Nigel Winterburn drops Liverpool ‘slip up’ claim after Sheff Utd scare; makes Man Utd prediction
Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn has sent a “slip up” warning to Liverpool ahead of their trip to face Manchester United on Sunday.
Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League on Thursday night as they beat Sheffield United 3-1 at Anfield.
“I disagree with the idea that Liverpool have the easiest run-in…”
Jurgen Klopp‘s side took control of the game via Darwin Nunez’s fortunate opener but they did not have it all their way.
A Conor Bradley own goal levelled the game with 20 minutes remaining but a stunning Alexis Mac Allister strike made it 2-1 before Cody Gakpo netted late on to put the result beyond doubt.
The Reds are two points clear of second-placed Arsenal, while Manchester City are a point further adrift in third.
Arsenal and Man City are in action on Saturday as they have away games against Brighton and Crystal Palace respectively.
Liverpool meanwhile travel to face Man Utd at Old Trafford a couple of weeks after they lost 4-3 to Erik ten Hag’s side in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Winterburn has warned Liverpool that their matches against lowly opponents will be difficult as they will be “pumped up for the big games”.
“I disagree with the idea that Liverpool have the easiest run-in and that Manchester United look like the only team that they might slip up against,” Winterburn told NewBettingOffers.co.uk.
READ MORE: Robbie Savage backs Liverpool, Arsenal, City wins but more Newcastle woes – Premier League predictions
“Teams are always more pumped up for the big games. Liverpool will beat Sheffield United, but the games against the other smaller sides are ones where everyone expects them to win three or four nil, they are suddenly more difficult than you expect them to be once you step on the pitch.
Related video: 'Super positive' - Klopp happy as Liverpool move top after Sheff Utd win (SNTV)
“You often find that the teams at the top will beat those other bigger teams that are in and around them. When it comes to the ones where they’re looking at the fixtures and thinking ‘that’s three points, that’s three points’, they’re the ones where one of the teams in the title race might slip up.
“It is not all about losing, drawing gives an advantage to the others as well. You can’t look at one specific game and label it as the big one in the run-in because every game is crucial. You can expect teams to win certain games, but they will all be difficult.”
READ MORE: Liverpool trio among five ‘irreplaceable’ stars the title challengers could do without next season
“It wouldn’t surprise me…”
Regarding the Man Utd game, Winterburn has said that he “wouldn’t surprise” him if it “ended in a draw”.
“Manchester United have the individual players to be able to put in a performance and hurt any team. The structure in defence and attack isn’t quite right, it’s too inconsistent,” Winterburn added.
“The history between the two clubs always makes this an intriguing game and I’ll certainly be watching it. It might come down to who takes the lead and it would be unbelievable to get the sort of drama we had in the game between these two sides in the FA Cup.
“Liverpool are the best counter-attacking team in the league. It wouldn’t surprise me if this game ended in a draw given the history and animosity between the two sides which always makes it a close-fought contest.”
Liverpool ‘fear’ boosts Pochettino despite Chelsea ‘pressure’ still being high after Man Utd win
According to reports, Chelsea have a Liverpool ‘fear’ as a ‘sack update’ has emerged with head coach Mauricio Pochettino under ‘growing pressure’.
Former Tottenham Hotspur boss Pochettino arrived at Chelsea last summer as he was appointed as Graham Potter’s permanent successor.
Difficult debut season
Pochettino has been heavily criticised at times this season and it has looked at certain points like he would not see out his debut campaign.
Despite Chelsea investing over £1bn on signings since Todd Boehly’s consortium completed its takeover in 2022, they remain around mid-table after finishing 12th in the Premier League last season.
Cup competitions have been a saving grace for Pochettino this term as they reached the Carabao Cup final but suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat against a below-strength Liverpool.
The Blues have the opportunity to go one better in the FA Cup but they come up against Manchester City in the semi-finals.
Chelsea’s form in the Premier League has been a major concern but they earned a hugely important 4-3 win against Manchester United on Thursday night.
