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Marcus Rashford’s match-winning performance last night has once again raised the increasingly popular debate as to whether Manchester United really need Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Though that’s a narrative that’ll only be added to and discussed with more passion every time the England international plays well, it might not be one that’s strictly true. Is Rashford an exciting talent? Yes. Is he United’s long-term option up front? Yes. Could he carry the side as the superstar Swede has done for swathes of the campaign thus far? Probably not.

That’s not to say Rashford won’t get to those levels, though the caution adopted by manager Jose Mourinho over the 19-year-old should be taken contextually. No, it’s not another case of stunting a young player’s progress, more so a calculated way of harnessing the excitement always likely to surround a young Englishman.

Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney are previous examples of what can happen when exciting young strikers are expected to play week in, week out for institutes of English football. So, it’s clear caution is needed.

Invaribaly, following Rashford’s performance against Anderlecht in the Europa League, many will call for Mourinho to hand the attacking reins over to him, with Ibrahimovic injured. Still, the Portuguese is never one to indulge in such hyperbolic feelings, which could open the door for another man capable of occupying a central striking position for United.

Enter, Anthony Martial.

The Frenchman looks a completely different figure to the one who proved so exciting upon his initial arrival on these shores. Shunted out to the left to accommodate first Rashford, then Ibrahimovic and the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud at international level, the centre-forward who excited even in Louis van Gaal’s rather boring side is nowhere to be seen.

Criticised by Mourinho of late, surely the Burnley game represents a wonderful opportunity to try and bring some form out of the former Monaco man. United have some big games coming up over the next few weeks, including a Manchester derby and games against both Arsenal and Tottenham, as well as Europa League commitments.

”Is Anthony a player with great potential? Yes, I think. Can he play successfully for me? Yes, I think. But he needs to give me things that I like very much.”

Mourinho has been using Rashford well since taking over back in May. Feeding him into the first-team, while learning from Ibrahimovic, will hopefully improve the England international in the long-run, as well quelling the pressures of expectation and any potential burnout. Though the Swede’s injury has muddied those waters somewhat, the former Chelsea and Real Madrid coach is unlikely to completely sway from that calculated process in a wholly reactive manner.

This is a golden chance for Martial. Perhaps he’ll struggle to battle with Rashford for the central striking berth over the next few years, though a good performance back in the role he was originally bought for would offer Mourinho an interesting alternative.

It’s far from now or never for Martial, though this is the best chance he’s had all year to prove he has far more to offer United than yet another wide forward. Mourinho has previously talked about the depth he has in those berths, though the 21-year-old can offer a wonderfully incisive outlet if he is deployed in that position, as well as support the centre-forwards across the course of a campaign.

Martial needs a big performance and, with huge games coming up over the next few weeks, unleashing him against Burnley could be the wisest move Mourinho has made in a while.

Everton supporters have vented their discontent at Kevin Mirallas being offered a new long-term contract at Goodison Park.

Club chairman Bill Kenwright announced during the Toffees’ end-of-season awards at Liverpool’s Royal Philharmonic Hall on Tuesday night that the Belgian is on the verge of signing a fresh deal.

Mirallas has started just 21 Premier League matches this season and has not seemed to be a big favourite of manager Ronald Koeman.

However, the Dutchman clearly sees the midfielder in his plans for next season as he tries to shape a squad that will compete in the Europa League.

Mirallas has scored four goals and registered six assists in 33 top-flight appearances, but he has only finished a full game on four occasions.

Some supporters are happy to see the 29-year-old pen fresh terms, but others are confused by the club’s decision to extend his stay.

Mirallas has been an Everton player since his £6m switch from Olympiacos in 2012.

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If you’ve got any interest in football and have ever picked up a Playstation or X-Box controller, you’re probably already more than aware of the endless hours of fun and fury Ultimate Team can bring you.

The online, club-creating wing of the FIFA series – the latest instalment being FIFA 17 – allows players to build their own clubs and squads by purchasing player cards via the game’s user-to-user auction market.

And whilst that’s exciting enough on its own, the Ultimate Team experience really jumps up a gear when the In Form cards are involved, providing an enhanced version of a current player with beefed up key attributes.

In Form cards are inspired by Man of the Match performances, historic moments, involvement in a tournament or making the Team of the Week, but the latest instalment is something else – the Team of the Season.

With the English top flight coming to a close this weekend, EA SPORTS have released the Premier League’s Team of the Season for 2016/17, featuring vastly improved versions of some of the best performers in the division this term.

