We’ve got a live blog covering tonight’s action to come, but that’s all from me. Have a great weekend, one and all! Former Real Madrid defender Aitor Karanka has told Sid Lowe ahead of this weekend’s clásico he wishes he had the chance to manage Jude Bellingham after the youngster had already agreed a move to Borussia Dortmund before Karanka became Birmingham City manager: This kid? Sold. Noooo. Let me have him for pre-season at least! When the Dortmund move was agreed, Birmingham still needed three points to survive. Jude says: ‘Until we’re safe, I keep playing.’ At 17. Any other kid, it’s: ‘No thanks, lads.’ But he says: ‘This is my team, my city, I’m not abandoning them.’ He has a great family, that’s vital. Back to the Manchester derby. City have warned their fans attending Sunday’s derby at Old Trafford, where a minute’s applause will be held for Sir Bobby Charlton, that anyone who misbehaves will be banned and reported to police: Please note, we condemn all inappropriate or abusive behaviour. Anyone found to be behaving in such a manner will be issued with a stadium ban, and GMP [Greater Manchester police] will be made aware. The first of the Lionesses’ Nation’s League double header against Belgium is tonight. Goalkeeper Mary Earps has been talking about the new pressure of adapting to increasingly large crowds in a time when the game is experiencing a boom in popularity: We’re obviously so grateful that thousands and thousands of people want to meet us and come and talk to us, but the reality of it is, if that’s the expectation, we’re always going to fall short, and I think the emphasis on it needs to switch now. We love that we can be so connected because of how the game has grown, but equally we are subject to a lot of comments and unnecessary … I don’t want to say abuse, because that’s a bit strong, but at times it’s just an addition to the game that we don’t need … We’re doing our best. Some more Spotify-Barcelona talk and Peter has this to say: “I wouldn’t read too much into Barça’s (Spotify’s?) decision to put the Stones logo on their shirts. The simplest explanation is, they’re supremely confident that they’re gonna lick Real Madrid this weekend.” They certainly will want to make a statement, Peter. Not sure that is the way to go, however. Jude Bellingham has 11 goals in 12 appearances for Real Madrid this season, he has been speaking to Spanish TV ahead of his first clásico: Back when I was a kid in England we still had the coverage of the clásicos and Spanish football. I definitely loved the games as a kid and I always tuned in, no matter how late it was, even when my mum was telling me to get to bed. I’d always stay up until I got the last minute of every clásico. I remember celebrations; Ronaldo’s ‘calma’ [calm down gesture] at the Camp Nou, stuff like that. It sticks in your mind: the iconic moments, the good, the bad, sometimes the ugly side of it as well. There have been so many classic games, so many magic moments, it’s a pleasure to be able to play it. Where else would you rather be as a football player? You can imagine what it means. It’s not hard to understand: I watched clásicos growing up and you see the reaction from the fans inside the stadium and TV. You can tell how much it means to them. Back to ElClásico buildup. Barcelona’s kit for the match is set to feature the Rolling Stones iconic tongue and lips logo. The logo will replace the Spotify one as part of the music streaming service’s partnership with Barcelona. The Rock legends released their 26th studio album, ‘Hackney Diamonds’ last week. Charles tells me the idea would be better if it hadn’t come into fruition: “As a symbol of licentious, rude, anti-establishment sexy fun, it seems an especially inappropriate choice for both the football club, and since at least 1975, the band. But I suppose that if you rearranged the components of the image, it might come up looking like a dollar sign, and that would fit the bill.” Speaking of famous owners, Birmingham City -minority owned by NFL legend Tom Brady take on Southampton in one of tomorrow’s early Championship kick-offs. It has been a tough start to life in the Midlands for new coach Wayne Rooney who had to endure boos as he watched his Birmingham side lose away at Hull in midweek. In other news, Notts County have comically denied that mega pop star Taylor Swift is set to buy the League Two club. Kudos to the admin for this belter of a statement. What other songs could they have crammed in here? Do e-mail your suggestions Thank you Yara! More from Mauricio Pochettino and he says he is “not happy” with the decision to schedule Chelsea’s trip to Wolves on Christmas eve. The Chelsea supporters trust said it was “unacceptable” a Premier League game will be taking place the day before Christmas for the first time since 1995: I’m not happy also because the 23rd is my anniversary and I need to travel to Wolves, and I am not going to spend the night of 23 in my house. Then the 24th for Argentine people is a really important night and I hope to arrive in time to celebrate. It is difficult because I think it is not easy to change,” he said. “We need to accept, we are in England and it is different to the rest of the world, but I need to adapt myself and even if I am not happy I need to do my best. Our time