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      What happens if Man Utd’s Champions League match cannot be finished?

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      MANCHESTER UNITED face a must-win Champions League encounter against Galatasaray – but there is a chance that the match will need to be replayed.The Red Devils are currently bottom of the group and nothing less than three points would be enough to keep their last-16 hopes alive.
      Manchester United are bottom of their Champions League groupCredit: Getty
      The sides are scheduled to play at Rams Park in IstanbulCredit: Getty
      But Istanbul has been hit with torrential rain and wind which has caused fears the match could get called off mid-way.
      And SunSport can clear up what would happen if this uncommon situation occurs.
      What happens if Man Utd’s match cannot be finished?
      UEFA regulations state that in the event of a match abandonment, “the full or remaining match time” should be played “on the next day”.
      That means United staying in Istanbul overnight and returning to the Ali Sami Yen Stadium to play either the whole game or the remaining minutes tomorrow.
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      That last happened in the Champions League was in December 2020, when PSG and Istanbul Basaksehir players BOTH walked off the pitch after an alleged racist remark by the fourth official.
      The remaining 67 minutes of the game were then played out the next day – although both “matches” were played behind closed doors because of pandemic restrictions.
      Only if the pitch was deemed unplayable again tomorrow would United be given the green light to return home, with Uefa then fixing a new date for the match.
      But one complication is that the group stage must be completed by December 13.
      Most read in Champions League
      It means that if the game cannot be played, or completed, United would probably have to return to Turkey next week to get it completed before the scheduled final group match against Bayern Munich.
      That, though, would mean Wednesday’s scheduled Prem home game against Chelsea having to be postponed, presumably until next year.
      If the game IS played tomorrow, though, United would be likely to ask the Prem to postpone Saturday evening’s game at Newcastle, citing a lack of adequate preparation time.
      Has this happened before?
      Galatasaray have been in this predicament before as they had to play a restarted match against Juventus in 2013.
      And the Turkish outfit prevailed as Wesley Sneijder’s late winner in snowy Istanbul sent Galatasaray into the last-16.
      The fixture between the two European giants had to initially be abandoned after a snow storm caused the pitch to become unplayable.
      It was a goalless draw in the first match.
      Galatasaray won a snowy contest against JuventusCredit: AFP More

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      Will Man Utd’s Champions League match against Galatasaray get called off?

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      MANCHESTER UNITED face Galatasaray in their most important game this season – but there are fears it might not go ahead.The Red Devils must win this evening in order to keep their European hopes alive.
      Alejandro Garnacho scored a spectacular over-head kick against EvertonCredit: Getty
      And after Alejandro Garnacho’s incredible goal inspired United to an Everton win, they’ll be oozing with confidence.
      But fans are now anxious as there have been fears that the game will get called off.
      Why could Man Utd’s match against Galatasaray get called off?
      Around 2,500 travelling United fans have been warned to take extra care due to the extreme weather warnings.
      Heavy rain has already started to flood the streets of Istanbul, with strong winds also expected ahead of kick-off.

      Despite the weather, Man Utd’s Under-19’s still faced Galatasaray in the UEFA Youth League at lunchtime, winning 1-0.
      But while the full game was played, it was severely impacted by a waterlogged pitch at the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Stadium.
      A commentator for MUTV even deemed it as “unplayable” with 20 minutes remaining.
      Pitch inspections have taken place after Istanbul has been hit with torrential wind and rain.
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      When is Galatasaray vs Man Utd?

      Galatasaray vs Man Utd is scheduled to take place this evening – Wednesday, November 29.
      Kick-off is scheduled for 5.45pm GMT.
      Rams Park will play host. More

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      What do Man Utd need to do to qualify for last-16 of Champions League? Permutations explained

