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      Man Utd handed huge FA Cup final blow as Alejandro Garnacho ‘chooses to miss City clash for Argentina U20 World Cup’

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      ALEJANDRO GARNACHO could miss Manchester United’s FA Cup final to play in the Under-20 World Cup for Argentina.Reports in Garnacho’s homeland claim the teen star, 18, has decided to turn out for his country ahead of the derby blockbuster at Wembley.
      Alejandro Garnacho could reportedly miss the FA Cup finalCredit: AFP
      The winger has reportedly decided to play in the Under-20 World Cup – which kicks off on May 20Credit: GETTY
      United face neighbours City at Wembley on June 3.
      And that could clash with the knock-out stages of the youth tournament which will kicks off in Argentina on May 20.
      Argentina journalist Damian Villagra tweeted: “Alejandro Garnacho’s decision is to come and play the World Cup for the Argentina National Team.”
      Garnacho has been on the sidelines with an ankle injury sustained in March.
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      He has scored four goals for Erik ten Hag’s side this season – including the third goal in the FA Cup fifth round 3-1 win over West Ham at Old Trafford.
      Garnacho’s decision to play in the tournament has yet to be confirmed by United or Argentina.
      But that hasn’t stopped some of the Old Trafford faithful from panicking.
      One United fan said: “Garnacho going to the World Cup when we'[re] in a Dawg Fight.”
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      Garnacho hasn’t played since picking up ankle ligament damage in last month’s 0-0 draw with SouthamptonCredit: REX
      And another said: “So he won’t be available for the FA Cup final.”
      One questioned: “Alejandro, bro?”
      While one supporter, referencing United’s injury woes, chimed in: “Garnacho, [Raphael] Varane, [Lisandro] Martinez and now Bruno [Fernandes]. We don’t deserve this.”
      Garnacho has been on the sidelines since March after suffering ankle ligament damage in the Red Devils’ 0-0 draw with relegation battlers Southampton.
      But he seemingly handed Ten Hag a boost last Saturday by ditching the supports outside Cibo Restaurant in Hale Village.
      He left Old Trafford on crutches and was seen using them again six days later.
      Ten Hag was optimistic earlier this month about Garnacho’s chances of returning to the starting XI before the end of the season.
      The Dutchman said: “We have something in our heads.
      “But I don’t want – he will definitely be back before the end of the season. 
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      “I think he will be in the final stages, but I don’t want to bring so much pressure on the medical and Garnacho to set a date when to be back.”
      United will be back in action on Thursday, travelling to North London to take on top-four rivals Tottenham. More

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      Bruno Fernandes’ wife releases worrying Instagram snap with crutches and boot as Man Utd fans fear their ‘season’s over’

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      BRUNO FERNANDES’ wife Ana Pinho has posted a picture of the Portuguese star with a protective boot and crutches.The snap, uploaded to Ana’s Instagram account, comes just a day after Fernandes was forced off during Manchester United’s FA Cup semi-final victory over Brighton.
      Bruno Fernandes was pictured with crutches and a protective bootCredit: INSTAGRAM / @anaapinho_
      Fernandes was substituted during extra time of Sunday’s FA Cup semi finalCredit: Rex
      Fernandes, 28, hurt his ankle during the first half of the Wembley clash.
      He battled on until the 101st minute, before being replaced by Wout Weghorst.
      According to ESPN, Erik ten Hag considered taking the attacking midfielder off both as the incident occurred and at half-time.
      But Fernandes himself was determined to stay on.
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      The injury sparked fears that he could miss Thursday night’s trip to Tottenham.
      And Ana’s post has done nothing to allay those worries.

