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      Man Utd’s Onana will never be consistent, he’s either brilliant or disastrous – but keepers always get it in the neck

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      IS there any sense in the modern obsession with goalkeepers using their feet so much?Since Andre Onana and David Raya made serious blunders on Tuesday — leading to Champions League defeats for Manchester United and Arsenal — many have been asking that question.
      The mistakes of Onana and Raya have put goalkeepers using their feet in the spotlightCredit: Rex
      David Raya also made a high-profile mistake against OlympiacosCredit: Rex
      Onana’s poor pass led to Casemiro being sent off and United conceding a penalty on their way to a home reverse against Galatasaray.
      And after Raya came out of his area to play a stray pass which led to a Lens equaliser, Arsenal slid to their first loss of the season.
      So why did Erik ten Hag get rid of a world-class shot-stopper in David de Gea and sign Onana?
      And why has Mikel Arteta signed Raya and benched Aaron Ramsdale, who was excellent last season?
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      Well, football has changed so rapidly many people are struggling to keep up.
      The best example I can give is my old Watford team-mate Heurelho Gomes.
      He was the best shot-stopper I ever played with — good enough to play 11 times for Brazil and be No 1 at Tottenham.
      Yet while he could accurately throw a ball to the halfway line, when Heurelho tried to use his feet it was as though he was wearing Aladdin’s slippers — he was hopeless.
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      Heurelho Gomes was the best shot stopper I played withCredit: Getty
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      This isn’t a dig at a great bloke and a great player — but keepers like Gomes are pretty much obsolete.
      He wouldn’t be an elite-level keeper now. They have to be decent with their feet.
      Top keepers are almost always regarded as extra defenders who must be able to play.
      Nick Pope of Newcastle is a rare exception among first-choice Premier League goalkeepers.
      When most top clubs look for a keeper, their shot-stopping ability is the third or fourth most important thing.
      Playing out from the back allows a team to keep possession better, to get into the opposition’s half so their forwards can play.
      When it comes to goalkeepers, let me point out they are weirdos — complete eccentrics.
      The goalkeepers’ union all know one another and when they talk between themselves about the game they seem to speak a different language to the rest of us.
      Goalkeepers are crazed and obsessiveCredit: —
      They’re crazed and obsessive, if the other keeper at their club bench presses 100 kilos, they will make sure they do 120 kilos.
      Keepers and strikers who are team-mates have love-hate relationships. Every day at training we are trying to stop each other doing our jobs.
      Take my friend Ben Foster, another former Watford team-mate.
      During shooting drills, if you kept scoring, he would moan that they were unrealistic. Not so much if he was getting the better of you.
      I feel for keepers, though, because 99 per cent of their mistakes lead to goals and the level of scrutiny they face at a top Premier League club is massive.
      Even for Onana, moving from Inter Milan to United, the spotlight is harsher — it’s global. And the game in England is so much faster than in Italy.
      I understand why Ten Hag signed him but Onana is coming into a side still searching for an identity — leaking goals and losing games.
      That’s not all down to him but, as the keeper, he will get it in the neck more than his team-mates.
      Onana doesn’t strike me as a keeper who will ever be truly consistent. He will be either brilliant or disastrous.
      Arteta signed Raya because he is better with his feet than Ramsdale.
      It was harsh on Ramsdale but the Arsenal boss is looking for those extra one per cents that might help his team edge ahead of Manchester City.
      Unlike Onana, Raya is coming into a settled side, so he has a better chance.
      Arteta recently spoke about the idea of substituting one keeper for another for tactical reasons — not because the starting keeper was having a nightmare.
      It was interesting but I don’t think it’s ever likely to happen.
      You just aren’t going to sub a keeper in a tight match when he hasn’t made a serious error.
      Substitute keepers are not as mentally prepared as on-field subs, they don’t expect to get on, so that idea doesn’t make sense to me.
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      And I don’t think it would make sense to goalkeepers, either.
      Not that I will ever truly understand how their minds work! More

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      Man Utd forced to apologise for ‘unacceptable’ situation following embarrassing Champions League loss to Galatasaray

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have been forced to apologise for the “unacceptable” situation that saw thousands of Galatasaray fans get seats in the United home end.The Gala supporters were able to enjoy their 3-2 victory at Old Trafford on Tuesday night from the hospitality section as well as regular seats around The Theatre of Dreams.
      United have apologised after pockets of Galtasaray fans were able to take over Old TraffordCredit: Rex
      The club are currently investigating how Galatasaray fans were able to get home tickets so easily and published their initial findings today.
      Some United fans have claimed that they were assaulted and abused in their home end and Chief Operating Officer Colette Roche apologised to them in her statement.

