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      Forgotten Man Utd star opens up on how Fergie persuaded him to join Golden Generation and losing bet to Cantona

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      BARCELONA Sporting Director Jordi Cruyff has been looking back on his time at Old Trafford ahead of the first leg of the two clubs’ Europa League clash. The Dutchman signed for Manchester United back in August 1996 for £1.4m having made 41 appearances and scoring 11 goals for the Catalan giants.
      Jordi Cruyff in action for Manchester United in the 1996 Champions LeagueCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Jordi Cruyff of Manchester United in action during a pre-season friendly match against Wigan Athletic in 1999.Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      The son of footballing legend Johan Cruyff was at a crossroads in his career, his dad had just been sacked as coach of Barcelona and although he wanted to stay he knew he would be compared to his father.
      The midfielder wasn’t short of options with Atletico Madrid interested and a deal with Ajax was very close until United swooped in.
      Speaking to Marca Cruyff has been looking back on his time with the Old Trafford club.
      He said: “Alex Ferguson travelled to Barcelona accompanied by two senior United leaders.
      “That detail was already very special. He came to my house and convinced me of his project .
      “He had a young team and wanted to recruit more young people. I liked the project, I liked the contract and that he came to my house.”
      At the time it may not have been clear but Cruyff arrived in what would be a golden generation for United culminating with the treble in 1999 although he spent the second half of that season on loan at Celta Vigo.
      Cruyff was surrounded by quality players during his time in Manchester but two that stood out were Eric Cantona and David Beckham.
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      The Dutchman had fond memories of Cantona during their time as team mates.
      He said: “He was the veteran who took care of the young newcomers. Poborsky, Solskjaer and I were a bit lost at first.
      He added: “Well, he came to pick us up at the hotel and when training was over he waited for us and brought us back and so on for a few weeks. I didn’t expect it from a person like that”
      The former Barcelona player also recalls a bet he lost with Cantona.
      He said: “One day, talking about our future, we bet on who would leave United first. I was very clear that it would be me.
      “He, being a god in this club, could stay for the rest of his life. We bet and I lost. I realized then that he had already taken the decision to retire.”
      As well as his ability Cruyff was really impressed by Beckham’s professionalism.
      He said: “Another one who stayed another half hour, three or four times a week, doing exercises to improve.
      “He had talent, yes, but he worked. He had that professional mentality that made him become a star. He was a hard worker.”
      Cruyff, now Barcelona’s sporting adviser, had some words of warning about Old Trafford ahead of the Catalan side’s trip there in the second leg.
      He said: “When you play at Old Trafford you realize that the stadium roars. It’s a cliché, but it’s true; United don’t play with 11, they are 12.”
      He continued: “We’ll see it in the second leg now that the team is improving after difficult years. The fans will not speak in the two days before to have their voices ready and not stop shouting during the game”.
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      Manchester United travel to the Nou Camp for the first leg on Thursday, February 16 with the return leg at Old Trafford on Thursday, February 23. More

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      Man Utd warned about Barcelona’s ‘surprising’ new tactic ahead of Europa League clash in huge style change

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have been issued a warning about a “surprising” new tactic being used by Barcelona.The Red Devils travel to the Nou Camp for the first of a two-legged Europa League play-off on Thursday.
      Erik ten Hag takes Manchester United to Barcelona on ThursdayCredit: Getty
      He has been warned about a new ‘surprising’ tactic being used by BarcaCredit: Rex
      Both teams go into the showdown in impressive form.
      United have recorded five wins out of their last six matches while Barcelona are 11 points clear at the top of LaLiga.
      Spanish star Pedri, 20, secured their latest victory as they triumphed 1-0 at Villarreal on Sunday.
      The Yellow Submarine are managed by Quique Setien, who was in charge of the Blaugrana in 2020, and it is he who has highlighted the new tactic being deployed by his old club.
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      Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, he said: “There is something that this Barcelona team has changed a lot, which is without the ball.
      “The data is there, Barcelona are the team that runs the most without the ball.

