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Los Blancos are reportedly experimenting with a new system, but that might mean having to bench some of their biggest stars

Something has happened in Real Madrid with the signing of Jude Bellingham. Los Blancos' midfield might actually be too good. Manager Carlo Ancelotti suddenly has an embarrassment of riches at his hands, six potentially world-class midfielders to fit into four spots.

The natural response has been for the manager to suggest a switch in formation. Ancelotti admitted that he might play around with his side, and deploy new boy Bellingham as a No.10, a move that will allow him to fit three more of his world-beaters into the side. That's perhaps a dream scenario for Bellingham, who can run, create and shoot to no end — all while having the legs and defensive capability behind him to ensure that he has freedom to roam.

But that doesn't necessarily make things anything easier for the manager. He still has Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni and Dani Ceballos, with just three starting spots to fit them into.

Ancelotti has shown in the past that he doesn't mind rotation. Kroos and Modric are both aging, and presumably playing their last season at the club. But when fit, they should be in the side. That would mean benching two of Camavinga, Tchouameni and Valverde — a near-impossible task. And what of Ceballos, the forgotten man turned helpful utility player? He simply cannot be discarded, either. Meanwhile, the signing of "Turkish Messi" Arda Guler only further complicates things.

So, how does this all work? How can Ancelotti fit seven players into four spots, and who can play where? GOAL has a look at where every option could be used…

• Real Madrid
  

  Jude Bellingham

  So, Ancelotti has, quite possibly, ditched his whole system to accommodate one player. This all seems rather out of character, especially given the great Italian's reliance on vibes and positional fluidity. But there is some sense to building around Bellingham here. Modric, Kroos and, presumably, Camavinga have all of the legs and intelligence to make things happen behind him.

  Give Bellingham the ball in advanced areas, with runners in front of him and support on either wing, and the result could be deadly. He showed as such for England at the World Cup, dictating play throughout the group stage, and standing as the Three Lions' best player at the tournament.

  He is, of course, versatile enough to work in other ways. If Madrid want to put Rodrygo in a more attacking role — something they flirted with last year — Bellingham could be moved back. But if this is indeed the Bellingham experiment, there is really only one role for him.

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  Eduardo Camavinga

  Ancelotti still hasn't quite figured out what Camavinga's best position is, though the France international himself seems to know. He prefers to play anywhere, as long as it's not left-back. Ironically, and unfortunately for him, he's quite a good left-back, and it's where Ancelotti has routinely stuck the player for the last six months, preferring him to the likes of David Alaba and Ferland Mendy at the position.

  But back-up has arrived in the form of Fran Garcia. The former Madrid academy player, brought in using a buy-back clause from Real Valladolid, figures to be in the mix for a starting nod at Santiago Bernabeu. Finally, then, Camavinga just might get his preferred midfield move.

  In his teenage days at Rennes, he was nominally a No.6, but had the legs to scamper and track pretty much everywhere. At Madrid, Camavinga has played a bit of everything in the midfield, but figures to battle with fellow countryman Tchouameni for the No.6 role. It'll be a toss up.

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  Aurelien Tchouameni

  Madrid's big-money signing of last summer looked like a fine addition before the World Cup. Tchouameni was still settling in, but looked every bit the ideal No.6 for Ancelotti's side. There were some faults — his distribution wasn't necessarily as expansive as his predecessor in the position. Still, the basics were there.

  Then, it all went a bit wrong. Tchouameni picked up a couple of knocks before drawing the ire of his manager by skipping a cup tie while injured to attend a basketball game in Paris. He followed that with an inconsistent period, and by the end of the year had lost his spot in the XI.

  Such is the harshness of playing for Madrid that the transfer links soon emerged. But Tchouameni has insisted that he won't leave the club, and plans to fight for his position. If he's anything like the player that was showing glimpses of class last season, he will be in the XI every week.

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  Toni Kroos

  How to deal with Kroos' aging legs? Ancelotti has admitted that both Kroos and Modric will have to accept their minutes being reduced over the coming months, with a tentative understanding that the 2023-24 season could be their last at the club.

