Jesse Lingard has revealed he at times used alcohol as something of a coping mechanism while he was at Manchester United. 

Lingard ended his 22-year stint at United, where he came through the youth ranks, with a move to Nottingham Forest ahead of the 2022-23 season.

The 30-year-old left Old Trafford on a free transfer, having failed to find regular minutes last season despite thriving while on loan at West Ham in the previous campaign.

Lingard has explained turned to alcohol during the difficulties of his final seasons at United, as he sought to mitigate his frustrations.

"I was drinking before bed, having a nightcap," he said on The Diary Of A CEO podcast. "I look back now and think 'what was I doing that for?'

"But I needed something to try and take the pain away and put me at ease somehow. I was trying to forget what was going on. But it makes it 10 times worse.

"You're getting that much abuse, and I'm already down enough, and I've got to perform. I'm already going through things you don't know about. I felt like the world was on my shoulders."

Lingard made 232 senior appearances for United and helped them win the EFL Cup and Europa League.

He scored in their 2017 EFL Cup final victory over Southampton and will go up against his former club when Forest meet them in the semi-finals of that competition on January 25.

United seem to be on an upward trajectory under Erik ten Hag, though Lingard believes they are still "miles" behind rival clubs.

He said: "[There was] no balance, no structure, people doing what they want. It was like a free for all.

"They are so behind with everything. You see [Manchester] City's facilities, Tottenham's facilities. People are miles ahead.

"I just want them to get up to date on the new things that are happening. You've got to stay relevant [and] catch up a bit."

Former Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Enock Mwepu has been discharged from a specialist heart hospital in his native Zambia.

Mwepu was forced to retire from playing in October after being diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition.

Amid reports the ex-Zambia international had suffered a heart attack at the weekend, Brighton released a statement confirming he was "undergoing precautionary checks".

The 25-year-old has now been released from Lusaka Heart Hospital after a four-day admission and will continue his recuperation at home.

When announcing his retirement three months ago, Brighton said Mwepu was at an "extremely high risk of suffering a potentially fatal cardiac event" if he continued playing.

He has since taken on a role as academy coach of the Premier League side.

Manchester City have topped the Deloitte Football Money League for the second year running, with 11 of the world's 20 highest-earning clubs coming from the Premier League.

Reigning English champions City last year became just the fourth club ever to top the list, which examines the top-performing football clubs in terms of revenue every year.

City remained the world's highest revenue-generating club in the 2021-22 campaign – the first season in which fans returned to stadiums as coronavirus restrictions were eased.

They made £619.1million (€731m) over that period to finish ahead of LaLiga giants Real Madrid (€713.8m), while Liverpool climbed from seventh to their highest position of third after making £594.3m (€701.7m).

Fellow English clubs Manchester United (fourth), Chelsea (eighth), Tottenham (ninth) and Arsenal (10th) also make the top 10, with West Ham (15th), Leicester City (17th), Leeds United (18th), Everton (19th) and Newcastle United (20th) in the top 20.

It marks the first time in the report's 26 years that a single country has provided more than half of the rich list.

"The Premier League was the only one of the big five European leagues to experience an increase in its media rights value during its most recent rights sale process," said Tim Bridge, the lead partner in Deloitte's Sports Business Group.

"It continues to appeal to millions of global followers and its member clubs have a greater revenue advantage over international rivals."

Paris Saint-Germain (fifth), Bayern Munich (sixth), Barcelona (seventh), Juventus (11th), Atletico Madrid (12th), Borussia Dortmund (13th), Inter (14th) and Milan (16th) make up the rest of the top 20.

In the women's game, Barcelona generated the highest revenue (€7.7m) after winning the Champions League in 2021 and reaching the final last year.

Antonio Conte believes it is unfair to ask him whether Harry Kane is frustrated with Tottenham's progress.

The head coach says there are reasons to be encouraged by how Spurs are developing, and he does not consider himself the person that should face questions about England captain Kane.

