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      Garnacho almost blew Man Utd career after turning up late on pre-season tour but has turned it around under Ten Hag

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      ALEJANDRO GARNACHO almost blew his Manchester United career after turning up late for team meetings on the club’s pre-season tour.The 18-year-old hit the headlines on Thursday with the winner in the Red Devils Europa League victory over Real Sociedad in only his second start for the club.
      Garnacho scored the winner for Man Utd against Real Sociedad on ThursdayCredit: Getty
      But after his full debut against FC Sheriff the previous week manager Erik ten Hag referenced problems with the player in pre-season.
      And captain on the night Bruno Fernandes did likewise after the game in San Sebastian on Thursday.
      They were referring to his behaviour as part of the squad on the summer tour of Bangkok and Australia.
      While Garnacho was taken on the tour, he did not play after twice turning up late for team meetings.
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      He finally did play in pre-season in the club’s final game before the Premier League season kicked in a match against against Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford.
      His goal against Sociedad on Thursday made him the youngest non-English scorer in Europe for the club.
      But after the game Fernandes referenced his attitude on pre-season.
      Fernandes said: “He knows we expect a lot from him. He wasn’t at his best at the beginning of the season.
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      “On the tour he didn’t have the best attitude that he should have, but now he’s training better and getting his chances. He’s deserving of his chances.”
      This came a week after his full debut against FC Sheriff when Ten Hag also referred to his behaviour in the pre-season.
      Ten Hag said: “The start of the season was difficult for him. I was not happy with him, but the last weeks I was happy with him – a better attitude, more resilience, more determination.
      “Young kids have to grow and to raise their personality. They have to know what the laws and demands are in top football. You have to fulfil every day the high standards.”
      There had previously been concerns about Garnacho after he joined United’s academy from Atletico Madrid two years ago.
      One thing that was spotted was him turning up for training with his shoelaces undone.
      But the club are more than happy at how he has turned things around.
      Ten Hag has already shown that he is a no nonsense boss who is big on discipline.
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      Recently he axed the club’s biggest star Cristiano Ronaldo for refusing to come on as a substitute late in the 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
      While Garnacho was born in Madrid, his mother is from Argentina and he was recently called up to train with the national team squad alongside Lionel Messi. More

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      Ex-Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri claims Feyenoord fans threw URINE at home during Lazio clash in Europa League

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      FORMER Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri claims Feyenoord fans threw URINE at Lazio during last night’s heated Europa League clash.The two continental heavyweights battled it out in Holland to earn a spot in next year’s knockout stage.
      Maurizio Sarri claims Feyenoord fans threw urine at the Lazio bench in last night’s Europa League gameCredit: Getty
      Lazio required just one point to progress, but ended up losing 1-0.
      The Italians are now ruing their missed chances after being demoted to the Europa Conference League.
      But Sarri and Co were left feeling even more disgruntled after allegedly being subjected to bad behaviour from a section of home supporters.
      Sarri claims some fans hurled bags of urine at the Lazio bench.
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      And although he did not clarify whether anyone had been hit, Sarri said the actions left his staff frustrated.
      The Italian said: “There were bags of p*** thrown from the stands down onto the back of the bench.
      “It goes without saying, that is a little irritating.”
      Earlier this season, Sarri left fans in hysterics after being caught giving someone the middle finger.
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      He was spotted on live TV aiming the gesture at a member of the Hellas Verona bench.
      Lazio have enjoyed a good start to the season under Sarri, who led Chelsea to the Europa League in 2019.
      They are currently fifth in Serie A, winning seven of their opening 12 games.
      One player who has been key under Sarri is Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
      The Serbian midfielder has been tipped for a Premier League move for several years.
      He has five goals and seven assists in 18 games so far, and has also been linked with Juventus. More

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      Europa League knockout draw simulated with Man Utd facing tough test against Ajax as Erik ten Hag heads back to old club