Following this result, they are tenth in the Premier League but they will be just two points adrift of sixth-placed Man Utd if they win their game in hand.Related video: 'Should be a turning point' - Pochettino on Chelsea's dramatic 4-3 win against Man Utd (SNTV)
No, I think it was amazing because of the realizing
Pochettino has struggled to connect with Chelsea supporters this season and a portion of the fanbase chanted Jose Mourinho’s name during their 2-2 draw against Brentford last month.
During his press conference on Friday, Pochettino insisted that he is keen to “build a relationship” with Chelsea’s fans.
“I arrived to Chelsea in a different project than in the previous 10 years,” Pochettino told reporters.
READ MORE: Mourinho second favourite to replace Pochettino at Chelsea as viral video ‘sparks frenzy’
“I played with my reputation to come here, in a project to build a team with young players, talented players.
“We knew it was a massive challenge to build a team, win games and to be competitive, to take the risk with the fans.
“I said from the beginning, I want to build a genuine relationship. Not kissing the badge or doing stupid things on the touch line to win the (favour) of the fans.
“I want to prove the team the tools to win games, to make them believe in ourselves and to build a relationship. I’m not here to be a populist and a hypocrite and say ‘I love the fans’, because I know it’s about time to build this relationship.”
Liverpool ‘fear’
Football Insider have provided a ‘sack update’ as ‘Chelsea fear clubs like Liverpool could make it hard to replace Mauricio Pochettino’ if they opt to part company with him in the summer.
READ MORE: Mediawatch… Shock discovery (re)made over Cole Palmer and Manchester United after ‘awkward’ question
The report adds: ‘Football Insider revealed on Wednesday (3 April) that Pochettino is under growing pressure as his poor first season at Stamford Bridge continues.
‘It is believed that the Chelsea board are yet to make a final decision on the Argentine’s future.
‘Pochettino’s season could yet be considered a success by club chiefs if he leads his side to victory in the FA Cup.
‘Another factor in Chelsea’s indecision is the volume of elite clubs looking to appoint a new manager in the summer window.
‘Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Barcelona will all be on the hunt for a new boss in the off-season – while David Moyes is out of contract at West Ham. A well-placed source has told Football Insider that Chelsea chiefs are worried it could be too hard to lure the right man to Stamford Bridge if they choose to replace Pochettino.’
‘What are Man Utd doing?’ – Keown joins Celebration Police as pundit drops Ten Hag sack claim
Arsenal legend Martin Keown has hit out at Manchester United after they suffered a 4-3 defeat at Chelsea with Erik ten Hag’s departure “inevitable”.
Man Utd and Chelsea played out a remarkable game at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night as Mauricio Pochettino’s side scored two late goals to win 4-3.
“What are United doing?’
Conor Gallagher and Cole Palmer fired Chelsea into an early lead but goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes brought the sides level at the break.
With around 20 minutes to go, Garnacho did his trademark celebration which saw him sit on the advertising board with his arms crossed after getting on the end of a superb cross from Antony to head the visitors into a 3-2 lead.
But a dramatic finish at Stamford Bridge saw Palmer score twice late-on to complete his hat-trick and earn Chelsea a much-needed victory.
In response to this result and Garnacho’s celebration, Keown has hit out at the Man Utd winger who should have been focused on getting “back in position”.
“They produce good moments like Antony’s ball to Garnacho, which was fantastic, but that’s his first assist of the season for goodness sake,” Keown told talkSPORT.
READ MORE: 16 Conclusions on Chelsea 4-3 Man Utd… Ten Hag sack, Palmer saves Poch, Casemiro and Caicedo awfulRelated video: Ten Hag: 'We have to make better decisions' after Man United suffer stunning 4-3 defeat at Chelsea (SNTV)“The way that the players celebrate – Garnacho, get your backside off the advertising board and get back and get ready to defend because the opposition are going to come at you.
“People say Arsenal over-celebrate but what are United doing? Everyone is celebrating that goal but I’m not having it, I want you back in position and to give me something defensively.”
