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      Barcelona fans fear they’ll be demolished at Man Utd after key player is banned for Europa League second-leg

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      BARCELONA fans are fearing the worst ahead of their Europa League second leg against Manchester United.Barca and United drew 2-2 in the first leg of their play-off at the Nou Camp and are scheduled to meet again next Thursday at Old Trafford.
      Barcelona fans are not confident ahead of the second leg against Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
      Barcelona will have several key absences against Manchester UnitedCredit: AP
      And some Blaugrana supporters aren’t feeling confident, especially after Gavi’s suspension.
      The midfielder picked up his third booking in Europe this season and will be one of Xavi’s many notable absentees at the Theatre of Dreams.
      The Barcelona manager will also be without Pedri, who suffered a hamstring injury against the Red Devils.
      Ousmane Dembele and Segio Busquets are also on the shelf with thigh and ankle injuries respectively.
      Read More on Man Utd
      And the Barcelona faithful are not sure about their team’s chances against United.
      One fan tweeted: “Today’s game was a complete mess! There was no effectiveness, and our defense was predictably chaotic.
      “With Pedri out due to injury and Gavi suspended, no Dembele, no Busquets the situation only got worse. We ended up with a draw, but Barca is severely handicapped..”
      Another posted: “We are totally f****d up – Pedri missing the 2nd leg, Dembele missing the 2nd leg, Gavi suspended, Busquets missing the 2nd leg. All i can see now is United putting 4 past us.”
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      A third supporter commented: ” No Gavi, Pedri, Busq [Busquets], Dembus [Dembele]. That’s not good.”
      This fan wrote: “We’re f****d.”
      And that supporter tweeted: “Yeah we’re most likely out.”
      It’s good news however for Manchester United, who impressed in the 2-2 draw at the Nou Camp. More

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      Emotional Marcos Alonso pays touching tribute to his dad after scoring against Man Utd for Barcelona

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      EMOTIONAL Barcelona ace Marcos Alonso dedicated his goal against Manchester United to his late father.Alonso’ dad Marcos Alonso Pena, who also played for Barca, tragically passed away aged 63 following a “long illness” last week.
      Barcelona ace Marcos Alonso opened the scoring against Manchester UnitedCredit: AP
      Barcelona ace Marcos Alonso dedicated his goal against Manchester United to his fatherCredit: AP
      The former Chelsea man looked emotional after the goalCredit: Getty
      Ex-Chelsea ace Alonso returned to action exactly a week after his loss and was handed a rare start by manager Xavi in the Europa League play-off encounter against United.
      And the versatile defender opened the scoring for the Blaugrana after 50 minutes.
      The Spain international latched onto a fantastic cross from Raphinha, who curled it from a corner-kick down the right.
      The ex-Leeds star found Alonso who headed it past David de Gea at the far post.
      The emotional Spaniard immediately pointed to the sky in dedication to his father during the celebrations.
      The Barcelona ace looked emotional as he celebrated the opening goal of the game.
      Tributes from around the footballing world poured in for Alonso Pena – affectionately known as ‘The Pigeon’ – after news of his passing.
      Ex-Atletico Madrid star Paulo Futre said: “Sad day. My deepest condolences to the family of my dear friend Marcos Alonso. Rest in peace, Pigeon.”
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      The former winger’s ex-club Rayo Vallecano added: “From Rayo Vallecano, we want to convey our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Marcos Alonso Pena.
      “He was a former coach of the Club, who passed away at the age of 63.”
      Barcelona tweeted: “FC Barcelona would like to express its deepest condolences for the passing of former Barça player and father of a first-team player Marcos Alonso Peña.
      “All of our strength to Marcos Alonso and his entire family. Rest in peace.” More

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      Barcelona’s transfer of Marcos Alonso from Chelsea ‘reported to Fifa for fraud amid claims of irregularities with deal’

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      BARCELONA face more transfer problems after their deal for Marcos Alonso from Chelsea was reported to Fifa for fraud.Alonso left England for Spain in September on a free transfer after six season in West London.
      Marcos Alonso’s Barcelona transfer is being investigatedCredit: Rex
      But fourth division side Union Adarve – who he represented as a youth player – claim that they should have received £91,000 (€103,000) as part of the deal.
      According to AS, Union Adarve have evidence of the two sides negotiating for Alonso in the past.
      Alonso has established himself in the Barcelona setup this season, making 22 appearances and three goals.
      They are top of LaLiga under the guidance of club legend Xavi, leading champions Real Madrid by eight points.
      READ MORE ON CHELSEA
      But they have financial problems off the field and took LaLiga to court in order to register Gavi’s new contract.
      The Spanish giants were initially unable to register the playmaker’s fresh deal because of LaLiga’s salary limits.
      Barcelona aimed to relieve their financial woes with a series of one-off cash injections last summer, leveraging chunks of future revenue.
      But their wage bill is still believed to still stand at around 20 per cent over and above LaLiga’s max squad spend limit.
      Most read in Europa League
      Barcelona budgeted for a minimum quarter-final finish in the Champions League this season but they failed to get out the group.
      It means they face a shortfall of £18m, while winning the Europa League would only generate £13m.
      Barcelona are also still unable to register Ronald Araujo as a first-team player despite the centre-back signing a new contract last season.
      Marcos Alonso scored against Man UtdCredit: Reuters More

