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    Harry Maguire not thinking of Mykonos nightmare as he jets abroad for first time since with Man Utd to face Basaksehir

    HARRY MAGUIRE flew out for his first overseas trip since his mid-summer brush with the law, insisting that unfortunate incident would not play on his mind.
    The Manchester United skipper was initially found guilty of aggravated assault and attempted bribery of a police officer following a nightclub bust-up in August, while he was on holiday in Mykonos.

    Harry Maguire has headed abroad for Man Utd’s Champions League game with Istanbul BasaksehirCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    It marks the first time Maguire has left the country since his nightmare holiday in MykonosCredit: INTIME NEWS

    He was handed a 21 months suspended prison sentence, although his conviction was later “nullified” by the Greek courts, meaning he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty as he awaits a date for a full retrial.
    But it cost Maguire a place in the England team that played Iceland away at the beginning of September.
    And after missing the opening Champions League match against Paris St Germain through injury, he had not left the UK since that ill-fated holiday before flying to Istanbul for tonight’s clash with Basaksehir.

    Mykonos is one of the Greek islands closest to Turkey. So Maguire could have been forgiven for letting his thoughts wander back to those unsavoury events

    But he insisted: “My mind is fully focused on football. I had a difficult period in the summer but now I am fully focused.
    “I come into training each day, work as hard as I can and focus on each game as it comes. I can only say that I’m still fully focused in improving and taking this club forward.”
    Maguire was savagely trolled on social media over the incident, but said that had not affected him either.
    The £85million defender replied: “Don’t go on it. Don’t read it.”

    Victory tonight would be United’s third Champions League win in a row after their impressive 2-0 win in Paris was followed by a 5-0 demolition job on a highly-rated Leipzig outfit at Old Trafford.
    Another three points would virtually secure a place in the last 16.
    But United’s Premier League form has been so erratic that another win is far from certain, even though Basaksehir have struggled to find the form that made them Turkish champions last season, and lost 2-0 to both Leipzig and PSG.
    There is also the fact that United have lost on their last two visits to Turkey, and Maguire admitted the search for consistency is their biggest concern.
    He added:  “The reason for the inconsistency is not something we can put our finger on. We don’t look at Champions League and Premier League matches differently.

    “We just go into every game trying to win. That’s our motive, but obviously our Premier League results haven’t been what we wanted overall, but we give those the same amount of preparation.
    “The main thing is working hard, coming into training each day, trying to improve, because obviously we want to be consistent.
    “At the start of last season we were also a bit inconsistent in our performances and the results showed that. And then we found some consistency after the lockdown period and we managed to achieve Champions League football.
    “We have to find it within ourselves and within the group again. And  it’s got to come from working hard and training hard and be willing to listen and improve.
    “But now we are focused on tonight’s game, and hopefully we can put in the sort of performance that we have shown we are capable of so far in this competition.”

    Maguire’s own up and down form has been a sort of mirror image of his club’s struggles, although he feels they have turned a corner defensively.
    He said: “As the captain I focus more on the team than individually, and we started the season defensively not in the best shape. 
    “Against Crystal Palace we were too open and Tottenham we let ourselves go, especially when we went down to ten men. But we can’t concede six in any game. It isn’t good enough. 
    “We have worked hard on that since we came back from the international break. And since then I feel like defensively, we have been really good.
    “We haven’t conceded many chances at all. I think Arsenal only had a couple. Recently we’ve conceded two own goals and a soft penalty really.
    “Defensively, we feel like we’re on the right track. But we also need to get it right with our attacking shape, and the balance of defending and attacking.”

    Tearful Harry Maguire’s kidnap fears as Greek cops ‘cuffed him and hit leg with baton’ More

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    Timo Werner says fixture pile-up will help Chelsea WIN the Champions League after summer spending spree

    TIMO WERNER says Chelsea can win the Champions League this season because of Europe’s fixture pile-up.
    Covid-19 is forcing the biggest teams to squeeze in matches — but the Blues  have a large squad thanks to a £220million spending spree.

