Super League QualificationVue d'ensemble

John Obi Mikel has urged Manchester United to hand Unai Emery "the f***ing keys" and an open chequebook to tempt him away from Aston Villa. The former Chelsea midfielder would choose Emery over Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann, the two men most often linked with the job, with Michael Carrick still in charge despite leaving the Red Devils 16th in the Premier League.

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick and club captain Bruno Fernandes have reportedly held private discussions to resolve recent tensions within the dressing room. The relationship between the pair came under scrutiny after the Portuguese playmaker was left as an unused substitute during the humiliating home defeat to Bournemouth.

Blackburn Rovers striker Andri Gudjohnsen is currently establishing himself as the most clinical finisher across European football. The Iceland international boasts a superior shot conversion rate to elite forwards like Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe, firing his side up to 10th and within striking distance of the Championship play-off places.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has called on his players to absorb the pain of their shock Carabao Cup exit before turning their focus toward a massive Premier League showdown. The Gunners were stunned by League Two opposition on Wednesday night, leaving the Spaniard searching for answers ahead of a difficult trip to Merseyside.