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      ERIK TEN HAG has been handed an emotional return to Ajax… in a simulated Europa League draw.Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Real Sociedad on Thursday night wasn’t enough for the Red Devils to top their group.
      A simulated Europa League play-off draw
      Erik ten Hag could be handed an emotional tie against former club AjaxCredit: Getty
      As a result they face a play-off tie against one of the teams to have dropped down from the Champions League, instead of being handed a bye to the Last 16.
      That means the likes of Barcelona and Juventus are potential opponents.
      But a simulated draw has handed Ten Hag and Co an even better tie – an emotional reunion with Ajax.
      The Dutch champions, and Ten Hag’s old team, have dropped into the Europa League after finishing behind Napoli and Liverpool in the Champions League.
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      And Old Trafford gaffer Ten Hag could face a trip to his old stomping ground less than a year after ditching the Dutch side for United.
      United are the only Premier League team in the play-off round, with Arsenal safely through straight to the round of 16 as group winners.
      Nevertheless, the simulated play-off round has still thrown up some interesting ties.
      Jose Mourinho’s Roma were drawn out of the hat against German outfit Bayer Leverkusen, who took four points off Atletico Madrid in the Champions League group stages.
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      PSV Eindhoven vs Juventus is another interesting clash, especially given the Italian side’s struggles this season.
      Juve lost five out of their six Champions League group games, and are struggling just as much domestically as well.
      Elsewhere the simulated draw handed Barcelona a favourable tie against French outfit Rennes.
      The Spanish giants failed to qualify for the Champions League knockouts for a second year on the bounce, finishing behind Bayern Munich and Inter Milan in their group.
      The other simulated play-off ties were Sevilla vs Monaco, Shakhtar Donetsk vs Midtjylland, RB Salzburg vs Union Berlin, and Sporting Lisbon vs Nantes. More

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      Man Utd slammed by Paul Scholes as ‘a little bit League One, League Two-ish’ and ‘mess’ despite beating Real Sociedad

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Paul Scholes has labelled Erik ten Hag’s long-ball tactics against Real Sociedad as “a bit League Two-ish”.The Red Devils needed to beat the Spaniards by at least two goals, but only managed to net once thanks to 18-year-old Alejandro Garnacho.
      Man Utd failed to finish top of their Europa League groupCredit: Getty
      Paul Scholes has labelled United’s long-ball tactics against Sociedad as ‘a bit League Two-ish’Credit: BT Sport
      Garnacho’s goal might have sealed the win but it meant United finished second in their Europa League group.
      They now have to play a preliminary knockout round instead of skipping to the Round of 16.
      That means they could face one of the Champions League dropouts in Ajax, Barcelona, Juventus, Leverkusen, Salzburg, Sevilla, Shakhtar and Sporting CP.
      But Scholes says United had “no plan” in a “complete mess” of a second half as they pushed for a second which would see them top the group.
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      As desperation kicked in, defender Harry Maguire even came on and played up front.
      Such tactics has seen United legend Scholes scold his former team as “a bit League Two-ish”.
      Scholes told BT Sport: “The second half looked a bit messy, there was no plan.
      “The plan was to launch it forward to look for second balls – it was a little bit League One, League Two-ish for me. Maybe a little bit disrespectful. 
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      “I wasn’t really sure what he was trying to do. It started with the [Victor] Lindelof substitution. They were in complete control until he went off.
      “Casemiro went to the back, then Marcus [Rashford] came on for [Donny] Van de Beek in the No 10 role. It’s not his position, he needs to be on the shoulder of people.
      “Rashford needs to be out wide, he needs to be in space.
      “It just became a long ball game – and I’m all for that, it can work – but the second half just became a complete mess having been in control in the first half.
      “There were positive substitutions I just didn’t think Marcus [Rashford] was in the right position.
      “Bruno [Fernandes] could have swapped with Marcus from the right, Bruno is ineffective on the right. He knows he’s going to be. Get Marcus out wide. 
      “Maybe Marcus is carrying something? He didn’t want him to stretch his legs down the right-hand side. 
      “Marcus is most dangerous out wide.
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      “In the centre, he has to take a touch, beat a man then link play, he’s capable but it’s not his best position.
      “Getting Bruno in the middle would have given them better shape.” More

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      Man Utd face Europa League headache with no room in fixture list for postponed Prem games after coming second in group

