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A “priceless” Lionel Messi shirt has been donated to charity, with pop star Selena Gomez set to host the auction at which the jersey will be sold.

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• South American giving away World Cup shirt
• Plenty of interest being shown
• Bidding war sparked for Messi memorabilia

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has agreed to part with one of the tops that he wore at the 2022 World Cup. Messi helped Argentina to ultimate glory at that tournament in Qatar, allowing him to complete a remarkable medal collection and cement his standing among the all-time greats.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The shirt in question has been handed to the Rare Impact Fund, with the money raised from its sale set to help fund mental health access and education for young people all over the world. Gomez will be hosting a fund-raising event titled ‘A Night of Radiance and Reflection’ on Wednesday, with there suggestions that Messi could be in attendance.

  Rare Impact Fund

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The jersey that Messi has made available saw bidding opened at $1,000. Unsurprisingly, it has not taken long for interest in the much sought-after piece of memorabilia to build, and it is currently going for $6,000. That price is expected to rise even further, with the lot in question considered to be “priceless”.

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Gomez has already crossed paths with South American superstar Messi on one occasion in 2023, with the 31-year-old singer and actress among the A-list guests to have attended Inter Miami’s MLS clash with LAFC in California on September 4 – with a video of her reaction to a save which prevented Messi from hitting the net going viral.

Manchester United CEO Richard Arnold will leave Old Trafford before the end of the year as the club prepare for Sir Jim Ratcliffe's investment.

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• United CEO Arnold to leave
• Sir Jim Ratcliffe investment imminent
• Patrick Stewart to take over duties in the interim

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Arnold replaced Ed Woodward as United CEO just 21 months ago, but it appears that Sir Jim Ratcliffe sees no place for him at Old Trafford. As confirmed by United on November 15, Arnold will leave the club, with Ratcliffe's Ineos Group set to confirm its acquisition of a 25% stake imminently.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Arnold has held several positions at United since 2007, with his short tenure as CEO coinciding with Erik ten Hag's spell as manager. That has seen him come under fire for how United conducted themselves in various transfer windows, with the club's worst start to a season in over 60 years having following the most recent transfer period. Indeed, this summer alone United have brought in Rasmus Hoijlund, Mason Mount, Sofyan Amrabat, Andre Onana, Jonny Evans, Sergio Reguilon and Altay Bayindir, with the majority of those players having come in for criticism at times in what has been a turbulent campaign so far.

• WHO WILL REPLACE ARNOLD?

  United's general counsel Patrick Stewart will step in as interim CEO, with Arnold initially offering support until his departure. Stewart will continue to perform his existing duties and it remains to be seen who will be brought in as the long-term successor for the CEO position, with the Red Devils confirming, via a statement, that "a search process will be carried out".

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• WHAT HAS ARNOLD SAID?

  The outgoing CEO commented on the club's official website: "It has been an incredible privilege to serve this great football club for the past 16 years. Through highs and lows, the constant has been the dedication of our employees and fans. I would like to thank all of them for their loyalty and commitment, and wish everyone associated with the club the very best for the future."

The two Americans are splitting time in one position on the club level as they make their return to the international stage.

Weston McKennie said it in a joking tone, with his trademark smile on his face, but there was truth to his statement. Sat next to Tim Weah, his club and international teammate, McKennie offered a blunt assessment of their careers right now, all while managing to poke fun at the irony of the situation.

"You're looking at the starting right wing-back and the backup right wing-back right now!" he quipped. And that really is the best way to describe it right now. The current situation at Juventus sees the two U.S. men's national team stars competing for the same spot, one which neither of them are expected to play on the international level. Both McKennie and Weah see the fun in it all, and both are seemingly enjoying the chance to compete with and against someone that they've long called a friend.

