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Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Marcus Bent has revealed what Duncan Ferguson has told him about working with Carlo Ancelotti.

Ferguson’s final two seasons in his playing career crossed paths with Bent’s two years spent at Goodison Park, and the latter revealed they’re still in contact.

“I speak to him now and then. Dunc’s a hard one to get hold of and a hard one to get anything out of,” he told Football FanCast.

“He’s a very humble man and strict about what he says and what he does on and off the pitch.”

Having spent 11 seasons across two spells with the Toffees, the former Scotland striker returned to Merseyside in 2014 to become part of the coaching staff.

Following the departure of Marco Silva during December 2019, Ferguson became interim manager and remained unbeaten during a four-game spell, which included a memorable victory over Chelsea.

He was rewarded by becoming Ancelotti’s assistant after his appointment as manager later that month and has been working closely with the Italian ever since.

And Bent told Football FanCast that Ferguson has a great responsibility in his role:

“What he has said to me is that he’s good to work with, he asks Duncan’s opinion a lot of the time. The training is good, he lets Dunc take a lot of training sessions, so his opinion counts.

“Dunc is a massive Evertonian and a big part of the club, and he respects Dunc’s opinion.”

Glasgow Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack requires an operation to sort out a calf injury that has troubled him for the past two seasons, meaning he will not take part in the European Championships with Scotland as a result.

Jack out of Euros

Jack played a big role in helping the Tartan Army reach this summer’s showpiece, starting both the play-off semi-final against Israel, as well as the final versus Serbia.

Now, though, it has been revealed he needs surgery on his calf, and will therefore not be fit enough for Steve Clarke’s squad.

Blow for Scotland, boost for Gers

£2.7m-valued Jack (Transfermarkt) will no doubt be gutted. Participating in a European Championships, especially for a country so seldom used to playing at that level, may have been one of the pinnacles of Jack’s career. He will now have to do all he can to help the national side reach an international tournament again in the future.

However, Scotland’s loss is Rangers’ gain. Jack has played just 24 times in all competitions this campaign as he has struggled with injury (Transfermarkt). Taking the summer off to try and recover permanently from this issue may be fantastic news for Steven Gerrard and the 55-time Scottish champions in the long run.

In other news, Rangers fans are livid at this Alexey Sorokin comments.

Plenty of Crystal Palace fans have been giving their thoughts on social media to the club’s interest in Bristol City forward Antoine Semenyo.

According to an exclusive report from TEAMtalk, the Eagles are thought to be leading the race for the 21-year-old this summer.

Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman is believed to be a huge fan of Semenyo, who also has admirers from Brighton, Newcastle, Norwich, Sheffield United, Southampton, Watford and West Ham.

Semenyo is seen as a perfect addition to Palace’s squad, with comparisons made to former winger Yannick Bolasie, who also joined from the Robins way back in 2012.

The London-born forward has played on the wing and through the middle this season, scoring five times and registering seven assists.

Palace fans react

It didn’t take long for Palace’s interest in Semenyo to make its way onto social media, with @cpfc_xtra sharing TEAMtalk’s report.

This is what some supporters had to say in reply, with many excited at the links and one describing him as ‘class’.

“Would be insane but not getting my hopes up”

Credit: @CPFCH10

“hearing he’s yala v2 in which case sign me up”

Credit: @SigmondCPFC

“Don’t want to get my hopes up”

Credit: @Sumo08112

“My mate who’s a City fan says he’s class, and seeing as he hasn’t played much so wouldn’t be too expensive”

Credit: @liamb0117

“All for this. Total raw talent this lad. Great prospect so would be a fantastic deal if we got it over the line!”

Credit: @LiamPanther_92

“The last Bristol city winger we signed weren’t too shabby”

Credit: @PrideOfSouthLDN

In other news: Many Palace fans react to club’s interest in England U21 international, find out more here. 