      Roche said bots were to blame for tickets being snapped up, and that they were then redistributed by online touts.
      The bots deceived the club into believing they had in fact been purchased by official members, many of whom were under the age of 16, United added.
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      “As such, our system showed that these tickets were predominantly sold to long-standing official members who have attended other matches in recent seasons, with a large percentage being to those under the age 16, and therefore did not appear in pre-match checks to pose any risk,” Said Roche.
      “In reality, those who turned up on the night were adult Galatasaray fans.”
      Roche also conceded that the club’s policy, that you do not have to be an official member to buy tickets in the hospitality section, added to the problem.
      She said: “‘Whilst this hasn’t presented issues in the last couple of decades, the volume of tickets accessed by non-Turkish residents who transpired to be Galatasaray fans was unacceptable.”
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      United claim stewards were able to remove some Galatasaray fans from the home end but the sheer number of fans in some pockets of the ground made it impossible to tackle them all.
      United will now restrict access to tickets for their upcoming cup games against Newcastle, Copenhagen and Bayern Munich to “People already in our database.”
      Roche’s statement finished by saying: “I hope the above update gives you some reassurance that we take this matter seriously and are working with our fan representatives to avoid a potential repeat.
      “I apologise to those affected and thank you as always for your continued support.” More

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      Man Utd fans not sure how to feel as club ‘join Newcastle and Aston Villa in transfer race for £43m Juventus star’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly joined the race to sign Federico Chiesa from Juventus.The Italian winger has been strongly linked with a move once the January transfer window opens.
      Manchester United have joined the race to sign Federico ChiesaCredit: Getty
      He is a long-term United target and could now be on his way to Old Trafford.
      According to Calciomercato, the Red Devils are one of four clubs chasing a deal to sign Chiesa.
      Newcastle, Aston Villa and Bayern Munich are also interested in the 25-year-old, who is valued at £43million by Juventus.
      However, the news of United’s interest has split opinions amongst supporters.
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      Whilst some see the asking price as a good deal, others are concerned by Chiesa’s injury record.
      “Not a bad price at all given his potential,” wrote one fan on X, formerly Twitter.
      Another added: “He’s a good player but very injury prone.”
      A third supporter also commented: “That’s cheap for a player of his calibre.”
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      Meanwhile, one more fan argued: “Good player but injury prone.”
      Chiesa, who has two years left on his current Juve deal, has scored four goals and provided an assist in seven Serie A matches this term.
      However, he is currently sidelined with a muscle problem for the second time since the start of September.
      He also endured an injury hit 2022/23 season, missing 12 matches after returning from a ruptured ACL in November last year.
      The former Fiorentina man’s injury woes have not prevented him from being linked with United, though.
      Chiesa has been tipped as a possible replacement for Jadon Sancho, who has been exiled from the first-team by Erik ten Hag.
      United’s interest in the winger comes after he was linked with a summer move to the Premier League back in June. More

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      How Sir Alex Ferguson’s wife Cathy gave Man Utd fans 11 more years of success after waking him up from a nap

