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Manchester United have received a double injury boost ahead of their Premier League clash with Leicester City this afternoon after it was revealed that both Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford are progressing well in their respective recoveries.

What’s the word?

Rashford is yet to feature for the Red Devils this season after undergoing surgery for a persistent shoulder injury over the summer following his exploits for England in Euro 2020, while Maguire missed United’s 1-1 draw with Everton last time out after picking up a calf problem.

However, it seems as though the English duo could return to action at the King Power Stadium after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gave a positive update on their fitness levels.

“Harry’s just joined us on the grass this morning, that’s the first time he’s been on the grass. Amad: first time on the grass today as well. So we look quite strong,” the Norwegian said in Friday’s press conference.

The United boss continued: “He’s (Rashford) in the squad, yes. If he’s going to start or not, I can’t tell you now, because it wouldn’t be right. He’s worked really hard throughout the whole lay-off. He’s been really bright this week and had a 60-minute involvement in a behind-closed-doors game last week, so he’s fit and raring to go.”

However, it wasn’t all good news for United on the availability front as Solskjaer confirmed that South American pair Edinson Cavani and Fred will be unavailable for selection.

“With regards to Fred and Edinson, they played a full game this morning, 1.30 am kick-off. So we’re not counting on them,” the 48-year-old stated.

“We have to give them time to rest and recover. You have to. They played well; that’s the good thing for us, not injured, but hopefully, they can be involved in midweek in the Champions League.”

Solskjaer will be delighted

News that Maguire and Rashford could play some part against Leicester will have Solskjaer feeling delighted ahead of what’s set to be a tricky encounter.

Only Bruno Fernandes topped the 23-year-old’s Premier League tallies of 11 goals and nine assists respectively last term, while none of his teammates could match his average of 2.2 dribbles per league game, as per WhoScored.

Maguire was also instrumental to the Old Trafford outfit’s fortunes last term, captaining the 20-time English champions in all 34 of his league starts and duly highlighting his importance to the side. Nobody won more headers per game than his four, while only one player exceeded his match average of 1.8 interceptions, as per WhoScored, emphasising the former Foxes’ defenders value to the United squad.

It seems unlikely that either of them will start in today’s fixture, but even having them in the matchday squad will be a welcome boost for Solskjaer’s stuttering charges.

In other news… MUFC could secure their next Pogba in “devastating” £74k-p/w gem, Ole would love him 

Crystal Palace have suffered an injury setback ahead of their Premier League encounter with Liverpool this afternoon after Jeffrey Schlupp was ruled out of action.

What’s the word?

The versatile 28-year-old picked up an injury while on international duty with Ghana and was also unavailable for Palace’s impressive victory over Tottenham Hotspur last time out.

Schlupp had played a part in all of the Eagles’ fixtures up until his enforced absence, and manager Patrick Vieira confirmed that he’ll be sidelined once again for today’s trip to Anfield.

“Jeffrey Schlupp is getting better but is not going to be involved tomorrow,” the Frenchman revealed in Friday’s press conference.

“He didn’t have enough training with the squad, so will stay behind and do a session tomorrow, before getting with the team on Monday morning.”

However, Vieira did have some positive updates for the Palace faithful. Youngster Eberechi Eze is currently on the treatment table with an Achilles injury, although he’s making good progress in his recovery.

The manager stated: “He’s improving, he’s going to start working outside very soon. Him and Nathan (Ferguson) are getting better.

“We can’t put any date (on his return to action). The positive side is he is getting better, and that is positive, but we can’t put any date because we don’t want to push him.

“There’s a medical journey that we have to take into consideration, and then we’ll know the next step with him. The same for Nathan.”

Patrick Vieira will be gutted

Despite Palace securing a famous three points over Spurs in Schlupp’s absence, Vieira will still be gutted that he is unable to call upon the Ghanaian’s services against Liverpool.

The midfielder adds energy and an attacking flair to the Eagles’ engine room, assets which the likes of James McArthur, Luka Milivojevic and Cheikhou Kouyate can’t replicate. Indeed, only four of Schlupp’s team-mates have completed more dribbles per game this season.

Considering that the Reds have started the 2021/22 term in impressive fashion, Vieira will not be at all amused that he will be forced to make do without a seasoned campaigner in the 28-year-old.

In other news… Signed for £26m, released for free: Parish endured a Palace nightmare over 31y/o dud 

Celtic have been dealt a triple injury blow before their clash at home to Dundee United in the Premiership on Sunday afternoon.

