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      Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag reveals transfer budget fears and fires stark warning to squad ahead of crucial West Ham clash

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      ERIK TEN HAG warned his troops that  sealing a Champions League spot is VITAL for his summer transfer plans.Manchester United are still favourites to claim a top-four finish despite Thursday’s last-gasp defeat at the Amex.
      Old Trafford chief Erik ten Hag ‘trusts’ his players and is ‘quite confident they will still finish in the Premier League top fourCredit: Reuters
      United stars reflect on Thursday’s agonising Prem loss at BrightonCredit: Rex
      Alexis Mac Allister’s ice-cool 99th-minute penalty sealed Brighton’s 1-0 win  but fourth-placed United  still have a four-point lead over Liverpool with a game in hand.
      But that gap could be trimmed on Saturday night to just a point if Jurgen Klopp’s side — on a five-match winning run  — beat Brentford at Anfield.
      Ten Hag knows United will be a less attractive option for transfer targets if they are not in Europe’s top competition.
      While the Dutchman does not know what his summer budget will be, amid ongoing  uncertainty over a potential takeover,  Champions League football will boost his  financial power in the market.
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      Asked how crucial that  top-four finish was to United in regards to investment, Ten Hag replied: “It is always vital to be in the Champions League.
      “It is a battle because many teams in the Premier League are competing for it.
      “We have the power and must fight for it as well. We’ll do everything to get there.
      “We want to be in there because we want to challenge  the best teams in the world. So, we do everything that’s in our power to get that done.”
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      United have the chance to bounce back  tomorrow night   at West Ham.
      Ten Hag is confident his men can recover from their Seagulls setback.
      The United chief said: “We had quite a good run before Brighton — four wins and a draw from the last five.
      “We have everything in our hands so have to focus on our performance. I trust my players. I am quite confident about that top four.”
      After the first two games of the season —   humbling defeats by Brighton and Brentford — Ten Hag’s side have followed each of their Premier League losses with a victory.
      And the former Ajax boss reckons the Red Devils can repeat the feat against David Moyes’ Hammers.
      He said: “Every time  we’ve had a defeat,  we bounced back. I count on my team, we have to do it again.
      “There is no time to stay in this. After one hour we move on to the game against West Ham and focus on that.
      “We will prepare them and make a good plan.
      “The players have to take responsibility and they will do — I count on them.
      “They have to do it and  can do it because we have the evidence this season.
      His passion is a strength. I just say, ‘Don’t go over the top, stay focused on your game’.Erik ten Hag on Antony
      “I am looking forward to it. We played them twice this season  because also we faced them in the FA Cup and it’s going to be another great game.
      “Every game is a battle, every game is a challenge. We have to get ready for that.”
      Ten Hag defended Antony after he took a wild swipe  at  Mac Allister in the 69th minute, which could have earned a red card, before squaring up to Lewis Dunk.
      Antony and Dunk were both yellow-carded by referee Andre Marriner  as Ten Hag quickly hooked the Brazilian.
      But backing his winger, Ten Hag added: “His passion is  a strength. You need passion and desire to win your games and win battles in the game.
      “It is very strong with him and he is very ambitious.
      “I just say, ‘Don’t go over the top, stay focused on your game and what the game needs’. If he does that, he is a great player.”
      United will make a late  call on whether Alejandro Garnacho returns from an ankle injury suffered in March.
      Read More on The Sun
      Asked about his 18-year-old winger, Ten Hag said: “Maybe he can be involved but we’ll see how his progress  goes.”
        MAN UTD (likely): De Gea, Wan-Bissaka,  Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen,  Fernandes, Antony, Martial, Rashford. More

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      Why is the Champions League music played at King Charles’ coronation?

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      THE Champions League music is one of the most recognised anthems in the world of football.But did you know it is based on the song that is played during the Royal Coronation?
      King Charles III’s coronation is this weekendCredit: PA
      Here is all you need to know about the iconic Champions League anthem and its relation to the Royal Coronation.
      Why is the Champions League music played at King Charles’ coronation?
      The Champions League music derives from George Frideric Handel’s ‘Zadok the Priest’.
      When the Champions League was rebranded in 1992, English composer Tony Britten was commissioned to write the new anthem.
      He adapted the famous Zadok the Priest to create the tune that is traditionally played before huge European nights.
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      The anthem was initially composed in 1727 for the coronation of King George II.
      It has since been traditionally performed during the anointing of the sovereign at the coronation of every British monarch, including the late Queen Elizabeth II.

