We want to compete with the best - Ten Hag.

Manchester United will host Chelsea in a crucial English Premier League encounter on Thursday 25 May at Old Trafford, with the Kick-off at 21:00.

Man United needs just a point to secure a UEFA Champions League spot next season, with two matches remaining.

United boss, Erik Ten Hag, says they want to compete with the best, which means playing in the UCL, and that makes winning against Chelsea on Thursday evening non-negotiable.

"We want to compete with the best and then you have to be in the Champions League. It is simple," Ten Hag told journalists at Carrington earlier today, as quoted by manutd.com.

"First, we have to win the game tomorrow and get the job done. Then it is about the judgement from others. If it's a good performance or a bad performance or a poor performance."

Ten Hag says United are on a journey back to winning trophies, a journey that has been good with one trophy in the bag.

He insists though, that good is not good enough, they can always do better.

"We are in a project and we want to go back and win trophies, [we have] won one trophy and we want to win more trophies and we want to compete with the best. We are still in a journey, but we think we are in the right direction. We can always be better because good is not good enough.''

United will be boosted by the return to fitness of Marcus Rashford, who has been a revelation for them this season.

Rashford missed United's 1-0 win over Bournemouth due to illness.

"It looks like [he will be available], but yesterday he returns in training and he looks quite fit but we have to see today what the outcome is from the training - how did he recover and then we will make our choices," said Ten Hag regarding Rashford's return. 

SA⚽TxT's DStv Premiership team of the season.

The 2022/23 season has come and gone, with the Nedbank Cup final and the relegation/promotion players the only remaining activities on its calendar. 

As with every season, once again a few players stood out in this campaign, and this writer took time to select what he believes is the best eleven for 2022/23.

Formation: 4-2-1-3 

Goalkeeper: Ronwen Williams 

Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper, Williams, had a great season after his move from SuperSport United was questioned by a lot of football pundits. 

With Denis Onyango having made the Sundowns number one spot his own, Williams was expected to keep the bench warm. 

Instead, Williams is in the running for the player of the season award, and he is definitely the goalkeeper of the season. 

Right-Back: Khuliso Mudau 

If you want a number two who can go up and down the line all day long, Mudau is your man. 

The Sundowns number two doesn't only march up and down the line with ease, his tackling in dangerous one v one situations is superb. 

Left-Back: Riaan Hanamub 

AmaZulu FC might find it hard to hold on to their number three for long. 

Like Mudau, Hanamub has all the attributes one looks for in a fullback, the speed, contributing both in attack and defence, and one v one defending skills to boast. 

Center-Half: Nkosinathi Sibisi 

Orlando Pirates have themselves a top defender in Sibisi. 

If you want a lethal striker to be bottled for 90 minutes, Sibisi is your man. 

His defender of the season nomination is testimony to his huge contribution to Bucs' rock solid defence this season. 

Center-Half: Given Msimango 

Msimango was a revelation for TS Galaxy this season.  like Sibisi, his contribution in Galaxy's excellent defensive record has not gone unnoticed, with a Bafana call-up, a defender of the season nomination, and a move to Kaizer Chiefs his due rewards. 

Pivot-One: Tebogo Mokoena 

With Andile Jali's future uncertain at Mamelodi Sundowns, Mokoena took the opportunity presenting itself with both hands, and showed the stuff he is made of when it comes to playing the holding midfield role. 

And he has done so with aplomb, a midfielder of the season award is loading. 

Pivot-Two: Miguel Timm 

Timm has been a revelation for Orlando Pirates this season, cleaning up in front of their defence, as well as initiating attacks with his wide range of passing abilities. 

You only have to listen to Pirates supporters when he touches the ball to understand the impact he has made. Another worthy contender for the midfielder of the season award, which unfortunately, he didn't get. 

Number-Ten: Themba Zwane 

For this particular role, Mshishi has no peers at the moment, he keeps maturing like fine wine. 