Speaking ahead of Thursday's Premier League game against Manchester City, the club that had their eyes on Kane 18 months ago, Conte took issue when a reporter asked whether star striker Kane might be frustrated by a lack of investment and advances.

Tottenham sit fifth in the table, five points behind fourth-placed Newcastle United, needing a big second half of the season to stake a claim for Champions League football next term.

"When we organise the [press] conference with the club, you can ask," Conte said. "You can ask this question to the club. Keep these questions for the future and I hope for you that this does happen one day so that you can make this question to the club.

"It's not disrespectful to you, but I repeat we are always saying the same thing. Why do I always have to answer difficult questions and you try with this question or put me in difficulty with the club, with the environment?

"I hope you understand that I don't want to create problems because I always say that I like the way that we are working here, what we are doing, and stop, because in the past I think that I said a lot."

Kane is one short of matching Jimmy Greaves' goals record for Spurs, which stands at 266, and two away from reaching 200 goals in the Premier League. He is under contract until the end of next season.

Conte was also asked whether he might consider changing his formation or tactics. He has been favouring wing-backs and is not against switching to a different system, but the former Juventus boss believes the 3-4-3 shape is one that suits Tottenham the best for now.

"You have to know that when you put the best players on the pitch, you don't have on the bench the possibility to change the game," Conte said. "But in my career, I played with four [in defence] and I won two championships with 4-2-4.

"And then at Juventus, I started this way. At Chelsea, I started to play with the 4-2-3-1, 4-4-2, and then I changed it because the characteristic of the players was not so good to play with four at the back.

"And when I arrived last season at Tottenham, I found the solution for the characteristic of the players. In my opinion, that this is the best solution for the characteristic of the players but in the future, probably, we can try but if we lose I'll justify [it]."

Newcastle United have extended Loris Karius' contract until the end of the season.

The former Liverpool goalkeeper joined on a short-term contract in September following an injury to back-up Karl Darlow.

Martin Dubravka's return from a brief loan at Manchester United might have suggested Karius would depart again upon the conclusion of his initial deal.

But Newcastle announced on Thursday that the German – who is yet to make a competitive appearance – will be kept around until June.

The news comes after speculation began linking Darlow with several Championship clubs.

Memphis Depay has been linked with a move away from Barcelona, having had a frustrating 2022-23 season.

The Dutchman has only made a handful of appearances for the Blaugrana, following an off-season of busy transfer activity at Camp Nou.

Depay had been linked with several clubs, including Premier League outfits Manchester United, Arsenal, Newcastle United and Tottenham.

TOP STORY – MEMPHIS TO EXIT BARCELONA FOR ATLETICO

Depay will leave Barcelona to join Atletico Madrid with an agreement reached on a fee of approximately €3-4million, reports Fabrizio Romano.

The Dutch forward is set to travel to Madrid to complete the formalities and medicals soon.

According to Romano, the 28-year-old will sign a two-and-a-half-year deal with Atleti.

ROUND-UP

– Fabrizio Romano claims Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper Yann Sommer will undergo medical tests with Bayern Munich on Thursday, before signing his contract with the Bavarians with the deal done between the clubs.

– Sky Sport Italia claims Roma are willing to sell Nicolo Zaniolo in January at the right price, approximately €40m, as the likes of Tottenham, Arsenal, West Ham United  and Borussia Dortmund circle.

– Real Madrid are interested in Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho but the Red Devils have made an improved contract offer for the Argentinian, reports The Independent.

– Arsenal are happy to wait until the end of the season to pursue West Ham's Declan Rice, after missing out on Mykhaylo Mudryk, claims The Sun.

– Tottenham have made a first bid for Sporting right-back Pedro Porro, which included a player plus guaranteed money, but the Portuguese club have turned this down, according to Fabrizio Romano. Sporting want €45m (£39m) with talks ongoing.

