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      Marcus Rashford should be setting an example for Man Utd team-mates… instead he was just walking around, slams club icon

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      MANCHESTER UNITED icon Lee Sharpe criticised Marcus Rashford’s performance in the FA Cup against Wigan.Rashford helped United beat the Latics 2-0 at the DW Stadium to advance to the competition’s fourth round and ease pressure on under-fire manager Erik ten Hag.
      Man Utd hero Lee Sharpe criticised Marcus Rashford’s performance against WiganCredit: Getty
      The forward set up Diogo Dalot’s opener and played a big role in the the attack that led to a penalty-kick that Bruno Fernandes converted to seal an important win.
      However, Sharpe insists the England international is still far off last season’s stunning form that led to a staggering 30 goals and 11 assists in 56 appearances.
      The former midfielder can’t explain what led to that dip in form that has only seen the 26-year-old registering a mere three goals and six assists in 25 matches this term.
      However, the ex-England international wasn’t happy with Rashford’s lack of “intent” and “purpose” in the first few minutes of the match.
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      The 52-year-old also criticised the United star for “strolling” when he should have been playing quickly.
      Sharpe told SunSport on behalf of Fruityslots.com: “Last season, he was unbelievable.
      “He was sort of a shining light when the manager came in and this season he doesn’t quite seem to have got up to pace.
      “I don’t know whether it’s a confidence thing, whether he’s got something going on off the pitch that’s concerned him a little bit. But he doesn’t seem as focused as direct.
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      “I watched him last night and you know, after four or five minutes he touched the ball three or four times and not once did he sprint at the full-back or sprint in the game and [after] his first touch he stood someone up and tried to do a trick.
      “And the guy’s tackled him [to send the ball out for a] throw in and Marcus Rashford just turn around and just stroll to get the ball and you’re thinking you know, [it’s] an FA Cup tie away at Wigan.
      “The fans are going to be up there, the team will be up for it, Man United need to impose themselves, they need to play quick, they need to play with some authority. And just to walk towards the ball…
      “You want them to declare intent and tend to show purpose and just to walk off the pitch… I don’t think lazy is the right word….
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      But Sharpe believes Rashford can turn things around at Man UtdCredit: Alamy
      “I don’t know whether it was a bit of arrogance or whether he’s lacking in confidence or what it is, but he just doesn’t seem to be going past players.
      “He seems to be second-guessing himself at times when he’s squared up two players. He’s an unbelievable player with so much ability.”
      Nevertheless, Sharpe is confident Rashford will “turn it around” eventually.
      However, such an elite player needs to set an example for his team-mates every time he’s on the pitch.
      Sharpe added: “I’m sure he can turn it around. But we could do it internally and he’s one of the senior players now and you need to set an example for everyone else.
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      “And when the team’s light on experienced first-team players he needs to be setting the standard and last night I just thought he could have played with a little bit more.
      “A little bit more pace direct and a little bit more authority in himself.” More

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      Man Utd’s FA Cup fourth round clash at risk of being moved to neutral stadium amid safety concerns

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’S FA Cup fourth round match could be played at a neutral stadium amid concerns over fan safety.The Red Devils will face either Eastleigh or Newport County at the end of the month.
      Eastleigh’s Silverlake Stadium has a capacity of just under 5,200Credit: Getty
      Should Eastleigh progress to the fourth round, their match against Man Utd may have to be played at a neutral venueCredit: Getty
      Should Eastleigh win next week’s third round replay, they will play host to Erik ten Hag’s side.
      However, it is “extremely unlikely” that the match will take place at the Hampshire club’s 5,200-capacity Silverlake Stadium.
      The Spitfires announced earlier this week that they are exploring the “logistical issues” surrounding the potential fixture with a local Safety Advisory Group.
      An official statement read: “We are unable to confirm potential ticket allocations or prices however we can confirm that the fixture would be played at our home stadium unless our Safety Advisory Group feels the club cannot stage the match safely, which we feel is extremely unlikely.
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      “We are exploring the possibility of extending our temporary seating to increase capacity to enable more fans to attend should we be successful.
      “The information below should hopefully answer a number of questions which we have been faced with today. 
      “The club can confirm that home tickets would be sold in a three phased sale policy.”
      National League side Eastleigh held League Two outfit Newport County to a 1-1 draw on Saturday.
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      The two teams will meet again next Tuesday, with the winner lined up to face Man Utd.
      United booked their spot in the fourth round with a 2-0 win over Wigan on Monday. More

