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      Ten Hag tipped to be first Premier League manager sacked this season after Man Utd’s Champions League collapse

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      ERIK TEN HAG has been tipped to be the first Premier League manager sacked this season.The Manchester United boss has come under fire since his side’s Champions League collapse against Galatasaray.
      Erik ten Hag has been tipped to be the first Premier League manager to be sackedCredit: Getty
      United let a two-goal lead slip as they were held to a 3-3 draw in Turkey on Wednesday night.
      The Dutchman is now odds-on to leave Old Trafford before the end of the season.
      Former Liverpool defender Luis Enrique has also tipped Ten Hag to be the next Premier League boss to loss his job.
      Speaking to Grosvenor Sport ahead of United’s trip to Newcastle, he explained: “Manchester United had a good game against Everton the other day, that is true.
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      “However, that is just one result and when you look at the team and how much money the club has spent since Erik ten Hag arrived, I still don’t see a team that can finish in the top four.
      “They only got in the top four last year because other teams were poor, but now Liverpool, Tottenham and Aston Villa are all there challenging for it.
      “I don’t think United will finish in the top four this season and should that be the case, I think they will sack ten Hag.
      “When I look at all the other big-name managers in the league, ten Hag still stands out to me as the one who will be sacked first.”
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      Ten Hag has come under fire following Manchester United’s collapse in TurkeyCredit: Rex
      United’s slow start to the season leaves them sixth in the table going into Saturday’s clash with Newcastle.
      Both sides are looking to close the gap to the top four heading into the festive period.
      In Europe, meanwhile, United are bottom of their Champions League group following their midweek collapse.
      The Red Devils are at risk of dropping out of Europe altogether if they fail to beat Bayern Munich in their final match later this month. More

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      Granit Xhaka fires brutal three-word dig at Oleksandr Zinchenko after Arsenal star celebrates win over Lens

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      GRANIT XHAKA took aim at former team-mate Oleksandr Zinchenko with a hilarious Instagram comment following Arsenal’s 6-0 win over Lens.The midfielder watched from his new home in Germany as Mikel Arteta’s side sealed qualification to the Champions League knockout stages.
      Granit Xhaka (R) playfully taunted Oleksandr Zinchenko (L) on InstagramCredit: Getty
      Zinchenko played as Arsenal cruised to a 6-0 win over LensCredit: AFP
      It was an impressive performance from the Gunners, with six different players scoring.
      Zinchenko started the match but was replaced by January signing Jakub Kiwior at half-time.
      The Ukraine international later took to Instagram to share an image from the Emirates Stadium with a caption that read: “Let’s go for more @Arsenal.”
      However, ex-Gunner Xhaka was quick to playfully taunt him about his lack of game time.
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      The Bayer Leverkusen star commented: “Did you play? 😂.”
      Fans took to Instagram to react, with one person writing: “Who are you?! 😂.”
      While another added: “We need you back!”
      Xhaka left Arsenal to join Bayer Leverkusen in a £21.4million transfer in July.
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      He made 297 appearances during his seven-year spell at the Emirates Stadium.
      Since joining Bayer Leverkusen he has helped guide the club to the top of the Bundesliga table More

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      Our dad is a World Cup winner and Champions League icon – now all four of us are making our own way in football

