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“At this moment, we don’t have a striker who scores 20 goals.”

The words of Louis van Gaal over the weekend as he lamented his Manchester United side’s lack of goals. How our heart bleeds for the £150m summer spenders, who took on Radamel Falcao, despite his creaking knee and spent a record fee on Angel di Maria, despite possessing enough ‘No. 10’s to make even Arsene Wenger blush!

But, with United big hitters in the transfer market, LVG is likely to be free to go for whomever he wants later this year, however he should exercise some caution when looking for the ’20 goal’ man he wants. Coming up are three pages of the pitfalls Van Gaal must avoid, which others have not managed to sidestep…

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Eredivisie goals count… right? Mateja Kezman

Kezman was a goalscoring machine for PSV Eindhoven. Between 2001-2004 he smashed a stunning 81 efforts in the red and white striped shirt, with his season best coming in the middle of this three-year spell of net-bulging – a tally of 35 in 33 games. Wow! Chelsea took the plunge in their Roman Abramovic glory-seeking early days, but the Serbian failed to cut it in west London, scoring four times in just over a year. After his exit, Kezman bounced around Europe before ending his career with South China.

Alfonso Alves

The holy grail of successful in Dutch football but woeful in the Premier League, Alves will forever go down in the top of the flops hall of fame. 34 goals in his debut season in the Eredivisie was some going, and the Brazilian then maintained his edge the following term with a seven-goal (yes, SEVEN) haul in his last campaign with Heerenveen against Heracles. Not bad, eh?

Middlesbrough were so impressed that they paid close to £20m for his signature, but 18 months and 10 goals later they were relegated, and Alves has since been plying his trade in the Middle East.

Well he’s got potential… Kostas Mitroglou

Although he didn’t technically reach 20 goals in the 2013/14 season with Olympiakos, his record of 14 in under half the season suggests that he would have cut it and passed the marker, which makes this one fine for us! The Greek ace stunk of a relegation signing for Fulham last season as they paid over £11m for the man who had been passed on by some bigger clubs. True to form, he flopped, with fitness issues limiting him to just a handful of minutes as the Cottagers slipped to drop. He’s now back in his homeland with Olympiakos… again.

Roque Santa Cruz

19 goals (we’ll forgive him the 20 mark as he was playing for Blackburn!) was enough to convince Manchester City to pay almost £20m for the Paraguayan ‘penalty box predator’ Santa Cruz in 2009. We have no sympathy for the Sky Blues, who simply had to look at his record prior to that one outstanding campaign, as he’d never reached double figures, despite playing Bayern Munich since 1999.

Let’s all laugh at Chelsea! Andriy Shevchenko

A real indulgence signing, Chelsea had little need for Shevchenko, but in 2006, but Abramovich’s desire to land an Eastern Bloc idol led to a £30+ deal for the Ukrainian, who failed to settle in west London, despite his reputation as one of the planet’s best players after a prolific spell at AC Milan.

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‘Sheva’ was not suited to the Premier League and failed to reach double figures before he was shipped out permanently to Dynamo Kiev in 2009.

Fernando Torres

Perhaps the worst ever Premier League deal. Liverpool were aware injuries had robbed Torres of his pace and some lacklustre showings made it pretty obvious to onlookers, too, but Chelsea were so intent on getting their man that a £50m January 2011 bid went in, and ‘El Nino’ switched from Merseyside to London. A 900-minute baron spell awaited Torres in the blue of Chelsea, and he is now back at his first club, Atletico Madrid, via AC Milan on a loan deal that will run down the remainder of his Chelsea contract.

The deal would have looked even worse for the Blues had Liverpool not wasted £35m of the fee on Andy Carroll…

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson feels he made the right choice by joining Spurs over Liverpool in the summer.

Sigurdsson rejected the chance of linking up with Brendan Rodgers once again after their successful partnership at Swansea last season and instead became Andre Villas-Boas’ first signing at White Hart Lane.

The Icelandic star has become a key player for Spurs over the past month or so, filling in on the left to allow star man Gareth Bale to move inside and win games in the way he has been.

Crucial goals against West Ham and Inter Milan seem to have won the Tottenham fans over for Sigurdsson who failed to hit the ground running at the start of the season.

The 23-year-old is likely to start against Liverpool on Sunday and he has reiterated that he made the right choice joining Spurs as they look on course for the top four and maybe even some Europa League glory.

“It was hard to turn down Liverpool because I know Brendan,” Sigurdsson told talkSPORT.

“It was more about that than any of the history Liverpool have.

“When Tottenham came in, I had seen how they were last year and in the previous two years.

“They finished fourth last year and were unlucky not to get Champions League football, and you could see tonight that this is a great club with fantastic players.

