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Before December, Eddie Howe's worst-ever period at Newcastle United came right at the beginning of his tenure, as his side picked up merely five points from a possible 21 in his first seven matches in the St. James' dugout.

However, after spending around £400m throughout his spell in charge, the Magpies have now lost seven of their last eight matches in all competitions and Monday's defeat at Anfield against Premier League leaders Liverpool piled further pressure on the manager.

Newcastle's 4/10 man was a bigger villain than Dan Burn vs Liverpool

Newcastle have now suffered seven defeats in their last eight games in all competitions.

By
Adam Scully

Jan 2, 2024

Nevertheless, with the January window now open, Howe could add to his squad in an attempt to stop the rot and has reportedly set his sights on one player from a league rival.

Newcastle United transfer news – Andrey Santos

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Newcastle United have enquired to Chelsea about midfielder Andrey Santos, who is currently out on loan at relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest. It was previously reported that Chelsea were unhappy with the Brazilian's lack of minutes at the City Ground and were set to recall him from his loan this month, with the Magpies keen to bring him to the club.

After completing his move to Stamford Bridge last year for £18m from Vasco da Gama, Santos was sent out on loan to the Tricky Trees during the summer to acclimatise to English football. However, the youngster has played merely 97 minutes this season for Forest, including just seven minutes in the Premier League. Santos' last appearance for his loan club came away at Anfield back in October.

Now, the 19-year-old could be recalled from his disappointing stint in Nottinghamshire and may be an astute signing for Newcastle, particularly on loan as Howe recently admitted that FFP will be a constraint for the side this winter, meaning dipping into the loan market could be the way forward.

Andrey Santos' stats comparison vs Sean Longstaff

Newcastle's midfield has been a problem area for the club this season. This department has been left quite bare in recent months due to injuries and suspensions to the likes of Joelinton and Sandro Tonali, leaving Howe hamstrung with his decision to constantly deploy Sean Longstaff in the middle of the park. The boyhood Geordie has made 24 appearances in all competitions already this term.

The problem is, since Tonali was handed a season-ending suspension early into the campaign, Howe has been forced to keep Bruno Guimaraes in a deeper position as Newcastle's holding midfielder which has caused the creative and goalscoring burden to fall onto Longstaff. Unfortunately, the 26-year-old has managed merely five goal contributions this season, including three goals and two assists.

While Santos has yet to register an assist in his professional career, the 5 foot 11 teenager has still outscored Longstaff and was outperforming the latter's output from this term in several key metrics from his time with Vasco da Gama, particularly from a defensive standpoint.

While Longstaff has proven himself to be more productive in the attacking phase, Santos' defensive nous would be more beneficial for Howe's team, who conceded a Premier League record 7.27 xG against Liverpool on Monday, to be more resilient out of possession, hence why football scout Jacek Kulig once described Santos as a "pressing machine".

Having Guimaraes as the deep-lying playmaker, supported by Santos and Joelinton could be more advantageous for Newcastle right now.

Compared to all other number '8s' in Europe's top-five leagues this season, Joelinton ranks in the top 20% for tackles won per 90, the top 15% for interceptions per 90 and the top 17% for blocks per 90, having been converted into a box-to-box midfielder by Howe back in 2021.

Howe could potentially repeat this masterclass by signing another Brazilian gem – Santos – on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

Newcastle United are interested in signing a highly-rated "athletic" Championship starlet who "likes a tackle", according to a fresh transfer update.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies have been linked with so many players of late, although it is bizarrely outgoing January transfer business dominating the recent headlines, amid their unpredictable form in the Premier League.

Rennes midfielder Desire Doue is believed to be of interest, with the youngster seen as a prodigious talent, while Everton ace Amadou Onana appears to be considered a good option to come in and make up for the absence of the injured Joelinton, albeit an expensive one. The middle of the park does look to be an area that the Magpies are keen on strengthening in, with Bournemouth's Philip Billing another individual who is reportedly being looked at, too.

There are also potentially significant departures on the cards at St James' Park this month, with Bayern Munich still pushing to complete the signing of the hugely popular and influential Kieran Trippier. It remains to be seen if he will leave, but it is a concerning siuation, and striker Callum Wilson is also wanted by Atletico Madrid before the end of the month, while Miguel Almiron is strongly linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.

