Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes that Daley Blind will prove to be a “very good signing” for his former bitter rivals, Manchester United.

While the additions of Radamel Falcao and Angel di Maria stole the headlines at Old Trafford over the summer, Blind’s arrival slipped under the radar.

The Dutchman had impressed at the World Cup under Louis van Gaal with the Netherlands, building on a fine campaign in the Eredivisie as an Ajax player last term.

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Although primarily a left-sided defender, Blind spent much of the 2013/14 calendar in a holding midfield role, which LVG has opted to use him in so far at Old Trafford as he looks to provide an anchor to allow the likes of Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Di Maria to shine going forward.

And ‘Carra’ believes that the son for former Holland defender, Danny, will prove to be an astute bit of business for the Red Devils in the long-term:

“The bigger tests will come when United take on Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool over the next month or two, but Blind has looked very neat and tidy with the ball so far.” He told Sky Sports.

“He has been brought into the team to do the role Nemanja Matic does so well as Chelsea – sit deep and offer protection to the attacking players in front of him – and you can see he is a clever footballer.

“His dad, Danny, was also a very cultured and intelligent player who had a great understanding of the game, albeit at centre-back rather than in midfield, and Daley looks to have soaked up a lot of that wisdom.

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“He is able to play in a number of positions and never seems fazed or overawed by anything, while he is a very athletic player as well so can get up and down the pitch if needs be.

“Blind looks like a very good signing, especially at around £14million.”

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Manchester United star Ashley Young insists the club are aiming to win the title, not just finish in the top four, Mirror reports.

The English winger believes that the Red Devils still have a shot to be crowned champions at the end of the season, despite trailing league leaders Chelsea by a massive 13 points.

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United’s 2-1 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates was manager Louis van Gaal’s first away win of the season, a result that lifts the club to fourth on the table.

However Young is not satisfied with just Champions League qualification, and believe there is still time to win the title.

“I think the manager has said obviously we want to break that top four,” said Young.

“But you know players and staff at the club, we want to win the league title.

“I think he [Van Gaal] has got that aura. You know he’s got that presence out on the training ground and the training pitch.

“He believes in people, he gives you that belief, he’s an honest man and he just wants everyone to go out there and do well.

The manager wants to achieve massive things, he wants the club to get back to winning titles, and we’re no different to that.

“You know the players have bought into that philosophy since pre-season and that’s exactly what everyone is doing.

“We’re all pulling in the right direction, pulling in the same direction and everybody is leading that charge up the league.”

The former Aston Villa star is predicting that United can go a winning run during the Christmas period, a time when the fixtures come thick and fast in the Premier League.

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“I think that’s when we’re at our best,” said Young. “At the turn of the year we always come strong.

“I’m sure it is going to be a busy but good Christmas period and we look forward to that New Year.”

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With the suggestions that long ball football is currently the method being employed by Louis van Gaal ringing loudly today, times seem to be changing at Old Trafford.

From the pure attacking flair that saw the club dominate the English game, the Red Devils are struggling to settle on a true identity following Fergie’s exit and David Moyes’ forgettable spell, and with performances not exhilarating, direct football has been turned to get results… which has worked, to an extent.

One potential signing being mooted ahead of the summer is unlikely to fit into a ‘kick and rush’ style, and that is Memphis Depay of PSV Eindhoven. The flying winger is a player Louis van Gaal knows well, and we at FFC Towers think that he should be a priority for the club heading into the coming transfer window… and here are FIVE reasons why.

Goals and assists

Fifteen goals in 18 Eredivisie games already, and he’s not even a centre-forward… WOW! Depay is in, arguably, the form of his life right now and his regular finding of the back of the net means that PSV sit atop the Dutch table by a margin of 12 points. As well as putting the ball away, he’s significantly improved his all-round game this term, too, notching three direct assists in domestic action for his side.

