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The attacking midfielder totaled 31 goal contributions during the regular season, and could yet be a future option for Gregg Berhalter

There is no doubting who the biggest star is in MLS anymore. Lionel Messi will wear that crown for as long as he calls Inter Miami his home, drawing in massive crowds wherever he goes. He may not have been able to lift his new team into playoff contention in 2023, but as the postseason rumbles on without him, the league remains abuzz from it's first brush with 'Messi-mania'.

As well as the biggest name, Messi is almost certainly the best player in MLS right now. But despite his quite ridiculous nomination given how little he played in the league due to his injury problems, he will not be taking home the MLS MVP award for 2023. That prize is Acosta's.

Lucho Acosta has spent the past season spearheading FC Cincinnati's best-ever regular season, as they were crowned Supporters' Shield winners while also earning a place in the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup, where they were beaten by Messi and Miami.

Acosta tallied 17 goals and 14 assists across all regular season competitions, and as a result, was handed the MVP honors. Actively in the process of acquiring his United States citizenship, the 29-year-old is also looking to earn eligibility to represent the U.S. men's national team, and potentially play a role in the 2026 World Cup on American soil.

What the diminutive Acosta lacks in size, he makes up for in skill, intelligence and awareness across the entire pitch. If Gregg Berhalter has the opportunity to add Acosta to his ranks, it automatically raises the standards of the USMNT.

From a failed move to Paris Saint-Germain to turmoil with D.C. United, and now MVP with FC Cincy, Acosta has adapted and continued to excel in MLS. Now, he's finally being recognized for his brilliance.

Getty ImagesWhere it all began

Acosta could barely have gotten a better footballing education as he worked his way through the youth ranks at Boca Juniors; the Argentine giants known as the club of the late, great Diego Maradona.

At just 21, Acosta made the move to the United States, joining D.C. United on loan in 2016 from his beloved Boca. He made an instant impact, with three goals and eight assists in his first season, and United turned his initial loan deal into a permanent one during his first year with the club.

Two years on, Acosta was regarded as one of the best players in MLS, and his lore only grew after D.C. added legendary Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney to their ranks. The duo even scored what might be the most famous goal in league history, while Rooney dubbed Acosta as "one of the best I've played with" during his time in the capital.

However, after a collapsed transfer to PSG, Acosta left United in 2020 on a free transfer, joining Liga MX side Atlas, but returned to MLSwith Cincinnati in 2021 as a Designated Player. Now, two years on, the Argentine has turned Cincy from cellar dwellers to MLS Cup challengers.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesParisian dreams up in smoke

In January 2019, Acosta was the darling of MLS. Flourishing alongside Rooney, he asserted himself as one of the brightest up-and-coming players in the league. Meanwhile, with Miguel Almiron having completed a $27m move from Atlanta United to Newcastle of the Premier League months prior, all eyes were on MLS for who the 'next Almiron' would be.

PSG certainly felt that Acosta fit the bill, and they pursued him like hawk late in the MLS transfer window. Per The Athletic, then-GM of D.C. United, Dave Kasper, traveled with Acosta to Paris to meet with the French giants through an 'unnamed intermediary' – but that's when the deal began to collapse.

The intermediary appeared to give false information to both parties ahead of time, and the two sides couldn't come to an agreement regarding a fee for Acosta, who United valued at $13-15m, while PSG's offer was $9.1m.

Whether Acosta would have made the grade at such an established European powerhouse is anyone's guess, but PSG's interest highlights the level of talent we are talking about here.

Getty ImagesA captain & a champion

When FC Cincinnati joined MLS as an expansion franchise in 2019, they were genuinely awful. There's no point in holding back or trying to frame it in a polite manner. They were awful, and it wasn't just one year of it; it was three-straight seasons where they finished as the worst team in MLS, managing just 14 league wins in that stretch.

Their fortunes changed in the summer of year three, though. Acosta arrived, and they built a squad around a player who had previously shown so much potential in MLS, but left due to the club refusing to build around him and provide the talent needed for him to truly succeed. Cincy didn't make that mistake.

Come 2022, Acosta's first full season with the Orange and Blue, he was named captain, and they qualified for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Progress.