Newcastle want Jordan James

According to an update from Corriere Della Sera [via Sport Witness], Newcastle are interested in signing Birmingham City youngster Jordan James.

Fellow Premier League clubs Brighton and Brentford are also believed to be keen on snapping up the 19-year-old, while Championship side West Brom are also in the mix. James could be a brilliant long-term purchase by Newcastle, considering he is seen as one of the brightest players that Wales have produced recently, being lauded by current international boss Rob Page:

"He reads the game well, he’s athletic, he likes a tackle, he can pass the ball, he can head it. He ticks a lot of boxes; he has got everything. He is a great lad and he wants to work hard. He has got potential and we’re going to help him achieve that."

This outlines what a talent he James is, and he could be viewed as a fantastic long-term prospect who could end up becoming a genuine star at Newcastle. He has spoken about his friendship with Real Madrid and England superstar Jude Bellingham in the past, having played together at Birmingham, so he may have learned a trick or two from the now world class midfielder:

“Jude? He wasn’t a bad player. He would run the most, run through everyone. I know his mess-around side, the football banter. The brothers are big personalities in the dressing room and like to crack jokes."

Newcastle set to submit offer for highly-rated prodigious midfield ace

His name has previously been “on everyone’s lips” at his current club.

ByHenry Jackson Jan 21, 2024

James already has eight caps for Wales, despite still being so young, so he isn't simply one for the future, and could immediately be a solid squad player for Eddie Howe.

England cricketer Shoaib Bashir used Cole Palmer's signature 'cold' celebration after he scalped West Indies' Alick Athanaze's wicket.

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• Bashir takes 5-41 against West Indies
• Hit Palmer's celebration after wicket
• Woakes also joins in on the celebration

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Bashir was on fire on Day Four of England's second test match against West Indies at Trent Bridge as he put up figures of five for 41 in the second inning. He picked up the wicket of Athanaze with a ripper that took the edge of the West Indian's bat and found its way to Joe Root's hand. Bashir immediately hit Palmer's cold celebration along with Chris Woakes.

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  Palmer's celebration has become a global sensation with a number of athletes having used the Chelsea forward's trademark. Earlier this month, Chelsea-bound Palmeiras wonderkid Estevao 'Messinho' Willian also hit the 'cold' trademark following his goal against Juventude in Brazil's Serie A.

• WHAT NEXT FOR BASHIR AND PALMER?

  The 21-year-old spinner will return to action when England Cricket take on West Indies for the final test match at Edgbaston as they push to try and qualify for the World Test Championship final over Australia and India. As for Palmer, the 22-year-old will soon join up with Chelsea for their pre-season tour.

MatériaMais Notícias

da fazobetai： A temporada 2020/21 ainda não acabou e o Verdão já pensa em reforços para a equipe principal. Segundo apurou o LANCE!/NOSSO PALESTRA, o Palmeiras se aproxima da contratação do atacante argentino Valentin ‘Taty’ Castellanos.

>> Confira a classificação atualizada do Brasileirão e faça sua simulação
>> Palmeiras faz mudanças no uniforme para a disputa do Mundial; veja fotos

O L!/NP conversou com fontes ligadas ao jogador que confirmam que a negociação se encaminha para um empréstimo com opção de compra. Os valores, no entanto, ainda são mantidos sob sigilo.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasPalmeiras conta com retrospecto ruim de mexicanos no Mundial para chegar na finalPalmeiras05/02/2021PalmeirasTorcedor que fez tatuagem de Abel abre o coração sobre relação de amor com o PalmeirasPalmeiras05/02/2021PalmeirasPalmeiras x Tigres-MEX: saiba onde assistirPalmeiras05/02/2021

da realsbet： Valentin, embora seja argentino, iniciou sua carreira profissional com as cores da Universidad do Chile, em 2017. Atualmente, o jogador de 22 anos disputa a MLS pelo New York City, equipe que já teve nomes como Andrea Pirlo em seu elenco. Na última temporada, atuando nos Estados Unidos, o atacante jogou 29 partidas e participou diretamente de nove gols (sete tentos e duas assistências).

Enquanto negocia com o Taty Castellanos, o Palmeiras está concentrado no Catar, onde disputará o Mundial de Clubes. O Verdão entra em campo, pela semifinal da competição, no próximo domingo (07), às 15h (horário de Brasília), contra o Tigres, do México.

