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I knew what it meant.

"United fans, you may not know me too well yet, but one thing I can guarantee, I will never give up or lose faith.

"I’ve said this before, but I will continue to give everything, get through this tough period and won’t stop until that’s achieved."



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20th Dec 2024, 19:50By Jackson Cole

Three Saudi Arabian clubs have expressed an interest in signing Marcus Rashford, talkSPORT understands.

The Manchester United forward is looking to move away from Old Trafford after revealing in a bombshell interview that he is 'seeking a new challenge'.

Al Ahli, Al Ittihad and Al Qadsiah are all said to hold an interest in the England international.

While Al Ittihad have been interested in the past and Al Qadsiah are monitoring his situation, Al Ahli currently hold the most concrete interest.

However, they would need to offload or de-register a foreign player first in order to comply with Saudi Pro League registration rules.

Al Nassr have previously told Man United that they were more interested in other targets.

While three Saudi Pro League sides are interested, the trio won't do battle for his signature.

That is due to Saudi Pro League sporting director Michael Emenalo taking the lead and effectively allocating his registration to one of the clubs.

It remains to be seen if Rashford would be open to a move to Saudi Arabia in 2025, with Man United yet to receive any meaningful approaches.

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20th Dec 2024, 17:57By Jackson Cole

Julen Lopetegui will be in the West Ham dugout for Saturday's Premier League clash with Brighton after travelling to Spain for his father's funeral.

Head coach Lopetegui was back in harness on Friday after making the trip to his native country to pay his respects to his father Jose, a champion weightlifter, following his death at the age of 94.

The 58-year-old told a press conference: "It has been a hard week for our family, but my dad has had a very good life and we are very proud of him.

"When I talk about my father, I do it with a smile on my face, because he has had a good life with lots of stories, and he has been a big character.

"I have lost my dad, but I think we have also lost a very big person.

Tomorrow we face the best team from the last few years, clearly, in the Premier League.

“Maybe they’re not being consistent because of different circumstances, but they are the best and their coach is the best.”

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20th Dec 2024, 16:15By Jack Cunningham

Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has confirmed that Mads Hermansen has a chance of playing against Wolves at the weekend.

The Dane had to be withdrawn at half time during the 4-0 defeat to Newcastle United last weekend.

Danny Ward took his place and found himself picking the ball out the back of the net twice in the space of a few minutes.

This match against Wolves is huge for both teams, with a win for Leicester opening up a eight-point lead over the Old Gold.

However, they could be without their first-choice goalkeeper.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, he said: “We’re doing everything and so is Mads, so that he can play.

It’s a possibility.”

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20th Dec 2024, 15:17By Jack Cunningham

Mikel Arteta is set for a triple fitness boost ahead of their game against Crystal Palace this weekend.

Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko are all expected to be available.

Rice was withdrawn on 60 minutes during the 0-0 draw with Everton with a niggle.

Calafiori and Zinchenko have been out for a couple of weeks, but they are back.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, he said: "They are both available to be in the squad.

"Zinchenko probably available as well."

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20th Dec 2024, 14:46By Jack Cunningham

Dele Alli has confirmed that he is leaving Everton to pursue new career paths.

The former England international's contract expired in the summer, but the club allowed him to stay to train and work his way back from injury.

He hadn't actually played a game for the Toffees since 2022 after joining from Tottenham.

But at the weekend, he was spotted at Como and Cesc Fabregas confirmed that Dele could end up training with them.

Since those comments, the attacking midfielder has revealed in an emotional statement that he's leaving.

He said: “As widely published this week, 2025 may set me on a new path with some exciting opportunities.

“Before any of that happens it’s very important for me to make clear how grateful I am of all the fans, staff and players at Everton FC for the support they have given me.

“It’s been an incredibly tough journey trying to put the final pieces together to regain match fitness and I cannot thank the Everton staff enough for the hard work they have put into this process.

“Unfortunately, things haven’t worked out as we all would have hoped and I think it’s the right time for me to turn a new page.

“I want to wish everyone at this amazing club the very best of luck and hopefully we will see each other again soon.”

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20th Dec 2024, 14:31By Jack Cunningham

Southampton managerial target Danny Rohl has said he turned down an offer from the Saints to become their new manager.

talkSPORT understands that Ivan Juric will become the new Saints gaffer instead, with the Croatian agreeing an 18-month deal with a break clause if they get relegated.

