Real Madrid endured yet another torrid evening in their quest to dethrone Barcelona as La Liga champions, with a 2-1 defeat to Real Betis at the Benito Villamarin on Sunday, allowing their El Clasico rivals to end the weekend at the top of the league standings.

There is no way to put the gloss on it. Real Madrid were average at best against a side fighting to avoid relegation. Lacking any sort of vigour, organisation or ruthlessness that Real Madrid are so regularly judged on. This is a team in need of major surgery in every position. Zidane didn’t need any more reminders after Sundays debacle.

One man under much of the spotlight is Karim Benzema. No player has under gone much evaluation than him this season. Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric, Marcelo are senior players who’ve failed to break strides as of late, but its Benzema who is suffering from the scrutiny in comparison to his teammates.

As history proves, a Los Merengues number nine must be ruthless in front of goal, scoring goals at a rapid rate. Unfortunately, Karim Benzema, as valuable as he’s been since his move from Lyon in 2009, doesn’t offer those characteristics, or its safe to say, he can longer fulfil such expectations.

At the age of 32, Karim Benzema continues to show just how vital he is to the club, whether its been Zinedine Zidane, Julen Lopetegui, Santiago Solari, Carlo Ancelotti or Jose Mourinho, they have all been able to identify and utilise the Frenchman’s selflessness, non-stop running and creativity as the leading frontman. Though, time is running out on the forward. Real Madrid strongly desire to step into a new era with a more out-an-out scorer, a vital necessity this summer.

Benzema’s goal at Real Betis was his first in seven appearances. He still sits second in the La Liga golden boot standings with 14 goals, 4 behind Lionel Messi. In theory, those numbers are impressive but when you analyse in more detail, the issues run much deeper.

The Frenchman hasn’t scored in open play since the winner against Atletico Madrid. It’s a stark contrast to the Benzema we saw at the beginning of the campaign where he struck 12 goals in his first 16 matches, 4 in the Champions League group stages (2 against Paris Saint-Germain and 2 against Galatasaray). A run which led many to think that they’re scoring issues without Cristiano Ronaldo was a thing of the past.

2020 is indeed showing a different Karim Benzema, with only three goals scored. It automatically brings up the argument that the 32-year-old is no longer a out-an-out striker but rather a player more inclined to feed others and do most of his work off the ball as well as on it. But’s he’s only registered just one assist so far this calendar year.

What is the reason for his lack of consistency?

There are only two players who are enjoying consistent campaigns in the Real Madrid camp, Federico Valverde and Casemiro. Two of their defensive midfielders. Real Madrid’s defence is their one true bright light so far this season with just 19 league goals conceded from 27 games played. The best in the country.

It’s in attack where there issues lie. Karim Benzema is the only player on double figures. They’ve scored just one shy of 50 goals, 13 behind Barcelona.

Gareth Bale isn’t valued as he should be, becoming a regular on the bench. Eden Hazard’s flattered to deceive since his move from Chelsea last summer. The Belgian’s unfortunately been plagued with injuries with only 10 games played throughout the season, though some argue the Belgian only joined Real Madrid for a holiday, it certainly feels as such. Lucas Vazquez’ time at the Santiago Bernabeu is running out, his lack of qualities in the final third is there for all to see.

Luka Jovic has proven a failure since his move from Germany, and its unclear whether he holds a future at the club beyond the summer. Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo have embedded well into the squad, but its too soon to place such burdens on their young shoulders.

Players such as Isco and James Rodriguez, we all know hold much quality but their place in the team aren’t guaranteed. It’s fair to argue that Zinedine Zidane does not know his best 11, and that as a result, is affecting Karim Benzema.

Karim Benzema needs support around him, players who are capable of being a danger in front of goal too. Why can’t Zidane swallow his pride and partner Benzema with Gareth Bale? The Welshman is arguably Madrid’s most decorated player, his career statistics in Spain prove as such. Why not deploy Isco regularly, when fit? The Spaniard holds just about all the tools to unlock any defence in Europe let alone Spain.

Despite their problems in front of goal. Real Madrid still hold the necessary tools to end their current rut. The personnel in which Zidane relies on isn’t aiding Karim Benzema’s cause. The Frenchman’s burdens and responsibilities must be shared and that means starting players such as Gareth Bale and Isco on a much more regular basis. Maybe Benzema’s lack of form is down to the lack of attacking quality around him.

Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic proved a dead man walking just a few months ago. The Serbian had fallen down the pecking order, with Fred and Scott McTominay establishing themselves in the Solskjaer’s midfield. Matic was ultimately deemed surplus to requirements.

How quickly things change in football, the former Chelsea man now finds himself at the centre, both literally and figuratively, of Solskjaer’s team. Injuries to Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay since Christmas has helped his cause, but the Serbian international is grabbing the opportunity to impress with both hands.

