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      I’m a Man Utd fan and these are the competitions I’d sacrifice this season to bring back the glory days

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      ERIK TEN HAG may have to sacrifice the Europa League and FA Cup in order to win the Carabao Cup and secure Champions League football this season.If you had said to any Man Utd supporter in August, following back-to-back defeats to Brighton and then Brentford, that they would be in the top four and have one foot in the Carabao Cup Final, most would have laughed and bitten your hand off.  
      Man Utd are set to reach the Carabao Cup final and sit fourth in the Premier LeagueCredit: AFP
      It’s crazy that a little over 10 days ago we were even discussing the possibility of a title challenge as well.  
      But a draw at Crystal Palace and defeat to high-flying Arsenal mean that is certainly not going to happen this season.  
      What is universally agreed amongst United supporters is just how well Ten Hag is doing given the numerous obstacles he has faced.  
      In this January window alone, he’s having to watch as most of his rivals for the top four are splashing the cash.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      And although Wout Weghorst is a welcome addition up-front, there’s so much more required in other areas.
      United, traditionally, have done very little in the January window, but the gaps are significant.  
      On top of this, the manager has dealt with the Cristiano Ronaldo situation very well, along with the impending sale of the club and other disciplinary matters.  
      It’s the lack of squad depth that is the real issue, though. 
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      It makes you wonder, with United placed so nicely in the Premier League, if Ten Hag might be happy to sacrifice one of the FA Cup or Europa League.  
      It’s not something that he would ever publicly admit – and we’ve heard him say that “we must win every game” – but it’s simply not possible.
      There’s no doubt Ten Hag’s United will try and win every game, but will the XI he puts out be capable of doing so?  
      United play eight times in February alone, which works out as a match every three and a half days.  
      People have pointed to the run United had in 1999 but they only faced six matches in February that year, and had a far superior squad.  
      So it’ll come down to fixture management.
      Jurgen Klopp was a huge supporter of English football when he managed in Germany.
      But, after joining Liverpool, he was alarmed at how much football was played over here during the winter period.  
      We watched him tinker sufficiently in earlier years, in a way the great Sir Alex Ferguson once did.
      Hopefully Ten Hag doesn’t try to compete on too many levels – which could end with United missing out on a place in the Champions League and losing the Carabao Cup final. 
      Whatever happens, the signs are that United are on their way back.
      Read More on The Sun
      Hopefully the fans are smiling come May and not rueing a squad that was simply pushed too far.
      Tom McDermott is the host of The Red Devils Podshow which you can subscribe or listen to here. More

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      Inside Andre Villas-Boas’ shock career change after ex-Chelsea boss quit football management to race rally cars

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      EX-FOOTBALL manager Andre Villas-Boas broke the mould when he traded management for rally car racing.The 45-year-old was once considered one of the most exciting young managers in Europe.
      Andre Villas-Boas gave up football management to race rally cars
      He entered the Dakar Rally in 2018Credit: AP:Associated Press
      But he had to withdraw after crashing into a sand duneCredit: Jordi Rierola
      Villas-Boas attracted attention after an unbeaten season with FC Porto, in which he won the league title as well as the Europa League.
      This saw him be appointed to Chelsea in 2011 but was sacked a year later and moved to Tottenham.

