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    Watch Cristiano Ronaldo’s cheeky nutmeg to set up Man Utd pal Bruno Fernandes for Portugal against North Macedonia

    CRISTIANO RONALDO showed his UNSELFISHNESS by producing a cheeky assist for pal Bruno Fernandes against North Macedonia.The Manchester United duo combined to give Portugal the lead in their crunch World Cup play-off clash on Tuesday evening.
    A MASSIVE goal for Portugal! Cristiano Ronaldo’s cheeky nutmeg pass finds Bruno Fernandes who finishes emphatically to give Portugal the lead! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/35VlUD0PcI— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) March 29, 2022

    Cristiano Ronaldo produced a brilliant assist for Bruno Fernandes against North MacedoniaCredit: Getty
    The moment of class came just after the half hour mark courtesy of a defensive mistake.
    Fernandes intercepted a crossfield pass by Stefan Ristovski and found his team-mate with a first-time ball.
    Ronaldo carried it forward to the edge of the area, and with everyone expecting him to shoot, he instead nutmegged a defender with a flicked pass straight to the onrushing midfielder.
    And Fernandes made no mistake as he drilled home as Portugal sealed their spot in Qatar.
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    Amazingly, that was his first goal for Portugal in a competitive match bar one against minnows Luxembourg.
    And he soon got another to double the advantage midway through the second period.
    However, it was the 37-year-old legend’s magic that had everybody talking as Twitter went into meltdown.
    One fan wrote: “Ronaldo already an assist in the most decisive game in Portugal’s history… is he human?”
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    Another said: “That was a cheeky little nutmeg assist from Ronaldo wasn’t it!”
    While a fellow viewer commented: “That nutmeg assist is so clean.”
    Ronaldo’s generous assist comes after he brutally mocked team-mate Cedric Soares in training.
    He couldn’t help but laugh after seeing the Arsenal right-back head the ball as they prepared for the game.
    And the ace mercilessly mocked his national team colleague for his heading technique. More

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    Portugal 2 North Macedonia 0: Cristiano Ronaldo qualifies for FIFTH World Cup as Bruno Fernandes scores playoff double

    CRISTIANO RONALDO has one last shot at World Cup glory and football immortality after Portugal saw off North Macedonia to book their place in Qatar.The World Cup remains the only competition Ronaldo has played in yet failed to win.
    Bruno Fernandes booked Cristiano Ronaldo a fifth World Cup appearanceCredit: Getty
    The Man Utd star scored twice as Portugal beat North Macedonia in their play-offCredit: Getty
    But now, after North Macedonia’s fairytale run ended in Porto, the Manchester United star’s dream remains alive and kicking.
    In some link up straight from Old Trafford, Ronaldo teed up Red Devils pal Bruno Fernandes for a first-half opener.
    And Fernades bagged his brace with 25 minutes remaining to become the hero and upstage the five-time Ballon d’Or winner on the night.
    At 37, this winter’s showpiece will be Ronaldo’s fifth, and surely last, World Cup.
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    He will always have the 2016 Euros, yes. But for someone so hell-bent on winning it all to prove he is the greatest of all time, it will grate for life if his trophy-laden career ends without the biggest trophy of all.
    Diego Maradona and Pele managed it, leaving Ronaldo and Lionel Messi playing catch up.
    The two modern day icons will both be on show in the Gulf, determined to out-do the other on the grandest stage one last time.
    And while Portugal took the treacherous play-off route to get there, you know full well they are going to take some beating.
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    North Macedonia sent shockwaves through football when they KO’d Italy in the semis last week.
    But the dream never looked like extending here, with the Balkan giant-killers failing to muster a single shot on target.
    They may not have done the rest of the world another huge favour by seeing off Portugal too, but that night in Palermo last Thursday will not be forgotten in a hurry back home.  
    The hosts’ Prem big guns – Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Diogo Jota and Joao Cancelo – all started at the Dragao Stadium.
    In the build-up, Ronaldo ordered all hell to break loose in the stands.
    He wanted the music muted for their national anthem, so the fans could fire themselves up by belting it out acapella.
    On this occasion he didn’t get his wish, but it didn’t diminish from the red-hot atmosphere.
    But if North Macedonia coach Blagoja Milevksi feared a tired, after the Lord Mayor’s show opening, he shouldn’t have.
    The world’s 67th-ranked side enjoyed a stress-free start, giving as good as they got.
    Portugal soon took charge though and Ronaldo had their first big chance 14 minutes in after being played in by Jota, but the talisman dragged wide off his left peg before burying his head in his hands.
    Bruno Fernandes darts away in celebration after breaking the deadlockCredit: Reuters
    Jota, a deceptive menace in the air, then had a free header from Fernandes’ corner yet nodded into the turf and over from eight yards.
    But North Macedonia eventually buckled 32 minutes in – thanks to a horror cross-field path by Stefan Ristovski.
    Intercepted by Fernandes, Ronaldo then took over before nutmegging a defender to set up his United team-mate to hammer low into the corner.
    With this having the potential to be the biggest banana skin of all, the whole of Portugal breathed a huge sigh of relief with one foot in Qatar. 
    For all North Macedonia are dogged and resolute they are not free scorers, so another would surely clinch it.
    Jota had the best opportunity to double the lead before the break but could only fire into the side-netting after taking advantage of panic in the visitors’ ranks.
    A 1-0 deficit at half-time was no disaster for the visitors, knowing their chance would surely come if they kept it that way.
    But just as they started to look a threat, Portugal struck on the counter to leave them on the brink of qualification.
    Defender Pepe robbed it to stop a North Macedonia attack, with Fernandes picking it up and giving it before haring forward.
    Jota had all the time in the world on the left to loft a ball in, perfectly picking out Fernandes in the middle to finish first time.
    Portugal last failed to qualify for the World Cup finals in 1998.
    It would have been a national disaster if they tripped up here, but now they are at the party, you can bet Ronaldo is going to have a say one way or another when it gets into full swing in eight months’ time. More