    Timo Werner is confident in Chelsea’s chances in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    And as striker Werner prepared to face Rennes on Wednesday, he said: “Every team playing  in Europe plays every three days.
    “It’s difficult. But we have a big squad of good players.
    “I think with this, we have to have the goal to go very far in this competition.”

    German Werner was one of six major new signings for Chelsea and has five goals already.

    He added: “We’re not here to say, ‘We will get in the next round and we’ll see’ — we are here to win the Champions League in the next few years.
    “And this year is a good chance because everybody in the competition has a lot of games.
    “Every team has to think about how they can manage it, who they can play and how many games they can play consecutively.
    “I came here to win titles. We are in a good way and we have a good chance to come very far in this competition.”

    Winger Christian Pulisic is ruled out with a minor hamstring injury but in-form Chelsea are unbeaten in the Champions League so far and aim to build on last week’s 4-0 rout of Krasnodar.
    Werner, who was in the RB Leipzig side who dumped out Tottenham last season, said: “Some days I’m tired because of the many games I have played, but I did it as well last year so these days it is normal.
    “But it is a lot of fun to play every game.”

    Timo Werner says picking Chelsea over Liverpool was right decision and Frank Lampard talks were key More

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    Real Madrid 3 Inter 2: Sergio Ramos gets 100TH Los Blancos goal as Rodrygo’s strike secures massive win

    SERGIO RAMOS scored his 100th Real Madrid goal before Rodrygo secured a massive Champions League win over Inter Milan.
    The Los Blancos skipper, 34, headed in at the club’s Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano training stadium to bring up the ton.

    Sergio Ramos scored his 100th Real Madrid goal against Inter MilanCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS

    The Los Blancos captain rose highest at the near post to head homeCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS

    Rodrygo came off the bench to fire home and secure a critical victory for Zinedine Zidane’s sideCredit: AFP or licensors

    The 33rd-minute goal made it 2-0 to the hosts after Karim Benzema’s opener in a must-win tie – but the Italians fought back through Lautaro Martinez and Ivan Perisic to level the game.
    Substitute Rodrygo, however, smashed home in emphatic style to net the winner ten minutes from time.
    Ramos, who signed from Sevilla in 2005, has racked up more than 650 appearances for the Bernabeu club.
    And the defender found the net for the ninth time in his last 19 Real Madrid games – including in El Clasico – to double their advantage against the Serie A giants.

    The Spaniard lost his marker Stefan de Vrij from Toni Kroos’ inswinging corner.
    He rose at the near post and guided the ball inside the far one as Samir Handanovic watched on helplessly.
    Ramos took on the penalty-taking responsibilities when Cristiano Ronaldo signed for Juventus but even so, 100 goals for a centre-back is mightily impressive – and may convince his club to hand him a new deal.
    Add his two from Sevilla B, three for Sevilla and 23 in 175 Spain caps and it takes his career tally to 128.

    The Ramos header looked to have put his side in total command against Antonio Conte’s men in their attempt to get their nightmare European campaign on track.
    After defeats to Shakhtar Donetsk and scraping a draw against Borussia Monchengladbach, Zinedine Zidane saw his side go in front for the first time in this season’s competition.
    And it came in fortuitous circumstances as Inter right wing-back Achraf Hakimi – sold by Real Madrid in the summer – forgot who he was playing for as he played a back pass straight to Benzema.
    The Frenchman rounded Handanovic and stuck into an empty net for his 67th Champions League goal.
    However, Inter fought back.

    Karim Benzema pounced on Achraf Hakimi’s poor back pass to round the goalkeeper and slot homeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Ramos celebrated in classic fashion as he made it 2-0 on the nightCredit: Rex Features

    Lautaro Martinez brought Inter back into the game after Nicolo Barella’s gorgeous flickCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Just two minutes after Ramos’ header, a brilliant team goal was rounded off by a sumptuous Nicolo Barella flick and Martinez’s finish.
    And midway through the second half, the Italians drew level.
    Martinez turned provider this time, nodding Arturo Vidal’s ball forward to Perisic who tucked it back across Thibaut Courtois for 2-2.
    But Brazilian wingers Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo combined before the latter fired into the back of the net to claim all three points – although Benzema will be wondering how on earth he failed to make it four in the closing minutes after fluffing his lines at the back stick.
    There was still time for Alexis Sanchez – remember him – to come off the bench and waste his Inter’s last chance to rescue a point with a tame free-kick into the wall from a dangerous position as Real held on.
    The result suddenly puts Real Madrid just a point off Group B leaders Monchengladbach, who thumped Shakhtar 6-0.

