Olise Hits Brace As Crystal Palace Thrash Man United 4-0

Published

9 months ago

May 7, 2024

Manchester United are at risk of failing to qualify for Europe next season after a dismal 4-0 thrashing at Crystal Palace left the Red Devils eighth in the Premier League.

Michael Olise scored twice, either side of goals from the in-form Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell, as the Eagles’ resurgence since the appointment of Oliver Glasner as manager continues.

The time for a change of boss at Old Trafford could be coming soon as Erik ten Hag fails to arrest a slide in his second season in charge.

That came after finishing seventh in David Moyes’ sole campaign 10 years ago and the Scot was sacked with four games of the season to go.

United have never come lower than seventh in the Premier League era but are staring that possibility in the face with title-chasing Arsenal to come at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Ten Hag has routinely cited injury problems as mitigation for his side’s struggles.

The Dutchman was forced to cobble together a makeshift backline as Casemiro deputised out of position at centre-back, alongside 36-year-old Jonny Evans.

Captain Bruno Fernandes was also absent as his proud record of never missing a club game in his career due to injury came to an end.

But there was little excuse for the lack of fight or quality on show from a United side, whose sole Premier League win in their last seven games came against relegated Sheffield United.

Palace are unbeaten in their last five as former Eintracht Frankfurt boss Glasner’s project takes shape.

United failed to muster even a single shot on target in the first half but were unfortunate not to level against the run of play.

Casemiro’s looping header dropped into the net after Rasmus Hojlund clashed with Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson and was harshly penalised for a push.

But a two-goal half-time lead was the least Palace’s superiority deserved.

Mateta has been a man transformed under Glasner and hammered home his ninth goal in 11 games after skipping past the leaden-footed Evans with ease.

There was no response from United after the break on a night which could be the final straw for the club’s new leadership group when deciding Ten Hag’s future.

Some heroics from Onana briefly kept the scoreline down as he saved from Eze, Will Hughes and Mitchell in quick succession.

But he was powerless to deny Mitchell a rare goal from close range as United were cut open from a set-piece.

Onana was then caught out by the power of Olise’s strike that flew past the Cameroonian.

The margin of the defeat took United’s goal difference to -3 which tells the tale of a sorry season for the 20-time English champions.

The FA Cup final against Manchester City offers Ten Hag one last shot at redemption, should he survive in charge until on May 25.

However, based on this evidence, United fans will fear double-chasing City could run riot at Wembley to inflict the ultimate humiliation.

AFP

Transfer: Neymar in shock return to Barcelona after Santos move

Published

15 hours ago

January 30, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Neymar Jr., a former forward for Paris Saint-Germain, may be returning to his old team, Barcelona.

This follows his brief stay at Santos, the club he frequented as a youngster.

The Brazilian confirmed his transfer from Al-Hilal, a Saudi Pro League team, to Santos on Monday.

Al-Hilal will terminate his contract, and he will sign a brief six-month contract with his Santos.

June 2025 was the expiration date of his initial contract with Al-Hilal.

Neymar will also be a free agent after his six-month stay with his hometown team.

Fichajes.net reports sources close to the Brazilian as saying that he is keen on returning to Europe in 2025.

The former PSG superstar wants to prepare himself to lead Brazil in the 2026 World Cup.

After Santos, Barcelona has emerged as one of Neymar’s top destinations, the report claims.

When Neymar Jr. relocated from Santos to Barcelona in 2013, his journey into European football officially began.

In 186 appearances across all competitions, the Selecao great helped the Catalan team score 105 goals and dish out 76 assists.

Transfer: Marseille move to sign Iheanacho on loan

Published

15 hours ago

January 30, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Olympic Marseille, a Ligue 1 team, is interested in loaning Sevilla forward Kelechi Iheanacho for the rest of the season.

After the Nigerian failed to make an impression after joining on a free transfer last summer, Sevilla is willing to let him go this month.

This week, the Rojiblancos acquired Jerome Akor Adams, a fellow countryman, from Montpellier, a French team.

Despite having other offers on the table, Iheanacho is reportedly leaning toward a move to Marseille, according to French publications.

According to reports, Sevilla and the striker have contacted Marseille.

Before the winter transfer window closes, the 28-year-old is anticipated to make a decision regarding his future.

Former Belgium player Radja Nainggolan arrested for alleged cocaine smuggling

Published

3 days ago

January 28, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Former Belgian footballer, Radja Nainggolan has reportedly been arrested for alleged involvement in cocaine smuggling.

According to a report by Corriere della Sera, the former AS Roma midfielder was allegedly part of a smuggling operation transporting cocaine from South America to Antwerp.

The Brussels public prosecutor’s office confirmed Nainggolan’s arrest as part of a large-scale raid on 30,000 houses in Antwerp and Brussels on Monday, January 27, 2025.

“The federal judicial police of Brussels carried out thirty house searches on Monday morning in the context of a case from the Organized Crime department of the Brussels public prosecutor’s office. The searches mainly took place in the province of Antwerp and in Brussels.”

“The investigation concerns suspected activities related to the importation of cocaine from South America to Europe via the port of Antwerp, as well as its distribution in Belgium. We can confirm that the footballer RN (Radja Nainggolan) has been taken into custody in connection with this case,” the statement read as quoted by UK outlet, Daily Mail.

“Given that interrogations are ongoing, and in compliance with the principle of presumption of innocence, no further comment will be made at this stage.”

Nainggolan, 36, currently plays for Lokeren-Temse, a lower-tier club in Belgium. He rose to prominence during his time in Italy, representing clubs such as Inter Milan, AS Roma, and Cagliari.

The former midfielder announced his retirement from international football in 2018 after being omitted from Belgium’s squad for the FIFA World Cup that year.