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    ‘My Middlesbrough defenders are better than Man Utd’s’ – Boro boss Neil Warnock lays

    MIDDLESBROUGH can spring an FA Cup shock and beat Manchester United as they have a better defence, says Neil Warnock.The Red Devils were drawn at home to the veteran manager’s former club in the fourth round after scraping past Aston Villa on Monday.
    Neil Warnock insists Middlesbrough have a better defence than Man UtdCredit: PA
    Harry Maguire’s displays for the Red Devils have been heavily criticisedCredit: Getty
    Warnock left Boro in November after being replaced by Chris Wilder in the Riverside dug-out.
    But he believes the Championship side have a good chance of producing an upset against the 12-time FA Cup winners at Old Trafford next month as his old club have better defenders.
    Warnock told talkSPORT Breakfast: “They’ve got great individuals but not a team and I don’t see that coming.
    “They’ve got my old team Middlesbrough in the next round of the FA Cup and I wouldn’t swap any of their defenders for the back three at Middlesbrough – Dael Fry, Anfernee Dijksteele and Paddy McNair.
    “I think they’re better than Man United‘s defence.”
    United captain Harry Maguire has come in for heavy criticism this term after a number of below-par displays.
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    But Warnock has urged Ralf Rangnick to do more to try and get the skipper back in form.
    Warnock added: “The team at the moment, it looks like they all look after themselves. Harry Maguire’s the captain but I think he needs help at times. I think they’ve got a major problem at the moment.
    “For me it’s more of an arm round in an office job. It’s not his physical aspect, it’s just like everything in life is against him at the minute.
    “If you’re a manager you should have your finger on the pulse. You can tell he’s not happy, he’s not doing this and that, you’ve got to get him to one side and find out.”

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    Dael Fry is one of the Boro defenders to be singled out by Neil WarnockCredit: Getty More

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    Cristiano Ronaldo a doubt for Man Utd’s clash at Aston Villa as he is forced to leave training early with thigh injury

    CRISTIANO RONALDO went home early from training yesterday with a thigh injury and is a doubt for tomorrow’s Premier League game against Aston Villa.Ronaldo missed Monday’s 1-0 FA Cup third round victory over Villa with a hip injury.
    Cristiano Ronaldo is a doubt for Man Utd’s clash with Aston VillaCredit: Getty
    The star left training early yesterday with a thigh injuryCredit: Twitter @ManUtd
    But this is a separate problem picked up in training at Carrington yesterday.
    Ronaldo was looked at by United’s medical specialists before driving home where he will make use of his own private oxygen chamber he has had put in his house.
    It aids recovery from injury by breathing pure air directly into blood plasma which repairs any damaged tissue.
    The 36-year-old United legend is desperate to be fit for Villa and help his teammates get their bid for a top four place back on track.
    The Red Devils have dropped five of the last nine points available in the league with a draw away to Newcastle and home defeat to Wolves either side of a 3-1 win over Burnley.
    They sit seventh, six points behind fourth placed West Ham, but with two games in hand on the Hammers.
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    While new boss Ralf Rangnick has lost only one of his seven games in charge the performances have not been up to the level expected by United fans.
    That is something Ronaldo says they have to solve starting this weekend.
    Ronaldo said: “Let’s be honest. The last five or six games, do you think Manchester United played very well? No.
    “You know that, everyone knows that. We have – how can I say? – time to improve .
    “We have a squad with potential, a new manager, why don’t we believe we can do better?
    “You have to believe, you have to be positive to try to change things and to play how Manchester United fans want and the history of the club.”
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    Ronaldo also attacked the poor mentality of some of his teammates.
    He claimed it was not about Rangnick’s new formation and tactics but about the attitude on the pitch.
    He also questioned the attitude of some young stars at the club who he says he wants to help but wonders if they are listening to the more experienced players like himself.

