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      Bruno Fernandes vows Man Utd will go all out for Premier League title this season… along with three other trophies

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      BRUNO FERNANDES admits he is going into 2021 hungry to win trophies.
      The Portugal international has become a talisman for Manchester United since he joined in January last year.

      Bruno Fernandes is confident Manchester United are capable of mounting sustained challenges in all competitionsCredit: Getty

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s troops are three points behind league leaders LiverpoolCredit: Reuters

      He has helped Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men make great progress – but the club has not won a trophy for more than three years now.
      However things are starting to look more promising – with the Red Devils fighting on four fronts in the coming months.
      A win over Aston Villa on New Year’s Day would put them level on points with current leaders and champions Liverpool at the top.
      And that would set them up perfectly for the Carabao Cup semi-final clash with Manchester City next week.

      Fernandes has won plenty of plaudits for his performances since he arrived from Sporting Lisbon – but it is silverware that he wants.
      He said: “The 11 months for me here, have been great. Of course, the main thing I want – which I didn’t achieve until now – is the trophies. That is clear.
      “But we really can do that in 2021 and I think at the end of everything, what we did in the last 11 months was really good.”
      United reached three semi-finals last season but ended the season empty-handed.

      They go into the New Year still fighting on four fronts – and Fernandes wants it to stay that way.
      He said: “I will say, every time, the same thing for me. At the beginning of the season, I said we have to fight in all the competitions we are in.
      “Now it is still the same. We’ll look for the Carabao Cup as the main one.
      “After that, we have to achieve trophies. It’s all about trophies – the Carabao Cup, the FA Cup, in the Europa League and the league.
      “We have to go for all of them. We have the team to do that and the qualities to do that.

      “You have to believe until it is not more possible, that you can fight for all of them. If we win trophies, it is the most important thing.”
      Fernandes had a rare off night against Wolves in midweek but still ended up setting up the injury-time winner for Marcus Rashford.
      However, his all-round performances mean he will at least be in the frame for the individual awards when the season ends.
      That is not what he is focussed on though, saying: “Of course, it’s good for a player to win awards.

      “I will never say ‘I don’t want to be the best player in the league’ or ‘I don’t want to be the PFA Player of the Season’.
      “I want to be that but I want to be that if the team wins trophies. If the team does win trophies, for me, it’s the same.
      “For me, the most important thing is to help my team-mates to also be Player of the Season.
      “That’s the most important thing because, if someone from the club is Player of the Season, it means that we do very, very well this season.
      “I think we will always be happy if someone else takes an individual award because it means the team is doing well.”

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      Former Arsenal star Robin van Persie names 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 last year.

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

      Van Persie 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 striker 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.

      VANNA STAY?
      Following a three-year spell at Fenerbahce, Van Persie moved back to his homeland to end his career at boyhood club Feyenoord.
      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.”

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      How Man Utd could line up vs Wolves with Cavani replacing Rashford and Tuanzebe in for injured Lindelof

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      MANCHESTER UNITED could recall Edinson Cavani to face Wolves if Marcus Rashford is ruled out of Tuesday’s match.
      The striker injured his shoulder in the draw at Leicester and may be spared amid a hectic fixture schedule.

      Nuno Espirito Santo’s side travel to Old Trafford for the 8pm kick-off in what will be United’s ninth game of December.
      And there will be little respite afterwards with Aston Villa and Manchester City on the horizon for the first week of 2021.
      Therefore, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may be tempted to take few risks with players’ fitness, including Rashford.
      After the 2-2 draw at Leicester, the Norwegian said: “[Rashford] felt his shoulder a bit. The lad tugged his arm, which he felt.

      “Hopefully he won’t be too bad, he made a full sprint after, so hopefully he can recover quickly.”
      Cavani is primed to come into the XI if Rashford misses out, having come off the bench on Boxing Day.

      Paul Pogba could also enter the line-up at the expense of Daniel James.
      In defence, Victor Lindelof is a major doubt having tweaked his back at Leicester.

      Axel Tuanzebe stepped in at right-back for the final 25 minutes at the King Power and is the favourite to start on Tuesday.
      Aaron Wan-Bissaka is back in training ahead of the game but may be held back for the New Year.