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      MANCHESTER UNITED will face Galatasaray TONIGHT in their penultimate Champions League group stage game.Erik ten Hag’s side face an uphill battle to qualify for the last-16 of Europe’s elite competition.
      Man Utd will be hoping to take their impressive recent Premier League form into the Champions LeagueCredit: REUTERS
      Man Utd are bottom of Group A with just one win and three losses from their four Champions League games this season.
      The Red Devils were on the end of a dramatic 4-3 loss to Copenhagen last time out.
      Man Utd’s defeat to the Danes on Matchday 4 meant that their Champions League fate is no longer in their own hands.
      What do Man Utd need to do to qualify for last-16 of the Champions League?
      The Red Devils can only qualify for the last-16 of the Champions League by finishing second in Group A.
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      That is because Bayern Munich have already confirmed their title as group winners as the German giants have 12 points after winning all four of their games.
      If Man Utd lose against Galatasaray
      Should Man Utd lose against Galatasaray on Matchday 5 they will be OUT of the Champions League as the Turkish giants go four points ahead with only three left to play for.
      If Man Utd win against Galatasaray
      If Man Utd beat Galatasaray on their own turf, they would go up to six points and would qualify for the last-16 with a win against Bayern in their final game unless Copenhagen overcome the Germans and Galatasaray in their final two matches.
      Should Ten Hag’s side claim all three points in Istanbul but lose to the Germans in their final game, they would need Bayern to win against the Danes and there not to be a winner in Copenhagen vs Galatasaray.
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      If Man Utd draw with Galatasaray
      A draw in Istanbul and Bayern beating Copenhagen would mean a win over Thomas Tuchel’s side at Old Trafford would result in the Red Devils qualifying for the last-16 if Galatasaray fail to win against Copenhagen.
      Should the Danes draw in Munich and the Red Devils triumph over Bayern in their final Group A game, that would see them progress if Copenhagen vs Galatasaray ends in a draw.
      If the Turkish side beat the Danes in Gameweek 6 after drawing with Man Utd, they will go through to the knockout stages.
      If Man Utd draw in Istanbul and then beat Bayern and Copenhagen win their final group stage game after losing their penultimate Group A match, they would be both on seven points, but Ten Hag’s side would go through with a better head-to-head record as they have scored more away goals in the matches between the two.
      What happens if Man Utd, Galatasaray and Copenhagen all finish on 7 points in Group A?
      Remarkably, Man Utd, Galatasaray and Copenhagen could all finish on 7 points in Group A.
      Here is how each team’s final two matches would need to play out:

      Copenhagen beat Bayern, then lose to Galatasaray.
      Galatasaray lose to Man Utd, then beat Copenhagen.
      Man Utd beat Galatasaray, then draw with Bayern.

      Teams that finish level on points in the Champions League group stage are sorted by the following criteria.
      Unlike the Premier League – which uses goal difference when teams are tied on points – the Champions League separates the teams on head-to-head points among the two fixtures between the sides.

      Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
      Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
      Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
      Away goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
      Goal difference in all group matches;
      Goals scored in all group matches;
      Away goals scored in all group matches;
      Wins in all group matches;
      Away wins in all group matches;
      Disciplinary points (red card = 3 points, yellow card = 1 point, expulsion for two yellow cards in one match = 3 points);
      UEFA club coefficient.

      Read More on The Sun
      Which teams have already qualified for the last-16 of the Champions League?
      Here are all the teams that have qualified for the knockout stages so far:

      Bayern Munich
      Real Madrid
      Real Sociedad
      Inter Milan
      Manchester City
      RB Leipzig
      Atletico Madrid
      Lazio
      Borussia Dortmund
      FC Barcelona More

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      What does Mo Salah’s celebration mean?