He didn't have the best of seasons, yet he made enough of an impact to earn a midfielder of the season nomination. 

Center-Forward: Peter Shalulile 

The Namibian assassin came back from a lengthy injury lay-off to claim his throne as a leading goal poacher in the league, although he has some company this time around, in Khanyisa Mayo. 

Left-Wing-Forward: Cassius Mailula 

Mailula was another revelation for Manelodi Sundowns this season. 

His goals and assists in the DStv Premiership and the CAF Champions League earn him a selection ahead of joint top goal scorer, Khanyisa Mayo. 

I see you Khanyisa, I see you. The second half is all yours! 

Right-Wing-Forward: Monnapule Saleng 

15 goals, nine assists, numerous man of the match awards. 

Need I say more? Except that for a man with such small shoulders, Saleng sure did carry a heavy load that is Orlando Pirates this season, without tiring!! 

Head-Coach: Rulani Mokwena 

First-Assistant: Jose Riveiro 

Third-Assistant: Gavin Hunt

Pirates players hooked on winning trophies.

If Miguel Timm's words are anything to go by, Sekhukhune United should brace themselves for war when they clash with Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup on Saturday 27 May at Loftus Versfeld.

According to Timm, Orlando Pirates are addicted to winning trophies after winning the MTN8 title earlier this season.

And when someone is addicted to something, they do whatever it takes to get their fix.

"We are going into this game with a lot of hunger and desire to get that feeling we got when we won the MTN8. I must say it is a very addictive one (winning a cup) and it has become a virus in the locker-room in a good way. We are looking forward to the weekend and hopefully we can lift the trophy," said Timm as quoted by The Citizen. https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/soccer/local-soccer/timm-says-lifting-trophies-has-become-an-addiction-at-pirates/

Pirates have had a fairly successful season, having also managed to finish in second position in the DStv Premiership, which gave them passage to next season's CAF Champions League.

Despite the MTN8 trophy, and possibly the Nedbank Cup, Timm says their biggest target was the league title.

It is now history that they fell 16 points from even getting a touch of it, with Mamelodi Sundowns winning it with seven matches to spare.

Nonetheless, Timm believes Pirates have learned enough this season to stage a better assault on the title in the next campaign.

"As much as we are happy with qualifying for the Champions League, one of the targets we set ourselves as a group was to compete for the title. The positives we will take is the solid foundation we have set for the future. We will give it a go next season. I am not saying we are not happy with reaching two Cup finals, but we have the capacity to do more."

It's Done - Seema on Leaving Chippa.

You don't go to Chippa United and expect to get comfortable and stay, and Lehlohonolo Seema knew that, which is why I believe he traveled to Gqeberha with just a backpack packed with simple essentials, no huge luggage bags.

As he says, it is done, Lehlohonolo Seema has left Chippa United after just four matches in charge.

Seema, took over a Chippa that was firmly on the clutches of relegation's claws, saving them on the last day of the DStv Premiership.

But, it appears, Chippa Mpengesi has decided that his saviour is not good enough to lead his club next season.

"It’s done, it was a call for four games, he told me he won’t continue with me, he has another plan, so yeah, I’m jobless as we speak," Seema told iDiski Times.https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/dstv-premiership/official-chippa-make-decision-on-coach/

"Hopefully the next team can provide an opportunity for a whole season and I can push myself again, but definitely not continuing with Chippa, spoke to the Chairman and he indicated he won’t be continuing with me for next season."

Somewhere out there, Mpengesi is busy searching for his next victim, another coach to shoot down.

While a poor coach, knowingly, which is ironic, is just about to step right into the line of fire.

Who wants to coach Chippa United nowadays, I do not know. But I hope it is not Morgan Mammila, he can't possibly ruin a good thing he is having with Musa Nyatama at Swallows FC, and go back into the firing line.

Haaland credits a good environment for his City success.

