Granada boss Alexander Medina admits he has been "impressed" by Manchester United loanee Facundo Pellistri since he arrived on loan in January.

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• Pellistri leaves Man Utd on loan
• Goal and assist against Barcelona
• Granada boss impressed

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Medina, 45, admitted he has been impressed by Pellistri since he joined the club on loan during the January transfer window. Following the first conversation he had the United loan star, the Granada boss has praised the impact the player has had on both ends of the pitch.

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  WHAT MEDINA SAID

  “Facu Pellistri surprised me in the first talk we had, in these two weeks of work he has given us a lot at stake and in defensive solidarity,” he said to . “I looked for Pellistri because he knew what he could give us. He meets all the conditions on the wing, he had his personal ambition for growth and that leaves me happy.”

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  This is the third loan spell in La Liga for the 21-year-old, after previously spending two seasons with Deportivo Alaves from 2020 to 2022. Across his opening two games for Granada, Pellistri has recorded a goal and assist for his new club – which both arrived in the dramatic 3-3 draw with La Liga giants Barcelona.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR GRANADA?

  The Uruguayan playmaker will be hoping he can carry his strong form over to the next game for Granada, as they prepare to face Almeria on Sunday. Granada currently sit in 19th place within the top flight of Spanish football, with their upcoming opponents being the only side below them in the table.

Paris Saint Germain have made a decision regarding Kylian Mbappe's return from injury ahead of their clash against Real Sociedad on Wednesday.

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Mbappe suffers injuryRested against Lille on weekendSet to return for UCL fixture(C)Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

The 25-year-old France international is set to return to the PSG line-up for their upcoming Champions League clash against Real Sociedad on Wednesday. Mbappe had previously picked up an ankle injury during the 3-1 win over Brest in the Coupe de France – where he scored the opening goal in the 34th minute.

AdvertisementWHAT LUIS ENRIQUE SAID

Speaking in Tuesday's press conference ahead of the first leg, PSG boss Luis Enrique offered an update on Mbappe's fitness. "Kylian Mbappe is available, just like the other players," he said. "When a team has a player like Kylian Mbappe, of course we know that the more he plays the better, because we all benefit from that. There is no doubt about it. He could have played [on Saturday] if it had been a final, but it wasn't, it was not worth the risk."

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Enrique made the decision to rest Mbappe during their last outing against LOSC Lille last weekend, where his side were once again able to secure a 3-1 win. In his absence, PSG played two players up front in a traditional 4-4-2 formation, with both Randal Kolo Muani and Goncalo Ramos featuring. Both players were on the scoresheet during the game.

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WHAT NEXT FOR PSG?

The first leg of their round of 16 tie is now approaching on Wednesday, as they host Sociedad who currently sit in seventh place within La Liga. Mbappe has three goals to his name in the Champions League this season and his return to the line-up will act as a huge boost to PSG.

Erik ten Hag believes Manchester United made a crucial mistake in the build-up to Fulham's dramatic late winner at Old Trafford on Saturday.

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• United lost 2-1 in clash at Old Trafford
• Scored late equaliser and pressed for winner
• Alex Iwobi netted shock late goal for Fulham

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  United had cancelled out Calvin Bassey's opener with a strike from Harry Maguire in the 89th minute. But as they pressed for a winner, Fulham had a throw in their defensive half and broke away through Adama Traore, who played in Iwobi to finish and earn the Cottagers all three points in front of a stunned Old Trafford, leaving Ten Hag bemused.

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  WHAT TEN HAG SAID

  Ten Hag told : "It was a throw-in [for Fulham] in the corner, we had them under pressure and we have one player in the wrong position. As a team we should manage that and make sure everyone is in the right position. We let them escape and it is avoidable. The team showed big character to fight back, we deserved the equaliser and went for the win – we showed big personality and character. It was that mistake. Before that we went for the win and we should have taken our opportunities."

  He added: "With the squad we had today we should have won this game. Both halves were slow starts and we should be ready from the first whistle. That's a point of criticism but the team showed big character in both halves."

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  The result is a bitter blow for United's Champions League hopes. Aston Villa beat Nottingham Forest 4-2 on Saturday and now sit eight points ahead of the Red Devils in fourth. Tottenham have a game in hand on United; if they win it, they will be six clear of ten Hag's men in fifth.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR UNITED?

