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      Man Utd boost as Pep Guardiola reveals early FA Cup final line-up news and key Man City star WON’T play

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      PEP GUARDIOLA says he will stick with his cup keeper Stefan Ortega for Saturday’s showdown with Manchester United.The German has played in all the FA Cup matches this season but Ederson is very much the No1 at the Etihad.
      Pep has confirmed his No.1 will not start the final.Credit: Reuters
      Stefan Ortega will start the matchCredit: Getty
      And even though the treble is up for grabs over the next week for Manchester City, the manager has vowed to stick with him.
      Some fans may consider it a gamble with so much at stake but the former Barcelona coach believes it is the right decision.
      Guardiola said: “Stefan’s going to play yeah. It’s always like that, even in Barcelona, the keeper who has played FA Cup will start.”

      Pep’s policy came back to haunt him last season as a blunder by stand in Zack Steffen gifted Liverpool a goal in last season’s semi-final.
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      The only time he has veered from it was in 2019 when Ederson started the 6-0 win over Watford – but that was partly because understudy Claudio Bravo was injured.
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      Meanwhile Guardiola confirmed that Kevin de Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Ruben Dias all trained well despite being rested in the final days of the season.
      He said: “They trained well in last two days. There are no concerns. The squad are more or less fine.”
      No 1 Ederson will have to make do with a place on the benchCredit: AFP More

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      Man Utd star Varane reveals how to stop Erling Haaland in FA Cup clash as he vows to knock Pep off his perch AGAIN

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      RAPHAEL VARANE has vowed to stop Erling Haaland in his tracks and ruin Manchester City’s treble dreams at the same time.With 52 goals in 51 games Haaland enters his first FA Cup final as the most feared striker on the planet.
      Manchester United star Raphael Varane has found the way to stop Erling HaalandCredit: Rex
      Manchester City superstar Haaland will face Varane in the FA Cup FinalCredit: PA
      But United centre-back Varane insists the key to stopping him is breaking his connection with Kevin De Bruyne by pressing high up.
      Varane said: “The connection especially with De Bruyne because they have a connection, we try to cut that connection.
      “We try to stop them earlier and not at the end because sometimes it’s too late. We know we have to be strong as a team.
      “Obviously he is one of the very good players they have, but they are strong as a team and we have to respond not to the individual but more to the collective.”
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      While City will be favourites to add the FA Cup to their league title ahead of going to the Champions League final in Istanbul, Varane is insistent United can topple Pep Guardiola’s side.
      After all they have already won 2-1 at home to get revenge for the 6-3 drubbing at The Etihad this season.
      He said: “I think we know we are able to beat any team. We showed that this season. We know we can beat them but we know they are a good team.
      “The approach, we have to learn from the games we played against them and we need a great performance.
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      “We have to be consistent for 90 minutes because we know that everything can change in a few seconds.
      “They are very complete. They can score from set-plays, from a possession game and from a transition game.
      “We know we have to stop them as a team and collectively as a group.”
      Varane, 30, knows what it takes to knock Pep off his perch.
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      When he joined Real Madrid in 2011 Guardiola’s Barcelona had just won two Champions Leagues and three successive LaLigas.
      In Varane’s first season the title was wrestled back to the Santiago Bernabeu, and Guardiola quit the Nou Camp.
      It was one of three LaLigas centre-back Varane won and he would also go on to win four European Cups with the Spanish giants.
      Now he wants to take the power back in England too.
      Varane said: “I learned a lot from that period in Madrid. It was my first step at the top level.
      “I learned how to fight, develop that winning mentality.
      “We grew as a team and as a club during that period. I learned a lot and it was very helpful for me.”

