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      Tottenham target Antonio Conte’s hair through the years, from full thatch at 20 to balding at Juventus to transplant

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      HE could be hair today, gone tomorrow.Antonio Conte, 52, is believed to be leading the race to take over the reigns at Tottenham.
      Antonio Conte is the hot favourite to take over from Nuno Santo at Man Utd
      Nuno Santo has been given his marching orders after a woeful start to his reign.
      And while Spurs fans have been pulling their hair out in recent weeks, you can bet Conte won’t be grabbing at his if he replaces Nuno.
      The Italian tactician’s thatch has been the talk of the football world through the years.
      From when he started as a player at Lecce with fuller hair to a comb over at Juventus and now a mop as a manager, SunSport looks at Conte’s ever-changing hairstyles through the years.
      1988
      At the tender age of just 20, Conte began his football career with his hometown club Lecce.
      Ahead of the 1988-89 season, he posed for a club photo – showing off an impressively thick head of hair a Hollywood film star would’ve wanted.
      At this point, there was very little indication he was losing any.
      Aged 20, Conte sports movie star hairCredit: Getty
      1993
      Within five years, a bald spot appears to be forming on the top of Conte’s head.
      He decides the best thing for it is to shave his hair, perhaps to disguise the balding.
      Still, he is as competitive as ever – flying into a tackle against rivals Inter Milan.
      With a shaved head, Conte looks to be thinning up top in 1993Credit: Getty
      1994
      When representing your country, it’s imperative you look the part.
      Especially if that’s at a World Cup, like this snap from 1994 was.
      As Conte lined up against Mexico, there are some curls in there and although it’s bushy on the side you can’t help but see scalp on the front.
      At the 1994 World Cup, Conte’s curly locks appeared thinCredit: Getty
      1996
      Deciding to grow his hair long now, Conte has blonde locks added for distraction. His hairline has taken a huge hit – perhaps with the added pressure of playing for Italy’s most famous club.
      This photocall snap from the mid-90s shows a definite thinning up top.
      But he kept on growing it.
      A 1996 photocall snap at Juventus showed Conte was adamant he was growing his hairCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      1999
      A goal against Manchester United in the Champions League is wildly celebrated by Conte whose hair is flapping around as he wheels away.
      Interestingly, although there’s not much on top there’s lots to work with on the back and sides.
      You could say he’s just about getting away with it. Has he already had a hair transplant by this point?
      Conte celebrates scoring at Old Trafford with his hair flapping aroundCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      2003
      Four years later, Conte has come up with a clever plan – one that worked well for Bobby Charlton many moons ago.
      By growing longer strands of hair and splitting it into a side-parting coming out the sides it appears that he has more hair than before.
      Certainly less scalp on show, that’s for sure.
      To disguise the balding, Conte parted strands of longer hairCredit: Photo Alive
      2007
      Conte took on the Arezzo post for his first job in management.
      Many lose their hair after years of coaching in the game, but Antonio was a trend-setter in that regard.
      He sported a shaved head, with clues that he might’ve had Follicular Unit Transplantation.
      This is where strips of flesh are removed from the back of the head and then implanted into incisions in the area of the scalp affected by hair loss.
      An indication Conte had a hair transplant was when he showed off a completely shaved look as Arezzo bossCredit: Getty – Contributor
      2012
      Five years later, and it’s a miracle.
      Looking very much like a stylish Italian banker, Conte is managing Juventus with a thicker hairdo.
      There’s a slight side-parting that hints there’s more to come.
      By 2012, Conte’s hair was back with a vengeance
      2016
      Another few years down the line, Conte is happily wearing a thick fringe in press conferences as Chelsea boss.
      There’s no curls, though, like he had in his youth – it’s a dead straight hairdo.
      Still, he appears happy with the results.
      A thick fringe was on show when he became Chelsea bossCredit: MATTHEW CHILDS
      2018
      Confident Conte is now happy to lift his fringe and slick it back like an action hero.
      As he kisses the FA Cup, there’s absolutely no sign of thinning here – and he looks a bit like Dimitar Berbatov.
      Sadly, it wasn’t enough to avoid him getting the sack a few months later.
      Conte lifts the FA Cup with an action man slicked back haircutCredit: Alamy Live News

