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      Watch Bruno Fernandes fool Copenhagen’s hero keeper Johnsson by NOT jumping before striking crucial Man Utd penalty

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      THREE things in life are certain: Death, taxes and Manchester United scoring a penalty.
      Or perhaps that should be Bruno Fernandes scoring a spot-kick…

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      Bruno Fernandes scored his seventh Man Utd penalty as his side edged past CopenhagenCredit: Reuters
      Man Utd were forced into extra-time in their Europa League quarter-final clash with Danish side Copenhagen after being frustrated for 90 minutes.
      With United struggling for answers to their drought up front, they yet again turned to Fernandes after being awarded a penalty.
      It was the 21st pen United have won in 2019-20 – the highest tally in any of Europe’s top five leagues.
      But Fernandes, cool as you like, mixed up his pre-penalty routine to leave Copenhagen stopper Karl-Johan Johnsson baffled.

      So often since January, Fernandes has hopped before striking the ball from 12 yards out.

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      Fernandes left his hop at home and rocketed the ball into the netCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But on Monday night he simply charged in and thundered the ball home.
      Johnsson was left helpless to stop the ferocious effort, which sealed victory – and a spot in the last-four – for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Co.
      Asked about the surprise change of style, Solskjaer explained: “He knows that keepers will wait for him to do the jump.

      “He did it against Tottenham. He practises both of them and practises both sides, so he’s got that sorted He’s better than I was anyway.”
      Conceding from the spot was harsh on Johnsson who made an incredible THIRTEEN saves to keep United at bay in Cologne.
      Old Trafford old-boy Robin van Persie hailed the Swede for what must have been the “best game of his life.”

      Speaking on BT Sport he said: “He made some proper saves. Not just balls going towards him, he put his body on the line and made great saves. 
      “One save from Martial was an unbelievable save with one hand.”
      Owen Hargreaves added: “The only way they were going to beat him was from the penalty spot.
      “He stood up to every challenge. You’ve got to take your hat off to him, he was unbelievable.”
      The strike was Fernandes’ 11th goal since joining from Sporting Lisbon.
      A barely-believable SEVEN of those have been from penalties.
      And former Man Utd star Phil Neville claimed Fernandes’ secret is that he mixes up his styles all the time, to keep goalkeepers – who research this sort of thing – guessing.

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      Man Utd reached the Europa League semi-finals in nervy mannerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      21 – Manchester United have won their 21st penalty in all competitions this season, more than any other side within the top five European leagues. Formality. #UEL
      — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 10, 2020

      Neville said: “Bruno Fernandes is a brilliant penalty taker.
      “He has different styles. He gives the keeper no chance.
      “The technique is fantastic.”

      Bruno Fernandes’ penalty technique at Sporting Lisbon More

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      Man Utd’s No7 shirt curse was too big for Sanchez, but can Sancho be the heir to Best, Beckham, Ronaldo and Cantona?

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      JADON SANCHO is on the cusp of a mega-money move to Manchester United… finally.
      The Red Devils, after much negotiation, are set to land the Borussia Dortmund winger – initially tempting him to join with the promise of wearing their hallowed No7 shirt.

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      Jadon Sancho has been earmarked to take the famous No7 shirt at Manchester UnitedCredit: PA:Press Association

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      Sancho could succeed Alexis Sanchez as Man Utds new No7Credit: Getty – Contributor

      Now Sancho is thought to have agreed to a five-year deal worth a staggering £350,000 a week – with United paying £110million when all is said and done.
      But that has not proven a good omen in recent years with the likes of Memphis Depay and Alexis Sanchez crumbling under the pressure of its history.
      For 50 years, the club’s icons bore that shirt with pride, and did it justice.

      But since Cristiano Ronaldo donned it for the final time in 2009, no one has dealt with the burden of expectation.
      Here, SunSport takes a look back at the superstars to wear the hallowed shirt — and the sharp decline in success – starting with the two recent flops.
      ALEXIS SANCHEZ, 2018 TO PRESENT

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      Credit: Getty ImagesAlexis Sanchez failed to live up to expectations at Old Trafford

      Success at United

      Appearances – 45
      Goals – 5
      No trophies

      After four glorious seasons with Arsenal, Chilean star Sanchez appeared to be a no brainer when United added him to their ranks for £32m.

