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Ruud van Nistelrooy Revealed His Son Was Named After Former Celtic & Man Utd Player

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Ruud van Nistelrooy is one of the most clinical finishers in Premier League history, with the Dutchman boasting one of the best goal-per-game ratios the division has ever seen. Representing Manchester United from 2001 to 2006, he lifted one English top-flight trophy.

The Red Devils’ legendary striker is trying to forge a path as a top manager, most recently managing Leicester City in 2025. Sadly for the Dutchman, he couldn’t prevent the Foxes from relegation and he’s since been out of a job.

It’s been a big few years for the Van Nistelrooy household as Ruud had spells in charge of Man Utd and Leicester, before his son was handed a first-ever professional contract by Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven. There has been little fanfare surrounding the offspring of one of the Premier League’s greatest strikers as he used his mother’s surname, ‘Slaats’, for the majority of his youth career.

Van Nistelrooy’s Son’s Name Inspired by Man Utd Teammate

Alan Smith, Alex Ferguson and Liam Miller
Alan Smith, Alex Ferguson and Liam Miller

During a conversation with Gary Neville on The Overlap three years ago, Van Nistelrooy was asked where the name Liam came from. A typically British and Irish name, it was an unusual choice for a Dutch family to select for their child.

The retired striker was quick to point out that he had been inspired by a former teammate at Old Trafford, Liam Miller. The Ireland-born midfielder was signed from Celtic in 2004 and clearly left a big impression on some members of the dressing room. Van Nistelrooy told Neville:

“We played with Liam at United. Liam Miller. I remember that name and I liked the name.”

Miller would only make 22 appearances for the Red Devils in two years before embarking on a journeyman career in England, Scotland and Australia. Tragically, the ex-United man passed away in 2018 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

After the devastating news of Miller’s passing, a match was played between Celtic and Manchester United, with the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs playing a part. Liam van Nistelrooy will now look to make a mark on PSV, whom his father represented for three years before moving to Old Trafford.

Liam Van Nistelrooy Goes Viral After Scoring For PSV

Ruud watched on with a beaming smile on his face as Liam, 18, scored an impressive goal for PSV’s Under-19 side to send them into the Otten Innovation Cup final.

Released with a long ball, Van Nistelrooy broke free and couldn’t be caught before delicately chipping the ball over the goalkeeper. The ice-cold finish wasn’t the only thing that mirrored his father, as many commented on the striking resemblance between the two strikers.

Statistics in this article are courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 17-08-26.

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Tottenham Suffer New Savinho Transfer Blow After Jeremy Doku Injury

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Tottenham Hotspur have suffered a fresh blow in their bid to sign Manchester City winger Savinho, with new reports on Tuesday evening suggesting Jeremy Doku has suffered an injury.

Tottenham have been trying to bring the Brazil international to north London for most of the summer, as they also did this time last year, but they have so far failed to make a breakthrough in negotiations with the eight-time Premier League champions.

The word is that Enzo Maresca’s want to land a replacement for the South American winger before they consider letting him join Spurs, which they are yet to do, with a fortnight to go until the transfer window closes.

Other reports have suggested that the 22-year-old could cost Tottenham as much as £85m, the same fee they paid for Mateus Fernandes, despite other stories earlier in the summer that he could be purchased for closer to the £60-70m mark.

Now, Belgian outlet Nieuwsblad are now reporting that Doku suffered a calf injury during his team’s 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal on Sunday, and will be out for ‘several weeks’.

While no timeframe has been given by the report from the winger’s home country, it is said that he will definitely miss them hosting Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday in their Premier League opener.

Doku and Savinho both feature from the left-hand side for City, and should the former be confirmed to be out for weeks, it could increase the need for the club to keep hold of the Brazilian, especially as they are yet to sign his replacement.

Tottenham Suffer Double Winger Blow on Same Day

Cody Gakpo Annegret Hilse via Reuters

After a successful summer in the transfer market, frustrations will be high that Tottenham have failed to make progress on deals for Savinho or Gakpo.

Spurs will be hoping that the latest update on Doku doesn’t completely kill a deal, but with a fortnight to go until the window shuts, it certainly raises more doubts over a deal they have failed to seal despite months of negotiations.

