP, Der Kaiser," the Bundesliga said in a statement.After playing for Bayern, Beckenbauer moved to New York Cosmos in 1977 with his move to the United States signaling the end of his international career.He won three North American Soccer League trophies alongside Pelé while playing in the U.S.Beckenbauer returned to Germany in 1980, winning his final trophy as a player with Hamburg and, following another brief spell with the Cosmos, retired from professional football a day after his 38th birthday in 1983.The following year, Beckenbauer took over as Germany head coach, reaching two World Cup finals and masterminding a 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final of the 1990 tournament in Italy.Beckenbauer won the French league title as Marseille coach the following year and added two more trophies during two stints back at Bayern later in the decade.He served as Bayern president, leaving the post in 2009, and as an official helped Germany win the right to host the 2006 World Cup, traversing the country by helicopter to watch 46 of the 64 matches played. #Bayern #Munich #Germany #legend #Franz #Beckenbauer #dies #aged Read the full article

Wigan Athletic vs Manchester United - Match Preview & Prediction

Embed from Getty Images Manchester United are finally set to start their 2024 with the Monday night FA Cup third round match against Wigan Athletic. The Red Devils will visit DW Stadium in a clash against a League One side. Here is what you need to know before the game. Team News Wigan are big underdogs for this match, but even worse for them is that not all of their players are ready for this match. Tom Pearce and Jason Kerr are both out of contention through injury, while Scott Smith and Stephen Humphrys are the two players who are still major doubts. Also, James Balagizi is no more playing for Wigan, as his loan spell from Liverpool came to an end ahead of this match. As for Man United, there is still a long line of players who will not participate in this match. Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are injured at left-back, Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof will miss out and make Erik Ten Hag’s central defenders choices harder. Then there are the injuries of Casemiro and Mason Mount in midfield and Sofyan Amrabat’s obligations for Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations. Also, Anthony Martial is not available up front. The good news are that Rasmus Hojlund is ready to play following his illness, which was the reason he missed out on the Nottingham Forest match. Also, Andre Onana is not yet part of the Cameroon national team ahead of the AFCON, so he should be in goal. Form Guide Wigan were on a great run during November and first half of December, but since, their results have not been great. A 3-2 loss away at Port Vale was followed by a 2-0 loss at Reading. Their home match against Derby was another loss, 1-0, before they finally defeated Carlisle 2-0. On the first day of 2024, Wigan drew 1-1 away at Barnsley, so they are now sitting in 18th place in League On, with 27 points from 25 matches. Even if they were in great form, that would not have been something United should worry about. What Man United do need to worry about is their poor end of 2023. Not only did they lose their final match of the year at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground – United lost four of their last six matches. The only good results were against teams above them in the Premier League standings. First, there was a 0-0 draw against Liverpool at Anfield, and then there was the 3-2 comeback win against Aston Villa. But both of those results were quickly followed by new defeats, so the Devils will want to start 2024 in much better spirit and reach the fourth round of the FA Cup. Predicted Outcome The recent form is not important here, the team news and players unavailable are not either. Things are simple here – we predict Manchester United will beat Wigan 3-0 in their first match in 2024. United simply have so much more about them than the team from the lower end of League One and playing away from home could even make things better for the Devils as the hosts could be a bit more open in their approach to the match. #Wigan #Athletic #Manchester #United #Match #Preview #Prediction Read the full article

A Continuing Liverpool Transfer Tale

Share Tweet Share Share Email Liverpool’s ongoing pursuit of Goncalo Inacio has created a narrative akin to a recurring transfer saga. It is mirroring past pursuits like that of Nabil Fekir. The young center-back has found himself consistently linked to the Reds, reminiscent of Liverpool’s historic chase for Fekir. Despite recent rumors of a potential £55m move, renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has doused these flames. He shedded light on the enduring uncertainty surrounding Inacio’s speculated switch to Liverpool. Speaking on Kick, Romano clarified the persisting rumors, acknowledging Goncalo Inacio’s presence on Liverpool’s radar while dismissing the current suggestions of an imminent transfer. Moreover, Romano underscored the prolonged nature of these speculations, often stemming from the same source. Although Inacio remains a long-standing target, tangible progress toward securing his services seems elusive.