It’s no surprise that United’s upturn in form has coincided with Bruno Fernandes’ introduction into the side, but its helped further by the solidity, consistency and authority of both Fred and Matic behind him.

In terms of performance, last year, Matic had never looked lower in a United shirt. Laboured in possession, languid in his movement and tackling, fans started to turn on the Serbian. Used as one of the scapegoats for United’s poor form soon after Solskjaer signed a deal to manage the club permanently. The long list of injuries meant Matic never relinquished his place in the squad, yet he still put in some abysmal performances.

Even during Solskjaer’s ‘honeymoon’ period after he had taken over Mourinho in December 2018, Matic still had no place in the team, seen as the unfortunate outcast, failing to mix it up with his teammates.

He began this campaign with the same role, starting from the bench, barely picking up an appearance apart from the odd Europa League game, then he picked up an injury. Things could only get worse from there. The partnership between Fred and Scott McTominay rose to much prominence, placing themselves as Solskjaer’s trusted midfield pairing.

With his contract situation up in the year, running out this summer, there wasn’t much use for the Serbian. He’d only be confined to the odd game, here and there. Merely a squad player, essentially there to bulk up Solskjaer’s options in a lacklustre midfield but not really one the Norwegian could call upon. Injury to Paul Pogba potentially forced Solskjaer’s hand but he had other ideas. Instead, relying on Andreas Pereira to fulfil a role in midfield that was unfamiliar to him.

Scott McTominay’s sudden injury brought much panic. Pereira certainly wasn’t up to task to fill in, Solskjaer had no choice but to pull out Matic from the rubble. Since then, the Serbian midfielder hasn’t looked back. Proving why Mourinho signed him up from Chelsea in the first place.

What seemed like a weakness in his game, his lackadaisical passing, positioning, and movement has now been reincarnated. Matic now looks sharper, in his passing, tackling and positional understanding. In the Premier League, he averages 2.1 tackles per game, 1.8 in the Europa League, an average of 1.2 interceptions too. Also, his passing is on the up also, with an overall passing success rate of under 90%.

Even the one truly bad moment he’s had since returning to the fold; the red card against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup, was a momentary lapse of judgement that blotted what was an otherwise excellent and commanding performance — where he scored the game-winning goal.

United have certainly seen the best of Nemanja Matic over the past month. He even could have been on the scoresheet twice against Everton at Goodison Park, hitting the bar and forcing a smart save from Jordan Pickford. The reason Mourinho had such high regard for Matic was because of his authoritativeness on the pitch, his commanding presence, striking fear into opposition midfielders and his ruthless streak when it comes to breaking up play. He showed just that in the 2-0 derby win over Manchester City too, both he and Fred’s energy, tenacity and awareness meant City failed to conjure up any inspiration to haul themselves back into the game. It was a masterclass showing from Matic.

Since his return, the Serb has consummately performed those roles and now with the added sprinkle of quality in Bruno Fernandes, he now plays behind a player fully capable of complementing his dirty work in front of the defence. Matic can now quickly find Fernandes in dangerous positions in because of his improved passing and Fernandes’ fantastic positional understanding.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer now holds the luxury of harnessing a blend of skill sets in the middle, and with Paul Pogba still to return in the coming weeks, things are looking up for the Norwegian and his team. With Nemanja Matic in this sort of form, the club are now in a much better position than they were before the turn of the year. The Serbian now looks a much better, revitalised animal.

Pep Guardiola caused quite a stir when his Manchester City starting XI was released for their Carabao Cup final victory against Aston Villa at Wembley. The ever-present and immovable Kevin De Bruyne dropped to the bench, replaced by City’s fledgling young star Phil Foden who lined up alongside his supposed predecessor David Silva.

It wasn’t a case of ‘out with the old, and in with the new’ on this occasion but as soon as David Silva left the field in the second-half, it certainly felt as much. The club will move into a new era when the Spaniard ends a decorated decade of success at the end of the season and during City’s 2-1 victory, Phil Foden offered a glimpse into what life would be like without the club legend.

His name has been a constant theme, a soundtrack ringing around the country ever since he broke into the scene in the Under-17 World Cup in 2017 where England ran out winners of the competition. Lining up alongside Rhian Brewster, Jadon Sancho and Callum Hudson-Odoi, Foden was awarded with the FIFA Under-17 World Cup Golden Ball as a result of his scintilating performances all throughout the tournament.

Even though Pep Guardiola has deployed the 19-year-old rather sparingly since then, every time Foden graces the field, there is an indication as to what he could offer the club without David Silva. City’s 2-1 hard-fought triumph over Villa, a true example of the bright future City are heading into when Foden steps into Silva’s shoes. His man-of-the-match award was fully deserved.

