MANAGER'S VIEW: HURZELER SHIELDS CARLOS BALEBA, ANDERSON FROM UNITED
Carlos Baleba and Elliot Anderson, both linked with Man Utd, face off as Brighton visit Nottingham Forest. Live updates.
Nottingham Forest takes on Brighton this Sunday at 2.05 pm at the City Ground in a Premier League match that has many eyes on it for more than just the game itself.
Manchester United is said to be looking for midfield reinforcements. Two players who might fill that void will be on the pitch this Sunday.
Brighton's Carlos Baleba and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson might face off. Also, Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton will be playing against Manchester United at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
These three, Baleba, Anderson, and Wharton, are supposedly on United's list as Ruben Amorim aims to rebuild the midfield at Old Trafford this summer.
United reportedly tried to sign Baleba from Brighton in the last transfer window, but Brighton's asking price of over £100 million cooled their interest.
Baleba’s form has not been great this season. He was subbed at halftime for the fifth time this season against Brentford last week. He might be benched for Brighton's match against Forest.
Brighton’s coach, Fabian Hurzeler, is remaining patient with the 21-year-old from Cameroon and thinks he will recover his top form.
"We try to help every player get back to their best," Hurzeler said in his pre-match press conference. We take it one step at a time. We aren't pressuring Carlos Baleba by saying he has to play well. He wants to play well himself.
“It's about small improvements. It's about how often he is switched on and how he reacts when we lose the ball. Sometimes you need to be patient, and sometimes you need to be more demanding with players. You have to create the right environment and give them support.”
The talk of a move to United seemed to bother Baleba, but Hurzeler said that it is in the past.
"That's over," the German said. We are four months into the season. We can’t keep talking about those rumours.
“He needs to focus on being a Brighton player and performing here. He needs to get back to his best, avoid noise, avoid all the rumours, and focus on what he can control, which is football.
Fabian Hurzeler is a big fan of Elliot Anderson
Though the rumours continue for Baleba and Anderson. While Baleba has been struggling, Anderson has been playing very well. Hurzeler is a big admirer of the former Newcastle player.
He’s playing great,” said the Brighton boss. “He has a big impact. He’s always asking for the ball. He has great stats. He is always trying to find solutions.
He understands the game well. He’s a joy to watch. He’s a player we have to defend well against, or he can cause problems.
HOW JAMES MADDISON’S INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SIGNALS A SHOCK SEASON RETURN
James Maddison returns to individual training as Igor Tudor prepares Tottenham for a vital relegation battle with Forest.
Ahead of Tottenham’s match against Nottingham Forest, manager Igor Tudor gave an update on when James Maddison might return from injury. It’s a crucial moment for Spurs as they prepare to host Forest in what could be the defining 90 minutes of Tudor’s time at the club and quite possibly a key fixture that will shape the season for both teams.
Currently separated by just one point, Tottenham and Forest are locked in a battle against relegation. A win would push Spurs four points clear of the drop zone, while a loss might drag them into the bottom three. The stakes couldn’t be clearer.
Tudor’s side heads into this game with renewed energy, surprisingly positive given the mood just two weeks ago. The draw at Anfield broke a six-game losing streak, and their recent 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid, though not enough to overturn the aggregate score, brought back a sense of belief. Young players like Xavi Simons and Archie Gray impressed, while Mathys Tel kept the opposition on their toes. The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was electric in a way fans haven’t felt for months. While the Champions League hopes are dashed, that performance has injected valuable momentum into Spurs’ survival fight.
There’s also some hopeful news on the injury front. Dominic Solanke, who missed the Atlético leg with a hip issue, might be available. His physical presence adds a different dimension to Tottenham’s attack, which Tudor will surely be glad to have.
But the most promising update came from Tudor’s comments about Maddison. The creative midfielder, sidelined since August after rupturing his ACL in a preseason friendly, has begun some individual training, spotted alongside Palhinha. Recoveries from ACL injuries are never straightforward, and the team won’t rush him back. With only seven league games left after Sunday, there’s a narrow window for his return. Still, even the possibility of Maddison getting back on the pitch—someone who can change a game with a moment of skill or a precise pass—offers a much-needed morale boost.
For now, though, the focus remains firmly on Forest.
WHY BORUSSIA DORTMUND EXPECT JADON SANCHO TO SIGN FOR FREE
Unai Emery praises Jadon Sancho despite poor stats, while Dortmund free up £21m in wages to lure him back to Germany.
Borussia Dortmund really want Jadon Sancho back, and they’re hoping to get him for free from Manchester United. Sancho’s contract runs out this summer, and honestly, no one expects United to offer him a new one.
Right now, Sancho’s on loan at Aston Villa. It’s his third spell away from Old Trafford since United signed him for £73 million in 2021. His move to Villa was just a loan with no option to buy.
Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, has hinted he might keep Sancho, but Dortmund aren’t sitting around. The Times says Dortmund didn’t chase wingers last summer because Nico Kovac liked the 3-4-2-1 formation, but now the boss has changed his mind and wants Sancho back.
If Sancho comes back, he'll need to take a hefty pay cut from his £300,000-a-week salary. Still, Dortmund’s where he made his name after moving from Manchester City in 2017.
Dortmund have room in the budget this summer; they let the contracts of Julian Brandt, Niklas Süle, and Salih Özcan run out. That saves them about £21 million a year, and they’re optimistic they can lure Sancho, who’s allowed to strike pre-contract deals with foreign clubs.
Sancho actually spent half of the 2024 season back at Dortmund after Erik ten Hag froze him out at United. He helped them reach the Champions League final, but nothing permanent came of it.
Something similar happened during his loan to Chelsea last season. The club even paid a £5 million penalty just to avoid having to sign him outright. Villa picked him up right at the transfer deadline in September, but, once again, he’s struggled.
So far, Sancho’s got one goal and one assist in 29 games across all competitions. Still, Emery thinks there’s more to come.
When asked in February about signing Sancho for good, Emery said, “Not yet, but he’s a fantastic player. Hopefully, he can help us by improving within our system, like he is doing.
“He’ll need a new contract; maybe it’s here. If he plays his best football, we’ll want him. But other teams will be interested, too.”
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