With United far from a fluid attacking force right now – with long ball football a worrying trend for the purists among the Old Trafford faithful – a player with genuine flair and ability could be the perfect remedy.

LVG knows his game

Having coached him through the run up to and throughout the World Cup, Van Gaal clearly knows all about Depay. The youngster was far from being a key man in Brazil for the Oranje, but he did manage two goals, largely from a bench role, and showed why he had been earning much hype in his homeland.

Reports last summer even suggested that LVG has sounded out Depay about a potential move for the coming transfer window, which would suggest that he already has a plan in place to get the youngster firing at the Theatre of Dreams.

Already being dubbed the ‘new Ronaldo’

https://vine.co/v/OUmWB63ieei/embed/simple

As far as monikers go, being compared to the current two-time Ballon d’Or holder is some going! Depay, although not nearly at the same level yet, has seen his playing style likened to that of ‘Ronny’, who combines pace and power with goals and a fierce will to win from a wide attacking area.

With the ability to score all sorts of goals and beat his opponents one-on-one, there is some bulk to the ‘new Ronaldo’ talk…

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Not the most expensive option

With reports hinting that £10m move is in the offing, Depay is far from a ‘bank buster’ of a signing. With a new contract having been penned last year and his form at a real peak, it’s possible that his value could rise before the summer, but we’re not likely to be looking at the sort of figures that may be needed for more established European players being linked with United.

Destined to get better and better

At 20, the only way is up for Depay. Players are, on the whole, peaking a little earlier nowadays, but the PSV ace is still firmly at the start of his career and is likely to maintain his current trajectory for the foreseeable future.

Football loves a script, doesn’t it?!

It was almost as certain as paying taxes that Barcelona’s Luis Suarez would return to English soil and do some damage to tonight’s opponents Manchester City.

With 30 minutes barely on the clock at the Etihad Stadium, Luis Suarez already had two goals to his name much to the delight of Barcelona and Liverpool fans.

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Following an awful error from Vincent Kompany, the same Kompany who said that playing the La Liga giants was nothing having played Stoke City away, Suarez rifled home.

The second for the Uruguayan international was all thanks to one man, yep, you’ve guessed it, Lionel Messi; the Argentine international went on one of his mazy runs before feeding in Jordi Alba who slid the ball across for Suarez to double Barca’s lead.

I don’t think there are many out there who can deny Suarez’s world-class footballing ability, however, that doesn’t mean we have to like the serial biter!

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Rumour has it that Ashley Young is to sign a new contract at Manchester United. It is believed the contract will keep Young at Old Trafford for another three years, though it is not currently known if Young will earn more than his current £120,000 per week. But is his new long term deal justified?

Absolutely. Young has definitely found his form under manager Louis Van Gaal, and prior to the season starting, no one could have expected this kind of turn around from him. He is one of the success stories at Manchester United this year, without a doubt.

Considering he has essentially kept Angel di Maria out of Manchester United’s starting line ups, that proves the faith the manager has in him, and how well he is playing. If you are the first choice ahead of a player who was Man of the Match in last season’s Champions League final, and cost almost £60million, you must be doing something right.

So, why have fans caused such an uproar over the new contract? It seems somewhat fickle and uncalled for. There aren’t many players this season who have done better than Ashley Young. When renewed contracts were being dished out earlier in the season, there was no such backlash. Andreas Pereira gets awarded a new contract, though he is tipped for greatness, and he has played just a handful of Premier League minutes this season.

Louis Van Gaal sees worth in Ashley Young, and clearly holds him in his plans for the future. He may or may not have such a consistent role come next season – depending on the business United will do in the summer – but he has taken his opportunity to impress and done so.

Credit where credit is due, Ashley Young deserves to stay at the Red Devils for the next three years.

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With Everton’s recent run of form easing their surprising fears of relegation – a win today would’ve been four on the spin – and Swansea City’s season seemingly over as Garry Monk’s side look set to coast through in eighth place with an impressive record high number of Premier League points for the Welsh side, today’s clash wasn’t really whetting the appetite of too many neutrals.

