Europa League

RASMUS HOJLUND was left fuming with one of his team-mates during the clash with Real Sociedad.The striker is enduring a barren run of form in which he has not scored since his brace against Viktoria Plzen in December.Rasmus Hojlund could have had a great chance to score if Diogo Dalot passed to himCredit: xThe full-back opted to take his time and messed up the chanceCredit: xHojlund was left fuming after he was ignoredCredit: APThe striker made his feelings clear to DalotCredit: GettyManager Ruben Amorim opted to use Hojlund in his attack in the Europa League round of 16 first leg clash in Spain.Hojlund, 22, had a great chance to break his duck but was not allowed the moment as Diogo Dalot failed to find him with a pass.The Dane was left fuming as he went ballistic at the defender.And fans even felt sorry for the goal-shy former Atalanta striker.READ MORE ON MAN UTDOne posted: “Right there is your difference between a right back and a right wing back.”A second commented: “Hojlund went crazy at Dalot for failing to pass to him when there was opportunity in that attack. Rightly so.”A third wrote: “Hojlund’s gone ballistic at Dalot there for not crossing and has every right to.”Ball had to be delivered first time and he ignored Hojlund.”Most read in Europa LeagueCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSA fourth said: “I feel sorry for Hojlund as finally he made a good run inside the box and Dalot couldn’t put the ball into the box with ease.”A fifth pointed out: “Just a simple ball to Hojlund and it’s one on one with a keeper.”‘We’ve broken the poor man, he must hate us’ – Ruben Amorim bizarrely stands on different pitch as Man Utd flops trainPaul Scholes called Dalot’s decision not to pass ‘criminal’Credit: GettyKaren Carney insisted Hojlund was right to ‘dig out’ hit team-mateCredit: AlamyAnother added: “Feel sorry for Hojlund. Simple cross for dalot to give him a chance and doesn’t play the pass.”Robbie Savage labelled the decision from Dalot as “unacceptable” on TNT Sports commentary.Man United legend Paul Scholes also claimed that the defender should have passed the ball.He said: “They should be ahead, Dalot should have squared it to Hojlund.”They have dangerous players but haven’t been a threat.”That is exactly what they were practicing, for Dalot not to see that is criminal.”Any right back not to see that in world football, it is criminal.”Karen Carney also slammed the defender as she added: “He [Hojlund] is absolutely right to be frustrated.”Dalot has to give him that pass and it is a tap in.”Hojlund has every right to go to Dalot and dig him out.”Hojlund was given the chance to start as promising striker Chido Obi was not eligible to play in the Europa League.The £72million has only scored seven times in 35 appearances this season, ahead of the game against Sociedad.Only two of these goals have come in the Premier League, while he has enjoyed more success in the Europa League.Hojlund has scored five times and is the club’s leading scorer in the tournament.His struggles in front of goal have even seen retired striker Wayne Rooney suggest that the club sign 34-year-old Danny Welbeck.The Brighton and Hove Albion forward played alongside Roonye at Old Trafford and has excelled this term on the South Coast.READ MORE SUN STORIESMan Utd did take the lead when Joshua Zirkzee fired home his first ever European goal after being squared the ball by Garnacho.But Bruno Fernandes’ handball saw Mikel Oyarzabal earn the Basques a draw from the penalty spot. More

A SUPERCOMPUTER has predicted which teams could be in contention for the Europa League title – and it’s good news for Tottenham.The Europa League round-of-16 kicks off tonight, with all remaining teams in action.Tottenham have a good chance of reaching the Europa League final, according to the SupercomputerCredit: ReutersMan Utd, meanwhile, are unlikely to go all the wayCredit: PATottenham travel to the Netherlands to face AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their clash.Meanwhile, Manchester United take on Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena.The likes of Ajax, Rangers and Roma are also in action as the race to Bilbao continues.But none of those teams have the best chance to win, according to a supercomputer.Read More in FootballA supercomputer from Opta claims that Lazio are most likely to lift the trophy at San Mames Stadium.The Italian giants have a 19.1 per cent chance of winning the Europa League, a 33 per cent chance of reaching the final and a 55.1 per cent chance of making it to the semi-finals.Opta’s simulation is also 77.6 per cent confident that they will beat Viktoria Plzen in the last-16 across two legs.According to the supercomputer, Tottenham have the second-best chance of winning the title.Most read in Europa LeagueCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSOpta’s Europa League supercomputerSpurs have a 14.5 per cent chance of lifting the trophy, a 25.7 per cent chance of making the final, a 44.4 per cent chance of reaching