"There is a possibility to take my own people but there won't be massive changes - we're talking one or two people with the current people here."

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6th Dec 2024, 16:57By Jack Cunningham

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has revealed that Amadou Onana is closing in on a comeback.

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The giant defensive midfielder has missed the club's last four matches in all competitions.

Onana has been struggling with an ankle problem, but he has a chance of facing Southampton tomorrow.

However, Jacob Ramsey is definitely out, while Villa have a few other players struggling, but Emery refused to name them.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, he said: "It is very difficult because we play matches every three days, even we played Juventus and then Leipzig next week.

We have to be prepared."

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6th Dec 2024, 15:43By Jack Cunningham

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided a very vague injury update ahead of the Gunners' game against Fulham this weekend.

Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori played no part in the 2-0 win over Manchester United in midweek.

They also weren't seen in open training on Friday morning.

And when asked about the duo, Arteta provided very little information.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, he said: "We have a few.

It’s matchday minus two, so we have to modify a few players.

"Until tomorrow’s training session it’s very difficult to say."

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6th Dec 2024, 15:00By Jack Cunningham

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim believes that he now knows his best team.

The Portuguese coach has only been at Old Trafford for just over three weeks and has taken charge of four matches.

In midweek, he experienced his first defeat as Red Devils boss and first league loss in a year against Arsenal.

Amorim made six changes from the side that beat Everton 4-0, and he's likely to make more here.

But despite the constant rotation, which can be for many reasons, Amorim insists he has a very strong idea of his best XI.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference before Man United play Nottingham Forest, he said: "More or less, yes, we have an idea, but then we have players returning and we have to manage the load.

"Bruno Fernandes, you feel it against Arsenal he was tired in the end, but you know he will recover in the end.

"If you talk about Manuel [Ugarte], I've known him for a long time
and he needs a little bit more time."

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He was also asked about injury news and revealed that Victor Lindelof is closing in on a return, but Jonny Evans is still out.

He said: "Jonny is still not training, Victor has returned to training but isn't available for tomorrow, maybe in the next game he will be available."

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6th Dec 2024, 14:46By Jack Cunningham

West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui has denied claims he must beat Wolves on Monday, live on talkSPORT, to keep his job.

The Hammers board held crunch talks with the Spaniard after a 3-1 defeat to Leicester, but talkSPORT understands they've decided to give him more time.

Of course, Lopetegui was asked about these claims during a difficult press conference, and he answered as well as could be expected.

He said: "I was not thinking this [one game to save his job].

"I was thinking we have one very important challenge on Monday against a good team.

"We have to be focused and do as much work as possible until Monday.

"We want to give our fans one good day, and that is our focus."

Lopetegui was then asked again about his future, and he said: "To close this question, I understand football.

"My main responsibility is to make sure the team is ready to face a tough and very hard match.

"I think the fans have given us a lot more than we have given them, and we have to change this.

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6th Dec 2024, 14:34By Jack Cunningham

Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has jokingly implied he still hasn't forgiven Jamie Vardy for breaking his record.

Van Nistelrooy held the record for scoring in the most consecutive Premier League games [ten] until Jamie Vardy rocked up in the 2015/16 season.

The Foxes forward scored in 11 consecutive matches as Leicester won the top-flight.

Once appointed as Leicester boss, Van Nistelrooy said the first thing he did was have a go at Vardy for breaking his record.

Vardy scored in the 3-1 win over West Ham, and Van Nistelrooy was asked if that goal was enough for him to forgive the veteran striker for breaking his record.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, he said: "No.

"The only way I forgive him is if he breaks it again, so only 11 more games to go."

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6th Dec 2024, 14:16By Jack Cunningham

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has denied having any involvement in Kevin De Bruyne's contract situation.

The Belgian international's deal at the Etihad expires in the summer, but there is no indication he will extend his stay as of yet.

Of course, injuries have become a problem for De Bruyne in recent years, with the player revealing recently he is struggling with a sports hernia.

However, he played a huge role in City's 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest in midweek, scoring and setting up a goal.

But when asked about his contract situation, Guardiola couldn't shed too much information.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of facing Crystal Palace, he said: "I am not involved in that.

"I would like him to be 23 and sign a ten-year contract - this is what I would like, but we'll see.

"His legacy at this club will be eternal, but when it happens [he leaves], we have to find the best way."

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6th Dec 2024, 14:06By Jack Cunningham

Liverpool will take part in the final league Merseyside derby at Goodison Park tomorrow, but Arne Slot will have to do it with a weaker squad than what he took to Newcastle in midweek.

This is because Alexis Mac Allister is banned after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the 3-3 draw at St James' Park.

Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa are also still out.

Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley are not even remotely in contention.

However, Slot has confirmed that Jota and Chiesa are closing in on a comeback.

Harvey Elliott is also fully fit after a long-term injury.

Speaking at his pre-match press conferences about injuries, he said: “Alisson is not ready but will be soon.

He needs to know that what you say is because you want to take care of him."

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6th Dec 2024, 13:32By Jack Cunningham

Arsenal have become the corner and set-piece kings of the Premier League, with no team scoring more from those situations than the Gunners since the start of last season.

This has led to comparisons with Tony Pulis' Stoke City, who caused the Gunners numerous issues under Arsene Wenger due to their effectiveness from set-pieces.

Former Manchester United and Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov was the latest to roll out that phrase.

His comment followed the Gunners' 2-0 win over Man United on Wednesday, in which they scored twice from corners.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, the Spaniard was asked about the Stoke comparisons.

He said: "I understood what Berbatov said, we take it as a big compliment."

Arteta was asked if he thinks Berbatov was being genuinely positive.

"I think so, no?"

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6th Dec 2024, 13:15By Jack Cunningham

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has shared an injury update ahead of their huge game against Tottenham.

The Blues are currently second in the Premier League, seven points behind Liverpool.

However, Maresca is adamant they aren't in a title race, and he'll be without two very important players at the weekend.

Reece James has a hamstring injury and is still out, while Wesley Fofana has a thigh problem.

But though the short-term outlook isn't great, the Italian expects to have the duo back in a few weeks.

Mykhailo Mudryk will also be missing this weekend because he's ill.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, he said: "Both are slowly getting better.

I don't want to win by dealing with 150 lawsuits."

Mourinho is referring to the 130 Financial Fair Play charges that Manchester City face, and you get the feeling this is just the beginning of a re-ignited rivalry.

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6th Dec 2024, 10:54By Jack Cunningham

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has admitted he will make changes to his team for their game against Brentford.

The Magpies were involved in arguably the game of the season on Wednesday night at St James' Park as they played out a 3-3 thriller with Liverpool.

The Toon rattled the league leaders with their intensity, and by the end, there were some tired bodies.

Howe stated in his pre-match press conference that Sandro Tonali had cramp and Anthony Gordon was exhausted.

If neither could play, expect to see Sean Longstaff and Harvey Barnes come into the XI.

But after their best performances of the season, Toon fans will hope that Tonali and Gordon can start.

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6th Dec 2024, 10:13By Jack Cunningham

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has provided a very positive update on Sven Botman.

The Dutchman has been out since March with an ACL injury suffered against Manchester City in the FA Cup.

Before that, the centre-back had played with a partially torn ACL for a few months and looked a shadow of the player he was in the 2022/23 campaign.

However, after over a year either playing with an injury or being out, Botman is back in full training.

The Toon's game against Brentford will come too soon for him, but he expects to have Botman back in action soon.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference he said: "He is doing well, the initial moments in training were passive but now he is fully training.
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