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    Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi as Man Utd superstar fares MUCH better than old rival despite ‘nightmare’ season

    CRISTIANO RONALDO is bossing Lionel Messi – despite many describing the Manchester United superstar’s season as a ‘nightmare’.The Portuguese hero, 37, returned to Old Trafford in the summer in a dramatic transfer.
    Cristiano Ronaldo is well ahead of Lionel Messi on the stats this termCredit: AFP

    But although it has not quite worked out as he may have hoped, he still boasts better stats than Messi who is enduring a tough time in his debut campaign with Paris Saint-Germain.
    Excluding Ronaldo’s one appearance for Juventus before joining the Red Devils, the United ace has featured 28 times across all competitions.
    His tally of 15 goals – including nine in 22 in the Premier League – is better than Messi’s seven in 21, with just two in 15 in Ligue 1.
    Despite playing 504 minutes more (2296 to 1792), Ronaldo still has a better goal ratio at 153 minutes per goal compared to Messi’s 256 minutes.
    Even with Messi’s eight assists to Ronaldo’s three, the PSG forward trails the overall goal contributions 18-15.
    The United man also has more shots (105-79) and touches in the opposition box (172-96).
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    Messi, 34, has created more chances, has more passes at a better success rate, touches and gives possession away less.
    He has also been unfortunate, hitting the woodwork a whopping nine times to Ronaldo’s one.
    And the Argentine has strayed offside on just five occasions whereas Ronaldo has been flagged 25 times for United this season.
    But even if Ronaldo is ahead on the individual stats, it is Messi who looks likely to add to his trophy cabinet.
    United are not going to win the Premier League, are already out of the League Cup and FA Cup meaning their only chance of silverware and ending their trophy drought is the Champions League.
    PSG, however, are well on course for their tenth Ligue 1 crown – despite a shock 3-1 loss at Nantes – and look likelier to go all the way in Europe.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
    Messi has just two Ligue 1 goals this season so farCredit: Reuters More

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    Man Utd ace Paul Pogba wanted by PSG and three others on free transfer with French side ‘preparing lucrative package’

    PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN are ‘preparing a lucrative package’ to sign Paul Pogba, according to reports.But three other European giants also hope to land the Manchester United midfielder on a free transfer.
    Paul Pogba’s future is still unclear with his contract expiring this summerCredit: Getty
    Pogba, 28, is out of contract at Old Trafford at the end of this season.
    And free to negotiate with clubs abroad, PSG want to waste no time in landing the Frenchman.
    According to the Daily Mail, the Ligue 1 giants hope to secure a Bosman deal.
    And with no transfer fee to pay the Red Devils, Pogba will be confident of securing mega weekly wages.
    Born and raised in the eastern Paris suburb of Lagny-sur-Marne, there is a feeling within PSG that he would be a popular and successful commercial signing – as well as on the pitch.
    The report adds Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid are also monitoring the £89million man’s situation, six years after his Old Trafford return from Italy.
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    However, as revealed by SunSport, there is still a chance Pogba could make a dramatic U-turn and stay at United and would be willing to make a final decision on his future in the summer.
    He returned from three months out against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup at the beginning of February.
    The World Cup winner scored his first club goal since April in the 1-1 draw at Burnley.
    And Ralf Rangnick will be desperate to have the midfielder firing on all cylinders as the Red Devils try and secure a top-four finish.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Mauricio Pochettino relationship with PSG close to ‘breaking point’ as Man Utd continue to be linked with ex-Spurs boss

    MAURICIO POCHETTINO’S Paris Saint-Germain future could be near ‘breaking point’ as he remains on the shortlist to boss Manchester United.The ex-Tottenham chief might need to KO Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16 to stay in charge of the runaway Ligue 1 leaders.
    Mauricio Pochettino’s PSG future is in doubt whatever happens with Man UtdCredit: AFP
    Pochettino is interested in managing United but new Old Trafford chief executive chief Richard Arnold would prefer Ajax’s Erik ten Hag.
    And whatever happens with the Red Devils, it’s claimed PSG could oust Poch anyway, unless their big names start gelling as a team.
    Pressure mounted when Nice dumped the French Cup holders out in a penalty shootout last month.
    And Goal say Zinedine Zidane has already been identified as a potential replacement as ‘Pochettino’s relationship with PSG is nearing breaking point’.
    The big-spenders are 13 points clear of second-placed Marseille.
    But PSG’s league performances have not always matched their results.
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    And they missed regular chances in Friday’s 1-0 win over Rennes before Lionel Messi teed up Kylian Mbappe to fire home on 93 minutes.
    Goal suggest Pochettino’s status at PSG has wobbled since he was unable to prune his 30-man squad in the summer.
    But his path to Old Trafford would still be uncertain.
    Arnold backs interim chief Ralf Rangnick’s pursuit of Dutchman Ten Hag.
    But it’s thought many senior United stars would be delighted if Pochettino was chosen.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Ex-Liverpool star Xherdan Shaqiri ‘on the verge of joining MLS side Chicago Fire amid horror spell after Lyon transfer’