The game at the Liberty Stadium wasn’t too drab of an affair, really, with goals from Aaron Lennon and Jonjo Shelvey meaning the game ended with each team taking a point apiece.

Lennon, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, still holds onto the remarkable record of having never lost when he has scored – it’s almost at 30 games, now – and the winger did well to control and stab home as half-time approached.

Swansea City improved in the second-half, and although you could argue Seamus Coleman was fouled in the build-up by Marvin Emnes, there’s no denying it was a blatant handball and Shelvey comfortably tucked home sending Tim Howard the wrong way.

So, what have we learnt from today’s clash?

Everton and Swansea haven’t started their summer holidays early

There were no doubt a lot of grumbles around the neutrals today when they realised it was Swansea City versus Everton for the live early game.

Two teams with seemingly nothing to play for – although Swansea are chasing their highest Premier League points total under Garry Monk – we all expected 90 minutes of going through the motions. However, although it was certainly far from a classic, the two sides couldn’t be criticised for already being on their summer holidays.

Great to have Steven Pienaar back

Pienaar was nothing short of a delight during his first spell with the Toffees, however, following his return after a brief and unsuccessful spell at Tottenham Hotspur, the South African hasn’t quite got things ticking like he used to at Goodison Park – obviously that hasn’t been helped by injuries – but, after returning from four months out today, the midfielder seemed to be back to his best and Everton will hope it continues.

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Jonjo Shelvey slowly but surely getting there

Once tipped to be the replacement to Steven Gerrard at Liverpool (but then again, I’m sure Jay Spearing was, too) Jonjo Shelvey needed the move to Swansea City and, at times, the midfielder has shown why he did at one point earn an England cap.

It wasn’t a vintage performance by any stretch of the imagination, however, the former Reds midfielder showed great composure in tucking home a neat penalty in a high pressured situation – in fact, it was very Steven Gerrard-esque…

Argentine ace Nicolas Otamendi has dropped a major hint that he could be joining Manchester United this summer by revealing that he’s made his wishes clear to Valencia amid suggestions his agent has told the La Liga club he wants to make the switch.

The impressive centre-back has been heavily linked with a move to join Louis van Gaal’s Red Devils of late after impressing during Los Che’s fine 2014/15 campaign.

Recent reports have indicated that the player’s agent has sat down with Valencia officials to discuss a deal with the Premier League side, although the Spaniards’ £36.2m valuation is thought to be an issue.

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Otamendi is currently away with his international side at the Copa America in Chile, but he’s clearly thinking about his future and has revealed that he and his agent has made his wishes clear:

“I’ve spoken with my agent and Valencia know what I want,” he is quoted by Metro.

“Therefore, every word my agent has said has obviously been with my permission and he has full permission to talk to who he wants.

“For now, like I said, my head is only with the national team so I can perform at my very best when I play. It’s a unique moment to savour.

“I spoke to the President and my agent and they know my desires very well, but for now I’ve told my agent that my head is [with Argentina] and left him to it.”

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The 27-year-old – who netted six league goals last term – then went on to drop another slight hint at United being his favoured destination by outlining two current Old Trafford stars as players he’s enjoying playing alongside with Argentina:

“Right now, I’m enjoying each day alongside [Angel] Di Maria, [Marcos] Rojo, [Carlos] Tevez, [Lionel] Messi and the other players who are leaders here.”

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‘Captain Fantastic’ is now preparing for life in a galaxy far, far away, raising the question… could his departure be the greatest mistake of the Brendan Rodgers reign at the club? Steven Gerrard’s abrupt decision has left a talismanic sized hole in the Liverpool midfield, and it’s down to Brendan to fix it.

