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      Erik ten Hag’s in-form Man Utd can prove they’ve learned lesson from 6-3 Man City drubbing… but can they stop Haaland?

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      MANCHESTER UNITED will be hoping to prove themselves in the Manchester derby this weekend.The Red Devils take on their cross-city rivals Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday at Old Trafford.
      Man United boss Erik ten Hag will hope his side can perform better against Man City this time roundCredit: PA
      City won 6-3 last time with Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both scoring hat-tricksCredit: AFP
      Last time the two sides met, it was an unpleasant afternoon for Erik ten Hag’s side as they were hammered by City.
      It was only thanks to a late brace from substitute Anthony Martial that the scoreline looked a less embarrassing 6-3 at full-time.
      However since domestic football returned, fourth-placed United have looked a lot more consistent, having won their last four league games.
      Whereas City have won two of their last four and drawn one and lost one.
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      On top of that, they were beaten by Southampton in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals in the week.
      The City defence has not looked as solid as previous and United will be hoping in-form striker Marcus Rashford can continue his hot streak.
      The England forward has netted seven goals in his last six games in all competitions for the Red Devils.
      A win will be huge for United as it would propel them to only one point behind City – a real statement about their resurgence.
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      However in order to win they will have to come up with a way of stopping Erling Haaland.
      The Premier League top goalscorer was in top form the last time the sides met in October.
      If they fail to stop Haaland and City pick up all three points, it could put them back on track of hunting down league leaders Arsenal.
      Currently, second-placed City are five points adrift from the Gunners and need to get back into good form in order to be able to catch them and retain their Premier League title.
      The striker bagged himself a hat-trick at the Etihad Stadium.
      He has not slowed his scoring rate since the game, having already fired in 21 goals in only 16 league appearances.
      The good news for the Red Devils is that star defender Lisandro Martinez is back match-fit after his 90-minute outing against Charlton in the Carabao Cup.
      Although City have dominated the fixture in recent years, having only lost once in the last five meetings, winning the other five.
      The Manchester derby kicks off at 12.30pm.
      Marcus Rashford is in good form for the DevilsCredit: PA
      But United will have to stop 21-goal man Haaland if they hope to winCredit: Reuters More

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      Bacary Sagna reveals what Arsenal need to do to beat Man City for Prem title ahead of North London derby vs Tottenham

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      ANYTHING other than victory for Arsenal against “direct opposition”, such as Tottenham, could scupper their Premier League title chances, reckons Bacary Sagna.Sagna joined the Gunners from Auxerre in 2007 where he amassed a total of 284 appearances and won the 2014 FA Cup during his seven-year stint at the Emirates.
      Bacary Sagna revealed how Arsenal can beat Manchester City in the Premier League title raceCredit: Getty
      Ex-Arsenal ace Bacary Sagna believes his former club can win the Premier LeagueCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      But Bacary Sagna insists Arsenal will have to beat their title rivalsCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      Now the North Londoners have launched a surprise title bid as they sit top of the table with Manchester City – another former club of the ex-right-back – five points behind.
      The former France international is confident Mikel Arteta’s in-form side will beat all of their non-title rivals.
      But the 39-year-old insists a draw against a fellow top-six side and the revived Newcastle, who are currently third, won’t be enough to guarantee the title.
      Sagna is adamant Arsenal must beat rivals Tottenham away this Sunday to make a strong statement.
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      The Frenchman even went as far as to claim that victory against Spurs and Manchester United this month as well as City in February could guarantee them their first title since 2004.
      Speaking to Lord Ping, Sagna said: “Arsenal need to beat their direct opposition – they need to beat the biggest teams in the league including Manchester City. I’m not worried about the other games that Arsenal have, they will win those.
      “The real challenge for Arsenal is to win against their title rivals. If they manage to win the home game against Man City, then that will put them in a great position to win the title, but they need to win their games before that to keep leading the pack starting with Tottenham on Sunday.
      “I think it’s a tricky one to say with certainty who will win the league. I am very curious to see how Arsenal perform against Tottenham in the derby.
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      “This is a really important period for Arsenal. If they manage to come through it, winning all of their next games against Tottenham, Manchester United and then City in February, they will surely be crowned champions at the end of the season.
      “I am also interested in seeing how the team and the fans will react if they were to lose against Tottenham because Arsenal’s season bar a defeat at Old Trafford, which they were the better team, has been almost perfect so far.”
      Sagna knows exactly the level of opposition Arsenal can expect from City, as he spent three years at the Etihad after leaving north London in 2014.
      The Frenchman loved the family atmosphere at the Gunners but still remembers how competitive the Citizens have been, especially under manager Pep Guardiola.
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      Sagna added: “Arsenal was a family club. It was like a childhood club where you were with your friends, that kind of vibe. I knew everything about my teammates at Arsenal; their families, their life off the pitch, the struggles that they had.
      “When I arrived at City, I found a different environment which was not familiar to me because I didn’t really know anyone there. When I first walked into the dressing room at City, I don’t want to say the players were shy, but they didn’t say much. There was total respect between the players, but it was different to Arsenal.
      “The atmosphere did change and, over time, it got better for me, but it was very strange for me to walk into a dressing room and not hug the players, like I did at Arsenal. When I first arrived at City, the other players would come in and say “good morning”, it wasn’t as familiar.
      “It was just a bit different. I needed time to adapt and then I found my way. I realised that some of the players were a little bit shy or preferred to speak in private – I had to go to them.
      “I was starting again from zero and you need to earn the trust of the other players. When you play in a club where there are only international players, there can be a competition that can create tension because everyone is competing for a place in the team, but slowly that goes away and the vibe between the group becomes stronger.”
      However, Sagna is confident of Arsenal’s chances after noticing how the club took a new direction that is reminiscent of its glory years.
      The former defender was particularly happy to see legendary manager Arsene Wenger finally back at the Emirates last month for the first time since his exit in 2018.
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      Sagna said: “That felt good. He belongs to Arsenal. He belongs to the club. I can understand how difficult it would have been for him to go back to The Emirates, especially after how he left.
      “It was probably hard for him to leave his baby and he found the courage to come back, which can only be good for the club and for himself.”
      Arsenal will have to beat Tottenham this Sunday, as per Bacary SagnaCredit: AP
      Bacary Sagna spent seven years at Arsenal where he won the FA CupCredit: PA:Press Association
      Bacary Sagna also played for Manchester City after leaving ArsenalCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      True cost of Jude Bellingham transfer revealed as Man City and Liverpool face HUGE costs and wages on top of £100m fee

