Tag: Manchester United

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RB LEIPZIG SEND MAN UNITED OUT OF UCL WITH SHOCKING WIN.

RB Leipzig sent Manchester United packing from the Champions League with a huge 3-2 win that sees them into the knockout rounds of the Champions League from Group H.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team came into the match needing at least a draw to advance to the round of 16, but were behind within minutes of kickoff after Angelino beat David De Gea with a fine finish at the far post on a counter-attack.

The Bundesliga side doubled their lead shortly after with Angelino becoming provider this time, crossing the ball for Amadou Haidara to smash home a volley and stake Leipzig to a 2-0 lead they would take into the dressing room at half-time.

After the match, Solskjaer told BT Sport: “We started too late. Great spirit and comeback again. It’s different to the Premier League, you can’t give a team a three-goal lead and expect to come back. We were unlucky towards the end and you almost thought it was in at the last minute there.

“Of course you can’t say we were good enough, we weren’t. In a difficult group of course, the big defeat for us was the one away to Istanbul – that’s where we lost the points we should have had.”

United, despite the return of Luke Shaw and keeper De Gea, were vulnerable at the back and had to change their system several times in a desperate effort to stop the onslaught. Their sole threat in the first half came from Mason Greenwood, who had their only shot on target.

Paul Pogba, who had been left on the bench to start the match, came on in the 60th minute for Nemanja Matic as Solskjaer tried to find a way for his team to get back in the match.

Despite the substitution, it was Leipzig who would score again to take a three-goal lead when Justin Kluivert pounced on a loose ball just out of De Gea’s reach and chipped the keeper to pile on to United’s woe.

Looking like they were on their way out of the Champions League, United struck twice in the span of minutes with a Bruno Fernandes penalty and a Pogba header to cut Leipzig’s lead to 3-2.

However, the comeback fell short meaning RB Leipzig are through to the round of 16, while Manchester United were eliminated from the competition.

Solskjaer added: “Today we were close but we knew we had to defend crosses and balls into the box and we just couldn’t clear them.

“As a footballer you can’t feel sorry for yourself. You feel sorry for a few minutes tonight and then we focus on a massive game on Saturday.”

Paris Saint-Germain, whose match on Tuesday was cut short due to an incident on the sidelines, are also through from Group H regardless of the outcome of their match against Istanbul Basaksehir due to a superior head-to-head record against United.

Leipzig could still top the group on 12 points pending the outcome of PSG’s match, which will be resumed on Wednesday at 12:55 p.m. ET in the 13th minute. The Parisians would win the group if they beat Basaksehir.

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POGBA’S TIME AT UNITED IS OVER – RAIOLA

Paul Pogba’s career at Manchester United “is over,” according to his agent Mino Raiola.

United have triggered a one-year extension in Pogba contract that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2022 but in an interview with Tuttosport, Raiola has revealed the midfielder has no intention to committing his future to the club and wants to leave in January.

“It’s over between Manchester United and Pogba,” said Raiola in the interview released on Monday.

“No point beating around the bush, it’s better to speak clearly, look forward and not waste time looking for people to blame: Paul is unhappy at Manchester United.

“He is unable to express himself as is expected from him. He needs a change of club; a change of scenery.

“He has a contract which runs out in a year and a half — in the summer of 2022 — but I believe the best solution for everyone is that he leaves in the next transfer window.

“Otherwise, United know well the risk of losing him for nothing, given at the moment the player has no intention of extending his contract. If someone doesn’t understand this, they understand little or nothing about football.

“In any case, they can all blame me if next summer Paul leaves.”

United are likely to be furious with the timing of Raiola’s comments, coming on the eve of their make-or-break Champions League clash with RB Leipzig. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side need at least a draw in Germany to guarantee qualification from Group H but defeat could see them demoted to the Europa League.

Real Madrid and Juventus have both shown interest in Pogba in the past but there are doubts at United about whether either could afford a substantial fee or the 27-year-old’s wages following the impact of coronavirus on football finances across Europe.

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WESTHAM 1-3 MAN UNITED: RED DEVILS FIGHT BACK SPOILS HAMMERS FANS’ RETURN.

Manchester United came from behind for the fifth time in a row this season to beat West Ham United and deny the Hammers fans a perfect return to their stadium.

In front of home support for the first time since 29 February, West Ham started brightly and the pressure paid off on 38 minutes.

Three minutes after Pablo Fornals had struck a post, Tomas Soucek poked in Declan Rice’s flick.

The half-time introduction of Bruno Fernandes turned the match, as he passed to Paul Pogba who struck a superb equaliser on 65 minutes.

Three minutes later, Mason Greenwood rifled Man Utd ahead, before another half-time substitute, Marcus Rashford sealed a ninth successive away PL win.

Man Utd rise to fourth on 19 points, while West Ham drop to seventh on 17 points.

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MAN UTD 1-3 PSG: FRENCH CHAMPIONS DENTS UNITED HOPES OF NEXT ROUND QUALIFICATION

Neymar scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain beat 10-man Manchester United 3-1 at Old Trafford on Wednesday to throw Champions League Group H wide open.