    Ivan Perisic bundled in an equaliser midway through the second halfCredit: AFP or licensors

    Perisic and Arturo Vidal celebrated quickly before going on the hunt for a winnerCredit: AP:Associated Press

    Rodrygo slammed the fifth goal of the game into the roof of the net to get a first Champions League win of the campaignCredit: AFP or licensors

    Watch Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema’s disallowed cheeky penalty routine More

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    Man City 3 Olympiacos 0: Ferran Torres scores again as Gabriel Jesus marks return from injury with stunning strike

    WHAT A BUY Ferran Torres is proving to be.
    At £21million he has to be the steal of the season.

    Ferran Torres struck early on as Manchester City beat Olympiacos 3-0Credit: Getty Images – Getty

    Gabriel Jesus marked his return from injury with a goal off the benchCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

    OK he only had a year left of his contract at Valencia but their bookkeepers must still be questioning who did the deal.
    With his goal past Olympiacos he became the third youngest player, at 20 years and 248 days, to score in four consecutive Champions League games – one for Valencia and now three from three for Manchester City.
    Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are the two above him.
    The winger has been turned into a striker due to injuries to Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus and how he enjoys it.

    His goal in the 12th minute was just classic City, at their very best as the ball was pinged around with one touches before the perfect execution.
    Ilkay Gundogan found Riyad Mahrez his pass deflected off Andreas Bouchalakis to Torres, who exchanged passes with De Bruyne before drilling the ball into the bottom corner.
    Pep Guardiola’s applause and gleeful smile on the sidelines showed he very much approved.
    However Torres will soon be back on the wing with Jesus back after six weeks out with a reminder from the bench last night of his ability in front of goal.

    Having dominated the first half City were wobbling a bit in the second when he was brought on in the 68th minute.
    In the 81st he struck. Fed by Kevin De Bruyne, he rifled a shot into the near top corner.
    Back with a bang.
    The third came from the boot of another sub Joao Cancelo curled into the far bottom corner from the edge of the area.
    So with Porto beating Marseille it means that City only need a point in the return fixture against the Greek champions later this month to be through with a couple of games to go.
    Of course the problem was never going to be Olympiacos. In fact the problem was never going to be Group C.
    Three wins from three over Porto, Marseille and now Olympiacos has proven that already.
    This will be the eighth consecutive season they have progressed from their group.

    Joao Cancelo scored his first goal of the season late onCredit: Reuters

    Pep Guardiola can focus on Liverpool with the job done on Tuesday nightCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    The problem comes afterwards, when the knockouts kick in.
    Since Manchester City have joined the Champions League party on the back of the Abu Dhabi investment the best they have done is one semi-final.
    The rest is; three quarters, three last-16s and their first two goes saw them fail to get out their group.
    An investment of £2billion plus is supposed to achieve more than this. Pep was supposed to be the answer.
    Because the money that has been invested by Sheikh Mansour was not just to dominate English football.
    He wants City to make an imprint on the world and defeat in the last-eight to Lyon like last season doesn’t do that.
    Out they went again, short of that light at the end of the tunnel. This despite undoubtedly having had a team to win it.
    So will anything be different this season? Or is the fuel in the City project is starting to run a bit dry.

    The team under Pep has played some of the best football this country has seen. But last season they finished a distant 18 points behind Champions Liverpool.
    This season they have already dropped seven points in their first six games with Jurgen Klopp’s champions next up at The Etihad on Sunday.
    Lose that and City will be eight points behind the current leaders from Anfield, albeit with one game in hand.
    Still, it’s early days and they can’t be faulted in this Champions League Group.
    They had some scares last night not least when Foden’s loose touch in the 54th minute afforded Mathieu Valbuena a shot that he screwed wide.
    There was also excitement amongst the Greek staff spaced out in the main stand when Youssef El-Arabi controlled a high ball but shot straight at Ederson.