      Zadok the Priest will be performed again on Saturday for the coronation of King Charles III.
      Why was the Champions League anthem not played during home matches involving British teams ahead of the Queen’s funeral?
      The iconic song was not played in Champions League fixtures that took place prior to the Queen’s funeral.
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      Liverpool, Rangers, Chelsea and Manchester City all had home Champions League games during the ten-day national mourning period.
      UEFA made the decision not to play the anthem, and clubs paid further respects with a period of silence.
      What are the Champions League anthem lyrics?
      Ce sont les meilleures équipesEs sind die allerbesten MannschaftenThe main event
      Die MeisterDie BestenLes grandes équipesThe champions
      Une grande réunionEine grosse sportliche VeranstaltungThe main event
      Die MeisterDie BestenLes grandes équipesThe champions
      Ils sont les meilleursSie sind die BestenThese are the champions
      Die MeisterDie BestenLes grandes équipesThe champions
      In English: 
      They are the best teamsThey are the best teamsThe main event
      The masterThe bestThe great teamsThe champions
      A big meetingA great sporting eventThe main event
      The masterThe bestThe great teamsThe champions
      They are the bestThey are the bestThese are the champions

      The masterThe bestThe champions More

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      Micah Richards gives his prediction on Man City’s Treble bid and admits he is ‘worried’ for Real Madrid clash

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      MICAH RICHARDS does NOT think Manchester City will win the Treble.And he pinpointed the Real Madrid showdown as the stumbling block.
      Manchester City could fall short of winning the Treble, according to Micah RichardsCredit: Getty
      The former City right-back is concerned about the Real Madrid European showdownCredit: Getty
      City returned to the top of the Premier League tonight with a 3-0 win over West Ham.
      Erling Haaland got his record-breaking 35th league goal of the season and Phil Foden volleyed in the 1,000th of Pep Guardiola’s Etihad reign.
      His side are a point clear of Arsenal with a game in hand and face rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final on June 3.
      However, they go up against Real Madrid in a repeat of last season’s Champions League semi-final.
      READ MORE ON MAN CITY
      And Richards, 34, is concerned they could come unstuck against Carlo Ancelotti’s men again – just as they did at the same stage a year ago, despite leading 5-3 on aggregate with a minute to go in the Bernabeu.
      He does not think Guardiola will let lightning strike twice – but is not confident his beloved City can get past the 14-time European champions.
      Speaking before the West Ham win, the former right-back told the Filthy Fellas podcast: “I don’t think they’re going to do the Treble.
      “I am worried about that game [vs Real Madrid]. 
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      “I’m worried. I’m worried, man. I’m worried.
      “I’ve got to be honest – I am worried about them, I wrote off Real Madrid last season.
      “In the right moments, they know how to get it done.
      “The only thing is now, the second leg is at the Etihad, it’s not at the Bernabeu. That could be the difference.
      “The double, the double [City will win], I don’t think the treble.
      “It’s tough to call [who will win the Premier League] you know.
      “But the thing is, Man City are in the form of their lives – they have come with the best form at the right part, at the end of the season.”
      City were all smiles as they eventually broke down a resilient West Ham side.
      Nathan Ake headed in the opener on 50 minutes but it was Haaland’s delightful chip 20 minutes later that surpassed Alan Shearer and Andy Cole’s tallies to prompt a guard of honour after full-time.
      Phil Foden wrapped up the victory with a deflected volley.
      Read More on The Sun
      But Richards – covering the game for Sky Sports – had a shocker before the game even got underway.
      He somehow managed to spill coffee down his designer shacket – and had a lady wipe him down to clean up the mess.
      City crashed out of the Champions League at the Bernabeu last seasonCredit: Getty More

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      Fears over Champions League final fan safety with chiefs concerned over violence in the streets in Istanbul

