Skip over video

They say you should never go back to a former club, but what about your dad’s old club? Paul Ince terrorised opponents in the heart of the Manchester United midfield in the early 1990s and now it appears his son Tom (pictured) could be heading to Old Trafford as well. Meanwhile, in north London, Arsène Wenger wants to shore up his defence and there is talk that Mehdi Benatia could fit the bill. The Life’s a Pitch team tackle another two topical rumours, rating their probability out of 10.

“I just don’t see it happening,” says the Daily Mirror’s Martin Lipton on the chances of Ince junior following in his father’s footsteps. “He has done really, really well. He’s in the [England] Under-21s now, he’s made a name for himself, but it’s fair to say Fergie didn’t entirely get on with Ince’s father by the time he left, so I don’t suppose he’d really want a repeat of that.”

But that’s not to say that the Blackpool attacking midfielder, who has scored six goals in nine games this season, doesn’t have a future in the Premier League. “I think Ince has got a chance of making it,” says Martin. “[But] I’m not sure at this stage that he’s really on United’s radar; I would say two out of 10.”

Udinese have been in the headlines of late because of their owners’ involvement with Watford. But one player who doesn’t appear to be bound for Vicarage Road is the Moroccan international defender Benatia. Could the 25-year-old be on his way to Arsenal? “I think this is a little bit of an unlikely one; I’d give it three out of 10,” says John Cross, also of the Daily Mirror. “Simply because Arsenal are looking for a bit more pedigree.”

With plenty of defenders already at the Emirates, Wenger may need to sell before he can buy. “The one thing they need to do is clear the decks first, because they’ve got some big earners there – and then they can look,” says John. “I think the more likely [outcome] would be a bigger, more proven defender next summer.”

Watch the full video discussion by clicking on the play button in the image above. 

Related articles:

Order a copy of the Life’s a Pitch anthology

Video: Bent to Liverpool, Arsenal chasing Dragovic?

Video: “Rooney and Van Persie could be the dream ticket”

Rob Smyth: Having no dominant central midfielder is holding United back

Follow Life’s A Pitch on Twitter @BTLifesaPitch

Watch Man Utd, Arsenal and Blackpool live on BT Vision:
Norwich v Arsenal, 4.30pm, 20 October, ESPN
Burnley v Blackpool, 5pm, 20 October, Sky Sports 2
Chelsea v Man Utd, 3.30pm, 28 October, Sky Sports 1

Don’t have BT Vision? Find out how to get it

Two_minute_warning_2_8_Oct [ 2:10 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download