The "abhorrent" abuse directed towards Tottenham defender Destiny Udogie on social media following Saturday's Premier League victory over Liverpool is a "sad reminder of how much work remains to combat discrimination in football", says Kick It Out head of player engagement Troy Townsend.

"No amount of controversy or high emotion surrounding a game can ever warrant this abhorrent outburst," he said in a statement.

"We are extremely concerned that players are being continually targeted on social media following games in the worst possible terms and it is vital that those responsible are held to account.

"High-profile players have been targeted almost every weekend since the season began in August. This worrying trend is a sad reminder of how much work remains to combat discrimination in football, and it is vital that social media companies help address this problem with the seriousness it requires.

"We have received several reports regarding the racist abuse targeting Udogie and have shared these reports with the relevant authorities. Kick It Out is here to support anyone who has been the target of discrimination and we would encourage those who sadly witness abuse of any kind to report it to us."

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Dan: Given the poor state of Manchester United and maybe Newcastle United, would top four for Spurs be a great achievement or down to the others being poor?

Phil: It’s every team for themselves, Dan. If Spurs reach the top four it is a great achievement. Full stop. If other teams slip up it is their problem and then it is down to Spurs to take advantage. The season is still in its infancy but I really like what I have seen under Ange Postecoglou. The signs are good.

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Roger Sturmey: How far, realistically, can Unai Emery take Villa?

Phil: I think he can take them very far, Roger. He is an elite coach with a track record of success. You can see the difference he has made and Aston Villa is a very ambitious club. Taking them from where they were when he took over back into Europe for the first time in 13 years was a superb piece of management.

I know they lost their first Europa Conference League group game away to Legia Warsaw but I really fancy Emery to take them a long way in that competition. He is a European specialist, as he proved winning the Europa League three times with Sevilla and once with Villarreal. Even in his supposed season of under-achievement at Arsenal he took them to the Europa League final.

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HMRC investigators claimed back £124.8m in unpaid tax from Premier League clubs in the year to 31 March 2023.

That was up from £58.7m the previous tax year, according to figures compiled by accountancy group UHY Hacker Young.

Reclaimed payments included National Insurance on agents' fees and image rights, plus tax on benefits in kind.

"We will continue to carefully scrutinise arrangements between clubs, players and agents to ensure the correct tax is paid," said HMRC.

More on this story here.

We have one more news conference for you today, with Luton boss Rob Edwards expected some time around 13:30 BST.

He should be feeling pretty good after the Hatters banked a first win of the Premier League season at Everton on Saturday.

Edwards will be speaking before Tuesday's key Premier League clash at home to fellow promoted side Burnley, who are still searching for their first win since returning to the top flight.

Lloyd Williams: What do Man Utd need to do to get back into form?

Phil: Get some wins on the board to increase confidence. Cure the injury problems they seem to be consistently suffering. Bed in the new signings to get them performing to the maximum and start playing like a Manchester United team.

Easier said than done but needs to happen quickly.

Dave Holt: Given the terrible form at Manchester United at the moment and the talent in their squad, how safe is Erik ten Hag?

Phil: I don’t think he is under any immediate pressure, Dave, and I don’t think he should be either – although there is no doubt not much has gone right on or off the pitch at Old Trafford so far this season.

Performances and results have also been so poor while none of his summer signings have truly convinced – although it’s still very early.

It is Manchester United, though, with all their expectations. This is a club that demands results and pressure mounts if you don’t get them. Still very safe in my opinion, though.

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Manchester United

And finally...Raphael Varane on the form of Manchester United's young players: "I think they are doing well, they bring energy to the team. They are still learning, [but] that is normal.

"The players with more experience, it is important to lead by example and communicate with them about everything - how to be professional, [how] to play, [how] to support the pressure - so we have a lot to do and as a leader we have to show them and talk to them and that is what we have to do.