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      MANCHESTER UNITED face a fixture headache next year thanks to their Europa League knockout double header.That’s because there’s now no room in the schedule to rearrange postponed Premier League games against Crystal Palace and Leeds.
      Man Utd’s Europa League knockout tie means there’s no room to rearrange two Prem gamesCredit: Getty
      The Red Devils will have to endure an eliminator to reach the next stage of the Europa League after finishing second in their group.
      United had to beat Real Sociedad by at least two goals in last night’s match.
      But Erik ten Hag’s men could only win 1-0, leaving them runners-up.
      And they will now play a two-legged knockout against a Champions League dropout.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      Ajax, Bayer Leverkusen, Barcelona, Sporting Lisbon, RB Salzburg, Shakhtar Donetsk, Sevilla and Juventus are all moving down.
      And United face a tough test to reach the next stage of the competition.
      The Europa League knockouts begin on February 14.
      But ESPN reports there is now no natural room for United to play Crystal Palace and Leeds.
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      Both games were postponed earlier this season due to the Queen’s death.
      And thanks to their Europa knockout, United are now solidly booked in each midweek and weekend slot.
      There could be some joy further down the line, as two of those dates have been put aside for FA Cup replays.
      But that’s only if United, plus whichever opponent they are due to face, come through their original tie unscathed.
      Some dates are also reserved for the Carabao Cup, yet the same theory applies.
      And Premier League beaks will now have to put their heads together to figure out just how United can fulfil their games against Palace and Leeds.
      The headache comes during the busiest season ever, which is down to the Qatar World Cup being played in winter.
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      Numerous teams are starting to pick up injuries after playing every three-to-four days.
      And with several games left before the domestic season is paused, there could be more setbacks to come. More

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      Man Utd ace Bruno Fernandes reveals Alejandro Garnacho ‘didn’t have best attitude’ but improved to break into first-team

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      ALEJANDRO GARNACHO’S poor attitude delayed his Manchester United break, says Bruno Fernandes.But now the Argentine winger has seemingly knuckled down and earned his first-team opportunity.
      Alejandro Garnacho has improved his attitude at Manchester United according to Bruno FernandesCredit: Getty
      Bruno Fernandes revealed there were some issues on the pre-season tourCredit: BT Sport
      Garnacho, 18, joined the Red Devils academy from Atletico Madrid in 2020 and made his debut as an injury-time substitute against Chelsea in April.
      He had to wait until October 27, though, to get his first start after eventually winning over new boss Erik ten Hag.
      And the Argentina Under-20 international grabbed his first goal in senior football with the winner at Real Sociedad last night.
      Garnacho latched on to Cristiano Ronaldo’s through-ball and fired into the top corner – before copying his idol’s celebration.
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      The 1-0 win was not enough for United to top their Europa League group – meaning they could face Barcelona, Ajax or Juventus in the first knockout round.
      But Fernandes heaped praise on his teenage team-mate for turning his mentality around in recent months after issues over the summer.
      The Portuguese playmaker said: “He was good but he knows we expect at lot from him. He’s still really young. He’s doing really well.
      “At the beginning of the season, not at his best, on the pre-season tour he didn’t have the best attitude that he should have and that’s why he didn’t get his chances until now.
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      “He didn’t get his chances before because he was not good enough in training and not good enough mentality-wise.
      “Now he’s getting chances because he’s changed that, he’s training better, he’s having a better attitude and he deserves his chances.
      “Everyone is really happy for him and pleased with his goal.”
      It was reported Ten Hag was unhappy with Garnacho when he walked out of a training session with his boot laces untied, said to be a sign of his “lax” attitude.
      He even confirmed publicly he was “not happy with him” but again reiterated after his full debut his attitude and resilience had improved.
      Manchester United legend and BT Sport pundit Paul Scholes believes Garnacho has eaten a slice of humble pie – after training with Lionel Messi and is pleased by the transformation.
      Scholes added: “He said that was pre-season, didn’t he, so he was obviously a little bit big for his boots in the summer.
      Read More on The Sun
      “I think he went away with Argentina, maybe playing with Messi, he came back and thought this is me, I’m part of this team.
      “He’s a young lad, he’s going to learn. His attitude has changed and we’re seeing the benefits of that, now he looks a really top-class young player.”
      Garnacho found the top corner with his brilliant finishCredit: AP
      It took him time to win over Erik ten HagCredit: Reuters More