    Gabriel Jesus, who returned after six weeks out, helped make it three from three for City in the group stageCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    The hosts’ attack stayed in second gear for most of Tuesday’s meetingCredit: Reuters

    The slight wobble saw Guardiola make changes and they worked.
    The scoreline made it look a bit more comfortable than it was but once more there were signs of the real City. The one that on their day can beat anyone.
    They will need to be on their day every day the knockout stages start or that European Cup will slip away again.
    It is no use beating Real Madrid as they did in the last-16 if you are then going to come up short against Lyon.
    Pep knows how to win this having done so twice with Barcelona. City’s owners will watch and wait?

    Dietmar Hamann fears Pep Guardiola has peaked at Manchester City and can’t see them winning the Prem More

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    Atalanta 0 Liverpool 5: Jota stakes claim for regular starting spot as Klopp’s Reds run riot in Italy

    JURGEN KLOPP spent £45million on Diogo Jota for one very obvious reason.
    But although the Liverpool boss was determined to kick his front three a kick up the backside, at no stage would he have expected the signing from Wolves to make an unbelievable start like this.

    Diogo Jota scored a hat-trick as Liverpool thrashed Atalanta 5-0Credit: AFP or licensors

    The new summer signing started ahead of Roberto Firmino and made the most of his opportunityCredit: AFP or licensors

    Liverpool dished out one of their most brutal European beatings in the Italian city of Bergamo.
    After the 7-2 beating at Aston Villa and their rotten injury luck, no-one would have expected this type of thrashing away to last season’s Champions League quarter-finalists.
    And Jota, with seven goals in his first 10 matches, has already proved he has not swapped the Black Country for Merseyside to be an expensive substitute.
    The champions paid the same amount for Jota as West Ham shelled out for Seb Haller last year. It is pretty obvious which team has done the best piece of business.

    Jota scored a hat-trick in the space of 38 minutes and also against a very good team. For Liverpool, this is their best ever Champions League start under Klopp and they are already on the verge of qualifying.
    Yet while Jota has made a stunning impact, his arrival seems to have revitalised Mo Salah who looks like the player of a couple of years ago. He has now scored nine times for Liverpool, his best ever start to a season.
    Refusing to be outdone, Mane also scored and helped create Jota’s third and the only person who probably would not have enjoyed this was Bobby Firmino.
    He started on the bench – and the Brazilian will have to get used to it. The only worry was the sight of Jota limping off the pitch in the 65th minute but providing he is okay, he will surely start away to Manchester City on Sunday.

    Sadio Mane was on the score sheet in Italy as wellCredit: Reuters

    Mo Salah made sure he didn’t miss out on the action eitherCredit: AP:Associated Press

    But after all the trials of tribulations of the first few weeks for Klopp, including a long-term injury to Virgil van Dijk, this will have been both welcome and massively unexpected.
    Liverpool have often struggled in their group games under Klopp and have certainly never won their first three.
    Two years ago, they beat Spurs 2-0 in the final  Liverpool lost all three away games in the group.
    But best of all for Klopp, the class and confidence of Jota was not the only plus.
    Teenager Curtis Jones was excellent in midfield and there was a fine performance at the back for fellow 19-year-old, Rhys Williams, who looked settled alongside Joe Gomez against a normally fearsome strikeforce.
    Incredibly, this fresh-faced combo of Gomez and Williams was the 36th different central defensive pairing that has started a match under Klopp.