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      Man Utd ‘could recall forgotten man from LaLiga loan to bolster defence’ amid injury crisis

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      MANCHESTER UNITED could recall left-back Alvaro Fernadez from his loan spell at Granada as they try to cope with their latest injury crisis. The Reds were missing 11 first team players for Monday’s FA Cup third round win against Wigan Athletic.
      Fernandez could be on his way back to Old TraffordCredit: Getty
      The youngster has made 14 appearances for the LaLiga sideCredit: Getty
      Erik ten Hag is hopeful that a few stars will be back on Sunday for their game against Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur.
      The Dutch manager said: “I think it’s hopeful that they can be back at the weekend.
      “I’m talking about Christian Eriksen, potentially Luke Shaw. Harry (Maguire) maybe, Mason (Mount) I think he needs some days or a week more.”
      But according to the Daily Mail “there are growing concerns at Granada that United defender Fernandez will be recalled from his loan spell at the Spanish club”.
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      It remains to be seen where Fernandez’s future lies, with the 20-year-old out of contract in the summer.
      He was sent out on loan for Granada after his successful loan spell last season at Championship side Preston North End.
      The former Real Madrid youth star, who has play a first-team game for United, has made 14 appearances in all competitions for the Spanish side this season.
      He is yet to register a goal or assist.
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      United’s emergency left-back Sergio Reguilon’s brief loan move from Spurs ended last week, with a club statement claiming Shaw and Tyrell Malacia were on their way back.
      It read: “Sergio fulfilled the role he was brought in for: to provide cover for Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia while both were out with long-term injuries. 
      “While Luke has missed the past two games with a minor injury, the England international is expected back soon. Tyrell, meanwhile, is getting closer to a return from his knee injury.
      “The versatile Diogo Dalot can also provide further cover at left-back. 
      “With fewer games in the second half of the season and injured players returning, there will be less opportunity for Sergio to play.
      “It was decided it was in the best interests of all parties for Reguilon to return to Spurs.”
      The majority of Manchester United’s injuries have involved defenders this season.
      World Cup winner Lisandro Martinez has been out since September with an aggravation of the foot injury he suffered in April.
      England international Maguire has missed 12 games through hamstring and groin injuries after his resurgence in form that saw the 30-year-old win Premier League player of the month for November.
      Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez are both outCredit: Getty
      Malacia has been out all season but it is hoped he will return soon.
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      United have just extended the contracts of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Victor Lindelof until 2025 as they look to reinforce their backline.
      Anthony Martial, meanwhile, could be on his way out, with Fenerbahce reportedly interested in making a £6.8m offer for the 28-year-old forward. More

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      Everton handed huge boost in Premier League relegation battle as Calvert-Lewin’s ‘disgraceful’ red card is overturned

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      EVERTON have been handed a major boost in their Premier League survival bid with Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s “disgraceful” red card being overturned.The Toffees striker, 26, was controversially sent off in Thursday’s drab 0-0 FA Cup third-round tie away at Crystal Palace.
      Dominic Calvert-Lewin has seen his red card rescindedCredit: Getty
      The Toffees striker was sent off in the FA Cup clash at Crystal PalaceCredit: PA

