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Name: Ethan Laird

Club: Manchester United

Date of Birth: 5 August 2001

Position: Full-back (Right, left)

Ethan Laird – his career so far

Ethan Benjamin Laird has been a part of Manchester United’s family ever since a young age and has progressed through the academy ranks and into the development squads, impressing the right people and turning some heads along the way.

The academy graduate became a regular presence as he broke into the squad in the season 2017/18 as a first-year scholar. That marked the beginning of a great journey full of success and impressive feats in the process as well.

Interestingly enough, despite being the youngest player in Man United’s academy intake for the year 2017, he ended up with 19 appearances under his belt and also featured for their U23 squad and in the UEFA Youth League as well.

Still, he continued his stay with the U18s throughout 2018/19, which was unfortunately marked with an unlucky injury that prevented him from registering meaningful minutes across some parts of the campaign, and would then explode in the following season, staking his claim once again.

Apart from scoring his first EFL Cup goal in a win at Rotherham United, he would also bounce back from another injury setback to finally make his full senior debut in the Europa League match against Astana in Kazakhstan at the end of November. That one would be followed up by his second first-team appearance in a 4-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar not even a month later.

As a whole, Laird registered 28 appearances for the U18s, scoring three goals and assisting further seven as well. Across 14 games he played for the U23 squad, however, he mustered one goal and three assists.

Of course, he would also feature in the UEFA Youth Cup, tallying 11 appearances and three assists once again. Unfortunately, he is yet to register another senior team game after the initial two in November and December of 2019.

But given his talent and ceiling, that could still very well be on the agenda in the not so distant future for the youngster.

Transfer latest

Laird’s current contract is still viable until 2023 and the youngster seems to be in the Red Devils’ plans for the future at the very moment. At least that’s what some of the recent transfer rumours surrounding his teammate Diogo Dalot could suggest if we try to read between the lines.

Reportedly, Dalot is linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain and just the fact that the transfer is a possibility could be a big sign for the young 19-year-old full-back. If Man United were to be deprived of another wide defender, that could possibly suggest they do have faith in their academy graduate as well, otherwise there’d be no chance of that going through.

Of course, no Manchester United news can actually confirm Laird is in Solskjaer’s plans for the future but there’s also nothing out there among the transfer news that would suggest otherwise.

One way or the other, the following season could be a huge one for the young full-back.

Player profile

Laird is a pacey full-back who has always excelled defensively but has managed to add more attacking flair to his profile over the years of his development at Man United’s academy. When he does enter the final third, either with or without the ball, he has the ability to link up with his teammates well and even threaten the goal himself.

But it’s his ability to keep the defence organised and ticking that makes him a huge asset in the backline. Apart from being quite solid in duels as well as a commanding presence on the pitch, his work rate and determination could be what makes the difference further down the line of his career.

And Laird can also boast with good technical abilities which make him cool in possession and secure on the ball. Overall, he has the makings of a great modern defender who can excel in both the attacking and the defensive phases of play.

At desperate times like these, Everton could really do with a pick-me-up. And in the form of Marcel Brands’ update on Richarlison, they have got exactly that.

The Brazil international has been a permanent fixture in the Toffees’ squad since his arrival from Watford, featuring 54 times across all competitions. There were even suggestions earlier this season that Manchester United have been watching him in view to him potentially being the solution to their lack of strikers.

But it now appears Richarlison’s long-term future is set to be at Goodison Park. Speaking to the club’s official website (as quoted by The Liverpool Echo), Brands said: “We have to look at the positives ahead and one of the positive thing this week is that we are now busy with the last details of extending a new contract with one of our key players, Richarlison, until 2024.”

After hearing the contract update on the forward, Everton fans flooded to Twitter to voice their thoughts on the situation.

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Many supporters of the Merseyside club insisted it is a great piece of news for the club moving forward, and that it is refreshing to hear something positive amidst the side’s struggles.

Check out some of the reaction of Everton fans below:

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Leeds take on Luton on Saturday but it is a fixture which may come a little too soon for two key players, although Stuart Dallas is available.

Eddie Nketiah has been missing in recent weeks, last featuring at the end of October, whereas Liam Cooper sustained a groin injury in the last match against Blackburn – the same problem that kept him on the sidelines a few weeks earlier against Millwall.

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There is a chance he could aggravate the tear once again if he returns to action too soon, and that is a fear some Leeds supporters have.

With Ben White at the back it is unlikely Marcelo Bielsa or fans will be too concerned by the captain’s absence, and given Luton occupy 21st place in the table it is a very winnable game with or without their skipper.

