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      Man City hint at major Rodri injury boost as he’s set to be named in Champions League squad

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      MANCHESTER CITY plan to name Ballon D’Or winner Rodri in their squad for the knock-out stages of the Champions League.The Spain international was ruled out for the season after suffering a cruciate ligament injury against Arsenal in September.Rodri is set to be named in Man City’s Champions League squadCredit: RexThe ace has been out since September with an ACL injuryCredit: RexBut Rodri has made excellent progress in his recovery and still believes he can be back in contention before the end of the current campaign.Boss Pep Guardiola wants to keep the door open for him to do that – even though City would have to go deep in the competition for him to be even in the frame.That in itself looks in some doubt as they will take on either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich when in the play-off round – with the draw due to be made on Friday.However after four months on the sidelines he is working hard towards his return.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLEarlier this week he was pictured in his training gear on the eve of his club’s win over Club Brugge in the final game of the league stage.He also said in an interview in Spain earlier this month that he believes he can get back for his club before the end of the campaign.Guardiola will be able to add three new players to his squad and signed Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis last week.If they can add a new defensive midfielder or full-back to their squad before Monday’s transfer deadline, it would leave them with a dilemma.Most read in Champions LeagueJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAll clubs who have reached the knock-out stages have until Thursday February 6 to decide on their squad.Rodri joined City in a £62million move from Atletico Madrid in 2019.Rodri claims the 2024 Ballon d’Or and is congratulated by his motherHe’s since played 260 times under Guardiola, scoring 26 goals in total.And in that time he’s won four Premier League titles, an FA Cup and a Champions League — as well as October’s Ballon d’Or. More

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      ‘That’s better than Shrek’ jokes Wayne Rooney as Roy Keane reveals Hollywood star people mistake him for in the streets

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Roy Keane revealed he gets stopped on the streets by people who mistake him for a famous Hollywood star.Keane, 53, is one of the greatest midfielders in the history of the game and one of the most popular pundits in TV.Manchester United legend Roy Keane revealed the Hollywood star people mistake him forCredit: GettyKeane claims people mistake him for famous actor Mel GibsonCredit: GettyHowever, some still mistake the former Republic of Ireland international for someone completely different.Keane joined former team-mate Gary Neville as well as Ian Wright, Wayne Rooney and Jill Scott in the latest edition of Stick to Football.And the Irish great revealed sometimes people think he’s Mel Gibson – something he’s obviously not very excited about…Keane revealed: “A couple of people called me when I’m around and walking… They called me Mel!”Read More on Man UtdWright asked: “Mel Gibson…?”And Keane responded: “Yeah! [They say] I thought you were Mel Gibson.”I was like, ‘Mel Gibson is f*****g 80’!”Gibson, star of hit movie series Mad Max and Lethal Weapon, is in fact only 69.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSKeane’s fellow pundits agreed that was a compliment, especially Rooney, 39.Man Utd’s record goalscorer has received a lot less flattering comparisons throughout his career.Rooney quipped: “That’s better than Shrek anyway…”‘Are you alright-‘ – Gary Neville stunned as Wayne Rooney admits he STILL wants to manage and reveals unusual next stepThe legendary striker has recently crossed over to management but has been struggling greatly as he was sacked twice in 2024 by Birmingham and most recently Plymouth.Nevertheless, Wazza refuses to give up as he revealed he wants another crack at the dugout.The England great also weighed in on the Marcus Rashford drama revealing that he watched him training by himself and felt embarrassed for him.Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney insists Keane has it better than himRooney has been compared to Shrek throughout his careerCredit: Alamy More

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      England’s Georgia Stanway undergoes knee surgery ahead of Euros with midfielder expected to be ‘out for months’