The way Foden exerts himself, his passing, movement and a fluidity in his game way beyond his years. A fine example during the match, when he led a Manchester City counter attack in the first-half, riding two challenges with his incredible balance, ball control and speed before playing in Sergio Aguero. The move came to nothing, but Foden showed a resilience and maturity in his game that few youngsters in the world, let alone Europe could dream of.

While Gareth Southgate chose to take in Everton’s game against Manchester United at Goodison Park, he will have certainly received glowing reports of this young star. Who’s to say Southgate won’t include Foden in his plans heading into England’s Euro 2020 preparations this coming month. There’s no reward without a risk. Foden is worth that risk. Guardiola showed just that with his decision to start him in a game of such magnitude – at the costly expense of Kevin De Bruyne – and it was duly justified.

As City started to fashion openings in the first 20 minutes of the game, it was through such wonderful movement and awareness from Phil Foden which broke the deadlock. Throughout the game City compounded on Villa’s lack of communication and weakness in the wide areas and once Foden received Rodri’s cute angled pass at the far post, many anticipated Foden going for goal himself, instead he saw Aguero in a more dangerous position and cut the ball back for the master marksman to put City ahead.

It was a performance of ethereal grace from Phil Foden. The numbers above tell its own story. He was a constant thorn in Matthew Target’s side. Bamboozling him with slick footwork, dragging him out of position with his euphoric movement and energy.

Foden’s talents have never been in doubt, and Guardiola has had the luxury of pruning and handling his development carefully amongst an elite group of world stars. There isn’t one player within the City camp that believes Foden will not usurp their levels in future, and its that belief in him that is propelling him quicker than expected.

Foden has featured in 25 games this season, including the Community Shield at the start of the season, starting 10 of those games, scoring three goals and laying on 7 assists. Incredible numbers for a player who isn’t appearing week-in and week-out. In total, its 61 games for City, starting 24, scoring 10 and assisting 10. These statistics could progressively increase once he takes his place at the expense of David Silva. While he may not topple Silva’s remarkable career acheivements, there is no reason why Foden can build and embark on a fledgling journey of his own.

6 trophies at the age of just 19. There are no limits to what Foden can achieve at City and if Sunday’s performance is anything to go by, Manchester City’s future is in safe hands once David Silva finally departs. It’s a Foden-filled one.

Jesse Lingard and Andreas Pereira have become victims of everything that’s wrong with Manchester United this season. Both their stats so far this campaign points to a significant lack of quality within the United squad and their respective futures at Old Trafford are simply hanging by a thread.

Between the two players, their goal contributions make damning reading. Just 8 goals in almost 70 appearances combined. Products of United’s much acclaimed academy, their performances as of late, aren’t true representations of what constitutes being a Manchester United player. One that is increasingly efficient and impactful in all areas of their game.

Jesse Lingard has appeared in 35 games this season, scoring twice and assisting just once. The 27-year-old has not managed a single Premier League goal since December 2018, scoring a brace in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first game in charge, a 5-1 victory over Cardiff. The England international is currently embarking on such a difficult season, with no signs of improving.

Andreas Pereira is not fairing any better than his counterpart with only just the one goal this season, contributing four assists. Their performance against Club Brugge in the Europa League may have been the final straw for Solskjaer, who for the first time this season left the pair out of his 18-man matchday squad to face Watford.

Solskjaer strongly mentions the standard. He more than most holds an understanding of the standard and quality that United have harnessed in the past and his current pool of players simply doesn’t fit that bracket. There’s a case to argue, that there is not much the Norwegian could do to increase United’s creative output considering the options at his disposal. They say a manager is only as good as the squad available to him. The injuries to Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay haven’t helped Solskjaer’s cause one bit, hence United’s inconsistencies for much of the season.

In a number of games this season, Solskjaer has been forced to deploy Andreas Pereira in an unfamiliar position, as a double-pivot midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 shape. The Brazilian has shown to lack the tactical understanding, positional awareness and quality to thrive in the role, but its the only option Solskjaer could conjure up.

Lingard, on the other hand has generally been given his preferred advanced midfield role, floating just behind the striker, and has simply not performed since that purple patch back in 2018. His current output in such a role simply isn’t good enough. United have been without courage, character and risk-taking in the final third this season. Lingard and Pereira just haven’t been adequate solutions to the problem.

Solskjaer clearly identifies United’s creative issues, hence the signing of Bruno Fernandes, a vital addition to bring the potency back into United’s attacking patterns. Three games in to his United career, and the Portuguese playmaker has shown more than Pereira and Lingard have all season. Already, Fernandes has matched Lingard’s goal involvement in just three games.

The implications from Solskjaer’s words after the Watford game is quite telling. Now with the players available to him, including new signings Bruno Fernandes and Odion Ighalo plus the return of Scott McTominay and possibly Paul Pogba within the next few weeks, Lingard and Pereira are somewhat surplus to requirements. Their omission from the previous squad could become a regular theme in the coming months.