“It’s inevitable isn’t it?”
When asked whether he thought Man Utd would stick with Ten Hag heading into next season, Keown added: “One assumes not. He doesn’t even seem to be able to see the problems.
“I don’t know where the basics are or where the leaders are in that team. He’s too reliant on individuals and, based on what he says after, he doesn’t understand the value of the team.
“There will have to be changes at this rate. I don’t like to see anyone lose their job but it’s going to happen, it’s inevitable isn’t it?’.”
READ MORE: Mailbox… Ten Hag worse than Moyes as Man Utd dealt Sir Alex Ferguson ‘retribution’ vs Chelsea
Post-match, Ten Hag claimed his side played well but Keown believes they were “completely exposed” by Chelsea.
“We heard Erik ten Hag saying he thought it was a great performance and they suffered because of individual mistakes, but they don’t play as a team at all,” Keown added.
“A defensive brain doesn’t exist in that side. No one in that team wants to defend, they were completely exposed last night. I couldn’t quite believe what I was watching at times.
“They don’t know how to press as a group, they try to do but teams play through them so easily. It was an unbelievable game to watch but the basics just aren’t there for United.”
Man Utd player who has ‘properly gone’ is slammed for making the Red Devils ‘play with 10 men’
Casemiro has “properly gone” off the ball with the Man Utd midfielder making the Red Devils “play with 10 men” against Chelsea, according to ESPN pundit Craig Burley.
Man Utd lost 4-3 to Chelsea on Thursday night with Cole Palmer scoring twice in second-half injury time to completely wipe out the Red Devils’ 3-2 lead and give the Blues all three points.
Burley: Having Casemiro on was like ‘playing with 10 men’
It was another disappointing result for the Red Devils, who put in a terrible performance against Brentford in a 1-1 draw on Saturday, with the pressure mounting on Erik ten Hag to turn around displays and results.
Casemiro, who signed from Real Madrid for £70m in the summer of 2022, has suffered with injuries this term but his performances have been criticised when he has played this term.
And former Scotland and Celtic player Burley insists Casemiro allowed Chelsea players to run past him too easily on Thursday and reckons his legs have “properly gone”.
Burley said on ESPN: “You’ve got to give them some credit, they’ve already lost a bunch of defenders, Evans comes on at 36, he has to go off, they are already playing with 10 men.
READ MORE: Mediawatch: Shock discovery (re)made over Cole Palmer and Manchester United after ‘awkward’ question
“And I mean that in the nicest possible way, off the ball, because Casemiro has gone. Gone, properly gone.Related video: 'Should be a turning point' - Pochettino on Chelsea's dramatic 4-3 win against Man Utd (SNTV)
No, I think it was amazing because of the realizing
“He cannot move, you can walk through the middle of that park. He cannot get around the field and when he goes home, when they go home tonight, he’s got this big long contract.”
Gary Neville: The Casemiro signing never should have gone through
Man Utd will be hoping to avoid signing expensive flops like Casemiro in the future and Gary Neville admitted earlier this year that someone at the club should’ve vetoed the deal to bring in the five-time Champions League winner.
“Coming in from an owner’s perspective, you employ a head of recruitment who you think is the best guy out there at spotting talent, that will bring value to your club,” Neville told the Stick to Football podcast in January.
“You’ve got a sporting director equally, who will be thinking the same way – their loyalty is to the club and to make sure we win games. A manager’s job is purely to think about the immediate short term and getting results for himself.
“Casemiro is perfect example of a short-term signing that is going to cost in the long term. That signing never should have gone through a good sporting director, a good owner, and a good head of recruitment. That signing should have never gone through, it should have been a veto.”
Man Utd: Suggestion players are ‘undermining’ Ten Hag in meetings as Ajax ‘wish for his return’
Areport has claimed that ‘any attempts by players to undermine’ Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag during meetings with Sir Dave Brailsford have been ‘cut short’.
