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A number of Manchester United fans online have slammed Casemiro after he picked up a straight red card for a reckless challenge in his most recent appearance.

Why was Casemiro sent off against Southampton?

In their latest Premier League outing, the Red Devils failed to win in front of their own supporters as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford against Southampton.

Erik ten Hag and co understandably came into the match as favourites, with the Saints stuck at the very bottom of the table but one poor decision from United’s central midfielder made things an awful lot more complicated on the day.

Indeed, with just 34 minutes played, Casemiro lunged in on Carlos Alcaraz and while referee Anthony Taylor initially just booked the 31-year-old, it was upgraded to a red following a VAR check.

This isn’t the Brazilian’s first straight red card of the season either. After all, he was given his marching orders in February against Crystal Palace in another ill-judged moment at Old Trafford.

As a result, he now faces a four-match suspension which could see him miss the FA Cup quarter-final at home to Fulham on top of three league games against Newcastle United, Brentford and Everton.

It seems as though the midfielder’s poor discipline has left some Man Utd fans at their wits’ end. Here are some of the best reactions online…

Chelsea ‘have not given up hope’ of signing Borussia Dortmund superstar Jude Bellingham this summer, according to journalist Jacob Steinberg.

The Lowdown: Bellingham a wanted man

The 19-year-old is one of world football’s most talked-about players currently, ahead of what is likely to be a ferocious auction for his signature this summer.

Bellingham is expected to leave Dortmund at the end of the season and Chelsea are one of several Premier League clubs who have been linked with signing him.

It is a saga that is continually being discussed and despite rumours of Liverpool edging closer it appears the Blues are far from out of the picture, following a new update.

The Latest: Chelsea still hopeful

According to The Guardian‘s Steinberg, Chelsea still believe they are in the mix to sign Bellingham during the summer window:

“Chelsea have not given up hope of landing the England international.”

The Verdict: Feels fairly unlikely

While this is encouraging in some ways, Chelsea do arguably feel like one of the outsiders to sign Bellingham, with Liverpool possibly the standout English club in the race.

Whoever acquires the 22-cap England international will certainly be getting a special talent, with even Roy Keane tipping him to be a ‘superstar’ in the game.

Granted, Bellingham didn’t affect the game too much on Tuesday, as Chelsea beat Dortmund 2-0 in the Champions League, but he could be sensational alongside Enzo Fernandez, in what would be an exciting new-look Blues midfield.

He has ten goals to his name this season, as well as one at the 2022 World Cup, while an average of 3.2 tackles per game in Qatar also outlines his defensive expertise.

Since their newly discovered riches came to the fore, it’s become far easier to rank Newcastle United’s best players. The Magpies have already undergone an impressive transition, going from the relegation battle to a battle for European football and a Carabao Cup final. 

Signings such as Bruno Guimarães proved to be an instant hit at St James’ Park, which always seemed likely to be the case as soon as Arsenal failed in their pursuit of the Brazilian midfielder. Meanwhile, the likes of Joelinton became reborn in one of the most unexpected transitions in Premier League history, with the struggling striker suddenly becoming an effective box-to-box midfielder.

With that said, we’ve had a go at ranking Newcastle United’s current best players.

10) Nick Pope

One of Newcastle’s best signings since the takeover, Pope has been integral to the way Newcastle have been able to rise up the league table.

It was telling that they were beaten by Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final after Pope was suspended, with Loris Karius forced to deputise.

Still, the England international has kept plenty of clean sheets this season and has been absolutely vital to the way Eddie Howe wants to play.

A superb piece of business.

9) Joe Willock

Joe Willock may not have been able to repeat the stunning goal scoring form of his original loan spell, but he still impressed at times last season, handing him a place in this list.

Of course, the former Arsenal man will be hoping for more consistency, but 29 Premier League appearances in the last campaign proves that Howe trusts him.

Indeed, he has stayed in the side even with Newcastle’s investment, making over 20 league appearances already.

8) Dan Burn 

The first of three January signings on this list, Dan Burn has proven to be a superb addition to the Newcastle side.

He has played a large part in their transition away from the relegation zone last season, making 16 appearances in all competitions.

The big defender may not have been the poster boy that some had dreamed of, but he was certainly the one that was needed at St James’ Park in January.