United have a new hero in town now, and the confidence and belief in which Bruno Fernandes is performing means Solskjaer is already moving on. His side have constantly lacked the punch and elegance needed to break down low defensive blocks. Andreas Pereira and Jesse Lingard have become unfortunate scapegoats of United’s failures to create opportunities. They have indeed shown the necessary qualities to counter-attack well and be effective in transition, as shown in the win at the against Manchester City before Christmas, but its in games where they are expected to perform, that they flatter to deceive. When in possession, its as if the they are afraid to take up responsibility of the ball and make something happen.

So far, Bruno Fernandes is expertly showing what United have truly missed. The ability to dictate the tempo, disrupt the shape of defences through his extraordinary ability to execute pitch perfect through balls, take up the dangerous positions in the half spaces and when driving at his marker creating opportunities for his fellow forwards.

Fernandes oozes such qualities, the leadership, positional intelligence, awareness and vision that’s propelled him to become one of Europe’s most feared attacking midfielders. The Portuguese international lifted the whole mood against Watford, influential on the ball as well as off it, playing a part in all of United’s three goals. These are areas in which Pereira and Lingard have remarkably failed.

United are strongly linked with the likes of James Maddison, Jack Grealish and Jadon Sancho, and the thought of them teaming up with Bruno Fernandes could too tempting for Solskjaer, and most importantly, the United faithful. These are the type of players United should be possessing in their squad. Three players perfectly fitting Solskjaer’s recruitment criteria, holding the potential snd abilities to become a part of the infamous United folklore.

The Norwegian is showing no signs of fearing to make the tough decisions in terms of personnel. Ander Herrera, Maourane Fellaini, Ashley Young, Romelu Lukaku, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo and Alexis Sanchez have all been moved on – the latter three, on loan deals who will more than likely be moved on permanently in the summer to free up space for Solskjaer’s desired targets.

Jesse Lingard and Andreas Pereira are on course to become a part of that exodus.

West Bromwich Albion are on course for a return to the Premier League after two years away from the English top-flight. The West-Midlands club currently sit top of the Championship four points adrift of their closes rivals Leeds United, with a swift return to the big time well in their sights.

Slaven Bilic’s side are enjoying a very fruitful season with much of the campaign spent at the pinnacle of the league table. Barring a dramatic fall from grace, perhaps the former West Ham and Croatia coach can look forward to building his squad for the Premier League come August.

It seems as though West Bromwich are wasting no time in achieving that goal with the club poised to complete the £8.25million signing of on loan Sporting Lisbon midfielder and star man Matheus Pereira.

The Brazilian will complete his permanent move once he passes 30 Championship appearances. The winger, often deployed as Bilic’s sole creator this season has been a revelation becoming an influential figure in attack for West Brom.

Pereira’s been so good that fans are declaring he is close to becoming the best they’ve ever seen to grace the Hawthorns.

Statements such as those may be a bit controversial considering the sort of players that have set the whole stadium alight over the last 10-15 years. Club legends Robert Earnshaw, Darren Moore and Neil Clement may have a lot to say about that Matheus Pereira declaration. But this is a player swiftly placing his name amongst club folklore.

6 goals and 12 assists in 29 Championship appearances is no small feat. A tricky Brazilian that possesses eye-catching skills and a low centre of gravity – Pereira has effortlessly found his feet in the Championship after two previous loan spells with Chaves and FC Nurnberg respectively. The Brazilian is the most fouled player in the whole division (2.9 times fouled per game), a testament to his remarkable technical attributes. As soon as he steps onto the field, defensive midfielders automatically know they’re in for a tough ride.

2.3 shots per game, 2.4 key passes, 1.6 dribbles and 70 chances created so far this season means the Brazilian is the main orchestrator of almost every West Brom attack [WhoScored]. Slaven Bilic has often opted with a 4-3-3 shape, especially against teams who he feels can hurt his side, otherwise he lines up usually in a customary 4-2-3-1. Whichever of these systems he chooses, Matheus Pereira is given the license to roam without any defensive shackles nullifying his influence further up the field.

Against Nottingham Forest, Pereira lined up on the right wing alongside Hal Robson-Kanu and Callum Robinson. A front-three filled with much fluidity in movement, pace and trickery, and Pereira’s knack of cutting infield almost as an inside-forward, or inverted-winger means he is allowed the freedom to roam within areas in the final third where he feels he can become most effective. His positional understanding, work ethic along with his awe-inspiring skill-sets makes him the complete package.

