The Mirror

Manchester United are considering muscling in on Chelsea and Tottenham target Patrick Dorgu.

The 20-year-old left-back, who was recently crowned Denmark's Young Player of the Year, is expected to leave Italian side Lecce at the end of the season.

And United sent club representatives to Italy to watch the highly-rated starlet last weekend when Lecce snatched a late draw against Juventus courtesy of a stoppage-time leveller.

Ruben Amorim is keen to strengthen at left-wing back and Dorgu, who has recently been operating as a right winger, is the latest player to be subjected to scouting checks.

Sources believe the Red Devils were also keeping a watchful eye over Juventus' attacking starlet Kenan Yildiz during the match.

Leece are understood to have rebuffed approaches from both Chelsea and Tottenham for Dorgu during the summer transfer window which fell short of their valuation.

The big-spending Blues were considering signing the versatile defender and loaning him to sister club Strasbourg to aid his development, though discussions failed to bear fruit.

Dorgu, who has three goals in 13 Serie A appearances this season, is expected to cost up to £35million but Lecce chief Pantaleo Corvino has already ruled out a January sale, telling Gazzetta dello Sport earlier this week: “A player like that has admirers, of course. And, for him, there are certainly many, even abroad. But Dorgu will stay here and then, in the summer, we’ll talk about it because his destiny is set. The future belongs to him.”

However, the talented Dane is not the only name on United's radar amid Luke Shaw's ongoing injury struggles with Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies, Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez and Benfica starlet Alvaro Carreras - a Carrington academy graduate - also on their radar.

United appear ready to play the long game with Davies, who remains in talks with Bayern over a contract extension but an agreement is yet to have been tied up between the parties.

Reports in Germany this week suggest Bayern have made progress during negotiations with the Canada international over fresh terms but United and Real Madrid are both watching developments from afar and can enter formal talks with Davies in January when he enters the final six months of his deal.

The 24-year-old, who has long been open to a Premier League move, ticks many boxes but his salary demands could prove problematic for United if he is to depart Bayern on a free transfer as INEOS continue to implement various cost-cutting measures in a bid to tighten up their finances.

It's understood scouting of Kerkez has been an extensive process which began long before the appointment of Amorim but interest, at this stage, has not gone beyond that.

Meanwhile, ex-United starlet Carreras was sold to Benfica in a deal worth around £7.5million including add-ons last summer but crucially, the Red Devils have a buy-back clause worth just shy of £17m as the Spaniard continues to flourish in Lisbon.

Ex-Tottenham Hotspur star Kieran Trippier believes the sacking of Mauricio Pochettino marked the beginning of Dele Alli's decline.

Trippier, who played alongside Alli for four years at Spurs, previously shared his thoughts on why the 28-year-old's career has struggled to regain momentum since Pochettino's departure from the north London club.

Alli is currently training with Everton, despite not having a contract with the club, as he works to revive his career. However, his progress has been hindered by injuries, having suffered a setback in October. He's since suffered a hamstring injury last month in his latest set back. It's been over 18 months since his last competitive match, which was during his loan spell with Besiktas in the 2022/23 season.

Once touted as a key player for England, Alli's form began to dip after Pochettino was replaced by Jose Mourinho in November 2019, just six months after Spurs' 2-0 loss to Liverpool in the Champions League final.

In an interview with Under The Cosh, Trippier, who left Spurs for Atletico Madrid in July 2019, discussed Alli's close relationship with Pochettino during their time at Tottenham. He said: "Poch was brilliant with Dele to be fair and Dele was flying at Tottenham.

"It's one of those where I left and went to Atletico Madrid and he was there for two years after. But even during my last season there he was flying, he's a great lad, but Poch was brilliant with him."

In the final year and a half of his Spurs career, Alli found himself on the fringes under Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo, and Antonio Conte, managing to net just five goals in 47 appearances across all competitions.

Spurs ended up parting with Alli, who joined Everton on loan in January 2021. The England international made his Toffees switch permanent a year later. Despite the change of scenery, the midfielder remained out of form and played just 13 games before he was sent on loan once again to Besiktas with the Turkish giants having an option to make the move permanent.

