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Erik ten Hag and Manchester United made significant changes to their goalkeepeing ranks in the summer, allowing David de Gea to leave as a free agent at the end of his contract and shelling out over £47m on a replacement in Inter Milan's Andre Onana.

Meanwhile, the Red Devils banked up to £20m from the permanent departure of Dean Henderson, who joined Crystal Palace, and they sold youngster Matej Kovar to Bayer Leverkusen for just under £8m. Altay Bayindir came in from Turkish club Fenerbache in a £4.2m deal to fill the void.

Now, it's emerged that a surprise name is working with Onana and Bayindir behind the scenes at United's Carrington training ground after Ten Hag granted a request.

Joe Lewis steps up to first-team Man Utd training

As reported by The Mirror, 36-year-old Joe Lewis is training with United's first-team to keep up his fitness levels. Lewis, a free agent, had been taking part in under-21 sessions, but he asked Ten Hag whether he could step up to the senior side, and the Dutchman gave him the green light.

There's "no indication" at this stage that Lewis will be offered a permanent deal by the club, but it's noted that Jonny Evans' second spell at the club began as an informal training arrangement, so we can't rule it out entirely.

Lewis never truly realised potential after England call-up

Lewis graduated from the Norwich City academy but never made a senior appearance for the club, spending time on loan at Stockport and Morecambe before a permanent switch to Peterborough in 2008.

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Ten Hag’s fears have now been confirmed in a big setback.

ByDavid Comerford Feb 6, 2024

He spent four years with the Posh, making nearly 200 appearances, before joining Cardiff City, where he played his only-ever Premier League game – a 1-1 draw with Hull City in September 2013.

The next two seasons saw him make temporary moves to Blackpool and Fulham, and he then joined Aberdeen on a free transfer in 2016. The Dons are the team he's represented the most, but his time there came to an end last summer.

Norwich

–

2008

0

Stockport (loan)

2007

2007

5

Morecambe (loan)

2007

2008

22

Peterborough

2008

2012

189

Cardiff

2012

2016

5

Blackpool (loan)

2014

2015

36

Fulham (loan)

2015

2016

9

Aberdeen

2016

2023

272

At the international level, meanwhile, Lewis played five times for England's under-21 side but never truly lived up to the early potential he showed. Fabio Capello did call him up to the Three Lions' senior squad at one stage, but he didn't get the chance to make his debut.

A number of top Premier League teams have seen the benefit of keeping a vastly experienced stopper around as their third-choice, be it Adrian at Liverpool or Scott Carson at Manchester City, but United already have 37-year-old Tom Heaton to play that role, so unfortunately it seems there isn't a first-team opening Lewis. Realistically, his main hope will be that the teams further down the football pyramid take note of the fact that he's been training with Ten Hag's side, and make him an offer.

France captain Kylian Mbappe is set to wear a mask if he features in upcoming games – but why?

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Kylian Mbappe seen sporting mask in trainingReal Madrid forward had been taken to hospitalSet to wear mask in upcoming gamesWHAT HAPPENED?

The 25-year-old superstar, who will join Real Madrid this summer, suffered a broken nose during France's first game of Euro 2024 against Austria on Monday.

Mbappe went up to head the ball but collided with Kevin Danso before being substituted in the 90th minute by Didier Deschamps.

He was then rushed to hospital after suffering the injury, with initial fears emerging as to whether or not he could carry on in the tournament.

AdvertisementGettyWHY IS KYLIAN MBAPPE WEARING A FACE MASK?

Mbappe is wearing a mask to protect his broken nose while it heals. Face masks are often worn in football, as well as other sports such as basketball, when a player has suffered a facial injury such as a broken nose, cheekbone or eye socket. The mask is worn to protect the injury and aims to prevent it from getting worse, while also allowing the player to continue participating.

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT KYLIAN MBAPPE'S FACE MASK?

France boss Deschamps provided an update on Mbappe's situation ahead of the group-stage clash against Netherlands

“Everything is going well, after the shock we had," he said.

"Everything is evolving in the right direction. We’ll do all we can to ensure that he’ll be available. Kylian will be wearing a mask.”

As it turned out, Mbappe did not feature in the game against the Netherlands, with Deschamps deciding against taking a risk on the striker.

However, he did play in a training match the following day, while wearing the mask. France defender Jonathan Clauss revealed that Mbappe was impressive.

