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Should a Manchester United fan rock up at the Borussia Dortmund training ground and sing Mariah Carey’s hit festive track, ‘All I want for Christmas is You’, there’s only man they’d be singing it in the direction of; Erling Haaland.

The Norwegian’s exit from Dortmund has been teased for several months now and with Ralf Rangnick at the helm, a figure he knows well from his days at Red Bull Salzburg, United’s dreams of signing him could become a reality.

Indeed, it’s thought that the club’s interim boss has even had conversations with Haaland’s father about a potential transfer to Old Trafford in 2022.

The Red Devils may have Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks, but perhaps the finest present this winter could be Dortmund’s star striker.

He is a colossal figure in the game and is so perfect at every aspect of the game that he feels like he was made in a laboratory.

Haaland has remarkable pace and upper body strength, can head the ball and leap like a salmon, while his finishing ability is simply devastating.

It’s no surprise, therefore, that he was dubbed a “goal-scoring cyborg” by reporter Alex Truica.

Further acclaim has come from one of United’s nemesis down the years in Thierry Henry who described the 21-year-old as “lethal.”

That’s an easy word to label the £135m-rated forward who has found the net with ridiculous regularity in recent years.

Since signing for the Bundesliga club, he has scored 76 times in just 75 outings, with 19 of those strikes coming this term.

On that evidence, staking a case for him improving the United side is an easy one to make.

Nurtured at Salzburg, he already knows the pressing philosophy and thus, he could be absolutely perfect for Rangnick this January as he aims to put his stamp on the Manchester club’s playing style.

For instance, Haaland has recorded 35 successful pressures of the ball in 2021/22, a tally that betters every attacking player at Old Trafford. In terms of forwards in their squad, Mason Greenwood (31) and Jadon Sancho (30) are the best.

With that in mind, not only would the Norway international bring a bigger goal threat to the northwest but he’d also help Rangnick implement his gegenpress.

Therefore, signing him this winter would be the perfect late Christmas present for United supporters around the globe.

AND in other news, Rangnick must seal Man Utd swoop for £81m-rated “weapon” with the “essence of Cruyff”…

In what turned out to be a nightmare Old Firm clash with potential season-defining ramifications, Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst will no doubt be scratching his head as to where it all went wrong for the Ibrox side.

The Gers looked completely outfoxed in the opening period against Celtic on Wednesday night, with the hosts’ pace and intensity seeming to catch the Gers by surprise: none more so perhaps than Borna Barisic.

The Croatian left-back has been well below his standards this season, with no goals and just three assists to his name in 26 appearances across all competitions – to put that into context, last year he had five goals and a whopping 14 assists.

Against the Hoops yesterday, Barisic just looked all at sea at having to deal with the constant movement of Liel Abada, and if one moment were to sum up his entire display then his reaction to the third goal told the whole story.

After Reo Hatate managed to swing in a cross from the by-line, Abada came storming in past Barisic to steer the ball home, with the Croatian left to slump to his haunches with his head in his hands – it was no surprise that Van Bronckhorst hauled him off at half-time.

And, writing in his post-match player ratings for The Daily Record, Andrew Newport gave him a measly three, saying: “Endured a 45-minute nightmare before van Bronckhorst showed mercy and took him off at the break. Will be seeing Abada running past him in his sleep for weeks.”

Those sentiments were echoed by Kenny Miller for BBC Sport’s live coverage of the game, who slammed: “Let me tell you: Borna Barisic has had such a bad half. On the ball, he’s sloppy. He’s got absolutely no idea where Liel Abada is. He’s got to be aware. That is absolutely schoolboy defending.”

Dubbed as being “punch-drunk” by BBC Scotland’s chief sports writer, Tom English, Barisic endured an absolute disaster at Celtic Park, and it’s left Van Bronckhorst in a very tough situation with the Gers’ momentum very much down the drain.

Given the full-back’s disastrous run of form over the course of this campaign, it’s high time the Gers manager finally makes the decision to drop him from his starting line-up and perhaps move Calvin Bassey into that role for the time being.

Taking him out of the firing line may just be the kind of breather and kick up the back-side that Barisic needs right now.

