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      Solskjaer slams Premier League schedule with Saturday lunch kick-off hot on heels of Villarreal win

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has blasted Premier League schedulers with Manchester United forced to play Saturday lunch time after a Champions League match on Wednesday night.The Norwegian’s side needed a late Cristiano Ronaldo winner to beat Villarreal and will host Everton just three days later in the day’s early kick-off.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is not happy Man Utd are playing on Saturday lunch time after a Champions League match on WednesdayCredit: Rex
      The same thing happened to United last season in November.
      They returned from a 2-1 away defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir in Turkey on a Wednesday and had to play the Toffees at Goodison on the Saturday lunch time.
      Solskjaer was fuming then and is just as angry now.
      Speaking ahead of Rafa Benitez’s side’s visit, Solskjaer said: “We had no explanation, but it’s TV of course.
      “There’s no common sense at all.
      “We had the same scenario last season when we were in Turkey and came back and played (on Saturday lunchtime).

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      “Us and Chelsea both played on Wednesday and could have easily played on Sunday while City-Liverpool could have been on Saturday.
      “Common sense might not be so common.”
      Leicester and West Ham both face similar turnarounds this week having played in the Europe League on Thursday.
      The Foxes lost 1-0 at Legia Warsaw and travel to Crystal Palace at 2pm on Sunday.
      And the Hammers made it two wins from two in their maiden Europa League group stage campaign with a 2-0 home win over Rapid Vienna.
      ‘NOT GOING TO GET CAUGHT OUT’
      David Moyes’ men welcome Prem new boys Brentford to London Stadium on Sunday at 2pm also.
      United actually beat the Toffees 3-1 in the game in question last season and Solskjaer has called on his players to produce the same again.
      He added: “The boost and energy you get in the group after a win like this has to be built on.
      “It’s a very very quick turnaround, Wednesday night and Saturday morning, but the players are not going to get caught out by it and we need to start as we finished on Wednesday night.”
      His team had David De Gea’s heroics to thank for still being in Wednesday’s game.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      The Spaniard was outstanding in the first-half and couldn’t do anything as Paco Alcacer gave Villarreal a deserved lead eight minutes into the second-half.
      Alex Telles’ stunning Paul Scholes-esque volley got the Reds on level terms.
      Before Ronaldo stole the headlines with just seconds remaining to drill home the winner at the back post.

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      Michael Dawson told to ‘calm down’ live on Sky Sports after hilarious reaction to Cristiano Ronaldo’s winner for Man Utd

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      MICHAEL DAWSON was hilariously told to ‘calm down’ when reacting to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Fergie-time winner against Villarreal on Wednesday.The former Nottingham Forest, Tottenham and Hull defender was providing updates on the game that was taking place at Old Trafford on Sky Sports News.
      Ronaldo ripped off his shirt to celebrateCredit: GETTY IMAGES

      The game was all tied up at 1-1 in added time.
      But the inevitable Ronaldo popped up, with help from Jesse Lingard, and steered the late winner into the back of the net.
      Dawson couldn’t contain his excitement as the goal went in.
      He shouted: “Ronaldooooooo! The shirt is off, it’s going crazy.
      “It’s Jesse Lingard who breaks his neck, he gets in the box, it falls to Ronaldo down the right-hand side, it’s a tight angle – he puts it in the back of the net.
      “It’s what he does, he hasn’t had a kick all night.

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      “All night he’s been – he not been out there!
      “He is now, 2-1 Manchester United and we’re about 20 seconds before the full-time whistle goes. The place erupts.”
      A voice – not from fellow pundits Darren Bent and Tim Sherwood, or host Julian Warren – then says: “Calm down Daws.”
      Ronaldo wasn’t the only Man Utd star who excited him that night as he also sang the praises of goalkeeper David de Gea.
      Dawson added: “Ronaldo’s a hero, but they need to De Gea because in the first half he made four big saves.
      “Sensational scenes, this is Manchester United down to a tee.”
      Ultimately, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red Devils got three points on the board, somewhat making up for their blunder in Bern against Young Boys.
      On the Ronaldo effect, Solskjaer said: “Seriously, he’s so good in front of goal.
      “He has an impact on everyone – the crowd, the players, the whole club. He’s done that so many times.
      “You saw him against Ireland a month ago and he missed a penalty early, didn’t touch the ball much but scores two great headers in the last two minutes.
      “That is just what he has done throughout his career. He is so strong mentally. He just stays in the game.
      “I have seen him all day today; the way he has built himself up for this game, how focused he has been and, when he gets that one chance, it is a goal.
      “He had a couple of half-decent headers in the first half that could have ended with chances but the true mark of a very, very good finisher is that he keeps calm when the chance arrives.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      Cristiano Ronaldo vows to bring back glory days to Man Utd and thanks fans for inspiring last-gasp Villarreal victory More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo calls on Old Trafford crowd to keep roaring and ‘motivating’ Man Utd to victory after Villarreal win