The Lowdown: Injury crisis

Ange Postecoglou is facing a bit of an injury crisis at the moment, with Giorgos Giakoumakis, Callum McGregor, Greg Taylor, Christopher Jullien, Mikey Johnston and James Forrest all on the sidelines at the moment (The Scottish Sun).

The Parkhead side are currently lingering in sixth spot in the table, and the plethora of injuries certainly have not helped in that regard.

The Latest: Three confirmed out

Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of the match against Dundee United, Postecoglou has now confirmed (via The Scottish Sun) that Kyogo Furuhashi, as well as both McGregor and Johnston, will miss out through injury, on top of those already on the sidelines

The Hoops boss revealed:

“With Cal next Thursday is being optimistic.

“With Kyogo, I doubt we will see him this side of the international window but he is pushing hard.

“Unfortunately, Mikey Johnston picked up a niggle on Wednesday so he will be out and I’m not sure when he will be back.

“To cut a long story short, we won’t get anybody back for Sunday.”

The Verdict: Blow

It certainly is a blow to lose Furuhashi along with McGregor and Johnston among the long list of absentees.

The Japan international has scored no fewer than seven goals and supplied one assist in nine appearances over all competitions so far this season (injury-ravaged Johnston offers another attacking option.

Nonetheless, Postecoglou is under pressure to pick up results fast, and he will need to start doing so today without a number of his key players.

In other news, Frank McAvennie insists this Celtic ace ‘has to start’ against Dundee United

Celtic are back in pole position to sign VVV-Venlo striker Georgios Giakoumakis, according to Greek outlet Sport 24. 

The Lowdown: Giakoumakis links

The Hoops were linked with the Greece international during the week, with reports suggesting that Ange Postecoglou has personally called the 26-year-old over a potential move. Giakoumakis was reportedly impressed with Postecoglou’s approach, but German club Werder Bremen emerged as Celtic’s rivals for his services.

VVV-Venlo want around £3m for the striker, who has just come off the best scoring season of his career, and it seems as if a move to Scotland could be on the cards.

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The Latest: Sunday update

Sport 24 shared an update on Sunday evening, leading with a title suggesting that Giakoumakis leaves Werder and approaches Celtic.

According to the report, all indications are that the forward will end up in Scotland, and should that come to pass, he will become the Hoops’ ninth summer signing.

The Verdict: Good news

With Odsonne Edouard still working on a Parkhead exit, a new centre-forward seems to be required. Bringing in a striker like Giakoumakis, who has just come off a free-scoring campaign, should be great news for Dominic McKay and co.

The Hoops have added to their right-back ranks with Josip Juranovic, sorted their goalkeeping issues with the signing of Joe Hart and have brought in some real class in Liel Abada and Kyogo Furuhashi, so hopefully the Greek marksman will be the next shrewd addition at Celtic Park.

In other news: Celtic set to sign another defender, find out who it is here. 

Football Insider pundit and former Leeds United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has tipped Adam Forshaw to leave the club in January.  

The Lowdown: Forshaw’s return

The 29-year-old has missed a whopping 71 games for Leeds over the past few years due to a hip problem.

However, Forshaw has now returned to full fitness and made his first start for the club in 697 days against Crewe Alexandra in the Carabao Cup.

The central midfielder has also made all three of Marcelo Bielsa’s Premier League matchday squads this season, however, Kenny thinks he could be next to leave.

The Latest: Kenny’s comments

Kenny was talking to Football Insider about Forshaw’s future at Elland Road.

The 43-year-old thinks the Whites could look to cash in on the midfielder in the New Year when he would then have just six months remaining on his contract.

“I think there’s a real possibility that he might go in January.

“If he isn’t pushing for the first team, I don’t see why they wouldn’t try and get something for him before he leaves at the end of the season.

“It’s been difficult for him because we know he’s had his injury problems.

“But unless he comes and does something different and gets a run in the team, I can only see him moving on really.”

The Verdict: Not likely

Leeds didn’t add to their central midfield ranks this summer, with Victor Orta recently revealing that Forshaw’s return to fitness was one of the reasons why a midfield acquisition didn’t materialise.

Should Forshaw, on £60,000-a-week, remain fit throughout the campaign, his presence will almost be like a new signing after being sidelined for so long.

You’d expect that, should he stay healthy, a new contract could be forthcoming for Forshaw, who was on the books during Leeds’ 2019/20 title-winning season, so a January move may not be on the cards as Kenny thinks.