      When he left Spurs in 2013, he boosted the record win percentage of any of the club’s managers in the Premier League era.
      Before leaving the North London club, Villas-Boas revealed that he would leave management in the next decade with the aim of rally racing.
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      He told the Portuguese newspaper O Jogo: “My passion for football makes me live it very intensively over 11 months and dedicate myself to that, but I think life allows you to enjoy other things.
      “For me, there is a limit and, in the next five to 10 years, I will quit coaching.
      “To compete in the Dakar Rally is a lifetime ambition for me and is something I know I have to do.
      “It went from a passion to an ­obligation, a destination of life, but I can only do it when I leave football. I will do it.”
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      After spells in Russia and China, Villas-Boas announced that he would be taking a break from management and instead compete in the Dakar Rally in 2018.
      However, he had to withdraw from the rally after crashing into a sand dune on the fourth stage in Peru and injuring his back.
      He then participated in the Baja TT do Pinhal in 2018 while driving a Can-Am Maverick X3.
      The Portuguese boss returned to club management between 2019 and 2021 when he took charge of Ligue 1 side Marseille.
      Andre Villas-Boas had to end his chase to complete the Dakar Rally after crashing on a sand dune but managed to walk away from the incidentCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      He managed in England at Chelsea and Tottenham HotspurCredit: AFP
      His last club was Ligue 1 side MarseilleCredit: Reuters
      He was admired by many players in football, as Aleksandr Kokorin revealed to Foot Mercato: “André Villas-Boas, I worked with him for a few months, he’s really the best coach I’ve had in my career, a great coach, a wonderful person.
       “A great guy, a great coach, always available when I called him, able to keep the confidence. A really great man.”
      He then raced again in 2022 in the WRC Vodafone Rally de Portugal.
      After the race, Villas-Boas admitted that it was a “dream come true”.
      He told reporters: “It is one of those things you dream of as a boy. I have been watching rallies since I was a little boy, and Formula One as well.
      “It is a very special, it is a great opportunity as we do it for our causes for good.
      “It is very stressful to tell you the truth. I wasn’t aware of how intense it was.
      “But we did well and finished on a good note, happy with the jump because I was scared to death.”
      Last year the former manager also spoke of how he collects cars and how he always wanted to rally.]
      Villas-Boas told WRC.com: “I like to collect cars with prestige, I always wanted to own a rally car, so I started investigating.
      “At first, I was in limbo about which rally car to own.
      “I have, fortunately, a good relationship with the PSA Group, and the first car that came up was actually a [Citroën] C4 from Loeb.
      Villas-Boas is still open to a return to football managementCredit: AFP
      “It was a great car with six wins, but it needed rebuilding.
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      “It was actually a car that had been around for a while, was sold by Citroën and then was around a few drivers, so the ten years of its life were very intense.”
      However, he is still open to a return to football management before 2026, as he admitted that he wants to take charge of a national side. More

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      Can January signings play in the Champions League and Europa League or will they be cup-tied?

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      THERE’S no better feeling than hearing your favourite football team has bolstered their squad in January – but can they represent two different teams in Europe?Previously, three new players could be added to the squad between the groups and knock-out stages as long as they had not played in the competition for another club.
      Philippe Coutinho signed for Barcelona during the January transfer window in 2018Credit: Reuters
      And this rule affected Philippe Coutinho when he made his mega £142million switch from Liverpool to Barcelona as the Brazilian had already represented the Reds in the Champions League that season.
      Clubs playing in Europe must still stick to the 25-man limit on ‘List A’ – players born before January 1, 1998 – and meet the quota of eight ‘locally-trained players’.
      However, there has been a slight tweak in what competitions January signings can be involved in.
      Can January signings still play in the Champions League and Europa League?
      Since the 2018/19 season, UEFA confirmed that it no longer matters whether players have played in the same competition for another club, even for another club still in the competition.
      Read more on transfer news
      But teams can still only register a maximum of three new eligible players during the January transfer window.
      Clubs have to communicate their squad changes by 11pm UK time on Thursday February 2, 2023.
      And once all teams changes have been approved, UEFA will release the full squad lists.
      Who has been a recent winter squad edition?
      There has been some big names who have made the switch in time for the new changes.

      Luis Diaz made the winter switch in January 2022Credit: Getty
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      When does the January transfer window 2023 open?
      The Premier League transfer window opens on Sunday January 1, 2023 but different leagues across Europe have different dates.
      Open date by league:

      Premier League – Sunday January 1, 2023
      EFL – Sunday January 1, 2023
      WSL – Sunday January 1, 2023
      Scotland – Sunday January 1, 2023
      Bundesliga – Sunday January 1, 2023
      Serie A – Monday January 2, 2023
      La Liga – Monday January 2, 2023
      Ligue 1 – Monday January 2, 2023 More

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      Alejandro Garnacho still hasn’t got place in Man Utd’s first-team dressing room at Carrington despite breaking into team