Unraveling the Goncalo Inacio Conundrum

Transfer windows often brew frustration, especially when certain players persistently circulate in association with specific clubs without materializing any solid moves. Goncalo Inacio has emerged as a recurring subject of speculation for Liverpool. His style seemingly aligns with Liverpool’s gameplay, and the presence of a release clause amplifies the ease of linking Inacio with the Reds. Liverpool’s history of triggering release clauses to streamline negotiations adds fuel to the Inacio-Liverpool conjecture. Romano’s insights reinforce Liverpool’s prolonged scouting of Goncalo Inacio. While a potential future move remains conceivable, the current landscape doesn’t suggest an imminent arrival at Anfield. The intricate dance of transfer speculation continues. For now, Goncalo Inacio’s touted move to Liverpool remains enshrouded in uncertainty. The familiarity of Liverpool’s persistent links with players, reminiscent of the Fekir saga, adds intrigue to this ongoing narrative. As Romano asserts, despite prolonged scouting, a definitive move for Inacio to Liverpool appears elusive at this stage, leaving the transfer window awash with speculation and ambiguity. For more sports updates, follow us on Twitter.

#Continuing #Liverpool #Transfer #Tale Read the full article

Arsenal v Liverpool - live blog

Join us for live blog coverage of our FA Cup clash with Liverpool, kick-off 16.30 We’ve got up to the second live text commentary, updates, goal clips, observations and occasionally witty asides. If you want to join the chat, register an Arseblog Live account. To do that, go to Arseblog Live – click login on the top right, and then choose ‘sign up’ to complete the process with your username/password via email. Note: Due to the dumpster fire that is Twitter these days, we can no longer provide real time updates via the @arseblog_live account. That account is now dormant. #Arsenal #Liverpool #live #blog Read the full article

Every word part two from Erik ten Hag press conference ahead of Wigan Athletic v Man Utd | FA Cup | 8 January 2024

Are you ever concerned that players who want to come here look at situations like Donny's? He was one of the best young players in the world, he was on the Ballon d'Or shortlist and then he came to Manchester United and it just hasn't worked out. Do you fear other players look at it and think, 'I don't want to go there, I don't want to risk my career going in the same direction'? ''That is always on the players and what confidence you have. Your capabilities. I can tell you one thing and that is that the Premier League is tough and at Man United it is tough to play here, because in every other team it is easier to play there because there is less pressure. It is so high and you have to deal with that. But if you have confidence in yourself, than I think this is the best challenge. Definitely it is the best club you want to be at and that depends from player to player, it is also about the character. The personality of the player.''Erik, you mentioned that the talks with INEOS went well, but does them coming in create a certain amount of pressure and expectation on everyone at the club - yourself, the staff, the players - to now step up and take this club to the next level? ''So once again, that is not up to me. But from my talks I had a fantastic feeling after it. How their personalities and ideas affect the process they want to go in. So I am very positive about that and I am sure it will be beneficial to Manchester United.''You have a game on Monday. How important is it now, given you only have one trophy left , to be successful in the FA Cup this season? ''We still have the Premier League, so we have two trophies to play for. We will play for the Premier League and for the FA Cup.'' #word #part #Erik #ten #Hag #press #conference #ahead #Wigan #Athletic #Man #Utd #Cup #January Read the full article

Gundogan Scores Late To Take Barcelona To Win At Las Palmas

Spanish champions Barcelona traveled to Estadio de Gran Canaria for their La Liga Matchday 19 clash with Las Palmas on Thursday night (January 4). Despite having a much stronger squad, Xavi’s title aspirants failed to dominate the mid-table outfit and were fortunate to walk away with all three points.

