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Sir Alex Ferguson is one of the best managers football has ever seen, enjoying a successful spell with Aberdeen before his 27-year spell as Manchester United manager.

He dominated English football with the Red Devils, winning 13 Premier League titles as well as lifting the Champions League on two occasions.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man Utd honours
Trophy	Years won
Premier League	1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013
Champions League	1999, 2008
FA Cup	1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004
League Cup	1992, 2006, 2009, 2010
FIFA Club World Cup	2008
UEFA Super Cup	1991
European Cup Winners’ Cup	1991
Intercontinental Cup	1999
Community Shield	1990, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011

The Scot actually grew up a Gers fan and regularly visited Ibrox as a youngster, eventually playing for the club between 1967-1969. Ferguson has never shied away from Rangers ties, sharing stories of his early footballing memories at Ibrox.

“I used to always go to the Broomloan Road end when I was younger. It wasn’t until I got into my teens when I was with my mates that we would go into the Rangers End. I started going to Ibrox when I was around eight-years-old so in 1949. When I was young, it was a case of ‘you’re not going up there on your own’, but you would go to Ibrox irrespective of what your dad said.

“There were great teams around that time. The famous Iron Curtain team; Young, Shaw, McColl, Woodburn, Cox, which felt like it was there forever. You always had Willie Waddell and Willie Thornton playing as well. I grew up in a period where we had strong domination of the country.”

The greatest football players of all time named and ranked by Sir Alex Ferguson

CR7 and Lionel Messi were both snubbed by Ferguson.

By
Charlie Smith

Jul 26, 2025

He would come up against Rangers and Glasgow rivals Celtic on a regular basis during his time as Aberdeen boss and also visited Scotland in the Champions League with a star-studded Man Utd side.

Ferguson and the Red Devils didn’t have much luck on their two visits to Celtic Park, losing 1-0 in 2006 and drawing 1-1 in 2008. However, he fared better back at Ibrox with Man Utd, winning 1-0 on two occasions in 2003 and 2010.

Ferguson chooses between Celtic and Rangers for best stadium

Talking in the past in comments shared by Celtic’s official website, Ferguson chose Celtic Park as “the best” atmosphere he has experienced as a manager over Ibrox and other iconic stadiums across Europe.

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo was also left stunned by the Parkhead atmosphere, saying during his time at Man Utd:

“The Celtic fans are incredible. It is always great to play there.”

Manchester United are now seriously considering a late move for a “wonderful” midfielder, ahead of the September 1st transfer deadline.

Man Utd looking to strengthen midfield amid Mainoo uncertainty

Kobbie Mainoo is yet to make an appearance in the Premier League this season, but Ruben Amorim has recently insisted he is a big fan of the midfielder, saying: “I believe a lot in Kobbie; more than what everyone thinks. I believe a lot in Kobbie. I expect a lot from him. He is playing in one position and is fighting with Bruno. They can play together.

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“We need to improve that position and you could see that against Fulham. I just expect the best from Kobbie in the same way as everybody.”

Mainoo was given the opportunity to prove himself against Grimsby Town on Wednesday night, and the 20-year-old was one of the only players to put in something resembling a decent performance.

However, there is now a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the youngster’s future, with Leeds United now showing the strongest interest in a deal for the central midfielder, who is open to leaving Old Trafford before the September 1st deadline.

As such, according to a report from Spain, INEOS may not be done in the transfer market, with a move for VfB Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller being seriously considered.

Chiefs have some reservations about the signing of Stiller, and he is not viewed as an alternative to Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba, with a move dependent on what happens with Bruno Fernandes and Mainoo.

Not just Onana: Amorim must finally axe 2/10 Man Utd flop after Grimsby

Manchester United’s misery continued on Wednesday evening, with Andre Onana again in the headlines…

By
Robbie Walls

Aug 28, 2025

Should one of Amorim’s current midfield options leave, a move for the Stuttgart maestro would gain momentum, and a deal would not break the bank, given that there is a £32m release clause in his contract.

Why Man Utd want to sign "wonderful" Stiller

The 24-year-old may not be as well-known as some of United’s other targets, but there are signs he could be an astute addition to Amorim’s squad at just £32m, given the level of some of the central midfielder’s performances in the Bundesliga.

Scout Ben Mattinson has indicated the German is a well-rounded player, praising him for his “wonderful” left foot, while also stating the Stuttgart star is “secure” defensively and capable of playing as a lone number 6.

Moreover, the Munich-born maestro is clearly an attack-minded player, as showcased by his tendency to play the ball forward and set up goals over the past year.

