Manchester

BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater told the Devils' Advocate Podcast that he'd rather see Manchester United play Louis van Gaal's style of play than the current style under Erik ten Hag: "I think there's an argument to say that the way Manchester United are playing this season is some of the worst I've seen in my lifetime.

"I've always said that Van Gaal is probably the worst football I've seen, but it felt like we were at least controlling certain games of football even if it was dull to watch.

"I remember we got a win against Arsenal under Van Gaal with Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair at the back because he switched it up, he put it three at the back and he changed it.

"We concede a bucket load of shots every single game, no matter the opposition. It's some of the worst I've seen at Manchester United. For the sake of my heart, I'd rather having boring 0-0 Van Gaal football than this at the moment."

Stretford Paddock's Jay Motty added: "I get managers defending themselves, but when you've got Ten Hag coming out and saying we're one of the most entertaining teams to watch, that's being a bit deluded and that worries me. The fact we're comparing it to Louis Van Gaal in a positive way speaks volumes.

"I could stomach it if we're getting results, but when you don't get the results and you concede all those shots it's just difficult to take."

Manchester United fans, we want to hear from you. Is this the worst football you've ever seen at Old Trafford, or is that too harsh on ten Hag's men? If so, what team do you think played the worst?

Let us know your thoughts here

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Manchester United winger Antony says criticism of his performances only fuel his desire to prove his worth at the club.

It has been a disappointing season for the Brazil international and his team-mates who cannot now qualify for the Champions League. Antony did score his first Premier League goal for the season on Saturday but relegation-threatened Burnley equalised with a late penalty to leave Old Trafford with a point.

"It's been a very tough year for me and the team," he said. "The results are not ones we have expected.

"I am someone who takes criticism very well and I want to work on it, and I think we all have to focus on finishing the season the best we can.

"We still have a few Premier League games and the (FA Cup) final, but then we need to focus on the next season and not commit the mistakes we've committed this year."

The initial £80.6m deal that brought the 24-year-old from Ajax in 2022 has come under mass scrutiny but Antony says critics of his performances does not affect him.

"(The transfer fee) doesn't really impact me because I know my worth," he added.

"The money is the money and obviously everyone speaks about it but no one would if the performances of everyone and myself were at the top.

"So, it's something that is just a way of working harder, knowing I can get better, I know my worth and I will.

"As I said the critics are going to exist, and it's something that makes me want to work harder, prove to myself first.

"I'm going to keep working, giving everything for the group because it's most important to have a good mentality and to be focused."

Image source, Getty Images

On the latest episode of BBC Radio Manchester's We're Not Really Here podcast, Mike Minay, Michael Brown and Amos Murphy look back at key wins over Brighton and Nottingham Forest and hear from defender Josko Gvardiol.

On the title run-in, former City midfielder Brown said: "We might have to win every single game. I wasn't sure they could win every single one - whether there was a draw in there or something different - but now Arsenal are making sure they have to do that.

"They have to be at their best every game, every week, every minute, every training session. That will be a big week out of the way which was a slight concern for me with Brighton and Forest.

"Now, some time to rest and recover with a big game coming up at the weekend. I think the team has needed that.

"Arsenal have got their confidence back. They played one bad half against Aston Villa which let City back in but now they've recovered well, got this week out of the way, and go to Manchester United.

"What worries me for City is away to Fulham - really excellent at home, looking to finish strongly - and then the Spurs game, they will still want a reaction, still be fighting for Champions League.

"City will have to set it in their mindset that they have to win every game. They've done it before and they're gonna have to do it again. That's the mindset, they will have to take that challenge on."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Premier League clubs have voted in favour of adopting an anchoring economic model, which will be linked to the earnings of the bottom club (tv and prize money).

The proposed system would operate like a spending cap.

The next stage is final analysis and drafting of rules, which will potentially be put to clubs at an AGM in June.

The model will be presented to clubs and - should clubs vote in favour then - it will replace the Profit and Sustainability Rules currently in place, from the 2025-26 season onwards.

Any new element of the financial system would come in shadow next season, to fully replace PSR in 2025-26.