Just because he’s given such freedom from Bilic, however, doesn’t mean he neglects his defensive duties behind him or more importantly when pressing his opponents off the ball. His assist for West Brom’s first goal in their 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest explicitly highlighted his importance to Slaven Bilic. Forest midfielder Samba Sow got caught napping in possession by Pereira, he then drove at the Forest back-line before expertly picking out Callum Robinson to put West Brom in front. The weight of pass was perfect for one which looked harder than it was.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln-KjjbUrl8

 

The Brazilian was also well involved in their second, Callum Robinson on the counter, picked up the ball on the left before playing Pereira infield, he then caressed a lovely lofted ball with his left foot over to Filip Krovinovic who picked out Jake Livermore to force an own goal. The Brazilian was remarkably fouled four times throughout the whole game, once again indicating how much of a threat Nottingham Forest knew he would pose.

His understanding of being in the right places at the right time and also his impressive decision making – knowing when to pass, and knowing when not to – makes him arguably one of the most productive attacking outlets in the whole division. His stats tell its own story.

Matheus Pereira is simply deadly with the ball at his feet, particularly in set-piece situations too. He is Bilic’s assigned dead ball specialist and rightly so, his sweet left foot an effective weapon in itself.

His free-kick in the 4-1 win over Bristol City back in November, an absolute peach. Right on the edge of the penalty box, he held the technical acumen and accuracy to perfectly lift the ball over the wall and into the top corner despite the close distance to goal. Unstoppable.

Now that West Brom have more or less guaranteed his future at the Hawthorns, the onus is on Matheus Pereira to maintain a level of consistency to become a household favourite not just for his club but also on the grandest stage, the Barclays Premier League providing the club secure their status as champions.

Many players become victims of their Championship success when making the step up to the English top-flight. On the evidence the whole campaign, Matheus Pereira holds all the tools necessary to avoid being one of those unfortunate statistics.

On a night where United picked up a much needed victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, a significant stamp in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s pursuit of the top four was in fact marred by the ongoing rift surrounding the injured Paul Pogba, his agent Mino Raiola and the Manchester United manager.

Paul Pogba’s departure from Old Trafford is becoming more and more inevitable with every passing week as his highly esteemed agent declared that the French World Cup winner is only committed to the club until the summer.

The midfielder has featured in only eight games all season, and despite his prolonged absence from the match day squad, his presence is actually quite telling. Certainly, United are desperately missing his cutting edge and spark on the pitch, but that’s not the case here. It’s his uncertain future and desire to leave Old Trafford that has somewhat brought a much bigger cloud over the whole club than Solskjaer would have wanted.

Let’s cut to the chase. In order for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Manchester United to move forward, they must rid of all the unwanted negativity, and that means moving Paul Pogba on.

Rather than fielding questions upon United’s victory over Chelsea post-match, Solskjaer was left addressing the latest rift between himself and Mino Raiola with the super agent stating that Paul Pogba is not “owned” by Solskjaer, nor is he his “property”, depicting his client’s situation as some sort of modern day slavery.

It is a strategy deployed by Raiola not only to extract sympathy for Pogba’s current plight but mainly attempting to push United into a position of weakness rather than strength. It is believed, as per The Telegraph that not only does Paul Pogba desire to leave Old Trafford, but he wants to do it on his own terms. His brother Mathias has even stated that Paul Pogba desires to leave Old Trafford in search of a much better challenge.

https://twitter.com/360Sources/status/1229659272813957120

There’s no denying Paul Pogba’s qualities. This is a player who desires the best, and playing in the Champions League gives him that platform, but feels he can no longer achieve those lofty ambitions at Manchester United. As far as the player is concerned, there are better clubs to play for at this stage of his career and he does not want to wait around to see if Solskjaer can manage to get United back to where they belong.

Manchester United are in need of a cultural reboot, a period of transition from the failures and underachievement that has plagued the club since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013. Harboring a player who holds no desire to be a part of it should be moved on. As good a player Pogba is, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can ill-afford to surround himself with such a debacle as he embarks on improving United’s fortunes.

During the winter break, Brazilian midfielder Fred – albeit controversially – stated that not everyone in the team is following the same objectives and that there is a sense of vanity within the squad.

”We need to improve in everything. The togetherness within the team. [There is] vanity within the group. We need to focus on the same objectives.”

“When everyone has the same objectives in their minds, we start moving forwards.”

Solskjaer moved quickly to dismiss Fred’s assessment of the squad – as he should do as manager – but the Brazilian is certainly not wrong. In order for United to move forward, everybody must be on the same page. It’s clear Paul Pogba isn’t, and his agent Raiola isn’t helping matters.

What Raiola is trying to do is create a market for the player, and United must follow suit. Juventus and Real Madrid are the Frenchman’s two likely destinations providing he departs this summer, but it is unclear whether they are willing to meet United’s asking price of £150m for a player who’s contract runs out in 2021. Whether United will seek to lower their demands is another matter entirely.

So far, Solskjaer has recruited well. Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James are tailored perfectly for Solskjaer’s blueprint of fresh, young British talents with the potential to excel over a period of time at the club. The January signing of Bruno Fernandes is turning out to be a steel after just two games and the club have expressed firm interests in the likes of Jack Grealish, James Maddison and Jadon Sancho, players who fit the criteria perfectly.

