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      How unlikely combo of McTominay and Fred has got Man Utd ticking thanks to ruthless mentality and fear of losing place

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      AT the start of the season it seemed an unlikely combination.
      An academy graduate and a £52million big money flop.

      Scott McTominay is enjoying his best form at Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Fred has formed a solid partnership with the Scottish midfielderCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But Scott McTominay and Fred have turned into the engine room that has got Manchester United’s red machine motoring again.
      They are the pair sat in front of the back four that manager Ole Solskjaer always turns to for big games, and in times of need.
      They needed a win on Tuesday night after a little wobble so the 24-year-old Scot and 27-year-old Brazilian were in.
      The pair give a life and energy to United that wears opponents down and has helped them to make the club’s first title tilt in eight years.

      McTominay said: “I don’t really know what makes us play well together.
      “But Fred is such a great player, I love playing with him and he is such a great guy as well.
      “He had a tough time in his first year, difficult moments here and there, but now you’re seeing a proper, proper player and a bit of Brazilian flair coming out now and again as well.”
      The pair’s form has added to the competition there is for midfield places at United right now.

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      Paul Pogba looks revived and while he was on the bench in the 9-0 win on Tuesday that was the first time he had been left out the starting line-up since Boxing Day.
      Nemanja Matic is once again like a player with two titles under his belt from his time at Chelsea.
      Then there is Donny van de Beek waiting in the wings too. Good by all accounts, but you’ll have to check old Ajax tapes to be sure.
      McTominay said: “For us it’s about pushing each other and having that healthy competition.
      “There isn’t any bitterness between any of us in terms of who plays, but we’re all desperate for the shirt and if you’re not playing you’re not happy.
      “But that’s what you want, you want every player wanting to play every single game.

      If you have an off-day or you don’t turn up properly then it can be difficult to get back in.
      Scott McTominay

      “You have to be focused and dialled into doing your job.
      “If you’re not then you don’t know how many games you might miss because of the quality we’ve got in the squad.
      “If you have an off-day or you don’t turn up properly then it can be difficult to get back in.
      “That’s the winning mentality and the culture that the coaches have created and it’s definitely working.”
      While there was criticism about a lack of leaders in the United camp not long ago, McTominay like Bruno Fernandes, has emerged as a very vocal one, backing up captain Harry Maguire.
      On Tuesday night at Old Trafford you could even hear him telling goalscoring legend Edinson Cavani to be alert.
      He said: “You have to take responsibility for what you’re doing on the football pitch and if someone’s not doing it like myself, I’d expect to be told and I’d hold my hands up if I make a mistake, it’s part and parcel of football.”
      At that stage of the game he was no doubt still feeling the effects of that appalling challenge from Alex Jankewitz in the opening two minutes that left him with stud scrape marks down his thigh.

      Fred and McTominay have settled into the Old Trafford engine room nicelyCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The pair have helped formulate United’s return to form this seasonCredit: Getty – Pool
      But McTominay is made from tough stuff, not only did he play on but joined the goalscorers in their 9-0 demolition of Southampton.
      Fans even noticed how when Daniel James scored the ninth and wheeled away in celebration, McTominay was berating him, telling him to get the ball out the net so they could restart and get a tenth.
      There is no let-up with him.
      McTominay said: “If you spoke to some of my friends in terms of how they would view me, they’d probably say I was ruthless.
      “When we were younger growing up I had that ruthless streak.”
      Solskjaer rewarded those leadership abilities in McTominay by giving him the captain’s armband for the first time for their FA Cup win at Watford.
      The player saw it as a challenge laid down by the manager and he passed the test by leading United to victory with the winning goal.
      McTominay said: “For the manager I presume every decision he makes with me and other players is a test.

      “It’s not just, ‘Oh I’ll give him the captaincy for no reason’ – it’s a test.
      “Everything in life is a test and you have to pass those tests.
      “It’s important to really show people that you can be an example at this football club and not let things go to your head.”
      McTominay is most certainly that example.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer heaps praise on Scott McTominay for passing the captaincy test with flying colours More

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      Luke Shaw’s stunning turnaround at Man Utd revealed as stats show he is now Premier League’s best attacking full-back

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      LUKE SHAW has continued his Manchester United resurgence to top the Premier League’s attacking stats for defenders in 2021.
      Tuesday night saw the left-back snap up a pair of assists in the Red Devils’ 9-0 thumping of Southampton.

      Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Edinson Cavani both scored from Shaw crosses, before the defender was taken off at half-time to rest.
      The performance emphasised his stunning improvement under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
      Signed in 2014 as the world’s most expensive teenager, the 24-year-old experienced a quiet life in Manchester and missed much of his second season due to injury.
      Jose Mourinho was certainly not a fan of his when in the Old Trafford dugout.

      Shaw started just 17 league games in the two full seasons the Portuguese coach led the side.
      But Solskjaer’s arrival saw him handed a regular role once more and he was voted United Players’ Player of the Year for a strong end to the 2018-19 season.

      Luke Shaw’s current form is a far cry from his downturn under Jose MourinhoCredit: Getty – Contributor
      And the defender may be dreaming of a European Championship call-up having boosted his attacking contribution in recent weeks.
      In his seven appearances since the turn of the year, Shaw has created an average 3.4 chances per 90 minutes.

      That tops Arsenal star Kieran Tierney (2.5), the in-form Joao Cancelo (1.9) and Andrew Robertson (1.8) over that period.
      It is also a big improvement on Shaw’s own stats in 2020, when he made 1.32 chances per 90 minutes.

      A big help has been the increase in crosses, from 1.77 to 5.55 per 90 minutes.
      Last month, Solskjaer revealed his thoughts on Shaw’s star turn.
      He told the club website: “Luke has immense quality. He has a very good technique, good quality.
      “You see against Liverpool, he takes the ball and drives forward, that is something that I have pushed him more to do because we know he can do it.
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      “It is generally down to the boy himself, mentally he is very good at the moment, he has become a dad.
      “He is physically very good, his fitness is so much better and he keeps beating his high-intensity stats and his total distance stats. He has been consistently up there with what a full-back should be doing.
      “When you have the talent of Luke, when that fitness and the mental bit is sorted then you are always going to get good performances.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Record equalling night at Old Trafford as Man Utd smash Southampton 9-0 More

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      Man Utd fans left baffled along with Southampton rivals after Che Adams given offside by VAR… and nobody knows why

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      FANS were left baffled by the latest Premier League goal ruled out by a curious VAR decision – this time in Southampton’s trip to Manchester United.
      The Red Devils’ 9-0 romp on Tuesday night meant there was little arguing over the result, with fans agreeing on one incident in particular.

      The VAR lines drawn on Che Adams baffled viewersCredit: Sky Sports

      With United four goals ahead, Che Adams was played in by a neat free-kick routine that saw the striker hit the back of the net.
      However, VAR took a closer look and decided he was offside by the tightest of margins.
      From the broadcast camera angle, the decision appeared to be questionable to say the least with only Adams’ knee or the top of his arm potentially tickling the offside trap.
      Alas the goal was chalked off, leaving viewers bemused.

      It was far from the first time Saints have been hard done by from a VAR call after Matty Cash escaped giving away a penalty with a handball in last week’s defeat to Aston Villa.
      A late Danny Ings equaliser in that game was also chalked off by another tight offside decision.
      During the United game, Southampton fan Luke wrote online: “The club needs to escalate this to whoever necessary. Three disgusting VAR decisions in two games.
      “It’s costing teams points and positions in the league which could be the difference between millions of £s in prize money and for some maybe even relegation. Absolute farce.”

      Richard remarked: “Guys they are 4-0 against 10 men, you don’t need to give them Man United VAR bias again.”
      Adam added: “To have this goal chalked off is a joke, which part of Che is offside?! Maybe his fingertips? Which is madness, you can’t score with your hand anyway! Jokers! Absolute jokers.”
      Even United fans, perhaps comforted by their side’s huge lead, agreed and thought the Adams call was harsh.
      Twitter user Josh commented: “United fan. Onside. Southampton been absolutely robbed today and against Villa.”
      And fellow Red Devil Luka tweeted: “I’m a United fan but that is ridiculous. Never in a million years is he offside.”
      Southampton were also aggrieved when Jan Bednarek was sent off for felling Anthony Martial in the box, for the penalty that made it 7-0.