      Varane has brought a calm assuredness to United in a successful second season with the club following his £41million transfer.
      He says the pressure of playing for Real has taught him how to handle life with United.
      He said: “Even when it’s difficult, we know how important Manchester United are around the world.
      “There’s a lot of pressure, so when the results are not good you have to stay calm and composed.”
      He has certainly helped to bring a belief and winning mentality to United this season that will be needed in that bid to topple City.
      Not just this weekend in the FA Cup Final but next season in the League.
      United only briefly flirted with a title challenge this season, but a third-placed finish and two domestic Cup Finals showed real signs of progress.
      When he is asked if there is a fear factor about facing City this weekend he looks visibly perplexed.
      “Fear?” He said. “No. Why?”
      “Every game is a challenge, and I like to challenge myself, like to challenge other teams too as a group as a team and the most important thing is to believe.
      “I like to face big challenges, especially when something looks impossible, it’s when I feel OK.
      “That expectation to do something impossible, what looks impossible; when the challenge is big I feel more motivation.
      “City is a team that creates the most chances in a game, and that game in the first half [when Man Utd beat City 2-1 at Old Trafford] was very good.
      “So we have to do this performance to win the Cup and obviously if we have one chance we have to score; so we have to be efficient.”
      A serial winner, with a World Cup to his name as well, the French international would love to add the FA Cup to his CV after the Carabao success earlier in the season.
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      He said: “I wanted to come to England to feel these types of emotions.
      “The FA Cup is huge here in England, I have a big respect for the fans and we have a good connection so I know how important this competition – this game – is to them.”
      Ex-Real Madrid star Varane has history with Manchester City boss Pep GuardiolaCredit: PA
      Varane and Haaland have already faced off in the Premier LeagueCredit: Sunday Times More

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      in Athletics

      Former FA Cup final site that once hosted Usain Bolt now abandoned and left to rot while covered in fox poo

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      A FORMER FA Cup final venue that also hosted Usain Bolt is now an abandoned stadium covered in fox poo.The National Sports Centre at Crystal Palace opened in 1964 in Crystal Palace Park, the same site where the Cup final was held between 1895 and 1914.
      The Crystal Palace National Sports Centre has been left to rotCredit: The Times
      The FA Cup Final, with this snap from 1912, was played on the same venue from 1895 to 1915Credit: Hulton Picture Company
      Holes fill the spot on the track where Usain Bolt lined up to raceCredit: The Times
      The stands have been left covered in animal pooCredit: The Times
      The large sports centre and outdoor athletics stadium which had a 19,000 capacity ground hosted the London Grand Prix for over a decade before it was switched to the Olympic Stadium in 2012.
      Jamaican Olympic legend Bolt was one of the star names to have competed there in the past – but now the site has fallen into disrepair since its closure in November 2020.
      A report by The Times highlighted the shocking decline, although they report how The Mayor of London has committed millions to refurbishing the decaying National Sports Centre.
      The South London complex was closed in November 2022 over emergency safety concerns.
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      Concrete pillars holding up the floodlights were discovered to have been unsafe. 
      Although they have since been removed, the Olympic-sized swimming and diving pool there have remained closed since March 2020.
      Now after years of leakages on the indoor running track, which hosted its last grand prix in 2011, the outside stands are covered in bird, fox and rat excrement.
      And the start line where Bolt once lined-up to race is now peppered with holes. 
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      Former British sprinter Donovan Reid now works as an athletics coach and has used the stadium for 30 years, and he says it has been “managed to disrepair”.
      He told BBC: “To categorise it as a bit of a mess, is like saying the pandemic was a cold. It’s more than a bit of a mess.
      “We would love it if work to make it safe can be done and then they can start its development.
      “What we don’t want is for someone to shut it down completely.
      “I have young athletes who I believe can make the Commonwealth, Olympic and World teams and their training is being stifled.”
      However, a glimmer of hope has now appeared for the historic venue after Sadiq Khan “authorised a sum said to be in single-figure millions to be spent over the next 12 months” on repairing the outdoor and indoor running tracks.
      And that figure will also lead to installing replacement floodlighting and upgrading other facilities, such as the main fitness gym.
      Khan said: “Crystal Palace National Sports Centre is a historic and much-loved sporting and community facility where many UK sporting stars have started their careers and trained, but which is in need of major investment and refurbishment.
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      “I am completely committed to this once-in-a-generation redevelopment of the site which will secure its future for decades to come. While work continues apace on our vision for the long-term future of the centre, I am delighted to announce that we intend to make a number of early improvements that we hope will make a huge difference to users of the centre.
      “Over the coming months, we will continue to work closely with key stakeholders — including sporting bodies and wider community groups — to deliver an outstanding venue that our capital and our country can be proud of.”
      Jamaican legend (second left) pictured in 2009 at the Aviva London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace National Sports CentreCredit: PA:Press Association
      The stadium was closed in 2020 but has been promised funding to help restore itCredit: The Times More

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      Play Dream Team Single Game Survivor alongside Saturday’s FA Cup final – £2000+ prize pot!

