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The Man Utd youngster is thriving on loan at Spurs and not only was she rewarded with her senior international debut, she also marked it with a goal

For a team that saw 2023 end in such heartbreaking fashion, England have certainly started 2024 with a bang. The Lionesses flew to Spain for a warm-weather camp in February, playing friendlies after not making the UEFA Women's Nations League finals, with Sarina Wiegman hoping to try out fresh ideas, see new players and learn plenty about her squad. As the players start to return to their clubs, it certainly feels like the Dutchwoman can tick all three of those boxes.

There were bonuses, too, in the performances that England put on and the results they picked up, as they comfortably beat two strong teams in Austria, who were thrashed 7-2 on Friday, and Italy, defeated 5-1 four days later. "There are very many positives about this week," Wiegman told after the latter result.

So, who were the winners as the Lionesses kicked off 2024 in style? And who didn't fare so well? GOAL takes a look…

WINNER: Grace Clinton

The biggest compliment that can be paid to Grace Clinton after her performances for England this week is that it hardly looked like this was the camp in which she made her international debut. Awarded that first cap on Friday against Austria, she marked the occasion with a superb goal, was unlucky not to get a second, and backed it up with another terrific display in the win over Italy.

On loan at Tottenham from Manchester United this season, the 20-year-old has been in sublime form and she showed it in these friendlies, her clever footwork and ability to carve defences open making her one of the most eye-catching players across England's two games. But Clinton worked hard off the ball, too, ranking second for tackles won and third for possession among the Lionesses' squad. That she shone in two different midfield roles, box-to-box against Austria and then as a No.10 in the win over Italy, was also impressive.

"She just went out to play, played with a lot of freedom and showed her quality," Wiegman said of the youngster in a perfectly-put piece of praise. Given how well she slipped into England's starting XI, it'd be a surprise not to see more of her in the April window as qualifying for the 2025 European Championships begins.

AdvertisementGettyLOSER: Leah Williamson

As Wiegman says, there were tons of positives for England in this camp but there were also a couple of negatives. The first came before the Lionesses had even got together as Leah Williamson's long-awaited comeback was delayed further, a minor hamstring injury causing the Arsenal star to pull out of the squad.

Williamson has worked so hard to get back on the pitch after a devastating ACL injury that ruled her out of the Women's World Cup and this camp felt like the perfect opportunity for her England return, the friendly games removing some of the pressure. However, she'll be targeting a chance to pull on her country's colours again in April instead.

WINNER: Lotte Wubben-Moy

Every cloud has a silver lining and Williamson's absence opened the door for Lotte Wubben-Moy, her Arsenal team-mate who she will have no doubt been pleased to see get a rare opportunity to show what she can do for England. There have been plenty of calls for Wubben-Moy to receive more game time, especially given her sublime recent form at club level, and she saw significant minutes in both games this week.

Though starting from the bench against Austria, the 25-year-old came on at half time and got an assist thanks to a strong header. She then went one better in the game with Italy, scoring her first England goal with just 60 seconds on the clock, this on her first start since June 2022 and just her third overall. Her defensive work and general play in both matches was superb, too.

Asked if Wubben-Moy had taken a step forward in her thinking after the two performances, Wiegman told : "She's definitely taken a step forward because she's developing a lot and very well. That's what we see weekly at Arsenal and that's what she shows here, too." The coach did add that the competition at centre-back is "really high" but Wubben-Moy has certainly done nothing this week to harm her chances of getting more of a look-in when the opportunity presents itself.

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Getty ImagesLOSER: Fran Kirby

After losing Williamson before the camp had even begun, England suffered another blow in the warm-up for the clash with Austria when Fran Kirby felt some irritation in her knee. The Chelsea star was replaced in the starting line-up by Ella Toone and, in the following days, withdrew from the camp altogether. "We didn't want to take any risks so she's being assessed at the club," Wiegman explained. "We don't expect it to be a bad injury."

Though it doesn't sound overly-concerning for Kirby, it is another frustration for the 30-year-old in what has felt like a real stop-start period of her career. After coming back admirably from some health scares in recent years, it is these knee injuries that are now plaguing Kirby as she looks to rediscover the form that made her one of the most talismanic footballers on the planet.

