Premier League news LIVE: Ten Hag confirms Sancho decision, Martinelli injury update, Odegaard's new deal – The Mirror
The North London Derby headlines another exciting weekend in the Premier League, with Arsenal boosted by Martin Odegaard signing a new contract and Gabriel Martinelli potentially being available
We're all set for another round of Premier League action, with more big games to come this weekend.
Manchester United are hoping to bounce back from Wednesday's damning 4-3 defeat away to Bayern Munich in the Champions League when they face Burnley in the Saturday 8pm kick-off. Erik ten Hag is under pressure to avoid four straight defeats, with United's injury crisis showing no signs of coming to an end.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are hoping to ride the wave of their emphatic 4-0 thrashing at home to PSV Eindhoven on their return to the Champions League when they face none other than Tottenham in a mouth-watering North London Derby clash, kicking off at 2pm on Sunday when Liverpool and Chelsea are also in action. And don't forget those fantasy football teams, as we'll bring the you key injury updates across the division.
Stay tuned for all the latest news throughout the Premier League this Friday…
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That rounds off our coverage of today's Premier League press conferences.
Stay tuned to Mirror Football throughout the weekend for all of the latest stories from the top-flight and beyond.
Martin Odegaard could have joined Tottenham as a teenager – but for a call from Zinedine Zidane.
Tottenham were keen on the Arsenal captain and tried to sign Odegaard when he was still at Stromsgodset which was his first club in Norway. Former Tottenham technical director Franco Baldini flew to Norway, met Odegaard’s father Hans Erik and wined and dined Stromsgodset directors.
Find out the full story here
Luton boss Rob Edwards has claimed that his side's first win in the Premier League is only a matter of time away.
He said: "You can see we're improving every game. We're not giving as many big chances away and we look more solid. We created good chances against West Ham and Nottingham Forest but we need to take our chances too.
"If our performances keep improving we're on the right track. We're a new team with 12 new players and we need time. I get we need results but I think that's just around the corner."
It's not all good news for the Bees though, who have lost defender Rico Henry to a long-term knee injury.
Speaking about the problem, Frank said: "It’s a big loss for us, he's a key player, mostly I feel for him as he started so well.
"In my opinion he would have been close to have been picked for the Euros. We will find a solution. He has already been in the training ground to work on strength."
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has once again pointed to the return of Ivan Toney, who is now back training with the Bees.
He said: "[Toney is] back in training, it's very good to have him back in.
"He’s fully fit – we have four months to focus on getting him ready. It’s different to an injured player we have to do it differently, we want to focus on his development."
Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom had some lovely words for Maddy Cusack, who has sadly died at the age of 27.
He said: "First and foremost, everyone's thoughts are with Maddy's friends and family. She has been a big part of everything in my time here. She's a senior figure in the women's team and in the media team. It's tough and we need to make sure everyone is OK at the club and we all support each other.
"There are plans [for a tribute] going off now but we want to be respectful to Maddy's family to make sure they are involved. As much as we want to show our respects we want to make sure the family lead on that.
"Steve [chief execjutive Stephen Bettis] called me yesterday and it knocked me back a bit, I'll admit. As much as we are preparing for a huge game and wanting to get on with everything it has affected a lot of people and in different ways.
"Maddy has been so close to so many people at this club. We look after everyone here but, I'll say it again, it's about her family."
Away from Ivan Perisic, Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that he has no new injury concerns ahead of the weekend's North London Derby.
He said: "Health wise, everyone else from last week is fine and ready to go. We still have two or three who are a bit longer term but everyone else is okay.
"It's been a good week, training wise. Last week, we only really had one session altogether after the internationals got in so we had a full week of training, a strong week of training."
Further South, Roberto De Zerbi has been talking after Brighton's first ever European game. He has suggested that the Seagulls must adapt to deal with the testing fixture pile-up.
He said: "We are not used to playing this many games and we have to change what we put inside everyone because we have a tight squad and we have to adapt – the coaches, the players, everyone.
"We have to organise for not only one game but three games. We can't put the focus only on [the weekend]. It's totally different. This is my focus."
Erik ten Hag has moved to shut down suggestions that his agent has a major say on Manchester United’s transfer business.
The Red Devils were extremely busy this summer, welcoming a number of new faces including Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund. Despite that, it appears that staff already have concerns over United’s business over the past few months.
Speaking about the accusations, the Man Utd boss said: “It can't be, because we make very good agreements about it from the start.