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      GEORGIA STANWAY has undergone a knee operation after suffering a serious injury during training with her club Bayern Munich. The England midfielder, who underwent surgery yesterday, ruptured a lateral ligament in her right knee earlier this week.  Georgia Stanway’s last competitive game prior to her lateral knee ligament injury was against Arsenal in the Champions League in DecemberCredit: ReutersBayern Munich expect the midfielder star will be “out of action for several months” for themCredit: AlamyThe German giants expect the player, 26, to be out of action for several months for their team who are battling to win a seventh Women’s Bundesliga title. This means Stanway could miss the rest of this season and face a battle to be fit for this summer’s Euros with England hoping to retain their crown. The Bayern Munich star was part of the Lionesses side, who under boss Sarina Wiegman, became the first England team to win the contest in 2022. This year’s tournament in Switzerland is due to start on July 2 with England’s group stage opener against France taking place in Zurich three days later. Read More Football StoriesShould the 75-capped Stanway return to fitness by then, there is a chance she may have not have played in any competitive matches before the contest’s start. Her last competitive appearance for her club, who are currently second in Germany’s top tier, was on December 18. Back then the midfielder was part of the team that fell to a 3-2 group stage loss to Arsenal in the Champions League. Stanway, who joined Bayern Munich from Man City in May 2022, is a highly-regarded player for club and country. Most read in FootballShe began her senior club career at Blackburn Rovers in 2015 prior to signing for Man City later that year and then joining Bayern seven years after. Stanway, who was born in Cumbria, made an instant impact on her senior Lionesses debut scoring in a 3-0 friendly defeat of Austria in November 2018Five years later, she helped her national team make history by winning the Women’s Euros for the first time. On the way to defeating Germany in the final of the 2022 contest she scored a long-range quarter-final winner against Spain. Stanway’s injury comes a month on from Alex Greenwood damaging her medial collateral ligament whilst on Manchester City dutyCredit: ReutersStanway’s fitness blow comes just over a month after Lioness and Man City defender Alex Greenwood sustained a medial and collateral ligament injury. The Cityzens captain was stretchered off during her side’s 2-0 defeat of St Polten in the Champions League.She is currently working on her way back to fitness at the club after undergoing surgery following her MCL injury.  More

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      ‘It must be embarrassing,’ says Wayne Rooney as he opens up on seeing Marcus Rashford on visit to Carrington

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      WAYNE ROONEY was left embarrased for Marcus Rashford after seeing him train solo at Manchester United’s training ground.The United legend spotted the wantaway striker working with one of the club’s fitness coaches during a recent visit to Carrington to watch his son, Kai, in action.Marcus Rashford revealed late last year that he wants to leave Manchester UnitedCredit: GETTYWayne Rooney recently spotted Rashford training near the youth team pitches at CarringtonCredit: REUTERSWazza felt second-hand embarrassment for the wantaway strikerCredit: YOUTUBE@THEOVERLAPThe England international was working out in close promixmity to the pitches used by the junior Red Devils, which left Rooney with second-hand embarrassement.During a recent episde of the Stick to Football podcast, he recalled: “I went into Carrington on Sunday to take my kids to game day and Marcus Rashford was out on the training pitch with the fitness coach.”But he was right over towards where the parents were walking past for the kids’ games.”I looked at him thinking how embarrassing it must be for him as parents walked past. He’s there and all the parents are walking past him.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”I was surprised when this started over two years ago, but now I’m not.”Rashford stunned the Old Trafford faithful last December by revealing he wants to leave the club for a “new challenge” in an unauthorised interview.His bombshell came after he was exiled from the first team by manager Ruben Amorim, who has been critical of his efforts in tratining.And Rooney believes it’d be best for both parties if Rashford’s wish for a “new challenge” is granted.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSHe said: “I’ve spoken to Marcus a couple of times and I’ve given him my thoughts and feelings that he needs to leave the football club.”Because whatever is going on in his life and at Manchester United, he’s not the same. Marcus Rashford trains with Man Utd ahead of transfer deadline day “For him to have a fresh start, he needs to leave the club.”Rashford’s apparent lack of effort in training has stunned Rooney, who added: “The fact your manager is coming out saying you’re not training right is crazy.””It’s well known I asked Sir Alex Ferguson to leave the club but I still came in every day and trained.”With Marcus, it’s been going on for two years, it’s really sad. You have your personal pride.”Take the manager out of it, I’m coming in thinking, ‘I’ve got Roy Keane there, Ryan Giggs [and] Gary Neville.”‘I want to show them that I deserve to be here.'”United will be back in action this evening, travelling to Romania to take on Steaua Bucharest in their final Europa League group match. More

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      Champions League draw simulated in FULL as Arsenal and Liverpool find out when they’ll meet and City learn horror tie