Chelsea have long been excellent at looking after the playmaker and will no doubt take the necessary steps to deal with this issue. Meanwhile the Blues, England and essentially every football fan will hope that she is able to ride this storm and get back to that level that made her so wonderful to watch.

According to a recent report from Faro de Vigo, Wesley Hoedt looks set to leave Southampton for Celta Vigo this month. The centre back only made the move to St Mary’s back in the summer of 2017 after a few years at Italian giants Lazio, but struggles for regular game time under new Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has plunged his future at the club into huge doubt. 

In fact, the Austrian admitted earlier this month that the 24-year-old was free to leave Southampton, and that looks set to happen as reports suggest that La Liga outfit Celtic Vigo are closing in on a move for the Netherlands international, which appears to make sense for all parties involved given Hoedt’s lowly position in the Saints pecking order.

And fellow Southampton flop Mohamed Elyounoussi, valued at £13.5 million by Transfermarkt, simply must seek to follow the Spain-bound Hoedt out of St Mary’s this month for the better of his career as well.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, while Dutchman Hoedt was a regular for the South Coast side in his debut season at the club last time round, appearing 28 times in their battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League, he simply hasn’t been able to convince new boss Hasenhuttl of his capabilities in the centre back role.

In fact, the 24-year-old has gone from being one of the first names on former manager Mark Hughes’ team-sheet to failing to appear at all under the Austrian, with failing to make any of their last six match-day squads in the league underlining just how far away he is from the first team.

And his lowly position in the pecking order was further emphasised by the fact that he didn’t make either squad for their two FA Cup clashes against Derby County earlier this month – despite plenty of changes from Hasenhuttl, Hoedt wasn’t one of them.

And it appears that the Netherlands international will indeed get the chance to resurrect his career with regular football at Celta Vigo, and fellow Saints star Elyounoussi should look to do exactly the same this month in leaving Southampton after a woeful first six months in English football.

There was much anticipation when the Norway international made the move to St Mary’s during the summer after impressing in his two years at Swiss giants Basel, yet that optimism simply hasn’t transpired into anything meaningful in the winger’s opening half a season in the Premier League.

In fact, the 24-year-old has yet to score a goal or indeed lay on an assist in 15 appearances in all competitions for the Saints this season, which is a pretty damning indictment of just how far off the pace Elyounoussi has looked this term – even against lower league opposition in Derby, the Norwegian star seriously struggled to make a meaningful impact.

And with Nathan Redmond having been galvanised by the arrival of Hasenhuttl on the other flank, there is clearly a place for talented wingers to produce the goods in the Austrian’s team – yet that just doesn’t look like happening with Elyounoussi.

And with fellow flop Hoedt seemingly on his way out of St Mary’s this month, the former Basel man simply must seek to follow him out the exit door in a bid to get his career going again.

Southampton fans… what do you think? Let us know!

Four Atletico Madrid ultras have been charged for allegedly hanging an effigy of Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr from a bridge before the derby in January.

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Atletico Madrid fans facing chargesAccused of hanging effigy near Real's training groundCould face four years in prisonWHAT HAPPENED?

The four fans are facing charges, per, after hanging the effigy of Vinicius from a bridge near the Real training ground in January. A banner was also unfurled, reading "Madrid hates Real" before the two clubs met in the Copa del Rey.

AdvertisementTwitter – AnonymousTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The Madrid Public Prosecutors office is seeking four years in prison for each individual, who say they are "ideologically identified with the extreme right". Arrests were initially made in May but they have now been charged with intimidation and 'acting against fundamental rights and public freedoms'.

WHAT THE PROSECUTOR SAID

They insist that the hanging of the effigy was racially motivated, saying it was "an unmistakable sign of contempt and rejection of the victim’s skin colour and motivated by a desire to undermine his sense of wellbeing".

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Charges have been brought so the case is now set to be heard. Meanwhile, Vinicius will likely play for Real Madrid against Real Betis this weekend.

Wrexham are fuming at the “ridiculous” ban being served by Paul Mullin, with Phil Parkinson hitting out at the new EFL yellow card directives.

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EFL looking to cut down on time wastingMore cautions handed out as a resultWelsh outfit see key men pick up bansWHAT HAPPENED?

