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Portugal boss Roberto Martinez has revealed his plan to integrate Al-Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo into the national squad ahead of Euro 2024.

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• Ronaldo just finished Saudi season
• Set to link up with Portugal squad
• Martinez reveals plan for Al-Nassr ace

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Former Real Madrid and Manchester United star Ronaldo has been granted a week off following the conclusion of the Saudi Pro League season. Now, national team coach Martinez says the 39-year-old and Al-Hilal's Ruben Nevez will link up with their compatriots on Friday but they will not feature in the friendly against Croatia the following day in preparation for Euro 2024 in Germany.

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  WHAT ROBERTO MARTINEZ SAID

  The former Belgium boss told reporters: "Ruben Neves and Cristiano Ronaldo will arrive on June 7. All the players have had seven days to adapt, prepare for the Euros, and refresh their minds. The plan for the two of them is to skip the match with Croatia and play against Ireland."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ronaldo is playing his 12th international tournament as he seeks to fire Portugal to more silverware, after helping them in their 2016 Euro success. Even at 39, he still scored 44 goals in 45 matches this season and having him fully fit and raring to go is likely to be key to Portugal's chances this summer.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Forward Ronaldo and midfielder Nevez look set to feature for Portugal in their final warm-up game against the Republic of Ireland on June 11, before their tournament opener seven days later against Czech Republic.

Southampton have already dipped into the Premier League market this month to welcome central midfielder Joe Rothwell from rivals Bournemouth. Now, reports suggest that they've made another move in pursuit of an attacking option from England's top flight, as Russell Martin looks to gain an edge in the fight for automatic promotion in the Championship.

Southampton sign Rothwell

Signing midfielder Rothwell on loan until the end of the season, Southampton Director of Football Jason Wilcox told the Saints' official website: “Joe is a quality addition who gives us further strength and depth in the squad, which will be particularly important as the season goes on. We’re very pleased to be able to bring in a player of his experience and ability.”

Meanwhile, equally pleased, Rothwell told the club's website: “I’m thankful to Southampton for allowing me to come here. Hopefully I can come in and show my experience of this league and help them get over the line. I can't wait to finally get going and put my boots on, and hopefully we can get the club back to where it belongs.”

After securing their first signing of the month, it hasn't taken the Saints long to shift their focus towards another potential addition. According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Southampton have submitted a second offer for Manuel Benson from Burnley. The promotion hopefuls are reportedly pushing hard to sign the winger, who wants to make the move to St Mary's in what would be a loan-to-buy deal. Tavolieri posted on X:

Sitting just three points behind second-place Ipswich Town in the Championship, any boost will be a welcome one for Martin if his side are to leapfrog Kieran McKenna's outfit in the coming months.

"Fantastic" Benson can repeat Burnley rise at Southampton

After playing a large part in Burnley's Championship title win last season, Benson could yet get the chance to prove his difference-making quality in the second tier with Southampton. Benson's Championship stats speak for themselves, with 12 goals and three assists representing a player at the top of his game last year. Now, after struggling to adapt to the Premier League, making just four appearances all season, the winger arguably needs Southampton as much as they need him.

Vincent Kompany summed up Benson's quality with his praise after the Belgian's goal in a victory over Bristol City last season. The Clarets manager said:

“He’s got to score five in a row. It’s not a coincidence; it’s a skill he’s got. It’s the same as a striker being able to peel off to the back post and head it in. I can’t be handing solutions of how to deal with him, but it’s just the things he’s been doing since he was a kid. I’m still pushing him for tap ins- I want tap ins. In the end it’s something he’s comfortable doing and he will get goals that way. What he’s done for us is fantastic and from our side, that’s all we want."

"We are already taking steps to identify and recruit the manager we believe can take West Ham United forward in line with our ambitions. We aim to appoint a high-calibre figure who we feel will lead the Club into an exciting future for our loyal supporters within the next ten days."

These are the words of Irons chairman David Sullivan, speaking in May 2018 after the close of David Moyes' short-term contract.

The Scottish manager had kept the Hammers up but was not deemed the long-term choice for growth, and former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini was appointed with an illustrious vision in mind.