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“I’m really pleased I made that choice. There are so many good players here and hopefully we can be in the Champions League next season.”

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Newcastle United are on the verge of securing their safety in the English Premier League after a vital 2-1 win away to Leicester City on Saturday.

Goals from Jonjo Shelvey and Ayoze Perez secured the victory for the Magpies, with Jamie Vardy’s late goal nothing but a consolation for the home side.

Now ten points clear of the relegation zone, Rafa Benitez’s side look to have finally given themselves the buffer they need to ensure they aren’t drawn into last minute drama in the tail-end of the season.

Fans were absolutely overjoyed with the win and performance and beyond the goalscorers paid particular praise to defender Florian Lejeune, who was superb throughout the 90 minutes alongside Jamaal Lascelles.

Lejeune’s form over the last few weeks has been a key part of the Magpies’ upturn in results and supporters will be hoping he can maintain that in the final few games.

They took to Twitter to share their thoughts on his Saturday display…

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Since his high profile loan move from AS Monaco in the summer, Radamel Falcao’s time at Manchester United hasn’t been as fruitful as he would have liked.

The Colombian may have huffed and puffed but he’s only managed four goals in 18 league and cup appearances for United so far, so is the striker’s recent criticism warranted, or should he be given more time to express his undeniable abilities before being written off already?

Falcao has become somewhat of a scapegoat amongst the United fans this season. The 29-year-old has struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford since joining, and hasn’t lived up to his high expectations. With just four league goals for the Red Devils, the Manchester United faithful are starting to lose patience with him already.

But in Falcao’s defence, Louis van Gaal has only started him 11 times this season, and if it wasn’t for his own high standards he set prior to his time in Manchester, his goal return probably wouldn’t have been frowned upon as much as it has. Besides, it’s not like his strike partner Robin van Persie has set the world alight this term – the Dutchman may have netted 10 times, but he’s come under his own fair share of criticism this season, too.

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With the well-documented ‘long-ball United’ comments to Sky Sports from West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce last week, it’s a little unfair to expect a player like Falcao, who thrives with the ball at his feet, to make such an impact with that style of football being played. It’s ok if you have a tall target man up top, but the Red Devils aren’t exactly blessed with height in the forward areas.

Despite that, Falcao will know his disappointing goal ratio since arriving in England isn’t good enough for a player of his calibre. He will undoubtedly be his own biggest critic, and he will certainly be doing everything in his power to try and turn his fortunes around. You don’t become a bad player overnight, and any striker who has accumulated transfer fees of over £90m during an illustrious career must be capable of sticking the ball in the back of the net.

Falcao has scored bags of goals in Portugal, Spain and France, and in time he’s sure to do it in the Premier League. With contrasting reports on whether Louis van Gaal will make the loan star a permanent signing in the summer, it’s important that the Colombian international gets his head down and proves to his boss that he’s worth keeping. He unquestionably needs more time at Old Trafford before he can be fully judged.

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With Manchester United sitting pretty in third place in the Premier League, but with a whole host of clubs ready to pounce on any mistakes the Red Devils may make, United need Falcao to start finding the right sort of form for the remainder of the season. The ex-Porto and Atletico Madrid man still remains one of the world’s deadliest strikers, and remember – form is temporary, class is permanent.

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Cesc Fabregas did many things during his time at Arsenal, but arguably the most influential factor of his arrival to this shores was to wake up the Premier League fraternity to the wealth of young talent abroad, should clubs be prepared to take a gamble and look to utilise their obscure policy in Europe over the age you can sign players to professional forms. The likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United have certainly taken advantage of this, although it is fair to say that they have had mixed fortunes with their recruits.

They say in life that if at first you don’t succeed then try again and the Premier League big boys certainly haven’t been put off by it – hardly surprising when you see the premium that is put on young English players in this country.

The latest list below looks at some of the best young talent in world football and whom the Premier League big boys should be looking to snap up.

Click on James Rodriguez to unveil the 10

At the moment, West Ham United co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan have a tense relationship with the club’s fans.

Throughout the season, the majority of supporters have bashed the businessmen on Twitter, while the pair were also targeted during unsavoury scenes at the London Stadium a few weeks ago.

During a 3-0 defeat to Burnley, various fans forced themselves onto the pitch to protest against the board, with plenty of anger centred around the club’s 2016 move to the Olympic ground from Upton Park, as well as their transfer activity in recent windows.

Lifetime bans have been issued to those who broke out onto the field, and there is a sense of anxiousness ahead of their next home game, which will be against Southampton this Saturday.

According to the Daily Star, despite the rage directed towards them, both Gold and Sullivan will attend this weekend’s fixture.