Statistic	Average per 90
Progressive passes	9.75 (98th percentile)
Assists	0.21 (90th percentile)
Shot-creating actions	3.93 (92nd percentile)

Stiller could excel at Old Trafford, but Man United should not sell Mainoo to create space in the squad, as the England interantional deserves another chance to prove himself.

With Arsenal the only English side to have been crowned champions of Europe in the women's game, the country's list of UWCL winners is quite exclusive

Having Lionesses in the Women's Champions League final has become something of the norm in recent years but something happened in 2025 that hasn't happened since 2007 – an English team actually won the trophy, as Arsenal claimed their second European triumph some 18 years after their first by stunning Barcelona in the final in Lisbon.

Until that point, only 19 Lionesses had ever won the UWCL and 13 of them were part of the Gunners side that did so all those years ago with victory over Umea. However, that number has grown a little now, with five more England internationals joining what still remains a rather exclusive club that lacks some big names.

So, who are the Lionesses who have become European champions at club level? GOAL runs through every member…

• Anita Asante

  To start, this list is dominated by the Lionesses who were part of the Arsenal side which became champions of Europe. Anita Asante was part of that historic team, playing 90 minutes in the backline in both legs of the 2007 UEFA Women's Cup final, as it was known then, as the Gunners beat Umea 1-0 on aggregate.

  Asante came through the system at Arsenal and spent five years in the senior team before leaving in 2008, to join Chelsea. The versatile centre-back also spent time in the United States and Sweden before retiring in 2022, having won 71 caps for England and four for Great Britain at the 2012 Olympic Games. Today, she is part of the coaching staff at Bristol City.

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• Leanne Champ

  Another versatile footballer, Leanne Champ was on the bench as Arsenal defeated Umea in the 2007 final, a triumph which was made all the more impressive by the fact that they were without her for most of that quadruple-winning season due to an ACL injury.

  Capped 10 times at senior level by England, Champ also played for Millwall and Chelsea in England and spent time across the pond in the United States, representing three different clubs. After her playing days were over, she joined former NWSL side Boston Breakers as a coach before returning to London to work in Chelsea's academy.

• Gilly Flaherty

  Just 17 years old when she became a champion of Europe, Gilly Flaherty had only broken into Arsenal's senior team a few months earlier but earned herself a spot among the substitutes for the Gunners' finest hour. It was an exciting start to seven trophy-laden years in the first team, before she left for Chelsea in early 2014.

  It was with the Blues that Flaherty finally earned her first England caps, the first of her nine coming in late 2015, and she would later also represent West Ham and Liverpool. The defender retired in early 2023 because of family reasons, having recently lost her father, and now works as a pundit and co-commentator.

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• Mary Phillip

  Previously of Millwall and Fulham, Mary Phillip joined Arsenal in 2004 and was part of their rock solid defence across the 2007 UEFA Women's Cup final, playing 90 minutes in both games. Her experience was key given the injuries in the backline – by the time this tie came around, Phillip had already won 16 domestic trophies and been representing England at senior level for 12 years.

  Since calling time on her playing days at the age of 31, Phillip has been on a coaching journey that has regularly grabbed attention in the media as it is on the men's football pyramid. Since 2019, the former Lioness has been manager of lower-league side Peckham Town, with whom she won the London Senior Trophy in 2020.

It was officially confirmed last week that Daniel Levy would be stepping down from his position as Tottenham Hotspur’s chairman, and it was met with mixed reactions.

Some wanted to point to the fact that Spurs were the most profitable ‘big six’ team in the Premier League during his tenure, which spanned over 24 years from March 2001 to the start of this month.

You only have to rewind a few months to the Europa League trophy that Spurs won, ending their 17-year wait for a major trophy, to find one of the highlights of Levy’s time as chairman.

Daniel Levy's expensive Spurs blunders

However, some supporters may point to some of his transfer business over the years as being less-than-impressive, perhaps contributing to the 17-year wait for a trophy.

Levy was not really different to any other chairman, owner, or sports director, in the sense that he made good and bad signings throughout his time at the club.

For example, he sanctioned a potential club-record level deal for Dominic Solanke last summer, signing the English striker in a move worth up to £65m. The 27-year-old marksman scored just nine goals from 10.97 xG in 27 appearances in the Premier League for Spurs last season, per Sofascore.

Solanke is, therefore, yet to show that he is worth a club-record fee for Tottenham, given his lack of quality in front of goal so far, but he is not the only Levy signing who falls into that category.