Meanwhile, this Rangers star let Gio down vs Celtic…

Republic of Ireland legend Ray Houghton enjoyed a glittering international career, with his two greatest moments on that stage coming as he scored the decisive goal in the 1-0 win against England at the 1988 European Championships, before a repeat of the same situation and scoreline against Italy at the 1994 World Cup in America.

The midfielder was also a big part of the famous successful Liverpool team from the late 1980s and early 90s, winning the First Division and the FA Cup twice each between 1988 and 1992, before moving onto Aston Villa and lifting the League Cup in 1994.

Now retired, Houghton is set to swap the hallowed turf for a fishing rod to take part in an exciting new fishing programme called Angling Outlaws, which is to be shown on BT Sport next year.

We spoke exclusively to the football legend about a number of different subjects within the beautiful game…

What are your thoughts on the Celtic managerial situation?

“I think at the moment they’re probably doing their due diligence, which is probably the right thing to do, make sure you get the right person in because Rangers have already won the title. And I think people are getting a little bit panicky, because the Celtic fans want to see big names wanting to come to their club.

“I’m a Celtic fan. I grew up a Celtic fan. I don’t look at it as much as I once did. But yeah, there’s no doubt, you know, with Rangers doing as well as they are and Steven Gerrard, a big name in charge, Celtic feel that they could do likewise. And there’s been quite some names in the frame, Thierry Henry, Roy Keane, you know, amongst others. So, it will be interesting to see who they go for.”

Is Eddie Howe a big enough name?

“Yeah, I think so. Yeah, I think in many respects, as I said earlier, it’s about reinventing yourself, it may be a good place for Eddie. Just to go and because your only real opposition is Rangers, you get into Europe and you’ve done well, you know, the fans will enjoy that give a decent run.

“But your main priority is to finish first in the league. And they just need someone to take them forward again, hopefully the owners invest money in the club. I think that’s one of the stipulations that a big manager coming in would have, they’ve got you have the finances to take the club forward.”

Who’s going to replace Jose Mourinho at Tottenham?

“I really don’t know. They’ve had Pochettino who got them to a Champions League Final – the only time they’ve ever been in the Champions League Final. Tottenham is a huge job, it’s a massive club, they’ve got a fantastic stadium, they’ve got training facilities to die for, but I just don’t see them getting the funds and I don’t know if the owner Joe Lewis puts in anywhere near what other clubs do, or he’s prepared to go into debt or get loans to bring in players.

“There’s no doubt Pochettino and Mourinho are massive names, and whether they can have that calibre of manager again if the finances aren’t there, I don’t know. It’ll be interesting to see who Daniel Levy, who looks like he’s the main man at the club when it comes to the appointments, has got in mind. He thought Mourinho with his CV was going to be the game changer as far as bringing trophies to the club, and that didn’t happen.”

Could you see Steven Gerrard becoming the next Tottenham manager?

“Well, I think with Steven he’s learning. Look what happened to Frank Lampard. Frank went to Derby and had a good season. And then suddenly, the Chelsea job came up, and of course, he’s going to jump at it. You know, you might not get that offered that again. Was it too early?

“So, with Steve, he probably feels he’s still got a little bit of work to do in the managerial side. Every year he’s doing work as a manager, he’s learning about players and with all due respect to Rangers and the players that they’ve got, going to Spurs or Liverpool is a whole new level of expectation.”

Would you see David Moyes getting the Spurs job?

“If it was purely just only football that might be the case. But don’t forget David Moyes was at West Ham when they let him go. So, loyalty works two ways. The club weren’t very loyal to him, were they?”

Do Liverpool need to freshen up their front three?

“I think there were rumours of going after Werner before he went to Chelsea, but there are not an awful lot of strikers around. Harry Kane would be great because he’s like your finished article up front. I don’t know what the finances are like, all I know is that over the last few years recruitments been very good.

“Last season it’s really slowed, we brought in the lad from Preston was in for £400,000, we brought we brought in the other centre-back for Germany – that’s not Liverpool’s way. They buy the best. They did that with Salah, Mane, Allison, and Van Dijk.”

