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      Ollie Watkins sends message to Aston Villa boss Emery and admits he’s FUMING at being dropped for Champions League games

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      OLLIE WATKINS was left “fuming” over his Champions League axe.The  striker scored as Aston Villa sunk top-five rivals Newcastle — four days after being benched for their defeat by Paris Saint-Germain.Villa striker Ollie Watkins didn’t hold back over his feelingsCredit: Sky SportsUnai Emery’s Champions League selection angered WatkinsCredit: RexWatkins celebrated his opener in the 4-1 win over NewcastleCredit: GettyOn boss Unai Emery’s snub, Watkins said: “I was fuming I wasn’t playing after I played 20 minutes against PSG in both games.“I let him know that. He’s the manager and I respect his decision.“But I’m not one of those players happy to sit on the bench.“Rather than let it hinder you, you have to use that anger and let it spur you on to prove the manager different.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“I found myself out of the team for a few games so today I was raring to go and  wasn’t going to let that opportunity slip.“The manager is going to have a headache as I’m banging on the door asking why I’m not playing.”Watkins netted after just 33 seconds and set up Villa’s crucial second goal in the rout.Emery’s men sit sixth in the table, level on points with Nottingham Forest in fifth and two points off third-placed Toon.Most read in FootballWatkins took only 33 seconds to make the breakthroughCredit: GettyBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKThis win followed their painful exit to PSG and Emery praised Watkins’ inspiring performance.Spanish gaffer Emery said: “To be angry is  fantastic. To play like he did today is fantastic.Heartwarming moment Matty Cash’s reporter sister tells him she loves him after Aston Villa’s PSG defeat“Last week he helped  us out, too. On Tuesday, he played 20 minutes.“His commitment is always high to get to  his best and this is what we want and need.“This morning I was speaking with some  players about how they feel. It is a real key moment to find our best.”On their quarter-final exit to PSG, Emery added: “We have to feel angry when we are not winning.“Of course we enjoyed the Champions League — we have to be proud of our effort but we lost.“I’m very proud of how the players responded.”Jason Tindall,  in interim charge at Toon while Eddie Howe recovers from pneumonia, admitted his team were well beaten.After a five-game Prem winning streak, he said: “It was a difficult evening.Read More on The Sun“First half I thought  we did well off the back of the early setback.“Maybe it was one step too far and three games in six days was too much physically for the players.” More

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      Real Madrid line up ex-Liverpool star Xabi Alonso to replace Carlo Ancelotti with Italian set for shock new job

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      REAL MADRID are lining up Xabi Alonso to replace Carlo Ancelotti as boss, according to reports.The Italian’s future in the Spanish capital has come under the microscope since his side’s Champions League exit earlier this week.Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid future has come under the spotlightCredit: EPAXabi Alonso is the favourite to replace Ancelotti in MadridCredit: ReutersSpeaking ahead of tomorrow night’s clash with Athletic Bilbao, Ancelotti refused to confirm that he will remain in charge of Los Blancos for the Club World Cup this summer.According to The Athletic, Real Madrid chiefs have already “sounded out” Alonso over replacing Ancelotti.The Bayer Leverkusen boss, 43, played under Ancelotti with both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.Last season, the ex-Liverpool star guided Leverkusen to Bundesliga title and DFB Pokal successes, while also reaching the Europa League final.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAlonso is the favourite to replace Ancelotti, should the 65-year-old leave the Bernabeu as expected.Ancelotti could go on to manage Brazil at the 2026 World Cup.The experienced boss has long been linked with the Selecao.It’s claimed that a representative of Brazil’s football federation was in attendance at Real Madrid’s clash with Arsenal this week ahead of meetings with Ancelotti.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKThe Selecao are currently without a manager following Dorival Junior’s sacking last month.Real Madrid, meanwhile, could cut the gap to Barcelona at the top of LaLiga to four points with a win over Athletic Bilbao.New footage ‘shows Jude Bellingham in tense standoff with Ancelotti’ as Real Madrid boss ‘mortally wounded’ by Arsenal They will also face Barca in the Copa del Rey final on April 26, after which Ancelotti’s future is set to further come under the microscope.Speaking earlier today, the under-pressure boss said: “We’re still competing for trophies. We have one [the Copa del Rey final] in a week, and we have the first ever Club World Cup at the end of the season, it wouldn’t be right to do it now.”All I can do is thank these players, I’ve enjoyed this and I want to keep doing so. We’re still united, we have a great relationship.”Ancelotti then went on to add: “At the end of the season, I’ll talk about that with the club.”I don’t want to talk about my future today. It’s an obvious question, but I don’t want to talk about it.”So all I say is we’ll talk about it with the club at the end of the season.”Read More on The SunAncelotti won LaLiga and the Champions League last season.But a trophyless campaign this time around could spell the end of his second spell in Madrid.Ancelotti, 65, saw his side dumped out of the Champions League this weekCredit: Getty More