Richarlison was signed from Everton in the summer of 2022 in a deal that was worth up to £60m, and he has yet to live up to that price tag for the club.

How much Richarlison's market value has plummeted at Spurs

Levy made one of his biggest errors as the club’s chairman when he sanctioned that mammoth transfer for the Brazil international, because the striker’s market value has plummeted in the last three years.

Richarlison, who was once described as a “goalmouth monster” by Ange Postecoglou, has been a frustrating figure in North London, as he has produced moments of quality, like the bicycle kick goal against Burnley this season.

However, those moments have been too few and far between, as the £60m signing has only scored 22 goals in 94 appearances in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

The former Everton and Watford marksman scored one goal in his first Premier League season with the club and four in the 2024/25 campaign, with 11 goals in his second term, which illustrates his inconsistency in front of goal.

Date	Market value/transfer fee
July 2022	£60m move to Spurs
December 2022	£48m
June 2023	£42m
September 2023	£35m
December 2023	£30m
May 2024	£33m
December 2024	£26m
March 2025	£22m
May 2025 – present	£17m
Valuations via Transfermarkt

As you can see in the table above, Richarlison’s market value has been heavily impacted by his inconsistency on the pitch, as his value has dropped by a staggering £43m from £60m to £17m at the time of writing.

The Brazilian attacker could point to injuries, as he has missed 58 games through injury in the last three seasons, but the return of one goal in 27 Premier League games in his first year at the club was simply not good enough.

Spurs should expect more from Richarlison for the money Levy shelled out to bring him to the club, which is why he should currently be considered one of the ex-chairman’s biggest blunders.

As it stands, the £60m deal that was put together to sign the Brazil international from Everton looks to have been a huge overpay by Levy, given that he is currently valued at just £17m.

Forget Bale and Son: Spurs "wonderkid" was Levy's best-ever signing

Tottenham Hotspur hit the jackpot on this star who was an even better Daniel Levy signing than Gareth Bale & Heung-min Son.

By
Dan Emery

Sep 8, 2025

A video posted online by Gary Neville in the wake of a synagogue attack in Manchester has courted controversy and attracted criticism, but it is reported that the former United and England defender will not face any punishment from Sky Sports. Neville remains a prominent public face for the broadcasting giants, with a role being filled as a co-commentator and pundit.

• What Neville said

  Neville, speaking through his LinkedIn account, took aim at “angry middle-aged white men” and offered his take on the trend of Britons fastening St George and Union Jack flags to lampposts and bridges across the country. The 50-year-old spoke out after the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation tragedy, which saw Syrian-born terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie stage a deadly knife and car rampage.

  He began by saying: “Seeing the news last night and the news this morning dominated by the horrific attacks within the Jewish community, just a mile from here.” He then turned his attention to the ‘Operation Raise the Colours’ flag movement – co-founded by Andrew Currien, a close ally of Tommy Robinson – and went on to say: “When I was driving to Salford City last night, going down Littleton Road, I seen probably 50 or 60 Union Jack flags. And on the way back I went down the parallel road, Bury New Road, which has got the Jewish community right at its heart and they're out on the streets, defiant, not hiding or in fear. Funnily enough on one of my development sites last week there was a Union Jack flag put up and I took it down instantly.”

  Neville added: “I just kept thinking as I was driving home last night that we're all being turned on each other, and the division that's being created is absolutely disgusting. Mainly created by angry, middle-aged white man, who know exactly what they're doing.”

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  Stance of Sky Sports

  Said comments generated lively debate, with Sky Sports reportedly being threatened with boycott action. Their company guidelines state: “Talent and contributors should be aware that social media communities are public forums and should not undertake activity that brings either the programme or Sky into disrepute.” The reports that “the pundit is not expected to face any action”.

  This is not the first time that Neville has shared his opinion on political matters, having previously spoken out against working conditions in Qatar ahead of the 2022 World Cup and condemned the behaviour and leadership of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

  Reform UK MP Lee Anderson is among those to have responded to Neville, saying: “I believe in free speech but on this occasion just shut up. You had no problem in playing in front of the England flag. And the middle-aged English men you talk about are the same type of men that paid your wages.”

• Neville refutes unpatriotic claims

  Neville refuted any suggestion that his comments were unpatriotic, saying: “I played for my country 85 times, I love my country. I love Manchester and I love England, but I've been building in this city for 15 to 20 years and there's no one put a Union Jack flag up in the last 15 to 20 years, so why do you have to put one up now? Quite clearly it's sending a message to everybody that there's something you don't like.