      2021
      Today’s Conte cuts a thicker-haired figure.
      Bouffant up top, it’s a million miles away from his wispy look some 25 years earlier.
      At the unveiling of the Serie A title, Conte proudly showed off his mane – with not a bit of grey there.
      Could taking the Tottenham job affect that though?
      Today’s Conte with his thicker thatch on showCredit: Getty
      Gabby Agbonlahor says that Antonio Conte makes players run non-stop More

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      ‘Last throw of dice’ – Cristiano Ronaldo key to Man Utd win at Spurs but Solskajer ‘can’t trust players’, says Neville

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO was the key to Manchester United’s win at Tottenham on Saturday, according to Gary Neville.But the former right-back insists Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still ‘cannot trust his players’.
      Cristiano Ronaldo displayed sublime skill to score and assist in the 3-0 victory at SpursCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Gary Neville is concerned the United players have still failed to win the trust of their managerCredit: Sky Sports
      In their first match since the 5-0 drubbing by Liverpool, United put in a far better performance and were rarely threatened by a poor Spurs side.
      Ronaldo, 36, opened the scoring with a fine volley just before half-time then he set up Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford completed the scoring.
      And Neville was full of praise for five-time Ballon d’Or winner – highlighting his impact on the game.
      He told Sky Sports: “Raphael Varane has made a massive difference at the back. You can talk about the change in system but he’s brought massive composure to that back three.
      “Cavani? You see his face when he scored the goal. He’s got a massive personality and character that the team lack when he doesn’t play.
      “He fights for every single ball, he’s hungry, chases things down. He’s demanding.

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      “But the man who won Manchester United this match is Cristiano Ronaldo.
      “That finish was incredible and then that bit of composure when the game was frantic and on a knife-edge.
      “I watched Ronaldo at the back post and his movement is special. That shuffle to the left to get onside, then the movement in behind.
      “The pass is perfect. Can he finish? It’s wonderful from Cristiano Ronaldo. A special goal. There’s only one place he can put it.
      “It’s a brilliant goal. We talked about the impact on Bruno of Ronaldo but they’ve connected there.”
      Solskjaer switched to a back five with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw either side of Varane, Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire.
      That allowed a midfield pairing of Scott McTominay and Fred with Bruno Fernandes behind Ronaldo and Cavani.
      ‘CAN’T TRUST THEM’
      And while Neville was pleased to see Ronaldo given a strike partner, he reckoned the formation was ‘the last throw of the dice’ and a strong indicator of how Solskjaer feels about his team.
      Neville added: “This is one of the most defensive Man Utd teams I think I’ve ever seen.
      “It’s a poor reflection on the more talented players in the squad that he can’t trust them to do the work without the ball.
      “We’ve said for weeks and months that this United team play in moments but you’ve got to have a good foundation of clean sheets and good defending.
      “Ronaldo has to have a partner. He has to have someone up there with him. This system allows that.”
      “Those three up front will always create chances and score goals but they need that base to work from.
      “Most importantly, they’ve looked like a team out of possession. He’s got them compact and tight and there’s been an intensity. They’ve counter-attacked off that and produced the moments we know they can produce.
      “It gives Manchester United and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a little bit of breathing space before the Champions League game.”
      ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      Solskjaer hails Cavani for ‘one of best performances in training ever’ and says McTominay was ‘unplayable’ against Spurs More

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      Ref Howard Webb desperately wanted Cristiano Ronaldo to MISS penalty for Man Utd after ‘biggest mistake of his career’