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      A TRANSFER move for Jude Bellingham is reportedly set to make him one of the most expensive investments in football.The Borussia Dortmund star is one of the hottest properties in Europe at the moment following his performances in the Bundesliga and for England at the World Cup in Qatar.
      Jude Bellingham is wanted by Europe’s top clubsCredit: Getty
      The midfielder’s transfer is set to cost a fortuneCredit: Getty
      Premier League giants such as Manchester City and Liverpool as well as LaLiga’s Real Madrid are interested in the 19-year-old.
      However, they face a battle to sign him due to the amount of money he is set to cost.
      Dortmund are demanding £100million upfront for the England star.
      But that fee could increase to £120m with add-ons. and then even further with agents’ fees.
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      And as the report suggests, Bellingham could demand a salary of £10.6m a year along with bonuses which would equate to with the player earning £410,000-per-week.
      And this is just the start of the deal, as Bellingham is hoping to get a six-year contract, according to SPORT.
      Therefore the total deal could cost a club up to £248m over the length of the contract.
      If Madrid were to sign him, then it would make him the most expensive investment in the club’s history.
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      City have already completed a similar deal after picking up Erling Haaland from Dortmund last summer.
      Other club’s that would have the financial might to be abel to afford Bellingham would be Manchester United and Ligue 1’s PSG.
      However, Madrid are hoping that Bellingham will be the long-term heir to Luka Modric. More

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      Ex-Man City star Lescott says Akanji was a ‘ridiculous’ bit of transfer business as he compares defender to Thiago Silva

