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      Liverpool 2 Wolves 2: Nunez and Salah spare Alisson’s blushes after blunder but visitors peg Reds back to force replay

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      LIVERPOOL is a city which loves its football and comedy – last night they served up both on the same bill.Only this time no-one of a red persuasion inside Anfield found it the slightest bit amusing, as the only jokes were the defensive clangers which gifted Wolves an FA Cup draw.
      Alisson’s clanger gifted Wolves a first half leadCredit: Reuters
      Darwin Nunez celebrates levelling for LiverpoolCredit: Rex
      And in doing so ensured that a few more cracks appeared in a season which is steadily crumbling beneath their feet.
      A goalkeeping cock-up by Alisson saw him roll the ball straight to Goncalo Guedes to hand the visitors an opener.
      Then, after clawing their way ahead – thanks, it should be said, to an opposition clanger for the second – they came up with a second dose of comic cuts defending to cancel it out.
      Side splitting it may have been for the neutrals. Cause only for Jurgen Klopp to have a face like thunder, and another night wondering where it is all going wrong.
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      Well just about everywhere you look, Jurgen. From a leaden-footed midfield, to a clown-footed defence… and a keeper rated the best in the world who played like a pub stopper.
      Heavens, if it hadn’t been for the most confusing of VAR decisions, it would even have been Cup KO, as Matheus Nunes had come back from offside before delivering the ball which ended with centre back Toti thinking he’d backheeled a winner.
      Maybe it would have been stretching it a bit too much to suggest Liverpool would have deserved it. But they’d only have been able to blame themselves if so.
      And no-one more than Alisson, whose 26th minute clanger left him with a face as red as his team-mates’ shirts.
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      Thiago was the initial culprit, losing the ball to Joe Hodge deep in his own half, but sliding back to nick it off Raul Jimenez’s toe and knock it back to his keeper.
      Alisson had time to pick out anyone in red – yet laughably and lazily simply rolled it to Guedes, who couldn’t believe his luck and drilled it past the bemused Brazilian.
      That was bad enough. But even worse was the fact Liverpool simply didn’t learn from it and the next two big chances both went to the men in old gold shirts as well.
      First Adama Traore robbed Jordan Henderson when he over-ran it, and Guedes fizzed in a swirling long range drive that Alisson was happy to beat away.
      Then Traore sent a low cross skidding across goal which just evaded the flying Jimenez as he slid in at the far post.
      Liverpool weren’t at the races. Like they weren’t in their last home game, when Leicester threatened to run away with it, only to get pegged back bang on half-time.
      Well guess what. Last night turned into the unlikeliest of carbon copies, when Nathan Collins’ slashed clearance fell to Trent Alexander-Arnold ten yards in the Wolves’ half.
      Two strides forward, a glance up and a perfect looping delivery to the left side of the box, where Darwin Nunez had loped beyond the backline.
      It wasn’t a perfect connection from the Uruguayan whose finishing has often been mocked, yet it came cleanly enough off his shin to roll past Sarkic into the far corner.
      Alisson bizarrely passed the ball straight to Goncalo Guedes
      Mo Salah gave Liverpool a 2-1 lead on 52 minutesCredit: AFP

      From dismal to dominant in one instant, and suddenly the whole momentum of the tie had changed.
      Wolves needed to get a foothold once again. Instead they came up with another kamikaze moment that gifted Liverpool a second.
      When Gakpo lofted a ball into the box, Salah had gone half a yard too soon and would have been offside if the pass had gone straight to him.
      Instead centre-back Toti made a deliberate attempt to head clear, but only diverted it to the Kop striker, who pulled it down brilliantly and coolly clipped into the net.
      Put of jail then, and back on an even keel. Only this lot never are any more, and after a triple substitution by Julen Lopetegui, Wolves were level.
      Hwang Hee-chan traded passes with Matheus Cunha, who returned the favour as he drilled low into the box.
      Ibrahima Konate got there first, yet it bounced off Hwang and somehow rolled under Alisson’s despairing hand and into the net.
      It took confirmation from VAR official Mike Dean to confirm it… yet ten minutes from time he was the man who came to Liverpool’s rescue.
      Again the Red backline was hacking hopelessly as the ball pinballed around the box, and when it fell to Toti, he thought he’d gained redemption by backheeling in.
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      But his joy was cut short when the goal disallowed, when initial corner taker Nunes was penalised for being offside in the build-up.
      Liverpool were off the hook. But unless they step up a level or two at Molineux in the replay, it will be little more than a stay of execution.