It's a fun, short-term subplot. Weah, Juve's big summer signing, is expected to play in that wingback spot for years to come after the departure of Juan Cuadrado. McKennie, recently returned from his loan spell at Leeds, is hoping to play his way back into a long-term future in the midfield. In the here and now, if you tune into a Juve game, it's almost guaranteed that you'll see a USMNT star on the field making things happen on that right-hand side.

That's the short-term, though. What about the long? As both McKennie and Weah prepare for this 2026 World Cup cycle, there are questions about where and how they'll fit in with this USMNT. The 2022 cycle is over, and both played massive parts in the leadup to and after the World Cup but, as they both adjust to their own situations at the club level, their adaptation back to the USMNT is one of the storylines to watch throughout the coming year leading up to the Copa America.

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  2022 heroics and 2023 changes

  Both McKennie and Weah came into the fold following the USMNT's 2018 World Cup qualifying disaster, and both were ever-present on the road all the way to Qatar.

  The two were both starters for the USMNT leading up to and during the World Cup, with Weah famously scoring the opening goal in the tournament-opening draw with Wales. McKennie, meanwhile, was a key figure in the U.S. midfield, putting in a fantastic shift in the draw with England.

  However, as 2023 began, both found themselves in difficult places with their clubs. Never quite a starter at Lille, Weah began a transition to wing-back that would prove career-altering. McKennie, meanwhile, went out on loan to Leeds, having lost his place in the Juve midfield.

  McKennie's move to England to play alongside Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson did not go to plan. However, by returning to Juventus this summer, McKennie has been given the opportunity to link up with another USMNT teammate: Weah

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• Weah's move to Juve

  Weah's move to wing-back was basically due to an emergency. With Lille dealing with a slew of injuries, the club turned to Weah, who wasn't quite able to crack the club's starting XI on the wing due to his lack of goals.

  It was his time at wingback that caught Juve's attention, though, as the Italian giants quickly identified him as a player that could step right into their XI. With longtime starter Juan Cuadrado on his way out, the club paid a relatively cheap fee of €12 million ($13.15m/£10.3m) to sign Weah.

  The American jumped at the chance. Not only would a move to Juventus be a massive step up in his career, it would also give him a more feasible route to more playing time than he had at Lille. It would also give him a chance to play in a league he's dreamed of since childhood, having grown up hearing stories of his father, George, dominating with AC Milan.

  And finally, it gave him the chance to link up with McKennie, who has been key in helping him adapt to life in Turin.

  "I think it's definitely a big positive because we already have a pretty good understanding," he said. "I understand how he plays, he understands how I play, so our chemistry is really good. Now that we're on the same team training everyday, it's just going to make it even better when we come into U.S. camp. It's all very fluid, so hopefully that translates to the games.

  "We're just happy. We're happy to be in this moment. We're happy to have each other in Turin and in the national team, so we're just gonna take it step by step and enjoy."

  As for McKennie, he's relishing the chance to play with one of his teammates again. Despite generally feeling comfortable with life abroad due to a military-influenced upbringing that produced frequent relocations, McKennie is glad to have a friend like Weah alongside him in Turin.

  "We're together every day, obviously," McKenne said. "I know, outside of the field, that maybe I can be a little bit too much for him at some times! On the field, though, like he said, we have a good understanding of each other and coming into [USMNT] camp, it's good to have a travel partner."

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  Life at wing-back

  Since his arrival, Weah has been Juventus' primary right wing-back, starting two of the club's three games on the right-hand side. Thus far, he's thrived in the role, showing all of the attacking qualities that have made him so important for the USMNT.

  Pace is obviously one of Weah's big assets, and that is certainly important in that wide position, but the 23-year-old American is also comfortable when the ball does get to his feet. His crossing has looked improved during the start to the season, and he's never been afraid to take people on.

  "It's been interesting," Weah said of his adjustment to the position. "Last season, getting my first experience playing that position was fine. It was still very much a learning phase for me and coming into Juve, it was fun. It was huge.