Ray Houghton will be joining Paul Parker, Tony Gale and Frank McAvennie on BT Sport’s Angling Outlaws, next summer.

With the help of Outlaw Pro, the four former pros will be trying their hand at fishing, with the quadruplet facing off at the end of the six-part series to see who knows their slide tackles from their tackle boxes.

Tottenham Hotspur correspondent Sean Walsh has now shared a major midweek update on Antonio Conte’s future at the Premier League club, and it’s exactly what supporters need to hear.

The Lowdown: Conte eyeing PSG?

The Italian, who reportedly has a clause in his current Spurs deal which would allow him to leave at the end of this season, has been at the centre of claims linking him with a move to Ligue 1 giants Paris-Saint Germain.

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Former Lilywhites manager Mauricio Pochettino is allegedly set to depart the French capital despite their Ligue 1 title win, prompting rumours of a possible Conte move to succeed the Argentine.

Le Parisien claimed last week that the 52-year-old is seriously interested in a PSG switch, even apparently telling their club chiefs that he is considering the job.

Amid these worrying developments, Walsh has now taken to social media with a positive update Spurs supporters may need to hear.

The Latest: Walsh makes major midweek Conte claim…

According to the reporter, who covers the north Londoners for 90min, Tottenham are ‘confident’ Conte will stay despite the PSG updates.

He goes on to say that former Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane is actually their top target, not Spurs’ man.

Walsh explained (via Twitter): “Understand that #THFC are confident that Antonio Conte will stay this summer despite reports linking him to PSG job. PSG’s top managerial target remains Zinedine Zidane.”

The Verdict: Great news for Spurs fans

Zidane, currently out of work and a proven Champions League-winning manager, is arguably a shoe-in for the Parc des Princes given his availability and how the fans there would idolise the France legend.

He would certainly be an easier appointment than Conte and one with just as much pedigree.

Taking this into account, Walsh’s update certainly makes sense and PSG director Leonardo may be best placed leaving Spurs’ manager and prioritising a move for Zidane.

In other news: Source: Tottenham edge closer to ‘top signing’, he really wants to join Conte! Find out more here.

Lots of Everton fans have welcomed an update from the club on Jean-Philippe Gbamin.

The Toffees’ official Twitter page announced that the former Mainz ace is back in training with the first team squad after a lengthy spell out with injury.

Gbamin has not been able to play for the Toffees since August 2019, and so it has come as a much welcome relief to all associated with Everton that he is back in training and may well play a part for Carlo Ancelotti’s team for the rest of the season.

The midfielder will also be a relieved man himself, as he may have been questioning whether he would ever be able to play football again following such a long spell out of action

Everton fans on Gbamin update

These Everton supporters hailed the update on Twitter, with one fan claiming that they were ‘delighted’ while others went as far as to call it ‘amazing’ and a bigger boost to the club than the recently-approved new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock:

“Amazing to see JPG back with the @Everton squad, hard work and determination will get deserved rewards and here’s hoping we can see him grace the Goodison pitch sooner rather than later, can’t wait to see what he can achieve under Ancelotti #EFC”

Credit: @efcbigdunc

“Such wholesome content, let’s go JPG”

Credit: @SmoothieJD

“Gbamin do his leg stretches leaning against the imaginary wall! Brilliant to see him training he gets some games in the run up to summer then ready and raring for next season show us what he can do! Been such a hard time for him! Made up for him!”

Credit: @toptoffeegirl

“Absolutely delighted for him”

Credit: @Richlloyd1984

“Bigger than Bramley Moore this”

Credit: @Vicaz22

“Absolutely buzzing for this lad, hope he kicks on now and stays injury free. Could be a big player for us in the run in.”

Credit: @ItsOnlyJk

In other news, find out what Alisher Usmanov news has been lauded by numerous Everton fans!

Southampton are once again being linked with Atalanta full-back Joakim Maehle, who seriously impressed with his performances for Denmark at Euro 2020 this summer.

What’s the word?

Southampton were regularly linked with the defender during his time at KRC Genk but he eventually completed a move to Serie A side Atalanta in January in a deal worth €10m £8.6m.