Unsurprisingly, champions Chelsea and runners up Tottenham Hotspur dominated starting XI proceedings with four representatives each. Manchester United, meanwhile, had only one – goalkeeper David De Gea.

Take a look at the full Team of the Season starting XI and squad below….

Leeds United announced on Wednesday afternoon that midfielder Ronaldo Vieira had signed a new four-year deal to commit his future to the Championship club.

The 18-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough season at Elland Road after becoming a regular in the middle of the park under Garry Monk, and he ended the campaign having made 38 appearances in all competitions as well as scoring a memorable goal against Norwich City.

Tying the youngster down to a new long-term deal is the first bit of business Andrea Radrizzani has completed since taking full control of the club, and fans will be hopeful that Monk is the next to sign on the dotted line with his 12-month rolling contract set to come to an end in the next few weeks.

Leeds supporters were quick to have their say on Vieira’s new contract via social media, and they are still getting used to being a well run club again following the departure of Massimo Cellino.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

According to reports from The Daily Star, Jose Mourinho has already told Chris Smalling he’s no longer part of his plans as Manchester United manager.

It follows a 2016/17 campaign in which Smalling managed just 13 starts in the Premier League and appeared to plummet down the pecking order, behind the likes of Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Eric Bailly.

United have now signed Victor Lindelof, further blocking Smalling’s route back to regular first-team football, and The Star claim United are looking to sell the 31-cap England international for £15million – with the likes of Everton and West Ham keen on his services.

But it wasn’t long ago Smalling was one of United’s most important players, occasionally wearing the captain’s armband under Louis van Gaal and making a whopping 55 appearances across all competitions during 2015/16.

So, United fans, has Mourinho made the right call on Smalling or should he give the former Fulham youngster another chance? Let us know by voting below…

Liverpool have caused major controversy this week with their spectacular u-turn in pursuing Virgil van Dijk.

The Reds were believed to be in pole position to sign the 25-year-old, with the Daily Mail reporting they were set to bid a world-record transfer fee for a defender in the region of £60m.

But allegations of Liverpool “tapping up” the Dutchman – with manager Jurgen Klopp rumoured to be personally involved – led to the Reds formally withdrawing their interest before negotiations even began.

Despite all the embarrassment, however, Liverpool would be making a huge mistake in calling off a move completely. While Klopp’s side managed an impressive fourth-place finish last season, Liverpool’s defence was highlighted as an area that needed improving.

The Reds conceded 42 goals, with only Arsenal conceding more in the top six, and they kept only 12 clean sheets – good enough only for joint-seventh in the league behind the likes of Southampton and Merseyside rivals, Everton.

As such, defensive reinforcements are top priority for Jurgen Klopp this summer with Van Dijk highlighted as the main target.

The Dutchman has impressed a great deal this season for Southampton, leading the way for average aerial duels won for defenders (4.7 per game) and also managing an impressive 2.7 interceptions and 1.9 tackles per game.

But it isn’t just his defensive work that has attracted the interest of Liverpool, as well as Chelsea and Manchester City.

The Dutchman has also shown real talent in his ball-playing ability, averaging just over 38 passes per game with an 84% accuracy rate.

While those statistics aren’t particularly out of the ordinary for a centre-back, the average pass length of 22 metres – more than any other Southampton outfield player – demonstrates his impressive eye for a long-range ball. Having a defender who can play with the ball is becoming more important in the modern game; something that has been reflected by the top teams.

Both of the main title contenders had players in a similar role, with David Luiz at Chelsea and Toby Alderweireld at Spurs.

And Pep Guardiola has recognised the importance of a defender who can pick a pass and appears to be persevering with John Stones despite mixed performances.

Van Dijk shares a lot in common with Alderweireld. The Belgian – along with being one of the league’s best defenders – has similarly impressive passing statistics.

Also like Van Dijk, he started his Premier League career at St Mary’s, before moving to Spurs. Before he joined in 2015, Spurs finished fifth in the league. They have since managed third place and second with Alderweireld in the side, and with the league’s best defence either time.

If Liverpool are serious about challenging for the Premier League and Champions League, they need a player of his calibre.

While the controversy surrounding the transfer appears to have weakened their position and could cause complications, players being contacted by managers without clubs’ permission is unfortunately part and parcel of the modern game.

