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    How Man Utd could line up against Omonia with makeshift back-four and Cristiano Ronaldo leading the line

    MANCHESTER UNITED return to action tomorrow night when they take on Cypriot side Omonia in the Europa League.Boss Erik ten Hag will be desperate to get back to winning ways after last weekend’s momentum-stomping 6-3 trouncing at the hands of Manchester City.

    Cristiano Ronaldo was all smiles in training ahead of the matchCredit: Reuters
    The Dutchman will pit his wits against former Celtic boss Neil Lennon, aiming to get the balance right between rotating his squad while also keeping enough key players out to win the game.
    One man Ten Hag could recall is Cristiano Ronaldo – after admitting the Portuguese was “p***ed off” to miss the Manchester derby.
    The 52-year-old will also have to carefully juggle his defence, amid news that Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka all remain unavailable.
    One man Ten Hag will rely on is David de Gea, with the Spaniard having been ever-present in all competitions so far this term.
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    Back-up Martin Dubravka could miss out with a muscular injury, leaving Tom Heaton to deputise if required.
    Diogo Dalot is likely to continue at right-back, while Luke Shaw could start at left-back after coming on for Tyrell Malacia at half-time against City.
    With Varane and Maguire missing, Victor Lindelof will partner Lisandro Martinez at centre-back.
    Summer signing Casemiro could get a rare start alongside Christian Eriksen.
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    On the Brazilian, Ten Hag said: “We will play tomorrow our best team, we have to construct a team because we want a competitive culture.
    “It had nothing to do with Casemiro, it had all to do with Scott. When he wasn’t in the team at Brentford, we lost.
    “Casemiro will have an important role, we know his background, the titles he’s won, you see every day in training.”
    Scott McTominay and Fred could also feature, although Donny van de Beek remains sidelined.
    Bruno Fernandes is likely to start and wear the captain’s armband, with Jadon Sancho and Antony on either side.
    Alternatively, Ten Hag could give Anthony Elanga a run out, while Marcus Rashford is available.
    Ronaldo, 37, will expect to start – but so will Anthony Martial after his two-goal cameo against City at the weekend, giving Ten Hag a selection dilemma.
    Anthony Martial will hope to get the nod from Ten HagCredit: Getty More

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    Watch Cristiano Ronaldo nutmeg Lisandro Martinez with Ronaldinho skill in Man Utd training then celebrate wildly

    CRISTIANO RONALDO joked around in training and produced a hilarious nutmeg despite his derby day snub. The legendary forward was an unused substitute for Manchester United’s humbling 6-3 defeat against Manchester City.
    Cristiano Ronaldo jokes around with his Man Utd team-mates in trainingCredit: PA
    Ronaldo will be hoping to get back into the starting xi for the Europa LeagueCredit: PA
    Ronaldo has enjoyed a less than ideal time so far this seasonCredit: PA
    But Ronaldo is hopeful he will earn a spot back in the starting xi when United travel to Cyprus for their Europa League clash against Omonia on Thursday.
    And in training he showed off his skillset with a cheeky Ronaldinho-esque nutmeg on team-mate Lisandro Martinez.
    During a session known as a ‘Rondo’, the defender was stood in the middle as he tried to win the ball back before Ronaldo stuck it through his legs.
    Ronaldo then celebrated wildly following the minor embarrassment he caused him – with a beaming smile displayed throughout.
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    The 37-year-old scored his first goal of the campaign from the penalty spot against FC Sheriff in The Red Devils last European outing.
    And Ronaldo will be desperate to add to his tally, with his league minutes being mostly limited to cameos off the bench.

