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    Watch David De Gea make wondersave for Man Utd as even Villarreal players congratulate Spain keeper

    DAVID DE GEA made an incredible wonder-save against Villarreal before Manchester United sealed a big win in Spain.The Red Devils were looking to make a statement after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked on Sunday.

    David De Gea made an incredible save as Man Utd beat Villarreal 2-0Credit: Rex
    Villarreal stars including Manu Trigueros, who took the shot, congratulated De Gea on his stop
    And Michael Carrick saw his first game as caretaker boss end with a 2-0 victory thanks to late goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho.
    But things could have turned out differently had De Gea not pulled off a heroic stop earlier in the second half.
    Europa League champions Villarreal, who beat United in last season’s final, created plenty of opportunities in the fiercely-contested group stage game.
    But their best chance occurred in the 58th minute when a loose ball fell kindly to midfielder Manu Trigueros… inside United’s penalty area.
    Lining up the ball for a volley as it came towards him, the playmaker unleashed a rocket at De Gea’s goal mouth.
    Fans held their breath as they waited for the ball to strike the back of the net.

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    But De Gea, making his 68th continental appearance for United, had other ideas.
    Somehow, the gloveman managed to react quickly enough to get down low, block Trigueros’ pile-driver AND turn the ball over the crossbar to safety.
    United fans breathed a collective sigh of relief as the Villarreal faithful tried to comprehend what had happened.
    And the save was so good that a number of Yellow Submarine stars, including Trigueros, congratulated Spaniard De Gea on his outrageous effort afterwards.
    Indeed, the stop proved pivotal as United took the lead 20 minutes later through talisman Ronaldo.
    The veteran lobbed goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli with a succulent chip after some sloppy passing from Villarreal’s defence, and celebrated with his traditional ’Siu’ jump.
    Sancho then wrapped up the win with his first-ever United goal in the 90th minute, giving the club something to smile about at last while banishing the painful memories of Solskjaer’s exit.

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    Man Utd ratings: Cristiano Ronaldo shows he’s not the problem as David De Gea shines again vs Villarreal

    MANCHESTER UNITED progressed through to the Champions League knockout stages with a 2-0 win at Villarreal. It was a tale of two halves for United, playing under interim manager Michael Carrick for the first time since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal.
    Jadon Sancho celebrates his first goal for Man UtdCredit: AFP
    Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho saw United turn the game around following a dull first half.
    Here is how Jack Figg rated Carrick’s players.
    David de Gea – 8
    Made some good saves in the first half as the Spaniard faced some early tests.
    Pick of the bunch came on the hour mark as a volley from Manu Trigueros hit the ground forcing the keeper to finger tip it wide.
    David de Gea pulled off a string of big savesCredit: Rex
    Alex Telles – 6
    Produced a great cross on the half hour mark but Ronaldo’s header was saved and made some smart runs off the ball.
    With Martial offering little link up on the left, it saw the full-back unable to get forward and make use of his crossing abilities.

    Harry Maguire – 6
    Given a relatively quiet night at the back, something the defender would have been hoping for.
    Could only watch on at times as De Gea was forced to pull off heroics.
    Victor Lindelof – 6
    Made an important block to deny Moi Gomez’s effort just before the break, which resulted in a corner.
    Put in a disciplined performance alongside captain Maguire.
    Victor Lindelof put in a disciplined performance alongside captain Harry MaguireCredit: AP
    Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 5
    Almost cost United as he brought out possession from the back but managed to get away with it.
    Showed little interest in getting forward with Sancho but was competent at the back.
    Aaron Wan-Bissaka started at right-backCredit: AFP
    Fred – 7
    Twisted his ankle on 35 minutes but saw the half out and continued playing.
    And he can count himself fortunate he did, as his interceptions put through Ronaldo and Sancho to score.
    Fred helped set up Cristiano Ronaldo’s winnerCredit: Getty
    Scott McTominay – 6
    Started as the deep-lying midfielder and played the occasional cross field or forward ball.
    The Scottish international did not get forward much but was solid in front of the back line.
    Scott McTominay led the charge in midfieldCredit: AFP
    Donny van de Beek – 6
    Looked energetic in the No10 role, making runs in behind but got too eager to win the ball back just before the break as he picked up a booking.
    Brought off with 25 minutes to go and will feel he did not get the ball in advanced areas enough.
    Donny van de Beek showed promise in midfieldCredit: AFP
    Anthony Martial – 4
    Looked far less of an impact out wide, opposed to his preferred position through the middle.
    Could have no complaints being substituted as the Frenchman failed to take his opportunity after being given a rare start.
    Anthony Martial failed to make an impact in what was a rare startCredit: Getty
    Jadon Sancho – 8
    Had largely quiet spells in the first half but showed promise when he did get on the ball, driving down the right wing.
    Great form continued into the second half and led to the forward scoring his first United goal, smashing home from inside the box.
    Jadon Sancho shined on the right wing for Man UtdCredit: AFP
    Cristiano Ronaldo – 7
    Had little luck in front of goal throughout the match – until a mistake at the back put the forward through and led to a beautiful chip finish.
    Again, Ronaldo proved he is not the problem and once more got United back on track.
    Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner in SpainCredit: AFP
    SUBS
    Bruno Fernandes (for Van de Beek) – 6
    Almost immediately got involved and slid through Sancho smartly, but the winger’s effort was saved.
    Marcus Rashford (for Anthony Martial) – 6
    Produced a good save from Geronimo Rulli as he cut in from the left with five minutes remaining.
    Nemanja Matic (for Cristiano Ronaldo) – N/A
    Juan Mata (for Jadon Sancho) – N/A
    Phil Jones’ shock inclusion on Man Utd plane to Villarreal leaves Ray Parlour baffled More