      In the image, Fernandes can be seen lying on the sofa with his right foot raised while wearing ankle support.
      On the carpet next to the sofa can be seen a pair of crutches and a protective boot.
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      Fernandes picked up a knock in the first halfCredit: Alamy
      Ana captioned her post: “Recharging.”
      Fernandes was seen limping as he left Wembley on Sunday night, following his side’s penalty shoot-out win.
      But at that stage he had not been issued with a protective boot.
      The key playmaker is now set to miss Thursday’s trip to Tottenham in a crucial clash for a place in the top four of the Premier League.
      He must also be a doubt for next Sunday’s home game with Aston Villa.
      Manager Ten Hag already has injury problems with Lisandro Martinez out for the rest of the season and fellow centre-back partner Raphael Varane also sidelined.
      Fernandes has started all bar four of United’s matches this season.
      He was absent for last Thursday’s abject 3-0 Europa League defeat against Sevilla. More

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      FA Cup final plunged into TV chaos with new kick-off time expected, forcing another major ITV event to be moved as well

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      THE FA Cup Final’s kick-off time may have to be moved due to police concerns and could clash with the Epsom Derby.Rivals Manchester United and Manchester City are set to collide in the final at Wembley on June 3.
      The FA Cup Final’s kick-off time may have to be moved due to police concernsCredit: Rex
      The FA Cup Final may clash with the Epsom Derby on ITV next monthCredit: Getty
      And the FA are facing a logistical nightmare over scheduling the game with the Metropolitan Police refusing to sanction their preferred 5:30pm kick-off time due to safety reasons.
      According to The Mail, the authorities have deemed the first ever all-Manchester final a high-risk fixture for fan trouble.
      That is why they will demand an earlier kick-off time when they meet the FA for talks later this week.
      But the football governing body will also have to consider a potential clash with the Derby at Epsom.
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      The Jockey Club have listed it as being run at 4:30pm, but may now be brought forward.
      But the major problem is that both events are scheduled to air on ITV.
      The channel would ideally schedule both during late afternoon with a significant gap between them to increase the audience size and satisfy both sets of fans.
      But the FA may have no option but to follow police advice, with late kick-off times being avoided at Wembley following the violent scenes back in the final of Euro 2020 between England and Italy.
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      The authorities have made it clear that 4:45pm is the latest time they will tolerate for the FA Cup Final.
      The most likely solution would be if ITV tried to bring forward the running of the Derby until earlier in the card at Epsom.
      This way both events can be shown on ITV1, but that would still require the Jockey Club’s approval. More

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      Shaw reveals what he told Sancho moments before penalty vs Brighton that saw Man Utd star banish England shootout demons

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      JADON SANCHO and Marcus Rashford have been hailed for their bravery as they went some way to exorcising the ghosts of their Euros final nightmare.The Manchester United pair stepped up at Wembley on Sunday and both scored in a tense FA Cup semi-fnal penalty shootout as the Red Devils prevailed 7-6 over Brighton.
      Jadon Sancho dispatched his penalty after a pep talk from Luke ShawCredit: Getty
      Shaw stood next to Marcus Rashford during the Wembley showdown with BrightonCredit: Getty
      But it took guts after both missed against Italy at the same venue on July 11, 2021 as England lost.
      They were then subjected to disgraceful racist abuse on social media and have also had to suffer chants from rival fans about “letting their country down” in club games since.
      United team-mate Luke Shaw believes a lot must have been playing on their minds as they prepared to take their kicks on Sunday and how he gave 23-year-old Sancho a pep talk just before his.
      Shaw, 27, said: “I was next to Jadon. I said, ‘Whatever happens happens, just be confident. It’s part of football, things happen, these things happen.’
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      “And I think maybe what was playing on their minds, are the things that come with it, the racism and stuff that they experienced last time.
      “But, of course, for me, they showed amazing confidence to step up and because the last time they took one in a shootout it was, of course, here and the memories of that.
      “But I’m really happy for both of them to put themselves forward and take really good penalties.”
      Of course, Shaw had opened the scoring in the Euros final that night after just two minutes before Italy pegged the Three Lions back and forced penalties.
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      Bukayo Saka also missed as Italy triumphed 3-2.
      It was the second time in just a few months that Shaw and Rashford had suffered penalty heartache having gone down 11-10 in a marathon shootout against Villarreal in the Europa League final that May.
      Shaw said: “For me, personally, I’ve been involved in two penalty shootouts and I’ve been on the losing side both times so to win one was a big relief for me.”
      The defensive ace, who seamlessly switched from left-back to centre-back again on Sunday, believes booking a date in the FA Cup final against neighbours Manchester City has put a gloss back on their season.
      That shock 3-0 defeat away to Sevilla as they exited the Europa League at the quarter-final stage last Thursday raised all the old questions about this team’s failings as doom and gloom swept in again.
      Shaw said: “As players in the back of our mind that of course was there because, you know, at the start of this week, it was the biggest week of the season. There was no doubt about it.
      “A massive game in the Europa League and then of course this. It will have defined our season. I think if we get knocked out of both of them, then you’re right about the season looking different.
      DERBY FINAL ‘AMAZING’
      “I think a lot of people thought we would lose. But inside the dressing room we had the confidence.”
      It was a very different Erik ten Hag who faced the media on Sunday to the one that emerged from the rubble of the drubbing in Seville.
      The manager was furious last Thursday saying he did not recognise the team that wilted in the amazing atmosphere at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan.
      Shaw said: “He said, ‘That’s a team out there today,’ and he wasn’t sure who or what was there on Thursday night but obviously that wasn’t acceptable.
      “It doesn’t put things right but it puts us in a good place to finish the season well because Champions League is a must for us and a Manchester derby now in the FA Cup final is an amazing game to be involved in.”
      United stand fourth in the league on goal difference behind Newcastle but with a game in hand.
      They travel to fifth-placed Spurs on Thursday who are in disarray after going down 6-1 at St James’ Park, trailing 5-0 after 21 minutes.
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      Ten Hag’s team were in a similar state last Thursday.
      Now they’ve bounced back again as they reset their sights on a cup double and third place.
      Rashford put his penalty in the top corner past Robert SanchezCredit: Getty
      Sancho and Shaw were all smiles with Bruno Fernandes after booking their place in the finalCredit: Getty
      Sancho and Rashford both missed in the Euros final in 2021Credit: Reuters More

