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Tag: Man Utd

  • Xavi expresses confidence in Barcelona ahead of match against Man Utd

    Xavi expresses confidence in Barcelona ahead of match against Man Utd

    Prior to their Europa League trip to Manchester United, Barcelona doesn’t need any extra motivation, according to Xavi, who thinks the chance to win at Old Trafford suffices.

    After a thrilling 2-2 draw at Camp Nou last week, the two will face off in their knockout round play-off matchup’s second leg.

    Xavi, who played for Barcelona and helped them defeat United in the Champions League final in both the 20

    After a thrilling 2-2 draw at Camp Nou last week, the two will face off in the second leg of their knockout round play-off match.

    The Barcelona team defeated United in the Champions League final in both the 20 and 21

    In making the trip to England and Old Trafford specifically, Xavi believes it will be more than enough to inspire his players, regardless of the first-leg result.

    “I have very good memories of the games I played in England, simply because it is so special to play there,” he told the Times. “It is the cradle of football.”

    “The stadiums, the fans who do not stop cheering, everything has a very special flavour that is not seen anywhere else in the world.”

    “So imagine, it is such a pleasure for me to go back to Old Trafford, one of the best stadiums and [one of the] biggest teams in the world.

    “We are a brave team that likes to attack and always win. [This game] will not be an exception. It’s like a big Champions League game.

    “For the fans, it’s a massively interesting match. For the players, [it is] one of those matches that everyone wants to play at least once in their life.”

    Barcelona were forced to come from behind to salvage a draw against United, who are a force revived under Erik ten Hag.

    United have turned their home ground into a fortress, with no defeats on their own turf since early September.

    Xavi is not cowed by their form however, adding: “Fear? Fear of what? On the contrary, Old Trafford motivates [you].

    “It is one of those stadiums where you want to play at least once in your life, where you have to get the best out of yourself.”

  • Ten Hag, Rashford bemoan referee following Barcelona draw

    Ten Hag, Rashford bemoan referee following Barcelona draw

    In the first leg of their Europa League knockout stage play-off match, Manchester United and Barcelona drew 2-2 at Camp Nou. 

    Marcus Rashford appeared to have been fouled, and Erik ten Hag was incensed when the referee did not award Manchester United a free-kick for the apparent foul.

    When Rashford came through on goal just outside the penalty area with United leading 2-1, Jules Kounde appeared to have taken him out, but referee Maurizio Mariani allowed play to continue. Rashford was a constant thorn in Barca’s side.

    Later in the second half, the England international forced a Kounde own goal to give United the lead after having earlier leveled Marcos Alonso’s opening goal. Raphinha then restored parity with 14 minutes left to play.

    Despite the generally positive performance and result, Ten Hag felt a need to focus on the incident involving Kounde’s tackle on Rashford, as the Frenchman would likely have been dismissed if a foul was given.

    Ten Hag told BT Sport: “I think the referee had a big influence on this game. It was a foul on Rashy.

    “You can discuss if it was in or outside the box, but then [either way] it is a red card because [Rashford] was one-on-one with the keeper. 

    “So it’s a big influence, not just for this game, in this round. It can’t be, referees can’t much such mistakes.”

    Rashford himself was similarly baffled by Mariani’s decision.

    “It’s a massive moment in the game,” he said. “I’ve not watched it back but in the moment I don’t understand why the linesman thinks I’m going down there.

    “I’ve touched it past him and my foot’s in front of the ball, [Kounde] hits my leg and it’s clear contact. It’s not a penalty but it’s 100 per cent a foul for me.”

    Nevertheless, Ten Hag acknowledged the overall quality of the thrilling encounter and was impressed with the amount of chances United created.

    “I think we dictated the game,” Ten Hag continued. “Apart from maybe 15 minutes in the first half we had some difficulties, but for the rest we dictated the game.

    “We had so many chances, so I was a little disappointed at half-time it was 0-0, we should have scored, and the opportunities they had we created by ourselves.

