Erik ten Hag believes what Casemiro has brought to Manchester United since their 6-3 defeat to Manchester City in October's derby proves how lucky they are to have him.

United signed Casemiro from Real Madrid in August in a deal potentially worth £70million (€78.9m), though it took him a few weeks to get up to speed.

The club announced his arrival shortly after a morale-boosting 2-1 win over Liverpool, which finally saw them put points on the board after losing to Brighton and Hove Albion and Brentford in their first two games of the season.

Initially he failed to get into the team ahead of Scott McTominay, with the defeat of Liverpool beginning a four-match winning run in the Premier League.

But United were then thrashed 6-3 – even finding themselves 6-1 down at one point – by Pep Guardiola's City. Casemiro made his first top-flight start for the club in their next game, and since then only Newcastle United (24) have won more points than Ten Hag's side (23).

United face City again on Saturday knowing a win will take them to within a point of the champions, and Ten Hag was given the opportunity to reflect on what Casemiro has brought to his team since that October humbling.

Asked how much of a role the Brazilian has played in United's improvement, Ten Hag said: "That's quite obvious.

"I said from the beginning, this team needs a six. What is a six? So, control, holding midfielder. He's so important, the cement between the stones.

"It means in defending [he brings] organisation, he knows his position, anticipating, he's pointing players in right position, he wins balls for the team, wins duels.

"But in possession he can accelerate, speed up the game. He has that competence to give that to a top team at a top level, and there are not many players with his quality in the world, he is one of them, so we are really happy to have him because he makes a huge difference."

That loss to City was something of a reality check for a United side who had seemingly made clear signs of progress after their alarming beginning to the campaign.

Ten Hag thanked City at the time for showing United how far behind the best teams they were, and yet their improvement since has been marked.

The Dutchman was keen to insist revenge has not been used as a motivational tool ahead of Saturday, and he outlined United's progress since October comes down to clear coaching.

"How I analysed that game, I expressed honestly that it was a lesson and we took it, and from that point we made huge progress. We have to continue the progress and the process," he said.

"Maybe [talking about the process behind improvement is] boring, but things are like that. That game was a setback, you can all find reasons, but it's not that interesting.

"It's all about how you have to act, deliver, as a coach. You have to take certain steps, you need a clear philosophy, clear direction, then it's about development.

"That's what we are doing, what we did. That's nice, but in top-level football there's never an end point."

Stefano Pioli understands the criticism Milan have received following a pair of demoralising results, but he insists the Scudetto race remains alive ahead of Saturday's trip to Lecce.  

Milan have endured a frustrating week, throwing away a two-goal lead in a dramatic Serie A draw with Roma on Sunday before crashing out of the Coppa Italia against 10-man Torino three days later.

The Serie A champions are seven points adrift of leaders Napoli ahead of Saturday's clash with a Lecce side unbeaten in their last five league games, but Pioli is backing his team to recover.

"It's normal that there is a more critical eye towards us because we won the Scudetto with excellent football," Pioli said. "When that fails, the finger is pointed more, but that's what we want.

"Criticism affects us because we didn't bring home the results we were supposed to bring home. 

"The season is long, the championship won't end tonight either. Let's not forget how we won the Scudetto."

Although Milan have been hamstrung by a lengthy injury list featuring the likes of Mike Maignan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the Rossoneri will not look to strengthen in this month's transfer window as Pioli is content with his options.

"I remain convinced that our only problem is not having our complete squad in every department," Pioli said. "There is no need to intervene."

However, the Milan coach is hopeful of some important business being done by the club in the near future, with the Scudetto holders reportedly working on contract renewals for Olivier Giroud and Rafael Leao after Ismael Bennacer penned a new long-term deal on Thursday.

"I'm delighted for Isma. It's deserved for his will and determination," Pioli added. "Isma is very ambitious, with the humility of someone who knows he still has to improve. 

"I'm also very happy for the club, we are confirming a group of players that have become mature, it's important."

Asked specifically about the club's talks with Leao and Giroud, Pioli replied: "I hope more good news arrives. I hope so."

Pep Guardiola always expected Manchester United would challenge Manchester City again as the sides head into Saturday's derby separated by only four points.

That gap was eight points after their previous meeting in early October, which City sensationally won 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium.

But United are the Premier League's form team, winning 15 of their subsequent 18 games in all competitions and losing just once.

Erik ten Hag has improved the Old Trafford outfit to the point they could really pile the pressure on second-placed City with a victory this weekend.

Guardiola was asked about United's progress ahead of that match and replied: "It's normal. A new manager arrived, many things must be settled, then the improvement of the team is clear.