The absence of Nketiah is a little more troubling as he provides a very useful option off the bench when the Whites are in need of a goal, and though his return is anticipated soon, it is likely he will miss out given Phil Hay’s suggestion.

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Here is some of the reaction to the injury update.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Former West Ham United players Phil Parkes and James Collins have shown their backing for Manuel Pellegrini while speaking with Claret & Hugh and talkSPORT respectively.

What did they say?

There has been debate about whether Pellegrini should be sacked as West Ham manager, with the team on a run of seven games without a win in all competitions.

The West Ham board have backed the manager, as reported by BBC Sport, and the pair of former Hammers have shown they believe this is the correct decision.

Speaking with Claret & Hugh, Parkes said: “I agreed with the appointment and one run of bad games does not justify some of the maulings I’ve seen him getting on social media and elsewhere. He’s a top manager and there’s no doubts in my mind that he will sort it out so long as the players get their acts together.

“Too often the manager takes the stick when things go wrong – the screams of ‘sack him’ start, panic sets in and the truth is it’s not down to him but the players.”

While Collins accepted Pellegrini’s status could come under pressure at some point, he echoed Parke’s sentiment that it’s the wrong time to dismiss the Chilean while speaking on talkSPORT (8:48, Wednesday 13th November): “I think they’ve got to give him time, obviously his pedigree speaks for itself, look what he did at Man City, you don’t just turn bad in seven games, he’s got the squad there and their next two games are huge.”

A matter of timing

The pair are right that Pellegrini should be given time, especially when the current circumstances at the club are considered.

Having Lukasz Fabianski out injured has been such a huge blow, and it’s no surprise it’s coincided with the winless run. Pellegrini at least deserves the opportunity to fix things when the Poland international is back between the sticks.

The six-game run without a loss in all competitions, that came before the current hapless succession of games, highlights that Pellegrini can get the team playing when he has his key players on the pitch.

In addition to that point, if Pellegrini was to be sacked, these conditions would not help out any incoming manager at all, due to the fact he would be using Roberto, David Martin or potentially Joseph Anang in goal.

Regardless of whether Pellegrini will be able to instantly turn things around after the international break, the Hammers are better off sticking with him for the time being.

Leeds United fans on Twitter have pulled no punches when discussing Kamil Miazek as the 23-year-old conceded seven goals as the Whites’ U23 side lost 7-1 to Derby County on Wednesday evening.

While we don’t like to see any footballer treated harshly on social media, we can kind of understand why the goalkeeper has been the subject of criticism.

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Conceding seven goals in a single game is pretty much inexcusable, and fans have made it clear that they’re far from happy with his performance against the Rams.

If we were going to cut Miazek some slack we’d say that the East Midlands outfit fielded a few players who had first-team experience such as Mason Bennett while Kieran Dowell came on as a late substitute.

The goalkeeper probably won’t want to read any of these comments, but here’s what the Elland Road faithful have been saying on social media after their drubbing…

Aston Villa will face off against West Midlands rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, but comments from one of the club’s defenders regarding his feelings towards local derbies have got these fans criticising the labelling of the fixture, with some drawing comparisons to games against West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City as true derby games. 

Villa, under the management of Dean Smith, will be aiming to get their season back on track after having suffered consecutive defeats at the hands of Manchester City and Liverpool, while Wolves will be looking to extend their unbeaten to 12 matches in the contest at Molineux.

Ahead of the game, an interview with Villa defender Tyrone Mings has been released, with the former AFC Bournemouth defender speaking regarding his excitement for the fixture.

Mings discussed the importance of bragging rights for fans at the atmosphere in the away end, but that most importantly his side must take all three points.

Here are some of the best reactions following the centre-back’s interview, with many fans disagreeing with Wolves being viewed as local rivals. 

Newcastle fans have slammed manager Steve Bruce after the comments he made while speaking about goalkeeper Martin Dubravka’s contract renewal.

Dubravka, 30, put pen to paper on a new six-year deal which will keep him at the club past his 36th birthday.

He originally joined the Magpies on loan in 2018 from Sparta Prague before the previous manager Rafa Benitez was able to secure his services on a permanent basis.

The shot-stopper has been one of Newcastle’s outstanding performers over the last 12 months after a series of good performances for the Magpies. He kept 11 clean sheets and played in all 38 Premier League games last season.

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He has three clean sheets out of nine games during the current campaign, most importantly during their 1-0 win over Manchester United in October.

Bruce use of the term “we’ve” in his statement has caused fume amongst the Newcastle fanbase. One fan said that Bruce is “riding on Rafa’s coat-tails”, insinuating that the Magpies manager is trying to get credit for the work that Benitez did. Another supporter said the comments reminded him of the time former boss Joe Kinnear unearthed Tim Krul.