Alli managed just 15 games in Turkey before he returned to Everton in April 2023 after picking up a hip injury. He hasn't played a game since coming back to England with his deal with the Blues having expired at the end of the last season.

While he remains without a contract, he's been at work at the Toffees' training ground at Finch Farm in order to earn a contract under Sean Dyche. Should the 28-year-old find a remarkable return to form and fitness in Merseyside, the struggling Premier League side will surely enjoy having a player of Alli's calibre on their hands.

After 13 games played, Everton sit a lowly 15th with two wins in 13 games and take on Liverpool on Saturday (December 7) in the last Merseyside Derby ever to be played at Goodison Park.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has defended Ange Postecoglou's strict adherence to his principles at Tottenham, but admitted he will attempt to exploit the weaknesses in his side.

The Blues meet Spurs on Sunday for Maresca's first derby against the Lilywhites, with the sides in contrasting form. Chelsea sit second in the Premier League while their rivals lie 10th, eight points behind, after drawing with Fulham and falling to defeat against Bournemouth.

Postecoglou saw fiery criticism from the stands following the latter, with frustration mounting over the team's inconsitency having also recently comprehensively defeat Manchester City. The Aussie manager has seen his unrelenting style of play condemned when Spurs have endured difficult results since his arrival in the summer of 2023.

Last season Chelsea came away 4-1 victors at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium when Spurs maintained their high line despite seeing two men sent off. Maresca empathised with Postecoglou's approach.

"When you believe in something, you struggle to change, when you are convinced that way is the right way," he said. "You struggle to change your ideas. I was not here. It was 1-4. Tottenham with nine players so it was very difficult. But it was a good day for the fans."

Maresca believes than it can be beneficial to cement principles into a team however, but flexibility for each opponent is requite. "You can change the structure but you maintain the same principles," Maresca added.

"We usually change our structure or game plan depending on the opponent. The Brighton game, it was one way, and against Aston Villa, completely different. You cannot use the same plan for both games. Brighton were high-pressing and they leave a lot of space in behind. Villa, they were low block, just waiting, so if you do the same plan for both games, probably one of them is not the right one."

Chelsea's Italian coach believes his adversary is doing well in north London despite the side's current position. "I think he is doing well. They are playing in European competition so that means last year they finished well. Then there are some moments where you get more results or less but overall I think he is doing well."

Maresca will be well-versed in Spurs' performances. Postivie and negative results have been scrutinised ahead of Sunday's game.

"We pay attention to both games," he said. "We see the reason why they were good against City, we see the reason why the lost last night."

"We try always to exploit, no matter on the other team or the defenders they have there," Maresca added when asked about Spurs' defensive injury problems. "I think [Cristian] Romero can be back, so probably Romero can be the solution for them in this moment but we will see."

The Italian coach could not help but offer a flicker of a smile when asked if the Blues had seen areas to take advantage of against the Blues' fiercest rivals but gave nothing away. "They are a very good team, It will be a tough, tough game," he said.

Ange Postecoglou is on the road to trouble if he’s going to get embroiled in public spats with supporters.

After Tottenham’s uninspired 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth, Big Ange marched across to the away fans’ section and confronted a group of supporters because he “didn’t like what was being said.” Sorry, but it goes with the territory that the punters are going to be unhappy with six defeats in 14 games and 10th in the table.

And I don’t understand who Postecoglou thought would benefit by arguing with the fans - certainly not him. You can’t win in those situations - they are best avoided.

The Spurs boss would be better served by solving the riddle of his team’s inconsistency and finding a better balance between entertainment and winning football matches. Only Liverpool and Chelsea have scored more goals than Tottenham this season, but the balance doesn’t seem to be right. Big Ange may have to sacrifice a bit of flair to make them more solid and more consistent.

Look, I love the way his Tottenham teams play. It’s never a dull watch. But if Postecoglou goes into a board meeting and tells the directors, “Don’t worry, we’re entertaining the fans,” they are likely to return serve by pointing out Spurs are 10th and potentially missing out on £40million of income if they don’t finish in the top four.

Are Tottenham any closer to winning a first trophy in 16 years because they are enjoyable to watch? No. Are they any better off than they were last season, when they were top of the league after 10 games? No. Is 10th in the Premier League going to be good enough to keep the board and some of the fans happy? Probably not.