In other news: ‘Shocked it didn’t happen sooner’ – Pundit reacts to ‘great’ Leeds news on ‘exceptional’ ace.

Fresh from leading West Ham United into an unlikely spot in the Europa League, a year on from staring relegation in the face, manager David Moyes has a tricky task on his hands to repeat such a feat.

The 58-year-old has often been a mark of consistency in the Premier League, regularly recording top-eight finishes during his time at Everton, but this season looks tougher than ever.

A lot of teams around them, including the likes of Spurs and Arsenal who finished lower in the table, have strengthened their playing squad considerably, whilst the Irons have only made the one senior addition, a back-up loan goalkeeper in Alphonse Areola.

The likes of Declan Rice, Michail Antonio, Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek will need to step up and perform at a similar output to last term, especially in the absence of Jesse Lingard, who arguably changed the Hammers’ fortunes for the better.

After joining on loan in January, the Manchester United outcast provided nine goals and five assists to end the year as their second-highest rated player, as per WhoScored, which only emphasises just how crucial he was to Moyes and their impressive sixth-place finish.

He seems rather unlikely to return to the London Stadium and that’s a big blow. It means that other players will have to step up – perhaps it’s Said Benrahma’s time to shine?

The nine-cap Algerian winger, signed in a £30m deal from Brentford, didn’t have the best debut campaign in the big time, registering only one goal and six assists but that’s warranted. It’s the first time he’s competed at such a level. And he only started 14 times in the Premier League.

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If Moyes needs someone to provide that extra spark in midfield, then Benrahma must step forward. He could turn out to be the Hammers’ perfect Lingard replacement.

The 26-year-old has looked electric throughout pre-season, having scored against Celtic and Brentford, and provided two assists against Atalanta. He appears to be playing with a lot more confidence and his creativity could be utilised through the middle, to get the best out of him.

At the Bees, where he was described as someone who “could nutmeg a mermaid”, he delivered a direct goal contribution every 119.5 minutes, as per Transfermarkt, so it’s on Moyes to get that back out of him.

Also dubbed a “true magician” by former OGC Nice teammate Lorenzo Vinci, Benrahma can provide Moyes and West Ham with excitement by plugging the void left behind by Lingard.

The squad undoubtedly needs more additions to put up a fight across all competitions but the £18m-rated dynamo is someone who could be in line for a massive boost heading into the new campaign.

Moyes must look to unleash Benrahma in a free role in the absence of their former loan sensation.

AND in other news, Moyes risks West Ham transfer nightmare with a swoop for “ungrateful” £105k-p/w flop…

Liverpool have received an injury boost ahead of this weekend’s Premier League clash with Burnley, with Curtis Jones set to be available for the game.

The Lowdown: Jones missing for Norwich win

The Reds won 3-0 at Norwich City on Saturday, but they had to do it without Jones, who suffered a concussion in the friendly win over Osasuna.

Instead, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita made up the midfield, as Jurgen Klopp’s side cruised to victory.

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The Latest: Youngster back for Burnley

Liverpool have been boosted by the news that Jones will be available for Saturday’s visit of Burnley, however, having recovered from his setback.

That’s according to the Liverpool Echo, who also claim that Jordan Henderson and Thiago should be in contention, after playing in a behind-the-scenes friendly at Anfield on Sunday.

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The Verdict: Impact

Jones might not yet be a regular starter for Liverpool, but he is an immense young talent who chipped in with four goals and five assists last season. Goal involvements from midfield have often been lacking at Anfield, meaning Jones’ ability to link with the front three is a big boost.

Having him back only increases the midfield options at Klopp’s disposal, giving him an enviable selection headache ahead of the game.

It could be that Fabinho returns against Burnley, perhaps in place of the disappointing Oxlade-Chamberlain, while Keita’s impressive pre-season could keep him in the starting XI. Will Klopp swap experience for exuberance and give Jones a place over Milner?

In other news, some Liverpool fans are fuming after an update emerged regarding the Reds. Read more here.

Nuno Espirito Santo already has his hands full at Tottenham and revamping their defence might be his biggest challenge, and Sky Sports journalist Michael Bridge has told Football FanCast that three new faces could be on their way.

Whilst Spurs flourished in attack under Jose Mourinho last term, with both Heung Min Son and Harry Kane in red hot form, defensive lapses ultimately cost the Portuguese his job in north London.

Mourinho’s team conceded 45 goals in the Premier League, with the former Tottenham boss unable to find a settled backline.

It was their second worst record in the previous six years, and Santo is already hard at work to fix their woes at the back.