    “But I think it was a great game, two attacking teams, I think it was really Champions League [quality], so I really enjoyed the game… in the end 2-2, we have to finish it at Old Trafford.”

    http://backend.theindependentghana.com/he-is-a-lean-fighting-machine-keane-describes-rashford/

    Rashford, who has now equalled his best ever goals return (22) for a single season, seemed a bit more frustrated than his manager.

    “It feels like a loss,” he added. “I think we did well to get back into the game. The first half was a little bit in favour of them, but we stayed calm and composed and tried to create chances when we could.

    “The second half we scored two goals in quick succession and felt in control of the outcome, but they’re a good team with top players and they got an equaliser.”

    The two European giants will do it all again at Old Trafford next Thursday.

    Source: Livescore

  • Nketiah nets late winner in Arsenal thriller

    Nketiah nets late winner in Arsenal thriller

    Arsenal defeated Manchester United in a five-goal thriller, with Eddie Nketiah flicking in a late winner to keep their Premier League title challenge alive.

    Since replacing the injured Gabriel Jesus, the striker has been on fire and has already scored seven goals in as many games, including Sunday’s last-second winner that gave their team a 3-2 victory over their former rivals at the Emirates Stadium.

    Marcus Rashford maintained his own impressive run of play for United with a beautiful goal that was quickly cancelled out by Nketiah before Bukayo Saka put Arsenal in front with his own top-notch effort.

    After some shoddy defence, Lisandro Martinez, who was a target for Arsenal last summer, equalized for United, but Nketiah would turn home an errant Martin Odegaard shot to secure a victory.

    After Manchester City’s consecutive victories following Arsenal’s victory over Tottenham had cut their eight-point lead at the top to just two, Mikel Arteta’s team played magnificently under pressure.

    In their attempt to repeat their Old Trafford triumph from September, United, the only club to defeat Arsenal in the Premier League this year, is off to a great start.

    Despite having an early penalty appeal rejected after Bruno Fernandes was fouled by Aaron Ramsdale, they were celebrating the lead in the 17th minute. Referee Anthony Taylor’s decision to dismiss the appeals was backed by the VAR’s rapid review.

    Thomas Partey easily lost control before Rashford sprinted by him and arrowed home a superb low finish.

    Arsenal, showing the sort of response of any side with title ambitions, bounced back soon after as Nketiah nodded home a Granit Xhaka cross after losing Aaron Wan-Bissaka far too easily.

    The game opened up from that point, Scott McTominay – in for the suspended Casemiro – forced a smart stop out of Ramsdale with a strike from the edge of the box.

    Arteta was booked by referee Taylor following his protestations at a Luke Shaw foul on Saka as the first half ended with the sides locked level.

    That would change just eight minutes after the restart as Saka, afforded too much space and time, curled home an inch-perfect strike from 25 yards to put Arsenal ahead.

    Ramsdale put in a man-of-the-match display in the 2-0 win at Spurs last week and made a great save to deny Rashford levelling with a deflected effort.

    The England goalkeeper, however, was culpable for United’s equaliser after a mix up with half-time substitute Takehiro Tomiyasu at a corner allowed Martinez to head in his first Red Devils goal.

    Having shared four goals, both teams went in search of the winner as Saka struck from a similar position only for this effort to deflect off Christian Eriksen and clip the post.

    Leandro Trossard, who joined Arsenal from Brighton on Friday, came on for the final 10 minutes to make his Arsenal debut as David de Gea made a smart close-range stop to deny Nketiah a second.

    Arsenal were now very much on top with United unable to get out of their own penalty box for large spells.

    Eriksen led a rare foray forward for the visitors, winning a corner for a brief respite but the Arsenal pressure eventually told as Nketiah’s reaction to throw a boot at an Odegaard effort saw him divert the ball past De Gea.

    A VAR check followed but the former England Under-21 striker was played onside by Wan-Bissaka and the goal was awarded, sending the Emirates wild and putting Arsenal five points clear of City with a game in hand.

