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Given that Southampton are staring down at the Championship with just five Premier League games left to play, it is safe to say that there are a handful of players who have not been at their best level.

According to WhoScored, Dusan Tadic and Cedric Soares are the main culprits as both made the website’s ‘Worst Rated Team of the Season So Far’.

Soares, who won the European Championship with Portugal in 2016, has started 27 Premier League matches this season, creating two assists.

As for Tadic, the midfielder has played in all but two of the club’s top-flight fixtures, scoring four goals and producing three assists.

During Mauricio Pellegrino’s reign, which lasted just nine months, the team were often criticised for their negative approach and lacklustre attack.

In fact, before the manager’s sacking on March 12, the team had scored just 29 goals in the Premier League.

Mark Hughes has since taken over, but the Saints have lost all three of their top-flight matches under his stewardship, leaving the club five points from safety with as many games left to play.

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The coastal club have a big week as they take on Leicester City this evening and then Chelsea in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

After learning that two of their players had been made a ‘worst’ team list, Saints fans posted their thoughts on Reddit.

Comment from discussion Cedric Soares and Dusan Tadic make it in WhoScored.Com’s “Worst Rated Team” this season.Comment from discussion Cedric Soares and Dusan Tadic make it in WhoScored.Com’s “Worst Rated Team” this season.Comment from discussion Cedric Soares and Dusan Tadic make it in WhoScored.Com’s “Worst Rated Team” this season.Comment from discussion Cedric Soares and Dusan Tadic make it in WhoScored.Com’s “Worst Rated Team” this season.Comment from discussion Cedric Soares and Dusan Tadic make it in WhoScored.Com’s “Worst Rated Team” this season.Comment from discussion Cedric Soares and Dusan Tadic make it in WhoScored.Com’s “Worst Rated Team” this season.Comment from discussion Cedric Soares and Dusan Tadic make it in WhoScored.Com’s “Worst Rated Team” this season.Comment from discussion Cedric Soares and Dusan Tadic make it in WhoScored.Com’s “Worst Rated Team” this season.Comment from discussion Cedric Soares and Dusan Tadic make it in WhoScored.Com’s “Worst Rated Team” this season.

It’s already looking like a busy summer is in store at Old Trafford after it was announced that PSV star Memphis Depay will be on his way to the club having agreed a move this week.

The news comes just a fortnight after claims that Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is also set for a move to Manchester United as the Red Devils continue their preparation for next season and their impending return to the Champions League.

But alongside these new arrivals, there are sure to be some high profile departures from United this summer and a few of the big names could well be on their way out of the club if reports are to be believed.

Three defeats on the bounce has highlighted the fact there is still plenty of work to be done before Louis van Gaal’s side can realistically challenge for the league title, and the sale of some of his superstars could well be part of the plan.

With this in mind, here a five United stars who may be set to leave the club this summer.

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Angel Di Maria

Perhaps the biggest disappointment for United this year has been the performances of their record signing Angel Di Maria, who has failed to justify his £59.7m price tag.

It’s hard to think this is the same player who picked up the Man of the Match award in last year’s Champions League final, but the Argentine has really struggled to adapt to the English game, and has found himself limited to substitute appearances in recent months.

The arrival of Depay has only increased speculation that his United future could be under threat, and with PSG keen on signing the midfielder; his time at Old Trafford could be coming to an end.

Javier Hernandez

Even with the recent goal drought that has seen the Red Devils go three games in succession without scoring, the future of Javier Hernandez looks like it will be away from Old Trafford.

The Mexican has endured a frustrating campaign on loan at Real Madrid, but has finally been given a run in the side thanks to injury to Karim Benzema, a period where he has struck some vital goals including the winner against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final.

This might not be enough to save his United career, however, and having been linked to a number of clubs it seems like he will be playing his football elsewhere come next season.

Radamel Falcao

Another striker who looks set to leave Old Trafford is on-loan Monaco man Radamel Falcao. The Colombian has endured a difficult season to say the least since arriving in England and has only managed four goals in a lacklustre campaign.

He looks a shadow of his former self after struggling for form and fitness, and having failed to gain a consistent run in the side it’s hard to see United making his move a permanent one in the summer.