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      Che Adams fired home but was called back for offsideCredit: Eddie Keogh Telegraph Media Group

      Southampton were also upset by Jan Bednarek’s second-half red cardCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

      The Polish defender claimed even his opponent felt it was not a foul after being given his marching orders.
      Premier League officials have been forced to explain that Mike Dean’s pitchside monitor did not freeze during his check.
      Southampton have appealed the sending off but are not expected to request a second look on the early dismissal of debutant Alex Jankewitz.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Man Utd’s Anthony Martial admitted penalty was NOT a foul, claims Jan Bednarek after controversial red card More

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      Ex-Arsenal star Robin van Persie names the six best players he has played with, including four Man Utd legends

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      ROBIN VAN PERSIE named the six best players he played with in his career – and four of them were Manchester United legends.
      The former Arsenal captain, who spent his last three seasons in England at Old Trafford, retired from football at the age of 35.

      Robin van Persie has named four Man Utd legends among six best players he ever played withCredit: AFP

      Van Persie, now 37, controversially moved to Manchester in 2012 having rejected a contract extension offer from Arsenal.
      He then went on to win the Premier League title in his first season at Old Trafford.
      And the Dutch hotshot seemingly has fond memories from his time in the red half of Manchester, naming four Red Devils stars among best players he shared the pitch with.
      When asked to pick his most talented team-mate, he told BBC Sport: “So difficult to name one.

      “I would go for Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney and Ruud van Nistelrooy.”
      Van Nisterlooy in fact left Old Trafford in 2006 – long before Van Persie joined United.
      But the two strikers played together for Holland, earning 172 caps and bagging 85 goals between them.
      The former Arsenal skipper also labelled former Red Devils duo Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand as the best two defenders he ever faced.

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      Following a three-year spell at Fenerbahce, Van Persie moved back to his homeland to end his career at boyhood club Feyenoord, where he is now coach under Dick Advocaat.
      And he claims he could have stayed at Old Trafford for one more season back in 2015 as he still had one year left on his contract.
      But the striker decided to ‘move on’ when then-United coach Louis van Gaal made it crystal clear he was not in his plans.
      Van Persie said: “Because I had one more year on my deal, maybe I should have stayed.
      “But then Van Gaal was the coach and he made it quite clear what his intentions were.
      “Then you have to make a decision: Do you stay and fight for your place?
      “Would it be an honest competition or not? Based on all that info, we decided to move on.
      “But three years is not three days, it’s still a long period, it’s still a big part of my football career, and in total 11 years of football in England… as a kid I would never have dreamed of that.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Robin van Persie scores superb free-kick for Feyenoord against PEC Zwolle More

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      Premier League insist VAR screen did NOT break down when officials reviewed Man Utd penalty against Southampton

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      THE Premier League have insisted the VAR screen did NOT break down when Mike Dean was reviewing his decision to award Manchester United a penalty against Southampton.
      Television footage showing the official trying to decide if Jan Bednarek had tripped Anthony Martial to concede the spot-kick appeared to suggest the pitchside monitor had frozen.

      Questions were raised over Mike Dean’s VAR review on Tuesday nightCredit: PA:Press Association

      Dean was seen frantically talking with his VAR Graham Scott as the screen stayed locked on one long distant frame – before he eventually decided to give the penalty and show Bednarek a red card.
      That led to confusion over how the referee was able to make a call when the video had not seemingly been working properly at Old Trafford.
      But the PGMOL have made it clear there was nothing wrong with the technology during the game.
      And instead Dean had asked video providers HawkEye to freeze the frame at the exact point of contact so he could assess the entire picture before making his decision.

      Bednarek was heard complaining ‘Martial said it’s not a foul!’ after the incident.
      Before the red card which led to United’s seventh goal, Southampton were left unhappy by a review that disallowed a Che Adams consolation.