      Hwang Hee-chan’s untidy finish beat AlissonCredit: Reuters
      Toti thought he’d won it for WolvesCredit: Getty More

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      Watch Liverpool keeper Alisson ‘go full Karius’ with incredible blunder to hand Wolves lead in FA Cup clash

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      LIVERPOOL goalkeeper Alisson gifted Wolves a first-half lead at Anfield after committing a hilarious blunder.The Reds hosted their Premier League counterparts as they kicked off their FA Cup campaign.

      Alisson couldn’t believe his mistakeCredit: AFP
      The Brazilian passed the ball straight to Goncalo Guedes
      Guedes couldn’t believe his luck
      Boss Jurgen Klopp fielded a strong XI, electing NOT to rotate first choice goalkeeper Alisson for regular cup stopper Caoimhin Kelleher.
      But after the Brazilian’s mistake, Klopp may wish he had given his No1 the weekend off.
      On 26 minutes, Alisson received the ball under little pressure in his own box.
      He bafflingly passed it straight to Wolves forward Goncalo Guedes, with the Portuguese international almost not believing his luck.
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      Regardless he made no mistake, controlling the ball before smacking it into the back of the net.
      The error reminded fans of former Reds stopper Loris Karius’ terrible Champions League final gaffe against Real Madrid in 2018.
      Karius, 29, rolled the ball straight to Karim Benzema that day, before dropping a Gareth Bale effort from range over the line.
      Taking to Twitter, one fan wrote: “Alisson just went full Karius.”
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      The gaffe reminded fans of Loris Karius’ mistake against Real Madrid in the Champions League finalCredit: Getty – Contributor
      While a second added: “Loris Karius vibes.”
      A third joked: “Goalkeeper of the Year Alisson Becker. Karius proud of him.”
      And a fourth quipped: “Alisson got inspired by his idol Karius.”
      Alisson wasn’t the first high-profile stopper to drop a clanger this weekend.
      David de Gea had a moment to forget while playing for Manchester United against Everton on Friday night.
      The Spaniard got his feet in a muddle, gifting Conor Coady a tap in for the Toffees.
      After the error, ITV pundit Roy Keane blasted: “A shocking mistake from an international goalkeeper.
      “It’s like Carry On football. It looks like he’s had a few drinks.
      “It’s like the keeper’s been sent off and an outfield player has gone in goal.”
      David de Gea got his legs in a muddleCredit: ITV More

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      Harry Redknapp: I love the magic of the FA Cup… but it has stung me as both a player and manager

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      THERE are some games that live with you forever — and this weekend always brings back loads of memories for me.But the way the FA Cup is treated these days, I doubt many current players will look back on the competition with the same affection once they’ve retired.
      Harry Redknapp looks back on his FA Cup memories as a player and managerCredit: Splash
      Harry Redknapp’s West Ham was eliminated by Wrexham in 1997Credit: Getty
      The third round was always one of THE big days of the year.
      And the draw itself wasn’t too far behind either.
      I was in a West Ham side that had three World Cup winners in Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters.
      But even though they’d won the biggest competition of all, they would be crowded round the radio with the rest of us to find out who we had drawn.
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      There were times we’d rush back into the dressing room from training, still in our kit and caked in mud, before tuning in. It was such a big deal.
      And there was certainly no way any manager would even consider playing a weakened team. That was just unheard of.
      In fact we’d have special FA Cup training weeks. We would go to Southend for a couple of days and have a walk on the beach to prepare for a game that was always very special.
      I’m not talking about the final here — this was the early rounds. And any changes were because of injuries — everyone wanted to play.
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      West Ham were also knocked out by Mansfield in 1969 with Redknapp on the teamCredit: Mansfield Town Football Club
      It was just magical, even though I was on the wrong end of a few shocks.
      West Ham — with Hurst, Moore, myself, Billy Bonds, Frank Lampard Snr and the rest — were beaten by Mansfield in a game that was snowed off FIVE times.
      That particular nightmare in early 1969 became known as ‘The Miracle in the Mansfield Mud’ — but sadly it wasn’t the only giant-killing I was involved in.
      In January 1997, I was West Ham manager when Wrexham came to Upton Park and broke our hearts with a 90th-minute winner from Kevin Russell.
      Then two years later we lost a third-round replay 1-0 away to Swansea, then in the lowest division, after a 1-1 draw at our place.
      If there are any shocks these days you always hear the excuse, “Oh, they played a weakened team”.
      Well, I’m sorry, but I’m just not having it.
      At the start of each season, how many teams have a genuine chance of winning the Premier League? Three or four at best. Sometimes only a couple.
      If there are any shocks these days you always hear the excuse, “Oh, they played a weakened team”. Well, I’m sorry, but I’m just not having it.Harry Redknapp
      By the time the FA Cup starts of course some will be fighting to stay up and I can understand why that is the priority with all the money involved.
      But the majority pretty much know they are safe, so why not have a go for a trophy? Most of them don’t — and it will be the same this weekend.
      If you’re, say, Brentford, Fulham or Aston Villa, this is your chance to win a pot.
      When I was at Portsmouth in 2008, we knew we weren’t going to win the league but were seventh or eighth in the table and gave the FA Cup a right good go.
      We played our strongest team in every round, beat Manchester United at Old Trafford on the way to the final and ended up winning the thing!
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      It was one of the greatest days in Portsmouth’s history, one of the best in my career and gave us memories none of us will ever forget.
      There’s a lot that has changed for the better over the years but the FA Cup definitely isn’t one of them — and, sadly, I can only see it getting worse. More