      Edinson Cavani is primed to start against Wolves if Marcus Rashford is unavailableCredit: Richard Calver

      And Timothy Fosu-Mensah is also pushing for a start in his natural position.
      Solskjaer will have to gauge the fitness levels of his players ahead of the game, with Mason Greenwood, Nemanja Matic and Donny van de Beek all available to be rotated in.
      Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo are the only senior players definitely ruled out, both of whom are due to regain fitness next month.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

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      Solskjaer hints Edinson Cavani will get new Man Utd contract as he claims veteran striker ‘has a few years left in him’

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      EDINSON CAVANI has moved a step closer to securing a second season at Manchester United.
      Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has heaped praise on striker Cavani, 33, who has impressed after joining on a free transfer with a one-year deal.

      Edinson Cavani has made an instant impact at Old TraffordCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Solskjaer, preparing for Tuesday’s home clash with Wolves, said: “At the moment it looks like he has a few years left in him.
      “He has been a great influence and had a great impact. Let’s just focus on improving everyone as well but he has a few years left in him.
      “He is a meticulous profesional. His habits and everything he does shows you about why he has had the career he has had.
      “He is still one of the fittest players we have got.”

      Although £200,000-a-week Cavani will see his contract run out at the end of the season, United have an option for a second season and it looks likely they will move to keep him at the club.
      The Uruguayan, who spent seven years at Paris Saint-Germain, has scored four times for United but has also impressed with his workrate.

      He made a big difference when arriving as a 75th-minute substitute in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Leicester and helped create Bruno Fernandes’ goal for United’s second goal.
      On arrival at United, Cavani asked for the iconic number 7 shirt as worn by Cristiano Ronaldo, Eric Cantona and David Beckham.

      Solskjaer said: “It is the first thing he asked me – to wear the number 7 shirt.
      “Obviously we told him about the history of the shirt. We spoke about the history of his career and experience. I had no doubts that he could handle the number 7 shirt.”

      We have good competition for places and he will probably start more games than he will not start.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

      Asked whether Cavani is a starter or an impact substitute, Solskjaer added: “He is definitely a starter.
      “You don’t classify a player of that quality as anything else. I trust him. I trust my players.
      “We have good competition for places and he will probably start more games than he will not start.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

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      Marcus Rashford the third youngest Man Utd player to 50 Prem goals behind legends Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo

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      MARCUS RASHFORD joined a prestigious group of legendary ‘Rs’ as Manchester United were held by Leicester.
      The England striker opened the scoring at the King Power to make it 50 Premier League goals.

      At 23 years and 56 days, he is the third youngest United player to reach the landmark behind Wayne Rooney — who was 22 years and 157 days — and Cristiano Ronaldo, at 22 years and 341 days.
      Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “Marcus is always lively and there or thereabouts with scoring goals and using his pace.
      “It was a good finish. He knows he could have stuck away more but that’s football for you.”
      Rashford calmly finished Bruno Fernandes’ flicked pass in the 23rd minute before Harvey Barnes equalised for the Foxes eight minutes later.

      Fernandes then thought he had won it for the visitors with 11 minutes remaining.
      But Jamie Vardy’s deflected shot off United substitute Axel Tuanzebe earned Leicester a point.

      Marcus Rashford netted his 50th Premier League strike with a finish past Leicester on Boxing DayCredit: AP:Associated Press

      The striker’s first came in a stunning league debut versus Arsenal in 2016Credit: –

      Rashford became an Old Trafford hero overnight when backing up a scoring debut in the Europa League by netting two past Arsenal in February 2016.
      Winners against Manchester City and Aston Villa in subsequent weeks showcased the forward as no flash in the pan.

      And his half-century came with the fifth goal he has netted past Leicester – more than he has scored against any other Prem team.
      Everton have done the best in keeping Rashford quiet with the star goalless in nine league meetings with the Toffees – albeit while claiming five wins.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

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      Man Utd have attacking tools to win the title… but not before Solskjaer copies Klopp and makes huge change at the back

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      MANCHESTER UNITED provided further evidence as to why they could win the Premier League title.
      But equally, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s attractive but slightly dysfunctional team proved why exactly they will not be replacing Liverpool as champions this season.

