Manchester United are reportedly close to an agreement to sign a new midfielder, and they would undoubtedly be a better option than Atalanta star Ederson.

The list of names being linked with a move to United this summer is growing, especially when it comes to reinforcements in the midfield department.

It’s no surprise with Casemiro’s exit confirmed, meaning the Red Devils could target a host of different midfielders.

Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, Brighton and Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba and West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes are among those who are reportedly on United’s shortlist, while Brazilian star Ederson has also been linked.

Reports have suggested that Manchester United are close to an agreement to sign Ederson, but he certainly shouldn’t be their number one target.

Man Utd Close to Midfield Agreement

According to reports in Italy, Manchester United are closing in on an agreement for another midfielder after Ederson.

That player is Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali, and they are believed to be closing in on a potential deal.

It certainly won’t be an easy deal for United to do, with Newcastle reportedly valuing the Italian international at around £86m.

Thankfully for United, they are undoubtedly a more attractive prospect than Newcastle heading into the 2026-2027 season after they finalised Champions League qualification.

The Red Devils are likely to be shopping in a different market in the summer transfer window, especially last summer when they weren’t playing in Europe.

Tonali Wipes the Floor With Ederson

There’s no doubt Tonali would be a much better option for United than Ederson, and it’s not even close.

The Italian midfielder has Premier League experience over Ederson, while he is simply a more accomplished midfielder.

Tonali, described as a ‘superstar’, has much more technical ability and the capability to control games from deep, something which United have lacked in recent years.

Having a player like Kobbie Mainoo alongside Tonali would be ideal, with Tonali looking to sit deeper and control the game, giving Mainoo licence to go forward.

The Newcastle man is undoubtedly going to cost a lot more than Ederson, but it will be worth it for United in the long run.

Arsenal have finally ended their trophy hoodoo under Mikel Arteta by lifting the Premier League title, bringing an end to their six-year drought.

The Gunners claimed the title for the first time in 22 years last week, and rounded off the domestic campaign with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, finishing the season seven points ahead of closest rivals Manchester City.

Since then, London has been filled with Arsenal fans and their unlimited joy, including several celebrities. But one celebrity, Piers Morgan, who has been known for being outlandish with his claims in the past, has now been called out by some after some old social media posts came to light.

Piers Morgan Was Arteta Out

Morgan, who is a well-known Arsenal fan, has often been vocal about the club and their transgressions on social media over the years. But fans have spotted one old post in particular that they have now taken aim at.

The broadcaster has regularly been outspoken about his views and opinions on the club, and a post from back in 2022 has now emerged showing that he wasn’t always the biggest fan of current Gunners boss Mikel Arteta.

Writing on his X account in May 2022, Morgan said:

“Absolutely pathetic. Why the hell did we give Arteta a contract before the season even finished?

“This will be his 12th league loss of the season, after spending £250m in 2yrs. That would normally get an Arsenal manager the sack not a bloody new deal.”

Piers Morgan Makes Major U-Turn

But despite those thoughts, Arteta has remained in charge at the Emirates Stadium, and after leading the Gunners to their fourth Premier League title, it appears Morgan has made a major U-turn on the Spaniard.

The 61-year-old took to his social media account once again this weekend, following the Gunners’ 2-1 win over Palace, and exclaimed his praise for the manager, while posing for a picture with him alongside his sons while on the pitch after the game.

“Super Mik Arteta,” he wrote.

“The man who brought the glory back to Arsenal after 22 long and often torturous years. What an honour to see him with my sons on the day we were crowned Champions. Thanks Arteta!”

While Morgan’s tweet from years ago has now resurfaced, he wasn’t alone in thinking that Arteta wasn’t the right man for the job back in 2022, after he led the team to a fifth-placed finish with 13 defeats.

But they are all now eating their words, and Arteta is keen to make even more history this weekend in Budapest in the Champions League final.

It’s always fascinating to hear what NBA players think about their fellow stars. It becomes even more compelling when an NBA icon speaks on another legend from the same era, especially when the two shared a heated rivalry. Karl Malone once appeared on the Dan Patrick Show and shared his opinion on longtime rival Michael Jordan.

To say the reaction was negative would be an understatement. Malone raised eyebrows by excluding Jordan from his all-time starting lineup, despite MJ widely being viewed as one of the greatest players ever. Making that decision back in 2013 looked especially questionable because LeBron James was still in the earlier stages of building his own GOAT argument.

Malone and Jordan spent much of the 1990s battling for MVP awards and NBA championships. Although Malone established himself as one of the league’s elite forwards, Jordan consistently stood in the way of ultimate success. Their rivalry peaked in 1997 and 1998, when Jordan and the Bulls defeated Malone’s Jazz in consecutive NBA Finals, preventing Karl from ever capturing a championship ring.