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    Man Utd ace Dean Henderson jokes he’d be ‘playing in League One’ without loan transfers including brutal Stockport stint

    DEAN HENDERSON admits he would most likely be playing in League One now if he did not leave Manchester United on loan as a kid.The 25-year-old goalkeeper is currently believed to be pondering his future after losing his place as No.1 at Old Trafford to David De Gea.
    Dean Henderson says a spell in non-league is behind his rise to the topCredit: Reuters
    But before his woes this term, the stopper had overtaken the Spaniard to become regular for United as well as become part of England’s set-up.
    However, Henderson believes that he would have achieved none of that if not for bravely getting out of the comfort zone during his teenage years.
    He first spent time in the National League when making nine appearances for Stockport County during the 2015/16 campaign.
    Henderson then went on to stints with Grimsby and Shrewsbury in the Football League.
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    That was before a remarkable two-year loan at Sheffield United really propelled him into the spotlight.
    But Henderson, who is wanted by Newcastle, is adamant he would not be where he is today if he had not agreed to go to Stockport.
    He told Manchester United’s website: “I remember going [to Stockport] when I was a young kid.
    “To be fair, I absolutely loved it. It was tough, really hard, as a young boy. Going into that division was an eye-opener for me.
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    “I’m thankful for the opportunity given to me by the manager at the time, Jim Gannon, for sticking by me because I didn’t play too well.
    “I was really getting smashed on crosses, kicking the ball 80 yards on to the striker’s head and, if I didn’t do so, the manager was screaming at me from the touchline. It stood me in good stead and I really appreciate the opportunity they gave me.
    “I think my debut, in the first five minutes, their big striker said: ‘Stick it on the goalie, he’s pooping himself’. I thought: ‘Right mate, I’m coming for this’.
    “So I made my mind up I was coming for it and, before I even got there, he flicked it over my head. These are the things you learn and move on. It was great for me.
    “It’s why I’m sitting here today. If I didn’t [go out on loan], I’d probably be in League One now, just going out on my first loan. I fought for it and I stand by it, the best decision of my life.” More

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    Manchester United 3 Everton 1: Skinner hails Red Devils’ historic win at Old Trafford as a victory for the women’s game

    MARC SKINNER hailed Katie Zelem and Alessia Russo as Manchester United bounced back following Everton’s early strike at Old Trafford. A Russo brace was among the goals that saw the Toffees trounced 3-1 during a historic encounter described as a win for women’s football.
    Alessia Russo netted twice at Old Trafford to become Manchester United’s leading scorer in the WSL this seasonCredit: Getty
    A crowd of 20, 241, including England boss Sarina Wiegman, turned out to watch the first WSL game to be played in front of supporters at Old Trafford.
    The victory saw the Red Devils go three points clear of Man City.
    However, the Citizens, have a game in hand on their third-placed, in-form neighbours with the top three race heating up.
    Skinner said: “For Katie (Zelem) to score a penalty at the Stretford End and then for Alessia to score (there) as well is a wonderful way to seal a dream.
    “It felt, at first, that we didn’t get up to the speed of the game quickly enough, but we’re human.
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    “To say that we felt the emotions of the game in the first part of it would be fair.
    “And the best thing Everton did was to score because it kind of kick-started us.”
    The turnout at the home of Man United’s Prem side is thought to be the fourth biggest for a women’s game played at the ground.
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    Skinner added: “Women’s football won today. I think it shows the growth, magnitude and impact this club can have in growing the game.
    “That that for me is a wonderful thing.”
    Everton, who have won just one of their nine previous clashes with United, are yet to beat the Red Devils in the top tier.  
    But they got off to a flier stunning their hosts in the third minute.
    This came through Claire Emslie bursting into the box and rifling a shot into the bottom corner after a classy through ball from Kenza Dali.
    United looked to hit back in the ninth minute with Russo pinching the ball from Gabriella George and testing Sandy MacIver from distance.
    Claire Emslie gave Everton an early lead at Old TraffordCredit: Alamy
    Katie Zelem helped United go 2-1 up with her goal from the penalty spotCredit: PA
    And the Toffees keeper was forced to parry Hannah Blundell’s volley away from danger minutes later.
    United’s pressure paid off with Russo levelling in the 35th minute heading Ona Batlle’s cross home over MacIver.
    And Everton had a chance to net close to half-time with Emslie teeing up in Izzy Christiansen who fired her effort over the crossbar.
    The second spell saw Ella Toone blaze the ball into the Stretford End following a dangerous looped cross into the box from Thomas.
    However United doubled their lead with skipper Zelem converting from the spot following Lucy Graham’s foul on Thomas.
    United, who play Brighton next, thought they were 3-1 up in the 62nd minute when Thomas smashed home a rebounded ball.
    But her strike was ruled out despite the forward appearing to be played onside by Graham.
    Marc Skinner’s side hope to win their four remaining league games as they target a top three finishCredit: PA
    In the end, United bagged their third with Russo sealing her brace nodding home Zelem’s cross in the 84th minute ahead.
    The team, who play Brighton next, have four games left as they chase a Champions League spot
    Their final game of the season on May 8th will see them take on league leaders Chelsea. More

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    Zelem hopes United’s WSL home becomes a feared fortress after Old Trafford game in front of crowd of 25,000

    WHEN it comes to goal of the season contenders Katie Zelem’s jaw-dropping, corner-kick efforts will no doubt be up there this term.The Manchester United skipper may be hoping for more of the same when the Red Devils’ WSL stars play in front of fans for the first time at Old Trafford.
    Katie Zelem is set to captain Manchester United during their first game in front of fans at Old TraffordCredit: ©MI News & Sport Ltd
    Around 25,000 are expected at today’s highly anticipated game with United facing Everton as they continue their quest to play in Europe.
    A fourth Zelem corner strike, following stunners netted against Manchester City and Leicester, would make the day of their supporters should their side defeat the Toffees.
    Zelem, who is 26 and a lifelong fan of the club, has enjoyed seeing her game evolve during Marc Skinner’s first season in charge.
    The midfield ace said: “I’m not sure the (goals from) corners are something that Mark has influenced but I’m sure he will stake his claim!
    .css-16e4f55{margin:16px 0;}.css-1546w7m{background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);margin:16px 0;}.css-1tapza8{padding:20px 15px;}.css-1bk4jdt{padding:20px 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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}REAL DEAL .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Watch Marcelo’s son Enzo, 12, nail Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘siu’ celebration
    “I’ve really enjoyed playing under him. He has embedded a lot of freedom within the team.
    “You can see we’re playing more of a possession style football.
    “Our interchanges in positions are free and that’s allowed me to express myself a little bit more.”
    The atmosphere at Old Trafford this afternoon will be in stark contrast to the empty stands United performed in front of when they played there last March.
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    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    The Covid pandemic denied fans the chance to be present when Katie, who is the daughter of ex-Macclesfield Town keeper Alan Zelem, helped her team beat West Ham 2-0.
    Zelem, who has made 67 Red Devils appearances, added: “A huge part of football are the fans. I’ve been a fan myself and I’m a player.
    “When you see both sides, you realise how important they are.
    “The game last year was very different. You could almost see it as a dress rehearsal.
    “It’s going to be huge playing there with hopefully 20,000 plus fans. It will be a whole new experience.”
    United’s match at The Theatre of Dreams has been preceded by a big promotional build-up led by the club.
    United’s last match at Old Trafford was played behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemicCredit: PA
    Huge billboards of Zelem and other Red Devils stars adorn the walls outside the ground.  
    A slogan on one of the adverts reads ‘This is Power’.
    And Zelem’s hopes the match and United’s emergence as a force in the women’s game, draws bigger crowds to their Leigh Sports Village home.
    Zelem added: “Occasions like this are amazing but on the flip side, we really enjoy playing at Leigh.
    “It’s important to develop an identity and at the minute that is Leigh.
    “For us, it’s vital people come there and recognise it as our home ground.
    “We want teams to fear playing us there and to make it our little fortress.”
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    United will have four games left to play this term after their duel with Everton before what will be a huge summer for the Lionesses.
    With the Euros taking place on home soil this July, Zelem also has her eye on a spot in Sarina Wiegman’s squad.
    The midfielder, who counts England legend, Fara Williams, as one of the best footballers she has ever played alongside, made her senior international debut last November.
    Zelem was part of the team that knocked 20 goals past Latvia during a World Cup qualifier.
    Zelem hopes to claim a spot in the England squad ahead of the Women’s EurosCredit: PA
    And the former Juventus ace, who began her senior career at Liverpool in 2013, is eager to make more appearances her country.
    Zelem said: “I’m keeping my fingers crossed, really.
    “We’ve got five games left – not just me, but also the rest of the girls in this team – to hopefully stake a claim in the squad.” More

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    Cristiano Ronaldo will miss out on £5MILLION worth of bonuses after another trophyless Man Utd season

    CRISTIANO RONALDO will kiss goodbye to £5million because of Manchester United’s season from hell.Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford last summer on a heavily bonus-related contract to offset a hefty drop in his £750,000-a-week salary at Juventus.
    Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo is set to miss out on £5million worth of bonusesCredit: Reuters
    Cristiano Ronaldo is looking at a trophyless season with Manchester UnitedCredit: Reuters
    But United will finish without a trophy for a FIFTH successive season —  blowing away most of those incentives.
    The heftiest was the  Champions League last-16 defeat to Atletico Madrid, which would have earned Ronaldo about £2.5m had they reached the final in Paris in May.
    Winning a first Prem title since 2013 was also worth up to £1.5m.
    Failure in both domestic cup competitions was another boot in the wallet for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}GAME RON .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Cristiano Ronaldo wins THIRD Man Utd Player of the Month award of the season
    Missing next season’s Champions League would also be a huge blow to Ronaldo, whose basic pay is around half the amount he earned in Italy.
    Ronaldo, 37, will still trigger a sizeable bonus if he is United’s top scorer and only fellow Portugal star Bruno Fernandes is in touching distance.
    Yet it is still a big cut on what United expected to pay when they pipped neighbours Manchester City to his signature.
    The Portugal international has amassed a total of 18 goals and three assists in 33 matches this season.
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    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    The Real Madrid legend is now focused on leading his country to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
    Portugal will take on North Macedonia on Tuesday in their playoff final at the Dragao. More