Erling Haaland has had a dream debut season in the English Premier League, scoring 52 goals so far for Manchester City across all competitions.

The Norwegian goal machine, City's focal point in attack this season, has credited the enabling environment, and the hunger for success from everyone around him at the club for his amazing debut season. 

"The environment allows me to be myself every day," Haaland told amp.mancity.com

"There are hungry people around me that want to become better every single day and want to help me to become better every single day.

"That is where everything starts from.

"From Pep, to the physios, to everyone, we want to help each other.

"We want to have a good time together and we want to make every single person in the club better.

"That is the most important thing.

ALSO READ: City will not take their foot off the pedal - Guardiola: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/guardiola-wants-city-to-keep-going.html?m=1

Haaland admits that the EPL is the toughest league in the world, but he has had an amazing journey since his Man City debut in August.

With his teammates having lifted the EPL title for two seasons in a row before he joined the club, Haaland says it was his goal to win the title as well this season.

"It has been an amazing journey, ever since my first game in August," Haaland added. 

"It is the toughest league, the most difficult league, every single game is tough.

"But we managed to win it and that is what has really been on my mind the whole season.

"All of my teammates have won it in the last few years and I wanted to do the same."

Guardiola wants City to keep going.

If Brighton & Hove Albion, as well as Brentford, think they are going to meet a Manchester City side with its foot of the pedal after wrapping up the English Premier League title last weekend, they better think again.

Man City boss, Pep Guardiola insists that he wants his charges to maintain their tone leading up to the to cup finals awaiting them.

Man City will face Manchester United in the FA Cup final on 03 June, before clashing against Inter Milan for the UEFA Champions League title on the 10th of June.

"It would be better to maintain our tone," Guardiola said as quoted by amp.mancity.com.

"I’m not talking about win or lose, I want to see that our tone is there.

"We cannot play like we have won [the Premier League]. Against these two teams, if we aren’t ready we will suffer a lot. And after it would be a problem.

"But if we maintain the tone and they beat us, they beat us – it can happen."

ALSO READ: It is time for Kaizer Chiefs to rise from their slumber: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/it-is-time-for-chiefs-to-rise-from.html?m=1

Guardiola expects Brighton and Brentford to raise their game against the EPL champions.

"It is understandable because they play against Manchester City, the winners in the last years of the Premier League and they want to show how good they are, that’s normal."

"The target of the Premier League is done. But we cannot drop much otherwise it will be more difficult."

City will face Brighton tonight (Wednesday 24 May) at the Falmer Stadium at 21:00.

A win or draw for City will stretch their unbeaten run in the EPL to 16 matches. 

It is time for Chiefs to rise from their slumber.

If there was ever a time for Kaizer Chiefs to rise from their long slumber, that time would be now.

For a giant of South African football to be on their knees for this long cannot be normal.

Eight years without a trophy is nothing short of a disaster that should shock Amakhosi management into action.

Judging by the events of the recently ended season, things are slowly going from bad to worse.

Amakhosi finished fifth on the log, having lost 12 games, with four of their losses coming from their last five matches.

One of the most glaring shortcomings at Chiefs is the lack of quality in their squad.

Not having a single player in the Bafana Bafana squad, for an institution of Amakhosi's caliber is testimony to the players they have at their disposal.

ALSO READ: Thatayaone Ditlhokwe is not fazed by the challenge of playing for Chiefs: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/chiefs-will-be-business-as-usual-for.html?m=1

Chiefs management needs to buy quality players, and that is becoming non-negotiable.

Their head coach, Arthur Zwane's recent comments about clubs making things difficult for them to sign players doesn't cut it.

The fact is, clubs do not make it easy for no one to get their players, unless you are in the business of signing free agents.

Quality players cost money, and so is success in modern football, and that is another fact.

A sense of urgency is required from the Chiefs hierarchy, seeing the slow demise of a club that is such a big part of the South African football heritage is not funny anymore.