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      Former Man Utd manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer finally responds to rumours that he’s a Liverpool fan

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      FORMER Manchester United manager and club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has now admitted he grew up as a Liverpool fan. The Norwegian spent over a decade at Old Trafford as a player and won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League during a glittering spell with the Red Devils.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in action for Manchester United in 2002Credit: EPA
      Solskjaer showing the strain during his time as Manchester United managerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Solskjaer returned to the club as manager in 2018 and was in the Old Trafford hot seat for three years.
      He guided the team to the Europa League final in 2021 before they lost to Unai Emery’s Villareal on penalites.
      The former Molde manager was sacked after a dismal start to 2021/2022 season and has potentially risked the wrath of the United faithful by admitting he was a childhood fan of arch rivals Liverpool.
      Speaking on James Richardson’s Kings of Europe podcast Solskjaer revealed it was the strength of Liverpool’s team that led to him following them when he was growing up.
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      He said: “I must have been environmentally damaged because when you follow football, we had Match of the Day on every Saturday in Norway and of course, Liverpool were the better team in the 80s.”
      The Norwegian continued: “They had Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush and all of those, so yes I followed Liverpool. I was one of the supporters who followed because they won everything.
      “Hard enough to say as a Man United player but they were the better team in the 80s.”
      The admittance represents a U-turn from Solskjaer who back in 2016 refused to confirm if reports of him supporting the Anfield club had any truth to them.
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      Speaking to FourFourtwo at the time he said: “You learn as long as you live, that’s the only answer I can give you. I never confirm that one! I’m a Manchester United fan through and through. I bleed red.”
      Solskjaer has been out of work since he was sacked by Manchester United in November 2021. More

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      When is the Champions League quarter-final draw? UK start time, TV channel and live stream free

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      THE Champions League has 16 teams remaining including all four Premier League sides and current holders Real Madrid. The round of 16 will see some heavyweights crash out of the competition with draws such as Liverpool vs Real Madrid, PSG vs Bayern Munich and Chelsea vs Borussia Dortmund.
      The Champions League draw is set to be made.Credit: Getty
      And fans are always full of expectation when the draw rolls around.
      All 16 clubs will have set their sights on the final in Istanbul and eight of them are about to come closer to reaching it.
      when is the Champions League quarter-final draw?

      The Champions League quarter-final draw will take place on Friday, March 17.
      It gets underway at 11am UK time.
      The draw takes place at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.

      What TV channel is the Champions League draw on and can I live stream it free?

      The Champions League quarter-final draw will be shown live on BT Sport.
      It can be streamed live through the BT sport app or website.
      The UEFA website and youtube channel will also stream it live for FREE.

      Which teams are in the Champions League quarter-final?
      One team from each fixture will advance to the quarter-finals, The remaining teams in the Champions League are:

      PSG or Bayern Munich
      AC Milan or Tottenham
      Club Brugge or Benfica
      Borussia Dortmund or Chelsea
      Liverpool or Real Madrid (last years final)
      Frankfurt or Napoli
      RB Leipzig or Man City
      Inter Milan or Porto

      What teams can play each other in the quarter-finals?
      Unlike rounds prior, the quarter-final draws do not have clubs split into separate pots.
      Therefore, clubs from the same nation can play each other.
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      When is the semi-final draw?
      The semi-final draw is done at the same time as the quarter-final draw.
      Teams know their potential opponents for the semi-finals while they are playing the quarters. More

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      Tottenham should target transfer for unwanted Chelsea flop who could ‘solve all of their problems’ claims Spurs legend

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      TOTTENHAM legend Rafael van der Vaart has claimed signing Hakim Ziyech from Chelsea could solve all of Spurs problems. The Dutchman joined the north London side in 2010 and spent two years at the club making 77 appearances and scoring 28 goals.
      Rafael van der Vaart celebrates scoring for Tottenham during a Premier League match.Credit: Getty
      Van der Vaart at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before Spurs game against Aston Villa in 2021.Credit: Getty
      The attacking midfielder was speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes :Fanzone as Spurs gear up for the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against AC Milan.
      The former Tottenham man said: “They’re missing something in that number 10 area, and I think the answer is Hakim Ziyech.”