Sacked after 19 months. And so returns Moyes. And so, unwittingly, begins that shiny chapter of the London club's history that reached its apotheosis last June, when the Irons won the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina.

One of Moyes' first ports of call following his comeback was to sign Hull City winger Jarrod Bowen in the 2019/20 January transfer market for £20m plus add-ons. Now, four years later, the 60-year-old is looking to repeat the feat.

West Ham eyeing Championship star

According to Football Insider, West Ham are looking to ship on first-team players Said Benrahma and Maxwel Cornet to facilitate a move for Leeds United winger Wilfried Gnonto this month.

The Premier League side are lacking in offensive depth in a quandary that has been exacerbated by the calf injury suffered by Lucas Paqueta, expected to keep the Brazilian out until mid-March.

Gnonto, aged 20, is struggling to earn a regular starting spot under Daniel Farke and could leave by the end of the month, with the Hammers favourites to land the Italy international.

Having been used sporadically this season, Gnonto's transfer valuation appears to have depreciated and reports from December suggest that he could exit Elland Road for just €15m (£13m).

Why West Ham want Wilfried Gnonto

Gnonto has started just seven matches in the Championship this season – scoring one goal and providing one assist – with just one opportunity from the outset since October.

Farke has sought to set his team up for an instantaneous promotion from the second tier after relegation from the Premier League before the summer and has perhaps been a little ruthless in his treatment of Gnonto, but then with the Whites currently just four points away from automatic promotion, it's somewhat understandable.

But the young dynamo is undoubtedly a player of immense potential and showcased his qualities to emphatic effect last term, with pundit Tam McManus dubbing him a "pocket rocket" for his energy and fizz in offensive sequences.

In the Premier League last season, Gnonto posted four goals and four assists apiece and impressed with his overall play but was unable to prevent Leeds from slumping to relegation, with his exploits attracting Everton's attention in the summer, with a series of offers rejected despite the Italian's official transfer request.

The 13-cap Italy international also ranks among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers across divisions similar to the Championship over the past year for successful take-ons, the top 13% for pass completion, the top 20% for blocks and the top 16% for clearances per 90, as per FBref,

Hailed as an "absolute nightmare for defenders" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Gnonto perhaps needs a change of scenery to aid him in fully realising his potential in the Premier League, having demonstrated his innate quality for beleaguered-looking Leeds last year.

One of the bright sparks, West Ham have clearly done their homework and are adamant about Gnonto's future prosperity and now seek to guide him to the fore at the London Stadium.

West Ham pushing to sign "monster" £52m Darwin Nunez clone

David Moyes needs to sign a new high-class striker for his side.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jan 22, 2024

And in doing so, Moyes may well repeat that aforementioned deal to bring Bowen to east London, something that has proved an extraordinary piece of business.

How Wilfried Gnonto compares to Jarrod Bowen

Bowen is considered one of the Premier League's most dynamic forwards and has been one of the fulcrums of Moyes' success over recent years, even being heralded for his "unbelievable" performances by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

Across 185 appearances, Bowen has scored 54 goals and supplied 36 assists for his teammates, scoring the winning goal as the Hammers won the Conference League last season.

Among the most clinical figures in English football right now having signed from the Championship – as Gnonto could himself – Bowen has netted 11 goals from 20 appearances in the top flight while posting 14 goals and five assists across all competitions.

As per FBref, the £120k-per-week ace ranks among the top 20% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 9% for interceptions and the top 11% for aerial battles won per 90.

Given that Gnonto and Bowen share a tenaciousness that allows them to thrive in defensive scenarios, aiding the backline, Moyes might just know what he's doing with this one.

The former is not earning regular minutes this term but this does not negate his skill set, comfortably one of the most athletic and exciting young wingers currently plying their trade on English soil.

Moyes also plucked Bowen from the second tier, so that's a trend that's worth continuing, and both players are natural wingers with a versatile edge to their respective games that allows them to find ample success when fielded in a focal role up front.

