^ ^ Andoni Iraola firm in response to Manchester United, Liverpool and Crystal Palace links

Andoni Iraola is leaving Bournemouth at the end of the season (Picture: Getty Images)

Andoni Iraola insists he will not discuss his future while he is still in charge of Bournemouth, as speculation over his next move intensifies.

The 43-year-old has decided to leave the Cherries at the end of the season when his contract comes to an end.

He has done a very impressive job at Bournemouth, with victory at Fulham on Saturday keeping the club in the hunt for a remarkable Champions League finish.

The Cherries are sixth in the Premier League table with two games to play and are well set to qualify for European football of some kind, even if it is not the Champions League.

It would be an incredible achievement for a club the size of Bournemouth, especially given the number of players they lost in the summer transfer window last year.

Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez, Illia Zabarnyi and Dango Outtara were all among the departures last summer, while Antoine Semenyo left in January.

Iraola is not short of suitors as he considers his next step in management, with Manchester United and Liverpool linked with a move for the Spaniard.

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Iraola has done a tremendous job at Bournemouth (Picture: Getty Images)

Crystal Palace are also preparing an ambitious move for him, but the Athletic Bilbao legend could be aiming a bit higher than the Eagles.

The Bournemouth boss has not given much away yet and remains tight-lipped on his plans, with two big games still to take charge of in his current role.

‘I’m in no rush,’ he said after winning 1-0 at Craven Cottage. ‘I will not talk about my future. I’m fully focused on trying to finish this season with a reward, something tangible for the players and supporters.’

On his choice to leave Bournemouth, he said: ‘It was not an easy decision but once it is made you feel relief.

‘I feel we have used it in a positive way. Since that day, we’ve had great results but also the mood. Everyone is clear, the relationship is so clean and honest.

Arne Slot and Michael Carrick both face uncertain futures (Picture: Getty Images)

‘OK, this is going to happen, next season Marco Rose will be our manager. Everyone knows what’s happening. We are in good place and can use this in a positive way.’

Iraola has also been linked with a move back to the club he played over 500 games for, Athletic Bilbao, while Newcastle have been touted as a possible destination as well, if they were to part company with Eddie Howe.

Palace are certainly in the market for a new manager as Oliver Glasner has also decided to leave at the end of his contract.

Oliver Glasner is leaving Crystal Palace at the end of the season (Picture: Getty Images)

Manchester United are yet to announce a decision on their managerial future, with Michael Carrick still in interim charge and a strong possibility to take the job permanently.

It has been widely reported that Arne Slot will remain Liverpool manager next season, but his popularity at Anfield is declining despite winning the Premier League last season.

After a summer of big-spending, the Reds began this campaign as favourites to lift the Premier League trophy again but their title defence has been poor, with a draw against Chelsea on Saturday leaving them fourth and 17 points off top spot.

Marco Rose has already been confirmed as Iraola’s replacement at Bournemouth.

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^ ^ Senne Lammens reveals Michael Carrick message to Man Utd squad after Sunderland draw

Michael Carrick’s side underwhelmed at Sunderland on Saturday (Picture: Getty Images)

Senne Lammens says Michael Carrick has tried to hammer home that Manchester United’s season has not finished yet after an underwhelming performance against Sunderland on Saturday.

The Red Devils have been in good form under Carrick, but were below par in a goalless draw at the Stadium of Light.

The away team were without Casemiro and Benjamin Sesko through injury and it showed as Sunderland created much the better chances and United managed just one shot on target.

Such has been the improvement since Carrick arrived in January that the Red Devils have already secured Champions League football for next season and look very likely to finish third in the Premier League.

However, that is not guaranteed and goalkeeper Lammense says Carrick has made it clear they must perform in their final two games after a forgettable display at Sunderland.

‘It’s very important to show up and deliver in every game. We are going to try and win every game possible. We want to give back to our fans, who have been very supportive this season,’ Lammens told Premier League Productions.

‘The manager has got the point across to us that this season is not finished.

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Senne Lammens made some big saves to keep his clean sheet at the Stadium of Light (Picture: Getty Images)

‘We have got Champions League, but we also want to finish third. We don’t want to finish below third, we want to keep those other teams away from us. I hope – and I think – our team thinks the same way as me.’

Carrick was not critical of his side on Saturday, recognising that the changes to his starting XI had an impact.

‘We take the point. A clean sheet is always good to get,’ he said. ‘We’ve scored a lot of goals this season and we’ve created a lot of chances. It’s just one of those games, you know, it’s a tough game. It was a decent enough point and we nearly won it in the end.

‘There were some changes today and I thought, as a collective, the spirit and the attitude of the boys was really good.

Michael Carrick’s Manchester United future is yet to be confirmed beyond this season (Picture: Getty Images)

“It’s easy to fizzle out after you’ve had a spell and you come towards the end of the season and you’re really focused on finishing the season strong. Was it going to be the perfect game? We probably went into it not expecting the perfect game and understanding the situation and the changes.

‘It is what it is. It’s not something that we need to overthink and certainly not to be negative about because there’s not a lot to be negative about. We understand that we can be a little bit better than we were at certain times today.

‘We need to keep improving, keep working. Take the positives, play with the confidence.’

