Premier League March Awards Heat Up: Garner, Fernandes in POTM Mix, Forest Goals Fly, Man Utd Sniff Garner Return
Premier League March nominees for Player, Goal, and Manager of the Month are out, spotlighting stars like James Garner, Bruno Fernandes, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Danny Welbeck, with Nottingham Forest dominating goals. Mikel Arteta leads the managers' list alongside Eddie Howe and others. Meanwhile, Manchester United are reportedly eyeing a £55m swoop for Everton's Garner to bolster midfield leadership.
Premier League March Awards Heat Up: Garner, Fernandes in POTM Mix, Forest Goals Fly, Man Utd Sniff Garner Return
Ever wondered what it takes to bag a Premier League monthly gong? It's not just about smashing it week in, week out – it's about that extra bit of magic that leaves fans gobsmacked. The nominees for March's Player of the Month are out, and it's a proper who's who of top performers turning heads.
Player of the Month: England Call-Up Buzz for Garner
Leading the pack is James Garner, the Everton midfield terrier who's just been hauled into the England squad. Talk about timing – fresh off international duty dreams, he's now got Premier League silverware in his sights. The lad's been a rock in the Toffees' engine room, bossing games with grit and guile.
Joining him is Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes, the Portuguese maestro who's been pulling strings like a puppet master on steroids. Then there's Newcastle's livewire Anthony Gordon, zipping past defenders like they're standing still, and Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White, who's been a creative spark for the Trentsiders.
Don't sleep on Brighton's Danny Welbeck, who bagged a cheeky brace against Liverpool – proper fox in the box stuff. Rounding it off are Fulham's Alex Iwobi, gliding through midfields, and Arsenal's shot-stopper David Raya, who's been parking the bus with Catalan class. Seven cracking noms – who lifts it? Your shout in the comments.
Goal of the Month: Forest's Fireworks Steal the Show
If players are the main course, goals are the dessert – and March served up a banquet. Nottingham Forest are the big hitters here, landing three belters on the shortlist, with Gibbs-White claiming two of 'em. Absolute pearlers, those – think bending finishes and thunderbolts that'd make Beckham nod in approval.
The rest? Sensational strikes from across the league, the kind that have you rewinding Sky Sports box sets all weekend. Forest fans, you're buzzing – is this the month your lads dominate the gongs? Spill your faves below; mine's whichever one bends like a banana.
Manager of the Month: Arteta vs the Pack
Earlier in the day, the gaffers got their nod too. Arsenal's Mikel Arteta heads the five-man shortlist, with the Gunners perched top of the table like kings of the castle. Newcastle's Eddie Howe is there for keeping the Toon army charging, while Brighton's young gun Fabian Hurzeler adds some Seagulls flair.
Sunderland's Regis Le Bris sneaks in as the Championship-chasing surprise, and David Moyes – the evergreen Scot – completes it, steadying whatever ship he's skippering these days. Arteta's the favourite, but in this mad league, anything can happen. Fancy a shock?
Transfer Whispers: Man Utd Eye Garner Homecoming
Amid the award chatter, transfer tittle-tattle's brewing. As reported by CaughtOffside, Manchester United are sniffing around their former youth product James Garner to fix their midfield mayhem. The 25-year-old's been bossing it at Everton, with scouts purring over his leadership chops – think vocal organiser, defensive pitbull, and versatile all-rounder.
Old Trafford reckons he could plug the 'leadership and discipline' gap quicker than you can say 'Casemiro who?'. But Everton won't let him go cheap – £55 million ballpark, with Moyes dubbing him a future captain. Garner knows the United way, having come through the academy; unfinished business? Champions League lure might just tempt him back. Summer's shaping up spicy.
There you have it, lads – March's awards are a belter, blending individual brilliance with club ambitions. Forest flying, Arteta soaring, and United plotting. Who's your pick across the board? Grab a pint and debate.