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Football kits are becoming somewhat of a fashion item nowadays. Fans eagerly await the release of their club's new strip but also many on the continent, as the shirt collectors community continues to grow.

Retro jerseys are some of the most sought-after items in football, and Aston Villa have certainly been a part of the craze. The West Midlanders have had their fair share of quirky kits in years gone by and today at Football FanCast, we've decided to rank some of their best efforts.

12

2008/09 Home

Nike

This Nike-made classic was donned during Villa's 2008/09 sixth-placed finish. The jersey just screams Ashley Young and the flying winger enjoyed a fantastic campaign wearing it, scoring nine goals whilst laying on 11 assists.

It's quite a simplistic design, but that makes for a clean look, and even right down to the sponsor, it's pleasing to the eye. The iconic Barclays Premier League badge on the sleeve is worth noting, too.

The blue crew-neck collar breaks up the claret pleasantly and it's certainly deserving of a place in our rankings.

11

1998/99 Away

Reebok

Reebok designed a beauty with this one. The collar is a lovely feature and adds a touch of class to the strip, which was sported during John Gregory's four-year stint in charge.

He guided his side to a sixth-placed finish and took them to the second round of the UEFA Cup before suffering a 3-2 aggregate defeat to Spanish outfit Celta Vigo.

Julian Joachim ended the campaign as the club's top scorer with 15 in all competitions following his move from Leicester City two years prior.

Stan Collymore, pictured above, was shipped out on loan to Fulham at the end of the season after managing just one league goal.

10

1997/98 Home

Reebok

Another super strip designed by Reebok enters our rankings. This number was sported during a rocky season for the Lions. When Brian Little resigned as boss in February 1998, the club were sat in 15th before John Gregory influenced a late run which saw his side eventually finish in seventh.

There are a couple of quirks about this kit that make it stand out – the bolder blue on the sleeves and the bordering on the crest handing this effort a cool, unique look.

9

2018/19 Home

Luke 1977

This Luke 1977-made home number has a really sophisticated look about it. The subtle V-neck collar paired with the blue trim on the sleeves makes for a clean and solid home kit.

It was donned during Aston Villa's last season in the Championship, as they gained promotion by defeating Derby County 2-1 in the play-off final to end a three-year absence from the top flight.

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8

1993-95 Home

Asics

A super effort by Asics, here.

The blue pinstripes are a distinctive quirk, and it pairs well with the claret panels. Meanwhile, the Muller sponsor, although prominent, actually fits the strip well.

Dwight Yorke, pictured above, sported this fashionable retro design under the management of Ron Atkinson and Brian Little. He scored eight league goals across two seasons sporting the kit, which included their League Cup final victory in 1994 over Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United at Wembley.

7

1992/93 Home

Umbro

Now this one is a proper 90s kit… the lacing that replaced the collar was a very popular feature on football shirts during this period. They were initially used during the early 1900s to eradicate buttons as designers felt the lacing would be more comfortable for the players, and Umbro decided to bring back the design in the early 90s.

Aston Villa were one of those sides that had laced jerseys, and the manufacturers created this classic using the unique feature. Dean Saunders, pictured above, enjoyed a prolific season sporting this masterpiece.

The first Premier League campaign saw the Villans dominant for much of it and well in the race to win the title. They sat at the summit of the table with six games remaining of the season but ultimately fell short to Manchester United.

6

2010/11 Away

Nike

The claret and blue checkered pattern on the side of the strip is a fantastic addition to what is a stunning away jersey, donned by former attacking midfielder Barry Bannan, who now plies his trade at Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship.

Even the sponsor, which can often be a hindrance to the aesthetic of football jerseys, is a nice touch, with the red pairing beautifully with the solid black throughout. A fantastic effort from Nike, here.

That season, Martin O'Neill resigned as manager five days before the start of the season due to a broken relationship with the chairman and frustrations over transfer funds. Villa would have a testing campaign and finished in the bottom half, but at least they looked good doing it.

5

2020/21 Away

Kappa

Former Villa skipper Jack Grealish, pictured above, sports this classy away strip. The Kappa-made kit displays a lovely contrast of black and blue, and the subtle claret detailing on the collar is another fantastic feature.