This time around, however, has been the stuff of dreams. Cincy went seven games unbeaten to start the season, and only suffered one loss through their first 22 matches in all competitions. Acosta kept scoring, assisting and leading them to glory, and the Argentine even earned the captains' honors for MLS in their 2023 All-Star game against Arsenal in July.

The 2023 regular-season campaign from Cincinnati has gone down in league history as one the best-ever, only second to the 2021 run by the New England Revolution. Acosta was named on the ballot for 2023 MVP, and is now the first-ever winner of the award for the Orange and Blue. He almost single-handedly turned the franchise around, and is now being touted as an individual who could do that on the national stage – only not with Argentina.

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Getty ImagesBerhalter's next dual-national?

The 2026 World Cup is still over two years away, but the USMNT's planning for the tournament – which America will co-host – began the minute team crashed out of the 2022 edition in the last 16.

One aspect of that planning, that admittedly began before Qatar last winter, has been the convincing of dual-nationals to commit to joining Berhalter's squad. Berhalter has been part-coach, part-recruiter over the past few years, and has secured the services of enough players to make his roster one of the world's most talented.

Christian Pulisic, Timothy Weah, Yunus Musah, Antonee Robinson, Malik Tillman, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jesus Ferreira are just some of the high-profile names to have committed themselves to the U.S. cause in recent times, while the successful pursuit of Folarin Balogun earlier in 2023 left fans abuzz with anticipation as he rejected England's advances. Recent dual-national call-ups Kristoffer Lund, Kevin Paredes and Lennard Maloney could yet become reliable members of the squad in the build-up to 2026, too.

Next on Berhalter's radar is Acosta, who earlier this year started his American citizenship process with a dream of playing for the USMNT. In June, Acosta told that he would "obviously" accept a call-up to the squad if it arrived. The Argentine midfielder added: "It’s one reason I started (the citizenship) process."

Securing Acosta's services would offer the USMNT a veteran presence in their incredibly youthful attack, while allowing them to have an alternative to Gio Reyna at the No.10 position. Reyna's injury history is a cause for concern, and there is no clear back-up for the Borussia Dortmund youngster in the current U.S. squad. Acosta ticks every box that the USMNT need.

Anya Shrubsole, the right-arm medium pacer, has been named England Women’s player of the year for the first time after leading the attack through what has been a difficult year for the team

ESPNcricinfo staff16-May-2016Anya Shrubsole, the right-arm medium pacer, has been named England Women’s player of the year for the first time after leading the attack through what has been a difficult year for the team.Meanwhile, an award voted for by the fans went to the recently retired Charlotte Edwards.Shrubsole, 24, took 32 wickets across three formats including 4 for 63 in the Women’s Ashes Test where she removed Australia’s top order, 4 for 11 against Australia in a T20I in Cardiff and a four-wicket haul against South Africa in an ODI in Benoni. It follows her award at the end of the previous season in September as England’s player of the summer.Since then, she has taken seven wickets in a three-match away ODI series against South Africa, five in the T20Is that followed, and seven scalps in five games at the Women’s World T20 in India.Following the retirement of Edwards last week, after she was told that there would be a change of captain and no place for her in the side in the near future, as well as the potential unavailability of Sarah Taylor, Shrubsole will be an increasingly senior figure in the team this season as they enter a rebuilding phase ahead of the 2017 Women’s World Cup in England.Shrubsole made her England debut in 2008 and has played 34 ODIs and 47 T20 internationals alongside four Tests.

The Chelsea star was outstanding in Sydney on Friday as the European champions made it two wins from two at the tournament

England are on the brink of qualifying for the Women's World Cup knockout stages after a 1-0 win over Denmark that saw Lauren James shine, the Chelsea star scoring a stunning opening goal, though the evening was marred by a worrying injury to midfielder Keira Walsh. The Barcelona star had to be stretchered off before half-time and there is real concern over what looked to be a serious knee problem.

After the Lionesses put in an underwhelming display against Haiti last week, though one that did end in a victory, James was brought into the starting XI at the expense of Lauren Hemp and she immediately set about repaying Sarina Wiegman's faith in her with a gorgeous strike early on.

Denmark threatened to respond with some promising moves on the counter, but they were unable to punish the European champions when they got those opportunities as England made it two wins from two.

