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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…

As quoted by the club’s official website, Nicky Butt has lauded the development of Scott McTominay, and urged him to continue to progress as a box-to-box midfielder.

What did he say?

The Scotland international has become a mainstay in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s line-up this season, playing the full 90 minutes in every single Premier League game barring two – against Crystal Palace and Southampton respectively.

The 22-year-old has also notched three goals and an assist, and Butt has revealed he has been left suitably “impressed” by the academy product.

United’s head of first-team development said: “I’ve been impressed. We’ve had so many going in and doing well in different parts. Scott has now become established, even though he’s still a very young player. He’s doing really well.

“Scott’s now trying to develop his game into the player he was in the younger teams, when he scored goals, got into the box and dominated. He has embedded himself into the squad now and he’s become one of the first names on the team sheet. He’s done that bit, which is hard: settling in, not making too many mistakes, keeping it simple. Now the next step is getting back to being a box-to-box midfielder, getting goals, stopping goals at the other end.”

Rapid rise

Really breaking through into the United first-team set-up under Jose Mourinho – he played 31 times under the Portuguese manager – McTominay has come on leaps and bounds under Solskjaer in the past year or so.

As per Whoscored, he is averaging 2.3 tackles, 1.3 interceptions, 1.7 shots and 0.8 key passes per game in the Premier League this season. In the previous top-flight campaign, those numbers were down at 0.6, 0.9, 0.9 and 0.1 respectively. The levels of improvement in just a season is quite staggering, and that is a testament to the work McTominay must undoubtedly be putting in.

Already a permanent fixture in the United team now, the 6 foot 4 powerhouse could hold down a place in the Red Devils’ midfield for many years to come.

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

Fabinho’s brother-in-law, Ricardo Assis, has told The Telegraph that PSG, Manchester City, Manchester United and Juventus all spoke to the Brazil international’s agent before he moved to Anfield.

What’s the story?

The 26-year-old signed for the Reds in 2018 for £43.7m from AS Monaco, and has since gone on to make 58 appearances for the club.

However, according to his brother-in-law, it could have been so very different. He said:

“Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus also talked to his agent, but it was Liverpool that made all the effort to sign him.”

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Vital cog in Liverpool’s machine

There are plenty of talented players in Liverpool’s team. Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane stand out, of course, whilst Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold have also received praise for their contribution from the full-back positions. Fabinho, though, tends to go under the radar.

However, he is a vital cog in the Liverpool machine and he is arguably the Reds’ most important player in the middle of the park. Last season in the Premier League, he averaged 57.5 passes per match, more than any of those in the centre of the park, as well as 2.1 tackles, which again led the way amongst the midfielders.

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This season, he has progressed even more. The £45m-valued man – as per Transfermarkt – still leads the way in both aspects, but now he has 59.6 passes per game and a team-topping 2.4 tackles per match. Not only that, but he has also added key passes to his arsenal – he has 1.2 each game compared to 0.6 last term. The midfielder has also seen his completed long balls go up from 2.6 to 4.4 per match.

Henderson and Wijnaldum are the other two main midfielders and, whilst they do a lot for the team, their overall contribution, both in defence and going forward, cannot match Fabinho’s statistically.

Given how essential he is to the way Jurgen Klopp’s team play, Liverpool can count their lucky stars that he chose them over any of those other European giants.

Loads of Manchester United fans have been reacting on Twitter after former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey tipped Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish to join them this summer.

Asked whether he thought the 24-year-old could arrive at Old Trafford, the former England international told GentingBet: “There is every chance that Jack Grealish will join Man United in the summer. I don’t think that Jack will be at Villa come the end of the season.”

The attack-minded player has certainly made a positive impression for Dean Smith’s men in the Premier League season despite the fact they currently lie in the relegation zone, scoring seven goals and providing a further six assists in 26 top flight outings.

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As well as that, he has shown his leadership skills by captaining the side, and AS report that he has been fouled the most times (127) of any Premier League player in 2019/20, with ex-Red Devil Wilfried Zaha the next highest with 94.

Despite his quality and clear potential to get even better, United supporters on Twitter seem largely split on Grealish when responding to news of Heskey’s opinion, as you can see below.

There were some that backed a move for the talented Englishman, with one saying “here’s hoping”.

At the right price, you’d have to think that he would be a good buy for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men.

However, not all fans were keen on the potential arrival of the 24-year-old.

One individual suggested he is just another Andreas Pereira, who has come under criticism from supporters on Twitter for some of his performances this season.

How well do you really know the Premier League’s greatest ever manager? Find out below…

Another said that Jesse Lingard is “better than him”, which appears to be misguided given he has a return of two goals and two assists in 35 appearances in all competitions for United this term, and is three years older.

In other Man United news, one star who has made 202 appearances for the club could be set to finally make a heart-breaking exit…

Could Patrick Roberts make his return to Celtic this summer?

The winger spent three seasons on loan at Celtic Park, notching 18 goals and providing a further 26 assists in just 78 games across all competitions.

