Manchester United have an alternative in mind should a move for Newcastle United‘s Lewis Hall fail to come to fruition.

Hall is the Red Devils’ top left-back target and has been talked up for a move to Old Trafford for several months. The 21-year-old has impressed throughout his time at St James’ Park, and he could be the next high-profile name to depart Tyneside.

A potential deal for Hall isn’t guaranteed, especially if Newcastle dig their heels in and refuse to sell the Englishman for a fee INEOS feel is reasonable. That doesn’t mean a new left-back won’t be added to Michael Carrick’s squad ahead of a return to the UEFA Champions League next season.

Man Utd Could Turn To Balde if Hall Pursuit Fails

United have other names on their shortlist and reportedly continue to monitor Alejandro Balde’s situation at Barcelona. A report from TEAMtalk claims that the Spaniard remains on the club’s radar and could face an uncertain future if the Catalans land Racing Santander’s Jorge Salinas.

While Barca are keen on Salinas, he is an option for the Red Devils should INEOS fail to agree on a deal with Hall. But at just 19 years old, Carrick may want more experience, and that could see the Premier League club turn to Balde.

The 22-year-old hasn’t quite hit the heights many anticipated thus far in his career, but he has nailed down the left-back starting berth in the Blaugrana team. He appeared 42 times across competitions last season, registering three assists.

Balde, dubbed “one of Europe’s best full-backs”, holds a good relationship with Marcus Rashford, who spent last season on loan at Camp Nou. There had been an expectation that the English forward would permanently join the Spaniard at Barca, but he now looks set to stay at Old Trafford.

Man Utd Must Prioritise Hall

With United previously having contact with Barca, it could help aid a potential deal for Balde should INEOS decide to move for the Spain international. It seems as though for that to happen, the Catalans need to sign Salinas before they start considering parting ways with their academy graduate.

Hall remains the priority and rightfully so as he seems a perfect fit for the Red Devils and to become Luke Shaw’s long-term replacement. At 31, the Englishman isn’t getting any younger, and the club needs to start preparing for a future without him.

If United are to sign a Shaw heir this summer, Hall ticks all the boxes as he’s young and boasts Premier League experience. It seems a difficult deal to do, but moving for Balde should only be viewed as a Plan B.

In the age of chaotic corners, xG, and tiki-taka football, the tactical approach to the beautiful game has diversified over the last decade. But one measure will always stand above every statistic: scoring goals.

Every team that favours a low block or loves to play on the counter knows that goals win games, and that it only takes one opportunity to turn a game on its head. But when it comes to forwards that can consistently change the destiny of a game with a half-chance or two, they are in very short supply.

Football purists love a Rolls-Royce of a centre back or a midfield maestro that slows time down to match his metronome, but there’s nothing quite like a prolific forward who takes each game by the scruff of the neck.

But who has topped the goalscoring charts since the turn of the decade? Popfoot has put together a list of the top 10 goalscorers since 2020, with rank, clubs played for in that time, goals scored, games played, and goals per game considered.

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Nathan Ray Seebeck | Imagn Images

Victor Osimhen props up the list, but his inclusion is quite impressive considering he has been playing in the Turkish Süper Lig for the past three years.

Just ahead of the Nigerian star is Lautaro Martinez, who has cemented himself as an all-time great at Inter Milan during his eight-year tenure at the club. As well as scoring regularly for Internazionale, the striker has been integral to Argentina’s success, helping them to World Cup glory in 2022.

Eighth spot is occupied by former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema. The 2022 Ballon d’Or was often the unsung hero of Los Blancos’ attack. But that didn’t stop the Frenchman from hitting double figures in all but one of his 14 seasons at the Bernabeu. Lately, he has plied his trade in the Saudi Pro League as he approaches retirement. But Benzema is still posting impressive numbers now, even in the twilight of his career.