“We will obviously wait to see further details of these specific proposals, but we have always been clear that we would oppose any measure that would place a ‘hard’ cap on player wages," said the PFA

“There is an established process in place to ensure that proposals like this, which would directly impact our members, have to be properly consulted on.”

Aston Villa, Manchester City and Manchester United opposed the vote, with Chelsea abstaining.

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Nathan Ake has dismissed any fears Manchester City could lose the title to Arsenal and insisted: "It's in our hands."

Josko Gvardiol and Erling Haaland struck to give a below-par City a 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest on Sunday to move them a point behind the Premier League leaders.

Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand and will be champions if they win their four remaining matches, regardless of what the Gunners do.

Arsenal host Bournemouth in Saturday's early kick-off before City welcome Wolves in the late game five hours later.

But defender Ake denied the defending champions, hunting a historic fourth straight Premier League title, are worried about playing catch-up.

"We're not depending on what they do. That's the difference from last year [when] we were still depending on what they were doing," said the Netherlands international.

"It's in our hands. We know if we win the next four we are champions. The only thing we have to do is focus on the next one.

"Obviously it would be nice if they dropped some points. [But] We focus on ourselves.

"Everyone's got the experience but, in the end, experience doesn't really make a difference. It's about now - what we do now. At the moment it’s going well.

"It's so close - but it's also so far away. Every game is going to be a tough one. It felt like on Sunday people expected us to win, but these kind of games are never easy.

"Next week we have another that will be tough and the only thing we can do is go game by game.

We asked for your views on Sunday's match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City.

Here are some of your answers:

Forest fans

Fosi: We played very well but we just didn't take our chances. It was just about our best performance for a long time. If we repeat this performance, we will stay up!

Mark: Nottingham Forest were certainly not overwhelmed by Manchester City. If only they could finish the chances they create. Well played Forest.

Fin: A very poor side that would struggle in the Championship. They tried to buy success and bought very poorly. They broke up a good side who got them promotion in the first place and sacked an excellent manager in Steve Cooper. Now they are going downhill fast, while blaming everyone else.

City fans

Usama: We weren’t at our best, that's for sure, but the belief with this group is apparent for all to see. The confidence and trust they have in one another helps us to see out games like this one. These are the sorts of attributes a team needs to win titles after titles, just like City have done in the past few years. We go again next Saturday.

Natalie: What a sloppy game from City. Being clinical in front of goal is a must, which Forest will be disappointed about. I think Pep will be having some strong words before the next game. That being said, job done and there are just four more games to go! Come on City.

Scott: A really good 'get the job done' performance. At times, we were very sloppy with our passing game and Forest were exceptional with their use of pace on the counter-attack, making for an excellent game of football between two sides fighting for very different prizes. Four games still to play and we hold our fate in our own hands.

Rhiannon: A really good performance. Gvardiol was excellent, getting another goal for us. Hopefully we can keep this run of form up until the last game.

We asked for your views on Saturday's match between Manchester United and Burnley.

Here are some of your answers:

United fans

Bob: Erik ten Hag has lost the plot. I've said it before and will say it again - he is a mediocre manager out of his depth. If it wasn’t for McTominay scoring a few crucial goals, Ten Hag would be gone. He has to go. I'm bored of listening to him once a week, goodness knows how the players put up with him.

Scott: Manchester United need a good clear out this summer of the players that are either past their best or just simply not good enough, after numerous years of waiting or chances - Rashford, Wan-Bissaka, Eriksen, Casemiro. Not to mention Onana, who has cost us far too many times this season. We will never get anywhere with him between the sticks!

Will: Little has changed since the early season Champions League games. While my instinct is to blame the manager, especially after another Onana error, the fact remains - something deeper is wrong at the club. Until that is fixed, the manager cannot be solely responsible. Moyes, Mourinho, Rangnick, Van Gaal, Solskjaer, Giggs, Carrick... let's give Ineos time.

Graham: Yet another scrappy display, without any real team structure. Yet another winning position lost through a dreadful header by Casemiro, and Onana then conceding a penalty. Are there any other teams who have lost as many matches from a winning position with just minutes on the clock? Extremely poor decision-making.

Burnley fans

Steven: Fantastic performance, nothing to be negative about there! One defeat in eight games, it's a shame there aren't 13 games left. Onto next Saturday, we can do this! Up the Clarets.