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      Sheff Weds 2 Newcastle 1: Toon fans raging as offside Windass goal allowed to stand with no VAR in shock FA Cup defeat

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      THE LONG wait for Newcastle’s first major domestic trophy will end soon. We all know that. It might be in the Carabao Cup this season. It could even be in the Premier League, however unlikely.
      Newcastle suffered a shock FA Cup elimination at Sheffield WednesdayCredit: Reuters
      Sheffield Wednesday qualified thanks to Josh Windass’ braceCredit: Getty
      But this blockbuster of an FA Cup tie was yet another lesson that you can have a very good manager, decent squad and all the money in the world, but winning that first trophy to usher in a golden era is not straightforward.
      Eddie Howe’s in-form team, with just one defeat this season against Liverpool, were left on their backsides by a League One side, who more than deserved their spot in the fourth round.
      In a world where even the most expensive football stadiums all look the same inside, Hillsborough remains one of THE finest arenas but it has not had many great nights over recent years.
      But Darren Moore’s fearless team ensured that this corner of Sheffield was absolutely rocking while Newcastle’s fans were left to digest yet another poor Cup exit.
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      They were dumped out of the third round by Cambridge last season and were undone by Josh Windass, son of former striker Dean.
      Windass’ first goal should have been ruled out for offside but there was no VAR. Yet Newcastle could not complain too much as Bruno Guimaraes’ strike, which brought it back to 2-1, was also offside.
      Incredibly, Windass had only scored five times until this season but a hat-trick on Monday, against Cambridge funnily enough, saw him return to the goals trail and he could easily have left with the matchball once again.
      Due to Newcastle’s current situation, where they have progressed quicker than expected under Howe, there will be no major recriminations.
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      Newcastle fans were furious after a controversial FA Cup eliminationCredit: Rex
      But here is the club whose last major domestic trophy was the FA Cup in 1955 and that poor run over the decades is because the team have put in so many performances like this.
      Yet Windass took his chances in complete contrast to £60million striker Alexander Isak who started only his fourth game for Newcastle – and first since September – and was taken off at half-time.
      Isak, who arrived from Real Sociedad for a club record fee, has some catching up to do as he had been sidelined since September 17 with a hamstring injury.
      The 23-year-old should have scored at least one of his four first-half chances and Newcastle’s fans will have to develop some patience as it will be a few weeks, at least, before Isak is anywhere near as sharp as he needs to be.
      The Swede was denied by a flash save from Cameron Dawson but his header was too near the Wednesday keeper.
      Isak was put clean through by the impressive Manquillo but despite a couple of touches, hammered a shot straight at the legs of Dawson. He then wellied a low free-kick into the Wednesday wall and then displayed a complete lack of belief when attempting to lob Dawson but the shot drifted harmlessly away from goal.
      At half-time, aside from Howe replacing Isak with Chris Wood, Wednesday boss Moore took off the struggling Fisayo Dele-Bashiru for Dennis Adeniran.
      And midfielder Adeniran, who failed to make an appearance in four years at Everton, made an instant impact. He found a way past Sven Botman and squared the ball for Windass who got across Jamaal Lascelles to score.
      But the player getting all the plaudits was George Byers who started the move with a brilliant turn, taking out a couple of Newcastle players.
      But if that was a bit lucky, due to the lack of VAR, there was certainly nothing ropey about Wednesday’s second.
      Newcastle legend Alan Shearer watched from the press box in disbeliefCredit: REUTERS
      Alan Shearer watched Newcastle crash out in a controversial lostCredit: REUTERS
      Joelinton stuck out a leg to put the ball in the direction of Michael Smith and his pass released Windass who lashed a first-time shot from outside the area past Martin Dubravka.
      With his first kick of the game, sub Kieran Trippier delivered the corner which saw Newcastle pull one back. Wood’s header was saved by Dawson but it fell to an offside Guimaraes.
      Windass was denied a hat-trick when Dubravka got the finest of touches to tip a 25-yard free-kick onto the woodwork
      Naturally, there were nervous moments at the end. Wood should have scored but scooped an easy chance into a gleeful Wednesday Kop.
      Yet when referee Michael Salisbury blew his whistle, those supporters who have witnessed so dross over the years celebrated so wildly, the old concrete stands were shaking.
      If Wednesday keep playing like this in the League then, surely, they will be back in the second tier of English football. For a club of this size, this is the bare minimum.
      Newcastle fans were infuriated after full-time as they took to Twitter to lash out after Windass’ first goal in a match that had no VAR and saw Alan Shearer raging in the press box.
      One supporter tweeted: “This Newcastle game shows how incompetent officials are and why VAR is needed.”
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      Another posted: “Anyone who wants VAR out of the game turn on the Newcastle game to see how unbelievably bad linesmen are.”
      A third commented: “Never gonna slag VAR off again after watching this Newcastle game.” More

