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All the talk at Elland Road at the moment centres on whether Daniel Farke will remain in the Leeds United dug-out, heading into an unforgiving December list of fixtures.

With five defeats from your last six games in the Premier League, the last thing a bruised Whites outfit needs is back-to-back fixtures against Manchester City and Chelsea up next, especially as City will want to immediately respond to their Champions League embarrassment at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen.

Therefore, an Erling Haaland-led effort could take their frustrations out on the pitiful away side, with the German’s grip on his job post looking even more fragile, if they’re on the receiving end of a drubbing.

The powers that be in West Yorkshire will surely have a plan up their sleeve if they do decide to finally bite the bullet and get rid.

Who could replace Farke at Leeds?

As the 49ers gear up to potentially replace Farke at Elland Road, one man who is unlikely to move to England is former Union Berlin boss Bo Svensson.

Indeed, according to reports from Germany, he is unlikely to return to the managerial game soon, having recently turned down approaches from Rangers and Union Saint-Gilloise. He has also been allegedly on the relegation-threatened side’s radar, but that looks like it will now be stopped in its tracks, before anything serious materialises.

This surely swings the door wide open for Brendan Rodgers to be a prime candidate to oust the ex-Norwich City boss.

TEAMTalk recently revealed this week that the former Celtic manager would be keen on a return to the Premier League with Leeds.

After all, Rodgers has been here before when picking up the pieces post-Claude Puel’s failed stint at Leicester City, with the Northern Irishman even going on to clinch an FA Cup success with the Foxes, before furthering his varied managerial career in Glasgow.

The out-of-work 52-year-old coming in now could well be a masterstroke as Leeds attempt to turn around their hopeless season.

Perhaps Rodgers could have the same impact at the Whites that Regis Le Bris has managed to have at Sunderland, in such a short space of time.

How Rodgers could be Leeds' own Le Bris

Scanning back to just last season, Leeds did finish above the Black Cats in the Championship promotion standings, accumulating 100 points to lift the title, while Le Bris and Co secured promotion via the more adventurous route of the playoffs.

Yet, in the here and now, the Wearside underdogs find themselves all the way up in a dizzy seventh position in the early top-flight standings, while Farke hangs onto his employment, as he drags Leeds into the relegation spaces.

Sunderland fans are rightly singing the praises of their overachieving manager at this moment in time, with Leeds now potentially wanting a Le Bris-style figure of their own in Rodgers, to bring the good times back to Elland Road.

Rodgers, before going on to manage at Liverpool and the King Power Stadium, did manage to show off a similar breakneck transition to the Premier League like Le Bris is experiencing at the Stadium of Light.

His Swansea City side jumped all the way up to 11th in the league standings, right after promotion was sealed come the end of the 2010/11 season.

Games

312

Wins

139

Draws

71

Losses

102

Points accumulated

488

He would further reinforce his reputation as a capable boss in the tough division with the Reds, as he nearly delivered a Premier League triumph at Anfield. But, it will be his transformative presence at Leicester that will give Leeds fans the most hope that he can push them up the division, much like Le Bris has managed on Wearside.

From four full seasons at the King Power helm, Rodgers would collect 64 league victories, with a fifth-place finish clinched during his first full season at the helm quite the achievement, considering Puel ended his reign with the Foxes on five defeats from his final six games.

Coincidentally, that is the exact form Farke now finds himself deep in at Leeds, with a move for such a “world-class” manager in Rodgers – as Gabriel Agbonlahor once labelled him – perhaps just what the doctor ordered in turning around the Whites’ dismal fortunes.

Le Bris is yet to receive such a wild tag, but it surely won’t be far off if he clinches an unbelievable mid-table finish for the Black Cats.

Yet, with time on Leeds’ side still, they could also mount a surge up the division, too, if they were to gain Rodgers’ services.

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1 ByJoe Nuttall Nov 27, 2025

Sandro Tonali maintained an interesting stance about a move away from Newcastle United earlier this week and now Real Madrid are reportedly preparing a move worth over £40m.

It’s an all too familiar feeling for Newcastle, who were forced to bid farewell to Alexander Isak for a Premier League record in the summer as they scrambled to find his replacement. Now, they potentially face the prospect of losing more key men amid reported interest from around English football in Sven Botman and, of course, Tonali.

