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      Supercomputer predicts Man Utd’s season – so how likely is quadruple after Paul Scholes’ bold claim?

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      PAUL SCHOLES reckons Manchester United can win a quadruple this season.But just how likely is the historic feat for Erik ten Hag’s brave battlers?
      Paul Scholes reckons Man Utd can win a quadruple this seasonCredit: Getty
      Erik ten Hag can land his first trophy in the Carabao Cup on SundayCredit: Getty
      The Dutchman has done a grand job since taking charge at Old Trafford last summer, leading his side to third in the table.
      United are just five points behind Arsenal after comfortably beating Leicester 3-0 at the weekend.
      And they are confident of making strong progress in both the FA Cup and Europa League.
      But Ten Hag can win his first trophy on Sunday when United take on Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.
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      And Scholes feels victory at Wembley could spark an incredible run ending with United lifting all four trophies.
      However, Bettingexpert’s Supercomputer BETSiE has crunched the numbers and tallied the tables.
      And it reckons United have just a 0.04 per cent chance of getting their hands on the quad.
      In the Premier League, Arsenal still have a game in hand on the Red Devils, while rivals Man City occupy second place.
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      So therefore the odds of United winning their first Premier League title since 2013 is, in the eyes of the Supercomputer, extremely unlikely.
      And the Red Devils are predicted to finish in their current position of third.
      United have also been given very low odds of a Carabao, FA Cup and Europa League treble, with the boffin PC tipping them at just 1.56 per cent.
      However, should their sights be lowered to a double, United have an 8.23 per cent shot at winning the Carabao Cup and Europa League.
      On the European front, they are currently level at 2-2 with Barcelona after the first leg of their Europa League play-off.
      Manchester United’s chances are better should they target a domestic cup double of the Carabao and FA Cup with an 11.72 per cent chance.
      The Red Devils host West Ham in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup.
      But considering the last trophy United won was the 2017 Europa League under Jose Mourinho, any success in any competition will provide just cause for celebration amongst fans eager to see the return of Sir Alex Ferguson’s glory years. More

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      Man Utd handed huge boost for Europa League as Barcelona confirm star faces a ‘MONTH OUT’ with injury

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have been handed a major boost ahead of their Europa League second leg against Barcelona.Barca’s star midfielder Pedri suffered a muscular injury to his right leg during Thursday’s 2-2 Nou Camp thriller.
      Pedri is likely to miss the second leg against Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
      The Spaniard was forced off within 40 minutes with the injury, which has now been confirmed by the club
      A Barcelona statement read: “The tests carried out this Friday morning have confirmed that Pedri has an injury to the rectus femoris of the right thigh.
      “He is low and his evolution will mark his availability.”
      Local reports now suggest the Spain international could be facing up a to a month out.
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      Pedri was replaced by Sergio Roberto and had to watch from the bench.
      Former Chelsea man Marcos Alonso opened the scoring before United fought back with a goal from United’s Marcus Rashford and an own-goal from Jules Kounde.
      But Barcelona levelled the tie ahead of the second leg through Raphinha.
      The next clash between the two sides will take place next Thursday at Old Trafford.
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      After the game, both managers were left unimpressed with referee Maurizio Mariani.
      Xavi believed that Barcelona should have had a penalty after Fred appeared to handle the ball in the box.
      While Erik ten Hag was fuming after a foul was not given to Marcus Rashford, for which he was booked for his protests to the official. More

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      Three Man Utd stars picked out for criticism over Barcelona’s opening goal and told they ‘have to do better’