  • Weghorst says he is a good fit for Ten Hag and Man Utd

    Weghorst says he is a good fit for Ten Hag and Man Utd

    Wout Weghorst, a recent addition to Manchester United, is certain that Erik ten Hag’s pressing style of play at Old Trafford is a suitable fit for him.

    On Friday, the Netherlands international signed a loan agreement with Burnley after United obtained his release from a brief stint with Besiktas in Turkey.

    The following day, Weghorst watched as United overcame a goal down to defeat Manchester City 2-1 at Old Trafford in the Manchester derby. Bruno Fernandes equalized the score before Marcus Rashford scored the winning goal.

    With a win, Erik ten Hag’s team closed the gap on second-placed City to just one point, underscoring the extraordinary change the new manager brought about at the club and how it appears he is maximizing the team’s potential.

    However, since Cristiano Ronaldo’s contentious departure in November, they have frequently felt limited in terms of their attacking alternatives, and Weghorst recently became a surprising target.

    While some fans may not have been thrilled with the addition of a forward who only contributed twice to Burnley’s relegation last season, the media dubbed him a “pressing monster” because he applied the fourth-most pressures (54.1) per 90 minutes in the league (minimum 1,000 minutes played) in 2021–22.

    He believes this approach aligns itself to that of his new manager, as he told United’s official website: “I think [pressing] is something that’s one of my strengths. Especially without the ball, to put pressure on an opponent [and] be active.

    “That’s something I am capable of and that’s also something in the way the trainer [Ten Hag] wants to play.

    “He wants to play aggressive; he wants to go high on the pitch, try to recover the ball there, as quickly as possible, and I think I can help the team with that.”

    Weghorst was considered a disappointment following his brief spell in the Premier League with Burnley, as his poor goals return did not match the expectations that came with his reputation.

    The Clarets reportedly paid £12million (€14m) to Wolfsburg for the striker, but he averaged only one Premier League goal every 10 appearances and was loaned to Besiktas when Burnley dropped into the second tier.

    He is desperate to prove a point upon his return to England.

    http://backend.theindependentghana.com/ferdinand-encourages-maguire-to-leave-man-utd/

    “For me, it was not done, it was not finished,” he continued. “It didn’t work out the first time as I hoped and I’m really hungry to show myself, to help the team.

    “Of course, we are on a really good track now. The last couple of weeks, months actually, it’s going really positive [at United] and I just want to contribute and give my best and give my all for the club and try to be a part of the successful [direction] we are going.”

    In terms of the direction United are going, Weghorst has no doubt where he sees the destination being.

    “Trophies. That’s quite easy. Trophies, and that’s also what the manager told me about, the expectations that are there.

    “Also my role, that’s also something I want to bring. Like I said, I’m just going to give everything I have for the club to be successful, to win the games and, of course, to win trophies.

    “We are still active in four competitions, so four trophies to go, that’s the only thing that’s counting, and I think also that fits for a big a club as United is.”

  • Ten Hag: Man Utd will not ‘burn’ money on new striker

    Ten Hag: Man Utd will not ‘burn’ money on new striker

    Erik ten Hag insists Manchester United will not be “burning money” on bringing in the wrong striker in January.

    After a tough start to life as Red Devils manager, Ten Hag’s team have been much improved of late and currently sit fourth in the Premier League after three straight league victories, despite being short of options up front.

    Cristiano Ronaldo was in and out of the team before his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan led to his contract being mutually terminated, while Anthony Martial has struggled with injuries.

    But despite the need for a centre-forward to help United’s Champions League qualification bid, Ten Hag feels United must avoid the mistakes of the past by wasting finances on the wrong striker.

    “You need one who can have an impact otherwise you are just burning money,” Ten Hag told reporters. “You don’t strengthen the squad and it doesn’t help you.

    “We have a good team when all are available. We have [a striker], Anthony Martial, I’m really happy with his performances across many games.

    “He has had a really good impact. If you see his minutes and the impact he has had it’s been huge.”

    One suggestion for United to boost their attacking ranks has been to recall Amad Diallo, who has scored six goals in 19 matches on loan at Championship side Sunderland.