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO has called on the Old Trafford crowd to keep pushing Manchester United to victory.There was a thunderous reception for Ronaldo’s winning goal against Villarreal in the last minute of injury-time of their Champions League clash on Wednesday night.
      Ronaldo was the match-winner for Manchester United against Villarreal on Wednesday
      For much of the game the crowd remained quiet as United were largely outplayed by their Spanish opponents — but after Alex Telles’ 60th-minute leveller the atmosphere drove them to a winner.
      Now Ronaldo has called on Red Devils supporters to back them throughout games.
      He said: “Sometimes the players, we try to do our job, to play good and score goals – but sometimes it is not possible.
      “The fans have this role as well when the team is in a difficult moment. They need to push us. This is why I say and ask them if they can do that.
      “They give us motivation to keep going and to keep running and keep believing.
      “So this is what we felt. We are so happy. A very important win and we are in a good way now.”

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      Ronaldo admitted his goal was “another beautiful chapter” in his career after celebrating a Champions League milestone on the same night.
      It was the Portugal star’s 178th appearance in the competition, a record which surpassed his former Real Madrid team-mate keeper Iker Casillas.
      And his goal was his fifth in as many games since returning to United from Juventus in the summer.
      Ronaldo added: “Unbelievable! Another chapter, another beautiful chapter, so I’m so happy to score the winning goal and the way I did it.
      “The most appearances in history and to score a goal. A great night.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
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      Usain Bolt thanks Sir Alex Ferguson for ‘bringing Cristiano Ronaldo back’ as legend watches Man Utd vs Villarreal

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      USAIN BOLT personally thanked Sir Alex Ferguson for Cristiano Ronaldo’s return as the sprint legend watched Manchester United comeback to beat Villarreal.Huge Red Devils’ fan Bolt was back at Old Trafford after a lengthy absence and made a beeline for Fergie.
      The Red Devils were quick to mark to mark Usain Bolt’s latest appearance at Old Trafford, for Wednesday night’s Champions League tie vs Villarreal
      Cristiano Ronaldo scored a stunning late winner as Man Utd completed a comeback to winCredit: EPA
      Usain Bolt watched on nervously during United’s ding-dong tie with Villarreal
      Legendary ex-United boss Ferguson helped secure 36-year-old Ron’s shock re-signing from Juventus on deadline.day.
      And eight-time Olympic gold medallist Bolt was thrilled to finally see a United game as he is excited by Ron’s return.
      He told United’s media team before kick-off: “He helped to build the club and it was wonderful when he was here, the energy. So I’m happy he’s back. 
      “I just saw Alex Ferguson inside and I thanked him for bringing Cristiano back, so I’m happy about it.
      “I’m happy to be here, I haven’t been back to Old Trafford in a while.
      “So I’m just happy to be here in the stands with everybody to watch the game.”

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      Bolt has already predicted Portugal and ex-Real Madrid frontman Ronaldo will play another six years.
      The Jamaican told the BBC: “Cristiano demands a lot, so he will demand a lot from these players and it will only make them better. 
      “He’s on a different level, he is a machine.
      “I think he will play until he’s 42 because he will always be so fit and on a higher level to a lot of the younger players because of the work he puts in and the dedication he has.”
      Bolt won’t have been disappointed by what he saw.

      After Paco Alcacer gave Villarreal a deserved lead, Alex Telles equalised with a stunning volley.
      As United pushed and pushed for a winner, it looked like they would have to settle for a point.
      But then Ronaldo popped up in the 95th minute to fire home and send Old Trafford crazy.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
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      Man Utd boss Solskjaer thanks ‘best goalkeeper in the world’ De Gea after Villarreal masterclass as pundits change tune

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      DAVID DE GEA was the ‘best goalkeeper in the world’ as Manchester United beat Villarreal in the Champions League on Wednesday.That is according to Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who heaped praise on the Spaniard after the dramatic late win at Old Trafford.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has heaped praise on David De Gea after his stunning showing against Villarreal
      The Spaniard’s saves kept United in the game and provided a platform for them to win 2-1
      SunSport’s reporter gave the stopper a 9/10 after his heroics kept United in the game until the death.
      Cristiano Ronaldo stole the headlines with his winner in the final seconds but Solskjaer admitted his goalkeeper was the real hero.
      The Norwegian said: “Thankfully we had the best goalkeeper in the world tonight.
      “David was fantastic and deserved to be man of the match. He saved us, we have to be realistic and say that.”
      The 30-year-old came in for criticism last season after several high profile mistakes and pressure from Dean Henderson.
      But most pundits seemed to have changed their tune after De Gea’s rapid turnaround.