This summer is critical for the club as a whole and its vitally important United do not allow themselves to be wrapped up in a series of uncertainty with regards to player recruitment. The United hierarchy must exert some strength and ruthlessness this summer if they are to match both Liverpool and Manchester City in the transfer market.

In an ideal world, Solskjaer would love to build his side around the qualities of Pogba, tie him down to a new contract and build from there, but its all turned sour with the player and his agent rejecting such an option. We haven’t heard from Pogba since he stated his desire to accept new challenges with the midfielder only providing updates of his recovery from injury on Instagram.

Certainly, United fans would like some clarification from the player himself, but his silence only indicates his agreement with his agent’s intentions.

United must rid themselves of all that toxicity and focus their attentions on recruiting the right players to take the club forward, James Maddison and Jack Grealish are more than adequate replacements especially in the creative department – an area where United have flattered to deceive all season. Maddison and Grealish both provide the cutting edge in the final third United so desperately desire and are both firing on all cylinders so far this season. These are the kind of characters and personalities United should be prioritizing.

It remains to be seen whether Pogba will put on a United shirt again this season. Not even Solskjaer himself knows for definite.

A move away from the club this summer is probably best for all parties involved.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are currently enjoying an almost perfect season. Yes, there’s the chink in their remarkable points tally at this stage of the season, the draw at Old Trafford back in October is the only game they’ve dropped points. 24 wins from 25 league games in simply extraordinary. Considering everything falls their way over the next couple weeks, they could be crowned champions by March, the earliest a Premier League side have ever been confirmed champions.

It’s incredibly difficult to tone down on the remarkable feats that Jurgen Klopp is achieving with this group. This is simply no fluke. The former Borussia Dortmund coach has built a side worthy of becoming the best team in the world as they have so rightly achieved over the past year winning the Champions League last season and the world club championship in the process.

From the unbelievable talents of their Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson and their defensive powerhouse in Virgil Van Dijk down to the incredible Mo Salah, this is arguably Liverpool’s greatest team in the Premier League era. Every single one of them has undergone a significant amount of refining, a process where each of their abilities are unearthed to fully complement Klopp’s thrilling style both in attack and defence, with the ball and without it. Every single player is tailor to perform at the levels Jurgen Klopp requires. A true testament to the quality of planning, recruitment and coaching behind the scenes at the club.

One man who’s become the epitome of everything good during Jurgen Klopp’s tenure, an icon and a symbol of Liverpool’s success over the past year is club captain Jordan Henderson. The England international is unlikely to be heralded as one of the best midfielders in the world, but the impact and influence he’s had on Klopp’s squad cannot go unnoticed. A player who many doubted would become Steven Gerrard’s ideal successor when the club icon left Anfield in 2015.

Considered not good enough to even wear the Liverpool shirt let alone succeed Steven Gerrard as Liverpool captain. 5 years on, Henderson is on course to achieve the unthinkable. Something Gerrard himself could never do. Lift the clubs first Barclays Premier League trophy since its introduction in 1992.

The player’s growth, leadership qualities and influence both on and off the pitch is an example for many. But’s his tactical understanding and game management under Jurgen Klopp is equally emphatic. For much of Henderson’s career, many have questioned what his best role in the middle is. Is he your typical defensive-midfielder, a box-to-box player or one who is most effective in the final third?

When Brendan Rodgers took over the club in 2014, Henderson was one of the players he viewed as dispensable, struggling to fully implement him into his new side. It didn’t take long for Henderson to win Rodgers over though, playing a key role in their extraordinary title charge in 2013/14 only to fall – Steven Gerrard pun intended – at the last hurdle. That experience has served Henderson well though, now he is earmarked to be crowned the PFA Player of the Year or Footballer of the Year.

All of which is unearthing a backlash amongst fans.

Previous winners, Virgil Van Dijk, Eden Hazard and Mo Salah were well worth their weight in gold, though many aren’t agreeing with Henderson’s potential nomination. Fair enough, he isn’t the best footballer in the country. He’s not even best footballer at the club. These awards however, aren’t just about quality or individual talent but about criteria, consistency over a defined period of time, and not just a more abstract observation, but about the timing and prominence of performances. About influence and momentum.

Jordan Henderson ticks all of these boxes.

You’d be wrong to judge the player just on face value. Yes, Henderson isn’t a Kevin De Bruyne, a David Silva or even a Mohammed Salah, but comparing him to such players isn’t fair to his own unique characteristics. Henderson’s willingness to learn, improve, perform, never shying away from his responsibilities are what sets him apart, and its why he’s about to achieve the unthinkable as club captain.

