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      Man Utd face Europa League headache with no room in fixture list for postponed Prem games after coming second in group

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      MANCHESTER UNITED face a fixture headache next year thanks to their Europa League knockout double header.That’s because there’s now no room in the schedule to rearrange postponed Premier League games against Crystal Palace and Leeds.
      Man Utd’s Europa League knockout tie means there’s no room to rearrange two Prem gamesCredit: Getty
      The Red Devils will have to endure an eliminator to reach the next stage of the Europa League after finishing second in their group.
      United had to beat Real Sociedad by at least two goals in last night’s match.
      But Erik ten Hag’s men could only win 1-0, leaving them runners-up.
      And they will now play a two-legged knockout against a Champions League dropout.
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      Ajax, Bayer Leverkusen, Barcelona, Sporting Lisbon, RB Salzburg, Shakhtar Donetsk, Sevilla and Juventus are all moving down.
      And United face a tough test to reach the next stage of the competition.
      The Europa League knockouts begin on February 14.
      But ESPN reports there is now no natural room for United to play Crystal Palace and Leeds.
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      Both games were postponed earlier this season due to the Queen’s death.
      And thanks to their Europa knockout, United are now solidly booked in each midweek and weekend slot.
      There could be some joy further down the line, as two of those dates have been put aside for FA Cup replays.
      But that’s only if United, plus whichever opponent they are due to face, come through their original tie unscathed.
      Some dates are also reserved for the Carabao Cup, yet the same theory applies.
      And Premier League beaks will now have to put their heads together to figure out just how United can fulfil their games against Palace and Leeds.
      The headache comes during the busiest season ever, which is down to the Qatar World Cup being played in winter.
      Read More on The Sun
      Numerous teams are starting to pick up injuries after playing every three-to-four days.
      And with several games left before the domestic season is paused, there could be more setbacks to come. More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo sends message to Man Utd pals upon return to Spain for critical Europa League clash with Sociedad

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO has fired out a message to his Manchester United team-mates ahead of his return to Spain.The Red Devils are in town for a crunch Europa League group stage clash against Real Sociedad.
      Cristiano Ronaldo has sent out a passionate message to Man Utd ahead of their Real Sociedad clashCredit: AP
      United must win by at least two goals to seal top spot in Group E.
      And Ronnie has told team-mates they must all be fully focused on delivering the goods as a united group.
      He wrote on Instagram: “Back to Spain, with the mind always set on winning and our full focus on getting the first place in our group.
      “Let’s go Devils! We are United!”
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      Failure to win will see Erik ten Hag’s side face an eliminator for the knockout stages against a Champions League dropout.
      Ajax, Bayer Leverkusen, Barcelona, Sporting Lisbon, RB Salzburg, Shakhtar Donetsk, Sevilla and Juventus are all moving down.
      And the last thing United need is another two-legged tie during a winter World Cup campaign.
      But Ronaldo is adamant his return to Spain will not end in disappointment.
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      Ronaldo has urged United to do the job in Spain tonightCredit: Instagram
      The veteran is set for a fiery welcome from locals after nine years at Real Madrid.
      Ronaldo scored 450 goals in 438 games as he won two titles and four Champions Leagues.
      The fact Ronaldo is in the frame to play is a bonus for the Portuguese.
      It’s certainly been a remarkable turnaround in the past few weeks.
      His future at United looked uncertain after a touchline tantrum against Tottenham.
      Read More on The Sun
      But he has played the full 90 minutes in the last two games against Sheriff and West Ham.
      And Ronnie is almost certain to start tonight with Antony, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial missing. More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo billed as Man Utd ‘leader’ by Erik ten Hag despite huge bust-up after storming down tunnel

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO has been hailed as Manchester United’s “leader” by Erik ten Hag.That’s despite last month’s bust-up in which Ronaldo stormed down the tunnel against Tottenham.
      Erik ten Hag has called Cristiano Ronaldo Man Utd’s ‘leader’ despite last month’s bust-upCredit: AFP
      The Portugal legend looked to be on the way out at Old Trafford after his Spurs strop.
      Ronnie refused to come off the bench as United recorded an impressive win over their rivals.
      And he compounded the misery by driving out of the stadium before the final whistle had been blown.
      Ten Hag punished Ronaldo by dropping him for the next game against Chelsea, while also cutting him from first-team training.
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      But the veteran has since played the full 90 minutes in each of United’s next two games against West Ham and Sheriff, scoring in the latter.
      Ronaldo is now expected to start in today’s crunch Europa League group stage clash at Real Sociedad.
      And it seems he has gone from zero to hero in Ten Hag’s eyes, with the Dutch tactician calling Ronaldo one of his top leaders on and off the pitch.
      Ten Hag declared: “He is really professional, he’s in a group, he’s a leader-type.
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      “He’s a really important part of this group and in Spain he’s a real threat to every defence, every gap he will use.”
      Victory in Spain – by two goals – will see United seal top spot in their group, avoiding a dreaded play-off for the knockouts against a team coming from the Champions League.
      The Red Devils are without key attacking trio Jadon Sancho, Antony and Anthony Martial.
      But Ten Hag is feeling confident about his side’s chances.
      He added: “We know what we have to do, two-goals difference.
      “But if you want to win a trophy you have to win all the games and we have to beat everyone. 
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      “It’s how far you come here, you don’t speak in autumn about how far you come.
      “You can’t win anything in this moment of the season. It’s game-by-game.” More

