Big trouble at the Etihad Stadium

Dark clouds descended over the Etihad Stadium after Manchester City were reported to have been found guilty by an independent commission of almost all of the Premier League’s financial rule charges.

The verdict has caused shock and disappointment among City supporters, although the club continues to deny wrongdoing and has made clear that it intends to appeal. The commission’s findings have not yet been formally published in full, so the precise legal consequences remain to be established.

Having been tipped off that the verdict was imminent, I travelled to Manchester to gauge the reaction of supporters. The sense of unease among some City fans was striking.

Some supporters have argued that, ultimately, a football match remains eleven players against eleven. But the counter-argument from rival clubs is that breaches of financial rules could have affected their ability to compete on equal terms. Several clubs are understood to have taken legal advice about possible compensation claims, arguing that they may have suffered financial losses.

There are likely to be opposing supporters’ chants of “cheats” at grounds around the country, although that is a reaction rather than a legal finding.

City are expected to appeal. Depending on the eventual outcome and any sanctions imposed, possibilities could include a substantial fine, a points deduction or, in the most severe scenario, expulsion from the Premier League. City fan Noel Gallagher has also publicly expressed his belief that the club’s titles should not be taken away.

If relegation were ultimately imposed, there would inevitably be speculation about the futures of City’s leading players, including Erling Haaland. Any suggestion that particular clubs would sign him should be treated as transfer speculation rather than an established plan.

Arteta commits to another four years at Arsenal

Mikel Arteta has agreed an improved new contract with Arsenal, committing his future to the Premier League champions. His current deal expires at the end of this season. The precise length of the new agreement has not been officially confirmed, although it is expected to keep him at the Emirates for at least another season beyond the expiry of his present contract.

Arteta is also set for a substantial pay rise from his current salary of £10million a year, plus bonuses that can take the package to £15million.

Although the club has yet to make a formal announcement, an agreement has been reached between the two sides. I understand the new arrangement also covers members of Arteta’s backroom team.

Arteta has now guided Arsenal to the Premier League title, the FA Cup and three Community Shield successes. He also took the Gunners to their first Champions League final, where they lost to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties.

Clubs could claim £800million from City!

The Manchester City case could develop into another major legal battle if Premier League rivals pursue compensation.

Reports have suggested that claims by rival clubs could eventually total as much as £800million. That figure is not an award or an established liability: it is an estimate attached to potential claims, and any compensation would depend on separate legal proceedings.

Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham are among the clubs reported to have protected their position by reserving the right to pursue claims if the City findings are upheld. The argument would be that financial breaches gave City an advantage and caused rivals to lose potential revenue, prize money or commercial opportunities.

City deny wrongdoing and are expected to appeal. With the commission’s findings still to be published in full, this could become a long-running legal dispute.

What United are working on during the international break

The latest trend in the Premier League is greater physicality combined with intense man-to-man pressing, and coaches are drilling those qualities into their players every day.

That is an area where Manchester United can improve. Against Fulham, Calvin Bassey used his strength to win the ball from Matheus Cunha before driving forward; his shot was then mishandled by goalkeeper Senne Lammens and deflected in off Lisandro Martínez for Fulham’s goal.

United, under Michael Carrick, have often looked most dangerous when they can break quickly. Marcus Rashford’s return has added another outlet for that approach.

Defence is also a concern. United’s back line has looked vulnerable when opponents attack the space behind or between defenders, while the wide players can be caught high up the pitch when United lose possession.

Defending the back post has been another issue. Against Ipswich, Leif Davis scored after arriving at the far post, while United were also exposed by the movement of Daizen Maeda.

Carrick also needs his back four and midfield to defend their own space more compactly. Players have at times been left too far apart, with insufficient cover from the wingers when United’s pressing is bypassed.

United do, of course, have very good players and can be physical when required. Bruno Fernandes remains central to their creativity and pressing, while Kobbie Mainoo has continued to provide defensive quality in midfield.

One key to United progressing is moving the ball through the middle via Fernandes and Youri Tielemans, then releasing Bryan Mbeumo into the central attacking areas. If United can advance the ball more consistently through those areas, they should create more chances and improve their goalscoring.

Gakpo returns home injured

The international break is always a worry because of the possibility of leading players picking up injuries. The latest Liverpool concern is Cody Gakpo, who withdrew from Netherlands duty after suffering an ankle injury against Serbia.

Gakpo was forced off after a challenge from Serbia midfielder Sasa Lukić. The 27-year-old has returned to Liverpool for assessment and treatment by the club’s medical staff.

Gakpo has made an excellent start to the season, with two goals and four assists. He will miss the Netherlands’ remaining Nations League fixtures against Greece and Serbia.