United, PSG and RB Leipzig are all on nine points heading into next week’s final round of games in which the United go to Leipzig and PSG host Istanbul Basaksehir.

United knew a point would be enough to secure a place in the round of 16 and they really should have wrapped the game up well before Marquinhos put PSG 2-1 up in the 69th minute and Fred received his marching orders a minute later.

It was surprising Fred was still on the field by that stage having received only a yellow card following a VAR review of an off-the-ball head-to-head clash with Leandro Paredes.

The pair were involved in a strong challenge later in the first half for which Paredes was booked but despite having plenty of options on the bench, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer decided against substituting Fred, a costly mistake.

Neymar fired PSG into a sixth-minute lead after a Kylian Mbappe shot was deflected and fell kindly to the former Barcelona forward who drilled the ball into the bottom corner.

United drew level in the 32nd minute through a Marcus Rashford shot which deflected off the outstretched leg of Danilo to beat PSG keeper Keylor Navas.

United created several good chances after the break but failed to go ahead.

After good work from Edinson Cavani and Rashford down the right, Anthony Martial fired over the bar from a promising position.

Cavani was sent through and launched an audacious chip over the advancing Navas but the ball struck the crossbar — Martial’s follow up shot was brilliantly blocked by Marquinhos.

The defender struck the bar himself with a looping header over David De Gea and the goalkeeper pulled off a great save to keep out a low shot from substitute Mitchel Bakker.

Then came the minute that changed the game — a half-cleared corner rattled around the box before it was poked in by Marquinhos.

Fred was dismissed after a foul on ex-United midfielder Ander Herrera as things fell to pieces for the home side.

Paul Pogba was thrown on and went close with a superb volley from outside the area but as United threw men forward they left holes at the back.

Mbappe powered through with a speedy run from deep but side-footed wide before the outcome was settled when Rafinha set-up Neymar for a simple tap-in.

PSG now have the head-to-head advantage over United and the easier task on paper next week while Solskjaer’s men have plenty to do in Leipzig.

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SOTON 2-3 MAN UTD: CAVANI BRACE COMPLETES COME BACK WIN FOR RED DEVILS.

Substitute Edinson Cavani scored twice as Manchester United came from two goals down to win 3-2 at Southampton.

Ralf Hasenhuttl’s side led when Jan Bednarek scored after 23 minutes, nodding in James Ward-Prowse’s corner.

Alex McCarthy stood firm to deny first Mason Greenwood and then Bruno Fernandes on the follow-up before Ward-Prowse doubled the hosts’ lead.

The midfielder’s curling 33rd-minute free-kick evaded David De Gea, who collided with a post and was replaced at the interval by Dean Henderson.

But it was United’s other half-time substitute who made the greatest impact.

Cavani teed up Fernandes to score on the turn just before the hour.

The striker then dived to head United level on 74 minutes before snatching an eighth successive away league victory for his side with another header in added time.

The win moves Man Utd up to eighth, with 16 points from nine matches. Southampton are fifth on 17.

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LEEDS UTD 0-0 ARSENAL: LENO DENIES LEEDS VICTORY AS THE WHITES FORCED TO A BARREN DRAW.

Leeds United hit the woodwork three times and came up against an inspired display from goalkeeper Bernd Leno as 10-man Arsenal held them to a goalless draw at Elland Road.

Leno twice denied Patrick Bamford in the first half, before saving from Stuart Dallas and substitute Ian Poveda-Ocampo after the break.

Arsenal’s task became harder when Nicolas Pepe was sent off in the 51st minute for an altercation with Ezgjan Alioski, after referee Anthony Taylor reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor.

Rodrigo then curled a shot against the bar, before, in the closing stages, Bamford headed against a post and Raphinha slammed a shot against the upright.

Arsenal substitute Bukayo Saka nearly snatched an unlikely win for the visitors late on, only to be denied by Illan Meslier.

The point takes Arsenal up to 11th position on 13 points, two more than 14th-placed Leeds.

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MAN UTD 1-0 WESTBROM: FERNANDES’ RETAKEN PENALTY EARNS FIRST HOME WIN FOR THE DEVILS.

Bruno Fernandes’ second-half penalty proved the difference as Manchester United earned a 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion.

Man Utd started the match well but West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone twice produced fine saves to deny Anthony Martial.

A minute after the break, West Brom were awarded a penalty following a foul on Conor Gallagher by Fernandes. However, referee David Coote overturned his decision after reviewing the pitchside monitor.

At the other end, a penalty for handball by Darnell Furlong was converted at the second attempt by Fernandes on 56 minutes.

The Portuguese’s spot-kick was initially saved, but the VAR adjudged Johnstone came off his line too early and the retaken penalty was scored.

A first home victory of the season moves Man Utd up to ninth on 13 points. West Brom stay 18th on three points.

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TOTTENHAM 2-0 MANCITY: SON, LO CELSO COMBINE TO SEND SPURS TOP OF THE TABLE.

Son Heung-min struck his league-leading ninth goal as Tottenham Hotspur beat Manchester City 2-0 to go top of the Premier League.