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      Notorious Man Utd taskmaster Ten Hag takes time out of gruelling club rebuild to visit cafe with wife on ELECTRIC bike

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      MANCHESTER UNITED manager Erik ten Hag was spotted enjoying a nice bike ride with his wife in Cheshire ahead of Thursday’s crucial Europa League clash.United take on Real Sociedad at the Anoeta Stadium and will have to win by a two-goal margin or else face a potential nightmare draw in the play-offs against the likes of Barcelona and Juventus.
      Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag went out for a nice bike ride in CheshireCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Erik ten Hag and his wife Bianca went out with their electric bikes to a cafeCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Manchester United are set for a crunch Europa League clash against Real SociedadCredit: Alamy
      However, Ten Hag took a break from all that drama on Tuesday and went out on a cycling ride with his wife Bianca.
      The couple took their electric bikes and went to a cafe in Hale Village to enjoy some down time.
      The pair have been taking several leisurely bike rides ever since the Dutchman’s arrival in Manchester.
      The 52-year-old tactician has been dealing with less tension amid the ongoing team rebuild at Old Trafford.
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      Ten Hag’s reign kicked off with two humiliating losses to Brighton and Brentford in the Premier League.
      But the ex-Ajax boss turned things around with a big win over Liverpool, which set up a record of seven wins and only one loss in 10 league matches.
      Ten Hag, though, quickly showed that he thrived under pressure with the way he disciplined his United players after August’s 4-0 thrashing at Brentford.
      The Dutch head coach cancelled the players’ day off after their loss and ordered them to complete the 13.8km which the Bees had outrun them by in the scorching heat.
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      While many players were angry initially at the punishment they were stunned to learn their manager was running with them.
      Since then, United have climbed up to fifth place in the Premier League table with eight points separating them from high-flying Arsenal.
      Erik ten Hag and his wife have taken various bike rides since their arrivalCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Erik ten Hag is overseeing a major team rebuild at Manchester UnitedCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo tells excitable fans to ‘calm’ as Man Utd supporters frantically hunt for signings and selfies

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      MANCHESTER UNITED superstar Cristiano Ronaldo channeled his 2012 self when he was met by overenthusiastic fans.United fans screamed Ronaldo’s name and pleaded for autographs as well as selfies with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
      Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was met by fans in a viral clipCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Cristiano Ronaldo found the noise too much and asked Manchester United fans to calm downCredit: INSTAGRAM
      The star forward was inundated by requests and found all that noise to be a little too much in a viral clip that has hit social media.
      So the Portugal captain decided to turn the clock back 10 years as he asked his supporters to calm down.
      The 37-year-old used the same hand gesture he applied during his famous “Calma” celebration against Barcelona.
      Ronaldo led his former team Real Madrid to an unforgettable 2-1 win over Barca at the Nou Camp in April 2012.
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      Sami Khedira opened the scoring for Real before former Arsenal and United star Alexis Sanchez equalised.
      But then Ronaldo met a brilliant through ball by Mesut Ozil and beat Victor Valdes with a fine finish to seal the three points for Jose Mourinho’s side at that time.
      The Portuguese legend then taunted the Barcelona crowd by urging them to calm down.
      Ronaldo has been undergoing a rather turbulent campaign this season under new manager Erik ten Hag as he has struggled to break into the starting line-up.
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      That led to some dramatic confrontations as he refused to come on against Tottenham last month before walking out of Old Trafford in the dying minutes.
      The ex-Juventus star was axed from Ten Hag’s squad for the next match against Chelsea but was ultimately reinstated soon after against Sheriff and West Ham.
      But his star powers hasn’t been lost at all in the eyes of the fans as shown by his most recent encounter with them. More

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      Man Utd in boost with Anthony Martial returning to full training in hope striker will make France’s World Cup squad

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have been given a huge boost after Anthony Martial returned to full training.And there are even hopes the striker could make France’s World Cup squad this month.
      Anthony Martial is back in full training at Man United to keep his World Cup dream aliveCredit: Getty
      Martial, 26, returned to United over the summer after a flop loan spell at Sevilla.
      He hit the ground running in pre-season under new boss Erik ten Hag.
      But a number of injuries have limited Martial to just four appearances this term.
      Despite spending most of his time on the sideline, the hitman has still managed to score three goals.
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      And some United fans reckon Martial is the final missing piece in Ten Hag’s already-impressive jigsaw.
      However, supporters could soon see what life will be like with the ace in their side.
      That’s because Martial finally returned to full first-team training at Carrington on Monday.
      It’s reckoned he’s put his hamstring, achilles and back injuries behind him.
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      And with four games left until Qatar 2022, Martial could get a run in United’s starting XI.
      That could even open the door for a stunning World Cup call-up from France boss Didier Deschamps.
      The defending champs need solid support for Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe.
      And reports claim Martial is still in with a shout if he puts a run of games together.
      United first travel to Real Sociedad on Thursday in a bid to seal top spot in their Europa League group.
      Read More on The Sun
      That game could come too soon for Martial.
      But back-to-back matches against Aston Villa, with one in the Carabao Cup, and a trip to Fulham represent some good opportunities. More

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      Rio Ferdinand would ‘put his house’ on Man Utd, Arsenal and City finishing in top four… along with one outsider

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      RIO FERDINAND says he would “put his house” on Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City finishing in the top four this season.But Ferdinand also reckons there’s one strong outsider to take the final spot for next term’s Champions League.
      Rio Ferdinand has revealed his predictions for the top four race… with a surprise twistCredit: Reuters
      The race to qualify for Europe’s elite competition is already proving to be an intriguing one.
      Arsenal, Man City, Tottenham and Newcastle occupy the top four after 12 to 13 games played.
      Man United and Chelsea are hot on their heels in fifth and sixth.
      Meanwhile, surprise packages Fulham and Brighton follow on ahead of last season’s beaten finalists Liverpool.
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      And Ferdinand reckons there could be a shock come the end of the campaign.
      The former United superstar is backing his old side to qualify under Erik ten Hag.
      He also believes Arsenal and City, the two top teams this term, should also easily make the cut.
      But as for the fourth and final Champions League spot, Ferdinand has overlooked all three of Tottenham, Chelsea and Liverpool.
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      He believes it’s Newcastle who are actually leading the race for fourth.
      The Magpies have impressed under Eddie Howe this term, losing just once while boasting the best defence in the table.
      And with no extra European games to play this term, Newcastle will be able to fully focus on the league once the World Cup is out of the way.
      Ferdinand told Vibe with Five: “It will be Arsenal, Man City and Man United.
      “They are the three teams I would put my house on now.
      “And then the fourth one I can’t pick. Newcastle could come in and take it.” More

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      ‘Wasn’t in the right headspace’ – Man Utd star Marcus Rashford emotionally opens up on tough 2021-22 as he hits top form

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      MARCUS RASHFORD admits he “wasn’t in the right headspace” last season.But the striker is feeling better than ever after hitting Manchester United’s winner against West Ham on Sunday.
      Marcus Rashford has opened up over his struggles for Man Utd last seasonCredit: Getty
      Rashford, 24, has come into form at the perfect time with the World Cup just weeks away.
      Today’s strike was his seventh of the season and his 100th in a United shirt.
      Rashford already has two more goals than he managed the whole of the 21/22 campaign.
      And in a candid post-match interview, the United ace admits he struggled to deal with the pressure last term.
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      But Rashford is back to loving his football again under Erik ten Hag.
      And he is now focused on booking United’s spot in the Europa League knockouts this Thursday.
      He said after United beat West Ham: “[The 100th goal] has been on my mind for the past couple of games but we’ve been winning games so I’ve been happy and just been waiting for it to come.
      “It’s a complete different energy around the club and the training ground [this season].
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      “That puts me in a better headspace and I just feel really motivated now. That’s the area I was struggling in.
      “I was struggling at times with more mental things. It wasn’t really my own performance but other things off the pitch. That’s the biggest difference from last season.
      “I get that it’s your job to speak about what happens on the pitch but for the players we have to get into the right headspace for every game.
      “Too often last season, I wasn’t in the right headspace for games. I wasn’t surprised by some of the stuff that was happening.” More