Insider Dean Jones has revealed that Marcus Rashford is likely to only start on the bench for Manchester United this weekend amid injury concerns.

What's the latest on Marcus Rashford and Man United?

Ahead of the latest international break, the English striker picked up a knock in the Red Devils' final Premier League game (against Fulham).

As a result, he had to pull out of action with the Three Lions and there has been plenty of speculation since about whether or not he will feature against Newcastle United this weekend.

Now, according to his manager, Rashford has trained this week. And so, when speaking to the press, Erik ten Hag claimed he had "hope" the forward would be fit.

But he wasn't able to clarify if he would definitely start or not. But while speaking on the latest episode of Chasing Green Arrows, Jones seemed to think the 25-year-old will be on the bench.

He said (3:49): “There's a possibility that Rashford's on the bench here. I'm not sure I'm confident that Rashford is going to be starting in this game.

"That's my reading of the situation so far. That's just speaking to a couple of journalists that like cover United, who have basically been at the presser.

"I mean, to be honest, they probably haven't heard that much more than we've actually seen coming from the presser ourselves. But it's just a tough one and it's a dilemma.”

Will Marcus Rashford start against Newcastle?

In full, manager Ten Hag explained of Rashford's current injury status: “I have good hope, he trained but he had to have some treatment, he had to do some individual training.

“Today he joined in with the group. We have one more day. I have a good hope he will be available.”

With that being the case, on top of what Jones was able to learn about the situation from some people in the know, it seems as though the Englishman will likely be involved in some capacity this weekend against the Magpies but the game may come just too soon for him to start.

With a match to play on Wednesday against Brentford in the Premier League too, it's certainly a boost to at least have Rashford close to full fitness for the first game.

After all, with 27 goals in all competitions, the £200k-p/w star is by far the club's most prolific goalscorer this term – while he also has the joint-second highest number of assists (nine).

With that in mind, they won't want to rush him back too soon and then risk making any minor injury a long-term issue.

Out-of-favour Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek could leave the club at the end of the season, according to journalist Pete O'Rourke.

Is Van de Beek having a good season?

The Dutchman joined United from Ajax back in 2020, with potentially big things expected of him after he shone for the Eredivisie giants, helping them reach the Champions League semi-finals in 2018/19. It has been a hugely disappointing spell for him at Old Trafford, however, with so little impact made over the past three years.

Incredibly, Van de Beek has only made 60 appearances in total for the Red Devils, so often being consigned to the substitutes' bench, at best. This season, the 25-year-old has continued to feature sporadically, starting only two Premier League matches and not registering a goal or an assist in any competition.

It looks increasingly as though the midfielder's future lies away from United, and with his current deal expiring in the summer of 2025, they could even look to cash in on him at the end of the current campaign. That certainly increasingly looks set to be the case, following a new claim.

Is midfielder off this summer?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, O'Rourke talked up the idea of Van de Beek moving on to pastures new this summer:

"Van de Beek, it's been two real difficult seasons for him. It's not what he's used to following his success for Ajax as well; it could be a big summer ahead of him, especially if United do add to that midfield, could push him even further down the pecking order, then he will really seriously have to consider his future at Old Trafford."

In truth, it makes complete sense for United to sell Van de Beek when this season reaches its conclusion, with the 19-cap Netherlands international someone who clearly isn't a key part of the club's plans moving forward. He is a talented player, hence earning to move to Old Trafford in the first place, but he simply hasn't got to grips with the Premier League and fitness problems haven't helped along the way.

Granted, Frank Lampard described him as a "top level player" during his time on loan at Everton, but United simply have better options than him now, from Christian Eriksen to Bruno Fernandes, and they should only strengthen further when the summer transfer window arrives.

It is a move that just hasn't worked out, as can be the case sometimes, so United should try and get as big a fee as possible in the approaching months.

Chelsea have accepted the fact that they will make a huge loss on Romelu Lukaku should they sell the striker this summer, according to reports in the last 48 hours.