But having returned to parent club Manchester City, Roberts has had a tough time of it in the last couple of years, enduring less than stellar loan spells at the likes of Girona, Norwich and Middlesbrough.

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However, according to TEAMtalk, Celtic have made a new approach to sign the 23-year-old on a permanent basis, although it is suggested that City have yet to make a decision on his long-term future.

After hearing about their links to Roberts, Celtic fans took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on their former ace.

Some Celtic fans however seemed to be rather more reluctant to see Roberts back, with one supporter suggesting that they have “wasted enough money over the past few years”.

With the footballing world having to adjust their summer plans due to the current climate, luring Roberts on a cut-price deal could be a shrewd piece of business from Peter Lawwell and co.

The winger already knows what it’s like to play at Celtic Park and wouldn’t need too much time to get back into the swing of things.

Celtic, just like every other club, will have to play it smart in the summer, and a reunion with Roberts would be exactly that.

Crystal Palace have been struggling to make any major impact on the Premier League for several seasons now, with only a few players of note performing well.

But who has disappointed Roy Hodgson the most this campaign?

Christian Benteke

A true one-season wonder. The Belgian got off to a flying start at his new club after leaving Liverpool in 2016, scoring an impressive 15 goals in the league alone, finishing as Palace’s highest goal scorer that year.

Since then, however, Benteke has regressed, becoming more and more like the player he was at Anfield. So far this season he has tallied one goal and one assist, the exact amount he finished on last term. It’s mind-boggling that a striker only has two goals to his name in two seasons, yet still remains in and around first-team contention.

Not only are the 29-year-old’s performances in front of goal woeful, but his more detailed stats are even worse. According to WhoScored, Benteke has a pass accuracy average of 52.4% and despite Palace winning three of their last five games, the Belgian has still struggled.

He missed three big chances across these fixtures and gave the ball away a staggering 73 times. Benteke simply isn’t the forward Palace need to climb their way up the table.

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Cenk Tosun

Brought in on loan to try to solve some attacking issues, Tosun has had little joy with his new club. Scoring just one goal in his time at Selhurst Park, the Turkish forward has since been forced back to parent club Everton after recently suffering an ACL injury.

Talks were on the horizon to bring Tosun to Palace on a permanent deal, but this injury blow may change the outcome of where his future lies. Even the best athletes struggle to return from such debilitating injuries, so what should be expected from a man whose last two games in action saw him play just 16 minutes?

If Hodgson was already phasing him out of the team, it’s likely Everton will need to find another club for Tosun in the near future.

What do you think, Palace fans? Do you agree with the above or have there been worse performers under Hodgson this season?

Leeds United currently lead the Championship standings with only nine games to play, but there have been increasing doubts over whether a ball will be kicked again.Most conclusions to ending the season see Leeds promoted, only the EFL calling the campaign ‘null and void’ should theoretically stand in their way.

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It’s been 16 years since the west Yorkshire club were last in the Premier League, which will no doubt bring joy to many at Elland Road.

However, there is one expensive consequence that promotion is expected to bring – the permanent arrival of loan striker Jean-Kevin Augustin.

Earlier this week, Phil Hay of The Athletic replied to a supporter asking if there was any truth to the 22-year-old being on a monstrous £93k-per-week at his parent club RB Leipzig.

Leeds are obligated to sign Augustin should they clinch promotion, meaning they will have to take up these hefty wages unless he agrees to new terms as part of the permanent move.

That sum is comfortably above any other player at the club with goalkeeper Kiko Casilla thought to be one of the highest earners at £40k-a-week per Football Insider.

AND in other news,ÂLeeds flop Ouasim Bouy posts cryptic video…

A recent report from the Telegraph has left plenty of Tottenham Hotspur fans in agreement over one thing – They do not want Chelsea winger Willian at the club next season.

They claim that the north Londoners will battle their arch-rivals, Arsenal, for his signature with his contract set to expire at Stamford Bridge imminently.

Both clubs are resigned to the fact that they will not be able to spend much money due to financial implications following the pandemic and signing the Premier League veteran on a free transfer could aid things somewhat.

And as you can see from this supporter, the idea of Willian finally being in Spurs’ white strip is clearly too much of a grim thought…

The 31-year-old has been quite the regular under Frank Lampard this term, providing seven goals and six assists in 37 appearances in all competitions, via Transfermarkt.

He could arguably still do a job at this level given that it is his best goal tally since the 2017/18 campaign and his versatility to play anywhere behind the striker.

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Although, Spurs fans clearly still don’t want him as part of Jose Mourinho’s squad next term…

One possible angle for this agenda could be the fact that the Brazilian wide man once ditched Spurs’ transfer negotiations to join London rivals, Chelsea, instead back in 2013.

Whilst further members of the Spurs faithful may have their sights set on other reported targets, such as AFC Bournemouth winger Ryan Fraser, who too is available on a free this summer.

At 26, he poses a long-term advantage for the club whether that’s an entire career in north London or creating resell value remains to be seen.

Only time will tell where Willian will end up but as above, many at Spurs will be hoping it’s not with them.