  “The Union Jack flag being used in a negative fashion is not right and I'm a proud supporter of England, Great Britain, of our country, and I'll champion it anywhere in the world as one of the greatest places to live. But I think we need to check ourselves, bring ourselves back to a neutral point, because we're being pulled right and left and we don't need to be, at all.”

  He added: “Brexit has had a devastating impact on this country and the messaging is getting extremely dangerous. All these idiots out there spreading hate speech and abuse in any form, we must stop promoting them. We must stop elevating our voices towards them and it needs to stop now, and get back to a country of peace, love, harmony and become a team again.”

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  Co-owner of Salford with Beckham & property empire

  Neville, who is a co-owner of League Two side Salford City alongside fellow Class of ‘92 graduate David Beckham, boasts a sprawling property empire in Greater Manchester. The Mail states that claims of Sky being “bombarded with demands” to remove Neville from his role are “unfounded”.

Chelsea have built a team full of brilliant game-changers over the last few years, but it’s still clear who their most important player is: Cole Palmer.

The Englishman joined the club from Manchester City just two years ago and is already considered by many to be one of the best players in the Premier League, and it’s not hard to see why.

In 98 appearances, the 23-year-old has scored 43 goals and provided 29 assists, resulting in a goal involvement every 1.36 games.

However, as with every club, Chelsea have also let a number of sensational talents leave too early, including one who’s even better than Palmer.

Chelsea's biggest transfer regrets

It would be fair to say that Chelsea have made their fair share of regrettable sales over the years, with Kevin De Bruyne being one of the most notable examples.

The Belgian joined the club in January 2012 for a fee of around £7m, but remained with Genk for the rest of that season and then joined Werder Bremen on loan the following year.

Unfortunately for the Blues, then manager José Mourinho didn’t take to the future icon, and after just nine competitive appearances for the club, he was sold to Wolfsburg for £18m in January 2014, where he would go on to produce 57 goal involvements in 73 games, win the DFB Pokal and secure a big money move to Manchester City in August 2015.

We all know what happened next, as the world-class midfielder went on to make 422 appearances for the Sky Blues, scoring 108 goals, providing 177 assists, and winning everything there was to win, including six league titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups, and the Champions League.

While not as successful, another player the Blues surely wish they never sold is the man of the moment, Marc Guehi.

The combative centre-back left the West Londoners for Crystal Palace in the summer of 2021, and did so for only £18m.

Since then, he’s made 161 appearances for the South Londoners, in which he’s scored nine goals, provided four assists and most crucially, led them to a historic FA Cup triumph.

His impressive development at Selhurst Park has also seen him brought into the national team setup and now, with 24 caps to his name, is arguably England’s best centre-back.

Yet, while Chelsea surely regret selling both of these players, there is another international superstar, someone who is better than Palmer, that may be their biggest regret.

The former Chelsea star better than Palmer

With Palmer being one of the best attackers in the Premier League, the player in question has to be truly exceptional to be in with a shout of being better than him, and Mohamed Salah is undoubtedly that.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

The Egyptian legend joined the West Londoners in a £11m move from Basel in January 2014, going on to make his debut for the club in a game against Newcastle United the following month.

However, after just 19 appearances over the following year, he moved to Fiorentina on loan in January 2015, where he produced 13 goal involvements in 26 games and caught the eye of AS Roma.

The Italian giants signed the future legend on a season-long loan with an option to buy that summer, an option that was activated for just £12m the following year.

During his time in Rome, the Nagrig-born game-changer racked up a brilliant tally of 34 goals and 21 assists in 83 appearances, totalling 6588, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.50 games, or every 119.78 minutes.

Unsurprisingly, such an incredible run of form started to turn heads back in the Premier League, and in June 2017, two and a half years after he left England, Liverpool spent around £34m to bring him back to these shores.

To say he’s been worth that outlay would be a monstrous understatement.

In the seven years since, he has racked up an astronomical haul of 246 goals and 114 assists in 405 games and played a pivotal role in two Premier League winning campaigns, a Champions League triumph, and the winning of several domestic cups.

How did he stack up to Palmer last season, though?

Palmer vs Salah in 24/25
Players	Palmer	Salah
Appearances	52	52
Minutes	4247′	4501′
Goals	18	34
Assists	14	23
Goal Involvements per Match	0.61	1.09
Minutes per Goal Involvement	132.71′	78.96′
All Stats via Transfermarkt

Well, the Englishman scored 18 goals and provided 14 assists in 52 appearances, totalling 4247 minutes, which comes out to a goal involvement every 1.62 games, or every 132.71 minutes.