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      MANCHESTER UNITED starlet Alejandro Garnacho still doesn’t have a place in the first-team dressing room at Carrington despite starring for Erik Ten Hag’s side.Garnacho, 18, announced himself when he made his first start for United in last month’s 3-0 victory over Sheriff before scoring the winner against Real Sociedad in the Europa League.
      Manchester United ace Alejandro Garnacho still doesn’t have a place in the Carrington dressing roomCredit: Getty
      Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag claims Alejandro Garnacho has to improve his attitudeCredit: Rex
      The winger also stood out against Aston Villa on Thursday’s EFL Cup clash at Old Trafford with two vital assists that helped the Red Devils come from behind with a 4-2 win.
      According to the Daily Mail, however, the Argentina Under-20 international has yet to secure a spot in the training centre’s main dressing room as manager Ten Hag is not yet fully convinced.
      Ten Hag insists that Garnacho’s involvement going forward will be determined by his attitude.
      The Argentine reportedly got into trouble during United’s pre-season tour last summer as he was late for two team meetings in Thailand and Australia.
      Read More on Man Utd
      Ten Hag said: “It depends on his approach, his attitude.
      “When he keeps working then, yes, it is possible [for him to play more].
      “He wants to improve every day. He has to do the right things in his lifestyle. He has the capability.”
      But Garnacho appears to be knuckling down as he looks to break into United’s first team for good.
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      That is why the ex-Atletico Madrid ace has developed his English to near-fluent while training hard in the gym with a personalised program by Ten Hag’s fitness staff.
      The exciting prospect also had his parents and brother move to England for moral support. More

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      Nine stars who played for Man Utd and Barcelona, from four-time Champions League winner to winger who flopped at BOTH

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      MANCHESTER UNITED and Barcelona will be no strangers when they take each other on in the Europa League.The Reds Devils will play the La Liga giants in February next year in the tournament’s preliminary round.
      FC Barcelona attacker Memphis Depay is one of nine stars that also played for Manchester UnitedCredit: EPA
      The two clubs have locked horns on 13 occasions, with United only winning three of them.
      The pair have enjoyed having some of the best players to ever grace the game, and at times, these players have played for both.
      Nine players have played for both clubs with varying levels of success.
      Zlatan Ibrahimovic
      The Swedish striker played for Barcelona between 2009 and 2011 but struggled to hit his best form and returned to Serie A.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      He later joined United in 2016 following his exit from PSG and enjoyed a successful spell at Old Trafford as he won the Europa League and EFL Cup.
      Gerard Pique
      The recently retired long-standing Barcelona defender spent four years at Old Trafford between 2004 and 2008 in which he made 12 appearances in the Premier League.
      Pique returned to Barcelona and would go on to win pretty much everything possible in his career at the domestic and international levels.
      Alexis Sanchez
      The Chilean was a star in Catalonia during his three-year stint between 2011 and 2014 and got even better when he moved to the Premier League.
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      However for United fans this was to Arsenal and when he did eventually move to their club, he was a tremendous failure for two years.
      Memphis Depay
      Another winger that failed to cut the cloth at United, the dutchman was signed as one of the most promising youngsters in Europe from PSV but failed to consistently perform.
      Depay would rebuild his reputation in France with Lyon before moving to Barcelona on a free transfer in 2021.
      He has done well at the Nou Camp but has not become a regular starter under manager Xavi.
      Laurent Blanc
      The former France defender spent a single season at Barcelona in 1996 and would later move to Manchester United in the final years of his career.
      Blanc spent two seasons with the Red Devils between 2001 and 2003 before retiring from playing.
      Victor Valdes
      The Spanish shot-stopper is a legendary figure at the Nou Camp as he won everything possible as well as appearing over 500 times for the club.
      He joined United in 2015 after his contract expired, but failed to dislodge David De Gea in goal and only played twice in the Premier League before leaving the club in 2016.
      Henrik Larsson
      Another Swedish striker, Larsson had a mixed spell at Barcelona as he only scored 13 La Liga goals in 40 appearances and would leave the club to rejoin Swedish side Helsingborg.
      He would then move to the Red Devils on loan in January 2007, a spell in which he would score three times in 13 appearances in all competitions.
      Jordi Cruyff
      The former attacking midfielder is the son of iconic player Johan Cruyff and spent two years with Barcelona between 1994 and 1996.
      He then left the club for Old Trafford where he would spend the next three years of his career before a loan spell to Celta Vigo in 1999.
      Mark Hughes
      The current Bradford City manager spent two years away from Manchester United between 1986 and 1988, the first was at Barcelona and then the second was a loan spell at Bayern Munich.
      He returned to United in 1988 and would go on to play there for seven more years before leaving for Chelsea. More

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      Man Utd fans panic as they realise they’ll be without Lisandro Martinez to face Lewandowski and Co at Barcelona