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Rasmus Hojlund has opened up on his admiration for Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and the hard work that has driven his career. The Napoli striker, back in Serie A after two seasons at Manchester United, highlighted Erling Haaland and Viktor Gyokeres as the world’s best behind CR7. Hojlund also reflected on his early sporting life, and ambitions at Napoli.

• Cristiano Ronaldo as a role model

  Despite rocketing to global fame by joining United in a whopping £72 million ($92m) deal in 2023 after an impressive spell in Serie A with Atalanta. However, the Denmark international was unable to live up to the demands of the number nine role at Old Trafford, and soon saw his hopes of leading the attack under Ruben Amorim fade. The 22-year-old had initially resisted pressure to leave the Red Devils in the summer transfer window, but eventually relented by returning to Serie A to join Napoli on an initial loan deal. 

  Those struggles will not keep him down, though, as he takes inspiration from his idol Ronaldo to overcome any doubts about his quality. He told "In my career, I've never felt like the most talented player in the group, even though you have to be a top-notch striker to play for United or Napoli. But I've always had to work harder than others, and I'm aware of that. That's why Cristiano is my idol: he always wants to improve and works hard to become better."

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  Hojlund names Haaland & Gyokeres among his favourites

  Alongside Ronaldo, Hojlund highlighted his admiration for Manchester City hero Haaland and Gerd Muller Trophy winner Gyokeres, both of whom he considers among the very best in the world. New Arsenal signing Gyokeres won the coveted award at the Ballon d'Or ceremony on Monday after a strong 54-goal season for Sporting CP and Sweden.

  Asked for his favourite players beyond Ronaldo, he said: "In my opinion, the best players in the world are Cristiano Ronaldo, Haaland, [Robert] Lewandowski, and Gyokeres. In Serie A, I'd choose [Romelu] Lukaku, [Dusan] Vlahovic, Lautaro Martinez, and then there's me, Rasmus."

• Adaptation to Serie A and immediate impact

  Settling quickly at Napoli, Hojlund made an instant impact, scoring on his debut in a 3-1 victory over Fiorentina. Napoli’s strong start to the 2025–26 season, topping Serie A with 12 points after four matches, has highlighted his integration into the squad. The Danish striker emphasised the differences between leagues, saying: "[Serie A] is still the same as I remembered it from my season with Atalanta. The football here is very tactical, with lots of man-on-man duels. In the Premier League, however, the pace is a bit higher: everyone is fast, strong, and physically explosive. If I had to point out one difference between the two leagues, it's precisely that."

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  AC Milan test up next for Hojlund and Napoli

  While, the next test for him is surely going to be challenging as Napoli line up against an AC Milan team that includes Luka Modric and Adrien Rabiot on September 28. The reigning champions are leading the Serie A table, but the Rossoneri are just three points behind.

His position as Pakistan’s chief coach doesn’t seem to be in any kind of threat at the moment