    Jota needed just 16 minutes to open the scoringCredit: Reuters

    Jota’s second goal was a terrific finish after some nifty footworkCredit: AFP or licensors
    Last season, Atalanta fired 98 goals, finished third and reached the Champions League quarter-final but Liverpool’s inexperienced defence soaked up the pressure, fed the ball to their attackers and watched them cause all sorts of damage.
    Jota could have scored after just 85 seconds but although he created the chance out of nothing, keeper Marco Sportiello made the block.
    Yet the wave of attacks continued and it was neither a surprise that Liverpool finally scored or that Jota was the scorer.
    It was a clever, patient build-up before Jota timed his run impressively to meet a brilliant long pass from Trent Alexander-Arnoldand and the forward kept on his feet.
    Certain team-mates would probably have tumbled to the ground looking for a penalty as there was contact from defender Jose Palomino but Jota showed real strength but also quality by delivering an exquisite finish over the keeper.

    Mo Salah put Liverpool in total control straight after the breakCredit: AFP or licensors

    Sadio Mane followed up with another goal moments laterCredit: Reuters
    Jota showed some brilliant control to kill a long pass from Gomez with his left foot and then used his right boot to hammer the ball through the legs of Hans Hateboaer and beyond Sportiello
    Although they should have scored in the second minute of the first half, Liverpool made it 3-0 90 minutes into the second period
    Worst of all for Atalanta, they lost possession from their own corner and while Jones calmly played the ball out of defence to Salah, there was still so much work for the Egyptian to do.
    He took the ball on the halfway line and showed speed and composure to get into the home area before bending the ball into the top corner with his left foot. 
    And it just cost worse for the stunned-looking Italian team. Salah fed Mane and he lifted the ball over Sportiello.

    Jota made it a night to remember as he fired in his third goalCredit: Reuters

    Liverpool will be feeling confident ahead of their weekend league clash against Man CityCredit: Reuters
    Jota was in the mood to clinch the matchball but would not have expected to secure it so early, in the 54th minute.
    Mane crafted a clever pass with the outside of his boot and Jota rounded the keeper before stroking the ball to ensure he would be the star of the show.
    Duvan Zapata hit the woodwork for Atalanta an in the 65th minute but this was one hell of a beating for the third best team in Italy last term.
    Firmino replaced Jota but Liverpool kept on attacking and Salah could have scored more goals. You can bet that Atalanta will not be looking forward to coming to England in three weeks.
    And if they defend like this again – and Jota keeps smashing goals in like this – it could be 8-0.

    Fabinho injury leaves Liverpool in defensive crisis as Brazilian limps off against Midtjylland with Van Dijk out too More

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    How Man Utd could line up vs Istanbul Basaksehir with Rashford rested and Cavani in contention to start

    EDINSON CAVANI could be handed his first Manchester United start when the club face Istanbul Basaksehir on Wednesday.
    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to make a number of changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday.

    This is how Manchester United could start against Istanbul Basaksehir

    Though the Norwegian could persist with his narrow diamond formation he used against the Gunners and RB Leipzig in last week’s 5-0 win.
    Having won their opening two Group H Champions League matches, Solskjaer could opt to rest a number of key players ahead of Saturday’s trip to Everton.
    With that in mind, David De Gea could be replaced between the sticks by Dean Henderson – who is yet to feature in Europe this season.
    Aaron Wan-Bisska will likely retain his place at right-back, with Luke Shaw to start at left-back as Alex Telles continues to recover from COVID-19.

    Solskjaer is likely to reshuffle his defence, with club captain Harry Maguire to potentially keep his place in the line-up.
    And he could partner Axel Tuanzebe, with the defender yet to start since his emphatic performance away at Paris Saint-Germain.
    Nemanja Matic could be recalled to the starting XI as United’s defensive midfielder.
    Fred and Paul Pogba could then play together in the middle of the pitch, with Scott McTominay dropped to the bench.

    Dutch international Donny van de Beek could replace Bruno Fernandes as the No10, with Jesse Lingard unavailable.
    Cavani could then partner Anthony Martial up top, with Rashford and Greenwood rested for the clash at Goodison Park.
    Daniel James and Juan Mata are two other options for Solskjaer, though it is unlikely the duo will start.

