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      Man Utd’s Onana will never be consistent, he’s either brilliant or disastrous – but keepers always get it in the neck

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      IS there any sense in the modern obsession with goalkeepers using their feet so much?Since Andre Onana and David Raya made serious blunders on Tuesday — leading to Champions League defeats for Manchester United and Arsenal — many have been asking that question.
      The mistakes of Onana and Raya have put goalkeepers using their feet in the spotlightCredit: Rex
      David Raya also made a high-profile mistake against OlympiacosCredit: Rex
      Onana’s poor pass led to Casemiro being sent off and United conceding a penalty on their way to a home reverse against Galatasaray.
      And after Raya came out of his area to play a stray pass which led to a Lens equaliser, Arsenal slid to their first loss of the season.
      So why did Erik ten Hag get rid of a world-class shot-stopper in David de Gea and sign Onana?
      And why has Mikel Arteta signed Raya and benched Aaron Ramsdale, who was excellent last season?
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      Well, football has changed so rapidly many people are struggling to keep up.
      The best example I can give is my old Watford team-mate Heurelho Gomes.
      He was the best shot-stopper I ever played with — good enough to play 11 times for Brazil and be No 1 at Tottenham.
      Yet while he could accurately throw a ball to the halfway line, when Heurelho tried to use his feet it was as though he was wearing Aladdin’s slippers — he was hopeless.
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      Heurelho Gomes was the best shot stopper I played withCredit: Getty
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      This isn’t a dig at a great bloke and a great player — but keepers like Gomes are pretty much obsolete.
      He wouldn’t be an elite-level keeper now. They have to be decent with their feet.
      Top keepers are almost always regarded as extra defenders who must be able to play.
      Nick Pope of Newcastle is a rare exception among first-choice Premier League goalkeepers.
      When most top clubs look for a keeper, their shot-stopping ability is the third or fourth most important thing.
      Playing out from the back allows a team to keep possession better, to get into the opposition’s half so their forwards can play.
      When it comes to goalkeepers, let me point out they are weirdos — complete eccentrics.
      The goalkeepers’ union all know one another and when they talk between themselves about the game they seem to speak a different language to the rest of us.
      Goalkeepers are crazed and obsessiveCredit: —
      They’re crazed and obsessive, if the other keeper at their club bench presses 100 kilos, they will make sure they do 120 kilos.
      Keepers and strikers who are team-mates have love-hate relationships. Every day at training we are trying to stop each other doing our jobs.
      Take my friend Ben Foster, another former Watford team-mate.
      During shooting drills, if you kept scoring, he would moan that they were unrealistic. Not so much if he was getting the better of you.
      I feel for keepers, though, because 99 per cent of their mistakes lead to goals and the level of scrutiny they face at a top Premier League club is massive.
      Even for Onana, moving from Inter Milan to United, the spotlight is harsher — it’s global. And the game in England is so much faster than in Italy.
      I understand why Ten Hag signed him but Onana is coming into a side still searching for an identity — leaking goals and losing games.
      That’s not all down to him but, as the keeper, he will get it in the neck more than his team-mates.
      Onana doesn’t strike me as a keeper who will ever be truly consistent. He will be either brilliant or disastrous.
      Arteta signed Raya because he is better with his feet than Ramsdale.
      It was harsh on Ramsdale but the Arsenal boss is looking for those extra one per cents that might help his team edge ahead of Manchester City.
      Unlike Onana, Raya is coming into a settled side, so he has a better chance.
      Arteta recently spoke about the idea of substituting one keeper for another for tactical reasons — not because the starting keeper was having a nightmare.
      It was interesting but I don’t think it’s ever likely to happen.
      You just aren’t going to sub a keeper in a tight match when he hasn’t made a serious error.
      Substitute keepers are not as mentally prepared as on-field subs, they don’t expect to get on, so that idea doesn’t make sense to me.
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      And I don’t think it would make sense to goalkeepers, either.
      Not that I will ever truly understand how their minds work! More

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      Man Utd forced to apologise for ‘unacceptable’ situation following embarrassing Champions League loss to Galatasaray

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have been forced to apologise for the “unacceptable” situation that saw thousands of Galatasaray fans get seats in the United home end.The Gala supporters were able to enjoy their 3-2 victory at Old Trafford on Tuesday night from the hospitality section as well as regular seats around The Theatre of Dreams.
      United have apologised after pockets of Galtasaray fans were able to take over Old TraffordCredit: Rex
      The club are currently investigating how Galatasaray fans were able to get home tickets so easily and published their initial findings today.
      Some United fans have claimed that they were assaulted and abused in their home end and Chief Operating Officer Colette Roche apologised to them in her statement.