– Chris Wood is on the cusp of joining Nottingham Forest on loan from Newcastle United, reports The Athletic. The deal would include an option to make the move permanent.

– West Ham tabled an offer for Aston Villa forward Danny Ings, reports The Telegraph.

Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte is questioning his long-term future after a traumatic period following the deaths of three close friends, Gian Piero Ventrone, Sinisa Mihajlovic and Gianluca Vialli.

The 53-year-old Italian hinted that his stint as Spurs boss, where he has a year-long extension on his deal that expires at the end of this season, could be drawing to a close.

Conte worked closely with Ventrone as Spurs fitness coach, before his passing in October. Mihajlovic and Vialli are former club and country teammates who passed away in December and January respectively too.

"This season is a difficult season under personal aspect because to lose three people I knew very well, first Giampiero, then Sinisa and now Gianluca, it was not simple," Conte told reporters.

"When this kind of situation happens, they bring you to have important reflection. Because many times we think and we give a lot of importance to our work and we forget the family.

"We forget that we can all have we need, to have more time for us. The season is a difficult season for me on the personal aspect, and this season is making me to have important reflection about my future."

Conte, who took over at Tottenham in November 2021, resides away from his family in Italy but flies back when possible. His daughter Vittoria is studying for exams, with wife Elisabetta remaining in Rome with her to assist her education.

"You understand that when you work and the work is at the top of your mind in your head, and maybe many times we forget to stay with family, we forget to spend time with friends," he said.

"But this is our passion. And for the passion, we lose a lot of thoughts and when this kind of situation happens, I think that you start to think that maybe sometimes it's also good to give more time to your family and your friends and also to yourself. That work is not everything in life."

The Italian added that living away from family during such a traumatic period had taken its toll on him.

"Having my family in Italy is not good," he said. "But when you have a son or daughter or kids [going to] school, you have to respect them because if every year or every two seasons you have to move your kids and totally change the environment, I don't want to affect the life of my family.

"Sometimes it's important to make decision or to sacrifice [your job] and to stay [with them], but I have a family that try to support me and be here in every moment they can. This kind of situation becomes more difficult when things like this happen like with Gianluca, Giampiero and Sinisa."

Tottenham, whom Conte guided to fourth spot last season, are fifth in the Premier League with 33 points from 19 games, while they have qualified for the Champions League last-16 where they will face Milan.

Spurs face champions Manchester City in the league on Thursday amid a run of eight games before the end of February.

Pep Guardiola has taken responsibility for Erling Haaland's recent scoring blip, but is relishing the challenge of getting both the striker and his Manchester City side firing again.

Haaland is on his longest run without finding the net since joining City from Borussia Dortmund ahead of the 2022-23 season, having failed to score in three straight games.

He netted 27 goals in his first 21 matches, breaking a number of records along the way, but failed to get a shot on target against Chelsea, Southampton or Manchester United.

Rather than focus on what Haaland is doing wrong all of a sudden, however, Guardiola says it is on him to ensure the prolific striker is being supplied by his team-mates.

"We have our game, we have our principles but the way we played in last two games didn't help Erling to score," Guardiola said.

"In the build-up you can be wider, but in the final third you have to have players in the middle. If Erling is not there, we are not going to score goals.

"In the past we have always had incredible movements in the final third, in the small spaces. Now, in the last two games, we haven't had it. 

"I would say it was my fault. I didn't make them understand the way we have to attack. We need runners, not just Erling. 

"If we had just Erling he would be controlled by two or three central defenders. We need more players in those positions, definitely. We have done it. We have to do it more often."

Only once has Haaland gone more than three league games without scoring across three years with Dortmund and City – a run of five between March and April last season.

The 22-year-old's slight dip in form has coincided with a tough run for City, who have lost back-to-back matches ahead of facing Tottenham in the Premier League on Thursday.

City, who are aiming to avoid a third straight home league game without a win for the first time since December 2016, trail Arsenal by eight points and cannot afford another slip-up.