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      MO Salah is one of the greatest strikers in the world, having won the Premier League Golden Boot a mightily impressive three times.The Liverpool legend has a unique goal celebration — here we take a look at what it means.
      Mo Salah celebrating his goal against Chelsea on April 14, 2019Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      What does Mo Salah’s celebration mean?
      Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring some of his goals by posing on one leg with his hands together in a yoga pose called Vrikshasana, or tree pose.
      The word Vrikhasana is derived from the Sanskrit terms Vriksha, meaning tree, and Asana, which means posture.
      The pose reportedly helps to strengthen leg muscles, tendons and ligaments, as well as helping to relieve problems such as stress and depression.
      Some people on Twitter, which is now called X, suggested he was sending a message of peace to Chelsea fans after a vile video emerged of fans singing ‘Salah is a bomber’ in April 2019.
      READ MORE ON MO SALAH
      But yoga teacher Emma Stubbs explained: “Tree pose is about balance, so he could have been showing off how good his balance is.
      “However, it is also about grounding, about someone sending their roots into the earth and making a connection.
      “So that means Mo Salah was showing his commitment to Anfield and Liverpool by standing in a tree pose and connecting to the place and the club.”
      She added: “In the tree pose, you normally extend your hands over your head, Mo Salah had his hands in front of his heart centre on his chest.
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      “Doing that is a way of showing honour to yourself and to the other people close to you, of recognising your soul.
      “So when you put the two together, he was honouring his team mates and the Liverpool fans while showing his connection and belonging at Anfield.
      “If that’s what he was going for then he hit the nail on the head in his celebration.”
      When does Mo Salah perform his celebration?
      Mo unveiled his new goal-scoring celebration after putting away a stunning goal against Chelsea at Anfield on April 14, 2019 — a contender for goal of the season.
      Salah struck a wonderful finish, with his shot heading into the corner like an arrow, sealing a 2-0 victory for the Reds.
      Virgil Van Dijk delivered a long ball to Mo, who took a couple of touches to get away from Emerson before dispatching his unbelievable effort, giving Kepa no chance of stopping the wonder goal.
      Mo sometimes does his tree pose celebration after scoring a goal.
      He brought it back in Liverpool’s 4-0 thrashing of Manchester United in April, 2022 — during which he scored two goals.
      What has Mo Salah said about his celebration?
      After the match against Chelsea when he first performed his celebration, Mo gave a brief explanation of why he did it.
      Read More on The Sun
      Salah told Sky Sports: “I am a yoga man!
      “I do yoga and it just came into my mind.” More

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      When is Champions League last-16 draw? Teams, TV channel, stream and full schedule for fixtures

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      THERE’S nothing quite like a Champions League draw to rattle your nerves – and the last-16 pairings will be revealed sooner than we think.Manchester City became the first English club to qualify and the holders can wrap up Group G with a 100% winning record should they win on matchday six.
      Manchester City currently have a 100% win record in the Champions League this seasonCredit: Getty
      Newcastle were robbed of a point after Kylian Mbappe’s late penaltyCredit: Getty
      Arsenal just need a point from their final two games to book themselves a last-16 spot.
      While Manchester United and Newcastle’s routes to the next round is a little bit more complicated.
      But when exactly is the Champions League draw?
      When is the Champions League last-16 draw?

      Fans find out the fate of the Champions League draw on Monday, December 18.
      It is scheduled to get underway at 11am GMT – 12pm local time.
      The huge draw will take place in Nyon, Switzerland.
      Group winners are set to face runners-up in other groups unless they play in the same country.

      Read more in Champions League
      How can I watch it?

      Fans can watch the Champions League last-16 draw for FREE on UEFA.com.
      Alternatively, tune into SunSport’s live blog which will have the latest updates as the draw is announced.

      What teams will be in the Champions League last-16 draw?

      Atletico Madrid (ESP)
      Barcelona (ESP)
      Bayern Munich (GER)*
      Borussia Dortmund (GER)
      Lazio (ITA)
      RB Leipzig (GER)**
      Manchester City (ENG)*
      Real Madrid (ESP)
      Real Sociedad (ESP)

      *Confirmed group winners*Confirmed group runners-up
      When do the Champions League last-16 matches take place?
      The round of 16 will be played over the course of four weeks
      Most read in Champions League
      First legs: 13/14/20/21 February 2024
      Second legs: 5/6/12/13 March 2024 More

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      What does John McGinn’s celebration mean?