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      Aston Villa 4 Newcastle 1: Unai Emery’s genius subs down Toon and throw Champions League race wide open

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      MAAT’S the way to do it.When you have been on the wrong end of Champions League heartbreak, this is how to bounce back and boost your chances of having another go next year.Aston Villa stunned Newcastle with a 4-1 victoryCredit: PAIan Maatsen netted his first goal for the clubCredit: ReutersAmadou Onana scored a fantastic goal to wrap up the matchCredit: GettyAnd to dent the challenge of one of your top-five rivals into the bargain.Just when Newcastle were threatening to frustrate Unai Emery’s vibrant team, Ian Maatsen had his own moment of redemption. The Dutchman had been at fault when Fabian Schar cancelled out Ollie Watkins’ first-minute opener, but just past the hour he finished off a brilliant move that typified the hosts.Villa had fallen agonisingly short of forcing Paris Saint-Germain to extra time in their quarter-final, despite having plenty of chances.READ MJORE ON FOOTBALLBut less than four days later, in front of a rapturous home crowd, they capitalised on their dominance and put Newcastle to the sword.Substitutes Jacob Ramsey and Amadou Onana made sure the scoreline reflected Villa’s superiority.Ramsey’s first major contribution was to force Dan Burn to put the ball in his own net and then Onana smashed home a wonderful fourth.It was a classic one-two combination to settle a brilliant and sometimes bruising brawl between two sides who are now Premier League heavyweights.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThey had gone toe-to-toe in an end-to-end first half.But Villa, who also hit the woodwork three times, were always the ones doing the most damage.Viktor Gyokeres responds as he is asked if he ‘likes London’ amid Arsenal transfer linksIt was a day when something had to give, with Villa on a four-game winning streak in the league, one behind Newcastle’s five.There was also an element of needle.The teams had threatened to take Boxing Day literally when they met at St James Park in DecemberWind-up merchant Jason Tindall and Villa analyst Victor Manas squared up and sparked a 10-man festive fracas that ended with both being sent off.Villa noted in their report on the game that Tindall later reappeared to celebrate Newcastle’s 3-0 victory while wearing a Wham! Last Christmas hoodie.With that context, it was never going to be a case of wake me up before you go-go for the return at Villa Park.Although some of the Newcastle team did seem to be asleep when Watkins scored after only 33 seconds.Ollie Watkins netted the opener via a deflectionCredit: GettyFabian Schar headed Newcastle back level in the first halfCredit: RexThe England star had initially chased down Sandro Tonali, whose clearance was weak and the ball broke to Youri Tielemans.As the Belgian passed, Tonali was playing Watkins onside. The striker cut inside and his shot took a heavy deflection off Fabian Schar that left Nick Pope with no chance.The Newcastle goalkeeper was equally helpless minutes later when Watkins strode through the away defence and smacked a shot off the crossbar.There were already some tasty tackles flying in, and Villa fans will feel Schar should not have been on the pitch to equalise.Was the Swiss defender’s cynical foul on Watkins a denial of a goalscoring opportunity? Referee Jarred Gillett clearly thought the Villa man would not have reached the ball and showed Schar a yellow card, with VAR Michael Salisbury seeing no reason to intervene.Everyone of a claret and blue persuasion was soon even more annoyed by Gillett.The Australian decided Boubacar Kamara’s challenge on Tino Livramento was worthy of a free kick.It wasn’t, but the home side should have defended it better. Instead, they only half-cleared it and when Harvey Barnes swung in a deep cross, Ian Maatsen allowed Schar to steal in and head the ball through Emi Martinez.Maatsen almost enjoyed immediate redemption but from his fine cross, Marco Asensio mistimed his finish horribly.In a parallel universe, Watkins soon completed his “hat-trick”. But in this world, he hit the woodwork again, this time with a header from an Asensio free kick.Unai Emery’s side have blown the race for Champions League football wide openCredit: GettyJason Tindell was on touchline duty as Eddie Howe continues to be absentCredit: PAAt the other end, Martinez scrambled away a long-range effort by Tonali before Pope kept out a Morgan Rogers effort and Tielemans’ goalbound corner.Watkins dragged a shot wide, then claimed a penalty in vain after going down under a challenge from – guess who? – Schar.It was entertaining, compelling stuff, and so it continued.The excellent Morgan Rogers played in John McGinn and Pope had to intervene. After Tonali cleared a Tielemans header that was probably going wide, Rogers found space only for Schar to block his shot.Bruno Guimaraes somehow escaped a yellow card for a late, spiteful foul on McGinnThe Villa captain almost had revenge, but his shot from Kamara’s through ball was straight at Pope.Alexander Isak was having a very quiet game by his very high standards, which reflected his team’s limited ambition. His first proper effort on goal, after more than half an hour, was comfortably held by Martinez.And then came the move of the match and one of the most important goals of Villa’s season.The ball moved swiftly from Martinez to Rogers to Asensio to Watkins, who rolled it into Maatsen’s path.The Dutchman did not break stride before lashing the ball past Pope.Maatsen had never scored in the Premier League before and he will do well to notch a better one.Tindall made changes, but it was Emery’s that decided the match.After another fine move, Ramsey reached the byline and Burn could only divert the ball into the net as he tried to deny Tielemans.Read More on The SunVilla smelled blood, and when Rogers laid the ball back to Onana on the edge of the area, there was only one place it was going.On this form, Villa will be back in the Champions League before they know it. More