Still, if Malone was going to leave Jordan out, fans expected a nearly flawless lineup in return. Here’s the team he selected.

John Stockton

Point Guard

Unsurprisingly, Malone selected longtime teammate John Stockton to run the point. The two spent 18 seasons together in Utah and formed one of the most effective duos in NBA history. While many fans would probably choose Magic Johnson or Stephen Curry at point guard, Stockton’s resume remains incredibly impressive.

Stockton still owns the NBA records for both career steals (3,265) and assists (15,806). He sits far ahead of Chris Paul in each category, leading by more than 500 steals and over 3,300 assists. Those records may stand for decades. Among qualified players, only Magic Johnson averaged more assists per game than Stockton’s remarkable 10.5 mark.

Over the years, some critics have questioned the accuracy of scorekeeping during Stockton’s era, suggesting his assist and steal totals may have been boosted. Regardless, the numbers remain official and unmatched.

For his career, Stockton averaged 13.1 points and 10.5 assists per game, making him one of only two players in NBA history to average a points-assists double-double over an entire career. Malone clearly valued Stockton’s elite court vision, considering how many easy baskets the guard created for him across nearly two decades.

His leadership, passing precision, and defensive instincts earned Stockton a spot in Malone’s unconventional all-time lineup.

Oscar Robertson

Shooting Guard

For shooting guard, Malone chose Oscar Robertson, another selection that sparked debate. Still, Robertson’s greatness is sometimes overlooked by younger fans, making the pick easier to understand. The Big O entered the league in 1960 with the Cincinnati Royals and immediately became one of basketball’s most versatile stars.

Robertson finished his career averaging 25.7 points, 9.5 assists, and 7.5 rebounds per game. As a six-foot-five guard, he revolutionised the position with his ability to score, facilitate, and rebound at elite levels. He opened his career with eight straight seasons, averaging at least 28 points per game while consistently finishing near the top of MVP voting.

He also became the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double over a full season during the 1961-62 campaign.

That achievement stood untouched for more than five decades until Russell Westbrook replicated it in 2016-17. In many ways, Westbrook’s relentless style mirrors Robertson’s all-around dominance. Both players relied on explosive athleticism, nonstop energy, and versatility to overwhelm opponents.

Robertson remains one of the most complete players the NBA has ever seen. Even though modern conversations don’t mention him as often, his impact on the game and statistical excellence are impossible to ignore. He also played a major role in the 1971 Milwaukee Bucks title team alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Scottie Pippen

Small Forward

This is where Malone’s list became especially controversial. Not only did he exclude Jordan from the lineup entirely, but he selected Scottie Pippen at small forward. Malone defended the choice by pointing out that Pippen led the Bulls in nearly every major statistical category during Jordan’s brief retirement from basketball.

There’s no denying Pippen thrived during Jordan’s baseball hiatus, earning consecutive All-NBA First Team honours and proving he could lead a contender. Even so, ranking him above Jordan on an all-time team remains difficult for many fans to accept.

Pippen was a phenomenal two-way player and a critical part of Chicago’s six championships, but he was generally viewed as the second option whenever Jordan was on the floor. Malone’s decision here seemed to reflect the lingering tension from their fierce battles in the 1990s.

LeBron James

Power Forward

At power forward, Malone selected LeBron James, joking that he had a “man-crush” on the superstar. At the time of the interview in 2013, James was dominating the NBA with the Miami Heat and had already established himself as one of the greatest players ever.

LeBron was coming off back-to-back championships and MVP seasons while showcasing perhaps the most complete skill set the league had ever seen. His combination of size, speed, basketball IQ, and improved scoring arsenal made him nearly unstoppable during his prime years.

Many fans who watched James from the late 2000s through 2020 believe he belongs firmly in the conversation for greatest player ever. Still, Malone’s decision to shift LeBron to power forward instead of his natural small forward role made the omission of Jordan stand out even more.

Regardless of where someone ranks him historically, James unquestionably deserved inclusion on Malone’s list.

Wilt Chamberlain

Center

Rather than placing himself at center, Malone chose Wilt Chamberlain, one of the most statistically dominant athletes in sports history. While Chamberlain won only two NBA championships during an era ruled by Bill Russell’s Celtics, his individual production remains almost impossible to comprehend.

Wilt retired with career averages of 30.1 points, 22.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while shooting 54% from the field. His legendary accomplishments include a 100-point game and seasons averaging over 50 points per contest. For much of his early career, Chamberlain consistently posted numbers that looked more like video game stats than real-life performances.

At seven-foot-one and 275 pounds, Chamberlain also possessed incredible athleticism for his size. Even by today’s standards, he would likely dominate physically. His unmatched production and ability to overwhelm opponents ensure his place in virtually every all-time discussion, regardless of era.