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      Bruno Fernandes hands Man Utd injury scare as he is spotted with heavy strapping on leg during FA Cup semi-final

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      BRUNO FERNANDES has left Manchester United fans sweating on his fitness after he was spotted with “heavy strapping” on his leg.The Portuguese midfielder, 28, was taken off before United beat Brighton on penalties to book a place in the FA Cup Final.
      Erik ten Hag and Man Utd are sweating over the fitness of Bruno FernandesCredit: Getty
      The midfielder was spotted with heavy strapping on his right leg before the shoot-out
      Victor Lindelof was the hero as he sealed a 7-6 shoot-out victory after a tense 120 minutes.
      Fernandes, who was slammed for “sitting on his bum and not tracking back” by Danny Murphy, looked upset by the decision to take him off before Erik ten Hag decided to speak with him 
      He initially suffered a knock in the first half after appearing to get his foot stuck in the turf while turning.
      Fernandes managed to play on until he was withdrawn in the 101st-minute.
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      But fears were sparked over his fitness after he was seen with the strapping on his leg while encouraging his team-mates prior to the shoot-out.
      Then MUTV pundit Danny Webber claimed he spotted the star with “heavy strapping” on his leg after the game.
      He said: “There is definitely something there.
      “He rolled his ankle it swells and can become really painful.
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      “You can take painkillers or anti-inflams and get through, he did really well to be fair.
      “I thought he might not come out in the second half he lasted a lot longer.
      “He was heavily strapped and its a case now of icing it, resting it. You can recover quite quickly providing the actual injury isn’t too bad.”
      Ten Hag refused to give much away regarding the condition of Fernandes but both he and the club’s fans are desperate for him to be fully-recovered ahead of the run-in.
      United meet top four rivals Tottenham on Thursday before a clash with in-form Aston Villa on Sunday. More

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      Fans spot footage of ‘true leader’ Casemiro demanding the first penalty in FA Cup shootout win against Brighton