This season, he has even thrived at left wing-back.

7) Fabian Schär

Often overlooked, Fabian Schär adds calm to what was occasionally a storm within Newcastle’s backline last season.

And even as the Magpies keep on progressing, the defender should remain a mainstay.

He will be well aware of how important it is to remain consistent, as competition for places increases more and more.

This season, he has remained one of the first names on the team sheet.

6) Alexander Isak

Isak was snapped up as the poster boy of the newly-minted Newcastle. 

The club spent well over £50m to sign the Sweden international and he already looks to be the real deal.

Isak has scored three goals in seven games in the Premier League at the time of writing and we expect him to keep scoring goals.

Howe has a potential diamond on his hands; Isak is still only 23.

5) Joelinton 

If you told Premier League fans that Joelinton – the striker who looked destined to enter the flop pile – would become one of the most effective box-to-box midfielders in the country, then jaws would have dropped.

But here we are; here Joelinton is, and here Eddie Howe is, having implemented his masterpiece to perfection.

The Brazilian is now a fixture on the team-sheet, bringing his pace and power to bear in midfield duels.

It’s been an incredible tactical switch.

4) Callum Wilson 

Under Howe, Callum Wilson was always going to perform, even throughout a period of frustration stemming from injury.

The Englishman netted eight goals in 18 appearances last season, and has continued to score at a consistent rate, even with the signing of Isak.

This season, Wilson has seven league goals to his name already.

When fully fit, Wilson is a handful for most defenders.

3) Kieran Trippier 

As the first signing in Newcastle’s new era, Kieran Trippier had to perform.

And, in fairness to the fullback, he did exactly that, before an injury brought his season to an abrupt end. 

Back fit come August, the former Atletico Madrid man has played a crucial part in the Magpies’ lofty ambitions.

A shrewd signing, and one that has set the tone.

2) Bruno Guimarães

The Bruno Guimarães transfer perfectly sums up the difference between Newcastle a year ago vs now.

The attraction to the Magpies is sky-high nowadays, whether that be for money, or what that money could bring.

And Guimarães is a big part of that. At 24, the midfielder is entering his prime, too, and will play an increasingly important role at St James’ Park.

This season, he’s been vital to the way they’ve played, emerging as one of the best midfielders in the country.

1) Allan Saint-Maximin 

As tricky as ever, Allan Saint-Maximin remains, in our opinion, Newcastle United’s best player.

As he continues to enjoy extra quality around him, too, the Frenchman will only continue to thrive more and more.

And, with that improvement, we could see his end product sky-rocket in the coming Premier League season.

Thus far, he’s not actually been used as much by Eddie Howe, but he remains an unbelievable footballer, with one goal and three league assists to his name.

So, there you have it,  our current top 10 Newcastle players. Of course, that could dramatically change in a year or so, given how much is likely to change when it comes to personnel at St James’ Park across the next two transfer windows. 

Celtic could face a new challenge in the summer as they are expected to receive interest from the Premier League in their centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Could Carter-Vickers leave Celtic?

The American has now been playing his football at Parkhead for almost two years now having initially joined the club on loan back in 2021.

His move was made permanent over the summer in a deal believed to be worth in the region of £6m from Tottenham Hotspur.

However, it seems as if a return to England could potentially be on the cards over the coming months with a strong interest coming from the Premier League.

Indeed, speaking on the House of Champions YouTube channel, reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano has put Carter-Vickers’ future in doubt ahead of the summer:

(14:00) “I think it’s going to be an important summer because I’m told some Premier League clubs are already exploring this possibility. Of course, he knows Premier League football so it could be a possibility in the summer but Celtic will try their best to keep their players.”

How long does Carter-Vickers have left on his contract?

Since arriving at Parkhead, Carter-Vickers has gone on to solidify his spot in the side under Ange Postecoglou and has recorded 76 appearances across all competitions (via Transfermarkt).

And Celtic fans will be thankful to hear the club were able to tie him down to a four-year deal when they permanently signed him last summer.

Therefore, going into the next transfer window, Carter-Vickers will still have three years remaining on his contract at Parkhead.

This will leave the Bhoys in a strong position ahead of the summer should any sides show an interest in the centre-back who was only bought in the summer of 2022.