Robin van Persie

Robin van Persie was an integral part of the United team not so long ago, but having performed so well without him when he was injured, they may have come to the conclusion that they can do without the Dutch star.

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Van Persie endured a torrid afternoon on his return from injury last weekend, missing a penalty that proved costly in the 1-0 defeat to West Brom.

He is another who has struggled at times this season, and with Wayne Rooney undermining his credentials as the best forward in United’s ranks, selling the former Arsenal man has now become a realistic possibility.

David de Gea

One man the club will certainly not want to lose is their goalkeeper David de Gea who has once again been terrific this season.

The Spanish shot stopper has saved his team on numerous occasions this term, and is a big reason why his side are still on course to qualify for the Champions League.

But amid huge interest from Real Madrid, the club could be set to lose him in the near future and will hope to wrap up negotiations on a new contract sooner rather than later to ensure they don’t lose another star to the Spanish giants.

Paolo Di Canio has hit out at criticism of his political beliefs, after being named as Sunderland’s new manager.

The controversial Italian was brought in by the Black Cats to replace Martin O’Neill over the weekend, with defeat at the hands of Manchester United leaving the North East club perilously close to the relegation zone.

His appointment has led to ex-foreign secretary David Milliband’s resignation from his role on the board at the club, and criticism from some supporters.

Di Canio has previously spoken of his admiration of former Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and was pictured making a raised-arm salute to the crowd whilst playing for Lazio toward the end of his career.

But, the former Swindon Town boss believes his reputation is unfair and that his previous comments were exaggerated by the media:

“What I can say is that if someone is hurt, I am sorry. But this didn’t come from me, it came from a big story that people put out in a different way to what it was.” He said in a statement on the club’s official website.

“I never have a problem in my past. I expressed an opinion in an interview many years ago.

“Some pieces were taken for media convenience. They took my expression in a very, very negative way – but it was a long conversation and a long interview. It was not fair.

“I know it is a part of my job to do interviews because I am well-known, but sometimes it suits their purpose to put big headlines and a big story.”

Some of his comments and actions have led to allegations of negative racial beliefs.

But, Di Canio insists that this is nonsense, and that those who know him can vouch for his character:

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“Talk about racism? That is absolutely stupid, stupid and ridiculous. The people who know me can change that idea quickly.

“When I was in England my best friends were Trevor Sinclair and Chris Powell, the Charlton manager – they can tell you everything about my character.

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Tottenham fans have been discussing the form of club captain Hugo Lloris, after the Frenchman made another error in Saturday’s win at Stoke.

Hugo Lloris made his 200th Premier League appearance for Tottenham this weekend, but the fan favourite has come under some criticism recently for his less than confident performances.

The 31 year-old moved to North London from Lyon in 2012, and has been an absolute brick wall since making the goalkeeper spot his own, yet his performances just seem to have dropped a level or two in the last 18 months.

The Stoke goal on Saturday was more bad luck than it was bad goalkeeping, as Lloris’s clearance ricocheted off Mame Biram Diouf and landed right in front of the Senegalese striker to equalise.

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Of course, Spurs went on to win the match courtesy of Christian Eriksen (or not if you believe Harry Kane), but nonetheless fans are growing increasingly concerned about the form of Lloris.

The French stopper now has five errors leading to goals this season, which is the second most in the league behind Petr Cech’s six.

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He got caught under the ball for Chelsea’s opener in last weekend’s epic clash at Stamford Bridge, but fans are finding it hard to turn on a player they love so much.

Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…

In Angel Di Maria’s maiden season with Manchester United the Argentine has had very mixed fortunes. He started the season full of confidence, but now cuts a very lost figure. As the season comes to an end and clubs naturally look to the summer window, there is already speculation as to whether Di Maria will still be at United for next season.

Signed for a then British record of £59.7million, Di Maria joined United in August of last year. After four successful years at Real Madrid, which included winning La Decima, their highly coveted 10th Champions League trophy, Di Maria left the Spanish giants in order to find more playing time.

With the legendary number seven on his shirt Di Maria appeared to be fitting into his role quite nicely, even picking up United’s Player of the Month award for September and further confirming his positive impact during his first few months at the club.