"It's not just in terms of results, it's everything."

United have improved "a lot", he accepted, but a Red Devils revival was always on the cards at some stage.

"What happened in the previous seasons is a Man United problem, so I don't know, but now it's normal that United is there," Guardiola said. "Still there, top, fighting.

"The position is there because it's the position Man United has to be.

"For me, did they surprise me? No. Must be there? Yes. Alongside the other teams? Yes. That's why this competition is so difficult, but I'm not surprised at all."

Guardiola, entering his 500th top-flight match as a coach, said earlier in the week he had "a few ideas, thoughts, ridiculous ones" for taking on United, but he was in less entertaining mood following an EFL Cup exit to Southampton.

"A joke," he said of those comments. "It was a joke."

With the defeat to Saints fresh in his mind, denying him a fifth success in that competition, Guardiola was similarly unimpressed by discussion of the title race as City head into the weekend five points behind leaders Arsenal.

"It's not a knockout game, so there are many games still to play," he answered on the topic.

"Yes, it's important, it's always important against United, but it's a football game like many that are going to happen in the future.

Mikel Arteta is aware of the impact a first victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium could have on Arsenal's season ahead of Sunday's huge North London Derby.

Having beaten Tottenham 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium in October, Premier League leaders Arsenal are looking to claim a first league double against their local rivals since the 2013-14 campaign.

That season also represents the last time Arsenal won a North London Derby as the away team, with the Gunners losing on all three visits to Spurs' new home since it opened in 2019. 

With Arsenal looking to go 14 points clear of their rivals and maintain their advantage over Manchester City at the summit, Arteta is embracing the challenge ahead of them.

"We haven't won there, so that's the challenge we have ahead of us, we have to beat them at their place," the Spaniard said at Friday's pre-match press conference.

"We've had a few in the last few years – places where we didn't win in 15 or 20 years. We have a great challenge and opportunity on Sunday to get that one down.

"It's one of the biggest games of the season for us. We know how much it means right now for us in the table, and how much it means for our fans.

"We don't think about sending messages, we think about performing, playing well and earning the right to win the games.

"We know where we are. At Arsenal, we do not have any expectations other than winning games every three days, whoever we play against."

Spurs are looking to win four consecutive home league games against Arsenal for the first time in their history, with last May's 3-0 thrashing of the Gunners proving crucial as they beat their neighbours to Champions League qualification.

Reflecting on that defeat, in which Arsenal capitulated after Rob Holding's first-half dismissal, Arteta challenged the Gunners to showcase their improvement against their out-of-form hosts.

"There were a lot of things to learn and take from it," Arteta said of last season's trip to Spurs. "We are in a different place, but we have to show that by playing the way we want to play.

"Obviously, the way we have performed and the results that we've got, confidence-wise, have put us in a good position, but that's something you have to show in every single match against every opponent.

"Especially every away game brings a big challenge and this is no different. We have to prove we are good enough to go there and play our way to win the match."

Arteta was also asked about the club's pursuit of Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk – who appeared to hint at his desire to join Arsenal by posting a praying emoji on Instagram as reports suggested the Gunners had tabled another bid on Thursday.

"You know we cannot talk about any other players. There is interest in things we would like to do to improve the team because we are a bit short in certain areas," Arteta said. "As a club, we are determined to improve the team in every window."

Asked if he had taken notice of Mudryk's social media activity, Arteta laughed: "I won't tell you how good I am with a phone!"

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag confirmed Wout Weghorst is close to joining the club but will not sign in time to feature in Saturday's derby.

United have been on the hunt for a new striker ever since Cristiano Ronaldo's acrimonious exit in November, with the Portugal forward having his contract terminated after an explosive interview.

Over the past week or so, Weghorst – who is on loan at Besiktas from Burnley – emerged as a likely candidate to fill the void until the end of the season.

Reports on Thursday suggested United reached an agreement to pay Besiktas £2.5million (€3m) to take over their loan arrangement with Weghorst, who has scored eight Super Lig goals in 16 games this season.

Some supporters have been indifferent about the prospect of signing a player who netted just twice in 20 Premier League games last term as Burnley were relegated, but a deal is seemingly near – just not close enough for him to face Manchester City this weekend.

Speaking to reporters about the rumours on Friday, Ten Hag said: "I think we are close, so he will not be available for tomorrow, no."

But with United unable to get a deal for Weghorst over the line sooner, they could once again see their options at centre-forward limited for the visit of City.

Anthony Martial has been plagued by injuries this season and is struggling with another issue, leaving Ten Hag unsure of his availability for the match.