The Football League has implemented new rules for 2023-24 that are intended to keep the ball in play for as long as possible and cut down on time wasting. Dragons striker Mullin has been a victim of those protocols, with the prolific frontman currently serving a suspension after collecting five cautions.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT THEY SAID

Wrexham are not happy at how cards are being dished out – with James McClean also banned – and Parkinson has told after meeting with the EFL’s head of refereeing, Mike Jones: “A lot of bookings I discussed were the ones for delaying the restarts and that was a directive to get the ball in play more – anyone delaying the restart would get a yellow – but they've just gone too far. The Mullin booking, when he ran to take a throw-in against Sutton was ridiculous. He ran to pick the ball up to take the throw – George Evans had just passed the ball off the pitch and it was never a booking. But once refs get it in their mind that they've been told to clamp down, certainly in the first third of the season, they go overboard and I think that's what you're seeing and it's not just us.

"Of course within those bookings there are ones that can be avoided, but equally there are ones which, if you look at James McClean against Sutton – where he's got fouled and in the action of him getting fouled James clears the ball and he books him for time wasting – never in a million years. It's something we've got to deal with. Every manager has got frustrations with officials at the moment.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Parkinson went on to say of an issue that has clearly annoyed him: “It's a big discussion point at the moment. I think there's work to be done for the powers that be. We prided ourselves on not getting too many bookings last year and we were top of the fair play league across the divisions apart from the Premiership. But it's so easy to get booked, it really is.

"The refs are giving out (too many) yellow cards. I went through a lot of the yellows with the head of the referees, Mike Jones, and he agreed with me that a lot of them shouldn't have been given. So I think the refs have been too eager at times and there has been an inconsistency, that's not just at this level, it's the Premiership level as well.”

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Getty/GOALWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Wrexham have fared admirably this season despite collecting cards on a regular basis, with an unbeaten run across all competitions that has reached 10 games helping the Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney co-owned outfit to third place in the League Two table and a shot at back-to-back promotions.

GOAL breaks down the Italian defender's journey from son of a legend to legend himself

Long before he burst onto the scene at AC Milan, Paolo Maldini's last name was legendary in Italy. His father, Cesare, was an icon for both Milan and the national team, a captain for both club and country. A dominant defender in his playing days, Cesare Maldini went on to manage AC Milan, too, making him one of the most important figures in history for one of the world's biggest clubs.

All of that is to say that the name Maldini carried weight and, for many, that weight would have been crushing. The moment Paolo Maldini was born, that weight was thrust upon him. He spent his entire childhood being looked at as Cesare's boy as he followed in the footsteps of his father for both club and country.

So how did Maldini shoulder that weight? How did he respond to the massive expectations thrown on him? Well, he simply became perhaps the best defender this sport has ever seen. Not bad… not bad, at all.

By the time his own career was over, Maldini redefined what his own last name meant. Over the course of two-and-a-half decades, Maldini won everything there is to win, reinventing himself as a player over and over again. His time at Milan was iconic. No player is more synonymous with a club than Maldini and Milan.

Born amid unrelenting pressure, Maldini exceeded every expectation, becoming an all-time great. To coincide with the release of his Future Stars Icon card on EA Sports FC24 on PlayStation 5, GOAL takes a look back at Maldini's journey and how he went from Future Star to ICON…

GettyWhere it all began

Maldini was born to play football, that much is clear. It didn't take long for him to prove that, either.

He rapidly rose through the club's youth teams and made his senior debut for the club at just 16 years old during the 1984-85 season. That was his only appearance during that Serie A season, but, at the start of the next campaign, Maldini was thrust right into the starting XI as a right-back. Notably, he was also handed the No.3 shirt that previously belonged to his father, too, cementing him as a player to watch for a rising Milan team.

He won his first Scudetto in the 1987-88 season, anchoring a legendary Milan side that would be remembered as "The Immortals". Featuring the likes of Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard, Ruud Gullit and Franco Baresi, the Rossoneri were loaded with legends and conceded just 14 goals throughout an entire Serie A season. Over the next two years, Maldini and Milan lifted back-to-back European Cups as the defender cemented his place among the best in the game.

