Summary

  • Premier League news conferences before weekend's matches

  • Man Utd's Antony to return to training

  • Chelsea "already working" on January transfers, says Pochettino

  • Build-up to the start of the WSL season on Sunday

  • Liverpool and Tottenham put unbeaten starts to the test in north London

  • Fenway Sports Group agrees to sell minority stake in Liverpool

  • Napoli make statement denying intent to offend Victor Osimhen after Tiktok controversy

  • Get Involved: #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

  1. 'Players can't deal any more with this overload'published at 13:47 British Summer Time 29 September 2023

    Man Utd v Crystal Palace (15:00 BST)

    Manchester United

    Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, speaking about his mounting injury list: "We already expanded the squad this season because we made the reason clear. We had a World Cup in the middle of the season, we had a longer season, we had to play a longer season as well, with FA Cup. A shorter break.

    "Every time the schedule is expanding, the load on the players is too much, it's such a great overload. Many colleagues of mine have pointed to that and I have pointed to that as well. But it keeps going. We keep expanding the schedule.

    "Anywhere, it won't stop. Players can't deal any more with this overload and I think that's what you say in this squad at the moment."

  2. McTominay and Eriksen returnpublished at 13:45 British Summer Time 29 September 2023

    Man Utd v Crystal Palace (15:00 BST)

    Manchester United

    Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, speaking at his media conference ahead of the clash with Crystal Palace: "We have seen some players back on Tuesday and for tomorrow, some players that were out of the squad on Tuesday.

    Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen, they are back."

    Christian EriksenImage source, Getty Images
  3. Man Utd team newspublished at 13:40 British Summer Time 29 September 2023

    Man Utd v Crystal Palace (15:00 BST)

    Manchester United

    Following updates earlier on Antony, Lisandro Martinez and Sergio Reguilon, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay are fit and available for selection, having both missed the midweek Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace.

    Full quotes from the Dutchman's news conference to follow...

  4. Amrabat at left-back for Man Utd?published at 13:34 British Summer Time 29 September 2023

    Man Utd v Crystal Palace (Sat, 15:00BST)

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport

    In confirming Lisandro Martinez was out of action with his foot injury, Manchester United also confirmed full-back Sergio Reguilon would miss tomorrow's game against Crystal Palace through injury.

    That is likely to mean another outing in that role for Morocco midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, who was outstanding against Palace in the EFL Cup on Tuesday.

  5. Man Utd's Martinez facing two months outpublished at 13:31 British Summer Time 29 September 2023

    Man Utd v Crystal Palace (Sat, 15:00BST)

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport

    Manchester United have confirmed Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez will be out of action for 'an extended period' after suffering another foot injury.

    It is a recurrence of the problem that ended his season.

    It means he is likely to miss around two months, could that mean an opportunity for Harry Maguire?

    Lisandro MartinezImage source, Getty Images
  6. Sutton's predictions - Fulham to edge Chelseapublished at 13:23 British Summer Time 29 September 2023

    Fulham v Chelsea (Monday, 20:00 BST)

    Chris Sutton PredictionsImage source, BBC Sport

    I've learned my lesson at last - I am not backing Chelsea any more because they have cost me so many prediction points.

    The biggest problem for Mauricio Pochettino's side has been taking chances, not creating them, and maybe Nicolas Jackson's goal against Brighton in the Carabao Cup is the start of a run for them in front of goal.

    I don't see it though, and I actually fancy Fulham to edge this. Scoring goals hasn't been easy for them either, but one might be enough for them on Monday.

    Sutton's prediction:1-0

    Read all of Sutton's predictions against actor Jazzie Zonzolo, star of new film Sumotherhood.

  7. Chelsea 'already working' on January - Pochettinopublished at 13:17 British Summer Time 29 September 2023

    Fulham v Chelsea (Mon, 20:00 BST)

    Chelsea

    Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino speaking in his news conference about further recruitment in January: "I think the football [we are playing] is very dynamic and now we have to work on the recovery of [injured players], like Nkunku to help us have more goals and be more solid.

    "But of course, we already start to work [on January]."