      Calvert-Lewin slid in and claimed the ball before catching Nathaniel Clyne with minimal contact on the shin.
      And after play was initially waved on with no foul given, referee Chris Kavanagh was sent to the pitchside monitor by VAR Craig Pawson and subsequently brandished the red – to the shock of the Everton players, manager Sean Dyche and virtually everyone watching.
      The sending off warranted a three-match ban, another big blow for 17th-placed Toffees who have already been docked ten points this season for breaching FFP rules and are now one point above the drop zone having played a game more than Luton.
      However, Everton launched an appeal to the FA to get the first red card of Calvert-Lewin’s career wiped.
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      They were particularly keen to know how Kavanagh’s original decision was deemed a ‘clear and obvious error’.
      But now the FA have confirmed common sense prevailed as the red card was rescinded.
      And that means Calvert-Lewin will be available for selection for Everton’s Premier League games against Aston Villa at home on Sunday and away at Fulham on January 30, as well as the Palace replay next Wednesday.
      The FA said: “Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be available for Everton’s next three games following a successful claim of wrongful dismissal.
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      “The striker was sent off for serious foul play in the Emirates FA Cup game against Crystal Palace on Thursday, January 4 2024.”
      Calvert-Lewin looked genuinely bemused to be given his marching orders after Kavanagh was shown slow-mo replays on the screen.
      And even opposition defender Joachim Andersen appeared to tell him “it’s not a red” as he shook hands with the England international.
      Dyche – whose ten men held on for the goalless stalemate to force a replay – insisted he remained a “fan” of VAR but it was “beginning to test my patience”.
      Toffees hero Peter Reid tweeted: “I’ve lost the will to live, game’s gone.”
      And fans watching the drama unfold from home also raged at the decision.
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      One said: “No physical contact at all. Goodness, what is going on.”
      A second wrote: “Disgraceful decision by a terrible ref.”
      And a third added: “An absolute joke. The beautiful game is finished RIP FOOTBALL.”
      And ex-Premier League ref Mark Halsey told SunSport: “None of the players on either side reacted to the challenge.
      “I do not understand why VAR Craig Pawson recommended a pitchside review and I’m surprised Kavanagh did not stick with his original decision.
      “You can argue it was ‘reckless’ and worthy of a caution but it did not meet the criteria for ‘serious foul play’.
      “It did not ‘endanger the safety of an opponent with excessive force or brutality’.
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      “Those challenges happen all the time and the slo-mo replays always make them appear worse than they are.”
      The winners of the replay at Goodison Park next week will play Luton or Bolton at home in the FA Cup fourth round on the last weekend of January.
      Ref Chris Kavanagh waved play on but was sent to the pitchside monitorCredit: Getty
      The red card would have seen the forward miss three matchesCredit: PA More

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      Man Utd legend Paul Scholes rants at ‘s***’ Erik ten Hag tactic during Wigan win as Gary Neville slams ‘sinking feeling’

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      PAUL SCHOLES slammed Manchester United’s “s**t” short corners during the win over Wigan.The Red Devils bounced back to winning ways against the League One outfit in the FA Cup tie.
      Paul Scholes was not happy with United’s short corners against WiganCredit: Getty
      The Red Devils tried shot corners multiple times in the FA Cup tieCredit: Getty
      Diogo Dalot opened the scoring with his second of the season before Bruno Fernandes netted from the spot in the second half and United will now face either Newport County or National League side Eastleigh in the fourth-round.
      However, Scholes was not happy with one tactic deployed by manager Erik ten Hag.
      The club legend took to social media to slam the team’s corner routines.
      He wrote: “Short corners are sh**.”
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      And the former England midfielder had plenty of fans agreeing with him.
      One fan posted: “I think we may all agree Bruno is a great player but please someone else should be on those corner kicks.”
      A second wrote: “Amateur corner kicks. Ten Hag should teach Fernandes how to kick the ball too? Even Scholes was angry about 12 corners missed.”
      A third commented: “What Manchester United short corners do to a mf.”
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      A fourth said: “I have never seen United pull off a short corner, STOP.”
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      Another added: “Can Manchester United please stop doing this hocus pocus short corners. Just knock it into the box.”
      Fellow club legend Gary Neville also chimed in with his opinion in which he admitted to having a “sinking feeling” at seeing the ball go short.
      He said: “Whilst I wouldn’t go as far as Scholesy on short corners (particularly if the opposing team are giants).
      “It’s always a sinking feeling when the CB’s have gone up and you have five or six in the box and you see it played short and not whipped in.”
      Ten Hag was far more positive when assessing the match.
      He told ITV: “The FA Cup is all about winning, it is knockout. You want to finish the job. That is what I said in the dressing room ‘job done’.
      When asked if United should have scored more goals, the Dutchman added: “Oh, definitely.
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      “In the first half I think we created five or six very good chances.
      “I think it was very good football. We should have taken more, but if you don’t score you have to stay focused and I think we did that tonight.” More