GOAL rates the Lionesses' players from the Allianz Stadium in Sydney…

Please enable Javascript to view this contentGetty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

Mary Earps (6/10):

Didn't have too much to do but positioning was good to ensure the saves she made were comfortable.

Lucy Bronze (5/10):

Made a couple of errors that allowed Denmark to catch England out in transition, especially with her playing so high. Didn't keep the ball as well as she usually does.

Millie Bright (5/10):

A better performance after a difficult evening against Haiti but was still shaky.

Alex Greenwood (6/10):

Decent display and much more influential in her centre-back role, albeit without being outstanding.

Rachel Daly (7/10):

Didn't do much wrong and also influenced the attack when she could, too, with some good passes and deliveries.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield

Keira Walsh (6/10):

Was moving the ball around nicely in England's midfield before having to be stretchered off with a worrying knee injury before half-time.

Georgia Stanway (7/10):

Another strong performance, especially considering the need to switch to a deeper role midway through the game.

Ella Toone (5/10):

Picked up better positions today but was still really quiet.

Getty ImagesAttack

Chloe Kelly (5/10):

Lively down the right at the start of the game and delivered good crosses but was really quiet as the game went on.

Alessia Russo (5/10):

Contributed well in the build-up but wasn't much of a threat in the box at all.

Lauren James (8/10):

Electric. Scored a stunning goal and was so often on the end of other chances with her movement.

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Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Laura Coombs (5/10):

Replaced Walsh just before half-time but couldn't really make her mark on the game.

Beth England (N/A):

Replaced Russo with less than 15 minutes to go. Had a difficult chance from a Daly cross but wasn't far away.

Lauren Hemp (N/A):

Replaced Toone with less than 15 minutes to go and couldn't get into the game.

Sarina Wiegman (7/10):

Decision to start James was absolutely the right one and she moved Greenwood more central to improve her influence, too. Toone and Russo were really quiet again from the start, but Wiegman's substitutions were good, if a little late.

Despite showing strong form for Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga, the hero of the 2014 World Cup hasn't made an international appearance in two years

As the United States men's national team prepares to host Ghana in a key friendly on Tuesday, it's hard not to think of past moments in these teams' shared history. It's an unlikely rivalry, one forged not by geography, but by competition on the biggest stage possible.

It's hard not to think of the 2006 World Cup, when a U.S. team that included now-USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter first fell to the Black Stars. It's hard not to think of what happened four years later, when Asamoah Gyan led Ghana to another victory and the World Cup quarter-finals with a goal in extra-time. And it's hard not to think of a young John Brooks soaring for a header in 2014, looking at his hands in disbelief after scoring the biggest goal he'd ever score.

All of that feels like ancient history these days… except for the Brooks part. The USMNT has largely moved on from that 2014 squad, which makes sense given the fact that it's been nearly a decade since Brooks' magic moment. The center-back, though, is still playing at a top level, still contributing in the Bundesliga even after all these years.

Yet, for much of Berhalter's tenure, Brooks has been excluded from the USMNT. It's been years since we've seen him in a USMNT shirt, and, despite the freshness of a new cycle, it doesn't seem likely we'll ever see Brooks again. But why?

Getty ImagesThat magic Ghana moment

It's one of the most iconic goals in USMNT history, one made all the more endearing by the sheer shock of it all. No one could believe it, not even Brooks, who had a look of pure amazement on his face as he struggled to even comprehend what had just happened

Brooks had scored, and he'd scored late. His goal had given the USMNT the lead in their World Cup opener. They would protect that lead, earning a win over their fierce rivals Ghana, before qualifying for the knockout stages of the 2014 World Cup.

It was an incredible moment for the then-21-year-old defender, who was less than a year into his USMNT career. Realistically, he wasn't even supposed to be in the game, having only come on as a substitute to replace the injured Matt Besler. With that goal, he became the first American to score as a substitute in the World Cup and, perhaps more importantly, sealed his place in USMNT history.

It looked like the beginning of a long USMNT career for Brooks but, as it turns out, it wouldn't be as long as anyone would have expected.