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      When is FA Cup fourth round draw? Date, start time, TV channel, live stream FREE, ball numbers

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      FA CUP action is back in action NOW – with all fans wanting their team in the draw for the next round.The third round of the competition got underway on Friday night as Manchester United beat Everton 3-1 at Old Trafford.
      Liverpool beat Chelsea in last season’s FA Cup finalCredit: Getty
      And tomorrow, Tottenham take on Portsmouth and Liverpool face Wolves while Aston Villa host Stevenage.
      On Sunday, it’s a clash of the titans as Chelsea travel to Manchester City, just days after playing them in the Premier League.
      The final game of the round will be played between Arsenal and Oxford on Monday.
      When is the FA Cup fourth round draw?
      The FA Cup fourth round draw will take place on Sunday, January 8.
      The draw will get underway just before Chelsea’s trip to the Etihad Stadium to play Manchester City.
      What TV channel is it on?
      The FA Cup fourth round draw will be shown live on BBC One/iPlayer once the Oxford vs Arsenal game is over.
      You can live stream the draw from the BBC iPlayer, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
      How many teams will be in the hat?
      There will be 32 teams in the hat for the FA Cup fourth round draw.
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      Some teams will have to wait a little longer to find out their true fourth round fate, however, because of potential replays.
      Replays, in the event of a draw, are back this season up until, and including, the fourth round.
      What are the ball numbers?

      1 Preston North End
      2 Brighton & Hove Albion
      3 Chesterfield or West Bromwich Albion
      4 Manchester City or Chelsea
      5 Stockport County or Walsall
      6 Boreham Wood or Accrington Stanley
      7 Tottenham Hotspur
      8 Derby County or Barnsley
      9 Cardiff City or Leeds United
      10 Brentford or West Ham United
      11 Burnley
      12 Coventry City or Wrexham
      13 Norwich City or Blackburn Rovers
      14 Aston Villa or Stevenage
      15 Luton Town or Wigan Athletic
      16 Oxford United or Arsenal
      17 Fleetwood Town
      18 Liverpool or Wolverhampton Wanderers
      19 Grimsby Town or Burton Albion
      20 Blackpool
      21 Leicester City
      22 Forest Green Rovers or Birmingham City
      23 Bristol City or Swansea City
      24 Hartlepool United or Stoke City
      25 Fulham
      26 Southampton
      27 Sheffield United
      28 Sunderland
      29 Sheffield Wednesday
      30 Manchester United
      31 Reading or Watford
      32 Ipswich Town More

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      Cody Gakpo STARTS for Liverpool in FA Cup tie vs Wolves as Jurgen Klopp throws £37m transfer in at the deep end