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      HOWARD WEBB wanted to see Cristiano Ronaldo miss a penalty for Manchester United – after realising he’d made his biggest-ever mistake.In April 2009, a match between the Red Devils and Tottenham at Old Trafford turned in the home side’s favour after a controversial penalty call.
      Webb faced mass protests from Spurs players after Heurelho Gomes’ challengeCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The Yorkshire-born official looked on nervously as Ronaldo scored from the spotCredit: AFP – Getty
      With United 2-0 down, Michael Carrick hit the deck after a challenge from Heurelho Gomes and the referee pointed to the spot, only for replays to show the goalkeeper clearly getting the ball.
      And Webb has admitted wanting to see Ronaldo fluff his lines before the forward drilled the ball home to start a dramatic 5-2 comeback win for United.
      He told The Athletic: “The one that stands out is one where in the game I knew I got it wrong.
      “It was a Premier League game at Old Trafford — Manchester United versus Tottenham Hotspur in 2009.
      “I could see Carrick got there first and then the goalkeeper clattered into him. It was really an easy penalty award.
      “I was expecting the usual cursory appeal that you get from the players, not the huge look of absolute astonishment and amazement and incredulousness on the look of Gomes.
      “It was obvious within seconds I’d got the decision wrong. There was something more to this.
      “I was left with the decision I had taken with no independent evidence that I’d got it wrong other than a gut feeling, and I was just hoping that Ronaldo would miss the penalty. But he didn’t.”
      United made it 2-1 with the penalty before notching another four goalsCredit: Getty – Contributor
      I was just hoping that Ronaldo would miss the penalty. But he didn’t.”Howard Webb
      Webb also battled accusations of favouring Sir Alex Ferguson’s United during his esteemed career in the English game.
      And the 50-year-old has previously talked of over confidence in the Spurs match having been “on a high” off the back of his call-up to that year’s FA Cup final.
      Webb would later officiate the 2010 World Cup final where a combative Dutch team lost to Spain, Nigel de Jong memorably avoiding a red card for an outrageous kick on Andres Iniesta.
      But it is the penalty error at Old Trafford that sticks in the referee’s mind more than any other.
      He revealed his reaction to be: “Just ‘Oh s***’, really.
      “You just know. You can tell as a ref. You can see the momentum shift. You can see the way the game is going.
      “At 2-1, you never know. At 2-2, you can see the way this game is going.
      “When [the camera] misses all those players and runs up to you [at full-time], as a ref, it’s not a good feeling.

      “You just know you have a world of pain coming your way.”
      After the game, Ferguson confessed his side’s first goal was “a bit fortunate” while Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp was damning in his criticism.
      He declared: “It was a gift which wasn’t deserved. It was a terrible decision.
      “Howard is supposed to be our best ref, but if he’s the best I’d hate to see the worst.”
      A young Cristiano Ronaldo trains with Lisbon More

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      Last roll of the dice for Solskjaer and Nuno as Man Utd take on Tottenham… defeat could spell the end for Ole

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      IT is Nuno v Oh no at Tottenham tomorrow.It could be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s final throw of the dice as Manchester United boss after their 5-0 humiliation at home by Liverpool on Sunday.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Nuno Espirito Santo need to roll some good dice on Saturday
      Solskjaer could be one game away from the sack at Man UtdCredit: Reuters
      While Spurs chief Nuno Espirito Santo will be looking to build on a hard-fought midweek Carabao Cup victory at Burnley.
      He needed that after back-to-back 1-0 defeats at Vitesse Arnhem in the Europa Conference League and West Ham in the Premier League had turned up the heat on him once more.
      Though that was nothing compared to the pressure Solskjaer has found himself under since the catastrophe against Kop extended United’s winless Prem run to four and increased calls for his head.
      The Red Devils, seventh in the table with 14 points from nine matches, could be 11 points behind leaders Chelsea and even further down the division by the time they kick off against Spurs tomorrow evening.
      And with the Manchester derby at Old Trafford to come next Sunday before the international break, it feels like another defeat could spell the end for Ole, even though he only signed a new three-year deal in the summer.
      Such was the jaw-dropping calamitous nature of their whipping by Liverpool.

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      They did not have their pants pulled down by their bitterest of rivals, they pulled them down themselves before bending over, or rather rolling over.
      The red flag the Stretford Enders have for so long sung about keeping flying high was replaced by a white one which Solskjaer’s surrenderers were hardly able to hoist.
      That on the back of other recent dour displays have given the many who have always maintained the Norwegian was never up to the job when he succeeded Jose Mourinho in December 2018 all the ammunition they need.
      As a player, Ole, a clinical fresh-faced striker was dubbed The Baby-Faced Assassin.
      LAST CHANCE SALOON
      The job has clearly aged him with the grey hair, frown lines and wrinkles, now visible.
      He has gone from marksman to target, with plenty aiming pot-shots.
      His opposite number Nuno will privately be delighted the focus will not be on him tomorrow.
      It is scant consolation because we all know only one of these managers has hair on his head.
      But in terms of the title race, we will be watching two bald men fight over a comb.
      Tottenham fans seem less-than impressed with Nuno Espirito SantoCredit: Reuters
      ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      Antonio Conte is the front runner if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is sacked by Manchester United More