  United play Nottingham Forest in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Wednesday. They then return to Premier League action in a huge derby against title-chasing Manchester City.

Manchester United have been dealt a hammer blow with Luke Shaw suffering another injury setback, leaving England sweating ahead of Euro 2024.

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Shaw suffers another setback in Luton winDefender could miss rest of seasonEngland contention for Euro 2024 also in doubtGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

Shaw started in United's 2-1 victory over Luton Town on Sunday but couldn't make it to half-time before being forced off through injury. According to the , the full-back suffered a recurrence of a leg problem that has already seen him miss three months of action this term. He is now a doubt for the remainder of the club season, naturally throwing his contention for England's Euro 2024 squad into doubt as well.

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Shaw's return from that three-month lay-off only came on February 11 against Aston Villa, when the full-back was brought on as a half-time substitute in an eventual 2-1 win. Erik ten Hag's decision to start the England international just a week later will now be scrutinised, as his absence will be sorely felt at the back. notes that Shaw will likely miss all 13 of United's remaining Premier League games as well as the remainder of their FA Cup campaign. This will be a hammer blow in their bid for a top four place, especially considering Lisandro Martinez's long-term absence.

Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?

The news is also a blow to England boss Gareth Southgate, who could lose one of his two recognised left-backs ahead of the upcoming European Championship. Chelsea star Ben Chilwell is only just returning from a lengthy spell on the sidelines of his own, which could mean Kieran Trippier is deployed on the left side during the tournament in Germany – should Shaw not be back in time.

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WHAT NEXT FOR SHAW?

As well as United's 13 Premier League games and the remainder of their FA Cup run, Shaw will definitely miss England's friendlies against Brazil and Belgium next month. Both Ten Hag and Southgate will once again be left sweating on their fitness of their star left-back.

Zidane seems to be keen to get back into the game and there's plenty of options for him

A movie premiere is not the most likely place for the starting pistol to be fired on an almighty managerial tug of war. But at the recent maiden screening of a documentary charting the career of former Italy and Juventus boss Marcello Lippi, Zinedine Zidane's seven words to a reporter did exactly that.

"I'd certainly like to return to the bench," the legendary Frenchman said – and it appears that several top clubs across the continent were listening. That Zidane was speaking within the context of that prospective job coming in Italy didn't matter. In the hours and days that followed his comment, news feeds were flooded with stories linking Zidane with a string of the continent's best-known sides.

This is not the first time his name has been mentioned for the biggest jobs, of course. Since leaving his beloved Real Madrid for a second time in 2021, Zidane has had the pick of a whole host of different roles. However, up to now, he has proved to be an extremely discerning customer, turning down some truly massive opportunities after the projects failed to enthuse him.

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  Biding his time

  For instance, Zidane has reportedly been considered by Manchester United twice previously, once back in 2019 when Jose Mourinho's time was coming to an end, and then more recently in 2021 before Ralf Rangnick was chosen as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's interim replacement.

  Juventus were also sniffing around when Andrea Pirlo departed, eventually opting to rehire Max Allegri, who has endured a topsy-turvy time in Turin ever since. Paris Saint-Germain have been among his other suitors, with links most prominent when it became evident that Christophe Galtier would be sacked towards the end of last season. Again though, Zidane kept his distance and Luis Enrique instead landed French football's top job.

  It's not just been club roles either. The USMNT are understood to have sounded out the 51 year old when Gregg Berhalter spent a period under investigation. Zidane showed little willing to head Stateside, however, even with the promise of leading the Stars and Stripes at a home World Cup in 2026.

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  The France dream is dead – for now

  In fact, despite all of the rumours, there's only been one job that Zidane has ever felt close to taking since his Madrid exit. When France lost in the 2022 World Cup final, it was unclear whether Didier Deschamps would stay on as Les Bleus boss. This led to Zidane's name being floated for the job, amid criticism of Deschamps' perceived negative team selection.

  Then, with the dust still settling on France's dramatic defeat in Qatar, it was confirmed that the manager had extended his deal until 2026. This was obviously disappointing from Zidane's perspective, but the issue soon snowballed into a full-on national crisis thanks to then-French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet.