      Roche said bots were to blame for tickets being snapped up, and that they were then redistributed by online touts.
      The bots deceived the club into believing they had in fact been purchased by official members, many of whom were under the age of 16, United added.
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      “As such, our system showed that these tickets were predominantly sold to long-standing official members who have attended other matches in recent seasons, with a large percentage being to those under the age 16, and therefore did not appear in pre-match checks to pose any risk,” Said Roche.
      “In reality, those who turned up on the night were adult Galatasaray fans.”
      Roche also conceded that the club’s policy, that you do not have to be an official member to buy tickets in the hospitality section, added to the problem.
      She said: “‘Whilst this hasn’t presented issues in the last couple of decades, the volume of tickets accessed by non-Turkish residents who transpired to be Galatasaray fans was unacceptable.”
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      United claim stewards were able to remove some Galatasaray fans from the home end but the sheer number of fans in some pockets of the ground made it impossible to tackle them all.
      United will now restrict access to tickets for their upcoming cup games against Newcastle, Copenhagen and Bayern Munich to “People already in our database.”
      Roche’s statement finished by saying: “I hope the above update gives you some reassurance that we take this matter seriously and are working with our fan representatives to avoid a potential repeat.
      “I apologise to those affected and thank you as always for your continued support.” More

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      Man Utd & Chelsea striker Falcao in burglary gang raid as he has family dinner… days after Ramos’ mansion ransacked

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      FORMER Manchester United and Chelsea striker Radamel Falcao has become the latest footballer to become the victim of a burglary gang.Last night it emerged that Colombian striker Falcao’s house in an upmarket suburb of Madrid had been targeted by criminals.
      Radmael’s home was the latest to be targeted as many other footy stars have been robbedCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      The father of five had been eating nearby when the burglars entered his homeCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Falcao had scored a last-gasp penalty earlier in the day to secure his current side Rayo Vallecano a valuable point at home against LaLiga rivals Mallorca.
      As the footy legend enjoyed dinner nearby his home, intruders are said to have taken designer bags, watches and some jewellery before being surprised by an employee and fleeing the scene.
      Spanish police have begun an investigation to try to identify and catch those responsible.
      Last week, it was announced that former Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos’ home was raided while his four children were inside and he was away on Champions League duty with Sevilla.
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      A gang of robbers had broken into the property while the 37-year-old was enjoying dinner with his wife at a nearby restaurant on Saturday night, El Mundo reports.
      They terrified Ramos’ kids, aged between three and eight, and the two nannies looking after them, but left them unharmed during the burglary on September 20.
      He shares the home near Seville with his model and TV presenter wife Pilar Rubio.
      The star couple celebrated their wedding at the country property in June 2019 after a religious ceremony at Seville Cathedral.
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      Reports in Spain said the burglars only targeted their bedroom after accessing it via the roof and took watches, jewellery, designer clothes and shoes worth more than £300,000.
      They also stole five Louis Vuitton bags and four suitcases of the same brand valued at nearly £40,000 – though no one has been arrested in relation to the crime.
      Falcao initially struggled at Manchester United during 2014 before transferring to Chelsea and then finding his footing at Monaco.
      He signed for Rayo Vallecano in September 2021 after two injury-plagued years at Galatasaray.
      Other LaLiga players who have suffered break-ins at their homes include Real Madrid striker Rodrygo and former Barcelona stars Jordi Alba and Gerard Pique.
      In June 2019 former Chelsea frontman Alvaro Morata’s wife Alice Campello was confronted by armed intruders while she was alone at their home north of Madrid with a nanny and twins Alessandro and Leonardo.
      The Italian beauty admitted afterwards she would be “afraid for a long time to come.”
      She said in a social media message: “I think this is one of those things that are not easily forgotten, one of those things that makes you realize how much love and life is worth.
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      “Knowing that you have your children at home and thinking they can touch them or do something to them is really an inexplicable emotion.
      “Fortunately we are all well and know it could have been much worse.”
      Real Madrid defender Ramos was targeted in a burglary as wellCredit: INSTAGRAM
      He and his family weren’t at home at the timeCredit: INSTAGRAM
      The family were eating dinner nearbyCredit: INSTAGRAM
      A member of staff approached the burglars, and they fledCredit: INSTAGRAM More

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      Champions League WORST team of the week includes two Man Utd flops and £60m-rated star