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      The making of Man Utd target Antonio Conte, from choirboy to Red Devil, including match-fixing scandal and wig row

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      ANTONIO CONTE is being lined up for a return to our shores.The former Chelsea boss, 52, is the hot favourite to take over from beleaguered Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford.
      Former Chelsea Premier League winning manager Antonio Conte is the hot favourite for the Man Utd jobCredit: Getty
      Famously, the Italian won the Premier League title with the Blues, before falling out with the Stamford Bridge hierarchy and getting the boot.
      Last season, he restored Inter Milan’s name as the pride of Serie A, before leaving the club in a storm, after they were forced to sell off star talent in the wake of a financial crisis.
      Fiery Conte has come a long way since growing up in Leece as an altar boy, and as a devout catholic has been known to carry around holy water, which he sprinkles onto the pitch.
      It’s the divine intervention United might need if they are to regain some momentum in the title race.
      EARLY YEARS
      The deeply religious coach, who also captained Juventus in his playing days, showed he was a leader from a very young age.
      Growing up southern Italy, he took on a huge responsibility at Mass that endeared him to the priests.
      Conte revealed: “When I helped at Mass the priest would decide who got to carry the big candles and I always wanted to be picked.
      “When I was it made my day and I was so happy! I used to like being in charge and organising all the other altar boys.”

