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      Barcelona ace Raphinha suffers bizarre injury blow after kicking FRIDGE in anger following Man Utd draw in Europa League

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      BARCELONA star Raphinha suffered a bizarre injury after kicking a FRIDGE following the club’s Europa League clash with Manchester United.Man Utd and Barcelona played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Nou Camp.
      Raphinha starred in the Europa League first leg against Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
      But his frustration at being subbed off saw him kick out at a fridge, causing an injuryCredit: Getty
      Despite the 26-year-old being a danger throughout, contributing a goal and assist in the game, he was subbed off in the 82nd minute.
      Raphinha was visibly frustrated at his withdrawal, and was seen punching Marcos Alonso’s seat on the bench.
      According to Mundo Deportivo, he also kicked out at a FRIDGE that was storing water, but has been made to regret his outburst against the appliance as he suffered a knee injury for his troubles.
      Indeed, the injury left the Brazilian unable to start the weekend fixture against Cadiz.
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      Raphinha was able to return to the starting XI for the second leg against United, but was unable to repeat his first leg heroics.
      Instead, compatriots Fred and Antony proved the difference as they both scored to complete a second half comeback for Erik ten Hag’s side.
      Raphinha was once again benched this weekend for the LaLiga outing against Almeria, with Barca falling to a shock 1-0 defeat.
      This result has allowed reigning champions Real Madrid to close the gap to the league leaders to seven points after Los Blancos’ draw in the Madrid derby.
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      Barca’s next game is against their historic rivals in the semi-final of the Copa del Rey
      Raphinha has struggled to live up to expectations since his big money transfer from Leeds in the summer.
      He has scored seven times and added nine assists in 34 games, though 14 of these appearances have originated from off the bench.
      Meanwhile, former team-mate and ex-Barca star Junior Firpo slammed the Nou Camp for having “more tourists than fans”, claiming Elland Road was a better stadium. More

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      Erik ten Hag’s tactical genius revealed as stats show Man Utd boss is officially best in Europe for substitutions

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      ERIK TEN HAG has been the master of substitutions this season as Manchester United subs have scored more than any other team.Antony scored the winner from the bench against Barcelona on Thursday to send the Red Devils through to the next round of the Europa League.
      Manchester United have more goals from subs than any other team in Europe’s top five leagues
      Antony scored the winner from the bench against BarcelonaCredit: PA
      That is one of 19 goals scored by United substitutes this season, per Opta.
      No other team in Europe’s top five leagues can match Ten Hag’s ability to impact a game with Napoli and Villarreal next best.
      Both sides have 17 goals from substitutions this season with Napoli 15 points clear at the top of Serie A as a result.
      Ten Hag has got the best out of attackers like Marcus Rashford, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho, particularly in the last few weeks.
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      And his tactical genius is underpinned by the fact that no other English club is even in the top ten for goals by substitutes.
      Instead three other Spanish sides are included – Barcelona have while Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid each have 12.
      Five other teams are tied on 12 – Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Fiorentina, Monaco and Stade Reims.
      Ten Hag has transformed United this season and he has been compared to Sir Alex Ferguson by Peter Schmeichel.
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      He said: “It has taken 10 years to get to this point,’ for me this season anything can really happen.
      “Manchester United can win everything or nothing but we have seen the progress.
      “Every situation has been dealt with properly by Erik ten Hag, like a good manager should.
      “Like vintage Sir Alex Ferguson… I am sitting here thinking ‘wow, we have got the right man’.” More

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      How Arsenal lined up the last time they faced Sporting Lisbon with just two of Arteta’s squad