Here you will find some of the best responses from Newcastle fans:

Newcastle United fans have been reacting to comments that skipper Jamaal Lascelles made about the team’s “heart and character”.

Lascelles, 25, has featured in all nine Premier League games this season and the Magpies find themselves in the relegation zone with only two wins and two draws to their name.

The criticism came the Toon skipper’s way after saying his team have had a positive start to the season.

Lascelles told The Chronicle: “We’ve had a really tough start to the season, Man United, Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea, Leicester and Arsenal in our opening nine games. That’s a really tough start.

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“When you consider we have eight points out of that it’s positive. We have been in a lot worse positions.

“I am just pleased with our performances at the minute and I know we can build on this.”

The Toon Army disagrees with their captain’s comments and made their feelings clear on social media.

One fan said that Lascelles was “deluded” and that his comments have no substantiation to it as he does not know where the goals will come from. Another supporter reminded him that he once said that Mike Ashley was a “good guy”.

Here you will find some of the best reactions from Newcastle fans…

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

According to The Daily Mail, Aston Villa are one of several Premier League clubs linked with a move to sign Omar Elabdellaoui on a free transfer next summer.

What’s the word?

The reports suggest that the west Midlands club are keeping tabs on the 27-year-old with his contract set to expire at the end of the current season.

As he currently plies his trade abroad for Greek outfit Olympiacos, Elabdellaoui would be available to sign a pre-contract agreement with any foreign club from the 1st of January onwards, meaning Villa could make their move in just a few months.

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The right-back has previous experience in England in the past after he endured a futile spell at Manchester City, the club he joined aged 16, as well as Hull City, who he joined on loan in 2017.

On Friday evening, the Norway international impressed in their 1-1 draw over Spain with him being the man to win their injury-time penalty.

Having spent five years on the books at the Premier League champions, the defender would be able to fulfil a homegrown spot for any Premier League club.

Gliding Guilbert

It remains to be seen how accurate these reports are, but they do seem a little unlikely considering they only signed a new right-back in January.

Frederic Guilbert was one of Dean Smith’s first signings as he joined from then-Ligue 1 side Caen.

Aston Villa’s summer signings’ performances so far this season are rated in the video below…

Villa had to wait to see him in action as he was loaned back to his former club with him making his debut against Everton, their first win of this campaign. Ever since then, he has kept hold of his spot ahead of Ahmed Elmohamady.

The 24-year-old has been one of their consistent performers, averaging two tackles and three interceptions per game, via WhoScored, as he has now played in six of a possible eight league games.

Meanwhile Elmohamady, despite not featuring, has been thrown on three times as a winger and even signed a contract extension back in August, making a move for another right-back seem all the more unlikely.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Unai Emery believes Arsenal can achieve “something important” this season, per inews.

What’s he said?

The Gunners have enjoyed a somewhat promising start to the season and have already played three of the so-called big six, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

They have lost just one of those games, to Jurgen Klopp’s men, while drawing with Spurs and the Red Devils, though they were defeated by Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Monday evening.

And Emery insists that his squad has the capacity to take significant strides forward this term, even reserving special praise for Mesut Ozil, who has struggled for minutes this term.

He said: “I am speaking every day with Raul (Sanllehi, their head of football), Edu (Arsenal’s technical director) and the players. And I really think our way is going right and working well.

“And really now I am very happy with the club. I am really happy with the players. The last two, three, four weeks, every player – and Mesut Ozil – has been working very well. In this way we can be positive and we can think we are going to do something important this year.

“This is the way I want and I was speaking with Raul, he has the same idea when he is speaking with me.”

Changes needed

If Emery is to get his way, significant changes are needed.

Ozil, namechecked by the Gunners boss, is not actually playing and has just one appearance to his name thus far in the top-flight. Granit Xhaka has been named captain, while Sead Kolasinac continues to keep Kieran Tierney out of the starting XI.

In the defeat to the Blades, Arsenal had just three shots on target.

That’s because they simply didn’t have enough creativity; their full-backs, Kolasinac and Calum Chambers, were both booked and could not have a significant impact in the latter third; Joe Willock, in attacking midfield, touched the ball a mere 17 times.

Of course, one swallow does not make a summer, in the same way that one bad result does not make a crisis, but the loss to the Blades is informative.

If Emery wants to take steps towards achieving what he wants, he needs to start playing his best players in a formation that allows them to actually create chances and score goals.

Otherwise, they’ll be doomed to another season of attempting to qualify for the Champions League.