      Conte showed leadership as a altar boy at Mass in his local church in Lecce
      PLAYING CAREER
      Conte began a life in football with his hometown club, Lecce.
      A tenacious and hard-working midfielder who kept things simple, he made his debut at the age of 16 – showing maturity beyond his years.
      A fractured tibia in 1987 threatened to derail his career, but he returned to the pitch a year later and went on to make 99 appearances for the club.
      In 1991, he secured a dream move to Juventus when Giovanni Trapattoni signed him.
      They would form such a strong bond Conte would later refer to him as his second father.
      The ball-winner became a servant to Juventus for 13 years, amassing 420 appearances for the club.
      He won Serie A five times, while on the European stage he added the Champions League and Uefa Cup medals to his glittering trophy cabinet.
      For many years he was Juve’s captain during their most historic moments.
      Conte appeared 20 times for his country too, and was a member of both the 1994 World Cup and Euro 2000 squads that finished runners-up.
      Midfielder Conte began his football career at hometown Lecce, pictured here aged 20Credit: Getty
      At Juventus, Conte became a legend as a player – captaining the sideCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      NATURAL PROGRESSION
      Given his nature, it was expected that Conte would make the step into management.
      However, he had to cut his teeth at a lower level – first with Serie B’s Arezzo, who he couldn’t save from relegation.
      Then, more successfully with Bari, who he did get out of a relegation fight. Remarkably, a season later, he would achieve the unthinkable and lead the club to promotion.
      In 2009, he was snubbed for the vacant position at Juventus. Instead, he joined Atalanta but under pressure from their ultras tendered his resignation four months later with the club in 19th place in Serie A.
      He returned with Siena in Serie B, again showing his nous to gain promotion to the top flight – doing so in his first season.
      In 2011, Conte finally got the call to return to his spiritual home and was installed as Juventus boss.
      Despite some doubt whether he had the experience, the club won three Serie A titles in a row under the tactician.
      However, following disappointment on the European stage, Conte resigned from his post during preseason in 2014.
      Many believed it was because of his lack of support in the transfer market. A belief he fuelled.
      “Well, you cannot go to eat at a €100 restaurant with just €10 in your pocket, can you?” he responded about Juve’s plans for the coming season, which was seen as an attack at the club’s directors and said just days before he walked.
      Conte cut his teeth in management in Serie B, first with ArezzoCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Conte celebrates winning the Scudetto in 2013Credit: EPA
      CONTROVERSY
      During his three-year tenure in charge of the Old Lady, Conte was hit with a scandal that dated back to his Siena days.
      He was accused of failing to report attempted match-fixing by ex-Siena star Filippo Carobbio, who was connected with the betting debacle that tarnished the reputation of the Italian game in the 2011-12 season.
      Carobbio said during a meeting before a match against Novara, Siena owner Massimo Mezzaroma indirectly sent a message to the players asking them to ensure the game finished in a draw.
      Mezzaroma allegedly wanted to turn a large profit on a bet he had made. The match finished 2–2 and Carobbio testified Conte was present when the message was relayed to the players.
      Carrobio also claimed the result of the final match of the season, in which Siena lost 1–0 to AlbinoLefee, was prearranged after Siena’s assistant manager asked he and another player “contact someone at AlbinoLeffe to reach an agreement over the return match”.
      Further allegations were aimed at Conte in regards to a 5-0 win over Varese, a match Carrobio accused his coach of knowing he was asked to lose, but didn’t report it.
      Conte denied all accusations through his lawyer, and took on their advice of taking a plea bargain, which would’ve seen him serve a three month ban and receive a fine.
      But it was rejected by the Italian authorities and he was slapped with a 10-month ban, although Conte maintained his innocence.
      Juventus appealed weeks later, and Conte’s touchline ban was shortened to four months.
      Their players would later dedicate their Supercoppa Italiana win to their under fire manager.
      In 2016, the preliminary hearing judge of the court of Cremona eventually acquitted Conte of all charges in regard to his alleged involvement in the match-fixing scandal.
      Throughout the Scommessopoli investigations, Conte expressed his gratitude to his wife Elisabetta and daughter, Vittoria for their support.
      Of them, he has said: “I have a great woman by my side, one who always tries to understand me. As for my daughter, she is the other woman in my life. She is beginning to understand that her dad gets nervous when he does not win [a match].”
      After allegations of match-fixing, Conte was forced to watch Juventus from the stands
      After coming through the match-fixing scandal vindicated, Conte thanked his wife Elisabetta and daughter Vittoria for their supportCredit: Getty – Contributor
      BLUE IS THE COLOUR
      A month after leaving Juve, Conte was handed the reigns of the Italian national job, following Cesare Prandelli’s resignation.
      It was only ever going to be a two-year deal, with Conte reluctant to commit further.
      He suffered his first defeat after 10 games, 1-0 to Portugal in a friendly.
      However, he managed to guide Italy comfortably to Euro 2016 qualification, and then out of the group stage at the competition, where he drew praise for his team’s defensive strength and team organisation.
      But, after they fell to defeat to Germany in the quarter-final on penalties, he admitted his time was up and he was desperate for a “return to the cut and thrust of club football”.
      Two months later, he would take Stamford Bridge hotseat after just 25 games coaching the Azzuri.
      In 2016, after just two years, Conte walked away from the Italian national team jobCredit: AFP or licensors
      LONDON CALLING
      Roman Abramovich came calling in 2016, and Conte’s debut season at Chelsea couldn’t have been better.
      A title win in his debut Premier League campaign, in which the West Londoners won an incredible 30 league wins from 38 games, was only slightly blighted by an FA Cup final loss to Arsenal.
      Still, he was handed a new contract for a further two years.
      His second season was disappointing, with the club finishing in fifth – out of the Champions League places.
      They did win silverware, though, lifting the FA Cup by defeating Manchester United 1-0.
      But things began to unravel when Conte fell out with Diego Costa, who he sent an infamous text telling the centre forward he wasn’t part of his plans.
      Then, there were clashes with the hierarchy over transfers – with the Italian saying in an interview Chelsea had “lost momentum” after failing to sign players he wanted, including Romelu Lukaku and Virgil van Dijk.
      Conte was sacked in 2018 and replaced by Maurizio Sarri, but received a staggering £26.6million payout in compensation for his team and legal fees.
      Under Conte Chelsea won the Premier League title in his first full seasonCredit: Rex Features
      A fallout with Diego Costa marred Conte’s time at ChelseaCredit: Getty – Contributor
      INTER REDEMPTION
      Conte’s habit of winning transferred to Inter, but he had to wait a season for it to happen.
      A promising first campaign saw i nerazzurri finish runners-up in both Serie A and the Europa League.
      There was an epic square-up between Sevilla star Ever Banega and Conte during that European final, who taunted him about his hair transplant and shouted towards him on the touchline: “Let’s see if his wig is real.”
      But the groundwork was in place for a title challenge the next year, as Conte’s masterplan began to come to fruition.
      With the signing he wanted at Chelsea, Lukaku, leading his line Inter were champions for the first time in eleven years.
      They also ended Juventus’s run of nine consecutive titles, storming to the championship with 91 points – some 12 clear of rivals AC Milan.
      Conte left in a blaze of glory in the summer – with the club confirming his departure was by mutual consent.
      Rumblings of lack of transfer support before he left were a constant, with rumours of unrest growing.
      During the Europa League final Conte was taunted by Sevilla star Ever Banega about having a hair transplantCredit: BT Sport
      Conte helped Inter return to winning ways by winning last season’s Serie A titleCredit: Getty
      Inter were also stripped of star assets, including Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi with owners Suning Holdings Group having to balance the books after the coronavirus pandemic hit their finances.
      With that in mind, wherever Conte goes, he will want assurances on the budget he will be given for his next challenge.
      Surely choosing the richest club in the world as his next project is a no-brainer.
      Gabby Agbonlahor says that Antonio Conte makes players run non-stop More