AdvertisementElsaHighs and lows under Klinsmann and Arena

As Jurgen Klinsmann began his second USMNT cycle, Brooks became an integral part of the team. He played in five of the team's six matches at the Copa America Centenario in 2016, missing only the Bronze Medal match. All the while, he remained a key player in the Bundesliga, playing for both Hertha Berlin and Wolfsburg for the better part of a decade.

However, it wasn't all positive. He was a key starter at the beginning of the USMNT's 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign, playing in the opening loss to Mexico in Columbus. He then put in one of the most infamous performances in USMNT history, totally losing control of the game in a 4-0 drubbing in Costa Rica that ultimately cost Klinsmann his job.

Brooks, though, remained a regular throughout 2017 before suffering a torn thigh tendon in August, ruling him out for several months. It was during that time that the USMNT's 2018 World Cup dreams famous crumbled in loss to Trinidad & Tobago in October.

GettyFalling out of the picture

At the start of Berhalter's tenure, Brooks was very much still in the national-team picture. The defender was still only 25, a player that had likely not even entered his prime years as a defender.

Brooks began Berhalter's tenure in 2019 by starting a friendly against Ecuador before appearing once again in a vital Nations League win over Canada that November. The following year was, for many, a wash due to the coronavirus pandemic, although Brooks did start the 0-0 draw with Wales that November in the USMNT's return to action.

In 2021, though, he seemingly found his stride, headlined by a run that saw him start four out of five games en route to the Nations League triumph over Mexico that June. By the start of World Cup qualifying in September 2021, Brooks appeared to be a player that would be relied upon heavily on the road to Qatar, starting back-to-back games against Canada and Honduras. The U.S. struggled in that match against Canada, a 1-1 draw in Nashville, while Brooks was surprisingly withdrawn at halftime of the eventual 4-1 win over Honduras three days later.

As it turned out, that first half against Honduras was the last time we saw Brooks in a USMNT shirt, as he's spent the last two years totally out of the reckoning.

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GettyBerhalter explains, Brooks responds

It began in November 2021, when Brooks was surprisingly first excluded from the USMNT squad. He had been a key player for the U.S. for years, one of the few holdovers from the 2014 World Cup and one still with plenty of years left in him at a high level.

At the time, Berhalter opted to lean on the likes of Miles Robinson, Walker Zimmerman, Chris Richards and Mark McKenzie, pointing at Brooks' up-and-down performances during the previous window. "Regarding John Brooks, it was a really difficult decision,” Berhalter said at the time, “and a lot of it was based on how we felt his performance was with the team, the last time he’s been performing.”

Brooks, for his part, agreed. He felt he wasn't good enough in those two World Cup qualifiers, and vowed to be back better than ever in the future, telling : “The decision to leave me out of this camp isn’t surprising, given some of my recent performances for the USMNT that aren’t up to my standards. My job now is to work hard to be the very best I can be. I feel great about this week’s Champions League performance and my recent play with Wolfsburg, and will keep building on my performance there, until I reach my goal of helping the USMNT reach the next World Cup.”

Berhalter replied, saying: “That’s all you can ask for as a player’s response, right? Normally what players do is they start picking off other players and saying, 'Well, this guy is doing this', and all John did was take accountability for his own performance. “

It seemed everyone was aligned and on the same path, but what looked like a one-window exclusion turned into one that hasn't yet come to an end.

Emma Hayes has warned Chelsea’s rivals that there is even more to come from Sam Kerr, with a Champions League hat-trick hit at “80 per cent”.

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Blues in European action against Paris FCStar forward claimed another match ballWorking her way back to full sharpnessWHAT HAPPENED?

The Australia international has been working her way back from a calf problem that threatened to dash her World Cup dreams on home soil at one stage. Kerr is not yet fully match fit, but the prolific 30-year-old is still too good for most of those that she comes up against – with that point highlighted when claiming the match ball in a 4-1 victory over Paris FC in the Champions League group stage.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT HAYES SAID

Chelsea boss Hayes told reporters afterwards of Kerr having more gears to go through yet: “If that is her at 80 per cent – or whatever the per cent she is – then I’ll take that every week, that is not bad. I can’t wait for the 100 per cent version to come. I said to Paul (Green) in the dressing room before the game, she doesn’t get credit for all the other little bits she does and while she’s not, by her standards, top top yet, I don’t know anyone who puts the ball away like she does. She is so alert, so decisive with her movement. She can make a bad pass a good pass and I think the third goal, the lob, is just brilliant centre forward play.”

