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      Man Utd ace Luke Shaw reveals how Solskjaer pep talk inspired comeback win and admits Red Devils must start faster

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      LUKE SHAW has revealed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s pep talk inspired Manchester United’s comeback win over Aston Villa – but urged his team-mates to start games faster.The Red Devils once again went into half-time trailing after Bertrand Traore gave the hosts an early lead at Villa Park.
      Luke Shaw has credited Solskjaer’s team talk for inspiring Man Utd’s comeback win at VillaCredit: Rex
      Man Utd trailed 1-0 at half-time but stormed to a 3-1 win after a blistering second periodCredit: AFP
      Man Utd fought back to score three, unanswered second-half goals to clinch an important three points.
      Bruno Fernandes and Mason Greenwood scored within four minutes of each other shortly after the restart, with substitute Edinson Cavani sealing the win with three minutes to play.
      And in-form left-back Shaw credited Solskjaer’s team talk for inspiring the second-half rout.
      Shaw told Sky Sports: “Going 1-0 down in the first half we knew it was going to be a hard game.
      “We have been in this situation so many times – second half we came back much better.
      “That’s a positive but we need to start the first half better than we normally do.
      “Maybe we’re not ready for the game but we have the quality and can’t keep counting on second-half performances.
      “[Solskjaer] said exactly what I have just said… we have been in this situation a lot of times, we have the quality, are a fit team and we always believe.
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      “When we got the first goal I felt we were going to win.”
      United now face the prospect of playing top-four-chasing Leicester AND Liverpool – on Tuesday and Thursday respectively – in a killer run of three crunch league matches in five days.
      But Shaw is confident United can get results from those games if they just keep focusing on themselves.
      Shaw continued: “We are just focusing on ourselves, even more so we look at the City result and we are disappointed with the points we have let go this season.
      “We have two games in four days, we need to be ready.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Solskjaer rages it is ‘physically impossible’ for Man Utd to play six games in 17 days More

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      Gary Neville says Sir Alex Ferguson’s ‘slow conveyor belt’ transfer policy was based on three different players

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Sir Alex Ferguson’s transfer policy was like a “slow conveyor belt” according to his former defender Gary Neville.Unsurprisingly during his 26 years at Old Trafford the boss oversaw a whole host of big name incomings and departures.
      Gary Neville discussed Fergie’s ‘conveyor belt’ transfer policy
      Sir Alex Ferguson helped developed some of football’s best talents
      But there were methods behind the purchases, and evidently the system worked.
      Fergie won 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, and two Champions League titles during his legendary spell in the hotseat.
      And according to Neville, who was the first-choice right-back during his own trophy-laden 19-year spell at United, transfer policy was split into three categories.
      Speaking on the Sky Sports podcast, the 46-year-old footie pundit said: “His policy was to promote youth wherever possible, that was number one before he even looked at the external market.
      “Number two was to look at the best in the Premier League, those he could trust, and still have growth and be with the club for a long time.
      “Gary Pallister, Steve Bruce, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Robin van Persie.
      “And then he always wanted emerging international talent that could come over to Manchester, that he could work with and develop into great players.
      “Nemanja Vidic, Peter Schmeichel, Patrice Evra, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
      “He very rarely ventured into the world of buying the complete star, and it’s not far off Pep Guardiola’s tactic with Manchester City right now.”
      Wayne Rooney was bought by Fergie because the boss knew he would have a long and successful careerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Sir Alex was a fan of scouring Europe for top talent he could develop – like this manCredit: Reuters
      SunSport also revealed how Neville admits he regrets not heeding Sir Alex’s advice during his ill-fated spell as Valencia manager.
      Neville took charge of the Spanish club during the 2015/16 season.
      But he lasted just 28 games after picking up only 10 wins.
      Neville’s time at the Mestalla is now looked back on as a prime example of bad management.
      And Neville himself admits he should have paid closer attention to advice given by former Man Utd boss Fergie.