AND in other news, Spurs fans react to reported interest in emerging La Liga TALENT…

Liverpool will be offering Adam Lallana a ‘mini extension’ with the club which will see him eligible to play theÂremaining Premier League fixtures.

According to Paul Joyce, long-time serving veteran Lallana will be departing the club this summer after a troublesome career in red. However, despite his many injury problems, Jurgen Klopp sees the 32-year-old as a vital part of this Liverpool side.

The Englishman will pen a new deal, seeing him stay with the club long enough to feature in the remaining league games this season and ultimately share in Liverpool’s inevitable domestic success.

Lallana has been with the club for six years after Brendan Rodgers signed him from Southampton in 2014 (via BBC Sport). Since then, he has made 178 appearances for the Reds and has contributed 22 goals and 22 assists (via Transfermarkt).

Liverpool fans are in agreement that the midfielder should stay until the end of the season and believe he deserves to enjoy the title win as much as any other senior player given his efforts down the years, including this term where he has made 15 league appearances and scored one goal – a vital equaliser against Manchester United (Transfermarkt).

One supporter has commented on Joyce’s update saying ‘Klopp is too good’ as they laud the manager for his decision to see Lallana involved in the celebrations.

How do you feel about Lallana’s ‘mini contract extension’, Reds? Join the discussion in the comments below!

Burnley manager Sean Dyche is resigned to losing young winger Dwight McNeil, who has reportedly been a transfer target for Manchester United.

According to Lancashire Live, Everton and Crystal Palace are also interested in the 20-year-old, who the Clarets boss feels will move on from Turf Moor to advance his career prospects.

Dyche told Lancashire Live: “There comes a time when eventually players will leave Burnley because we can only go so far and the club only chooses to go so far – whether it be contractually or big fees coming in.”

The 49-year-old added: “He’s a young player who is doing very, very well. I’d be very very surprised if he doesn’t leave Burnley at some point because someone will come along and knock on our door. But that’s the reality of Burnley.”

After breaking into Burnley’s starting XI last season, McNeil has been a near-constant presence in the Clarets’ line-up, with five goals and 11 assists in 60 appearances for the club so far (as per TransferMarkt).

As per WhoScored, he is their leading assists provider in the 2019/20 Premier League with six, while his match average of 2.1 successful dribbles is by far the highest at Turf Moor. He is also Burnley’s market leader in terms of key passes, with 1.5 per game.

The 20-year-old is valued at £16.2m by TransferMarkt, although Dyche has warned prospective suitors that the Clarets are “very strong financially” and would “have to come for heavy prices” if they are to prise McNeil away from his current club (as per Lancashire Live).

This is not the first time that Burnley’s resolve for one of their prize assets has been tested. Five years ago, Danny Ings was sold to Liverpool after he scored 11 goals in the Clarets’ unsuccessful battle against Premier League relegation. In 2017, they sold Andre Gray to Watford in what became a record transfer for the Hornets.

McNeil’s statistics mark him out as a player with enormous potential who is already delivering, and that he is wanted by a Manchester United side chasing Champions League football says plenty about his talent.

Burnley’s team would be weaker without him, although they recovered from the sale of Ings in 2015 to earn immediate promotion back to the Premier League as Gray filled the goal-scoring void. Then, after he made the move to Watford, Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes stepped up.

Losing McNeil would be a blow but, as shown by the likes of Gray in the past, Burnley are capable of finding effective replacements, so it should not be catastrophic if the 20-year-old is sold at a lucrative fee once the money is wisely invested elsewhere.

Burnley fans, how hard would it be to replace McNeil if he is sold? Comment below with your views!

Scottish Premiership side Rangers have made a late move for Sunderland keeper Jon McLaughlin who was expected to sign for Blackburn Rovers.

The Black Cats’ failed to gain a return to the Championship this summer after the English Football League opted to end the 2019/2020 League One season via a points-per-game system.

Phil Parkinson’s side are now expected to undergo a whole host of changes in the summer transfer window in what they hope will be a successful campaign next term.

Scottish ‘keeper McLaughlin will see his current contract expire at the end of June and he has been linked with a move to Championship side Blackburn Rovers .

A regular for the Wearside club this term, making 32 League One appearances and keeping 11 clean sheets, whilst conceding just 27 goals, McLaughlin will be a huge loss to Parkinson if he does not agree a new deal to stay at the Stadium of Light.

And, that is now looking extremely likely as Rangers have joined Blackburn with interest as they look to find a replacement for Wes Foderingham.

Football Insider claim that Rangers boss Steven Gerrard is keen to find an established back-up keeper to Allan McGregor and that McLaughlin has been identified as the man to fill the void.

From a Sunderland point of view, McLaughlin has gone. The club’s lack of promotion is likely to backfire on them in the coming weeks as players look to depart, some on free transfers and the Scottish stopper is one of those.

A move to either Blackburn or Rangers is a step up simply to good to turn for the 32-year-old, particularly at his age, and you have to feel that the latter would be his preferred choice given the sheer size of the club and the fact that they can also offer European football.

Where do you think McLaughlin will end up this summer? Let us know in the comments section below…