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      Despite looming shadow of Pochettino, Solskjaer’s tactics and subs are spot on and he’s doing a good job at Man Utd

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER must grow tired of reading about all the great coaches lining up to take his job.
      The latest rocked up to Old Trafford on Wednesday night in another eye-catching outfit from his much admired wardrobe.

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has enjoyed a fine spell after being linked with the sackCredit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail

      Solskjaer welcomed Julian Nagelsmann’s RB Leipzig to Old Trafford on WednesdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Julian Nagelsmann, the 33-year-old coach of RB Leipzig who has guided them to the top of the Bundesliga on the back of last season’s run to the Champions League semi-finals.
      Every footballing hipsters dream.
      And Solskjaer promptly sent him home with the biggest spanking he has received in his coaching career – 5-0.

      Of course the spectre of Mauricio Pochettino never goes away while he remains out of a job.

      Which is some time now given that it is three weeks short of a year since he was sacked by Tottenham.
      He’ll be morphing into Alan Curbishley soon.
      Gareth Southgate even gets a mention every time England turn in a good performance and Manchester United lose.
      Meanwhile Solskjaer gets on with his job and yes, right now he is doing a very good one and the wish inside Old Trafford must be that he is just allowed to get on with it.

      If you judge him on the 6-1 Spurs game many United fans would have him out.
      Not good enough, not enough experience, daft sentimental choice.
      So what do we say this morning after backing up that incredible performance in beating Paris Saint Germain by demolishing Leipzig.
      Why not look back over a year’s work rather than judge his managerial credentials from game to game?
      Last season a third-placed league finish and three semi-finals was some achievement.

      Marcus Rashford’s hat-trick delivered a 5-0 win over the GermansCredit: EPA
      Now he is building on that.
      The start was dodgy this season and there are mitigating factors; with a break of just 34 days and only one week’s preparation with the full squad.
      Now they are back up and running.
      Solskjaer said: “We’ve not been fit before the international break, that’s just an obvious fact, now we’re covering the pitch, we’re running and we’ve got players who are fitter, stronger and sharper.
      “For me, that consistency has been there since February, it has been getting better and better.
      “Yeah the first league game was very disappointing, and the circumstances of the Tottenham defeat but we’re getting better.
      “We’re playing against good teams you know, we were slaughtered after Chelsea but I thought our performance was solid and good then as well.”
      Yes that 0-0 draw saw another solid defensive performance.

      In fact in the last four games they have not conceded to an opposition player with unfortunate own goals from Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial the only ones against them.
      Solskjaer has been plotting his way through these recent games by changing personnel and formations as he utilises his squad and keeps them fresh.
      For a manager who some would claim is tactically naïve he has got it right on two massive occasions in Europe with the 3-4-1-2 in Paris and the diamond midfield against Leipzig.
      Solskjaer said: “The squad is good and of course it gives us options now. We have the possibility to play a 4-3-3, a diamond, 4-2-3-1, 3-4-1-2, but it’s execution and it’s the principles and work-rate that’s key here.”
      The team selection too has been spot on.
      He has held Donny van de Beek back but gave him his first start on Wednesday at the tip of the diamond and it worked.

      NEXT MAN UTD MANAGER ODDS

      Mauricio Pochettino – 2/3
      Massimiliano Allegri – 11/2
      Julian Nagelsmann – 25/1
      Thomas Tuchel – 25/1
      Laurent Blanc – 33/1
      Chris Wilder – 33/1
      Gareth Southgate – 33/1
      Source: Oddschecker

      As did playing Paul Pogba and Fred on the two outward points of that diamond.
      Pogba’s ball for Mason Greenwood’s opener was superb. Yes he has had stick in these pages but credit where it is due for his performance against Leipzig.
      He gets his changes right too.
      Having worn down the hardworking Leipzig, on he sends Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford to finish them off with Rashford grabbing a hat-trick.

      So next up it’s Arsenal on Sunday with Mikel Arteta.
      He’s the pupil of Pep, you know, so he has to be one of the best in the land. Surely, the man who is going to take Arsenal forward.
      Meanwhile the former manager of Molde gets on with the job.
      And he’s doing a good job.

      Solskjaer delighted with Man Utd’s 5-0 Champions League win over RB Leipzig More

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      Marcus Rashford reveals Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s advice at half-time inspired his stunning sub hat-trick

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      MARCUS Rashford has revealed the words of advice he received from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer which inspired him to his stunning second-half hat-trick against RB Leipzig.
      The striker is the man of the moment after impacting both on and off the pitch of late.