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    ‘We’re very grateful’ – Georgina Rodriguez happy in Manchester amid fears Cristiano Ronaldo could quit Man Utd

    GEORGINA RODRIGUEZ says she’s very happy in Manchester following reports Cristiano Ronaldo fears his dream return to Old Trafford is in danger of ending in disaster.The former Real Madrid and Juventus striker is said to be frustrated and unhappy with the Manchester United board following “their erratic sporting decisions” and insisted in a Sky Sports interview only a top-three Premier League finish would do.
    Georgina Rodriguez has said she and Cristiano Ronaldo are happy in Manchester
    Ronaldo gave a revealing interview with Sky Sports that showed things weren’t all rosy at Old Trafford
    But speaking after it was reported earlier this week Ronaldo had held crisis talks with his agent Jorge Mendes about his future at the club, the footballer’s partner said they were “very grateful” for their new life in Manchester and had “no complaints.”
    The 27-year-old Spaniard, who plays mum to all four of his children although only four-year-old Alana Martina is hers, said last month she loved living in England after announcing her unborn twins would be a boy and girl.
    The pretty brunette, who worked in Bristol as an au pair before meeting and falling in love with Cristiano, described her return to the UK in a magazine interview as a “great opportunity.”
    And in a new interview published following speculation Cristiano could try to leave Old Trafford before his two-year contract expires, Georgina said she continued to feel very much at home in Manchester.
    Responding to a question about how well she was adapting to the change after living in Madrid and then Turin, she told glossy Spanish magazine Hola: “I haven’t felt much change because we practically have the same conditions as in Italy and we have a marvellous home.
    “The good thing is that we live nearer the children’s school. In Italy we lived further away.
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    “I haven’t noticed much difference. When you move with your family and you move everything you feel at ease.
    “With our conditions we can’t complain, quite the opposite. We are very grateful.”
    Georgina also described finding out she was pregnant again as a “big surprise” despite admitting her childhood dream was to have a big family.
    The model and influencer, who is due to give birth in April is also counting down the days to the January 27 release of a Netflix docu-series about her rags-to-riches life.
    She added: “I look after myself and at the moment I’m not putting on a lot of weight.
    “I had a lot of morning sickness at the start but I’m fine now.”
    Insisting her and Cristiano’s priority right now were their family, she added: “I’m living my dream right now.
    “My dream was to have a big family because I love children.
    “Today we’re a large family and in a few months we’ll be even larger.”
    RONALDO CRISIS TALKS
    Jorge Mendes jetted to the UK recently for crisis talks about Cristiano’s future at Man United according to reports.
    A source close to Ronaldo was quoted as saying “nothing had been ruled out”.Catalan newspaper Sport has linked him to a potential move to Barcelona if the 36-year-old quits the Premier League club at the end of the season.
    Latest reports say Paris Saint-Germain are lining up a move for the five-times Ballon d’Or winner who has already scored 14 goals in 21 appearances for Manchester United.
    In his Sky Sports interview Ronaldo said as his team languished in seventh position in the league: “’Manchester United should win the league or be second or third.
    “I don’t see other positions for Manchester United to be honest, I don’t see. In my eyes, I don’t accept that our mentality be less than to be in the top three in the Premier League.”
    Sounding new alarm bells about his Old Trafford future beyond this season, he added: “I don’t want to be here in a club to fight to be in sixth or seventh or fifth place, I’m here to try to win, to compete.”
    Georgina is pregnant with twins and seems ready to bring them up in the UK
    A new Netflix documentary will chart the life of Georgina
    Ronaldo has cut a frustrated figure at times this season
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Man Utd’s revenue falls behind City for first time ever as figures for Covid-hit 2020/21 season are released