      “Seems surprising, doesn’t it?”
      Both Pedri and Gavi have played a key role in the resurgence of Barca this term as head coach Xavi puts a greater emphasis on the distance covered by his players and pressing the opposition.
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      He even said that striker Robert Lewandowski is his “first defender” after Sunday’s win.
      And that is something that his United counterpart Erik ten Hag will have to ensure his team are ready to deal with.
      However, Barcelona have suffered one major blow in the build-up to the game.
      Their influential captain and midfield maestro Sergio Busquets has been ruled out of the clash after suffering an ankle injury recently against Sevilla. More

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      Tragedy for Nantes striker Ignatius Ganago as five-year-old daughter dies with club paying touching tribute

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      NANTES striker Ignatius Ganago’s daughter has tragically died aged five.The Ligue 1 side have confirmed that the mourning forward will miss their Europa League match against Juventus on Thursday.
      Ignatius Ganago will miss Nantes’ next game after his devastating lossCredit: AFP
      Cameroonian Ganago, 23, flew back to his homeland upon learning of his daughter’s illness.
      But, as reported by French paper L’Equipe, she passed away before he arrived.
      Confirming the news on Twitter, Ganago’s club wrote in tribute: “FC Nantes is in mourning.
      “It is with deep sadness that the Football Club of Nantes has learned of the death of our striker’s daughter, Ignatius Ganago.
      “We think a lot of you Gana.
      “The Club is with you through this terrible ordeal.”
      Nantes also turned their social media profile pictures black as they mourned their striker’s terrible loss.
      Clubs from around French football replied to Nantes’ post, sending their condolences to Ganago.
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      While Thursday’s opponents Juventus responded with a prayer emoji.
      Thursday’s match against the Old Lady is a huge occasion for Nantes and actually falls on Ganago’s 24th birthday.
      But the match will now feel insignificant in light of Ganago’s horrific loss.
      Ganago is a full Cameroon international with 11 caps to his name.
      He missed out on his World Cup dream earlier this season, however, being left out of boss Rigobert Song’s 26-man squad.
      Prior to the announcement, Ganago had said: “I am a young footballer but honestly, it is my dream to make the World Cup. From my side, I will do everything possible not to give excuses to the coach for not calling me.”
      He has made 28 appearances for Nantes this season, most recently starting Sunday’s 1-0 win over Lorient. More

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      Man Utd injury blow as Ten Hag set to be without three stars for crunch Barcelona clash as boss complains of ‘overload’

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      ERIK TEN HAG has been dealt a triple injury blow ahead of this week’s crunch clash with Barcelona.And the Manchester United manager cited an “overload” on his stars for the woes.
      Erik ten Hag has been hit with a triple injury blowCredit: Reuters
      United head to the Nou Camp on Thursday night for the first leg of their Europa League play-off.
      But they will make the trip to Spain without Antony, Anthony Martial or Scott McTominay.
      The trio sat out of Sunday’s win at Leeds and remain unavailable to take on the LaLiga leaders.
      They join Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek in the United treatment room with the two midfielders both long-term absentees.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      And Ten Hag believes the fixture pile-up has played a part in the number of injuries.
      The Old Trafford boss – whose side play eight times in February and are still in all three cup competitions – said last week: “I can’t say 100 per cent but I don’t expect it [the three players to be back against Barcelona].
      “Definitely, it’s a tough season.
      “With the World Cup in between there’s a lot of load – overload – on the players, that’s quite clear.
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      “That process is already longer term coming on, that the load on the players is too much.
      “Christian Eriksen, you can’t put that under that reason. Martial, you can’t put that under that reason.