      Solskjaer and Rashford embraced at the final whistle after an enjoyable evening for both Credit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail

      Along with his charitable heroics, he scored the winner in Manchester United’s first Champions League game against PSG.
      He may have been disappointed to be left on the bench for last night’s game.
      But Solskjaer’s well-timed substitution – and crucial words – helped get Rashford firing as he set a new Champions League record for the quickest hat-trick.
      The 22-year-old told BT Sport: “The manager told us when we came on to try and up the tempo.

      “We got Bruno [Fernandes] and Paul [Pogba] on the ball, Anto [Anthony Marital] running forward and we looked dangerous throughout and felt that we could score every time we went forward.
      “It was a real team performance. The ones who started did well and the substitutes did well too.
      “We can’t ask for much more than that in terms of the attitude and the intent to go and kill the game off. It worked in our favour.”
      He added on his impressive team-mate Mason Greenwood: “It’s not surprising. He’s a top player.

      “He needs to keep his head down and keep working hard. He will be an unbelievable player for us.”

      Rashford’s hat-trick followed a late winner against Paris Saint-Germain last weekCredit: EPA

      It was Greenwood who got the ball rolling after he was played in by Paul Pogba and slotted a wonderful shot into the bottom corner.
      The game appeared on a knife edge before Rashford came on and replaced the 19-year-old, but he soon settled it.
      He raced through from his own half to slip the ball past the keeper after a quality pass by Bruno Fernandes.

      The ace then struck his second after leaving Liverpool target Dayot Upamecano for dead and knocking it into the back of the net.
      Rashford completed his hat-trick in stoppage time – and even passed up the opportunity to do it earlier as he gave a penalty to his strike partner Anthony Martial.
      It helped to banish memories of the club’s 6-1 defeat earlier this month to Tottenham, and sets United up well for their next visitors from North London on Sunday.

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ‘delighted’ for Timothy Fosu-Mensah after Dutchman makes first Man United appearance in 16 months while Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial shine once again in Palace win More

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      Man Utd hero Marcus Rashford overtakes Mbappe to break Champions League record after sub hat-trick against RB Leipzig

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      MANCHESTER United hero Marcus Rashford has overtaken PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe to break a Champions League record after last night’s sterling display.
      The striker hit a stunning hat-trick in only 27 minutes on the pitch after coming on as a sub to help down RB Leipzig in a 5-0 rout.

      Rashford was all smiles last night as his hard work on and off the pitch came to fruition. Credit: EPA

      In the process, the 22-year-old – who has caught the public’s attention off the pitch with his efforts to defeat child food poverty – stormed past Mbappe to nick a new Champions League record.
      Rashford’s trio of strikes makes him just the fifth person in Champions League history to come off the bench and hit three goals.
      Most incredibly, his 27 minute spell was the shortest time on the pitch that anybody had managed to achieve the feat in.
      This includes the world-class talent Mbappe, who spent 38 minutes on the pitch after being subbed on as he smashed three past Club Brugge in October 2019.

      Next on the list on the list is Walter Pandiani, who was on the pitch for 44 minutes for Deportivo in 2001, and then Joseba Llorente who was playing for 45 minutes Villarreal in 2008
      Ex-Brentford and Leeds manager Uwe Rosler is now in fifth having netted three in 52 minutes after coming off the bench for Kaiserslautern in 1998.
      Rashford may have even hit his treble sooner had he not gave up a penalty while on two goals so his team-mate Anthony Martial could end his nine-game goal drought.
      The substitute was on fire last night and Julian Nagelsmann’s Leipzig could not contain him.

      Rashford tops the quickest Champions hat-trick list, piping Kylian Mbappe to first place

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been full of praise for his star striker Credit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail
      The highly-rated Dayot Upamecano – who has been linked to the Red Devils and their injury-hit foes Liverpool – had a nightmare after Rashford came on for Mason Greenwood, who slotted home the opening goal of the evening.
      Rashford beat Upamecano for his second goal, bursting past the French defender before finding the bottom corner.
      This was only minutes after Bruno Fernandes found him with a beautiful pass which left Rashford to run half the length of the field before slotting home.
      He completed his collection in stoppage time with another well-taken goal.

      It all made for a enjoyable night for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and felt worlds away from the 6-1 defeat to Spurs less than a month ago.
      As for Rashford, the hat-trick was only one reason to celebrate last night after his petition to get kids free school meals during the half-term holiday hit one million signatures just before kick off.
      His campaign to eradicate child hunger took off during the summer when he forced the Government into a U-turn to provide disadvantaged children with food.