AdvertisementThe big break

Although he is likely best known for his skills as a centerback, Maldini's early career was defined by his play on the outside. Having started on the right, he was eventually moved to the left by manager Arrigo Sacchi, highlighting Maldini's ability to play with both feet.

Still at the height of their powers, Milan took things to an even higher level during the 1991-92 season, going unbeaten for 58 matches to earn the "Invincibles" monicker. Under Fabio Capello, Maldini and Milan won three consecutive Serie A titles and reached three consecutive Champions League finals, establishing Milan as the top side in the world.

After winning a third Champions League trophy and reaching the 1994 World Cup final, Maldini truly arrived on the world stage. He finished third in that year's Ballon d'Or voting, a massive achievement for a defender, and finished fifth in the FIFA World Cup Player of the Year voting.

By 1994, at just age 26, Maldini had already won four Serie A titles, three Champions League titles, three European Super Cups and had been to a World Cup final. Following Franco Baresi's retirement, he was also handed Italy's captaincy and, ahead of the 1996-97 season, he was rewarded with the armband at Milan as well.

GettyBecoming an ICON

After being handed the captaincy, Maldini ushered in a new era of AC Milan dominance. Throughout the final years of the 20th century, the club's performance dipped a little as the players that formed the backbone of that early-90s side aged out. Maldini, then, was entrusted to be the face and leader of a new generation, one which went on to reach incredible heights as well.

As the figurehead of a backline that also featured Alessandro Nesta and Cafu, Maldini and Milan won the 2002-03 Champions League, his first as a captain. That win, which came over Juventus, came exactly 40 years after his father, Cesare, also lifted the trophy as Milan's captain. Maldini, of course, was Man of the Match, solidifying his place among the game's legendary defenders.

Now a centerback, Maldini went on to win one more Champions League in 2006-07 after infamously losing to Liverpool in the final the year prior. He went on to play all the way until 2009, making 902 total appearances for Milan. In total, he won 26 trophies with the Rossoneri, who retired his No.3 shirt after his retirement.

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GettyBiggest strengths

Where do you even begin? It's difficult to break down everything Maldini could do given the fact that he was a superstar at two different positions.

As a fullback, Maldini showcased fantastic pace and stamina, while also showing off the famous tackling and defending that would define his play as a centerback later in his career. The Italian was an underrated crosser of the ball, too, popping up with goals and assists that often go overlooked due to that defensive prowess.

That defensive prowess, though, is what made him a legend. One of the best pure defenders of all time, Maldini was a master of marking. Always aware of his surroundings, Maldini's positioning was unmatched, leaving few gaps for even the world's best attackers to exploit.

From a leadership perspective, too, there were few better, as evidenced by his trophy count and the trust put in him by both Milan and Italy to lead them as their captain.

The allrounder has already been capped across all international formats and was joint player of the tournament in last season’s BBL

Tristan Lavalette13-Dec-20251:44

Agar: Best Perth Scorchers batting order ever

On Tuesday, two days after Perth Scorchers launch the season at home against Sydney Sixers, Cooper Connolly will momentarily take his mind off this BBL campaign and nervously wait to see if he earns a maiden IPL contract.Left-arm spinning allrounder Connolly, who at 22 has already represented Australia across all formats, has been bandied around in the lead-up to the IPL auction. Lucknow Super Giants – coached by Western Australia cricket great Justin Langer – and Gujarat Titans are among the teams reportedly interested in Connolly’s all-round versatility.Related