“He played well, he is getting used to his mask and that was the point of playing in that game," explained the Marseille man. "He scored and delivered some assists. Great Kylian, just like normal.”

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Mbappe was selected for France's final group game against Poland with the former Paris Saint-Germain forward donning the new mask – but it wasn't be the red, white and blue one he was pictured wearing in training.

UEFA rules prohibit multi-coloured medical equipment, so he will be wearing a single-colour mask instead. Subsequent photos from France training show Mbappe wearing a black mask.

Seven dismissals in 10 innings. Stuart Broad has enjoyed a stranglehold over the Australian opener

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Sep-2019Edgbaston, 1st innings3.5 NOW THAT’S OUT!! Full and fast, pinned in front of middle and leg! Warner is gone, no attempt even to review – Broad has burst through in the fourth over of the morning, and Edgbaston is all over this! “Cheerio, cheerio!” they crow, as Warner grits his teeth and heads for the dressing rooms. But hang on, because Hawk-Eye now has its say: and the ball was missing leg!! So a Tale of Two Missed Reviews ends with Warner back in the hutch for spitEdgbaston, 2nd innings2.6 huge appeal from Bairstow and the slips! Broad isn’t so sure, but the cordon is adamant there was a noise as Warner flirted outside off! It’s gone to a review and the crowd like what they’ve seen already! Almost off the back of the bat as Warner tried to leave that uncomfortable kicking back-of-a-length, and that’s 450 wickets for Broad, and a massive one at that!Lord’s, 1st innings4.2 bowled ‘im, shaves the leg bail! Big nip-backer from round the wicket and Warner goes cheaply again! Broad the man to get him for the third time in a row this series, slightly rickety defensive shot but that was a sweet cherry – and England have their openingHeadingley, 2nd innings1.2 big appeal… given! Wilson looked like he shook his head, and then stuck the finger up – utterly bizarre – and Warner sends it upstairs… impact umpire’s call, and smashing into leg stump on with the angle! Warner’s struggles against Broad continue! Wide on the crease again from Broad – you know the drill now when he’s bowling to Warner – and moved in off the seam to thwack him on the padOld Trafford, 1st innings0.4 caught behind! Five times for Broad! Warner trying to leave made his decision to late! Got a little outside edge before withdrawing the bat. Easy catch for Bairstow! It was a good length but way wide of off. It didn’t shape away much. The tightness of the previous leave maybe caused doubt for Warner and he was too late to withdraw the bat!Old Trafford, 2nd innings0.6 given lbw! Broad’s done it again! A straighter delivery, good length, spears into the pads and Warner is trapped deep in the crease. A pair for Warner, his first in Tests and three ducks in a rowThe Oval, 2nd innings6.4 gone! Do not adjust your monitors, Stuart Broad has got David Warner again! Again, you know the drill. Round the wicket, on a length, Warner has a nibble at it, and edges it to slip where Burns takes a good catch. Seven times in the series!

One manager is “keen” on the idea of taking over at West Ham United and has been mentioned as a potential target, according to a new report.

David Moyes’ West Ham future

The Hammers’ poor form in 2024 under David Moyes continued on Saturday, going down 2-0 to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

Goals in each half from Taiwo Awoniyi and Callum Hudson-Odoi alongside a red card from January signing Kalvin Phillips means it’s now eight games without a win in all competitions.

Moyes came out and defended his position after the defeat at The City Ground, though, saying on fans’ discontent:

“I’m pretty long in the tooth, it happens and I don’t think you can please everybody. I think it would be hard to say there have been many better times at West Ham. Maybe they want something different but if they’re honest I think they probably have to say it’s been as good a time as they’ve had at the club, winning a trophy and the league positions.

"Maybe they’ve had managers who excite them more, possibly, but the one who’s sitting here wins more.”

Reports after the game on Moyes’ West Ham future claimed that the club are not planning to sack the Scot in the near future but have also put contract talks on hold.

Now, it looks as if one manager who has two wins over Moyes’ West Ham, is open to a move to London.

Julen Lopetegui to West Ham update

According to Football Insider reporter Pete O’Rourke, former Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui is “keen” and wants the West Ham job after turning down Crystal Palace. The 57-year-old ‘is eager to return to the Premier League and wants a job at a top-10 English side’.

This comes are previous reports which suggested that the Hammers are ‘tempted’ by the idea of appointing Lopetegui.