      Rio Ferdinand compares Marcus Rashford’s performance to an older kid bullying younger kids and “taking their dinner money” More

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      Watch Marcus Rashford give penalty to Martial even though he’s on hat-trick as Man Utd hero dubbed ‘captain material’

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      MARCUS RASHFORD hit a stunning second-half hat-trick as Manchester United hammered RB Leipzig 5-0.
      But the much-loved superstar was prepared to risk not claiming the match ball as he selflessly handed Anthony Martial the responsibility of taking a penalty in the dying seconds before eventually claiming his third.

      Marcus Rashford came off the bench to bag a hat-trick against RB LeipzigCredit: EPA

      The hotshot risked missing out on a hat-trick by giving away the spot-kick to Anthony MartialCredit: BT Sport

      “Messi and Ronaldo ain’t giving a pen away!”Or…”That’s why he’ll be the captain, he thinks of others.”Two schools of thought on Marcus Rashford allowing Anthony Martial to take a pen despite being on a hat-trick 😂 pic.twitter.com/ESQQb3MU64
      — Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 28, 2020

      The striker came on with 27 minutes to play and struck in the 74th and 78th minute before eventually sealing his 18-minute treble in injury time.
      Rashford, 22, had just moments earlier picked up the ball when United were awarded a spot-kick, but he gave it to his team-mate, who rifled home from the spot to get off the mark for the campaign.
      He said: “I think the manager told me when I came on to up the tempo and of course for us it means going forward and there was definitely space there.

      “We looked like we could score every time we went forward. It was a real team performance and those who started the game did well and those who came on did well.

      “We can’t ask for much more than that in terms of attitude and intensity and intent to go and kill a game off.”
      Rashford did well to ignore the linesman’s flag in running on to Bruno Fernandes through ball for his opener and VAR proved his run had started in his own half.
      Rashford said: “I thought to be fair I was in my own half so I was a bit confused when the flag went up but all you can do is wait and see and after the ball is in the net and that is it.
      “We have to work with VAR. it’s part of the game now and the quicker we get used to it the better.”  

      Rashford was almost denied the hat-trick when his kind gesture to Martial paid off for his French pal.
      Asked if there had been a chat between the two, Rashford said: “A little bit yeah but I feel confident with Anthony taking them as well so there was no problem.”
      That made it two wins from two in Champions League Group H.
      Rashford who is making headlines off the pitch for his work in feeding poverty hit children is doing the business on it too against sides that excelled in the Champions League last season.
      He scored the late winner last week against finalists PSG and now this against the Bundesliga leaders and a side who reached the semi-finals.
      Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “Marcus took his chances incredibly well.
      “Marcus has shown he can keep focusing on what’s important on and off the pitch.
      “He came on, did well, made an impact and that is what you want from the subs but that is only possible though because the others had laid the groundwork.” 

      Marcus Rashford nets stunning 18-minute hat-trick off the bench as Man Utd beat RB Leipzig More

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      Meet Chelsea’s next keeper Karlo Ziger who sat next to Willy Caballero on bench for Krasnodar game – and is HALF his age

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      CHELSEA fans may have noticed a new face on the bench as Krasnodar were dispatched in the Champions League – Karlo Ziger.
      The goalkeeper, 19, sat alongside Willy Caballero, 39, as the Blues won 4-0 in his first venture into a senior squad.

      Karlo Ziger is making his way through the Chelsea ranksCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The keeper (left) with his team-mates on a stroll in RussiaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Little is known about Croatia youth international Ziger’s arrival in England.
      But since making his Under-18s debut in late 2017, he has gently risen up the ranks.
      Described as a hard-working shot-stopper with top reflexes, the keeper was a regular at that level in 2018/19, featuring in Uefa Youth League penalty shootout wins over Dinamo Zagreb and Barcelona.

      Future Blaugrana star Ansu Fati was one of the only players to get the better of Ziger in that run, which ended with a defeat to Porto in the final.

      Midway through that season, he made his senior football debut in a one-game emergency loan spell at Sutton United.
      The FA Trophy clash may have finished 3-0 to Spennymoor but Ziger took home his team’s man of the match award before heading back to Chelsea.
      Last season saw the Zagreb-born player in and out of the Under-23s setup, behind Jamie Cumming, who joined Stevenage on loan in the summer to elevate Ziger yet further.
      Therefore, 2020-21 could be a make or break season for the youngster ahead of his contract expiring in June.