    But Ten Hag is reluctant to bring Diallo back to Old Trafford early, believing it would be wrong to stunt the progress the Ivory Coast international is making with the Black Cats.

    “We consider everything. I have a little reservation because I don’t want to stop the process, he is making good progress there,” Ten Hag added. “Young players need experiences.

    “When we decide [he needs] to come back he has to be a player who can compete for the starting 11 or at a minimum of coming on for a lot of games to have an impact.”

    Source: Livescore

  • Ronaldo dropped by Man Utd for Chelsea clash after Spurs walkout

    Cristiano Ronaldo will be omitted from the Manchester United squad to face Chelsea on Saturday following his early walkout during Wednesday’s win over Tottenham.

    The veteran forward, an unused substitute, walked down the tunnel before the final whistle at Old Trafford as Erik ten Hag‘s side downed Spurs in a 2-0 win.

    Ten Hag said after the game that he would “deal with” Ronaldo’s behaviour on Thursday, and the Dutchman has followed through on that by sanctioning the 37-year-old.

    The Portugal captain will play no part in his side’s next fixture away to Graham Potter’s Blues.

    “Cristiano Ronaldo will not be part of the Manchester United squad for this Saturday’s Premier League game against Chelsea,” read an official club statement.

    “The rest of the squad is fully focused on preparing for that fixture.”

    It is the latest indicator of Ronaldo’s discontent at Old Trafford, with a much-trumpeted homecoming last season having turned sour following a disappointing 2021-22 club campaign.

    Ronaldo was United’s top scorer last term with 24 goals across all competitions, but the Red Devils could only finish sixth in the Premier League.

    That led to speculation suggesting Ronaldo wanted to leave the club, a narrative that ultimately became a distracting sideshow through Ten Hag’s first pre-season in charge.

    Ronaldo did not join United on their pre-season tour of Australia and Thailand.

    When he did eventually feature in a friendly against Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford, Ronaldo found himself at the centre of controversy as he left the stadium early after being withdrawn at half-time.

    Ten Hag defended Ronaldo on that occasion, saying it was “not right” for the striker to attract all the criticism when there were several players who left early.

    However, Thursday’s action shows Ten Hag is willing to come down hard on the Portuguese superstar, and the situation will further cloud Ronaldo’s future at the club.

    The arrival of Ten Hag has seen Ronaldo slip down the pecking order, with just two Premier League starts and one goal this season across eight top-flight appearances.

    United travel to Stamford Bridge sitting just one point behind their hosts in fourth.

    Source: Livescore

  • Man Utd’s Maguire pleads not guilty in Mykonos court

    Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has pleaded not guilty and been released from police custody following his arrest on the island of Mykonos.

    A court date for the 27-year-old has been set for Tuesday but Maguire can be represented by his lawyer and will now return home.

    It is not clear what specific charges the England defender faces.

    Maguire did not comment after leaving court on Saturday and his lawyer told Sky he was a free man “right now”.

    The Syros prosecutor’s office said on Friday that “three foreigners” had been arrested after an alleged altercation with police officers in Mykonos on Thursday.

    The police say a file has been opened which includes accusations of “violence against officials, disobedience, bodily harm, insult and attempted bribery of an official”.

    Maguire, who was on holiday in Greece, joined United from Leicester for £80m – a world record fee for a defender – in August 2019.

    A United statement said: “Following the appearance in court today we note the adjournment of the case to allow the legal team to consider the case file.

    “Harry has pleaded not guilty to the charges. It would be inappropriate for the player or club to comment further while the legal process takes its course.”

    Greek police said in a statement on Friday that officers had tried to break up an altercation between two groups outside a bar and that the three foreigners had then verbally abused and assaulted one of the officers.

    The statement claimed that after arriving at Mykonos police station, the three arrested individuals then “strongly resisted, pushing and hitting three police officers” and that “one of the detainees tried to offer money so that the trial against them would not be completed”.