The sight of Steven Gerrard in an LA Galaxy jersey – as well as buying beers for their fans – must be one that bemused Kopites. The Anfield legend has left Liverpool for pastures new following a disappointing campaign last term and completed a move to the Major League Soccer side recently. Sure, last season must have been a low for both Gerrard and the fans after a stellar 2013/2014 campaign, but something about this move does not add up.

It was less than a year ago that Gerrard called time on his international career, citing his desire to keep playing at a high level and giving everything to Liverpool as the biggest factor. Gerrard may be ageing, but his decision to leave his boyhood club in January 2015 came under six months after his international retirement. More questions than answers.

When the dreaded day finally dawned, Gerrard expressed his desire to “experience something different” No doubt, his iconic performances over the years have certainly earned him the right to enjoy such a move in the autumn of his career, but the timeline here is rather odd.

As well as this, last month, in an interview with ex- England pal Rio Ferdinand, the former Anfield skipper revealed his benching against Real Madrid for the Champions League clash back in November “pushed” him “into making a decision”. Perhaps it would be unfair to lay the blame with Liverpool manager Rodgers, clearly he has to plan for life without an ageing Gerrard, but could this be his greatest mistake yet?

Much has been made of the infamous ‘transfer committee’ in play at Liverpool, and its very limited success. Their decisions to sign the likes of Mario Balotelli to replace Luis Suarez and bring in Dejan Lovren for £20m have obviously hit headlines. However, Gerrard’s abrupt departure may go down as an even greater gaffe.

Though getting older (and who isn’t?) Gerrard was still a vital member of Liverpool’s 2014/15 campaign. The 2005 Champions League winner finished top scorer, with 14 goals, and although he is no longer the marauding midfield machine of days gone by, he’s still a top class player.

Stevie G’s decision to depart for MLS came mid-season, rather abrupt for a one-club man. Rodgers, of course, must start planning for a side without the Liverpool talisman, but when you consider the ages Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs played to, Gerrard could have life in him yet.

The timing of the announcement hints at a breakdown between the club and their captain. These things can happen in football, but Liverpool surely could have done more to keep him.

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The Merseysiders found it hard to replace Suarez, and though replacing Gerrard will be a different challenge, it is one they must overcome. For a club renowned for their sketchy arrivals over the last few years, it could just be a departure that defines the Rodgers reign.

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Celtic disappointed supporters on Saturday with a 0-0 stalemate against Rangers in the Scottish Premiership at Celtic Park.

Hoops fans have enjoyed absolute dominance over their arch city rivals since Brendan Rodgers arrived at the club, failing to win only once prior to Saturday’s match, which required a last minute equaliser.

However, they failed to turn up and play to the best of their abilities against Graeme Murty’s side, who produced a determined and high tempo performance that frustrated the Scottish champions and could have resulted in a win on another day.

Both teams had the chances to get themselves ahead with Scott Sinclair and Alfredo Morelos missing big chances.

Supporters were left fuming at the performances of some of the Celtic players, with particularly sharp criticism aimed at Moussa Dembele, who failed to have any sort of impact on the game at all before being substituted off for Leigh Griffiths.

The Frenchman has failed to reach the heights of last season this term and fans are questioning his ability to continue as the club’s main striker.

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They took to Twitter to share their thoughts on his performance…

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Romelu Lukaku has scored 15 times in 29 appearances for Manchester United this season.

That is far from a disastrous return, and his record of 10 goals in 20 Premier League appearances could certainly be a lot worse.

There is a general feeling that the Belgium international should be doing much more, however, with many United supporters criticising him for his off-the-ball work, which has been very suspect at times, particularly in the matches against the bigger teams.

Lukaku, who is valued at £63m by transfermarkt.co.uk, has had some terrific games for United, but he has had some pretty poor ones as well.

United boss Jose Mourinho has always been incredibly positive about the 24-year-old, however, and that was again the case during his press conference ahead of Saturday’s clash with Southampton at Old Trafford.

The United fans are not all on board with Lukaku’s performances this season, however, and many took to social media on Friday to reveal their views on the former Everton forward.

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