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      THE new-look Champions League group stage has finally been completed, with 24 teams now preparing to learn their fate in the competition.Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Barcelona were among the clubs to earn automatic qualification to the last-16.Liverpool finished top of the group stage table this weekCredit: ReutersArsenal earned automatic qualification to the round-of-16Credit: GettyAston Villa also qualified with Morgan Rogers sealing that in style with a hat-trickCredit: GettyMan City will have to qualify for the last-16 via a play-offCredit: GettyWhile the likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain will have to progress through a play-off.The Premier League champions face arguably the hardest pick of the bunch as they will be drawn against either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid for the grudge match.Meanwhile, we could also see a huge all-Serie A clash as well as two Dutch giants going head-to-head.With the play-off draw not scheduled until tomorrow, SunSport has completed a simulation to see which path each team could potentially face.Read More in FootballEach play-off club is in a position to face one of two possible opponents, giving them a 50/50 chance.For example, Man City have a 50 per cent chance of facing Bayern Munich and a 50 per cent chance of facing Real Madrid.This week’s draw will only determine the play-off fixtures, not which side of the bracket each of the 16 teams – not including the eight automatic qualifiers – will be on.We have selected each team one by one, placing them into brackets for the sake of the overall simulator.Most read in Champions LeagueThe first of each pairing has been put in the first half of the bracket and the second in the other.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSSunSport’s simulated Champions League drawAccording to the simulated draw, City could face Arsenal in the quarter-finalsCredit: ReutersIn the simulated play-off draw, Man City have been pitted against Bayern Munich in arguably the pick of the bunch.The list of fixtures completing the first half of the draw are; Monaco vs Benfica, Brugge vs Borussia Dortmund and the all-Italian clash between Juventus and AC Milan.Arsenal ratings: Neto has nightmare debut to forget vs Girona but Ethan Nwaneri shines on first Champions League startIn the second half of the simulated draw, Dutch sides Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven have been put against each other.That side is completed with Brest vs PSG, Sporting Lisbon vs Atalanta and Celtic vs Real Madrid.The round-of-16, quarter-final and semi-final draws will take place on February 21, so we will not officially know which side of the bracket each of the play-off winners will be on until then.However, SunSport’s simulated draw sees Monaco/Benfica facing Barcelona, Brugge/Dortmund against Aston Villa, Man City/Bayern vs Atletico and Juventus/AC Milan vs Arsenal on one side.That means fixtures between Brest/PSG and Liverpool, Sporting/Atalanta and Lille, Celtic/Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen as well as Feyenoord/PSV vs Inter Milan will be on the other.Who faces who in the Champions League?Here’s a look at the ties across the competition…Teams who finished from ninth to 24th in the Champions League league phase will play off to decide who reaches the last-16. PLAYOFF ROUNDAtalanta vs Sporting Lisbon or Club BruggeBorussia Dortmund vs Sporting Lisbon or Club BruggeReal Madrid vs Celtic or Man CityBayern Munich vs Celtic or Man CityAC Milan vs Feyenoord or JuventusPSV vs Feyenoord or JuventusPSG vs AS Monaco or BrestBenfica vs AS Monaco or BrestWinners of playoff ties will then face the teams who finished in the top eight of the league phase in the last-16…LAST 16Liverpool vs PSG/Benfica/AS Monaco/BrestBarcelona vs PSG/Benfica/AS Monaco/BrestArsenal vs AC Milan/PSV Eindhoven/Feyenoord/JuventusInter Milan vs AC Milan/PSV Eindhoven/Feyenoord/JuventusAtletico Madrid vs Real Madrid/Bayern Munich/Celtic/Man CityBayer Leverkusen vs Real Madrid/Bayern Munich/Celtic/Man CityLille vs Atalanta/Borussia Dortmund/Sporting Lisbon/Club BruggeAston Villa vs Atalanta/Borussia Dortmund/Sporting Lisbon/Club BruggeShould this be the case, fans could look forward to some huge potential quarter-final games including Barcelona vs Aston Villa, Real Madrid vs Inter and Man City vs Arsenal.READ MORE SUN STORIESWe could even see an all-Premier League final if Arsenal or Man City and Liverpool go the distance.The Gunners are seeking their first-ever Champions League title, with City and Liverpool both looking to take it back after winning it in recent years. More

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      Champions League winners predicted by supercomputer with Premier League club tipped for glory… but it’s not Liverpool