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      Fans convinced Cristiano Ronaldo mocked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after Mo Salah’s goal against Manchester United

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      MANCHESTER UNITED fans are convinced Cristiano Ronaldo was mocking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tactics during their crushing defeat to Liverpool.Footage after one of Mo Salah’s goals shows the Portuguese icon, 36, waving his arms furiously.
      Cristiano Ronaldo was caught on camera waving his arms furiously against Liverpool
      It is unclear exactly what message he was trying to put across
      Some reckon the gesticulations were aimed at Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tactics
      As reported by the Mirror, he appears to be pointing in all different directions in a bizarre motion.
      And although it is unclear exactly what the gestures were in reference to or who they were aimed at, some supporters reckon they were a dig at his manager.
      One dug out an old video from early on in Solskjaer’s tenure of the United boss doing a similar movement with his arms to provide instructions to his players.
      Someone replied: “Why is Ronaldo doing that. It looks like he’s doing it in a mocking way. It’s something Ole always does.”
      Another wrote: “That’s so disrespectful, that’s the same as when Kepa refused to come off, but no one is gonna say it’s unprofessional or have a go at him because it’s Ronaldo.”
      A third added: “The point is that Ronaldo is doing an Ole impression. It may not be that it happened whilst Ole was doing it. The point is Ronaldo is mimicking Ole and not in a good way.”

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      A final user explained: “After the first goal when it was a 3v1 after 5 minutes, probably indicating everyone was all over the place in defence.”
      Ronaldo enjoyed the perfect start to life back at Old Trafford as he hit the ground running.
      But he was controversially benched for the game against Everton.
      And then on Sunday, Solskjaer got his game plan all wrong as his side part-pressed the energetic Reds and were picked apart in brutal fashion.
      Naby Keita and Diogo Jota capitalised on poor defending to open the scoring before Salah grabbed a hat-trick.
      To make Ronaldo’s mood even worse, he had a goal chalked off for a tight VAR offside call at 5-0.
      But he could count himself fortunate to still be on the pitch at that point after kicking out in frustration towards Curtis Jones during the first half.

      When the half-time whistle blew, Ronaldo stood with his hands on his hips, shaking his head and sighing to himself.
      Afterwards, he took to social media to tell fans ‘you deserve better’.
      He wrote: “Sometimes the result is not the one we fight for.
      “Sometimes the score is not the one we want. And this is on us, only on us, because there’s no one else to blame.
      “Our fans were, once again, amazing in their constant support.
      “They deserve better than this, much better, and it’s up to us to deliver. The time is now!”
      ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      Solskjaer got his tactics wrong and his side were dismantled by LiverpoolCredit: AFP
      Rio Ferdinand disagrees with Gary Neville and reckons Man Utd’s attacking stars must press or ‘get off the pitch’ More