  What, exactly, that means on a weekly basis remains to be seen. Kroos has done enough to prove that he should be in the XI pretty much every week. Although his defensive weaknesses are becoming more apparent, his metronomic passing is simply invaluable to the side, and they are a far more comfortable team on the ball when the German is playing.

  Kroos' versatility will surely do him some favours, too. He can play as a No.6 or left-sided No.8. If he's not a regular starter at one position, bank on Kroos being the ideal rotation player — likely one Ancelotti will trust in the big games.

Lionel Messi will have a new home in 2025, with Inter Miami beginning construction on a 25,000-seater stadium on Miami Freedom Park.

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• MLS franchise have ambitious plans for the future
• State-of-the-art ground forms part of that project
• Argentine icon due to grace eye-catching venue

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The impressive structure will be built close to Miami International Airport, with the MLS outfit moving out of Fort Lauderdale – where they have been based at DRV PNK Stadium since 2020. David Beckham and the club’s board have never made any secret of their desire to construct a state-of-the-art facility that better aligns with the franchise’s long-term ambition.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Plans for the stadium are mirrored by Messi’s current contract, which runs until 2025, but he has the option for a 12-month extension beyond that point and is expected to grace the new ground. Jorge Mas, Inter Miami’s managing owner, has told the club’s : “With Inter Miami, my family set out to build something truly transformational. In just four years we have changed the perception worldwide of American soccer. As we commence construction of Miami Freedom Park that same vision guides us. In creating a multi-faceted space we will set a new standard of what sport complexes can be. We look forward to delivering a food and entertainment destination for families to enjoy year-round. I can’t wait to welcome our fans to our state-of-the-art stadium and hear the chants as Messi and your Inter Miami players take the pitch for the first time in 2025.”

• AND WHAT'S MORE

  Inter Miami’s new stadium will be based in a 58-acre public park which includes soccer and youth athletic fields to be used by the local community. It will also house a full range of entertainment and commercial offerings – including office space, a hotel, shops and restaurants. Construction crews are already on site, with development veteran Devon McCorkle leading the project. He has said: “The level of attention and the influx of inquiries we are receiving have been incredible, a testament to the positive impact of Lionel Messi on Inter Miami CF and the City of Miami. Everyone wants to be part of what we’re creating, a new entertainment district that will be the centerpiece of family activities and experiences in Miami. We are in discussions with stadium sponsors, hotel brands, major attractions operators, restaurant groups, cultural institutions and many other exciting potential partners. We will deliver an incredible home for them at Miami Freedom Park.”

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Messi has made a stunning impact in the United States since linking up with Inter Miami as a free agent. He has recorded 11 goals through nine appearances – helping his new club to Leagues Cup glory, a place in the U.S. Open Cup final and a much-needed three-point haul on his MLS debut.

Optimism surrounding the Argentine's appointment is already at risk of dissipating – he must adjust to alleviate the pressure

Just seven games into his tenure as Chelsea manager, it's clear that the job at hand is already weighing heavily on Mauricio Pochettino. The picture of cool, calm and collected when he was presented as the Blues' new head coach back in July, the Argentine looked bemused and beleaguered as his side went down to Aston Villa on Sunday, the Blues' second successive home defeat.

He is, of course, contending with significant extenuating circumstances, with almost half of the first-team players that he was hoping to call upon this season already out injured for varying lengths of time.

However, Chelsea's stuttering start has regardless failed to inspire confidence that the Blues' fortunes are going to change quickly. It is Pochettino's job to guide them through the storm, but at present it is uncertain that he is following the correct course.

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  Out of position, out of sorts

  Despite Chelsea's mile-long injury list, Pochettino's team selections against both Villa and Bournemouth the previous week would have raised some eyebrows. With Ben Chilwell only fit enough for the bench and Marc Cucurella out, centre-back Levi Colwill was shoehorned in at left-back in a 4-2-3-1 shape, while at the Vitality Stadium, 19-year-old Lesley Ugochukwu was handed a full debut in midfield ahead of £43 million ($53m) signing Cole Palmer, and Enzo Fernandez started in a more advanced midfield role than we are used to seeing him.