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“I’ve put my name in for a reason. It would be a nice opportunity to go play there and compete with the best,” Connolly told ESPNcricinfo. “Looking forward to sitting down and watching the auction. It would be a nice honour to go to the IPL. It’s exciting.”Connolly’s superb clutch performance against India in the recent three-game ODI series will no doubt have caught the eye of IPL powerbrokers and increase his prospect of a potentially lucrative deal.With Australia wobbling at 132 for 4 chasing 265 in Adelaide, Connolly came to the crease having only made 10 runs in three previous ODI innings. In 13 matches across all forms for Australia he had reached double figures just once from six innings.The added spotlight of playing India, desperately trying to keep the series alive, added to the anticipation. “Walking out to the crease, I was very nervous and probably the most nervous I’ve been in a long time playing cricket,” Connolly said.Cooper Connolly played a crucial innings against India earlier this season•Getty ImagesBut he quickly settled down, delivering a near-flawless 61 not out from 53 balls to guide Australia to a series victory. “Once I faced a few balls and started to get going, things started to flow and you almost forgot who you’re playing against,” he said.”It was a nice moment. If I’m ever struggling or I’m not sure where my game’s at, that’s an innings I can rewatch and see what it was like when I played at my best.”The composed knock reinforced Connolly’s knack of performing under pressure, having most notably emerged from obscurity to carry Scorchers to the BBL title in 2022-23 in just his fourth match and second innings.”From underage cricket to getting into the senior ranks, there’s always been the side of me that wants to win the game,” Connolly said. “I think it’s just that drive of wanting to be the one to win the game. It’s the best way to go about it – don’t make it someone else’s responsibility.”My dad played a big role in mentoring me. I try to control my emotions and just focus on the task.”

I want to become more of a threat with the ball and it’s going to take a bit of time to get to that point. But hopefully I can be a good option for the team this seasoCooper Connolly on developing his bowling

Connolly enters the BBL season in strong form having most recently smashed 88 off 92 balls for Australia A against England Lions, while he also performed well on an A tour of India in September-October.He looms as a talismanic figure for Scorchers, the most successful team in BBL history but who missed finals last season for just the third time. Connolly’s growing heft means he will be relied upon to help spark this powerhouse team that has fallen back among the pack over the last couple of seasons.Connolly is set to start at No. 3 having successfully elevated to the No.3 and No.4 roles last season, where he was named player of the tournament after scoring the most runs in the league stage.Connolly will bat behind the powerful opening combination of Mitchell Marsh and Finn Allen, offering the batting line-up versatility marked by an apparent ease at shifting gears depending on the situation.Cooper Connolly will take on the No. 3 role for Perth Scorchers after being named joint player of the tournament last season•Getty ImagesHe has the composure to anchor an innings, but also boasts an uncanny knack of unfurling the most mesmerising shots which has seen him likened to Glenn Maxwell and Travis Head.”It’s just about prioritising what the team needs from me,” Connolly said. “I’m looking forward to playing a role this year and hopefully being a great leader for this group now that I’ve played a few seasons.”At this stage of his still fledgling career, Connolly is certainly a much stronger batter than spin bowler even though his only noteworthy contribution in international career before his maiden half-century was a five-wicket haul in an ODI against South Africa in Mackay. The 5 for 22 are the best figures by an Australia spinner in men’s ODIs.But Connolly has continued to work on his slow left-arm orthodox and will be looking to build on last season’s encouraging output, where he took six wickets and started to be relied upon in more favourable spinning conditions on the east coast.Connolly made his Test debut earlier in the year in Sri Lanka to some derision having to that point gone wicketless from 96 deliveries in his first-class career.It’s still clearly a work in progress, but Connolly is showing signs of improvement and has taken five first-class wickets since, including 2 for 59 from 15 overs against South Australia in a recent Shield match at the WACA.”Right now, I would say my bowling is steady but I’m trying to evolve and get better at it,” he said. “I want to become more of a threat with the ball and it’s going to take a bit of time to get to that point. But hopefully I can be a good option for the team this season.”Cooper Connolly’s bowling is a valuable part of his game•Getty ImagesConnolly is a significant player of interest across formats for Australia’s hierarchy. His surprising Test selection in Sri Lanka was an opportunity to give him a run in subcontinent conditions ahead of Australia’s potentially legacy-defining tour of India in early 2027.With an eye towards the 2027 ODI World Cup, Connolly will have an opportunity to press for regular selection in an ODI team transitioning after the retirements of Maxwell and Steven Smith.Connolly is perhaps a little bit further away at the T20I level given Australia’s depth of talent but he will be under consideration for their T20 World Cup squad, particularly given the event is in India and Sri Lanka.While he is right now probably outside the frame, a strong start to the BBL could see him rise up the pecking order. “It would be a nice honour to represent Australia at the T20 World Cup,” Connolly said. “If you’re playing well, things will take care of themselves.”But I’m just concentrating on the Scorchers. We’ve got a special group and we’re hoping to bring back a title for the fans and everyone at the club.”It has been a whirlwind year for Connolly, and it’s not over just yet with a couple of big days in front of him.