TalkSPORT journalist Alex Crook delivered more bad news for Tottenham fans on Tuesday, with his latest information about Gakpo.

All the talk has been that the Dutchman is keen on a move to north London and that the Reds would be willing to sell if they land Paris Saint-Germain duo Ibrahim Mbaye and Bradley Barcola, who they are in talks to sign.

Cody Gakpo Record for Liverpool

Games

180

Goals

50

Assists

23

However, Crook suggests that, after talking to Liverpool sources, the Reds believe that Gakpo could be a big player under Andoni Iraola this term, and that a move to Spurs is currently considered unlikely.

It won’t be long before Tottenham need to turn to alternatives if they are unlikely to land either Gakpo or Savinho, and Pedro Neto of Chelsea could be a name to look out for.

The Portugal international is one of the players linked with a move to Manchester City in recent days as they look to land a new winger, but Fabrizio Romano has confirmed previously that he is also on Spurs’ list as an alternGative option to Gakpo and Savinho.

Raiding their London neighbours would certainly be an interesting move, but Tottenham have shown already this summer they aren’t afraid to show big ambition, as they did when they prised Sandro Tonali away from Newcastle.

Former Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior was certainly a huge fan of the former Wolves man.

“Pedro Neto brings us so many different qualities that we need.

For me, he’s a world-class player, a world-class winger. And what I love about him, as talented as he is and as gifted as he is, what he sacrifices for the team is top.

“He’s going to be really, really important for us for where I think we can get to and what we can achieve for the rest of the season.”

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Jamie O’Hara Predicts Top 6 for 2026-27 Season

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Jamie O’Hara has given his prediction of how the Premier League table will look at the end of the upcoming 2026-27 season and he’s backing Tottenham Hotspur to majorly improve.

Spurs were last season’s biggest disappointment, finishing 17th and avoiding relegation by the skin of their teeth on the final day. Roberto De Zerbi has since been backed in the transfer market with six new signings, including the club-record £100 million arrival of Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United.

The new campaign kicks off on Friday when defending champions Arsenal host newly-promoted Coventry City at the Emirates. O’Hara has also revealed whether he sees the Gunners lifting the title again come May next year.

O’Hara Predicts Premier League Top Six

Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) REUTERS/Chris Radburn

Predicting the Premier League is a difficult task, given that there are often many surprises, such as Sunderland qualifying for the Europa League last season. Most fans are always keen to hear from former players and how they see their respective club performing over the course of 38 matches.

O’Hara gave his verdict on talkSPORT, starting with the top six and he believes his former club Spurs will be returning to European football: “Arsenal will win the league, Man City will finish second, Man United will finish third, Chelsea will finish fourth, Liverpool will finish fifth and Spurs will finish sixth.”

The former Spurs midfielder won’t have enjoyed choosing Arsenal as his champions but Mikel Arteta’s men are heavy favourites to successfully defend their crown. They eased to a 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield last Sunday and the Citizens have been expected to be their closest challengers.

City put in a lackluster performance that raised alarm bells as they enter a new era without Pep Guardiola in charge. Former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca succeeded the Spaniard earlier this summer and is tasked with building on the most successful period in the club’s history.

Manchester United and Chelsea complete O’Hara’s top four and that will be a job well done for Xabi Alonso at Stamford Bridge if it comes to fruition. The Blues faltered last season, missing out on Europe in dismal fashion before turning to the Spaniard.

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola before the Monaco match Andoni Iraola via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

Perhaps O’Hara’s most controversial take is that he sees Liverpool finishing fifth. The Reds head into the new season with Andoni Iraola at the helm and the former Bournemouth boss is tipped to be a success at Anfield after replacing Arne Slot.

O’Hara explained to co-host Rory Jennings, who disagreed with his stance on the Merseysiders: “Liverpool ain’t gonna be that great. The team’s not there… I think he’s (Iraola) a good manager but they’ve got a long way to go.”

Spurs may be splashing the cash to rebuild De Zerbi’s squad, but the North London outfit are outsiders to achieve European qualification. But without midweek football, they could enjoy a season similar to United’s, who finished third last term under Michael Carrick.