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      Owen Hargreaves said in the BT Sport studio on Wednesday: “He made so many big saves.
      “De Gea was one of the most important players and he’s been fabulous this season, obviously taking over from Henderson.
      “They can rely on him, he’s back to his best.”
      And Michael Owen added: “He (De Gea) relied on his defence in the second-half, but first-half it was save after save and that’s when he really did earn his corn.”

      United had De Gea and Villarreal’s awful finishing to thank for being level at half-time in what was a worrying first 45 for the Red Devils.
      De Gea made a phenomenal one handed save on nine minutes from former Bournemouth man Arnaut Danjuma.
      He showed superb reflexes seven minutes later to tip a Paco Alcacer header over the bar.
      Alcacer finally got the goal the visitors deserved – stabbing a Danjuma cross home at the near post barely ten minutes after half-time.
      De Gea couldn’t do anything with Villarreal’s goal.
      And he capped of an excellent night with an awkward double stop in the closing stages to keep it at 1-1 before Ronnie’s winner.
      MOBBED AT FULL TIME
      Ronaldo and his United team-mates mobbed De Gea at full time to show their appreciation.
      After praising his goalie for keeping United in the game, Solskjaer also admitted he never gave up hope with Ronaldo on the pitch.
      He added: “We all know the Champions League at Old Trafford is magic, and sometimes that history can help us.
      “Sometimes it is not about passes here or there, it is about the crowd and the Stretford End has sucked a few in before, I know that. That is probably what happened.
      “That is what happens here at Old Trafford, it’s happened so many times before. We have to throw caution to the wind and we got lucky in the end.
      ‘YOU ALWAYS HAVE A CHANCE’
      “They are very tough to beat, but when you have Cristiano on the pitch you always have a chance.”
      Ronaldo tore his shirt off when celebrating his goal and revealed a pair of his own brand pants.
      But eagle-eyed fans noticed an error in the stitching.
      The Portuguese forward had endured an off night on his Champions League return to Old Trafford.
      He broke Iker Casillas’ record for Champions League appearances – 178.
      And the late strike was his 136th in the competition.
      He also texted his old team-mate Rio Ferdinand after the match.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      Ferdinand revealed what his old pal Ronaldo wrote to him in the immediate aftermath.
      The BT Sport pundit said: “He (Ronaldo) text me tonight saying ‘I didn’t play well but I knew I’d score’.
      “That’s the belief that he has. The other players are feeding off it. It’s a great place to be.”

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      Rio Ferdinand praises Ronaldo’s last minute goal for Man Utd against Villarreal More

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      Solskjaer never gave up hope during Man Utd’s Villarreal win, saying ‘when you have Cristiano Ronaldo you have a chance’

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER said he never lost hope against Villarreal because Manchester United had Cristiano Ronaldo.The Portuguese star scored in the dying seconds to hand United a dramatic 95th-minute win at Old Trafford in the Champions League.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Cristiano Ronaldo ‘always gives you a chance’
      His comments came after the Portuguese star scored a dramatic late winner against Villarreal
      Ronaldo, 36, had barely done anything in the game until he stole the headlines at the death.
      United were drawing 1-1 after Alex Telles’ sumptuous volley had cancelled out Paco Alcacer’s deserved opener.
      They had the phenomenal David De Gea to thank for keeping them in the game and could have been several goals down if it wasn’t for the Spaniard.
      But as the clock ticked into the sixth minute of stoppage time, Fred looped a ball in, Ronaldo cushioned it down to Jesse Lingard, he drew the goalkeeper and defenders to him, poked it back to Ronaldo and CR7 drilled it into the net.
      There was pandemonium at Old Trafford but Solskjaer reckons his side always had a chance with the former Real Madrid ace on the pitch.
      The Norwegian said: “We all know the Champions League at Old Trafford is magic, and sometimes that history can help us.

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      “Sometimes it is not about passes here or there, it is about the crowd and the Stretford End has sucked a few in before, I know that.
      “That is probably what happened.
      “That is what happens here at Old Trafford, it’s happened so many times before.
      “We have to throw caution to the wind and we got lucky in the end.
      “They are very tough to beat, but when you have Cristiano on the pitch you always have a chance.”
      Ronaldo tore his shirt off when celebrating his goal and revealed a pair of his own brand pants.
      But eagle-eyed fans noticed an error in the stitching.
      The Portuguese forward had endured an off night on his Champions League return to Old Trafford.
      He broke Iker Casillas’ record for Champions League appearances – 178.
      And the late strike was his 136th in the competition.
      He also texted his old team-mate Rio Ferdinand after the match.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      Ferdinand revealed what his old pal Ronaldo wrote to him in the immediate aftermath.
      The BT Sport pundit said: “He (Ronaldo) text me tonight saying ‘I didn’t play well but I knew I’d score’.
      “That’s the belief that he has. The other players are feeding off it. It’s a great place to be.”