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      MANCHESTER UNITED fans have been left concerned ahead of their Europa League tie versus Barcelona with a key player suspended.A vital member of the Red Devils starting XI picked up too many bookings in the group stages and he will miss the first leg in Spain.
      Robert Lewandowski will be delighted to see Man Utd are without a key centre-back in the first legCredit: Getty
      Lisandro Martinez is banned for the first game between the two in FebruaryCredit: AP
      Lisandro Martinez was given a yellow card in the win over Real Sociedad and it was his third booking meaning he must serve a one-match ban.
      With United set to come up against one of the world’s best strikers in Robert Lewandowski it is disastrous news sending supporters into a panic.
      Erik ten Hag prefers the pairing of Martinez and Raphael Varane but the Frenchman has struggled with injuries since joining the Red Devils.
      Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire may have to come in for the trip to the Nou Camp which is concerning some of the Man Utd faithful due to their questionable form.
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      One tweeted: “Clicked that Lisandro Martinez is not available for the first leg and it is surely Maguire-Lindelof pair and it’s gonna be scary. I CAN’T.”
      Another said this alongside a crying emoji: “We’ve got Barcelona and no Lisandro Martinez for the first leg.”
      One supporter went as far as saying United need a new centre-back in the transfer window: “United need a CB in January, after that draw vs Barcelona. I don’t trust Maguire or Lindelof.”
      Others came up with different solutions: “Honestly put Casemiro at the back I can’t take the other two.”
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      And another seemed to already admit defeat: “Lewandowski hat-trick is written in the stars.”
      The nightmare draw comes after the Red Devils failed to top the group on goal difference finishing behind Real Sociedad in Group E.
      Martinez has impressed since his move from Ajax in the summer but in the defeat to Aston Villa at the weekend he was accused of elbowing Leon Bailey with some thinking he was lucky to escape a red card. More

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      When is the Europa League last-16 draw and how to watch?

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      GROUP WINNERS in the Europa League will return to action in the competition in the round of 16.This comes after the sides that topped their groups in the competition were confirmed to skip the latest round, with runners-up facing third-placed teams in the Champions League.
      Arsenal finished top of their Europa League group ahead of PSV, FC Zurich and Bodo/GlimtCredit: Getty
      Arsenal will return to action and are in the hat for the round of 16, with the likes of Real Betis, Feyenoord and Real Sociedad, who finished ahead of Manchester United in Group E.
      We have all the details on when the draw is, how it is formatted and who will be awaiting their opponents ahead of the last-16.
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      When is the Europa League round of 16 draw?

      The Europa League round of 16 draw will take place on Friday, February 24.
      The draw will commence from 12pm UK time.
      It will be held at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.

      How to watch the Europa League round of 16 draw?

      To watch the draw, you must visit the UEFA website where it will be live streamed.

      Arsenal will be hoping for a favourable draw as they search for Europa League gloryCredit: AFP

      The stream will take place from 12pm UK time as fans find out who their teams will face in the last-16.

      What is the format of the draw?
      The eight Europa League group winners will be seeded, and the eight winners from the knockout play-off round will be unseeded.
      Those who finished second in their Europa League groups will face off against teams that finished third in their Champions League groups to earn a place in the last-16.
      The group winners will play the first leg of the round of 16 away from home.
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      Clubs from the same association will avoid each other in the last-16 before this restriction is dropped for the quarter-final.
      Who is in the draw?
      So far, it is just the Europa League group winners confirmed to be in the hat for the last-16 draw.
      These teams are as follows:

      Arsenal
      Betis
      Fenerbahce
      Ferencvaros
      Feyenoord
      Freiburg
      Real Sociedad
      Union Saint-Gilloise

      None of these sides can face each other until the quarter-final stage at earliest.
      Winners of the knockout round play-off will join these sides in the draw once the games have been played and all the fixtures have been decided. More

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      Europa League knockout round play-off draw LIVE REACTION: Man Utd face nightmare draw against Barcelona – updates

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      MANCHESTER UNITED will take on Barcelona in a mouth-watering Europa League play-off tie.The Catalan giants went crashing out of the Champions League having finished third in their group.
      And the Spanish giants humiliated United 4-0 on aggregate when the sides last met in 2019.

      Draw in full: Juventus vs Nantes, Sporting Lisbon vs Midtjylland, Shakhtar Donetsk vs Rennes, Ajax vs Union Berlin, Bayer Leverkusen vs Monaco, Sevilla vs PSV, Red Bull Salzburg vs Roma
      First legs: February 16 2023.
      Second legs: February 23 2023.