Having only just survived relegation on the final day of the previous campaign, the Villans enjoyed a solid year under Dean Smith as they finished 11th on 55 points – their best tally in the Premier League since 2010.

4

2000/01 Home

Diadora

Diadora designed a fabulous home strip here, sported by former Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur winger David Ginola in the image above.

The blue V-neck collar breaks up the claret pleasantly, whilst the sponsor is quite a nice splash of colours on this trendy retro number.

That year, Villa were looking like a true force up until the end of October, when they totally fell away, winning one of the following 11 games.

3

Third kit 2022/23

This third kit is quite a beauty. The pops of electrifying yellow paired with the black base create a dynamic look, and one that just had to make our list. It's very rare a modern-day kit can compete with retro classics of the past, but Castore did just that.

Not to mention, Villa enjoyed a terrific campaign sporting it. Unai Emery, after replacing Steven Gerrard as gaffer, steered his side away from relegation danger to a seventh-placed finish, just one point adrift of sixth-placed Brighton and Hove Albion, who occupied the final Europa League spot.

Emery turned a relegation-threatened side into one of the form teams in the country.

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Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola explained how a 'misunderstanding' with the referee led to his yellow card against Liverpool.

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• Iraola booked against Liverpool
• Faced a touchline ban after three bookings
• Reds thrashed Bournemouth 3-0

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Cherries suffered a thrashing defeat at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday as Liverpool rode on Luis Diaz's brace and Darwin Nunez's strike to register a 3-0 victory. During the game, Bournemouth boss Iraola was booked for a touchline protest which has led to him being suspended for the club's next league clash.

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  After the game, the Spaniard explained how a 'misunderstanding' with referee Tony Harrington led to his wrongful booking. The 42-year-old claimed that Harrington thought that he was demanding a yellow card for one of Arne Slot's men, while in reality he was only pointing out that Darwin Nunez was in an offside position before closing in on his defender Milos Kerkez.

• WHAT ANDONI IRAOLA SAID

  Speaking to after the match, the manager said: "There has been a misunderstanding. They booked me because I asked for a yellow card, and I was asking just for offside. They [the players] haven’t done one foul, nothing, to ask for a yellow card. He told me: ‘You cannot ask for a yellow card’.

  "I asked for an offside because he doesn’t go for the ball but after he goes to press, Darwin, from the offside position, and we have to play back to the keeper. I think the referee doesn’t want to stop it, he leaves it go, but it is bad for us, you know? It’s not an advantage for us and I was asking: ‘No, no, it’s offside, give us the offside’, that’s what I was asking. He told me straight away: ‘You cannot ask for a yellow card’. I know, already, I have paid my price in the season before, I know I cannot do this, but I hope we can overturn it."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR BOURNEMOUTH?

  The former Rayo Vallecano boss was earlier booked against Chelsea and Newcastle. Having been cautioned thrice now, Iraola won't be allowed to sit in the Cherries' dugout in their next Premier League outing against Southampton on September 30.

UFC legend Conor McGregor enjoyed a kickabout at the Emirates with Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka after Arsenal's win over Paris Saint-Germain.

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• Arsenal beat PSG 2-0 in Champions League
• McGregor enjoys post-match kickabout on the pitch
• Links up with Gunners stars Rice and Saka

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  First-half goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka secured Arsenal a 2-0 Champions League win at home to PSG on Tuesday night. Spirits were clearly high as Saka and team-mate Rice were filmed, courtesy of footage from journalist Julien Laurens, having a knock-about with Irishman McGregor – who evidently loved his chance to play on the Gunners' turf.

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  This was a statement performance from Arsenal, who, arguably, announced themselves on the European stage this season. This display even prompted winger Saka to say "this is the year" Arsenal will end their 21-year wait for a Premier League title.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side return to Premier League action on Saturday afternoon at home to bottom of the table Southampton. The Gunners sit third in the division, one point adrift of early pace setters Liverpool.

Celtic head into a game this weekend, for possibly the first time, without any stress or pressure as they prepare to take on St Mirren at Parkhead this afternoon.

The Hoops secured the Scottish Premiership title with a sublime 5-0 success over Kilmarnock away from Glasgow last time out, which means that there is nothing riding on the clash today.

