Wednesday news (includes West ham)

[Alan]

BBC

Newcastle are considering a January move for Manchester United's 20-year-old England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. (Talksport), external

Real Madrid and Paris St-Germain are monitoring William Saliba's situation at Arsenal, with talks continuing over a new contract for the 24-year-old France defender. (CaughtOffside) , external

Chelsea are stepping up their bid to sign Crystal Palace's 21-year-old England midfielder Adam Wharton in January. (Teamtalk), external

Everton may enter the free transfer market for a full-back if their injury problems continue. (Football Insider), external

West Ham, Everton and Nottingham Forest considered a move for Sergio Reguilon over the summer, with the 28-year-old Spain full-back a free agent after leaving Tottenham. (Mail), external

Liverpool are considering versatile Barcelona and Uruguay international Ronald Araujo as a replacement for fellow 26-year-old defender Ibrahima Konate should the Frenchman leave for Real Madrid. (Fichajes - in Spanish)

Bournemouth intend to step up contract talks with head coach Andoni Iraola over the next month with the Spaniard's current deal expiring next summer. (The I paper - subscription required), external

Ruben Amorim is facing a critical period as Manchester United boss, with the next three matches effectively determining whether he will remain in charge at Old Trafford or not. (Daily Express), external

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, former England boss Gareth Southgate, Fulham chief Marco Silva and Bournemouth's Iraola are among the potential replacements for Amorim should Manchester United sack him. (Daily Star) , external

West Ham have also started to consider potential successors to under-pressure boss Graham Potter and want someone who can galvanise the squad and the club's fanbase. (Teamtalk), external

The agent of Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson says the 24-year-old will never return to Chelsea following his loan move to Bayern Munich. (Canal+ via Transfermarkt - in German)




Sky Paper Talk

DAILY MIRROR

Barcelona kingpin Joan Laporta remains 'obsessed' with the idea of luring Erling Haaland to the Nou Camp in 2026 despite the striker's decision to sign a lucrative nine-year contract at Manchester City less than 12 months ago.

Ruben Amorim effectively has three games to save his job as Manchester United boss. United have taken just four points from their opening four Premier League games this season to stand 14th in the table.

THE TIMES

Worcester Warriors could be hit with RFU sanctions if they do not settle their debts with a large number of former players and staff before the club's return to competitive action in the second tier of English rugby next month.

Anu Mohindru, the barrister who represented Ben Stokes during his trial for affray in 2018, has resigned as the chairman of Essex County Cricket Club after he was disbarred for lying about studying at the University of Oxford.

THE GUARDIAN

A group of 18 former employees of British Basketball League (BBL) are taking legal action against the ­competition that replaced it, Super League Basketball, in the latest development in the extraordinary civil war that has engulfed the sport.

Tom Brady drew ire from fans on Monday night as the minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders appeared in his team's coaching booth during a home loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

DAILY TELEGRAPH

Great Britain have been warned that religious and political slogans are banned after Jeremiah Azu wore a headband with "100% Jesus" on it at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

Ruben Amorim retains the backing of Manchester United's hierarchy, who share the manager's view that the club's worst start to a Premier League season for 33 years has masked some of the improvements in the team.

THE SUN

Ronnie O'Sullivan's time out from competitive snooker will continue this month after he pulled out of the British Open.

Marseille ultras clashed with Spanish police ahead of the Champions League match against Real Madrid.

DAILY STAR

Darts prodigy Rusty-Jake Rodriguez has been provisionally suspended following a failed doping test.

SCOTTISH SUN

The Rangers Supporters Association have renewed their calls for Russell Martin to be axed as manager.




OS

Young Hammers hit five in Vertu Trophy opener

MK Dons 1-5 West Ham United U21s
EFL Trophy Southern Group D, Stadium MK, Tuesday 16 September, 7pm BST

West Ham United U21s recorded their joint-biggest win in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday evening, running out emphatic 5-1 winners at Stadium MK.

It marked the first time the young Hammers have scored five in the competition, surpassing 2023/24 4-0 victories over Cheltenham Town and Colchester United.