Kyril Louis-Dreyfus’s arrival at Sunderland has been game-changing and his tenure so far has exceeded even the most ambitious of supporters.

That being said, he didn’t particularly have much to live up to. Stewart Donald’s reign was filled with despair as the Black Cats consistently failed to get promoted.

However, with the young Frenchman at the helm, there is already a brighter future taking shape.

Sunderland have won their first trophy for over 40 years and they are now just three points off top spot with two games in hand in League One. If they don’t get promoted this season, you have to wonder if they ever will.

The atmosphere surrounding the Stadium of Light has been much improved and that’s mainly been down to Dreyfus’ entrance.

He has a plethora of decisions to make when the summer comes round, though. A number of their players will be out of contract, including Charlie Wyke.

Failure to go up, however, and Wyke could take the decision out of the owner’s hands.

Another situation that could be taken out of his hands is the future of Dion Sanderson. The 21-year-old has been a breath of fresh air to the Sunderland backline this term, being dubbed a “shining light” and a “Rolls-Royce” by Lee Johnson for his performances.

He has been part of a Mackems defence that has now kept eight clean sheets in their last ten outings; no wonder Sanderson has received such enormous praise.

As a result of his displays, the youngster has attracted plenty of suitors throughout the Football League. Sunderland have reportedly opened discussions over a potential £2m deal, though.

This would be an almighty show of ambition and it would be a huge statement from Louis-Dreyfus if he spent such money early on in his ownership.

That being said, if they go up, he’d be a vital addition. Sanderson already has Championship experience with Cardiff and as we’ve seen in recent months, he is one of the Black Cats’ most important players.

He has won 23 aerial duels over the last ten matches, making 33 clearances in the process. When an opposition attacker is met with the young defender, they often come out second best.

His talent is undeniable and if you heed the words of Stephen Elliott, he’s set for a bright future.

Speaking to The Athletic, he commented: “It looks like he’s played a lot more football than he has.

“He’s composed, he steps out of defence, he can pass it, he reads the game, wins headers, even if he makes a mistake, he doesn’t get flustered. I can’t really fault him.”

Elliott added on Twitter: “If Sanderson continues playing like this then there will be a lot of higher placed football teams in the football league if not Prem after his signature. Going to be a big star.”

Indeed, that’s exactly why this signing would be such a statement of intent.

Sanderson is destined for bigger things than Sunderland; he is an astute defender with qualities in every area. £2m would be daylight robbery for a player of his quality.

This shouldn’t turn out to be another Will Grigg situation.

AND in other news, Drop him: Sunderland liability who lost possession 35x continues to let Johnson down…

Lionel Messi's English skills are "very, very good", according to Inter Miami team-mate Julian Gressel.

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• Messi clearly learning English
• Inter Miami team-mate impressed
• MLS season now underway

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Gressel has revealed that Messi has begun speaking to his team-mates in English, instead of his native Spanish, and has been impressed with his command of a new language. He revealed that the Argentina captain made sure to pass on tactical advice to Gressel, in English, during their 4-3 friendly defeat to Al-Hilal.

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• WHAT GRESSEL SAID

  Speaking on the Player/Manager podcast, he said: “I think it was the first game against Al Hilal and he [Messi] came over to me and said something in English. That was the first time he spoke to me in English.

  “'Now, we change. You stay and Jordi runs. Jordi goes more in behind.’ I was like okay, sounds good.”

  Gressel added: “He goes, ‘English, pretty good no?’ I was like ‘Yes, very, very good, I understood everything’.”

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The 2024/25 MLS season is now underway and Inter Miami have taken four points from their opening two games. Messi and Co beat Real Salt Lake 2-0 and were held to a 1-1 draw by LA Galaxy.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Inter Miami are next in action on Saturday against Orlando City. They will then face Nashville in the CONCACAF Champions Cup next week.

Alisha Lehmann has sent a “missed you” message to former Aston Villa team-mate Ramona Petzelberger after being reunited in WSL action.