This means that Brendan Rodgers and his team can go out and enjoy the team before their preparation for the SFA Cup final with Rangers at Hampden Park later this month.

The Northern Irish boss, therefore, has a chance to make changes to his team to offer squad players an opportunity to get some minutes on the pitch.

With this in mind, Rodgers must finally unleash Luis Palma from the start over Daizen Maeda on the left flank against St Mirren today.

Daizen Maeda's performance against Kilmarnock

The Japan international produced a fantastic performance against Kilmarnock last time out in the Premiership, as the Hoops sealed the league title in emphatic fashion.

Maeda scored from close range, from Alistair Johnston's superb ball across the box, and then slide the ball over for James Forrest to score during the first half.

As you can see in the table above, the right-footed winger enjoyed an excellent evening on Wednesday night as he chipped in with a goal and an assist in the 5-0 win.

Rodgers must now drop him to the bench for this clash with St Mirren, though, in order to provide Palma with a chance to showcase his quality.

The league has already been won and Maeda could be given a rest, at least from the start, to keep him fresh for the SFA Cup final next week.

Why Luis Palma should start for Celtic

The Honduras international has only started four league games since the turn of the year and his last start for the club in the division came against Kilmarnock in February.

With the title already won, Rodgers has the freedom to bring him back into the XI in the hope that he can rediscover the form he showed during the first half of the campaign for Celtic.

The 24-year-old star, who former Hoops man Peter Grant lauded as a "real threat", had enjoyed a terrific first half of the season in the Premiership.

In 13 league starts – 16 appearances in total – for the club in 2023, Palma had contributed with an eye-catching five goals and nine assists – more than one goal contribution per start on average.

The 5 foot 10 wizard has created 13 'big chances' in 17 Premiership starts overall this season for Celtic, which speaks to the creative quality he has the potential to provide.

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His one goal and zero assists in the league in 2024 is a poor return, however, and Rodgers could now give him a chance to bounce back to form with a start in a pressureless game against St Mirren, which would then allow Maeda to have a breather on the bench.

Finishing 14th in the Premier League, Wolverhampton Wanderers completed a successful first season under Gary O'Neil's stewardship, but the tactician knows that there is work to be done after a tepid finish to the year.

Wolves fizzled out, suffering from a host of injuries and the early security of a mid-table finish, winning just one of their final ten top-flight fixtures.

Having profited immensely from a range of player sales last summer, Wolves are in an enviable position vis-a-vis Profit and Sustainability rules, though with Pedro Neto attracting interest from Manchester City and valued at £60m, O'Neil might find the means to launch a marquee move.

Wolves eyeing audacious bid

According to a report from Caught Offside earlier this week, Wolves are preparing to fight against AC Milan and Crystal Palace for the signing of Sporting CP star Pedro Goncalves, who has been valued at a whopping €80m (£68m).

Goncalves has emerged as one of the most exciting attacking midfielders outside of Europe's top five leagues under Ruben Amorim, and while the aforementioned price tag would prove unaffordable for Wolves, rival suitors are also unwilling and O'Neil will hope that a certain point of interest will swing the odds in his favour.

Why Pedro Goncalves could be a "superstar" at Wolves

In 2019, Wolves sold Goncalves to Famalicao for a fee in the region of £1m after he managed just one senior appearance under Nuno Espirito Santo, though his exploits in Portugal speak of the quality that has now established him as a "dangerous" player, according to Portuguese football expert Tom Kundert.

This season, the 25-year-old Portugal international scored 18 goals and added 17 assists across all competitions as Sporting triumphed in Liga Portugal, featuring on both flanks and in a central attacking midfield position to underscore his protean threat.

To emphasise just how impressive his skill set is: as per FBref, the 5 foot 8 star ranks among the top 11% of attacking midfielders and wingers across divisions similar to Liga Portugal over the past year for goals scored and the top 3% for assists per 90, highlighting the world-class offensive sheen that could see Wolves reach new heights.

Given Goncalves' attacking midfield position and his place in the Sporting team, Wolves could even get their hands on the next version of Bruno Fernandes by completing this stunning swoop, with the Manchester United talisman joining Old Trafford from the Portuguese side in an initial £47m deal in January 2020.