  Speaking to RMC Sport at the time, the 82 year old said: "Did Zidane tried to reach me? Certainly not, I wouldn't even have picked up the phone anyway." He added: "I've never met him, we never considered parting with Didier."

  His dismissive comments attracted widespread outroar, with Kylian Mbappe telling him not to "disrespect the legend like that", while French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera also chimed in. Le Graet attempted to wriggle off the hook with an apology, but it was no use. A few months earlier, his position had been weakened by an expose in a French outlet So Foot, which included accusations of sexual harassment and inappropriate workplace behaviour at FFF, and the president would tender his resignation in February 2023.

  Criticism of Zidane was the straw that broke the camel's back, which is telling for just how highly the 1998 World Cup hero is regarded in France. However, with Deschamps still in charge, his dream of managing his national team anytime soon is dead. The situation may change if Les Bleus implode at the Euros this summer, but Zidane's recent comments suggest he is tired of waiting and would be amenable to re-entering the club game if the right opportunity emerged.

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  The perfect man for Real Madrid

  And it's little surprise that so many top sides would be willing to offer him that route back to the dugout. That Zidane remains so highly regarded after an unusually long break is testament of the quite incredible job he did during his first spell at the Santiago Bernabeu. Airlifted in from the club's second team to pick up the wreckage left by Rafa Benitez's ill-fated spell in charge, just a few months later he had led Los Blancos to the Champions League final, where they edged out bitter rivals Atletico Madrid at San Siro.

  And the trophies just kept on coming thereafter. The following campaign, Madrid won La Liga, the Club World Cup and the Champions League, with Zidane adding a ridiculous, third-straight European Cup to his collection during the 2017-18 campaign. He left shortly after, insisting the club needed a "change" to push on, but he wasn't away for long.

  Following failed stints from Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari, Madrid put up the Zidane beacon again in March 2019. This time he was tasked with essentially rebuilding the team following Cristiano Ronaldo's departure and La Liga glory was savoured in his first full season in charge. That title tilt was built on a measly defence and the goals of Karim Benzema, but the 2020-21 campaign was less magical, as Los Blancos failed to lift a single piece of silverware.

  Despite still being under contract until 2022, Zidane left at the end of that season, somewhat acrimoniously. An open letter to fans read: "Right now, things are different… I’m leaving because I feel the club no longer has the faith in me I need, nor the support to build something in the medium or long term."

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  Bayern Munich are interested

  Zidane wasn't the first coach to be ground down by life under the ever-demanding Florentino Perez, but if he is truly refreshed and ready to go again, he will have no shortage of offers this summer. One club understood to be interested is Bayern Munich, following the news that Thomas Tuchel will be departing at the end of the season.

  News of the ex-Chelsea boss' exit wasn't surprising. Die Roten currently trail Xabi Alonso's exceptional Bayer Leverkusen by eight points in the Bundesliga title race while their Champions League prospects hang by a thread following a disappointing last-16 first-leg defeat to Lazio.

  In typically Bayern fashion – who have made a habit of hoovering up talent from their German rivals – Alonso is thought to be their No.1 choice. But with Liverpool pushing hard to snap up the Spaniard too, Zidane has emerged as another option.

  His hire would make a good deal of sense. Bayern's dressing room dynamics are a mess right now, with pro and anti Tuchel factions apparently emerging. This echos a wider pattern of intersquad discord over the past few seasons, with Leroy Sane and Sadio Mane even coming to blows after a Champions League game last season, raising concerns that the infamous FC Hollywood days are returning to Bavaria.

  Zidane showed during his time at Madrid that one of his key assets is handling egos. Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and countess other big-name players only have good things to say about the Frenchman, and when they were at the peak of their powers his side's exuded an aura.

  It was this mentality – created by Zidane – that carried them to the majority of their success. He's not a 'philosophy coach' like Pep Guardiola or Roberto De Zerbi. He's tactically flexible, with his greatest strength instead being ensuring the psychological dynamics of the team are elite.

  After experiencing issues with two such blue-sky thinking managers – Tuchel and Julian Nagelsmann – in the recent past, turning to Zidane would seem to make sense for Bayern.

Liverpool are through to the Champions League final after being Villarreal at El Madrigal on Tuesday evening, and to say the game was one of two halves is an understatement.