  Although they weren't terrible in either game, it's little surprise, then, that Chelsea have lacked cohesion since the international break. Colwill is not a natural full-back and lacked the attacking thrust that someone like Ian Maatsen could have provided against lesser opposition, while Fernandez is more comfortable as a box-to-box No.8.

  Pochettino even alluded to the set-up being a little muddled in his post-match comments at Bournemouth: "One thing I am disappointed is they [the full-backs] try to go forward too much and create confusion to the offensive players and give the opponent chances to get chances."

  This must be caveated by the fact that Pochettino has consulted with his players on their favoured positions, but perhaps it is now time to put his foot down. He said recently: "Our first conversation with all of the players, I love to ask the position they love to play, how they feel, how they see themselves. It's not the position, it's the animation and the way the team is going to link in between them. It's to find the best position…to provide the best platform, position and place and link with the player where they can (show) their best quality."

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  Injuries aren't helping – but you must adapt

  The Argentine pointed to his ever-growing injury list after the Bournemouth stalemate, and you can hardly blame him. Cucurella, Moises Caicedo and Noni Madueke were added to the nine-strong group of absentees before the trip to the south coast, and though Caicedo returned against Villa, Pochettino then watched on as both Nicolas Jackson and Malo Gusto picked up suspensions.

  "What I can tell the fans are the circumstances, which we cannot change," the head coach said. "The reality we cannot change. There are too many players not available. We will be strong when we have a full team. Any team in normal circumstances with all the team fit can compete. But what can we do? We have extraordinary belief but bad luck, because we have 12 injured players. Am I going to cry or complain? No. I need to accept this challenge and keep being positive."

  Being positive is one thing, but Pochettino must adapt to get the best out of the albeit limited players at his disposal. At Tottenham, he demonstrated a reluctance to deviate from a select group of trusted first-team players, to a fault on certain occasions. At Chelsea, he will not be afforded the same patience, and he needs to use his squad more wisely to play to each individual's strengths.

  Although there has been a welcome change of formation, Maatsen was available to play at left-back from the start in both recent games, while Palmer has showed enough to suggest that he is ready to start, which in turn could give a fatigued Fernandez a chance to rest.

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  Slow progress

  Pochettino was spot on in his own assessment of Chelsea's current reality, with one win from six Premier League games and five points from a possible 18 not telling the whole story: "Given all the circumstances, I think we are doing very good things, more than people can expect. But Chelsea’s expectation is always to win. We are creating something that we need to believe in. There are young guys who need to feel what it means to be a Chelsea player and what it means to play in the Premier League."

  Chelsea making slow progress under the Argentine's tutelage. They are improved in each third of the pitch, although an inability to stick the ball in the back of the net is a significant hindrance.

  There is no doubt that untimely injuries have stopped the west Londoners building any sort of early-season momentum; it is a terrible time to have this sort of crisis. The loss of Christopher Nkunku in particular – both a prolific goalscorer and creative force – has been keenly felt.

  This was always going to be a drawn-out process, but it may take even longer than many would have imagined for things to finally click for Pochettino's Chelsea.

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  Fan mood can change in an instant

  With this difficult period arriving so early in his tenure, the challenge the former Spurs manager faces is to get the fans onside as soon as possible having been denied a honeymoon period in the role to endear himself to the Chelsea faithful.

  At present, there is a general understanding that there are mitigating circumstances that are making his job an incredibly difficult one, but in the age of 'Football Twitter' patience can wear thin and fan sentiment can swing drastically.

  In fact, quite incredibly, with a quick search of X (formerly Twitter) you can find a host of Chelsea supporters with significant numbers of followers talking up the idea of the club going after Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi after the Blues' slow start to the season.

  In Graham Potter, there is very recent evidence that fan mood can influence the decision-making of the club hierarchy. Pochettino must tread carefully.