The Lowdown: Exit highly likely

The Belgian made his return to the Premier League and indeed Stamford Bridge back in 2021 but is currently out on a season-long loan at Inter Milan after falling out of favour.

In January, Spanish reports relayed an update from the 29-year-old admitting that doesn’t want to return to work under Graham Potter, which has alerted several clubs to his potential availability.

Saudi Arabian clubs, Everton and Aston Villa have all been credited with an interest in the forward, but most recently, a new transfer plan has emerged.

Calciomercato claim that the Blues could look to include their player in a deal to re-sign Tammy Abraham, but no matter where he ends up, the club will be down from a financial point of view.

The Latest: Chelsea accept fate

According to Football Insider, Chelsea have ‘resigned themselves’ to the fact that they will be making an ‘enormous loss’ on Lukaku should his sale be sanctioned later in the summer.

Inter’s attacker arrived in SW6 for a £97.5m fee but ‘sources with knowledge of his situation’ believe that Todd Boehly will have to accept a cut-price sum of less than £30m.

The Blues are already paying for part of his salary whilst on loan and it’s stated that the owner needs to ‘trim the squad’ and ‘balance the books’ ahead of the 2023/24 term.

The Verdict: Let him leave

Lukaku has made zero appearances under Potter being at Inter since he was appointed, and that won’t change any time soon, so Chelsea would be making the right decision to cash in, albeit for a significantly lower fee than they would have liked.

The 104-cap international scored just eight goals in the top flight throughout the whole of the 2021/22 season before returning to Italy, therefore lacking the kind of prolific form required to succeed.

The Antwerp native has also been previously slammed for his performances in the capital by journalist Josh Bunting who labelled him a ‘disgrace’, stating that he has a ‘rotten’ attitude and should ‘never play for the club again’.

Chelsea have reached an agreement to sign RB Leipzig striker Christopher Nkunku in the summer so Lukaku’s replacement is already lined up, it’s now just a case of finding a potential suitor that would be able to put the best offer on the table.

ScorecardEssex captain Ryan ten Doeschate claimed four of the last five wickets to fall•Getty Images

Essex wasted little time in picking up the six Northamptonshire wickets they needed on the final day to secure their second County Championship win of the season. Ryan ten Doeschate claimed figures of 4 for 31 before Graham Napier returned to wrap up the victory 17 balls after lunch.Facing a race against the forecast for rain, Essex got off to a flying start, as Jamie Porter picked up his eighth wicket of the match – and 22nd of the season – with a delivery that reared at Richard Levi, who fended to point where Dan Lawrence took a fine catch in the third over of the day.This brought Adam Rossington, who was the main source of resistance in Northamptonshire’s first innings, to the crease. In the company of nightwatchman Azharullah, Rossington dug in once more, sharing 21 in 17 overs until ten Doeschate, the fifth bowler used by Essex, pinned him leg-before playing back.At the other end, Azharullah lived a charmed life, edging just short of Alastair Cook at first slip in the first over of the day, and later on short of fourth slip. Between times, when he was on 6, James Foster shelled a tough chance diving one-handed to his right off Porter.David Murphy came and went, playing a beautiful straight drive, then almost being caught and bowled, before finally slapping straight to mid-on, all in a single ten Doeschate over. With the last ball of his next, the Essex captain ended Azharullah’s 88-ball resistance as he was adjudged lbw.With Rory Kleinveldt and Richard Gleeson defending stoically – and peppering the third man boundary – Essex extended the session by 15 minutes in pursuit of the final two wickets. After 12 of those minutes, and a couple more loud lbw appeals, the players left the field as a passing shower struck.The win, which was set up by half-centuries for each of Essex’s top five across the rain-ravaged first two days, was secured almost immediately after the break. Gleeson miscued ten Doeschate straight to fine leg 14 balls after lunch, and while Kleinveldt hammered him down the ground for four next ball, Napier returned to finish the job, castling Ben Sanderson with a perfect yorker second ball.The win gave Essex 23 points, securing their place atop Division Two going into the fourth round of matches, when they head to New Road to face Worcestershire. Northamptonshire headed home with just one.