      And Robin Van Persie had previously shown that he could adapt from a move from North London.
      However, Sanchez has been a major disappointment – a shadow of the player who ripped defences apart at the Emirates Stadium.
      Just five goals in 45 appearances, he is deemed surplus to requirements – shipped out to Inter Milan on loan this season.
      MEMPHIS DEPAY, 2015-16

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      Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Memphis Depay suffered curse of the Manchester United No7 shirt

      Success at United

      Appearances – 53
      Goals – 7
      No trophies

      Memphis was immediately handed the No7 jersey by Louis van Gaal after signing for £25MILLION from PSV.
      But, despite the hype surrounding his arrival, it was just constant disappointment for the Dutchman, and he left to join Lyon on loan after 12 months, which soon became a permanent deal.
      Depay has rediscovered his form with the French giants, scoring 53 times in 134 games from the wing.
      It’s a better return than the seven in 53 he managed with United.
      GEORGE BEST, 1963-74

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      Credit: Getty Images
      George Best celebrates his goal against Benfica in 1968 European Cup final

      Success at United

      Appearances — 474Goals — 181First Division (2) — 1964-65, 1966-67European Cup — 1968Football Writers’ Player of the Year — 1968Ballon d’Or — 1968Ballon d’Or third place — 1971

      In an era where shirt numbers were not assigned, Best donned it in 141 of his 474 games.
      In 1966, he wore it in what is generally considered his greatest-ever performance, netting twice as United battered the great Benfica 5-1 in Lisbon — and against the  same opponents in the European Cup final two years later.
      Best is considered by many the most naturally gifted footballer to have come out of Britain.
      BRYAN ROBSON — 1981-94

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      Credit: Getty Images
      ‘Captain Marvel’ Bryan Robson was always there when Manchester United needed him

      Success at United

      Appearances — 461Goals — 99Premier League (2) — 1992-93, 1993-94FA Cup (4) — 1982-83, 1984-85, 1989-90League Cup — 1991-92European Cup Winners’ Cup — 1990-91European Super Cup — 1991

      Immediately picked up the No.7 shirt, despite Steve Coppell still being at the club.
      ‘Captain Marvel’ was unlucky to play in a United side which failed to challenge for the title during the 1980s — and is the club’s longest-serving captain, who won 90 England caps.
      A leader whose influence was apparent as his two goals famously helped the Red Devils overturn a 2-0 deficit against Barcelona in one of Old Trafford’s most glorious nights in 1984.
      ERIC CANTONA — 1992-97

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      Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Eric Cantona was the catalyst for Manchester United success in 1990s

      Success at United

      Appearances — 185 Goals — 93Premier League (4) — 1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1996-97FA Cup (2) — 1993-94, 1995-96PFA Players’ Player of the Year — 1993-94Football Writers’ Player of the Year — 1995-96Ballon d’Or third place — 1993

      First player to be officially assigned the No7 shirt.
      Cantona was the catalyst, who helped transform United from nearly men to Premier League champions.
      He won the title in four of his five seasons at the club — and the only time he failed to was when he was banned for eight months for kung-fu kicking a Crystal Palace fan.
      DAVID BECKHAM — 1992-03

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      David Beckham graduated from No28 to No7Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      Success at United

      Appearances — 394Goals — 85Premier League (6) — 1995-96, 1996-97, 1998-99, 1999-00, 2000-01, 2002-03FA Cup (2) — 1995-96, 1998-99Champions League — 1998-99Intercontinental Cup — 1999Ballon d’Or runner up — 1999Fifa World Player of the Year runner up — 1999, 2001

      An academy graduate who started off as No28, before moving up through the No.24, No.10 and eventually No.7 shirt when Cantona left.
      Beckham provided vital assists in the Champions League quarter-finals, semi-finals and final in 1999 as United completed an incredible Treble.
      He wore the shirt during his peak years at the club and established himself as the best set-piece taker in world football.
      CRISTIANO RONALDO — 2003-09

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      Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Cristiano Ronaldo was handed No.7 shirt at age of 18 and thrived in it