Two Ex-Barcelona Attackers Torment The Visitors In First Half

Aiming for a top-half finish this season, Las Palmas’ primary goal was to avoid defeat against Barcelona. In the first 10 minutes, they focused on the basics, covering Barca’s attackers and stringing passes together without taking too many risks. In the 12th minute, their straightforward yet effective approach paid dividends, with them putting their noses in front in excellent fashion. Former Barcelona attacker Sandro Ramirez received the ball from Javier Munoz and delivered a low cross into the box. Another Ex-Barca ace, Munir outsmarted Ronald Araujo to connect with the delivery at the edge of the six-yard box and steer it beyond Barca goalkeeper Inaki Pena. In the 23rd minute, Sandro got an opportunity to get on the scoresheet himself, but his shot lacked power, which allowed Pena to parry it behind for a corner. Five minutes later, Munoz tested Pena with a powerful strike, which the goalkeeper managed to push as far as Sandro. The Spanish forward promptly had a go at goal but saw his effort zip wide of the mark. Five minutes before the first-half whistle, Munir found himself clear through on goal. Luckily for Barcelona, the forward’s first touch was heavy, which allowed Araujo to recover and deflect his shot behind for a corner.

Gundogan Wins The Game For Barca With Controversial Penalty

After a lackluster first half, which saw them narrowly escape with a 1-0 deficit, Barcelona got themselves the equalizer in the 55th minute. Bouncing off Robert Lewandowski, the ball fell to Sergi Roberto, who helped the ball onto Ferran Torres’ path. From close range, the ex-Manchester City man guided the ball into the bottom-right corner. Roughly 10 minutes after Barca debutant Vitor Roque saw his volley saved by Las Palmas goalkeeper Alvaro Valles, the Catalans scored the winner from the penalty spot. In stoppage time, Joao Felix went for goal from a tight angle on the right side. Valles blocked the effort but the ball looped toward the far post, where Ilkay Gundogan was lurking. Just as the midfielder leaped to make contact with the ball on the goalline, Daley Sinkgraven pushed him. The German tumbled over and the referee unhesitantly awarded a penalty to the Blaugrana. To make matters worse, he also sent Sinkgraven off for obstructing a clear goalscoring opportunity. The former Manchester City captain stepped up to take the penalty and rolled it into the bottom-left corner, sealing maximum points for the visitors. The win took Barcelona’s points total to 41 in 19 games. Currently sitting in third place, Xavi men trail league leaders Real Madrid by seven points. #Gundogan #Scores #Late #Barcelona #Win #Las #Palmas Read the full article

AS Roma vs Atalanta Highlights

Red Cards 0 0 Red Cards 0 6 Corners 5 14 Fouls 14 2 Offsides 1 55 Ball Possession 45 16 Shots 8 6 Shots on Goal 2 1 Goals 1 6 Shots off Goal 4 4 Blocked Shots 2 12 Shots insidebox 8 4 Shots outsidebox 0 1 Goalkeeper Saves 7 474 Total passes 376 387 Passes accurate 294 The post AS Roma vs Atalanta Highlights appeared first on DasFootball. #Roma #Atalanta #Highlights Read the full article

Did DeMeco Ryans Win Coach of the Year Last Night?

The Houston Texans were one of the worst teams in the NFL in 2022. At one point during that abysmal season, they were 1-12-1 and appeared directionless, with Davis Mills leading them from the quarterback position and Lovie Smith as the head coach. But that bottom-end finish gave Houston the 2nd overall pick in the 2023 Draft, and they paired rookie quarterback CJ Stroud with the leader who might be named Coach of the Year, and are now sitting at the doorstep of their first division title since 2019.