Umar Farooq11-Jan-2021

Misbah-ul-Haq has played down talk of his days as head coach of the Pakistan team being numbered, saying that stakeholders in Pakistan cricket need to avoid “being reactive”. He added that he is hoping that the PCB cricket committee’s summons to him and Waqar Younis is only a discussion to help improve Pakistan cricket and not much more.Misbah has a three-year contract with the PCB but his position – first as chief selector and chief coach and now as only the latter – has come in for scrutiny often in the recent past as losses have piled up for the team, most recently in New Zealand. When the PCB cricket committee meets him on Tuesday, it will be the second review of Misbah’s performance in three months. ESPNcricinfo understands that the review is a routine affair that broadly covers 2020-21 domestic and international season.”There is scrutiny and then there is an analysis of any series, which is how it should be, and I don’t mind it,” Misbah told a press conference at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Monday. “But obviously there shouldn’t be any communication gap. We need confidence and continuity with no uncertainty.”Improvement takes time and you can’t be overly reactive with it. We have young players and haven’t got experience in the side and that is why it’s taking some time to get favourable results, and this needs to be understood. I hope this committee isn’t for grilling me, but to help and share what they think needs to be done to get things better for the country.”After Misbah came into the picture, the PCB took several bold decisions, such as removing Sarfaraz Ahmed as captain and dropping him from the team in all three formats. Soon after, Azhar Ali was made the Test captain while Babar Azam was chosen to lead the team in the limited-overs formats. However, after the England series last year, Ali was stripped off the captaincy and Azam made captain in all formats.But with the results not being as good as expected, Misbah’s stocks appear to have taken a hit.”There is always pressure on me being in this post, on the team, or the position in which Waqar is,” Misbah said. “We are indeed disappointed about these results [Pakistan lost the Tests 2-0 and T20Is 2-1 in New Zealand most recently] because this is not on. This is not the result we anticipated. Nobody needs to tell us, we know we need to improve as a team, we know we need to improve as a coaching team to get good results.”But, at the same time, no sportsman in the world can be locked in a room for 19 days and then with just a week of preparation expected to beat a world-class team and that too in their own conditions.”I have no doubt about the commitment of my players. They are giving their best and there are performances we can take forward, but overall it’s not reflecting on the end result and that is where everyone is focusing. There are performances in phases and there were some great fightbacks we saw on the New Zealand tour. I know we are improving and when you judge the series, it doesn’t always give you a true picture.”Prior to the tour of New Zealand, the contingent spent three days in Lahore, got on a flight to Auckland, and then spent 14 days in strict quarantine in Queenstown. The team effectively got six days of training before the first game. Before that, the Pakistani players were in a bio-bubble in England, as well as at home during the final leg of the PSL, the Zimbabwe series, the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and the National T20s.”Bio-bubbles are affecting players mentally and physically and this isn’t just an excuse but a fact everyone is talking about,” Misbah said. “Moving from one bubble to another and maintaining the quality of cricket and player fitness is becoming a worry. If you look around in the cricket world, coaches like Mark Boucher, Mickey Arthur, Ravi Shastri, they are all facing the same problem.”The preparatory camps aren’t serving the way they used to, and that it affecting the fitness of players. All of this is adding up and eventually reflecting on our performance. We have to find a way out to counter this situation.”

The most pressing fitness worry may be over Jofra Archer, who has a “tightness in his left side” and will be assessed ahead of the India match

George Dobell26-Jun-2019England left Lord’s with concerns not just for the defeat against Australia but the fitness of several members of their squad.Partially due to earlier results – notably the defeats against Pakistan and Sri Lanka – England have been persuaded to pick their first choice XI whenever possible rather than providing rest to key players. As a consequence, there is a real danger that a couple of those key players could be below their best – or even unavailable – for the crucial last couple of group matches against India (Sunday) and New Zealand (Wednesday). England may need to win both games to ensure themselves of a semi-final place.The most pressing concern may well be over Jofra Archer. The fast bowler, England’s leading wicket-taker in this World Cup, passed a fitness test ahead of Tuesday’s game but then looked stiff and below his best in the field. The England management have confirmed he has “tightness to his left side” and “will continue to be assessed ahead of the India match.”Archer is a precious talent for England. The pace he generates and the skills he possesses mean he should have a big role for England in all formats for much of the next decade. England will, therefore, have to think very hard before taking any further risk with his fitness. A side strain could rule him out not just of the remainder of this tournament but much of the Ashes that follows, too.There are also concerns over Adil Rashid. He came into the tournament suffering from a sore shoulder and has never at his best as his bowling average (51.85) and economy-rate (5.76 runs per over) illustrate. Both are the worst figures by England bowlers in this tournament.Rashid pulled out of an event at which he was due to appear on Wednesday in order to have further treatment from the England physio.While the team management have confirmed he is “expected to be available for selection on Sunday”, there must be concerns whether he is able to bowl at his best.Getty ImagesThere is better news on Jason Roy. The England management say he is “making good progress from his hamstring injury”. He batted in the nets on Tuesday and took part in shuttle runs on the outfield. It remains too early to know whether he will play on Sunday, but he is expected to train on Friday and Saturday. Given James Vince’s travails – he is averaging 13.33 at the top of the order – England will be keen to see Roy return if at all possible.Ben Stokes, meanwhile, is confident he will be fine for Sunday. He received treatment on his calf while batting on Monday, but insisted it was not serious. Stokes, who struggles to eat and drink during games, is a habitual sufferer of cramp as he tends to be heavily involved with bat, ball and in the field.