the semi-finals and a 70.7 per cent chance of beating Alkmaar in the round-of-16 this week and next.Man Utd, however, are fifth in line behind Athletic Bilbao and Roma.’I know the consequences’ – Ruben Amorim insists he’s the right man for Man Utd but fears he may not get time to show itThe Red Devils have been limited to just a 7.4 per cent chance of winning the competition, with a 15.5 per cent chance of reaching the final.The supercomputer has also given United a 53 per cent chance of beating Real Sociedad.Ruben Amorim and Co have endured a miserable run of results recently.They currently sit 14th in the Premier League table, level on points with West Ham.At the other end of the Europa League rankings, FCSB have been deemed the team least likely to win, with just a 0.6 per cent chance. More

RUBEN AMORIM bizarrely stood by himself on a different pitch to the Manchester United team.The club’s struggling stars were partaking in an open training session ahead of the Europa League clash against Real Sociedad.Ruben Amorim cut a lonely figure during Manchester United trainingCredit: PAHe wandered onto a different pitch to the one the players trained onCredit: AlamyThe players continued to train without Amorim presentCredit: AlamyThey are next in action against Real Sociedad in the Europa LeagueCredit: PACameras caught Amorim, 40, wandering off by himself with a ball at his feet while the team trained on a different pitch.The Man United manager cut a lonely figure as he was left alone with his thoughts.He could be seen walking and tapping a ball with his feet before kicking it at an empty goal.The players continued to perform their drill out of sight from the former Sporting Lisbon coach.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSFans have been left stunned by the moment as it was shared on social media.One posted: “We’ve broken the poor man. He must hate us. He has to be missing Sporting Lisbon.”A second commented: “The gap is getting larger for each loss.”A third wrote: “Doesn’t want to be anywhere near this shower of s***.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSA fourth said: “We finished the poor man, what a shame.”Another added: “No wonder he’s struggling to get his ideas across, he’s taking training from another postcode.”‘That’s why I’m the manager’ – Ruben Amorim hits back at Wayne Rooney as Man Utd boss aims to win Premier LeagueHe did eventually come and oversee some of the players trainCredit: GettyMan United’s travelling squadHere is a look at the 18-man travelling squad for Manchester United to take on Real Sociedad…Goalkeepers:Andre OnanaDermot MeeElyh Harrison Defenders:Harry AmassDiogo DalotMatthijs de LigtPatrick DorguAyden HeavenVictor LindelofNoussair MazraouiLeny YoroMidfielders:CasemiroToby CollyerChristian EriksenBruno FernandesForwards:Alejandro GarnachoRasmus HojlundJoshua ZirkzeeSome fans claimed that he was not present with he team as they were warming up and he was not needed.He was later pictured closer to the team and watched on as they practiced.Amorim arrived at Old Trafford as the replacement for Erik ten Hag in November.He has struggled to instantly turn the fortunes around at the club as they currently linger in 14th place in the Premier League table.The club has been dumped out of both of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup.The Red Devils’ last chance of silverware this season is in the Europa League.Amorim helped guide the team through the League Phase and into the knockout rounds.The club now face Real Sociedad on Thrusday evening in the first leg of the round of 16.However, the manager will have to rely on out-of-form striker Rasmus Hojlund as he can not pick promising youngster Chido Obi.The teenage striker was not eligible to be picked for the tournament.A statement read: “Chido Obi is ineligible for the competition, as he cannot be added to the B list due to only signing for the Academy last year.”Obi has made three appearances for the club this season and has already had fans set up social media pages impersonating him.The club has acted quickly to tackle the issue and has had the fake accounts removed.Man Utd confirmed to SunSport it is something done “routinely” to help all players.Amorim will be without Manuel Ugarte and Harry Maguire for the match after picking up injuries in the FA Cup defeat to Fulham.READ MORE SUN STORIESThere is some good news for Man United though as Toby Collyer has returned to training.The midfielder has been out of action since mid-February after picking up a knock.Toby Collyer will be back for the match against Real SociedadCredit: AlamyHarry Maguire will miss the gameCredit: GettyManuel Ugarte has also been ruled out with a knockCredit: Getty More