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      Manchester City continue their quest for a historic treble this weekend when they take on Manchester United at Wembley in a blockbuster FA Cup final.Pep Guardiola’s side, who recently retained their Premier League crown, will undoubtedly start as favourites but the Red Devils will be supremely motivated to spoil their neighbours’ party.
      And let’s not forget, Erik ten Hag and his men have already lifted a trophy at the home of English football this season – they beat Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final at the end of February.
      To celebrate this weekend’s marquee fixture, we’re running a special edition of Single Game Survivor with a prize pot of £2,000+ up for grabs!

      PLAY SINGLE GAME SURVIVOR NOW! £5 ENTRY FOR OUR FA CUP FINAL SPECIAL – £2,000+ PRIZE POT

      Credit: DREAM TEAM
      What is Single Game Survivor?
      Single Game Survivor takes its inspiration from our Classic Survivor Game.
      In Classic Survivor, you pick a Premier League team to win each week. They win, you survive; they don’t, you’re out.
      And it’s exactly the same principle with Single Game Survivor (or SGS as it’s more snappily known), except that in this game you submit predictions relating to specific match events.
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      Get your predictions right as the game goes along and you’ll survive; but get them wrong and you’re out.
      The pleasant twist? You get two lives to play with!
      How do you make picks in SGS?
      Ahead of the FA Cup final, we’ll serve up some questions for you to consider. Such as:

      Which team will score first?
      Which of these four players will have a shot on target first?

      And so on.
      Win these mini-battles to keep yourself alive!
      Credit: DREAM TEAM
      How do I win money in SGS?
      Now for the good bit.
      You get two chances to win in SGS, with the first cash prize coming if you survive until half-time.
      If your sharp football instincts help you survive until full-time, you take a share of the prize pot that remains.
      Why should I play SGS?
      QUICK MONEY With our two chances to make money – half-time and full-time – you might win money in just 45 minutes!
      TWO LIVES You get not one, but two lives as you chase down the cash!
      BEAT THE REST Test your knowledge against our thousands-strong community
      LIVE EXPERIENCE See your rivals eliminated and the prize pool increase during the match
      What’s the best way to follow SGS?
      Follow along live with us!
      Sign-in to your account and track all the key moments via our live tracker to see how they affect you and your rivals.
      You’ll also be able to see how the cash pot rises as players get knocked out!
      Good Luck!
      Read More on The Sun
      To celebrate this weekend’s marquee fixture, we’re running a special edition of Single Game Survivor with a prize pot of £2,000+ up for grabs!

      PLAY SINGLE GAME SURVIVOR NOW! £5 ENTRY FOR OUR FA CUP FINAL SPECIAL – £2,000+ PRIZE POT More

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      Man Utd go for blue suits for FA Cup final clash vs City.. just weeks after Fergie’s stinging criticism of white outfits

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      MANCHESTER UNITED showed off their swanky blue suits ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup Final.United take on rivals Manchester City at Wembley and are determined to deny them the chance of emulating their historic Treble triumph from 1999.
      Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho posed with the club’s new threads
      Casemiro posed in Manchester United’s new suit by Paul Smith
      Aaron Wan-Bissaka and his Manchester United team-mates will don the suits at the FA Cup Final
      But no matter what happens on the pitch, the Red Devils will certainly be arriving to the capital in style.
      Erik ten Hag’s men posed for photos in their smart new Paul Smith-designed outfits.

      Casemiro, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Alejandro Garnacho were pictured in their new threads.
      This comes after legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s couldn’t resist a dig at Liverpool’s iconic white suits in a recent rugby pep talk.
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      The Reds’ ‘Spice Boys’, including the likes of Steve McManaman, Robbie Fowler and Jamie Redknapp, infamously wore the all-white Armani outfits for the 1996 Cup Final, which they 1-0 thanks to Eric Cantona’s winner.
      And Fergie showed he is in no mood to let fans forget that fashion faux pas any time soon as he spoke to Sale Sharks before their Premiership rugby final with Saracens.
      Ferguson said: “You don’t want to lose on Saturday and I wish you all the best.
      “The thing is, I’m telling you, don’t wear a white suit for Christ’s sake!”
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      But it seems like Ferguson is satisfied with United’s suits ahead of the important final.
      After all, Paul Smith has been kitting out the Red Devils’ stars since 2008 when Fergie was still in charge.
      Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson slammed Liverpool’s white suits from 1996Credit: PA
      Liverpool lost to Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United in the 1996 FA Cup FinalCredit: Getty More

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      ITV FA Cup final presenter Laura Woods defied online trolls and stood up to Jose Mourinho on her journey to TV stardom