Asked to provide general fitness updates, the manager added: "[Diogo] Dalot is not available, and Martial trained this morning, so we wait to see how he recovered and if he's available. That will be decided tomorrow.

"It's a small thing, in his leg, so I will be [waiting for] tomorrow, otherwise he'll be available for Wednesday, I think."

United are somewhat stretched in the attacking department, with Martial proving unreliable in terms of fitness and Jadon Sancho still absent after being granted time away to improve his mental sharpness.

But Ten Hag is not panicking, pointing out United have done well without Martial and Weghorst in recent weeks.

"Weghorst wasn't available in the last weeks, so it would be a bonus if he was [able to face City]," Ten Hag said. "I hope soon he will be there.

"But also we have had a month of winning a lot of games without Anthony Martial."

United welcome City to Old Trafford looking to avenge a 6-3 defeat in October. Victory for the Red Devils will see them move to within a point of the champions.

Trent Alexander-Arnold feels underperforming Liverpool are expected to be "immaculate" after enjoying such a successful spell under manager Jurgen Klopp.

Since Klopp's arrival from Borussia Dortmund in 2015, Liverpool have lifted both the Premier League and Champions League, while also winning two domestic cup competitions.

Klopp's side finished runners-up in both the Champions League and Premier League last season, finishing just a point behind Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in the latter having taken the title race to the final day of the campaign.

However, Liverpool have not been at their normal levels this term and sit 16 points behind league leaders Arsenal, while they will have to overturn a seven-point deficit to fourth-placed rivals Manchester United if they are to finish in the Champions League qualification spots.

Alexander-Arnold believes Liverpool have raised the bar for themselves to a level that fans now expect constant success, telling Sky Sports: "There's a level of expectation now. It's almost like being a victim of your own success.

"People expect us to be immaculate every season and we're not allowed to have off seasons. There's a level of consistency that's demanded and we demand that from ourselves as well.

"It's a season that we've not been overly happy with, but there's still a long time left. 

"We would like to be higher up the table, pushing for the title, but at the same time we are in a position to go and challenge for Champions League football.

"There will come a time when things click into place and we'll be back to where we were and where we have been. When that happens, then everyone will be happy. It's just a matter of time."

A key part of Liverpool's recent glory was Sadio Mane, who joined from Southampton in 2016 before going on to score 120 goals in 269 appearances in all competitions for the Reds.

Mane departed for Bayern Munich prior to this season, and replacement Darwin Nunez has endured a mixed start to his Anfield career after signing for a club-record £85million fee.

While Alexander-Arnold acknowledged Liverpool are missing Mane, he also defended Nunez, who has come under fire after a number of missed gilt-edged opportunities in the early days of his Premier League career.

"Sadio is a world-class player and has been for many years," the right-back said. "He's someone who will help any team he's at and do the things he does to a level that others can't, so of course we are going to miss what he brings to the team.

"But we've got other players with different qualities who bring different things to our game who will help us in what we need to do.

"[Nunez] is a player who I think it's easy to just write him off, it's easy to say he's not scoring goals. But he's getting himself into areas and places where he's able to hurt the opposition. We have faith that the goals will start coming."

Pep Guardiola feared a Manchester City performance of the like they delivered in losing to Southampton was coming this season after years of success, and he is now calling on his team to "recover who you are".

City exited the EFL Cup, a competition they have won four times under Guardiola, with a 2-0 defeat at St Mary's Stadium on Wednesday.

That quarter-final elimination was concerning beyond simply the result, however, as Guardiola's side failed to record a shot on target for the first time in almost five years.

City have little time to recover as they face rivals Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday. Guardiola said his team had gone through "normal preparation for the next game" despite his concerns at what he saw against Southampton, but he had a response when it was suggested fans might be concerned by Ilkay Gundogan's post-match comments.

Gundogan, the City captain, suggested they were missing "a special recipe" as "the desire and hunger is maybe not as it was in recent years".

"City fans cannot complain about what this team is able to do, has done and will do," Guardiola said in a press conference on Friday.

"We cannot talk on behalf of the City fans, because there are millions; I don't know what every single City fan thinks.

"Saying that, what happened didn't surprise me. We tried to avoid it. It happened, unfortunately.

"Hopefully it's not going to happen again, but it's happened because we've done four Premier Leagues in five years. Sometimes you have to reset.

"This competition, the [EFL] Cup, showed me exactly in terms of consistency that we were able to do it. This was our strength as a team, as a club in the previous seasons. After back-to-back two times, this could happen.