"Hopefully they can bring talent and passion on the pitch and that will be very helpful for the season. There are a lot of talents at the club."

Manchester United

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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag on the goalkeeping situation: "You will see but we chose against Crystal Palace in the League Cup to play Andre [Onana] because both [he and Altay Bayindir] came in and both have to adapt to the English standard so that's why we prefer Andre to play in that game.

"It was important for him to use every game in this moment but we also have to progress Altay, that's clear. He makes a very good impression in training, he's progressing, we are very happy with it and we are convinced we have two right goalkeepers in the squad."

Manchester United

Four-time Champions League winner Raphael Varane on Manchester United's chances of lifting the trophy: "I think the competition is about details and you have to be efficient to win the competition.

"In the last moments we need more efficiency, it is a very low number of occasions we have conceded goals but we need to create a lot to score. That is the reality of top level [football].

"You need to be efficient to win trophies. We have the quality in the squad to win competitions. We have to move forward and improve.

But can United win the competition?: "Yes, I think so, I think the quality is in the squad. The competition is difficult, you have to take care of every detail but we have a team of quality, of good mentality.

"We have to make some improvements, it was not the start to the season we expected but I still believe we have the quality to compete with the best teams in the world."

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Manchester United

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag on Marcus Rashford: "The facts are he is not scoring in this moment, but he had opportunities.

"He had five or six chances against Brighton and if he works hard, if he invests, every day, goes with the right focus and if the team around him supply and help him and support him with movement then it will come. Marcus is a player who is capable of scoring goals in every game and when he comes in the right spot, he will score."

Manchester United

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag on the team's mood after defeat by Crystal Palace on Saturday: "We are disappointed with the result. You have to analyse the game and move forward.

"I think the team is moving forward; you have to make adjustments. We don't have a full-back on the left side. There are shortages in our game.

"A lot of positives, but at the end of the day it is about results and we didn't get it."

Manchester United

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, speaking before his side's Champions League group match with Galatasaray, on his trust for officials amid VAR controversy: "Of course [I trust them], standards have to be high, it is part of the game.

“I am sure they do what they can, they are very professional and give their best. I trust them.”

Manchester United

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed Antony is "in consideration" for selection after returning to first-team training amid domestic abuse allegations.

Ten Hag said: “He co-operated fully (with the police), he came out and he was not charged.”

Ten Hag also added that Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez will undergo surgery on his foot injury.

More to follow.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

We will hear from Erik ten Hag and Raphael Varane now, before tomorrow's Champions League game against Galatasaray.

It must feel quite a long time since Varane was part of a team that contended for this trophy.

He won it four times with Real Madrid between 2014 and 2018.

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Tottenham have a released a statement, external condemning the racist messages that were sent to left-back Destiny Udogie on social media following Saturday's win over Liverpool.

Spurs said they are "disgusted" and added: "We will work with the Premier League and, where possible, take action against any individual we are able to identify.

"We stand with you Destiny."

Image source, EPA

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Manchester United have never lost at home to Galatasaray in three previous meetings, drawing 3-3 in October 1993 in Champions League qualifying, and winning 4-0 in December 1994 and 1-0 in September 2012 in the competition's group stages.

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Nick: Thoughts on Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard & Gabriel Jesus letting Kai Havertz take the penalty against Bournemouth.Lovely gesture, or a somewhat bleak act of charity?

Phil: Great idea and gesture because it went in and it got him going with his first Arsenal goal but this sort of thing is not for me. It was only 2-0 and while Arsenal were in control I still think your best player should take a penalty unless the game is out totally out of sight. Nice gesture and will help because he scored but I’m not keen on it. Remember Pep Guardiola when Erling Haaland allowed Ilkay Gundogan to take one to try to score his hat-trick against Leeds United last season? He missed, Leeds scored and there was a bit of a tense finish. Pep said: “At 2-0 in England it’s never over. The taker is the taker.” My view entirely.