The Red Devils had a successful first season under Ten Hag with the Dutchman guiding his side to an FA Cup final, Carabao Cup glory and a top-four finish in the Premier League.
A number of Man Utd players speak candidly with Brailsford in his office
However, this season has not gone to plan with Man Utd finishing bottom of their Champions League group to crash out of Europe, while the sixth-placed Red Devils are struggling for consistency in the Premier League.
Man Utd allowed Brentford over 30 shots against them in a disappointing 1-1 draw against the Bees on Saturday, while they threw away a 3-2 lead versus Chelsea on Thursday night with two second-half injury time goals from Cole Palmer giving the Blues a 4-3 win.
The Athletic journalist Laurie Whitwell brought news that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are reluctant to sack Ten Hag if they can help it.
READ MORE: How can Ratcliffe and Manchester United trust a process Erik ten Hag has not proven actually exists?
And Whitwell has explained that Ratcliffe’s chief sporting adviser Sir Dave Brailsford is using an ‘open-door policy for staff and players’ to ‘fully understand the United landscape’.
‘Brailsford has an open-door policy for staff and players to discuss their thoughts on improving the environment at the club. Several members of Ten Hag’s squad have taken up the opportunity to speak candidly with Brailsford in his office.
‘As might be expected given the turbulence of this campaign, there has been criticism amid the feedback, but sources close to the first team, speaking anonymously to protect relationships, insist any attempts by players to undermine Ten Hag are cut short. The primary purpose of the meetings is for Brailsford to fully understand the United landscape and, if necessary, give guidance on the INEOS plans or impart the kind of psychological gee-up he used to give to cyclists on the British Olympic team or at Team Sky.’
Erik ten Hag to return to Ajax?
Although Whitwell acknowledges that the Dutchman wants to stay at Man Utd, the respected journalist adds that certain ‘figures at Ajax wish for Ten Hag’s return’.
‘It is, however, a two-way street, and Ten Hag is expected to have options himself come the close of the season. Several clubs in Europe view Ten Hag’s first season as an overachievement given what he inherited, and this campaign as under-par, translating to an overall good job. Figures at Ajax wish for Ten Hag’s return, but it is unclear if that remains the case following the suspension of chief executive Alex Kroes.
‘There will also be vacancies at Bayern Munich and Barcelona, and Ten Hag could come under discussion. He coached Bayern Munich II and several Dutch managers have occupied the dugout at the Nou Camp.
‘Ten Hag will also weigh up whether he can build the kind of squad necessary to really challenge City, Liverpool and Arsenal.’
Exclusive: Man Utd confident of securing Dan Ashworth deal as £10m compromise is made
Manchester United remain optimistic of appointing Dan Ashworth as the club’s new sporting director before the summer transfer window opens, TEAMtalk understands.
The Old Trafford outfit are locked in talks with Newcastle over agreeing a deal to allow Ashworth to make the move to their Premier League rivals.
Talks have been at a standstill with Newcastle demanding a substantial compensation fee in the region of £20million from Man Utd to allow Ashworth to circumvent his notice period and make the switch to Old Trafford immediately.
However, Man Utd officials are optimistic of reaching a compromise with their Newcastle counterparts of around a £10m compensation fee for the remainder of his contract at Newcastle until 2025.
Newcastle are also aiming to move on from Ashworth and step up their own plans to bring in a replacement to fill the void ahead of this summer’s transfer window.
Man Utd made their official approach for Ashworth in February with the former FA and Brighton chief being placed on gardening leave by Newcastle after he informed the club of his desire to leave St James’ Park.
Ashworth is seen as a key appointment by Sir Jim Ratcliffe following his investment into United with INEOS owner keen to revamp the club’s recruitment structure as they look to close the gap on their rivals.Related video: What's Going Wrong For Man Utd & Newcastle? | The Premier League Panel (Dailymotion)
United have also made an approach for Southampton’s director of football Jason Wilcox to become technical director at Old Trafford to work alongside Ashworth who will have overall control of football operations.
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