Former Arsenal and England forward Paul Merson was not on board with Carrick’s assessment, feeling it was too forgiving after a limp performance.

With a couple of injuries seemingly damaging the team so much, Merson fears for how they will cope with next season unless they invest significantly again.

Joshua Zirkzee was handed a rare start in Sesko’s absence (Picture: Getty Images)

‘He didn’t sound right. When you’re the manager of Manchester United you have to come out and say, ‘we expect to come here and win,’ Merson told Sky Sports.

‘It’s like it was a good result today. It wasn’t a good result or performance.

‘It’s worrying for next season. They will be in the Champions League and their squad looks shallow. [Mason] Mount playing in central midfield with [Kobbie] Mainoo, [Joshua] Zirkzee up front.

‘They need to invest in players if they want to be in top four again next season.’

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^ ^ Arsenal star’s wife deletes all signs of him from her social media

Laura Hilven has made a point on social media(Picture: Getty Images)

Leandro Trossard’s wife has removed all traces of him from her social media, with the Arsenal star seemingly going through a tough time off the pitch.

The 31-year-old has played a significant part in what could be an incredible season for the Gunners as they challenge for the Premier League and Champions League.

The Belgian has made 47 appearances in all competitions, scoring seven goals, and is expected to be involved in the crunch game against West Ham on Sunday afternoon.

Arsenal sit top of the Premier League with three games to play and the title in their hands.

The Gunners are also into the Champions League final and are up against it as they face the hugely impressive Paris Saint-Germain, but are just one game from their first top European title.

Trossard appears to have distractions during a crucial time, though, with his wife, Laura Hilven, deleting all signs of him from her Instagram.

The pair have been a couple for over 12 years and were married in 2019, but Hilven has now wiped Trossard from her profile, deleting a string of pictures of them together.

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Leandro Trossard has been important for Arsenal this season (Picture: Getty Images)

A source told the Sun: ‘Laura used to have loads of pictures on her Instagram showing her and Leandro on their wedding day, on holidays and going out on date nights, but she has wiped them all.

‘If someone looked at her profile now, they would have no clue that they had ever been together, let alone married.’

The Belgian couple have two sons, born in April 2017 and January 2023.

Hilven has posted photos without her wedding ring (Picture: Instagram)

Trossard started in the 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final earlier this week and immediately trained focus back on the Premier League title pursuit.

‘We just want to win the Premier League and then we have a big final ahead. We have three important games in the Premier League and we know what we’re playing for,’ he said.

‘I think it’s been 20 years for everyone involved with Arsenal so it’s amazing to go there and obviously the focus shifts to the Premier League but let’s enjoy this and it’s an amazing feeling.

Trossard danced with Mikel Arteta after the win over Atletico Madrid (Picture: Getty Images)

‘We have belief already from the very first moment but obviously you can see how tough it is in the Premier League so we need to be up for it again.

‘As I said, we have to celebrate today but from now on, the focus shifts towards Sunday again and as I said, we know what we’re playing for now.’

Mikel Arteta had a similar message, saying: ‘We talked immediately after the game, and this is great. What a moment, we earned it.

‘We’ll have time to prepare and get ready for that final, but now the focus, the attention, the detail, the energy, everything has to be put into West Ham, there is nothing else there, and we made it very clear.’

West Ham host Arsenal in the huge game at both ends of the Premier League at 4.30pm on Sunday.

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^ ^ West Ham vs Arsenal: Predicted lineup today and confirmed team news

Gyokeres looking to add to his tally this weekend (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal will remain without Jurrien Timber when they take on West Ham United in Premier League action today.

After booking their place in the Champions League final midweek, Arsenal’s focus shifts back to domestic matters.

Manchester City’s draw with Everton last week means the Gunners have their fate in their own hands and can take another huge step towards the title with victory today.

West Ham meanwhile are scrapping for their lives and while last week’s defeat at Brentford, coupled with Tottenham’s win at Aston Villa, was a blow, they are not gone yet.

Injuries have eased for Mikel Arteta with Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori all returning to action over the last two weeks.

Kai Havertz was also back among the subs midweek against Atletico with Timber and Mikel Merino their only remaining absentees.

Timber has not played since mid-March, missing the last 11 games due to a groin problem. There has been no clear timeframe on when the Dutchman could return to action with Arteta confirming on Friday there is ‘no chance’ he will be involved today.

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Timber has not played since mid-March (Picture: Getty Images)

Rather more worryingly, he raised doubts about whether Timber would be seen again before the end of the season.

‘I don’t know, there is still a fair bit to do,’ he said. ‘Everything needs to be so smooth and quick.’

Arsenal team to face West Ham – Metro prediction

Now is not the time to be resting anyone but Arteta does perhaps have a dilemma in midfield. Myles Lewis-Skelly has impressed alongside Declan Rice in place of Martin Zubimendi in the last two games and has a very good case for keeping his place.

While Havertz is fit again, Gyokeres’ performances in the last two games have been perhaps his best of the season and he will surely be handed the leading role for what is left of the season.

West Ham vs Arsenal live stream, TV channel and kick-off time

West Ham vs Arsenal kicks off today (Sunday 10 May) at 4:30pm.

You can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event with streaming also available through the Sky Go app and NOW TV for subscribers.

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