NFL: Texans Coach Has Strong Case For The Award

The #Texans locker room with CJ Stroud and DeMeco Ryans running in together is awesome. (h/t @JomboyMedia) pic.twitter.com/4HvW00lXAq https://t.co/elrLLiDKD5 — Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 7, 2024 DeMeco Ryans spent some of his most productive years as a player in a Houston Texans uniform. He took a couple of years off from the game when he retired in 2015, but found his way onto the 49ers’ coaching staff in 2017 and worked his way up to defensive coordinator by 2021. He lasted two years at the position, as he became one of the hottest names in NFL head coaching circles after bringing San Francisco’s defense up to being one of the best in the league. It was the Texans who chose Ryans to be the leader of their franchise, and they are sure glad that they did. In just his first year at the helm, Ryans has helped Houston improve their record by 7 wins. With their Week 18 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, the Texans assure themselves a spot in the AFC playoff picture, and would even be named the winners of the AFC South should the Jaguars come up short against the Titans on Sunday. It is quite the impressive turnaround, and has Ryans as the outright leader to win the NFL Coach of the Year award for 2023.

Two Man Race Between Stefanski And Ryans

🚨 BREAKING The Houston Texans have made the playoffs in the first year of DeMeco Ryans pic.twitter.com/3QWrv4URGk — NFL Rumors (@nflrums) January 7, 2024 He was always in consideration, he just was never the favorite. Guys like Dan Campbell, Mike McDaniel, and Kevin Stefanski have graced the top of the odds leaderboards at different times throughout the season, thanks to their team’s successes at different points in the schedule. But it now appears to be a two-man race, as the award will be given to a leader of an AFC team. Campbell led his Detroit Lions to their first division title since 1993, but his number is all the way back at +2500. Instead it is Stefanski and Ryans who are at the top of the board as the season comes to a close, and which is the favorite has flipped multiple times in just the last hour. At the time of writing, the Browns’ head coach was listed as the favorite at -130, with Ryans coming in not far behind at +100. Just twenty minutes prior, Ryans was the outright odds’ leader. #DeMeco #Ryans #Win #Coach #Year #Night Read the full article

Ismael Barroso Stops Davies, Wants Rolly Romero Or Ryan Garcia Next

In the co-feature of the Vergil Ortiz Jr-Fredrick Lawson event, 40-year-old Ismael Barroso proved he deserves a rematch against Rolly Romero by scoring a first round stoppage against British boxer Ohara Davies. (Credit: Cris Esqueda / Golden Boy Promotions) It was a quick night of work as Ismael Barroso displayed his punching power and showed why he is a legitimate threat in the 140-pound division. Ohara Davies (25-3, 18 KOs ) made a crucial tactical error that prevented him from being competitive in this particular fight. Ten months ago, Barroso was robbed of his opportunity to become a super-lightweight world champion when referee Tony Weeks gifted the WBA title to Rolly Romero by prematurely stopping the fight. Barroso was awarded the opportunity to earn a rematch by way of an Interim title bout. Prior to Saturday night, Ohara Davies only had two career losses. He suffered his first loss to Josh Taylor back in 2017 and his second career loss to Jack Catterall a year later. Since the Catterall fight, Davies managed to stay undefeated for the next five years. The Hackney, London native Ohara Davies had always dreamed of fighting in Las Vegas. On Saturday night at The Theater in the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada, Davies’ dream turned into a total disaster. In the opening round of the bout, Davies was aggressive as he pressed forward and attempted to land a punch to the body. Barroso voluntarily fought off the back foot due to the fact that part of his game plan was based on him being a counterpuncher. With 1:50 left to go in the opening round, the southpaw Ismael Barroso landed a hard counter left-hand shot that staggered Davies. Barroso proceeded to land another left hand that sent Davies down to the canvas. Davies was able to get up, and as the bout continued, Barroso landed a flurry of shots that sent Davies back down to the canvas. Davies looked dazed, and after failing to comply with the referee’s request, the referee decided to put a halt to the contest. Ohara Davies made a crucial tactical error when he decided to be overly aggressive against a power puncher like Barroso. With the first round stoppage victory, Ismael Barroso (25-4-2, 23 KOs) won the WBA super-lightweight Interim title. During his post-fight interview, Barroso called out the boxer he wanted to fight next. “The people have been asking for Rolly and Barroso again. Romero, I’m right here!” Back in July 2023, Ohara Davies signed a promotional deal with Golden Boy. Davies’ plan was to defeat Barroso and then fight Rolando “Rolly” Romero, but after Saturday night, Davies and his team will have to go back to the drawing board. During a post-fight interview, Ismael Barroso acknowledged the fact that he ruined Ohara Davies’ plans, and he’s ready for a rematch with Romero if it happens. If, for some reason, Barroso can’t get a rematch with Rolly, he wants to fight Ryan Garcia.