Reports have suggested the move from Spurs could potentially cost Celtic up to £10m in total as a result of add-ons in the American’s contract.

Whether an exit in the summer would see those clauses fall short having only played one season as a permanent player or not is another question.

But with three years left on his deal, it likely will allow Celtic to negotiate a considerable fee for the player if they are open to the notion of allowing him to leave.

Carter-Vickers has played a huge role in the club’s success under Postecoglou, however, if the Premier League is to come calling, it may be an opportunity which Carter-Vickers feels is too good to turn down.

Having said that, he hasn’t exactly had the best of spells in the numerous clubs across England having spent his time out on a number of loans across the EFL.

So having found his feet in Scotland, Celtic fans will surely be hoping he is looking to continue his football at Parkhead. d

Aston Villa are looking to end a run of three defeats in succession in the Premier League as they travel away from home to face Everton on Saturday.

Unai Emery’s side travel to Goodison Park after losing to Leicester City, Manchester City, and Arsenal in their last three matches in the top-flight and are up against a rejuvenated Toffees.

Sean Dyche has won two of his first three matches in charge of the club and taken them out of the bottom three – keeping clean sheets in both of his wins.

Villa, meanwhile, are off the back of conceding at least three goals in each of their last three games and let in four in their most recent clash with Arsenal.

Emery’s team went 1-0 and 2-1 up against the Gunners but were unable to finish off the match by taking a two-goal lead and that allowed Mikel Arteta’s men to rally and end up picking up all three points in stoppage time.

Should Unai Emery start Jhon Duran against Everton?

The Spanish head coach could blow Everton away and stop them from getting back into the match by going all-out in attack with Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran up front.

Villa could claim all three points by simply outscoring the opposition, if they are unable to – on recent evidence – defend well enough, and unleashing their January signing could play a big role in that.

The £18m dynamo is yet to start a match in the Premier League since his move from Chicago Fire but his form in the MLS last year suggests that the marksman has the potential to be an excellent player for the club.

Duran scored eight goals and provided three assists in 14 starts in the division in 2022 – averaging a Sofascore rating of 6.91 – and this shows that the gem has the quality to make a big impact at the top end of the pitch.

The 19-year-old powerhouse showcased his ability in the final third by creating two ‘big chances’ for his teammates and taking 2.2 shots per game, which highlights how much of a threat he is at both creating openings for others and himself.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig once described the gem as an “aggressive” forward who can be a “counter-attacking weapon” and the teenager could form an exciting partnership with Watkins, who has scored five goals in his last eight appearances in the Premier League.

Emi Buendia started alongside the England international last time out but the Argentine’s tally of seven league goals in 58 outings does not suggest that he has the goalscoring capability to blow Everton away, whereas Duran’s record in the MLS does.

Craig Hope has claimed Mark Gillespie is available for Newcastle United next weekend despite not being in the 25-man Premier League squad.

The Lowdown: Goalkeeper crisis

Newcastle were dealt another major blow prior to their Carabao Cup final clash next weekend as Nick Pope will miss the huge game due to him picking up a red card for deliberate handball yesterday.

The Magpies are also sweating over the fitness of Joe Willock who missed the game against Liverpool due to a hamstring injury which was sustained the week before against Bournemouth.

While Willock’s absence will indeed be a huge blow if he doesn’t make the squad next week, the fact that Pope and Martin Dubravka aren’t available for the final next week is a big concern with Loris Karius and Mark Gillespie the only options for Howe.

The Latest: Karius or Gillespie to step up

Karius is the likely man to fill Pope’s boots next weekend, but boyhood fan Gillespie could make an unlikely appearance according to Hope who revealed on his YouTube channel that he’s eligible to play despite not being in Howe’s 25-man Premier League squad.

He said: (6:25) “Who will play, Karius or Gillespie? Well, Eddie said those are the two keepers who are available, Mark Gillespie is available. Of course, it’s the EFL Cup, it’s outside of the Premier League so even though he’s not registered in the league, he comes in and likely will be back up to Loris Karius.”

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The Verdict: Eddie Howe has tough decisions to make

If Eddie Howe was able to have one eye on the cup final before the Liverpool game then his main selection headache would have been how does he fit Allan Saint-Maximin into the team when Bruno Guimaraes returns.