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The pair were forced to leave the directors’ box early during the Burnley match, and Sky Sports News reports that coins were thrown at the businessmen.

This weekend’s clash against Southampton is must-win considering that David Moyes’s side have lost their last three Premier League matches, which has left the club just two points above the relegation zone.

Since the unfortunate injury to Angel di Maria, Manchester United’s other playmaker Juan Mata has deputised as United’s main man in midfield superbly in his absence. The Spaniard is enjoying a very successful run in the side, and is proving to be worth every penny of his £37.1m fee.

Mata, who arrived at Old Trafford from Premier League rivals Chelsea 11 months ago, is really starting to flourish in a United shirt. Eyebrows were certainly raised when the Blues boss Jose Mourinho allowed the Spanish playmaker to leave Stamford Bridge, even though his hefty price tag banked the club £37m. It undoubtedly took time for the 26-year-old to adjust into his new surroundings, even a player of Mata’s stature needs time to settle into a club the size of Manchester United – but now he has been given the freedom to express himself, he is enjoying being the star man, and is taking his chance with both hands.

The Spanish international has featured 16 times in the Premier League for the Red Devils this term – with five goals to his name already – including three in his last eight outings. Mata was outstanding in the heart of United’s midfield in the 0-0 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. Louis Van Gaal’s team didn’t quite do enough to steal all three points, but that wasn’t for want of trying, as Mata in particular tried everything in his power to get United the victory.

Since the Spanish international’s arrival at Old Trafford, Mata has found the net 11 times in 31 games for the Red Devils. It’s not just his eye for a goal, or his ability to create chances for others – his overall presence and balance on the ball makes him a joy to watch, and his intelligence off and on the ball would benefit any team.

After a difficult start to life in Manchester for Louis van Gaal, things are starting to fit into place nicely at Old Trafford. The Red Devils are unbeaten in nine Premier League games – with seven of those nine being victories – including six straight wins on the bounce. United’s purple patch of form has propelled them into third place in the league table – just seven points behind second placed Manchester City, and ten off leaders Chelsea.

The title may well be a unrealistic aim this year, but securing Champions League football isn’t. When van Gaal arrived at Old Trafford his main aim would have been to get Manchester United back into Europe’s elite competition, and at the moment you wouldn’t bet against him doing so.

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Manchester United’s senior players have really stepped up to plate this term, with Juan Mata being at the forefront. With a well documented injury list, it makes you wonder that if the Red Devils didn’t have such a packed physio room, could they have challenged for the title this year? It will be very interesting to see just how devastating United will be when they have a fully fit squad available.

If Juan Mata can keep himself fit and stay in outstanding form for the Red Devils, Van Gaal and the Manchester United fans will be licking their lips at the prospect of the Mata and di Maria pairing up when the Argentine is back. But until then, it’s up to the Spaniard himself to keep United flowing in attack, and to prove to his boss that he’s worthy of retaining his starting place.

Martin O’Neill has declared that Sunderland striker Connor Wickham is finally coming to terms with Premier League football.

The 19-year-old has struggled to make an impact on Wearside since his £8m arrival from Ipswich Town in the summer of 2011.

Having made very few appearances in the first half of this season, the England under-21 international has made major strides over the last month.

In last weekend’s FA Cup third round tie at Bolton, Wickham scored minutes after coming off the bench to help spark a Black Cats revival, as they overcame a two-goal deficit to force a replay.

It is believed that the Hereford-born forward has been putting in extra training with coach Steve Guppy and O’Neill believes Wickham is now showing he knows what it takes to deal with the demands of playing for a top flight club.

“It’s an important time for Connor now,” O’Neill told Chronicle Live.

“I think he has started to accept what a professional footballer at this level requires, what it needs to attain that and then to stay there.

“He is very willing and wants to come out and do some extra work which is very important.

“That goal at Bolton will have given him a lift in terms of confidence.

“In the little cameo role he has performed when he has come on from the bench, he’s done fine.

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“Even in the game he started against Chelsea before Christmas, he didn’t do too badly.”

Despite Wickham’s resurgence, O’Neill has been linked with a January swoop for Gateshead-born Danny Graham to reinforce Sunderland’s attack.