Whether or not the FA would take action should Liverpool and Southampton reach an agreement would remain to be seen. But if Van Dijk was as successful as Alderweireld has proven to be, that controversy would soon be forgotten.

WIN! Take our survey below for a chance to win your favourite club’s new 17/18 home or away shirt…

According to Goal.com, Manchester United have beaten Juventus to the signing of 16-year-old French sensation Aliou Badara Traore.

What’s the Story?

Reports are suggesting that Manchester United have landed 16-year-old wonderkid Aliou Badara Traore on a four-year-deal.

The Frenchman had been unattached since taking the decision to leave Paris Saint Germain earlier this year. However, he now has a new club and is headed to England to join compatriots Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial at Old Trafford.

Not much is known about the young star, who has been an ever present for French international youth sides for a number of years now. However, what is known is that a number of Europe’s elite clubs were interested in his signature, namely Juventus, Manchester City and Manchester United. However, it is the latter of the three teams that has claimed one of the most promising teenagers in world football.

Who is Traore?

Born in 2001, Alious Badara Traore grew up in Sarcelles, a northern suburb of Paris and played football on the streets as a youngster. However, he was quickly snapped-up by Paris Saint Germain in his early teens.

Impressing in the clubs’ youth sides, Traore was called up the French u-16 squad, for which he featured seven times, scoring twice. Earlier this year, Traore made the brave decision to leave PSG, hoping to land a spot at another European elite club. Continuing to feature for his national side, the youngster has remained without a club…until now.

Manchester United have snapped up Traore, who will joined the development squad at Old Trafford for next season.

According to reports in The Guardian, Juventus are leading the race to sign £40m-rated Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic this summer after he was omitted from the Blues squad for their pre-season trip to Asia.

The Guardian says that the 28-year-old is keen to leave the Premier League champions before the start of the new season and is attracting interest from Juve, Manchester United and Inter Milan.

However, the report says a move to the Red Devils is unlikely after they beat the west London outfit to the signing of striker Romelu Lukaku, leaving the Serie A winners in pole position to bring the Serbia international to Italy.

Chelsea supporters were quick to have their say on the rumour via social media, but many aren’t keen to do business with Juventus following the transfer saga involving Blues target Alex Sandro this summer, and others even went as far as saying they would prefer to sell to Inter for a lower fee.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

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Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino is hopeful that Virgil van Dijk will not push for a move away following talks this week, according to the Liverpool Echo.

What’s the story?

The Dutchman’s future has been a talking point for months now, with numerous big-name clubs being linked to his signature.

Liverpool were favourites to land Van Dijk, and even after publicly apologising and withdrawing their interest, the Merseyside outfit have still been linked to him.

Southampton accused the Reds of tapping up their star defender, but the football governing bodies are not expected to take any action.

The Express claimed last week that Van Dijk effectively went on strike to force through a move when he was left out of the Saints’ pre-season trip to France.

According to the Liverpool Echo, the centre-back will hold showdown talks with Southampton this week, and Pellegrino is hopeful that his player will back down and reintegrate himself into the squad.

Can they keep hold of him?

Of course. Van Dijk still has five years left on his contract, so the coastal club have no need to sell.

The problem that they face, though, is risking disharmony in the camp if the Dutchman is forced to stay at the club.

The 26-year-old’s exclusion from the pre-season squad indicates that he is not wholly committed to his club of two years.

Footballers have more power than ever before, and in most cases, when a player wants out, clubs sanction a transfer eventually.

It will all depend on Van Dijk’s attitude and whether he can come to an agreement with the club, whether that be staying put this season or sealing a move away.

Serge Aurier has found himself at the centre of transfer discussions over the last few weeks, the theory seemingly being that PSG will cash in on the Ivory Coast international as an attempt to balance the books following their stunning move for Barcelona forward Neymar.

Manchester United have been mooted as the front runners to land the 24-year-old’s services with Mirror Football claiming there’s already a deal in place – although The Daily Mail report that Chelsea are ready to contest the Red Devils for Aurier’s signature.

The African wing-back is an impressive talent but links with the Old Trafford outfit do come as some surprise, considering Jose Mourinho already has a solid option at No.2 to call on in the form of Antonio Valencia.

With that in mind, we asked United fans last week whether their club should complete a swoop for Aurier and although the majority would be in favour of a deal, it’s somewhat telling that the 39-cap defender only won our poll by a 6% margin.

It seems the idea of signing Aurier hasn’t convinced every United fan.