Mateo Kovacic was lucky to still be on the field after two harsh challenges in the first half of Manchester City's clash at Arsenal on Sunday.

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• Kovacic booked for Odegaard tackle
• Fouled Rice shortly afterwards
• VAR did not intervene on second challenge

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The midfielder was booked for a reckless tackle on Martin Odegaard and the challenge was soon reviewed by VAR for a possible red card, but referee Michael Oliver's decision stood.

  Just six minutes later, Kovacic caught Declan Rice with a late tackle that brought the England international down and although Oliver whistled for a free-kick, he waved away Arsenal's calls for a second booking.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Gunners clearly felt that Kovacic should have been given his marching orders for the second foul at least and although VAR intervened to review his earlier tackle, there was no check on the tackle on Rice.

• WHY DID VAR NOT INTERVENE?

  The reason VAR was not involved to decide whether or not Kovacic should have been given a second yellow card is that the video assistant can only draw the referee's attention to a possible red card. The VAR is not permitted to interrupt for decisions regarding a possible second yellow card.

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  City will hope to go on to take all three points before the international break. They are next in action on October 21 against Brighton.

Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah have reacted to the “scenes” sparked by AC Milan’s latest win – with the USMNT duo involved heavily in that success.

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• Rossoneri ground out win over Genoa
• American star netted match-winning goal
• Milan back at the top of Serie A standings

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The American pair helped the Rossoneri to a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Genoa on Saturday, with Pulisic netting the only goal of the game in the 87th minute. He then offered to go in goal after seeing Mike Maignan sent off, only for Olivier Giroud to step up and preserve a precious clean sheet.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Pulisic is delighted to be making such an impact in Italy on the back of his summer transfer from Chelsea – with the target being found on four occasions – and has posted on social media: “Scenes! What a night. What a team.”

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Musah, who has also settled quickly at San Siro, is loving being part of a Milan side that is offering enough to suggest that they can compete for major honours in 2023-24. He has said in an Instagram post of his own: “What a football match to be a part of. Such a nice away win! Forza Milan.”

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• WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Milan have, after responding positively to their derby drubbing by arch-rivals Inter, moved back to the top of Serie A and will be hoping to see Pulisic and Musah returned safely to them following the latest round of USMNT fixtures during the October international break.

The playmaker scored on her first Lionesses start since last October, completing another remarkable comeback after missing the Women's World Cup

There wasn’t a great deal for England to cheer about in Belgium on Tuesday. The Lionesses were sloppy, conceded three goals for the first time under Sarina Wiegman and suffered a defeat that took their UEFA Women’s Nations League and Olympic destinies out of their own hands. But there was still one really big positive from an otherwise difficult camp – the return of Fran Kirby.

Over a year since her last appearance in her country’s colours, the playmaking midfielder came off the bench on Friday in Leicester, and four days later she marked her first start for England since last October with a brilliantly taken goal that briefly gave the Lionesses the lead in Leuven.

The smile on Kirby’s face said it all, as did the glee with which her team-mates approached her to celebrate once the net had rippled. For someone who has been through injury hell this year, a knee problem forcing her to miss the summer’s Women’s World Cup, this meant so much.

Patience is going to be so important with Kirby given the length of time she has been out for, but after a promising start to the new season, this was the biggest reminder yet of what she can offer as she works her way back to her best level.

That’ll certainly be a comforting thought for an England side in a desperate situation in the Nations League, and it will have whet the appetite of all those associated with Chelsea, too, with the Blues’ chances of a fifth-successive Women’s Super League – and success beyond that – only to be increased by their No.14 being fit and firing.

Regardless of your nationality or which club you follow, if you love football then Kirby’s return is good news for you, too. Because to watch the fleet-footed forward in full flow is pure joy.

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  On top of the world

  No season better illustrated what Kirby is all about quite like 2020-21. Forming the deadliest of partnerships with Sam Kerr, the pair ran defences ragged to help Chelsea clinch a domestic treble for the first time in a season that also saw them reach their first Women’s Champions League final.