    MANCHESTER CITY’S revenues out-stripped those of neighbours United by more than £73million last season – according to newly-published figures.Pep Guardiola led his team to a third Premier League title in four years in the 2020/21 season –while also taking them to the Champions League final.
    Man City’s revenue is larger than Man Utd’s for the first-time everCredit: Rex
    The Red Devils revenue was a whopping £73m behind their rivalsCredit: Getty
    And those were key factors in City recording operating revenues of £537m for last season – a jump of around 17 per cent on the previous 12 month period.
    It also dwarfed the £464m brought in through broadcast, match day and commercial income across town at Old Trafford.
    The report – produced by consultants KPMG – highlights the impact the pandemic has had at the top end of English football.
    And it shows for the first time that it is City who are currently the dominant force in the city as far as finances are concerned.
    The figures demonstrate how City’s recent run of success has turned them into a new superpower of English and European football – while the Red Devils have not won a trophy since 2017.
    The hope in the United boardroom will be that the return of fans –with hospitality and full stadia – will see them overtake City again in 12 months time.
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    The financial results for last season have yet to be published by City but the report by KPMG shows they made £108m from going all the way to the Champions League final.
    Broadcast revenue rose by 55 per cent to £279m – though that figure was inflated because some games were moved into 2020/21 from the previous season.
    That helped to offset the dramatic loss in match day revenue as games were played behind-closed-doors because of the pandemic.
    Their commercial revenues rose by 8 per cent to around £255m – beating those of United who brought in around £232m in the same period, according to the report.
    The KPMG Football Benchmark, which analysed the financial results of eight title winners around Europe – did not disclose figures for City’s staff costs, profit or loss.
    It gives a preview of the club’s healthy finances ahead of the publication of its accounts in the coming days.
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    A United spokesman said: ““We are proud of the strength and resilience which our club has shown through the pandemic, despite the significant loss of revenues from normal levels while matches were being played behind closed doors.
    “Our commercial business remains industry-leading, as demonstrated by the series of new globally-recognised third party partnerships and renewals announced over the past year.”
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Man Utd 1 Aston Villa 0: McTominay’s header drags Rangnick’s men into FA Cup fourth round with help of VAR

    THE FA CUP might just prove Manchester United’s salvation once again – 32 years on.It was back in 1990 when the then just Alex Ferguson, was long short of a knighthood and hanging on to his job at Old Trafford.
    Scott McTominay headed United into an early lead at Old Trafford
    The Scottish midfielder rose majestically to score the only goal of the game
    But a run to the final and victory in a replay over Crystal Palace proved the catalyst for all that was to come.
    It was just before that run got going that a banner was held up at Old Trafford calling for Fergie to go.
    This is probably the lowest point the club has been at since then.
    It says something about far United has fallen that the supporters are now clinging to this competition to provide some salvation in a season that threatens to end in mid-table mediocrity.
    That is unless they have plans to win the Champions League – no I don’t think so either.
    Victory last night came through an eighth minute Scott McTominay header but Aston Villa will feel hard done by as they were the better side.
    Danny Ings saw a goal ruled out as Villa pushed for an equaliser
    VAR and referee ended up denying Villa what would have been a deserved equaliser
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    Their 50th minute ‘equaliser’ ruled out by a lengthy VAR decision leaving them with a huge sense of injustice.
    Ralf Rangnick will have just been happy for the win, achieved without Cristiano Ronaldo who had a hip injury, although there was now discernible difference either way in performance due to his absence.
    This was gritty, but not great.
    Still the 12 times winners of the competition are into the next round and a home meeting with Middlesbrough that should open the door to the fifth round.
    United began the game on the front foot and were ahead after only eight minutes through McFred.
    The much maligned midfield twosome combined to good effect as Fred delivered a superb inswinging cross with his left foot and McTominay added the nod it needed to help it in.
    McTominay certainly made his mark on the fourth-round tie
    Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard will feel his side deserved more from their FA Cup clash
    ‘VAR took far too long’ – Mark HalseyBy Mark Halsey
    STEVEN GERRARD will be very frustrated to see Danny Ings’ equaliser ruled out for a block by Jacob Ramsey on Edinson Cavani.
    The Aston Villa midfielder did move into Cavani’s path and block the Manchester United striker from heading the ball clear.
    Ramsey was standing in an offside position from John McGinn’s free-kick and that is not an offence in itself.
    But Ramsey’s movement impacted on the ability of Cavani to challenge for the ball.
    That meant the Villa player interfered with an opponent in accordance to Law 11: Offside.
    The controversy is it took far too long for VAR and referee Michael Oliver to come to a decision.
    And it’s also not fair that only FA Cup ties at Premier League grounds have VAR and others don’t. It is bringing the integrity of the competition into question.