      Reflecting on his Valencia spell, Neville said: “Early on it was clear that some players were unhappy. I should have made big decisions on players that weren’t committed to the club at that point.
      “I remember speaking to Sir Alex early on and his advice was: ‘Just get rid of them and protect yourself. Only have people in the dressing room that are facing the same direction as you.’
      “But I didn’t listen. I tried talking some players round to staying until the end of the season. But they weren’t happy.
      “I ignored Sir Alex’s advice.”
      Alex Ferguson talks about trying to sign Paul Gascoigne for Man Utd More

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      Man Utd legend Nemanja Vidic reveals best four Premier League strikers he faced, including Peter Crouch at Liverpool

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Nemanja Vidic has named the four toughest opponents he faced in the Premier League.The Serbian powerhouse, 39, spent eight years at Old Trafford after arriving from Spartak Moscow in 2006.
      Vidic has called Crouch one of his toughest-ever opponents
      And despite being overrun several times by Fernando Torres, Peter Crouch was the first Liverpool striker Vidic bemoaned facing.
      He told The Athletic: “My first experience was Peter Crouch.
      “I’d never seen a two-metres tall player before. He played for Liverpool and we played them in a cup game at Anfield.
      “I was thinking ‘Wow, what can I do today with this guy?’
      “Then I saw Bellamy next to him, not a great player on the ball but very, very fast. He would run into space, Crouch would jump into the air. I’d never seen football played like this.
      “I’d never had a No9 and a sharp, fast, player next to him. I knew how to deal with them individually but not both of them at the same time.
      “I played alongside Wes Brown, it was a tough game, a long game. We lost 1-0.”
      Vidic also mentioned Chelsea great Didier Drogba and his lethal combination of strength and intelligence.
      Didier Drogba was a nightmare for Chelsea’s opponentsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      He added: “He was a very clever player who would get into the brain of the defenders. He was strong, but he was always thinking ahead.
      “He would think, ‘If the defender pushes me now I will go down’ or ‘Next time I will go strong’
      “He scored so many important goals, he was very consistent. I played against him when we were both at the peak of our careers.”
      Vidic’s watchlist finished with Manchester City speedster Sergio Aguero and former Reds star Luis Suarez.
      He explained: “I’m convinced that Aguero was born as a defender. He knows where the ball will come and where he can attack.
      “I played against him when they beat us 4-1 in the Moyes season.
      “[Suarez is] an energetic player. He’s different from Aguero who doesn’t run for 90 minutes – he’s a player who uses instinct. Everything is done in bursts. I don’t think he knows exactly what he’s doing but he succeeds.
      “The ball will go through a defender’s legs and people will think it’s an accident, but he has this sheer force to do it.”
      Luis Suarez joined Barcelona after taking the Prem by stormCredit: PA:Press Association
      Sergio Aguero is still plying his trade in the English top flightCredit: PA:Press Association More

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      Most expensive Man Utd flops and what happened after their Old Trafford nightmares including Di Maria and Lukaku

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are climbing back up the Premier League thanks to a mix of solid signings and homegrown talent.Scott McTominay has been a near-ever-present under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, while Bruno Fernandes has proved worth every penny of the £50million spent.
      How Man Utd’s big-money flop XI could look, including Alexis Sanchez
      And while United have a history of making some incredible signings, they also have a knack for spending big on flops.
      From Alexis Sanchez and Angel Di Maria to Juan Sebastian Veron and Fred, check out our best XI of United mega-money failures.
      GOALKEEPER – Anders Lindegaard
      Cost: £5million
      From: Aalesund (2010)
      WHILE not exactly expensive in modern money, £5m on a goalkeeper who featured just 19 times in five years is hardly a bargain.
      Since quitting United, Lindegaard has turned out for West Brom and Preston, before joining Premier League side Burnley in 2017 where he was released in 2019 having failed just twice – both in the Carabao Cup.
      He’s now at Helsingborg.
      DEFENDER – Matteo Darmian
      Cost: £12.9m
      From: Torino (2015)
      DARMIAN has played 60 times in the Premier League in four years at United, but never made the right-back slot his own.
      Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s arrival saw his surplus to requirements, and he joined Parma on a four-year deal in 2019.
      Most recently, he became a Serie A winner with Inter Milan on loan.
      DEFENDER – Daley Blind
      Daley Blind never quite brought his best form to Man UtdCredit: Reuters
      Cost: £14m
      From: Ajax (2014)
      ALWAYS a tough one to judge, Blind both proved he was a good footballer and failed to shine while at Man Utd.
      After four years at the club, Blind opted to head back to Ajax where he has gone on to become a key player once more – and helped his side reach the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.
      DEFENDER – Marcos Rojo
      Cost: £16m
      From: Sporting (2014)
      Rojo was plagued by injuries and lack of form in his five years at the club.
      Back in February, the Argentinian finally ended his Old Trafford nightmare by signing for Boca Juniors.

