The end of the Alex Ferguson era at Old Trafford was always going to hit Manchester United hard, but most of the club’s fans couldn’t of expected how far backwards they had stepped.

Louis Van Gaal was brought in as manager and given the task of changing fortunes at the club. He set his players just one target, to qualify for the Champions League, and they obliged.

Now the former Holland, Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss is looking to stamp his effect at Old Trafford and the way everything is shaping up Manchester United are going to be a force next season.

Van Gaal has moved early in the transfer window, making several key signings that have improved his squad significantly.

Memphis Depay was the first name through the door this summer. The 21-year-old has signed from PSV Eindhoven for around £25million.

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The Dutch winger is an incredible young talent; last season he finished as the top scorer in the Eredivisie and has found himself drawing comparisons to a young Cristiano Ronaldo.

Similar to the Real Madrid striker he has a great technical expertise mixed with pure physical strength, not to mention his set piece expertise. The player is expected to produce big things at United in the future.

Following that deal Van Gaal moved to sign another player he knows well, this time raiding former club Bayern Munich for central midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger.

The German International moves for around £14m and finally gives United the replacement for Paul Scholes they have been searching for, unfortunately for the Red Devils it took them since 2013 to find him.

Schweinsteiger brings a wealth of experience from playing at the top level of football and is the complete midfielder – technically brilliant, comfortable defensively and even better moving forward.

He will thrive at United and will no doubt be running the show from the centre of the park alongside fellow new signing Morgan Schneiderlin, and Spanish midfielder Anders Herrera.

The team is starting to take shape and the club have three issues standing in the way of a title challenge next season, fortunately for the club they are already working towards a solution.

United certainly aren’t done in the transfer market this summer with two more big signings needed, and one thing for certain is that it all looks promising for the fans.

Following the departure of Robin Van Persie, the Dutch manager will be searching for a new big name striker to ease Wayne Rooney’s workload. United have been linked to some massive names already with the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Edison Cavani, Thomas Muller all linked with moves to Old Trafford this summer.

Whoever the club sign up front there will be no doubting their ability as United have never been shy when it comes to spending and will be looking to purchase the best option around.

The other area in need is the centre of defence. Currently they have the likes of Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Chris Smalling and whilst they are all good defenders, none are world class.

This is an area that Van Gaal is looking to solve and again he is searching amongst the best defenders in the world to improve his squad, names like Nicolas Otamendi, Sergio Ramos and Ezequiel Garay have been looked at.

Any of those trio would certainly improve the United defence and stop the number of goals the club conceded.

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That is of course provided the club keep hold of David De Gea, he has been the subject of speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid for months now.

The simple fact is United can not let him go. He single handedly won United a number of points last season and selling him makes no sense at all.

Especially after the new argument between Victor Valdes and Louis Van Gaal has flared up, it is important that United keep at least one settled goalkeeper.

The signs do look good if you are a Red Devil and it won’t be long before they are challenging for the title again.

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For all the concerning groans and moans at St. James’ Park this season, Newcastle’s game-plan has proved far more effective on the road. Tellingly, Newcastle are tenth in the Premier League’s away table, but marooned in the relegation zone for the home equivalent.

Less pressure to control the game and consistently produce in the final third has allowed Rafa Benitez’s side to remain organised and hit teams on the counter-attack – at times this season, the same kind of performances at St. James’ Park have drawn apathy and sometimes even anger from the onlooking Toon Army.

Yesterday’s 1-0 win over Stoke City provided a classic example of how effective this Newcastle side can be when the dynamics of the match are better suited to their counter-attacking style, and when there isn’t the same pressure to entertain.

After effectively throwing the Potters’ clash with Chelsea last Saturday, the onus was on Mark Hughes’ side to take all three points at home team a side one point and one place lower than them in the table. Accordingly, Newcastle could sit back and wait for their chances rather than being expected to take the game to the opposition.