    Yet from that moment on to the break it was Aston Villa who were on top and wondering how they weren’t level by the break.
    Manager Steven Gerrard had turned and stared down the Stretford End when he got a predictable welcome when he came out and his team were not deterred by the Old Trafford crowd and experience either as they piled on the pressure.
    From Douglas Luiz corner, Victor Lindelof almost provided an unwanted assist by nodding it on and Ollie Watkins just could not reach it at the far post.
    Emiliano Buendia’s run and cross shot just needed a touch too but Danny Ings could not reach it.
    John McGinn’s long range effort was palmed away by David De Gea.
    Then when Lindelof failed to control a long punt forward by Tyrone Mings, Watkins was in. He turned back inside the retreating United defence and released a shot that crashed off the post with De Gea beaten.
    Marcus Rashford was subbed after a subdued performance
    Gerrard was holding his head in his hands in despair, when would their reward come?
    United were rattled but at least got back in the game just before the break with long range shots from Luke Shaw and McTominay reminding Villa that they still possessed their own threat.
    It was a good first half between two strong sides.
    They both wanted this and five minutes after the interval Villa thought they were level
    McGinn delivered an inswinging free kick which Ezri Konsa headed back across goal with the ball going in off Ings.
    It was eventually ruled out, but it wasn’t clear whether it was offside, handball or a foul by Jacob Ramsey on Edinson Cavani.
    Villa striker Danny Ings was left frustrated at Old Trafford
    In the end it was the latter but the fans in the stadium were non the wiser
    Villa’s sense of injustice was compounded when the flag went up to deny them shortly after play was restarted when this time Ings was rightly adjudged to be offside when he broke through before feeding Watkins who side footed home.
    The visitors were not giving up and Matthew Cash’s thunderous shot to the near top corner was turned away by the ever alert De Gea.
    United responded but when Marcus Rashford had a shot spilled there was no effort from Rashford to leap on the loose ball ahead of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez much to the annoyance of the Stretford End.
    Still United held out as the game petered out
    A huge banner above the tunnel was unfurled before kick-off with images of Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona and Roy Keane with the word ‘Standards’.
    They are nowhere near those demanded by this club and these fans.
    Still a win is a win and that is about all you can say for it.
    Ezri Konsa was caught on the nose by Luke Shaw in a late corner
    United boss Ralf Rangnick has a huge job on his hands
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    Man Utd fans loving ‘McFred’ after Scott McTominay heads home Fred’s cross to open scoring against Aston Villa

    MANCHESTER UNITED fans are in dreamland after ‘McFred’ combined for the only goal against Aston Villa in their FA Cup clash.Brazil midfielder Fred hooked the ball into the box on seven minutes and Scott McTominay was there to head past Emiliano Martinez in the Villa goal.
    Scott McTominay headed home Fred’s hooked ball into the boc
    McTominay is a bit of a goal threat for United these days
    It was the perfect reaction following a dismal 1-0 home defeat by Wolves in the Premier League.
    And United fans were quick to praise the central midfield duo on social media – using their special combined nickname.
    Johnny Spencer posted on Twitter: “Love a good McFred goal.”
    Another supporter wrote that they ‘always believed in McFred’, while one added that they ‘can’t explain how much I love McFred’.
    Janice Crossfield was delighted that the “Lancaster lad strikes again’, while another Red Devils fan wrote: “The audacity of Fred to try that’.
    It was a nervy start from United who would have been relieved that their midfield duo got them ahead.
    @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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    Fred replaced Nemanja Matic from the team that lost to Wolves.
    Cristiano Ronaldo was missing from the game with a muscle problem, while captain Harry Maguire is also still out.
    Victor Lindelof earned a recall to the centre of defence in place of Phil Jones, while veteran striker Edinson Cavani was the focal point up top.
    Diogo Dalot came in at right-back for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, while Jadon Sancho was dropped for Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford coming in for Ronaldo.
    United were fortunate to see the game out when Danny Ings’ goal was ruled out for offside.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Man Utd star Tuanzebe left Villa because rivalry with Liverpool came to life after Gerrard arrival, claims brother