      CM – Morgan Schneiderlin
      Cost: £24m
      From: Southampton (2015)
      AFTER seven years at Saints, Schneiderlin was supposed to be United’s midfield maestro for years to come.
      But after just two years, the France star was shipped off to Everton with 32 very underwhelming appearances under his belt.
      He’s now at Nice after his three-year stint on Merseyside.
      CM – Juan Sebastian Veron
      Veron was a shell of his Lazio and Argentina best in EnglandCredit: Reuters
      Cost: £28m
      From: Lazio (2001)
      ARGUABLY one of the best midfielders of his generation, the only positive about Veron’s time at United was that at least it was better than his time at Chelsea.
      Both transfers frequently pop up in ‘worst Premier League transfers of all-time’ lists – and with good reason.
      The ex-Lazio man could have helped United be as unstoppable in Europe as they were domestically, but alas, it wasn’t to be.
      CM – Fred
      Cost: £52m
      From: Shakhtar Donetsk (2018)
      A HUGE-MONEY signing in 2018, Fred has been thoroughly underwhelming for United.
      The Brazilian is starting to find his feet as part of a deep-lying tandem including McTominay. But for £52m you want more.
      CAM – Henrikh Mkhitaryan
      Cost: £30m
      From: Borussia Dortmund (2016)
      SOUGHT-AFTER by a host of Europe’s giants during his days in Ukraine and Germany, Man Utd won the race for Mkhitaryan’s signature.
      But after 39 disappointing Premier League appearances he was part of the ill-fated swap deal with Arsenal for Sanchez.
      He’s now performing admirably at Serie A side Roma.
      FW – Angel Di Maria
      Di Maria cost United £59.7m – and spent just one dreadful year at the clubCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Cost: £59.7m
      From: Real Madrid (2014)
      SUPERB at Real, brilliant at Paris Saint-German… bang average at United.
      Yes, we all remember that goal against Leicester, but what else did Di Maria do at Old Trafford? Very, very little.
      His single season at United was worth nowhere near the £59.7m spent, before he went on to thrive in Ligue 1.
      FW – Romelu Lukaku
      Cost: £75m
      From: Everton (2017)
      BOTH Chelsea and United were chasing Lukaku and Alvaro Morata in the summer of 2017.
      Maybe things would have been different for the two flop strikers had they switched destinations.
      But Lukaku – save for a few brief matches where he showed his unstoppable potential – was dreadful at United… at least, by the standard we now hold him to.
      Shipped off to Inter last summer, Lukaku is now one of Europe’s most-feared strikers thanks to his knack for scoring goals.
      FW – Alexis Sanchez
      Cost: £505,000-a-week
      From: Arsenal (2018)
      A FREE signing. What could possibly go wrong?
      Well, throwing £505,000-a-week down the drain and struggling to sell him due to his wages, that’s what.
      Former Barcelona and Arsenal star Sanchez scored three – just THREE – goals during his 18 months at Old Trafford… that’s roughly £40m in wages.
      HONOURABLE MENTION

      Anderson – £20m (Porto, 2007)
      Memphis Depay – £25m (PSV, 2015)

      Marcus Rashford says Man Utd can go toe-to-toe with any of the big teams and give them a good game More

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      Man Utd facing fixture chaos and fears over injuries as Solskjaer rages at ‘physically impossible’ six games in 17 days