It's unlikely that Gnonto – despite his "electric" talent as described by pundit Sam Parkin – would cement a starring spot in the London Stadium side's team from the off but he has talents that make him a custom-made fit for Moyes' counter-attacking style and he could be a deadly weapon off the bench, with a goal to rising to a prominent standing over the coming years.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney intend to run the Welcome to Wrexham documentary indefinitely as they will never “run out of stories” to tell.

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• Takeover completed in 2021
• Every move caught on camera
• More series in the pipeline

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Hollywood superstars invited cameras into the Racecourse from the moment that they put a stunning takeover in place, with the plan always being to open up a window to the world. The show has exceeded all expectations, with prestigious awards raining down on North Wales.

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  WHAT MCELHENNEY SAID

  Season three has reached a thrilling conclusion, with a fourth already confirmed, and McElhenney has told of why there is no threat of the series being shut down due to lack of content: “Our goal, ultimately, is to document the rise of the club and the town for as long as we possibly can because it is just a wellspring of story. When I hear people say, 'Well, eventually you’re going to run out of stories,’ I’m like, ‘Really? Because we haven’t for thousands of years'.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Reynolds and McElhenney have made Welcome to Wrexham about much more than football, with the pair happy to show a side of themselves that is not always seen in popular sitcoms and blockbuster films. McElhenney added: “I’m used to looking at myself in editing rooms for ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ for 20 years and choosing comedy over vanity or choosing storytelling over vanity. Welcome to Wrexham is a bit more difficult because now I’m not playing a character.”

  McElhenney admits that there are scenes he “was not necessarily ashamed” of but usually “wouldn’t want to present myself to the world” that way. He went on to say: “I knew that they would have to go in because it’s compelling. Sometimes it’s funny, but ultimately, it’s honest. And so those moments stay in the show.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Reynolds added on that theme: “Just to piggyback on that, talent can create something incredible. You can even make something incredible through ego. But vanity will f*cking destroy you every time, particularly when crafting a movie, show or anything that is trying to connect with people. You cannot connect with people through the prism of vanity.”

After a heavy 4-1 defeat to Premier League rivals Brighton last weekend, things are looking pretty bleak at Crystal Palace right now. Across the last 17 league matches – nearly half a season's worth of football – only Nottingham Forest (14) and newly-promoted Burnley and Sheffield United (both nine) have picked up fewer points than Roy Hodgson's side (16).

To make matters worse, Michael Olise is now facing a two-month absence after aggravating a hamstring issue. Olise had experienced discomfort in that area in the midweek win over Sheffield United, but Hodgson still took the risk of bringing him on with his side 3-0 down against Brighton, and he paid the price.

What's more, defender Marc Guehi is out for a number of weeks too, while Eberechi Eze will join him on the treatment table as games against relegation rivals Everton, Burnley and Luton creep into view. Predictably, in such miserable circumstances, the manager's position is coming under scrutiny.

Textor wants Hodgson out of Palace

According to The Guardian's Ed Aarons, who offered a Hodgson update, Palace's primary shareholder John Textor has been in favour of a managerial change for "several weeks" now. However, he hasn't spoken with chairman Steve Parish over the past seven days.

Parish has "strongly contemplated" dismissing Hodgson and has sounded out potential replacements, but key targets are apparently reluctant to take over with little time to make an impact.

There's a feeling among certain members of the board at Selhurst Park that the club missed an opportunity to make a change after the 5-0 defeat at Arsenal last month, when there was a 10-day window to prepare for the next game against Sheffield United.

Root of Palace's problems is clear

Palace's biggest problem isn't that they sacked Hodgson – it's that they reappointed him as manager in the first place. It's been around 11 months now since the club parted company with Patrick Vieira, a decision that was justified in the midst of a 12-game winless run that seemed destined to end in relegation.

Hodgson returned to South London and carried out the firefighter role effectively, safely guiding the Eagles to an 11th-place finish with an 11-point cushion to the bottom three. When Vieira had been sacked, the gap was down to just three points.

Crystal Palace can hire 'next England manager' to end Hodgson nightmare

The 44-year-old has an impressive track record in the game.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Feb 6, 2024

There was a renewed feel-good factor around the club at that moment, but the smart sporting move would have been to shake hands and embark on another new project. Instead, Palace fell into the trap of appointing Hodgson on a permanent basis, ignoring the warning signs from his earlier tenure.

