Europa League

ANGE POSTECOGLOU doubled down on his “assessment” of Timo Werner’s “unacceptable” display at Rangers and then told his squad: I don’t care about bruising your egos.The Australian manager hooked off the German star at half-time of the 1-1 draw at Ibrox in the Europa League on Thursday night.Ange Postecoglou has doubled down on his criticism of Timo WernerCredit: SNSWerner was hooked off at half-time against Rangers for not reaching the desired level of ‘application’Credit: GettyIn his post-match press conference, Postecoglou slammed Werner, claiming: “He wasn’t playing anywhere near the level he should”.The fact his second-half replacement Dejan Kulusevski scored the equaliser with 15 minutes remaining only proved it was the right call.Asked if any had any regrets the next morning about the public nature of the criticism, the former Celtic boss replied: “No, it wasn’t criticism. It was assessment.“If we played poorly, we played poorly. With Timo it wasn’t about whether he played well or not.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“It was a difficult game last night. I’m asking 18-year-olds to do some massive jobs and you want senior players, he’s a senior player. “He’s an international and he’s won the Champions League, there’s a level of application and performance you need to rise to, to help the team.“He didn’t reach that. I think me taking him off at half-time was a statement enough.“The same way I won’t be hiding behind poor team performances, the same with and no different for the players or anyone else.Most read in Europa LeagueFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“It wasn’t criticism, it was just an assessment of his performance and on a really challenging night for us, which we knew going into it, it needs to be better.”Former Chelsea forward Werner is on-loan from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig but there does not seem any plans to cancel that arrangement in January because the club have such a long injury list.Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou blasts ‘unacceptable’ Timo Werner Asked how had Werner, 28, responded internally to the comments, Postecoglou said: “I’ve got no time for that sort of stuff anymore.“We’re in a fight here, collectively we’re in a fight. I’m not going to go around worrying about people’s bruised egos.“This football club want to achieve things and be successful.“We’re down to the bare bones in players. If there’s somebody in the dressing room who’s fit, able to contribute but who feels he needs something extra in this moment, he’s probably not the right type.“I need guys who, and we had some last night, understand the situation we’re in.“We’ve 15 fit players and in some positions we’ve only got two players.“I’m not going to go around trying to get extra out of people. “If they’re not able to give extra now, it kind of gives me an indication of where they’re at.”This week, Argentine centre-back Cristian Romero lamented the lack of investment by the club in recent times during an interview with Spanish broadcaster Telemundo Deportes.This followed Spurs’ disappointing 4-3 loss at home to Chelsea, but he later apologised for those remarks.Asked if the Werner episode tied into a wider issue in the past at the club, Postecoglou said: “I’m sick of that. That’s an excuse for me.“And that’s why even with Cristian Romero’s comments, I just think that’s an excuse.We’re in a fight here, collectively we’re in a fight. I’m not going to go around worrying about people’s bruised egos.Ange Postecoglou“At the moment I’m here, I take responsibility. These players, we’re here.“If we think something mythical exists in this club that prevents success then change it.“What’s the point otherwise? Don’t come here. I just don’t buy into that.“At the moment we’re in a difficult situation because of where we are squad-wise and team-wise.READ MORE SUN STORIES“You either embrace this challenge. If you want excuses there are a million of them.“There are a million excuses why we cannot be successful but if that’s what your clutch is, particularly in tough moments, then what’s the point? Move on then and go somewhere else.” More