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      ENGAGING, insightful, entertaining, professional, feisty… Laura Woods has become the definitive radio and TV sports presenter.The award-winning host regularly brightens up talkSPORT listeners’ mornings with her personality, knowledge of the sporting world and ability to mix it up in the banter stakes with Ally McCoist, Jamie O’Hara and Co.
      Brilliant Laura Woods is your host for the FA Cup final on ITVCredit: Insatgram @layurawoodsy
      Woods also hosts talkSPORT’s breakfast showCredit: talkSPORT
      Woodsy, as she is affectionately called by her colleagues, has also become ITV’s go-to for their football coverage – meaning this Saturday’s FA Cup final couldn’t be in better hands.
      The 35-year-old has come a long way from scoring a job as a runner on Sky Sports in 2009.
      And the confident Dagenham-born Arsenal fan has shown courage through the years in dealing with sexist trolls determined to bring her down on social media.
      First job
      Laura graduated from Kingston University in 2009 after studying print journalism.
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      Following work experience at the Croydon Advertiser, she scored her first job at Sky Sports, reporting to their Isleworth studios as a runner.
      Putting in the time, she would graft her way up to editorial assistant, assistant producer, associate and producer.
      A flair for presenting showed when Laura began working in front of the camera doing behind-the-scenes interviews for Sky Sports’ darts coverage on their YouTube channel.
      Wanting to do more than produce, she took a camera out with her, recorded footage, edited it together, and impressed TV chiefs with her natural talent. Online, it proved to be a big hit too.
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      Laura was then chosen to front Saturday morning kids’ show Game Changers, where she was the guinea pig for all sorts of daft experiments, including rollerskiing and smoothie biking.
      Her love for the NFL started at Sky Sports, before she scored a pitch-side reporter role on Super Sunday.
      It was interviewing football’s elite where she encountered her most difficult customer, Jose Mourinho.
      Ambitious Woods caught the attention of Sky TV chiefs interviewing darts stars
      A role on Soccer AM gave her a taste for interviewing footballers
      Woods began working for Soccer Sunday in 2018
      ‘Looked into my soul’
      Laura was tasked with questioning the ex-Tottenham manager, after Harry Kane saw a goal disallowed for Spurs. The Portuguese wasn’t happy about the decision, and let her know about it.
      Recalling the incident to Ian Wright on Wingmen, she said: “Harry Kane had just a scored a goal that was ruled out or something like that. Wrighty, he was looking into my soul! He was looking into my soul and he didn’t like what he saw. That’s how I felt.
      “Anyway, I started the interview, asking him questions and he immediately flipped it back on me and went, ‘Well, what did you think?’ And I was like, ‘Right, I have to put my big-girl pants on here’.
      “And I was like, ‘It’s not about me, it’s about you. No one cares about my opinion’. [Mourinho replied] ‘Well I care, what did you think?’ And I agreed with him but I just thought I had to hold my own.”
      Woods was adamant it was a test of her mettle – something that has stood her well as her career has progressed.
      She continued: “I think he was testing me but I like him as well. I miss him when he’s not around, like I miss that personality. That job, for any football fan looking in, it looks like a really simple job but it’s not.”
      talkSPORT
      In 2020, Laura became the main presenter for talkSPORT’s breakfast show, splitting duties with Alan Brazil.
      She was the perfect choice, combining a deep knowledge of all sports with an unparalleled wit, and has the perfect foil in McCoist – with the pair proving to be a ratings winner.
      But, not everyone thought she was a good choice at first. She was the target of online trolls who claimed she only got the job because of her good looks. Amusing considering it was radio.
      “I accept that as presenters we are putting ourselves out there; we’re essentially targets,” she told i.
      In 2020, Woods became talkSPORT’s breakfast presenter – sharing duties with Alan BrazilCredit: Paul Edwards – The Sun
      Online trolls targeted Woods claiming she only got the job because of her looksCredit: Instagram / @laurawoodsy
      Woods admits she takes all the criticism with a pinch of saltCredit: The Sun
      “I’m learning to live with it because that’s part of our job. You’re never going to please everybody.
      “It would hurt me a lot more if I took it all to heart, so I take it with a pinch of salt now as much as I can. The people with something bad to say will always shout the loudest, so I have learnt to care less about the reaction.”
      Goodbye Sky, hello ITV
      In 2022, Woods finally said goodbye to Sky Sports.
      Following her departure, it was announced she would join former American football stars Osi Umenyiora and Jason Bell to present ITV’s Friday night NFL highlights show.
      A few months later, she was named as one of ITV’s World Cup presenters in Qatar, alongside seasoned hand Mark Pougatch.
      Grumpy Des Lynam moaned in an opinion piece for the Telegraph about her familiarity with pundit Ian Wright, when she called him Wrighty during the coverage of Senegal v Netherlands and how it made him “wince”.
      Laura bit back on Twitter: “Jeez, of all the things covered this is what made Des wince?”
      Wright, himself, leapt to her defence. Not that she needed it. “How’s Des vexed that Laura called me ‘Wrighty’!!! Looking for something negative to write,” he wrote on social media.
      Today, she balances her ITV role alongside work with DAZN, where she reports on boxing and the Women’s Champions League for the streaming service, as well as Amazon Prime Video where she presents their Premier League output.
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      Since last year, Woods has presented ITV’s football coverageCredit: Getty
      Woods has been tipped to replace Jeff Stelling on Soccer Saturday and Jake Humphrey on BT Sport
      There is talk of a return to Sky, replacing Jeff Stelling on Soccer Saturday. While industry rumours suggest she is the frontrunner to take over from Jake Humphrey at BT Sport, which is soon to become TNT Sports. You feel she could ace both jobs.
      Ever ambitious, talented and a consummate pro, Saturday’s Cup final won’t be served better than with Woods at the helm introducing the coverage. More