Eventually, a gilt-edged chance came their way as Ayoze Perez latched onto a Jacob Murphy cross to stab home from close range and net a 73rd-minute winner. But the real hero behind a performance that combined defensive resilience with dynamic counter-attacking was centre-half and captain Jamaal Lascelles. An absolute rock at at the back, the 24-year-old completed the most clearances of any player on the pitch, while winning seven aerial duels, completing two tackles, two interceptions and one block.

Although Stoke didn’t offer much going forward, bizarrely even taking off their most creative player in Xherdan Shaqiri after just a hour, it’s unlikely Newcastle would have pulled off the result without Lascelles’ influence at the heart of defence. All five of the Magpies’ clean sheets so far this season have come with the Englishman present, while they’re yet to concede more than two goals in a Premier League game with him in the starting line-up.

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Perhaps most tellingly of all, Newcastle haven’t actually won a top flight game without the 6 foot 2 centre-back involved this season, compared to six victories from the 17 games in which he’s featured.

According to various reports on Twitter, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp looks set to start Loris Karius ahead of Simon Mignolet in goal in the clash against runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City on Sunday, and Reds fans have been quick to have their say on the rumour.

The Germany international has largely played second fiddle to Simon Mignolet in the top flight this season, but after being named in the XI in the 2-1 win against Everton in the third round of the FA Cup last Friday, he could be set for just his third start in the league this term.

The Merseyside outfit know that a win – which would bring an end to the Citizens’ unbeaten campaign – would take them above Chelsea and into third in the standings, although new boy Virgil van Dijk is also rumoured to be missing out with a hamstring strain.

Liverpool supporters took to social media to give their thoughts on the early team news, and while one said it would be a “huge call from Klopp”, another described the potential decision as “unbelievable” in what is a big game.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

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Southampton dropped points at home again and remained in the Premier League relegation zone as they drew 1-1 against fellow strugglers Brighton and Hove Albion at St Mary’s on Wednesday night, and Saints fans were left unimpressed with their captain Steven Davis’ performance.

The south coast outfit’s skipper has been less of a regular fixture in the side in recent top flight matches with Mario Lemina preferred in the middle of the park, but he started ahead of the Gabon international in a central attacking midfield role against the Seagulls.

The hosts fell behind to a Glenn Murray penalty before Jack Stephens levelled things up in the second-half, but Davis struggled on and off the ball throughout, particularly struggling with his passing accuracy.

Southampton supporters took to social media to give their thoughts on his display, and while one said “today was the worst I’ve seen him”, another said “our captain was woeful”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has insisted that unsettled forward Aleksandar Mitrovic will not be allowed to join another Premier League club this month.

Mitrovic, 23, has been strongly linked with a move away from the Magpies after struggling for football during the 2017-18 campaign.

The striker, who is valued at £7.2m by transfermarkt.co.uk, has only made six Premier League appearances this term, and has been widely tipped to leave Newcastle before the January transfer window closes for business.

Brighton & Hove Albion are the latest club to be linked with a player that has scored 11 times in 33 appearances for the Serbian national team.

Benitez, however, has insisted that Mitrovic will only be leaving Newcastle if the club sign a replacement, and even then, he will not be allowed to move to a Premier League rival.

Benitez told reporters:

“I have been clear with him and his agent that he will only leave if we sign players, and not to a Premier League rival.

“I see Brighton are interested, but we are not selling any player to any other Premier League club – unless they want to come with £50m.”

Newcastle have been strongly linked with both Leicester City’s Islam Slimani and Feyenoord’s Nicolai Jorgensen as they attempt to sign a new centre-forward.

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According to reports in the Sunday Mirror, Manchester United are in advanced talks to bring young Ajax forward Justin Kluivert, son of Patrick, to Old Trafford this summer, and Red Devils fans have been quick to have their say on the rumour.

The Sunday Mirror says that Jose Mourinho has kept a close eye on the 18-year-old’s progress with the Dutch giants, and he is now ready to agree a £10m deal for the teenager at the end of the season that would include various add-ons.