together has come to an end as I leave you in the hands of the magnificent Morgan once again. Thanks for joining me; it was an absolute pleasure! Some thoughts from the emails … Neil is still wary of VAR: “My main concern is whether United will be gifted a dodgy offside or handball goal for the third derby in a row.” I think you can ask fans up and down the country, Neil, and no matter who they support, they know the feeling. Harry has faith in Ten Hag: “I really, truly think that Erik Ten Hag is a better manager than Pep Guardiola. He’ll prove it this weekend.” A very bold statement. Kelly keeps it short and simple: “This derby is irrelevant nowadays. We’ll turn over United like we always do.” Someone get Kelly to give the team talk this weekend. To both sides. Krishna knows how to make it hurt: “My thoughts are with that unfortunate Manchester United fan who is also a cricket lover this Sunday. A two-minute silence in advance.” For those unaware, a struggling England side will be taking on unbeaten hosts India in the Men’s Cricket World Cup on the same day as the derby. A two-for-one deal (of pain). From the archives: In 2011, Daniel Taylor wrote this ahead of the Manchester Derby: City this season have marginally edged United as the most attacking side in the land. Like United, their forwards are so good it would be daft to try any other way. Does it still hold up? On to Pep Guardiola and the blue side of Manchester. The Man City manager believes that his upcoming opponents are “always dangerous” regardless of form. It wouldn’t be controversial to say City are favourites going into this match, as they have been for the last few seasons now, but Guardiola isn’t letting his guard down when it comes to the Red Devils. They are always dangerous. It doesn’t matter the managers – and I have seen a few – they are always a tough opponent with the quality of the individual, the character, the momentum. They have the ability not to be on top and then just score goals. We know their quality, no doubt about that. The Man City manager was also spoke on fans who disrespected Manchester United legend Bobby Charlton last match: They don’t represent us. Alcohol makes bad things in people. Mike Summerbee going to Old Trafford to sign the book represents us. We have huge respect to Manchester United. We have a lot of respect, especially for an iconic figure like Sir Bobby Charlton. On Sunday, we will be part of that. And on Jack Grealish: If he played like he played in Switzerland (against Young Boys), I said before we trust a lot in him and his ability. He has to fight to play as best as possible in every single action and game. We need him, we need everyone, and I’m very pleased for the game he played. Before we get to Guardiola, we have got a musing from a reader via email. Kurt asks if we’ll ever see a Premier League match held outside the UK. Well Kurt, it’s hard to imagine that we won’t see that in the future. The Premier League would certainly see some good money for it, and we’ve seen other sports do it, like American football with the NFL. Clubs, fans, and players would probably push back though, so who knows? Any thoughts? Let me know! Back to Ten Hag, who has praised his goalkeeper for his performances over the last couple of matches. You give him the standards and also the expectations, but also it’s about getting to the same level. He has high expectations from himself. We give him the confidence: ‘Look what you did in the past for great clubs in great leagues, you have the ability and the skills.’ The last two games were good progress, now we have to keep this going. It’s very good but at Manchester United good is not good enough. Anwar El Ghazi’s contract will be terminated at Mainz for a now-deleted social media post about the Israel-Hamas war, according to BBC Sport. El Ghazi was suspended 10 days ago by his club due to his pro-Palestinian post, the content of which was deemed “unacceptable” by his club. In a meeting with club senior executives, Mainz wanted the 28-year-old to apologise but the former Aston Villa winger said he stands for peace and humanity for all victims of the war. El Ghazi joined Mainz last month on a free transfer. Let’s go to Erik ten Hag first, who says his side are “going in the right direction”. Manchester United certainly haven’t been at their best, but they came away with a hard-fought win against Sheffield United before beating Copenhagen 1-0 in the Champions League, a last minute penalty denied by André Onana. We want to be a hard team to beat, that finds a way to win, we’re going in the right direction. I see positives and I see also negatives. We are not consistently at the level we can be, Like Arsenal away and the first 20 minutes at Bayern away. We should do this on a consistent basis, our defending and pressing organisation, that is us. But we don’t take benefit in the attacking transition moments. This is how to grow and progress and the games will become more easy. Man United, who are eighth in the table, have only scored 11 goals in the league. To compare, above them are Brighton, who have scored 22, and below them are West Ham, who have netted 16. When asked on the lack of goals, Ten Hag said: The cooperation has to click, but we showed this week some examples where we go in an overload position