The deteriorating pitch played its part, but the Leicestershire batsmen did not help themselves in being bowled out for 43 in their second innings in 25 overs on the third day against Worcestershire at Grace Road

ECB Reporters Network24-May-2016
ScorecardJoe Leach completed a memorable match as he helped run through Leicestershire•Getty Images

The deteriorating pitch played its part, but the Leicestershire batsmen did not help themselves in being bowled out for 43 in their second innings in 25 overs on the third day against Worcestershire at Grace Road. It left the visitors just 86 to win, a target they reached for the loss of three wickets.Leicestershire’s previous lowest score against Worcestershire was 52, made in 1965. The total is the lowest made in the Championship since Lancashire bowled Essex out for 20 at Chelmsford in 2013.There was little indication of the mayhem to come when Leicestershire picked up the two first innings wickets remaining to Worcestershire overnight, Jack Shantry caught at first slip and last man Charlie Morris run out in his eagerness to get Matt Henry his half-century.Thereafter, however, it was chaos. Henry struck in his first over, Paul Horton edging an outswinger low to third slip, but while Neil Dexter could do little about a Joe Leach delivery that rose and took the shoulder of the bat before flying straight to point, skipper Mark Cosgrove was playing a disappointingly airy drive to the Henry inswinger which disturbed the left-hander’s off-stump.With the score 11 for 3, Mark Pettini then decided the time was right to risk a quick single to a misfield and paid the price, Ross Whiteley throwing down the stumps from wide gully. The Leach delivery which pinned Angus Robson on the back foot both seamed back and kept low, before, astonishingly, another risky single saw Aadil Ali run out by a Brett D’Oliveira throw which took out middle stump.Wells went the same way as Robson, though his foot movement was minimal, and Ben Raine then fenced at an ordinary delivery from Henry and edged to the wicketkeeper.Niall O’Brien reached 17 before edging Leach to Whiteley at third slip, while Henry produced another fine delivery to bowl McKay. Having taken 5 for 99 in the first innings, Leach’s 4 for 10 gave him career-best match figures of 9 for 109.Leicestershire did pick up three wickets during Worcestershire’s chase, though once again the pitch could not be blamed for Daryl Mitchell dabbing at a wide delivery and edging McKay to O’Brien, or for Whiteley – promoted to hit out – dumping McKay to mid-on, but D’Oliveira could do little about the delivery from McKay that left him and took the edge on its way through to O’Brien.

Everton extended their Premier League unbeaten run to four games after holding top-four hopefuls Tottenham Hotspur to a draw on Monday evening, with Sean Dyche's men producing a spirited display at Goodison Park to bolster their hopes of survival.

In what was a frantic and frenetic second half on Merseyside, both Abdoulaye Doucoure and substitute Lucas Moura saw red either side of a Harry Kane spot-kick, before surprise hero Michael Keane – who had earlier given away the penalty – stepped up to secure a point at the death with a stunning, long-range strike.

In truth, the result was no more than the Toffees deserved with the relegation strugglers likely to have been somewhat frustrated not to have sealed the win – albeit with the hosts still only a point above the drop zone.

While the club's future in the top-flight remains uncertain, there is seemingly renewed optimism among the Goodison faithful amid the arrival of Dyche, with the former Burnley boss having found a formula to get results during his brief tenure thus far.

One man who looks set to be a key figure between now and the end of the season is fleet-footed winger, Alex Iwobi, with the Nigeria international having again sparkled against the Lilywhites after producing a "terrific" attacking display, as per journalist Fatteh Hamid.

How did Iwobi perform against Spurs?

As The Athletic's Jack Pitt-Brooke noted, there is an argument to be made that Iwobi has been the "most improved player in the Premier League over the last 2-3 years", with the £35m man having become instrumental to all that is good about the Toffees.

