🚨 How Man Utd have reacted to Onana struggles, sublime Salah stats, interest in Benfica wonderkid grows, Chelsea issues, and more
Today's round-up of the biggest stories in football.
Happy Monday everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy! :-)
Today’s top stories:
Reaction to Arsenal’s win over Man City and the latest on those links with Wolves winger Pedro Neto
How have Manchester United reacted to Andre Onana’s difficult start?
AC Milan
AC Milan have included Olivier Giroud in the goalkeepers list on their website after his brief appearance and important save in goal in Saturday’s win over Genoa!
Ajax
Ajax will discuss internally position of Maurice Steijn — the manager’s position is now in danger after four defeats and three draws in the last seven games. It’s been a horrible start to the season for Ajax and internal discussions will now take place.
Arsenal
Arsenal earned a hugely important 1-0 win over Manchester City yesterday - here’s my pick for Man of the Match.
And this was the goal that won it, with Gabriel Martinelli coming off the bench to fire in a deflected winner in the 86th minute! How much have they missed him during his spell on the side-lines through injury? [Pictures courtesy of Sky Sports]
Mikel Arteta: “Martinelli made a huge effort to be in the game — as nobody believed he would there. The medical staff were trembling but he was there and he was excellent. It sends a message to our team, to keep doing what we are doing and also… stay humble”.
Arteta on some shaky moments from David Raya: “It’s my fault, all my fault. They can pull me up on it because I asked him to do that, especially against this team, you just have to do other things and you’re get in big trouble. I think he was excellent, the way he dominated his box, the way he came out for crosses and set-pieces, the height that he played at.”
Pedro Neto could be on the move in 2024, but will Arsenal be in pole position? Latest info here.
Atalanta
Barcelona
Lamine Yamal has become the youngest goal-scorer in the history of La Liga - he pulled one back for Barcelona on their way to a 2-2 draw with Granada [Pictures courtesy of La Liga TV]
Bayern Munich
Bayern’s Uli Hoeness has revealed the exact transfer fee Bayern paid for Harry Kane: “We only spent 95 million euros to sign Kane.”
Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen on Thomas Muller’s contract extension: “I don’t know if he wants to play until 67! We don't feel any pressure. We have seen how important Thomas is for the team. We’ll see what happens.” Muller’s current deal expires in June 2024.
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke on whether Edin Terzic was questioned: “No, internally not at all. To discuss a coach who loses 1 game in 25 Bundesliga games, yes… what should the other coaches do then?”
Brighton
Roberto De Zerbi: “I have to congratulate my club, Brighton have found another two great players”. “Trust me, Adingra and Baleba are very good talents. Igor is great too.”
Chelsea
An internal issue at Chelsea has been dealt with in a positive way by Mauricio Pochettino - full details here.
Mauricio Pochettino: “With time and doing the right things, we can get what we need to be more stable and to provide the players with the capacity to perform. We are in a good way. Even when we did not get the good results, we were confident. It will be positive, it will be fine.”
Liverpool
Mohamed Salah keeps making the difference in Premier League again this season, scoring twice in yesterday’s 2-2 draw with Brighton to take him to nine goal involvements in eight Premier League games so far this season (five goals and four assists)
His first goal against Brighton yesterday was a well-taken finish, but how about that clever dummy by Harvey Elliott to set him up? [Pictures courtesy of Sky Sports]
Manchester City
Disappointment for Man City as they suffer a late 1-0 defeat to Arsenal, but did they get lucky here as Mateo Kovacic somehow stayed on the pitch? [Pictures courtesy of Sky Sports]
And what went on with Kyle Walker and this apparent row at the end of the game? [Pictures courtesy of Sky Sports]
Manchester United
How have Manchester United responded to Andre Onana’s difficult start?
Joao Neves has been linked with Man United - latest info here.
Scott McTominay remains an important squad player for United, but how close was he to leaving in the summer? More here.
Marseille
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has still got it! How cheeky was this finish for Marseille against Le Havre? [Pictures courtesy of TNT Sports]
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest are more than happy with Murillo’s impact in PL. Fee invested: €12m plus €3m. Torino tried to hijack the deal until the end but Forest were more convincing. “He looks a real player — every club is going to be looking at this guy now,” said Jamie Redknapp.
PSG
PSG beat Rennes 3-1 and this sublime strike from Vitinha was surely the pick of the bunch - what a hit! [Pictures courtesy of TNT Sports]
Real Madrid
Vinicius Junior: “It is always an honour to play here at Real Madrid, with this fans and the love they have for me. I am very happy to play here and I want to continue playing here at Real Madrid all my life.”
When will Vinicius’ new deal finally be announced and why has it been delayed?
Sevilla
Sevilla have fired head coach Jose Luis Mendilibar — it’s over. Decision made with immediate effect for Sevilla, who are already looking for a new coach.
Tottenham
Can Tottenham stay in the title race? Analysis here.
West Ham United
Jarrod Bowen: “I’m so pleased to have signed a new long-term contract at West Ham. Everyone knows what this Club means to me, so committing my future until 2030 means so much to me and my family. I want to win again here.”
More on Bowen’s new deal and interest from other clubs here.
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com