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• German star left Villans in 2022
• Swiss ace still in West Midlands
• Crossed paths in WSL action

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  German midfielder Petzelberger spent two years with the Villans between 2020 and 2022. Lehmann made her own move to the West Midlands during that time, with the Swiss star joining Villa from domestic rivals West Ham in 2021.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  While the pair spent only one season together at Villa, they clearly struck up a close bond – as native German speakers. They may not be on the same team anymore, but their paths continue to cross in English football.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Villa’s latest WSL outing saw them take on Spurs, with Lehmann and Co were celebrating at the final whistle as they savoured a 2-1 win. There was time for some brief reunions afterwards, with Lehmann and Petzelberger posing for a picture together.

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• WHAT NEXT?

  There will be opportunities for the two friends to lock horns again in the near future, with Lehmann – who has rekindled her relationship with fellow Villa star Douglas Luiz – working on a contract through to 2026 that includes the option for a further 12-month extension.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Premier League midfielder Carlton Palmer has dismissed suggestions that Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte could replace Jose Mourinho at Tottenham.

Reports coming out of Italy (via Daily Star) claim Conte could leave the Italian giants in the summer if he is not backed in the transfer market, and have named Spurs as a possible destination.

With the north London club in a real battle to secure a Champions League spot after going on a very poor run during the January-February period, Mourinho’s job is now said to be on the line.

Palmer, however, believes sacking Mourinho would be a mistake and cannot see 51-year-old Conte ditching Milan for a return to London.

“I think it’ll be the wrong move to sack Jose, I really do,” the retired England international told FFC. “I don’t see the need to sack him, so when the media are talking about, ‘oh, well, he should be sacked’ and talking about replacements… I mean Conte’s just about to win the league in Italy. Why would he want to leave his club?”

Conte’s first spell in England was a very successful one. At Tottenham’s London rivals Chelsea, the 51-year-old managed to guide the Blues to the Premier League title in 2017 and the FA Cup in 2018.

GOAL accompanied the Red Devils' travelling supporters to Wolves and Aston Villa to get inside the mind of those who follow the team all over the UK

It’s 4.30pm in the centre of Manchester and most of the city dwellers are leaving work and heading home. But on the corner of Chorlton Street, scores of men are waiting for a bus to take them not home, but to Wolverhampton to see Manchester United play.

The coach is operated by the fanzine United We Stand, but to the regulars it is known as the 'Monkey Bus'. And it has been ferrying fans to matches since 1991: it stops at every domestic away match (apart from Manchester City) and the occasional European trip, most notably a 24-hour each way voyage to the 1999 Champions League final in Barcelona.

The majority of passengers live in Manchester, but John Fitzgibbon is from Ireland. His journey to Molineux began at six in the morning, when he boarded a flight from Cork to Manchester, before checking into a hotel near the bus station and passing the time in a snooker hall. He, like a handful of others on the bus who were lucky enough to get tickets, had been to south Wales just four days previously to see United play Newport County in the FA Cup.

John has been following United from Ireland with his dad since he was a child, but did not go on an away trip until 2018, to see United play Tottenham at Wembley. He had a six-hour coach journey each way, without stops, and the game could hardly have got off to a worse start as Christian Eriksen gave Spurs the lead in the first minute. Phil Jones then scored an own goal as the game ended 2-0.

It was the type of experience that would make many people think twice about doing it again, but Fitzgibbons has been hooked ever since. He goes to about 10 away games per season, plus the majority of European away matches. He also has a season ticket at Old Trafford and has to be super-organised and book flights from Cork as soon as kick-off times are confirmed. Delays in booking can see matchday prices soar from £20 to £200. Late kick-offs mean he often has to stay over, too.

Asked how much he spends following United per season, he estimates between £5,000 and £10,000. “I keep meaning to do a spreadsheet but I don’t want to truly think about how much it costs me,” he says. Would the cost ever make him stop doing it? He shakes his head.