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Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has advertised for the job of national coach, starting next April

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Nov-2012Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has advertised for the job of national coach, starting next April. By implication, current coach Alan Butcher’s contract will not be renewed.”ZC wishes to advise that the position of national team coach will become vacant on April 1, 2013 … ZC is therefore inviting applications for the position,” the Zimbabwe board said in a release.Former England batsman Butcher, 58, was appointed coach in February 2010, replacing Walter Chawaguta. While not yet officially confirmed, the advertisement would suggest that the away series against West Indies in March 2013 will be Butcher’s last in the role.The board set November 30 as the deadline for those interested in filing their applications. It said that all candidates must have played first-class cricket, must have at least a recognised Level 3 coaching certificate, and must have at least five years of coaching experience at the senior level.Zimbabwe are also looking for a new coach for their Under-19 team, to replace former New Zealand allrounder Chris Harris, who stepped down from the position in October following the U-19 World Cup. The team didn’t have much success at the tournament, finishing in 15th place, above only Namibia.

A round-up of the third day’s play in the third round of Division One Quaid-e-Azam Trophy matches in 2011-12

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Oct-2011Mohammad Talha polished off Abbottabad’s lower order early on the third day and Khurram Manzoor scored a fluent century to set up National Bank of Pakistan’s (NBP) convincing eight-wicket win at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. Over the first two days, the match had swayed both ways with no clear favourite emerging. But on Thursday morning, Talha – who completed his five-for – and Umaid Asif’s strikes kept Abbottabad to 185 and gave NBP the opening they needed. The batsmen did not let the bowlers down. Chasing 221, Manzoor was solid at one end, while Nasir Jamshed made a quick 38 in a half-century opening stand. Following that, Umar Amin supported Manzoor well in a century partnership to all but seal the game. NBP scored at over five runs an over and Manzoor closed out the game in only the 42nd over, with over a day still to play.Sialkot face a tough task on the final day against Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZBTL), after slipping to 195 for 4 in pursuit of 527 at the Jinnah Stadium. After the drought of runs in the first innings of the Test, the deluge continued for ZBTL in their second innings on the third day. Resuming on 361 for 4 with Haris Sohail unbeaten on 26, they kicked on to 502 for 9 at over five runs an over, before declaring. The brisk scoring rate was maintained by Haris, who got to 104 off 128 balls before he was trapped lbw by Mohammad Ayub, and Zulqarnain Haider – the wicketkeeper hit a run-a-ball 33. ZBTL struck early once the chase began, but were stalled by a 97-run stand between Mohammad Yasin and Faisal Khan. However, three quick wickets followed the partnership, denting Sialkot’s chances of survival. Whether they are able to hold off ZBTL on day four will depend heavily on Faisal, who went to stumps undefeated on 73.Despite a collapse from their lower middle order, Habib Bank Limited (HBL) are on the verge of a win against Rawalpindi at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. HBL followed up the low-scoring first innings with a commendable second innings score: 376, to set the hosts 330 for a win. HBL had resumed on 237 for 2 and the overnight batsmen, Bilal Shafayat and Khaqan Asral, went on to score a century and fifty respectively. When Sulaman Qadir followed up those knocks with a blistering 81 off 46 balls, HBL looked set for a much bigger total. As they pursued quick runs though, wickets fell in a hurry, mostly to first innings’ star, Sadaf Hussain. Left-armer Sadaf took his match tally to 15 wickets, with a six-wicket haul in the second innings. HBL’s bowlers then struck with regularity to reduce Rawalpindi 159 for 7, with the new-ball pair of Fahad Masood and Sarmad Anwar doing most of the damage.Hosts Islamabad took control of their game against State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) at the Diamond Club Ground, courtesy an unbeaten century from opener Afaq Raheem. In the morning, fast bowler Shehzad Azam and left-arm spinner Imad Wasim combined to knock over the SBP tail and keep them to 193 in reply to Islamabad’s 276. With a 83-run first-innings lead cushion, Islamabad’s openers were under no real pressure and settled in to grind the SBP attack. They put on 184 before Umair Khan was lbw for 61. A 55-run stand followed between Raheem and Raheel Majeed, to give the hosts an imposing 322-run lead going into the final day.The match between Pakistan International Airlines and Faisalabad at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad looked set for a draw at the end of the penultimate day’s play. Faisalabad batted out the day, moving from 192 for 2 to 374 for 5 in reply to PIA’s 396. Farrukh Shehzad was the top scorer for Faisalabad so far, hitting 128. He was well supported by Zeeshan Butt and Faisal Bin Mubashir, who both scored half-centuries.Barring a spectacular collapse, Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) should secure a win against Karachi Blues at the National Stadium on the final day, after going to stumps 151 for 3 chasing 210. Karachi Blues had resumed on 166 for 5 in their second innings, and courtesy solid cameos from Ashraf Ali, Javed Mansoor and Mohammad Sami, pushed on to 284. WAPDA were in trouble at 12 for 2 and then 40 for 3 in the chase, before Rafatullah Mohmand and Bilal Khilji steadied them. The pair put on a century stand, which was unbroken at stumps.