With his 27-ball 52 in the final, Mosaddek made a strong case for the No. 7 position in Bangladesh’s World Cup opener on June 2

ESPNcricinfo staff18-May-2019Mahmudullah and Mosaddek Hossain decided that they had to attack when West Indies’ Fabian Allen came on to deliver the 22nd over, in the final of tri-nation series on Friday. Bangladesh were chasing a revised target of 210 in 24 overs in a rain-curtailed match, and when they needed 27 to win from 18 balls, they saw Allen come back into the attack.Mosaddek had already struck two sixes and a four by then during his 26 off 18, and Mahmudullah, the designated big hitter for Bangladesh, was on 15 off 16 balls. With a title on the line and having not won one in international cricket, the pair knew Allen’s left-arm spin – largely bereft of variations – was their chance to push West Indies back.ALSO READ: Mosaddek’s 20-ball fifty seals historic win for BangladeshMosaddek hammered three sixes and a four on the first four balls of the over that cost West Indies 25 runs and the match was all but over, with Mosaddek finishing on a 27-ball 52. After the match, Mosaddek said that they knew there were batsmen capable of hitting sixes waiting in the dressing room but since they were the last remaining specialist batsmen, it was their responsibility to take Bangladesh home.”With 27 needed from the last three overs, we targeted that [Allen] over,” Mosaddek said. “We wanted to keep ourselves ahead by using this over. [Mohammad] Saifuddin, [Mehidy Hasan] Miraz and Mashrafe [Mortaza] were there after me. Mashrafe can play the big shots. Our plan was to bat till the end. I think everyone understood that we had done the job after that over. It was the turning point.”A turning point it could also be for Bangladesh and Mosaddek himself. With a World Cup coming up, and hosts England having already set a benchmark for big scores, Bangladesh seemed to have been lagging behind on that front, despite winning quite regularly since 2015. Their lack of a big-hitter down the order has often made the difference between a 320-plus score, and a middling 280.With Soumya Sarkar giving them good starts – he scored three consecutive fifties – in this tri-series, and now Mosaddek also revealing himself as a lower-order hitter, it potentially adds a missing piece to Bangladesh’s puzzle.Before Friday, Mosaddek had made only one ODI fifty in 21 innings, but with his quickfire half-century in the final, he made a strong case for the No. 7 position when Bangladesh take on South Africa in their World Cup opener on June 2. He has never had a reputation for six-hitting, but has been regarded as one for the future since his breakout season in the Dhaka Premier League six years ago.”I had to play positive cricket in that tough situation. I tried to play to the merit of the ball,” Mosaddek said of his willingness to bat with similar aggression in the future. “I think we will be playing on better wickets in England. I will try to play these knocks from down the order, which would be helpful to win games.”Mosaddek added that during the 10-minute innings break, the senior players told the rest of the team that if they simply bore in mind their confidence from the previous three matches, they had a good chance of chasing down the target.”After we returned from fielding, Mashrafe and the rest said that we have the batting ability, as we have shown in the tri-series, we would be able to chase down this target if we bat till the end.”Mosaddek signed off underscoring that winning their first title was important but the four wins in a row will play a bigger part in their preparation for the World Cup. “It is pleasing to win a final, especially against a good opponent. It is a big thing for us with the World Cup’s preparations in mind,” Mosaddek said.

The ex-Barcelona star was at his very best on Saturday to help his team earn a come-from-behind win.

When Lionel Messi is on the field, you can basically spot Inter Miami a multiple-goal lead. That's the power of the Argentine; as long as he's playing, goals are essentially guaranteed.

Saturday's clash with the New England Revolution was another reminder of that fact. Messi scored two goals and assisted another in the 4-1 win, taking his total to 16 goals and assists in just seven MLS matches. It also marked the fifth consecutive match that Messi contributed to at least two goals. Benjamin Cremaschi and Luis Suarez joined him on the scoresheet, but, make no mistake, this was all about Messi again.

On Saturday, Miami conceded first, after an early mishap from Drake Callender allowed Tomas Chancalay a first-minute finish, putting Miami up against it immediately.

Making matters worse? Messi was without several key running mates. Inter Miami's injury crisis has left this team shorthanded, with stars like Jordi Alba and Diego Gomez out. Suarez, meanwhile, was left on the bench until the second half to avoid the Revolution's turf field, leaving Miami without their superstar striker for much of the match.