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      ‘Absolutely generational’ – Lamine Yamal, 17, inspires epic Barcelona comeback after shocking home collapse

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      LAMINE YAMAL inspired an epic Barcelona comeback against Celta Vigo to leave his side seven points clear at the top of LaLiga.Yamal and Dani Olmo came off the bench to spark an incredible turnaround, as Barca came back from 3-1 down to win 4-3 and edge closer to LaLiga glory.Lamine Yamal’s genius inspired an epic Barcelona comeback against Celta Vigo in LaLigaYamal was brought on when Barca were 2-1 downThe 17-year-old sent in a delicious cross to assist Raphinha’s equaliserBarca came back from 3-1 down to win 4-3 and edge closer to LaLiga gloryBarca manager Hansi Flick rotated his squad after their 5-3 aggregate win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League quarter-finals.Barcelona had the lead within 11 minutes thanks to Ferran Torres, who started ahead of Yamal.But Celta hit back within four minutes as Borja Iglesias got on the end of a cross and finished past Wojciech Szczesny just before half-time.Iglesias put Vigo 2-1 up before Flick brought on the calvary soldiers, introducing Yamal for Torres and Olmo for Fermin Lopez.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAnd Iglesias completed his stunning hat-trick, before Spain Euro 2024 winners Yamal and Olmo switched it up a gear.Olmo found the net after Raphinha’s clever pass, hitting the bottom corner and sparking hope of a comeback.And Yamal sent in a delicious cross to assist Raphinha’s equaliser, before the former Leeds star scored a last-minute penalty to secure all three points and move seven points clear of Real Madrid.But fans were quick to praise Yamal’s lively cameo, with one writing: “Absolutely generational. Sometimes I can‘t believe Lamine Yamal is only 17.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWhile another said: “Yamal completely changed the game!”A third added: “He is simply sensational.”Craig Burley praises Lamine Yamal’s clutch goal in Spain’s win One more wrote: “Yamal is the best footballer in the world at 17 do you know how crazy that is?”Meanwhile, former Premier League star Raphinha has now provided 25 goal contributions in LaLiga this season.And the Ballon d’Or favourite has 53 goals or assists across all competitions this term.Raphinha scored two in the comeback More

