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      Solskjaer to give Paul Pogba a breather in Turkey with Man Utd star set for bench vs Basaksehir after Arsenal mistake

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER is likely to let Paul Pogba get his breath back by making him sub for the Champions League clash with Istanbul Basaksehir.
      The French midfielder, 27, gave away the match-winning penalty with a rash challenge on Hector Bellerin against Arsenal at the weekend.

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to rest Paul Pogba for the Champions League clash with Istanbul BasaksehirCredit: EPA

      Pogba gave away the match-winning penalty against Arsenal last weekend after rashly taking down Hector BellerinCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      After the game, Pogba claimed: “Maybe I was a bit out of breath, and it made me do this stupid mistake”.
      That raised a few eyebrows among United’s fitness advisers, who say the £89million star is ‘off the charts’ when injury-free.
      United boss Solskjaer said the foul was probably down to Pogba’s poor decision-making instead.
      Ahead of tonight’s Group H clash, Solskjaer said: “Paul is a fit lad.

      “He knows in that exact instance he could have dealt with it better, and he held his hand up.
      “Every player is frustrated with himself and disappointed after a defeat.
      “We need consistency from every one of our players, that’s what we want.
      “Paul has been going through a difficult period with an injury last season and Covid now.

      “He’s working up to full fitness. We’ve seen plenty of positives lately and hopefully that continues.”
      Solskjaer also rubbished Roy Keane’s taunt that Man Utd lack leaders. 
      Former captain Keane said that was one of their biggest problems, after watching his former team slump to a dismal 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal. 
      But Solskjaer hit back, saying: “Roy has always been outspoken and I’m very glad I have the players we’ve got here.
      “We’ve got different jobs and Roy’s job is to give his opinion and I always listen to Roy. 
      “But we always move on here with a great group of players, a strong group of players, and I’m sure we’ll see a response.”

      Istanbul Basaksehir vs Man Utd FREE- Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time and team news for Champions League match More

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      Pochettino is NOT elite manager like Klopp and Guardiola despite Man Utd links, claims ex-Tottenham star Bent

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      MAURICIO POCHETTINO is NOT an elite manager like Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola, according to ex-Tottenham star Darren Bent.
      The Argentine boss, 48, revealed he is itching to get back into football management after a year away on Monday night.

      Mauricio Pochettino is not an elite boss like Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola, says Darren BentCredit: Reuters

      Bent says former Spurs boss Poch is not ‘elite’ like Klopp and CoCredit: Getty – Pool

      Pochettino has immediately been linked with the Manchester United job with current boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer under pressure.
      But Bent reckons the former Tottenham boss is NOT up to the task of taking over the reins at Old Trafford.
      Bent told talkSPORT: “When I look at elite managers that are out there: I look at [Jurgen] Klopp, [Pep] Guardiola and even [Carlo] Ancelotti.
      “I can’t put Pochettino into that bracket yet. I know he’s been at Spurs, but he didn’t win anything.

      “But to elevate him all of a sudden because he got to a Champions League final and a League Cup final, that’s not world level management for me.
      “I think he’s good, but I just don’t just think he’s in that bracket.
      “You look at what Pochettino did at Spurs. He took them to a level.
      “At the end of the day after all the great work Poch had done developing players such as Dele Alli and Harry Kane, Daniel Levy still needed someone to come in and win them trophies.

      Bent ranks both Arteta and Guardiola above Pochettino at presentCredit: AFP or Licensors

      “It felt like Pochettino could not do that.
      “Was getting them to a Champions League final enough?
      “Does that automatically catapult you into that elite bracket, because you took someone into a Champions League final?
      “For me it doesn’t.”
      Bent went on to claim he believes current Arsenal chief Mikel Arteta is already a better manager than Pochettino, despite being just one year into his career.
      The former England striker continued: “Look at Arteta at Arsenal, too. He’s a better coach than Pochettino as well.
      “He’s not even been a manager for a year and look at what he’s done there.
      “He’s identified the players he’s got there and knows definitely they weren’t great defensively. He’s changed that all completely around.
      “He’s gone in there and won an FA Cup and a Community Shield, while beating some of the biggest teams out there.
      “He’s managed to find a way of winning things.”

