Man Utd
How Andoni Iraola Might Set Up Manchester United: A Tactical Preview
Projected Manchester United XI if Andoni Iraola takes charge, focused on intensity, pressing. Today.
Manchester United face a difficult decision as Michael Carrick remains an obvious internal option while Andoni Iraola emerges as a leading external candidate. Iraola, who announced his Bournemouth departure last month, has attracted attention for an eye-catching rise on the south coast that could end in European qualification this term.
Iraola has favoured a 4-2-3-1 since arriving in England, the same system he used regularly with Rayo Vallecano. More important than formation is his tactical identity: intense, front-footed football that presses high and forces turnovers. United have faced his Bournemouth side six times without victory, winning two and drawing four. “Chaos” was the word first used to describe his approach to Premier League audiences, and the energy of his teams can produce havoc, as seen in the 4-4 draw at Old Trafford in December.
In possession Iraola asks for quick, direct movement and the exploitation of turnovers near the opposition goal. Bournemouth’s attacking output this season underlines that approach; only four teams have scored more than the Cherries.
If Iraola took charge, a likely framework and personnel issues United would have to address are clear.
GK: Senne Lammens — Signed from the Belgian Pro League as a relative unknown, the 23-year-old has impressed in his debut term and offered reassurance between the posts.
RB: Tino Livramento — United currently have Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui, but Iraola may prefer a more athletic, attack-minded option such as Livramento.
CB: Matthijs de Ligt — Injury affected his season, but he had shown strong form before that and remains central to the club’s plans.
CB: Lisandro Martínez — Also hampered by injury, Martínez remains the preferred left-footed centre back.
LB: Adrien Truffert — With Luke Shaw approaching 31 and Patrick Dorgu yet to establish himself at left back, Truffert could be an ideal long-term option.
CM: Sandro Tonali — United need major midfield recruitment to replace Casemiro. Tonali’s blend of work-rate and technique fits Iraola’s demands.
CM: Kobbie Mainoo — Carrick has helped revive Mainoo’s progress; Iraola would likely continue to build the midfield around the 21-year-old.
RW: Bryan Mbeumo — An encouraging debut campaign has seen Mbeumo provide goals and creativity and he could add spark on the right.
AM: Bruno Fernandes — The captain has thrived under every past manager. Iraola would need to give Fernandes freedom to orchestrate attacks.
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.”
Arsenal
Villa’s Win Over City Triggers Another Opta Refresh
Villa beat City, Arsenal stay close, and Opta updates the title, Europe and relegation outlooks.
Aston Villa have delivered the Premier League’s first defeat of Manchester City this season, and they are also the first side to take points from them. Unai Emery’s team earned that landmark result at Villa Park, where City were below their best and paid for it. Gianluigi Donnarumma and Marc Guéhi were both singled out for especially poor showings, Nicolas Jackson struck on loan to make the difference, and Zion Suzuki contributed six saves across the 90 minutes.
City remain top of the current Premier League standings, but the performance offered the first domestic indication that they are not untouchable. Arsenal followed by matching them on points after beating Everton, leaving the title race level at the summit and Arsenal second only on goal difference.
That Arsenal victory came with Bukayo Saka unavailable and possibly out until Christmas. The Gunners were short of natural creativity, but they compensated by rediscovering the set-piece strength that served them so well last season.
With those results, and two others on Saturday, Opta’s supercomputer updated its predictions again.
The title model now has Arsenal first with 79.55 predicted points and a 53.82% chance of finishing champions. Manchester City are second on 76.11 points and 34.39%. Brighton remain the only other side above 5%, while Liverpool are at 3.29% and Chelsea at 1.42%.
The Champions League outlook keeps Arsenal and City well clear, with both above 90% to qualify. Brighton stand at 58.37%, Liverpool at 46.70%, Chelsea at 31.28% and Aston Villa at 21.66%. Brentford, Leeds and Everton are further back, and Manchester United’s five-match winless run has left them below 6%.
At the lower end, Tottenham have made a notable move in the right direction. Two wins in a row have cut their relegation chance to 14%, and the model now projects them to finish 13th. That is not especially strong, but it is a considerable improvement on consecutive 17th-place finishes in the last two seasons.
Aston Villa
Premier League Gameweek 8 calls: Chelsea host Spurs as Liverpool face Brighton
Chelsea host Spurs as Liverpool meet Brighton in a weekend of tight Premier League predictions.
The Premier League returns after another midweek round of continental action involving nine English clubs, and Gameweek 8 arrives with little room for recovery. Several of the league’s biggest sides are back in action quickly, while a number of awkward fixtures could shape the standings before the weekend is over.
Friday’s opener at Portman Road looks finely balanced. Ipswich Town have collected nine points from seven matches and have taken two-thirds of that tally at home, with wins over Sunderland and Fulham lifting them to 10th. Nottingham Forest, however, arrive with their own issues, and goals have been difficult to come by for the Tricky Trees. A draw feels the likeliest outcome.
Aston Villa’s meeting with Man City is one of the standout fixtures on Saturday. Villa have won five of their last six, while City have maintained a perfect Premier League run, though their domestic record remains surrounded by uncertainty off the pitch. Even so, their form under Pep Guardiola has been efficient, and with Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden in encouraging touch, they are tipped to edge it.
Arsenal are expected to keep pace at the top with a home win over Everton. The Gunners remain defensively solid, even if their attack will be without Bukayo Saka, while Everton are likely to sit deep and counter through Thierno Barry, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jack Grealish.
Chelsea’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur closes Saturday and the home side look strong favourites. Spurs have won only once at Stamford Bridge in 25 years, while Chelsea have scored 17 goals in seven matches under Xabi Alonso. João Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers have all been in form.
Elsewhere, Liverpool’s meeting with Brighton has the feel of a high-scoring draw, Man Utd are predicted to share the points with Bournemouth, and Sunderland’s test against Leeds United could be decided by fatigue after their trip to Poland.