With Messi out there, does it even matter who is or isn't with him? He's a one-man attack and a one-man goalscoring machine. On Saturday, he issued yet another reminder of a lesson that many have already learned: you can't stop Inter Miami; you can only hope to contain them.

GOAL rates Inter Miami's players from Gillette Stadium…

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Drake Callender (4/10):

What was he thinking on that opening-minute goal? His defenders had it handled, and Callender's decision to come out for no real reason could have cost his team points on a different day.

Franco Negri (6/10):

A decent game on the left. He's no Jordi Alba in the attack, but who is? Defensively, did just fine.

Nicolas Freire (5/10):

His giveaway led to the early goal, but you can't really fault him for Callender's decision. Still, a centerback can't afford to misplace passes in their own half.

Tomas Aviles (6/10):

His passing was good and did some decent work defensively. No complaints.

Marcelo Weigandt (6/10):

Tends to get forward, but never really knows what to do once that happens. Solid, but not really spectacular in any way.

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David Ruiz (7/10):

Passing was good and did the dirty work defensively that he'll have to do in this midfield trio. Exactly the type of game they need from him in this team.

Sergio Busquets (8/10):

Busquets to Messi… where have we seen that before? Just so good technically and mentally, Busquets continues to elevate the Miami midfield.

Julian Gressel (6/10):

Not his most creative game, but not a bad one, either. Only one chance created, which is a slow day for him.

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Robert Taylor (8/10):

He's been out recently due to injury, but this match showed how important he is to this team. His assist on Messi's first was fantastic and, even aside from that, the Finnish star was great all night long.

Leo Campana (6/10):

Didn't really convince in this big chance, although he too is coming back from injury. It's not like he's going to replace Suarez, but Campana was a bit too quiet overall.

Lionel Messi (9/10):

What else can you say at this point? The two goals were wildly similar, showing just how much smarter Messi is than everyone else on the field. The assist, too, was sublime. You just can't stop him.

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Luis Suarez (8/10):

A risky move to bring him on early in the second half, but he got his goal to make sure that it was worth it.

Benjamin Cremaschi (8/10):

A massive goal for a young player just returning from injury. Cremaschi is back, and the Miami midfield is much better for it.

Matias Rojas (7/10):

Talk about a good first impression! Rojas' effort directly opened the door for Cremaschi's goal. Can't ask for more than that off the bench.

Tata Martino (7/10):

Took a few risks with his XI, but everything paid off. Any time you can cruise to a road win in MLS, you did something right!

Erik ten Hag stood firmly behind Marcus Rashford and insisted the misfiring Manchester United forward should be extremely motivated.

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• Ten Hag dropped Rashford to the bench against Chelsea
• Believes the striker can soon spring back to form
• Insisted that he is raring to prove his worth

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Rashford, 26, found himself relegated to the bench for Thursday's Premier League clash against Chelsea, a match that saw United squander a 3-2 lead, conceding two late stoppage-time goals. While Rashford did make a late appearance on the pitch, concerns were raised on social media regarding his perceived lack of pressing during the game.

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  However, after the loss Ten Hag was quick to dispel any doubts about Rashford's commitment and explained his absence from the starting line-up as part of a larger plan to keep him refreshed ahead of a busy fixture schedule. The Dutch manager reiterated his stance and emphasised the England international's determination to succeed with the club as they continue their pursuit of a European spot and the FA Cup trophy in what has been a rather disappointing campaign by their lofty standards.

• WHAT TEN HAG SAID

  Speaking to reporters, Ten Hag said: "I think lately his form is progressing and so the time will always be right. I think he has a big motivation because he wants to be successful with us. He wants to score goals but he wants to win trophies and contribute and we still have a chance in the FA Cup. He wants to fight for a Champions League spot and the Euros are coming so I will say his motivation should be high. And the form, that is a moment and he can change the momentum always. Before Brentford, he scored three goals in three games.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR RASHFORD?

  United sit sixth in the Premier League table, trailing fourth-placed Aston Villa by 11 points and have eight matchdays remaining to bridge the gap and overtake Unai Emery's men. As they strive to regain momentum and push for European qualification, Rashford's resilience and form will be crucial for United's success starting with the vital Liverpool fixture on Sunday.