But Rohl had been on the wishlist.

However, the £5 million compensation fee proved to be too much for the Premier League strugglers.

And Rohl has now told the press that he rejected the chance to meet with Southampton in the week.

He said: "The most important key point is that I'm here, I decide to stay in this case.

"It's always an honour when you get linked with Premier League clubs.

It means I am in the right place.

"I had some approaches from clubs in England, but Wolves made the step forward to finish.

"I had a project in Saudi Arabia, but with an opportunity like this, you cannot think twice."

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20th Dec 2024, 14:08By Jack Cunningham

Enzo Maresca's Christmas has got off to the worst start with the Italian confirming that Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana are set for long-term absences.

Fofana hasn't played in Chelsea's last three Premier League games after starting every one before that, bar one, and that was because he was suspended.

But Fofana has a hamstring problem and Badiashile has an unidentified issue.

And speaking at his pre-match press conference before Chelsea face Everton, Maresca confirmed the bad news.

But Reece James is back in first-team training.

He said: “Reece finally will start with us for part of the session (on Friday), so slowly, slowly, he will be back.

I never doubted his qualities for a second.

“Yes, there’s been a lot of speculation over Miggy’s future for a while now, but I think all I’d ever say to any player who’s contracted here and absolutely loved like Miggy is, then my only focus is on Miggy being here and showing him the respect that he’s deserved for his contribution to Newcastle.”

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20th Dec 2024, 11:16By Jack Cunningham

Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney has been linked with a return to Celtic in January with his game time at the Emirates becoming increasingly limited.

The Scottish international spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad and would have likely been sold in the summer had he not suffered a serious injury in the summer at Euro 2024.

He's only made one appearance this season, which was in the Carabao Cup against Crystal Palace in midweek.

However, Brendan Rodgers is remaining tight lipped on any potential return to Glasgow for Tierney.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "Kieran is someone I know really well, but there will be lots of players linked with Celtic.

"We will never speak about a player at another club."

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20th Dec 2024, 10:40By Jack Cunningham

The Carabao Cup semi-final draw threw up two fantastic games.

In one, we have Arsenal facing Newcastle, and the other sees Tottenham take on Liverpool.

Spurs take on the Reds this weekend in the Premier League, so that will prove to be a good dress rehearsal for the semi-final encounter.

Meanwhile, Arsenal will have to play at St James' Park again, a ground in which they've lost three of the last four meetings.

The first ties will be played on the week commencing January 6.

Then the other will take place on the week commencing February 3.

And Slot is looking forward to it.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, he said: "Interesting game but every draw would have been.

"The players have a great life, but they have to put a lot of work in to be at their best every three days and that is the mentality of a top player."

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20th Dec 2024, 10:10By Jack Cunningham

talkSPORT understands that Southampton are set to appoint Ivan Juric as their new manager to replace Russell Martin.

The Croatian is a free agent after he was sacked by Roma in November after a 3-2 loss at home to Bologna, a game in which the club's ultras walked out of at half time to show their distaste for the boss.

The Saints have long tracked Juric, and he had been under consideration to replace Ralph Hasenhuttl two years ago.

Juric is in England today to speak to Southampton and has agreed an 18-month contract, with a break clause.

He lasted just three months at Roma after he was picked to replace Daniele De Rossi.

If he is to be made the Saints new boss, he will hope to last longer.

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20th Dec 2024, 09:39By Jack Cunningham

It's Friday, which means there are lots of Premier League press conferences.

Arne Slot and Eddie Howe have already been speaking to the media, and we'll have news from them soon, while later on, Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta will be among those to be speaking to the media.

Of course, there is plenty for Guardiola to talk about after City lost the Manchester derby 2-1, while Arteta will most likely speak about his side's Carabao Cup semi-final draw against Newcastle and the title race.

We will also hear from new Wolves boss Vitor Pereira.

09:00 Newcastle press conference09:15 Liverpool press conference10:30 Leicester press conference11:00 Tottenham press conference12:30 Manchester City press conference13:00 Bournemouth press conference13:15 West Ham press conference13:30 Arsenal press conference13:30 Wolves press conference13:30 Everton press conference13:30 Aston Villa press conference13:30 Ipswich press conference13:30 Crystal Palace press conference13:30 Fulham press conference13:30 Southampton press conferenceCopied

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