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      THREE Manchester United stars have been criticised for their roles in Barcelona’s opening goal last night.The Red Devils grabbed a useful 2-2 draw in their Europa League play-off first leg in Spain.
      Owen Hargreaves and Paul Scholes had their say on Marcos Alonso’s goalCredit: Rex
      Alonso heads Barcelona in frontCredit: Rex
      But it could have been even better, had a trio of their stars done better for Marcos Alonso’s goal.
      The former Chelsea ace headed home at the back post after he found himself unmarked at a corner.
      Analysing the goal on BT Sport after the game, Man United legend Paul Scholes said: “When you look at the first goal it is [Tyrell] Malacia who doesn’t pick up Alonso, he lets him free, really.
      “It is only a basic bit of movement from Alonso that loses him too. Fred as well, probably didn’t challenge as well as he could.
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      “It is a basic bit of movement from Alonso and Malacia doesn’t stay with him.”
      Scholes, 48, was also unhappy with goalkeeper David de Gea.
      He added: “I think the goalkeeper should do better, it goes in quite easily at that near post. David looks a little bit worried about colliding with the post.
      “But Malacia there, he has to stay with him and when he doesn’t, Fred has to cover, ‘my mate has made a mistake, I’ve got to cover for him’, But he doesn’t do that.”
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      Tyrell Malacia has been criticised for his role in Alonso’s goalCredit: Rex
      Fred may feel he could have done betterCredit: Rex
      David de Gea was also singled outCredit: Rex
      Agreeing with Scholes, his ex-United team-mate Owen Hargreaves added: “Whether it is the Champions League or Europa League, the margins are so fine.
      “If you are given a job you have to do it. I think Erik ten Hag will be disappointed.”
      Within ten minutes of Alonso’s opener, United had turned the game on it’s head.
      Marcus Rashford scored a brilliant leveller, before teeing up Jules Kounde’s own goal.
      Ex-Leeds ace Raphinha was on hand to level in the 76th minute, leaving the tie delicately poised.
      After the match, United boss Ten Hag gushed over his side’s display… but felt they could have done even better.
      He said: “If you face No 1 of Spain in an away game and you are that dominant, you can see it as a positive.
      “We created many chances – more than you can expect, actually – and there’s a little bit of disappointment that we didn’t score them.
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      “We should have scored minimum four goals tonight.”
      The second leg will take place at Old Trafford next Thursday.
      Marcus Rashford continued his red-hot formCredit: Getty More

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      Raphinha issues grovelling apology as he reveals reason for shocking outburst after repeatedly punching Barcelona bench

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      BARCELONA winger Raphinha has apologised following his meltdown after being substituted against Manchester United.It ended all square in the first leg of the Europa League tie with the Brazilian netting the equaliser in the 2-2 draw at the Nou Camp.
      Raphina punches a seat in the dug out in frustration.Credit: BT Sport
      Raphinha celebrates scoring against Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty

      The former Leeds man was left seething when he was replaced by Ferran Torres in the 83rd minute and took his anger out on Marcos Alonso’s seat in the dug out.
      After apologising to manager Xavi the winger has now come out and issued a public apology.
      He said: ” I’ve already apologised and I will do it again on training. I want to say sorry for my reaction after the change, it won’t happen again”.
      He added: “I don’t have any problem with Xavi or the club, I just wanted to be on the pitch.”
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      It was a pulsating encounter between the two sides with the Brazilian more than playing his part.
      Raphinha provided the assist for Marcos Alonso who headed the Catalan giants in front.
      Barcelona were left stunned as two quickfire goals from the in-form Marcus Rashford and a Jules Kounde own goal saw them fall behind.
      Raphinha got his side back into it as his cross sailed past everyone and into the back of the net.
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      The second leg takes place at Old Trafford on Thursday, February 23. More

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      Man Utd fan branded ‘clown’ as Barcelona supporters get own back on him over taunts during 2-2 draw

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      A MANCHESTER UNITED supporter “got what he deserved” after a Barcelona fan nicked his hat while he was goading them.Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils earned a 2-2 draw at the Nou Camp last night in the first leg of the Europa League play-off. 
      A goading Man Utd fan got more than he bargained for at BarcelonaCredit: Twitter @HooligansTV_eu
      The fan was left red-faced and it was all caught on cameraCredit: Twitter @HooligansTV_eu
      Thousands of United fans made the trip to Spain to see them take on one of the Catalan giants.
      However, one got a little bit too cocky after the result as they made their way over to the flexi glass that separated the away end from the home spectators.
      The man began slapping the glass as Barca fans exited just inches away from him, and then he began singing: “You’ve seen United, now f*** off home.”
      Several ignored him, although one did punch the other side of the glass, but the United follower remained undeterred.
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      And soon enough one Barcelona supporter decided that they had had enough of it as he quickly darted over to the glass and snatched the hat off the head of the annoying visitor.
      Other Barca spectators began laughing, but United fans soon joined in and jeered before the hapless individual grabbed his own shirt and pulled it over his head.
      But the humiliated man remained undeterred.
      He soon restarted his chants – but unfortunately for him others were on hand to capture the whole moment on camera phone.
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      And the clip of the incident soon went viral, with 323k views at the time of writing.
      “What a clown,” declared one Twitter user after watching it.
      Another commented: “What a weapon – now he’s going home with that haircut on full display.”
      While another wrote: “That awkward moment when you’ve been embarrassed but don’t know what to do so you put your shirt over your head to make out your not bothered.” More

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      Barcelona boss Xavi shares private messages to Erik ten Hag after Man Utd draw in Europa League