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      MANCHESTER CITY’S capture of Erling Haaland was the story of the summer at The Etihad, but the champions also pulled off a “ridiculous” bit of business in landing Manuel Akanji.That’s according to former City defender Joleon Lescott, who has been blown away by the impact the Swiss international has had on Pep Guardiola’s side.
      Manuel Akanji joined Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund last summerCredit: GETTY
      The Switzerland ace has been a rock at the back for Pep Guardiola’s troopsCredit: GETTY
      Akanjai has blown away former City defender Joleon LescottCredit: BT SPORT
      The defender, signed from Borussia Dortmund for a bargain £15million on deadline day in September, has started all but two of City’s Prem games since he arrived.
      Ahead of the Manchester derby on Saturday, Lescott said: “It was a ridiculous bit of business.
      “The business Manchester City have done over recent years hasn’t surprised me but in terms of him there will be so many teams looking at him and thinking: ‘Why didn’t we see that and do that and take that opportunity?'”
      After sitting out the first Premier League game just days after his arrival, Akanji has taken to English football superbly and cemented his place in Guardiola’s side in a quiet, assured fashion.
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      It is that ease of transition which has most impressed Lescott, who compared the former Basel man to Chelsea’s veteran master, Thiago Silva.
      He added: “It has been a seamless impact. As a defender that is where I rate the level.
      “It is similar to Thiago Silva, when it came it was like he’d been there forever.
      “He isn’t being noticed for any particular thing. As a defender, I always thought that if no one is mentioning your name you’re doing okay because you haven’t made a mistake.
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      “You aren’t going to consistently score goals as a defender so if you’re being mentioned it’s either for a goal or a mistake.
      “I always thought that if no one is mentioning me you’re doing okay.
      “That’s the case with Akanji, he has come in and is playing numerous positions and looks so comfortable.
      “It is just the level he is at.
      “Maintaining the level he is playing at is progress, he is playing to his maximum every week.”
      Akanji was sent on as a half-time substitute to try and save City during their shock Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat to Southampton on Wednesday night.
      While he couldn’t inspire a comeback at St. Mary’s, City didn’t concede again once he was on the pitch and he will be key as they look to bounce back against bitter rivals Manchester United tomorrow.
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      At the other end of the pitch, Haaland, who bagged his third Prem hat-trick of the season in the return fixture, will also prove vital.
      Though after the mauling at The Etihad, Lescott suspects United will go about trying to stop the powerhouse in a different manner.
      Lescott said: “Martinez and Varane tried to get physical with him and Haaland just manhandled them, he enjoys that.
      “There has to be a different approach because the outcome wasn’t positive for them.
      “Your thought process would be to nullify the supply because if enough chances fall to him he’s going to execute, and that’s why he’s regarded as world-class.
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      “If he gets two or three chances he’s going to score. So it will be a case of nullifying those chances.”
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      Man City star Liam Delap – son of Premier League icon Rory – has Stoke loan transfer cancelled and joins rivals Preston

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      RORY DELAP’S son Liam has ended his loan with Stoke to join Preston from Manchester City. The forward, who has been with City since youth level, spent the first six months of the season on loan with Stoke.
      Rory Delap’s son Liam has ended his loan with Stoke to join Preston
      Rory Delap made his name at StokeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Delap scored three goals for The Potters, where his dad made his name for his famous throw-ins.
      But the 19-year-old will spend the remainder of the season with rivals Preston.
      Delap said: “I’m buzzing. It’s such a great club and I’m really excited to meet the boys and play in front of the fans.
      “I’ve spoken to the manager and I’m really happy with what he’s got to say and the style of football he plays, so I can’t wait to get playing under him.
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      “As a striker at the end of the day, the manager wants goals so that’s what he’s said to me.
      “I trust myself in front of goal. I trust myself to get in the right positions so if I get the opportunity then hopefully I can bring that.”
      Preston have brought starlet Delap in after losing striker Emil Riis for the rest of the season due to a knee injury.
      Manager Ryan Lowe added: “Liam was one we targeted in the summer because of the work he’d done with City’s U23s and he had some input in the first team with a couple of goals, too.
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      “With him being called back now we felt it was important to make our move, and I’m really pleased we’ve got it over the line.
      “He’s a good lad, a good footballer and a goalscorer. He just needs an opportunity to score goals and hopefully we can give him that.
      “Obviously we’re going to be without Emil for a long period now too, so we felt we needed to bring an extra body into the building to continue the form we’ve had.”
      Liam Delap was on loan with his dad Rory’s old team StokeCredit: PA More

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      How Man Utd could line up against Man City with Weghorst set to feature on bench if they can complete transfer in time

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      MANCHESTER UNITED will be looking to stretch their winning run to NINE when they host Manchester City in a crunch derby on Saturday.Erik ten Hag’s side have been in scinscillating form since the season resumed with the Red Devils still in both cup competitions and in the top four.