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      TWO Manchester United players have been included in a worst team of the week in the Champions League.United slumped to their fifth defeat in their last seven games as they were beaten by Turkish side Galatasaray 3-2 at Old Trafford.
      The worst team in this week’s Champions League Group Stage according to Sofascore
      Onana suffered a torrid nightCredit: Getty
      And Diogo Dalot struggled with Wilfried ZahaCredit: Rex
      The Red Devils now sit rock bottom of their Champions League group behind Bayern Munich, Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen having lost their two opening matches.
      Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana heads up the worst team of the week according to data company SofaScore’s ratings, with a score of 5.9.
      The £47million man had a shaky and nervous display throughout and his misplaced pass led directly to Casemiro’s red card.
      Diogo Dalot was perhaps a bit unlucky to make the XI given he was given an average looking 6.1 but he defended poorly for Wilfried Zaha’s goal and didn’t contribute much going forward.
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      At centre-back were the PSG pairing that shipped four goals against Newcastle.
      Milan Skriniar looked cumbersome and earned a 5.9 which was beaten by his partner Marquinhos earning a 5.8.
      Owen Wijndal, like Dalot, scored a 6.1 after shipping three to Shaktar Donetsk.
      Galatasaray’s Sergio Oliveira scored 5.9 despite being on the winning side at Old Trafford and he was joined in midfield by the 6.0 rated Romario Baro of Porto and Red Bull Salzburg’s Oscar Gloukh who scored 6.1.
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      The highly rated Samuel Chukwueze is unlucky to make the XI as he only appeared off the bench for Milan in their 0-0 draw with Borussia Dortmund and scored a 6.0.
      His cross-city rival Lautaro Martinez appears up front after scoring a 5.9 for a poor performance against Benfica.
      Meschak Elia of Young Boys scored a 6.1 as he struggled to break down Red Star Belgrade.
      Martinez struggled against BenficaCredit: Rex More

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      Kylian Mbappe brutally trolled by Greggs for 4-1 Newcastle loss a day after huge Kate Abdo revelation

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE has been brutally teased by Greggs online after his shocking performance against Newcastle last night. The Magpies thrashed PSG 4-1 as the club welcomed Champions League football back to St James’ Park for the first time in two decades.
      Kylian Mbappe has been teased by Greggs after his performance against Newcastle last nightCredit: Getty
      The Magpies stunned PSG with a 4-1 victory in the Champions LeagueCredit: Alamy
      It’s a night that will live long in the memory of Newcastle fans, but one that Parisians will be hoping they can quickly forget.
      However that won’t be an easy task for Mbappe with bakery chain Greggs making sure he can’t get away from his side’s loss by poking fun at him online.
      The World Cup winning superstar was way below his usual standards in the matchup registering just one shot in the entire game.
      One Newcastle fan posted a picture of Mbappe online with the caption: “I was confident about a win, as I went with a predicted 2-1. The team was just showing off last night though.
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      “This fella [Mbappe] was just thinking about Greggs steak bakes all night. Right there, he was caught licking his lips thinking of his next one.”
      And the northern bakery didn’t miss their chance to lump in on Mbappe by replying with a hilarious tweet mocking the score line.
      It read: “He’s welcome to come 4-1 this morning…”
      It wasn’t the only involvement that Greggs had in last night’s thrilling affair as CBS Sport host Kate Adbo revealed that she used to work there.
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      Speaking on the broadcaster’s live coverage of the match, she said: “[I used to work at] Greggs in Stretford. I wasn’t dripping in Louis Vuitton so much back then – It was my first job.”
      Her revelation left co-hosts Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards in shock and stitches of laughter.
      But it only got more bizarre as she then revealed she was sacked from the job for getting her tongue pierced.
      Kate Abdo revealed she started her professional life off working in GreggsCredit: Getty More

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      Riot police forced to intervene as shocking mass brawl erupts in VIP section at Champions League clash

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      RIOT police had to be called in after a mass brawl erupted in the VIP section of Atletico Madrid’s Metopolitano stadium.Atletico hosted Feyenoord in arguably the game of the night on Wednesday in the Champions League, ending in a narrow 3-2 victory for the Spaniards.
      The brawl erupted after a Feyenoord fan kicked an Atletico supporter
      Riot police were called to put an end to the violence
      Six arrests were reportedly made
      But the game was marred by the mass brawl in the posh seats.
      Spanish outlet AS shared footage showing violent clashes between Feyenoord and Atletico fans.
      The wild incident started when one man is seen fly-kicking a rival fan.
      Onlookers then rushed to the scene as the altercation descended into a huge brawl.
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      A second video then showed riot police coming in to defuse the situation and seemingly taking away the man whose kick sparked the fight.
      Football Espana report that six Feyenoord fans have been arrested following the violence, which left one child and several adults injured.
      The child was reportedly hit with a stool during.
      A number of Feyenoord fans bought tickets in the home end after their 3000-strong allocation sold out – with these particular fans causing chaos in an area where tickets cost £165 each.
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      Both sets of teams now face an anxious wait while Uefa compiles a report into the behaviour of their fans.
      Feyenoord are clearly at risk of punishment but Atletico are responsible for the behaviour of all fans in their stadium and therefore face a nervous wait.
      Football Espana also report that pockets of both sets of fans had arranged to meet up for a fight before the game but these reports are unconfirmed by Spanish police.
      Atletico had to fight back twice after Feyenoord took the lead but eventually found the winner through Alvaro Morata’s second-half strike. More