He is now a doubt for Liverpool’s Premier League meeting with Manchester City at Anfield on October 11. If he is unavailable, it would be another blow for Andoni Iraola, particularly with Alexander Isak also returning from international duty with a minor injury.

United are ready to bring in Baleba

Carlos Baleba could be the missing piece of Manchester United’s midfield jigsaw.

The Brighton midfielder has the quality to help United step up their game, and it is unfortunate that he arrived at Old Trafford carrying an ankle injury sustained during pre-season.

Baleba is capable of covering huge areas during a game and would provide the energy United need in midfield. During the 2024-25 season he was recorded among the quickest central midfielders in the Premier League, reaching more than 34km per hour, while his combined total of 92 tackles and interceptions placed him among the leading midfielders in the division.

His availability and how quickly he settles into Carrick’s system will be important.

Michael Olise subject of Liverpool interest

Bayern Munich’s French star Michael Olise has again been linked with a possible move to Liverpool.

However, although the 24-year-old has not ruled out a return to the Premier League following his move from Crystal Palace to Germany, I understand he is not currently looking to leave Bayern.

Since joining Bayern, Olise has developed into one of Europe’s leading attacking players and has enjoyed playing alongside Harry Kane. He has 50 goals and 58 assists in 114 appearances for Bayern, according to current statistical records.

Olise joined Bayern from Crystal Palace for a fee reported at up to £51million. Bayern are determined to retain him and his current contract runs until 2029.

Rather than planning for his departure, Bayern are reported to be considering approaches for players including Barcelona’s Dani Olmo, Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz and Arsenal’s Kai Havertz. Any such interest should not be taken as evidence that Bayern intend to sell Olise or Jamal Musiala.

Who is the No 1 goalkeeper?

I became involved in a friendly debate about goalkeepers this week, but there was a serious point behind it: who is the best Premier League goalkeeper at the moment?

Jordan Pickford, Alisson Becker, David Raya and Emiliano Martínez have all received top marks and been regarded as the leading goalkeeper at various times.

But there is a new name in the conversation. Aston Villa’s Zion Suzuki has been thrilling supporters at Villa Park with a series of spectacular saves and is now being mentioned alongside the established names.

Despite Villa’s difficult start to the season, Suzuki played a major part in their 3-2 win over Tottenham, making several important saves to keep Spurs at bay.

Villa signed Suzuki to replace Emiliano Martínez. At 6ft 3in, he has the physique to command his penalty area and is a strong presence at set pieces. He also looks difficult to unsettle.

New sporting director at Liverpool

Julian Ward has been appointed Liverpool’s new sporting director. He was until recently Fenway Sports Group’s technical director and replaces Richard Hughes, who stepped down at the beginning of September.

FSG president Mike Gordon said Ward’s knowledge and expertise would enhance Liverpool’s football operations while ensuring head coach Andoni Iraola receives the support he needs.

Ward first joined Liverpool in 2012, working in scouting before taking on senior recruitment and football-development responsibilities. This is his second spell as the club’s sporting director.

Isak hopes to recover from injury for the Man City game

Andoni Iraola will hope to have Alexander Isak fit for Liverpool’s return to Premier League action after the striker withdrew from the Sweden squad with a minor injury.

Isak has made an impressive start to life at Liverpool, scoring four goals in his first six starts for the club. He also scored for Sweden in their 2-1 Nations League victory over Romania before picking up the injury.

Isak has returned to the AXA Training Centre, where he will undergo treatment and assessment by Liverpool’s medical staff.

Liverpool host Manchester City on Sunday, October 11, and Iraola will be hoping Isak is available for what could be one of the season’s major fixtures.

Tonali attacked in Italian media

Italy lost 2-0 to Belgium in the Nations League, and Tottenham midfielder Sandro Tonali came in for criticism from the Italian media.

Gazzetta dello Sport questioned his performance, but Tonali was up against a Belgium side featuring Kevin De Bruyne. As I pointed out, plenty of midfielders have struggled when faced with the former Manchester City star’s quality and vision.

Tottenham are bottom of the Premier League and are still waiting for their first league win of the season. Tonali has nevertheless spoken positively about the team, arguing that there are encouraging signs despite the results and that many of the players are new and still developing their understanding.

Tottenham clearly need to improve their attacking output. Dominic Solanke, Richarlison and Omar Marmoush offer different options, but the team has struggled for goals and the forwards have not always received the service they need.

One name being discussed in connection with a possible January move is South Korea striker Oh Hyeon-gyu, who has previously played for Celtic and Genk and is now with Besiktas.

Tottenham’s recruitment team, led by Johan Lange, will be considering options for January, but there is still plenty of football to be played before then. If results do not improve, further changes may become unavoidable.