• Twelve-hour journey back from Arsenal

  The coach picks up more passengers outside Manchester Airport. Hearing that the coach was in traffic, some of those waiting took the opportunity to have a swift pint before climbing aboard.

  Among them is Steve Black, who has been running the coach since 1996, and his two sons. He goes down the bus greeting each passenger and asking them about how they are faring with away tickets, which are notoriously hard to get hold of.

  Just to apply you need to have had a United season ticket for at least three years, and then you have roughly a one-in-four chance of getting an away ticket, unless you are part of the loyalty pot.

  Black, who has been writing a feature on every match in United We Stand since the 1990s, seldom misses a game. Very occasionally, however, life gets in the way. He missed Portsmouth away in 2006 when his father died and “the odd game” around the time his first son was born.

  There is a core group of the same 30 or so faces each week and a revolving cast of another 20 who go when they can get tickets. Whenever something goes wrong, it falls on Black to sort it out. Such as when, after United were beaten at Arsenal in January 2023, the bus hit a bollard and needed a new tyre.

  "Seven hours later, we were still 50 yards from the ground," he remembers. "But we found a pub and half the people got wasted in the Wetherspoons and had a fantastic time!" They eventually got back to Manchester at 5am, over 12 hours after the game had kicked-off.

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  'Ridiculous experiences'

  Black often feels like a school teacher looking after unruly pupils, but he stresses: “We’ve had some good adventures, some ridiculous experiences.”

  On the way back from Chelsea one year, a group at the back of the bus “decided to get the emergency hammer and play dare with the back window”. Somewhat predictably, the window smashed. At least one of those involved offered to pay for the damage.

  Then are the surreal moments, such as when after an FA Cup tie at Exeter City, a home fan got on board the bus to "berate" the passengers. He would end up regretting jumping aboard, as the doors quickly locked behind him and he was driven all the way to Manchester, some 240 miles up the road. “He just accepted it in the end,” says Black.

  Another time, there was an unknown man standing on Chorlton Street just before the bus was about to leave for Sunderland. He had had a drink or two, to put it mildly, and was taken under the supporters’ wing.

  Black recalls: “He couldn’t speak. We took him straight on the bus and we got him in the game. He had a great day with us and we dropped him back in Chorlton Street afterwards. Still to this day no one knows whether he was a United fan. No one had a clue.”

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  Broken tooth after Aguero strikes

  What about the worst days? “Liverpool last year was hard,” admits Black when recalling the 7-0 loss at Anfield. And then there was the time that Manchester City won their first Premier League title while United were away at Sunderland.

  For a few minutes, the fans and Sir Alex Ferguson thought United had won the league, but then news of Sergio Aguero's 93rd-minute winner against Queens Park Rangers began to filter through. It was a particularly bad day for one Monkey Bus regularm who was due to get married the following week and had his front tooth knocked out after a gloating Sunderland fan had thrown a coin at the United contingent leaving the ground.

  “He kept saying ‘I’m getting married next week, what am I gonna do?’ As if what happened wasn’t bad enough, he got a broken tooth the week before his wedding," Black says.

  But win, lose or draw, the camaraderie is what gets people coming back. “The beauty of it is everyone on here gets each other,” Black adds. “You can go down to Brighton and lose and it’s sh*t, but by the time you’ve hit the motorway and half an hour’s gone, people are up and dancing in the aisles. It’s our Saturday night out.”

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  Dismayed with Rashford's antics

  As the bus gathers pace down the motorway towards Molineux, attention turns to the match at Wolves, who have proven tough opponents for United in recent years. But the main talking point is the recent activities of Marcus Rashford, who has been in the headlines for missing training the week before after his tequila-fuelled binge in Belfast at the infamous Thompson’s Garage.