to the opponent’s goal and we don’t net or don’t even hit the target. We give some coaching and I’m convinced with the quality from our players that they will go and score more goals. On catching up to Manchester City: In this moment they’re six points ahead, we’re six points behind; we have to catch up. We know we have to progress, make developments. The big one this weekend in the Premier League is certainly the Manchester Derby. Both Pep Guardiola and Erik ten Hag have been speaking to the media about the upcoming match, and I’ll bring you all the quotes, but first I want to hear from you. How is the game at Old Trafford going to fall? Does form truly go out the window in these big games? And what’s your favourite ever derby moment? Thanks Morgan! Right, let’s turn to west London, where we have Brentford heading to Stamford Bridge tomorrow. Both teams will see this as a good opportunity to pick up points against a local rival. It hasn’t been the start Chelsea have wanted under new manager Mauricio Pochettino, but seven points in their last three Premier League matches may mean momentum is picking up. We are in a situation where we’re still improving and we’re still far away from what we expect and want. It’s important to have this momentum, we have a really good opportunity now to show ourselves that we can keep the momentum. Pochettino also shared his thoughts on the Bees and his counterpart, Thomas Frank, saying: It’s going to be a tough game because Brentford are a very good team. They use two different formations so we will have to see, but we’re ready. [Frank] is doing a fantastic job in a club that can develop with his ideas. The Argentine also had injury updates, saying Christopher Nkunku is “very close” to returning and Reece James is only fit enough for the bench. Plenty more to come including potential news on player availability for the weekend but will hand over to Yara El-Shaboury now, who I’m sure has more to talk about than whether Debenhams is still open. On Merseyside, Jurgen Klopp has been eulogising about Mo Salah’s importance to Liverpool, being down to a “physique that belies his years”. We appreciate him and everyone will appreciate him even more after his career because then you will say: ‘Wow, we saw something really special.’ He has been the man for us for a long time now. But he is growing in the role he has for us in football and maybe in general to show that on top level it is nice to enjoy the moment and then you go again. That is what he is doing. Elsewhere in the north, Rotherham United pair Sam Clucas and Jordan Hugill have been talking to Will Unwin about their unique career paths to South Yorkshire via the Glenn Hoddle academy (remember that?!). Hugill as a barman for a while and Clucas at Debenhams – does it still exist by the way? Anybody know? David Squires’ latest cartoon depicts Sir Bobby Charlton’s brief time playing in Australia, worth a peek and a laugh at presumably how easy he made playing in the outback look if you can spare the time. A minute’s applause is set to take place on Sunday to honour the life of Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton. Manchester City have banned two supporters for “vile chanting” about Charlton during half-time of last weekend’s home match against Brighton. Cheers David! Apart from confusing kick-off times, United have been hit with controversy in the aftermath of their narrow win in the midweek against Copenhagen. Goalkeeper André Onana was forced to defend Alejandro Garnacho after it emerged the Argentine winger could be sanctioned by the FA for a social media post. And with that, I’ll hand you over to Morgan Ofori for more weekend build-up. I’m sure he’ll bring you something more exciting than my last two posts about kick-off times. Talking of slightly kooky kick-off times, Sunday’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford gets underway at 3.30pm UK. Yes! And if that’s not confusing enough, don’t forget that the clocks go back on Saturday night. Or is it forward? Erm, what’s that thing for remembering which. Fall back? Hang on, what if you fall forward? Both are possible. Maybe best google it. Anyway, here’s a stat to amuse and delight. Which visiting manager has the most Premier League wins at Old Trafford? Of course it is. Good effort from Roy though. 4 Pep Guardiola 3 Arsene Wenger, Gerard Houllier, Roy Hodgson It’s el clásico weekend in Spain, with Barcelona hosting Real Madrid at the slightly strange time of 3.15pm UK on Saturday. Marca have predicted the Real side and believe that Eduardo Camavinga and Luka Modric will be on the bench. Some rousing words here from Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom as he takes his winless side to unbeaten Arsenal at the weekend. Let’s hope none of his players are reading this week’s Opta stats. Arsenal are unbeaten in 18 home meetings with Sheffield United in all competitions since a 1-0 top-flight defeat in August 1971. Arsenal are unbeaten in 36 Premier League home games against promoted sides (W31 D5) Whatever. Here’s Hecky… In terms of the challenge, we have to relish it. When you’re playing, you can’t always see these moments as opportunities, but they are. You’ve got to enjoy going to the toughest place and putting in a performance. These are the games that can kick-start people’s careers and really establish them, so someone’s career, someone’s rise to success, someone’s whatever it is that gets them to the top level has to start somewhere and it’s getting that mindset into players. We shouldn’t fear going there. We should accept how tough it’s going to be and what level of performance we have to put in to get points. Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has given a fitness update on two of his players who were taken off in the 1-0 home Champions League loss to Dortmund on Wednesday. Striker Alexander Isak aggravated a groin injury while midfielder Jacob Murphy suffered a dislocated shoulder. Alex is a groin which we don’t think is serious, but it’s a recurrence of the groin he suffered when he was playing for Sweden, so we need to assess that. I think he’s having a scan today. We don’t anticipate that’s going to be too bad. Jacob’s is totally different, it’s a dislocation of his shoulder. It’s not clear what we’re going to do. I think he’s going to see a specialist today. You can play with these injuries, or the other side of it, he needs an operation and he’ll be out for some time. England’s Women have a Nations League double header coming up against Belgium, starting with tonight’s 7.45pm BST kick-off at the King Power Stadium. Suzanne Wrack analyses the task facing Sarina Wiegman’s side. There are lots of things to look out for in the Premier League this weekend but here’s 10 of them, including one about Mo Salah. No player has been involved in more Premier League goals in 2023 than the Egypt international, who has scored 19 and assisted 12. Should he score against Nottingham Forest, Salah will become only the third player to score in each of Liverpool’s opening five home league games of a season. The others are Harry Chambers in 1922 and John Aldridge in 1987. By the way, Salah looked thoroughly delighted to have crashed one in off the bar after coming on as a late sub against Toulouse last night. Surely playing in this revamped Liverpool team is miles more fun than jogging about in front of 650-odd fans in Saudi Arabia. Maybe a move there next summer isn’t inevitable. And, if you missed it, there was another Scouse sacking last night as Bristol Rovers showed Joey Barton the door marked ‘do one’. Barton wrote on Twitter/X: “What a journey we have been on as a club … we created some amazing memories, achieving promotion and that 7-0 victory are days my family and I will never forget.” It’s not going so well for former Liverpool players in Saudi Arabia. Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson’s Al-Ettifaq slumped to defeat against Al-Riyadh in front of fewer than 700 fans last weekend and now Saudi second-tier club Al-Qadsiah have given Robbie Fowler the boot as manager. It would have been funnier had it been José Mourinho’s Roma but this is still kind of amusing and should be doing the rounds in Newcastle pubs. West Ham’s pretty remarkable run in Europe ended as they went down 2-1 to Olympiakos in Greece. Lucas Paquetá pulled one back late on but couldn’t stop the Hammers suffering a first loss in continental competition in 18 matches. And there’s more. A round-up of the rest of Thursday’s action here. You’re the one for me, Fati. Brighton, thanks to goals from João Pedro and on-loan Barcelona star Ansu Fati, grabbed their first victory in Europe by schooling Ajax 2-0 in the Europa League last night. Let’s catch up with some Europa League from last night, starting with Liverpool’s 5-1 romp against Toulouse at Anfield where Darwin Núñez was a bundle of fun again and Ryan Gravenberch left Bayern fans wondering why on earth their club flogged him for just £35m. Banned Tonali could play against Wolves Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has revealed there is a “high chance” Sandro Tonali could be involved in Saturday’s Premier League fixture at Newcastle despite being handed a 10-month ban. The Italian football federation announced on Thursday that 23-year-old Italy international had been suspended until next season following an investigation into illegal betting, although the sanction is yet to be ratified by governing bodies Uefa and Fifa. Asked for his reaction on Friday morning, Howe said: “It’s a difficult one because we haven’t had official confirmation as a football club yet. We’ve heard the news, the statement, but we haven’t had anything from the Italian authorities at the moment, so we’re in limbo, really, waiting for that official confirmation to come through.” Asked further if there was a chance he could yet play at Wolves, Howe added: “Yes, I think there’s a high chance again that he could be available for us. I still think there are a few things that have to happen before the ban is imposed, so let’s see.” Preamble A day off? I don’t think so. Hot on the heels of Thursday night’s Europa League action, the Premier League weekend kicks off tonight at Selhurst Park. And, check this, if Tottenham win – something they’ve managed in 13 of their last 16 top-flight games against Crystal Palace – they go top of the table by 5 (five) points! Ange-tastic! The weekend concludes with a Manchester derby on Sunday afternoon and there’s plenty of good stuff inbetween. We’ll have team news, manager press conferences and lots more. Read on!