Manchester United F.C. have reportedly made an initial enquiry over Waldemar Anton as they explore defensive reinforcements ahead of the summer transfer window.

While United’s primary focus remains on strengthening midfield following heavy investment in attack last year, the club are also assessing options at centre-back and left-back. Injuries to Lisandro Martínez and Matthijs de Ligt have exposed a lack of depth in recent weeks, prompting the need for more reliable long-term solutions.

Manager Michael Carrick has been forced to rotate limited options in defence, and United are now actively scanning the market. Murillo of Nottingham Forest F.C. is among the names under consideration, but Anton has also emerged as a serious candidate.

According to reports in Germany, United have gathered information on the Borussia Dortmund defender, who is also attracting interest from Atlético Madrid. The Spanish side have tracked Anton for some time, dating back to his early days in the Bundesliga.

There is some uncertainty at Dortmund regarding the future of their defensive pairing. While Nico Schlotterbeck is expected to commit his long-term future to the club, concerns remain that Anton could be tempted by interest from abroad. Bayer 04 Leverkusen have also monitored the situation in the past.

Despite the growing attention, Dortmund are not actively looking to sell. The 29-year-old is viewed as a crucial figure within the squad, both for his leadership and consistency at the back, and remains under contract until 2028.

Anton himself has played down the speculation, insisting his full focus is on achieving success with Dortmund and competing for major honours, making it clear that transfer rumours are not a distraction at this stage.

Roberto De Zerbi has issued an apology over his past comments about Mason Greenwood in his first interview since taking charge of Tottenham Hotspur F.C..

The Italian, who has signed a five-year deal in north London, replaces Igor Tudor after a brief and unsuccessful spell. He arrives with Tottenham locked in a tense relegation battle, sitting just one point above the drop zone in the Premier League.

Despite his strong reputation following spells at Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. and Olympique de Marseille, De Zerbi’s appointment has drawn criticism from sections of the fanbase. The backlash stems from remarks he made while managing in France, where he spoke positively about Greenwood during their time working together.

Greenwood had previously faced serious allegations in 2022, which he denied, before the case was dropped in early 2023 prior to trial. De Zerbi’s earlier comments describing the forward in a sympathetic light resurfaced following his move to Spurs, prompting a strong reaction.

Addressing the situation, De Zerbi clarified that he never intended to minimise issues related to violence, stressing that he has always stood in support of vulnerable individuals. He acknowledged that his words may have caused offence and expressed regret, adding that he hopes people will better understand his intentions over time.

Turning his focus to football matters, De Zerbi made it clear that his immediate priority is guiding Tottenham to safety. He emphasised a game-by-game approach, urging his players to show bravery and trust in their abilities as they battle to avoid relegation.

The 45-year-old also underlined his long-term commitment to the club, insisting he will remain in charge next season regardless of where Tottenham finish.

Paul Merson has backed Manchester City F.C., Arsenal F.C., Chelsea F.C. and West Ham United F.C. to reach the FA Cup semi-finals ahead of this weekend’s quarter-final ties.

The standout clash sees City host Liverpool F.C. at the Etihad, with Merson expecting Pep Guardiola’s side to edge a tightly balanced encounter. He pointed to Liverpool’s inconsistency this season as a key factor, suggesting their unpredictable form could cost them despite their attacking quality.

Liverpool head into the game under pressure after slipping to fifth in the Premier League, well behind the leaders, and are now relying on cup competitions to salvage their campaign. Meanwhile, City will be buoyed by their recent Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal, which reinforced their ability to deliver in big matches.

Elsewhere, Merson is confident Chelsea will progress past Port Vale F.C., despite the Blues’ recent struggles. Liam Rosenior’s side have endured a difficult spell, including a heavy Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain F.C., but are still expected to have too much quality for their lower-league opponents.

He also tipped Arsenal to navigate a tricky away tie against Southampton F.C.. With Mikel Arteta’s side closing in on the league title and still competing in Europe, Merson believes they will have enough to avoid an upset, even against an improving Southampton team.

The final semi-final spot, in Merson’s view, will go to West Ham, who face Leeds United F.C.. Despite both teams battling near the bottom of the table, West Ham’s recent upturn in form gives them the edge for the London Stadium clash.

Looking ahead, the FA Cup final is set to take place at Wembley on May 16, where the four remaining teams will battle for one of English football’s most prestigious trophies.