      Chelsea worked hard to bring Ziger over from Croatia and his signing became mired in the Football Leaks scandal surrounding the club last year.
      The leaks alleged that the Premier League club paid £120,000 to the keeper’s family to sign him from NK Zagreb at the age of 12.
      In March 2014, Croatian media reported on the transfer although Chelsea officially state that he joined over three years later.
      It is claimed Karlo’s father, Darko, was registered as a club employee and the family’s accomodation paid for until the starlet turned 16.

      Ziger has enjoyed success in the Uefa Youth League with a pair of penalty shootout triumphsCredit: Getty – Contributor

      The Croat has spent a number of years in the Blues academyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Furthermore, newspaper Nacional has claimed that the Blues paid over £800,000 for Ziger when agreeing an initial seven-year deal.
      Fifa handed Chelsea a two-window transfer ban for 150 rule breaches involving 69 academy players in February 2019.
      On appeal, the ban and fine handed out to the club were reduced and the exact players linked to the punishment have not been confirmed.
      Now looking to complete his long journey to the Stamford Bridge first-team, Ziger is one of a handful of keepers available to Frank Lampard.

      Edouard Mendy signed from Rennes for £22million in the autumn with Kepa Arrizabalaga his back-up.
      Experienced shot-stopper Willy Caballero is third choice before Ziger.
      And Lampard even handed a squad space to club legend Petr Cech, 38, as a ‘precautionary’ measure having first hired the keeper to be his technical and performance advisor.

      Seven stars who quit Chelsea and became world class including Kevin De Bruyne, Mo Salah and Tiago More

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      Watch Cristiano Ronaldo keep up fitness with run in coronavirus quarantine as Juventus star pulls off ‘Siu’ celebration

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO still got to wear his Juventus kit this week as he exercised at home during coronavirus quarantine.
      Unable to play in Wednesday night’s clash with Barcelona, the winger got in on the action with his trademark ‘Siuuu’ celebration for Instagram.

      Cristiano Ronaldo jogged on the treadmill before pulling off his ‘Siuuu’ celebrationCredit: https://www.instagram.com/cristiano/

      The forward gave his team-mates a thumbs up before they faced BarcelonaCredit: https://www.instagram.com/cristiano/

      Although Ronaldo, 35, is not said to be suffering from any coronavirus symptoms, he continues to test positive for the illness.
      Earlier in the week, he was diagnosed for a third time and hastily deleted a furious comment attacking PCR testing.
      But Ronaldo was back in good spirits as he jogged on a treadmill in his Juve kit.
      The Portuguese star leapt off to produce his trademark celebration, before turning and delivering a message to his Juve team-mates.

      He captioned the post: “Come on guys! All together! Until the end!”
      The Bianconeri suffered a 2-0 defeat to Barcelona in Turin, Alvaro Morata having three goals ruled out for offside.
      With viewers denied the chance to see Lionel Messi and Ronaldo go head-to-head, their GOAT debate spilled over on to Twitter.
      Posting a picture of their superstar in action, the LaLiga giants wrote: “We are glad you were able to see the GOAT on your pitch, Juventus!”

      You probably looked it up in the wrong dictionary. We’ll bring you the right one at Camp Nou 🔍📖
      — JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) October 28, 2020

      A cheeky kiss emoji followed with the Italian club’s social media team vowing that Ronaldo will have his day.
      They replied: “You probably looked it up in the wrong dictionary. We’ll bring you the right one at Camp Nou.”
      Indeed, Barcelona host Juventus on December 8 to round off Group G, which both sides are expected to qualify from.
      Fans will hope Ronaldo finally returns a negative test by then to face up to his longtime Ballon d’Or rival.

      Cristiano Ronaldo earns more money than FOUR Serie A teams as Juventus squad’s wages revealed More

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      Thiago Silva watches Chelsea beat Krasnodar from home in leg recovery trousers… after family bowling trip on day off

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      THIAGO SILVA watched on from home as Chelsea beat Krasnodar after enjoying an extra day off with his family.
      Frank Lampard rested the Brazilian, 36, for the 3,500-mile round-trip having only just introduced the defender to his squad.

      Thiago Silva watched Chelsea’s win while wearing a high-tech recovery deviceCredit: Instagram

      The Brazilian rested up after a family bowling tripCredit: Instagram / @bellesilva

      While Chelsea dispatched their Russian opponents, Silva sat in a hotel room back in the UK whilst wearing a leg recovery device.
      The high-tech trousers are designed to massage muscles in a variety of settings, reducing soreness and improving circulation.
      Silva captioned the picture, ‘Post training recovery’, while using the device designed by Italian company Globus.