"I prefer to be eight points in front but I like to handle this situation, I love it," Guardiola added. "I have to find something to make the team better. I'm the man responsible. 

"When the players don't play good, if they don't have the desire to do it, it is because something is wrong in my decisions. We have to find it.

"People don't think about the memories, how good we were. When I die, people will talk about how good Pep was. That's for sure.

"But since we are here, people expect us to perform well, win the games and try to find the way. Otherwise – Pep out.

"This is how our jobs work – and I want Pep in! I want to stay here, this is what I want, and for that we have to win games and be there in all the competitions."

Despite exiting the EFL Cup to Southampton last week before letting a lead slip in their league loss at United, Guardiola insists his players are not struggling for motivation.

"The situation is that, by our standards, people believe and believe and oh... what's happened? Why are City not on the top of league? But it can happen," Guardiola said.

"The mentality – it's not about that. You see the game against United or Chelsea, we play really well. The quality of the dressing room is exceptional. I don't have doubts."

Erik ten Hag was left frustrated by Manchester United's perceived lack of effort to score a second goal as they were held to a dramatic draw by Crystal Palace.

Bruno Fernandes had put United in control at half-time thanks to a well-worked opener just before the break.

For a while that looked set to be enough despite United – who seemed to commit fewer bodies forward in the second half – coming under pressure from Palace towards the end.

Eventually, a stunning Michael Olise free-kick found the top-right corner via the crossbar in the first minute of stoppage time, securing Palace a point and ending United's nine-match winning streak.

Ten Hag was disappointed by United's failed quest to get a second goal, which would have rendered Palace's late strike irrelevant.

"We dropped two points," he told BBC Sport. "When you're winning with two minutes to go... [Palace] don't create anything except one which was a corner and this one was a free-kick from far [out].

"You don't expect to drop points. We have to invest more to get that second goal and then not be in that situation that a lucky moment costs you two points.

"We were 1-0 up. In the second half we had a lot of space to kill them and go for the second. I never saw we really went for the second goal.

"It's difficult to say [why]. I have to criticise my team. Go for the second."

The late equaliser suddenly changed the complexion of Sunday's trip to Arsenal, which for a while on Wednesday looked to be shaping up as arguably the biggest game of the Premier League season so far.

Now, defeat at the Emirates Stadium will surely end any remaining dreams United have of winning the title this term as it would leave them 11 points adrift.

United will have to face the game without probably their most important player in Casemiro, who earned a late yellow card for a wild lunge on Wilfried Zaha after Fernandes pulled out of a challenge. But Ten Hag is refusing to panic.

"He's a really important player for us and a reason we're in this position," he said. "But last time we beat Arsenal without Casemiro. We need to do it again."

Goalkeeper David de Gea was even more frank about the loss of Casemiro and took the opportunity to vent about the fixture schedule, with Arsenal not in midweek action ahead of the Sunday showdown.

"It's a big blow to lose Casemiro for Sunday," told Sky Sports.

"I don't get it why Arsenal don't play as we have to play in the same week and they don't. Now we are missing one of our best players.

"I don't understand. Now we miss him for a big game and it is a big loss for us."

Michael Olise's spectacular stoppage-time free-kick ended Manchester United's nine-match winning run as Crystal Palace held them to a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park.

United looked destined to go second in the Premier League thanks to Bruno Fernandes' first-half opener but ultimately paid the price for their apparent decision to sit on the narrow lead.

Although it was United who survived the game's first scare when Palace hit the crossbar in the 40th minute, they were deserved leaders as Bruno Fernandes netted on the stroke of half-time.

But they committed far fewer bodies to attack in the second period and Olise made them pay, denying United the chance to enter the top two for the first time since September 2021.

Arsenal have confirmed they are investigating two incidents of anti-Semitism that were reported to the club around the north London derby.

