Man Utd
Heaven opts to pursue England path as United breakthrough accelerates
Ayden Heaven has declined Ghana to prioritise a senior England breakthrough while rising at United…
Ayden Heaven has reportedly declined a call-up to Ghana in order to focus on forcing his way into England’s senior squad. The teenage centre back’s recent performances for Manchester United have placed him at the centre of selection discussion ahead of the World Cup.
Gary Neville hailed Heaven as the obvious player of the match in the narrow Boxing Day victory, and his manager Amorim publicly backed the youngster’s progress. “If [Heaven] continues to play like that, it’s going to be really hard to take his place.” That faith underlines why Heaven is prepared to concentrate on winning a first senior cap with England.
The defender’s rise predates the current run of form. Long regarded as a top prospect at Arsenal, Heaven moved to Manchester United last February and has since attracted attention from Ghana’s football association, per BBC Sport. Eligible to represent Ghana through a grandparent, Heaven was born in London and has represented England at U18, U19 and U20 level.
England’s central defence picture is unsettled, which opens the door for emerging players. Thomas Tuchel faces familiar balancing acts with squad selection. While England’s attacking options are crowded, defensive reinforcements have been depleted by injuries and fitness issues. Chelsea’s Levi Colwill has been all but ruled out of the World Cup with an ACL injury and Dan Burn is recovering from a punctured lung. John Stones continues to face the long-standing concerns that have dogged his senior career, and Harry Maguire’s fallible fitness has helped create opportunities for others.
Marc Guéhi and Ezri Konsa are expected to form a reliable first-choice pairing, and Bayer Leverkusen’s Jarell Quansah is a surprise favourite for the manager. With at least four centre back slots likely in England’s World Cup squad, Heaven has a realistic fighting chance — provided he sustains the level that has impressed at Old Trafford.
The next phase for Heaven is clear: maintain form at club level and press his case for a senior England call-up.
Man Utd
United’s Next Manager Shortlist Takes Shape Around Carrick Pressure
United are weighing Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte as Carrick’s future comes under pressure.
Manchester United are already being linked with possible replacements for Michael Carrick, with Eddie Howe said to be the leading candidate if change is made at Old Trafford.
Carrick’s position is understood to be under increasing pressure, and anything other than victory at Stamford Bridge on Saturday would only add to the speculation surrounding his future. According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, United have already begun conversations with possible options for the role.
“[Man Utd] also, because it’s the reality, they also had some conversations with agents, camps, representatives of other managers, because Manchester United had some conversation and that’s absolutely normal,” said the Italian.
“I’m not accusing Man Utd of anything wrong. It’s normal when things are not going well you start preparing for a potential change. So Man Utd had conversations with agents of managers.”
Romano then identified three names he believes sit on United’s list should Carrick be removed. In the order he gave them, those names were Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte.
“I told you that the three names we should take in consideration as free managers are in this order—Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann, Antonio Conte.
“Three managers very different one from the other and also in terms of approach.
“United are yet to say ‘Okay, let’s go for this coach.’ So the moment is still open but these are three names and obviously to talk with representatives, intermediaries or anyone close to these coaches is absolutely something normal in this situation, in this position for Manchester United.
“Then obviously there could be other managers who can be very attractive but very difficult to get.”
Howe, 48, has been out of work since leaving Newcastle at the end of July and is viewed as the current front-runner. His Premier League experience and man-management are thought to have caught United’s attention, even if there are lingering doubts about whether he has yet managed at a level comparable with Old Trafford.
Nagelsmann, 39, offers a very different profile. He has never coached in England, but his tactical reputation and attractive style have kept him in view. At the same time, his spell with the Germany national team did not fully convince, leaving him with questions of his own.
Man Utd
Sancho weighs Saudi switch after Getafe deal collapses
Sancho has turned down Getafe, with Saudi Arabia now emerging as the likeliest next step.
Jadon Sancho is reportedly closing in on a surprise move, with a switch to Saudi Arabia now said to be the likeliest outcome after his proposed transfer to Getafe broke down.
According to MARCA, Sancho rejected the La Liga side because he is still seeking a higher salary. The report says he wants €3 million ($3.3 million) per year, a figure that is seven-and-a-half times above what Getafe were ready to offer. That has left the deal dead.
The same report claims a Saudi club has now made a more attractive proposal, and discussions are under way between his representatives and the Middle East. No team has been named.
Sancho is currently out of contract, which means he can sign for a new club outside the transfer window, although registration rules still vary depending on the league. He has been training away from a club since leaving United this summer, while his agents continue to search for a permanent landing spot for the 26-year-old.
talkSPORT also say Sancho has been offered to West Ham United in the Championship, while several other English clubs have been made aware that he is available on a free transfer. Whether any of those sides will move for him remains unclear.
Earlier reports suggested Sancho understands the appeal of playing outside England after five difficult years at United. During that period, he remained under scrutiny even when on loan with Chelsea and Villa.
Chelsea
Palmer Avoids Premier League Ban as Chelsea Suspension Falls in Carabao Cup
Palmer serves his ban in the Carabao Cup, so Chelsea avoid a Premier League absence for him.
Cole Palmer will not miss a Premier League match after his red-card suspension was absorbed by Chelsea’s midweek Carabao Cup tie with Liverpool. The one-game ban will be served in that fixture, leaving him available for league duty despite the dismissal.
The midfielder’s night turned late in the contest after stand-in goalkeeper Mike Penders helped the visitors in front with a costly own goal in the 77th minute. Soon afterwards, Palmer picked up a second yellow card, having already been booked for running into Mateus Fernandes. On another occasion, that incident might have brought a red card immediately, but the greater problem came when he stood on Conor Gallagher’s ankle.
The scheduling and the FA handbook have combined to spare Palmer from a Premier League absence, although he will miss Chelsea’s next match, which is the trip to Anfield. That means he will not be available for the fourth round Carabao Cup tie on Wednesday night.
Chelsea’s record at Anfield remains a poor one. They have not won there in front of fans since 2018, when Eden Hazard inspired a side managed by Maurizio Sarri to a Carabao Cup third round victory. This time, however, their No. 10 will be watching from the sidelines.
Palmer addressed the fallout on social media the next morning. “Not good enough by me,” he wrote on Instagram. “Live n learn. Apologies. On to the next.”
The manager was more restrained in his assessment and chose not to publicly escalate the issue. “I need to check the action to talk with Cole, but it is one to learn for the future for sure,” he said after the match.
He added: “I think that Cole, when he is focused on the game, when he is enjoying, and today after the 1–0, it is a moment to keep calm, a moment to keep mature and for everyone.”