    Boss Erik ten Hag will also be hoping to see a reaction from his flops at the weekend in order to shake off the result before they travel to Everton.
    The Dutchman was slammed from all sides for his decision to not play Ronaldo at all, despite him claiming it was “out of respect for his big career.”
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    SunSport columnist Piers Morgan declared Ten Hag was an “arrogant deluded twerp” for not even bringing him off the bench against City.
    Roy Keane also added: “I think United have shown nothing but disrespect to Ronaldo.
    They should have let him go when the opportunity came. He did have options, I know that for a fact.” 
    Meanwhile, Graeme Souness believes Ronaldo should have started the game ahead of Marcus Rashford and also been given priority for minutes ahead of brace scorer Anthony Martial.
    However, Jamie Carragher supported Ten Hag’s decision.
    Erik ten Hag discusses tactics with technical director Darren FletcherCredit: PA
    Ten Hag will be racking his brain to come up with a winning solution going forwardCredit: PA
    He said: “The idea that Erik ten Hag got it wrong yesterday by not playing Ronaldo is laughable!
    “Ronaldo played at Brentford when it was 4-0 at half-time.
    “It’s not a dig at Cristiano Ronaldo, but Rashford’s pace on the counter-attack as we saw vs Arsenal and Liverpool was the best option.”
    Ten Hag was the first critic when it came to his side’s lacklustre performance, as he questioned the belief his players showed in the first half.
    “When you don’t believe on the pitch you can’t win games, that is unacceptable,” he said.
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    SunSport has exclusively revealed that United new-boy Antony did not follow Ten Hag’s defensive instructions.
    He left Diogo Dalot, who had been booked after just two minutes, with no protection and the case was the same on the other side as well as Jadon Sancho left Tyrell Malacia to fend for himself.
    Ronaldo has been behind his team-mates in the pecking order this yearCredit: PA
    Marcus Rashford has been favoured down the middle over RonaldoCredit: PA More

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    Ex-Man City academy kid Brandon Barker was secretly a Man Utd fan – but now hopes to beat them in Europa with Nicosia

    LIFELONG fan Brandon Barker has more than one reason to want to do well against Manchester United.The Omonia Nicosia winger faces his boyhood idols tomorrow night in the Europa League.
    Omonia Nicosia winger Brandon Barker faces his boyhood idols on ThursdayCredit: Chara Savvidou
    The star came through the ranks at Man City but grew up supporting UnitedCredit: Getty
    But after growing up in Manchester City’s academy, Barker has extra motivation to pull off an upset with the Cypriot side.
    The 26-year-old told SunSport: “I spent 16 years at City — but I was always a Red growing up.
    “When I was seven I was at United. However, it was quite far from my house so we opted to go with the City route and that’s how the change happened.
    “After spending so much time there, I fell in love with Man City as well. When they play each other I try not to support anyone.
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    “It would be special to beat them as half of my friends are City, half are United.
    “Nobody is expecting anything from us and rightly so — it’s Man United. But we will relish that.”
    Barker, who helps run a Manchester-based pressure washer business in his spare time, was once regarded as one of City’s top home-grown prospects as a teenager after being named their academy player of the year in 2014.
    He was hoisted up to first-team training under Manuel Pellegrini — and was regularly named among the substitutes before finally making his debut in an FA Cup fifth-round defeat to Chelsea in 2016.
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    But his dreams of making it at the Etihad ended when new boss Pep Guardiola deemed him surplus to requirements and loaned him out to Dutch side Breda, Rotherham, Preston and then Hibernian in the space of three years.
    Barker added: “It became a bit of a whirlwind. I did every age group at Man City and I was fairly confident I would make the step up — and when Pellegrini was there I was with the first team every day and coped with it really well.
    “I was on the bench about 25 times so I must have been doing well. But with the change of manager I was out the door.
    “You can’t get angry about that but then I was caught in the loan trap instead of forcing your way out.”
    Barker signed a two-year deal with Omonia in June to link up with his former Hibs boss Neil Lennon, following an injury-plagued short-term deal at Reading last season.
    And after scoring against Genk to secure their group-stage spot, the winger believes he is starting to recapture the form which raised a lot of eyebrows as a kid back in Manchester.
    He said: “I’m here on a fresh slate. It has taken a lot of adjustment.
    The former starlet was tipped for big things but was shifted out of the Etihad by Pep GuardiolaCredit: Action Images
    Now he is hoping to down United in the Europa LeagueCredit: AFP
    “I have found it tough on my body because I barely played last season. So it has just been getting back in the swing of things.
    “I am still at a good age to crack on. I had a taste of European football in Holland but I was only 18 and not ready for it. Now I am at an age where I am in a ‘f*** it’ kind of moment.”
    Barker admits lining up against childhood idol Cristiano Ronaldo will be a dream come true.
    But he believes he and his team-mates will not be starstruck by United’s players, as he aims to give himself the perfect present after celebrating his 26th birthday today.
    He added: “Any opportunity you get to grace a pitch with those sorts of players is always going to be special.
    “Ronaldo is my greatest player of all time so it will be special for me as a United fan. But it is just a game and the boys will have their blinkers on and will do what we have been doing.
    “It is a chance to put this club on the European map. We got the opportunity to play in the Europa League from a cup run. We have done the hard work to get here so we may as well go for it.” More

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    I played in the 2002 World Cup, scored in this season’s Europa League and am now hosting my own TV talk show