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      MANCHESTER UNITED boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hit out at his side’s fixture schedule and said dates are decided by ‘people who have never played football’.The Red Devils booked their place in the Europa League final with an 8-5 aggregate victory against Roma.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hit out at his side’s crazy fixture pile upCredit: Getty
      But it means Solskjaer’s side are facing the prospect of playing six games in just 17 days.
      Next up is an away trip to Aston Villa on Sunday followed by a home game against Leicester on Tuesday.
      United’s re-arranged clash against Liverpool, which was postponed following the huge Old Trafford protest against the club’s owners the Glazer family, is on Thursday.
      On May 18 United host Fulham, May 23 is Wolves away before Solskjaer leads his troops into the Europa League final to take on Villarreal on May 26.
      Speaking to BT Sport about the fixture pile-up, with four games in a WEEK, Solskjaer said: “It’s unheard of. It’s made by people who have never played football at this level.
      “It’s physically impossible for the players. We have not been dealt a good hand.
      “We are going to need everyone for these four games. It’s a short turnaround but we have to be ready.”
      Speaking after securing United’s spot in the Europa League final, Solskjaer reiterated his anger and added: “We’ve been dealt a very bad hand by people who sit behind a desk in suits who never play football or understand what this is about.
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      “I’ve got to look after the players, that’s the biggest thing.
      “Two games in three days is difficult but you can accept that we do that at Christmas. Two games in three days after a long season, with all the games we’ve had, even more difficult. Three games in five days, very very difficult, almost impossible. Four games in eight, it is impossible.
      “We cannot risk injury for players and that’s too much of an injury risk.
      “I’ve got to think about my players but I know there will be teams fighting for the Champions League places that will not think that’s Manchester United’s best team, in that team that’s not the best players.
      “That might affect whoever gets into the fourth position or the Champions League. That’s not my problem. That’s everyone else’s problem.
      “I can promise you that it’s impossible to play 90 minutes at this intensity, at that level in the Premier League four times from Thursday to Thursday. That means I cannot play everyone every minute which means we’ve got to prioritise.”
      And according to a chief of world players’ union FIFPro Jonas Baer-Hoffmann. their players are at risk of serious injury.
      A FIFPro report published yesterday found Europe’s top stars play up to 80 per cent of their minutes in the so-called ‘critical zone’ where risk of injury is high.
      MAN UTD’S CHAOTIC FIXTURE PILE-UPNo wonder Ole is fuming…
      Sunday, May 9 – Aston Villa (A)
      Tuesday, May 11 – Leicester City (H)
      Thursday, May 13 – Liverpool (H)
      Tuesday, May 18 – Fulham (H)
      Sunday, May 23 – Wolves (A)
      Wednesday, May 26 – Villarreal (Europa League Final)

      Baer-Hoffmann blasted: “United play four games, May 6 to the 13, including travel. This is just not physically possible.”
      Despite raging at the hectic schedule, Norwegian Solskjaer is delighted to be in the Europa final.
      The 48-year-old added: “It feels good to be in the final. We played one very, very good half at Old Trafford which has taken us through.
      “I’m disappointed we lost – especially the way we played in the second half.
      “It could easily have been 8-6 to them. It was a strange game. We kept giving them the ball but luckily we have one of the the best keepers in the world. We are in the final and are looking forward to May 26.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Solskjaer says both teams could have easily scored more goals after Roma second leg as he looks ahead to the final More

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      Mason Greenwood is third youngest Man Utd player to hit 100 games… and at 19 the first Englishman

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      MASON GREENWOOD has become the youngest Englishman to reach 100 games for Manchester United – and the third youngest overall.The Red Devils forward was named in the starting XI for the club’s Europa League semi-final second leg tie against Roma.
      Mason Greenwood has become a key player for Manchester United since making his debut two years agoCredit: Getty
      3 – Having been named in tonight’s starting XI, Mason Greenwood (19y & 217d) is set to become the youngest ever Englishman and third youngest player overall to reach 100 appearances for Manchester United. Special. pic.twitter.com/wBsuuJVSMp— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 6, 2021

      And aged just 19 years and 217 days, the England international made his 100th appearance under the tutelage of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
      The Norwegian gaffer handed Greenwood his debut in March 2019 where he came on as a late substitute in a 3-1 win against Paris Saint-Germain.
      He has since become a key player for United, where he has banged in 27 goals in 99 outings.
      Greenwood is ahead of club legends Ryan Giggs and Duncan Edwards in the top five list of youngest players to hit 100 games.
      But he is behind Norman Whiteside, who reached the milestone before his 19th birthday.
      And United icon George Best is also ahead of Greenwood, having reached the figure in 49 fewer days
      Solskjaer has revealed that he was set to make his 100th appearance against Liverpool on Sunday, only for the fixture to be postponed due to fan protests.
      The ex-Cardiff gaffer even spoke of Greenwood’s long-term position having been deployed on the wing this term to accommodate Edinson Cavani.
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      Norman Whiteside remains the youngest player in United’s history to reach 100 appearancesCredit: Getty – Contributor

      He said: “The Liverpool game was going to be his 100th game and we spoke about getting the winner in that.”
      Before adding: “We’ve spoken about whether he’s going to be wide right, or be a No 9, because you’ve got to stick your head in there.
      “He’s a pretty boy and I’m not sure if he’s going to do that.
      “Keep doing what he does, he’s got a very bright future, I’m sure of that.”
      Man Utd vs Liverpool will be held next Thursday May 13 as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side play twice in 48 hours More

