Newcastle United
Tonali insists relationship with Howe is ‘perfect’ as suitors wait on Newcastle season
Tonali calls his relationship with Eddie Howe ‘perfect’ as suitors watch Newcastle’s season. Update.
Sandro Tonali has moved quickly to dismiss suggestions of a breakdown with Eddie Howe, insisting his working relationship with the Newcastle United manager is “perfect” and underlining that any decision on his future will hinge on the remainder of the season.
The midfielder’s agent recently raised speculation about a potential exit and suggested Newcastle were resisting a move. Reports of a rift were undermined visibly when Tonali celebrated his second goal in Saturday’s 3–1 win over Aston Villa alongside Howe.
“I came to Eddie because in the past few weeks, people spoke about our relationship, but I work every day with the gaffer, the gaffer works every day with me, and our relationship is perfect,” Tonali insisted. “It’s not broken and I think this is perfect for the team.
“We try to do the best for this team, every game, because we play a lot of games—every three days, we play, and we have to be concentrated every time in the training ground to do the best for our team.”
Beyond the public reassurance, the practical factors that will determine Tonali’s next step are clear. His agent has emphasised that playing in the Champions League is a priority. Newcastle are competing in Europe’s top competition this season but have slipped to 10th in the Premier League and sit eight points adrift of the Champions League places with 12 games remaining.
Tonali is 25 and contracted until 2028, meaning this summer is likely Newcastle’s last realistic opportunity to sell him at full value. That is significant given the club’s ongoing comments about its battle with Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Interested clubs will therefore monitor Newcastle’s results closely. Arsenal represent a strong European option but face competition in Tonali’s position from Declan Rice and Martín Zubimendi, with Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino adding further depth. At Manchester United, departures for Casemiro and potential exits for Manuel Ugarte could leave Kobbie Mainoo as the only senior midfielder and open a clearer path to regular minutes for a new signing.
For Tonali, the priority remains a move that advances both his European ambitions and his role on the pitch.
Manchester United
Osula’s 90th-Minute Strike Hands Newcastle a 2-1 Win as Carrick’s United Fall Short
United 2-1 defeat: Osula 90′ winner; Casemiro equaliser; Ramsey sent off in stoppage time and drama
Michael Carrick suffered his first defeat in charge as Manchester United were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle United on Wednesday. William Osula produced the decisive moment in the 90th minute, cutting inside from the right and bending a clinical strike into the far bottom corner.
Newcastle set the tone early, pressing with intensity that unsettled United. The visitors squandered a number of openings in the first 20 minutes, flashing the ball wide, before United gradually established more control. The match turned in first-half stoppage time when Ramsey was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for simulation in the penalty area. Moments later the game saw quickfire goals at either end as Gordon and Casemiro both found the net.
The second half lacked rhythm at first but opened up as the match progressed. Leny Yoro missed a significant opportunity at 1-1 and had a header denied by Aaron Ramsdale. Ramsdale also denied substitute Joshua Zirkzee shortly before Osula’s winner.
United remain third in the Premier League, ahead of Aston Villa. The defeat was a missed chance to increase the cushion on Liverpool in sixth in the race to the Champions League, after the Merseysiders lost on Tuesday.
Casemiro, already confirmed to be leaving at the end of the season, again showed his on-field value. The Brazilian glanced a header beyond Aaron Ramsdale despite registering just 0.06 in xG across his 61 minutes. He produced numerous defensive contributions, searched for forward passes and was strong in the air. That headed equaliser was recorded as his 36th goal involvement since joining the club. Elsewhere, Elliot Anderson scored a late equaliser for Nottingham Forest against Pep Guardiola’s City. Anderson has been linked as a possible replacement, with reported figures that could climb to $133.7 million (£100 million).
Player ratings
GK: Senne Lammens—6.8: Stood little chance on either goal and didn’t have to do that much else.
RB: Noussair Mazraoui—6.7: A first start since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations in January and put in a hard shift. Appeared to leave the game with a knock.
CB: Leny Yoro—6.8: His game is ultimately judged on defending, but a big miss at 1–1 might have been costly.
CB: Harry Maguire—6.7: Overcame recent illness to start just hours after his retrial in Greece ended in a second conviction. Arguably hesitated as Osula was shaping to shoot.
LB: Luke Shaw—6.4: Another who passed a late assessment to make this game.
CM: Casemiro—7.3: Made an important block early on, before his headed equalizer was a remarkable 36th goal involvement since joining the club. Off after just over an hour.
CM: Kobbie Mainoo—6.7: Barely misplaced a pass but didn’t have enough of the ball in the right areas to hurt Newcastle.
RM: Bryan Mbeumo—6.5: Not his night, unusually. Guilty of firing his only shot over the bar from a good position.
AM: Bruno Fernandes (c)—8.1: Gave away the penalty when he caught Gordon in the box, yet made up for it moments later with the free kick that set up the equalizer. Created eight chances.
LM: Matheus Cunha—7.6: Asked questions of the Newcastle defense, even though the left wing is not his preferred position. Made defensive contributions too.
ST: Benjamin Šeško—5.8: Actually saw a bit more of the ball than he did against Crystal Palace, but that big chance he needed to keep his scoring run didn’t come this time.