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Sophie Ingle was also on target for Chelsea against Paris FC, as she stepped off the bench to complete the scoring in stoppage-time, and Hayes was delighted with the impact made by her substitutes in what is becoming a gruelling schedule for the Blues. She added: “Sophie coming on [in the second half], I thought she brought the calm, composed impact we needed. Same with Maren (Mjelde) and Eve Perisset, Mia (Fishel) getting her first Champions League appearance. Some days, you’ve got to dig it out and need the bench. Today, the bench did their job.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

Chelsea sit second in Group D, with four points taken from two games, and are top of the WSL after going unbeaten through seven games in domestic competition. They will be hoping to land multiple major honours this season, offering Hayes the perfect send off before she takes the reins with the USWNT.

American rapper Kanye West was in attendance at the Champions League game between Inter and Atletico Madrid at San Siro on Tuesday.

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Kanye West attended Inter's Champions League clashWas accompanied by his wife Bianca Censori and met Jaden SmithInter beat Atletico Madrid 1-0WHAT HAPPENED?

West attended the game in Italy alongside his wife Bianca Censori, and also posed for photos with American artist and actor Jaden Smith. The rapper turned up at the stadium in unusual attire as he appeared to be covered head to toe. He wore a black jacket hooded up and a black mask to cover his entire face.

AdvertisementWATCH THE CLIPGetty/GOALTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The 46-year-old recently released his new album named 'Vultures 1' in collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign, who was also in attendance in Milan. West also involved a section of Inter fans from the club's Curva Nord ultras group in some of his songs, including 'Carnival'. They even received song credit in the album.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR INTER?

Simone Inzaghi's side edged out Atletico Madrid 1-0 courtesy of Marko Arnautovic's strike in the first leg of their round of 16 clash on Tuesday. Inter will next face Lecce in a Serie A clash on Sunday as they bid to extend their lead at the top of the table.

Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, has said the win in the first Test in Galle has helped his side regain confidence and got rid of the nervousness they felt ahead of the series

Umar Farooq in Colombo24-Jun-20151:24

We were nervous to begin with – Misbah

Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, has said the win in the first Test in Galle has helped his side regain confidence and got rid of the nervousness they felt ahead of the series. He also said that offspinner Mohammad Hafeez, who was reported for a suspect action in the first Test, could still have a significant role to play in Colombo.”We got a lot of confidence from the first Test and we just want to carry that momentum in the second Test here,” Misbah said. “Every series and match is on a new day and you can’t just live in the past. From two years, we were playing good cricket but we haven’t been able to win here, so with the victory in Galle all the nervousness is gone.”You can’t just change many things in just two days but regardless of anything we all know that Sri Lanka is a tough competitor at their home ground and we are not taking them lightly. There is no sense of complacency at all and we can’t even afford that. We still have a winning spirit but at the same time we have to be wary about the opponent.”Misbah said it was frustrating to see Hafeez being reported yet again though he recently cleared his action. However, he will play in Colombo before being released for the third Test in Pallekele. “The good thing is he can still bowl in this Test match and that’s the plus for us, but it’s really disappointing that he just came after clearing his test and now is again on the radar.”I mean this will go on like that if we don’t have technology to assess the bowler’s action during the game as there would be a lot of ifs and buts in the bowler’s and the team’s mind questioning what’s going on. We are again relying on the naked eye so sometimes it could be frustrating for a player being called again. But Hafeez still has a role to play and we are looking forward to it.”Until the Galle Test, Pakistan’s last win in Sri Lanka was in 2006. Last year, Rangana Herath alone outclassed them. Pakistan, though, responded well against him in the previous Test, not only by giving him just one wicket but also scoring briskly against him. But Misbah said he knew Herath could be a threat and that his team will have to guard against complacency.”We have to respect him and everybody knows that he [Herath] is a top performer,” Misbah said. “He could be a threat, it’s a new game and we have to start over again, tackling him with a more focused technique. We know that we can’t take him for granted merely on the basis of the Galle Test so we have to be careful, as we know he is capable of making a strong comeback.”The pitch at the P Sara Stadium is one of the best pitches in South Asia in terms of obtaining results over the past 20 years. Each of the last eight Tests at the venue have led to results, and only one of the past 12 matches has ended in a draw. The pitch until the eve of Test had a lot of grass on the top, appearing supportive for the seamers but likely to offer turn for the spinners as the game progresses.Pakistan’s bowlers looked threatening in the first Test with Junaid Khan being the only weak link, but Misbah said he had no confusion with the make-up of his side ahead of the match.”I haven’t had a final look at the pitch. Yesterday it looked like a good pitch and we know that it helps the seamers but it also has something for the spinners as well. But let’s see how it goes and we will take a decision after giving a final look. But at the same time there is no confusion, we are very clear what we have to do.”There is always a surprise factor when a bowler plays for the first time against any opponent. This is exactly what happened in the first Test as both Zulfiqar Babar and Yasir Shah were playing for the first time against Sri Lanka and that really made a difference.”Misbah paid tribute to his team-mate Younis Khan, who will play his 100th Test, in Colombo. “He is the backbone and a very special member of the Pakistan team. Playing 100 Tests is a huge achievement whoever you represent. He is a top batsman for Pakistan at the moment and brings a lot of value to the team. He brings a lot of good, positive energy and has given great performances for the country.”