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    How Chelsea could line up against injury-ravaged Juventus with Havertz a doubt but Lukaku involved in squad

    CHELSEA can secure their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League by avoiding defeat against Juventus on Tuesday night.Thomas Tuchel’s side currently sit three points behind the Serie A giants in Group H with two rounds of group games remaining.
    How Chelsea are expected to line up against Juventus
    And while defending champions Chelsea are almost certainly through to the last 16 already – they sit six points above Zenit St Petersburg – they can move mathematically out of sight with a draw at Stamford Bridge.
    Tuchel has given an update on a number of his players’ fitness concerns ahead of the game.
    Romelu Lukaku will not start but could feature from the bench for the first time since he was injured during Chelsea’s 4-0 win over Malmo last month.
    Kai Havertz looks set to miss out due to a hamstring issue, with Mateo Kovacic also still sidelined.
    But Timo Werner is available for the Juventus clash after being included as an unused sub in the win over Leicester.
    And Jorginho also appears to be fit despite being hauled off at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

    Another way Chelsea could line up against Juventus
    Speaking about Lukaku in his pre-match press conference, Tuchel said: “He has, right now in the next minutes, an appointment with the doctors and physios right now to see about his reaction and the next training.
    “Maybe if we have the chance to bring 20 players into the squad, he has the chance to be in the squad (team) for the last minutes. That would be the absolute maximum that we could get out of the situation right now.”
    On Jorginho, he added: “Jorgi [Jorginho] is absolutely OK. Kai [Havertz] felt a bit of tension in the hamstrings and we took him off, and we have some doubts with him. We have to check and see if he can train without any problems. This is the question mark.
    “Timo [Werner] feels good and was in training yesterday and is in the squad again. Mateo Kovacic is out, and that’s it.”
    INJURY RAVAGED JUVE
    Premier League leaders Chelsea were handed their first defeat of the season by Juventus in September as Federico Chiesa’s goal handed Max Allegri’s side a 1-0 victory.
    But this time around the Serie A side are riddled with injuries coming into the huge European tussle.
    Giorgio Chiellini, Mattia de Sciglio, Federico Bernardeschi, Danilo and Aaron Ramsey are all sidelined with fitness problems.
    But one positive for the Italian giants is Paulo Dybala looks set to be available for the game.
    Juventus have won all four of their Champions League games so far this season, a feat only Liverpool, Ajax and Bayern Munich have been able to match.
    But their Serie A form has been nowhere near the results they have accumulated in Europe.
    Allegri’s men currently sit eighth in the Italian top flight with just six wins from their opening 13 games.
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    Man Utd flops arrive at Manchester airport to fly out to Spain for Carrick’s first game in charge against Villarreal