  In the WSL, she racked up 16 goals and 11 assists in just 18 games. In the FA Cup final, she broke the deadlock and teed up Kerr to double the lead over Arsenal. In the Continental Cup final, she was involved in all six of Chelsea’s goals in their thrashing of Bristol City. She was absolutely unstoppable.

  But there’s another layer that makes these feats all the more impressive. In the previous season, Kirby was diagnosed with pericarditis, a heart disease which would keep her away from the game she loves for nine months. She even wondered whether she’d ever play again. To come back in such fashion, then, was absolutely incredible.

  “She's been instrumental in the history we have created here,” her manager, Emma Hayes, said. “Her relentless pursuit of excellence and winning, two things I love the most, have meant that she strives for more all of the time – not even more, she just strives for better. I think that's been mirrored by who she has grown into as a person. She'll probably say the same, Chelsea and Fran Kirby are a perfect match, in every way, shape and form.

  “This is probably, for me, her proudest achievement, this season, because to recover after what she went through and to produce even better performances, you have to have unbelievable character to do that, and she's shown it day in, day out.”

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  Can’t catch a break

  But sadly that story of having to battle back and overcome some kind of obstacle is a familiar one for Kirby. After the pericarditis, and that amazing season, she was plagued by extreme fatigue that almost prevented her from being able to help England win the European Championships in the summer of 2022.

  And then, earlier this year, came the knee injury. Kirby has had pain in her knee – and problems with it – since she was 12 years old, but the feeling she had on February 9, in Chelsea’s Conti Cup win over West Ham, was different.

  As each week passed, Hayes was asked in every press conference about Kirby, how she was doing and when she would be back. The answers were vague, without much information of a timeframe, and that’s because the situation was changing so much.

  When it felt like she was making progress, Kirby would then be hit with a setback. This went on and on for three months until, in early May, she announced that she would be undergoing surgery to fix the issue. It meant she would miss the Women’s World Cup.

  "Unfortunately after a few months of rehab the decision has been made that I will require surgery on my knee," Kirby posted on Instagram. "I have been trying my best to not have to undergo this, but unfortunately my progress has been limited due to the issue in my knee. I'm absolutely gutted to announce that this means my season is over and I will not be able to make the World Cup in the summer.”

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  'First time in 18 years that I haven’t had pain'

  While that meant Kirby couldn’t play her part in the Lionesses’ historic run to the final in Australia, it was by far and away the best decision she could’ve made.

  “I couldn’t walk down the stairs, I couldn’t do normal things, couldn’t take the dog for a walk,” she told in September. “The first month was really hard because those things were taken away from me. If I can’t walk my dogs and I go home and I have to get up in the night to take painkillers because [I’m] getting woken up by [my] knee, it’s not a life. It got to the stage where I knew my knee was impacting my life. I had to fix it.

  “I knew I was going to miss the World Cup but, for me, it wasn’t about that anymore. If I had surgery and it didn’t go well, at least I knew I’d be able to walk my dogs. If I can’t play anymore, at least I tried.

  “I had a tripartite patella, which means that I had two pieces of bone that were connected by tissue, but they weren’t actually connected to my patella bone. I had those pieces of bone removed. A few days later, I had no pain in my knee. It was literally like the pain had just been taken away. That was a really nice moment, probably the first time in 18 years that I haven’t had pain.”

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  Promising signs

  Taking such a decision, which will have certainly been difficult even if Kirby’s comments suggest she was thinking very clearly when she did so, is now paying dividends. It meant she could get a full pre-season under her belt, and the way she’s built on that has been quietly impressive in the opening weeks of the new campaign.

  Despite only starting two of Chelsea’s first four league games, racking up just 172 minutes of a possible 360, Kirby ranks in the top five in the Blues’ squad for chances created, successful passes in the final third, dribbles completed, possession won – generally and in the final third – and for touches in the opposition’s box. That’s not a bad start from someone who Hayes is keen to stress is still “building”.