Bayern are on the lookout for a new manager after confirming that the ex-Chelsea boss will be leaving in the summer

On Wednesday morning, we got the news we had all been expecting for some time: Thomas Tuchel had been given his marching orders by Bayern Munich. The announcement did come with a twist, though, with the German not set to depart his post until the end of the season.

It's an odd decision, considering that many of Bayern's top players have seemingly lost faith in Tuchel and they have a campaign-defining Champions League last-16 second-leg clash with Lazio to come next month. Perhaps finding someone to take the job mid-season seemed impossible, or maybe the club are looking to save some money by avoiding a hefty compensation package.

Regardless, the search is now firmly underway to find Tuchel's successor and there is a lot of options out there. Below, GOAL has analysed 10 of the top candidates who could end up in Bavaria this summer.

Getty ImagesXabi Alonso

Liverpool will have greeted the news of Tuchel's imminent departure with trepidation. The Reds are understood to have identified Bayer Leverkusen boss Alonso as their No.1 target to replace Jurgen Klopp at the end of the season.

However, with Bayern now on the lookout for a new head coach too, competition for his services is about to ramp up significantly. It's not hard to see why both clubs are so besotted by Alonso. In a short space of time he has overhauled Leverkusen's playing style, making them one of the most watchable teams in Europe, while also getting extremely impressive results.

For now, the Spaniard's focus will very much be on bringing the Bundesliga title to western Germany, but in the summer he has a seismic decision to make. Both the Bayern and Liverpool jobs are appealing, though he could even disappoint both by opting to stay put for the time being.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesZinedine Zidane

Zidane has been out of the game for some time now, having not returned to management since he left Real Madrid in May 2021. There's been plenty of rumours since, with interest coming from Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and the United States, but Zizou has remained on the sidelines.

Could that change this summer now the Bayern job has come up? He would seem to be a pretty good fit at least. Tactically flexible, Zidane's main strength appears to be his squad management. And with Bayern possessing a lot of egos at present, his ability to be a unifying figure who commands respect would be welcomed.

Whether he would be interested in the role is another matter. Zidane holds a burning desire to manage France one day and during a tournament year – after which Les Bleus boss Didier Deschamps could feasibly leave – he may prefer to remain a free agent.

GettyHansi Flick

Flick's reputation took a battering during his time in charge of Germany. However, it should not be forgotten what an outstanding job he did at Bayern between 2019 and 2021.

Parachuted in to save Die Roten's season following Niko Kovac's disastrous reign, Flick would go on to lead the club to only their second-ever continental treble. His only full campaign wasn't quite as successful, but he still led Bayern to the Bundesliga title – something Tuchel is currently proving is far from the guarantee it is often portrayed as.

The less said about his time as Germany boss the better, but if the club are looking for a safe pair of hands, Flick could be the ideal, short-term choice to provide a bit of stability.

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Getty ImagesJurgen Klopp

If Klopp wishes to sever all ties with his beloved Borussia Dortmund, while also severely p***ing off Liverpool fans, he could give Bayern a call. We're pretty sure he's happy enough sitting back and relaxing, though. At least for the next year anyway.

David de Gea is doing little to quash the rumours suggesting that Manchester United are “pleading” with him to return to Old Trafford.

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De Gea posts cryptic tweetOnana has struggledSpaniard linked with shock returnWHAT HAPPENED?

It has been claimed that the Red Devils are, a matter of months after releasing the Spaniard as a free agent, eager to put a short-term deal in place with a player that they know well. De Gea spent 12 years on United’s books, taking in 545 appearances, before being allowed to move on in the summer of 2023 when his contract came to a close.

AdvertisementGetty/GOALTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Andre Onana is now first choice in Erik ten Hag’s plans, but he is due to head off on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Cameroon in January and has endured a tough start to life in English football. De Gea would bring stability and familiarity to United’s keeping department, with the 32-year-old still without a club as things stand.

DID YOU KNOW?