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      JOHN MCGINN has become known for his unique celebration on the football pitch.The Scotland and Aston Villa star, who was born in Clydebank, has been a regular at Villa Park since signing for Unai Emery’s side in 2018.
      John McGinn has a unique way of celebrating his goalsCredit: Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images
      What does John McGinn’s celebration mean?
      John McGinn’s trademark celebration sees him turning his hands and circling his eyes with his fingers.
      The gesture makes it looks like the football player is making goggles or a mask with his hands.
      McGinn has previously revealed that his celebration is dedicated to his nephew.
      He is not the only player who is famed for their special moves on the pitch.
      READ MORE ON JOHN MCGINN
      Jude Bellingham has become known for his own gesture, which sees him standing with his arms wide open.
      Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, has performed his now infamous “Siu” celebration many times over the years.
      When does John McGinn perform his celebration?
      McGinn performs his celebration after scoring a goal.
      As of November 2023, the sports star has scored five times for Aston Villa in the 2023/24 season and five times for Scotland since the start of 2022.
      Most read in Football
      In 2023, McGinn became joint sixth on Scotland’s all-time goalscoring list with a penalty against Norway.
      The goal made him even with Kenny Miller and three goals behind Ally McCoist.
      Joint-record goalscorers Denis Law and Sir Kenny Dalglish, meanwhile, have 30 goals for Scotland to their name.
      McGinn’s has scored 18 international goals throughout this career.
      What has John McGinn said about his celebration?
      McGinn’s unique goal celebration is dedicated to his young nephew, the player has confirmed.
      When asked about the meaning, McGinn said: “My nephew Jack is nearly five but he needs goggles to play for his football team as his eyesight is really poor, so I did the goggles for him.”
      In a different interview with Aston Villa he further explained: “My nephew, he’s got poor eyesight and he has to wear the goggles to play football.
      “So I decided it would maybe give him a bit of support to put the goggles on when I score.
      “So now he’s happy, his teammates at football up in Scotland carry on the celebration and I’m sure that hopefully inspires a lot of children.”
      McGinn continued: “A lot of people I played with when I was younger had to wear the goggles and when you’re younger it’s difficult.
      “You feel socially kind of out of it but it’s just a wee thing, a nod to Jack and now it’s just kind of stuck.
      “So hopefully if I’m scoring I’m getting the goggles out.”
      Former Hibs player McGinn has a twin sister called Katie and two older brothers, Stephen and Paul, who are also professional footballers.
      Read More on The Sun
      John and Paul played together in September 2022 in Scotland’s match against Austria.
      The game marked only the the third times siblings have played together for the national team since the end of World War II. More

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      What is Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta song, and what are the lyrics?

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      MIKEL ARTETA took over as manager for Arsenal back in 2019 and has had a huge impact on the club ever since.The Spaniard, from San Sebastián, is so popular with supporters of the London-based team that fans have come up with a song in his honour.
      Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta is regularly celebrated with a songCredit: Mark Pain/Alamy Live News
      What is Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta song?
      Arsenal’s song in tribute to Mikel Arteta became hugely popular during the 2022/23 football season.
      In that time, the manager led his team to huge success, with the Gunners topping the table for the majority of the season.
      Unfortunately, the team were unable to capture the Premier League title as Manchester City ultimately won.
      The 2023/24 season kicked off in August 2023, with Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta song still going strong.
      READ MORE ON MIKEL ARTETA
      As well as being a manager for the club, Arteta is a former Arsenal player himself having signed with the team back in August 2011 on a four-year deal.
      He ended up spending five years with the team and was even named captain ahead of the 2014/15 season.
      What are Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta song lyrics?
      The lyric’s to Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta song are:
      “We’ve got super Mik Arteta,
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      He knows exactly what we need,
      Kieran at the back, Gabi in attack,
      Arsenal on our way to Champions League.”
      As well as Arteta, players Gabriel Martinelli and Kieran Tierney are mentioned.
      Brazilian Martinelli signed for Arsenal in July 2019 when he was 18 years old.
      Tierney, meanwhile, signed for the team in August 2019 for a reported £25million.
      He joined La Liga club Real Sociedad on a season-long loan in August 2023.
      Are there any other famous Arsenal chants?
      There are a number of other famous Arsenal chants that have been sung by the team’s loyal supporters over the years.
      Here we break down some of the most popular:
      We all follow the Arsenal
      The lyrics to this chant are:
      “We all follow the Arsenal,
      Over land and sea, (and Leicester!)
      We all follow the Arsenal,
      Onto victory!”
      According to fans, the Leicester shout-out in this song is in reference to a series of matches that were played at Leicester’s Filbert Street stadium in the 1970s.
      We are the Arsenal boys
      This song sees fans chant the words:
      “Hello! Hello!
      We are the Arsenal boys,
      Hello! Hello!
      We are the Arsenal boys,
      And if you are a Tottenham fan surrender or you die,
      We all follow the Arsenal.”
      Arsenal and Tottenham have had a famous rivalry since the early 1900s.
      It is thought the feud began in 1913 when Arsenal moved to Highbury, just four miles from Tottenham’s White Hart Lane.
      Oooh to be a gooner
      This short and sweet chant simply requires fans to chant: ” Oooh to, ooh to be, ooh to be a Goo-ner!” on repeat.
      This is is one of the most popular Arsenal chants fans will hear at games.
      What do you think of Tottenham?
      This Arsenal chant again references the rivalry between the Gunners and Tottenham.
      In this song, the lyrics are more explicit as they go:
      “What do you think of Tottenham?
      Sh**.
      What do you think of sh**?
      Tottenham.
      Thank you.
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      That’s alright.”
      This is then followed by a repeated of chant of “We hate Tottenham, we hate Tottenham, we hate Tottenham, we hate Tottenham, we hate Tottenham, we hate Tottenham,” and finishes off with the line: “We are the Tottenham haters.” More