That willingness and expert understanding to perform different roles in Jurgen Klopp’s system is one reason why he must be considered for the PFA gong. Henderson’s performed a variety of roles this season, as an emergency centre-back, at defensive midfield in the absence of Fabinho, as a box-to-box midfielder and even an advanced playmaker alongside Gigi Wijnaldum or Oxlade-Chamberlain. Whatever role Henderson is tasked with, he never shirks away from it, whether foreign to him or not.

In their 4-0 win over Southampton, Henderson put in a man of the match performance. His constant running and pressing just wasn’t enough for him as he scored one and assisted another.

Henderson is almost given the license to roam in the attacking third as well as performing duties in halting opponent attacks and counter pressing. His goal against Southampton, a true indication as to the kind of impact he’s having in the final third. Henderson wonderfully took Firmino’s pass in his stride before hitting an unstoppable drive past Alex McCarthy in the Southampton goal.

His assist for Liverpool’s third goal was unerring, drifting into the half-space, he picked up Alisson’s long punt up the field before caressing a lovely angled pass from the right hand side into Salah’s path for the Egyptian to finish expertly. There was nothing Jan Bednarek could do to intercept Henderson’s wonderfully weighted pass.

It’s those fractional improvements in his technical acumen, his huge positional understanding and the ability to find pockets of space in order to disrupt the opponents shape, along with his heart-on-sleeve attitude transforming the former Sunderland man from an admirable nonentity to a formidable force.

Patience truly rewards in football, and Jordan Henderson is a testament to that fact. In an age where fans expect things instantly without considering the bigger picture, you will have to fully analyse the growth and maturity of this current Liverpool side. It’s taken 5 years for Jurgen Klopp to build a dynasty. It’s taken Jordan Henderson 5 years to become the player he’s always been primed to be.

Henderson doesn’t score or assist much as fans would want from him, but he’s contributed to 7 goals in the Premier League this season (3 goals, 4 assists). It’s those marginal improvements in his game, the evolution of his role in such a well-balanced and decorated Liverpool side. Those training ground hours that have turned narrowly missed headers into converted ones, long distances shots over the bar turned into scorchers, those hopeful punts up field that’s turned into killer long and through balls. It’s these improvements that have fine-tuned Henderson into an incredibly effective and decorated midfielder.

Now, can Henderson lead England to Euro glory this summer?

Manchester United’s 0-0 draw against Wolves proved yet another failed attempt at their quest to finish in the Champions League places come May. It is an ambition that is slowly fading with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side now sitting 6 points behind Chelsea with both teams locked in an intriguing battle at Stamford Bridge after the winter break.

It is now three league games without a win for Manchester United, and three consecutive games without scoring which will prove all the more worrying for Solskjaer and his coaching staff. United’s barren run in front of goal has somewhat coincided with Rashford’s long injury lay off.

The loan signing of Odion Ighalo could provide United with the short term solution they so desperately desire, though that remains to be seen considering their repeated lack of quality when creating chances. The stalemate with Wolves was just another in a long catalogue of unconvincing performances, ones which highlight a failure to break down teams who defend deep against them.

It may have been a night to forget for Solskjaer, but it was the performances of new signing Bruno Fernandes which provided a small glimmer of hope for the rest of the season.  Thrown straight into the thick of things with only two days spent in Manchester after his move from Sporting Lisbon. The Portuguese gave a telling reminder of his qualities despite United’s failure to break down a rugged and organised Wolves side. Fernandes had more touches than anyone else (110), made more passes (88), made more final third passes (44) and had the most shots out of any player on the field (5), WhoScored. 

The new signing isn’t the solution to all of United’s lingering issues, but he is however a huge step in the right direction for Solskjaer as he aims to rebuild an ailing squad. Lining up in the central attacking role in Solskjaer’s customary 4-2-3-1 shape behind Anthony Martial, with Dan James and Juan Mata either side of him, Fernandes constantly looked for pockets of space in between the lines. Wolves’ well organised 3-4-3 shape halted his influence in those areas. Fernandes’ willingness to attempt the audacious shot or thread a telling pass was clear for all to see. It is a trait that United have sorely missed throughout the season with Paul Pogba’s recurring injury problems.

The Wolves game was a timely reminder of the problems Paul Pogba has faced ever since his return from Juventus. On so many instances, Pogba hasn’t had the support of others around to him effectively have the influence we know he can have. Fernandes suffered from the same misgivings on his debut. The Portuguese midfielder constantly had to drop deep to instigate play alongside Fred simply because Andreas Pereira lacked the necessary quality to do so. What also did not help Fernandes’ cause was Daniel James’ strange positional sense, rather than holding his position wide left in order to trouble Wolves wing-back Matt Doherty, the Welsh winger constantly dropped inside as a second striker or inside forward with so much of United’s play in front of the Wolves back-line rather than in behind.