    This is another version of how the Red Devils could start in Turkey on Wednesday

    Man Utd legend Roy Keane slams Edinson Cavani’s work ethic and questions whether he even warmed up vs Arsenal More

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    Real Madrid vs Inter Milan: Live stream FREE, TV channel, team news and kick-off time for Champions League game TONIGHT

    REAL MADRID welcome Italian giants Inter Milan for a crucial Champions League game in the Spanish capital.
    Zinedine Zidane’s LaLiga champions are currently bottom of Group B after losing at home to Shakhtar Donetsk and only scraping a point in the last minute away to Borussia Monchengladbach.

    Real Madrid sit bottom of their Champions League group and are in desperate need of a winCredit: EPA

    And Inter are third after also earning a last minute draw against the German side before a goalless draw away to Shakhtar in Ukraine.
    What time does Real Madrid vs Inter kick off?
    The match kicks off at 8pm GMT – 9pm in Spain and Italy.
    What TV channel is Real Madrid vs Inter on and can I live stream it?
    Real Madrid vs Inter is live on BT Sport ESPN.
    Coverage commences after the conclusion of Shakhtar Donetsk vs Borussia Monchengladbach.
    To stream the game live, head to the BT Sport website or app.

    How do I watch Real Madrid vs Inter for free?
    Team news
    Nacho, Martin Odegaaard and Dani Carvajal are all out injured for Real Madrid while Eder Militao misses out with coronavirus.
    Ferland Mendy is likely to start at right-back after Lucas Vazquez picked up a muscular injury.
    However Inter may have bigger problems as key man Romelu Lukaku looks almost certain to miss out with a muscular strain.

    Latest odds
    Real Madrid 10/11
    Draw 14/5
    Inter 11/4 More

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    Solskjaer and Maguire hit back at Keane’s claims Man Utd have no ‘leaders’ as they fly out for Istanbul Basaksehir clash

    HARRY MAGUIRE has rubbished Roy Keane’s taunt that Manchester United lack leaders. 
    Former United captain Keane said that was one of their biggest problems, after watching his former team slump to a dismal 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal. 

    Harry Maguire has hit back at Roy Keane following Man Utd’s 1-0 defeat to ArsenalCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke

    Keane claims United lack leaders in their squadCredit: PA:Press Association

    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reckons Keane is wrong about the character of United’s playersCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke

    The Red Devils are looking to bounce back with another Champions League victoryCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    United jetted out to Turkey today for their game against Istanbul BasaksehirCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    That was their third Premier League defeat at Old Trafford this season.
    But as United travelled to take on Istanbul Basaksehir, looking to complete a hat-trick of Champions League victories, current captain Maguire hit out at his predecessor. 
    He said: “I can say for sure there’s a lot of leaders in this squad. 

    “I’m the captain, I have a lot of leadership around me with staff and players. So no, there’s a lot of leaders in the squad.

    “I haven’t even  seen his comments. We don’t look what’s happening, especially after a negative result.
    “We don’t bring the negativity into the place. We stay positive.”
    United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also dismissed his former team-mate’s comments  .
    And he backed his players to bounce back from their awful display against Arsenal by virtually guaranteeing a place in the Champions League knockout stage.

    United have already beaten PSG and RB Leipzig in their first two group gamesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Mason Greenwood took a snap as the players boarded their planeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Paul Pogba will be hoping for another start after returning to the XI against ArsenalCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Edinson Cavani could be in line for his full debutCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Odion Ighalo travelled despite failing to make the bench against ArsenalCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Solskjaer said: “Roy has always been outspoken and I’m very glad I have the players we’ve got here.
    “We’ve got different jobs and Roy’s job is to give his opinion and I always listen to Roy. 
    “But we always move on here with a great group of players, a strong group of players, and I’m sure we’ll see a response.”

    United held a training session at Carrington before their flightCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Marcus Rashford looks set to lead the line again on WednesdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Juan Mata could be set for a start after being heavily involved in trainingCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Cavani is looking to get off the mark for his new clubCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    David De Gea looks set to continue in goal ahead of Dean HendersonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Man Utd legend Roy Keane slams Edinson Cavani’s work ethic and questions whether he even warmed up vs Arsenal More