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EPL: Solskjaer singles out one Man Utd player after 1-0 win at Burnley
Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has said Paul Pogba is “at his best” after the midfielder’s goal against Burnley sent them top of the Premier League.
Pogba volleyed in Marcus Rashford’s cross to give United all three points at Turf Moor.
It means Solskjaer’s team head into Sunday’s crucial clash with Liverpool three points clear at the summit.
“I’ve always said Paul is a big player for us. He is a good character in the dressing room, he is always the one the lads look to and he’s a world champion of course, and I think he’s at his best at the moment,” Solskjaer said after the game.
It is the first time the Red Devils have topped the Premier League in January since 2013, when Sir Alex Ferguson’s team went on to win the title.
Solskjaer added: “What a brilliant position to be in. We know it’s going to be hard but we’re ready and hungry which is good and we couldn’t have asked for a better time to go there.
“We go there knowing we’re playing the best team by a mile in the country in the last year and a half. We’re looking forward to it and it’s a great test of where we’re at against a good team.
“Of course we know we’re going to the champions, they’ve had an unbelievable three-and-a-half seasons so we know that’s going to be a difficult game for us but we’re ready for it.”
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Barcelona to continue paying Messi until 2025 even if he leaves this summer
Lionel Messi will receive a huge cash windfall from Barcelona in bonuses even if he departs this summer, Marca reports.
The 33-year-old’s future is still uncertain and it looks as if he will finally quit the Nou Camp.
In December, Messi admitted the club were in a “really bad situation” with “no money” to reinvest in the squad.
A candidate in the upcoming presidential election, Emi Rousaud, also claimed Messi’s current salary was “unsustainable” and Barcelona couldn’t afford to pay him the same rate going forward.
But it is understood they are still set to be hit in the pocket whether the Argentine remains at the club or not.
It is claimed Messi is in line to receive another €39million (£34.8m) at the end of the current season.
The fee is one half of a €78m bonus agreed when Messi signed his last contract in 2017, that came with a €100m wage rise.
He had already cashed in the other €39m installment.
But rather than the money coming in one lump sum, the agreement will see Messi receive it in eight separate payments over four years.
That means Barcelona could still be paying Messi in 2025.
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Transfer: Yves Bissouma chooses Arsenal
Brighton midfielder, Yves Bissouma, would prefer to join Arsenal ahead of any other English Premier League (EPL) club, according to Football London.
Bissouma’s first-choice option is to join Arsenal ahead of Manchester United and Liverpool, who have also been linked with a move for the player.
Bissouma is ‘keen’ on a switch to Arsenal ‘if the prospect arises’, while the Emirates club views him as the ideal partner for midfielder, Thomas Partey.
Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, is keen to strengthen his midfield options and the North London club have placed Bissouma on their shortlist.
Arsenal have reportedly opened talks with Bissouma’s representative with a view to making a move at the end of the season instead of this January transfer window.
When asked about Arsenal’s interest in Bissouma, Brighton manager, Graham Potter said last week: “We’ve had no interest as far as I’m aware.
“Yves has probably played this season as much as he has played.
“He’s enjoying his football, he is making steps.
“My job is to help him continue to make steps on the pitch, then whatever happens after is not necessarily my area.”
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