In contrast, the “world-class” Reds star, as dubbed by Roy Keane, scored 34 goals and provided 23 assists in 52 appearances, totalling 4501 minutes.

In other words, he averaged 1.09 goal involvements per match, or one every 78.96 minutes – a mind-blowing rate of return.

Ultimately, Chelsea have a brilliant squad and in Palmer a genuine world-beater, but it would be fair to say selling Salah was one of the club’s biggest mistakes.

The Chelsea academy star turning Maresca's head after Nicolas Jackson praise

Chelsea’s manager is keeping a close eye on him.

By
Emilio Galantini

Sep 11, 2025

Manchester United have switched their attention to Elliot Anderson after failing to sign Brighton's Carlos Baleba, as Ruben Amorim eyes a midfield overhaul. The 22-year-old Nottingham Forest dynamo has become one of the most sought-after names in English football following his breakthrough into the Three Lions squad. United had already been monitoring Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace and revisiting interest in Baleba, but it is now being reported that Anderson has emerged as the standout target.

• Amorim sets sights on Forest talisman

  At United, Amorim has pinpointed a reimagining of the midfield as his next priority. The Portuguese coach believes the area lacks both physical balance and creative spark. With Bruno Fernandes attracting interest from abroad and Casemiro’s contract due to expire next summer, a major restructuring is expected. United spent heavily last summer, over £200 million ($266m), reinforcing their attack with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko. But their inability to secure Baleba before the transfer window closed meant that a gap remains unfilled. Anderson can operate across multiple roles, fitting Amorim’s template for a dynamic midfielder, and United are now weighing a swoop, as revealed by

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  Anderson already a Tuchel favourite

  Anderson’s rapid rise to prominence has been nothing short of spectacular. Having only made his England debut in September, he has already collected four senior caps and is being tipped as a serious contender to start in next year’s World Cup. His tactical maturity has impressed England boss Thomas Tuchel, who has publicly lauded the Forest midfielder’s all-around game. 

  "He’s just a very, very good football player," Tuchel said after the 2-0 qualifying win over Andorra. "He has the physicality, he’s very mobile at No 6. He has the body, he loves to defend, he loves to put his body inside to duels. He loves passing, he loves to break the lines, he’s very mobile in this game. It was a pleasure to see.

  "I think the team around him made it as easy as possible for him and he had a very strong performance. I think he showed today that he adapts to the situation. Can he show what he showed in training? Can he show what he showed with Nottingham and the under-21s? He played with a lot of freedom. He was very quickly in the flow. I think he has the physicality and he has the mindset to play in more difficult games."

• A painful loss for Newcastle

  For Newcastle, Anderson’s success elsewhere still stings. The midfielder, a product of their youth academy, was sold to Forest for £35 million ($47m) in 2024. It was a move forced by the club’s need to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules. But that decision continues to haunt manager Eddie Howe, who has opened the door to his return.

  “I don’t know (if the move will happen), but certainly from my perspective I would love him to,” he said. “It is very regretful a player from the academy who had given so much, and the club had given so much to for him not to be utilised here is a real shame. We had no choice but to make the sale, but it was not one we wanted to do. It didn’t sit right with me then and doesn’t sit right with me today.”

  Speaking about his versatility, Howe added: "It is very difficult to define one position for him. There are not many players I can say that about. He has got unique strengths. He is very good deeper, but I can definitely see him playing higher up as an 8 or a 10, because he is very good in central areas.  But he's also good wide, like he was for us at wide left. He's a very talented technical player and can do anything he wants with the ball. Those players are very precious."

  Despite the transfer noise, Anderson himself has remained grounded. In a recent interview with , he outlined his personal goals for the season.

  "My biggest aim this season is to add some numbers [goals and assists] to my performances, that will probably take me to the next level," he said. 

  "I’m focusing on the next game and then the game after that, to try and make an impact. But obviously, all eyes are on the World Cup."

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  Can Forest hold on to Anderson?

  Forest, meanwhile, have every intention of holding on to their prize asset. Anderson has been indispensable this season, playing every minute of Forest’s 10 fixtures. His current deal runs until June 2029, and his value has skyrocketed to around £75m ($100m), a fee that would make him one of the most expensive English midfielders ever. The club are well aware of the growing interest from top sides. Manchester City, Chelsea, and now Manchester United are all monitoring his situation closely. City are considering long-term midfield reinforcements as Rodri continues to struggle for full fitness, while Chelsea are being aggressive again in their pursuit of young English talent. 

Arsenal have been handed a Noni Madueke injury blow as Mikel Arteta receives some news about the in-form summer signing.