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      Mauricio Pochettino ‘still admires Man Utd’ amid ‘PSG uncertainty’ as Red Devils draw up manager shortlist

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      MAURICIO POCHETTINO ‘still admires’ Manchester United as speculation around Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s job continues.The former Tottenham manager, 49, has been heavily linked with the hot seat at Old Trafford for years.
      Mauricio Pochettino is thought to still be appreciative of Manchester United – but will he replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer?Credit: Getty – Contributor
      And according to The Athletic, he maintains his appreciation for the club to this day, despite plenty of issues on and off the field.
      Poch is currently in charge at Paris Saint-Germain, aiming to get Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar to power the French giants to Champions League glory.
      However, the report adds there is ‘uncertainty’ around the Argentine boss’ future at the Parc des Princes.
      They sit top of Ligue 1 and their Champions League group but recent results against Marseille, Rennes and Club Brugge have caused concern for some.
      And that has led to some suggesting he could replace under-fire Solskjaer at United.
      The Norwegian is battling for his future, with Sunday’s 5-0 nightmare against Liverpool leaving him at his most vulnerable after three years in charge.

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      However, SunSport understands he looks set to KEEP his job for now – despite the calls for him to be sacked intensifying.
      It comes after a dismal run of results with no win in four Premier League matches and a series of shocking performances.
      Old Trafford chiefs held talks yesterday over Solskjaer’s future, with the board mixed over when he goes or stays.
      The ex-Cardiff boss is set to take training this morning, and prepare his team for Tottenham this weekend.
      The 48-year-old will also hold clear-the-air talks with his squad as their season descends into chaos.
      But although Solskjaer remains in the job for now, SunSport also revealed United have drawn up a four-man shortlist of possible replacements.
      A top agent is contacting out-of-work pair Zinedine Zidane and Antonio Conte about their interest as well as Leicester City chief Brendan Rodgers and Erik ten Hag at Ajax.
      ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      Man Utd draw up four-man shortlist to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer including ex-Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers More

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      Antonio Conte ‘open to becoming new Man Utd boss but wants full control of transfers if he replaces Solskjaer’

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      ANTONIO CONTE is open to becoming the new Manchester United manager, according to reports.However, he wants assurances he has full control of transfers before replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
      Antonio Conte would be keen on the Manchester United job if he is guaranteed certain assurancesCredit: PA
      The Norwegian is under mounting pressure in the hot seat at Old Trafford, with Sunday’s 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Liverpool a new low.
      And as speculation surrounding his future and possible successors at United continues, the Manchester Evening News states Conte would be interested.
      But the report adds the Italian would need clarification on the club’s direction, decision-making and leadership plan.
      The ex-Chelsea boss – who clashed with Stamford Bridge execs over signings – is also thought to be unwilling to bow to the club hierarchy surrounding ‘marketable’ players.
      Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is on his way out – the man who appointed Solskjaer, Jose Mourinho, and Louis van Gaal.
      And although SunSport understands Richard Arnold will replace him, this is yet to be confirmed by the club.

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      Former Italy and Juventus chief Conte, 52, is currently available after quitting his role as Inter Milan boss just days after winning the Serie A title in the summer.
      SunSport exclusively revealed Conte would reject the Newcastle job even before Steve Bruce was sacked last week.
      However, each of his last three jobs have only lasted two years and the longest of his nine managerial jobs was three years at Juve.
      And United legends Peter Schmeichel and Gary Neville reckon their former side would favour a longer-term appointment if they did decide to axe Solskjaer.
      Neville told Sky Sports: “They won’t bring a hitman in again. A hitman who comes in and does a job for two years. 
      “Conte’s available but I wouldn’t bring him to Manchester United. I wouldn’t bring him here now, I wouldn’t.
      “I don’t think Antonio Conte is a fit for Manchester United. I don’t think he’s a fit.
      “I might be wrong, they might bring him here tomorrow and I’d get behind him.
      “We’ve seen a coach with a specific style like Louis Van Gaal didn’t work here. I’m not saying there isn’t a manager who can come to Manchester United and do well.”
      ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      Solskjaer says he’s hit rock bottom after Liverpool 5-0 loss More