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      Man Utd given glimmer of hope for FA Cup final against City as shocking stat about champions emerges

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have been given a glimmer of hope ahead of the FA Cup final against Manchester City. This is because a shocking stat against the Premier League champions has emerged.
      Manchester United have been given a glimmer of hope against Manchester CityCredit: Getty
      The final league table saw a 14-point gulf between Pep Guardiola’s and Erik ten Hag’s outfits.
      However, the two sides are level in their head-to-head record this season.
      But it is their respective away records which appear to have given the Red Devils a glimmer of hope as they aim to throw a spanner into Man City’s Treble dream.
      United’s woeful away record against the Premier League’s top nine has been well documented.
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      Man Utd’s away record is well-known to be poor
      City’s meanwhile is far from infallible and leaves a lot to be desired.
      While United failed to win any of their eight clashes, City only managed to do one better.
      This being said, the Cityzens sole victory came at the most important ground in the title race against Arsenal – the Emirates.
      In addition, City did manage to draw three matches, whereas United drew just one.
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      But Man City won just one more game
      It should also be noted that United held a gargantuan -20 goal difference from these matches.
      Meanwhile, Man City had a far more respectable -2 goal difference.
      With the relative frailties of both teams coming to bare ahead of the Wembley showdown, the neutral venue may prove to be a great equaliser.
      The two sides’ history when facing one another at Wembley boils down to two games in 2011, when City triumphed in an FA Cup semi-final before Utd won the Community Shield later on.
      United have history in the Cup on their side too.
      They have won it more times (12 to 6) and have beaten City in five of the last six meetings in the competition – with the one exception being the FA Cup semi-final in 2011.
      Man City have tasted FA Cup success under Pep Guardiola once beforeCredit: Reuters
      Though the Red Devils have already tasted cup success under Erik ten Hag this seasonCredit: Alamy More

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      Man Utd handed injury blow with Anthony Martial OUT of FA Cup final vs City with hamstring injury

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      ANTHONY MARTIAL is out the FA Cup Final after picking up a hamstring issue in the final game of the Premier League season against Fulham.The injury-prone Frenchman had only come on as a 67th minute substitute in the 2-1 win which secured Manchester United’s third place finish.
      Anthony Martial is out of the FA Cup final with a hamstring injuryCredit: Getty
      Martial joins Antony and long-term absentee Lisandro Martinez on the sidelines.
      It is not a major headache for manager Erik ten Hag ahead of the Wembley final date with neighbours Manchester City, however.
      Marcus Rashford, the 30 goals top scorer this season, started as the main striker last Sunday and will do again.
      Martial has scored just nine goals in 29 appearances this season with the club willing to listen to offers for him this summer.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      Martial’s absence opens the door for Alejandro Garnacho to join Jadon Sancho on the wings.
      The Argentine ace is fully fit after returning from injury and looked sharp against Fulham on Sunday.
      Man Utd may also give a final start to Dutch striker Wout Weghorst, who is set to return to Burnley this summer.
      The Red Devils could end up replacing him with PSG forward Neymar.
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      The Brazilian looks set to leave the French capital this summer.
      And he is keen to link up with Ten Hag at Old Trafford.
      Neymar’s arrival could see him take over the left-wing spot, allowing Rashford to play through the middle. More