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OLE: WE’LL CLING IN TITLE RACE

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United must hang in there in the title race – as strange things can happen in football.

The Red Devils brought the gap to leaders City back down to 10 points thanks to goals from Dan James and Bruno Fernandes versus Newcastle.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tries to console old pal Steve Bruce after Man Utd beat Newcastle 3-1Credit: AP:Associated Press

Many believe Pep Guardiola’s men already have a third crown in four seasons in the bag – but the Old Trafford chief is not giving up just yet.

Solskjaer said: “I’m never going to say it’s done until it’s done.

“You’ve seen so many examples of teams just hanging in there, doing their own jobs and something might happen.

“We’ve got to be there just in case. Every time we get three points we’ve done our job. We’ve got loads to play for.

“We can’t control any other team but ourselves – but there have been many surprises in football.”

PEARSON SET FOR ROBINS

Nigel Pearson is set to take over as Bristol City’s new head coach until the end of the season.

The 57-year-old has been out of work since he was sacked by Watford in July, two games before they were relegated from the Premier League.

Ex-Leicester and Watford chief Nigel Pearson is tipped to take over Bristol City

But the Guardian claim that he is set to return to management in the Championship at Bristol City on a short-term contract.

The report adds that Pearson held productive talks with club officials on Sunday but is unlikely to be in charge for Tuesday’s trip to Middlesbrough.

talkSPORT claim City had sounded out Eddie Howe but the former Bournemouth manager has his heart set on a Premier League job.

SunSport previously reported that Newcastle will target the 43-year-old if they axe England compatriot Steve Bruce.

Bristol City meanwhile gave Dean Holden his marching orders earlier this week following a run of six successive defeats.

He was only appointed in August on a one-year deal after a spell in interim charge following the sacking of Lee Johnson.

BRUCE LOOKING NERVOUSLY OVER SHOULDER’

Steve Bruce claims losing striker Joelinton through injury at 1-1 was a turning point in Manchester United’s 3-1 win.

And he admits the fourth-bottom Magpies are now one of several sides “looking nervously over their shoulder”.

Bruce told BBC Sport: “I was very, very pleased for large parts of it but getting results is all that matters.

“Large parts I felt were very good. The change was when Joelinton went off as he gave us a physical presence.

“It was disappointing but that’s our luck at the moment – losing centre forwards. We have to keep plugging away.

“Everyone near the bottom will be looking nervously over their shoulder… We’ve been stuck on 25 points for a little while, we have to win a few games.”

OLE SLAMS UTD’S FIRST-HALF DISPLAY

Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer slammed Manchester United’s first-half display in the 3-1 defeat of Newcastle but hailed Dan James for the way he has battled back into the team.

Solskjaer claimed United took 45 minutes to build up their energy again following Thursday’s 4-0 Europa leageu victory over Real Sodiedad.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “We had to find a way to win it in the second half. The first half wasn’t up to the standard that we wanted, maybe because of Newcastle, maybe because of what we did in the week.

“We asked them to go again after a high-intensity game and it took us to half time to get our legs and energy.

“I’m delighted for Dan James. He has been so positive recently and working hard and he deserved his chance. I’m delighted when he scores goals because he’s had his ups and downs.

“Marcus Rashford has been a forward his whole life, he’s got quick feet. The first goal was a great strike after some dummies.

“He can still learn, he can still be so much better and that’s the good thing with our team – there are so many young lads that we can make better.”

SHORE ON CREST OF A WAVE

Shola Shoretire’s Manchester United debut today has caused a stir – even though he came on for just a minute of their 3-1 victory over Newcastle.

GONE PIERS-SHAPED FOR ARTETA

Piers Morgan’s goodwill towards Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is wearing thin after today’s 1-0 home defeat to leaders Manchester City left the Gunners in mid-table.

Celebrity fans Morgan laid out just why in this tweet….

SHORETIRE PUMPED UP AFTER UTD DEBUT

The buzz around Shola Shoretire extended far beyond Old Trafford.

The Manchester United wonderkid, 17, was being courted by the likes of European giants Barcelona and Juventus before he signed his first professional deal with the Red Devils recently.

Shoretire was then fast-tracked to the first team and added to the club’s Europa League squad ahead of their tie against Spanish side Real Sociedad.

He sat on the bench against Sociedad in Europe but his patience prevailed as manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brought him on against Newcastle in the league, handing the youngest his pro debut.

Shoretire replaced Marcus Rashford with just a minute to go but got a sense of the big-time at Old Trafford.

His rapid ascension through the youth ranks has United big-wigs purring that the Nigerian-born star could be the answer to the club’s problems out wide after missing out on Jadon Sancho.