    XHERDAN SHAQIRI could be on the verge of a move to the MLS, according to reports.The 30-year-old joined Lyon only six months ago but is already considering a move away after a nightmare start to the season.
    Shaqiri is on the verge of leaving Lyon only six months after joining the clubCredit: Getty
    According to Fabrizio Romano, Lyon have accepted Shaqiri’s decision to open talks with an MLS club.
    He is set to join Chicago Fire on a permanent transfer once a deal has been finalised.
    Shaqiri’s Liverpool career came to an end last year after he fell out of favour with Jurgen Klopp.
    He has since swapped England for France, however his fortunes have not changed.
    The Switzerland international has made 16 appearances so far this season, scoring twice and registering three assists.
    Reports suggest that his move to the MLS will cost Chicago around €6.5million.
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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    Chicago Fire have revamped their squad since Joe Mansueto took over as a majority shareholder two years ago, but Shaqiri will be their biggest signing yet.
    The winger will be following in the footsteps of his former Bayern Munich teammate Bastian Schweinsteiger, who joined the club in 2017 before retiring from professional football in 2019. More

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    Cristiano Ronaldo turns 37 on February 5 as Man Utd legend shares birthday with football icons including Neymar & Tevez

    IF you should happen to have a child born on February 5, go out and buy them a football and a pair of boots immediately…Why’s that you ask? Well, there is a pretty good chance they will go on to become one of the best footballers on the planet, that’s why.
    Cristiano Ronaldo turns 37 today on February 5 – along with a number of other footballersCredit: Reuters
    Neymar joins CR7 in being born on February 5 in a freakish coincidenceCredit: Splash News
    If you don’t believe me, just check out a list of some of the names to be born on the fifth day of the second month…
    For starters, how about Manchester United and Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo?
    The Red Devils icon, 37 today, has won almost everything there is to win in football – the Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, the Champions League, European Championship, the Ballon d’Or, you name it, he’s won it.
    All that to go with a string of stunning partners, babies No5 and No6 on the way, a host of top cars, a modelling career and luxury homes all over the planet – CR7 has done pretty well for himself.
    Then there’s Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil wiz Neymar – who cost a cool £198million – another to born on February 5 and is 30 today.
    But it’s not just those two – Carlos Tevez was also born on February 5 and will celebrate his 38th birthday back in his native Argentina.
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    The Argentine star has played for Manchester City, Manchester United and Juventus in his distinguished career before becoming the highest-paid player of all time, taking home £615,000-a-week in China.
    However, after a dud spell in the Chinese Super League, Tevez returned to boyhood club Boca Juniors but stepped away back in June and remains a free agent.
    That’s already three of the best players on the planet, but there are also stars from years gone by making the list, such as Gheorghe Hagi.
    Likened to a certain Argentinian ace, Hagi was given the nickname “The Maradona of the Carpathians” for his skill.
    Elsewhere a host of current and ex-Premier League also share the February 5 birthday.
    Huddersfield striker Jordan Rhodes, 32, and ex-Manchester United ace Adnan Januzaj, 27, were also born on that day.
    Ex-Man City 25-year-old wonderkid Patrick Roberts – now at Sunderland – and Sheffield United legend Billy Sharp, 36, are just two more.
    Stars born on February 5Cristiano Ronaldo – 37Neymar – 30Carlos Tevez – 38Gheorghe Hagi – 57Adnan Januzaj – 27Patrick Roberts – 25Jordan Rhodes – 32Vedran Corluka – 36Rodrigo Palacio – 40Giovanni van Bronckhorst – 47Billy Sharp – 36