At some point, surely Big Ange has to adapt his approach and sacrifice a little bit of swagger for more substance, because for every manager the holy grail is three points. Winning is what matters most in football.

Russell Martin has stuck to his principles at Southampton and where has it got him? Bottom of the league, tanked 5-1 at home by Chelsea. I doubt if Saints fans went home saying how pretty the football had been.

Postecoglou has more to lose than to gain by being stubborn and standing by his pledge to entertain the supporters. Spurs were 1-0 down at the break against Bournemouth on Thursday night, the game was getting away from them, and yet he didn’t make any changes at the break.

I’ve only been a manager five minutes, and he’s not going to take much notice of a novice head coach in the Northern Premier League. But I’ve spent 32 years in football, and I recognised Macclesfield’s shape and defensively-minded wing-backs were not working at Workington last weekend, so I changed the formation, threw on two wingers, took off my top scorer - and we won 1-0.

I understand that Spurs fans are enjoying their football again after the less expansive styles of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, but where is the enjoyment of losing at home to Ipswich? Where is the merit of losing at Brighton and Crystal Palace, or drawing at home to Fulham?

That kind of inconsistency is not going to get you in the top four. I don’t understand why Big Ange won’t modify his approach. And arguing with fans is only going to make it worse.

Ange Postecoglou could be SACKED within weeks, former Spurs star Jamie O'Hara has suggested.

The Australian is under pressure following a hugely inconsistent first half of the season. Postecoglou’s side sit tenth in the Premier League following Thursday’s miserable defeat to Bournemouth.

Fans reacted angrily to Postecoglou after the game, and ex-Spurs star O'Hara has warned him that he could face the sack sooner rather than later should he fail to get the North London side back on track.

Speaking on talkSPORT, the former midfielder said: “Daniel Levy ain’t going to stand for this. I’m telling you now. If he thinks he can go all the way through the season and keep defending like this, keep having set-pieces like this, he will get sacked.

“Daniel Levy is all about Champions League football, Europa League minimum. If Spurs are 10th in the table after Christmas, they will sack Ange. I’m telling you, they will sack him. This can’t continue.

“I feel like he’s starting to run on thin ice. I need to see more. One from the players because the players again tonight let themselves down, but I need more from the manager.”

Postecoglou reacted to the jeers from the Spurs fans at the Vitality Stadium. He was spotted in a passionate discussion with one supporter in particular.

Should Spurs sack Postecoglou? Share your thoughts in the comments below

And he did not begrudge fans from letting their feelings known on the South Coast. Postecoglou said: "They're disappointed and rightly so. They gave me some direct feedback, which I've taken on board. I didn't like what was being said because I'm a human being but you've got to cop it.

"I've been around long enough to know that when things don't go well you've got to understand the frustration and disappointment. And they're rightly disappointed because we let a game of football get away from us. But that's OK. I'm OK with all that. All I can say is I'm really disappointed and I'm determined to get it right and will keep fighting until we do."

Postecoglou still has two-and-a-half years left to run on the contract that he signed to become the permanent replacement for Antonio Conte at Spurs. He will be attempting to get his side back on track this weekend with a clash against Chelsea at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. They then travel to Rangers in the Europa League ahead of a face-off with struggling Southampton.

Ange Postecoglou said he was given "some direct feedback" from the angry Tottenham fans before a steward had to usher him away.

The north London outfit were beaten at Bournemouth as they missed out on the chance to go fifth - and now sit tenth as a result. After their loss at the Vitality Stadium, Postecoglou pointed at a group of fans who were voicing their anger at him and marched across the pitch to confront them.

The Australian has never been shy in voicing his opinion but understood why the travelling faithful were disappointed with the performance. Postecoglou though wasn't a fan of what was being said, although was willing to take it on the chin.

He said: "They're disappointed and rightly so. They gave me some direct feedback, which I've taken on board. I didn't like what was being said because I'm a human being but you've got to cop it.

"I've been around long enough to know that when things don't go well you've got to understand the frustration and disappointment. And they're rightly disappointed because we let a game of football get away from us. But that's OK. I'm OK with all that. All I can say is I'm really disappointed and I'm determined to get it right and will keep fighting until we do."