However, after his excellent performances this summer, it would seem that Southampton have reignited their interest in the 24-year-old, with the Italian news outlet Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness) claiming that Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side and Chelsea are both keen on signing him this summer.

They would need to pay €28m (£24.1m) if Atalanta are to let him go.

Would Maehle be a good signing for Southampton?

Unfortunately for Southampton, Hasenhuttl has suggested that the club will target players for £10m or less this summer, so it seems unlikely that they would spend more than double on that in order to sign Maehle from Atalanta.

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However, his performances for Denmark this summer certainly suggest that he would be a superb addition at St Mary’s. Two goals and one assist in six games for Kasper Hjulmand’s side saw them reach the semi-final at Wembley, with the full-back averaging a superb 7.38 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

Ian Wright was one of several pundits to sing his praises after an extraordinary outside-of-the-foot assist in Denmark’s 2-1 win against Czech Republic in the quarter-finals, saying:

“Maehle has been fantastic in this tournament.

“He has scored the last couple of games but that is probably one of the passes of the tournament so far for me.”

His ability to play on either side as a left-back or a right-back, as well as further forward, immediately marks him out as the sort of versatile player that Hasenhuttl would love to have in his squad. He could provide excellent competition for both Romain Perraud and Kyle Walker-Peters next season, something the Saints desperately lacked last season when they struggled with injuries.

Therefore, although he would be an expensive option for the Saints this summer, Martin Semmens should definitely try and bring him to St Mary’s if he can, as there seems little to suggest that he wouldn’t be a success in Hasenhuttl’s squad.

And, in other news… Hasenhuttl dealt huge blow with “outstanding” star, Saints fans will be fuming

Jose Mourinho was sacked by Tottenham on Monday morning, three days on from their 2-2 draw at Everton.

Harry Kane scored 20 minutes from time to secure a point for Spurs after Gylfi Sigurdsson’s double. It’s a result which leaves Spurs five points adrift of the top four and only one clear of eighth-placed Everton, who have a game in hand.

A sequence of one win in six matches in all competitions spelled the end for three-time Premier League winner Mourinho.

Ancelotti, Moyes, Rodgers… now Mourinho

BBC Sport’s Phil McNulty made an intriguing observation after the news broke. He noted that three other big-name managers had been sacked after failing to win at Goodison Park.

Current Everton boss Ancelotti was dismissed by Chelsea after a 1-0 defeat on Merseyside on the final day of the 2010/11 season. Former Toffees manager David Moyes also saw his Manchester United tenure come to an end in April 2014 after an unhappy return. Eighteen months later, a 1-1 Merseyside derby draw was the last straw for Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool.

This led McNulty to label Goodison Park ‘a bit of a graveyard for managers’.

Some Everton supporters felt that reflected badly on the club, whereas others took it more positively. One pointed to the similar example of Leicester, who inflicted decisive losses on both Mourinho and Frank Lampard at Chelsea.

Everton fans react after Mourinho joins list of Goodison casualties

“After some of the teams who have won at Goodison this season, it should be”

Credit: @real_dav_ral

“Is that a sign, well if you can’t even beat Everton then you’re gone”

Credit: @FreddieCollier

“Just shows that everyone expects to beat Everton! :-(“

Credit: @KramRetals

“Well if you can’t beat us, you deserve the sack”

Credit: @1878domingo

“Happens against Leicester too. I’d consider it a compliment. We’re the measuring stick for retaining their grip on the top spots.”

Credit: @TonyWitters

“That’s why they don’t want us in the #europeansuperleague”

Credit: @rodo_uk

In other news, Everton are at risk of losing one player as update emerges from transfer insider.

Southampton’s hopes of signing Arnaut Danjuma this summer have seemingly been handed a boost after Bournemouth failed to win promotion back to the top-flight with defeat in the play-off semi-final against Brentford recently.

The Dutch winger was linked with a move to St Mary’s earlier this year, with The Sun claiming that both Southampton and West Ham were keen on bringing the former Club Brugge man to the Premier League.

However, it had seemed as if he could help the Cherries secure an immediate return to the top-flight following their relegation last season, as they finished the season in fine form and earned a spot in the playoffs.