    Source: bbc.com

  • ‘No contact’ from Man Utd over Sancho say Dortmund

    Borussia Dortmund boss Hans-Joachim Watzke says the Bundesliga runners-up have had “no contact” with Manchester United over England winger Jadon Sancho.

    According to UK media reports, Man Utd want to sign the 20-year-old who scored 17 goals and created the same number of assists last season as Dortmund finished second behind champions Bayern Munich.

    Sancho is valued at around 120 million euros ($142 million) and Dortmund have said they have yet to receive an offer for their talented forward who joined in 2017 from Manchester City’s academy.

    “So far, there has been no contact between Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United in terms of Sancho,” chief executive Watzke told Munich-based newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

    “Not even indirectly or through so-called middlemen.

    “There has never been an offer for Jadon, but there is a certain sum from us as to what should at least be paid,” Watzke added, referring to the 120 million euros price tag.

    “I don’t expect there to be any problems.

    “Jadon has accepted the situation and is a pleasant, fair bloke.”

    Dortmund’s director of sport Michael Zorc says he plans to have Sancho in the squad for the new German league season, which kicks off on September 18.

    “I expect Jadon to go to training camp on Monday (at Bad Ragaz, Switzerland) and play with us for the coming season,” added Zorc.

    However, the transfer window in both Germany and England does not close until October 5, a date extended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    Dortmund need to handle Sancho carefully as both former stars Ousmane Dembele and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang forced transfers to Barcelona in 2017 and Arsenal in 2018 respectively by effectively going on strike.

    Source: france24.com

  • Greenwood rescues a point as Man Utd struggle against West Ham

    Manchester United need a point from their final game to clinch a Champions League place after coming from behind to draw against West Ham.

    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side moved into the top four, ahead of Leicester, who they face at the King Power Stadium on Sunday.

    But victory for Brendan Rodgers’ side will deny the Red Devils a spot in Europe’s elite club competition next season.

    Meanwhile, the point for David Moyes’ side guarantees Premier League football next season as they now lie four points clear of the relegation zone.

    West Ham went ahead on the stroke of half-time through Michail Antonio’s coolly taken penalty after Paul Pogba handled inside the area.

    United levelled early in the second half through Mason Greenwood who exchanged passes with Anthony Martial before drilling home a low finish for his 17th goal of the season.

    United goalkeeper David de Gea’s position has been under scrutiny after two errors in the FA Cup semi-final loss to Chelsea, but the Spaniard made an excellent reflex save to deny Jarrod Bowen.

    Declan Rice struck a powerful drive narrowly over but neither side were able to find a winner.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Chelsea set up Arsenal FA Cup final as De Gea blunders cost Man Utd

    Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea endured a Wembley nightmare as Chelsea strolled to victory and set up an FA Cup final date with Arsenal.

    United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ditched his usual FA Cup keeper Sergio Romero to keep faith with De Gea – but the experienced Spain international produced two horrendous errors either side of half-time to gift Chelsea two goals.

    De Gea made a flimsy attempt to deal with Olivier Giroud’s flick in first-half stoppage time then weakly fumbled Mason Mount’s tame 20-yard shot into the net moments after the restart.

    Chelsea’s excellent performance fully merited this victory and United’s abject misery after a dreadful performance was complete when captain Harry Maguire diverted Marcos Alonso’s cross into his own net at the near post with 16 minutes left.

    Frank Lampard’s side were in complete control from first to last as they comprehensively ended Manchester United’s 19-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

    Bruno Fernandes pulled a goal back from the penalty spot late on after Callum Hudson-Odoi fouled Anthony Martial but it could not even be described as a consolation as Chelsea closed out the win.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Everton, Man Utd interested in Ghana’s Salisu

    Manchester United have reignited their interest in signing Ghanaian defender, Mohammed Salisu from Real Valladolid.

    Salisu, 21, who has been a revelation in the La Liga and has been on the radar of top clubs in Europe.

    However, Everton have also joined the race to sign the Ghanaian who has a release clause of £10.8million.