However, after Pope’s moment of madness last night, Howe must now contemplate throwing Karius in at the deep end for his Newcastle United debut at Wembley to try and help the club lift their first piece of silverware since 1969.

His other option would be to hand Gillespie – a lifelong Toon fan – a dream start on the biggest occasion in the club’s modern history despite him having made just four appearances since joining back in 2020, and although his game time he has been lacking over the years he’s been hailed over the last few months as an ‘unsung hero’ by Dominic Scurr.

Manchester United officials are laying the groundwork over a potential move for Real Valladolid defender Ivan Fresneda, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Fresneda profiled

Fresneda is just 18 years of age and has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in La Liga. The Spaniard has made 12 first-team appearances in all competitions this season, starting seven league games.

He was in demand during the January window, with both Arsenal and Newcastle heavily linked with a move. The Gunners were the ones who reportedly agreed on a deal, but as we know, a winter window swoop failed to go through, and it looks as if United are looking to take advantage ahead of the summer.

The Latest: United update

FI shared a story in the last 48 hours regarding Fresneda, claiming the Red Devils have taken a “really active interest” in signing the teenager.

Their report states that United chiefs have tracked the player in the last few weeks and are laying the groundwork over a possible transfer.

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The Verdict: One to watch?

Fresneda, who Matt Clark of La Liga Lowdown has lauded as being ‘remarkably complete’, appears to be a star in the making, and a move to Old Trafford could make sense.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka was linked with an exit in recent months but remained at the club after impressing Erik ten Hag, featuring heavily following the World Cup.

However, should the Englishman move on in the summer, then perhaps Fresneda could come in and rival Diogo Dalot for a spot in Ten Hag’s side. It could be a wise call in the long run, and it seems as if United are already exploring a transfer, making this one to watch.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have had something of a resurgence since Julen Lopetegui took over as manager in November, and the January transfer window was a further indication that the Old Gold are back on track in the Premier League.

On the pitch, the Midlanders have started to show discernible improvement after a woeful start to the campaign left them facing a grim battle against relegation from the top flight and confirmed the dismissal of Bruno Lage after 16 months in the job.

Last summer, the Wolves squad saw a more comprehensive reshuffle than in previous years, with Conor Coady, Willy Boly, Romain Saiss and Leander Dendoncker all departing. The ill-effects of the changes were initially felt, proving to be the final blow for Lage as his tinkering did not get the machine whirring as planned.

However, Lopetegui has reignited the fire among the squad at Molineux, and several well-placed winter signings have bolstered the ranks further after already showing hints of revival.

Since his first match in the dugout after the conclusion of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Wolves have only lost three times from ten matches across all competitions, with the recent 3-0 drubbing of beleaguered Liverpool embodying the turnaround which has lifted the Old Gold to 15th in the Premier League table.

One player who is thriving is Daniel Podence, who has scored three goals from six league outings since the World Cup.

The winger has not always been a starring figure in Wolverhampton since his £16.6m arrival from Olympiakos in January 2020, but five goals from 16 top-flight starts this term is an indication of his marked improvement as a direct threat and an evolution from the graceful but ineffective force who plundered just two league goals last season.

With Everton eyeing a move for the ace – who is out of contract at the end of next season – earlier in the campaign, there was an increasing belief that a deal might have been forthcoming, but Lopetegui evidently views the 27-year-old as an integral part of his plans for the remainder of 2022/23.

Candidly, for all of Wolves’ improvements, their tally of 15 league goals this season is the lowest in the top flight despite the three-goal romp over Jurgen Klopp’s Reds, and effective firepower is a coveted component for the club at present.

With five goals in the league, the “delightful” Podence – as hailed by Sky Sports co-commentator Alan Smith last year – has come up with 33% of his team’s tally so far this term, and to have cast him aside based solely on the uncertainty over his long-term future would have been a costly mistake.

As it is, he looks set to continue making a mark on Wolves’ season, and the fact that the team’s most potent forward remains in the Midlands for the rest of the campaign could end up being the difference between them enjoying a sixth successive year of top-flight football or returning to the Championship.

Therefore, you could argue that Lopetegui has struck gold in a sense by warding off any interest in the 27-year-old.

Tottenham Hotspur had their eyes on Udinese forward Gerard Deulofeu over the January window and came close to signing him.

What’s the latest?