  "Wes was helping a lot with just understanding a lot of things, but I think Juve was more of a defensive team last year and the club definitely brought me into to be more play more of an attacking role coming out of the back, which is there's something I love doing: making runs at the defense and just applying pressure. That's really fun.

  "[Juventus boss Massimiliano] Allegri has basically allowed me to do whatever I want while still keeping the importance to whatever technical work we have. It's not that different. I just have to defend a little bit more but I'm having fun. I'm basically doing the same things I'm doing as a winger, so it's definitely fun."

  As for McKennie, he started Juve's most recent match, a win over Empoli, after coming off the bench to replace Weah in each of Juve's first two games. As he said, thus far, he's Weah's backup, but he's done well in the role so far.

  McKennie is not as dynamic as Weah by any stretch, but he is an intelligent and physical presence. His ability on set pieces is world class, and he could have had a few chances on the back post this season if he had been spotted by teammates. While he doesn't have the on-ball ability of Weah, he is a better defender, which makes sense given his years spent in the midfield.

  Still, while Weah's situation is simple enough, McKennie's, in the long-term, isn't quite ideal, especially when it comes to the USMNT.

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  Differing USMNT roles

  For the USMNT's two upcoming friendlies, McKennie and Weah will almost certainly revert back to their familiar positions. McKennie will start in midfield, either in a two or three-man group, depending on the tactics. Weah will be played on the right-wing, with U.S. Soccer's press officer pointing out on Thursday that he is, in fact, listed as a forward among this group.

  "Obviously, our roles in the national team are a little bit different," McKennie said. "Here, I'm seen as an eight, Tim is seen as a winger. On our club team, we're right wing-back and right wing-back/midfielder, I don't really know!"

  For Weah, the transition will be relatively simple. He'll be asked to do many of the same things, just further up the field. He'll be asked to run down that side, create havoc and, at times, drop back a bit to help protect Sergino Dest when the PSV star goes on his own journeys forward.

  McKennie, too, can carry his skillset back and forth. He's not being asked to play in goal or anything; he's simply moving back to his favored position, the one he'd ideally like to be playing at the club level.

  "With us being able to play so many different positions and being able to adapt to so many situations, I think it's a good quality to have," McKennie said. "I don't think that we really stress that much about it. We both love one thing, that I know for sure: to win. We're those types of players that I feel are very unselfish and kind of feel like 'I want to do anything that I can to help the team win.'

  "Whether that's being supportive from the bench, whether that's playing out of position, whether that's not being on a roster, it doesn't really matter. The success of the team is most important, I believe.

  The two players aren't the least bit concerned about moving from one position to the other, and Gregg Berhalter likely won't be either. For Berhalter, the most important thing is to see as many of his players as possible on the field as much as possible.

  After this camp, though, the question becomes what that will look like for Weah and McKennie as they continue to split minutes.

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Former striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was appointed interim Manchester United manager as a replacement for the sacked Jose Mourinho, on December 19th. The club’s official statement was clear that Solskjaer would be in charge until the end of the current campaign.

However, Solskjaer’s fine start to life in charge at Old Trafford has led to speculation that he could, and perhaps should, be given the job permanently. 

Football FanCast’s Billy Meyers and Will Jones debate both sides of the argument in what is fast becoming the ultimate question for United – whether Solskjaer should be given the job on a full-time basis.

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

For – Billy Meyers

Eight wins from his first eight games followed by a draw against Burnley, star men performing to their maximum without the shackles of Mourinho’s football holding them back – it is hard to argue against Solskjaer being appointed as Manchester United manager on a permanent basis.

If The Telegraph’s report is to be believed, and Mauricio Pochettino is the only target in the Red Devils’ sights, then it is probably best that they do turn their attentions elsewhere anyway, as by my reckoning it is highly unlikely that the Argentine will leave Tottenham.

Even if he does become available, there is something about what Solskjaer has brought back to Old Trafford that resonates deeply with the fanbase; a focus on young players, playing attacking football, and believing that you can beat anyone and win anything.

