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    Harry Maguire is right Man Utd captain and can lead them to huge win over Atletico Madrid, says club legend Wes Brown

    HARRY MAGUIRE is the right man to captain Manchester United, says club legend Wes Brown.And the two-time Champions League winner reckons the defender can lead the Red Devils to a big victory on Wednesday night against Atletico Madrid.
    Wes Brown is impressed by the way captain Maguire ‘handles’ criticismCredit: PA
    Former Man Utd star Wes Brown backs Harry Maguire as captainCredit: Rex
    Speculation has been rife that Maguire, 28, could lose the United armband to Cristiano Ronaldo amid reported dressing room discontent.
    The England star answered his critics by powering home the opening goal in United’s win at Leeds on Sunday.
    Brown claims that it is unfair to rate the captain on those who have stood before him.
    He said: “Harry Maguire gets a lot of stick and he gets a lot of stick because he’s slow.
    “It is a simple as that, there’s not much more to it.
    “He’s a very good defender and he scores lots of goals for a defender.
    “Everyone in their career has ups and downs, you don’t play well all the time.
    “But obviously when Harry does this, he gets a lot of criticism.
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    The former United defender says the Red Devils can be confident away at Atletico MadridCredit: PA:Press Association
    “I understand it because he’s at Manchester United but I think he handles it well.
    “I’ve always said I think Harry is a fantastic defender and fans always judge on past defenders and I think that’s a bit harsh.”
    Ralf Rangnick’s men face a tough challenge in the last-16 of Europe’s most elite competition.
    Brown knows what it takes to win the prestigious prize, having done so in 1999 and 2008 under Alex Ferguson.
    And he says the current crop of Reds should be confident going into Madrid.
    The 42-year-old, speaking on behalf of 888Sport added: “They are not doing too well, if I’m being honest.
    “We’ve definitely got the players there and we’ve got a good counter-attack.
    “You cant underestimate the way they defend and how they go about the game in general.
    “But if we can keep that same spirit from Sunday going into the game then I think we’ll be good.
    “We’ve got a great chance against Atletico Madrid.” More

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    Man Utd legend Paul Ince gets off to perfect start on return to management as Reading win 2-1 against Birmingham

    THE Guv’nor is back in the game — and you had better believe it.Paul Ince emerged out of the wilderness to lead Reading to a precious win over Birmingham on Tuesday night to ease their relegation concerns.
    Reading named Paul Ince as interim manager this weekCredit: PA
    Lucas Joao curled in the first after 67 minutes before John Swift notched his 11th goal of the season from the penalty spot.
    Ince may have only taken charge on an interim basis at crisis club Reading — but  he has already made his mark.
    And he arrived in Berkshire with just one job in mind: Save the Royals from dropping into League One.
    Ince had not been seen in the dugout for eight years. Now up he pops to help the Royals earn their first home victory in 11 games.
    And the former England, Manchester United and Liverpool superstar was soon bossing his dugout against the Brummies.
    Ince’s return to the game probably shocked Reading’s players as much as the long-suffering Berkshire fans.
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    Last Saturday they notched their first victory in 13 games, which proved unlucky for gaffer Veljko Paunovic.
    The Serb had already agreed to step down from the perilous job BEFORE his boys notched a precious 3-2 victory at Preston.
    And before any names could be banded about, the man who once told Sir Alex Ferguson at Man Utd “Call me the Guv’nor” was in charge.
    But maybe his appointment should not have surprised us, with his son Tom joining the club last month on loan from Stoke.
    The last time Ince was called the gaffer was at Blackpool but he lasted less than a year before he was sacked in January 2014.
    Even Reading appeared a little embarrassed by the appointment because they did not announce him when he walked out onto the pitch.
    And there was hardly a ripple of applause for Ince from the same fans who vented their anger at Paunovic.
    But maybe Ince’s managerial luck is going to change after all, thanks to Joao notching his fifth goal in seven games.
    The Guv’nor was all smiles after his debut win in charge of ReadingCredit: PA
    And Onel Hernandez tripped Andy Yiadom in the box and Swift doubled the score.
    City pulled one back thanks to an own goal by Tom McIntyre.
    At the final whistle, the Guv’nor hugged his staff as the fans sang “We are staying up”. More

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    Cristiano Ronaldo breaks silence ahead of Man Utd clash in Champions League and looks to keep up Atletico Madrid record

    CRISTIANO RONALDO has broken his silence ahead of Manchester United’s Champions League clash at Atletico Madrid.The Portuguese ace, 37, will look to keep his incredible record against Diego Simeone’s men going tomorrow night at the Wanda Metropolitano.
    Cristiano Ronaldo is ready to help Man Utd get past Atletico Madrid in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty

    Ronaldo is sure to receive a hostile welcome from the Atletico fans after his Real Madrid days.
    But the superstar is also facing pressure closer to home.
    That’s because more than half of United fans want him AXED this summer after a frustrating return to Old Trafford.
    However, Ronaldo appears eager to silence his doubters and extend his fine record over Atleti.
    The striker tweeted: “Getting ready for the return of the biggest club competition in the world. Let’s go!”
    Ronaldo, who first faced Atletico during his opening campaign at Real in 2010, has scored a ludicrous 25 goals in 35 games against them.
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    The only team he has racked up more goals against is Sevilla – 27.
    But the Portuguese legend has only managed one assist against Sevilla – compared with the five he has accumulated against Atletico.
    This takes his goal contributions against the LaLiga champions to 30 – more than any other side he has encountered.
    Ronaldo has also registered a breathtaking four hat-tricks in games against Simeone’s men.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
    But the big moments which stick in the mind against Atletico came in the 2014 and 2016 Champions League finals, with Ronnie leading Real to glory in both matches.
    In total, he has won 16, drawn 10 and lost nine games against Atletico.
    And Ronaldo will be hoping to add to that tally tomorrow. More

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    Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone claims Man Utd are ‘one of best teams in world’ and backs Ralf Rangnick as boss

    DIEGO SIMEONE likes what he sees of Ralf Rangnick’s Manchester United.The Atletico Madrid boss has built his managerial career on grinding out results by making the gritty Spanish side hard to beat.
    Diego Simeone was complimentary of Man Utd ahead of Wednesday night’s clashCredit: Getty
    Rangnick was praised by the Atletico boss for giving ‘solidarity’ to the Red DevilsCredit: Getty
    So the Argentine prefers to focus on Rangnick losing just one of his 15 games in charge — rather than the fact they have only won eight of them.
    Ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 first-leg clash, Simeone said: “The new manager has given them solidity, teamwork and commitment.
    “We’re facing one of the best teams in the world. They’ve just lost one in 15.
    “They’ve evolved under the new manager. 
    “They’re an intense, dynamic team with very good forwards, good players who try to make a huge effort to unite the talent.
    “It’s going to be difficult.  
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    “I always assess the virtues of a rival but we will try to find a way to hurt them.”
    Like United, Atletico are suffering from patchy form after six defeats in their last 11 LaLiga games and are 15 points behind leaders Real Madrid.
    Simeone is without injured skipper Koke, while Thomas Lemar is recovering from Covid and fellow winger Yannick Carrasco is suspended. More

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    More than half of Man Utd fans want Cristiano Ronaldo AXED in the summer amid frustrating return, shock poll reveals

    MORE THAN half of Manchester United’s supporters surveyed in a new poll do NOT want Cristiano Ronaldo at the club next season.The Portuguese superstar was recently on his longest goal drought for 13 years.
    Over half of Man Utd’s fans surveyed want Cristiano Ronaldo to leave this summerCredit: Rex
    His misery finally ended last Tuesday as he fired United ahead against Brighton in their 2-0 victory.
    Although he failed to add another in the 4-2 victory at Leeds United on Sunday, he is still the club’s top goalscorer this term with 15.
    However amid speculation over his future and of alleged dressing-room cliques, it seems that the majority of the Stretford End would rather not have him at Old Trafford next term.
    That is according to The Athletic, who claim that 55 per cent of those that took part want him gone in the summer.
    The publication states a combined 46.3 per cent believe that the 37-year-old’s on-field contributions can be classified as ‘good’ or ‘very good’.
    However, there is 35.8 per cent that describe his tactical impact as being ‘average’.
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    And a combined 17.9 per cent believe Ronaldo has had a ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’ impact on United’s playing style over the last six months.
    Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford in dramatic fashion last summer, signing a two-year deal.
    However, things have not quite gone to plan with just this just his ninth Premier League goal this season.
    As revealed by SunSport, he is sensationally considering quitting the club.
    The iconic forward has told pals he is finally starting to feel his age and his relationship with Ralf Rangnick is reportedly ‘totally fractured’.
    He has not helped himself by storming down tunnels and publicly moaning on and off the pitch.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Ralf Rangnick ‘taken aback by chaos’ at Man Utd after replacing Solskjaer & ‘b******ed’ stars who exploited ‘soft’ rule