Everything you need to know about the latest batch of yesterday's stars on EA Sports' new title

Every year, EA Sports rolls out a new 'class' of FIFA Ultimate Team Icons as game-makers resurrect the glory days of some of the best players in football history.

The new Icons in FIFA 21 will join a considerable cast of former stars, which already includes the likes of Johan Cruyff, George Best and Ronaldinho, among others.

Last year, FIFA 20 bedazzled fans with the addition of Zinedine Zidane to the Icons roster, with Pep Guardiola and Ronald Koeman also joining the throwback crew.

So, what about this year? Which new players are in FIFA 21's 'Class of 21'? Goal has all the details, including ratings, below…

EA SportsDavid Beckham

Overall ratings: 87 | 92 | 89

Legendary Manchester United and Real Madrid star David Beckham is the headline addition to FIFA 21 as a FUT Icon, rekindling an association with EA Sports for the first time in 23 years.

One of Beckham's overall ratings in the game – from the 2003-04 season – will be 86. As expected, Beckham's passing is his best attribute, with his shooting and dribbling skills following.

His three FUT Icon cards come in at overall ratings of: 87, 92 and 89.

AdvertisementEA SportsEric Cantona

Overall ratings: 88 | 93 | 90

As well as Beckham, another iconic Manchester United No. 7 joins the cadre of classic stars on FIFA 21: Eric Cantona.

The man known as 'King Eric' at Old Trafford has an impressive rating on the game and his inclusion will allow you to relive the glory days of the 1990s.

EA SportsPetr Cech

Overall ratings: 86 | 91 | 88

Petr Cech established himself as one of the greatest goalkeepers in the world during his time in the Premier League with Chelsea and he carried on into his late 30s at Arsenal before hanging up his gloves (though he has returned as an emergency goalkeeper for Chelsea!).

There are not many goalkeeper Icons on FIFA so Cech joins an exclusive club, which includes Peter Schmeichel, Edwin van der Sar and Lev Yashin.

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EA SportsAshley Cole

Overall ratings: 85 | 89 | 87

Regarded as one of England's best-ever left-backs, Ashley Cole makes his bow as an Icon in FIFA 21.

A winner of multiple Premier League titles across his spells with Arsenal and Chelsea, as well as a Champions League winner, Cole's career spanned two decades from the turn of the millennium.

The revitalised Red Devils already have one piece of silverware in the bag and they are very well placed to add three more trophies this season…

Manchester United's longest trophy drought in four decades is finally over.

After six years of frustration, mediocrity and division, Erik ten Hag brought the League Cup back to Old Trafford to cap a superb start to his spell in charge.

Fellow top-four hopefuls Newcastle were dispatched with relative ease at Wembley, with United never really needing to get out of second gear on their way to earning an efficient 2-0 victory.