Jurgen Klopp’s side conceded two goals in the first half after Boulaye Dia and Francis Coquelin found the back of the net to put the two teams back on a level playing field on aggregate going into the second half.

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Despite Unai Emery’s team showing overwhelming character and quality in the first half against Liverpool matching them for possession (50%), it wasn’t enough to hold off their opponents with Luis Diaz completely changing the game when he was brought on to give his team a fresh attacking perspective.

Liverpool instantly improved on their shocking first-half performance and eventually found a way to break down their opponent’s defence and goalkeeper when Fabinho found the back of the net in the 62nd minute, closely followed by a goal-hungry Diaz just five minutes later and inevitably Sadio Mane killed the game completely with a third second-half goal in the 74th minute.

Yet again, Mane proved he is worth his weight in gold to Liverpool with the Senegalese winger securing his third Champions League final in an exceptional all-round performance that ultimately rescued his team in the second half of the game.

The 30-year-old who was once dubbed a “wild animal” by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, was successful in 100% of his dribbles, made two key passes and two tackles as well as winning 14 of his 19 duels combined to complete a phenomenal performance that has led him to his fourth final for club and country in just five months.

Mane not only proved how incredibly integral he is for his team, but also matched Chelsea legend Frank Lampard’s record for goals scored in the knock-out stages of the Champions League with 15 strikes in the competition, and has now become the highest scoring African player in the knock-out stages of the competition by surpassing Didier Drogba with his finish on Tuesday.

Liverpool have now earned themselves a spot in a third final this season, after winning the Carabao Cup and securing a spot in both the FA Cup final and the Champions League final in Paris.

Klopp, however, still has a huge job on his hands to keep the quadruple dreams alive for the Merseyside club.

AND in other news: “I’m told…”: Romano drops major LFC transfer claim, supporters will be buzzing

Tottenham Hotspur have held a London meeting with Bologna sporting director Riccardo Bigon as he offers out five players, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Big few months ahead…

Spurs face off against arch rivals Arsenal today in the Premier League, a blockbuster derby clash which may well determine who is playing Champions League football next season.

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Antonio Conte’s side, if they’re victorious this evening, could be given a major boost in so many ways – including the potential for bigger pull in the summer transfer market and the financial windfall which comes with it.

As the Italian prepares his side for their most important match of the 2021/2022 campaign, Lilywhites officials will be contemplating how to strengthen Conte’s team this summer with or without a top-four finish.

Now, according to Calcio Napoli 24, it appears the club have held talks with Bologna chief Bigon as he travels to England.

The Latest: Bigon in London ‘to sell five players’…

Their sources claim the high-ranking Serie A official was in London yesterday ‘to sell five players’ with the aim of ‘meeting’ several clubs including Spurs, holding talks and ‘probing their intentions’.

Naming the players in question, it is believed Mattias Svanberg, Jerdy Schouten, Aaron Hickey, Arthur Theate and Riccardo Orsolini are all on offer as the Italians look to deal their most valued assets.

The Verdict: Svanberg a must…

Of all the men reportedly on offer from Bologna and Bigon, we believe Svanberg stands out as the main man and he has been linked with a move to N17 before.

Described as ‘one of the top four or five’ number 8’s in Europe by an iNews source, it was claimed that the Lilywhites and Paratici were even favourites to sign the Swedish ace ahead of title contenders Man City.

As Svanberg’s club seemingly look desperate to offload this summer in a bid to raise funds, Tottenham shouldn’t hesitate in snapping up the midfield gem who Conte ‘would enjoy working with’, especially given the boss’ reported desire to sign two new midfielders.

In other news: Conte could now convince ‘phenomenal’ 6 foot 3 powerhouse to join Spurs! Find out more here.

Fabrizio Romano has dropped an update on Manchester United’s pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong after news of financial troubles at Camp Nou.

The Lowdown: 95% possibility

De Jong, who worked under new United boss Erik ten Hag at Ajax, has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent days.

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Spanish journalist Gerard Romero revealed that there is a 95 per cent chance of the Dutch midfielder reuniting with Ten Hag in Manchester, adding that Barcelona need to sell this summer.

The 25-year-old has been at the Nou Camp since 2019 and has made 138 appearances for the Catalan giants, but it looks as if his days in Spain are now numbered.