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      Man Utd ‘ready to offer Aston Villa shock swap deal’ to offload Marcus Rashford permanently

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly willing to offer Aston Villa a shock swap deal to seal Marcus Rashford’s permanent exit.The forward was loaned to Villa Park in the January transfer window and has shown flashes of his past brilliance.Manchester United are willing to offer Marcus Rashford to Aston Villa in a swap dealCredit: RexThe club want to sign Ollie Watkins in returnCredit: GettyRashford, 27, helped Aston Villa reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League before being knocked out by Paris Saint-Germain.He has the chance to help the West Midlands side to silverware with an FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace on April 26.Rashford, in total, has netted three times and assisted six goals in his 15 appearances with Aston Villa.The Daily Star have suggested that the Red Devils are keen to cut ties with Rashford permanently.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe report claimed that they are willing to offer the out-of-favour star in a swap deal that would see Ollie Watkins move to Old Trafford.It even suggests that Villa could be offered Rashford and a “significant cash payment” for the England international.Watkins, 29, has been a previous transfer target for Premier League rivals Arsenal.The Gunners were linked with the former Brentford ace last summer and in January but Villa were keen to keep hold of him.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSUnai Emery’s side opted to cash in on Jhon Duran to the Saudi Pro League in order to keep Watkins at Villa Park.The 18-capped international has been in fine form this season with 15 goals in the Premier League as well as one more in the Champions League.Ruben Amorim brings up Marcus Rashford as he vows to talk to Garnacho after Man Utd star stormed down tunnelHe is contracted to Villa until 2028, having put pen to paper on a long-term contract in 2023.Meanwhile, Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has urged Rashford to return to Old Trafford for next season.The retired forward claimed that Rashford wants to build a legacy at the club.Speaking on Amazon Prime, he said: “I hope Rashford goes back to Manchester United and performs like he did tonight.”That’s what we all want to see as Manchester United fans.”Rashford wants to play for Manchester United, 100 per cent.”He’s a Manchester lad, a Manchester United fan.”He needed to play and it was clear he wasn’t going to play for the rest of the season.”Sometimes, you have to put the manager in a position where he cannot leave you out.Read More on The Sun”Marcus Rashford, in an ideal world, would want to play and leave a legacy at Manchester United.”Whether that’s possible, I don’t know, but that’s what I’d love to see.”Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford More

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      Kylian Mbappe’s team relegated to third tier for first time in 40 years after dismal first season as owner