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      Watch shocking moment Roma star Nicola Zalewski’s neck and face are STAMPED ON by Ludogorets defender Olivier Verdon

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      ROMA’S Europa League win over Ludogorets was marred by a horror challenge on midfielder Nicola Zalewski.The 20-year-old Roma star had his face and neck horrendously stamped on by Ludogorets defender Olivier Verdon.
      Nicola Zalewski had his neck stamped on by Olivier VerdonCredit: BT SPORT
      Verdon was sent off after a VAR checkCredit: Reuters
      Warning: Don’t watch if squeamish! 🤢Olivier Verdon saw a red card in the 90th minute against AS Roma following this incident in the penalty area… 😬#UEL pic.twitter.com/p6FTh428kj— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 3, 2022

      The incident happened late in the game between Jose Mourinho’s side and the Bulgarian outfit.
      As Zalewski marked Verdon at a free-kick, the Roma man lost his footing and fell to the ground.
      But as Verdon stepped over him, he stamped down horrifically on Zalewski’s neck.
      His studs dug into the Roma man, leaving him in a dazed heap on the floor.
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      It’s unclear whether it was by accident or on purpose, but Verdon pleaded his innocence after being sent off.
      Referee Nikola Dabanovic initially waved play on before being told by VAR to check the pitch side monitor.
      He quickly overturned his original decision after seeing the shocking replay and gave Verdon his marching orders.
      Fortunately Zalewski, who came on as a sub for ex-Manchester United ace Nemanja Matic, managed to soldier on for the rest of the game.
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      Mourinho’s side ran out 3-1 winners thanks to two penalties from Lorenzo Pellegrini and a Nicolo Zaniolo strike.
      But they were forced to come from behind after Brazilian striker Rick out Ludogorets ahead just before the break.
      The result saw Roma finish second in Europa League Group C, above Ludogorets, and behind Real Betis.
      They now face a play-off for a place in the Last 16 against one of the sides to have dropped down from the Champions League.
      Jose Mourinho’s side finished second in their Europa League groupCredit: EPA More

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      Arsenal star Kieran Tierney’s shirt is almost ripped clean off by FC Zurich opponent who wasn’t even booked

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      KIERAN TIERNEY put in an impressive display to seal Arsenal’s passage into the Europa League last 16. And it seems it was so impressive that Zurich star Nikola Boranijasevic even wanted the shirt off of Tierney’s back – literally.
      An FC Zurich player literally ripped off the shirt from Kieran Tierney’s backCredit: https://twitter.com/_Grimanditweets/status/1588277659380744192
      Tierney was left with a gaping hole in his shirt in the aftermathCredit: Reuters
      And the Scot was left visibly frustrated by the decision not to award a yellow cardCredit: Reuters
      The Scot was left was a massive hole in his shirt after a grapple with Boranijasevic.
      However, the 30-year-old Serbian was not even booked for the incident despite Tierney having the proof to back up a claim of shirt pulling.
      And fans were quick to make some jokes about the incident.
      One user online said: “Tierney was so good tonight they had to rip his shirt.”
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      A second user quipped: “And his shirt STILL never untucked – class.”
      Meanwhile, others questioned the decision from the ref and how they did not conclude a card was an appropriate punishment.
      Henry Winter sarcastically tweeted: “Easy to tell that Tierney’s shirt has been pulled as you can see most of his chest.”
      A second user said: “How can Tierney be standing there with his shirt ripped wide open and no card.”
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      Another said: “Who are these refs?! #ARSZUR Due to the ridiculousness of this i’m quite surprised Tierney didn’t get a yellow for taking his shirt off.. lol.”
      A third user added: “And no foul or card. Embarrassing standard.”
      Nevertheless, Tierney’s screamer gifted Arsenal a 1-0 victory and saw them through to the Europa League last 16. More