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      ZINEDINE ZIDANE is one of the most iconic names in football.With a World Cup and a Ballon d’Or among his biggest accolades, the Frenchman is considered one of the best players of all time.
      Zinedine Zidane’s four sons are all professional footballersCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Zidane is a World Cup and Ballon d’Or winnerCredit: AP
      And now his four kids are looking to follow in his footsteps.
      Luca, Elyaz, Theo and Enzo all play football at a professional level in Spain.
      And although they share the same iconic surname, they are all seeking success in their own right.
      Discussing the impact of his dad’s reputation on his own career during an interview with Relevo earlier this year, Luca explained: “In the world of football I want them to see me as Luca.
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      “Let them judge the matches I’ve played so far. They don’t think more than that and don’t compare me.
      “There are people who talk about me and don’t know me. It hurts. They say what they think and many times it’s prejudiced. They don’t know who I am.
      “It’s difficult to hear things from people who have seen you play one or two games and don’t really know the person or the footballer you are.”
      The 25-year-old is currently playing as a goalkeeper for Eibar in the second division of Spanish football.
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      Luca Zidane plays for EibarCredit: Getty
      Enzo Zidane scored on his only senior appearance for Real MadridCredit: Getty – Contributor
      He moved to the Basque club last summer following a two-year spell with Rayo Vallecano.
      But he made his professional debut with Real Madrid in 2018 – at the time his dad was manager.
      His first – and only – appearance for Los Blancos came in a 2-2 draw with Villarreal.
      Zidane also handed a Real Madrid debut to his eldest son, Enzo.
      The 27-year-old joined the club’s academy in 2014 and earned promotion to the first team two years later.
      His first – and only – appearance for the La Liga giants came in a 6-1 win over Cultural Leonesa in the Copa del Rey.
      Enzo also scored during his 45-minute cameo.
      The midfielder left the club to join Alaves in 2017, but spent just six months at the Mendizorrotza Stadium before leaving for Swiss side FC Lausanne-Sport.
      He went on to play for Aves, Almeria and Rodez.
      Enzo is now with CF Fuenlabrada in the third tier of Spanish football.
      Theo joined Real Madrid’s academy in 2010 and still plays for the club.
      The 21-year-old midfielder currently stars for the B team and is yet to make his senior debut.
      He has also appeared for France’s Under-20’s, Under-17’s and Under-16’s.

      Zidane’s youngest son, Elyaz, also plays for Los Blancos.
      The 17-year-old defender established himself as a promising young player during his time with CD Canillas – a feeder team for Real Madrid.
      Theo Zidane has played for France at youth levelCredit: Sportsfile
      Elyaz Zidane also plays for France at youth levelCredit: Getty More

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      Why Man Utd may have LOST Galatasaray game by Premier League rules with Uefa VAR drawing different line for Icardi goal

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      MAURO ICARDI’S disallowed goal against Manchester United may have stood if it was scored in the Premier League.So United could have lost to Galatasaray as Icardi’s strike would have levelled the match at 2-2 just before half-time.
      Uefa judges offside from the start of the arm so Mauro Icardi was offsideCredit: TNT Sports
      Icardi’s strike would have made the score 2-2Credit: AP
      Instead Erik ten Hag’s side went 3-1 up before being pegged back, as VAR backed up the linesman’s call that Icardi was offside.
      Uefa use a semi-automated system to judge offside in the Champions League and Icardi was a fraction beyond the last defender Harry Maguire.
      But in the Premier League no such system is in place, with VAR officials instead reliant on drawing lines to determine offside.
      Icardi was offside by the tightest of margins with only his shoulder beyond Maguire, with the semi-automated system drawing a line right where Maguire’s arm started.
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      However Premier League officials judge the starting point of offside at the logo on the arm – lower than the automated system.
      That meant Icardi likely would have been called onside, so his goal would have stood and United may have lost.
      The Red Devils were also fortunate Scott McTominay was not penalised for handball when the ball struck his arm in the penalty area.
      Uefa referees have been quick to award penalties whenever the ball strikes an arm in the box, as Newcastle found out against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
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      However, Galatasaray also benefitted from the officials for their first goal as Hakim Ziyech fired a free-kick past Andre Onana.
      Icardi broke a law of the game as the ball was hit, as he was stood too close to the wall – the law states attacking players must remain at least one metre away from a wall containing four or more players. More

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      Laura Woods lifts lid on how she prepares for huge Champions League clashes with Beethoven and lavish steak dinner

