Speaking in an exclusive interview with 888sport, the talented forward, whose own career was tragically cut short at 26 due to a long-term ankle problem, acknowledges injury remains a concern for the Manchester United striker but, should he be declared fit, his experience will be key.

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“Kane has to start. I’d like to say I was a similar player to Kane and that’s probably why I like him so much, someone with an all-round performance who can be strong and hold the ball up and link the play but is deadly and greedy in front of goal,” said Ashton.

“I would have Rooney behind him if he’s totally fit. He absolutely deserves to start, Wayne Rooney, with his track record for England. Yes, he might have slipped down slightly at Manchester United, but his England performances have always been very good. And we need some experience because if we go with all the inexperienced players we might get found out. So you need experience in there and then you’ve got the pace of Vardy and Sturridge off the bench.”

It may be an opinion that goes against the present grain but that is typical from the straight-talking but highly likeable 32-year-old, who is now carving out a successful career in the media following his enforced retirement in 2009. His views on another forward, however, are much less contentious and will presumably only be met with widespread agreement.

West Ham United’s Dimitri Payet has rightfully been lavished with praise this season following a sensational introduction to the Premier League and, as his team prepare for a crucial hosting of Arsenal this weekend, Ashton has enthusiastically joined the French winger’s long line of admirers. By insisting he is now up there with Upton Park’s revered idol Paulo Di Canio in the fans’ affections, it might even be the biggest compliment yet.

“I would say he is. Already he has done things that have put him into cult status. That’s what West Ham fans love, things that shock you and you’re in awe of and he has done maybe five or six special moments like that this season. That’s why West Ham should build their team around him. He has that affinity with the fans already and loves the pressure of being the big player at West Ham which is something Di Canio had as well.”

Aside from terrorising defences with his blistering pace, those special moments have primarily come from set-pieces, with Payet’s ability with a dead ball defying the laws of physics on occasion. His free-kick expertise has even brought favourable comparisons with another such specialist, though here Ashton draws a line in vanishing spray.

“I trained with David Beckham and stood and watched him practise his free-kicks and it was pretty incredible. Payet has done it recently but Beckham did it so consistently over the years so it would take something special to take over that mantle. But then look at the goal he scored at the weekend. No keeper would have saved that with the dip he got.”

It was indeed little short of wondrous and was yet another highlight in an incredible campaign for the Hammers that has seen them sustain a credible challenge for a Champions League berth. Should that be attained, Ashton is excited about what might lie ahead for a side rejuvenated beyond recognition under Slaven Bilic.

“Any team that makes the Champions League suddenly has doors opened and the chance to attract big names, and the attraction of playing in a new stadium as well would pull players in. I’m pretty sure every West Ham fan would love to see Ibrahimovic come to the Olympic Stadium. I know there have been rumours, and what a signing he would be. He brings experience and flair, and he’s the type of player West Ham fans love who can produce something from nothing. He would be incredible.

“Of course money is a factor with his age but it’s not as if you buy Ibrahimovic and he’s going to flop. He’s just not that type of player. He has already shown he doesn’t need lightning pace, he can just drop back and lead the play and he still scores so many goals.”

Such is the Swede’s stature, we can assume several of the Premier League’s leading clubs will be clamouring for his coveted signature this summer, including West Ham’s opponents this Saturday lunchtime Arsenal. The Gunners need for a 20-goal-a-season hitman has been a long-running saga that has exasperated observers for many a year. Ashton believes it has cost the north Londoners dear.

“We’ve all been saying it for years now but Arsene Wenger is determined to do it his way and he’s not going to answer to anyone. He’s got himself into that position due to his track record at Arsenal but without a doubt they would be better off with a top class striker. If you put Aguero into that team you can’t see how they wouldn’t have won the Premier League this year. Ozil said similar and to be honest it does ring true. They’ve missed their chance. I don’t think they will catch Leicester now with the form they’re in and in any other season if City or Chelsea were up there Wenger would have got away with it. But if Leicester win the league the spotlight will be on Arsene.”

So does he expect the stubborn professor to rectify his team’s shortcomings in the next window?

“I’d say yes but you literally don’t know with Arsenal and Arsene Wenger. He could be linked with all these names again and nothing will happen, then he’ll say he’s keeping Welbeck, Giroud and with Iwobi coming through now he’ll say that’s enough. I personally think they do need to go out and get a Higuain or a Cavani type of player who can really take them on to the next level.”

A Dean Ashton in his prime and free from injury would improve the Gunners no end too, though you feel his allegiance to his beloved Hammers would have prevented such a move occurring anyway.  Last week during a testimonial for Mark Noble we were reminded of what English football was cruelly deprived of when he scored an acrobatic ‘worldie’ at the packed and celebratory surroundings of the Boleyn Ground. It was a goal that put a big smile across social media from fans of every club.