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is getting things right at Old TraffordCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Here was the latest proof that Solskjaer must follow Jurgen Klopp’s blueprint to winning trophies.
      Even when Klopp knew he possessed an irresistible front three of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Bobby Firmino, the Liverpool manager knew goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius had to be jettisoned out of Anfield.
      The same applied to Dejan Lovren in defence.
      Privately, Solskjaer – although overseeing an improvement at Old Trafford despite the stick he has been getting – must still make a couple of big calls.

      Offensively, United’s strength in depth was illustrated beautifully in the 2-2 draw at Leicester.
      Not just because Marcus Rashford made amends for a shocking early miss to score his 50th Premier League goal.
      Despite arguably being lucky to stay on the pitch, Bruno Fernandes sprinkled more stardust over this team.
      While the talented Mason Greenwood remained on the bench, Solskjaer was able to call on Edinson Cavani who, in relative terms considering his large wages, will still provide to be something of a bargain.

      Bruno Fernandes is proving to be United’s jewel in the crownCredit: Reuters

      He will play an increasing part for United this season and they need to tie him down for next season as well.
      Within seconds of being introduced in the 75th minute, the fit-again Cavani chased down Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel, blocked a poor pass out from the goalkeeper and then held off a challenge from Wesley Fofana before bringing Luke Shaw into play.
      And no sooner had Cavani put himself about, he then made space for himself before to create the perfect pass for Fernandes to score what should have been the winner.
      But to finish top of the table, you have to make sure you win at Leicester when leading 2-1 with 11 minutes left. And United failed to do so.
      There are not many teams in the Premier League who have conceded more than United’s 23 goals this season. And none of them in the top half.
      United’s defensive stats last season were pretty decent and they should have been a lot more credit for those.

      Manchester United look to be in the title hunt this seasonCredit: Getty – Pool
      But despite Solskjaer’s claim yesterday that the team are paying the price for their attacking tactics, it is possible to make improvements.
      Harry Maguire still needs a top defender with pace alongside him and then we get to the old chestnut of David de Gea.
      He is still capable of moments of pure class but still needs to be replaced. He is still at a better level than either Mignolet or Karius when they were given the boot by Klopp.
      Equally, United’s problem is that Dean Henderson is nowhere near as experienced as Alisson when he arrived on Merseyside from Roma. Equally, Henderson needs to start each week.
      De Gea avoided an early disaster after he failed to clear a pass from Dan James and instead lost possession and was thankful for a stunning tackle from Fred.
      After Rashford’s opener, United were made to pay for a catalogue of errors before Harvey Barnes scored.

      Marcus Rashford scored the opener but could have had a few moreCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Maguire slipped as he cleared, Fernandes was too ponderous on the ball and Scott McTominay failed to move quick enough to try and block Barnes.
      And while the shot was decent enough, De Gea – not for the first time this season – was guilty of some poor footwork and was one step away from getting a hand near the effort.
      With Fernandes looking to have secured a win, United were undone again by some good movement from Vardy although it took a wicked deflection off Axel Tuanzebe and De Gea was nowhere near.
      Compared to last year, United are in a better place. After the same number of games, United were ninth with just 18 points, They had scored 21 times and conceded 17.
      Now, United have scored 30 goals and conceded 23. United’s strengths – but also their weaknesses – have never been more obvious.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

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      Man Utd player ratings: Fernandes sparkles, Martial has an off day and James shouldn’t be starting

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      MANCHESTER UNITED were forced to settle for a point against Leicester despite taking the lead twice.
      But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will feel his side were worth the win after missing a host of chances.

      Bruno Fernandes thought he had sealed the three pointsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Goals from Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes cancelled out by a brilliant Harvey Barnes goal and Jamie Vardy’s late equaliser.
      Here, SunSport’s John Hutchinson rates how United’s stars fared in the draw.
      David De Gea – 6
      Might feel he should have done better for Harvey Barnes’ goal, but he was clearly unsighted.
      Keeping Dean Henderson out of the team – for now.

      Victor Lindelof – 6
      Shunted out to right-back to accomodate Bailly coming in at centre-half.
      Didn’t do too badly before he was forced off with a back injury.
      Eric Bailly – 7
      The Ivory Coast centre-half has a big season ahead of him to prove he can finally become a first-team regular.
      Still some positioning skills to work on, but could be the one to partner Maguire.