    MANCHESTER UNITED’s flops have jetted off to Spain for Michael Carrick’s first game against Villarreal.The squad were snapped as they arrived at Manchester airport on Monday afternoon.
    Man Utd flew to Spain this afternoon for Michael Carrick’s first game against VillarrealCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
    Captain Harry Maguire flashed a grin after being sent off in the 4-1 defeat to WatfordCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
    Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to grimace in the wake of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sackingCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
    And all eyes will be on El Madrigal tomorrow when Carrick leads the team in place of sacked gaffer Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
    The Norwegian was fired yesterday following Saturday’s 4-1 thrashing at Watford.
    And it will be down to Carrick to guide United past Unai Emery’s Europa League champions as club chiefs search for a new boss.
    Red Devils captain Harry Maguire is set to play after receiving a red card at Vicarage Road.
    And he flashed a grin as he made his way into the terminal before jumping on a bus to take him to the aircraft.
    But Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to grimace as he trudged to the plane.
    Marcus Rashford was all smiles as he arrived at Manchester airportCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
    Bruno Fernandes kept a low profile as he enjoyed a coffeeCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
    Jadon Sancho will be hoping for a start in the Champions LeagueCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke

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    Donny van de Beek scored the last goal of Solskjaer’s reignCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
    Ivorian duo Amad Diallo and Eric Bailly were snapped travellingCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
    United chief Darren Fletcher joined the travelling partyCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
    The likes of Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho and Donny van de Beek kept a low profile as they arrived for their flight.
    However, Marcus Rashford was all smiles as he made his way to the plane.
    Phil Jones and Lee Grant also travelled, despite not being eligible to play after failing to make United’s 25-man squad list.
    But Jones is able to face Chelsea this weekend, and Carrick would be the SEVENTH manager he’s played under at United should he get the nod to fill in for suspended Maguire.
    Phil Jones and Lee Grant flew to Spain despite not being registered to playCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
    Anthony Martial is looking to force himself back in the sideCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
    Mike Phelan is still in his job despite seeing Solskjaer leaveCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
    Other players seen arriving at Manchester airport were Alex Telles, Anthony Martial, Victor Lindelof, Scott McTominay, Eric Bailly and Amad Diallo.
    As for Carrick, he entered the building alongside club chief Darren Fletcher, who looks set to assist him tomorrow night.
    Long-serving coach Mike Phelan also travelled after keeping his job following Solskjaer’s exit.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
    Scott McTominay kept to himself as he entered the terminalCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
    Victor Lindelof wrapped up to keep the cold at bayCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
    Alex Telles could get a rare outing against Unai Emery’s Europa League champsCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
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    How Man Utd could line up for Carrick’s first game in charge with Van de Beek and Sancho given chance against Villarreal

    MANCHESTER UNITED begin life without Ole Gunnar Solskjaer when Michael Carrick takes charge against Villarreal on Tuesday.Less than 48 hours after the Norwegian’s sacking, the Red Devils face a crucial Champions League clash as they look to avoid a group stage exit for the second season in a row.
    How Man Utd are expected to line up against Villarreal on Tuesday night
    Carrick takes over from Solskjaer as Man Utd bossCredit: AFP
    Caretaker manager Carrick will take charge for their trip to the LaLiga side with Man Utd currently top of Group F, level on points with Villarreal and two above Atalanta.
    It is difficult to know how Carrick will choose to line up for the game, but he did indicate in his pre-match press conference that there will not be wholesale change.
    When asked what alterations can be expected on Tuesday night, Carrick said: “We will have to wait and see really.
    “I worked with Ole closely, similar beliefs as a coach and manager. Got my own personality but it is very similar because that is why we worked together.
    “I’m not giving my plans away but I am very clear in my own mind.”
    Despite the humiliating 4-1 defeat to Watford on Saturday afternoon, there were one or two positives for United to take away from the game.

    Another way Carrick could choose to line up in his first game in charge
    Outcast Donny van de Beek produced his best 45 minutes in a red shirt as he came on at half-time and scored their only goal of the game.
    He also provided a couple of sumptuous passes in the build-up to United’s best chances.
    Jadon Sancho also appeared to be finding his feet for the first time since arriving in the Premier League.
    The ex-Borussia Dortmund man crossed for Cristiano Ronaldo to nod down for Van de Beek in what was a well-worked goal.
    Van de Beek and Sancho could be rewarded for their impressive performances with a starting place in Europe.
    Alex Telles is also expected to start as an out-of-form Luke Shaw takes a step away from the starting XI following another poor display.
    Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani, Raphael Varane and Mason Greenwood all remain unavailable for selection.
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    Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof will fight for the place alongside Harry Maguire in the centre of defence.
    Fred, Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay will all be hoping to play with Van de Beek in midfield if the Dutchman is trusted by Carrick.
    And then the interim boss also has to decide whether Jesse Lingard is an option ahead of Marcus Rashford – or whether he comes in for Sancho despite the £73million man’s positive display at Vicarage Road. More