      He continued: “He’s not happy at Chelsea, and I’m a big fan of his.
      “If Tottenham were to bring him in, their problems are solved; I really don’t think they need much more.”
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      Ziyech nearly joined PSG on deadline day in January but that move fell through at the last minute due to a paperwork blunder.
      The Moroccan only has one assist and hasn’t scored in 12 Premier League appearances for Chelsea this season although just five of those have been starts.
      It remains to be seen if Chelsea would consider selling to a rival.
      Van der Vaart was part of the Tottenham side that famously won 1-0 in the San Siro and knocked the Italians out over two legs during the 2010/2011 season thanks to go a goal from Peter Crouch.
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      The former Dutch international has fond memories of that night especially the scrap between Joe Jordan and Gennaro Gattuso.
      He told Ladbrokes: Fanzone: ” “I had a great view of the incident everyone remembers from that game in Milan.
      “That was the moment I think of whenever anyone mentions that game, of course.
      “Gennaro Gattuso, the little b******, the animal on the pitch, kicking and pushing people around.”
      The Tottenham legend added: “Honestly, I got goosebumps that night just watching how Joe handled that whole incident.
      “Harry Redknapp said at the time there’d only have been one winner if those two kicked off with each other, and I agree 100%.
      “I’d have put all the money I had on Joe Jordan. He was so ready for it.”
      Van der Vaart thinks his former side should be beating AC Milan.
      He said: “Tottenham are better than AC Milan; they really need to win this game.
      “I think it’s a really good draw for them in the Last 16. They shouldn’t fear this Milan team; Tottenham are favourites surely! I think it’ll be a draw in the first leg, though. Let’s go with 2-2.”
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      Tottenham take on AC Milan in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie in the San Siro tonight. More

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      Neymar confirms PSG dressing-room bust-up after he’s ‘put up for sale’ and compares row to arguing with his girlfriend

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      NEYMAR has confirmed that reports are TRUE that he had a sensational argument with Paris Saint-Germain chief Luis Campos and team-mate Marquinhos.Sporting director Campos stormed into the PSG dressing-room after the 3-1 defeat to Monaco on Saturday.
      Neymar has confirmed he was involved in a dressing-room row with PSG’s sporting directorCredit: Alamy
      The Brazilian compared it to a row his girlfriend, who appears to be Bruna Biancardi againCredit: Instagram
      He is then said to have accused his players of lacking aggression in a fierce blast – but not all of them were ready to sit back and take it.
      Both Brazilian superstar Neymar, 31, and his compatriot Marquinhos, 28, took exception as things  got heated.
      That was PSG’s fourth defeat of 2023, however, the club still decided to put up the world’s most-expensive footballer Neymar for media duties yesterday ahead of the last-16 Champions League tie with Bayern Munich.
      And he opened up fully about the row, comparing it to one similar to his girlfriend, as Foot Mercato claimed that the club were willing to sell him this summer.
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      He said: “It has happened. We didn’t agree with what was being said at that time, so we had a discussion about it.
      “I speak to my friends every day, and I love all of them. It is like that with my girlfriend as well.
      “We talk about football, all of us. Football is about communicating. Of course, there is respect on both sides, and sometimes you don’t agree on things. So there might be a discussion to improve the team, the atmosphere, our play.
      “We have lost a few games and we are frustrated about that. We want to win all the time.
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      “When those defeats come around, it hurts, so discussions are part of that. That can help us improve as a team.
      “I think it has helped because we cleared things up. We know what we are all thinking.”

      Neymar, who appears to have reignited his relationship with ex-fiancee Bruna Biancardi, added: “In terms of blocking things like that in the dressing-room, sometimes there are things that get into the press, and they can go viral very quickly.
      “When there is information like that, we are angry. It is my sixth season here at PSG and it is difficult.
      “Sometimes things have come out at important moments, like before a final. But I don’t know what was going on.
      “As a player and a team-mate here, that doesn’t just affect me, it affects everyone and the coach.
      “We have to work out what is happening. Things in the dressing-room shouldn’t come out. That is sad. There are things that need to be resolved internally and not out on the street.
      “You do that with your friends and family, and team-mates. You are with everyone from day to day.
      “We have to stay together, so it’s annoying those things come out. I am sure there will be more in the future. That is all part of football.”
      Bruna Biancardi is a social media personality and modelCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Neymar and Bruna shared some intimate photos online around his 31st birthday More

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      Man Utd outcast Harry Maguire ‘is growing to accept’ summer transfer exit as Champions League club plot move