It is an ethos that they have severely lacked since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, and by appointing Solskjaer, they would at least be putting the building blocks in place for that mentality to return.

Against – Will Jones

Solskjaer has undeniably impressed in his short time in the Old Trafford hot-seat. However, the club should not get carried away with themselves and begin planning to offer him the post on a permanent basis.

After all, taking a highly-talented but underperforming group and giving them confidence and instructions to play with freedom is one thing, but applying a long-term strategy to return United to the top of the English game is quite another.

So far, Solskjaer has done a good job in a relatively pressure-free environment, as he has not had to deal with the weight of any expectation. Once he has the job full-time, that will all change. His previous managerial record doesn’t suggest he’s up to the task of truly competing at that level.

So, which side of the debate do you stand on United fans? Let us know by commenting below…

Manchester United are interested in bringing back Aston Villa goalkeeper Tom Heaton back to Old Trafford.

That’s according to The Telegraph’s reliable Midlands football reporter John Percy.

Heaton came through the United academy but didn’t make a senior appearance for the Red Devils before leaving permanently in 2012.

Now they’ve apparently identified him as an experienced deputy to Dean Henderson if David de Gea leaves the club in the summer.

Injury cost Heaton Villa no. 1 spot

Heaton missed almost the entirety of 2020 with a cruciate ligament injury.

He sustained the damage in a New Year’s Day clash with Burnley and didn’t return to the Villa squad until Boxing Day.

The 35-year-old was the team’s no. 1 prior to that injury but Emiliano Martinez now has the spot tied down and isn’t going anywhere soon – the former Arsenal man is the club’s third-best performer according to Whoscored (excluding players with less than five appearances).

Percy also reports that United could look to bring back Sam Johnstone as competition for Henderson, but West Bromwich Albion are demanding £20million, hence the interest in the cheaper option of Heaton.

Fan feed Villa Report relayed the news, and here’s how fans reacted.

These Villa fans react to Heaton to United rumour

“He’s no2 here, why join a club where he’s going to be no2, strange one”

Credit: @steveparkes1958

“Don’t understand the move. Makes no sense other than to sit on another bench? I love Heats, but I question the move.”

Credit: @amc89avfc

“Doesn’t he want 1st team football??”

Credit: @fokkos2

“Heaton is far too good a keeper to be back up..deserves to be playing every week”

Credit: @jd70000

“It’s useless, Heaton won’t get a place in the starting XI”

Credit: @aku_kentank1

“Don’t know how I feel about this. If he’s going to leave just to be a back up elsewhere I’d want him to stay”

Credit: @TheChillVillan

In other news, Villa have been named as favourites to land this Premier League star.

With Newcastle eyeing up a summer move for Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham, this could be the perfect time for Steve Bruce to wave goodbye to Joelinton.

Reports in recent days have suggested that the Magpies are one of the sides interested in signing Abraham, and a move for the centre-forward would push Joelinton even further to the sidelines amid a really disappointing career at St James’ Park.

While his performances have slightly gone up a notch in recent games, with two goals in his last five, it doesn’t mask the fact that the Brazilian has been terrible value for money – with 76 games played for the Tyneside club, he has a measly nine goals and seven assists.

To put that into context, Joelinton has actually earned more yellow cards for Newcastle than he’s scored (10 to 9).

It’s no surprise then that former Magpie Rob Lee has been very vocal in his criticism of the forward, and speaking exclusively to FFC on a couple of occasions, he let his feelings be known.

He said: “If he came for £5-10 million you’d probably think ‘yeah that’s not bad’, but when you arrive for £40 million and you wear the number nine shirt then the pressure is massively on you and I don’t understand why they paid that amount of money for him.

“He was immense against Aston Villa, probably our best player until he got to the box, and then when he’s in the box, he always makes the wrong decision. When you want him to shoot he passes and when you want him to pass, he shoots, it’s just a conundrum of how you play him.”