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      A CLUB co-owned by France captain Kylian Mbappe has been RELEGATED to the French third tier.It comes less than a year after Mbappe purchased a majority stake in Stade Malherbe Caen through his investment fund, Coalition Capital.A French side co-owned by Kylian Mbappe has been relegated from Ligue 2Arsenal ended Mbappe’s Champions League dream with a 5-1 aggregate win on Wednesday nightCaen were then relegated after losing 3-0 at home to MartiguesOn Friday night, Caen fell 3-0 at home to Martigues, making their relegation to the semi-pro National 1 third-tier official.It’s the first time the Normandy side have been out of France’s top two professional leagues since 1984.Their relegation was confirmed with three games still left to play, and just a few days after Mbappe limped off during Arsenal’s 2-1 win at the Bernabeu in the Champions League quarter-final second leg.With the worst defensive record in the division, Caen won just five times all season and deservedly went down.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAnd the world’s youngest active player-owner Mbappe, 26, has been partly blamed by a section of fans.A banner was unfurled by the ultras at full-time which read: “Management, players: all guilty, all out.”Another read: “Malherbe is us, the s*** is you,” referring to the team’s full name, Stade Malherbe Caen.Several different banners hit out at the RealMadrid star before and after the new year.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSOne said: “Mbappe, SMC is not your toy” and another said “Before wanting to shine internationally, respect the local figures.”In February, Mbappe finally found time in his busy schedule to visit the club’s training ground after scoring a hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League.Real Madrid fan BURNS Kylian Mbappe shirt and fumes ‘my hopes and support for him is over’The World Cup winner invested around €15 million via his investment fund to acquire 80 per cent of the club’s capital and paid off part of the club’s debt.The remaining 20 per cent is held by Pierre Antoine Capton, current president of the club’s supervisory board.But Caen endured a horror transfer window, before hiring and firing THREE different managers.Nicolas Seube began the season as gaffer before being sacked early on. Bruno Baltazar lost all seven of the games that he took charge of, whilst Michel Der Zakarian has failed to save the club from its inevitable fate. SM Caen have played in Ligue 2 since they were relegated from the top flight in 2019.Mbappe actually has some personal history with the club.Ouest France have detailed how the superstar could have signed for them at the age of 11.The club’s youth recruitment team, led by Laurent Glaize, kept track of the attacker for three years.Mbappe will now serve a one-match ban after being sent off for a lunge on Alaves midfielder Antonio Blanco last weekend.The France captain was shown a straight red card during Madrid’s 1-0 La Liga win on Sunday for a lunge on Alaves midfielder Antonio Blanco.The referee’s report stated Mbappe was sent off for violent conduct, which results in a punishment of between one to three matches.Read More on The SunA three-match ban would have seen Mbappe miss the Copa del Rey final against their El Clasico rivals on 26 April.But a commission decided on the most lenient punishment of a one-match ban, which was aided by the referee’s report that Mbappe was “disputing the ball”. More

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      ‘Ideas, plans, surprises’ – Mikel Arteta tells new Arsenal transfer chief how he can turn Gunners into title-winners

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      MIKEL ARTETA has told his new transfer chief Arsenal MUST spend big to fight on all fronts next season.The Gunners’ title bid could be over if they lose to Ipswich tomorrow — four days after reaching the Champions League semi-final with a stunning win over Real Madrid.Mikel Arteta has sent a message to the club’s new transfer chiefCredit: AFPAndrea Berta was appointed as the club’s new sporting director last monthCredit: GettyAnd Arteta knows sporting director Andrea Berta is the key to sustaining Premier League and European challenges next campaign.He said: “Squad quality and availability — without those, we cannot compete in four competitions.”At this level, especially in this country, it is impossible. The higher the quality, the higher the availability, the more chances you have.”After you have to do it. But the probability goes high.READ MORE ON ARSENAL”I hope that Andrea has many more ideas, plans, surprises, positive ones.”And his experience, his creativity, his intuition as well to help us make the right calls.”Liverpool will be crowned champions if they beat Leicester tomorrow and Arsenal lose to struggling Ipswich.Arteta added: “For sure there would be things we could have done to challenge Liverpool.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates”If not you would have won every game regardless of any injuries, any situation, any red card, any referee decision.”But it is what it is. We will make an analysis of what we’ve done well and not well at the end of the season.”Gabriel goes wild with friends and family celebrating Arsenal’s epic win over Real Madrid Arteta has also hinted he would like midfielder Thomas Partey to be handed a new deal.Partey, 31, is out of contract this summer but is having his best season since joining the club five years ago.Arteta said that progress is being made with a number of players and his intent with Partey is clear — though the decision will sit with Berta.The Spaniard said: “Yes, there is progress with all the players.”I’ll leave that to Andrea and the club to decide and to talk about.”The intention is very clear. I’ll leave that to Andrea and the club to take a step forward.”Read More on The SunPartey’s form this season has been largely down to his availability, having desperately struggled with injuries across his time in north London.Arsenal will consider his age and fitness record before making a final decision on a new deal. More