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’s trophy haul this millennium may have been drastically smaller had it not been for Sir Alex Ferguson’s late wife Cathy.The Ferguson family are currently mourning the death of the much-beloved Cathy, who passed away in Cheshire yesterday aged 84.
      Sir Alex Ferguson is mourning the death of his wife CathyCredit: ALAMY
      Cathy passed away in Cheshire on Thursday aged 84Credit: REX
      Sir Alex and Cathy were married for an incredible 60 yearsCredit: REX
      Cathy and Sir Alex were married for an incredible 60 years and had three sons together, Darren, Jason and Mark.
      She stood by Fergie’s side for every step of his trophy-laden managerial career and was the Scot’s trusted confidant.
      And such was her love for her husband that she convinced him to snub retirement when he first contemplated it 21 years ago.
      Cathy told Fergie – who had already guided United to seven Premier League titles and five FA Cup triumphs – to continue managing after he woke up from a nap.
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      It was more of a telling that he wasn’t going to retire than a convincing.
      And that stern conversation would have huge implications for Manchester United in the coming years.
      Sir Alex went on to guide the Red Devils to FIVE more Premier League titles in the 11 years he spent at Old Trafford after that conversation.
      He also hoisted the League Cup aloft a further three times and added an additional FA Cup to his trophy haul.
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      Sir Alex Ferguson won a further five Premier League titles after that conversation with CathyCredit: Getty
      He also lifted the Champions League trophy for a second time thanks to the love of his lifeCredit: PA
      But the biggest haul of that time proved to be the most-coveted trophy in European club football: the Champions League.
      Fergie won his second Champions League as United boss in May 2008 as his troops beat Chelsea on penalties in an all-English final on a cold and rainy night in Moscow.
      So to say that the history of the club would be very different were it not for the late Cathy would be an understatement.
      Understating is something Fergie never did when it came to his late wife, whom he held in the highest of regards for raising their sons while he worked his incredibly demanding job.
      He said of her in his autobiography: “Cathy is the mainstay of our family.
      “It is she who has carried the main burden of bringing up our three sons.
      “They have turned out to be fantastic sons and fantastic people.
      “We have all got to thank her for being such a great wife and mother.
      “Without her unstinting support, none of it would have been possible.” More

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      Cathy Ferguson dead – Wife of Man Utd legend Alex Ferguson passes away aged 84

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      SIR Alex Ferguson’s beloved wife Cathy has passed away aged 84.The wife of the former Manchester United manager died yesterday morning in Cheshire.
      Sir Alex Ferguson’s wife has passed away aged 84Credit: Getty
      Cathy and the former Man United manager have been married since 1966Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Cathy stood by Sir Alex throughout his playing career and journey to managementCredit: Rex
      Lady Cathy is believed to have died yesterday morning in CheshireCredit: Getty
      A statement on behalf of the Ferguson family said: “We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing yesterday of Lady Cathy Ferguson, survived by her husband, three sons, two sisters, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The family asks for privacy at this time.”
      The pair were married for nearly 60 years before she sadly passed away.
      Flags have been lowered to half-mast at Old Trafford in tribute to Lady Cathy.
      United will wear black armbands against Brentford tomorrow, with the women’s team expected to have them on tonight against Arsenal.
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      A statement from Manchester United read: “Everyone at Manchester United sends our heartfelt condolences to Sir Alex Ferguson and his family on the passing of Lady Cathy, a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother, and a tower of strength for Sir Alex throughout his career.”
      Cathy first met Sir Alex, 81, in 1964 when he was just 23 years old and they married shortly after in 1966.
      In his autobiography, Sir Alex wrote: “I had the good fortune to meet a wonderful girl who has been my rock for almost 50 years.”
      The pair have three sons together – Mark, born in 1968, and twin boys football manager Darren and Jason, born in 1972 – and 12 grandchildren.
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      Commenting on their home life, Alex once said: “Cathy is fantastic with the kids.
      “It’s a military operation with her. If any of them misbehave, they’re in the doghouse.”
      Cathy stood by Sir Alex throughout his playing career and journey to management.
      There were claims that Ferguson suffered discrimination at Rangers between 1967 to 1969 due to his wife’s Catholicism.
      However he made it clear in his autobiography that the club knew of her religion.
      She was by Sir Alex’s side as he rose to become one of the world’s best managers, starting at St Mirren in the 1970s, then to Aberdeen in the 1980s, where he won the Cup Winners’ Cup, and then to his legendary reign as manager of Manchester united from 1986 to 2013.
      When Sir Alex initially wanted to retire in 2002, Cathy famously convinced him to remain in charge of the Red Devils.
      “One, your health is good,” Sir Alex claimed Cathy said.
      “Two, I’m not having you in the house. And three, you’re too young anyway.”
      But she was unable persuade her husband to recommit to Old Trafford in 2011, before he finally retired in 2013.
      “I won’t be managing here any more than three years at the very, very most. Without question. I can assure you of that,” Ferguson said at the time.
      “You have to think about time for yourself. I think my wife deserves a bit of my time, too. The older you get, the more you feel guilty about it.
      “My wife, Cathy, was the one who talked me out of retiring last time but she wouldn’t do that now.”
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      Ferguson went on to retire two years later saying his wife needed his support after her sister died.
      During his tenure, he won 38 major trophies, including 13 league titles and the Champions League twice.
      Sir Alex and Cathy pictured in 1968 with their first son MarkCredit: Rex
      Cathy famously convinced him to remain in charge of the Red Devils in 2002Credit: AFP
      Sir Alex and Cathy pictured with their twin sons Jason and DarrenCredit: Getty
      Sir Alex poses with Cathy after receiving a CBE at Buckingham PalaceCredit: Rex More