Jamie O’Hara’s Premier League 2026-27 Top Six

Position

Club

2025–26 Finish

1

Arsenal

1st (Champions)

2

Manchester City

2nd

3

Manchester United

3rd

4

Chelsea

10th

5

Liverpool

5th

6

Tottenham Hotspur

17th

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

O’Hara’s Relegation Picks

Coventry's Manager: Frank Lampard

Two newcomers avoided the drop last season after Sunderland pulled off a remarkable seventh-placed finish and Leeds United claimed 14th. West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ spells in the top flight ended, while Burnley, were sent straight back down to the EFL Championship.

Coventry, Ipswich Town and Hull City will be hoping to replicate the Black Cats and the Peacocks and remain in the Premier League. While O’Hara believes Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues are the strongest of the three newly-promoted sides, he doesn’t have much confidence in any of them:

“Hull, Ipswich, I don’t want to say Palace cos I think Palace will be alright. I don’t think it’s Newcastle (one of Jennings’ picks)… I like Frank Lampard and I really want him to do well, I think they’ll go down but I think they’ll put up one hell of a fight.”

Jamie O’Hara’s Premier League 2026-27 Bottom Three

Position

Club

18

Coventry City

19

Ipswich Town

20

Hull City

Should Coventry stay up, O’Hara has concerns over Crystal Palace and believes they could be in trouble. But he has predicted all three newcomers to be relegated for just the third time in Premier League history.

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Fabrizio Romano Shares What He’s Hearing on Man Utd Signing Gavi

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Manchester United are not looking to sign Barcelona star Gavi this summer, with the Spaniard seen as an important part of the squad at the Camp Nou, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Red Devils have been prioritising a midfield rebuild all summer, and Michael Carrick has already seen both Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans added to his squad ahead of the new season, alongside goalkeeper Karl Darlow and teenage winger sensation Tynan Thompson.

The club are understood to be keen to add a third midfield signing before the deadline if the right opportunity arises, and reports in Spain have linked the club with a move to sign World Cup winner Gavi.

The 22-year-old has fallen down the pecking order with the Catalan club following the arrival of Rodri from Manchester City, with Pedri, Frenkie De Jong, Fermin Lopez, and Marc Bernal all ahead of him.

A report in Spain suggested that the club would be open to a sale for around €55m (£47m), with Man Utd ready to offer around £40m to bring him in. However, when asked about the situation during his latest YouTube video, Romano was adamant that it was “fake news”.

“Some rumours from some Spanish outlet, many of you sent me. Gavi to Manchester United, absolutely fake news,” he said.

“I don’t know where this is coming from, but Gavi is not leaving Barcelona, absolutely impossible.

“Barca are more than happy with Gavi. I would not be surprised if in the next months, Gavi and Barca start discussing a new contract. It’s not something imminent, so I don’t want to throw things that are not happening today, tomorrow, or in a few days. But in the next months, I would not be surprised if you see a conversation between Gavi, and Barca over a new contract.

“Gavi’s super happy with Barca. Rodri joining Barca is only good news for Gavi. Gavi and Rodri have an excellent relationship.

“It doesn’t mean that Rodri is going to Barca so Gavi wants to go, it’s not true at all, and Gavi’s staying.”

Gavi La Liga Stats 2025/26

Appearances

7(4)

Minutes

575

Assists

1

Key Passes (per 90)

0.7

Average Passes (per 90)

37.3

Pass Success %

92.4

Statistics courtesy of WhoScored

Hansi Flick Loves Gavi

Gavi (Spain) with the World Cup REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

Gavi has been a regular for Barcelona for several years, despite his young age, and has always been widely considered to be one of the better prospects to come out of La Masia in recent times.

But injuries have been a major problem for the Spaniard, and he missed the best part of seven months last season with a knee problem before returning t help them win the La Liga title.

Last summer, however, Flick made it abundantly clear that he is a huge fan of Gavi, and after a pre-season win over FC Seoul, he made it clear that he wants him as part of his squad going forward.

“He can play at number 6 or number 8. We saw him at the end of last season, and he was at a very good level,” he said.

“Here, exactly what I’ve seen from Gavi is what I want to see: pushing the team forward, wearing the armband. It’s good to see him like this.”

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