“It was great to be asked to honour Mark Noble’s career, but the side thing for me was to be able to produce something like that at West Ham in front of a full house and my kids, who have never seen me play. That was special. My eight-year-old absolutely loves football and I constantly tell him that I used to be a decent player but he never believes me. Finally he gets it, that I wasn’t a bad player. “

Dean Ashton’s quickfire questions

1. Who will win the Premier league?
    Leicester will go on and win it.
2. Who will finish top four?
    Leicester, Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester City. With Aguero in your team if can’t finish top four there are serious problems.
3. Who will win the Golden Boot?
    Harry Kane. He’s on a roll.
4. Who will win the Champions League?
    Barcelona. How can you stop them three?
5. Who will win Euro 2016?
    England of course. 

As soon as Van Gaal walks out of the door there is only one man who should have the job – Giggsy.”

The former Trinidad and Tobago striker’s choice goes far deeper than loyalty to an ex-team mate who he shared many an unforgettable moment with during a glorious era for the club that saw them dominate English football and conquer Europe. Management, he insists, is becoming a young man’s game with even the self-appointed ‘Special One’ Jose Mourinho given short shrift in Yorke’s reckoning.

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“Look at how football is changing. In Spain’s top three all the managers are young ex players. You have Pep who is coming over, a young manager at 45. There’s Pochettino at Spurs and Conte in Italy and Gary Neville is being given a chance. You’ll find now in the next five years there will be more ex players managing football teams because there is a new generation of managers coming through. The old ones are fizzling out. The likes of Sam Allardyce may hang on in there for another year or two but the new generation are coming.”

“For Manchester United now there is no candidate out there. You have to accept that Jose Mourinho has been a great manager but if there is a change of manager at Manchester United and Van Gaal goes then it will be Ryan Giggs. If they don’t either this season or next season then Giggs won’t be around anymore because he has served his time. If he can’t make the step up after three years, after seeing all he has seen, then when? After ten? There is only one candidate. There is no question in my mind who should get the job.”

The three times league winner was speaking exclusively to 888sport ahead of a defining week for United as they attempt to over-turn a two goal deficit to their archest of rivals Liverpool in the Europa League this Thursday, before taking the short trip to the Etihad this weekend for the mother of all Manchester derbies. Even in the age of endless hyperbole it is a pivotal period for all concerned with the club.

“This week is going to make or break United’s season. They have taken all the stick in the world but this little spell of games can either elevate things to another level and give everyone confidence or have serious consequences.”

The consequences Yorke alludes to go beyond the possible departure of an under-fire boss.

“The season is pretty much done then isn’t it. We’ve seen that with Chelsea. I mean they’re sixth in the league as we speak and before you know it your season is done with nine games to go. It’s not the United way and they’re not used to being in that position. It is hard to swallow. The players know, the manager knows and the situation is written in front of them. Are these players big enough and brave enough to turn this around? I’m sure we will soon find out.”

The 44-year-old excelled in one of the most thrilling and trophy-laden sides ever witnessed on British shores, but while his disappointment in the sterile fare being served up by Van Gaal is clear – “the type of football is just not acceptable” – he refrains from joining old comrades Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes in directly criticising the beleaguered Dutchman. Instead his ire is aimed at the players who have repeatedly under-performed in 2015/16.

“It isn’t good enough what is happening at the football club and we can point the finger at the manager most of the time but the reality is that the players aren’t performing or doing anything significant. They are huffing and puffing and too many players are having too many average games. It is just not Manchester United. Bar the young players such as Martial I think the so-called stars, the senior players, really haven’t performed. I cannot look at any of them and think they have been outstanding. Normally there is at least one. In Fergie’s days they would all be told they’re leaving the club.”

When someone as famously affable as Dwight Yorke unleashes such strong words towards his own then you really know how dire the situation is for the 13 times Premier League champions, and mention of the man who guided them to such an abundance of silverware leads to a discussion on last Thursday’s meek surrender at Anfield. Would Sir Alex have tolerated such an apathetic display in a fixture that has made those scared of blood divert their gaze down the years? Wouldn’t he have fired his players up to boiling point and sent them roaring onto the pitch?

“He wouldn’t have needed to because all the players would have been cranked up anyway. They would have known this is Liverpool and these are the big occasions where you want to show the watching world. When these two sides come together everyone is glued to the television, everyone wants to see the game.”

“To put in a really lame performance to that level…. did these players understand what it’s all about with Manchester United and Liverpool?”

The question hangs heavy in the air. The answer – or at least part of the answer – will be discovered this Thursday evening.

Dwight Yorke Quick-fire questions:

Who will win the Premier League?

I want to say Leicester but I just feel City have enough in their locker to put a run together.

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Who will win the Premier League Golden Boot?

Aguero

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Who will win the Champions League?

Barcelona

Bet on England Euro 2016

Who will win the Euro 16?

Germany

Bet on Euros 16 winner

Will United make top four?

No

Tick tock goes the clock. The sands of time are running out for Ronald Koeman. Everton fans were optimistic ahead of this campaign after spending well over £100 million in the summer transfer window but it just hasn’t gone to plan as of yet.

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Yes, the Toffees have had a difficult start to the season but seven points from a possible 21 just isn’t good enough, no matter how much of a positive spin you try and put on it.

Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at home to Burnley was the icing on the cake for the Goodison Park faithful; a large section of the Toffees support are now in the ‘Koeman Out’ camp.

A saving grace for the Dutchman is that Farhad Moshiri, Everton’s major investor, has given his full backing to Koeman for the time being. However, he needs wins and he needs them quickly.

Super Slav To Turn Things Around At West Ham?

Next up in 888sport's Premier League betting markets we have Slaven Bilic at 9/2. With just one defeat in their last four Premier League games, the Hammers are showing signs of improvement – which can only be positive for Bilic’s future at the London Stadium.

The Hammers face Burnley, Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace in October and three wins in those fixtures should see Bilic’s side climb into the top half of the table.

Bilic isn’t out of the woods just yet though. Dropped points in October could be detrimental to his short term future, especially if Koeman manages to turn things around. A gruelling run of games in November could signal the end of his regime if things don’t go to plan in the next few weeks.

At 16/1, Eddie Howe Carries A Certain Brand Of Appeal

Bournemouth would have to be crazy to party ways with Howe in my opinion but football is a results driven business these days and the Cherries may have to consider an alternative at some point in the future.

Sitting 19^th in the table, Bournemouth have won just once so far this season – their current position is precarious at best.

Despite their woes, Howe’s spot as head coach seems relatively stable at the present time; hence his 16/1 price. With fixtures against Tottenham and Chelsea to come later this month, it is absolutely vital for Bournemouth to get back to winning ways against Stoke City.

If you are looking for a value bet, Howe is the one to back.

Jurgen Klopp: Dark Horse In The Sack Race?

Again, this sounds ridiculous but Klopp is also worth a second glance at 25/1. After failing to address Liverpool’s defensive issues in the transfer window, some fans have started to turn on the German.

The Reds won’t be challenging for the Premier League title on current form and missing out on a top four berth is out of the question; Liverpool NEED to be competing in the Champions League.

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With managerial veteran Carlo Ancelotti now available, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see one of the big clubs move at some point in the coming months.

Liverpool have struggled to inspire confidence in recent weeks, winning just one of their last seven games – securing an important victory over arch rivals Manchester United after the international break could be the catalyst for a successful campaign.

Premier League teams have not played their sixth league matches yet, and we already have a managerial casualty.

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Frank de Boer was shown the door at Crystal Palace ludicrously early, but it still looks probable there will be another sacking before long.

The boards at these clubs too frequently make misjudgements in their appointments, and often leave it to the point of crisis before pulling the trigger. Yes, it’s a natural process in sport, and ‘results-based business’ will be regurgitated with painful regularity whenever anyone loses their job, but the lack of direction from many clubs in this multi-billion pound industry is puzzling.

The leader in 888sport’s sack race market is Slaven Bilic. The West Ham boss has been under almost constant pressure for the last 12 months. His price of 15/8 reflects the uncertainty of managerial futures, but the fact he continues to be on the brink says plenty about the Hammers.

He could have gone in the summer, he could have gone a couple of weeks ago, and he definitely could have gone last season. For a variety of reasons he has kept his job. Any replacement would be left with a costly, ageing squad built for Bilic. There’s a feeling of inevitability about Bilic’s departure, but it’s still tough to predict when exactly it will be.

The Hammers currently sit just outside the relegation zone and have failed to score in three of their opening five. Bilic will be hoping for a positive turn of events in the coming months...

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Following Bilic, we have Ronald Koeman. Everton, like the Irons, looked to have had a decent summer window. They are below Bilic’s side on goal difference, and have lost their last three league matches without finding the net.

Koeman is at 5/2 to go next. Fixtures ease up for the Toffees after their challenging start, and the Dutchman will likely be given time to work with a squad that has had a severe overhaul in the last 18 months.

The problems for Everton to date have been fundamental, however. Their previously positive window looks disappointing and Koeman’s hands are loosely tied when it comes to his forward line. Their two marquee additions – Gylfi Sigurdsson and Wayne Rooney – struggle to operate together without a more mobile companion in the final third, for instance.

Everton’s patience with Koeman could well be tested if results do not improve soon. He belongs at longer odds than Bilic, but that may change quickly. The Dutchamn continues to remain positive though...

The next few managers are longshot hopes.

Even after a poor start, it’s hard to see Bournemouth parting company with club icon Eddie Howe any time soon. His price of 10/1 is even tougher to support after back-to-back wins.

Rafael Benitez at 14/1 is similarly unappetising. If he was going to leave Newcastle because of difficulties with Mike Ashley, it would have happened by now. And, surely, even Newcastle wouldn’t sack Benitez. Benitez may leave the Magpies if another Premier League post opens up, but that obviously won’t be enough for that 14/1 to come in.

The only other manager worth considering is Mauricio Pellegrino at 12/1. The Saints have only lost one of their five so far, however, and it would be distinctly un-Southampton to sack Pellegrino this soon into his tenure.

Keep an eye on Jurgen Klopp at 66/1, mind...