      Victories over Burnley, Everton and Charlton in the cups mean they’re well on course to end their seven-year wait for a trophy.
      United are in the fourth round of the FA Cup, where they’ll host Reading, while they face Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
      But after two consecutive cup games, it’s back to Prem action for the Red Devils this weekend.
      In terms of injuries, Ten Hag will be sweating over the fitness of Diogo Dalot after the Portugal star was withdrawn after just 34 minutes against Charlton.
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      If he isn’t passed fit, Aaron Wan-Bissaka will make his fourth league start on the bounce.
      Raphael Varane should be recalled and is likely to partner Lisandro Martinez, who finally made his first start since the World Cup in midweek, with Luke Shaw making up the backline.
      In midfield, Christian Eriksen and Casemiro will start in a two, just behind Bruno Fernandes.
      Moving forward, the red-hot Marcus Rashford will be out on the left and Antony should get his chance to shine after scoring against both Everton and Charlton.
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      That leaves Anthony Martial to start up front despite his recent struggles in front of goal.
      But United will be hoping to have Wout Weghorst available and on the bench with the Dutchman set to join on loan for the rest of the season.

      Weghorst has reportedly said his goodbyes at Besiktas before undergoing a medical ahead of his switch to Old Trafford.
      Jadon Sancho, who hasn’t played since October, is likely to miss once again though. More

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      Watch awkward moment Liverpool boss Klopp asks ex-Man City star Nedum Onuoha if he’s ever played football live on TV

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      JURGEN KLOPP awkwardly asked ex-Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha if he has “ever played football” during a tense interview. Liverpool were held 2-2 on the weekend in the FA Cup against Wolves, leaving manager Klopp less than impressed.
      Jurgen Klopp had an awkward interview with Nedum Onuoha

      And Onuoha, who retired in 2020 and now works for ESPN, had the tough task of speaking to the German afterwards.
      But Klopp took exception to the line of questioning and at one point said: “I’m not sure if you’ve played football but these kind of things happen.”
      Onuoha, in fact, made more professional appearances then Klopp!
      He has played around the world with the likes of City, QPR and Real Salt Lake in the MLS.
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      ESPN compared his stats to Klopp during the Liverpool bosses playing days.
      Onuoha made 426 appearances in total compared to Klopp’s 347.
      And perhaps most damning of all, the ex-defender played in 232 top-flight games while Klopp had none.
      The Liverpool head coach played in Germany throughout his career although never in the Bundesliga.
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      But as a manager, he has won the Premier League and Champions League.
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      So Onuoha did not want to make enemies of a modern great during their tense interview.
      He said: “Do you know what? If he was in a good mood, I probably would have said something back.
      “But he wasn’t in a good mood at all. And I thought for my first time interviewing someone so significant in world football, if I bit back it might turn into some sort of argument.
      “So I thought there’s the content, I’ll let you guys enjoy it, and we’ll move on, get a bit more from him. I thought I did all right.”
      Nedum Onuoha reacts to his interview with Jurgen Klopp More

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      Man City boss Guardiola says he has ‘ridiculous idea’ of how he can guide side to derby triumph against Ten Hag’s troops

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      PEP GUARDIOLA says he has a “ridiculous” idea on how he can beat Erik ten Hag in Saturday’s Manchester Derby.Title-chasing Manchester City will make the short trip to Old Trafford in desperate need of three points.
      Guardiola says he has a ‘ridiculous’ idea on how he can beat Ten Hag’s UnitedCredit: Getty
      Guardiola’s men sit five points behind league leaders Arsenal, who take on Tottenham on Sunday.
      The last time City met Manchester United, they ran out 6-3 winners at the Etihad, with Phil Foden and Erling Haaland netting hat-tricks.
      But since then, United have been hard to beat, and they’ve won eight consecutive competitive games under Ten Hag heading into Saturday’s clash.
      And for that reason, Guardiola has a “ridiculous” idea that he plans to use to beat United.
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      He said: “I would like to arrive against United with the average of minutes in the legs of the players quite similar because I have a few ideas, thoughts, ridiculous ones against United.”
      Guardiola coming up with “ridiculous” ideas that end up paying off come as no surprise these days.
      The Spaniard effectively used a false-nine system at Barcelona, with Lionel Messi being his focal point.
      He deployed such tactics last season when his City team were without a recognised striker, but that didn’t stop them from winning the league.
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      Right-back Joao Cancelo has been played on the left side of the defence.
      Again, it sounds rather bonkers but it has worked effectively for City in the past.

      Sometimes Guardiola’s big ideas can blow up in his face, though.
      In the Champions League 2020 quarter-final, Guardiola switched to a 3-5-2 formation to counter the speed of Lyon –  a side that had beaten the Sky Blues in the group stage of the competition.
      But City went on to lose the one-off game 3-1 with Moussa Dembele bagging a brace and Maxwel Cornet getting the other.
      On a potential line-up, Guardiola said: “I don’t have a clear line-up against United.
      “I didn’t watch their last games. I have to see the way they play at home and if they change something.”
      City’s next five games are season-defining More