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      ARSENAL have learned that Sporting Lisbon will be their opponent in the next round of the Europa League. The Gunners topped their group so did not need to follow Manchester United into a play-off, instead getting a pass straight into the Last 16.
      Mikel Arteta’s Gunners will face Sporting Lisbon in the next round of the Europa LeagueCredit: Reuters
      And following the draw, Arsenal will be up against Sporting Lisbon, who were knocked down from Tottenham’s group in the Champions League.
      Arsenal’s last game against the Portuguese giants came as recently as 2018, ending in a 0-0 draw, but they have undergone a major makeover since then.
      In fact, only two members of the squad have survived since Mikel Arteta began his rebuild at the Emirates.
      And now, those two stars will have the chance to face Sporting once again.
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      The first of the retained stars is Emile Smith Rowe, who started the game at the tender age of 18.
      The other star in question is defender Rob Holding, who sat in the heart of the defence.
      He partnered Sokratis at centre-back in front of then goalkeeper and captain Petr Cech.
      Swiss defender Stephan Lichtsteiner took up the role as right-back, while Carl Jenkinson filled in as an auxiliary left-back.
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      Here’s how Arsenal lined up against Sporting in 2018
      In midfield, Aaron Ramsey was paired with Matteo Guendouzi, with the pair now both playing their football in Ligue 1.
      Two of the front three have retained spots in the Premier League, albeit with differing success for those teams at present.
      Now Brighton ace Danny Welbeck spearheaded the Gunners attack in the match, while Everton midfielder Alex Iwobi was deployed at left-wing.
      The attack was completed by Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who flattered to deceive at Arsenal following a transfer from Man Utd.
      While only two stars from the starting XI have been retained, the bench features two players who are still at the club, though one is out on loan.
      The first is Southampton loanee Ainsely Maitland-Niles, who replaced Lichtsteiner in the 73rd minute.
      The other is Eddie Nketiah, who is the only starter in Arsenal’s current squad from the 2018 fixture.
      But the Hale End graduate was not given any minutes in the game by then coach Unai Emery.
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      Instead, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang replaced Welbeck when he went off injured in the 30th minute, while Sead Kolasinac was subbed on for Jenkinson at the 60 minute mark.
      Others stars on the bench included World Cup winners Emiliano Martinez and Shkodran Mustafi, as Uruguayan midfielder Lucas Torrerira completed the squad. More

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      Man Utd star Alejandro Garnacho mocks Barcelona with six-word tweet and fans convinced he took shot at Pedri

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      ALEJANDRO GARNACHO has come under fire for mocking Barcelona following Manchester United’s victory.The Red Devils progressed to the next round of the Europa League after coming from behind to beat Barcelona 2-1 at Old Trafford, winning 4-3 on aggregate.
      Alejandro Garnacho received backlash after winding up Barcelona fansCredit: Getty
      The Manchester United youngster mocked Pedri’s celebrationCredit: EPA
      Garnacho came off the bench and helped United get a winner, and the youngster could not help but poke a bit of fun at the Spaniards.
      At the end of the game the 18-year-old seemingly mocked Pedri’s goggle celebration by performing it himself at the Theatre of Dreams.
      The Barca midfielder missed the game through injury and Spanish media have slammed Garnacho for his “poor taste”.
      The Madrid-born Argentine youngster then added to the fury with a cheeky six-word tweet, writing: “Pasa de ronda el equipo grande” (the big team advanced to the next round).
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      That incensed Barcelona fans who have lashed out at Garnacho in response.
      One said: “Hello Alejandro, to do that and NOT contribute anything, it is better to be quiet, you are NOT anyone in the world of football yet.
      “You have NOT won anything yet, let alone talk about Pedri.”
      Another added: “Mocking a player who didn’t even play is pretty sad.”
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      And a third wrote: “Cool story, bro. Mocking an injured player who didn’t even play 🤡.”
      Another commented: “And what have you won? Apart from training with Messi.” More

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      Man Utd have already LOST to Real Betis this season but it was a VERY different line-up