Hailed as an "incredible" player by Wayne Rooney after his FA Cup final-winning contribution against Manchester City in May, the 29-year-old has been a pillar of strength and style throughout an often-turbulent period in the Theatre of Dreams' history, but he ranks among the top 6% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 4% for passes attempted and the top 2% for progressive passes per 90.

Goncalves has actually been dubbed 'the next Bruno Fernandes' in his homeland after succeeding his countryman in his old position at his old outfit, but the table above proves that such similarities are aptly drawn.

Both players are creative and varied in their attacking approach, also active in defensive phases and proving to be influential across the board. Goncalves has even been hailed as a “superstar” by journalist Jack Collins for his performances.

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Sure, the Red Devils phenom is performing to a higher standard, but this is hardly to the discredit of Goncalves' skill set – Fernandes is simply one of the elite of his kind.

Hansi Flick dropped Jules Kounde from Barcelona's starting line-up against Alaves for disciplinary reasons, it has been revealed.

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• Kounde dropped against Alaves
• Flick took disciplinary action
• Lewandowski netted hat-trick in Barca's win

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The German manager made just one change to the Barcelona line-up that beat Young Boys 3-0 in the Champions League last week as he introduced Hector Fort in the right-back position in place of Kounde on Sunday. It was the first time that the French defender had been left out of the starting XI all season.

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  While many believed that Kounde has been given a much-needed break, in reality, Flick decided to drop the player on disciplinary grounds, according to. The defender reportedly did not turn up for their pre-game team meeting on time, which led to his punishment on the matchday. The former Bayern Munich coach has been very particular about punctuality and has reportedly warned several players in the squad regarding maintaining discipline.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Robert Lewandowski netted a hat-trick as the Catalan giants comprehensively beat their hosts 3-0 to extend their lead to three points over arch-rivals Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. Despite missing out on a starting line-up spot, Kounde was eventually brought into the game in the 67th minute.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

  La Liga's leaders will be back in action after the international break as they play host to Sevilla on October 20. Kounde will be determined to demonstrate his discipline in the build-up to that encounter.

The 2023/24 season was not as fruitful for Manchester United as many fans would no doubt have hoped. The Red Devils arguably went backwards compared to their successes in the previous campaign, something that almost cost manager Erik ten Hag his job.

However, following the season review commissioned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the Dutchman was kept in his post as United manager.

Last season, United finished in a very disappointing eighth in the Premier League. They ended on 60 points, the same as seventh-place Newcastle United, but finished lower than the Magpies due to their far inferior goal difference of minus one, compared to Newcastle’s plus 23.

Although they finished out of the spots for an automatic European qualification spot, United will still play continental football next season; their historic FA Cup final victory over Manchester City ensured they will play in next season’s Europa League. Goals from academy graduates Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo made sure of that.

Ten Hag will no doubt be desperate to improve on last season’s standings, and United will certainly dip into the transfer market to add to their squad. They have recently been linked with one Premier League star who could bolster their attacking options.

Man Utd target Premier League striker

The player in question here is Brentford and England international striker Ivan Toney. The 28-year-old has struggled to find his feet at times since returning from an eight-month ban for gambling, but could still be in for a big move over the summer.

As per a report from The Independent earlier this week, Toney is one of three centre-forwards on United’s 'striking shortlist' this summer. Ideally, the Red Devils are looking to strengthen the options up front and reduce the workload on young 2023 summer signing Rasmus Hojlund.

The report outlined that the England international is 'expected to leave Brentford over the summer and that Toney is 'reluctant to sign a new deal' at the Gtech Community Stadium. This has put United on high alert, and Ten Hag’s side could look to try and sign Toney as a result. However, he is not the only player on their shortlist, with Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee and Lille’s Jonathan David as their other two options.

According to a recent report from talkSPORT, the Bees have slashed their asking price for Toney. The England international was valued at £80m, but Brentford will likely ask for £60m, with anything less likely to be refused. United are not the only side interested, with Arsenal also thought to be considering a move for Toney, as per TalkSport.