  Kirby’s goal for England this week was the moment that really underlined all the good work she’s been doing. Having gone towards Lauren Hemp on the left wing for a pass, she quickly realised the better option was for her to drop off to the edge of the box to receive a cutback, and Hemp did brilliantly to disguise her intentions, not even looking at Kirby but knowing exactly where she was when she teed her up to finish.

  A first goal from an England midfielder in five games, it was a reminder of what the Chelsea star brings to the table for the Lionesses.

Inter Miami and Lionel Messi's Sporting Director Chris Henderson said that the Herons will 'work tirelessly' to bring in more signings this offseason.

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• Inter Miami looking to improve roster
• Herons CSO vows to 'work tirelessly' over matter
• MLS side looking to compete at higher level in 2024

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  During Inter Miami's end of the year media availability, Henderson shared that the Herons are actively looking to improve their roster heading into 2024. The MLS side need to bolster all three parts of the pitch with 2024 being a packed calendar due to international competition, Concacaf tournaments and then MLS-specific competitions as well like the Leagues Cup and the U.S. Open Cup.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Herons fell short during the home stretch of the regular season when Messi was out injured. Their attack struggled to link up play, while their midfield and defense failed to combine as a unit. Then, factoring in that Josef Martinez has left the club, reinforcements and even depth are needed. Expectations are that the Herons bring in a forward, a midfielder, a fullback and then anyone else who would benefit the XI.

• WHAT HENDERSON SAID

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI AND INTER MIAMI?

  The Herons have no further matches scheduled during the 2023 calendar, with players in their offseason. Preseason begins in January, so it's relaxation and preparation for the new season until then. Argentina, meanwhile, is set to take on Brazil in FIFA World Cup qualifying action later this week, with Messi expected to play a large role in the contest.

Virgil van Dijk has issued a warning to Chelsea, suggesting them to not underestimate an injury-hit Liverpool side ahead of the Carabao Cup final.

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• Liverpool could miss 10 players
• But Van Dijk insists Liverpool ready for Chelsea challenge
• Could lift first trophy as Liverpool captain

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Reds could be without 10 players for the final showdown against Chelsea. Despite the challenging circumstances, Van Dijk emphasized that there is an abundance of resilience and determination within the team to prove themselves in the Cup final.

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• WHAT VAN DIJK SAID ABOUT CHELSEA

  “I think the players coming in have to step up and show they’re wrong,” the Liverpool captain told reporters. “I think that’s the only way to do it. If they [Chelsea] take us lightly, then that’s their problem. I think we have enough quality to read the opponents. Players who come in have to show that. That fear factor, we don’t have influence on that. Everyone has to step up, the ones that play have to deliver to get results.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Van Dijk praised the contributions of young talents like Connor Bradley and Jarell Quansah, who have risen to the occasion when called upon. He emphasized the collective responsibility of every player, stressing the need for confidence and self-belief among the squad ahead of a title decider.

  “Younger players as well, everyone has to take responsibility,” he said.

  “They also have to enjoy that. “I think everyone wants to get the opportunity and show themselves, and they have to be confident. I’m not worried about that. They just have to go out there and show their qualities. I think if you play for Liverpool, you’re quite a good player already, so go out there and make everyone proud.”

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  WHAT VAN DIJK SAID ABOUT KLOPP

  Jurgen Klopp has already announced that he is in the final lap of his Liverpool stint and will leave Anfield in the summer. However, Van Dijk emphasized that securing victory in the final takes precedence over lifting the in honour of their departing manager.

  “I think nothing has changed,” he said. “We all want to achieve this. Obviously, he’s going at the end of the season, that’s a decision that’s been made, but we all want to win trophies regardless.

  “It wouldn’t change if he wasn’t leaving. We just have to go for it and let’s see what that brings. “I’m thinking about the big challenge ahead of us. Hopefully, we can make it an amazing afternoon on Sunday.