Fabio Paratici was able to address two areas of Antonio Conte’s squad last month with the signings of Arnaut Danjuma and Pedro Porro.

However, it seems as if the Dutchman may not have been the Italian’s first-choice target with suggestions the Lilywhites were close to signing Deulofeu if it wasn’t for an ongoing injury.

Indeed, Fabrizio Romano has shed some light on some of the stories to emerge from the January transfer window with Tottenham being a club seemingly holding some unearthed secrets.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, reliable transfer guru Romano has revealed the Lilywhites were eyeing the former Everton man last month:

“This is a very surprising one.

“But I can reveal [to] you that this is an exclusive name; Tottenham were considering a move for Gerard Deulofeu.”

“But what happened? Deulofeu was really close to Tottenham. From what I heard, the deal was almost done for Deulofeu to join Tottenham. But what happened is that Gerard Deulofeu had an injury, a serious injury, and so he was not available any more on the market right before joining Tottenham.”

Premier League-proven

The Spanish forward has experience in the Premier League having previously played for both Watford and Everton between 2013 and 2021.

Over the years, the 28-year-old has been sent out on a number of loans but was able to rack up 127 appearances in the English top flight (via Transfermarkt).

In that time he was able to return 20 goals and 24 assists in the league but it is in Italy where the forward has found his best form.

Playing for Udinese, Deulofeu has provided the Serie A side with 18 goals and 14 assists in 68 appearances with 13 of those goals coming in the 2021/22 campaign.

There may be some who question his ability in the Premier League with the Spanish forward far from prolific during his time in England.

However, it is worth remembering Danjuma did not score in any of his 14 Premier League games when he was at Bournemouth before moving the Villarreal.

But the upside of Danjuma is he is still a few years younger than Deulofeu and the Lilywhites have landed him on an initial loan meaning they can try before they buy with the Dutchman’s contract holding a buy-clause in the summer.

Fortunately for Spurs, Danjuma has made a bright start to life in north London with a goal already to his name after a 19-minute appearance.

But it is certainly intriguing to see Spurs once again diving into the Italian market for potential signings.

An update has emerged on Aston Villa and their plans heading into the next transfer window at the end of the season…

What’s the talk?

According to The Athletic, the Villans are retaining an interest in France international Matteo Guendouzi as they consider a summer swoop to sign the Marseille central midfielder.

The report claims that Unai Emery wants to improve his strength in depth in the middle of the park and reuniting with the gem he worked with at Arsenal could be an option ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

This comes after Football Insider reported that Villa were interested in snapping the Marseille talent up during the January window, when he was valued at £30m.

Leander Dendoncker upgrade

Villa could strengthen the competition for places within their midfield set-up by landing an upgrade on one of the players who has struggled to push for a starting berth this season.

Leander Dendoncker arrived from Premier League rivals Wolves last summer and has been unable to make a positive impression on the pitch so far this term.

The Belgium international has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.74 across 15 appearances in the division and has only been selected in the starting XI five times.

In those 15 matches, the 27-year-old has failed to produce a single goal or assist and has made 2.0 tackles and interceptions per outing, which shows that he doesn’t offer much going forwards to go along with his defensive contributions.

Guendouzi, meanwhile, has made 2.1 tackles and interceptions per game in Ligue 1 for Marseille this season but he has also chipped in with one goal and three assists.

Last season, the £41k-per-week maestro scored four times and provided six assists for his teammates in the French top-flight and averaged an impressive Sofascore rating of 7.00.

The Frenchman has proven himself to be a combative midfielder who can also make an impact at the top end of the pitch by producing goals and assists for his side.

Guendouzi, who Alan Hutton once described as a “fiery character”, also has experience playing in the Premier League after making 57 appearances in the division during two seasons with Arsenal prior to moving back to his home country.

This suggests that the gem could hit the ground running at Villa Park next season as he already knows what it takes to perform in English football.

Meanwhile, his pre-existing relationship with Emery – who he played 66 matches for in all competitions at The Emirates – also means that the midfielder does not need time to adjust to the tactics.

Therefore, Guendouzi could come in as a big upgrade on Dendoncker as the dynamo could replicate the current latter’s defensive contributions whilst delivering high-quality performances and making an impact going forward – adding real competition for places in midfield.