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      HARRY MAGUIRE is “growing to accept” he will leave Manchester United this summer – with a Champions League giant already on his trail.But it means boss Erik ten Hag taking a hit of around HALF on the £80million United paid Leicester for the England centre-back four years ago.
      Man Utd defender Harry Maguire has publicly insisted he is focused on results rather than his own situation and will wait for his chancesCredit: Rex
      Old Trafford chief Erik ten Hag could be ready to take a massive loss to move on Maguire after limiting the England defender’s game-timeCredit: AFP
      The Mail claim both club and player are moving towards agreement on a departure in the next transfer window.
      Ten Hag has settled on Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez as his first-choice defensive pairing.
      And he’s even chosen left-back Luke Shaw above Maguire in the middle.
      The Three Lions’ duo were, however, picked together when Ten Hag rested Varane and Martinez for Sunday’s 2-0 Premier League win at Leeds.
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      Maguire is under contract until 2025 and earning about £180,000 a week.
      But West Ham were interested in a January loan move and Italian side Inter Milan are said to be serious admirers.
      The second-placed Serie A club also reportedly inquired about borrowing him last month ahead of a possible bid in the summer.
      Maguire has admitted he “doesn’t want to get used to” his bit-part role.
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      But he has also insisted he expects to get plenty of game time as United’s fixtures pile up.
      After returning to play the whole game at Leeds, he said: “It’s not about me, it’s about the club being successful and I want to be a part of it.
      “I’m the captain and I put the team miles before myself. Whether I’m playing or not, I want the team to do well.
      “I’m still getting my minutes. Everyone wants to start games, and it’s disappointing when you don’t. 
      “You have four international centre-backs at this club and there will always be two who are unhappy. I just have to be ready when the chance comes.”  More

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      Lionel Messi ‘leaning towards snubbing new PSG contract and QUITTING club’ in shock summer transfer

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      LIONEL MESSI is leaning towards leaving PSG on a free transfer this summer, according to reports.The Argentine World Cup winner arrived in the French capital in August 2021 having spent his entire career at Barcelona.
      Lionel Messi in action for PSG during their French Cup defeat to Marseille with his future at the club up in the airCredit: Getty
      Recent reports had indicated that a possible contract renewal was on the cards.
      But Foot Mercato report that, although extending his stay in Paris remains an option, it does not appear to be the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s priority.
      David Beckham’s MLS side Inter Miami are known admirers and there have been persistent rumours of a return to Barca.
      A lucrative move to join old rival Cristiano Ronaldo is Saudi Arabia, however, does seem to be off the cards for now.
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      Messi, 35, has his eyes on the Copa America in 2024 and is determined to play at a high level to keep his sharpness.
      Messi struggled in his first season with the French giants notching six goals in 26 appearances in Ligue 1 although fared better in the Champions League with five goals in seven matches.
      The diminutive Argentine is enjoying a much better second season and so far has 10 goals and 10 assists in 18 Ligue 1 matches with four goals in five matches in the Champions League.
      PSG are currently sweating on Messi’s fitness as they prepare for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Bayern Munich.
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      The star forward picked up a hamstring injury as PSG were eliminated from the French Cup by arch rivals Marseille last week.
      The Parisians sit five points clear of Marseille at the top of Ligue 1. More

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      I have more fun playing my new sport than I did battling it out in Champions League final for Chelsea

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      A CHELSEA legend insists his new sport at the age of 40 is “more fun” than winning the Champions League.It’s better skate than never for the all-time Premier League great, who has gone from goalkeeper to goaltender.
      Not even this famous success against Bayern Munich in the 20212 Champions League final matches the enjoyment of a Chelsea legend’s new sportCredit: Getty
      Petr Cech won the Prem and FA Cup four times apiece as well as the ultimate club prize via the famous 2012 final against Bayern Munich.
      And after 11 years at Stamford Bridge, he added another FA Cup victory with Arsenal.
      Cech then went back to Chelsea as technical director but departed in June 2022 following Todd Boehly’s takeover.
      Now, like a footballer who claims he supported his new club as a kid, Cech has returned to his first sporting love – ice hockey.
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      The 124-cap former Czech Republic stopper got hooked again when he went to watch Guildford Phoenix in 2013.
      And after retiring as a football player six years later he was able to sign for the Surrey club.
      He switched to Chelmsford Chieftains in the NIHL South Division One on a one-year deal last summer.
      Comparing his sports past and present, Cech told the Daily Mail: “You’re still in that dressing room. You’re still having that banter. But it’s a completely different level of pressure. 
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      “This is more fun than when you play a Champions League game for everything.
      “But I still have that feeling in myself because I want to perform. I want to win. I hate losing. It’s the same feeling I had when I played football.
      “You still get that feeling when you’re walking through the corridor, to the ice, surrounded by all these people. 
      “Maybe if there were 30 fans, it would be different. But the building is full. That’s what I like.”
      Perhaps he can eventually set up a new ice hockey club, Chillsea, and play at Stamford Fridge.
      Petr Cech first dabbled at ice hockey for Guildford Phoenix and is now with Chelmsford ChieftainsCredit: PA:Press Association
      Cech and fellow Blues’ hero Didier Drogba celebrate with the trophy after Champions League final gloryCredit: PA:Press Association More