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      Man Utd flops arrive at training as they look to bounce back against Brentford… with Jadon Sancho joining youngsters

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      JADON SANCHO arrived at Manchester United’s training ground early this morning for yet another session away from the first team.The England winger has been banished to train with the kids due to his ongoing spat with manager Erik ten Hag.
      Jadon Sancho has been banished from the first team by Manchester United boss Erik Ten HagCredit: Getty
      The winger arrived at United’s training ground earlier today to train away from the first teamCredit: EAMONN AND JAMES CLARKE
      Skipper Bruno Fernandes also arrived in style in a jet-black BentleyCredit: EAMONN AND JAMES CLARKE
      Facundo Pellistri turned up to training in a Porsche 4x4Credit: EAMONN AND JAMES CLARKE
      Sancho, 23, hit back at his gaffer on X (formerly Twitter) last month after the Dutchman claimed he didn’t train adequately ahead of United’s 3-1 defeat to Arsenal.
      The former Borussia Dortmund man has been forced to train away from his team-mates until he apologises for his public outburst.
      But that hasn’t stopped him from keeping up with his own regime to stay match fit.
      And to ensure he stays sharp, United have granted Sancho permission to train with their Under 21s.
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      Sancho arrived at the club’s Carrington training ground on Friday morning in his custom-made Mercedes Brabus 4×4.

      Ten Hag has refused to be drawn on the ongoing saga, recently saying: “I don’t talk about personal issues.
      “And I don’t talk about players who are not available.”
      Sancho wasn’t the only United star to arrive at training in style this morning.
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      Casemiro rocked up in a red AudiCredit: EAMONN AND JAMES CLARKE
      New boy Rasmus Hojland arrived in an all-black MercedesCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Anthony Martial rocked up to training in his luxury Mercedes G WagonCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Skipper Bruno Fernandes turned up to Carrington in a slick all-black Bentley as he looked to get back on track following Tuesday’s horror home loss to Galatasaray in the Champions League.
      Defenders Diogo Dalot and Victor Lindelof opted to take their respective Ferrari and Mercedes Benz motors for spins on an overcast day.
      Porsche 4x4s were the cars of choice for wingers Facundo Pellistri and Antony, while fellow wideman Alejandro Garnacho turned up in an all-white Merc.
      Midfielders Christian Eriksen and Casemiro rocked up in a Porsche 911 and Audi 4×4 respectively.
      Strikers Anthony Martial and Rasmus Hojland turned up in luxury motors too, with the former arriving in a black Mercedes G Wagon and the latter in a black Range Rover.
      Injured Luke Shaw won the award for the swankiest motor of the day at Carrington, turning up in a 4×4 Rolls Royce worth a cool £250,000.
      United will look to get back to winning ways in the league tomorrow afternoon against Brentford.
      Erik ten Hag’s strugglers welcome the Bees to Old Trafford without a win in their last three Premier League matches.
      The Red Devils are currently toiling in TENTH place in the Premier League table having lost four of their seven matches this campaign.
      Luke Shaw cruised in in his £250,000 Rolls RoyceCredit: EAMONN AND JAMES CLARKE More

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      Man Utd & Chelsea striker Falcao in burglary gang raid as he has family dinner… days after Ramos’ mansion ransacked