Noni Madueke subbed off half-time with injury in Man City draw

The England winger’s electric start to life in north London has attracted due praise, with Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera arguably standing out as Andrea Berta’s finest purchases thus far.

Arteta has started Madueke in five out of Arsenal’s first six games in all competitions so far, and the England international has repaid that faith by terrorising full-backs with his trickery, burst of pace and initiative in the final third.

Arsenal’s confirmed summer signings	Price tag
Kepa Arrizabalaga	£5m
Martin Zubimendi	£60m
Christian Norgaard	£15m
Noni Madueke	£52m
Cristhian Mosquera	£13m
Viktor Gyokeres	£55m
Eberechi Eze	£67.5m
Piero Hincapie	Loan

Just months ago, Gunners supporters were protesting the ex-Chelsea star’s arrival with a petition and ‘#NoToMadueke’ movement on social media platform X, but fast-forward to now, and those same fans are now very worried about a potential long-term injury for him.

Madueke has also shined for the Three Lions under Thomas Tuchel on international duty, and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville is among the critics to admit they’ve been left surprised by the 23-year-old’s excellent performances in an Arsenal shirt.

In place of the previously injured Bukayo Saka, Madueke dazzled on the right-wing, but Arteta now faces the prospect of being without him.

The former PSV Eindhoven forward was forced off at half-time in Arsenal’s dramatic 1-1 draw with Man City on Sunday, and there are some fears that Madueke may have suffered an ACL injury.

If that were the case, he’d face months on the sidelines, but luckily for Arteta, it appears his problem isn’t as serious as that.

That being said, he’s still set for a lengthy spell out.

Arsenal dealt Noni Madueke blow as David Ornstein shares news

The reliable David Ornstein reports that Madueke avoided an ACL tear, but will be unavailable for around two months with a knee injury, putting his return date during the November international break, meaning he could play against Tottenham on November 23.

While he is yet to get off the mark in terms of goals or assists, Madueke has been without question one of Arteta’s best players of the campaign so far, so this is undoubtedly a blow for Arsenal.

Noni Madueke form at Arsenal prompts Chelsea regret

The winger was Arsenal’s most threatening player in their 1-0 loss to Liverpool prior to the last international break, before he put in a Man of the Match display against Nottingham Forest at the Emirates, whilst also impressing in the first hour of their 5-0 win over Leeds United.

Arsenal’s new £150,000-per-week star is looking like the player who expensive flop Nicolas Pepe was supposed to be, except Madueke didn’t cost a seismic £72 million to bring in.

There are some suggestions that high-ranking Chelsea chiefs held reservations over selling Madueke to Arsenal, and so far, he’s shown exactly why.

Chelsea legend John Terry has found himself at the centre of social media ridicule after performing a rap with British artist ArrDee at the Baller League UK. The former Blues defender, who lifted 15 trophies with the club, was labelled "cringe" and "embarrassing" by fans following his appearance alongside the rapper during Monday night’s event.

• Terry’s rap shocks fans at Baller League

  Terry, one of Chelsea’s greatest ever players, made headlines this week after taking part in a musical performance during the Baller League UK, an indoor six-a-side competition that blends football with online entertainment and features content creators alongside former pros.

  The 44-year-old, who manages a team named the 26ers, joined ArrDee during the team's entrance for what appeared to be a playful diss track aimed at influencer Angry Ginge. Footage of the pair walking out together and performing quickly spread across social media, with many supporters expressing their disbelief at the sight of their former captain trying his hand at rap.

  Terry, who spent his entire 22-year playing career at Stamford Bridge and won the Premier League five times, appeared in good spirits during the performance, but the online reaction was the opposite, with sections of the Chelsea fanbase calling it "painful to watch" and questioning why a club legend would involve himself in such antics.

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• Social media reaction: ‘Cringe’, ‘embarrassing’, and ‘tops the slip’

  It didn’t take long for the clip to go viral, and fans across were quick to pile in with a mix of humour, disbelief, and second-hand embarrassment.

  One user, @saxon_davi67265, wrote: "He's topped his most embarrassing moment in his life of slipping in a Champions League final."

  Another, @ONLYONEWEEDA, admitted he felt incredibly uncomfortable watching the scenes unfold. He posted: "Jesus christ that was cringe"

  @NikBoReid simply added: "Embarrassing nonsense."

  Meanwhile, @jordymaui commented: “What the f*ck is this?", followed by several crying laughing emojis. 

  And @pusb1991 questioned those who watch the competition in the first place, adding: "Who watches this sh*te genuinely?".