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      LAURA WOODS has lifted the lid on how she prepares to present a Champions League game for TNT Sports.The Telegraph were given behind-the-scenes access for Newcastle’s trip to PSG on Tuesday.
      Laura Woods during the PSG vs Newcastle gameCredit: Getty
      Fellow presenter Becky Ives’ showed just how hard the preparation for a game isCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
      A further look at Laura Woods’ prepCredit: Instagram
      Woods explained to the paper that her intense preparation for a game actually begins on the way to the match, with the presenter pouring over her notes on the Eurostar from London to Paris on Monday.
      Once in the French capital, she was joined by Ally McCoist, Jermaine Jenas, Rio Ferdinand and Becky Ives for a steak dinner overlooking the Eiffel Tower.
      She revealed that: “Those social occasions are quite important – just for a little bit of team bonding.”
      When Woods got to the stadium, she explained how she was holed up in a makeshift green room by the players’ tunnel with nothing but an iPad, a pair of headphones, Haribos and a Coke Zero for two hours.
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      Woods said that while making her preparations, she listens to classical music, saying: “No lyrics – and super calming, so I could be trawling through the number of shots Nick Pope blocked vs AC Milan accompanied by Beethoven.
      “I just like to get my head in something and be very insular. I’m very boring on the day of the game.”
      Woods also told the Telegraph that she feels more “balanced” since leaving her breakfast show role at TalkSPORT in favour of presenting Champions League nights on TNT.
      She said: “I feel quite human again – I sleep more, I’m healthier, going to the gym, doing all the things I wanted to do which is really nice.
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      Woods had been out with fellow TNT Sports presenter Becky Ives before the gameCredit: instagram
      As well as national treasure, Ally McCoistCredit: instagram
      “[It’s] Definitely more balanced. I’ve always enjoyed work but working too much you enjoy it a little bit less.”
      Woods was the lead presenter as Newcastle fell to an agonising 1-1 draw against PSG after a controversial penalty was awarded against Tino Livramento.
      The TNT anchor was on hand again to present Manchester United’s thrilling 3-3 draw against Galatasaray yesterday evening.
      Inside Laura Woods’ glamorous life as football, boxing and NFL presenter…
      Laura is the new face of TNT Sports’ Champions League coverage
      She has gathered a huge social media following in recent yearsCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
      Laura presented coverage of Anthony Joshua’s bout with Jermaine FranklinCredit: Rex
      Laura regularly hosts DAZN’s boxing coverage as wellCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
      She has become TNT Sports’ main Champions League anchor this seasonCredit: Getty
      Laura is dating former Love Island star Adam CollardCredit: Instagram
      Laura went Instagram official with her romance with Adam CollardCredit: Instagram
      Laura also likes to let her hair down when not workingCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
      The presenter is ITV’s host for Lionesses coverageCredit: Getty
      Woods previously hosted the talkSPORT Breakfast alongside great pal Ally McCoistCredit: Instagram
      She also works for ITV on their coverage of the NFLCredit: Instagram
      Laura has an enviable lifestyle and fans regularly go wild for her outfitsCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
      She loves a day at the races during the summerCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy More

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      Thierry Henry leaves CBS panel emotional with his biggest fear as Kate Abdo says ‘he always takes it somewhere deep’

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      THIERRY HENRY’S wholesome response to being asked his biggest fear left his fellow pundits emotional.The Arsenal legend was on CBS Sports with Jamie Carragher, Micah Richards, Clint Dempsey and host Kate Abdo.
      Thierrh Henry left everyone emotional as he revealed his biggest fearCredit: X/@CBSSportsGolazo
      Henry was a pundit on CBS Sports last night
      Ahead of last night’s Champions League action, they all took part in a question and answer session.
      Abdo quizzed the panel on what their worst fear is, with Richards revealing he hates the turbulence on planes.
      Dempsey said he is scared of sharks and Carragher joked he has nightmares about trying to defend against Henry back in the day.
      But the mood was swiftly changed by the Frenchman as he admitted his heart-warming fear.
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      Henry said: “Not being a good dad.”
      There was a loud “aww” from all the pundits and Abdo responded: “Thierry always takes it somewhere deep doesn’t he.”
      Henry has three children from two relationships.
      He had his eldest daughter Tea, 18, with his ex-wife Nicole Merry.
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      His other kids Tristan, 11, and Tatiana, 8, came with his current partner Andrea Rajacic.
      Henry revealed plenty during last night’s Q&A, blowing his fellow pundits away by saying he swapped shirts with the Brazilian Ronaldo after the World Cup final in 1998.
      He also got hot under the collar after an accidental “rude” slip-up and was called out by Carragher.
      Thierry Henry with his daughter Tea in 2011Credit: Arsenal FC – Getty More

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      Champions League fans slam ‘naughtiest dive of the 21st century’ and fume ‘he shouldn’t be allowed to play anymore’

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      FANS have called for Lucas Tousart to never play again after performing the “naughtiest dive of the 21st century”.The Union Berlin star was playing against Portuguese outfit Braga in the Champions League.