Bruno Fernandes constantly had to usher his teammates into correct positions and orchestrate proceedings without any luck, but it was in fact huge sign of his leadership qualities. A trait he has picked up through his meteoric rise in Lisbon.  In order for Fernandes to be an instant hit at Old Trafford, he needs the necessary quality around him. He connected well Juan Mata on several occasions and even developed a steady understanding with Fred who himself is undergoing a renaissance in midfield.

Fernandes also tried to link with Anthony Martial, though the Frenchman’s inconsistent form and lack of energy could not provide United with the injection and inventiveness they needed. The inaugural Premier League winter break could not come at a better time for Solskjaer and his players. With a trip to Marbella on the horizon, it will provide Fernandes the ample time needed to develop an understanding of what Solskjaer requires and a much better understanding of his teammates. Hopefully United will have Paul Pogba to call upon when they meet Chelsea on the 17th of February.

Already fans are awaiting the superstars return and a potential devastating partnership with Bruno Fernandes.

Could United’s lineup look like this when Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba return from their injuries?

Bruno Fernandes showed the Old Trafford faithful the kind of qualities he could offer the club in their draw against Wolves, but its become evidently clear that in order for the Portuguese international to truly flourish at the Theatre of Dreams, he requires players at a similar level – if not better – for his amazing creative abilities to thrive. Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba’s return cannot come any sooner.

Sheffield United broke their transfer record, completing the signing of Norwegian international midfielder Sander Berge for a fee of around £22million from Belgian outfit Genk.

The 21-year old who has already won 20 caps at international level has penned a 4-year deal until the summer of 2024 at Bramall Lane.

In what has been a sensational return to the Premier League for Chris Wilder and his team this campaign, their season may have just taken another turn for the better with the signing of one of Europe’s most coveted young midfielders in Sander Berge.

The midfielder was signed by Genk from Norwegian side Valerenga in 2015 and an influential figure in Genk’s quest of the Belgian league title last season.

Sheffield United manager was delighted a deal with the player could be completed. Wilder said:

“When we sat down with Sander it was clear that he was excited about coming here and that was great to see.

I think this signing just shows for us how far we have come in a short space of time, that we are now attracting the likes of Sander to the football club. It’s a brilliant signing for us.”

The signing of Sander Berge is indeed a reflection of how far Sheffield United have come in such a short space of time. This is a player that has been scouted by a whole host of top European clubs such as Premier League leaders Liverpool. A player who had his heart set on moving to a side in the Champions League, it is a true testament to Sheffield United’s recruitment drive that they have been able to snap up a talent who should really be gracing Europe’s top competition.

So what would Berge offer Sheffield United? Where would he fit? 

Sander Berge is a player built for the big occasion, literally.

The Norwegian is a man mountain. 21 years of age, standing at 6 ft, 3 inches.

Well known in the gaming world of Football manager, the Genk midfielder is equally impressive in real life too and is said to be one of the brightest young midfield prospects in European football. He’s stood out in the Champions League this season – including the two group fixtures against Liverpool.

When it comes to natural abilities, Sander Berge holds all the ingredients necessary to be a big hit in English top-flight.

Efficient in the press, powerful in his tackling and holds the relative experience and character needed to become an instant success in the Premier League. All at the age of just 21.

What’s also good about Berge is his influence on those around him. When he plays, Genk are a much better and dominant force and that’s the kind of influence he will have on Chris Wilder’s side. We’re already accustomed to Sheffield United’s organisation, unity, and energy in the midfield and the acquisition of the Norwegian can only add to those traits. Oliver Norwood, John Fleck and John Lundstram have been 3 of the league’s most impressive performers throughout the campaign in midfield. Their relentless running, energy and tenacity have provided the whole team with the incentive to dominate teams both defensively and in attack, its no surprise that Sheffield United hold one of the league best defences.

New signing Berge would fit seamlessly into Chris Wilder’s midfield. He’s more than capable of playing anywhere across their midfield three, but would probably provide more impact at the base of the midfield. Aerially dominant, a workhorse, a willing runner and a player who holds a fantastic understanding tactically. Characteristics which will instantly endear him to the Bramall Lane faithful.

For a player as tall as he is, Berge also holds a unique skill set in getting by his marker. His close ball control, strength and flexibility means he has no problems beating an opponent’s press or evading tight spaces.

Berge is a great signing for Sheffield United. His character and personality stands out too, a future leader potentially for both club and country. He’s clever in the way he reads the game. Quick in his decision making. While John Fleck and John Lundstram are tasked with roaming up the pitch, and performing duties to support the attack in the half-space, Berge could be the perfect sweeper. His towering presence means players will have to try extra hard getting past him. Very quick on his feet, able to dominate and sweep up play across the front of the back five.

Wilder’s portrait is of a typical English manager, very traditional in his approach but he’s one of the most modern around, always looking for new methods and playing a hungry style of football. That will suit Sander Berge to the ground.

Sheffield United have pulled off an absolute steel. Pun intended.