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are up against recent history in the next round of the Europa League with their opponents Real Betis having already BEATEN them this season. Erik ten Hag masterminded a 2-1 comeback victory over Barcelona on Thursday night to give United passage into the last-16.
      Anthony Elanga was afforded an opportunity to play against Real BetisCredit: Getty
      While youngsters such as Zidane Iqbal were also given run-outsCredit: Getty
      While some senior stars were also involved in the matchCredit: Getty
      And they face Spanish opposition again in the next round after being paired with Betis.
      But it won’t be the first time the sides have met this season – with the LaLiga side coming out on top previously.
      As the World Cup edged towards to it’s dramatic conclusion, club football began its preparation to get back under way with some friendlies.
      One of those friendlies saw Man Utd visit Spain and take on Real Betis, where they lost 1-0 thanks to Nabil Fekir’s 49th minute strike.
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      However, the line up that day saw a very different XI take to the field to the one United are likely to field when they face off again.
      The game, on December 10, saw just two members of the team who faced Barcelona start on the pitch, those being David De Gea and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
      Second-half Barca subs Alejandro Garnacho and Scott McTominay were also handed starts against Betis.
      Crocked ace Anthony Martial started the match up top, but was only given a 45 minute run-out in the fixture.
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      Here’s how United lined up the last time they faced Betis
      Victor Lindelof, who started last weekend’s 3-0 win over Leicester, was one of two stars who completed the entire fixture, the other being McTominay.
      The rest of the squad saw a string of squad players and youngsters played in order to give Ten Hag a look at them.
      Teden Mengi and Brandon Williams completed the defence.
      Isak Hansen-Aaroen partnered McTominay in the midfield, while Zidane Iqbal provided the side’s creativity ahead of them.
      Outside of previously established stars De Gea, Lindelof, Wan-Bissaka, McTominay and Martial there have not been many appearances from the rest of this squad throughout the season.
      Wingers Garnacho and Elanga have 48 appearances this season between them, though most of these have come from the bench.
      While Williams is the only other player to have an appearance to his name.
      One star who came onto the pitch at half-time was recently handed his Prem debut by Ten Hag, 17-year-old Kobbie Mainoo.
      However, before Ten Hag and Co look at the Betis fixture, they have a Carabao Cup final showdown against Newcastle to contend with.
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      Man Utd face being without talisman Marcus Rashford after he picked up an injury in the Barcelona game.
      Ten Hag has also urged his side to ignore Newcastle’s “annoying” time-wasting tactics. More

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      ‘My favourite butcher’ – Man Utd fans love it as Lisandro Martinez stays behind two hours in classy gesture

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      LISANDRO MARTINEZ delighted Manchester United fans after their Europa League win against Barcelona.That’s by staying at Old Trafford until MIDNIGHT to sign autographs in the rain.
      Lisandro Martinez stayed hours after Man Utd’s win over Barcelona to sign autographsCredit: https://twitter.com/sportbible/status/1629040996892782592
      The defender put in another classy performance as United secured a 2-1 victory over LaLiga’s top side.
      The score handed the Red Devils a 4-3 aggregate win.
      And they will now take on Real Betis in the last 16 next month.
      Ecstatic supporters gathered in droves by the player tunnel leading out of Old Trafford afterwards.
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      Despite the cold wind and rain, hundreds of fans – including children – waited to catch a glimpse of their heroes.
      But Martinez went a step further by greeting each one and signing autographs.
      The Argentina World Cup winner was filmed doing the rounds with eager supporters two hours after the game ended.
      And fans on social media were left delighted with his selfless behaviour.
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      One said: “My favourite butcher.”
      Another declared: “I can’t tell you how happy I am he plays for my team.”
      One noted: “He’s a special boy, take care of him please.”
      Another added: “In the rain? No way!”
      The butcher comment refers to Martinez’s nickname during his time at former club Ajax.
      Known as the “Butcher of Amsterdam”, he endeared himself to Dutch fans with his aggressive and tenacious playing style.
      Speaking ahead of his £57million United move last summer, Martinez said: “Yes, I am called the Carnicero – The Butcher of ­Amsterdam. 
      “We Argentines do ­everything with passion and when I go out on the pitch, I fight for every ball. If I have to step over dead bodies, I do it.
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      “I want to win every 50-50 situation because I know that I am fighting for food for every member of my family and for my friends. 
      “That is the feeling I have – and every Argentinian has. It is the kind of ­motivation I cannot explain.” More

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      ‘Like vintage Sir Alex Ferguson’ – Erik Ten Hag lauded by Man Utd legend after Red Devils beat Barcelona