    Carlos Tevez is a third world superstar to share the February 5 birthdayCredit: Getty
    Former Tottenham man Vedran Corluka, 36, and ex-Argentina international Rodrigo Palacio, 40, are just two others to make the list, along with former Arsenal ace and now-Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who turns 47 today.
    But the freaky footballing date doesn’t just relate to players…
    West Ham co-owner David Sullivan, 73, and 53-year-old actor Michael Sheen, who played Brian Clough in the film The Damned United, were also born on February 5… the same as ex-England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, 74.
    But what kind of sorcery could possibly hand people born on February 5 this fate?
    Well, world-renowned astrologer Shelley von Strunckel claimed this is no mere coincidence.
    She claimed: “Aquarians are geniuses, they think on their feet. They make a decision quicker than anyone else.”
    So there you have it. It’s a done deal: if you’re born on February 5, you’ll become a star…
    Romania legend Gheorghe Hagi was born on February 5, as well as modern-day starsCredit: PA:Empics
    Ex-Manchester United forward Adnan Januzaj is another to be born on February 5Credit: Getty Images More

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    Newcastle cult hero Ben Arfa set to return to football with Lille on free transfer after six months without a club

    HATEM BEN ARFA is reportedly on the verge of joining Ligue 1 side Lille following SIX MONTHS without a club.The former Newcastle United midfielder has been a free agent since the expiration of his contract with Bordeaux last summer.
    Former Newcastle ace Hatem Ben Arfa is set to join Lille on a free transferCredit: PA
    The former Toon man has been a free agent since the expiration of his Bordeaux contractCredit: AFP
    But the 34-year-old is reportedly set to resume his career with the French champions.
    On Monday morning, Italian journalist Nicolo Schira tweeted: “Hatem Ben Arfa to Lille as a free agent.”
    Ben Arfa’s representatives entered talks with Lille last week over a short-term deal, with reports claiming his signing was contingent on Yusuf Yazici leaving the club.
    And their interest in the former France international was confirmed late last weekend.
    President Olivier Letang told RMC: “There are still discussions ongoing with CSKA Moscow but we still don’t have an agreement as we speak.
    “Indeed, in the event of a departure for Yusuf, we want to replace him.
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    “Ben Arfa is an available player, he has quality, he’s one of the players potentially of interest to us.
    “The first step, which is an agreement with the Moscow club for the departure of Yusuf, hasn’t been completed, so I can’t tell you anymore.
    “Until things are finalized, anything can happen.”
    Ben Arfa has become somewhat of a journeyman after his release from his Newcastle contract in January 2015.
    Ben Arfa has been a journeyman over the last seven yearsCredit: AP
    The forward has played for FIVE different teams over the last seven years, including Ligue 1 big boys Paris Saint Germain.
    Ben Arfa spent two years at the Parc des Princes before moving to Rennes, a transfer which was followed by moves to Valladolid and Bordeaux.
    Between the five clubs, Ben Arfa has only made a total of 103 appearances.
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    Philippe Coutinho still wears lucky bracelet Lionel Messi gave him three years ago as he shows it off in Villa unveiling

    PHILIPPE COUTINHO still wears the lucky bracelet Lionel Messi gave him three years ago at Barcelona. Messi was first given the bracelet by journalist Rama Pantarotto after missing a penalty in Argentina’s 1-1 draw with Iceland in June 2018.
    Philippe Coutinho still wears the lucky bracelet Lionel Messi gave himCredit: Getty
    The footballing legend then kept it, wearing it around his ankle, which stunned Pantarotto when they met again after Argentina beat Nigeria that same month.
    The lucky charm had belonged to Pantarotto’s mum but Messi was about to gift it to Coutinho, who at the time was struggling for form at Barca in 2019.
    And it appears even now, the Brazilian forward treasures the bracelet as he wrote it at the unveiling of his loan move to Villa.
    He will link up with former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard, the current Villa manager.
    Gerrard, 41, said: “He is a fantastic talent, we are lucky to have him and at the right time he will be unleashed.
    “His name alone inspires people, what he has done in the game inspires people. I have no doubt at all we will see the real Philippe Coutinho in time.
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    “I don’t buy into this ‘he never had the best time at Barcelona’. This is a kid who has won leagues at Barcelona and won the Champions League at Bayern.
    “He is hungry to play. If we can get him feeling good and the confidence back, Phil Coutinho is still inside Phil Coutinho.”
    Coutinho, 29, is also joined by ex-Barca left-back Lucas Digne, 28, in arriving this month.
    Gerrard confirmed the pair are both available to play against Manchester United at home on Saturday.
    He said: “They’re available. Philippe’s trained for three days now with no issues.
    “We obviously have to build his match sharpness and match fitness up. Lucas is slightly different.
    “He’s been involved in group training for quite some time and he’s been available for Everton before he arrived.
    “They’re both available for selection with the group and they’re both in a good place but, obviously, decisions will come off the back of information we’ve had of both players over the last couple of days.”
    Philippe Coutinho training with Aston VillaCredit: Getty More