Once branded a player who "makes too many bad decisions" by journalist David Prentice back in 2020 and described as someone whose ability "lets him down" by ex-Everton man Michael Ball in 2021, the 5 foot 11 dynamo has looked far more effective in the current campaign, notably racking up a team-high seven assists in 29 league games already this season.

While the 26-year-old did somewhat suffer from a 'lack of end product' yesterday, according to 90min's Jude Summerfield, the versatile ace was a constant thorn in the side of the visitors, having laid on two key passes and created one big chance, while also attempting eight dribbles on the night.

Such a dynamic and relentless threat did see Iwobi lose possession on 20 occasions although that was merely a marker of his willingness to make things happen for his side, with The National's Olakunie Afolabi writing that the 62-cap gem was 'crucial to everything the Toffees created in the first-half' having posed 'serious problems' for the opposing backline.

The hard-working ace also put in a typically impressive display defensively after winning five ground duels from his wide berth, with such an all-round performance earning the £120k-per-week man a solid 7.0 match rating, as per Sofascore.

That outing bodes well for the impact that the Lagos native can have in Everton's survival bid, with it yet another sign of how far the former Arsenal man has come since his early days on Merseyside.

Insider ExWHUEmployee has revealed that West Ham United could owe millions in unpaid fees to Russian clubs and it could result in a transfer ban.

What are the latest West Ham transfer rumours?

In the summer transfer window before last, Nikola Vlasic arrived from CSKA Moscow on a permanent transfer, while Alex Kral joined on loan from Spartak Moscow for the 2021/22 season.

It's safe to say those moves didn't go great for either player. Indeed, Vlasic is now on loan with Serie A club Torino after one goal in 19 Premier League outings for the Hammers, while Kral finished his loan with just six appearances under his belt across the entire season.

On top of that disappointment, it seems as though West Ham now have another headache to consider relating to the flops.

Indeed, while speaking on The West Ham Way podcast, Ex revealed the club still owe money relating to unpaid fees, with payments affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The insider said (0:21): "West Ham apparently owe a collective amount of £7.8m to the Russian authorities over unpaid transfer fees.

"So the first one is for Alex Kral’s loan move from Spartak Moscow, apparently, we still owe £4.38m for that. And that we still owe CFK Moscow £3.5m for Vlasic.

"Now, West Ham are arguing that you're not allowed to send money to Russia, obviously as a result of the Russia-Ukrainian war.

"But the Russian authorities are saying they're owed that money, and there's even talk that they're applying for us to have a transfer ban as a result of not paying these figures.

"I mean, the figure is so small that I'm sure if that ever became a realistic penalty, then then we would just pay it. But we're still disputing this."

Why did Alex Kral flop at West Ham?

It's fair to say Kral didn't enjoy his time with the East London football club. Indeed, he told Capital Football in a interview earlier this season: “Really fast I recognised I won’t play in too many games, so I worked on my weaknesses in each training.

“Moyes didn’t speak much with me, he was detached.

“I only spoke to him one time when I went to him, asking him what I needed to improve to play, at a time when Rice and Tomas were out of the game.

“But something was off because if I had been doing everything right I’d be playing, no? So, I tried to speak like this with him, I didn’t go and ask: ‘Why am I not playing?’.

“But he kept saying that I needed to wait for my chance, the rest was between him and me."

In the end, he left West Ham have played for just one minute in the Premier League, so it's safe to say it wasn't a good loan spell – nor was he worth that £4.38m still owed.

Vlasic also struggled as mentioned earlier and seeing as he cost an initial £25.7m plus £7.7m in add-ons, which seems to not have been paid yet, the Irons must truly regret these deals now.

Liverpool target Ryan Gravenberch is keen on a move to Anfield after a positive meeting regarding a deal was held, according to reports.

What's the latest on Gravenberch to Liverpool?

The Bayern Munich midfielder’s contract at the Allianz Arena isn’t set to expire for another four years, but having made just one start in the Bundesliga this season, has fallen out of favour and could therefore be looking to secure a move elsewhere this summer, potentially to the Premier League.

Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg has reported that the Netherlands international is on a shortlist of central targets compiled by Jurgen Klopp with 90min having since claimed that the Reds have made contact to ask for regular updates on the 20-year-old’s situation.

Now, according to De Telegraaf (via Voetbal Primeur and Sport Witness), Liverpool recently sent chiefs to hold “talks” with Gravenberch’s representatives to discuss a potential move to Merseyside. The Dutchman’s camp, including his father, “sat down” with the key figures from Anfield to discover what a deal would look like, and the meeting must have gone swimmingly because it’s stated that the midfielder is “interested” in completing the switch.

The German giants’ star is “becoming dejected” about his lack of minutes at his current club which is why a move “appeals to him”, and as for the price tag, the hope is that FSG wouldn’t have to pay “more” than the €18.5m (£16.3m) Bayern initially coughed up for him.

Should Liverpool go for Gravenberch?

Gravenberch admitting that he wants to join Liverpool will be a huge boost for Klopp and something that the board should take advantage of by splashing the cash to secure his services during the upcoming window.

The Adidas-sponsored gem has posted 69 goal contributions (36 goals and 33 assists) in 215 appearances throughout his career, with this impressive return for a midfielder having seen him dubbed “indispensable” by talent scout Jacek Kulig. As per FBRef, the £152k-per-week also ranks in the 95th percentile for shot-creating actions per 90 and the 92nd percentile for shots, which shows that even if he’s not always on the scoresheet, he’s constantly looking to try and make the magic happen in the final third.

Finally, Gravenberch knows what it takes to be successful having secured six senior trophies over the course of his time at Bayern and former club Ajax, so will be able to match the winning mentality of the current squad already on Merseyside.

Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Darren Sammy have questioned the selection of the West Indies ODI squad for the tri-series involving Australia and South Africa in June

ESPNcricinfo staff20-May-2016Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Darren Sammy have questioned the selection of the West Indies ODI squad for the tri-series involving Australia and South Africa in June. They expressed surprise at Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine being in the squad despite not meeting what they considered to be one of the WICB’s criteria for selection – playing West Indies’ domestic 50-over competition.Gayle, Bravo and Sammy did not play the Nagico Super50 in January because they were playing the Big Bash League in Australia at the time. Pollard and Narine also did not participate in the Nagico Super50, though. Pollard was injured during the Ram Slam T20 in South Africa in November last year and only regained fitness in time for the 2016 IPL, and Narine was not allowed to play because his bowling action had been declared illegal. He was cleared to bowl by the ICC only in April.In a series of tweets and retweets, the players who had been left out of the squad expressed their incredulity at the selection. “@KieronPollard55 & #SunilNarine selected for WI Tri-Series. How is that possible @westindies?” asked Gayle on Twitter. “WICB stop Sunil from playing super 50 and now they pick him. If @KieronPollard55 was fit he would’ve play the B Bash just like the rest of us!!”Bravo called the development “magic” on Twitter. “Joke of the day: WI selectors. One minute Pollard & Narine were not good enough & now are perfect for Tri Nation series? It’s like magic! One minute we have to be available for domestic super 50 to be selected and the next minute, it seems we don’t. Magic! Get serious people!”Sammy, while congratulating Pollard, asked him how he had managed a comeback: “@KieronPollard55 great to see u back in odi team but tell me how did u qualify for selection having not played the super50 or ODI since 2014.”In response to Sammy and the others, Pollard seemed to say he did not know why he had not played an ODI since October 2014: “Bingo, or I should say Pingo. Numbers shuffled and up popped P55!! Or should I [say] lucky days!! Think the truth, or real reasons of expulsion will finally come out??? Have been baffled for 15 months. Then Pingo.”Andre Russell was the other high-profile omission from the West Indies ODI squad. He too did not play the Nagico Super50 and played the Big Bash League instead. It is not known, however, whether the injury he sustained during the IPL played a part in his non-selection. None of these players – Gayle, Bravo, Sammy and Russell – were contracted by the WICB earlier this year, but all four were part of West Indies’ title-winning squad at the World T20 in India.