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      Fans threaten to watch Barcelona vs Man Utd without the sound as commentator’s gaffe ‘p***es them off’

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      FOOTBALL fans threatened to mute the commentators during Manchester United’s Europa League clash with Barcelona.The threat was made after Ian Darke and Robbie Savage repeatedly mispronounced Ronald Araujo’s name.
      Fans were getting irritated by the commentator’s pronunciation of Ronald Araujo’s nameCredit: AFP
      The Uruaguan star started the game for Barcelona on the right side of the defence.
      His name is pronounced ‘Arau-ho’. However, fans watching from their sofas were getting annoyed with the pronunciation from the BT Sports commentary team.
      One tweeted: “BT Sport commentator saying Ara-ouu-ho for Araújo.
      “About to turn down the volume for Barcelona and Manchester United.”
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      A second commented: “The pronunciation of Aruajo by the commentators is p*****g me off.”
      A third wrote: “I hate the way commentators say ‘ara who hoe’ for Araujo.”
      A fourth said: “Someone tell the commentator how to pronounce Araujo.”
      A fifth added: “Iain darke the commentator calling Araujo ‘Arahooho’ 😭.”
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      A sixth tweeted: “I’ve got a real problem with this commentator pronouncing Araujo as Ara-hoo-hoe.
      “Motherf***** has me thinking about pokemon.”
      Araujo is known to English audiences having previously been linked with a transfer to Man United and Chelsea. More

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      Man Utd and Arsenal transfer boost as Ancelotti ‘doesn’t care’ if three-time Champions League winner quits Real Madrid

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      MANCHESTER UNITED and Arsenal have been handed a transfer boost after Carlo Ancelotti said he doesn’t care if his three-time Champions League winner quits Real Madrid. Marco Asensio, who is out of contract at the end of the season, scored as Real Madrid beat bottom side Elche 4-0 in LaLiga on Wednesday night.
      Marco Asensio in action for Real Madrid during their win over ElcheCredit: Alamy
      Asensio celebrating after scoring for Real MadridCredit: Alamy
      Speaking after the match to Diario AS,Ancelotti was quizzed on the forward’s future and wasn’t very endearing with his response.
      He said: “He looks good to me, I don’t know if he will stay or not. He may or may not stay, I don’t know, I don’t care much.”
      Ancelotti added: “We have a very important challenge this season.
      “The important thing is that he is contributing, like last year. Let him continue like this, and the club will make the most appropriate decision.”
      Read More Football
      Asensio tried to leave Real Madrid last summer but has since maintained he wants to stay at the club but a new contract is looking unlikely.
      The Spanish international has been linked with a move to Premier League giants United and Arsenal.
      Spanish outlet Sport reported in December 2022 that Asensio was close to a move to Old Trafford but that didn’t materialise.
      The Spaniard has also been subject to interest from Arsenal and it remains to be seen if he will come to the Premier League in the summer.
      Most read in Football
      He has made 176 appearances for Real Madrid scoring 31 goals and has had loan spells at Mallorca and Espanyol during his time at the club.
      The winger, 27, has won three Champions Leagues and three LaLiga’s during his time at the Bernabeu.
      Asensio joined Real Madrid from Mallorca for around £3.5million in 2014. More

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      Chelsea ‘set to offer contract rebel Mason Mount to Atletico Madrid in incredible swap transfer for Joao Felix’