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      MANCHESTER UNITED fans were impressed by Casemiro’s leadership after he volunteered to take the first penalty against Brighton.The Red Devils beat Roberto De Zerbi’s side 7-6 in the shoot-out after the match ended goalless after extra-time.
      Casemiro was spotted volunteering to take the first penalty
      He made no mistake as he cooly slotted in from the spotCredit: AP
      Casemiro put himself forward to take the first spot-kick and made no mistake as he slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
      United scored every penalty with Solly March’s sudden death miss enough to send them through.
      But fans were still left very impressed by Casemiro after he bravely stepped up first.
      Video footage shows the Brazilian putting up his hand as Erik ten Hag discussed the United penalty order.
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      One fan reacted by saying: “A true leader!”
      Another added: “Definition of a leader.”
      A third said: “That’s pure leadership.”
      And another commented: “The best players lead by example. Would have been a great motivation for him to have scored first, ease the nerves.”
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      After converting from 12 yards Casemiro got fans talking for another reason as he screamed advice to David De Gea.
      Casemiro, 31, waved his arms manically and seemed to be telling his goalkeeper to do likewise in an attempt to distract the Brighton penalty takers. More

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      Man Utd fans in disbelief at penalty win after spotting De Gea ‘reading his notes’ and still not making a single save

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      MANCHESTER UNITED fans have been left in disbelief at their FA Cup penalty shootout win over Brighton.That’s after spotting David De Gea “reading his notes” and still not making one single save.
      Man Utd fans can’t believe they beat Brighton on penalties as David De Gea didn’t make a saveCredit: AFP
      The Spanish keeper read notes throughout the shootout but was saved by Solly March’s missed effortCredit: Jamie McPhilimey
      The Red Devils booked their place in June’s Wembley final against rivals Man City with a tight win over Brighton on Sunday.
      With the scores tied at 0-0 following 120 breathless minutes, both sides lined up for spot-kicks at the Brighton end.
      The two teams each slotted home their first six penalties.
      But disaster struck for the Seagulls when Solly March blazed his effort over the bar.
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      And it fell to Victor Lindelof to slot home the winning penalty to set up a final date against City.
      The shootout was marked by neither goalkeeper making a save.
      Robert Sanchez came close on several occasions, even getting his hand to one effort.
      But De Gea seemed to dive the wrong way almost every time.
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      The Spaniard constantly paused between efforts as he appeared to read secret notes hidden in his towel.
      And United fans couldn’t believe they made it through the shootout against Brighton, especially considering De Gea’s previous records.
      Most notable is the 2021 Europa League final defeat to Villarreal where he conceded 11 penalties before missing United’s crucial one himself.
      One fan said: “De Gea just watching these penalties like us at home.”
      Another declared: “So bad from March, all you have to do against De Gea is put it on target, man is a hologram.”
      One noted: “De Gea took notes to a penalty shootout and dived the wrong way for almost all of them.”
      Another added: “F*****g hell, we actually won a shootout and De Gea didn’t even need to save one.” More

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      Man Utd fans loving Wout Weghorst for having ‘passion like no-one else’ after stunning reaction to penalty shoot-out win

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      MANCHESTER UNITED fans loved Wout Weghorst’s reaction after they beat Brighton on penalties in the FA Cup semi-final.Victor Lindelof was an unlikely hero as he converted the decisive spot-kick after Solly March blazed over from 12 yards.

      Wout Weghorst sprinted to the Manchester United fans after Lindelof scored the winning penaltyCredit: AFP
      Fans loved the striker’s display of passionCredit: AFP
      After Lindelof netted his penalty most of his team-mates ran towards the Swede to celebrate.
      But Weghorst defied tradition and instead turned around and sprinted towards the United fans.
      The forward pumped his fists before performing a knee slide, with the supporters behind the goal loving every second.
      Fans watching at home also enjoyed Weghorst’s passion and praised the Dutchman for his show.
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      One said: “I really like his mentality. Such a passionate player.”
      Another added: “Love his passion man 🔥”
      A third said: “Love how passionate he is whenever we get to win😍”
      And another commented: “Let me just say that all our attackers need this man’s passion. Especially Martial.”
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      Weghorst played a role in United’s victory as he scored their penultimate penalty during sudden death.
      And he may have put a jinx on March as he kissed the ball before handing it to the Brighton star.
      The winger was left in tears after his miss as the Seagulls missed out on the chance to reach their first final since 1983. More