#Ismael #Barroso #Stops #Davies #Rolly #Romero #Ryan #Garcia Read the full article

Transfer Talk: Man United, Spurs eye Dortmund's Donyell Malen

The winter transfer window is now open in Europe, and there are plenty of moves in the works and gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!

TOP STORY: Man United interested in Dortmund's Malen

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are both interested in signing Borussia Dortmund striker Donyell Malen, according to the Sun.The German club are said to be considering letting the ex-Arsenal forward leave the club for around £26m after two-and-a-half years at the club. 24-four-year-old Malen has scored six goals in 23 games in all competitions for Dortmund this season, 25 goals in 96 games in total, but his game time is expected to be hampered by the impending arrival of loan star Jadon Sancho from Manchester United.And despite his six goals in the current campaign, Malen's form is below his best. At previous club PSV Eindhoven, he scored 55 goals in 116 games, while at Arsenal he bagged 18 goals in 46 matches for a combination of the U18s and U23s, before leaving the London club for less than £1m to Ajax.Liverpool have also been reported to be interested in the Dutchman, but United and Spurs appear to have emerged as frontrunners for a January move as they look to reinforce their ailing strike forces. Spurs today agreed terms on a loan move for forward Timo Werner from Red Bull Leipzig, which could leave United free to make the first bid, and the fee would suit their budget.Malen can also play out wide as well as his more favoured central position.

PAPER GOSSIP (by Nick Judd)

- Saudi Pro League clubs are prioritising a move for Manchester City attacking midfielder Kevin de Bruyne in the summer, according to Football Insider. The 32-year-old Belgian remains a powerhouse for the reigning Premier League champions, though his recent injury record means that he's in and out of the side. However, if he can remain reasonably injury free in the second half of the season, the Saudi sides are seemingly prepared to go all-in on one of their top targets, who is out of contract in the summer of 2025. Last season, De Bruyne scored 10 goals and added 31 assists in 49 appearances in City's treble-winning season. De Buryne and Mohamed Salah appear to be the main options for the Saudi clubs this summer.

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2 Related- Manchester City are looking to beat Liverpool and Manchester United to the signing of Bayern Munich defensive midfielder Joshua Kimmich, according to the Daily Star. Pep Guardiola is keen on being reunited with the 28-year-old German international, but is prepared to wait until the summer when the transfer fee is expected to half to around £25m. In July, the German international will enter the final year of his contract, which means Bayern will be forced to listen to offers below their current £50m valuation.- As Manchester United continue to track Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise, the club are considering using right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka as part of the deal. That's according to the Daily Star who believe 22-year-old Frenchman Olise is one of United's top targets for the summer. Olise has a buy-out clause in his four-year contract which comes into operation at the end of the current season, and United hope that using former Eagle and 26-year-old Wan-Bissaka will help seal the deal. Wan-Bissaka left Palace to join United for £50m four-and-a-half years ago.- Earlier today it was announced that Manchester United star Hannibal Mejbri was in talks over a loan move to Sevilla, but tonight Fabrizio Romano reports that Everton are looking to intercept the deal. The 20-year-old midfielder recently agreed a one-year extension to his existing contract at United, but he is looking to get more game time than the 130 minutes he's so far been awarded in United colours this season. Freiburg and Lyon are also interested in signing Mejbri, though it appears he would prefer a move to LaLiga, or to stay in the Premier League.- Brighton & Hove Albion are close to landing Valentin Barco from Boca Juniors, with the two clubs now said to be agreeing the structure of the deal, according to Fabrizio Romano. The 19-year-old Argentine star has instructed the club to accept the Seagulls' offer and activate his release clause of $10m, and the deal is believed to be a six-year contract. If true, Barco, who can play on the left either in defence or midfield, would follow in the footsteps of compatriots Alexis Mac Allister and Facundo Buonanotte to move to the south coast from Argentina. #Transfer #Talk #Man #United #Spurs #eye #Dortmunds #Donyell #Malen Read the full article