They met Brentford and earned a 1-0 win in the home leg thanks to Danjuma’s goal before he added another in the return leg to put Jonathan Woodgate’s side 2-0 up on aggregate.

However, the Bees would fight back and would progress to the final after a 3-1 win, consigning Bournemouth to another season in the second tier.

Given that Danjuma managed an impressive 17 goals and seven assists in 35 Championship appearances this season, it would be a surprise if he doesn’t earn himself a move away, and Southampton could be the ones to take advantage of the Cherries’ failure to win promotion.

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Goals from out wide has been a real problem for Ralph Hasenhuttl this season, with Nathan Redmond, Moussa Djenepo, Theo Walcott and Stuart Armstrong managing just 10 Premier League goals between them, so signing a winger with an eye for goal like Danjuma could be a superb addition ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

Woodgate was full of praise for Danjuma earlier this year after his impressive form helped fire Bournemouth up the table, saying:

“I know last season that he didn’t really get a run in the Premier League and he maybe found it a bit difficult to get game time, but this season he’s been outstanding. I can only talk of what he’s done under my reign, but at the minute, he’s playing some exceptional football, and what else he is doing is working for the team.”

A player of Danjuma’s quality deserves to be playing in the Premier League and given that Southampton hold a geographical advantage in any potential discussions, you would hope that Saints CEO Martin Semmens can convince him to make the switch to St Mary’s this summer.

And, in other news… Semmens should overrule crazy Hasenhuttl decision and swoop for £8.1m-rated beast

According to Turkish outfit Yenisafak, Galatasaray are interested in luring Glasgow Rangers’ Ianis Hagi away from Ibrox this summer.

The Lowdown: Hagi expresses desire to join Gala

Ianis is of course the son of Gheorghe, Romania’s greatest ever player, who starred for Gala during the 1990s.

The younger Hagi was recently asked whether he would like to follow in the footsteps of his father and play for Galatasaray, and he confirmed that would be something he would ‘love’ to do (Emanuel Rosu).

The Latest: Galatasaray eye Hagi

It seems that Galatasaray, who recently qualified for the Champions League, may have been listening to those comments – they are now said to be interested in capturing the 22-year-old’s services.

His signing would be an attractive one. Given he has a Turkish passport, he would not reduce the quota of eight foreign players which are now allowed in each squad in the Super Lig.

The Verdict: Disappointing for Rangers

Hagi enjoyed a positive first full campaign with Rangers. In 45 matches in all competitions, he managed eight goals and 15 assists despite not always being a guaranteed starter (Transfermarkt), helping the Gers win the Premiership for the first time in 10 years along the way.

It will be disappointing for Steven Gerrard and co that £5.4m-valued Hagi (Transfermarkt) has decided to speak about joining another club, especially when he also recently publicly challenged the Gers’ stance of him competing for his country at the Olympic Games in Tokyo (Glasgow Live).

It seems he still has plenty more to offer – hopefully, he will want to do that with the Gers.

In other news, Rangers have been urged to sign this striker this summer.

Former Premier League midfielder Carlton Palmer has urged Issa Diop to embrace Kurt Zouma’s West Ham arrival and the challenge it has brought with it.

Zouma is likely to be West Ham’s first-choice central defender this season after joining from London rivals Chelsea in a big-money deal.

Diop has not always been a regular under David Moyes, failing to start a single Premier League game this campaign so far, and was linked with a move away from the club during the summer transfer window.

However, the Frenchman remained at the London Stadium and Palmer is now urging him to accept this added challenge his compatriot has brought with his arrival.

“He’s a talented, talented centre-back, isn’t he?” the ex-Leeds United player said to TT. “When they signed him he was a young player; they paid a lot of money for him. Listen, it’s always good to have competition. He’s got to work hard.

“He’s just got to get his head down and work as hard as he can to get back into the team and secure a regular first-team slot – always good to have competition for places because that improves your own performance.”

Diop played a lot in the second half of last season and was not sold during the summer transfer window so is a player still clearly in David Moyes’ plans. Perhaps the arrival of Zouma could help raise his game to the next level as he looks to win and then retain a place in the Hammers’ starting XI.