“How we cooperate in that manner, for player decisions, transfers, it's always 50-50. We both have a veto, the club, represented by John Murtough, and me. So there can never be a distraction.”
Read the full story here
Sticking with the Red Devils, Ten Hag has confirmed that misfit winger Jadon Sancho will still not be in contention for this weekend's clash against Burnley.
He said: "It depends on him. For the rest, we are preparing for Burnley and that is our focus. He [Sancho] will not be in the squad."
Erik ten Hag has suggested that all of Mason Mount, Harry Maguire and Sofyan Amrabat are in line to return to training ahead of this weekend's clash with Burnley.
He said: "Maybe, as you say, Harry Maguire. We will see better after training [on Friday afternoon]. But Varane will train and we will see. Amrabat, he will train and we will see. Mount, as well, but they all didn't play for a short or longer term.
"Varane, obviously, was the shortest [time] out."
Good news, Chelsea fans.
Mauricio Pochettino is here and has been giving some positive updates from the Blues' treatment room.
"Moises [Caicedo] we need to assess tomorrow, he was training in an individual way, not with the team until today, Pochettino explained.
"Noni [Madueke] was involved also during the week in training. Maybe we need one day more, maybe [Armando] Broja can be involved, maybe."
The Argentine confirmed that defender Benoit Dadiashile has suffered a setback, though, adding: "Yeah but it was in a different muscle but it was minor, it was small.
"He was training with Reece James. [Carney] Chukwuemeka and James are very close to being with the team to start to train."
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Jack Grealish will be available to feature for Manchester City tomorrow at home to Nottingham Forest.
City are still without Kevin De Bruyne, Mateo Kovacic, John Stones and Bernardo Silva.
Despite their injuries, Manchester City have won all seven of their games this season but Pep Guardiola has downplayed his team's rapid start.
"When we arrive seven years ago we make the points but we finish third, it's just the beginning. It's important to get points but it's just the beginning," Guardiola said ahead of tomorrow's 3pm kick-off against Nottingham Forest.
"All the squads were so easy to handle, all of them. The success belongs to the players of the past because we learn off them, we build off them. I'm not going to say this team is better, every team, the club, players, staff, everyone has been really good."
Manchester City will be without Bernardo Silva for up to 10 days after he came off injured agaisnt Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday.
Pep Guardiola has confirmed: "It's a little injury, a week-10 days he will be out."
The City boss then bemoaned his injury issues by saying: "A lot of games. Less games, less injuries. We've had a lot of games in a row with not much rest, it's just that."
We should be hearing from Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi, Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, Chelsea's Mauricio Pochettino and Machester City gaffer Pep Guardiola imminently.
A number of Manchester United players are unhappy with Erik ten Hag's criticism, tactics and supposed favouritism, it's claimed.
Ten Hag is enduring his worst run in the Old Trafford hot seat, having suffered his third straight defeat on Wednesday when Bayern Munich claimed a 4-3 victory in their Champions League group stage opener. The scoreline flattered United as they were outplayed for arguably the fifth time in their six games this season.
Misery has already seeped into the dressing room and sources from inside the Red Devils' inner sanctum have revealed to the Manchester Evening News that multiple players are starting to grow tired of Ten Hag. His perceived favouritism is reported to routinely result in some players being singled out for criticism time and again, while others avoid the Dutchman's wrath.
Certain members of the squad aren't pleased with his tactics, just like under previous bosses, with Ten Hag's preferred starting XI being ripped up over the past few weeks. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Antony are all unavailable and their absences have helped throw United's campaign into disarray.
More HERE.
Tim Sherwood thinks Arsenal's clash with Tottenham will result in a 1-1 draw.
Former Spurs player and manager Sherwood, seaking at a Sky Sports filming day ahead of the Solheim Cup and the Ryder Cup, said: "I think a draw would be a decent result for Tottenham.
"They won't be going there looking for a draw because of the way Postecoglou wants to set them out, they'll play a very open game, but Arsenal at home will be veery dangerous. I see Arsenal scoring, but I also see Tottenham scoring so I’m going to go for a 1-1 draw.
Manchester United are battling Barcelona to sign Belgian youth international midfielder Arthur Vermeeren from Royal Antwerp.
The 18-year-old has clocked up 50 appearances for Antwerp and helped them win the domestic league and cup double last term. United’s interest in the holding midfielder dates back to February, when he began to establish himself as a regular at first-team level.
The Belgian club’s sporting director is Marc Overmars, who worked closely with United boss Erik ten Hag during their time together at Ajax. The two enjoyed a strong professional relationship and United will be hopeful that can be utilised in a move for the Vermeeren.