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      Erik ten Hag gave simple two-word team talk in Man Utd dressing room after Wigan FA Cup win

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      ERIK TEN HAG told his players “job done” after Manchester United’s 2-0 FA Cup victory over Wigan on Monday night.After a nervous start which saw Andre Onana making an early save at the DW Stadium, the Red Devils coasted through to the fourth round.
      Manchester United secured a 2-0 win against Wigan on Monday night with Bruno’s penaltyCredit: Getty
      With a difficult start to the season, the Red Devils have secured a favourable next round tie against either Newport or Eastleigh away.
      Diogo Dalot’s strike opened the scoreline for United before Bruno Fernandes won and converted a penalty after half-time.
      Ten Hag admitted he was satisfied with the result but gave a very simple team talk after the match.
      He said to ITV: “The FA Cup is all about winning, it is knockout. You want to finish the job. That is what I said in the dressing room, ‘job done’.”
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      Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay all missed golden opportunities to make the win more comfortable.
      And Ten Hag felt his side could have made more of their opportunities.
      Speaking on their slip-ups against the League One side Ten Hag added: “In the first half I think we created five or six very good chances.
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      “I think it was very good football. We should have taken more, but if you don’t score you have to stay focused and I think we did that tonight.
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      “I don’t know why the chances were misses. You can’t always say why you’ve missed chances.
      “There were some good attacks and good chances, but we didn’t take them, but the way we created them was OK.”
      United will turn their heads back to the Premier League as they prepare to take on Tottenham on Sunday at Old Trafford.
      Ten Hag’s side needs a victory in their battle for a place in Europe next term.
      Speaking on his chances of winning the FA Cup, the former Ajax boss said: “It is too far. You have to go game to game, especially in the Cup. Our focus is on Spurs now.” More

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      How Dream Team will adapt to Premier League winter break in Gameweek 20

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      DREAM TEAM managers should be aware that Gameweek 20 is a unique juncture in the 2023/24 season for a number of reasons.Firstly, gaffers should note that the rescheduling of Burnley v Luton has changed has changed the deadline to 6:45pm this Friday (January 12th) – don’t get caught out by that fixture.

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      Liverpool players will be popular again in Gameweek 20Credit: Dream Team
      Deviating from the norm, Gameweek 20 will last a fortnight to accommodate the Premier League’s partial winter break.
      The next round of top-flight fixtures are split across two weekends to ease the workload after a hectic festive schedule and so the upcoming Gameweek will do the same, ensuring all 20 clubs will play at least once.
      To be clear, this means teams will be locked from 6:45pm on January 12th and any changes made after that deadline won’t come into effect until Gameweek 21 gets underway on January 26th/27th (depending on which FA Cup fourth round fixtures are selected for television).
      For some players, the “winter break” is actually a rather busy period as Gameweek 20 will also feature FA Cup third round replays and the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
      GAMEWEEK 20 FIXTURES:

      Burnley v Luton (Premier League)
      Chelsea v Fulham (Premier League)
      Newcastle v Manchester City (Premier League)
      Everton v Aston Villa (Premier League)
      Manchester United v Tottenham (Premier League)