Premier League leaders Arsenal beat rivals Tottenham 2-0 in Sunday's match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

But the Gunners announced on Wednesday an intention to get to the bottom of a pair of instances of anti-Semitic comments and chants from Arsenal fans.

"We have been made aware of two disturbing incidents over the weekend involving anti-Semitism, which are now under investigation," a statement read.

"There was an incident at the north London derby on Sunday involving Arsenal supporters in which one of our fans overheard grossly offensive anti-Semitic statements made by another Arsenal fan.

"On the same afternoon, we were appalled to hear of an incident at The Cally pub in Islington, involving other anti-Semitic chants.

"We recognise the impact this behaviour has on our many Jewish supporters and others and condemn the use of language of this nature, which has no place in our game or society. 

"Arsenal must be a safe and welcoming environment for everyone, and we want to be clear that any kind of discriminatory abuse is not welcome at our club. 

"We will not stand for this kind of behaviour and will take strong action against any supporters who we establish are responsible for such acts.

"Anyone identified will receive a lengthy club ban and their details will be passed to the police to commence legal proceedings."

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed Kevin De Bruyne is in contention for Thursday's match against Tottenham after dealing with a "personal issue".

Belgium international De Bruyne did not take part in training with the rest of his City team-mates on Tuesday, with his absence initially thought to be down to an injury problem.

The 31-year-old was therefore considered a major doubt to face Spurs, but Guardiola dismissed those fears on the eve of the Premier League meeting.

"He had a personal issue and could not train [on Tuesday], but today he is back," Guardiola said at Wednesday's pre-match press conference.

Asked if De Bruyne is available for Tottenham's visit to the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola replied: "Yes, yes."

De Bruyne has assisted 15 goals this season – 10 more than next-best Bernardo Silva – and has created more than double the number of chances of any team-mate (80).

In a further boost for City, Guardiola also revealed centre-backs Ruben Dias and John Stones have recovered from injury lay-offs and could play a part against Tottenham.

Dias has not played since sustaining a hamstring injury with Portugal at the World Cup, while Stones has missed City's past two matches.

"They are back. They have trained really well in the last two sessions, both of them. They are in contention," Guardiola said.

"We are going to train this afternoon and see the way we have to play and who is going to play."

City have lost four of their past five Premier League games against Tottenham, which is as many as they had in their previous 19 against them.

Indeed, Guardiola has lost six of his 15 meetings with Spurs – only against Chelsea (eight), Liverpool (eight) and Manchester United (seven) has he lost more often in his managerial career.

The reigning English champions have lost back-to-back matches in all competitions and trail Premier League leaders Arsenal by eight points.

Pep Guardiola quipped he has "never been relaxed" as his Manchester City side attempt to chase down Premier League leaders Arsenal.

City lost 2-1 in the Manchester derby on Saturday, paving the way for Arsenal to take an eight-point lead at the summit of the table following the Gunners' win over Tottenham.

Spurs are next up for City, who will be in third by the time Thursday's match at the Etihad Stadium takes place, should Manchester United beat Crystal Palace.

Asked if being the chaser, rather than the leader, meant City could be more relaxed, Guardiola, who celebrated his 52nd birthday on Wednesday, scoffed at the suggestion.

"Relaxed? I have never been relaxed, even if eight points in front," he said. "Before and during a game, I've never been relaxed."

Indeed, Guardiola explained he would rather be the team looking to preserve an advantage in the table than the one having to close ground.

"It's better, you can drop points and still be [ahead]. When you are behind you cannot drop points," City's manager added.

"The pressure is the next game. We're not able to think about big expectations, just win the next game. At the end the competition will dictate. If [Arsenal] are in front, they deserve it.

"Many games to play, it's how we come back. The next game is the only important thing. Win the next game, after we will see what happens.

"We have been in this position many times in the past, many times. It's not the first time we are there."

Guardiola said after the derby defeat that City must find a way to get Erling Haaland, who has netted 21 times in the league this season, more involved in their all-round play.