The attacker has scored six goals and provided a further two assists in 22 appearances in all competitions for Ajax this term, and the fact that he is able to play on either flank means he would be a versatile option for Mourinho next season.

Man United supporters took to social media to give their thoughts on the potential move for the Dutch youngster, and while one believes he is “100% not coming”, another said ‘rather have Griezmann’.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

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There was understandably more than a few raised eyebrows when West Ham United decided to sign Marko Arnautovic in a club-record deal from Stoke City during the summer transfer window.

The Austria international’s attitude had often come under scrutiny during his time at the Britannia Stadium, while his record of 22 goals in 125 Premier League matches for the Potters and the fact he was due to turn 29 years of age in April didn’t exactly class him as a really positive addition on paper.

Those worries would have been realised when the east London outfit made a disappointing start to the season under former manager Slaven Bilic, and the attacker was sent off for elbowing Southampton defender Jack Stephens just 33 minutes into his second top flight appearance for the Irons.

The 28-year-old was suspended for their following three fixtures in all competitions, and the board would have been fearing the worst about a player they had spent £20m on just a month earlier, with a potential further £5m to follow in add-ons.

Arnautovic failed to score a single goal or provide a single assist before Bilic was sacked following the 4-1 defeat against Liverpool at the London Stadium on November 4, or in any of his first four Premier League appearances under current boss David Moyes.

West Ham’s transfer strategy – which has often been unclear – has come under fire ever since David Gold and David Sullivan became co-owners of the club, and they have often invested in older players with no re-sale value, players like Andy Carroll who have spent much of their time with the club on the sidelines because of injury, and players with no Premier League experience that have proven to be flops.

They have also been involved in embarrassing incidents like the one where Sullivan admitted that his children had begged him not to sign Jose Fonte from Southampton and Robert Snodgrass from Hull City, even though Bilic wanted them.

The addition of Arnautovic was slightly different as he had plenty of Premier League experience and had had few injury issues during his time with Stoke, while at his age he should be in the prime years of his career.

The Austria international’s West Ham career changed following a calculated risk from Moyes that saw the 28-year-old used as a centre-forward in the 1-0 win against Chelsea in December with Carroll injured and Javier Hernandez struggling for form.

The attacker scored the winning goal, and he put in an influential performance that the board and the supporters would have been expecting consistently from the very first minute of his debut.

While he hit a blank in the goalless draw against Arsenal, Arnautovic then netted four goals in his next three Premier League appearances across the festive period.

He was showing the passion he had for the club and that meant he was becoming a real fans’ favourite for the London Stadium faithful.

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A last-gasp assist for Andy Carroll in the crucial 2-1 win against West Bromwich Albion on January 2 showed the huge impact he was continuing to have, and he also proved that he was building successful relationships with his teammates after setting up Manuel Lanzini twice in subsequent 4-1 win against Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Having missed the clashes with Crystal Palace and Brighton and Hove Albion – which his team only took one point from – because of a hamstring injury, the 28-year-old made a surprise early return to the starting line-up against Watford last weekend, and he found the net again in a 2-0 win.

Arnautovic has seven goals and a further three assists in his last nine top flight matches, and he looks as though he will be the talisman for them in their bid to stay away from the relegation zone in the final 11 league fixtures.

West Ham’s transfer strategy hasn’t always been clear or respected, but on this occasion the club look to have got it spot on with the Austrian being the perfect fit for them at the right time.

Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs have stepped up yet another level this season, challenging the elites of Europe, but they still have plenty of room to improve this summer.

Spurs are currently 20 points shy of Manchester City, but given that no one has managed to even compete with City this season, judging them in relation to Pep Guardiola’s magnificent side is quite simply unfair.

The fact of the matter is Spurs are improving. After showing signs of domestic success in the last few seasons, the next step was to challenge Europe’s best in the Champions League, and despite getting a tough draw in the round of 16 they could yet find themselves in the quarter finals.

Pochettino has done a great job improving the depth in the attacking positions, and there are now five quality players competing for just three positions with Lucas Moura, Erik Lamela, Heung-min Son, Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli all in great form. Still, there is work to be done if Spurs are to truly compete with the best of the best, and here’s three places they could start.

Upgrade the full backs

Losing Kyle Walker was a massive blow for Spurs, especially given how essential full backs are in Pochettino’s gameplan. Ben Davies has excelled on the left side this season, but there are still some unconvinced by the Welshman’s potential. It’s still anyone’s guess if Danny Rose will be in North London next season.

On the right side, Serge Aurier has been a disappointment since his summer move, losing composure and making rash challenges far too often. Kieran Trippier delivers some fantastic crosses, but on other days looks like he’s completely forgotten how to play football. Pochettino should follow Pep Guardiola’s example and seek two top-class full backs to use Trippier and Davies as the second choice options.

Find the player Vincent Janssen was supposed to be

Vincent Janssen was a massive disappointment after his £17million move to Spurs in 2016. Still, the idea was right – bring in a young and hungry striker to compete with Harry Kane. Kane is world class, but he simply cannot play every game every season. Fernando Llorente is a decent stopgap option, but the 33 year-old is not what Spurs need long term.

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Janssen is still technically a Spurs player, on loan at Fenerbahçe, but it seems unlikely he can fill this role given how much of a disaster his start at Spurs was. Pochettino shouldn’t just sign a striker that is happy to be second choice to Kane; he should be seeking a striker that wants to compete with Kane.

Offer Toby Alderweireld whatever he wants

Spurs have some excellent young talent, and there may be some who think offering a 29 year-old a massive contract could disrupt the chemistry at the club. However, world class centre backs are a rare commodity, and a player like Alderweireld would cost a fortune if he were brought in now from somewhere else – just ask Jürgen Klopp. Spurs cannot afford to lose the Belgian, especially to one of their rivals. The club must do whatever it takes to keep the 68-cap Belgian, or they risk losing everything they’ve worked so hard for.

Arsenal will look to build upon their 2-0 win against AC Milan at the San Siro on Thursday night when they host Watford in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, and Gunners fans are all telling manager Arsene Wenger to make the same change to his XI against the Hornets.

The north London outfit had suffered four successive defeats in all competitions heading into their Europa League last 16 tie against the Serie A giants, but goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Aaron Ramsey gave them a big first leg advantage.

Danny Welbeck, who did receive praise from the fans for his display at the San Siro, started up top with Alexandre Lacazette injured and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cup-tied, but the Emirates Stadium faithful want the latter to return to the line-up against Javi Gracia’s men as they look to pick up just their second victory in their last six top flight fixtures.

Arsenal supporters have been quick to have their say on who Wenger should play up top via social media, and while one said “put Auba up front instead of Welbeck”, another said “just Auba up top for Welbeck”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

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Yosuke Ideguchi has been left out of the Japan squad for the upcoming international break, and Leeds fans are angry at the club for what seems like another disaster signing.Ideguchi was signed from Japanese side Gamba Osaka in January. The 21-year-old was immediately loaned out to second tier Spanish side Cultural Leonesa, but has barely played for the club.The midfielder was extremely highly regarded in Japan, having played through their international youth teams before earning 11 caps for the senior side. Still, his career seems to have gone downhill quickly since signing with Leeds.[ad_pod ]His loan spell in Spain has been a complete disaster, making just five league appearances for Cultural Leonesa, a side that is battling relegation in Spain’s Segunda Division.The 21 year-old was expected to star for Japan at this summer’s World Cup, meaning even if it didn’t work out at Leeds the club could move him along for a tidy profit. This has all been thrown up in the air by his exclusion from the latest Japan squad, and it’s starting to look like another name to add to the list of failed Leeds signings.Leeds fans have been reacting to the news on Twitter, and “disappointed but not surprised†is probably the best way to sum up the mood.Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…