    The Ghanaian also has an offer on the table from Ligue 1 side Rennes but prefers a move to the Premier League this summer.

    The 6ft 3in defender has attracted a wide range of interest following his impressive spell of form in Spain.

    He tops the list of LaLiga defenders for the most clearances with a whopping 136 already this season.

    Left-footed Salisu is under contract with Real Valladolid until the summer of 2022.

    Spanish side Atletico Madrid, Newcastle United, Southampton and Norwich City have also been linked to the center-half.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • England is a shithole – Di Maria’s wife in extraordinary Man United rant

    Angel Di Maria’s wife Jorgelina Cardoso has revealed that she “didn’t like anything” about Manchester after her husband swapped Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu for Old Trafford in 2014, describing the experience as “horrible” and referring to England as a “sh*thole”.

    The Argentine spent just one season with the Red Devils despite joining for a then record fee for a British club, with his time at United largely remembered for a lack of consistency in performances given the money involved to prise him away from Madrid.

    Things were not much better off the pitch either, according to Cardoso, as the couple had argued over the merits of a move to the Premier League long before Di Maria’s ill-fated spell in England’s top flight.

    “I remember Angel coming up and saying, ‘An offer from Manchester United has come in. Maybe we’ll be a little more financially secure…’. We fought about it,” she told Los Angeles de la Manana. “I told him, not a chance, he could go on his own. ‘No, come on. Let’s go’, he replied.

    “There was a lot of money involved, and afterwards, the Spanish were calling us peseteros (people only interested in money). And they were right! If you are working for a company and the competition comes along and offers to pay you double, you take it!

    “I didn’t want to go to Manchester because at that moment in time, I was friends with Gianinna Maradona, who was married to [Sergio] Aguero, and we flew from Madrid to his house in Manchester to pay him a visit for two or three days when Angel had a few days off at Real Madrid.

    “It was horrible! All of it was horrible, we went to the house and we were like… ‘See you later guys, we’re out of here’. When we left, I said to him, ‘Go to any country – except England’. Anyway, one year later and there we were in England and it was horrible, a sh*thole.”

    Cardoso continued to stress that there was not a single thing she enjoyed about the experience, adding: “I didn’t like anything about it, not a thing. The women are all skinny, prim and proper… weird.

    “You’re walking down the street and you don’t know if they’re going to kill you or what. The food’s disgusting. All the girls are all dolled up to the nines, perfectly made-up and there’s me with my hair in a bun and with no make-up on.”

    Source: goal.com

  • Rooney urges Man Utd fans to be patient

    Wayne Rooney has urged Manchester United fans to be patient, saying it could take “two or three years” before they return to the top of the game.

    Rooney, United’s record scorer with 253 goals, is set to face his old club in the FA Cup fifth round when the Red Devils travel to Derby on Thursday.

    He spent 13 years at Old Trafford, during which he won every domestic honour along with the Champions League and the Europa League.

    Rooney, 34, returned to boyhood club Everton in 2017 before embarking on a spell with Major League Soccer outfit DC United. He played his first game for Derby as a player-coach in January.

    The former England captain feels United are moving in the right direction under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but need time before they challenge for major honours.

    “It is going to take another two or three years, I believe,” Rooney told the British press. “The important thing is for them to try and get into the Champions League this year.

    “It is really tight at the minute. I think that will help them a lot if they can do that — but it is going to take time.”

    Rooney added: “The United fans need to be a bit patient with what’s going on and let these players try and prove themselves.

    “They need to bring some players in, they need to also get rid of some players, and within two or three years they have to be challenging again.”

    Derby, managed by former Dutch international midfielder Phillip Cocu, are 13th in the second-tier Championship and while Rooney knows the Rams are underdogs, he believes they can surprise his old club.

    While enjoying his current role as Derby’s playmaker from a deeper midfield position, Rooney has his eye on a long-term future in the dugout.

    “I think it’s a shame when you see great players walking away and not really having a go at management or coaching,” he said.

    “I’m a player first and foremost and then a coach, to try and learn to help me in the long run.”

    Source: France24