The Spaniard, who plays a 4-2-3-1 formation, has been out of work since August after leaving Wolves just before the start of the season. Prior to his time in England, Lopetegui spent time as a manager in Spain and Portugal, enjoying plenty of success, as can be seen below.

Wolves

27

1.30

Sevilla

170

1.85

Real Madrid

14

1.43

Spain

20

2.40

FC Porto

78

2.24

Spain U21

19

2.89

Spain U19

17

2.41

Spain U20

11

2.45

Real Madrid Castilla

38

1.66

He’s also won three major honours as a manager, while also coming in for praise from Pep Guardiola, who said last year after Lopetegui left Wolves:

"I would like to call him in the next days. I'm so disappointed, but I know what football is. I'm sorry for Julen because he's a friend of mine, he's an exceptional person. We played together at Barcelona, and have an amazing relationship.

"But, it is what it is football. Nobody can escape that. When you have bad results you will not continue in places like Barcelona, Madrid. You win matches in a row, or you won't have the chance to continue."

South African cricket is going through a period of transition, says former batsman, who is in India to oversee a spin camp

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Aug-2019South African cricket is in “a transition phase”, according to former batsman Ashwell Prince. Prince, who coaches Cape Cobras in South African franchise cricket, and had been in India as a batting consultant supervising a spin camp that included both South Africa A and senior team regulars ahead of tours to India by the ‘A’ side as well as the senior men’s and women’s teams.”It’s a transition phase for South African cricket,” Prince told the . “I work in the first-class system and we have first-hand experience of the young guys that are coming through. Of course, you don’t become [Hashim] Amla and [Dale] Steyn overnight.”Steyn announced his retirement from Test cricket and a renewed focus on limited-overs cricket at the beginning of the month, while Hashim Amla retired from all international cricket soon afterwards. South Africa will feel the absence of both players keenly – Amla averaged 62.73 in ten Tests in India, while Steyn took 26 Test wickets at 21.38 across three tours to India – but Prince, along with spin-bowling consultant Paul Adams and high-performance manager Vincent Barnes, have been working with the next generation to try and fill the breach.Among the players in the camp were Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma and Theunis de Bruyn, as well as promising young batsmen Zubayr Hamza, Janneman Malan, Sinethemba Qeshile, Pieter Malan, Eddie Moore and Matthew Breetzke.”We are looking at both [physical and mental] aspects to playing spin,” Prince, who played 66 Tests and 52 ODIs for South Africa – captaining the Test team twice – said. “It’s about being able to understand that a good spinner on a surface providing spin will go past the outside edge and beat your bat.”Offspinner Dane Piedt and spin-bowling allrounder Senuran Muthusamy, who have been named in South Africa’s Test squad, and left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin, who is part of the T20 squad, were also in the spin camp, as were Tsepo Ndwandwa, Thomas Kaber, Dyllan Matthews and George Linde.”We obviously have come here for young players to experience some of the conditions,” Prince said. “What we try to do is to pass on our learnings, but we have some local coaches helping us here. Even the spin coach has years of experience to associate the idea of local conditions. It’s basically to feed the young guys as much information as possible.”

In recent years, Crystal Palace have developed an excellent transfer strategy that allows them to pick up bargains every window.

However, they have also proven to be successful at developing those talents into top players, which will now be the task of new boss Oliver Glasner.

Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze are two examples of their brilliant recruitment, and they are hoping Daniel Munoz and Adam Wharton will continue this run.

That said, there’s one player that stands out who has seen their market value increase since joining the club.

What Palace paid for Michael Olise

Prior to his move to Palace, Michael Olise was playing his football for Reading in the Championship, the club he made his professional debut at, which was in a 3-0 defeat to Leeds United in 2019.

However, it would be two seasons later that he really started to show his class and immense quality, as over his first two campaigns, the winger made 23 appearances in the second division, picking up just one assist.

That said, during the 2020/21 he announced himself as one of the most exciting talents in England, boasting an incredible record of seven goals and 12 assists in 37 starts, playing as both an attacking midfielder and a winger.

The following summer, Patrick Vieira decided to splash £8m on the left-footed ace, in what has proved to be one of the best steals in recent Premier League history.

Michael Olise’s market value in 2024

Since arriving at the Eagles, Olise has continued to develop as a player, and despite the step up to the Premier League often being overwhelming, the now-22-year-old wasn’t fazed one bit.

The number seven had his minutes managed in the first season, starting just 12 games but playing 26 matches in the league, with a record of two goals and five assists.