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    Arsenal 3 HB Koge 0: Wubben-Moy pays tribute to Williamson as Gunners move closer to Champions League quarters

    LOTTE WUBBEN-MOY dedicated her Champions League goal to injured team-mate Leah Williamson after Arsenal trounced HB Koge.It was back to winning business for the Gunners after their dramatic draw with Tottenham with the England ace’s near-post header among the efforts in a 3-0 victory.
    Lotte Wubben-Moy netted late in the game to put Arsenal 2-0 up against KogeCredit: Getty
    Wubben-Moy says the Gunners will “deeply miss” having Williamson in the sideCredit: Reuters
    And the result saw the North London giants move six points clear of Hoffenheim days after Williamson’s hamstring injury blow with the defender out for the rest of the year.
    Wubben Moy said: “That was a goal for Leah, we’ll deeply miss her.
    “That’s her speciality at the near post, if I can do anything it’s to get that goal.
    “To score in a Champions League game is a dream come true.
    “To make it a reality today is cool and to help the team to an important win.
    “We know the goal difference could be important in pushing to get out of the group.”
    Jonas Eidevall shuffled the deck with his starting 11 making six changes to the side that nabbed a point at Spurs.

    The Gunners had a decent chance of scoring in the tenth minute with Beth Mead latching on to a Lia Walti through ball before Koge’s defence snuffed out the threat.
    The visitors came close to conceding moments later.
    This time via Nikita Parris dinking a ball into the penalty box for Caitlin Foord before Koge stopper Kaylan Marckese came off her line to claim it.
    The 0-0 scoreline lasted until the 16th minute with Foord putting the hosts ahead after tapping in a Beth Mead cross from close range.
    Caitlin Foord opened the scoring for Arsenal in the first halfCredit: Getty
    Eidevall’s aces had a chance to double their lead with Mead unleashing a fierce shot near the half-hour mark which Marckese did well to claim.
    And Jen Beattie came close to netting with her far post header following a free-kick flashing narrowly wide of the far post ten minutes before halftime.
    The second spell saw the visitors, who are winless and bottom of Group C, attempting to push further forward.
    And Koge’s Kyra Carusa made a nuisance of herself in the opening minutes attempting to cut a pass inside the penalty box before Kim Little hoofed the ball out of danger.
    A triple Arsenal substitution saw Frida Maanum, Steph Catley and Vivianne Miedema enter the fray in the 60th minute in place of Beattie, Parris and McCabe.
    Vivianne Miedema netted Arsenal’s third and final goal of the eveningCredit: PA
    Miedema had a couple of solid chances to net including a 67th-minute shot that was blocked before Maddie Pokorny forced a close-range stop from Lydia Williams near the 80th minute.
    However, the Gunners put the game out of sight with Wubben-Moy’s late header and Miedema’s delightful dink over the keeper in the 85th minute.
    The 3-0 win sees Arsenal remain second in their group with Koge on the verge of a Champions League exit.
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    HB Koge 1 Arsenal 5: Gunners crush Danish champions before WSL derby duel with Tottenham

    NIKITA PARRIS bounced back from a penalty miss to help Arsenal trounce HB Koge in the Champions League.The forward’s clinical finish and a Jordan Nobbs effort were among a second-half flurry with the Gunners thrashing the Danish giants 5-1.
    Nikita Parris scored as Arsenal thrashed HB Koge in the Champions LeagueCredit: AP
    Jordan Nobbs scored Arsenal’s fifth goal in the 5-1 routCredit: EPA
    On her goal, Nobbs said: “I’ve been waiting for that one. When you play midfield, you want to score goals, and it means a lot to get on the scoresheet
    “But I think the main thing is to just keep trying to perform well and help the team win whenever possible.”
    The WSL league leaders went on the attack swiftly in the game’s opening stages with Parris forcing a save from Kaylan Marckese within the opening ten minutes.
    Arsenal seemed certain to go one up in the first quarter after the Meadow Park ace was felled in the box by Cecilie Floe Nielsen.
    But the striker saw her spot-kick saved by USA stopper Marckese in the 16th minute.
    However, Eidevall’s side eventually got off the mark with Parris winning a free-kick.

