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Shortly after Manchester United fell to a shock Premier League defeat to West Ham on Saturday, reports were coming out with a bit of promising news for Red Devils fans – well, off the pitch at least.

Safe standing at football grounds in English football has understandably been a major issue and concern, but there have been suggestions in recent months and years that the stance on it is beginning to soften.

Now, The Daily Mail claim United have “launched a consultation into bringing safe standing to Old Trafford”, and they are “carrying out a detailed and comprehensive study on the feasibility of implementing rail seats at the Theatre of Dreams”.

After hearing the news, United fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts about the update, and it’s safe to say many appeared to have a cynical reaction towards it.

Supporters of the Manchester side wondered whether the club would consider “implementing a style of play first” before moving on to other matters.

Some fans even took the opportunity to mock Marcus Rashford’s abilities as a striker, with one supporter in particular suggesting a feature should be built in row Z so people would be safe from the England international’s wayward free-kicks.

Check out some of the reaction of United fans below:

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A number of Leeds United fans have lavished praise on Stuart McKinstry after the teenager’s impressive first start for the club’s Under-23 outfit.

McKinstry, who is just 16 years of age, won two penalties during his team’s 6-0 win against Watford’s Under-23 team on Monday night.

The midfielder took to social media after the match to reveal that he was “buzzing” to have been handed the chance to start his first game at that level.

Watch Leeds United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

And it will not come as a surprise to learn that a number of the Leeds fans were out in force to lavish praise on the Scotland Under-17 international, who was signed from Scottish Premiership side Motherwell during the summer.

In a team that included plenty of first-team experience in the shape of Luke Ayling, Tyler Roberts, Eddie Nketiah, Barry Douglas, Gaetano Berardi and Jack Clarke, McKinstry certainly made a big impression on the fans.

Find out a how a world-record-holding freestyler got on with the worst football in the world in the video below…

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

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James Milner’s contract expires at the end of the season and some Liverpool fans are hoping the club decides against renewing his deal after The Athletic’s James Pearce said initial talks have taken place over an extension.

The former Manchester City player signed for the Reds in 2015 and has since become an important player for Jurgen Klopp, making 181 appearances for the club, including 12 games in the Champions League last term as Liverpool won their sixth title.

However, this season he has founded his chances reduced, starting just two games out of the six the Anfield outfit have played so far.

As a result, Klopp and the club could decide they want to improve on him by next summer, preferring a younger, fresher face who may be able to provide something different, either in attack or defence.

Of the fans who don’t want to see Milner’s contract extended, some want to see Marko Grujic given an increased first-team role in the squad, and that could be one option that is currently being considered, despite the fact the 23-year-old has only 14 first-team appearances to his name.

Watch Liverpool Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Here are some of the reactions from Liverpool fans who hope the club doesn’t extend the 33-year-old’s contract.

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Many Everton fans have been flocking to some positive news on the future of Rafa Benitez.

Writing in a Q&A session for The Athletic, George Caulkin has revealed that the new owners at Newcastle United have ‘reluctantly accepted’ that the Spaniard will not leave Goodison Park.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium are ‘admirers’ of Benitez and have links to him, but it now looks as if they will be pursuing other managers to replace Steve Bruce.

This has come as a huge relief to several supporters of the Merseyside club, given that Benitez has guided them to fifth place in the table in the Premier League, and identified what now look to be absolute bargains in Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray as players that he brought into his squad in the summer transfer window.

Everton fans on Benitez news

These EFC fans flocked to the news on Benitez as it was shared by The Toffee Blues on their Twitter page:

“This fella is the best thing about Everton, I understand people who can’t have him because of his time at Liverpool but if you can try to forget this guy will have us closer than anyone to the top 6/7”

Credit: @ShoeyEFC1234

“Told you all! Rafa the gaffer has principles unlike some others we know!”

Credit: @JimFromWoodburn

“Weird seeing loyalty to our club”

Credit: @Kreeder85

“Going nowhere”

Credit: @DixiReal

“SIUUUU”

Credit: @Evertongoats

“Never broke a contract in his career.”

Credit: @johnmerro1

In other news, find out what early Team News ahead of West Ham United has Evertonians talking here!

A number of Liverpool fans aren’t convinced by the Reds potentially signing Arnaut Danjuma after a rumour emerged regarding their interest in him.

Jurgen Klopp had a quiet summer transfer window, eventually ending the window having only brought in Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig.

While an attacking signing would arguably have been ideal, adding depth in that area, Liverpool were clearly happy with their current options.

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With Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino all approaching 30, however, reinforcements will be needed soon, in order to plan for the long-term future.

According to Football Insider [via Anfield Edition on Twitter], Liverpool had scouts watching Danjuma in action for Villarreal against Manchester United in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

The winger played well in the game, even though United eventually won 2-1, and he has scored three goals in seven appearances for the La Liga side after joining from Bournemouth in the summer.