Man United News: An Offer For Martial, A Chance For Hannibal

Embed from Getty Images We are getting closer to Manchester United’s first match in 2024. Following the Nottingham Forest loss on the penultimate day of 2023, the Red Devils got some time to work on their weaknesses, as Erik Ten Hag will want his side to be much better than it has been in the second half of the past year. But until the Monday night match in the FA Cup third round against Wigan Athletic comes, there are some Man United news worth talking about. Let’s dig in. Martial Wanted By Fenerbahce Anthony Martial was mentioned the other day as a player which could get his contract extended for another year, despite the fact he is far from being the player United expected him to become. The Frenchman is not really in the plans of Erik Ten Hag and the club were said to be eager to prolong his contract for another year, so they could actually sell him for a transfer fee this summer. But now there are first news about the forward being wanted by another club. According to Turkish outlet Takvim, Fenerbahce are interested in signing Martial and they believe they would improve with the Frenchman in the side. The report states that negotiations are ongoing between the two clubs, as Fenerbahce want to improve their already good relationship with United. A reported first offer for Martial amounted to 8 million euros, while United will want to get that above 10 million. It will be interesting to see how these negotiations go, but it is clear Martial will not be attracting much interest from the top European leagues, after his loan spell at Sevilla was also unsuccessful. Fenerbahce, who already have the likes of Dusan Tadic and Edin Dzeko in their squad, have made a lot of business with United in recent times. They signed Fred from United last year, while Altay Bayindir went the other way, with the Devils signing him as a backup option for Andre Onana. Hannibal Going To Sevilla? Manchester United recently extended Hannibal Mejbri’s contract, with the aim of keeping the Tunisia international at the club and giving themselves a chance to either utilise him in the future, or sell him for profit. It seems that we are getting closer to that second option. Spanish media outlet Diario de Sevilla claim Sevilla are interested in signing Hannibal on loan until the end of the season, as the side is under a lot of pressure due to poor results in this campaign. They are currently sitting in 16th place and are already out of UEFA competitions, so sporting director Victor Orta – who used to work for Leeds United – wants to make a push for new signings that could improve the overall quality of the squad. Hannibal is mentioned as a target and the player is expectedly interested in trying himself in La Liga, considering he is hungry for playing time he is not getting at United. It remains to be seen what is United’s view on this and whether they will sanction the move. #Man #United #News #Offer #Martial #Chance #Hannibal Read the full article