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      BARCELONA boss Xavi has revealed what he told Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag after the two European juggernauts played out a 2-2 draw in the Europa League.The two sides met at the Camp Nou on Thursday in an enthralling round of 32 first leg clash.
      Xavi has revealed what he privately told Erik ten Hag after the 2-2 drawCredit: Getty
      Ex-Chelsea ace Marcus Alonso handed Barcelona the lead in the 50th minute.
      But Marcus Rashford inspired a Red Devils comeback, equalising two minutes later.
      Rashford then forced Jules Kounde to turn the ball into the back of his own net in the 59th minute to hand Man Utd the lead.
      Former Leeds main man Raphinha came to Barca’s rescue, though, scoring 14 minutes from time.
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      After the game, Xavi revealed he congratulated Ten Hag, who appears to have United on an upward trend.
      Barca are on a similar trajectory themselves, topping LaLiga by eight points.
      Xavi says a Barca-Man Utd clash can be Champions League final-worthy in the future.
      He said after the draw: “It was a really tough game with a lot of passion and intensity.
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      “We have to be proud because we competed until the end. We played against a top team in Europe.
      “Manchester [United] is coming back and today they showed their best version.
      “Both teams are more or less in the same position. We are coming back.

      “I told Ten Hag congratulations because he is doing very well.
      “It can be a final or semi-final in the future Champions League.”
      There were 36 shots in total at the Camp Nou More

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      Europa League top scorer 2022/23: Who is leading the race?

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      ITS every players dream to be awarded for being the top scorer in any competition – and there’s a real rat race on for the Europa League golden boot this year.Last season, Rangers talisman James Tavernier pipped Lyon’s Karl Toko Ekambi to the prize despite the Scots losing in the final to Eintracht Frankfurt.
      James Tavernier won last season’s top scorer award despite losing in the finalCredit: PA
      But elite strikers such as Robert Lewandowski will be eyeing the award this time around.
      However, the Poland goal machine will have to surpass Marcus Rashford first who is closing in on the top spot.
      Who scored this week in the Europa League?
      Marcus Rashford continued his phenomenal form after scoring in Manchester United’s first leg playoff against Barcelona.
      And it took the England international’s tally up to three – just one behind the current top scorer.
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      Europa League top scorers 2022/23
      Vitinha (Braga) – 4Santiago Gimenez (Feyenoord) – 4Anastasios Bakasetas (Trabzonspor) – 3Cody Gakpo (PSV) – 3Luca Pellegrini (Roma) – 3Rick (Ludogorets) – 3Gustav Isaksen (Midtjylland) – 3Michael Gregoritsch (Freiburg) – 3Marcus Rashford (Man United) – 3Martin Terrier (Rennes) – 3Victor Boniface (Union SG) – 3Joey Veerman (PSV) – 3Kwabwena Owusu (Qarabağ) – 3Kevin Volland (Monaco) – 3Michy Batshuayi (Fenerbahçe) – 3Wissam Ben Yedder (Monaco) – 3Guélor Kanga (Crvena zvezda) – 3Kristoffer Zachariassen (Ferencváros) – 3 More

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      Watch Raphinha PUNCH Marcos Alonso’s seat repeatedly in meltdown after Barcelona star is subbed against Man Utd

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      RAPHINHA repeatedly PUNCHED Marcos Alonso’s seat in a meltdown after being subbed off against Manchester United.The Europa League first-leg tie ended all square at the Nou Camp after Raphinha made it 2-2 on the night.
      Raphinha was left fuming after being subbed off

      But the Brazilian was left fuming after he made way for Ferran Torres on 83 minutes.
      Raphinha’s frustrations were evident on the subs bench as he took his anger out on Alonso’s seat.
      But he did apologise to manager Xavi afterwards – despite not needing to.
      Xavi said: “I see and understand Raphinha’s anger, I was also angry. I make the changes thinking about the team and not to point fingers at anyone
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      “Raphinha has apologised to me but he didn’t have to. I see it as a positive that everyone wants to play.”
      Alonso headed Barca 1-0 up on 50 minutes but just moments later Marcus Rashford levelled.
      And Rashford had a part in putting United 2-1 up after his cross was diverted in by defender Jules Kounde.
      Kounde’s blushes were sparred by Raphinha, whose curled cross sailed all the way in.
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      United boss Erik ten Hag claimed the game was so good it was more fitting for Champions League football.
      He said: “I think we dictated the game. Apart from maybe 15 minutes of the first half, we had some difficulties, but for the rest, we dictated the game and we outplayed [them], so many chances, so I was a little bit disappointed that in half-time it was 0-0 because we should have scored.
      “The opportunities they had, we created by ourselves. But I think it was a great game, two attacking teams, I think it was really Champions League [level] and even more than that.
      “So I really enjoyed the game a lot. In the end, 2-2, and we have to finish it at Old Trafford.”
      Erik ten Hag after the draw in BarcelonaCredit: PA More