How Toney could fit in at Man Utd

Despite struggling to find the back of the net since his return to football in January, there is no doubt that Toney is a superb striker. Football analyst H described him on X as “the real deal” in 2022, before going on to explain that the England international is “the perfect modern CF” in the same post.

Indeed, Toney will likely be disappointed with his Premier League return in 2023/24. In 17 games, he scored just four times and registered two assists. Those four goals came in his first five appearances since returning from his ban. He did get on the score sheet against Tottenham and Liverpool in two of those games.

However, the striker has got a superb record in league football since the 2018/19 season. In that time, he has scored 107 times, hitting double figures every time aside from the most recent campaign. He is someone who knows where the back of the net is, which is exactly what United need. He has also maintained his form in progressive higher divisions, showing how lethal he can be against the best.

If there is one thing Toney will add to this United side, it is goals. Despite a tough season, his quality is undeniable. In 2022/23, his 20 Premier League goals were bettered by only Erling Haaland with 36 goals, and Harry Kane with 30 goals. He is an elite goalscorer who possesses elite movement and killer instinct in the penalty box. Based on that, he could be the ideal candidate to partner with Hojlund.

In terms of his profile, Toney could be exactly what United need to complement Hojlund. Many believe that the young Denmark striker has been misused by Ten Hag so far, having been asked to hold the ball up lots and play with his back to goal. In actual fact, his strength lies in running the channels in behind opposition defences.

This was something that football analyst Adam Bate pointed out in an article for Sky Sports. He highlighted that Hojlund prefers to be 'finding space with his movement' rather than holding up play to help teammates around him.

Instead, this is something that Toney could help add to United’s squad. In a separate post discussing the England international in May 2023, H explained on X that he is one of the very best “back to goal” strikers in the Premier League. He also added that Toney has “so many tools when holding up the play” which make him so effective.

Statistically, this can be reflected in some of his passing numbers from last season in the Premier League. According to FBref, the Englishman averaged 1.12 passes into the penalty area per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the top 21%, 0.31 through balls, placing him in the top 15% and 2.48 progressive passes per 90.

This shows how comfortable Toney is at dropping deeper, holding up play and then finding passes to teammates ahead of him. He would excel with runners such as Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Garnacho in behind him, and he could well bring out the best in those players.

However, it is not just the way he holds the ball up which can help his teammates. Note the above goal from Brentford striker Neal Maupay against Manchester City. The way Toney uses his body to shield the ball from Nathan Ake and allow Maupay to run onto and score is extremely effective. He has not touched the ball once in this phase of play but is able to create a chance for Maupay using his upper body strength and game intelligence.

Whilst it may be a move straight from the training ground, he has the skill to execute it at the first time of trying. Imagine Rashford running into that ball. It is an extremely effective scoring method, which only works with a profile like Toney. It really showcases just how smart the 28-year-old is.

For a fee of around £60m, signing Toney could be a masterstroke from Ratcliffe. He brings guaranteed goals, a unique profile that the squad lacks, and could bring the best out of Marcus Rashford. Toney could be the centre-forward who helps return United to the top of English football.

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Jun 14, 2024

Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he rejected Arsenal and Tottenham before joining the Red Devils.

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• Ferguson reveals he turned down Man Utd's rivals
• Arsenal, Tottenham and Wolves tried hiring him
• Aberdeen chairman Donald's warning revealed

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ferguson joined Manchester United from Aberdeen in 1986 and went on to become a club and Premier League legend during his 27-year stint as the Red Devils' head coach. The Scottish manager won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues and five FA Cups during his time at Old Trafford and is widely considered one of the greatest coaches of all time.

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  Ferguson has now revealed that he had the opportunity to move down to England earlier than 1986 as he had received interest from Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers. However, he was told by then-Aberdeen chairman Dick Donald to only leave if United came calling.

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  WHAT FERGUSON SAID

  Speaking to Ally McCoist on , Ferguson said: "I turned down Arsenal, I turned down Wolverhampton Wanderers and I turned down Tottenham. The reasons were that Dick Donald… I said to him one day ‘maybe it’s time (to leave)'. He says, ‘don’t talk like that, you’ve got a great setup up here, you should only go to one club – Man Utd’. So I never budged until that came along."