Ten Hag's side were far more impressive over the two legs of their Europa League knockout play-off tie against Barcelona, as they put on a feast of free-flowing attacking football, but Sunday's League Cup success served as proof that they can also grind out a result when the stakes are at their highest.

An FA Cup fifth-round tie against West Ham is next up on Wednesday, followed by a trip to Anfield in the Premier League four days later.

Should they win both of those games, talk of a clean sweep of trophies will intensify heading into their Europa League last-16 tie against Real Betis.

United have the opportunity to make history in the final months of the season and GOAL is on hand to examine the key reasons why the quadruple is a realistic target for Ten Hag's relentless Red Devils…

GettyCasemiro: The ultimate winning machine

"Tell them I'll fix this."

Casemiro's reported message to his agent after United's 4-0 loss at Brentford at the start of the season could one day be etched into his statue outside Old Trafford.

The Brazilian joined the club from Real Madrid for £70 million ($82m) just over a week later, and that price tag has since proven to be a bargain – even for a man who turned 31 on February 23.

United's Carabao Cup triumph was a ninth successive major final win for Casemiro, who lifted five Champions League titles among a whole host of other honours at Santiago Bernabeu.

His brilliantly executed header set United on their way against Newcastle and supporters are already used to the midfielder lifting the team in the biggest matches.

"It's one more trophy for me and I always welcome it, regardless of the competition," he told TNT Sports after the final. "My history has always been about winning since I was a kid, so here it isn't any different. I'm here to help my team-mates and Manchester United."

That winning mentality has rubbed off on the rest of the squad and with Casemiro in the starting XI, United cannot be considered underdogs in any contest – he just needs to avoid any further suspensions!

AdvertisementGettyArsenal's lack of depth

Of the three trophies still available to United in 2022-23, the Premier League seems to be the most out of reach for United – but only on paper.

They are currently eight points behind current leaders Arsenal, who beat Ten Hag's side 3-2 in a thrilling top-of-the-table clash at the Emirates Stadium on January 22.

That result appeared to spell the end of United's title chances, but the Gunners subsequently suffered an alarming blip, sparked by crashing out of the FA Cup at the hands of Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta's side then lost at Everton and drew with Brentford at home before being beaten again by City on a Premier League stage, which allowed United to make up some ground.

Arsenal have bounced back by winning their last two outings against Aston Villa and Leicester, but there is a niggling sense that they are just one or two injuries away from another damaging run. Indeed, Partey's absence proved costly in their 3-1 defeat to City, and Gabriel Jesus is still yet to return from a long-term ligament issue.

The fixture list is set to pile up for Arteta and his players as they prepare for the latter stages of the Europa League, meaning a first league title since 2003-04 is still by no means sewn up. United look perfectly poised to pounce on any further mistakes.

Getty ImagesLethal weapon Rashford

Marcus Rashford hit his 25th goal in all competitions for United in the Carabao Cup final, with the Press Association confirming him as the scorer of their second goal on Monday.

The 25-year-old's deflected effort initially went down as a Sven Botman own goal, but he has benefitted from a slice of retrospective good fortune to increase his scoring tally in what has already been his best-ever individual campaign in a United shirt.

Long-term injury absentee Phil Jones, who has been a team-mate of Rashford's since 2016, was full of praise for the forward while covering the final for .

"He’s been brilliant and, on current form, he’s probably the best player in the world," he said. "You can see his body shape, he’s strengthened in the gym and worked really hard on himself. The club have worked with him really well. People don’t see the work he puts in after training. I’m delighted for him, he deserves it.”

The biggest compliment we can give Rashford is that Jones' claim does not feel too bold. The England international is now the man that United rely on to make the difference in the final third. More often than not, he delivers the spark needed to unlock defences and turn draws into wins.

In the absence of a natural No.9, with Burnley loanee Wout Weghorst adopting more of a target man-type role, Rashford has taken up the job of United's primary goalscorer, and he's proven himself against the highest standard of opposition.

He is United's main weapon, a consistent, clinical force of nature that defenders are powerless to stop. They simply cannot be written off in any game in which Rashford is on the pitch.