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      UEFA chiefs have more than just their fingers crossed that the Champions League final in Istanbul will go off smoothly.Nyon bosses are due to outline their official future steps later this week.
      The Champions League final will be played in Istanbul on June 10Credit: AFP
      It comes in the aftermath of last season’s chaos in Paris.
      And Manchester City fans who booked flights in expectation of a semi-final win over Real Madrid could be walking into a precarious situation in Turkey for reasons outside of football.
      Hardline president Recep Erdogan is in a brutal re-election fight with rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu before a first round of voting on May 14.
      Unless either gets more than 50 per cent of the vote there will then be a decisive second round two weeks later.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      That is less than a fortnight before the European football showpiece event in the Ataturk Stadium on June 10.
      And there are fears that a tight result at the polls could see people on the streets and potential violence.
      The prospect of travelling fans being caught in Turkey’s domestic strains is causing significant concerns among Uefa’s top brass.
      The European governing body is also having to deal with disappointed VIPs and sponsors.
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      The Ataturk only has 12 top-of-the-range “Sky Boxes” at the stadium.
      But ensuring the “ordinary” fan is safe is a bigger issue.
      The Ataturk Stadium will host the biggest club match in European footballCredit: Getty More

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      Wilfried Zaha lined up for huge Champions League transfer as winger is named club’s ‘top priority’

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      A NEW report in France has claimed that a Champions League-chasing side will make Wilfried Zaha their “priority signing” if they qualify.The 30-year-old’s £130,000 a week five-year deal at Crystal Palace expires this summer.
      Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha could be playing in the Champions League next termCredit: AFP
      He is wanted by several high-profile clubs across Europe.
      And Palace have rejected offers for him in the past, with Arsenal previously making a move in the summer of 2019.
      We revealed how the Eagles have made one more bid to keep Zaha by offering him £200,000-a-week to stay.
      That would make him by far Palace’s highest-paid player in their history, and tie him down for four more years.
      READ MORE TRANSFER NEWS
      However, they now appear to be facing a fresh fight to hang on to their star man.
      Foot Mercato are claiming that Ligue 1 side Marseille are now plotting a swoop.
      They state that Zaha, who has appeared over 400 times for Palace, will reject a £9m-a-year offer from Saudi Arabia outfit Al-Ittihad.
      And after his entourage opened talks with Marseille last month, this fresh update claims that they remain ongoing.
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      Marseille president Pablo Longoria and sporting director Javier Ribalta are reportedly “ready to move heaven and earth” to complete the deal.
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      And Zaha is allegedly “very interested” in the move – but he has made playing in next season’s Champions League his main ambition as he decides on his future.
      The Ivory Coast international will now be Marseille’s “priority signing” should they qualify for Europe’s most elite club competition.
      They are second in the Ligue 1 standings with five games left to play, which would ensure them a direct path into the group stages. More

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      Last chance to win a PlayStation 5 via Dream Team Monthly this season – get your XIs in tip-top shape!

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      IT’S your last chance to win a PlayStation 5 via Dream Team Monthly!May’s competition gets underway this weekend and with transfers refreshed before Game Week 33’s fixtures begin, you should be able to get your XI in good shape to compete for the top prize.
      It’s worth noting that this season-ending competition is a bumper edition that will stretch into June to include the FA Cup final and the European finals, should English clubs make it that far.
      The gaffer who racks up the most points between May 5th and June 10th will take home a brand new PS5, worth £449 RRP!
      Remember, you can check the monthly leaderboard anytime HERE.
      May’s winner takes home a PS5!Credit: DREAM TEAM
      If your XI is struggling in the classic Season game, fear not, a fruitful few weeks could land you a PS5 as only points gained during the given scoring period are taken into account for our monthly competitions.
      With that in mind, you should tailor your team specifically to May/June’s remaining fixtures once transfers are refreshed, with a view to scooping the monthly prize.
      And of course, if you’re happy with your progress in the classic Season game and believe your best XI is also likely to rack up plentiful points in the coming weeks then you don’t need to alter your strategy at all.
      You can even get involved if you didn’t sign-up for Dream Team at the start of the season.
      Fancy a PS5? Of course you do…
      Want to know what it feels like to win a Dream Team competition?
      Most read in Football
      We recently caught up with Miriam Chisholm, who performed brilliantly to win January’s monthly competition!
      “I’m not sure I can quite believe it, to be honest. It’s a huge surprise because, although I knew I was close, I thought it ended when January ended! I think it just goes to show it’s good to keep going with all your teams – the monthly prize is a nice touch.
      “I think most people had brought in the Newcastle defence along with the Kane/Haaland/Rashford combo up top, so it was just midfield I concentrated on. I picked three of the usual names and tried to go with a flyer as the fourth – James Ward-Prowse then Casemiro. Guess my luck was in!”
      Good luck! More

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      Roman Abramovich went silent for four days, then I was sacked.. we had chance to make Chelsea the best team in the world

