Tuesday’s briefing: Barry Ferguson’s Rangers return and Leeds move clear at top

Leeds took another giant stride towards the Premier League after beating Sky Bet Championship promotion rivals Sheffield United 3-1 at Bramall Lane.

Rangers appointed former captain Barry Ferguson as their new boss until the end of the season after the sacking of Philippe Clement.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk played down the significance of his side’s win over Manchester City, insisting his side are taking nothing for granted.

Leeds stride towards top-flight

Ao Tanaka and Joel Piroe struck late goals as Leeds snatched a 3-1 win at promotion rivals Sheffield United to extend their lead at the top of the Sky Bet Championship.

An own goal from Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier had handed the Blades a half-time lead and after Junior Firpo had headed the visitors level, Tanaka and Piroe struck in the final three minutes.

Both managers, Chris Wilder and Daniel Farke, had earlier played down the notion this clash was a title decider with 12 games still to play, but Leeds have moved five points clear of second-placed Blades and, crucially, seven above Burnley in third.

Fergie time at Ibrox

Rangers placed former captain Barry Ferguson in charge of first-team affairs until the end of the season following Philippe Clement’s sacking.

Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat to St Mirren proved to be the final straw for Clement, with the club announcing the Belgian’s departure on Sunday night after 16 months at the helm.

The surprise loss left second-placed Rangers 13 points behind Old Firm rivals Celtic in the William Hill Premiership and came after a damaging Scottish Cup reverse to minnows Queen’s Park on February 9.

Ex-Scotland midfielder Ferguson won five league titles, five Scottish Cups and five League Cups across two spells at Ibrox.

Virgil urges caution

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said his side must shut out talk of title celebrations despite moving 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League with 11 games to go.

Reds fans made their feelings clear after goals from Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai claimed a 2-0 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

However, Van Dijk said: “It was a big win, but I think a couple of days ago there was noise about other things, and it could go the other way.

“Obviously, the result on Saturday and the result of this gives them (the fans) the belief. But it’s down to us to just keep focusing on the game ahead of us. That’s what we do and that’s what I’ve told the boys as well.”

United cut costs

Manchester United are expecting to make up to 200 further redundancies as part of a “transformation plan” to improve the club’s financial sustainability.

Around 250 employees were made redundant last year and a statement on the United website on Monday announced that a plan aimed at “return(ing) the club to profitability” means “approximately 150-200 jobs may be made redundant”.

United CEO Omar Berrada said: “We have a responsibility to put Manchester United in the strongest position to win across our men’s, women’s and academy teams. We are initiating a wide-ranging series of measures which will transform and renew the club.”

What’s on today?

All eyes will be on Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea take on rock-bottom Southampton in a match the Blues boss dare not lose.

In three more top-flight games, Aston Villa look to reboot their European aspirations with a win at Crystal Palace, Wolves can take another giant stride towards safety if they beat Fulham and high-flying Bournemouth travel to Brighton.

In the Championship, the pressure will continue to increase on Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick if his side fail to get a result against Stoke.