De Gea has been back in Manchester of late, meeting up with some former team-mates, and has posted a cryptic ‘thinking’ emoji message on social media as speculation regarding his future continues to rage.

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WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

De Gea won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League during his time with United. He has kept more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper in the Red Devils' long and distinguished history, with four Player of the Year awards collected through more than a decade of loyal service in Manchester.

A “top Championship club” would have to come in for Paul Mullin in order for the Wrexham star to consider a transfer elsewhere, says Brett Ormerod.

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Prolific presence in the lower leaguesFeeling settled in North WalesBecome a star on and off the pitchWHAT HAPPENED?

The 29-year-old striker has established a reputation as one of the most potent frontmen in the lower leagues – with 47 goals recorded across all competitions last season as the Red Dragons won the National League title in record-breaking style. Mullin’s exploits have attracted plenty of attention – with the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ documentary series aiding that cause – but he is tied to a contract through to 2026 and feels settled in North Wales, close to his Merseyside roots.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT ORMEROD SAID ABOUT MULLIN

With that in mind, former Wrexham striker Ormerod has told when asked if Mullin could attract interest from higher up the footballing food chain in January: “Maybe so, yeah. Everyone has an opinion of you as a player and for me, the question is about which Championship club would come in for him. If Wrexham get promoted this season, they'll obviously build a squad to make a push for the Championship themselves and if you're somewhere playing football, you're on good money, happy and settled – there's so much to consider. Paul Mullin is playing football and he's happy. I think it'd have to be a top Championship club to get him away from Wrexham. If Wrexham get promoted this year, Paul Mullin should be thinking 'why should I go anywhere else?'. This club is going places, it's got everything. It's got great media coverage, he gets to meet Will Ferrell, which I'm jealous of because he's one of my favourite actors of all time. It must be amazing to be in and around Wrexham right now, however, it does come with its own pressures I suppose.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

While rubbing shoulders with Hollywood superstars – as Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney call the shots at SToK Racecourse – Mullin has also released his own book, ‘My Wrexham Story’. Ormerod added on making the most of new-found fame: “Fair play to Paul Mullin. A football career is short and people get caught up looking at the A-listers. Football is like every other sport, the elite get paid a substantial amount of money and everyone else is trying to make a living out of it. Football is a funny old game, because you can have a great career in the lower leagues on paper earning modest money but retire at 35 having to enter the real world with no real-world experience, a mortgage, two kids and you've got to go and find your way in life. On the flip side, you can be a top prospect at Man City earning big money, not be playing by the age of 24/25 and still be a millionaire. You have to say fair play to Paul Mullin because you've got to make as much money as you can, while you can.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MULLIN & WREXHAM?

Mullin has hit a further nine goals for Wrexham this season, taking him to 88 in total through 112 appearances, and he has Phil Parkinson’s side sat among the League Two frontrunners – with the ambitious Welsh outfit setting their sights on reaching the Premier League at some stage.

The Uruguay midfielder revealed he doesn't know how to stop Lionel Messi, ahead of his country's clash with Argentina on Thursday

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Real Madrid midfielder admitted he doesn't know how to stop MessiPraised Luis Suarez after Uruguay call-upUruguay play Argentina in 2026 World Cup qualifying this weekGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

Uruguay are set to face Argentina in 2026 World Cup qualifying this week, and La Celeste captain has admitted that it will be impossible to stop Lionel Messi. The Inter Miami and Argentina star hasn't played a competitive match in almost a month.

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Uruguay are currently second in Conmebol World Cup 2026 qualifying, five points behind Argentina and ahead of Venezuela and Brazil on goals scored. The Marcelo Bielsa-led side notched a famous win over Brazil in their last World Cup qualifying fixture.

Getty ImagesWHAT VALVERDE SAID

In a pre-match interview, Valverde said he doesn't know how to slow down Messi — and could never do so when both played in La Liga: "I don't know how to stop Messi, I could never stop him. He is one of the best players in the world."

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GettyWHAT VALVERDE SAID ABOUT LUIS SUAREZ

The midfielder also praised Suarez, who earned his first Uruguay nod since the 2022 World Cup: “From the first moment Suarez has given me the values and rules to succeed in the national team. He is an idol for Uruguay."