      Success at United

      Appearances — 292Goals — 118Premier League (3) — 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09FA Cup — 2003-04League Cup (2) — 2005-06, 2008-09Champions League — 2007-08Fifa Club World Cup — 2008Ballon d’Or — 2008Fifa World Player of the Year — 2008Football Writers’ Player of the Year (2) — 2006-07, 2007-08PFA Players’ Player of the Year (2) — 2006-07, 2007-08PFA Players’ Young Player of the Year award — 2006-07Ballon d’Or runner up — 2007, 2009Fifa World Player of the Year runner-up — 2007, 2009

      Replaced Beckham and, at the tender of age of 18, was handed the most prestigious shirt at the club.
      But Ronaldo thrived under the pressure and went from strength-to-strength.
      Won a trophy in all but one season and became United’s fourth Ballon d’Or winner.

      MICHAEL OWEN — 2009-12

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      Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Michael Owen wasn’t the worst player, but never justified No.7 shirt

      Success at United

      Appearances — 52Goals — 17Premier League — 2010-11League Cup — 2009-10

      In the whole of world football, only Lionel Messi would have been fit to fill the huge chasm left behind by Ronaldo in 2009.
      Injury-prone Owen was nearly 30, had just been released by recently-relegated Newcastle and was only signed as back-up after United had missed out on Karim Benzema.
      Highs included a last-gasp derby winner, League Cup final goal and Champions League hat-trick, but never came close to doing the No.7 shirt justice.
      ANTONIO VALENCIA — 2009-19 (No7 for 2012-13 season)

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      Credit: Getty Images
      Antonio Valencia reverted back to No.25 after poor season with No.7 shirt

      Success at United

      Appearances — 339Goals — 25Premier League (2) — 2010-11, 2012-13FA Cup — 2015-16League Cup (2) — 2009-10, 2016-17
      Europa League – 2016-17

      United’s 2011-12 Player of the Year was then handed the No7 shirt after three seasons wearing the No25 — and it was again worn by a right-winger.
      However, while Sir Alex Ferguson led his men to a 13th title, Valencia endured without doubt his worst seasons at the club.
      At the end of the campaign, he requested the No25 shirt again and there was no No7 during David Moyes’ reign.
      ANGEL DI MARIA — 2014-15

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      Credit: Getty Images
      Despite his staggering fee, it was a disastrous spell in Manchester for Angel Di Maria

      Success at United

      Appearances — 32Goals — 4

      United and English football’s then record signing at £59.1million.
      Di Maria arrived from Real Madrid after a man of the match performance in the Champions League final, and initially looked a good signing.
      But his form dipped drastically, and he became a liability. Sold to Paris Saint-Germain after just one season for £44m.

      Man Utd and Jadon Sancho ‘agree five-year £350,000-a-week deal’ over £110m transfer from Borussia Dortmund More

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      Man Utd’s worst XI signings post-Sir Alex Ferguson includes Fred, Di Maria and Depay and cost a staggering £325m

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      SIR ALEX FERGUSON left Manchester United with the Premier League trophy – but a raft of bad signings has seen it taken away with little sign of returning.
      A massive £323.7million has been splashed on 11 particularly dodgy deals.

      The worst XI of bad signings predominantly features attackers as the Red Devils failed to replace the likes of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie.
      Romelu Lukaku cost an initial £75m and United struggled to find takers when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer decided to offload the Belgian in the summer – where he has since thrived.
      A promising first season was lost with a drop-off in 2018-19, scoring at an average of one every three games before leaving for Inter Milan.

      At the very least, Lukaku provided some memorable moments but the same cannot be said for Angel Di Maria.
      The winger arrived with much fanfare in 2014 and quickly dropped off the pace, shepherded out to Paris Saint-Germain where he painfully found the form he lacked in England.
      The next expensive error was Fred who joined for £52m, but he still has time to prove himself at Old Trafford.
      In the slightly more affordable but nonetheless useless category are Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Morgan Schneiderlin, who came in for £30m and £27m respectively.