    Visit our dedicated Chelsea page

    Mauricio PochettinoImage source, Getty Images
  8. 'A difficult debate' - Pochettino on the fixture schedulepublished at 13:09 British Summer Time 29 September 2023

    Fulham v Chelsea (Mon, 20:00 BST)

    Chelsea

    Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino was asked about the condensed fixture list in his news conference ahead of the trip to Fulham on Monday: "Yes, one players may not be able to cope with 70 games, but another cannot.

    "But it is difficult because every player wants to play every game.

    "And then you want to win. I think it is a difficult debate. It is really complicated. It is not a public debate. It is a private debate between the Premier League, the FA and the clubs."

  9. Pochettino on Chilwell and James injuriespublished at 13:04 British Summer Time 29 September 2023

    Fulham v Chelsea (Mon, 20:00 BST)

    Chelsea

    Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino speaking about the injuries to Ben Chilwell and Reece James: "[At his] best, [Chilwell] is one of the best left-back in the world.

    "There is only one Reece James and Ben Chilwell. I think the club try [to give us depth], with Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella, and that is football.

    "I want two [in each position]. When you have in the squad, like happen in the past, you have one player in one position it is difficult to bring in another top player to be on the bench.

    "The problem is not if we signed Malo Gusto and Marc - who can do really well. I think we need to try and have these two top players fit and healthy."

  10. Palmer 'could start' against Fulham - Pochettinopublished at 13:00 British Summer Time 29 September 2023

    Fulham v Chelsea (Mon, 20:00 BST)

    Chelsea

    Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino speaking about Cole Palmer ahead of the trip to Fulham on Monday: "I am so happy with his performance in a few weeks with us. I think he is a young, talented player but in my mind there [is a chance] he could start on Monday."

    Cole PalmerImage source, Getty Images
  11. Chelsea 'have options' without Jackson - Pochettinopublished at 12:56 British Summer Time 29 September 2023

    Fulham v Chelsea (Mon, 20:00 BST)

    Chelsea

    Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino speaking in his news conference ahead of the trip to Fulham on Monday: "Another very solid performance [on Wednesday].

    "It is what we need and the fans need as well. The effort was fantastic from the team and now the situation can make us stringer and be confident for Monday."

    On coping without Nicolas Jackson: "We have a few options to play with a striker or without a striker. I will see how they are and how they recover from Wednesday."

  12. Chelsea team newspublished at 12:52 British Summer Time 29 September 2023

    Fulham v Chelsea (Mon, 20:00 BST)

    Chelsea

    Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino speaking in his news conference ahead of the trip to Fulham on Monday: "I think it is bad news what the doctor told me is not a good thing It looks a bad injury so we will assess in the next days and we will see the period he is going to be absent from the squad.

    "We are really sad about the news about Ben.

    "Time[scale] is difficult to say now. The doctor will tell us and the club will communicate."

    On the rest of his players: "I hope that maybe Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni [Madueke] also is getting ready and I hope these two players will be available."

    Reece James: "Not for Monday, I do not believe."

  13. Gossip: Chelsea 'monitor' Osimhenpublished at 12:47 British Summer Time 29 September 2023

    Fulham v Chelsea (Mon, 20:00 BST)

    Victor Osimhen gossipImage source, BBC Sport

    Chelsea are monitoring developments between Victor Osimhen and Napoli, and are poised to step up their interest in the 24-year-old Nigeria striker.

    Read about all the latest transfer rumours.

  14. Sorry Nic Jacksonpublished at 12:43 British Summer Time 29 September 2023

    Fulham v Chelsea (Mon, 20:00 BST)

    A popular Outkast song comes to mind when thinking about how eager Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson must be to play on Monday.

    Jackson scored the winner in the Carabao Cup victory over Brighton on Wednesday, Chelsea's third home win in all competitions this term.

    Unfortunately for the Blues, the striker is suspended for their trip to Fulham on Monday night.

    Since arriving at Stamford Bridge in the summer, Jackson has scored twice for Chelsea.

    Nicolas JacksonImage source, Getty Images
  15. Chelsea face the Cottagerspublished at 12:38 British Summer Time 29 September 2023

    Fulham v Chelsea (Mon, 20:00 BST)

    Next up is Mauricio Pochettino, who will be facing the media ahead of Monday's trip to Craven Cottage to face Fulham. Chelsea gained their third home win in all competitions on Wednesday, defeating Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup.