"It's normal it happens. We were not ready to go there and be ourselves. I'm not talking about winning the [EFL] Cup, I'm not talking about winning games, we must be ourselves, behaves how we have to in every single game.

"Unfortunately, I was a little bit concerned this season that it could happen. Unfortunately, it happened; I don't know if it's going to happen again.

Guardiola is at least confident there will be no repeat against United, adding he was "not concerned at all" about City's desire ahead of the derby.

But the wider implication of what the match might mean for the Premier League title race was not of interest to the City manager.

"After what happened after Southampton, the last thing I'm worried about is titles, these kind of things," he said. "It's to recover who you are game by game."

Jurgen Klopp has demanded Liverpool's players show some "fight" to salvage their season.

Klopp is concerned his players are not winning enough challenges, and he has told them to take responsibility.

Liverpool's tackle success rate in the Premier League has been strong enough, with their 60.73 per cent record ranking them third among all clubs, behind only Arsenal and Everton.

But the record in duels is a different story, and dismal from a Reds perspective. A duel is defined by Opta as a '50-50 contest between two players of opposing sides'.

Only in seven out of 27 games across all competitions has Liverpool's duels success reached 50 per cent this season.

In Premier League games only, Liverpool's duels record heading into the latest round of games was the worst of all teams, with a 47.54 per cent success rate.

Klopp said the only way around the problem was to "win more challenges".

"I cannot win challenges for them," he said. "That's what we are talking about, and it's something we have to do, and that will change a lot.

"It's a basic thing to win challenges, and that's why we're talking a little bit about it.

"We are not the most shiny star because we don't play the football people expect and we expect as well, but we have good moments, and we have to fight through this."

Klopp was adamant Liverpool "have more problems than other teams at this moment", with injuries to key personnel undoubtedly hampering their progress.

They sat seventh in the table going into the weekend, after losing to Brentford in their last league game, with a tricky away game at Brighton and Hove Albion awaiting them on Saturday.

Klopp is sure Liverpowill win football games again", after their sticky start since the season resumed after the World Cup.

Liverpool's EFL Cup defence ended with defeat to Manchester City in December, while hopes of another run to FA Cup glory are hanging by a thread as they face a third-round Molineux replay against Wolves after an Anfield draw.

Klopp said the Brighton game was a "very important game for us for different reasons".

He stressed there are aspects of Liverpool's recent performances "we didn't like" and said there was no danger of underestimating Brighton, a team he feels are "full of confidence" under Roberto De Zerbi's leadership.

The game should mark Mohamed Salah's 300th appearance for an English club, with the Egypt international having to date played 280 games for Liverpool and 19 for Chelsea.

He has proven to be one of Klopp's best signings, and Liverpool hope there is plenty still to come from the 30-year-old, who has blossomed at Anfield after a spell with Roma.

"Oh my god, what a journey," Klopp said. "I would say his dreams and our dreams came true during that period, but it's not over yet.

"Mo is fit, still after all these years, after all these games, and that's important, that he's available pretty much always.

"Sometimes the performance drops here and there, but it doesn't happen too often, so I think it was a perfect match."

Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has been found not guilty of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

The verdict was delivered at Chester Crown Court on Friday following a six-month trial.

French full-back Mendy was found not guilty of six counts of rape allegedly committed against four women and a further count of sexual assault alleged to have been committed against a fifth woman.

The jury were unable to were unable to reach an agreement on one further count of rape, and another count of attempted rape.

Mendy had been charged following allegations of attacks on five women between October 2020 and August 2021.

Co-defendant Louis Saha Matturie was found not guilty of three counties of rape. Jurors could not reach verdicts on three counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault against him.

The prosecution will seek a retrial on the counts the jury could not reach verdicts on.

Mendy was suspended by Premier League City champions in August 2021, when he was remanded in custody. The 28-year-old was released from prison last January.

City said in a statement on Friday: "Manchester City FC notes the verdict from Chester Crown Court today, where a jury has found Benjamin Mendy not guilty of seven charges.

"The jury is hung on two charges and the trial is now over.

"Given there are open matters related to this case, the Club is not in a position to comment further at this time."

City boss Pep Guardiola was asked about Mendy at his press conference, which took place shortly after the verdicts.

He said: "The club have made a statement. I'm not allowed to say anything else. Please take the statement like my words."

Graham Potter promised Chelsea are doing what they can to get to the bottom of their injury issues.

Chelsea lost a third successive game on Thursday as they went down 2-1 to Fulham in a west London derby.

Compounding their issues at Craven Cottage, where debutant Joao Felix was sent off, midfielder Denis Zakaria suffered a quad injury.