First-year professional Preston Fearon, who made his senior debut in the Premier League Summer Series in July against Manchester United, netted a first-half brace, his first goals at U21s level. An own goal and a Callum Marshall double added to an impressive scoreline which sees the young Hammers shoot to the top of Southern Group D.

The evening began with a surprise name on the teamsheet, as Łukasz Fabiański returned between the sticks for his first appearance since signing a new one-year deal. His experience behind a young backline proved valuable in a game where the Hammers showed great maturity in both their attacking and defensive play.

Academy graduates Freddie Potts, George Earthy and Marshall were also handed important competitive minutes and were instrumental to all of West Ham’s excellent attacking moves.

The opener arrived after just 12 minutes, and it was one to savour. Mohamadou Kanté threaded a precise pass through to Earthy, who drove into the box and backheeled into the path of Fearon. The 18-year-old midfielder rifled home first time into the bottom corner to claim his first goal for the U21s.

Fearon doubled his tally before the interval. Again it was Kanté at the heart of the move, driving down the left and delivering a low ball across goal for the forward to sweep home with confidence. West Ham added a third just before the break when an Emeka Adiele cross caused panic in the MK Dons box, resulting in an unfortunate own goal from captain Laurence Maguire.

The hosts pulled one back early in the second half from the penalty spot, Aaron Collins converting after a contentious decision against Ryan Battrum. But the response from Mark Robson’s side was immediate. Adiele once again burst forward down the flank and picked out Callum Marshall, who flicked the ball beyond Connal Trueman to restore the three-goal cushion.

Marshall then struck again in stoppage time to complete the scoring, finishing off a well-worked set piece to seal a resounding 5-1 victory in front of 130 delighted travelling supporters.

Their biggest-ever goal tally in the competition sees them shoot to the top of their group, a position they also occupy in the National League Cup. A huge confidence boost ahead of their return to Premier League 2 action on Friday when they face newcomers Birmingham City.

Milton Keynes Dons: Trueman, Tripp, Sinclair-Linton (Thompson-Summers 72), Maguire © (Domi 62), Mellish, Collar, Lewis-Burgess, Troso (Guzynski 83), Leko, Collins, Medwynter
Subs not used: Finch (GK), Kelly, Singh-Hurditt, Burke

Booked: Lewis-Burgess Mellish

Goal: Collins (pen) 67

West Ham United U21s: Fabiański, Golambeckis © (Colau 90+5), Mayers, Clayton,  Battrum, Kanté, Potts, Earthy (Caliste 68), Fearon (Medine 90), Marshall
Subs not used: Hooper (GK), Oyebade, Akpata, Sowunmi

Booked: Potts

Goals: Fearon 12, 39, Maguire OG 43, Marshall 71, 90+8
 
Robson: That’s exactly what hard work gives you

Lead Coach Mark Robson praised his side’s performance after a five-star showing at Stadium MK, describing the display as one of the best since he took charge of the U21s.

“The lads were really on it tonight,” he reflected. “We played some excellent football and I thought we looked a really good outfit.”

Robson also highlighted the contribution of returning players, as well as the work rate that underpinned the result.

“It was great to have a couple of the older lads back in and getting some valuable game time. Callum [Marshall]’s work ethic is second to none, he just never stops working, and I said to the boys at the end, that’s exactly what hard work gives you.

“Freddie [Potts], George [Earthy], Callum, they were all excellent, and I thought Łukasz [Fabiański] really helped us. He was calm on the ball, made a couple of very good saves, and gave the younger players around him real confidence.”

“I don’t think it was a penalty and I felt we deserved a clean sheet. But overall, the defending from the front right the way through was top quality.”

The result also underlined the progress members of the group have made since a 2-0 defeat at Stadium MK two years ago, which cost the young side a place in the knockout stages on goal difference.

“You look at the likes of Call, George and Regan [Clayton] a couple of years down the line, after loan experiences in the Championship and League One, you can really see their qualities now. They did it properly tonight. They worked for the team and showed how much they’ve grown.

“In general, we clicked. We gelled. Some of our goals were top drawer and the football throughout was really pleasing. Overall, I thought it was an excellent performance.”

[Texas Iron]

Cheers…

[With Kind Regards]

Thanks Alan.