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      FORMER Chelsea manager Avram Grant has revealed Roman Abramovich did not speak to him for FOUR DAYS after the 2008 Champions League final.Grant, 67, was brought to Stamford Bridge as director of football in July 2007.
      Avram Grant led Chelsea to the 2008 Champions League finalCredit: PA:Press Association
      John Terry had the chance to win Chelsea the Champions League but missed from the spotCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      But just two months later he was named the Blues’ interim head coach following the departure of Jose Mourinho.
      And Chelsea pushed Manchester United all the way in the Premier League, coming up short by just two points.
      Then in Europe it was much of the same for Grant and his side.
      They faced the Red Devils in the Champions Leagur final in Moscow and the match went to penalties.
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      John Terry had the chance to win the Champions League from the spot, but slipped and fired his effort off the post.
      Nicolas Anelka went on to miss the decisive penalty as Man Utd were crowned European champions for a third time.
      After the final, Grant revealed Abramovich did not say anything to him for four days.
      And when the pair did speak, the Israeli coach was told he would be returning to his role as director of football – ending his stint as manager.
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      But Grant did not wish to return to that position, so he left the club altogether.
      Speaking on “Fever Pitch: The Battle for the Premier League” – which is exclusively available on Paramount+ – about the 2007/08 season, he said: “We came second place (in the league), but I remember I think in my first or second (press conference), I said that my target is to be first time in Champions League final.
      “Now we had the opportunity to be the best in the world.
      “I remember that we received the [Manchester United] team and there was [Wayne] Rooney and [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Carlos] Tevez. Then he changed the team so the first 15 minutes, which was a little bit confusing.
      “After 20 minutes we did internal change and then we dominated the game completely.
      “We played really much better than them. I think even Alex [Ferguson] knows that. But then we come to penalties.
      “Oh, it was unfortunate, because John Terry was really, I think, maybe his best season. He played so good in this season.”
      ROMAN SILENCE
      He continued: “[Roman] Abramovich didn’t call me [after the final]. Three, four days we didn’t speak. And then he called me to his house and he said, We need to prepare the season, the next season.
      “So I say, Okay. And he said to me, you are continuing the job as director of football. So, okay. And I didn’t agree to be director of football, and I left.
      “I felt upset because I felt that we are so close to be the best in the world. We were so close. But he’s the boss. He’s my friend. We need to respect that.
      “I didn’t agree with this, but I will always remember also that he gave me the chance.”
      Read More on The Sun
      After leaving Chelsea, Grant went on to manage the likes of Portsmouth, West Ham, Partizan Belgrade and Ghana.
      He is now the head coach of the Zambia national team.
      Roman Abramovich was known to be ruthless with managersCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Cesc Fabregas tells Chelsea fans club CAN win Premier League title next season because ‘I lived it’

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      CESC FABREGAS has claimed that Chelsea can win the Premier League next season.The Blues are currently enduring one of their worst seasons in recent history and look set for a bottom-half finish.
      Cesc Fabregas believes Chelsea can win the Premier League next seasonCredit: Getty
      He won the trophy in 2017 after a terrible previous seasonCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      With four games to go in the campaign, the Blues could still feasibly be relegated which shows how far off the pace they are.
      To make matters worse the club have gone through two permanent managers as Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter have been sacked.
      And interim boss Frank Lampard is currently under pressure having lost all six of his games in charge of the club.
      However, Chelsea Premier League winner Fabregas has argued that it is not a lost cause.
      READ MORE CHELSEA NEWS
      He won the title with the Blues in 2017, having finished 10th the previous season after a disastrous campaign.
      He told Sky Sports: “Six years ago we had a really bad season at Chelsea, we finished tenth if I remember correctly.
      “Jose Mourinho left, [Guus] Hiddink came, and he started to play younger players like Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tammy Abraham to give them experience for the next year.
      “And I remember in April, they signed [Antonio] Conte, who came to the training ground, spoke to us individually, planned what he wanted to do with us.
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      “We started fresh and won the Premier League, against [Pep] Guardiola, against [Jurgen] Klopp, I mean it is not impossible.
      “It happened six years ago, I lived it, if you bring someone in who has the character and can give everyone clear ideas and get everyone on board, then it is doable.”
      Chelsea will first have to appoint a manager to replace Lampard at the end of the season.
      Former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino is widely considered to be the frontrunner for the role. More