      Atalanta vs Liverpool free live stream, TV channel and kick-off time for Champions League match More

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      Five men to replace under-fire Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Mauricio Pochettino made odds-on favourite for job

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER is coming under increasing pressure after an underwhelming start to the 2020-21 season.
      Despite two impressive performances in the Champions League, questions are being asked by pundits and fans alike after a shocking start to the domestic campaign.

      Pochettino is the bookies’ favourite to take over from Solskjaer

      United sit 15th in the Premier League and are winless in their first four games at home, including three defeats.
      Most-recently, Solskjaer watched on as his side slipped to a 1-0 loss to Arsenal, having also been thumped 6-1 by Tottenham on home soil.
      But who could replace Solskjaer if he is sacked?
      We take a look at the bookies’ top-five, with all odds supplied by Ladbrokes.

      MAURICIO POCHETTINO

      Pochettino is the overwhelming favourite to take over at Man Utd should Solskjaer be sackedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Current club: Unattached
      Odds: 1/2
      POCHETTINO has long been linked with the top job at both United and Real Madrid.
      The Argentine has been out of work since being sacked by Tottenham a year ago.

      And – on Monday night – Pochettino revealed he can’t wait to get back to the job he loves.
      With Solskjaer under pressure, Poch’s comments are likely to give Man Utd chiefs something to think about.
      And the bookies have the ex-Southampton manager as the overwhelming 1/2 favourite to replace Solskjaer, should he be shown the door.

      MASSIMILIANO ALLEGRI

      Ex-Juventus chief Allegri is second-favourite, according to LadbrokesCredit: EPA
      Current club: Unattached
      Odds: 6/1
      ANOTHER unattached manager, Allegri is a free agent having left Juventus at the end of the 2018-19 season.
      Allegri won five straight Serie A titles during his five seasons at the Turin giants.
      And, over a year removed from his last job, could finally be ready to get back on the training ground.
      At 6/1, he’s comfortably second-favourite, miles behind Pochettino.
      JULIAN NAGELSMANN

      Leipzig chief Nagelsmann is third on the bookies’ list to take over at UnitedCredit: The Mega Agency
      Current club: RB Leipzig
      Odds: 10/1
      THE former Hoffenheim boss has worked wonders at RB Leipzig since taking over last year.
      Nagelsmann has led his side to an impressive win-rate of 58.2 per cent since taking over the reins.
      Last season, he led Leipzig to third in the Bundesliga, just three points behind second-placed Borussia Dortmund.
      This term, they are third again – just TWO points adrift of league-leading European champions Bayern Munich.
      At 10/1, the bookies believe Man Utd could be tempted by the German boss.
      RALPH HASENHUTTL

      Southampton boss Hasenhuttl has emerged as one of the favourites to take over from SolskjaerCredit: Reuters
      Current club: Southampton
      Odds: 12/1
      HASENHUTTL has worked wonders at Southampton since taking over in 2018.
      The German chief – formerly of RB Leipzig – has taken Saints from a relegation candidate to a side pushing for a European spot this season.
      Southampton have won four of their opening seven league games this term, losing just two, to sit just three points behind league leaders Liverpool.
      At 12/1, Hasenhuttl is hardly a longshot.
      LAURENT BLANC

      Blanc hasn’t been in management since leaving PSG in 2016 but is fifth-favourite to take over at Old TraffordCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Current club: Unattached
      Odds: 16/1
      HAVING been out of work since leaving Paris Saint-Germain in 2016, Blanc is a surprising fifth-favourite, ahead of Diego Simeone and Luis Enrique (both 20/1).
      Blanc spent a decade in management, with Bordeaux, the France national team and PSG before his extended, ongoing hiatus.
      But a return to the club where he finished his playing career could be just the incentive he needs to get back to work on the training pitch.
      At 16/1, Ladbrokes are confident Blanc will be in the running for the boss job at Old Trafford should Solskjaer leave.