      Jan Bednarek was adjudged to have made slight contact with Anthony MartialCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Dean handed the defender his marching orders with the score at 6-0Credit: Reuters
      The striker was deemed to be millimetres offside as Saints caught their opponents out with a free-kick routine.
      After the 9-0 drubbing, Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl described the ‘horrible’ manner of the defeat.

      Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Marcus Rashford and Edinson Cavani scored before the break, alongside a Bednarek own goal.
      United then punished the visitors, who were down to ten men after 82 seconds, with goals from Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes and Daniel James after the break, as well as an Anthony Martial brace.
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      Likening the loss to last season’s 9-0 hammering at the hands of Leicester, Hasenhuttl said: “We lost again in a horrible way.
      “The same story, one man down [early] and so 90 minutes can be long. The lads had no alternatives – no players on the bench, no alternatives to defend better.
      “In the end, it’s a different situation to the first time, as it has been a good season so far and we are in a position we haven’t been for a long time [mid-table].
      “We know what we have to do better. It hurts more not less to have this result again. But the team is a different one now. Let’s see how the season ends.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Record equalling night at Old Trafford as Man Utd smash Southampton 9-0 More

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      Solskjaer lauds ‘magic’ Man Utd as they hit THREE all-time Prem goalscoring records in 9-0 demolition of Southampton

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER labelled his Manchester United side ‘magic’ after a 9-0 thrashing of Southampton.
      There were seven different scorers, eight if you count Jan Bendarek’s own-goal, on a stunning night in the north west.

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was understandably delighted at his side’s 9-0 thrashing of SouthamptonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      This photo will give Southampton nightmaresCredit: Reuters

      And United ended up equalling THREE all-time Premier League goalscoring records too.
      It is only the second time a team has had seven different scorers in a Premier League match.
      The last was Chelsea against Aston Villa in December 2012.
      It is also only the third time ever a side has won a game by nine goals.

      Once was United back in 1995, beating Ipswich 9-0.
      And of course poor Southampton were on the end of a 9-0 slaughtering against Leicester in 2019.
      And thanks to a 3-2 win at St Mary’s earlier this season, United equalled the record number goals scored by a team against an opponent in a Premier League season, 12.
      No wonder Solskjaer was beaming at full time.

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      It was a night of celebration for United’s starsCredit: Reuters

      Speaking after the game, the Norwegian boss told BT Sport: “We have been waiting for them to show their magic and of course tonight was a night that they could go and enjoy.
      “We haven’t had too many of them where you can sit down in the second half and enjoy the football.
      “They enjoyed it and there were some good performances.
      “They will get a lot of confidence from a result and a performance like this.  Scoring goals is always good for the forwards in the team.”

      United’s cause was helped after just 82 SECONDS then Southampton were reduced to 10 men when Alex Jankewitz was sent off on his debut for a horror challenge on Scott McTominay.
      And at 6-0 up the visitors then had Bednarek sent-off for a professional foul – Bruno Fernandes scoring from the penalty spot.
      He added: “We shared the goals more between the players.
      “Of course, when the game started like it did it was almost about if we could get the first goal.
      “You’ve seen so many examples of ten men that close up shop and they get a draw.
      “It was about keeping the tempo high, get the first goal and keep on from there.”
      For the record books, goalscorers on an incredible night at Old Trafford were Marcus Rashford (two), Anthony Martial (two) Fernandes, Wan-Bissaka, Edinson Cavani and Dan James.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford More

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      Man Utd verdict: Luke Shaw’s two assists in brilliant first half show Solskjaer he is now undroppable for Red Devils

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      LUKE SHAW must be one of the first names on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team-sheet in the weeks ahead.
      And the £30 million Manchester United full-back showed against his former club why he has a chance of gate-crashing England’s squad for the Euros.