    RALF RANGNICK has reportedly ‘b*****ed’ Manchester United players that have exploited Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s ‘soft’ rule.And the interim boss is said to be ‘taken aback by the chaos’ at the club.
    Ralf Rangnick reportedly ‘b*****ed’ Man Utd players for exploiting a ‘soft’ ruleCredit: Rex
    The German is believed to have been ‘taken aback by the chaos’ at the club on his arrivalCredit: EPA
    Solskjaer was sacked in November following a poor run of results and was subsequently replaced by Rangnick initially until the end of the season before he steps upstairs for a consultant role.
    Now a report from The Independent claims that the 63-year-old was ‘taken aback by the chaos’ at Old Trafford when he first arrived.
    And one of the things he was not happy about was the discovery of a soft rule that was put in place by Solskjaer which some players have allegedly been exploiting.
    The Norwegian’s predecessor Jose Mourinho would snub stars that would not ‘go to the limit’ due to physical issues.
    But Solskjaer was said to be the opposite, with it being alleged that it was an ‘open secret’ that United players with minor issues would miss away games ‘that they didn’t fancy’.
    Rangnick apparently ‘b******ed’ the squad and ‘delivered some home truths’ upon discovering this, according to this fresh report.
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    The German has been struggling to implement his style on the Red Devils and has not been helped by rumours circulating that the team are unhappy with his training methods. 
    But back-to-back wins over Brighton and Leeds have put United back in the hunt for a top four finish in the Premier League.
    Now they have switched their attention to the Champions League as they prepare to travel to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 clash tomorrow.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    When Man Utd XI featuring Schmeichel, Robson & Ince visited Atletico Madrid as defending champions and were thumped 3-0

    MANCHESTER UNITED will be hoping their trip to Atletico Madrid this week doesn’t go the way it went last time they played there.A team featuring the likes of Peter Schmeichel, Bryan Robson, Steve Bruce and Paul Ince were thumped 3-0 in the Cup Winners’ Cup clash on October 23, 1991.

    Brian McClair found it tough going against the Atletico defenceCredit: Getty
    Former West Ham striker Paulo Futre, whose time in England was dogged by horror knee injuries, grabbed two goals, with Manolo getting the other.
    What’s more, United were the defending champions of the second tier European competition.
    That first leg humbling proved too big to get over, with the second leg at Old Trafford finishing 1-1.
    From that horror night at the Vicente Calderon, Peter Schmeichel started in goal.
    The back four consisted of Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister at centre-half, with Paul Parker and Denis Irwin the full-backs.
    Neil Webb, Paul Ince, Bryan Robson and Mike Phelan made up a formidable-looking midfield, with Brian McClair supporting Mark Hughes up front.
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    But the Spaniards, then managed by Luis Aragones, eased to a famous victory.
    United will head into Wednesday’s Champions League clash in high spirits after their 4-2 victory away at fierce rivals Leeds.
    Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes, Fred and Anthony Elanga scored the goals that put Ralf Rangnick’s side four points clear of West Ham and in that coveted top-four position.
    Captain Marvel Bryan Robson was on the losing side the last time Man Utd played away at Atletico Madrid in EuropeCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Man Utd ‘start manager recruitment process and set to begin talks with candidates after finalising shortlist’

    MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly ‘started the process’ to appoint their new permanent manager.Ralf Rangnick is currently the interim boss, but is expected to take up a planned two-year consultancy role at the end of the season.
    PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino is believed to be high on Man United’s shortlistCredit: Getty
    And according to The Athletic, United have officially begun the search to find a permanent boss.
    It is reported that ‘a shortlist of candidates is thought to have been finalised and efforts are being made to arrange preliminary conversations’.
    PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino and Ajax chief Erik ten Hag are ‘among the options’ for the top job at Old Trafford.
    United sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November, with the Red Devils languishing down in seventh.
    But Rangnick, despite some early bumps, has got the side well on track for a top-four finish.
    Their latest 4-2 victory away at fierce rivals Leeds leaves United on 46 points in fourth, four ahead of West Ham.
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    And one club legend is backing his old side to bag that vital final Champions League spot come the end of the season.
    Roy Keane said on Sky Sports: “I think United will be fine for fourth, I really do.
    “There’s been lots of noises about players wanting to leave, contract situations with Pogba and Jesse Lingard, and people like that.
    “Focus on the next few months, big few months for Man United, try and get fourth.
    “They’ve a big European game coming up, focus on that, and then regroup again in the summer regarding obviously a manager, they’ll be looking at recruitment, but keep their heads and keep focused and they should be OK.”
    Erik ten Hag is also being considered for the United jobCredit: Getty
    Ralf Rangnick has got United on track for a top-four finishCredit: EPA
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More