Mark: The team are really coming together well. It is a few games too late for us this season, but I like the way the team are playing. I want to keep Kompany for a while yet!

Jack: I've got to admit, Burnley gave max effort. They were a bit lucky at times and I had really hoped this could be the one to upset the applecart. Our run in is the hardest - sorry Natalie (Bromley - BBC Sport's Burnley Fan Writer), the great escape is not on.

Tony: A gutsy performance and a valuable point. It brings Nottingham Forest into play for the last game of the season. Don't write off the Clarets just yet!

Image source, Getty Images

Are footballers allowed to be tired?

Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol told BBC Sport's George Cummins "I’m exhausted to be honest," following Sunday's win over Nottingham Forest and a busy month in all competitions.

Pep Guardiola's side have played nine games in the last month, including an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea and Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.

"Bless them, it is a tough being a footballer!" Telegraph writer Luke Edwards joked. "Gvardiol has started 32 games in all competitions which by the start of May is not a huge amount.

"I will give him a pass though because it is his first season in the Premier League and he is getting used to the physicality and speed of the English game."

The 22-year-old became the second-most expensive defender of all-time when he signed from RB Leipzig for 90m euros (£77m) last summer.

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

BBC Sport's chief football news reporter Simon Stone has been answering your questions.

One fan asked what he made of Erik ten Hag's latest pronouncements on Manchester United versus Coventry City, picking fights with media and making claims on the entertainment his team provides?

Simon replied: Well, on the entertainment front, he’s not wrong is he? Manchester United are entertaining. But I am not sure conceding late goals and making games that seemed to be won full of jeopardy is the kind of entertainment their fans want.

On the ‘picking fights’ front, he is perfectly entitled to his view. He has to defend his position. I just feel on the Coventry game there was a difference of opinion. Ten Hag admitted United made mistakes – but they got through, which is the main thing. I, and colleagues in the media, felt being 3-0 up against a lower league side and only avoiding being knocked out by a marginal (correct) VAR offside decision was embarrassing for a club of that size.

It is clear Ten Hag is getting more forceful in his defence of performances and results. That is a sign of pressure. It is also a sign that a decision will soon be made on his future.

See more of the Q&A with Simon

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Former Tottenham defender Stephen Kelly says Manchester City's intensity week in, week out "astounds" him and it is what separates them from title rivals Arsenal.

"They are just relentless," said Kelly on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast. "There is an inevitability with them because no matter who they play against they dominate the game.

"Arsenal went to Tottenham and showed resilience without dominating possession. City dominate every game and produce more chances and hold possession more than any other team.

"When you catch City it has to be on the counter-attack because they have over exposed themselves. But they continue to play like that in every game because they are a team that do not stop.

"The level Pep Guardiola has them playing at every week astounds me because of their intensity. I know he complains about tiredness but they do not show it."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

Mark Chapman introduces highlights and analysis from Sunday's three Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, you can catch up on the best of the action on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch highlights of Saturday' seven games on Match of the Day here

Listen back to Sunday's BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full:

• Tottenham 2-3 Arsenal

• Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man City

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch highlights of Sunday's games on Match of the Day 2 here

Listen back to Saturday's BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full:

• Man Utd 1-1 Burnley

• Everton 1-0 Brentford

West Ham and Brazil midfielder Lucas Paqueta, 26, says he is "very happy" at the club amid speculation that he will join Manchester City. (ESPN, via Goal), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Crystal Palace fear £55m-rated England defender Marc Guehi could leave this summer, with Manchester United and Arsenal interested in the 23-year-old. (Times - subscription required), external

Borussia Dortmund will try to turn winger Jadon Sancho's loan move from Manchester United into a permanent deal this summer. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Manchester United are considering the future of manager Erik ten Hag, which could help their cause in bringing Sancho back to the club. (Express), external

Arsenal and Liverpool are interested in Brighton's 20-year-old Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba. (Caught Offside), external

Everton may have to sell 21-year-old English defender Jarrad Branthwaite to comply with Financial Fair Play rules, opening the door for a move to Old Trafford. (Sun), external

Manchester United and Chelsea could be competing for Inter Milan's Netherlands defender Denzel Dumfries, 28. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column