The teenage talent played the full 90 minutes for the Belgian champions in their five-goal defeat at Barcelona in the Champions League. Overmars spoke with his Barca counterpart Deco, with officials from both clubs holding a working lunch ahead of the game – as is customary.
Read the full story HERE.
Ray Parlour reckons Arsenal win come out on top against Tottenham in Sunday's North London Derby – but only just.
"I think it's going to be an open game the way Tottenham are playing at the moment with all-out attack, that's the game Postecoglou has brought to the club," Parlour, peaking at a Sky Sports filming day ahead of the Solheim Cup and the Ryder Cup, said.
"So different to Conte and Mourinho, so I can see it being an open game. I think Arsenal will be favourites because they’re at home and they'll just edge it – it's gonna be a close game but I’m gonna go for 2-1 to Arsenal."
We've still got plenty of gaffers to come this afternoon, so let's remind ourselves.
David Moyes is backing Jurgen Klopp and co for a resurgent campaign ahead of facing them on Sunday.
"They can challenge for the title," the West Ham boss proclaimed. "People say we've made a good start to the season but Liverpool definitely have as well.
"They've won all their games and they're introducing new players into their squad. From a distance, they look like they're getting back into their best form.
"I finished above Liverpool a couple of time as Everton manager and got a few good draws too."
Eddie Howe has suggested that he'll make changes to Newcastle's starting XI when they face Sheffiled United on Sunday.
His side also host Manchester City in the Carabao Cup next Wednesday.
"We're going to have to rotate the squad," Howe admitted. "We don't want to make wholesale changes in any one game.
"I don't think that does our rhythm any good. Tweaks as we go along."
David Moyes has confirmed that West Ham could be without Jarrod Bowen and Aaron Cresswell against Liverpool.
The Irons boss, who oversaw last night's 3-1 win at home to Backa Topola in the Europa League, revealed: "Jarrod Bowen has had a virus so we'll need to see how he is. But the others, we seem okay.
"Aaron Cresswell felt his hamstring last night so we'll see how he is today, but otherwise we're okay."
A video Jacob Murphy smiling ear to ear as the Champions League theme played at the San Siro on Tuesday was one of the nicest moments on social media this week.
Boss Eddie Howe has praised his performance against AC Milan and what he brought to the table last season.
"I thought he was magnificent for us last year and never let us down, he always contributed," Howe explained.
"I think the big thing for me is he is very, very reliable. You know what you're going to get from him. Defensively he's very good and he's an attacking threat as well. I thought he did a really good job for the team [in Milan]."
David Moyes has a woeful record away to 'Big Six' sides – having never won in the Premier League – but the West Ham boss is relishing a trip to Anfield on Sunday to face Liverpool.
"It's a big, hard game. The crowd and the stadium play a big role at Anfield," Moyes explained.
"In recent years we've given them tough games and we'll try to give them a good game on Sunday. We know we're playing a good side and we want to show what we can do."
Eddie Howe has provided an injury update ahead of Newcastle's clash with Sheffield United on Sunday, having managed a goalless draw with AC Milan in their Champions League return on Tuesday.
"We're still missing the 'two Joes' in midfield," Howe confirmed. "Joe Willock (Achilles) will be back after the international break but we're hoping Joelinton (knee) will be back sooner.
"Apart from that we're pretty good. With Callum [Wilson], we always have to manage his load and training. We have to give him the best chance of staying fit through the season."
Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on his opposite number, Ange Postecoglou, ahead of their first managerial clash.
"I really like him," Arteta said of the Tottenham manager. I know players who worked with him and they speak highly of him. You can tell straight away that he's fitting in really well.
"That's the beauty of this league, we have so many good managers."
There'll of course be no Harry Kane in this North London Derby on Sunday which was always the former Tottenham striker's favourite fixture.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said of his absence: "They have many other qualities and many other players who can make a difference in the game.
"It's a big change but they have adapted well without him. He was a special player and everything went through him. He glued everything together in many areas of the pitch.
"Now it's different. They have some movement with certain players who are different. We are just focused on the team we face and trying to play the best way to cause problems."
Mikel Arteta has ruled Thomas Partey out of Arsenal's North London Derby clash with Tottenham on Sunday, but Gabriel Martinelli could still be available after suffering an injury against Everton.
"With Gabi we're still assessing him so let's see if he can make the game or not," Arteta confirmed. "Thomas is definitely out and the rest hopefully available."
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