The Latest: Romano’s update

Transfer expert Romano dropped an update regarding De Jong on Thursday morning. He revealed there ‘has been contact with Manchester United’, but added that ‘sources say there’s no full/close agreement with Barcelona’ as of yet.

Romano also backed up Romero’s financial news, suggesting Barcelona’s situation could have an impact on the midfielder’s future.

The Verdict: Pogba replacement

Plenty of incomings and outgoings are expected this summer, with Paul Pogba expected to fall into the later of the two when his contract expires this summer.

Therefore, De Jong, primarily a central midfielder who can also turn out in a holding role, could prove to be a replacement for the Frenchman.

However, Fred will be the only central midfielder available to Ten Hag should Pogba depart, and if De Jong is the marquee midfield addition, you could argue that a few more reinforcements in the centre of the pitch will be needed ahead of the 2022/23 season.

In other news: ‘Important’ – Romano also drops this Man Utd update as Ten Hag close to first piece of business. 

Manchester City have seen many players come and go at the Etihad Stadium over the past few years, usually for significant sums of money.

As things stand in their current season, the Citizens are four games away from potentially securing the Premier League title once again.

Should the club manage to do that, it would be the only trophy they would get their hands on this season after getting knocked out of the Carabao Cup, FA Cup and, this week, the Champions League.

Now that the summer transfer window is on the horizon, it seems as though a big clue has emerged regarding what sort of business could be done behind the scenes at the Etihad this time around.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from The Telegraph, City are preparing to “refresh their squad this summer amid hope Pep Guardiola will extend his contract with the club.”

It has also been claimed that City “are expected to sign the Norway striker Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund for the £63m release clause in his contract regardless of what happens with the manager’s longer-term future.”

The report added that the Citizens “want to bring in another midfielder, with Fernandinho due to leave at the end of the season, and doubts surrounding the futures of at least five other senior players.”

Focusing on their potential swoop for Haaland, the fact that City have missed more big chances (58) than any other team in the Premier League this season shows that they could do with having a clinical striker like the Norwegian in their line-up.

Having scored 85 goals in 87 games for the Bundesliga giants, it’s safe to say that the 21-year-old could be a crucial signing for City if he can replicate that same sort of consistent goalscoring form in England.

Taking all this into account, it seems as though the hierarchy at the Etihad could be set for a busy summer period in terms of securing deals for players potentially moving into and out of the club once again.

This would surely be great news for City supporters who will be hoping that whatever business gets done in the summer will put their team in with a great chance of winning every competition in which they are involved next season and beyond.

In other news: Behind-the-scenes transfer development emerges, it’s bad news for Man City

Leeds United are once again among the clubs named as interested candidates in signing FC Koln defender Timo Hubers, according to a report from Football Insider. 

The lowdown: Leeds scouting mission

A recent report from Football Insider claimed that the Whites had sent scouts to watch the 25-year-old in action against Arminia Bielefeld in the Bundesliga.

The powerful centre-back impressed in front of the watching Elland Road officials as he produced a standout display containing five clearances, two blocks and three interceptions in a 7.0 rated performance from Sofascore.

A fresh update has now emerged involving the interest from Leeds…

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The latest: Hubers is hot property

As per a recruitment source at Football Insider, Whites manager Jesse Marsch remains attentive to the German ace but faces stiff competition from Crystal Palace, Watford and Fulham.

The report claimed that all of the suitors are ‘keeping close tabs’ on Hubers ahead of the summer transfer window.

With the player out of contract in 2023 (Transfermarkt), the report cites a £6.7m release clause which will likely be activated at the end of the season.

The verdict: Make it happen

Leeds have been plagued by injury problems during the 2021/22 campaign, not least in central defence, and adding strength in depth at the back should be a high priority for Marsch this summer.

So far this season, the £2.7m-valued Hubers – who shares similar traits to Diego Llorente stylistically when using the FB Ref comparison tool – has made 21 appearances across all competitions for Koln.

At the mooted fee, this signing would make plenty of sense for Leeds’ director of football Victor Orta, as Marsch rightfully looks to bolster the options at his disposal in Yorkshire.

In other news, BBC pundit criticises Leeds ace for ‘poor’ display against Manchester City…