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Liverpool fans react to Danjuma claim

These Liverpool fans are not convinced by the rumour, however, saying they don’t want him to join the Reds.

“What a joke lol! Is this our business model?”

Credit: @EkaNayake90

“No way will we get him he’s just moved”

Credit: @benadams1110

“No Liverpool fan wanted him because he was at Bournemouth, funny they do now he’s doing it at villarreal lol”

Credit: @tomlfc92

“He cannot score to save his life”

Credit: @ss_sensation

“LOL we ain’t signing him now if we turned down the chance to pay only £21million”

Credit: @y2_26

“I thought he was rubbish. Erratic, little game intelligence, and no end product. It was like watching Divock Origi on a bad day.”

Credit: @Boxingscience1

In other news, some Liverpool fans are keen for the Reds to sign one brilliant attacking player. Find out who it is here.

As Tottenham Hotspur gear up to take on bitter rivals Arsenal in the north London derby today, it appears manager Nuno Espirito Santo has been given a major boost.

The Lowdown: Spurs injury setbacks…

Since Tottenham’s regrettable international break, Nuno has had to cope with his fair share of N17 absences and that has arguably contributed to their run of form recently.

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Davinson Sanchez, Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Romero were all missing for a while due to their international fiascos in South America, while Ryan Sessegnon, Steven Bergwijn, Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura have all spent time out recently.

However, sharing news on the latter man, it appears he is now available again alongside Son who returned against Chelsea last week.

The Latest: Nuno gifted Lucas return…

Indeed, in what is ‘good news’ for Spurs and Nuno, the manager now has Lucas at his disposal again and just in time for one of Tottenham’s biggest games of the season.

“We have Lucas back also which is good news so let’s try to make and prepare the game,” the Spurs boss explained (via football.london).

“Like I said to you, it’s a different game, it’s a different game. We must feel it.”

The Verdict: Major boost…

Given the Brazilian’s form when available this season, there’s little arguing this comes as a major boost for Nuno and his side.

Lucas has completed more dribbles per 90 so far out of any Lilywhites player in the Premier League (2.5), highlighting his real threat and creativity (WhoScored).

Indeed, his presence could disrupt Arsenal and provide Spurs with a huge asset from out wide.

In other news: Spurs now want ‘outstanding’ 29 y/o who Pochettino wanted to make one of his highest earners, find out more here.

Ian Doyle of The Liverpool Echo has claimed that Andy Robertson could be left out of Jurgen Klopp’s side against Leeds on Sunday.

The Lowdown: Brazil stars to be missing

Both clubs look set to be impacted by Brazil’s decision to ask FIFA to invoke a five-day ban on players who were not released for World Cup qualifiers by Premier League clubs.

Leeds may well be without Raphinha, whereas Liverpool could be missing Alisson, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino.

All three have been regulars under Klopp in recent years, and another key member of the Reds’ squad may also miss out against Marcelo Bielsa’s side this weekend.

The Latest: Doyle’s claim

Reliable reporter Doyle shared a story on Wednesday looking at how Liverpool could line up without their Brazilian trio on Sunday.

Within his report, he admitted that Kostas Tsimikas could come in for Robertson at left-back, with the Scot featuring four times in 11 days since being ruled out with a minor ankle ligament issue in August.

The Verdict: Another boost for Bielsa?

Robertson missed just two top-flight games in the 2019/20 campaign and started every league fixture last season, becoming one of the most influential full-backs in the top flight in that time, so Klopp leaving him out for Tsimikas could work in the Whites’ favour.

The Greece left-back has just five Premier League games under his belt, so Leeds could look to exploit that side of the pitch in preference to targeting Reds right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Raphinha would’ve operated from the right, so perhaps Bielsa will hand Dan James a Leeds debut looking to exploit Tsimikas with his sheer pace.

In other news: Leeds source now reveals nine-figure issue facing Radrizzani after ‘big money’ news. 

Newcastle United have been handed a major boost regarding the fitness of Karl Darlow ahead of their upcoming Premier League fixture.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to a report by the Mirror (via The Shields Gazette), who claim that, following a long battle with illness, the Magpies goalkeeper looks set to return to Steve Bruce’s starting XI for the visit of Leeds United on Friday evening.

The report continues to state that the 30-year-old returned to training over the September international break, and looks set to take the place of Freddie Woodman between the Newcastle United sticks.

Bruce will be buzzing

Considering just how poor Woodman has been for Newcastle so far this season, the fact that Darlow looks set to finally make a return to Steve Bruce’s starting XI is sure to have the 60-year-old manager buzzing.

Indeed, over his four Premier League appearances this term, the 24-year-old Woodman has shipped 12 goals – an average of three a game – made one error leading to a goal and has averaged 2.5 saves per match.