Last season, his creativity really began to flourish, as he picked up 11 assists and played in all but one game in the top flight. Unfortunately, injuries have ruined this campaign for Olise, missing 13 games, but he’s started to develop his goal-scoring ability, netting six goals and providing three assists in just eight starts.

One game this season that sums up what Olise’s all about was against Brentford at home when the Eagles won 3-1, and the table below highlights why he’s now valued 650% more than what he cost the club, with recent reports indicating that he could fetch a fee of roughly £60m this summer.

Minutes

94

Goals

2

Shots

6

Successful dribbles

5/6

Touches

90

Key passes

2

Clearances

4

The fact that Olise has added goals to his game now makes him “superb,” as per Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, while also putting him among the elite wingers who can both create and find the back of the net themselves.

The France U21 gem can also be a threat via his dribbling or his passing, which makes him extremely unpredictable and difficult to stop. His work rate is also unbelievable, and he is willing to get stuck in for his side, which just makes him even more valuable.

The signing of Olise will go down as one of the bargains of the past decade, especially if he continues to live up to his potential, and Palace will hope that they can unearth plenty more Olise-like talents in the future.

Wrexham are “treated like movie stars” in the United States, James McClean has revealed, with Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney making that possible.

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Red Dragons headed to the States in 2023Second tour lined up for this summerCelebrity owners have seen stock soarWHAT HAPPENED?

Hollywood superstars have been calling the shots at SToK Racecourse since 2021, with the Red Dragons’ global stock rising as a result. They are now stars of an award-winning documentary series, with back-to-back promotions lifting them into League One.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT MCCLEAN SAID

Phil Parkinson’s side enjoyed a historic trip to the States in 2023, and will be heading back to North America 12 months on. McClean has told of what to expect, having already taken in the second of Wrexham’s promotion parties in Las Vegas: “It’s something we’re looking forward to. Speaking to some of the lads that went last year, they said it was brilliant, a great experience – they were treated like movie stars!”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

McClean has also lifted the lid on what it is like to operate under the brightest of spotlights in North Wales: “It’s a hard one to explain because you need to be in the environment to understand it. The best way I can describe it is, it’s mad but if it makes sense… it’s a good mad. But it’s also not a gimmick. Things are done professionally and very well. Two promotions back-to-back back that claim up. It’s been really enjoyable.”

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Getty/GOALDID YOU KNOW?

He went on to say of the input that Reynolds and McElhenney have in everyday life at Wrexham: “They’re pretty much well involved, two brilliant lads, no airs and graces. What you see is what you get. They’re quite involved, even through text messages after games. They like to know what’s going on a daily basis and like I said, they’re pretty much involved a lot.”

He also advocates making pace-friendly pitches in the Caribbean to encourage quicks

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Oct-2019Darren Bravo was dropped from West Indies’ squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan, but former fast bowler and current commentator Michael Holding believes the left-hand batsman is “too talented to be left out”.ALSO READ – West Indies selector Roger Harper backs Bravo to return to Test sideHolding’s endorsement comes after chief selector Roger Harper also backed Bravo to return to the side.”I would tell him to find something that works. If he has a technical problem – and I don’t know if that is the case – I would tell him to find someone and get it sorted,” Holding said on the podcast this week. “If it’s just a matter of going through a bad rut and you don’t know exactly what the problem is, again find someone who is highly qualified and skilful enough to look at you and suggest something that may be going wrong and try and get it sorted.”Bravo still has a central contract, having been awarded an all-format deal in July.”Him being out of the team, I hope he will not take it personally and won’t be upset,” Holding added. “I just read that Jonny Bairstow was left out of the England team, and I also read that the chairman of the selectors and another selector actually went to visit him and sat down and talked to him. I hope that they will do the same thing for Darren Bravo. He is too skilful and talented a player to just be washed up on the shore. He is too talented to be left out.”Holding also advocated for West Indies going back to their traditional strength of fast bowling, and supporting upcoming pace bowlers by preparing pitches accordingly. He cited India’s example, and their recent stock of pace bowling riches, to emphasise his point.”I would hope that the pitches in the Caribbean will be prepared to encourage fast bowlers,” Holding said. “Because if you don’t have pitches that encourage fast bowlers, you’re going to struggle. Look at India. They have started [to] prepare different pitches over the last six-seven years, and they’ve started to produce a lot of fast bowlers. And they are now winning series away from home. That is what you need.”Look at the quickest pitches renowned in the Caribbean – Jamaica and Barbados. Where have most of the Caribbean fast bowlers come from? Jamaica and Barbados. In recent times, a few more have been coming out of Antigua. But Trinidad have not produced a lot. Ian Bishop definitely would have been a great but for injury. Colin Croft was from Guyana. But those flat pitches that don’t encourage people to run in and work hard, will not produce fast bowlers. So one would hope that pitches that have good pace and bounce will be prepared in that manner so that we can encourage our youngsters to bowl fast.”