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      Newcastle star Dan Burn reveals the three shirts he has framed on his wall leaving fans confused

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      NEWCASTLE star Dan Burn has revealed the three football stars’ shirts he has framed on his wall.But fans were left baffled by the Geordie’s collection.
      Dan Burn has revealed three football stars’ shirts he has collectedCredit: Getty
      Eddie Howe’s men brushed French champions PSG aside with a comprehensive 4-1 victory at St James’ Park on Wednesday evening.
      Local boy Burn, 31, bagged the Toon’s second goal of the night and produced an outstanding performance to keep Kylian Mbappe and Co quiet.
      And following the match, he was asked if any of the players collected Mbappe’s shirt.
      Kieran Trippier’s Mbappe “obsessed” son was the chosen one to get the French superstar’s shirt.
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      Burnsaid: “I think a few of the lads kids definitely would’ve got a shirt.
      “But I have not asked for a shirt anyway. I have got a canny collection.
      “I think I’ve got Peter Crouch, Per Mertesacker and Wayne Routledge, they’re the only three ones I’ve got, got them framed on the wall!”
      Fans quickly began trying to decipher the reasoning the eclectic choice of shirts to keep.
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      One theory was that most of Burn’s choice of players have their skyscraper height in common with the 6ft 7in centre-back.
      Crouch was known as one of the tallest strikers during his career standing at a mammoth 6ft 7in.
      Meanwhile, 6ft 6in Mertesacker competed against Burn as one of the Premier League’s tallest defenders.
      However, the final player in his collection does not quite fit the tall gene profile – and that is 5ft 7in Routledge.
      Burn’s shirt selection left fans amused and joking about the vast difference in Routledge’s height compared to the others.
      One fan said: “Thought he was just collecting high tower players until he mentioned Routledge🤣.”
      Another added: “How tall was Routledge? Why did you even get his?😂”
      While a third put: “He knows his heights.”
      Burn has 6ft 7in Peter in his shirt collectionCredit: Getty
      Burn also revealed 6ft 6in Per Mertesacker also made the selectionCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Wayne Routledge in action during his time at SwanseaCredit: PA:Press Association More

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      Jamaal Lascelles reveals he ‘didn’t even want to TALK to Kylian Mbappe’ after Newcastle’s win over PSG

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      JAMAAL LASCELLES didn’t fancy a post-match natter with Kylian Mbappe after having him in his back pocket for 90-plus minutes.The Newcastle skipper marked the World Cup winner out of the game in their famous Champions League rout of the French giants on Wednesday night.
      All eyes were on Kylian Mbappe during Paris Saint-Germain’s trip to NewcastleCredit: GETTY
      The World Cup winner was well marshalled by Magpies skipper Jamaal LascellesCredit: EPA
      Lascelles kept Mbappe in his back pocket for 90-plus minutesCredit: GETTY
      Mbappe’s shirt is the most sought-after by opposition players after the final whistle blows.
      Toon and England defender Kieran Trippier landed the coveted top, which Lascelles couldn’t haven given a monkey’s about getting his hands on.
      The centre-back said: “I thought, ‘I’m not even going to bother asking for it.'”
      Lascelles, 29, was happy to make do with the top of his PSG counterpart Marquinhos.
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      He said: “I got Marquinhos, so that’s not far off Mbappe, I’ll take that.”
      A conversation with Mbappe wasn’t high on Lascelles’ list of things to do after their duel either.
      “I didn’t even want to talk to him (Mbappe),” he said. “The only talking he was going to get was something aggressive.”
      Newcastle ran out 4-1 winners at St James’ Park thanks to goals from Miguel Almiron, Dan Burn, Sean Longstaff and a wonder strike from Fabian Schar.
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      Newcastle ran out 4-1 winners over French champions Paris Saint-GermainCredit: REX
      “To play against players like that is crazy, really,” Lascelles said. “And credit to everyone involved tonight.”
      Eddie Howe’s Magpies currently top Group F with four points after their first two games back in Europe’s elite club competition in 20 years.
      The manager said: “It was an amazing evening for us, so many stories to talk about within the game.
      “I am delighted for the club and the supporters, what they gave us tonight was incredible.
      “They [PSG] are such a good team we had to defend really well and our spirit was brilliant.
      “We created the positive things in the first half and the aggressive pressing which is a hallmark of ours.” More