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says neither team deserved to win after Man Utd’s defeat by Arsenal More

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      How Man Utd could line up vs Istanbul Basaksehir with Rashford rested and Cavani in contention to start

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      EDINSON CAVANI could be handed his first Manchester United start when the club face Istanbul Basaksehir on Wednesday.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to make a number of changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday.

      This is how Manchester United could start against Istanbul Basaksehir

      Though the Norwegian could persist with his narrow diamond formation he used against the Gunners and RB Leipzig in last week’s 5-0 win.
      Having won their opening two Group H Champions League matches, Solskjaer could opt to rest a number of key players ahead of Saturday’s trip to Everton.
      With that in mind, David De Gea could be replaced between the sticks by Dean Henderson – who is yet to feature in Europe this season.
      Aaron Wan-Bisska will likely retain his place at right-back, with Luke Shaw to start at left-back as Alex Telles continues to recover from COVID-19.

      Solskjaer is likely to reshuffle his defence, with club captain Harry Maguire to potentially keep his place in the line-up.
      And he could partner Axel Tuanzebe, with the defender yet to start since his emphatic performance away at Paris Saint-Germain.
      Nemanja Matic could be recalled to the starting XI as United’s defensive midfielder.
      Fred and Paul Pogba could then play together in the middle of the pitch, with Scott McTominay dropped to the bench.

      Dutch international Donny van de Beek could replace Bruno Fernandes as the No10, with Jesse Lingard unavailable.
      Cavani could then partner Anthony Martial up top, with Rashford and Greenwood rested for the clash at Goodison Park.
      Daniel James and Juan Mata are two other options for Solskjaer, though it is unlikely the duo will start.

      This is another version of how the Red Devils could start in Turkey on Wednesday

      Man Utd legend Roy Keane slams Edinson Cavani’s work ethic and questions whether he even warmed up vs Arsenal More

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      Jude Bellingham reveals he never considered Man Utd transfer as he was so focused on Dortmund move

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM has revealed he never considered joining Manchester United in the summer – as he was so focused on Borussia Dortmund.
      The former Birmingham star, 17, was subject to a massive tug-of-war between United and Dortmund.

      Jude Bellingham says he never intended to join Man Utd as he had his heart set on DortmundCredit: Reuters

      Bellingham and his parents were even invited to Man Utd’s Carrington training ground to be given the VIP tour treatment.
      Sir Alex Ferguson, Eric Cantona and current boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer all tried to convince him to head to Old Trafford, too.
      But Bellingham has revealed it was never really a contest – as he had his heart set on the German giants and following in Jadon Sancho’s footsteps.
      Since heading to Dortmund, the midfielder has become the youngest Englishman to start a Champions League game and the youngest player to start for England’s Under-21s.

      Bellingham told The Telegraph: “Well, you know, Man Utd have a great squad.
      “But my decision had nothing to do with Man Utd.
      “I was so focused and so happy with the interest from Dortmund that this became my first choice.
      “For me, it was Borussia Dortmund and that’s it.

      “When you find somewhere that’s the best place to be, you kind of ignore everything else, you know what I mean?”
      Bellingham became just the latest English youngster to join Dortmund, following new team-mate Jadon Sancho.
      Sancho quit Manchester City’s youth ranks in 2017 and quickly became a star.
      But ex-Birmingham ace Bellingham has claimed he didn’t speak to Sancho before heading to the Westfalenstadion – but did follow his example.

      Bellingham has followed in fellow Englishman Sancho’s footsteps in moving to Dortmund as a teenagerCredit: Reuters
      Bellingham claimed: “I didn’t really speak to Jadon… I sort of spoke to him through other people.
      “I would mention something and they would say, ‘Jadon thought the same about this or that.’
      “I’ve said before how big of an example Jadon is for someone English and my age.
      “We’re all trying to play but, specifically, we’re trying to make that next step into Europe’s elite.
      “I think Jadon has done that perfectly and he was a massive factor in looking at his journey.
      “Hopefully, I can mirror it.”