The South Korean put Spurs ahead in the fifth minute, racing on to Tanguy Ndombele’s lofted pass to fire beneath Ederson.

Aymeric Laporte thought he had levelled for City on 27 minutes but referee Mike Dean overturned the Frenchman’s goal after a review for handball by Gabriel Jesus in the build-up.

City pushed for an equaliser after half-time but Spurs doubled their advantage in the 65th minute through substitute Giovani Lo Celso.

Put through by Harry Kane, the Argentinian fired under the onrushing Ederson just 35 seconds after coming on.

A fourth successive victory sends Jose Mourinho’s side two points above Chelsea, whom they face next. Man City are 10th with 12 points.

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MARCUS RASHFORD LAUNCHES BOOK CLUB TO HELP EVERY CHILD HAVE ESCAPISM.

Footballer Marcus Rashford is launching a book club so that all children can experience the escapism of reading.

The Manchester United star is teaming up with Macmillan Children’s Books (MCB) to promote reading and literacy among children from all socio-economic backgrounds.

Rashford said he wishes he had the chance to read more as a child but his family had to prioritise food over books when it came to budgeting.

MCB said there will be a particular focus on getting books into the hands of children from vulnerable and under-privileged backgrounds.

The first title of the partnership, YOU ARE A CHAMPION: Unlock Your Potential, Find Your Voice And Be The BEST You Can Be – an illustrated non-fiction title aimed at young people aged 11-16 – will be published in May 2021.

Each chapter will begin with a story from Rashford’s own life and will cover topics such as the value of education, positive mentality, understanding culture, and female role models.

It will be co-created with Carl Anka, a journalist for sports media group The Athletic, and Katie Warriner, a performance psychologist.

Two fiction titles for readers aged seven and up will follow later in 2021 and 2022.

Next year will also see the launch of the Marcus Rashford Book Club, a reader recommends programme publishing front list titles from MCB’s successful list.

Rashford said: “I only started reading at 17, and it completely changed my outlook and mentality.

“I just wish I was offered the opportunity to really engage with reading more as a child, but books were never a thing we could budget for as a family when we needed to put food on the table.

“There were times where the escapism of reading could have really helped me. I want this escapism for all children. Not just those that can afford it.

“We know there are over 380,000 children across the UK today that have never owned a book, children that are in vulnerable environments. That has to change.

“My books are, and always will be, for every child, even if I have to deliver them myself. We will reach them.”

Rashford said acceptance and acknowledgment are a key focus of the project, adding: “Let our children read that they are not alone and enable them to dream.

“Equip them for obstacles and adversities they might face.

“Allow them to relate to characters by making sure people of all race, religion and gender are depicted correctly and representative of modern society.

“No matter where you grow up, talent should be recognised and championed.

“Under the Marcus Rashford Book Club young writers, illustrators and creatives will be seen and they will be offered a platform to shine.”

Rashford, 23, has drawn widespread praise for highlighting the issue of child food poverty and his campaign resulted in the Government back-tracking to announce free meals would be provided to disadvantaged children over the Christmas holidays.

The England footballer was also recently awarded an MBE after forcing a Government U-turn on free school meal vouchers.

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UNITED STALLING ON ROMERO DECISION AS HENDERSON RUMOURED TO LEAVE OLD TRAFFORD ON LOAN.

Manchester United are delaying a decision on Sergio Romero’s future until a plan for Dean Henderson’s development is finalised, reports say.

Romero is keen to leave Old Trafford after being omitted from the Premier League and Champions League squads by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

There is interest in the Argentina international at home and abroad ahead of a possible move in January but United are unlikely to make a decision until Henderson’s immediate future is resolved.

After returning from a successful loan spell at Sheffield United in the summer, Henderson is content with his role at the club for now but has been told by England manager Gareth Southgate he will need to play more regularly if he hopes to challenge Everton’s Jordan Pickford for the No.1 spot at the European Championships.

It opens up the possibility that Henderson, who has started three games this season, could be allowed to secure a loan move in January to boost his chances of ousting Pickford, who has come under fire for his performances at Goodison Park, before the tournament.

Henderson’s temporary departure would increase Romero’s chances of having to stay put until at least the summer when he could be a free agent.

The 33-year-old, valued at between £8 million and £10m by United, is under contract until the end of the season while the club also hold an option to extend his deal for another 12 months.

Solskjaer is keen to keep hold of an established No. 2 goalkeeper to provide cover for David De Gea during a season which could see his team play more than 60 games. His third choice is 37-year-old Lee Grant, who has made just two first team appearances in two-and-a-half years.

Meanwhile, United will not be releasing defender Victor Lindelof to play for Sweden against Denmark because of UK quarantine rules imposed on travel to and from Denmark.

Lindelof will instead go straight to Stockholm and could play against Croatia and France in the Nations League if he is passed fit.

The 26-year-old has been struggling with a back injury which meant he was an unused substitute for the 2-1 Champions League defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir although he was able to return for the 3-1 win over Everton on Saturday.