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    And Steph Catley curving the ball into the top right corner near the half-hour mark. 
    The second half saw Koge, who won Denmark’s top-flight title last term, attempt to battle their way back into the game. 
    And the hosts had a couple of decent chances to net early in the second spell.
    These included an attempted chip from Maddie Pokorny with the ball sailing over Manuela Zinsberger’s crossbar in the 55th minute.
    Pokorny attempted to engineer another forward drive down the right flank.
    However, Arsenal countered with a move that led to Parris finding space to execute a spin before smashing in the visitors’ second with half an hour of normal time remaining.
    Arsenal have moved to second spot in their Champions League group behind BarcelonaCredit: Getty
    Caitlin Foord notched up their third after latching on to a rebound after Nobbs’ strike hit the crossbar.
    A momentary lapse saw Steph Catley lose the ball with Pokorny taking advantage to pull one back for Koge around the 70th minute.
    But late goals from Anna Patten and Nobbs saw the Gunners seal a win with the team sitting second in their group ahead of their WSL clash with Tottenham.
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    Servette 0 Chelsea 7: Kerr and Kirby net braces as Mjelde returns with Blues crushing Swiss outfit

    CHELSEA made mincemeat of Servette in a devastating Champions League group stage display.  The Blues shredded their opponents’ back line with four goals in 20 minutes with Sam Kerr and Fran Kirby nabbing braces in a 7-0 demolition.  
    Chelsea moved to the top of their Champions League group after trouncing Servette 7-0Credit: EPA
    And fans saw Maren Mjelde return to competitive action for the first time since sustaining a serious knee injury in the Blues’ Conti Cup final triumph in March.
    After the game, Player of the Match winner Kerr said: “It was special seeing Maren on the pitch.
    “It’s not easy to be injured, everyone knows how hard it is, but we’re all happy for ourselves but more pleased for her.
    “It’s been a long journey and you can see it on her face after the game. It meant a lot to her to be out there.”
    Blues boss Emma Hayes added: “I’ve always thought that Maren is one of the most underrated players in the world. And I think you can see that in 20 minutes she played.
    “She’s a quiet leader who has been the mother hen of this group for a lot of years.”
    Before their away encounter at the Stade de Geneve, Hayes spoke of her desire for the WSL champs to be a ‘bit more relentless’ when putting games out of sight.

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    And within half an hour her team brushed their part-time Swiss opponents aside with a goalscoring masterclass in front of a crowd of 12,782.
    Melanie Leupolz opened the scoring in the eighth minute with Millie Bright setting up the Germany ace to slot in the Blues first past keeper Ines Pereira.
    And it took just seven more minutes for Servette’s defences to be carved open again with Kirby netting following a through ball from Kerr.
    The Australia captain got on the score sheet herself just two minutes later.
    Her first came via Guro Reiten’s lofted cross to Leupolz who knocked it down in the box for Kerr to net.
    The floodgates opened again moments later with Kerr notching her brace after receiving a diagonal Kirby cross.
    The Blues playmaker bagged her own brace after Jessie Fleming darted into the box to tee-up her team-mate who was left unmarked close to the half-hour mark.
    Melanie Leupolz opened the scoring for the visitors inside the first 15 minutesCredit: Rex
    Kirby would later return the favour with Fleming finding space in the penalty area to wallop in Chelsea’s sixth close to half-time.
    The second spell saw Hayes shuffle her deck with five substitutions with Sunday’s crunch clash with Manchester City in mind.
    The changes included Mjelde for Jess Carter in the 66th minute.
    But there was no let-up in attack from the visitors with Guro Reiten burying their seventh goal in the second half’s early stages before being replaced by Georgia Fox around the 55th minute.
    Servette made a rare foray forward in the 72nd minute with Jade Boho evading her marker to cross into the box, but there was no one there to take advantage.
    Fran Kirby was on target twice for ChelseaCredit: Rex
    But the Blues held their opponents at bay to wrap up the 7-0 victory and move top of Group A.
    Hayes added: “They worked their socks off in the first hour. I said to my assistants who were in the gantry you have no idea how quick that (performance) was.
    “With the movement, the finishes, the execution of every action, it could have been 7-0 at half-time, so credit to the players.
    “They really decided they wanted to go up a level.”
    Maren Mjelde made her return to competitive action for ChelseaCredit: Getty
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