      “It’s really individual, how we can see it and how we find reasons why things happen.
      “But also, if you play top football, you go across limits and injuries will come up. That’s also a normal issue, I would say.”
      Casemiro, though, will be available for selection at Barcelona because his three-match ban is domestic while Jadon Sancho and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are welcome returns plus Marcel Sabitzer joined to bolster the midfield options on deadline day.
      Antony and Scott McTominay will miss the trip to BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      Anthony Martial also looks set to be watching the match from homeCredit: Getty More

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      Barcelona vs Man Utd – European giants collide in huge Europa League encounter at Nou Camp – stream, TV

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      MANCHESTER UNITED travel to the Nou Camp looking to beat fellow European giants Barcelona in the first leg of their Europa League clash. The Red Devils’ will be oozing with confidence after their recent victory over historic rivals Leeds.
      Rashford celebrating with Garnacho during the win over LeedsCredit: Getty
      And Rashford who has scored 21 goals in all competitions this season aims to carry his phenomenal goal-scoring form in Spain.
      Barcelona failed to qualify for the Champions League last-16 having finished third in their group.
      However, the Spanish giants are 11 points clear at the top of La Liga so they’ll be expected to cause Erik Ten Hag’s men some problems.
      When is Barcelona vs Man Utd?

      Barcelona’s anticipated fixture against Manchester United will take place on Thursday, February 16.
      Kickoff is scheduled for 5:45pm GMT, 6:45pm local time.
      The game will be hosted in Barcelona’s stunning Camp Nou stadium which can host up to 99,354 people.
      Barcelona ran out 3-0 winners when the sides last met in a 2019 Champions League quarter-final.

      Read more on Man Utd
      Is Barcelona vs Manchester United on TV?

      Barcelona vs Man Utd will be broadcasted live on BT sport in the UK.
      SunSport will also bring minute-by-minute coverage of the match to fans unable to watch.

      What is the team news?
      Erik Ten Hag is set to continue without long-term absentees Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek.
      Attacking duo Antony and Anthony Martial will both need to be assessed before the game.
      Unfortunately for Ten Hag, Lisandro Martinez is also suspended for accumulating three yellow cards in the group stages.
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      And January signing Marcel Sabitzer is also unable to play for the same reasons – but he picked them up while playing for Bayern Munich instead.
      Marcel Sabitzer is suspended for the first leg vs BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      However, the Red Devils boss has the option to reintroduce Casemiro into the starting XI, as his suspension does not carry over to European games.
      Barca boss Xavi does not have as many injuries to deal with, however key players Ousmane Dembele and Sergio Busquets are set to miss out due to their respective injuries.
      Latest odds
      90 min only

      Barcelona 4/6
      Draw 3/1
      Man Utd 7/2

      To qualify (Incl ET and Pen)

      Barcelona 4/7
      Man Utd 11/8

      *Odds courtesy of Betfair are correct at time of publication More

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      Man Utd cut three stars from Europa League squad but Van de Beek keeps place and new signings added ahead of Barcelona

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have announced their Europa League knockout squad for the Barcelona clash with three players being cut for January signings.Departed stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Axel Tuanzebe and Martin Dubravka were all dropped from the Red Devils’ 25-man list.
      Man Utd have announced their Europa League squadCredit: PA
      Donny van de Beek remains in the squad despite being injuredCredit: Rex
      They have made way for January arrivals Marcel Sabitzer, Wout Weghorst and Jack Butland.
      Donny van de Beek, meanwhile, keeps his place in the squad despite suffering a serious knee injury in the 3-0 win over Bournemouth last month.
      The Dutchman is expected to be ruled out of action until the end of the season.
      Boss Erik ten Hag said on Van de Beek: “On the long term, it is looking really good – he will be back for the start of pre-season.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      “But for the rest of the season, he is out.
      “I think everyone was really [sad], our thoughts are with him.
      “It’s terrible when you are in a season and you get a bad tackle, a bad injury.”
      Man Utd travel to the Camp Nou on February 16, with the return leg taking place a week later on the 23rd.
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      A Premier League clash with Leicester in sandwiched between the Europa tie, and the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle at Wembley follows the second leg on the 26th.
      United are somewhat suffering a midfield crisis.
      Van de Beek, Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen are nursing injuries, while main man Casemiro picked up a three-game suspension in the 2-1 win over Crystal Palace last weekend.
      The Brazil star put his hands around Will Hughes’ neck, and after a VAR check, the summer signing received his marching orders. More