      Borussia Dortmund players in tears laughing at Jude Bellingham’s awful singing for initiation to new club More

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      Man Utd’s Phil Jones ‘fears Burnley transfer will collapse leaving second tier Derby and Middlesbrough as only options’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED outcast Phil Jones could step down to the Championship after ‘fearing his potential move to Burnley could collapse’.
      The 28-year-old defender last played for the Red Devils in January and looks to have no future at Old Trafford.

      Phil Jones has been linked with a move to the Championship with both Middlesbrough and Derby believed to be keenCredit: PA:Press Association

      The £100,000-a-week England international has been left out of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Premier League and Champions League squads.
      The Daily Star claim Burnley boss Sean Dyche was ready to bring the out-of-favour ex-Blackburn man to Turf Moor on loan in January.
      He was eyed as a ready-made replacement for James Tarkowski, who has been linked with a £40m move to West Ham once the transfer window re-opens.

      But if Egyptian businessman Mohamed El Kashany and lawyer Chris Farnell’s £200m takeover of Burnley goes through, then the Turf Moor outfit will not have to sell Tarkowski.

      And that could leave Jones in limbo when it comes to staying in the Premier League.
      He does have plenty of interest from the Championship.
      Both Neil Warnock’s Middlesbrough and Derby County, who have Wayne Rooney among their ranks, are believed to be readying moves for the versatile ace.
      Despite not using him for months, Solskjaer did hint at a potential way back for Jones at United.

      He said last week: “Phil has been injured and he’s had an operation and he’s working really hard to be back. He’ll hopefully get fit during December.
      “That was a natural thing, when you’re injured you can’t really be in the squad, can you?
      “He’s working really diligently and he’ll be coming back soon.”

      Phil Jones rejects Man Utd testimonial in tenth year with club as ‘only his parents would turn up’ More

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      Man Utd ‘frightened to death’ to attack at Old Trafford following 6-1 mauling by Tottenham, claims club legend Scholes

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      PAUL SCHOLES claims Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is ‘frightened to death’ to attack at Old Trafford.
      Manchester United have picked up just one point from their opening four home games of the Premier League season.

      Man Utd are ‘scared to attack’ at home after their Spurs humiliationCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

      Scholes reckons the 6-1 loss at home to Spurs has affected Solskjaer’s mentalityCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      That run marks their worst run of form on their own ground since 1972.
      The 6-1 thrashing by Tottenham has been one of three defeats so far this term, the others against Crystal Palace and Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal.
      United legend Scholes said: “It’s as poor as I’ve seen Manchester United at Old Trafford.
      “You are not playing against Real Madrid, you are playing against – I wouldn’t say average – but it’s not an Arsenal team of past years.

      “There’s no way you should be fearing them, you should be going after them, it’s a big hangover from the Tottenham game.
      “It’s frightened Ole to death – and he doesn’t want anything like that to happen again.”
      Scholes also tore into Fred and Scott McTominay after defeat left United 15th in the table.
      The ex-England midfield star said: “You have to expect more from United and those two midfielders.

      Man Utd have lost three of their last four home games this season, drawing the otherCredit: AFP or Licensors

      “They were playing like centre-halves, not central midfield players.”
      Paul Pogba, who gave away Arsenal’s penalty winner and claimed he was ‘out of breath’, did not escape Roy Keane’s wrath.
      Keane said: “For all Pogba’s talent, he should be in this team, but does not do enough.
      “He doesn’t show enough fight.”

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says neither team deserved to win after Man Utd’s defeat by Arsenal More

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      Man Utd must prove they are serious about being elite with questions over Solskjaer just a smokescreen for real problems

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      IT is convenient for the Manchester United hierarchy that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s swingometer veers so wildly between triumph and disaster.
      Because debate over the manager’s future serves as a smokescreen when there are more fundamental questions to be answered.