    AXEL TUANZEBE left Aston Villa because Manchester United’s rivalry with Steven Gerrard’s former club Liverpool ‘came to life’.That is the astonishing claim from the player’s brother and agent Dimitri, who believes it restricted the defender’s game time at Villa Park.
    Axel Tuanzebe has swapped Aston Villa for Napoli after being overlooked by Steven Gerrard
    Steven Gerrard had given Axel Tuanzebe just eight minutes of game time since taking over
    Gerrard was appointed as Dean Smith’s successor in November, and gave Tuanzebe just eight minutes of pitch action.
    That has prompted the 24-year-old to join Napoli on loan from United.
    Liverpool legend Gerrard has made a decent start to his first job in the Premier League – but it hasn’t featured United academy star Tuanzebe.
    Now, speaking to ESPN, Dimitri has hinted there was underlying reasons for his brother not getting a chance this season.
    He explained: “I have a lot of mixed emotions when it comes to Axel’s time at Villa.
    “Axel didn’t decide to move until it became very clear that he isn’t the manager’s first-choice centre-back and the Napoli offer was very tempting.
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    “He is loved by the fans as he contributed highly to the club’s success in the Championship where he was one of the key players that helped Villa return to the Premier League.
    “However, following the arrival of Steven Gerrard at Villa Park, it felt as if the rivalry between Man United and Liverpool came to life.
    “For the avoidance of doubts, Axel was very open to staying at Villa, he loves the fans, being in Birmingham.
    “But he also has a career that he can only build and reach his full potential in an environment where opportunities to play are fair.”
    Tuanzebe played nine Premier League games on loan for Villa this season – but all came under Dean Smith.
    Napoli will pay United a £500,000 loan fee with an extra £500,000 potentially to be paid in bonuses, reports Fabrizio Romano.
    Tuanzebe has been involved in England youth teams at multiple levels and is highly-rated as a versatile centre-back.
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    Mike Phelan ‘urged Man Utd to seal Jude Bellingham transfer before he joined Dortmund in move from Birmingham in 2020’

    MIKE PHELAN personally recommended that Manchester United sign Jude Bellingham prior to his move to Borussia Dortmund.The England international midfielder, 18, has a host of Europe’s top clubs chasing his services after shining in Germany.
    Mike Phelan recommended Man Utd sign Jude Bellingham after watching him star for BirminghamCredit: Rex Features
    The England international is now starring for Borussia Dortmund in GermanyCredit: Getty
    Former Birmingham City ace Bellingham, who scored at the weekend in the win over Frankfurt, has taken the Bundesliga by storm and has performed equally well for his side in the Champions League.
    The star is believed to have a £90million price tag on his head, with United and Liverpool keen to secure his services.
    While the star was still at Birmingham City and plotting his future, the Red Devils pulled out all the stops to convince him to come to Old Trafford in 2020.
    He and his parents were given a private tour around the club’s Carrington training HQ and they even met Sir Alex Ferguson.
    But despite all of that, the ace and his family decided that Dortmund would be best for his development and he moved there that summer.
    Now it has been revealed that it was Phelan who instigated United’s pursuit of Bellingham after witnessing him in action for Birmingham against West Brom.

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    United’s current first-team coach spotted him aged just 16 and was instantly impressed by his ability, according to The Athletic.
    With the arrival of Ralf Rangnick in the dug-out at the Theatre of Dreams, Phelan’s role now includes recruitment.
    And he has explained how he intends to use a personal touch to run the rule over targets and lure them to the club.
    Phelan said: “Technology brings a bit extra. I’ve got to that point in my career where my eyes don’t deceive me. As long as my eyesight is good, I can see what’s going on.
    “There are a lot of people now within the game, because the game can afford it, (for whom) analysis is big: iPads, computers, they all play their part. But a computer has never won a game of football.
    “It is useful but it doesn’t give you a feel for what’s actually going on. It’s easier to present those numbers to a player — kids today understand that world, they want to see how far they’ve run and everybody buys into that.
    “A midfield player now in the Premier League has got to run 14 kilometres, 15 kilometres, which is enormous. But I’ve still got it in the back of my head — why? Why have you got to do that if you can play in a team? Does it get you the outcome you want? Not always.
    “Stats can give you evidence. I prefer to see it. I’m still pen and paper. I’m not on a laptop, press a button and it all comes up to you. I can get somebody to do it.”
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