Subs
Manuel Ugarte (61’ for Casemiro)—6.6; Diogo Dalot (61’ for Shaw)—6.3; Amad Diallo (76’ for Mainoo)—6.1; Joshua Zirkzee (76’ for Mbeumo)—6.6; Tyrell Malacia (85’ for Mazraoui)—N/A. Subs not used: Altay Bayındır (GK), Ayden Heaven, Goodwill Kukonki, Tyler Fletcher.
Match statistics
Possession: Newcastle 45% — Man Utd 55%
Expected Goals (xG): Newcastle 2.22 — Man Utd 1.28
Total Shots: Newcastle 12 — Man Utd 14
Shots on Target: Newcastle 5 — Man Utd 5
Big Chances: Newcastle 2 — Man Utd 4
Passing Accuracy: Newcastle 77% — Man Utd 82%
Fouls Committed: Newcastle 15 — Man Utd 16
Corners: Newcastle — Man Utd
Arsenal
Premier League injury roundup ahead of Gameweek 28
Gameweek 28 injury bulletin: doubts for Arsenal and Chelsea, several clubs missing key players today.
The run-in to the 2025/26 season is being shaped as much by fitness concerns as form, with a long list of absentees and doubts ahead of Gameweek 28.
Arsenal suffered an early scare at Tottenham when Bukayo Saka was withdrawn in the warm-up to the match but walked off with ease. He remains a doubt for the visit of Chelsea. Ben White and Kai Havertz were unavailable for the north London derby; both appear likely to return from knocks but are not guaranteed for Sunday. Arsenal have two confirmed absentees: Max Dowman (ankle) and Mikel Merino (foot).
Chelsea face several fitness problems for the trip to the Emirates. Marc Cucurella and Jamie Gittens will miss out with hamstring issues. Levi Colwill has been absent all season with an ACL injury. Dário Essugo is back in training but is unlikely to feature yet. There are doubts over Filip Jörgensen and Estêvão, the latter ruled out of the Burnley draw with a hamstring complaint.
Liverpool struggled for creativity in a 1–0 win at Nottingham Forest after Florian Wirtz injured his back in the warm-up at the City Ground. Arne Slot had initially expected him back for the meeting with West Ham United but has now admitted he has “no idea” when we will see Wirtz again. Jeremie Frimpong could return after a five-game groin absence, while Conor Bradley is out for the season and Wataru Endo is sidelined.
Alexander Isak is expected to return around the March international break after breaking his leg before Christmas. Giovanni Leoni is another long-term absentee after tearing his ACL on his debut.
Manchester City remain limited by long-term absences to Joško Gvardiol and Mateo Kovačić. Max Alleyne is a doubt after an early withdrawal in the FA Cup fourth-round win over Salford City, and Jérémy Doku is not guaranteed to be ready for the trip to Leeds United.
Manchester United were without Lisandro Martínez for a 1–0 win at Everton; he could also miss the visit from Crystal Palace, the fixture in which he tore his ACL last February. Matthijs de Ligt has been absent since the end of November and Patrick Dorgu is receiving treatment.
Tottenham will miss nine players for Gameweek 28, including Mohammed Kudus, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur. Bruno Guimarães is a major miss for Newcastle United as they chase continental qualification. Sunderland may be without Brian Brobbey and Nordi Mukiele for their match with Bournemouth.
Arsenal
Gordon rejects Arsenal and Liverpool links after four-goal Champions League night
Gordon dismissed transfer links to Arsenal and Liverpool after a four-goal Champions League night. a
Anthony Gordon moved quickly to dismiss talk of a summer switch to Arsenal or Liverpool after an outstanding Champions League performance for Newcastle. Having scored four first-half goals against Qarabağ on Wednesday night, he was asked about the transfer speculation. “About me?” he replied. “I haven’t seen them. What are they saying?”
When journalists named Arsenal and Liverpool, Gordon was equally direct. “It’s the same old, same old. I think they just pick names out of a hat. They do. I haven’t heard anything; they might want to tell me before they tell you [the media].”
He underlined his view of media-driven transfer stories in plain terms. “I have gone through enough transfer stuff now to know that it is all a load of rubbish.”
Even if Gordon appears unlikely to move, the article notes both Arsenal and Liverpool still need reinforcements on the left. Liverpool have not fully replaced Luis Díaz and lost another option with the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. Cody Gakpo has had an underwhelming campaign while Rio Ngumoha’s evolution into a first-team regular has been patchy.
Arsenal’s options include 31-year-old Leandro Trossard as the most convincing current solution on the left. Eberechi Eze could function there in the right system, and Gabriel Martinelli’s profile could be upgraded should he depart; Martinelli currently has one Premier League goal with 70% of the season elapsed.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola is highlighted as the most desirable option for both clubs. The 23-year-old Frenchman can operate across the frontline, leads Ligue 1 for non-penalty expected goals per 90 and ranks seventh for average expected assists. When PSG’s players are fully fit, he is not in Luis Enrique’s first-choice XI, which could create an opening.
Harvey Barnes is presented as a nearer alternative. Stats via Opta show Barnes (25 games, five non-penalty goals, 5.7 NP xG) ahead of Gordon (20 games, one non-penalty goal, 4.0 NP xG). An entirely uncharacteristic quartet against Qarabağ notwithstanding, Gordon is far less prolific than Barnes, who averages 0.37 non-penalty xG per 90 for Newcastle.