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      Man Utd vs Liverpool will be held next Thursday May 13 as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side play THREE times in five days

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’S postponed clash with Liverpool will be played on Thursday May 13.And it means United will now have to play twice in just 48 hours – and THREE times in just five days.
      Man Utd vs Liverpool has been rearranged for Thursday May 13 following fan protests in a huge blow to Solskjaer and CoCredit: Action Images
      Man Utd fans protested the Glazer family’s running of the club leading to the game being called off for safety reasonsCredit: PA
      Last Sunday’s clash between Man Utd and Liverpool was postponed in the 11th hour after furious protests against club owners the Glazers outside the Lowry Hotel and at Old Trafford.
      It had been thought Liverpool’s trip to West Brom would be brought forward to allow the Old Trafford clash of the North-West giants to go back to its initial Sunday afternoon slot on May 16.
      Instead, United’s game with Leicester has been shunted forward 24 hours to Tuesday May 11 with a 6pm kick-off.
      And the match with Liverpool will now start at 8.15pm on May 13.
      United will feel frustrated at the inconvenience and the rescheduling is a boost for Liverpool and their top four hunt.

      LATEST ON MAN UTD VS LIVERPOOL POSTPONEMENT CHAOS

      However, Premier League chiefs will argue the Old Trafford club alone were responsible for the late call-off last Sunday.
      United are also in action at Villa this Sunday following their Europa League second-leg clash with Roma on Thursday, meaning they will play four matches in just EIGHT days.
      Elsewhere, their match against Fulham will take place on Tuesday May 18 before they finish their Premier League campaign at Wolves on May 23.
      League bosses have also confirmed the dates and times for the penultimate round of matches in a fortnight, which will have home crowds of up to 10,000 fans.
      Five matches will be played on Tuesday May 18.
      Amongst those games are United’s clash with Fulham at 6pm and the potentially pivotal top-four fight between Chelsea and Leicester at 8.15pm.
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      The following night will also see five games.
      There will be three matches including Tottenham vs Aston Villa at 6pm.
      Crystal Palace host Arsenal at 7pm and Liverpool visit Burnley at 8.15pm.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Angry Man Utd fans break into Old Trafford and storm pitch in protest against Glazers More

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      Bruno Fernandes denies trying to talk to Man Utd protesters before Liverpool tie.. as he was busy watching Ronaldo on TV

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      BRUNO FERNANDES has denied he tried to address protesting fans before Manchester United’s game with Liverpool was called off.Around 250 fans laid siege to the team hotel on Sunday and it was rumoured he was ready to go and address them.
      Bruno Fernandes has denied rumours he was planning to talk to protesters on SundayCredit: PA
      Fernandes claims he was too busy watching pal Cristiano Ronaldo in action for JuventusCredit: Reuters
      But Fernandes has shot down the rumours – admitting he was watching Portugal pal Cristiano Ronaldo in action for Juventus.
      Fernandes claimed: “I was in my room watching football because Udinese was playing against Juventus.
      “I never tried to go outside. We just did what the security said to us, keep in our rooms, stay there and that was everything the players did.
      “If someone tried to come out, I don’t know. I didn’t see anyone try to come out, honestly…”
      Fernandes said Man Utd’s stars wanted the game against Liverpool to go ahead as the team was full of confidence on the back of their 6-2 drubbing of Roma in the Europa League days earlier.
      The midfielder said: “The feeling was good between us, the team was ready to play.
      “It was a good week for us, we’d played well against Rome before and the confidence was high.
      “But this happened, we have nothing to say about that.
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      LATEST ON MAN UTD VS LIVERPOOL POSTPONEMENT CHAOS

      “The fans have their own word and they think that was the best for them, they did it and we have nothing to say about that honestly.
      “Our focus is on playing football and doing the best for the club.”
      Fernandes is certainly doing that with two goals and two assists in the victory over Roma.
      Edinson Cavani did the same and won a penalty while Paul Pogba powered home a header and Fernandes says it is vital those two are still at United next season.
      He said: “Quality players always bring quality to the team. Of course we all know what Paul and Edi can do for the team, we know the quality they have.
      “People can have doubts about them sometimes but we as a team never had.
      “They are really important for us. The qualities they have, it is difficult to find on the market for a good price.
      “I think everyone knows the team is growing up and with their help too.
      “It’s important for us we keep our best players and keep improving as a team.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Man Utd train ahead of Europa League Roma semi-final second leg More