Unfortunately, a hamstring injury suffered in late November put the player on the side-lines where he made only one substitute appearance from the following seven fixtures.

Since returning from that injury. Di Maria isn’t quite the same player who had previously been a highlight of United’s midfield. A lack of form on field and a burglary at his Manchester home made for a bad start to 2015. Then the typically composed Di Maria received a red card for an altercation with referee Michael Oliver and was slapped with a one match ban.

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The timing couldn’t have been worse as United were about to enter a difficult run of games that included Tottenham and Liverpool. Manager Louis van Gaal, who has been very supportive of the winger, took the opportunity to change the formation and opted for a 4-1-4-1 with Wayne Rooney up front and the regularly side-lined Juan Mata given the playmaker role. United performed exceptionally well with high accolades going to the Spaniard.

Even once Di Maria was available to play, Van Gaal chose to start with Mata for their trip to Anfield and Mata further reasserted his place as United’s playmaker by scoring two goals in their 2-1 win over top four rivals Liverpool.

Now during the international break United sit comfortably in fourth, but Di Maria’s future remains uncertain. The Argentina international came to United with the intention of playing regularly, but if Van Gaal continues to favour Mata or in form Ashley Young then the Argentine may quickly feel the need to throw in the towel.

Sources say that if Di Maria does decide that his United experiment was a failure then the club are ready to offer Paris Saint Germain’s Edinson Cavani a route in to to English football.

This sounds like crazy talk. Di Maria signed a huge five-and-a-half year deal just seven months ago and he has at times shown exactly why the club forked out so much for him. Cavani is having his own problems at PSG and a deal may suit him, but with only eight Ligue 1 goals this season, one more than Di Maria, what would they really be getting? United are better off persuading Di Maria to hold tight for at least one more season.

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Van Gaal’s side had been crying out for more creativity in their midfield and now that they have these two top players in Di Maria and Mata, they need to keep them and find a way to get them both playing together. It is only because Di Maria’s form has dipped and United are so close to qualifying for Europe why Van Gaal doesn’t want to mess with a winning formula.

But Cavani, nor anyone else that United are supposedly lining up, are no replacement for the vision and quality of Angel Di Maria and United would be foolish to think otherwise.

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Boss Mauricio Pochettino claims there is no ill-feeling between himself and the former Southampton manager Nigel Adkins.

The Argentine replaced Adkins in controversial circumstances back in January just after his predecessor had overseen a 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and with Saints enjoying a decent run of form.

But since the ex-Espanyol boss took over he has led the club to notable victories over the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea.

Adkins returns to St Mary’s on Saturday, however, with his new club Reading after he took over from Brian McDermott at the Madejski Stadium when the 51-year-old was sacked last month.

“I have no problem with Nigel Adkins,” Pochettino told the Sun.

“I have full respect for him and for what he achieved at Southampton.”

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Adkins’ and his assistant manager Andy Crosby’s main issue is thought to be with Saints executive chairman Nicola Cortese, with the terms of their release still thought to be unsettled.

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Sam Allardyce has been in charge of a fair share of clubs throughout his football management career.

In November last year, the experienced coach took over at Everton as permanent successor to Ronald Koeman, but there is already speculation that the 63-year-old might be moving on swiftly.

A recent report in The Mirror claimed that West Bromwich Albion have placed Allardyce high on their list of potential candidates to replace Alan Pardew.

However, according to the publication, the Baggies will be unsuccessful in their attempts to recruit him as he has no intention of coaching in the Championship.

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West Brom are destined for the second tier as they are 10 points from safety with five games left to play before the end of the season.

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A large number of Everton fans have grown impatient with Allardyce, despite the fact that he has helped retain the club’s top-flight status.

After reports emerged of the Baggies’ rumoured interest, the supporters took to Reddit to give their thoughts on the speculation.

Comment from discussion Report: West Brom want Everton boss Sam Allardyce.Comment from discussion Report: West Brom want Everton boss Sam Allardyce.Comment from discussion Report: West Brom want Everton boss Sam Allardyce.Comment from discussion Report: West Brom want Everton boss Sam Allardyce.Comment from discussion Report: West Brom want Everton boss Sam Allardyce.Comment from discussion Report: West Brom want Everton boss Sam Allardyce.Comment from discussion Report: West Brom want Everton boss Sam Allardyce.Comment from discussion Report: West Brom want Everton boss Sam Allardyce.Comment from discussion Report: West Brom want Everton boss Sam Allardyce.