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Getty ImagesMan City's Champions League pressure

“People say [City should win it], but I always have the feeling it’s so difficult to do that," Pep Guardiola said before the first leg of City's round-of-16 Champions League tie against RB Leipzig. "Every season it’s more and more difficult. We want to do our best and get to the quarter-finals but what is going to happen is going to happen. At the end of the day, our destiny is already written.

"Sometimes we have been close, sometimes not. Whatever I have done personally in the past or in the future, I am going to fail. Nothing will be enough.”

These are the words of a man who is feeling the pressure to finally deliver City's maiden European crown. After six seasons of failure, they are being billed as favourites to win this season's competition, and after a 1-1 draw in Germany, they will be expected to see off Leipzig on home soil and advance to the last eight.

Guardiola's side are also only two points behind Arsenal in the title race – albeit having played a game more – but the Spaniard won't be judged on whether he delivers the club's fifth Premier League trophy since 2016.

They haven't been as consistent as usual domestically, despite the scoring prowess of summer signing Erling Haaland, and it may well be the case that Guardiola is prepared to sacrifice the title in order to win his fourth Champions League as a manager.

This inner conflict only benefits United, who seemingly have an easier end of season run than their city rivals, and could soon emerge as the main contenders to overtake Arsenal at the summit.

It was a memorable day for Arsenal at Buckingham Palace in February, 2007 – but why were they there?

"It’s quite big, you could play a good football match here."

Those were the words of Arsene Wenger as he and the rest of the Arsenal squad pulled up in the team coach at Buckingham Palace in February, 2007.

They were there at the invitation of Her Majesty The Queen and were treated to an experience no other club football team has ever been privileged to.

But why were they there? What was it all about?

This is the story of the day the Queen invited Arsenal round for tea.

Why did the Queen invite Arsenal to Buckingham Palace?

Arsenal had moved from Highbury to Emirates Stadium in 2006, ending a 93-year stay in their iconic north London home.

The short move to the club’s new base at Ashburton Grove was a costly one and to mark the occasion, they wanted a special grand opening. And what would be grander than the Queen cutting the ribbon to officially declare the Emirates open?

It was all agreed, but unfortunately a back injury forced the Queen to cancel on the morning of Thursday, October 26, with Prince Philip doing the honours instead.

While it was still a special occasion for Arsenal, the event was tinged with disappointment – especially as the plaque that Prince Phillip unveiled had already been engraved with the wording ‘officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen’.

But to make up for her late cancellation, the Queen then invited the Arsenal first-team squad and members of the club hierarchy to Buckingham Palace for afternoon tea in February 2007.

AdvertisementWho went?

Thierry Henry was Arsenal captain at the time, so he led what was a relatively young squad to Buckingham Palace.

There were still a few of the old guard from the Invincibles era, such as Freddie Ljungberg, Gilberto Silva and Jens Lehmann.

But there were plenty of young faces on show, with the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Just Hoyte, Denilson and Theo Walcott all present.

Wenger was there of course, as were Arsenal’s chairman at the time, Peter Hill-Wood, and club director Ken Friar.

What did the players do?

After arriving by coach, the Arsenal squad was greeted by the Buckingham Palace doormen and the players made their way inside.

They were then met by royal collections expert Desmond Shawe-Taylor, who took them around the Palace for a private tour of the state apartments.

The event was captured by a BBC documentary, with Shawe-Taylor admitting he was ‘nervous’ to be coming face to face with some of the Arsenal squad.

"I’m not usually doing it for superstars," he said. "I’m trying to remember my words when Thierry Henry is facing me. I feel like a defender."

After the guided tour the squad then gathered in one of the main rooms for their afternoon tea and waited for the Queen.

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What did they eat?

As you would expect given the surroundings, it was far from your average tea menu.

There were plenty of tasty delights on offer for the Arsenal squad, including Montgomery cheddar and fig chutney on granary, roast beef and dijon mustard on sweetened brioche, smoked salmon and cucumber on royal crown tortano bread and roast beef on brioche. 

There was also a selection of clotted cream and jam scones, fresh fruit tartlets, chocolate cake and pistachio macaroons.

Most things went down very well, although goalkeeper Manuel Almunia struggled a bit when it came to quenching his thirst.

"I don’t really like tea," he said. "But you have to do it here."