Postecoglou was asked exactly what was said by the travelling supporters, but didn't divulge anything in the press conference. He replied: “Probably not for here, mate.”

Tottenham have lost as many games as they've won this term as their inconsistency continues to hamper their ambitions. Only once all season, they been able to win successive games.

The north Londoners' next assignment is a clash with Chelsea, who are flying high in second. Another defeat is likely to see fan anger rise as Postecoglou's team continue to be blighted by inconsistencies.

The Australian is into his second season and has spoken confidently about his ability to win silverware - something the club crave. They're still in the hunt for the Carabao Cup with their FA Cup efforts to begin next month. Back in September, Postecoglou said: I always win things in my second year. Nothing's changed. I've said it now. I don't say things unless I believe them."

This evening, Andoni Iraola's unpredictable Bournemouth side will be looking to add Tottenham Hotspur to their list of 'Big Six' victims.

The South Coast side have already recorded seismic victories over Arsenal and Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium this season. Bournemouth's away form has been questionable, but they have proved their capability to beat anybody at home when they are on their day.

Ange Postecoglou's side have also been somewhat of an enigma this season, having lost to the likes of Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace, while also thrashing Manchester City, Manchester United and Aston Villa. Aside from those at the Vitality Stadium, many may be wondering how they can watch two of the Premier League's most unpredictable sides in action.

Mirror Football takes you through how you can tune in to Bournemouth vs Tottenham for free.

What channel is AFC Bournemouth vs Tottenham Hotspur on?

Amazon Prime won the broadcasting rights for two rounds of midweek fixtures: all of the Boxing Day matches and two games on December 27. This year will be the final campaign that Amazon broadcasts Premier League matches, having missed out on the new TV deal that will come into effect from next season until the 2028-29 campaign.

Part of Amazon's deal for this season will see them broadcast Bournemouth vs Tottenham, as well as Fulham vs Brighton and Hove Albion, on Amazon Prime.

How to watch AFC Bournemouth vs Tottenham Hotspur free?

Those who do not subscribe already can sign up to Amazon Prime for a 30-day free trial. This will also enable people to watch the Premier League matches on Boxing Day and December 27 without paying a penny.

Those who are already subscribers to the streaming site will not need to pay any more money to tune in. Amazon Prime will be showing 10 midweek Premier League fixtures on December 26-27. Each match can be streamed free with an Amazon Prime subscription or by signing up for an Amazon Prime 30-day free trial.

What time does AFC Bournemouth vs Tottenham Hotspur kick off?

Kick-off on the South Coast will be at 8.15pm. Those watching the match at home will find Gabby Logan presenting the show while Jermain Defoe, Les Ferdinand and Eni Aluko provide punditry and analysis.

Defoe played for both Tottenham and Bournemouth during his career, while Ferdinand turned out for Tottenham between 1997 and 2003. In the gantry, Jon Champion and Alan Shearer will be on the microphone, as they were for Arsenal's 2-0 home victory over Manchester United the night before.

Fraser Forster warned Tottenham may have to forsake their wish to be great entertainers and “grind out results” to negotiate an injury crisis amid December’s breathless schedule.

The former England goalkeeper made his first League appearance in 18 months in the 1-1 draw against Fulham after first choice Guglielmo Vicario broke an ankle bone. And the 6ft 7in giant’s outstanding display underlined the value of an oven-ready replacement who can make the difference when called into action.

Forster, 36, will be Spurs’ able deputy during the absurd run of 11 games in 35 days up to the New Year. Manager Ange Postecoglou is desperate for some of his injury absentees, notably central defenders Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, to return while Dominic Solanke missed the Fulham draw through illness.

Forster said: “It’s an incredible schedule of games and obviously it’s a tough one when Dom’s ill - that’s one you’re not really expecting - but you have to deal with it, and it’s an opportunity for someone else. It’s going to be a real squad game and we might have to grind out results. It’s a going to be a big ask for everyone, but ultimately we all love playing football so we have to embrace the challenge.”

Remarkably, Vicario played for an hour in the 4-0 demolition of champions Manchester City with a fractured ankle bone, but an operation on the injury means Forster will be in charge of the gloves well into 2025.