The skilful attacker’s game has also been compared to African football legend Jay-Jay Okocha, who graced Premier League pitches with Bolton Wanderers in the early 2000s.

MAN U KNOW BRUNO WILL DELIVER THE GOODS

Manchester United’s media team instantly singled out Bruno Fernandes’ latest decisive display.

The midfielder’s penalty wrapped up a 3-1 win over Newcastle, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men had too much menace on the break.

FLATTEO GUEN-DOZY

Arsenal loanee Matteo Guendouzi made a horror mistake as he face-planted to the ground to gift RB Leipzig a goal.

It was a moment to forget for the midfielder as his Hertha Berlin slumped 3-0.

Hertha Berlin were already trailing 1-0 after Marcel Sabitzer put the visitors in front in the 28th minute with a stunning strike which left goalkeeper Rune Jarstein frozen to the spot.

Nordi Mukiele then took advantage of a huge mistake by Arsenal outcast Guendouzi in the box when he landed on his backside.

Mukiele made no mistake to drill the ball into the net after 71 minutes to leave Guendouzi red faced.

Hertha Berlin piled on the pressure in a bid to get back in the match but goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi was in excellent form for the Bundesliga title challengers.

And Leipzig wrapped up the victory with a late header from Willi Orban to move within two points of leaders Bayern Munich.

UNITED’S SUB RATINGS

Mason Greenwood (on for Martial, 70) – 6

Did far more than Martial – though that wasn’t going to be hard. Great attacking intent from the youngster. 

Juan Mata (on for James, 88) – N/A

Shola Shoretire (on for Rashford, 88) – N/A

A late debut for the Newcastle-born 17-year-old.

UNITED’S STRIKER RATING

Marcus Rashford – 8

Looked threatening cutting in from the left from the outset and a gorgeous nutmeg allowed him to create the space to fire home the opening goal with aplomb.

Nippy ball skills bought him the penalty with the England hero at the heart of all United’s good work.

Anthony Martial – 3

The Frenchman’s hold-up play was shoddy and he looks far from effective playing through the middle.

Lucky to last as long as he did before being rightfully hooked by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after 70 minutes.

MORE MAN UTD RATINGS

Fred – 3

Involved in an early mix-up with Maguire and was awful at keeping the ball.

Nemanja Matic – 5

 You know what you are going to get from the experienced Serb in midfield – a no-nonsense display with zero thrills.

Dan James – 7

Industrious as ever, the speedster visibly worked hard and got his reward when the ball broke for him in the second-half and he rifled home his second goal in as many games.

Although he could still be looking for Allan Saint-Maximin after being made to look silly by the Frenchman in the United box.

Bruno Fernandes – 6

Not his usual influential self and his frustration boiled over when he engaged in a shoving match with Isaac Hayden and got himself booked.

Cheered himself up by getting revenge on Karl Darlow by slotting a penalty after the Toon keeper had saved one earlier this season.

MAN UTD RATINGS

David De Gea – 5/10

A woeful bungled clearance almost allowed Jonjo Shelvey to break the deadlock just ten minutes in and the Spaniard again failed to inspire confidence in his defenders.

Tipped over a Saint-Maximin thunderbolt only to see the Toon star smash past him from the resulting corner with the United No1 not covering himself in glory.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6

Solid defensively and not afraid to venture forward – even forcing Karl Darlow to make a scrambling stop from a left-footed shot.

Victor Lindelof – 5

Struggled with the pace of Miguel Almiron and the Swede continues to give off the impression of a dead man walking with United continually linked with a swoop for a new centre-back.

Harry Maguire – 5

Often found himself in the right place at the right time to break down promising Newcastle moves in the first-half.

Drove the ball forward with intent to try and get United going but should have done more to head the ball out of the danger zone for the equaliser.

Luke Shaw – 8

Full of confidence and playing at the top of his game – Shaw was equally assured mopping up at the back as he was charging down the left wing.

A must-have for Gareth Southgate on this form.

RESULT: MAN UTD 3 NEWCASTLE 1

Click on our match blog HERE for all the reaction as Nemanja Matic and opening scorer Marcus Rashford inspired United to victory and back up to second place in the Prem.

Rashford and Dan James fired fine goals before Bruno Fernandes’ penalty clincher left Newcastle fourth bottom.

Allan Saint-Maximin cracked the Magpies’ temporary equaliser.

GOAL! MAN UTD 3 NEWCASTLE 1

Bruno Fernandes’ 75th minute penalty put United in cruise control.

Marcus Rashford – fed by Nemanja Matic – was upended by Joe Willock.

And after Fernandes tucked home the resulting spot-kick United began to play with swagger.

Follow all the second-half action with our match blog HERE.