      Wolves v Brentford (FA Cup)
      Blackpool v Nottingham Forest (FA Cup)
      Bolton v Luton (FA Cup)
      Bristol City v West Ham (FA Cup)
      Everton v Crystal Palace (FA Cup)

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      Arsenal v Crystal Palace (Premier League)
      Brentford v Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
      Sheffield United v West Ham (Premier League)
      Bournemouth v Liverpool (Premier League)
      Brighton v Wolves (Premier League)

      Chelsea v Middlesbrough (Carabao Cup)
      Fulham v Liverpool (Carabo Cup)

      The schedule is always subject to change but as it stands, Gameweek 20 will feature 17 fixtures with ten clubs set to pull double duty.
      The most notable of those teams being table-toppers Liverpool – Darwin Nunez (£4.1m) and company will be popular recruits ahead of the deadline.
      West Ham’s Gameweek 20 fixtures look favourable but several of their key players are unavailableCredit: Rex

      But that’s not all, Gameweek 20 is also notable because it marks the start of the Second Shot Competition.
      Existing gaffers will automatically be entered into the Second Shot Competition with £5,000 of prize money to be distributed among the five gaffers who earn the most points from Gameweek 20 until the end of the season, regardless of how they performed throughout the first half of the campaign.
      Dream Team bosses who now feel familiar with the current version of the game after a rocky start should see the Second Shot competition as something of a clean slate.
      All gaffers should be fully aware of the unique nature of Gameweek 20 before the confirm their strategy ahead of Friday’s deadline.

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      ‘It is horrendous’ – Bruno Fernandes penalty sparks furious rant from pundit as Man Utd captain labelled ’embarrassing’

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      DANNY MURPHY sparked a huge debate after blasting the “horrendous” role of Bruno Fernandes in an “awful” penalty decision.Fernandes won and converted Manchester United’s hotly-disputed and match-sealing spot-kick in Monday’s 2-0 FA Cup third-round win at Wigan.
      Bruno Fernandes went down to win a penalty after Liam Shaw clipped his foot but fans are divided over whether the Man Utd star made a meal of itCredit: Getty

      This tumble and reaction from Fernandes proved controversialCredit: Getty
      And ex-Liverpool midfielder Murphy pointed the finger at the Red Devils’ midfielder for an “exaggerated fall” after his trailing leg was caught by Latics’ counterpart Liam Shaw.
      Many angry fans backed the ex-England star’s verdict but others reckoned it was a clear penalty, even if a soft one.
      With no VAR in FA Cup ties, Murphy claimed Fernandes’ actions underlined a growing problem – that of players tumbling after almost no contact.
      The talkSPORT pundit said: “It’s horrendous. It is not just Fernandes, we have seen a few of them recently.
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      “There is a tiny little touch and unfortunately, what we are doing by giving those penalties, is we are encouraging players to dive with any contact.
      “Because there was not enough contact to send him over and then he puts his foot on the floor and thinks, ‘Oh, I better go over’.
      “It is an exaggerated fall, it is an awful decision and it’s encouraging diving. It is encouraging players to go down.”
      Referee Anthony Taylor took his time before awarding the penalty that infuriated Wigan and ended the League One side’s resistance.
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      Fernandes’ dramatic response to the challenge angered some fansCredit: Getty
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      And some viewers reckoned Fernandes was entitled to highlight the fact he had been caught, as he spiralled over and clutched his foot.
      Legendary ex-Arsenal striker Arsenal Ian Wright had no doubts it was a spot-kick “in the current climate” – as he joined those fans who believed the Portuguese ace had been “clever”.
      But one fan called Fernandes an “absolute embarrassment” and added sarcastically: “Great example from the club captain”.
      Another posted: “Why’s he holding his shin? Tragic.”
      A third joked: “There was more contact with the pensioner I grappled with to get the last box of half price mince pies at Morrisons and she managed to stay on her feet. ”
      And several accused the 63-cap ex-Sporting Lisbon man, 29, of being a known “diver”.
      Danny Murphy blasted Fernandes for an ‘exaggerated fall’Credit: The Sun More