Manchester United and Liverpool to battle for Premier League defender - Reports

Manchester United and Liverpool are reportedly set to battle each other for the signature of Fulham defender Antonee Robinson. As reported by Metro, both Premier League clubs are interested in the United States international's signature.

Robinson has established himself as one of the most well-rounded full-backs in the Premier League during his stint at Fulham. He has been a key player for the Cottagers since joining the club in 2020 from Wigan Athletic.

The USA international has made 156 appearances for Fulham over the years, having contributed three goals and 14 assists. He has been ever-present for Marco Silva's side in the Premier League this season, providing two assists in the process.

Robinson is gifted with an immense work rate and is effective on both ends of the pitch. He is also quite reliable in terms of availability, having missed just 15 games with injuries for Fulham since 2020.

Manchester United have struggled in the left-back area of late, with both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia struggling badly with injuries. Neither of the two has kicked a ball this season, with Shaw having been out since February and Malacia since May 2023.

Liverpool, on the other hand, have one of the best left-backs in world football at their disposal in Andrew Robertson. The club also have a pretty capable player in Kostas Tsimikas to deputize for the Scot if needed.

At 27 years of age, Robinson is at the peak of his powers and will certainly be looking for regular first-team football if he leaves Craven Cottage. From the left-back's point of view, a move to Manchester United perhaps makes more sense than a move to Liverpool.

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Liverpool legend aims dig at former Manchester United striker after he joins AEK Athens

Former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness has taken a jibe at ex-Manchester United striker Anthony Martial. The Frenchman has joined AEK Athens on a free transfer following a nine-year stint at Old Trafford.

Souness has claimed that Martial spending nine seasons at the club speaks volumes about everything wrong with Manchester United. The Liverpool legend wrote in his column for The Daily Mail:

"I noted this week that Anthony Martial has joined AEK Athens in Greece. Maybe, even at 28, that is his level. In his nine seasons at Manchester United, no player better captured the club's malaise."

"He is the best example of where they have gone wrong. I said about four years ago, entering a new season, that it had to be Martial's last-chance saloon. I cannot believe it was only this summer that he finally left the club."

The Scotsman added:

"Martial is one of those players you would turn up and watch him in training and think, 'What a player'. But talk to any professional, we've all been at clubs with great Monday-to-Friday players. On a Saturday, they go missing. He was the epitome of that."

"He didn't have the eye of the tiger, it was not in him. He would flatter to deceive. It was as plain as the nose on the end of your face that he wasn't a Manchester United player. And that was obvious after a couple of seasons. He just could not deal with playing for a big club like United, where every game is must-win."

Expectations were massive from Martial when the Frenchman, once dubbed as the 'next Thierry Henry', joined the Red Devils in 2015. He cost Manchester United an initial £36 million, with the fee potentially rising as high as £57.6 million, but never managed to live up to the expectations.

Martial made 317 appearances for the Red Devils over the years, contributing 90 goals and 47 assists in the process.