They hadn't offered him a new deal ahead of the expiry of his contract in 2021 because they felt they needed a refresh and a change of direction, so going back to the Englishman was clearly a regressive step. In that sense, it feels inevitable they've ended up repeating the cycle, except this time there appears a very real threat of relegation.

Newcastle have made their first approach to sign the Wolves captain Max Kilman as they attempt to beat West Ham to the defender's signature.

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• Newcastle make bid for Kilman
• Anderson offered in exchange
• Newcastle want Calvert-Lewin

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Magpies have offered Wolves a 'player-plus-cash' deal for Kilman as they look to strengthen their defence ahead of the new season – according to . Newcastle have reportedly offered youngster Elliot Anderson as the player to move to the Molineux in exchange in the hopes of lowering the fee required to sign the defender.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Newcastle are looking to revamp their defensive options this summer and have targeted a series of Premier League defenders. They missed out on the free transfer of Tosin Adarabioyo from Fulham to Chelsea but did secure the signing of Lloyd Kelly on a Bosman. The Magpies are also after homegrown players and have identified Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin as an attacking option.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  West Ham are also chasing Kilman and had an offer of £25m for the defender turned down earlier in the week. The Hammers' new boss Julien Lopetegui is after a new defender and is willing to rival Newcastle for Kilman's signature.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR NEWCASTLE?

  Newcastle will continue to pursue Kilman in the hopes that they can persuade him to move to the North East rather than east London. It could be a busy window of comings-and-goings at St. James' Park with both Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak linked with moves away.

Leeds United are back in Championship action this evening and have been provided an injury boost on one of their first-team regulars.

Leeds’ January window

The Whites left things to the very last minute to secure their one and only winter window signing, with Connor Roberts joining on loan from Burnley.

Aside from that, Leeds’ focus was on outgoings and contract renewals. Djed Spence saw his season-long loan cut short, whereas Luke Ayling left on loan for Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday signed Ian Poveda.

Meanwhile, teenagers Darko Gyabi and Lewis Bate left on loan, whereas Leo Hjelde and Sean McGurk joined Sunderland and Swindon Town on permanent transfers. Mateo Joseph and Archie Gray put pen to paper on new Elland Road contracts, with Wilfried Gnonto also thought to be close to signing a new deal.

Gray has been a regular in the Championship under Daniel Farke in what has proven to be a breakthrough campaign for the 17-year-old. However, he suffered an injury scare against Norwich City in the previous league meeting, resulting in him missing the FA Cup draw with Plymouth Argyle.

At first, Gray thought he may have damaged his ACL, with Phil Hay previously saying:

“Gray will certainly be out for this weekend (Plymouth) I would imagine. They’re doing tests on his knee. Farke said afterwards that Gray was concerned that he over-stretched ligaments and it might be an ACL problem.

“But they had a good look at him last night after the game, didn’t think that was what was going to be – but they still need to work out his time scale.”

Archie Gray injury update

Taking to X in the last 48 hours, Hay relayed updates from Farke’s pre-match press conference at Thorp Arch, where the German confirmed that Gray was back “available” against Bristol City alongside Crysencio Summerville.

This will come as welcome news for the Whites, with Gray really making the right-back position his own after beginning the season in his favoured midfield role.

He quickly caught the eye in the media, with Jermaine Beckford waxing lyrical over the teenager following his debut back in August.

"I thought he was incredible. Watching him play, you forget about his age, you forget he's only 17 years old. When he first started training with the first-team, he was still doing his GCSEs.

"He played with such maturity, he was so confident on the ball. He didn't rush, he didn't panic at all. Everything about his game today was absolutely spot on, and if today is anything to go by, this kid has such a bright future ahead of him.”

Is Copa America 2024 Matt Turner's last tour of duty with the USMNT? GOAL examines

U.S. men’s national team goalkeeper Matt Turner is at a crossroad in his career. He’s the consensus starter for his nation under coach Gregg Berhalter, but this past spring, he couldn’t get near the ball at the club level.