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      PETER SCHMEICHEL believes that Manchester United have found their next Sir Alex Ferguson in Erik ten Hag.The Dutch manager masterminded the club’s Europa League victory over Barcelona last night at Old Trafford.
      Peter Schmeichel has heaped praise on Erik ten HagCredit: Getty
      He believes the Dutchman is the ‘right man’ for the clubCredit: Getty
      Schmeichel compared ten Hag to iconic manager Sir Alex FergusonCredit: Getty
      Ferguson and Ten Hag had dinner ahead of United’s clash with BarcelonaCredit: Red Issue
      United came from behind on the night after Robert Lewandowski’s opener to win the game 2-1, and 4-3 on aggregate.
      The Europa League is not the only competition that the Red Devils are doing well in.
      The club are in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Newcastle, are third in the Premier League and are still in the FA Cup.
      It is ten years since Ferguson retired having led the club to 38 trophies in 26 years as manager.
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      Ten Hag met with Ferguson ahead of the clash with Barcelona at a restaurant in Wilmslow to discuss the match.
      Schmeichel now believes that Ten Hag has proved he is the “right man” for the club, and compared him to the legendary Scot.
      He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It has taken 10 years to get to this point,’ for me this season anything can really happen.
      “Manchester United can win everything or nothing but we have seen the progress.
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      “Every situation has been dealt with properly by Erik ten Hag, like a good manager should.
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      “Like vintage Sir Alex Ferguson… I am sitting here thinking ‘wow, we have got the right man’.”
      Schmeichel was not the only former United player to laud the former Ajax boss as Owen Hargreaves insisted that he has “transformed” the club.
      He told BT Sport: “It feels like everything has changed.
      “The atmosphere, the performance on the pitch, the manager.
      “It feels so much more positive and gives confidence. It feels a different place.
      “Ten Hag has transformed this football club. The energy is different. It has been a breath of fresh air.
      “It feels like the feel-good factor is coming back. Sunday [Carabao Cup final] could be another big step.
      “[It’s] amazing. Everyone is smiling. The manager’s changes affected this game and the crowd, this is what they have been dreaming of.
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      “They have a huge game on Sunday but this was a big match in Manchester United’s season.”
      United will now face Real Betis in the next round of the Europa League. More

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      Arsenal land tricky Europa League last-16 draw against Sporting Lisbon while Man Utd get easy route after Barcelona win

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      ARSENAL will face Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon in the last 16 of the Europa League.Manchester United, meanwhile, have drawn Real Betis.
      Antony celebrates booking Man United’s place in the last 16Credit: Getty
      Arsenal won their Europa League group prior to the World CupCredit: Getty
      The Red Devils booked their place in the last 16 with a dramatic 4-3 aggregate win over fellow European giants Barcelona.
      While Arsenal enjoyed a more serene route, sparing themselves the play-off round by winning their group prior to the World Cup.
      The Gunners’ opponents Sporting Lisbon dropped out of the Champions League at the expense of Eintracht Frankfurt and Arsenal’s bitter rivals Tottenham.
      They boast former Spur Marcus Edwards, who shone against his old side despite Sporting being knocked out.
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      After coming third in their Champions League group, Sporting were forced to take on Danish side FC Midtjylland in the Europa play-off.
      They drew 1-1 in the first leg in Portugal, before an emphatic 4-0 victory in Denmark.
      United’s opponents Real Betis, meanwhile, emphatically won Europa League Group C under the guidance of ex-Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini.
      They overcame Jose Mourinho’s Roma in the process, as well as Ludogorets and HJK.
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      The first legs will take place on March 9, with the return fixtures a week later on March 16.
      Elsewhere in the draw, Italian giants Juventus landed German side Freiburg.
      While Europa League specialists Sevilla will face Turkish outfit Fenerbahce.
      Roma were drawn with LaLiga side Real Sociedad, with Bundesliga surprise package Union Berlin taking on Belgian last 16 debutants Union Saint-Gilloise.
      Bayer Leverkusen take on Hungarians Ferencvaros, who will host their home leg at Puskas Arena, the venue that this year’s final will be played at.
      While Shakhtar Donetsk face Dutch side Feyenoord.
      Meanwhile, in the Europa Conference League, West Ham will face Cypriot side AEK Larnaca.
      David Moyes’ side reached the Europa League semi-finals last term, but are struggling in the Prem.
      Former Spur Marcus Edwards will have an opportunity to take on ArsenalCredit: Getty
      Real Betis are coached by ex-Man City Prem winner Manuel PellegriniCredit: EPA
      West Ham will continue their European adventure with a trip to CyprusCredit: Getty More