    They travel to Fulham, having only lost to the Cottagers once in their last 23 meetings.

    That game? The 2-1 away defeat in January, courtesy of goals from Brazilian duo Carlos Vinicius and Willian.

    Carlos ViniciusImage source, Getty Images
  16. Can Manchester United go one better?published at 12:32 British Summer Time 29 September 2023

    The WSL returns this weekend

    Ellen White
    Former England striker on BBC's Football Daily podcast

    It is a tough one. A lot of players have left and they have signed a lot of players. Have you had time to embed those players into your style, your philosophy, your culture?

    Obviously, the Champions League as well, they have a massive game so it's going to be interesting.

  17. United could have a 'mini-crisis' in 'very difficult start'published at 12:28 British Summer Time 29 September 2023

    The WSL returns this weekend

    Tom Garry
    The Telegraph's women's football reporter on BBC's Football Daily podcast

    Given that Manchester United were so good in defence last season, I think the loss of Ona Batlle is really big and I think that is the one they will feel most keenly.

    They did sign some really good players - particularly on deadline day - but they are going to have to hit the ground running so quickly because their first few games of the season they play Aston Villa away, then Arsenal, and then they have Paris St-Germain and I think that fans are going to need to give a bit of time and patience to these new players to settle in.

    We could be sitting here in a month's time, in a sort of mini-crisis talks after not having a very good start to the season. I think they are a good side but they have a very difficult start and that's not what you want when you have a lot of new faces.

    Listen to the full episode.

    Marc SkinnerImage source, Getty Images
  18. 'Ideally we'd have done it earlier'published at 12:24 British Summer Time 29 September 2023

    Aston Villa v Man Utd (Sun, 12:30 BST)

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport reporter

    Manchester United manager Marc Skinner has been discussing the late arrivals of several summer signings.

    They picked up four players on deadline day and have added new staff in the summer too.

    "Ideally we would have liked to have done the work earlier but it wasn’t through a lack of trying. These are complicated," said Skinner.

    "Women’s transfers are getting way more complicated than they were a few years ago. You had free agents and stuff like that which was an easier conversation. But when you’re dealing with transfers in and out there’s a lot of push back. We all know there’s a potential Manchester United tax!

    "But it’s about getting them in and the quality. I think we’ve done that. I look at the forward line for example and the supply to it. It's got experience and a high level of it.

    "It’s not that the players we had last year weren’t good enough. It’s that these players [new signings] in big moments are used to it. You’re buying experience. That helps you to develop a winning culture.

    "Ideally it would have been done earlier but we have a togetherness where everyone helps the team quickly."

  19. Ward on Aston Villa's 'clingy' shirtspublished at 12:20 British Summer Time 29 September 2023

    Aston Villa v Man Utd (Sun, 12:30 BST)

    Carla WardImage source, Getty Images

    Aston Villa boss Carla Ward says her players have concerns over the club's shirts but her focus is on Sunday's game against Manchester United.

    Villa's male players have told the club the shirts are retaining sweat, making them uncomfortable.

    The club are in talks with sportswear group Castore and had been hoping to reach and agreement before the weekend.

    "As far as I'm concerned it's over to the club and Castore to deal with," Ward said. "My focus has to be the weekend."

    "My focus is making sure the players are focused on the weekend and the one thing I will say is the club have been absolutely superb in these last few days with constant communication with 'how can we help the players, what's going to help them, what will make them feel better?'.

    "There's a genuine care from the football club. The players feel that, we feel that, but our focus solely now is on Manchester United."

  20. We must have 'same intensity' - Iraolapublished at 12:11 British Summer Time 29 September 2023

    Bournemouth v Arsenal (Sat, 15:00 BST)

    Bournemouth

    Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola speaking to BBC Radio Solent ahead of match against Arsenal on Saturday: "When you have these games when we are playing every three days we have small issues that you don't know even in your team, so it is important to know in the opposition.

    "I think we have started rally well in our high press. It is true that it hasn't worked and at the end we couldn't maintain the results.

    "Physically, we have to be really hard. You have to make the recovery runs and go again with the same intensity."

    Andoni IraolaImage source, Getty Images