Premier League, El Clásico and more: weekend football countdown – live!

Here is a bit more from OGS on Greenwood, who has had his professionalism questioned in recent weeks. The United forward was dropped from the England squad after inviting a woman back to the team hotel in Iceland and his timekeeping has come under review.

“You do (make a target for yourself) when you play well and I’m not concerned at all with Mason making a target of himself,” the United boss said. “He’s come in, he’s played fantastic, he played his first league game against Tottenham last season, was brilliant and just kicked on.

“Yeah, he’s made a mistake this summer with England and suddenly the whole English press go after him and that’s something we’ve got to look after. He’s a fantastic boy to work with. I have to disappoint you, he’s never, ever late for training, he’s never a problem when he’s in the training ground.

“He’s always on time. I’ve seen the stories, actually some ex-United players talking about him and they don’t really know anything what they’re talking about because, well, we’ve got photographers outside the training ground every day so they can check the time every day.

“I don’t know where these stories have come and I’ve just got to say he’s got a good family behind him, he’s had a good background in the academy. He’s a good trainer, he trains really well, and I cannot believe all these stories about him not being professional. So, anyway, that’s something we have to deal with with many players, many other players at United have had that.”

Nick Ames and Hakim Ziyech is a dream combination.

Could Chris Wilder hand record signing Rhian Brewster his first start against former club Liverpool this weekend. The £23m striker made his debut as a sub against Fulham last time out but could get the nod from the first whistle at Anfield on Saturday.

Brewster rose through the ranks at Liverpool but with his pathway blocked he was allowed to join the Blades this autumn, after proving himself on loan at Swansea last season.

“He’s settled in well, he’s an infectious character and I’ve no hesitation (in playing him), he’s pushing,” Wilder said. “His natural ability and talent is there to be seen by everyone, and everyone has seen that already, it’s just the physical side of it and not opening him up to injury and damaging him early in his Sheffield United career.

“It was a difficult decision for me on Sunday whether to start him or bring him on from the bench. Having not played much football, you can find at times when players get caught up flitting between Under-23s and the first team that their fitness isn’t where it needs to be.

“We want him to play and we want to get him into the team but always the big decision for the manager is the timing of that. But obviously he’s had another week’s training, which won’t have done him any harm at all, so he has put himself right in the frame to – certainly be involved at the weekend – and to start as well. He’s really at the forefront of our thinking.”

Marcelo Bielsa says he would not hesitate to repeat his act of sportsmanship against Aston Villa from a few years ago, which won him a Fifa award. I cannot see lightning striking twice, to be honest, but it’s worth rewatching.

The arrival of Ross Barkley has helped Aston Villa in their fine start to the season. Paul Doyle had a natter with him.

It’s that Friday feeling for football managers. They will all be asked riveting questions over Zoom based around their team news, whether winning the next match is important and if Jordan Pickford meant to injure Virgil van Dijk. I cannot wait for the answers which I will relay to you lovely lot.

There is even a Friday night match as Aston Villa will look to continue their 100% record against Leeds. They could be clear at the top of the Premier League table tonight, which would be a fine achievement for Dean Smith, even if they will be chased down over the weekend.

This weekend’s games are spread out over four days following a night of Europa League action, which saw Spurs, Arsenal and Leicester victorious. Additionally, Rangers’ Kemar Roofe scored from his own half in Belgium, so it was a fun evening for most of Britain’s clubs.

The most attractive Premier League game will be Saturday tea time’s Manchester United v Chelsea clash. It should be another testing 90 minutes for a frail Chelsea defence but they did keep a Champions League cleansheet against Sevilla. However, their opponents downed PSG to follow up a victory against Newcastle, so confidence should be high at Old Trafford.

Anyway, it should be an enjoyable day.