He added: “First of all, I want to know who spent £40 million on Joelinton. If it was Steve Nickson, then come out and hold your hands up and say ‘yeah, I sanctioned and put forward that deal’, but I’m sure he won’t.

“Secondly, the club should have made it clear from the beginning that he’s not a centre forward and they could’ve done that by not giving him the number nine shirt.

“The minute he was given the number nine shirt he’s a centre forward. He’s the club’s most expensive signing and with him being a forward player as well as the number nine, people instantly expect him to score 20-25 goals a season.”

In bringing in the £40m-valued Abraham – dubbed a “hell of a talent” by Aston Villa boss Dean Smith – Bruce would have the perfect chance to finally axe Joelinton from his starting line-up, or even just cash in on him completely.

Either way, Joelinton’s days at St James’ Park could well be numbered if Abraham arrives this summer.

Meanwhile, Newcastle could sign Joe Willock’s perfect midfield partner in this Premier League star…

Frank McAvennie has exclusively told Football FanCast that Josh King would be a hugely successful signing for Celtic.

King joined Everton on a short-term deal in January, but has failed to score in eight substitute appearances and will be available on a free transfer this summer, should the Toffees decide against signing him permanently.

But whilst the Norwegian striker has failed to make an impact on Merseyside, King is a proven goalscorer in the Premier League having scored 48 times across five seasons for Bournemouth prior to their relegation last term.

Despite King’s poor form for Everton, he’s been attracting attention from other Premier League sides, although recent reports suggest that Eddie Howe wants to make him one of his first signings at Parkhead.

Howe signed him Bournemouth back in 2015 from Blackburn, and wants to reunite with King should be take the Celtic job and King himself quit Everton.

“I think he’s a good player. I think he could do wonders up here,” McAvennie told Football FanCast.

“It would be great for him to come up here, spend two or three years and win some trophies. That’s what he would want and he would score goals up here, although he would have to get fit.

“He would come up here and he would definitely score goals and would be a great replacement if Eddie goes.”

Fans of Liverpool have been reacting to a post on Twitter, which relayed the comments of Jamie Carragher regarding FSG’s position in charge of the Reds.

Following their catastrophic lapse of judgement in agreeing to join the proposed European Super League, Liverpool announced late on Tuesday evening that they have now retracted their interest in the breakaway tournament, with John W Henry issuing a grovelling apology to the Liverpool fans early on Wednesday morning.

However, when speaking about the issue on Sky Sports, Carragher stated his belief that Henry and FSG’s position as owners of the club is now untenable, with the former Reds defender claiming he could no longer see a future for them at Anfield.

And, after Anfield Watch relayed Carragher’s comments on Twitter, fans of Liverpool flocked to have their say on the matter, with many using the 43-year-old’s remarks as a springboard to launch their own attack on the club’s American owners.

So, what exactly did these Liverpool fans have to say in reaction to Jamie Carragher’s comments?

“Hell yeah, they have to leave our team.”

@GahindiroLinox

“Need somebody to buy us out that’s the only way.”

@Connorrae15

“Club will go bust soon… bye-bye Liverpool.”

@ItHas2BeSaid

“Get out from our club John W Henry.”

@agoudjil_reda

“Let’s hope so #FSGOUT.”

@DonnellyNoel

“CARRA.”

@lfcaxchie

In other news: ‘Get out of my club’, ‘How can you even tweet this?’ – Lots of Liverpool fans rip into key man – find out more here!

The story of Celtic starlet Adam Montgomery is an intriguing one. The talented Hoops prodigy came through the ranks as a striker and forward but he’s been reborn in a new position this term.

He is now a left-back and has gone from running rampant in forward positions to keeping players with similar qualities to his at bay.

Celtic are a club with plenty of pedigree in that position too. They let Andy Robertson go when he was in the U15s while they have recently housed the likes of Aaron Hickey and Kieran Tierney too.

None of them are at the club anymore but Montgomery is very much in the boat of trying to replicate the likes of Tierney.