Now? His future may depend on a standout showing at Copa America 2024 for the UWMNT, which open play Sunday against Bolivia in Arlington, Texas.

In January, Turner’ was struggling at Nottingham Forest, which brought in Belgian shot-stopper Matz Sels during the transfer window to replace him in net. The result? Turner was benched for the remainder of the season. Despite some woeful goalkeeping performances over the final stretch of the campaign from Sels, he’s still seen as the future of the club – which means Turner must make a decision.

At 29-years-old, and with a plethora of goalkeeping talent coming up in the U.S. pool, Turner may be getting his last chance with the USMNT at Copa America. Can he prove his doubters wrong, and potentially revive his club career in Europe with a brilliant tournament?

GOAL takes a look at what this summer means for the USMNT goalkeeper.

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  Turner's rise

  The USMNT has a well-documented history of goalkeepers leading the way. From Kasey Keller and Tony Meola to Brad Friedel and Tim Howard, the U.S. has rarely lacked star power in the goalkeeping department.

  Howard, in fact, was the shot-stopper who essentially handed the reins over to Turner.

  There was a bit of uncertainty between the two, but in 2021, two years after Howard retired, Turner emerged from the shadows to be the leader the USMNT needed ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He had edged out the likes of Ethan Horvath, Zack Steffen, Sean Johnson and an aging Brad Guzan for the starting role – and both he and Berhalter never looked back.

  His rise was fast, from making his international debut in January, 2021 to starting in Qatar less than two years later. In that same 2021 season, he was named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year with the New England Revolution and in 2022, he was off to Europe with Premier League powerhouse Arsenal.

  Two years on, though, that journey now has a cloud of uncertainty hovering over it, and there is a pair of challengers on the rise, threatening his role with the USMNT in 2026.

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  Highs and lows

  To understand why and how, you have to circle back to that World Cup in 2022, which stands as the peak of Turner’s career.

  He was coming off his first few months as a Gunner, and off a brilliant CONCACAF Gold Cup in the summer, too. Things were going well, despite his playing second fiddle in net for Mikel Arteta’s side, and not featuring in the league. He was issued a starting role for the Gunners in the UEFA Europa League, keeping four clean sheets in four appearances across September and October of that year in the buildup to Qatar.

  He was in fine form, and went into the World Cup replicating it, keeping clean sheets against Iran and England in the Group Stage to help the U.S. advance to the knockouts. However, the USMNT were eliminated in the Round of 16 by the Netherlands, and Turner was back to England within weeks.

  His debut season with Arsenal didn’t quite go according to plan. In total, he only made seven appearances across the campaign, despite the positive start in the UEL prior to the World Cup.

  As a result, he found himself on the move again in the summer transfer window, where he joined Nottingham Forest on a permanent deal. The start to life at Forest was sensational, but a little more than one month into the job, the downward spiral began.

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  The European spiral

  He started Forest's first 10 matches of the season, but the squad attained just two victories across that stretch. For the next five matches to follow – all of November into early December – Turner was benched by manager Steve Cooper.

  Cooper then found himself a victim of the poor performances, and was sacked on Dec. 20. He was replaced by Nuno Espirito Santo, and the Portuguese boss turned to the American.

  Turner was put back in net for seven matches until the end of January – and that's when the arrival of Sels. whom Nuno requested, all but doomed him.

  From the start of February onward, the U.S. goalkeeper found himself on the bench for 15-straight matches, watching his squad narrowly escape the relegation zone come the end of the campaign. During that stretch, Forest kept just one clean sheet, and there was nothing the USMNT goalkeeper could do.

  Fast-forward to the Copa America: heading into the most important tournament for the U.S. ahead of hosting the 2026 World Cup, Turner is out of form, hasn't been playing regularly and is seen as extra at the club level.

  And there's competition creeping up on the international stage, as well.

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  Youthful competition

  This summer, two direct competitors for the starting goalkeeper spot at the 2026 World Cup will arrive on the scene for the USMNT. Rather than featuring in Copa America, though, they will be representing the U.S. at the Paris Olympic Games with the U23 squad.