  The negative wave of reaction didn’t stop there. On Reddit and other platforms, fans described the moment as "super cringe" and "hard to watch", while others urged Terry to "stick to coaching" instead of pursuing a career in the music industry.

• From captain to content creator

  While the reaction was mostly mocking, Terry’s involvement in the Baller League reflects his growing interest in football-based entertainment. The competition features former professionals, influencers, and content creators, mixing sport with live performances and plenty of viral moments. Terry has served as one of the Baller League’s headline figures since its launch, managing the 26ers team and making regular appearances in promotional content. His collaboration with ArrDee was clearly meant to be light-hearted, though it appears many fans took it less kindly.

  The former England international retired from playing in 2018 before moving into assistant coaching roles at Aston Villa and Leicester City. He’s also been open about his desire to one day manage Chelsea, describing it as his "final dream" in football.

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  Terry’s legacy damaged?

  Despite the backlash, Terry remains one of Chelsea’s most decorated figures, having made 717 appearances and captained the club to its first Champions League title in 2012. Yet, his off-pitch persona has often divided opinion, from controversial posts on social media to now, an unexpected rap performance.

  Some supporters took the criticism in stride, noting that the clip was likely meant to be fun and part of the Baller League’s entertainment approach. Others, though, saw it as another "PR own goal" for a figure who once embodied the club’s old-school toughness.

  The contrast between the former captain who lifted trophies under Jose Mourinho and the man rapping in a tracksuit beside ArrDee was too much for many to process. Although it is worth noting that the reaction the clip sparked on social media served its purpose. Terry will have been well aware that purist fans of the game will have picked up on his performance, and while he may face the brunt of the backlash, the moment draws more eyes to the Baller League.

All Major League Baseball teams are in action on Tuesday, making for a high volume day. 

The game that has my attention is the AL Central battle between the Royals and Guardians with Kansas City sending out potential American League Cy Young contender Seth Lugo in hopes of closing the gap in the division. 

Keep reading for more on that game as well as the 14 other games on the Major League Baseball slate! 

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Rays vs. Marlins Prediction and Pick

Pick: Marlins (+100)

Jesus Luzardo continues to thrive for the Marlins despite the team failing to compete this season. He draws a favorable matchup against the Rays, who are bottom 10 in the big leagues in terms of OPS against lefty pitchers. 

With a low total of 7.5, I’m inclined to take the home underdog. 

Dodgers vs. Pirates Prediction and Pick

Pick: Dodgers (-185)

Pirates rookie starter Jared Jones is trending in the wrong way, seeing his velocity and strikeout numbers dwindle as the season goes on. After posting an ERA of 2.86 in April, that number jumped to 3.99 in May. 

He now faces a Dodgers team that is second i OPS on the year and is tied for fifth in runs scored. The team simply has a ceiling that the Pirates lack, and the Dodgers will have its best pitcher in Tyler Glasnow (3.04 ERA) on the mound. 

I’ll grab Los Angeles at a reasonable price.

Royals vs. Guardians Prediction and Pick

Pick: Royals (+105)

Two of the most impressive teams in the big leagues this season meet in Cleveland, and I’m going to take the underdog Royals, who have one of the best pitchers in the sport on the mound. 

Seth Lugo has thrived in Kansas City this season, posting a 1.72 ERA with excellent command (sub-six percent) and allowing a ton of soft contact (38%). The Guardians are an elite hitting team, but the Royals out-pace the AL Central leaders, ranking eighth in OPS against while Cleveland is 11th. 

There’s not much separation between the two teams so I’ll take the underdogs. 

Brewers vs. Phillies Prediction and Pick

Pick: Phillies (-170)

I don’t trust Brewers starter Colin Rea, who has some ghastly underlying metrics, including an xERA that is a 5.48, far higher than his actual ERA of 3.77. 

A lot of his looming regression is due to the fact that Rea has a strikeout rate of just 16% this season, so balls are being put in play, making it more likely that a hit is generated. 

Against a Phillies team that is top five in OPS, I’ll trust the team to generate enough contact to plate enough runs and win at home. 

Mets vs. Nationals Prediction and Pick

Pick: Mets (-115)

David Peterson made his first start of the season last week against the Dodgers, so there’s not much of a sample size to go off of, but I like him in this matchup for him against the Nationals, who are 27th in OPS against left handed pitching. 

I’ll buy low on Peterson with a limited sample and for him to win in a coin flip matchup against the Nats. 