John Terry has reminded Harry Kane he is yet to achieve anything in the game ahead of Sunday’s Capital One Cup final at Wembley, reports the Daily Star.

Kane has been one of the stars of the Premier League season, scoring 24 goals in all competitions to help Mauricio Pochettino’s men make the Wembley showpiece, as well as moving to within three points of the top four.

The England under-21 striker was particularly impressive during Tottenham’s 5-3 win over Chelsea on New Years, Day, scoring two goals and creating two others on a day to forget for Terry and Chelsea.

Kane will renew his battle with Chelsea tomorrow as the London rivals go head-to-head for the first silverware of the season, and Terry has aimed a cheeky dig at Tottenham’s star man in the build up.

Terry said: “He has got to be able to do that year after year – and for England I hope he does.

“It is great to see young players coming through and getting their opportunities and staying in the squad so if he keeps scoring there’s no reason why he can’t stay in.

“He is a very good player. His movement is fantastic and he is in great goal-scoring form. But there’s still a long way to go.”

Terry has also played down talk Chelsea will be looking for revenge following their 5-3 defeat last month, pointing to the fact the Blues beat Tottenham 3-0 at Stamford Bridge in early December.

He said: “Everyone is rattling on about that. But for me it was fairly comfortable for us at the Bridge when we won 3-0.

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“Listen, you do get beat throughout the season, it’s not our only defeat this season. Obviously at the time we were disappointed but you move on and bounce back the following week.

“So I don’t see it as a revenge thing, ‘Oh we have to beat them because they beat us 5-3! We also remember we beat them 3-0. That’s football. “

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie believes that his side’s 1-1 draw away to Real Madrid in the Champions League has given them the edge in the tie.

The Red Devils took the lead in at the Bernabeu through Danny Welbeck, but were pegged back by former hero Cristiano Ronaldo.

After netting what could be a vital away goal, van Persie feels that United have moved ahead in the race for a spot in the quarter-finals, but he also insisted that there is plenty of work left to do:

“Slightly.” He responded when asked by Sky Sports if the result has put them on top in the tie:

“But at this level I don’t think these kinds of teams really care whether they are home or away.

“We don’t really care and they don’t really care. It’s just half-time now and we’ll be ready for the second half.

“There were chances for both sides and it was a great game to watch,”

The Dutchman had a few opportunities to hand the Premier League leaders a shock win in Spain, but was unable to convert.

He admitted that he was frustrated at being incapable of giving his side a shock aggregate lead, but that the result is still a positive one:

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“We had a couple of good chances but if you had said before the game we would draw 1-1 then most of us would have taken it.”

Welbeck headed a Wayne Rooney corner past Diego Lopez to give United the lead on 20 minutes, but Ronaldo netted shortly after to level the scores.

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Newcastle midfielder Mo Diame believes the Magpies should be targeting a top ten finish, and fans are in complete agreement with the Senegal international.

A few weeks ago you’d have been laughed out of the room for suggesting Newcastle could land in the top ten this season, but after three consecutive home wins the Magpies can finally start looking up instead of down.

Rafa Benitez’s side have kept clean sheets in all three of the home wins that have all but ensured their survival, grinding out hard fought results against Manchester United and Huddersfield either side of a total demolition of Southampton.

Diame, who has enjoyed a revival of form himself in the past few months, thinks the club should be targeting bigger and better things next season.

“If you finish 17th or 16th then the target next season will simply be to stay up again next time. What we want to do is finish close to the top 10 and maybe we can have a more exciting target next season,” the 30 year-old said.

“This club is massive. The fans are among the best in Europe and we sell 50,000 tickets every home game.

“The target should be much more than just staying up every year.”

Diame has formed a formidable partnership in central midfield alongside Jonjo Shelvey, and a win against Leicester on Saturday could lift Benitez’s men into 10th.

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Fans have been discussing their aims for the rest of the season on Twitter, and some of the best reactions can be found below…

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