  The fact Rashford is a local lad from Wythenshawe and has been with United since he was a child does not protect him from the ire of the fans. “What’s he doing going to Belfast? I could understand if it was somewhere more like Dubai or New York,” says one. "But do you not respect the fact he went to a local dive rather than a VIP venue?” Apparently not.

  “I’d respect him far more if he’d said ‘I can’t be ars*d this week so you can keep my £350,000.’ But I don’t see him doing that.” Another joins the conversation: “When we have an early kick-off and we have to get the coach at 6am, we go to bed early the night before. Why can’t he?”

  This is the mentality of the hardcore fans, who sacrifice so much to follow the team over land and sea. They are worlds apart from the millions who weigh in on social media and call for the manager to be sacked after a couple of defeats.

  And yet, the match-going fans can also be fickle. Rashford goes straight back into the starting line-up against Wolves and inevitably gives United the lead with a classy finish. “Rashford’s on the p*ss” is promptly heard from the away end.

Leeds United will not have to face Thiago Silva in their Premier League clash with Chelsea on Saturday afternoon, acting as a late boost to the Whites.

Marcelo Bielsa side’s host the Blues this weekend, in what has the potential to be an intriguing tactical battle at Elland Road.

Chelsea will pose a huge threat to the Whites, with Thomas Tuchel not yet suffering defeat in 11 matches in charge, taking them up a level after Frank Lampard’s departure.

Leeds will be aiming for a response after their disappointing 2-0 defeat away to West Ham, with Bielsa without Pascal Struijk and Pablo Hernandez due to injury, as reported by The Athletic‘s Phil Hay on Twitter.

Chelsea suffer Silva injury blow

Chelsea have also suffered a major late injury blow, however, with the Yorkshire Evening Post confirming that Silva will miss out at Elland Road after a new issue in his recovery from a previous problem.

The 36-year-old hasn’t featured for the west Londoners since their 1-0 win at Tottenham early last month, but was expected to feature very soon. YEP’s report details the Brazilian has ‘suffered a setback’ in his recovery, and will now not make his return this weekend.

Transfer Tavern take

Silva’s absence means Chelsea look likely to continue with their three-man defence of Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger.

Tuchel’s men haven’t conceded in their last four matches, in all competitions, proving that they are still thriving without the Brazilian legend in the team, but it will certainly make Patrick Bamford and co’s task easier not having to face a player with such experience and leadership qualities.

Silva is described in the report as having a ‘huge impact’ at Stamford Bridge, and so his absence may prove to have an equally large influence on Saturday’s proceedings.

In other news, Paul Robinson has urged Leeds to make a move Odsonne Edouard. Read about it here.

Manchester United are weighing up a January move for Bayer Leverkusen’s £20m-rated defender Jonathan Tah with Newcastle United interested.

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• Man Utd want Jonathan Tah
• Newcastle and West Ham also interested
• Defender rated at £20m

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  After losing many defenders to injuries throughout the season, Erik ten Hag is searching for defensive reinforcements. Manchester United may face competition too, as West Ham and Newcastle United are just two of the European teams who have been attracted to the Germany international after his spectacular start to the season. Tah is valued at £20 million (€22m/$24m) according to but considering the demand for a player in his prime, Leverkusen should definitely anticipate receiving a higher offer if they decide to let him leave.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Tah has been a standout player in Leverkusen's stellar start to the season, which has seen them lead the Bundesliga. Tah's loss would be incredibly disappointing for Xabi Alonso's team, who also enjoy an undefeated record in the Europa League. This season, the imposing defender has already scored four goals and missed only one game across all competitions. There are little over 18 months left on the 6'5" centre-back's deal, so the German team may feel pressured to cash in if major bids come in January.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  After joining Leverkusen in 2015, the 27-year-old has made over 300 appearances for the team and has earned 19 caps for Germany since making his debut there in 2016.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR TAH?

  Tah is currently with the German national team as they look to take on Turkey and Austria before he rejoins Xabi Alonso's side for their clash against Werder Bremen on November 25.