It means Zakaria joins Raheem Sterling, Christian Pulisic, Edouard Mendy, Armando Broja, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, N'Golo Kante, Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Wesley Fofana on the sidelines.

Ahead of Sunday's clash with Crystal Palace, Potter – who has seen his side lose seven of their last 10 matches – knows Chelsea must find a solution.

"We're looking all the time, going over how it's happening," said Potter, who replaced Thomas Tuchel in September.

"Sometimes when you come in through the season it's difficult to know how it's happened. It's a bit of bad luck and also learning for us all how we can improve.

"The nature [of the injuries], it's not even a pattern, it's different problems. It's tricky.

"It's not like we’ve been over-training or anything like that. We certainly need to get to the bottom of it though."

Joao Felix's three-match suspension, meanwhile, has dealt another blow.

"Of course, disappointing because he came here to play, he's on loan to play," Potter said.

"You saw his quality when he was on the pitch and to lose him for the three games is a real blow for us. Nothing we can do now, we've just got to deal with it."

Chelsea are rooted in 10th place in the Premier League, and Palace would move level on points with the Blues should they win.

Potter has never won a home game against Palace across his managerial career, drawing one and losing three of four previous such games in charge of Swansea City and Brighton and Hove Albion, though Chelsea did beat the Eagles 2-1 at Selhurst Park under his stewardship earlier this season.

Chelsea have won their last 10 league games against Palace but have lost two of their last three top-flight matches at Stamford Bridge, and Potter knows his team need to get back to their best.

"We have to recover from the disappointment of the [Fulham] game, assess all the players and then we have to try to be positive, take a home game on, another London derby against a team with dangerous players, so we have to be good ourselves," he said.

Potter, meanwhile, confirmed there is no chance that Pulisic, who is set to be out until March due to a knee injury, will leave the club in January.

"No chance," he said. "There's never been any consideration about that anyway but he's a couple of months out.

"He's disappointed, optimistic he can come back quicker than the two months, so it's at that stage where it's fingers crossed for his rehab."

Williams have named James Vowles as their team principal for the 2023 Formula One campaign, prising him from his role as Mercedes' strategy director.

Williams finished bottom of the constructors' championship standings in 2022, the fourth time they have done so in the last five seasons.

That led Jost Capito to step down as team principal after two years at the helm, and Vowles will replace him on February 20 after being released from his contract with Mercedes.

Vowles has been with Mercedes since the team's 2010 inception, helping them win eight consecutive constructors' titles between 2014 and 2021 before they were usurped by Red Bull last year.

"I cannot wait to start with Williams Racing," Vowles told the team's website. "It's an honour to join a team with such an incredibly rich heritage.

"The team is an icon of our sport, one I greatly respect, and I am very much looking forward to the challenge.

"Williams Racing have placed their faith and trust in me, and I will do the same in return. The team has tremendous potential, and our journey together starts in a matter of weeks."

Williams' 2023 car will be launched on February 6, with newcomer Logan Sargeant set to partner Alex Albon in the upcoming campaign.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, who previously worked at Williams, backed Vowles to make a success of his new role.

Wolff said: "While we are naturally sad to be saying goodbye to such a capable member of the team, I have no doubts whatsoever that he has all the necessary skills to become a fantastic team principal in Formula One.

"We wish him every success and are delighted that he will take this next step in his career with Williams, a strong technical partner of ours and one that has a place close to my own heart."

Arsenal made it a clean sweep of the Premier League's monthly awards for November and December as captain Martin Odegaard and head coach Mikel Arteta took home the prizes.

Odegaard was voted the league's standout player either side of the World Cup, across the first couple of weeks of November and the final six days of December.

Over that period, the 24-year-old was involved in six goals, split evenly between those he assisted and netted himself.

No Premier League player had a hand in more goals in that time, with Odegaard's form seeing him become the first Arsenal man to be named Player of the Month since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in September 2019.

His form helped the Gunners open a seven-point lead at the Premier League's summit heading into 2023, and he held off competition from compatriot Erling Haaland, Arsenal team-mate Bukayo Saka, Manchester United pair Casemiro and Marcus Rashford, plus Ben Mee, Joao Palhinha and Kieran Trippier.

Odegaard's boss, Arteta, was unsurprisingly the recipient of the Manager of the Month prize.

During the qualifying period, Arsenal won all four of their league matches to stretch their lead at the top.

It is the second time this season Arteta has won the award, having also claimed it in August, and the fourth time in total since taken over the Gunners in December 2019.

The Basque coach topped a shortlist that also included Brentford's Thomas Frank, Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe, and Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool.