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      Man Utd had 46 shots against Sevilla and Copenhagen in Europa League mini-league… and only scored two penalties

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’S poor finishing cost them tasting Europa League glory this season.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side fell to a 2-1 defeat to Sevilla in their semi-final clash in Cologne.

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      Manchester United fluffed their lines when it mattered mostCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But just like in the previous round against Copenhagen, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side missed a whole host of chances to kill the game off.
      In these two games, United had FORTY-SIX shots at goal – but have only two scored penalties from Bruno Fernandes to show for it.
      Solskjaer was desperate to end the season with some silverware to add to an impressive third-placed finish in the Premier League.
      But it is perennial Europa league winners Sevilla who progress through to the final back in Cologne.

      Watching the two games, you wouldn’t have thought Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood have shared 62 goals between them.
      Speaking to BT Sport about the missed opportunity of silverware, Solskjaer said: “It’s one of them if you take chances you win comfortably – not always the case in football.
      “We had moments in spells in both halves where we should have scored a few.
      “We have a young team – some spells showed that this group of players will have to learn and get some consistency in their play.

      “When we get the ball down and create chances it’s scintillating at times.
      “It’s disappointing we didn’t score because we’ve got players with that quality.”

      Their keeper did very well, but the quality we have we should have scored
      Bruno FernandesManchester United Midfielder

      And Fernandes, the only player to score in both games, added: “[It was] more than a positive start. We played a great game and created a lot of chances.
      “But in football it’s not enough – we missed a lot in front of goal.
      “We are not satisfied about this because we wanted to go through.
      “Their keeper did very well, but the quality we have we should have scored.”
      The disappointment could see United push on with their pursuit of Jadon Sancho.
      His club Borussia Dortmund insist the 20-year-old winger is going nowhere, but a bid in the excess of £100million could change that.
      And United legend Paul Scholes believes United would have beaten Sevilla if they had Sancho in the team.
      “We know all this Sancho stuff is going on, they need to spend more money.
      “If they want to win trophies, they’ve got to start spending the money.

      “They created chances tonight but if you think of Sancho in that team tonight I think United are scoring.”
      Scholes believes United lack quality depth in their squad, a problem that can only be solved by spending big cash on star names.
      And the 45-year-old has urged old team-mate Solskjaer to keep on pushing, explaining that quality players like Sancho are the only ones who can lift United past their current state and help them win finals.

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      Anthony Martial could have added a few more goals to his 23 against SevillaCredit: Getty – Pool

      Man Utd could face bidding war for Jadon Sancho as Dortmund hope to delay transfer until next summer More

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      Man Utd fume as Sevilla WRONGLY awarded throw-in in build-up to goal… but VAR cannot overrule as club crash out

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      MANCHESTER UNITED were left fuming after they crashed out of the Europa League thanks to a controversial equaliser.
      Sevilla levelled after the Spanish club were wrongly awarded a throw-in in the build-up to their equalising goal.

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      Manchester United’s players were fuming that the Sevilla goal was allowed to standCredit: AP:Associated Press

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      The ball clearly flicked off the hair of Sevilla’s Jules Kounde

      And despite VAR being present for the Europa League semi-final clash, it is not used for those decisions.
      The ball clearly flicked off the hair of Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, but the assistant flagged the decision in the Spaniards’ favour.
      And as often happens in football, a goal was the result of the wrong decision.
      Former Liverpool midfielder Suso was the man who swpet the ball home at the far post to tie the game up at 1-1, finishing a cross from impressive Chelsea target Sergio Reguilon.

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      Former Liverpool midfielder Suso swept home the equaliserCredit: AFP

      Okay our defense was absolute crap in the goal but man that ref is having a field day. Our throw in. Kounde touched the ball @ManUtd #mufc #MUNSEV #uel
      — Hjortur T. Halldors. (@HTHalldorsson) August 16, 2020

      The likes of Paul Pogba and Harry Maguire protested to referee Felix Brych, but the goal stood.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was not impressed with the decision either.
      He said: “It was a throw-in – 100 per cent, but when you don’t get it you can’t stop.
      “You know it’s our throw-in but it ends up on other side of pitch at the other end [and they cross it for the goal].”

      The Norwegian added: “It’s one of them if you take chances you win comfortably – not always the case in football.
      “We had moments in spells in both halves where we should have scored a few.
      “We have a young team – some spells showed that this group of players will have to learn and get some consistency in their play.
      “When we get the ball down and create chances it’s scintillating at times. The keeper had a fantastic game. It’s disappointing we didn’t score because we’ve got players with that quality.”
      United fans took to social media to slam the decision.
      Aaran Murphy tweeted: “Ref is terrible should’ve been our throw in.”
      Avinash Raina believes VAR SHOULD be able to intervene, posting: “Why on earth is Sevilla’s goal given?!?!
      “To begin with, it was Manchester United’s throw in! Why wasn’t this checked with the VAR team?”
      Hortjur Halldors was similarly angry with the decision, but also with United’s defence.
      He wrote: “Okay our defence was absolute crap in the goal but man that ref is having a field day.

      “Our throw in. Kounde touched the ball.”
      Bruno Fernandes had put United ahead from the penalty spot after Marcus Rashford was fouled.
      It was United’s 22nd penalty of the season. More

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      Martial, Rashford and Co give Man Utd spades of attacking flair… but they lack the end product Sancho would bring

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’S attacking prowess is like a starter and main course of a meal, without the dessert.
      Some of the build up play by the likes of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood is simply mouthwatering.

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      Anthony Martial had plenty of chances to score against Sevilla – but failed to do soCredit: Reuters

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      Marcus Rashford will also be gutted at not finding the back of the netCredit: EPA
      But there is a distinct lack of sweetness – in this case goals.
      Yes, Martial has netted 23 times this season, Rashford 22 and Greenwood 17 in all competitions.
      But the first two could be in Cristiano Ronaldo hauls of goals for this season if they had taken all their chances.
      Whether it’s been heroic defending, losing balance at the vital time or a dodgy decision, United have struggled to really kill off opponents.

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      Jadon Sancho, heavily linked with United, rarely fluffs his chancesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      We saw it against Copenhagen in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
      Yes, the Danes’ keeper Karl-Johan Johnsson had an inspired game, but all three United strikers should have netted in normal time of that game.
      And again tonight in the 2-1 loss to Sevilla, everything in the build-up was perfect at times, but that killer instinct just wasn’t there.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side should have been home and hosed at half-time against perennial Europa League success-stories Sevilla.

      But all they had to show for a host of chances created was a penalty, their 22nd of the season, scored once agains by Bruno Fernandes.
      COOL CUSTOMER SANCHO
      Martial was labelled a £100million player by United legends Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves after that Copenhagen game and likened to a Ferrari.
      But to really be at that level, he needs to repeat Ronaldo’s 37 goals, Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski’s incredible 54 and Lazio ace Ciro Immobuile’s 37.
      One player who shows all the coollness of those player when it comes to taking his chances could be winging his way to Old Trafford.
      United are heavily linked with bringing in England star Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund this summer.
      The 20-year-old’s development at Borussia Dortmund has been nothing short of sensational – Manchester City must be raging at letting him leave so easily.
      Sancho has netted 20 goals this season, and in this United team who create so much you could see him adding another 10 to that.

      If Sancho joins that would mean Rashford, Martial and Greenwood competing for the other two slots.
      If that competitions doesn’t tell them to take their chances then nothing will.
      Ferrari Martial needs to get into sixth gear or find himself reversing out of the starting XI More

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      Bebe claimed leaving Man Utd was ‘best moment of my life’ but averaged just two goals a year since.. so where is he now?

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      EVERY child hopes to sign for a club like Manchester United…but Bebe’s time at the Theatre of Dreams became a nightmare.
      This week marks ten years since the Portuguese flop made the move to Old Trafford.

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      Bebe failed to make the grade at Manchester UnitedCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      Spotted at the Homeless World Cup, Sir Alex Ferguson stumped up £7.4million to sign Tiago Manuel Dias Correia, nicknamed Bebe, a decade ago.
      Recommended to him by trusty No2 Carlos Queiroz, Sir Alex activated the player’s release clause at Vitoria Guimaraes despite having NEVER seen him play.
      It should have been the ultimate rags to riches fairytale but ended in Bebe being regularly labelled one of the biggest failures in the Premier League’s history.
      He left in 2014 having made just seven senior appearances in four years.

      And Bebe said when he found out he had been sold to Benfica it was the “best moment of my life”.
      But what is he up to now?
      EARLY LIFE
      After being abandoned by his parents, Bebe spent the best part of a decade in a homeless shelter, where he was taught to read and write and reluctantly learnt to play football.
      As quoted by the Daily Star, he said: “I had eight years in an orphanage. There, I did not like football.

      “But my friends always wanted to play and I had no choice but to join in.”
      He soon picked up the game on the dusty pitch at Lisbon’s Caso do Gaiato.

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      Bebe, left, arrived at the same time as Javier Hernandez and Chris SmallingCredit: AP:Associated Press
      HOMELESS WORLD CUP
      Bebe’s big break came after he was talked into representing Portugal at the Homeless World Cup.
      Something he admits he only did for a laugh.
      He added: “They asked me to go to the Homeless World Cup, and I accepted.
      “I went there as a joke, but scored 40 goals in six matches.”
      But incredibly, Bebe admitted he wanted to stay HOMELESS rather than join a club.
      He explained: “I didn’t want to sign for a team because I did not want to have to leave the orphanage.
      “It was difficult to leave. But I carried on going back there to sleep whenever I could.”
      JOINING MANCHESTER UNITED
      Bebe said he believed he was being wound up when he was told of Manchester United’s interest in him.
      It was only a matter of weeks after he had traded third tier Estrela de Amadora for top-flight Vitoria Guimaraes.
      He told Goal: “It wasn’t that [I didn’t believe in myself], I just know what life is like and I think anyone would have the same thought as me.
      “If you are playing in the third or fourth division in Portugal and suddenly one of the best teams in the world calls you, I think anyone would think ‘Can this actually be true?’
      “I felt that way for a week or two, thinking that they were joking with me.
      “When I signed, I didn’t go to England but instead spent four days in Portugal. And I still thought they were kidding.
      “I went to Carrington, I met all the players for the first time but I still thought that it was a lie!
      “But the moment I spoke with Ferguson, that was when I thought: ‘finally I am here’.
      “I started believing it in my head on that day, it took a lot to believe it!”
      FOUR YEARS AS A RED DEVIL
      Despite a brief spell where he scored back to back goals against Wolves and Bursaspor on his Champions League debut…
      It did not take United too long to realise super agent Jorge Mendes had oversold Bebe’s ability.
      He started a mere three games for the Red Devils, all in domestic cup competitions.
      In one rare Premier League appearance against Wolves he produced a horror display of crossing after coming off the bench early on for the injured Owen Hargreaves.
      It led fans to question his future as a professional and many even felt sorry for him with his confidence visibly shot.
      Bebe suffered the shame of being a sub who was then hauled off himself in the second half.
      He did manage two goals in a red shirt but was farmed out on loan to Besiktas, Rio Ave and Pacos de Ferreira.

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      Bebe in Premier League action against WolvesCredit: Dave Pinegar – The Sun
      LEAVING OLD TRAFFORD
      Bebe’s miserable time at Old Trafford reached an inevitable conclusion six years ago.
      A move to Benfica was agreed for £2.4m as United swallowed a £5m loss on their disastrous investment.
      Bebe told Goal: “Every day I called my agent to ask him to get me out. It was a bad time.
      “When you do not play, even if you are at a great club, then you are not happy, so why continue?
      “I remember that I was going for a United game with the youth team, and my agent called me and told me I had been sold to Benfica.
      “It was the best moment of my life!
      “I am a ‘Benfiquista’, it was a dream to play there because all my friends and my family supported Benfica.
      “I did not sleep that day! I spent the whole day awake.”
      WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?
      Bebe’s time at Benfica played out in a similar fashion to his spell in England.
      He made just six appearances for the Portuguese side, failing to register a single goal, and was shipped out on loan to La Liga sides Cordoba – no goals in 18 games – and Rayo Vallecano – 3 goals in 34 league games.
      In 2016 Eibar offered him a permanent Spanish home.
      He lasted 18 months and managed three goals and four assists in 29 La Liga showings.

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      Bebe at Eibar in SpainCredit: EPA
      January 2018 saw a return to Vallecano on loan, this time in the Spanish second-tier, and three goals and an assist in 17 games proved enough to help his side secure a return to the top flight.
      Bebe was rewarded with a permanent deal in August two years ago and, now 30, still turns out for the Madrid-based club.
      They finished rock bottom in 2019 and were relegated to the Segunda again, where they will stay after finishing seventh this campaign.
      The former Portugal Under-21 star has chalked up 95 appearances for the club, registering ten goals and 12 assists.

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      Bebe now plays for Rayo Vallecano
      LIFESTYLE

      The tattooed and bearded man Bebe is now, is a far cry from the fresh-faced and wide-eyed 20-year-old who first arrived at Carrington all those years ago.
      He celebrated turning 30 last month and has been keeping his 45,300 Instagram followers up to date with his injury rehab.
      He tore his ACL in October for the second time in his career and is not yet back to full fitness after undergoing an op.
      From humble beginnings Bebe now lives a comfortable lifestyle as a pro.
      When he signed his first professional deal with Estrela de Amadora he received just shy of £1,000.
      Bebe told Desporto: “It seemed crazy. I was at the school and receiving 1,100 euros, for me it was Euromillions.”
      But after signing for United he cashed a cool £500,000 signing-on bonus and collected around £22,000-a-week, according to Football Leaks data.
      He revealed how his new-found wealth changed his shopping habits.

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      Bebe could not believe his United salaryCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Bebe added: “In the beginning, maybe you want to buy the things you never had and now you can.
      “See shoes that cost 200 euros and that your grandmother never gave you, but now you can buy them, you can also give one to your brother, you can buy your car.
      “At Christmas, buy a gift for each one or give a gift to someone for their birthday.
      “It’s one of the best things in life: having the chance to have a job that allows you to help your family.”
      The day he received his first Premier League pay packet will live long in the memory…
      Bebe explained: “When I received the envelope for the first salary, I remember turning to the person who was with me, and asking if it was five months’ salary and he said it was a month. I started laughing.
      “I also remember that the first time I went to buy clothes, I went with a friend, we went to Gucci and that person said to me, ‘No, let’s go here to Diesel and Salsa and stuff, it’s more humble.’ 