RUBEN AMORIM has been forced to name a depleted 18-man squad for Manchester United’s Europa League crunch clash against Real Sociedad.A tiny travelling cohort – made of THREE goalkeepers – will make the trip to Spain to face Sociedad in the first-leg of their last-16 tie on Thursday.Man Utd have been forced to name a depleted 18-man squad for Manchester United’s Europa League crunch clashCredit: AlamyRuben Amorim held his last training session in Manchester before Thursday’s Europa League tieCredit: AlamyAccording to Uefa, teams can name up to 23 players to a matchday squad for Europa League games.But United’s injury crisis has forced just 18 players to make the trip to Sociedad.With three keepers included: Andre Onana, Dermot Mee and Elyh Harrison, Amorim can only call on 15 outfield stars.It means a first European squad call up for Mee, 22, who was included on the bench in the Prem for the first time against Everton last month.READ MORE ON MAN UTDHarry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte are the latest stars to have been ruled out of Thursday night’s clash.The club has described them as both having picked up “minor knocks” in their FA Cup penalty shootout defeat against Fulham on Sunday.Eyebrows were raised when Maguire – who normally takes a penalty in shootouts – was replaced by winter signing Ayden Heaven at the end of normal time against the Cottagers at Old Trafford.Likewise, Ugarte was subbed off for Alejandro Garnacho in the 53rd minute, but that was likely a tactical decision.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWith nine first-team regulars already unavailable, the Red Devils are now without as many as 12 players against Sociedad. Amorim can’t call on 17-year-old striker Chido Obi, who has came off the bench on multiple occasions in recent weeks.Gary Lineker blames Sir Alex Ferguson for Man Utd’s decline as he points to ‘state’ club left inUnited’s travelling squad vs SociedadGoalkeepers: Andre Onana Dermot Mee, Elyh HarrisonDefenders: Harry Amass, Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu, Ayden Heaven, Victor Lindelof, Noussair Mazraoui, Leny YoroMidfielders: Casemiro, Toby Collyer, Christian Eriksen, Bruno FernandesForwards: Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua ZirkzeeHarry Maguire missed training after picking up a minor knock against FulhamCredit: AFPManuel Ugarte also missed training on WednesdayCredit: RexObi was not registered when the club submitted the squad because he was not considered part of the first-team. The talented teenager has not been with the club long enough to be eligible for the B-list, having arrived from Arsenal in the summer.Fellow January signings Heaven and wing-back Patrick Dorgu were submitted in time, though.Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton, Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount and Amad Diallo are all out injured.For Sociedad, they too will be without some key players when they welcome the Reds on Thursday. Alvaro Odriozola, Arsen Zakharyan, Jon Pacheco and Luka Sucic all missed their 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in La Liga on Sunday.Amorim can’t call on 17-year-old striker Chido ObiCredit: AlamyThe news that Maguire and Ugarte are unavailable has fans fearing the worst. One said: “Casemiro against Sociedad and we’re cooked.”One fumed: “No Maguire and Ugarte on Thursday. That will be another loss sadly.”Another raged: “Seriously! This is getting ridiculous.”A fourth added: “That does mean Heaven or Victor Lindelof will start at the back? 😮”There was also some positive news for Amorim however. Young midfielder Toby Collyer is back, though, and flies to Spain with the rest of the party.Collyer has been absent since January, when United last played in the Europa League as they progressed past FCSB.The Europa League is United’s final chance for silverware this season.READ MORE SUN STORIESDespite their worst-ever run in the Prem, the Red Devils were the only side across the Champions League and Europa League to go unbeaten in the league phase.With Amorim’s side 14th in the Prem, the club will need to win it in order to qualify for next season’s competition.Man Utd ratings vs FulhamMANCHESTER UNITED crashed out the FA Cup on penalties against Fulham.Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee had poor spot-kicks saved as the Red Devils slipped to their sixth home defeat under Ruben Amorim.Fulham broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time with a well-worked corner.Antonee Robinson darted to the near post and flicked it onto Calvin Bassey who directed his header into the bottom corner brilliantly.Just as United’s frustrations were brewing, Bruno Fernandes was the saviour yet again.He picked up Diogo Dalot’s perfect cut back and fired it beyond the stretch of Bernd Leno.United had chances towards the end of the second-half, with subs Alejandro Garnacho and Chido Obi unable to finish.There was nothing to separate the sides in extra-time and penalties were needed.Despite well-taken kicks from Fernandes, Diogo Dalot and Casemiro, Lindelof and Zirkzee woefully fired directly at Fulham hero Leno.But which Man Utd players could hold their heads up and which flopped?Here, SunSport’s Ken Lawrence reveals his player ratings. 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