      Luke Shaw is in fine form and is giving England boss Gareth Southgate something to think aboutCredit: EPA

      Shaw was ‘rested’ for the shock home defeat against Sheffield United last week with Alex Telles starting instead.
      And the Red Devils turned in one of their flattest performances of the season without the in-form 25 year old.
      On this evidence, Solskjaer will not be leaving him out again any time soon.
      It is six-and-a-half years since he left St Mary’s to join Louis Van Gaal’s United in what was a world record deal for a teenager.

      And here he tormented the Saints who were stretched after being reduced to 10-men within the first two minutes.
      He teed up two of the four first half goals with superb crosses from the left – first for fellow full-back Aaron Wan Bissaka to slide home.
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      2 – Luke Shaw has as many Premier League assists in the first half against Southampton as he managed in his previous 45 Premier League appearances (2). Delivery. pic.twitter.com/qnkOII9PFK
      — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 2, 2021

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has put his trust in Shaw – and it’s worked out superblyCredit: PA:Press Association

      The one which he landed on Edinson Cavani’s head was arguably better still.

      Shaw also had a big hand in the second goal as his pass opened up the visitors defence – allowing Mason Greenwood to cross for Marcus Rashford to score.
      With his team four goals up at the break, Solskjaer chose to take him off and protect him ahead of a busy few weeks.
      Goalkeeper David de Gea said at the weekend that Shaw has become a key ‘weapon’ for United and makes the team better.
      And the left-back is arguably having his best period of his United career right now.
      As well as the faith of the manager, he credits the £13.5 million of the experienced Telles in October as a big factor in his improvement.
      Shaw knows he has genuine competition for his spot and said the new arrival is pushing him every step of the way in training.

      ENGLAND RECALL?
      That is clearly benefiting United right now – and could be good news for Gareth Southgate too.
      Shaw has played only once for England in more than five years – and that solitary recent appearance was back in 2018.
      But he admitted in the autumn the door is not closed and right now he is surely playing better than first choice Ben Chilwell.
      With United chasing glory on three fronts and the Euros on the horizon, it could be a huge few months ahead for Shaw.
      This is his time to become the player Southampton always believed he could be.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Record equalling night at Old Trafford as Man Utd smash Southampton 9-0 More

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      Solskjaer wants Man Utd to stop being ‘nice lads’ and start putting more pressure on referees

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER wants his players to get nasty and start putting refs under pressure.
      The Manchester United boss revealed a delegate’s report confirmed officials blundered in their recent 2-1 home defeat to Sheffield United.

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants his players to show a nastier sideCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And Solskjaer wants to see his stars putting more heat on officials to get decisions overturned with the help of the VAR.
      He said: “The momentum shifted for us with the Sheffield United game. I’ve got the delegate’s report from the referee and the two decisions were wrong.
      “They’ve admitted their goal should have been disallowed and our goal should have stood. That’s a big, big momentum changer for us.
      “We are a bunch of nice lads. Maybe we should have made more of a fuss about it.

      “Maybe we should have hung on to that or made them look at it before the game started again.
      “So those are things we have to learn from and use as motivation or energy.”
      The Blades had opened the scoring through a Kean Bryan header on 23 minutes but goalkeeper David De Gea had been pushed by Billy Sharp as he went to punch clear.
      Both ref Peter Bankes and VAR David Coote ruled in the visitors’ favour.

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      Manchester United have displayed a ferocious nature in the pastCredit: Sportsphoto

      Shortly afterwards Anthony Martial looked to have equalised but Harry Maguire was penalised for his challenge on Blades keeper Aaron Ramsdale.
      Now Solskjaer wants to use that sense of injustice as a motivation.
      He said: “Whenever a team feels unfairly treated there will be a reaction.”

      Manchester United might have to show some ferocity if they want to push for the titleCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Solskjaer says the decisions belie the theory that United are favoured by officials.
      He also cited their opening-day defeat to Crystal Palace when Victor Lindelof was harshly adjudged to have handled for a penalty.
      Solskjaer, whose side host Southampton tonight, said: “There has been a narrative for too long about the decisions we have got for us.
      “But that doesn’t change where we are now. We just move on.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Solskjaer slams ‘disgusting’ racist abuse of Man Utd duo Axel Tuanzebe and Anthony Martial on social media More