RASMUS HOJLUND and Amad Diallo were involved in a furious war of words at the end of Manchester United’s victory over Viktoria Plzen last night.The Red Devils came from behind to beat their Czech opponents 2-1 courtesy of super-sub Hojlund’s second-half double.Rasmus Hojlund and Amad Diallo were involved in a post-match spatCredit: TNT SportsThe Man Utd stars were caught having an angry rowThe pair were split up by CasemiroCredit: TNT SportsThe Dane, 21, was United’s match winner but looked furious upon the final whistle.As he shook hands with opposition players, Hojlund was confronted by Diallo.The forward looked like he wasn’t interested in hearing what his team-mate had to say, with other United players quickly intervening.Hojlund’s fury appeared to stem from an incident during stoppage time.READ MORE ON MAN UTDIn the 93rd minute, Diallo had raced away down the right flank.It appeared that he could squared the ball to Hojlund for what could have been the striker’s hat-trick.Instead the Ivorian went himself, much to his team-mate’s frustration.Just 45 seconds later Hojlund seemingly returned the favour, not passing to Diallo when the winger may have found himself through on goal.Most read in Europa LeagueBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSDiallo could have squared the ball to HojlundCredit: TNT SportsHojlund then refused to pass to the wingerCredit: TNT SportsHojlund was upset upon the final whistleCredit: TNT SportsAfter the game, boss Ruben Amorim was not concerned over the incident, in fact praising his players’ desire.He said: “It’s a positive thing, a healthy thing, perfect. In this moment, we need to feel something, if we need to fight each other it’s like a family, for me it’s a very, very good sign.Amad runs the show again but Rashford is lucky to stay on the pitch and Onana has night to forget”When you don’t care, you do nothing, when you care, you fight with your brother, with your father, with your mother.“It’s a normal thing, so I leave it to the players and captain to calm things down.“If it’s too much I will go inside the dressing room. But it’s their space, they have to talk, to fight — it’s very important.“I am happy we win the game and still fight each other, that is a very good thing.“When you win and you fight with your team-mate because you want to score one more. It’s a very good day for us.”Hojlund now has five goals already under Amorim, having also scored a double against Bodo/Glimt and a Prem effort vs Nottingham Forest.READ MORE SUN STORIESQuizzed about life under his new manager after the game, Hojlund said: “It’s early days. I know it sounds odd but we don’t get enough time on the training ground, so we have to train during the matches. But it’s getting better and better.”The Red Devils will return to action on Sunday as they make the short trip to the Etihad to face Manchester City.Man Utd ratings vs Plzen as Hojlund and Amad spare Onana’s blushes are horror showANDRE ONANA had his blushes spared by Rasmus Hojlund as Manchester United fought back to win against Viktoria Plzen.Here’s how SunSport’s Henry Tomlinson rated the Red Devils stars…Andre Onana – 4It was a very shaky start to the game in which Onana hurt Casemiro and failed to deal with the host’s crosses convincingly.He made a massive error that led to Plzen taking the lead with his poor pass, leaving his defenders with no chance of bailing him out.Diogo Dalot – 6Dalot made some decent runs forward to join in with the attacks.Defensively was fairly solid and was not often caught out.Noussair Mazraoui – 6Playing a bit more central, Mazraoui used his pace well to help out at the back.Matthijs de Ligt – 6He was sold short by Onana’s pass that led to the opener but otherwise was fine during the 90 minutes.Lisandro Martinez – 6Made himself available when Man United got forward but struggled with the physicality of the Plzen attackers.Tyrell Malacia – 6He offered very little going forward in the wing-back role as he struggled to combine with Marcus Rashford.Casemiro – 6He moved the ball forward when he could and recovered from an early blow from Onana.Bruno Fernandes – 7He was lucky to have escaped an early yellow card. Stung the goalkeeper’s gloves in the first half with a good effort.His quick thinking set up Rasmus Hojlund to fire in a late winner.Amad Diallo – 8Diallo was a rare bright spark in Man United’s attack against Plzen.It was his run that led to the equaliser, and he used his pace and skill to get past his defender.Marcus Rashford – 4Rashford was often loose on the ball and surrendered possession in the attacking third.He received the first booking of the game for a needless foul and was lucky not to be sent off in the second half before being hooked by Ruben Amorim.Joshua Zirkzee – 6Took on the centre-forward role well, held the ball up and linked up play well enough.SubsRasmus Hojlund 55′ – 8Hojlund showed his striker instincts by being in the right position to grab Man United’s equaliser.He then latched onto Fernandes’ clever pass to score the winner.Antony 60′ – 6He was involved in the equaliser by linking up with Diallo.Mason Mount 60′ – 7Made a positive impact after coming on and was unlucky not to score as he was denied twice by the goalkeeper after coming into the action.Alejandro Garnacho 80′ – N/AFailed to make a positive impact on his short spell on the pitch.Manuel Ugarte 80′ – N/AHe slotted into the midfield as he replaced Casemiro late on. 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