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      Cristiano Ronaldo shows off his own branded PANTS after netting Man Utd winner… but fans notice error in stitching

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO showed off a pair of his own brand pants after netting Manchester United’s dramatic late winner against Villarreal on Wednesday.The Portuguese struck in the dying seconds to hand United a 2-1 victory in the Champions League but eagle-eyed fans noticed an error in the garment’s stitiching.
      Cristiano Ronaldo was wearing his own brand pants during Man Utd’s win over Villarreal on Wednesday
      Ronaldo scored in the dying seconds at Old Trafford
      The Portuguese superstar, 36, had barely done anything in the game until he stole the headlines at the death.
      United were drawing 1-1 after Alex Telles’ sumptuous volley had cancelled out Paco Alcacer’s deserved opener.
      They had the phenomenal David De Gea to thank for keeping them in the game and if anything didn’t even deserve a draw.
      But as the clock ticked into the sixth minute of stoppage time, Fred looped a ball in, Ronaldo cushioned it down to Jesse Lingard, he drew the goalkeeper and defenders to him, poked it back to Ronaldo and CR7 drilled it into the net.
      Cue pandemonium at Old Trafford.
      Ronaldo sprinted to the corner flag, and ripped off his shirt before being swamped by his team-mates.

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      As pictures emerged of the iconic celebration after the match, fans drew attention to his pants.
      Just out the top of his shorts could be seen a waistband with his name on it.
      But the way the wording met in the middle at the back made for a comical error.
      Paddy Power tweeted a picture and joked: “Nice pants. Look a bit like mine.”
      “What make are yours?”
      “Cristiano Ronaldo.”
      “Expensive.
      “And yours?”
      “CRISTRIANO Ronaldo.”
      “Nice pants. Looks a bit like mine.” “What make’s yours?”“Cristiano Ronaldo.”“Expensive.“And yours?”“Cristristiano Ronaldo.” pic.twitter.com/yjw22ucsmh— Paddy Power (@paddypower) September 29, 2021

      Deano quipped in response: “Me mate Brian Hannigan wears Kelvin Kleins.”
      Before Lelly wrote: “It’s like when your mum used to sew your name tag into your coat at school….
      “Except it’s his full name. On his pants.”
      The Portuguese forward had endured an off night on his Champions League return to Old Trafford.
      He broke Iker Casillas’ record for Champions League appearances – 178.
      And the late strike was his 136th in the competition.
      He also texted his old team-mate Rio Ferdinand after the match.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      Ferdinand revealed what his old pal Ronaldo wrote to him in the immediate aftermath.
      The BT Sport pundit said: “He (Ronaldo) text me tonight saying ‘I didn’t play well but I knew I’d score’.
      “That’s the belief that he has. The other players are feeding off it. It’s a great place to be.”

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      Solskjaer discusses Cristiano Ronaldo’s involvement in game against Villarreal More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo runs straight to David de Gea to celebrate Man Utd winner after keeper’s heroics vs Villarreal

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO ran straight to hero David de Gea at the full-time whistle in Wednesday’s 2-1 Champions League win over Villarreal. Manchester United fought back from a goal down to secure their first win in the group stage, bouncing back from the defeat against Young Boys.
      Ronaldo scored the winner in added time.Credit: PA
      Ronaldo and De Gea celebrated together at full-timeCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      De Gea kept the Red Devils in the game with six crucial saves.
      And Ronaldo came to the rescue in Fergie-time, netting a late winner to seal three points in front of the Old Trafford faithful.
      Although Ronaldo got the goal, the 36-year-old was quick to run over to superstar De Gea at full-time.
      Ronaldo embraced the Spaniard, holding him ever so tight.
      United rode their luck at times during the game, and last year’s Europa League winners Villarreal should have been out of sight – something boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer acknowledges.
      Solskjaer said: “Thankfully we had the best goalkeeper in the world tonight- David was fantastic and deserved to be Man of the Match.

      “He saved us, we have to be realistic and say that.
      “We all know the Champions League at Old Trafford is magic, and sometimes that history can help us.
      “Sometimes it is not about passes here or there, it is about the crowd and the Stretford End has sucked a few in before, I know that. That is probably what happened.
      “That is what happens here at Old Trafford, it’s happened so many times before. We have to throw caution to the wind and we got lucky in the end.
      “They are very tough to beat, but when you have Cristiano on the pitch you always have a chance.”
      And on Ronaldo’s goal scoring exploits, Solskjaer insists one chance is all it takes.
      De Gea made six crucial saves last night
      He said: “That’s the true mark of a great finisher.
      “That’s what he’s done throughout his career. He’s so strong mentally and stays in the game.
      “I’ve seen him all day, the way he’s built himself up for this game and when he gets that one chance it’s a goal.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
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