It’s a testament to Mo Salah’s consistency that he lands in seventh place on the list. The Liverpool legend is just shy of 200 goals this decade, having shown incredible longevity on the right wing at Anfield. Through various iterations of Liverpool’s front three, the Egyptian King has remained a constant, putting himself among the all-time greats to pull on the famous red shirt.

Despite transitioning into a deeper lying role in recent years, Lionel Messi has proved again and again that he still knows where the net is. Arguably La Liga’s greatest ever player, fans have gotten used to seeing him in the pink of Inter Miami as of late. His Barcelona years are long behind him, but 234 goals in 326 games since 2020 are incredible numbers for any player, let alone one now playing in midfield.

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REUTERS/Isabel Infantes

Cristiano Ronaldo may already be thinking about life after football, but he is still keeping up with the world’s best strikers. But his return is even more impressive considering he hasn’t played for Real Madrid this decade. Yes, his scoring rate has dropped off slightly, but it’s incredible to witness his longevity.

Just a few goals ahead is Robert Lewandowski. The imposing striker was an absolute menace in the Bundesliga, but age has caught up with the former Bayern man. He was still a threat at Barcelona, grabbing 120 goals during his La Liga tenure, but it seems that age is catching up with the prolific Pole. Regardless, he remains one of the greatest strikers of his generation.

In third place is Lewandowski’s Bayern successor, England captain Harry Kane. The former Spurs man is the toast of Bavaria, with 146 goals in 147 games for the German giants. Well into his thirties, the London-born attacker continues to perform at a ridiculous level for club and country.

In second place is one Bundesliga striker who resisted the temptations of the Allianz Arena. The marauding Erling Haaland headed to the Etihad in 2022, and he has already built a legacy that many strikers would kill for. With a 0.91 average covering both his City and Dortmund tenures, Haaland has the best goals per game ratio on this list.

That leaves Real Madrid’s star man, the inimitable Kylian Mbappé, atop the list. Only the Frenchman and Haaland have passed the 300 mark this decade, proving beyond doubt that he has the elite mentality required to thrive at the Bernabeu. Mbappé has been ever-reliable for Los Blancos since swapping Paris for Madrid in 2024, establishing himself as the club’s talisman.

Marcos Llorente has issued a statement after pictures of him with Ferran Torres following the World Cup final went viral on social media.

Llorente and Torres were both part of the Spain side that were crowned World Cup champions for a second time this summer.

Llorente started and played the full match in two of Spain’s group stage matches, but played just six minutes in the knockout rounds. He was an unused substitute in the final.

Torres, meanwhile, starred in all eight of Spain’s matches. He emerged from the bench to score the winner in their 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final.

Llorente Addresses Holiday Images

REUTERS/Ana Beltran

Llorente and Torres have formed a close bond over the years. The duo both made their debuts for Spain in 2020 and have been regulars for their national side ever since.

Following the World Cup, they decided to holiday together in Ibiza. During their holiday, pictures emerged of the two players hugging and exchanging kisses in friendly fashion. The images went viral, with some speculating that they were in a relationship.

Llorente has now addressed those images on Instagram. The Atletico Madrid star was asked by a fan: ‘Why do you think people made such a fuss because Ferran hugged you?’

The 31-year-old responded: “It puzzles me that in 2026, two men showing affection towards each other is still a topic for discussion, but when I see the prevailing mentality, I understand it.

Ferran Torres’ Barcelona Future in Question

Miguel Vidal Via Reuters

Torres may not be a Barcelona player much longer. The 26-year-old joined the Catalan giants in 2022 and has enjoyed great success with the club, scoring 65 times in 207 games.

He enjoyed his best season of his career in front of goal in 2025/26, scoring 21 times as Barca retained their La Liga crown and won the Supercopa de Espana.

However, there has been speculation that Barca may be looking to cash in on Torres this summer. Tottenham are one of the clubs interested in signing the World Cup star and have reportedly held talks over a transfer.

Hansi Flick doesn’t want the forward to leave this summer, though. Addressing his future on Friday, the German said, per Forbes: “I spoke with him during the World Cup, but now he is on holiday, he is important for us.”