Man United News: An Offer For Martial, A Chance For Hannibal

Embed from Getty Images We are getting closer to Manchester United’s first match in 2024. Following the Nottingham Forest loss on the penultimate day of 2023, the Red Devils got some time to work on their weaknesses, as Erik Ten Hag will want his side to be much better than it has been in the second half of the past year. But until the Monday night match in the FA Cup third round against Wigan Athletic comes, there are some Man United news worth talking about. Let’s dig in. Martial Wanted By Fenerbahce Anthony Martial was mentioned the other day as a player which could get his contract extended for another year, despite the fact he is far from being the player United expected him to become. The Frenchman is not really in the plans of Erik Ten Hag and the club were said to be eager to prolong his contract for another year, so they could actually sell him for a transfer fee this summer. But now there are first news about the forward being wanted by another club. According to Turkish outlet Takvim, Fenerbahce are interested in signing Martial and they believe they would improve with the Frenchman in the side. The report states that negotiations are ongoing between the two clubs, as Fenerbahce want to improve their already good relationship with United. A reported first offer for Martial amounted to 8 million euros, while United will want to get that above 10 million. It will be interesting to see how these negotiations go, but it is clear Martial will not be attracting much interest from the top European leagues, after his loan spell at Sevilla was also unsuccessful. Fenerbahce, who already have the likes of Dusan Tadic and Edin Dzeko in their squad, have made a lot of business with United in recent times. They signed Fred from United last year, while Altay Bayindir went the other way, with the Devils signing him as a backup option for Andre Onana. Hannibal Going To Sevilla? Manchester United recently extended Hannibal Mejbri’s contract, with the aim of keeping the Tunisia international at the club and giving themselves a chance to either utilise him in the future, or sell him for profit. It seems that we are getting closer to that second option. Spanish media outlet Diario de Sevilla claim Sevilla are interested in signing Hannibal on loan until the end of the season, as the side is under a lot of pressure due to poor results in this campaign. They are currently sitting in 16th place and are already out of UEFA competitions, so sporting director Victor Orta – who used to work for Leeds United – wants to make a push for new signings that could improve the overall quality of the squad. Hannibal is mentioned as a target and the player is expectedly interested in trying himself in La Liga, considering he is hungry for playing time he is not getting at United. It remains to be seen what is United’s view on this and whether they will sanction the move. #Man #United #News #Offer #Martial #Chance #Hannibal Read the full article

Arsenal's Kieran Tierney Unlikely to Return in January

Share Tweet Share Share Email Mikel Arteta‘s search for a new left-back at Arsenal is unlikely to include the return of Kieran Tierney this January. Sources have informed Football Insider that Arteta, aiming to strengthen the left side of his defense. Moreover, he doesn’t expect to recall Tierney from his season-long loan at Real Sociedad this month. Injuries marred Tierney’s tenure at Arsenal, and the club is now reportedly looking for overseas options to enhance their squad. This move indicates Arteta’s concern about Tierney’s long-term fitness. Thus suggesting that the left-back’s future may lie away from Arsenal, either at Sociedad or another club

Arsenal’s Left-Back Dilemma

Mikel Arteta has focused on strengthening Arsenal’s defense, especially at left-back. Tierney’s loan to Real Sociedad aimed to provide him with consistent playtime to overcome injury issues. However, his absence has created a gap that Arsenal is keen to address. Arsenal’s decision not to recall Kieran Tierney this month signals a pursuit of other left-back options. The position is crucial for Arteta’s tactics, and the club is actively scouting suitable candidates. Tierney’s injury history at Arsenal has influenced Arteta’s approach. Concerns about Tierney’s fitness have led Arsenal to consider different left-back options instead of relying on his return. Sources close to Arsenal suggest that Tierney is likely to leave permanently. He will be either staying at Real Sociedad or transferring to another club. His future at Arsenal seems uncertain, with a return this month appearing unlikely.

Current Situation and Future of Tierney

At Real Sociedad, Tierney has made 12 appearances and contributed one assist across all competitions. Despite some promising displays, recurring injuries, including a hamstring issue in October, have continued to hinder him. During his stint at Arsenal, Tierney played 124 games, scoring five goals and providing 14 assists. His talent as a left-back was evident, but ongoing fitness concerns have raised doubts about his long-term reliability. Tierney remains under contract with Arsenal until June 2026, offering some flexibility regarding his future. However, with Arteta’s focus on the left-back role, Tierney seems unlikely to feature in Arsenal’s immediate plans. As Tierney’s loan at Real Sociedad continues, his future remains open. Arsenal’s ongoing search for a left-back might influence his fate. Tierney will aim to conquer his injury challenges and establish himself as a reliable player in the coming years. For more sports updates, follow us on Twitter.

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