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      ‘I just see one guy who is good in the box’ – Amorim to keep playing Harry Maguire as striker as Man Utd eye £100m prize

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      HARRY MAGUIRE is happy to keep playing as a makeshift striker so Manchester United stay on course for a £100million jackpot.The England centre-back did his bit to help ‘Make Amorim Great Again’ with an incredible 121st-minute winner against Lyon to secure a Europa League semi-final.Harry Maguire is keen to cause more late mayhem after his winner against Lyon put Man Utd in the Europa League semi-finalsCredit: AlamyThe makeshift attacker capped a MAGA-nificent comebackCredit: RexRuben Amorim says Maguire ‘knows how to behave’ in the boxCredit: GettyGlory in that competition would hand United a lucrative ticket to next season’s Champions League.But boss Ruben Amorim has a striker crisis with Joshua Zirkzee crocked and Rasmus Hojlund scoring just one goal in 27 games.Maguire, who has scored four key goals this season, said: “You can see that we’re probably short on attackers.“We had two attackers in Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus that gave everything out there.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“We lost Josh, so if he asks me to go up there, I’m willing to go up there.“I do see myself as a threat and I do feel like I can cause problems and score a goal up there when the balls and crosses are coming in.”“I only got 30 minutes up there and it’s a lot harder than playing centre back.”Amorim has no plans to use Maguire as a forward from the start – but he has been impressed by the impact he can make.Most read in Europa LeagueMaguire saw plenty of the ball in both penalty areasBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKUnited’s boss has seen enough in training and in matches to know the £80m man is a useful attacking weapon when needed.Asked about the possibility of him starting up front, Amorim said: “To play a normal game, no. But in these moments it is something that is really important.Man Utd star calls out fans who left Old Trafford early before epic Lyon comeback with 15-word swipe“When I see Harry and put him as a striker, I just see one guy who is good in the box. He knows how to behave in that space.”United were staring at the prospect of no European football next season when ten-man Lyon took a 4-2 lead in the 109th minute at Old Trafford on Thursday.But the home side struck three times in seven minutes to turn the quarter final on its head – with Maguire stealing the glory with his winner.If United can beat Athletic Bilbao in the semis and then lift the trophy three weeks later then it would be huge for the Red Devils.Doing that alone would be worth around £14.8m for United while the Super Cup in Italy in August would bank another £4.3m.When I see Harry and put him as a striker, I just see one guy who is good in the box. He knows how to behave in that space.Ruben AmorimHowever it is the ticket to next season’s Champions League which will really prove to be invaluable for owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazers.They would be guaranteed around £49m, due to their Uefa co-efficient,  while four home games would add another £20m in income.In addition, even an average season at Europe’s top table – such as the one neighbours City had this season – would see them pocket around £11m in prize money.If they reached the first knock-out round then that would be £5m more.The Europa League also brought the start of Maguire’s goalscoring exploits in October — a superb last-gasp header to level up a six-goal thriller in Porto.Then came February’s injury-time winner in the 2-1 FA Cup fourth-round win over his old club Leicester at Old Trafford.Rasmus Hojlund has netted just once in 27 games while fellow Red Devils’ frontman Joshua Zirkzee is now injuredCredit: GettyTeam-mates mobbed Maguire after he rounded off United’s sensational revival of three goals in seven minutes to KO Lyon in extra timeCredit: GettyThree weeks later, he nodded the decisive goal to spare United’s blushes against relegation-bound Ipswich at the Theatre of Dreams.So it should surprise nobody that he has used his bonce to good effect again — stooping to put his team into the semi-finals on an unforgettable night.Maguire, who seemed set for the exit door with West Ham under two years ago, added: “It’s an incredible feeling — I’ve obviously managed to do it a few times this year in the last minute, the dying moments.