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      Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
      That’s all from Nyon
      The Europa League play-off draw has been completed in Switzerland and Manchester United were dealt with a tough opponent.
      That was none other than Barcelona, who finished third in their Champions League group.
      United will face Barca first at the Nou Camp on February 16 and they will then lock horns in the return fixture at Old Trafford on February 23.
      And here are the rest of the pairs: Juventus vs Nantes, Sporting Lisbon vs Midtjylland, Shakhtar Donetsk vs Rennes, Ajax vs Union Berlin, Bayer Leverkusen vs Monaco, Sevilla vs PSV Eindhoven and Red Bull Salzburg vs Roma

      Europa League Final
      The Europa League Final will take place at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on May, 31, 2023.
      This is the second major UEFA final to take place in that Hungarian ground.
      The same venue previously hosted the 2020 UEFA Super Cup, where Bayern Munich beat Sevilla 2-1.
      Arsenal and Manchester United are among the favourites to be in the final

      Europa League recap
      Here is how the Europa League play-off draw went down in Nyon:
      Barcelona vs Manchester United
      Juventus vs Nantes
      Sporting Lisbon vs Midtjylland
      Shakhtar Donetsk vs Rennes
      Ajax vs Union Berlin
      Bayer Leverkusen vs Monaco
      Sevilla vs PSV Eindhoven
      Red Bull Salzburg vs Roma

      Man Utd schedule
      Manchester United got a tough draw but could benefit from the order of play against Barcelona.
      United will face Barca first at the Nou Camp on February 16.
      The two global megapowers will then lock horns in the return fixture at Old Trafford on February 23.
      The winner will then qualify for the Europa League Last 16

      How did Arsenal get here?
      Arsenal didn’t take part in today’s Europa League draw because they won Group A.
      That means the Gunners are automatically through to the competition’s Last 16.
      The North Londoners overcame the likes of PSV Eindhoven, Bodo/Glimt and Zurich.
      Mikel Arteta’s men amassed five wins and one loss in all of their six matches

      Man Utd vs Barcelona history
      Manchester United drew one of the toughest possible opponents in the Europa League play-offs.
      United and Barca’s first ever meeting took place way back in 1984 when the Catalans won 2-0 at home in the Cup Winners’ Cup quarter-finals.
      Since then, the two sides have faced off 13 times with the Blaugrana winning a majority of six games, compared to the Red Devils’ three victories across all competitions.
      Barcelona have beaten United in two Champions League Finals back in 2009 and 2011.
      The Red Devils haven’t beaten the Catalan giants since the 2008 Champions League semi-finals

      What’s next?
      The winners of the Europa League play-off round will go on to face the group stage winners in the Last 16.
      Among them is Arsenal, but Manchester United won’t be able to face them in the next round if they overcome Barcelona.
      Freiburg, Ferencvaros, Union Saint-Gilloise, Real Betis, Fenerbahce, Real Sociedad and Feyenoord also await.
      The aforementioned and the Gunners are automatically through to the Last 16

      Europa League draw
      Manchester United are set for a tough Europa League play-off clash with Barcelona.
      Let’s have a quick recap below:
      Barcelona vs Manchester United
      Juventus vs Nantes
      Sporting Lisbon vs Midtjylland
      Shakhtar Donetsk vs Rennes
      Ajax vs Union Berlin
      Bayer Leverkusen vs Monaco
      Sevilla vs PSV Eindhoven
      Red Bull Salzburg vs Roma
      Europa League draw
      Red Bull Salzburg vs Roma
      Europa League draw
      Red Bull Salzburg can now face only one team…
      Europa League draw
      Sevilla vs PSV Eindhoven
      Europa League draw
      Europa League record winners Sevilla are up next
      Europa League draw
      Bayer Leverkusen vs Monaco
      Europa League draw
      Bayer Leverkusen will now find out their opponent
      Europa League draw
      Ajax vs Union Berlin
      Europa League draw
      Ajax are now up
      Europa League draw
      Shakhtar Donetsk vs Rennes
      Europa League draw
      Shakhtar Donetsk are set to find out their fate
      Europa League draw
      Sporting Lisbon vs Midtjylland
      Europa League draw
      Sporting Lisbon are now up
      Europa League draw
      Juventus vs Nantes
      Europa League draw
      Juventus are the next team to be drawn
      Europa League draw
      Barcelona vs Man Utd!!!
      Europa League draw
      Barcelona are the first team drawn, Man Utd don’t want them…
      Europa League draw
      Ex-West Brom and Fulham ace Zoltan Gera comes out to help with the draw.
      Hungarian star Gera takes part in the procedures ahead of the Europa League final in Budapest
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