      Scott McTominay had a battle on in the middle of the parkCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Harry Maguire – 7
      United captain appeared calmer with Bailly alongside him.
      Might feel he should have scored from a couple of corners, but was solid at the back.
      Luke Shaw – 7
      Left-back has raised his game following Alex Telles’ arrival and is keeping the Brazilian on the bench.
      Industrious going forward and pinged in a few tasty free-kicks.
      Scott McTominay – 6
      Needed to get close to Leicester’s middle two in the first 45, but did up his game after half-time.
      Not as good as he was against Leeds but didn’t make many errors.
      Fred – 6
      Did his usual no-nonsene screening of the centre-halves with minimum of fuss.
      Dan James – 4
      The Welsh youngster was anonymous in the first 45 minutes.
      He had a chance to play in Fernandes in the early stages of the second half who would have been through on goal.
      But James fluffed his pass, and was soon hooked off for Pogba.

      Dan James struggled before he was subbed offCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Bruno Fernandes – 8
      Portuguese playmaker bagged another assist for Rashford’s goal.
      He then kept his cool with a delightful finish to put United 2-1 up. Undroppable.
      Marcus Rashford – 7
      Should have opened the scoring in the first ten minutes, but made up for that miss with a cool finish for the opener.
      Subdued in the second half but was always a willing runner.
      Anthony Martial – 5
      You’d have been forgiven for forgetting Martial was playing in the first half.
      Things didn’t much better after the break before he was subbed off for Cavani
      Substitutes
      Paul Pogba (replaced James, 53) – 6
      Was busy and always wanted the ball.
      But you have to wonder whether he will be happy with cameos from the bench.
      Axel Tuanzebe (replaced Lindelof, 65) – 6
      Outfoxed by Jamie Vardy for Leicester’s equaliser.
      Edinson Cavani (replaced Martial) – 7
      Managed an assist less than ten minutes after replacing Martial.
      Not used: Mason Greenwood, Jesse Lingard, Dean Henderson, Alex Telles, Nemanja Matic, Donny van de Beek.
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      Gary Neville left baffled by ‘bizarre’ Man Utd who go third with Leeds thrashing but still ‘not good enough’ for title

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are still not good enough to win the title despite Sunday’s trashing of Leeds, says Gary Neville.
      The defender-turned-pundit was left baffled by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s ‘bizarre’ side who are now third with a game in hand.

      Gary Neville described Manchester United’s ‘bizarre’ rise up the tableCredit: PA:Press Association

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has led his side to third despite some shaky performancesCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

      The 6-2 romp at Old Trafford means only Liverpool and Leicester have won more Premier League games than the Red Devils in 2020-21.
      But Neville does not feel the performances have warranted such a rapid rise up the table.
      He told his Sky Sports podcast: “Their form is really good.
      “They’re scoring goals, coming back in matches, [vs Leeds] they’ve played well, it’s a big game against Leicester on Boxing Day, but there’s something not right.

      “But then when you look at where they are in the league, and they can go two points behind Liverpool.
      “If you’d said at the start of the season they would be in that position, coming into Christmas, you’d have snapped everyone’s hands off.
      “For Manchester United it was about closing the gap, no one ever thought they would be in a position to go so close.
      “They’re going to go second in the league if they can win that game in hand.

      “It doesn’t feel like Manchester United have played like that.
      “There has been talk of the manager’s job, going out of Europe was a big problem, the performances at times have been horrible.”
      United can go within two points of Liverpool if they win their game in hand.
      The opening day’s trip to Burnley was postponed and a new date is yet to be found amid the Red Devils’ hectic schedule.
      Despite the potential for a serious title bid, club legend Neville still believes it will be beyond this side.
      He added: “You just watch them and think there isn’t a team emerging there who can challenge for the title.

      My gut feeling is to still say I don’t think Manchester United are going to win the league.
      Gary Neville

      “My gut feeling is to still say I don’t think Manchester United are going to win the league.
      “But what I am is maybe surprised, it’s bizarre.
      “Where they are considering a couple of weeks ago you were thinking this could be difficult, a challenging period coming into Christmas, but it’s looking a little bit rosier.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

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