Forster, who won six England caps between 2013-16, told the club’s TV channels: “I feel good - obviously it makes a difference when you play a few games in a row as opposed to one game every couple of weeks, when it’s hard to get that momentum.

“If I look back at the last 18 months, I’ve missed both pre-seasons for different issues - I was out for the best part of six months with my broken foot, and it’s always harder when you miss pre-season. If you put a run of games together, whether you’re a goalkeeper or anywhere else, you grow into that position.

“It’s not an easy role (being back-up keeper) because you want to play every game, but when Vic’s fit and playing you have to think about what you can bring to the squad and the dressing room.

“For me, being a slightly older player, I’ve got that experience and things where you can help the younger guys - keeping the energy high, make sure everyone’s coming in, working hard but enjoying it.

“It’s very important for the lads who aren’t necessarily playing to do that because you could easily get frustrated, and we’ve got to be ready to play.”

Ange Postecoglou defended his “easy targets” after Spurs were booed off - and pointed to their crippling injury list.

Big Ange lost England striker Dominic Solanke to illness hours before Tottenham's latest dropped points at home and he warned: “We are going to have days like today where things are not running smoothly.”

As Solanke joined Richarlison, Mikey Moore and Wilson Odobert on the sidelines, Postecoglou growled: “It doesn’t help. That leaves us pretty thin up top and we are trying to manage that process. I guess people are looking for easy targets but if they don’t understand what we are dealing with at the moment, and how the players are coping with it, I think it’s fairly self evident.

“All you can ask is for the players to give everything, and I think they did that and more today.

"In seven days, we've copped a couple of significant blows since our win at Man City and it's too easy to say, ‘Well, let's just play like we did against City every game.’

“Somehow again, it seems with this club that whatever it is that we do well, it is then used as a millstone to bring us down at every other opportunity. We're still in good shape - we’re still in a decent position in the league, we’re still in the Carabao Cup, we're in a decent position in Europe, so it's about us maintaining our focus and continuing to develop.”

Tottenham were indebted to 36-year-old keeper Fraser Forster, making his first league appearance for 18 months, for an outstanding display after Guglielmo Vicario fractured an ankle bone in the 4-0 romp at the Etihad.

Postecoglou said: “We needed him in some big moments today, and I think when you lose your goalkeeper and somebody as significant as Vic is for us, the key to that is to have somebody experienced who's not going to be overawed by filling those shoes.

“Fraser, certainly, he's done it for a number of years. We see him every day. What you saw out there, we see every day training. He will be important for us moving forward.”

Ange Postecoglou is refusing to blame Tottenham’s lengthy injury list on a packed calendar.

Spurs face Fulham this afternoon with a squad stretched so thin there were three schoolboys on the bench against Roma on Thursday night.

But after spending last season bemoaning the lack of European football, Postecoglou reckons it would be a touch hypocritical to complain about having too many games now.

Defender Sergio Romero has a slim chance of returning today but six senior players remain out including stricken first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, centre half Micky van de Ven and striker Richarlison.

"It is a challenge for sure,” Postecoglou said. “Where we sit right now I think we have handled it okay considering the issues we have had.

“We haven't had the luxury of a massive squad. We've put big tasks to 18-year-olds, 17-year-olds and we are in a decent position in all competitions.

“It will challenge us – particularly with the way we play. We want to play a high-energy, high-intensity game which takes a lot out of you physically and mentally.

“These are the challenges we've got to face and hopefully we'll get a couple of players back in the period between now and Christmas.

“We will have to be really careful how we manage the team through that and the players' loads to make sure we can be in a good space come the New Year to challenge in the competitions we are in."

But Postecoglou does not think moving league games involving teams who play in Europe on a Thursday to the following Monday night would not make “too much of a difference.”

He added: “We are at the mercy of broadcasters as well and you have to understand that. It is not going to always be ideal in the way the fixtures come out.

“I sat here bemoaning we weren't in Europe last year and the lack of games so I can't sit here and say we've got too many now.

“It's just the balance. I don't think it's just anecdotal but injury rates are going up across the board in elite football and at some point that needs to be addressed."