    WHEN a 21-year-old winger played for Spain at the 2002 World Cup, not many fans would have imagined he would still be scoring in Europe TWO DECADES later.Even fewer would have believed the now 41-year-old hosts his own TV show alongside his football career.
    Joaquin played in the 2002 World Cup for SpainCredit: AFP
    The winger has scored in the Europa League this seasonCredit: AFP
    Joaquin even has his own TV talk showCredit: https://www.instagram.com/joaquinarte/?hl=en
    The man in question is La Liga legend Joaquin, who made his professional debut way back in the 1999-2000 season.
    Two years later he was included in the Spain squad for the World Cup in South Korea.
    Joaquin played in Spain’s final group game of the tournament, a 3-2 win over South Africa, and missed a crucial penalty in the quarter-final shootout defeat to hosts South Korea.
    Fast forward 20 years – and 816 club appearances later – and Joaquin is still delivering on the football pitch.
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    The winger scored a stunning goal in Betis’ 3-2 Europa League win over Ludogorets last month.
    And in doing so the 52-cap Spain international became the oldest scorer in the history of the competition.
    Joaquin’s show is set to air on WednesdayCredit: https://www.instagram.com/joaquinarte/?hl=en
    The 41-year-old made his debut in the 1999-2000 seasonCredit: Getty
    Joaquin has spent the majority of his career with Betis, but he also played over 200 times for Valencia and had spells with Malaga and Fiorentina.
    He extended his contract with Betis for a further year over the summer, and was also snapped up by Spanish TV channel Antena 3.
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    The first episode of his brand new series ‘Joaquin, the rookie’ airs this Wednesday.
    The programme is a TV talk show, and will see Joaquin joined by various celebrity guests.
    Speaking on his new venture on to the screen, Joaquin said: “I like television very much. I have a great time and I have fun. 
    “I jumped head first at this proposal because it is a very nice opportunity.”
    His current Betis contract expires at the end of the season, and Joaquin has vowed to continue playing on next year if Manuel Pellegrini’s side qualify for the Champions League.
    He told Diario AS last month: “In principle, the intention is for it to be my last year. But, if we qualify for the Champions League? They won’t be able to get rid of me!”
    Joaquin in action for Spain at the 2002 World CupCredit: Getty
    The winger missed a penalty in the quarter-final shootout defeat to South KoreaCredit: EPA More

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    Uefa’s wacky new Champions League schedule with group stage games proposed until end of JANUARY

    JURGEN KLOPP look away now, because Uefa’s proposed new Champions League schedule includes group stage games until the end of JANUARY.Europe’s governing body want to expand the Champions League and Europa League in 2024, but keep the Europa Conference League the same.
    The Champions League and Europa League are set to be revampedCredit: Getty
    Jurgen Klopp has already hit out at the crowded scheduleCredit: AP
    Fuming Liverpool boss Klopp said last month that the action-packed schedule was “not right”.
    And if things weren’t already hectic enough, Uefa’s wacky new plans would see Champions League and Europa League teams play an extra two games, according to ESPN.
    The two competitions are also set to expand from 32 teams to 36.
    So instead of European football entering its knockout phase after Christmas, two more rounds of Champions League and Europa League games will be played right up until the very end of January.
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    But eight rounds of games spread out over 10 weeks are set to cause chaos to the domestic schedule.
    The first round of proposed Europa League games clash with the third round of the Carabao Cup.
    Further European matchdays in December and January then clash with the Carabao Cup quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively.
    It gets worse, as the final round of European games are proposed for the same time as a full Premier League midweek schedule at the end of January 2025.
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    Uefa’s proposed new European schedule
    The fixture congestion could reportedly see FA Cup replays from the third round onwards scrapped in order to move the Carabao Cup and Prem games.
    The Prem is the only one out of Europe’s big five leagues with a secondary cup competition.
    Or, like Liverpool did in 2019 when their Carabao Cup match against Aston Villa clashed with a Club World Cup game, Prem teams could choose to field academy sides.
    A worst case scenario, claimed to be seen as the very last resort, is cutting the Prem from 20 teams to 18. More

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    Uefa ‘to invite top MLS team to join Champions League, Europa League & Conference League winners in revamped Super Cup’

    MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER clubs could face the winners of the Champions League in a revamped Super Cup reportedly being considered by Uefa.It has been alleged that talks are already underway for a “four-team season-opening event” which would replace the current Super Cup.
    New York City FC celebrate winning last season’s MLSCredit: Getty
    And it would continue to feature the winners of both the Champions League and Europa League as well as the new Europa Conference League.
    America is believed to be the main destination to host it, with one option said to include the host nation’s champions also – which would be the MLS in this case – as a fourth team.
    The idea to replace the Super Cup from 2024 is said to be “gaining traction” and will have an emphasis on trying to attract more female fans and families.
    The Press Association claims that sources have informed them that could mean “placing the matches within a weekend festival” or “having pop acts perform” prior to games or at half-time.
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    They have been encouraged by other sports moving matches and events into new markets, such as the NFL’s success in staging regular-season games in London.
    The European Club Association’s General Assembly in Istanbul is currently taking place and more discussions on the above are due to take place.

    Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali was invited to explain how F1 is trying to attract new fans and widen interest.
    And ECA chairman Nasser Al Khelaifi is due to discuss dangerous debt levels of clubs around the continent.
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    New York City FC lifted the MLS Cup last season Stateside.
    Real Madrid, who beat Europa League holders Eintracht Frankfurt in the Uefa Super Cup in August, won the Champions League last term.
    And it was Jose Mourinho’s Roma that were crowned the inaugural winners of the Europa Conference League. More

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    Premier League giants like Man Utd and Arsenal will have power to SCRAP FA Cup replays – but rest of league won’t

    PREM Euro giants will be offered the chance to play one-off early FA Cup ties to avoid a New Year fixtures pile-up.Wembley chiefs are ready to agree to scrap some FA Cup third and fourth round replays to ease this season’s match congestion.
    Clubs in European competitions will have the opportunity to scrap FA Cup replaysCredit: Getty
    But while the vast majority of ties WILL still have second matches if required, teams in European competitions will be offered the option of settling ties on the day.
    FA bosses recognise that the issues of an already-congested campaign due to the six-week World Cup break have been exacerbated by the postponements caused by The Queen’s death.
    The seven teams in European competitions face nine matches next month compared to the six games scheduled for the other 13 sides.
    This month’s 13 domestic and Euro postponements mean Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United will head into the second half of the campaign two Prem matches behind schedule and facing potentially playing 42 matches between Boxing Day and the end of the season.
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    And that potential backlog will see FA chiefs agree to giving them dispensation to settle some ties on the day rather than face extra matches.
    While the FA’s lucrative TV contracts include replays for the third and fourth rounds, Wembley chiefs will be willing to grant an exemption in specific cases this season to help ensure the European teams do not get snowed under by games.
    But the FA will NOT give up early round replays without a fight despite the desire of some Prem clubs to ensure all ties in the competition are one-off affairs from 2024.
    Replays are worth up to £20m in the value of the current deals with worldwide broadcasters.
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    And with some overseas TV deals including second games in the initial rounds now in place until 2027, it appears replays are set to stay for another five years at least – unless Prem clubs come up with a hefty compensation package.
    A decision on which ties will be settled on the day – likely to be with penalty shoot-outs available after extra-time – will not be made until after the second round draw in December. More

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    Watch Cristiano Ronaldo score incredible rabona volley in Man Utd warm-up.. and it’s not the first time he’s done it

    CRISTIANO RONALDO showed he hasn’t lost his magic touch by scoring an incredible rabona volley.But it’s not the first time the Manchester United star has done it.
    Cristiano Ronaldo scored a stunning rabona volley ahead of Man Utd’s win at SheriffCredit: Twitter
    Ronaldo, 37, was handed a rare start by Erik ten Hag as the Red Devils beat Sheriff 2-0 last week.
    The Portugal legend netted United’s second goal after Jadon Sancho gave them the lead.
    But Ronaldo’s most impressive moment came BEFORE kick-off in the Europa League clash.
    Going through his usual drills in the warm-up, Ronnie turned to practicing some attacking runs at goal.
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    Video footage shows the ball being crossed into the veteran’s path, with just yards between Ronaldo and the open goal.
    But instead of simply sticking the ball away, the icon went a step further as he performed an outrageous rabona volley with little effort.
    Ronaldo looked very pleased as he turned away to continue his warm-up.
    But fans of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner know it’s not the first time Ronaldo’s produced something similar.
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    Linking up with Portugal teammates during the Autumn international break in 2016, Ronnie scored a breathtaking rabona goal during training.
    His effort came just months after captaining his country to glory at Euro 2016.
    Ronaldo went on to score 42 goals in all competitions for Real Madrid that season, winning LaLiga PLUS the Champions League.
    And United fans will be hoping Ronnie’s cheeky show of confidence can propel their side to similar glory this term. More