      Lucas Tousart was trying to win a penalty off Jose FonteCredit: EPA
      His dive was slammed by fansCredit: AP
      Union were desperate for a result as they are on the cusp of missing out on European football after the new year.
      The Bundesliga side are bottom of Group C, and while they can not qualify for the Last 16, they could still make it to the Europa League with a third-placed finish.
      Tousart, 26, appeared to be willing to do anything to help his team as he took a tumble in the Braga penalty area without any contact.
      No penalty was given as the match finished 1-1 and referee Clement Turpin showed Tousart a yellow card for simulation.
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      Fans have taken to social media to slam the Frenchman.
      One fan hit out: “In case you missed the naughtiest dive of the 21st century yesterday, here’s Lucas Tousart.”
      A second commented: “That Tousart dive was so shameless.”
      A third wrote: “Tousart should be subbed out for that dive he shouldn’t be allowed to play anymore.”
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      A fourth said: “Even without VAR, you can’t make such a fool of yourself. Here the referee is perfectly positioned.”
      The midfielder was trying to win a penalty off of Jose Fonte.
      Premier League fans will remember the Portuguese defender for his spells at Southampton and West Ham.
      He also had a stint with Crystal Palace in the Championship before joining the Saints.
      Fonte, 39, left England in 2018 and joined Chinese Super League outfit Dalian Yifang before moving on to Lille and then Braga.
      Elsewhere in the Champions League Arsenal hammered RC Lens 6-0 while Manchester United drew 3-3 to Galatasaray. More

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      Lionel Messi brutally refused Champions League punditry role because of Jamie Carragher, says Kate Abdo

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      KATE ABDO hilariously revealed that Lionel Messi refused a Champions League punditry role because of a feud with Jamie Carragher.Popular presenter Abdo and her CBS Sports team broadcast last night’s Champions League action in a special show from Miami.
      Lionel Messi refused to join CBS Sports due to Jamie CarragherCredit: AFP
      Messi previously branded Carragher a ‘donkey’Credit: CBS Sport
      Carragher, Thierry Henry and Micah Richards were all present as the fan-favourite group watched various matches including Manchester United’s 3-3 draw with Galatasaray.
      And being based in one of America’s most glamorous cities presented the opportunity for Inter Miami star Messi to make a guest appearance.
      CBS Sports reached out to the Argentina ace to see if he fancied coming on air.
      But Messi brutally rejected the chance to voice his opinions due to an ongoing beef with Carragher.
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      The fallout started in January 2022 when the ex-Liverpool star criticised Messi’s move to Paris Saint-Germain.
      It resulted in the World Cup winner sending a private message to Carragher, branding him a “donkey”.
      And after learning the Anfield icon would be appearing on CBS Sports’ Miami show last night, Messi declined to make an appearance.
      Host Abdo revealed: “You know we made an official invitation extended to Inter Miami, and we asked him to come on the show.
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      Kate Abdo revealed Messi is refusing to do any TV work with CarragherCredit: CBS Sport
      “Do you know what the official response was? Apparently Lionel Messi will not be doing any television shows that Jamie Carragher is a part of.”
      However, the Sky Sports star brushed off Messi’s snub, declaring it a “claim to fame”.
      Revealing more about Messi’s “donkey” message, Carragher said at the time: “It was on Monday Night Football and I got a private message on Instagram.
      “From the man himself. I will not be showing private messages but he basically called me a donkey.”
      Carragher added in September: “I was coming home from a game, I got a message and was like ‘that can’t be him, must be a fake account’.
      “Then I looked and it came from that and he told me his opinion.
      “I had to Google and translate because I didn’t have a clue what he sent me.
      “I just said ‘thanks for your opinion’. The next night he was crowned the Ballon d’Or winner so I replied saying ‘congratulations’. He saw the message and didn’t reply.” More