      The trousers have become commonplace in top-level sport, across football, cricket, boxing and MMA with the likes of Anthony Joshua and Gareth Bale previously pictured in them.

      Silva impressed fans with his performance in the 0-0 draw against Manchester United on the weekend, with Chelsea now keeping three consecutive clean sheets.
      Earlier in the day, the centre-back was pictured enjoying a spot of bowling in central London with his wife and two kids.
      Isabelle Silva posted a video of their day out, including a pair of strikes from the Chelsea star’s first two attempts.
      During the game, Isabelle and the kids had a swim in the hotel pool while Silva watched from their room.

      Silva’s scoreboard showed his impressive bowling talentCredit: Instagram / @bellesilva

      The family also enjoyed a meal out on the player’s day offCredit: Instagram / @bellesilva

      Chelsea made short work of Krasnodar, aided by a goalkeeping error to go ahead via Callum Hudson-Odoi.
      Timo Werner slammed home a second from the spot after Jorginho’s earlier penalty miss.
      Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic scored late to earn a 4-0 win, Chelsea’s first victory of their Champions League campaign.
      And the Blues sit top of Group E on goal difference after Sevilla edged Rennes.

      Thiago Silva and wife Isabelle toast to Chelsea transfer in swanky hotel after landing in London from Sardinia holiday More

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      Marcus Rashford ‘can’t stop smiling’ after first Man Utd hat-trick on day free school meals petition gets 1m signatures

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      MARVELLOUS Marcus Rashford “can’t stop smiling” after his stunning second-half hat-trick led Manchester United’s 5-0 rout of RB Leipzig.
      On the day Rashford’s petition for free school meals reached 1million signatures, the striker came on in the 63rd minute to strike on 74 and 78 minutes plus two minutes into stoppage time.

      Marcus Rashford launches his treble with this cool finish, confirmed on VAR, and admitted he had ‘waited a long time’ for a hat-trickCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      Rashford said: “I think the manager told me when I came on to up the tempo and of course for us it means going forward and there were definitely spaces there.
      “We looked like we could score every time we went forward.
      “It was  a real team performance and those who started the game did well and those who came on did well.

      “We can’t ask for much more than that in terms of attitude and intensity and intent to go and kill a game off.”

      And in a tweet celebrating his first United treble, he hailed his petition success and amazing match stats before adding: “Can’t stop smiling, I’ve waited a long time for that. Just wish the fans were in to experience it with me.”
      The 22-year-old did well to ignore the linesman’s flag in running on to Bruno Fernandes through ball for his first goal – doubling Mason Greenwood’s opener – as VAR showed his run had begun before the halfway line.
      Rashford said: “I thought to be fair I was in my own half so I was a bit confused when the flag went up but all you can do is wait and see and after the ball is in the net and that is it.
      “We have to work with VAR. it’s part of the game now and the quicker we get used to it the better.” 

      Rashford was briefly denied a hat-trick when Anthony Martial asked to take an 87th minute penalty but at least the Frenchman converted it.
      Asked if there had been a chat between the two, Rashford said: “A little bit yeah but I feel confident with Anthony taking them as well so there was no problem.”
      The romp made it two wins from two in Champions League Group H.

      Sub Marcus Rashford rounded off his special day on and off the field by taking centre stage with a hat-trick to bash Bundesliga leaders RB LeipzigCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Rashford, who is making headlines off the pitch for his work in feeding poverty hit children, is doing the business on it too against sides that excelled in the Champions League last season.
      He scored the late winner last week against finalists PSG and now this against the Bundesliga leaders and a side who reached the last four.
      Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “Marcus took his chances incredibly well.
       “Marcus has shown he can keep focusing on what’s important on and off the pitch.
       “He came on did well made an impact and that is what you want from the subs but that is only possible though because the others had laid the groundwork.
      “What a shift they put in. Leipzig make you work hard, the high press, the counter press, everything, the intensity and we had to dig in and work hard for each other so spaces open up when you are winning.”
      Mason Greenwood got the opener in the 21st minute on his return to the side after a superb pass from Paul Pogba.

      Solskjaer said: “He normally does that with his first touch. He is so efficient in front of goal. He is a great finisher and I was very pleased with the timing of his run. Great pass from Paul.
      New signing Alex Telles missed last night’s game after testing positive for Covid-19
      Solskjaer said: “Telles has tested positive for coronavirus, he’s been out for a few days, no symptoms, he’ll be fine, back soon.” More