      Depay inherited the hallowed No7 shirt but failed to do it justiceCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Still, United recouped most of the fee they spent on French anchor man Schneiderlin when he joined Everton but Mkhitaryan’s exit saw Alexis Sanchez arrive – making the Chilean’s initial fee cheap and yet still a huge disappointment.
      Among those who arrived with potential and waited until after leaving to go on to great things is Memphis Depay.
      Now a star at Lyon and with the Dutch national team, his baffling form in the 2015/16 season showed that United had lost their touch when turning young gems into superstars.
      Many United fans point to executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward as the chief architect of these abysmal deals.
      While replacing the peerless David Gill was a tough assignment, and finding a man capable of replacing Fergie nigh-on impossible, there are serious questions over his approach.
      Not only are these players examples of bad deals, managers such as Jose Mourinho were dismayed that not enough players were bought.
      Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind were picked up in 2014 off the back of good World Cup campaigns – a strategy that rarely pays off and cost the club over £30m.
      And although Matteo Darmian was an Italian international when plucked from Torino, Louis van Gaal’s exit cast him to the fringes.
      Rounding off this worst XI are two short-term signings that never got to grips with the Premier League.

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      Few have flopped in the Prem like Di MariaCredit: PA:Empics Sport

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      Falcao struggled both at United and ChelseaCredit: PA:Empics Sport

      Perhaps the Red Devils thought they were pulling off a cunning piece of Andrea Pirlo-esque business when bringing in Bastian Schweinsteiger but, at 31, the German was far past his best during an 18-month spell.
      Radamel Falcao was still in his late-20s when arriving on loan in 2014 on a £6m fee and massive wage combination yet hit just four goals in 29 games.
      Of course, not all of Fergie’s signings hit the right note – just ask Kleberson, Eric Djemba Djemba or Juan-Sebastian Veron.

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will not park in the manager’s car parking spot – as he believes it still belongs to Sir Alex Ferguson More

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      Man Utd legend Nemanja Vidic names the four best Prem strikers he faced at Old Trafford, including Crouch at Liverpool

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Nemanja Vidic has discussed the four trickiest opponents he faced in the Premier League.
      The Serbian powerhouse, 37, spent eight years at Old Trafford after arriving from Spartak Moscow in 2006.

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      Nemanja Vidic has revealed the toughest opponents he faced at Old TraffordCredit: Keith Campbell – The Sun Glasgow
      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 No 9 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.
      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.”

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      Didier Drogba was a nightmare for Chelsea’s opponentsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

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      Luis Suarez joined Barcelona after taking the Prem by stormCredit: PA:Press Association

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      Sergio Aguero is still plying his trade in the English top flightCredit: PA:Press Association

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer writes off Man Utd’s season as he admits he’s already looking ahead to next term More

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      James Maddison signs mega-money Leicester extension in blow to Man Utd

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      JAMES MADDISON has agreed to a double-your-money deal at Leicester.
      In a massive boost to the Foxes ahead of their Champions League shootout against Manchester United today,  Maddison committed himself to the club until 2025.

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      James Maddison has agreed to a double-your-money contract extension at Leicester
      The England midfielder, who misses this afternoon’s vital clash through a hip injury, will earn around £95,000 a week including bonuses.
      That package makes him one of Leicester’s highest-paid players behind top-earner Jamie Vardy, who is on around £120,000 a week.
      The Midlands club is expected to announce Maddison’s contract as early as this week.
      Maddison, 23, who made his senior England debut in November, had been linked with a big-money move to  United.

      Leicester signed him in 2018  from Norwich for £22million and extending his initial five-year deal  is an important statement of intent by the club.
      Brendan Rodgers’ side are fifth in the Premier League table, one point behind United and Chelsea ahead of today’s final day of the season.
      But even if the Foxes fall short of a top-four finish on this occasion, the club’s owners have no intention of reining in their ambitions.

      A new £100m training ground is due to open soon in Seagrave — and Rodgers believes it  will play a big part in helping Leicester continue to compete at the top end of the Premier League.

      Convincing Maddison to extend his stay is another  piece in the jigsaw.
      Talks to agree a new deal for the star began well before the Covid-19 pandemic.

      James Maddison will NOT be joining Man Utd this transfer window, insists Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers More

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      How Man Utd could get Champions League with two points but three could see them FAIL in race vs Leicester and Chelsea

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      MANCHESTER UNITED will qualify for a Champions League place if they draw both their remaining two games.
      But if they win their first one and lose the last, despite that resulting in MORE points, they may miss out.