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    Antonio Rudiger ‘wants to talk to new Man Utd manager about transfer’ as Chelsea defender considers quitting for free

    CHELSEA star Antonio Rudiger would only consider a move to Manchester United if he spoke to the new permanent manager first, reports suggest.Rudiger’s contract with the Blues runs out in June and it seems highly unlikely he will renew amid the club’s financial woes after Roman Abramovich was hit with sanctions.
    Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger has been linked with Manchester UnitedCredit: Reuters
    According to Bild’s Christian Falk, the centre-back won’t make any decisions regarding his future before the Champions League quarter-final matches against Real Madrid.
    Real are also interested in the 29-year-old star, but a return to the Bundesliga appears unlikely as Bayern believe he is too old for the wages he’s demanding.
    United are looking to bolster their defence but they would have to find a new manager first if they wish to sign the Germany international.
    Falk tweeted: “[Rudiger] will make no decision before the Matches against ⁦[Real Madrid] about his future.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}BLUES NEWS .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Saudi Media NOT buying Chelsea, Lukaku ‘says goodbye to team-mates’
    “He hopes on the one hand that the difficult situation at ⁦[Chelsea]⁩ will be cleared up. On the other hand: Real is also still interested.”
    He added: “A decision about a future of [Rudiger] at [United] is difficult. Rudiger would like to Talk with the new Coach before…”
    And he posted: “NOT TRUE that [Bayern] is still interested in [Rudiger].
    “The bosses think he is too old for such an investment. For a transfer he would have to lower his wage demands.”
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    As it stands, Ajax manager Erik ten Hag is the favourite to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the dugout when Ralf Rangnick moves up to a consultancy role.
    Ten Hag is among United’s top targets along with Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino.
    Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel has also been touted after Abramovich’s assets were frozen due to Russia’s unjust invasion of Ukraine and his alleged ties with president Vladimir Putin. More

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    Paul Woolston poses with Man Utd goalkeepers at Carrington just a day after being forced to retire aged 23

    PAUL WOOLSTON posed with Manchester United’s goalkeepers at Carrington the day after being forced to retire aged just 23.The former Newcastle youngster announced he was quitting the beautiful game after an unknown injury forced him into two operations.
    Paul Woolston (centre) posed with Man Utd’s goalkeeper after retiring aged 23Credit: Getty
    United’s four senior stoppers have each sent Woolston a touching messageCredit: Getty
    And Woolston was welcomed by United’s current senior stoppers as he visited Carrington on Thursday.
    David De Gea, Dean Henderson, Tom Heaton and Lee Grant all posed for a touching picture with a smiling Woolston.
    The North Shields-born keeper joined United from Newcastle in 2018.
    He made a number of appearances for the Under-23s before injury cut his career short.
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    United’s senior goalies expressed their sadness at seeing Woolston hang up his gloves at such an early age.
    And each one wished the youngster well for his next career move.
    De Gea said: “Well, it’s always bad when someone has to retire at a young age.
    “It was sad. I have been training with him, when he was fit, and it’s very sad news. 
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    “I wish him all the best. He’s a great lad, a great goalkeeper and we all feel really sorry for him.”
    Henderson noted: “It’s devastating for himself and for all of us around him.
    “He will always be made welcome here. I’m hoping he will do a bit around the Academy and hopefully pass on his experiences. 
    “I think he’s got a lot to give to the football club, going forward.”
    Heaton revealed: “It’s a tough moment. It can’t be nice when you reach that point where you’re having to retire. 
    “He’s got support from the entire football club, especially the goalkeeping department, and obviously I wish him all the best.”
    Grant added: “I’ve been so, so impressed with how he’s carried himself across all of it.
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    “I think for him and his situation there’s two things that he’s got going for him. One is personality but two he’s an intelligent young man.
    “I’m really positive about that. I know for him at this moment it can be a bit daunting but certainly the people I’ve spoken to around the football club as well, he will have that support.” More