  When asked if heading to Old Trafford was a straightforward decision, Ferguson replied: "Absolutely. I couldn’t get there quick enough."

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• WHAT NEXT FOR FERGUSON?

  The 82-year-old legend was recently let go of by United's new ownership from his position upstairs at the club in an attempt to cut costs.

West Ham United are on the hunt for further attacking additions after Luis Guilherme and have reportedly held talks for a £30m striker.

West Ham transfer rumours

Technical director Tim Steidten pushed for West Ham to sign Guilherme from Palmeiras, with the winger officially becoming the club’s first arrival of the Julen Lopetegui era. Speaking after securing a move for the teenager, Steidten was full of praise for Guilherme:

“We are really happy that Luis Guilherme is now a West Ham United player. He is a very exciting young talent who we have followed for some time, and once we became aware that he was available, Julen and I were determined to bring him to London.”

“This is a very important signing for us – we’ve worked hard across the Club, working closely with the Board, to secure Luis’s signature. We know how the tough the Premier League is, and we want a squad that is competitive next season, but also to find the balance of ensuring that we plan for the longer-term future. Exciting young players like Luis Guilherme will help us to reach those goals.”

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After Guilherme, West Ham want more in the final third, with bids made for former Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha, now at Galatasaray, and Colombian forward Jhon Arias at Fluminense. An opening offer for Zaha was thought to be worth £6m, whereas a total package for Arias could rise to around £13m. Neither deal has been sealed as of yet, which has led the Hammers to a striker currently at the Copa America.

West Ham hold Jonathan David talks

According to HITC, West Ham officials have held talks over a move to sign Jonathan David from Lille this summer. The Irons aren’t the only Premier League side keen, though, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham also holding conversations. David, a Canada international, has just 12 months remaining on his deal with the Ligue 1 side and is open to leaving this summer.

The report adds that clubs feel a deal worth no more than £30m would be enough to sign David, with Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle also making contact but not holding talks. It appears as if there’s a real chance David will move to England ahead of the 2024/25 campaign after scoring 84 goals in 183 appearances for Lille since 2020.

He’s understandably come in for praise during that time, with Zach Lowy hailing him as an “absolutely massive” player for Lille and Thierry Henry saying:

“When you have a player like Jonathan David, who runs the way he does, in behind. His directness. Don’t ask him to come to play or assist because he has none this season. If he sees the centre-back dropping, then he will go in behind. But as soon as he sees there is a gap, he will run and he is also pretty strong too and he loves contacts.”

Manchester United players did not apportion any blame towards Erik ten Hag for their latest Premier League defeat at the hands of West Ham.

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• Man Utd blaming themselves for latest defeat
• Missed chances & penalty drama decisive
• Ten Hag not under the spolight for result

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  While Ten Hag's style of play and tactics have come under scrutiny in recent months, the has reported that the main source of frustration for United players at full-time at the London Stadium was wayward finishing in front of goal. The players were also upset with the decision to award the Hammers a decisive late penalty following a VAR review, but were well aware that they should have been out of sight much earlier in the game with the amount of chances missed. Ten Hag was not in the firing line on this occasion.

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  Diogo Dalot was guilty of missing the best chance, taking the ball past Lukasz Fabianski but then blasting it over the bar. But Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund also couldn't take opportunities that came their way. Casemiro got an 81st-minute equaliser to cancel out Crysencio Summerville's West Ham opener, before Jarrod Bowen won it controversially from the penalty spot in stoppage time. The incident appeared to be nothing more than a coming together, with United players in shock when it was flagged by VAR and apoplectic when the on-field decision was overturned to award a game-winning spot-kick.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Manchester United sit 14th in the Premier League table, having lost four and won only three of their opening nine fixtures in the competition. They are yet to win consecutive league games in 2024-25 and are the same numbers of points above the relegation zone as they are away from the Champions League qualifying places.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

  Ten Hag has said more than once that he will only start worrying about a dearth of goals when his team stops creating chances, but squandering opportunities is itself a major issue given that it has been a recurring theme already this season. Immediate attention now turns to the Carabao Cup with the visit of Leicester City on Wednesday, but it's quickly back to the Premier League with Chelsea arriving at Old Trafford on November 3.