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      CHELSEA want to offer Mason Mount to Atletico Madrid in a sensational swap deal for Joao Felix, according to reports. So far it looks like Felix and Mount are battling for the same position in a struggling Chelsea side, however, Felix is currently winning the fight to stay at Chelsea out of the two attackers.
      Joao Felix scored in a 1-1 draw against West HamCredit: Alamy
      Mason Mount came off the bench in a 1-0 loss against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions LeagueCredit: Reuters
      Felix only arrived in January for a £9.7m loan fee with no option to buy, but is one of the first names on the team-sheet despite being sent off on his debut against Fulham.
      The Portuguese, 23, picked up his first goal against West Ham last weekend before impressing against Borussia Dortmund despite the Blues’ Champions League loss.
      Meanwhile, Mason Mount’s contracts talks with Chelsea are stalling as the player wants to know he’s valued by Chelsea through a significant pay rise.
      Against West Ham and Borussia Dortmund, Mount started on the bench while Felix played a full 90 minutes.
      Read more about Chelsea
      Liverpool are sniffing around the Englishman, 24, as their midfield is a significant weak point and he only has one year left on his deal.
      According to Marca, Chelsea want to sign Joao Felix on a permanent deal and want to include players.
      Among players available for a swap deal is Mason Mount, who, the report claims, is one of the players offered to Atletico to make the Joao operation cheaper.
      However Atletico owner Gil Marin has made it clear his intention is to receive a significant amount of money WITHOUT the inclusion of surplus Chelsea players.
      Most read in Football
      The aim is to recover as much as possible of the £113million fee paid for the star in 2019. More

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      Man Utd Champions League winner looks unrecognisable after taking huge role in Xavi’s Barcelona rebuild

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      A MANCHESTER UNITED Champions League winner looks completely unrecognisable after taking a huge role in Barcelona’s rebuild. The former attacking midfielder works as a sporting advisor for the Catalan giants.
      This ex-Man Utd star looks unrecognisable in his new role at BarcelonaCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Gone is his long and wavy light-coloured hair as he now dons a bald look.
      The 49-year-old featured for Man Utd across four seasons at the club.
      In total, he made 58 appearances for the club, scoring eight goals.
      During his time at Old Trafford he won the 1996/97 Premier League and 1998/99 Champions League.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      He also had a spell at Barcelona, playing 54 times for the club.
      The Dutchman also had spells at Celta Vigo, Deportivo Alaves and Espanyol.
      After hanging up his boots he managed the Ecuadorian national team and Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv.
      Despite his vast football career, some will best know him for being the son of a legend of the game.
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      That’s because his old man was Johan Cruyff, widely regarded as one of the greatest players and managers ever.
      Jordi Cruyff is now working at his and his dad’s old club Barca, helping current boss Xavi imprint his style.
      Man Utd are set to play the LaLiga outfit in the Europa League play-off round.
      Cruyff was in attendance at the draw and admitted he struggled to control his excitement for the game when he found out.
      On his father’s legacy and pressure to live up to him, he told The Telegraph: “You compare mortal with an immortal, a legend with a normal player.
      “I know if people love to compare then it’s stressful because you can never win.
      I think I had that stress in Spain when I was younger and when I went to Man Utd that’s where I felt liberated from all this – in my opinion – stupidity.
      “I still have it almost on a daily basis, the older generation they still have tears when they see me, they want to talk.
      “They just have a necessity to say something about my father and people still have tears in their eyes. I hear it. I’m proud.”
      Jordi Cruyff won the Premier League at Man UtdCredit: PA:Empics Sport More

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      Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag opens door to second Frenkie de Jong transfer bid this summer to build incredible midfield

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      ERIK TEN HAG has opened the door to a shock second bid for Frenkie de Jong this summer.The Manchester United boss had an offer of £56.2million accepted by Barcelona last year but the midfielder refused to move until he had settled an issue over back-dated wages and the deal collapsed.
      Frenkie de Jong is preparing to face Man Utd on Thursday but the Barcelona star could yet move to Old Trafford next summerCredit: Rex
      Ten Hag said: “Frenkie is an incredible player and for every club in the whole world he will strengthen the squad because he has a unique quality.
      “If you can get him in the squad your team will be stronger.”
      The boss added that the Dutch international would bring a flair to any side as he did for him in Ajax and now does for Barcelona.
      He said: “I think we had a team in 2019 with a lot of fascination and he brings a lot of fascination.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      “He has developed and, in Spain, become even better.
      “He’s a fantastic player, plays out from the back, he always has time and it was a pleasure to work with him.”
      It comes after Barca chief Xavi insisted De Jong never wanted to depart last summer.
      The Spaniard said: “He was very clear with me. He wanted to stay with us and there was no doubt.
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      “He is our player and I am very happy and satisfied with his performance and leadership.”
      Ten Hag’s Red Devils face Barcelona on Thursday in the first leg of their play-off tie in the Nou Camp to get into the last 16 of the Europa League.
      And they will be without the one midfielder they DID sign in January.
      Loanee Marcel Sabitzer is ineligible as he played for parent club Bayern Munich in the Champions League group stage. More