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      A SUPERCOMPUTER has sensationally predicted the winners of this season’s Champions League.And it’s NOT the most in-form team of the tournament, which has just wrapped up its revamped group stage.Liverpool became the first-ever winners of the new Champions League group stageCredit: AFPBut the Reds aren’t the favourites to win this instalment of Europe’s elite club competitionCredit: GETTYDespite suffering defeat to PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night, Liverpool became the first winners of the new Champions League group phase.The Reds are many football fans’ favourites to lift the prestigious trophy in May.But according to a supercomputer, one of Kop club’s domestic rivals will reach and WIN the showpiece at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena.BETSiE’s supercomputer has sensationally predicted that Arsenal will win their first-ever Champions League this summer.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe prediction has been made following 100,000 simulations of this season’s competition.The North Londoners have been given a 24.3 per cent chance of winning the tournament.Mikel Arteta’s troops have also been given 59 and 38.7 per cent chances of reaching the semis and the final respectively.Liverpool are the supercomputer’s second favourites to win the competition.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe Merseysiders have been given an 18.9 per cent chance of winning their seventh European Cup.It’s been calculated that they have 50.4 and 34.3 per cent chances of reaching the semis and the final.The Sun’s Shaun Custis and Martin Lipton break down the new changes for the UEFA Champions League format for 2024/25Defending champions Real Madrid are the third favourites, with the supercomputer calculating they have a 10.8 per cent chance of retaining the trophy. It’s been calculated that struggling Premier League champions Manchester City have just a 6.5 per cent chance of becoming two-time winners of the competition.Aston Villa, meanwhile, have a mere 2.7 per cent chance of replicating their stunning triumph in 1982.Liverpool, Arsenal and Villa sailed into the last 16 with respective first, third and eighth-placed finishes.Manchester City, meanwhile, will have to go through a two-legged play-off – in which they’ll either face Real or Bayern Munich – to join them in the knockout stages.Who faces who in the Champions League?Here’s a look at the ties across the competition…Teams who finished from ninth to 24th in the Champions League league phase will play off to decide who reaches the last-16. PLAYOFF ROUNDAtalanta vs Sporting Lisbon or Club BruggeBorussia Dortmund vs Sporting Lisbon or Club BruggeReal Madrid vs Celtic or Man CityBayern Munich vs Celtic or Man CityAC Milan vs Feyenoord or JuventusPSV vs Feyenoord or JuventusPSG vs AS Monaco or BrestBenfica vs AS Monaco or BrestWinners of playoff ties will then face the teams who finished in the top eight of the league phase in the last-16…LAST 16Liverpool vs PSG/Benfica/AS Monaco/BrestBarcelona vs PSG/Benfica/AS Monaco/BrestArsenal vs AC Milan/PSV Eindhoven/Feyenoord/JuventusInter Milan vs AC Milan/PSV Eindhoven/Feyenoord/JuventusAtletico Madrid vs Real Madrid/Bayern Munich/Celtic/Man CityBayer Leverkusen vs Real Madrid/Bayern Munich/Celtic/Man CityLille vs Atalanta/Borussia Dortmund/Sporting Lisbon/Club BruggeAston Villa vs Atalanta/Borussia Dortmund/Sporting Lisbon/Club Brugge More

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      Fans in hysterics at Kasper Schmeichel’s ‘excellent use of the backstroke’ as Morgan Rogers scores hat-trick for Villa