It’s the last thing that Eddie Howe needs in the middle of the Magpies’ current domestic form. In the Champions League, his side have been close to perfect, but that couldn’t be further from the case in the Premier League with just three wins in their opening 10 games.

The Newcastle boss admitted in his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s trip to Brentford that his side must rise up the ranks in the Premier League after a disappointing run.

Missing out on Champions League qualification would only make Newcastle’s attempts to keep hold of key men even tougher, especially if Real Madrid do come calling for Tonali.

Tonali shares exit stance as Real Madrid prepare move

According to reports in Spain, Real Madrid are now preparing a move to sign Tonali from Newcastle worth €50m (£44m) in 2026. Now, whilst the Magpies are unlikely to accept such a low offer for a player that cost them £55m, Madrid’s attempts would certainly spark some interesting questions about the midfielder’s future.

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ByAngus Sinclair Nov 8, 2025

Despite recent reports revealing that the Italian has already signed a new deal which could keep him at St James’ Park until 2029, Tonali refused to rule out an exit away from the club when questioned about his Newcastle future earlier this week.

Described as “excellent” by Howe, Tonali’s admission will undoubtedly concern those on Tyneside, who saw Isak force his way out of the club in the summer. The last thing they need is another summer-long transfer saga.

PIF's "massive overpay" is quickly becoming Howe's new Almiron

Ruben Amorim says Manchester United must start playing better on the road as they head to Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest seeking only their second away victory of the season.

The Red Devils arrive at the City Ground buoyed by a three-match winning run, with Old Trafford triumphs against Sunderland and Brighton bookending a first victory at Liverpool since 2016.

But that memorable Anfield triumph represents United’s only away win of a season that has seen defeats at Manchester City and Brentford compound a humiliating Carabao Cup exit away to Grimsby.

Amorim's comments ahead of Nottingham Forest trip

Amorim says United need to be better in a variety of aspects as they prepare to head to Forest, who have won the sides’ last three Premier League meetings and recently appointed their third manager of the campaign.

The Portuguese collected his first Premier League win when overcoming new boss Dyche’s Everton outfit 4-0 last December and says he “more or less” knows what lies ahead as he seeks an away upturn.

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This is a massive positive for the Red Devils.

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“I watched the last game (back),” Amorim said of facing Forest on the one-year anniversary of his appointment as United manager.

“It was one of the first ones here that we won and we were so lucky in that game. You look at the result and it was not that result. It should not be that result.

“I watched (Forest) against Porto, against Bournemouth. The style of play is similar, different characteristics.

“I watched one game we did in pre-season with Sporting to try and understand how we played in that game, and it’s similar.

“He can change some characteristics of the players with the talent that they have, especially with (Morgan) Gibbs-White, (Elliot) Anderson, (Callum) Hudson-Odoi. Very good players.

“So, we need to be prepared for a different game. Against Brighton we had space to play. We are not going to have that space.

“We need to understand we are not being the same team away and at home, so we need to improve the way we control the environment.

“Every tackle is a big moment for the opponents’ fans, so we need to play better away. We are prepared for a very tough match.”

Man Utd targeting shock move for Vinicius Jr with Real Madrid price tag revealed

Amorim may well be tempted to stick with the same side that beat bogey team Brighton last weekend, when Bryan Mbeumo’s second of the day wrapped up a 4-2 victory.

Man Utd to "suffer" without Mbeumo and Diallo

The summer signing linked up well with Amad Diallo down the right and that bond extends off the field, but the pair are soon set to miss a chunk of time due to the Africa Cup of Nations, possibly missing up to seven Red Devils fixtures.

Manchester United defensive midfielder Casemiro continued his fine form in the 2025/26 campaign with a goal for Brazil against Senegal on international duty on Saturday.

The veteran midfield star has started nine of his ten appearances in the Premier League for Ruben Amorim this season, scoring three goals and providing one assist from the middle of the park.

The Brazil international only started 18 times in the top-flight in the 2024/25 campaign, per Sofascore, but he has emerged as a vital player for the Portuguese boss this term.

Despite his renewed importance to the team, Casemiro turns 34 in February and United may still be on the lookout for the long-term successor to his place in the starting XI.