  “Every game we have ahead of us is the most important game. Obviously going to Wembley will be an amazing experience again with these guys. And it’s a big opportunity to get silverware and hopefully, it gives us an extra boost for the last part of the season.”

Getafe have admitted Mason Greenwood "would suit" Barcelona after Sir Jim Ratcliffe's comments on the Manchester United loanee's future.

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• Greenwood impressing on loan at Getafe
• Ratcliffe has opened door for his return to Old Trafford
• Barcelona also interested in English forward

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  United sent Greenwood out on loan to Getafe on September 1 after concluding a six-month investigation into his conduct away from the pitch. He saw charges of attempted rape, assault, and coercive control against him dropped in February last year, but the club ultimately decided against reintegrating him into the first team. Moving to La Liga has allowed Greenwood to rebuild his career, though, and after recording 13 goal contributions in his first 24 appearances for Getafe, it has been suggested that Barcelona could make a formal offer for the forward this summer.

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• WHAT GETAFE'S PRESIDENT SAID

  Getafe president Angel Torres is still hopeful that Greenwood will stay at Estadio Coliseum Alfonso Perez beyond the end of the season, but admits that Barcelona would be the ideal fit for the 22-year-old if he were to move on to a new challenge. "He is very comfortable and crazy about staying another year," Torres said to Spanish radio station . "It's a matter that they [United] have to decide. There is new ownership. They have to decide. In Spain, he has a market. Barca's way of playing would suit him well but it depends on Manchester United. If it's true, he'll tell me."

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Torres' comments came in response to news from Old Trafford earlier in the week, with United's new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe opening the door for Greenwood's potential return to the club. The INEOS chairman confirmed that a fresh decision over Greenwood's future will be taken when his loan deal at Getafe expires. "He’s a Manchester United footballer so we are in charge of football,” Ratcliffe said. "So the answer is yes, we have to make decisions. There is no decision that’s been made. The process will be: understand the facts not the hype and then try and come to fair decision on the basis of values which is basically is he a good guy or not, and answer could he play sincerely for Manchester United well and would we be comfortable with it and would the fans be comfortable with it."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR GREENWOOD?

  Greenwood is still under contract at Old Trafford until 2025, but has not played a competitive game for United since January 2022, and it remains to be seen whether he will be given another chance under the INEOS regime. For now, the one-cap England international's focus remains locked on matters at Getafe, who are set to come up against his potential suitors Barcelona in their next La Liga game on Saturday.

Manchester United's patience with Antony appears to have finally run out, as they will reportedly listen to offers for the Brazilian in the summer.

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• Antony signed in summer of 2022
• Has failed to live up to £86m price tag
• United to finally cut losses in summer

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The winger joined from Ajax in the summer of 2022, signing for an eye-watering sum of £86 million ($109m) and amid much fanfare. But manager Erik ten Hag, who spearheaded the approach having managed him in the Netherlands, is yet to get the best out of him. With no goals or assists in 20 league games Antony has gone down as one of the worst signings in Premier League history. Indeed, the reports that United may finally be willing to admit their mistake and let him go.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  That decision will reportedly be made as part of a summer of change at the club, when minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe takes over footballing operations and drives the approach for the coming transfer window. The British billionaire is expected to scrutinise the effectiveness of United's squad – which was recently revealed to be the most expensive in football history – with Antony one of many to face the chopping block. The 's report even notes that the club would be prepared to lose over half the £86m fee paid in order to get him gone.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Antony's struggles at United have been clear to see in recent weeks. Even Ten Hag, who has remained one of his staunch defenders when the likes of Jadon Sancho and Facundo Pellistri were afforded no such leniency, has looked elswhere of late. The Brazilian has started just one of United's last eight matches, and has seen youngsters Omari Forson and Amad Diallo brought on ahead of him from the bench.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ANTONY?

  Ten Hag has pointed towards Antony's struggles with domestic abuse allegations – which he vehemently denies – being behind his poor form this season. But his dire record of nine goals in 70 matches across his entire United career makes for grim reading, and will likely lead to his eventual sale in the summer. Antony has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in the past.