Twins vs. Yankees Prediction and Pick

Pick: Yankees (-185)

Luis Gil is the AL Rookie of the Year favorite, and pitching like a Cy Young for that matter. 

Gil is striking out 31% of batters, in the 92nd percentile per MLBStatcast, and has a 1.99 ERA. Batters haven’t been able to catch up to the rookie just yet, and he is backed by arguably the best lineup in baseball with the scorching Aaron Judge in the middle of the lineup. 

The former AL MVP is hitting .391 with 14 home runs and 27 RBI’s in the last 25 games for the Bronx Bombers. 

Orioles vs. Jays Prediction and Pick

Pick: Orioles (-170)

Baltimore is a worthwhile bet as road favorites with AL Cy Young favorite Corbin Burnes toeing the rubber. 

The former Brewers ace is on a roll in his first season with the Orioles, pitching to a 2.35 ERA through 12 starts in which the O’s are 8-4 in those starts. 

Toronto is simply ill equipped to keep up with innings eater Bowden Francis on the mound and an offense that is 25th in OPS over the last week. 

Braves vs. Red Sox Prediction and Pick

Pick: Braves (-170)

Max Fried has found his form, fresh off a May in which he had a 2.04 ERA across 35.1 innings pitched, tossing seven or more innings in four of five starts. 

He draws a limited Red Sox lineup that will be at a disadvantage on the mound as well. While Kutter Crawford has been solid this season, he is due for a drop-off as he has an ERA of 3.29 and an xERA of 3.71. 

I’ll trust the more reliable product to get it done in Fried and the Braves. 

Tigers vs. Rangers Prediction and Pick

Pick: Rangers (+100) 

Dane Dunning has some whacky numbers, including a career worst walk rate of 11% due to his increased focus on striking batters out (career high 27%), but the TIgers won’t challenge him with the team’s lack of discipline at the dish. 

Detroit is bottom 10 in walks drawn this season and 23rd in on-base percentage, so I believe Dunning’s ability to generate swings and misses, he is in the 88th percentile in whiff percentage, will be able to be the difference in this one. 

White Sox vs. Cubs Prediction and Pick

Pick: White Sox (+240)

The White Sox can’t hit lefties well at all, this is the worst hitting team in the big leagues against southpaws, but I can’t back the Cubs at this big of a number, even with NL Rookie of the Year favorite Shota Imanaga on the mound. 

I can’t trust Chicago with the team hitting this poor of late. Over the last 15 days, the Cubs are hitting only .217 as a unit and have dropped nine of 12 games in that stretch. 

The Cubs lineup doesn’t justify this price tag. 

Cardinals vs. Astros Prediction and Pick

Pick: Astros (-150)

Can Houston turn a corner? The team is still seven games under .500, but is hoping it can find its form in June, and the same can be said for its rookie right hander Spencer Arrighetti, who has a 5.98 ERA through nine starts. 

However, the rookie has an xERA of 4.29, indicating that some better results should be coming for him. Further, the Cardinals walk at about a league average rate, which can be impactful for Arrighetti, who has an 11% walk rate. 

Reds vs. Rockies Prediction and Pick

Pick: Rockies (+115)

The Reds can’t hit lefty pitching, full stop. The team is 23rd in batting average against southpaws, which negates some of its edge in a hitter friendly Coors Field against the Rockies. 

Padres vs. Angels Prediction and Pick

Pick: Padres (-115)

I’ll bet on Adam Mazur of the Padres in his big league debut on Tuesday against the sliding Angels, who have dropped four straight. 

While San Diego struggles to hit lefty pitching, 25th in OPS, that is priced in and I’ll play on the upside of Mazur, who has limited his walks to about 4% in Triple-A this season. 

Giants vs. Diamondbacks Prediction and Pick

Pick: Diamondbacks (-120)

In a battle of left handed pitchers, I’ll side with the Diamondbacks at home, who are far better at the plate against southpaws. 

Arizona is the fourth best hitting team against lefties while the Giants check in 11th. 

Both teams are bottom five in bullpen ERA so this game can be full of twists and turns, but I’ll trust Arizona at home at a small price. 

Mariners vs. Athletics Prediction and Pick

Pick: Athletics (+135)

Rookie Mitch Spence has done a little bit of everything for the A’s pitching staff this season, starting in three of 14 appearances on the year, but he has been promising nonetheless. 

Spence has posted a 3.52 ERA and should have even better results in the future with a 3.17 xERA with a great ability to limit hard contact, ranking in the 64th percentile in hard-hit percentage, per MLBStatcast. 

I’ll take a flier on the Athletics to knock off the Mariners.