Both Juan Foyth and Toby Alderweireld have been sold, whilst Serge Aurier, Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez are amongst those that could soon follow.

With Alderweireld, their most experienced and best on his day, now moved on, it leaves Santo with a less than inspiring centre-back duo ahead of the visit of Manchester City two weeks on Sunday, whilst who starts at right-back is another major question mark.

That could soon change depending on incomings, with Spurs currently linked with a host of different defensive players.

Asked by Football FanCast how he assess Tottenham’s situation and how many new defensive faces he’s expecting through the door, Bridge said:

“I was talking to someone at the club about the mantra, the ideal was at least one [centre-back], but hopefully two and a right-back.

“So, it was interesting when Tomiyasu came out. I enquired about whether he’s included in the centre-backs, and they said no, he was more of a right-back, which is interesting.”

An update has emerged on former Newcastle target Olivier Ntcham, regarding his situation at Celtic.

What’s the talk?

Celtic have officially confirmed that midfielder Olivier Ntcham has left the club.

Back in January, Newcastle were reportedly interested in signing the central midfielder on loan but failed to get a deal over the line for the ex-Man City man.

He won’t cost a penny

Newcastle must reignite their interest in Ntcham this month as this update has provided them with the perfect opportunity to bring him in. He is now a free agent and the Magpies will not need to pay any transfer fee for his services, which means that they can get a deal done without negotiating with Celtic – lessening the complexity of any potential move.

This also means that it could be a risk-free swoop. The finances involved mean that Newcastle would not lose a significant amount of money should Ntcham arrive and flop in the Premier League. He was earning £14k-per-week at Celtic, which would place him 19th on the wage bill at St. James’ Park.

Therefore, he likely would not command a gigantic pay packet and Ste Bruce could bring him in on the cheap to bolster his midfield ranks, with the potential upside being very exciting as he was once very highly thought of up in Scotland.

Former Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers, when we was still in charge in Glasgow, once labelled Ntcham as a terrific talent as he pointed out his improvement since joining the club.

He said:

“If you are on the outside looking in, I think you see Celtic as a great club for that.

“They may not be here for a long period of time, but they come in and they learn to love the club. They also see that they are improving.

“Moussa came in for a purpose and that was to get better, to improve and play at a big club to win trophies. He has done that.

“Olivier is the same. He has come in to improve and he is a terrific talent.”

This shows that the chance may still be there for Ntcham to realise his potential and become a very good player, but it has not happened for him yet.

It could be worth Newcastle taking a punt on him, given he won’t cost a penny in terms of a transfer fee, as he could end up becoming a useful asset for Bruce next season if it all works out.

AND in other news, Chronicle drop big update on “tremendous” £38k-p/w gem, Newcastle fans will be buzzing…

Former Glasgow Rangers chairman Dave King is unhappy with the behaviour of certain Gers fans towards supporters group Club 1872.

The Lowdown: Allegations directed

Club 1872 has been given the chance to purchase King’s shares, and they have three years to do so (Sky Sports). The supporters group wants to give 20,000 fans the chance to buy a share.

However, the group is now facing a vote of no confidence, and they have been accused of a lack of corporate governance.

The Latest: King unhappy

Speaking to The Scottish Sun, King has shared his frustration with those supporters who have spoken out against Club 1872. He said:

“The supporters need to be able to talk with one voice at times when the club needs to be challenged. 

“Club 1872 has done this effectively for many years and I am concerned that the club’s recent success has created short memories. 

“I am starting to see the emergence of the type of back-biting by supporters against each other that was so typical and so damaging to the club during the David Murray era.

“I truly hope that the supporter unity that was essential to regime change – and hence our recent success – does not get degraded merely because a few embittered supporters resort to social media as a megaphone to trumpet unfair allegations. 

“That is a disservice to all the loyal supporters that supported me at regime change and thereafter.

“Individual share ownership has never been an effective source of supporter influence. 

“Club 1872 is the only viable option to achieve that.”

The Verdict: Trying to do the right thing

The Gers supporters have been given a fantastic opportunity to have a say and a voice in their club – this is something of which many fans at clubs around the world can only dream. Why some supporters now seem angry with Club 1872 is perplexing – surely they should be happy with what the group has managed to achieve.

Raising the £13.3m needed to purchase King’s shares will be a hard task, but the only way they will achieve it is if the supporters stick together. As King himself says, infighting between Gers fans will not do anyone any good.

In other news, Rangers have this worrying funding gap to fill.