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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
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      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

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      Barcelona launch crackdown on Man Utd fans for Europa League clash with English IP addresses banned and no child tickets

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      BARCELONA have launched a crackdown on ticket sales ahead of their Europa League fixture against Manchester United.The LaLiga giants are hoping to avoid similar scenes to when they faced Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt in the competition last season.
      Barcelona have put measures in place to avoid Man Utd fans from buying home ticketsCredit: Getty
      Last season Eintracht Frankfurt’s fans are estimated to have bought 30,000 tickets to the Europa League clash at the Nou CampCredit: AFP
      The German club’s fans managed to get their hands on a reported 30,000 tickets for the fixture at the Nou Camp, way more than their allocation.
      This led to Barcelona’s home leg feeling a lot more like an away fixture due to the atmosphere created by the Frankfurt supporters.
      To stop this from happening for the Europa League tie against the Red Devils, the Spanish club have implemented measures to reduce the risk.
      The fixture has been deemed as high-risk by the Anti-Violence Commission, which has seen the measures come into action.
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      The club has created an internal transversal committee which will block computers with an IP address coming from England from buying tickets.
      It has also reduced the number of tickets an individual can purchase from six to four.
      The fixture will also not have child tickets available.
      Tour operators have also been hit as only 1,000 tickets will be sold to them to pass on to customers.
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      On the day, there will be random checks on fans, and those who have received a seat from a season ticket holder will have to have the correct form to hand.
      Erik ten Hag’s side have been made aware of the measures that affects the club’s supporters.
      The Red Devils are estimated to have a ticket allocation of 4,700 for the fixture at the 99,354-seater Nou Camp stadium. More

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      Man Utd boost as Ousmane Dembele is set to miss both Europa League clashes after Barcelona star suffers injury

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      BARCELONA winger Ousmane Dembele could miss both legs of the club’s upcoming Europa League play-off against Manchester United due to a thigh injury.The Frenchman, 25, was forced off during Barcelona’s La Liga clash with Girona on Saturday.
      Ousmane Dembele has sustained a thigh injuryCredit: Getty
      The Frenchman was forced off during Barcelona’s match against GironaCredit: Getty
      He was seen clutching his leg midway through the first half, raising concerns for Xavi and his coaching staff.
      And a post-match statement from the club confirmed that he had sustained an injury to his quadricep.
      The statement read: “Tests carried out this evening on Ousmane Dembele have shown that he has a rectus femoris injury in his left thigh.
      “He is out and his recovery will determine his availability.”
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      According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, he will be sidelined for five-to-six weeks as a result.
      Consequently, the winger will miss both of Barcelona’s upcoming Europa League games against Man Utd.
      The La Liga giants are due to face the Red Devils twice next month in a play-off which will determine who progresses to the round-of-16.
      Dembele could also miss up to six La Liga games due to the injury.
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      Barcelona currently sit at the top of the league table, six points clear of rivals Real Madrid.
      But, the absence of Dembele could hinder the club’s title charge.
      The Frenchman has re-established himself as a crucial first team player for Barcelona this season, with eight goals and seven assists in 28 games so far. More