In September, it was reported that the Red Devils have identified Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba as a priority target, with a deal that could reach a club-record £100m touted for 2026.

However, the Premier League giants should, instead, avoid a swoop to sign the Cameroon international in the January transfer window and next summer.

Why Man Utd should avoid a deal for Carlos Baleba

Manchester United should avoid a deal to sign the defensive midfielder, particularly if the price tag is £100m, because his performances for Brighton have declined from the 2024/25 campaign to the current term.

Baleba won 55% of his ground duels and made 3.7 tackles and interceptions per game in the Premier League last season, per Sofascore, which makes it easy to understand why the club identified him as a possible successor to Casemiro.

The Brazilian star has made 2.7 tackles and interceptions per match and won 58% of his ground duels in the division this term, per Sofascore, and the Brighton ace could have been viewed as a good fit to take his place moving forward.

However, his numbers have declined across the board in the Premier League this season, which suggests that he may not have the consistency that United will need from their stars if they want to compete for the biggest trophies.

Appearances

34

11

Goals

3

0

Tackles + interceptions per game

3.7

2.0

Clearances per game

1.3

1.0

Duels won per game

5.8

3.4

Ground duel success rate

55%

44%

Fouls made per game

1.2

1.5

As you can see in the table above, Baleba has lost the majority of his ground duels in the division and has won fewer duels, made fewer tackles and interceptions, and committed more fouls in comparison to the 2024/25 campaign.

When paying £100m, which would be a club-record fee for United, the Red Devils should want a player who is improving and on the way up, yet the opposite appears to be true of the Brighton midfield.

Man United eyeing move for Premier League midfielder

That is why it should come as good news to supporters that INEOS are reportedly looking at an alternative to Baleba who would be a better option for the club to sign.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

According to reports from Spain, Manchester United are one of a number of clubs interested in a deal to sign Crystal Palace defensive midfielder Adam Wharton in the January transfer window.

The report claims that Real Madrid, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal are all also keen on the England international, which means that there will be plenty of competition for his signature ahead of the second half of the season.

It adds that any deal for the left-footed star could cost around £88m and that the signs are pointing towards a January exit from Selhurst Park for the former Blackburn Rovers ace.

However, it remains to be seen whether or not Manchester United are willing to pay the £88m that will be required to beat the likes of Real Madrid and Arsenal to his signature.

Why Manchester United should sign Adam Wharton

The Red Devils should push to win the race for Wharton’s services in January because he would be a way better signing than Baleba, who is valued at £12m more than the Englishman.

Unlike Baleba, the 21-year-old star has taken a step forward with his performances in the Premier League for Crystal Palace this season, which shows that he is improving and progressing as a player, rather than regressing.

Appearances

20

9

Big chances created

5

5

Key passes per game

1.3

1.6

Dribble success rate

20%

64%

Tackles made per game

1.7

1.3

Ground duel success rate

49%

53%

Dribbled past per game

1.4x

1.0x

Possession lost per game

10.8x

10.2x

As you can see in the table above, the left-footed midfield maestro has improved in and out of possession, making fewer tackles per game but being more efficient in his attempts to tackle, hence the higher ground duel success rate and fewer times dribbled past per game.

Wharton was hailed as “the best deep-lying English midfielder since Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick” by one CONCACAF B certified coach earlier this year, and it is easy to see why.

Scholes, in particular, was renowned for his exceptional passing from midfield, which led to 82 assists for United (Transfermarkt), and Wharton is cut from a similar cloth.

Per FBref, the Eagles star ranks within the top 1% of midfielders in the top five leagues in Europe and European competitions over the last 365 days for xAG per 90 (0.30) and the top 10% for shot-creating actions per 90 (3.75).

Wharton, like Scholes, is a tempo-setting midfield player who also has the quality to break lines and create chances for his teammates with his impressive passing range.

Whereas Baleba has only created five ‘big chances’ in 91 appearances in all competitions for Brighton, per Sofascore, which suggests that he would not provide the same level of quality on the ball.

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He could replace the veteran midfielder.

ByTom Cunningham Nov 16, 2025

Therefore, Wharton could be a much better option for United than the Brighton star because he would provide more quality on the ball, whilst arriving as a player who is improving week-on-week, instead of regressing, as Baleba has.