He was a fan favourite at Paradise and won a multitude of honours before departing for Arsenal in a £25m move two years ago. Celtic have since struggled to replace him, however.

Diego Laxalt was brought in on loan from AC Milan but he is set to head back to Italy in the summer. Greg Taylor has developed nicely in recent months but they could save millions in the transfer window by forgetting about new recruits and bringing through Montgomery instead.

The 18-year-old is yet to make a first-team appearance but has been on the bench in recent weeks and is now training with the seniors.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-manager-and-transfer-news-howe-favre-edouard-desmond” title= “Read the latest Celtic manager and transfer news!”]

He has come a long way since being a plucky forward but he certainly deserves an opportunity to play. After all, the Bhoys are witnessing a number of young players heading for the exit door as a result of no senior opportunities.

Cameron Harper has already headed back to America while Karamoko Dembele’s future is uncertain too. He is out of contract and it doesn’t look as though he’ll pen new terms.

Montgomery’s rise, however, could make up for their exits. Whether it’s in Dembele’s position on the wing or further back in defence, there are a number of players he could succeed in the squad.

His sheer versatility would also be a huge option for John Kennedy or any new manager that arrives.

Speaking about his transition from attack to defence, the teenager said a few weeks ago: “When [changing position] was first to put me, I was a bit ‘ahh’. I am a tricky winger normally, I like beating players and getting at people.”

The youngster added: “The way Celtic play full-backs is very attacking so going back to full-back, it hasn’t been a massive difference for me. I’m really enjoying it.”

Montgomery’s mentality and attitude to the game certainly has to be admired. His maturity appears to be well beyond his age.

Based on that and his ability to play in various roles, he has to be handed a chance. He could save Celtic from making some costly blows in the transfer market.

AND in other news, Big update emerges in Celtic manager hunt, it could be great news for fans…

Borna Barisic has been in excellent form for Rangers this season and his latest superb performance for his international side Croatia emphasises just how well Steven Gerrard and Mark Allen did to bring him to Ibrox in 2018.

Rangers signed the left-back from NK Osijek for just £2.2 million after impressing Gerrard with his performances against the Gers in a Europa League qualifying fixture.

It was suggested that Barisic felt moving to Rangers would increase his playing time for Croatia, having earned three caps for his country at that stage, and he has now earned 17, so the move has definitely worked out for the defender.

The 28-year-old has been a regular in Gerrard’s side ever since, having made 107 appearances for the Light Blues, in which he has contributed an impressive seven goals and 31 assists.

He has played a huge part in Rangers’ title win this season, contributing one goal and five assists in 30 top-flight appearances, which have helped him earn a superb 7.35 average rating.

It seems as if Barisic is continuing his form for Rangers with his country, as he produced a Man of the Match display in Croatia’s 1-0 win against Cyprus last weekend.

As per SofaScore, the defender would earn an impressive 7.7/10 match rating, which was enough to see him rated as the best player on the pitch from both sides.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-rangers-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read this week’s latest Rangers news, transfer rumours and more!”]

Considering the likes of Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic and Mateo Kovacic all featured in the game, it emphasises the immense quality that Barisic possesses, which makes it extremely impressive that Rangers’ former director of football Mark Allen was able to bring him to Ibrox for such a low fee.

Barisic was clearly a threat from both an attacking and defensive point of view throughout the game, as he made three tackles, which was the joint-most of any Croatian player, whilst also attempting 16 crosses during the game, suggesting that one of Zlatko Dalic’s side’s main tactics is to utilise the left-back’s impressive crossing ability.

[freshpress-quiz id=“588789″]

Therefore, when you consider that Barisic has become one of the star players for Croatia, who reached the final of the last World Cup, it seems remarkable that Allen and Gerrard were able to bring him to Rangers for just £2.2 million in 2018.

And, in other news… Gerrard suffers potential Rangers blow with £10k-p/w “leader”, Wilson can’t be bullied