Ian Bell reminded the England selectors of his qualities on a day when a space in the middle order unexpectedly – and sadly – opened up

Will Macpherson at the Ageas Bowl12-Apr-2016
ScorecardIan Bell and Jonathan Trott put on 49 for the second wicket•PA PhotosThis was not, as its maker would surely attest, a vintage Ian Bell century. It was, however, one of intelligence, importance, and no little inevitability; even lacking the fluency of his pomp, Bell looked better equipped than anyone to deal with a pitch where batsmen fear the new ball but little else – as the efforts of Keith Barker and then Fidel Edwards have shown. Indeed he ended his second day as a 34-year-old having seen off not one, but two new balls and some dirge in between.Bell has just enjoyed his first winter off for a decade and a half and, while England have prospered in his absence, the cold reality is that this was a day that started with the news that in unforeseen, unfortunate and downright unhappy circumstances, another spot has opened up in the middle order he vacated before Christmas.Thus the timing of this knock – one of economy over elegance and game awareness over ego – could not have been more apposite. While all the lovely moving parts remain, this was not the sheer sexiness of Bell at his best; it was gritty rather than pretty, as he spent 44 balls in the nineties, laboured for 150 deliveries over his second 50, and had only seven boundaries before he pulled a Will Smith long-hop beautifully along the floor through midwicket to bring up his century.The cover drive, caressed cut and glide to third man were also all seen, but not regularly; Bell – who has also scored centuries in both Test matches on this ground – was determined to eschew risk and play within himself, even suffering a bout of cramp during the afternoon session. “My arms were struggling a bit, it was the longest I’ve batted since Antigua! The body took some adjusting,” Bell joked afterwards.While Bell said, “for me it doesn’t do me any good thinking about England,” he admitted that something had changed and looked, in the middle and beyond the boundary, a man refreshed. “I do feel fresh, and excited about cricket. I probably had lost a bit of that drive a few months back. So to have spent a lot of time away from cricket is nice. Whether other things happen with England is irrelevant, where I am now I am very happy. It was an enforced break and I understand it. I’m not going to make excuses. I was short of runs since Antigua, but I feel great now. I love playing for Warwickshire and my body feels great.”In the morning session, for a little under 40 minutes, Bell and his old mate Jonathan Trott, under the backdrop of perfect blue skies, carried us back to 2010 in sharing 49; Trott drove beautifully down the ground before falling to James Vince, caught by the only slip chasing a wide, looping half-volley. Bell added 49 more with the proto-Trott, Sam Hain, when Ryan McLaren had him strangled down the leg side.Finally, with his team in some bother after Tim Ambrose looped to midwicket, the captain found an able lieutenant in Chris Woakes, who was watchful and rather staid early on, before unfurling cover drives and cuts to the new ball. The pair, who shared 151, were quite content patting all Hampshire threw at them, particularly Liam Dawson’s spin, straight back to the bowler; for much of the partnership piercing the infield was a challenge, as Vince forewent catchers in favour of protection. The reward for the batsmen’s patience was 52 from the 9.2 overs of the new ball, before Woakes fell, plumb lbw to Edwards, in the day’s final over, and hobbled off for stumps with a rather painful toe.First thing, Hampshire had walloped their way to a bonus point before promptly getting out – with Edwards following some briefly lusty hitting with fine, if erratic new-ball bowling. His sharp swing accounted for Ian Westwood – not offering a stroke – the Varun Chopra.But out came Bell and into his bubble he went. In scoring more than twice as many runs as the Hampshire top seven combined, he had crafted a position from which his team cannot lose the opening match of their season. With a lead that could easily swell in double quick time on the final morning – given Warwickshire have the makers of 23 first-class centuries still waiting to bat – victory remains a possibility.”It’s dry, and we have a world class spinner, which is nice. Jeetan [Patel] is class at landing the ball in Keith Barker’s footholes so we will be excited about that tomorrow,” said Bell, reflecting gleefully on a fine day in the dirt.