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      Inside Bayern Munich’s massive rift splitting German champions apart, from rows with key stars to dressing-room inquest

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      THEY call Bayern Munich “FC Hollywood”.But even Tinseltown’s finest scriptwriters would struggle to come up with the storyline ripping the German champions apart ahead of their Champions League date with PSG on Tuesday.
      Coach Julian Nagelsmann and keeper Manuel Neuer have had a falloutCredit: Reuters
      Neuer’s personal keeper coach Tony Tapalovic was sacked last monthCredit: AFP
      A massive fall-out between coach Julian Nagelsmann and keeper Manuel Neuer is at the heart of the Bavarian rift.
      Yet the finger pointing extends to a series of star players, with the impact on the pitch leaving Munich facing the first proper fight for the Bundesliga crown in years.
      The spark that fanned the dressing room flames came when Neuer – out for the rest of the season after breaking his leg in a Christmas skiing accident – saw his personal keeper coach Tony Tapalovic sacked last month for leaking player conversations.
      Neuer vented his fury internally and then, when Bayern doubled down on the decision, publicly.
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      The Germany keeper said: “It was a blow for me – when I was already on the ground. 
      “I felt like my heart was being ripped out.
      “That was the most brutal thing I’ve experienced in my career. And I’ve already experienced a lot.”
      But Nagelsmann, already under pressure after Bayern drew the first three games after the extended World Cup break to see their lead reduced to a single point over surprise challengers Union Berlin, hit back.
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      Nagelsmann, backed by the Munich hierarchy, slapped a fine on Neuer – suggested to have been as much as £1.4m – and then appeared to bury the hatchet firmly in the keeper’s back.
      The Bayern coach, who brought in Borussia Monchengladbach’s experienced Yann Sommer as a replacement first choice in the January window, said: “The bigger the club, the more sharks swim around you.
      “And it’s not bad if you’re in the middle of the shoal and there are a few pufferfish on the outside.”
      If there was any doubt, Nagelsmann “clarified” his comments, suggesting they were “ironic” but adding: “Of course it was about the interview.
      “We exchanged our opinions, but what we discussed remains internal.”
      While Bayern have won their last two games, against Bremen and Wolfsburg, to retain top spot, the performances have been poor.
      Neuer’s decision not to attend the game – the suspended Joshua Kimmich was in the Allianz Arena – added to the growing sense that his Munich days are numbered if Nagelsmann remains in charge. 
      With former Liverpool ace Sadio Mane still on the injured list, Germany widemen Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry copped the flak for their displays at the weekend.
      Gnabry was already in Munich’s bad books after flying to take part in Paris Fashion Week without permission and he turned up for the Wolfsburg win with his hair in a bizarre bun.
      Sane showed his derision when he was hauled off during the game although he promised: “Bayern has always delivered in this competition. 
      “We know our strengths and we have to call on them. We have to be there at the right time.
      “Our team consists of great footballers, we are defensively stable and ready to front up.”
      But Nagelsmann, also concerned over Thomas Muller, who limped off on Saturday, revealed he had held a dressing room inquest at half-time as he told some unwanted home truths.
      He said: “We’re not in the right flow.
      “I want us to play at full throttle. Then it’s football, that’s fun, that’s enthusiasm, and we move better too.
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      “If we play like this against PSG it won’t be enough. We have to play an outstanding game in Paris.”
      They will, to banish all the doubts swirling round. That, or hire new writers for the twisting plot. More