These returns have seen the £9m-rated shot-stopper average a highly disappointing SofaScore match rating of 6.03, ranking him as the Magpies’ second-worst performer in the top flight of English football.

As such, the return of a player who earned a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.92 over his 25 Premier League appearances last season in the shape of Darlow is sure to provide Bruce’s chances of securing a positive result against Marcelo Bielsa’s side on Friday evening with a significant boost, as well as being something that is sure to delight the St. James’ Park faithful.

In other news: Sold for peanuts, now worth £16.2m: Ashley had a ‘mare on “special” £17k-p/w NUFC ace

Andre Onana has reflected his “strange” error-strewn start to life at Manchester United and explained why it took him so long to settle.

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• Cameroonian moved to England in 2023
• Found the going tough early on
• Has rediscovered consistency of late

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Cameroon international goalkeeper, who helped Inter to the Champions League final last season, completed a £48 million ($61m) transfer to Old Trafford during the summer of 2023. He was trusted with filling the void created by David de Gea’s departure as a free agent.

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  WHAT ONANA SAID

  Onana found the going tough early on, as mistakes crept into his game, but he has said of adjusting to life in England: “It took me six months or seven months not to play good just to feel good. It was a difficult time for me. Now I'm feeling a bit better. Everything was new, it was difficult for me to feel at home because of so many reasons. Now I'm feeling good. For me, the most important thing is to be set, to be happy and I will shine.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Asked if errors weighed on his mind, Onana added: “I don't think so but it was just moments, sometimes you are faced with a difficult situation. I had a difficult six or seven months just feeling good, not playing good because I didn't think I started to play good. So, it was just something strange, I don't know. It was a good time for me to learn because I learned a lot at that time. Playing in the final of the Champions League [the season before] and being knocked out in the first stage a few months later… it was a big lesson for me. Now I think I have everything on my back, learn it, move on and try to be happy. That is the most important thing.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Onana credits those around him with helping to rediscover a lost spark, with the 27-year-old shot-stopper adding greater consistency to his game of late. He went on to say: “My team-mates, my players, they always reminded me who I am and the goalkeeper I am and why I came to this club. They told me, ‘Andre, it took some players two years, for others six months and others no time. You have that personality to turn the situation [around]’. They always believed in me and told me from the beginning, ‘Andre, the quality is there, it's just a matter of time’. I am very happy, especially with the supporters, the fans, they were nice with me even in difficult periods and I'm very thankful. I can only thank them. Everything is behind me, now we have to move on and together a great time will come. We just have to do the right thing and the future will be brilliant for all of us.”

West Ham have been handed a timely injury boost ahead of the Premier League’s return next weekend…

What’s the latest?

According to The Athletic, Irons defender Arthur Masuaku is expected to be available for selection after the international break, having been absent since March with a knee problem.

The 27-year-old left-back has yet to be named in any of David Moyes’ three matchday squads but he has been keeping up his fitness levels by playing for the U23s squad in the Premier League 2.

Masuaku featured for the full 90 minutes in their wins over Arsenal and Chelsea and during their defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion. An encouraging sign.

It was also claimed in the report that there were no plans to farm the DR Congo international out on loan or sell him on, so that only goes to show what the Hammers’ boss thinks of him.

Timely boost

Masuaku is certainly not the first choice in the current squad, with Aaron Cresswell taking that crown, but having him fit and available is certainly a big boost to Moyes.

If the Englishman were to get injured, then the 5 foot 10 dynamo is his only senior back-up, whilst at times last season, the pair of them played together when the 58-year-old wanted to deploy a back-three.

He started ten of their opening 11 matches in 2020/21 and that was largely with Cresswell making up the backline as a left-sided centre-half.

His return allows Moyes to be flexible in his tactics, something that he may not be able to do without Masuaku at his disposal, given his lack of options in the role.

Despite a lack of game time last season, Masuaku still managed to top the charts for dribbles per game (2.4), which was more than Cresswell (0.1) and even the likes of Michail Antonio (1.7), Said Benrahma (1.4), and Jesse Lingard (1.1), per WhoScored.

This suggests that he’s very much one of Moyes’ more attacking defensive options and could be one reason why he likes to deploy him alongside Cresswell at times.

The 27-year-old isn’t bad defensively either, having averaged 1.7 tackles per game (joint-third most).

Valued at £6.3m and on wages of around £40k-per-week, Masuaku’s presence on the pitch will certainly be needed, especially when the games come thick and fast with the Hammers in the Europa League this season.

After returning against Southampton next Saturday, the Irons will head to Croatia to face Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday, before returning to England to host Jesse Lingard’s Manchester United in back-to-back matches.

Cresswell won’t be able to play them all, so his availability should come as a timely and big boost.

AND in other news, West Ham dealt hammer blow as huge Rush Green development emerges, fans will be fuming…