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      Who is Dorking Wanderers boss Marc White?

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      DORKING Wanderers boss Marc White set up the club in 1999 and has seen the team rise through the ranks ever since.But who is the man at the helm and does he have any coaching badges? Here’s everything you need to know.
      Marc White pictured during a Vanarama National League match between Hartlepool United and Dorking WanderersCredit: Getty
      Who is Marc White?
      Marc White, born October 1, 1973, is an English businessman who is best known for being the founder, chairman, former player and football manager of Dorking Wanderers.
      White founded Dorking Wanderers with friends in 1999 and entered the fledgling team into the Crawley and District League.
      He initially played for the team, as well as running the club and went on to become first team manager.
      White has overseen 12 promotions in 23 years and has seen the club move from the seventeenth-tier of English football to the fifth.
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      In October 2023, fans were left in stiches after the Dorking Wanderers boss went viral following an epic post-match meltdown.
      Dorking lost 2-0 to seventh-tier minnows Horsham in the FA Cup’s fourth qualifying round following goals by Daniel Ajakaiye and Shamir Fenelon.
      And White didn’t hold back when criticising his players.
      He told DWTV: “At the end of the day, they [Horsham] fully deserve to be in the draw and I really hope they get something amazing and life-changing.
      Most read in Football
      “So my f*****g s**t players can learn a f*****g lesson because they were so poor.
      “And I will tell you one thing: I will always put my hand up, it’s not about availability, injuries, who was returning, who wasn’t – it wasn’t about that at all.
      “It was about the fact that that team let the fans down 100 per cent, wholeheartedly.
      “Sometimes I get the management team that take the blame part, part blame, some blame, whatever…
      “Today was wholeheartedly a bunch of players that were absolutely s**t.”
      And football fans were left in absolute stitches with what some consider the “best post-match interview of all time”.
      One supporter wrote: “This is the best post-match manager reaction I’ve ever seen.”
      Another commented: “Love your honesty. Managers too often take the can for players’ poor performances.”
      Meanwhile, a third said: ”Need more like Marc. Says it like it is, honest and doesn’t care if he offends. Heart well and truly on sleeve.”
      What role does Marc White play at Dorking Wanderers?
      According to Dorking Wanderers official website, Marc White is currently listed on the senior management and committee section as chairman.
      The website also states that White is the manager of Dorking Wanderers first team, a role he takes on alongside assistant manager Dean Milton.
      Does Marc White have coaching badges?
      As of September 2023, White did not hold any coaching badges.
      A clip of him on the Under The Cosh podcast, explaining in no uncertain terms that he has no plans to get them any time soon, went viral that same month. More