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      CODY GAKPO has been named in the starting XI for Liverpool’s FA Cup third round tie with Wolves.The January signing wasn’t involved at Brentford on Monday night as the Reds lost 3-1.
      Cody has been named in the starting XI to face WolvesCredit: Reuters
      Here’s the team Jurgen Klopp has picked for the third round tie
      But Jurgen Klopp has made changes from the defeat in West London and has opted to give the 23-year-old his debut.
      It’s the winger’s first appearance since his side were knocked out of the World Cup in the quarter-finals by Argentina last month.
      Gakpo has already been at Anfield recently after he watched his new side beat Leicester at the end of December from the stands.
      But now the ex-PSV star will get his chance to grace the hallowed turf.
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      Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is the man to make way for Gakpo, who joins Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah in the front three.
      Gakpo snubbed a move to rivals Manchester United in favour of a switch to Anfield.
      He signed a long-term contract on Merseyside and cost the Reds £37m.
      But it’s not all good news for Liverpool, who are without Virgil van Dijk after his recent injury.
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      Klopp has still named his strongest available team despite often using the cup competitions as chance to rotate.
      Joel Matip starts in place of the Van Dijk, while Andy Robertson is also recalled and Jordan Henderson starts after concussion.
      The Reds are the holders after they beat Chelsea on penalties in the final last May.
      But they’ve lost each of their last two FA Cup ties with Wolves, including a 2-1 defeat at Anfield back in 2017. More

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      Oxford vs Arsenal: Stream FREE, TV channel, kick-off time, team news for FA Cup third round game

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      ARSENAL are back in FA Cup action as they face League One side Oxford in the third round. The Gunners were knocked out at this stage last year against Nottingham Forest.
      Arsenal take on Oxford in the third round of the FA CupCredit: Getty
      But this season, Mikel Arteta’s side are on fire as they sit top of the Premier League.
      They’ll want to progress in the FA Cup, however, having exited the Carabao Cup earlier this season at the hands of Brighton.
      A win for Arsenal would see Arteta’s side enter the fourth round draw, which is scheduled to take place after the game.
      When is Oxford vs Arsenal?

      Arsenal’s trip to Oxford will take place on Monday, January 9.
      The match will get underway at 8pm UK time.
      Oxford vs Arsenal will be held at the Kassam Stadium.

      What channel is it and can it be live streamed?

      Oxford vs Arsenal will be shown live on ITV1 in the UK.
      You can live stream the action from the ITV X app, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.

      Can I watch for FREE?

      Yes, the game is available for FREE on ITV 1, so long as you have a TV licence.
      You can also catch the action on the ITV X.

      Team news
      Both Kyle Joseph and Sam Baldock won’t be in action for Oxford as they still have injuries.
      Gabriel Jesus and Reiss Nelson are both still injured with knee and thigh problems.
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      Emile Smith Rowe could make an appearance, however, following his groin surgery.
      Albert Sambi Lokonga, Rob Holding and Fabio Vieira may all be afforded starts.
      Odds

      Oxford – 14/1
      Draw – 7/1
      Arsenal – 1/7

      *Odds courtesy of Betfair and correct at time of publication. More

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      Man Utd transfer target Chris Rigg, 15, makes surprise debut as Sunderland score TWO added-time goals in FA Cup thriller

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      SUNDERLAND’S 15-year-old wonderkid Chris Rigg shone bright during his shock debut in the FA Cup thriller against Shrewsbury Town.Rigg has attracted a lot of interest from the Premier League following some standout performances at youth level.
      Chris Rigg made his Sunderland debut in the FA Cup against Shrewsbury TownCredit: Getty
      Sunderland wonderkid Chris Rigg has been linked with Manchester United and NewcastleCredit: Getty
      The midfielder has been targeted by Manchester United as well as Liverpool, Newcastle and Everton during the January transfer window.
      And the England Under-16 captain’s stock went even higher on Saturday as he came off the bench to help the Black Cats punch their ticket to the fourth round of the FA Cup.
      In doing so he became Sunderland’s youngest outfield player EVER.
      Sunderland beat Shrewsbury 2-1 in a dramatic encounter at Montgomery Waters Meadow.
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      Matthew Pennington opened the scoring for the hosts on 81 minutes, which is when Rigg came on and replaced Edouard Michut.
      It looked like Tony Mowbray’s side were out for the count but the teen sensation helped them do the unthinkable.
      Ross Stewart equalised in the second minute of stoppage time.
      Just when it looked like the two teams would have a replay at the Stadium of Light, Luke O’Nien hit the back of the net to seal a fantastic qualification only two minutes later.
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      Rigg came out looking better than ever, with many considering him the best of his age in the country.
      Newcastle remain strong favourites to sign the talented schoolboy from their fiercest rivals.
      But United are very keen to land one of England’s greatest prospects for the future. More