      “The next month we went to the same shopping centre, this person wanted to go to Diesel and I said, ‘No, come here, let’s buy something from this side’. And we started laughing.”
      Bebe may now be able to afford designer gear thanks to his stint as a Red Devil.
      But his purchase is one that will be forever remembered for all the wrong reasons for those associated with Manchester United.

      Ferguson on his new Bebe 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 and Chelsea to be handed extended break next summer and start Prem season late after European qualification

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      MANCHESTER UNITED and Chelsea will receive an extended break before the start of the next Premier League season.
      Both the Red Devils and the Blues secured Champions League football next season on the Premier League’s final day.

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      Manchester United could be set for some extra time off thanks to their European runCredit: AP:Associated Press
      They could be rewarded with an extended lay-off thanks to new top-flight proposals.
      Sky Sports suggest the Premier League are likely to give all clubs currently involved in European competitions a guaranteed 30 days off.
      This would come into force from the day after their last European fixture and is designed to give players a chance to recover.
      League runners-up Man City and Wolves are also set to benefit from the time off.

      The proposal will be discussed at the next Premier League AGM due to take place on August 6.
      And should it be ratified it could see some of the league’s top sides start the new campaign up to TEN days late.
      If Man City or Chelsea reach the Champions League final on Sunday August 23, then they would not be back in domestic action until Tuesday September 22.
      A full ten days after the scheduled start of the 2020/21 season on September 12.

      United and Wolves can both qualify for the Europa League showpiece on Friday August 21.
      A place in the final would ensure they were not required to start the new Prem season until Sunday September 20.
      Games would be delayed and held in midweek to account for the extra rest afforded to those still competing in Europe.

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer anticipates next season’s challenge to compete in both Premier League and Champions League after securing top-tier European football on final day of season 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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      Man Utd new boy Alvaro Fernandez Carreras, 17, was schooled by Real Madrid and idolised Brazil legend Marcelo growing up

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      THE emphasis is on youth at Old Trafford, as their latest signing proves.
      This week, Manchester United swooped to sign Real Madrid starlet Alvaro Fernandez Carreras on a four-year deal.

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      Alvaro Fernandez Carreras has signed for Man UtdCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The left-back became a free agent on June 30 after he failed to agree an extension with Los Blancos.
      It’s the second Spanish full-back the Red Devils have added to their youth ranks – following the capture of Barcelona wonderkid Marc Jurado for £1.5million back in June.
      And Carreras, 17, is equally as highly thought of in his homeland.
      A NEW DAWN
      The explosive full back, who bares an uncanny resemblance to Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos, left the La Liga champions with a heavy heart.

      But the chance to move to the Premier League to aid his development was an offer too good to refuse.
      He said: “It was not an easy decision and I only have words of thanks, after having belonged to the White House these past 3 years, I have made the decision to leave this great club.
      “I wanted to thank all my teammates, and the entire coaching staff Real Madrid, for making me a better person and footballer.
      “It has been a real pleasure to wear this shirt, and represent this shield, it is time to say forever and take another path in my football career, take a step forward towards my dream, thank you Real Madrid!”

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      Carreras, 17, was schooled by Real MadridCredit: Instagram

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      The left-back models his game on Brazilian legend MarceloCredit: Instagram
      MAJORCA-BORN
      Carreras was plucked from Deportivo La Coruna’s youth set up in 2017, where the Majorca-born talent spent five years developing his game.
      Before that, he was with another local team Racing de Ferrol – from 2007 to 2012.
      However, it was at Real Madrid his ability gained most traction, with United jumping at the opportunity to snap up the 6ft 1in defender.
      He was a regular at Under-15, 16 and 17 levels, before moving to Manchester.

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      Carreras grew up in MallorcaCredit: Instagram

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      The Spaniard revealed it was a dream to move to the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      WHAT TYPE OF PLAYER IS HE?
      Keeping a close eye on Real Madrid legend Marcelo, Carreras has modelled his game on the Brazilian international.
      And the club’s official website gives an indication into the type of player United are getting.

      “Alvaro plays left-handed as his idol: Marcelo.
      “He is a quality defender and good at taking the ball from behind. He stands out technically and for his intelligence on the field. He is difficult to beat one on one.”
      Another talented youngster blossoming with the club, the future’s most certainly bright at United.

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      Carreras will be joining his new Man Utd team-mates from next seasonCredit: Instagram

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      Carreras is a pacy full back difficult to beat on a one-on-oneCredit: Instagram More