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      FORMER Manchester United and Chelsea striker Radamel Falcao has become the latest footballer to become the victim of a burglary gang.Last night it emerged that Colombian striker Falcao’s house in an upmarket suburb of Madrid had been targeted by criminals.
      Radmael’s home was the latest to be targeted as many other footy stars have been robbedCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      The father of five had been eating nearby when the burglars entered his homeCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Falcao had scored a last-gasp penalty earlier in the day to secure his current side Rayo Vallecano a valuable point at home against LaLiga rivals Mallorca.
      As the footy legend enjoyed dinner nearby his home, intruders are said to have taken designer bags, watches and some jewellery before being surprised by an employee and fleeing the scene.
      Spanish police have begun an investigation to try to identify and catch those responsible.
      Last week, it was announced that former Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos’ home was raided while his four children were inside and he was away on Champions League duty with Sevilla.
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      A gang of robbers had broken into the property while the 37-year-old was enjoying dinner with his wife at a nearby restaurant on Saturday night, El Mundo reports.
      They terrified Ramos’ kids, aged between three and eight, and the two nannies looking after them, but left them unharmed during the burglary on September 20.
      He shares the home near Seville with his model and TV presenter wife Pilar Rubio.
      The star couple celebrated their wedding at the country property in June 2019 after a religious ceremony at Seville Cathedral.
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      Reports in Spain said the burglars only targeted their bedroom after accessing it via the roof and took watches, jewellery, designer clothes and shoes worth more than £300,000.
      They also stole five Louis Vuitton bags and four suitcases of the same brand valued at nearly £40,000 – though no one has been arrested in relation to the crime.
      Falcao initially struggled at Manchester United during 2014 before transferring to Chelsea and then finding his footing at Monaco.
      He signed for Rayo Vallecano in September 2021 after two injury-plagued years at Galatasaray.
      Other LaLiga players who have suffered break-ins at their homes include Real Madrid striker Rodrygo and former Barcelona stars Jordi Alba and Gerard Pique.
      In June 2019 former Chelsea frontman Alvaro Morata’s wife Alice Campello was confronted by armed intruders while she was alone at their home north of Madrid with a nanny and twins Alessandro and Leonardo.
      The Italian beauty admitted afterwards she would be “afraid for a long time to come.”
      She said in a social media message: “I think this is one of those things that are not easily forgotten, one of those things that makes you realize how much love and life is worth.
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      “Knowing that you have your children at home and thinking they can touch them or do something to them is really an inexplicable emotion.
      “Fortunately we are all well and know it could have been much worse.”
      Real Madrid defender Ramos was targeted in a burglary as wellCredit: INSTAGRAM
      He and his family weren’t at home at the timeCredit: INSTAGRAM
      The family were eating dinner nearbyCredit: INSTAGRAM
      A member of staff approached the burglars, and they fledCredit: INSTAGRAM More

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      Champions League WORST team of the week includes two Man Utd flops and £60m-rated star

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      TWO Manchester United players have been included in a worst team of the week in the Champions League.United slumped to their fifth defeat in their last seven games as they were beaten by Turkish side Galatasaray 3-2 at Old Trafford.
      The worst team in this week’s Champions League Group Stage according to Sofascore
      Onana suffered a torrid nightCredit: Getty
      And Diogo Dalot struggled with Wilfried ZahaCredit: Rex
      The Red Devils now sit rock bottom of their Champions League group behind Bayern Munich, Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen having lost their two opening matches.
      Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana heads up the worst team of the week according to data company SofaScore’s ratings, with a score of 5.9.
      The £47million man had a shaky and nervous display throughout and his misplaced pass led directly to Casemiro’s red card.
      Diogo Dalot was perhaps a bit unlucky to make the XI given he was given an average looking 6.1 but he defended poorly for Wilfried Zaha’s goal and didn’t contribute much going forward.
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      At centre-back were the PSG pairing that shipped four goals against Newcastle.
      Milan Skriniar looked cumbersome and earned a 5.9 which was beaten by his partner Marquinhos earning a 5.8.
      Owen Wijndal, like Dalot, scored a 6.1 after shipping three to Shaktar Donetsk.
      Galatasaray’s Sergio Oliveira scored 5.9 despite being on the winning side at Old Trafford and he was joined in midfield by the 6.0 rated Romario Baro of Porto and Red Bull Salzburg’s Oscar Gloukh who scored 6.1.
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      The highly rated Samuel Chukwueze is unlucky to make the XI as he only appeared off the bench for Milan in their 0-0 draw with Borussia Dortmund and scored a 6.0.
      His cross-city rival Lautaro Martinez appears up front after scoring a 5.9 for a poor performance against Benfica.
      Meschak Elia of Young Boys scored a 6.1 as he struggled to break down Red Star Belgrade.
      Martinez struggled against BenficaCredit: Rex More