PUPPY DROG

Isaac Drogba, son of Chelsea legend Didier, made his professional bow in the Italian fourth-tier.

Earlier this month, the 20-year-old joined Serie D side Folgore Caratese to aid their promotion push.

Didier Drogba’s son Isaac came off the bench to make his pro debut in a 4-1

And, in a win over Saluzzo at Stadio XXV Aprile, Drogba made his first appearance in a professional game.

The youngster spent last season in the reserves of French side Guingamp, where dad Didier also starred for a year as he made his way in the game.

Previously, the young Drogba had been part of Chelsea’s youth academy in another nod to his family’s heritage.

But he is now making his way in the town of Carate Brianza, to the north of Milan, where Folgore are based.

On Sunday, the Serie D Group A side were 4-1 up with ten minutes to go when Drogba was substituted on.

That is how the scoreline stayed, leaving the side ninth but only three points behind the play-off places with a game in hand.

The striker moved to Folgore Caratese in Serie D earlier in February

PSG ‘WANT KANE’

Harry Kane is reportedly wanted by former boss Mauricio Pochettino at Paris Saint-Germain.

The Mirror claim Poch will target a move for the Spurs striker if Kylian Mbappe seals a summer move away from the Ligue 1 champs.

The report adds that PSG chief Pochettino still has a close relationship with Kane with the pair regularly swapping WhatsApp messages.

But the French giants would likely face competition from both Manchester clubs if the England star becomes available.

SunSport previously reported that Tottenham are unlikely to want to sell Kane and haven’t even set an asking price.

The 27-year-old has become one of the most lethal strikers in world football after scoring 156 goals in 228 Premier League games for Spurs.

And Kane, who is under contract in north London until 2024, could prove the ideal man to replace Mbappe should the Real Madrid target leave Paris.

GOAL! MAN UTD 2 NEWCASTLE 1

Nemanja Matic conjures a goal from almost nothing for winger Daniel James to restore United’s lead on 57 minutes.

The midfielder’s cross is nudged onto James by the lunging Bruno Fernandes for the Welshman to drill into the far corner.

Follow all the second-half action with our match blog HERE.

S/H: MAN UTD 1 NEWCASTLE 1

Follow all the second-half action with our match blog HERE.

JOSE REJECTS SPURS ‘CRISIS’ TALK

Jose Mourinho claimed he had his coaching team cannot be bettered anywhere n the world despite pressure piling up with Tottenham’s 2-1 loss at West Ham.

Michail Antonio and Jesse Lingard cemented fourth spot for the Hammers; despite Lucas Moura heading a consolation.

Lucas Moura’s header proved only a consolation, with Spurs now well off the pace in ninth.

But Mourinho batted away criticism,- despite having the lowest points total from 50 games in his entire managerial career.

Asked whether results have made him doubt his methods, the 58-year-old told Sky Sports: “No, not at all. Not at all. Zero. Sometimes results are a consequence of multiple situations in football.

“Mine, and my coaching staff’s methods, are second to nobody in the world.”

And when quizzed if Spurs were now in “crisis” he responded: “I don’t know what you mean by crisis.”

H/T: MAN UTD 1 NEWCASTLE 1

Follow all the action with our match blog HERE.

AND HERE ARE THE GOALS..

LATEST: MAN UTD 1 NEWCASTLE 1 – Follow all the action with our match blog HERE.

Marcus Rashford showed superb footwork to set himself up for this clinical finishCredit: AFP

But Allan Saint-Maximin was just as clam with his 36th-minute equaliser for the MagpiesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

LATEST: MAN UTD 1 NEWCASTLE 1

TWO QUCK GOALS!

Marcus Rashford’s delightful skill punished questionable Toon defending on the half-hour with United’s opener.

But Newcastle levelled six minutes later when Allan Saint-Maximin firmly slotted home after home skipper Harry Maguire could only flick a header clear.

Follow all the action with our match blog HERE.

STATS GOTTA HURT FOR THE BIG SIX

Spurs’ 2-1 loss at West Ham today and Liverpool’s 2-0 home humbling by Everton yesterday underlined how this season’s Prem has hit most of the so-called top half-dozen clubs for… six.

Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City at the Emirates this afternoon is admittedly a bit different – given that their visitors were and are rampant, runaway leaders.

And of course the other exception to the flop top-six are City’s neighbours United – who will go back to second if they beat Newcastle.

LATEST: MAN UTD 0 NEWCASTLE 0

The Magpies are causing United more problems than many would have expected so far.

Follow all the action with our match blog HERE.

Newcastle striker Joelinton breaks free of Man Utd midfielder Nemanja MaticCredit: Eddie Keogh Telegraph Media Group

Man Utd keeper David de Gea flips an early Joelinton effort highCredit: Rex Features