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      CELTIC goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel went viral after the Champions League clash with Aston Villa following a hilarious stunt.Villa punched their ticket straight into the last 16 after beating the Hoops 4-2 at Villa Park on Wednesday and finishing eighth in the league phase.Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel came up with a creative attempt to stop Aston VillaCredit: https://x.com/footballontntSchmeichel did the backstroke as he tried to deny Morgan Rogers a hat-trickCredit: https://x.com/footballontntSchmeichel’s unorthodox attempts were in vain as Celtic lost to VillaCredit: RexRogers sent Villa straight into the Champions League’s last 16Credit: GettyThat was thanks to Morgan Rogers’ hat-trick, which he completed during stoppage time.Dane Murray got careless in Celtic’s backline and was dispossessed by Ollie Watkins who burst into the visitors’ box.That was when Schmeichel, 38, was called into action as he lunged towards Watkins.The England international, though, managed to dribble past the ex-Leicester ace.Read More on FootballThe Danish star tried to follow up and came up with a very creative method.The Celtic keeper actually started crawling on his back leaving fans in hysterics due to its resemblance to the backstroke.One fan tweeted: “Incredible use of the backstroke by Kasper Schmeichel here.”Another wrote: “Nice move, definitely impressive.”Most read in Champions LeagueCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSA third posted: “That’s mint.”A fourth said: “Can anyone clip Schmeichel doing the back stroke?”Shock moment Aston Villa & Celtic fans clash before Champions League showdown as FLARE launched towards home supportersAnd a further comment read: “Kasper the backstroke pro.”Schmeichel’s unorthodox method proved to be fruitless as Watkins set Villa team-mate Rogers up to score his third goal in the first minute of stoppage time.Who faces who in the Champions League?Here’s a look at the ties across the competition…Teams who finished from ninth to 24th in the Champions League league phase will play off to decide who reaches the last-16. PLAYOFF ROUNDAtalanta vs Sporting Lisbon or Club BruggeBorussia Dortmund vs Sporting Lisbon or Club BruggeReal Madrid vs Celtic or Man CityBayern Munich vs Celtic or Man CityAC Milan vs Feyenoord or JuventusPSV vs Feyenoord or JuventusPSG vs AS Monaco or BrestBenfica vs AS Monaco or BrestWinners of playoff ties will then face the teams who finished in the top eight of the league phase in the last-16…LAST 16Liverpool vs PSG/Benfica/AS Monaco/BrestBarcelona vs PSG/Benfica/AS Monaco/BrestArsenal vs AC Milan/PSV Eindhoven/Feyenoord/JuventusInter Milan vs AC Milan/PSV Eindhoven/Feyenoord/JuventusAtletico Madrid vs Real Madrid/Bayern Munich/Celtic/Man CityBayer Leverkusen vs Real Madrid/Bayern Munich/Celtic/Man CityLille vs Atalanta/Borussia Dortmund/Sporting Lisbon/Club BruggeAston Villa vs Atalanta/Borussia Dortmund/Sporting Lisbon/Club Brugge More

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      ‘It’ll become so toxic’ – Gary Neville pinpoints exact date he thinks Tottenham will sack Ange Postecoglou

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      GARY NEVILLE has predicted the exact date he thinks Tottenham will sack Ange Postecoglou.The beleaguered Aussie boss is suffering a dismal season in the dugout, losing eight of his last 10 league matches.Gary Neville reckons he knows when Ange Postecoglou will be sacked by SpursCredit: GettyNeville fears Big Ange could fall short in two key fixturesSpurs sit 15th in the table with just seven wins and 13 defeats from 23 games.And their latest loss was a dismal 2-1 collapse at home to lowly Leicester.Postecoglou appears to be clinging on ahead of a tough run of fixtures.But there are two games which are set to be crucial in deciding his future.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOn February 6, Tottenham will look to defend a 1-0 lead in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool.Just three days later they then take on Champions League hopefuls Aston Villa in a tough contest.Postecoglou has maintained he “always wins a trophy in the second season.”But defeat in both of those competitions would see him with just the Europa League to play for.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAnd Neville reckons should Tottenham lose to both Liverpool and Villa, Daniel Levy will pull the trigger on Big Ange’s time in north London.Neville told The Overlap: “I think if he loses the second leg of the Carabao Cup to Liverpool, and he goes out the FA Cup to Villa away, I think it will become so toxic that Daniel Levy will act.Ange Postecoglou gives Tottenham fan death stare in tense tunnel confrontation after Leicester defeat“If they’re out of the cup competitions I think he will act.“If they’re in the cup competitions I think he might [stay].“[Levy] can’t do it now before the cup games, the fans will kill him.”Wayne Rooney, who was left Plymouth Argyle in December, continued: “Some managers you look at, they annoy you.“But with Postecoglou, I love how honest he is. We had it with Louis van Gaal, sometimes you can be too honest and it comes back to kill you.“With Ange, injuries have absolutely killed him. I don’t think it’s just about trophies [for fans], the fall-off this season is what no one has seen coming.“If Spurs were consistently now in the top four and getting to semis and finals, I would have thought they would be quite pleased.” More