“There’s no better feeling than scoring here, particularly when it’s the match-winner.“I’ve had some amazing moments at this club, I’ve been here six years now. I’ve had some great times — and some bad ones as well.“That game pretty much summed up my time at the club.“It was a game full of emotion and the strangest, maddest game I’ve ever played in or witnessed.”United’s season of turmoil looked to be hitting a new low as they blew a 2-0 lead to trail ten-man Lyon 4-2 in extra-time.But three goals in seven minutes turned a topsy-turvy tie on its head, with Maguire stealing the glory right at the end.The Yorkshireman added: “This season has been so difficult for everyone involved, all the fans, players and staff.Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho, seen congratulating scorer Diogo Dalot, were praised by Maguire for their incredible workrateCredit: Getty“It’s just been nowhere near good enough and when you get moments like that, and memories you create, it’s so important for the fans to go home with a smile on their faces.”The turnaround was so incredible you could not escape the feeling their name might just be on the Europa League.But they will need to perform far better to see off Ernesto Valverde’s impressive Athletic Bilbao outfit.The fact they shipped four goals at home will concern United manager Ruben Amorim.And just one of United’s seven goals in the tie with Lyon was scored by a striker — and that was Zirkzee, who has since suffered a hamstring injury.Maguire said: “We’ve got to do far better than that if we want to win this competition. We can’t be doing that and be leaving it to turn it around in that situation.I think they thought they had won it, the way they were celebrating. That gave us more of an incentive to turn the game around.Harry Maguire“But it does show great spirit, fight, togetherness. And that’s the one thing this group of lads is doing — they’re giving everything.“The worst feeling was that we felt we’d thrown it away, rather than lost the game at that moment.“Also how we managed to get ourselves into that situation.“Going into extra-time at 2-2, we obviously can’t get done on two counter-attacks like that when we’re playing against ten men. It’s criminal.”At that stage, United looked out for the count, even with a man extra. But the sight of Lyon wildly ­celebrating their goals and getting ready to mark a famous win seemed to ignite something inside United’s players.Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordMaguire added: “I still thought there was a lot of time on the clock. “And it was the 109th minute when they scored the fourth.“I think they thought they had won it, the way they were celebrating. “That gave us more of an incentive to turn the game around.”In stark contrast to their Premier League form, United are the only unbeaten team left in European competition this season.Read More on The SunAnd lifting the trophy in Bilbao on May 21, would take them back into the Champions League.Should that happen, the inspirational Maguire’s latest late show will have been priceless.Man Utd ratings vs LyonMANCHESTER UNITED scored three goals in seven unbelievable minutes to beat Lyon in one of the all-time great nights at Old Trafford.The Red Devils looked to be putting in one of their best displays since Ruben Amorim took over as they raced into a 2-0 lead.But after conceding one goal, they let the ground slip from under them, quickly giving away another to allow Lyon to take the game to extra time.Not even a red card for Corentin Tolisso could get United out of their slump as the French side completely dominated most of the additional 30 minutes.Rayan Cherki and an Alexandre Lacazette penalty meant the visitors looked home and hosed before Casemiro was fouled and Bruno Fernandes hit home from the spot.Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire then both netted in stoppage time of extra time to secure a scarcely believable win.Here’s how SunSport’s Phil Thomas rated the United stars on a night that went from the sublime to the ridiculous and back again. 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