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      Frenkie de Jong’s girlfriend hilariously trolls Man Utd fans over failed transfer ahead of Barcelona Europa League clash

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      FRENKIE DE JONG’S girlfriend had a hilarious response for Manchester United fans desperate to get an update on the Barcelona midfielder. De Jong was at the centre of a long-running transfer saga in the summer as the Red Devils desperately tried to spring him from the Nou Camp.
      Mikky Kiemeney is the glamorous girlfriend of Barca midfielder de JongCredit: Instagram / @mikkykiemeney
      But the deal could not be done and the star now faces playing United twice in the Europa League this month.
      Girlfriend of de Jong, Mikky Kiemeney, couldn’t help but have fun with United fans still pining over a potential move.
      One asked her on Instagram: “when’s Frenkie coming to Manchester?”
      Kiemeney replied by uploading a picture of Barcelona’s upcoming fixtures, pinpointing the European second-leg at Old Trafford on February 23, before a deadpan response of: “23-2 I guess.”
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      Despite the transfer speculation and a row over wages, de Jong has settled back into the Barca team and appeared in all but two league games this season.
      He is fighting to get into a talented midfield which includes young Spain stars Pedri and Gavi and veteran Sergio Busquets, who went off injured in the weekend win over Sevilla.
      Barcelona are a side fit and firing at the moment as they look to win their first league title under Xavi.
      Real Madrid’s loss at Mallorca over the weekend means the Catalan club now have an eight point lead in the La Liga race.
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      It should be a titanic Europa League tussle with a Man United side who are in devastating form of their own.
      Erik ten Hag’s team have only lost one of their last 15 games and have won 12 home matches on the bounce in all competitions.
      With de Jong not joining, United instead swooped for Christian Eriksen and Casemiro who have both boosted the club’s midfield.
      But Eriksen is set to be out until April with injury while Casemiro will be suspended for United’s next three domestic games.
      Marcel Sabitzer was also recruited on transfer deadline day and made his debut off the bench in Saturday’s win over Crystal Palace. More

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      Man Utd’s new transfers Sabitzer and Weghorst added to Europa League squad – as players making way revealed

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have added new boys Wout Weghorst, Marcel Sabitzer and Jack Butland to their Europa League squad.The Red Devils are preparing to face Barcelona in a two-legged play-off this month, the first of which will be at the Nou Camp on February 16.
      Marcel Sabitzer arrived at Manchester United on loan this weekCredit: Getty
      Wout Weghorst is another new signing in their Europa League squadCredit: Getty
      The return date is on February 23 at Old Trafford where the victor of the tie will advance to the Europa League knockouts.
      Midfielder Sabitzer, 28, joined United on loan from Bayern Munich until the end of the season on deadline day.
      He joined fellow loanee Wout Weghorst, who arrived from Burnley, and goalkeeper Jack Butland, who is on loan from Crystal Palace.
      Now boss Erik ten Hag has all three to call on for Europa duty after naming the trio in his 25-man squad that has been submitted to Uefa.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      Christian Eriksen was ruled out for three months with an ankle injury last week but he was also part of it along with Donny van de Beek, who is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the campaign.
      However, a space was created by goalie Martin Dubravka getting recalled from his loan by Newcastle.
      That is the spot Butland has taken, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure to Saudi Arabia has freed up a position for Weghorst.
      Defender Axel Tuanzebe, 25, was sent out on loan to Stoke City on deadline day.
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      He has been replaced by United with midfielder Sabitzer, although there is still no place for injured Phil Jones or defender Brandon Williams.
      Only three new players were allowed to be included in the new squad list, which was submitted to Uefa at 11pm on Thursday. More