      Questions being asked about Solskjaer a merely distracting from the real problemsCredit: Reuters

      Most recently Man Utd slumped to a 1-0 defeat at home to ArsenalCredit: Reuters

      Are United even serious about wanting to be an elite football club any more?
      From the boardroom to the dressing room, are United actually willing to commit to the highest standards needed to challenge for the Premier League and the Champions League?
      Can they be bothered to strive for excellence?
      Do they have sufficient motivation to be relentlessly successful?

      Are the Glazer family merely content to take millions out of the club in dividends each year, or are these Donald Trump supporters genuinely driven to make United great again?
      Does managing director Richard Arnold care about major trophies when he is happy to claim the club’s social media reach makes them bigger than Jesus?
      Is executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward only now interested in self-preservation, given that his own future is bound so tightly with that of Solskjaer?
      Do any of them want a proper director of football, employed to recruit the footballers that United actually need, rather than those with the commercial clout and social-media reach?

      Does Edinson Cavani want to warm up properly for £174,000 per week?
      Is Paul Pogba’s heart really in it? Truly? Week in, week out? A world-class footballer who costs United as many matches as he wins them.
      Did Solskjaer even particularly want Cavani or Donny van de Beek, when the club should obviously have prioritised a top-class centre-half?
      Solskjaer is patently not the best man for the manager’s job.
      He got the gig on a caretaker basis because he was a terrace idol and he was very definitely not Jose Mourinho. Then he kept it after an extraordinary early burst of form.
      The Norwegian is not a disastrously poor manager but he certainly isn’t a great one.
      So the old swingometer swings – and this season more wildly than ever.
      A 6-1 home thrashing by Tottenham, then two outstanding results in Europe, then a grim home defeat by Arsenal leaving United without a win in six home Premier League matches.
      But sticking with Solskjaer suits the players, directors and owners – all very nicely off in their comfort zones – because he is not sufficiently demanding enough of any of them.

      Mauricio Pochettino wouldn’t have accepted anything less than the highest level of standards Credit: Reuters
      Would Solskjaer’s most obvious successor, Mauricio Pochettino – out of work for almost a year now – even want to commit to a club so accepting of mediocrity?
      Pochettino, who made a rare public appearance on Sky’s Monday Night Football last night, has the highest footballing standards. Alex Ferguson recognised it in him.
      The Argentinian wouldn’t accept the lack of focus on sporting excellence among United’s directors or their players.
      United might have moved for Pochettino on several occasions, both before and after he left Spurs.
      That they haven’t suggests they are prepared to drift along – sneaking into the top four being deemed a success, maybe a domestic knockout trophy thrown in if they can stop bottling semi-finals.
      It feels as if too many people at United think that is good enough.
      Despite those Champions League successes against Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig, United are not in a false position in the Premier League – unless you argue that they should actually be lower than 15th.

      Man Utd have shown signs of life in the Champions League but struggled in the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters
      Solskjaer’s men have been comprehensively outplayed in four of their six fixtures – their 3-2 victory over Brighton was utterly freakish, the Seagulls hitting the woodwork five times and United scoring the winning penalty after the final whistle had blown.
      And in the goalless draw against Chelsea, United survived a shout for a stonewall penalty against Harry Maguire.
      So United might easily have lost five out of six and stood 17th.
      This is not to suggest that they will finish in the bottom four, even the bottom half.
      United have enough good players to win a fair proportion of matches.
      They may defeat a below-strength Everton next weekend and will probably end that horrible home run against West Brom, allowing the Solskjaer swingometer to move away from the disaster zone.
      However, those underlying issues won’t have changed. From top to bottom, United must now prove they are serious.

      Man Utd legend Roy Keane slams Edinson Cavani’s work ethic and questions whether he even warmed up vs Arsenal More