Aston Villa have been warned that losing Douglas Luiz this summer is a possibility as they look to comply with financial fair play regulations ahead of the new season.

Luiz helping Emery's Villa fly

Once seemingly Arsenal-bound, Luiz has reached new heights at Villa Park this season. Deployed with more attacking freedom under Unai Emery, the Brazilian has scored nine times and grabbed six assists in the Premier League, helping Villa push for a spot in next season's Champions League.

Aston Villa investigating how much "phenomenal" Lenglet heir will cost

The Villans have been told how much it will cost to sign the teenage colossus.

ByDan Emery Mar 5, 2024

With fifth place likely to be enough for qualification into Europe's elite competition next season, the Midlands outfit have an 11 point gap to sixth-placed Manchester United as things stand, and will be hoping that a strong end to the season will allow them to maintain and even extend that gap to Erik ten Hag's side.

Most goals from Premier League midfielders

Phil Foden

Manchester City

11

Cole Palmer

Chelsea

10

Douglas Luiz

Aston Villa

10

Kai Havertz

Arsenal

7

Scott McTominay

Man United

7

However, it has not been all rosy at Villa Park, with their latest financial reports suggesting that a lean summer may have to be in store unless they make the decision to part ways with some of their star men.

In their latest accounts, the club admitted that they had 'reported a loss for the year of £119.6m after tax', compared to a £0.3m profit last season, and this has inevitably led to concerns around financial fair play, which has already punished Everton once and could yet punish Nottingham Forest and the Toffees a second time for breaches.

It has led to speculation that sales could be necessary this summer should they wish to continue investing in the squad, and several names have already been linked with moves away.

Villa could be forced to cash in on Luiz

Perhaps the most concrete link is that of Luiz, who has previously been subject to interest from Arsenal and now is thought to be on the radar of Manchester City, where he spent two years before joining Villa (albeit mostly out on loan).

Luiz penned a new contract at Villa in October 2022 to ward off Arsenal interest, but will be down to the final two years of that deal come this summer and could be one that Villa look to cash in on. Alongside the Gunners, Football Insider report that City are 'ready' to bring Luiz back to the Etihad after he has 'improved significantly' during his time at Villa Park.

It would not go down well with the fans though. Sky Sports' Dan Bardell spoke to VillaNews about the potential departure, and the Villa fan admitted that it would be a 'heartbreaking' exit were it to happen, but that nothing can be ruled out due to financial fair play regulations.

Kyle Walker's ex Lauryn Goodman has made an apparent jibe towards the England star after reportedly being shunned by him at Euro 2024.

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Walker at the Euros with EnglandHis ex Goodman kept away from his wifeShe aims cryptic jibe at Man City manWHAT HAPPENED?

Lauryn, who has two children with Walker, flew out to Germany for England's group game against Denmark – where security were told to keep her away from the Manchester City's wife Annie Kilner, reports The Sun. The 33-year-old jetted out with their son Kairo, who wore a Three Lions shirt with the name 'Daddy' on the back. Now, after reportedly being kept away from the England players' partners at the match, she posted in an Instagram story about "taking power back".

AdvertisementGettyWHAT LAURYN GOODMAN SAID

The post read: "I was extremely sad for how someone treated me, but then I remembered how kind I am to people, that's a reflection of me. How people treat me is a projection of their character, and not a reflection of my value. May I always remember that I'm taking my power back."

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The influencer started a secret relationship with Walker in 2019 and after the England man was confirmed as the father of her second child, wife Annie – who was expecting her fourth child at the time – threw him out of their Manchester home. They have reportedly somewhat reconciled but it seems Walker's relationship with Goodman is a precarious one.

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Aside from off the field matters, Walker's England side are now into the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 and face in-form Switzerland in the last eight on Saturday. The victor in that tie will either face the Netherlands or Turkey in the semi-finals.