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      That’s because United face Leicester in their final game of the season – the other team aiming to bag fourth spot.
      United face West Ham next, hoping to bounce back from their miserable 3-1 defeat to Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final.
      Solskjaer’s side are level points and on goal difference with the Foxes heading in to the final stretch.
      So if United managed to LOSE to the Hammers, they would be going into the Leicester game with a WORSE goal difference, meaning only a victory would do.

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      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is heading in to a crucial period for his United sideCredit: Rex Features

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      Brendan Rodgers will need his side to pick things up to bag fourth spotCredit: EPA
      If United DREW with West Ham, as long as they avoided defeat to Leicester, they would secure that coveted fourth spot.
      And finally if United BEAT West Ham, a win or a draw against Leicester would see them finish fourth.
      But if they lost the final game against Brendan Rodgers’ side it would mean both teams finish on level points, 65.
      Depending on how many goals they beat West Ham by would determine where they finish – Leicester currently have scored FOUR more goals.

      Chelsea currently sit in third with 63 points, one ahead of both United and Leicester, with two games to play.
      But if they lose BOTH their remaining games, against Wolves and Liverpool, they could finish outside the top four.
      That would need United to beat West Ham and Leicester to beat United for it to play out.

      Solskjaer says De Gea ‘should have saved’ Mount goal after keeper makes two unfortunate mistakes versus Chelsea in FA Cup semi-final More

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      Gary Neville not concerned about Liverpool dominating like Man Utd due to ‘modest’ transfer market spending

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      GARY NEVILLE has revealed he is not concerned about Liverpool dominating like Manchester United once did due to their “modest” spending.
      The Reds absolutely stormed to the Premier League title in 2019-20, sitting 25 points clear of Manchester City before lockdown came into force.

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      Liverpool won’t dominate like Man Utd used to as they don’t spend enough, says NevilleCredit: EPA

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      Neville isn’t worried about Liverpool in the long-run, despite their new ‘era’Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      And they did so inspired by the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold (youth), Andrew Robertson (£8million) and Jordan Henderson (£15m).
      Even their fearsome front-three of Sadio Mane (£30m), Mohamed Salah (£34.3m) and Roberto Firmino (£29m) were a pinch by modern-day standards.
      But Neville isn’t even remotely concerned about Liverpool dominating English football like United in the 1990s and 2000s, because they don’t spend enough money.
      When asked if Liverpool could rule the roost for the next decade, Neville told Sky Sports: “No.

      “What would concern me about Liverpool for a long period would be if they were bought out by a super-rich owner, who invested at the level of Man City or Man Utd.
      “Liverpool, in their transfer business, are still quite modest compared to the other clubs.
      “Their owners just don’t have the money of a Man City, or the spending power of a Man Utd or a Chelsea. They just don’t.”
      Neville went on to pile praise on Kop boss Jurgen Klopp for operating so well on a smaller budget.
      The Sky Sports pundit continued: “What Liverpool have done in the last three seasons is started to create an era.
      “Getting to the Champions League final, winning a Champions League, winning a league, they are in the midst of something here.
      “What Jurgen Klopp has done at Liverpool has been simply outstanding.
      “He hasn’t had the resources of Pep Guardiola, the resources of the Man Utd managers over the past seven years.
      “But, with laser focus and precision-based recruitment, he’s developed a great team.
      “If Liverpool can win the league again next year, get to another Champions League final or do a domestic double, that is when we’ll be starting to talk about really great side.”
      But Neville added Klopp willl have to “whip the horse even harder” next season if Liverpool are to keep up their mantle as England’s top team.

      He continued: “Klopp is going to have to whip that horse a little bit harder next season to let them know they cannot drop by two or three per cent because City and other clubs will be back at them again. 
      “City have shown them the standard, Liverpool have got there, now they have to maintain it.
      “What Sir Alex Ferguson was able to do at United was create a great side that won over three or four-year periods and then remodelled and adapted it to be able to win again for the next three or four-year period.
      “Sir Alex continually did that over a period of 20 years, that was obviously the genius of the man and why he will be regarded as the greatest manager.  
      “There are many teams, players, athletes that have had one-off success and titles, and they are great achievements in their own right.
      “But when you continually do it over a period of time is when you establish greatness.”

      Ally McCoist says Liverpool failing to get 100 points should not detract from winning the Premier League More