  Chelsea youngster Gaga Slonina and Columbus Crew breakout star Patrick Schulte – who has heavily been linked with both Arsenal and Manchester United – will vie for the starting spot in Paris. Llong-term, have their eyes set on the 2026 World Cup, along with Turner. Slonina, who is coming off a loan stint at now-relegated Eupen, is one of the highest-rated youth goalkeepers in the USMNT pool, while the Crew’s Schulte, is on the rise.

  He led the MLS side to a 2023 MLS Cup and into the CONCACAF Champions Cup final in 2024, with two outstanding penalty shootout performances along the way.

  Both have been touted as potential impact players come 2026, and represent meaningful competition for Turner.

Jim Ratcliffe and Manchester United are going after Newcastle's Dan Ashworth as they seek a new sporting director to work above Erik ten Hag, or indeed whichever manager is in charge next season.

Ashworth has apparently agreed terms with United already and told Newcastle that he's "going", but the Red Devils still need to prise him away from the Magpies, and he faces a significant period of gardening leave.

With CEO Omar Berrada already committed after defecting from local Premier League rivals Manchester City, Ratcliffe is assembling his new hierarchy at Old Trafford. Even before he's been appointed, there are suggestions that Ashworth could look to bring in head of recruitment Sam Jewell from former club Brighton to work alongside him.

Wilcox is United's latest target

Now, another candidate for a behind-the-scenes role has emerged, this time Jason Wilcox at Southampton. The Athletic's David Ornstein reports that the Saints director of football is aware of the active interest from United.

United are yet to approach the Championship club but they are nonetheless hard at work on a deal for a figure who's "extremely highly regarded" in Manchester. The plan is for Wilcox to report to Ashworth as part of a revamped set-up.

Wilcox has made an impressive start at Southampton

Like Berrada, Wilcox used to work at Man City, working his way up from manager of the under-18 team, to head of academy coaching and then academy manager. He left the Etihad at the end of last season to take up his role at St Mary's even as reigning treble winners City made an effort to keep him.

Man Utd ace who "loves a goal" has seen his value soar under Ten Hag

Erik ten Hag has a big choice to make this summer over star’s future.

By
Tom Lever

Feb 15, 2024

Wilcox walked into an unenviable situation at Southampton following their relegation from the Premier League, with a raft of high-profile players leaving. However, they have responded well and have a strong chance of immediate promotion, having recently rattled off a 25-game unbeaten run. They're currently third in the table and have a game in hand on second-place Leeds in the automatic promotion places.

Intelligent recruitment has played a part in their success. Wilcox looked to former club City to sign Taylor Harwood-Bellis on loan and he's played 25 games as part of a backline that's kept nine clean sheets, while Ryan Fraser has chipped in with ten goal contributions since his temporary switch from Newcastle. January loan signings Joe Rothwell and David Brooks and have got off to strong starts after joining from Bournemouth, with the former scoring twice and the latter setting up a couple in his early outings.

The task at United would of course be very different, but decision-makers clearly believe that Wilcox possesses the fundamental skillset needed to thrive at a top-level club too.

Wrexham's plan to upgrade their youth system has hit a roadblock as their appeal to achieve category 3 has been rejected.

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• Setback for Wrexham's plans to upgrade academy
• Currently have fourth-tier status
• Wrexham to travel to US for pre-season

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Red Dragons were planning to improve their youth infrastructure in a bid to compete to sign some of the best young players ahead of competing in the English third division for the first time in 20 years. However, The Athletic reports that their appeal to get Category 3 status for their academy has been rejected.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The report further claims that the appeal, which remains under trial, will be turned down due to the club's facilities which have not met the required standards. With the fourth-tier setup at the moment, the club can only run teams from the U-17 category upwards. The news comes as a massive blow to the youth players who had registered themselves for the club's underage teams.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The first team has seen plenty of investment since the arrival of Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as club owners in February 2021. The Welsh side has since then secured back-to-back promotions and will now compete in League One in the 2024/25 season. Along with the main squad, the owners also have grand plans to nurture the women's team as well as the youth system.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

  Phil Parkinson's men will jet you to the US for pre-season where they are scheduled to face Premier League teams including Chelsea and Bournemouth in friendly clashes.