He refuted the idea that City are struggling to fully adapt to Haaland, however.

"We have played really good with him, so it's not about that," he said. "To create more chances, we have to provide more to him and the other strikers.

"Our fluidity has not been as good as usual. You have to be better to create chances, to open up the defensive lines. We've struggled in the last two games."

City have lost four of their last five Premier League games against Tottenham (W1), as many as they had in their previous 19 against them (W12 D3), while they have also failed to win either of their last two top-flight matches at home, losing to Brentford and drawing against struggling Everton.

Guardiola has been boosted by the return of John Stones and Ruben Dias, with the defenders available for selection.

City were on the end of a contentious decision in Saturday's loss at Old Trafford, with Bruno Fernandes' equaliser allowed to stand despite Marcus Rashford having been in an offside position and seemingly interfering with play.

Guardiola has already put it behind him, however, saying: "It's always in the past, it's not going to change anything now.

"The focus is on Tottenham, that was my message to the team two minutes after [the United game].

"We have to improve our game, control what we can control. This is what big teams have to do. It's [in] the past."

Chelsea may not be finished with their January signings, reportedly joining Tottenham in the pursuit of Brighton and Hove Albion winger Leandro Trossard.

Trossard, 28, is in his fourth season with the Seagulls, and after never scoring more than eight Premier League goals in each of his previous three campaigns, he is on pace to set a new personal-best with seven in his first 16 appearances.

His exploits this season have included a hat-trick in a 3-3 draw against Liverpool, as well as goals against Manchester City and Chelsea, but he recently butted heads with head coach Roberto De Zerbi and has been left out of Brighton's last two matchday squads.

The Belgium international with 24 senior caps has also had his agent announce his intention to leave the club this month, triggering plenty of interest from fellow Premier League sides.

TOP STORY – CHELSEA WANT TROSSARD TO RECREATE MAGIC WITH POTTER

According to The Mirror, Chelsea are understood to now be a main player along with Tottenham and also Arsenal as the three clubs compete for Trossard's services.

Trossard had only six months remaining on his contract on the south coast, before Brighton reportedly activated a 12-month extension to ensure he would not be able to leave the club on a free transfer.

It is believed Chelsea have the most spending power of the trio, even after their £88.5million purchase of Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, and Trossard remains a favourite of his former boss Graham Potter.

His asking price has been set at £25m, while the report adds any potential deal for fellow Brighton talent 21-year-old Moises Caicedo – also of interest to Chelsea as well as Liverpool – would cost "more than double" that £25m figure.

ROUND-UP

– The Mirror is reporting West Ham would like to bring in 29-year-old Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire on loan.

– According to Sky Sports, Arsenal have enquired about 23-year-old Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby, but have been told he will not be available this month and will cost €100m (£88.5m) at the end of the season.

– Barcelona are hoping to secure 32-year-old Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer at the end of the season, per the Telegraph.

– Fichajes is reporting Arsenal will attempt to sign Chelsea's Raheem Sterling after failing to land the 28-year-old England international prior to his move to Stamford Bridge last year.

– According to The Independent, Real Madrid and Juventus are monitoring United 18-year-old Alejandro Garnacho after he rejected the club's most recent contract extension.

Pablo Sarabia has joined Wolves from Paris Saint-Germain.

The 30-year-old Spain international, who played for La Roja at the World Cup in Qatar, has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at Wolves.

He becomes their third signing of the window under Julen Lopetegui

Mario Lemina signed from Nice last week, while forward Matheus Cunha has joined on loan from Atletico Madrid with an obligation to buy as Wolves aim to boost their chances of Premier League survival.

Sarabia, who spent last season on loan at Sporting CP, scoring 21 goals, will now help the cause, with Wolves reportedly paying £4.3million (€5m) for the winger.

The former Sevilla attacker has made 19 appearances for PSG this season.

Sarabia's debut could come against Manchester City on Sunday.